Easter Sunday 2015

A very rare Sunday report but it is not an ordinary day. This day a little over 2000 years ago, Jesus rose from the dead. One account or mystery mentioned in a small prayer rarely used said He ‘descended into hell’ rising on the third day. Emma, I need a little help here. Are there any details in scriptures of this ?

Actually it has bothered me for some time. I even asked a local priest one time but he evaded answering the question. I ponder sometimes … did Jesus go to Las Vegas ? New Orleans ?

I went to Mass last night early & was surprized. I was HOPING for Mass & it was an ‘Easter vigil’. Much more hype, hoopla, pagentry & ceremony. Can’t fault the flock or the Father for going a little over the top for this CHRISTIAN Holiday. But a funny story developed.

I arrived way early securing a seat on the aisle in the back row. At Saint Gabby’s, while the new church is being built, the seats are chairs in a symmetrical but irregular pattern. There were four (4) chairs across the back row where I sat in the far left one. Me, (empty chair for now) & a older couple with her sitting nearer to me. After the ceremony started, ushers were around to distribute little candles for the ceremony.

Candles were lit, things got going & it was not what I was expecting, hoping for or liking.

Then the final seat was taken by a young lad of 10-12 separated from his Family a few rows up arriving late. The readings were not in the booklet or the Missal as usually the case & went on & on. And ON & ON.

Talk about dumbed down. Just sit there like a toad & listen. The chants … they sang EVERY verse of every chant. At this rate, I am thinking MAYBE midnight. I started to plot a hasty withdrawal.

I look to my right & the kid's candle is burning down faster than mine. No. His protective paper disk was moved up closer to the flame. Optical illusion on my part.

I develop a Plan to exit under stealth. At the next STAND, just walk out amongst the trees … unnoticed. The flock rises to stand. My moment has arrived.

Just then there is a brighter light from the corner of my right eye. The flame had made its way down to the paper disk on the kids candle & is now on fire. The kid was shaking, not knowing what to do & a glance at the woman next revealed similar panic there.

As a former fireman, I took the candle from the lad & blew out the flame. Crisis averted saving lives. The only notice was the guy in the suit in the row in front of us. He apparently recognized the smell of burning paper. The good news, NO stampede, NO panicked horde rushing the exits while the church burned to the ground. All in a days work.

My exit was delayed but I did leave according to plan at the next standing opportunity. I gave the kid my candle so he would have something to play with & explained BRIEFLY what the paper disk was for & to MOVE it BEFORE it caught on fire. Then I vanished.

I figure that was why the Lord drew me to church this night & having saved the parish considerable building funds not to mention the embarrassment, lost lives, leaving early was OK this time. I have a feeling I will be forgiven this time anyway.

So Easter has arrived & once again I surprised myself. I was 100% certain the first thing this morning I was going to do was assemble a cocktail, a Maker’s & Coke ... a nice slice of lime, maybe a nano-splash of coconut for extra flavor. I tip the bar staff here well for remembering such amentities. But I am not craving such a thing right now anyway which is a very good thing.

However surprised does not mean disappoint OR that it won’t happen later. I am quite & most proud of my new forty (40) day plastic chip however. I can wave it around at the next cocktail party, post it on facebook or tell all my friend. NOT.

It is raining here this morning at the cloud, only 18, so I slipped on some fleece sweatpants & a ratty old hoodie salvaged from a bag one time one of my children was going to toss or donate.

I backed Silver out of her stall so she could get a little washing & positioned some buckets to collect rain water. That will be a daylong activity.

I saw a sign while out on Thursday that the annual Ducks Unlimited fund raiser is April 16 at 6:00 pm. So I am thinking full production mode for the next two weeks to finish a couple OR sooner at this time down-select from four (4) decoys in process to possibly complete for a donation of two (2).

Two are new while the other two are older that have been kicking around. Today will be perfect for such work in the garage.

Patty is/was in NYC all weekend visiting with her first cousin Franklin. No interference or distractions there.

Two hockey games later today & tonight as the regular season nears the end.

The PGA tour is in Houston & today is the final day for that. Jordan Speith leads by one (1) at -14. I hope he wins. Did I mention I had one of his golf balls signed at the Colonial ? With every win that ball jumps in value when or if I ever decided to sell it.

I guess that’s enough. You're current & up to date.

Besides, it is Easter. I smell a couple days off to carve & paint projects for the DU fund raiser.

Have some fun with Family or friends. Or both.

The Easter bunny was here. I KNOW it was HER because she left little marble size chocolates, unwrapped. At least I think they are chocolate.

I have a keilbasa, very large & tasty made by a independent retired Polish butcher & dear family friend in NY that will be cooked & thouroughly enjoyed this rainy, cool day with Bill’s homemade mustard, later some cheese & of course the little marbles of chocolate.

Happy Easter !!

Christ has risen.