Deceptive blue sky!

Sometimes a blue sky means a warm sunny day with breakfast in the garden ... not today!  It was blowing an icy gale and the day turned out to be showery and very cold.  Still, the morning picture was pretty as the light clouds tore across the sky.

 Tonight the dog was a model of obedience ... sometimes he's not a bad dog at all!

Almighty God,
you called Luke the physician,
whose praise is in the gospel,
to be an evangelist and physician of the soul:
By the grace of the Spirit
and through the wholesome medicine of the gospel,
give your Church the same love and power to heal;
through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Book of Common Prayer

Collect of Saint Luke's Day

No place like home!

Clean, smelling sweetly and happy to be home ... Eliot returned from kennels this morning and has had a good sniff around.  Once he'd drunk from each of his water containers (and those that aren't officially supposed to be drinking fountains) he stood at the back door waiting for it to open!

Nice to have him home.

The main reason that he was away was to facilitate my going to an ordination service in Belturbet in County Cavan. That was a late night by the time we'd had the service, enjoyed a great coffee and made the two and a half hour drive back home.  I was the happy passenger ... so the journey, for me, was totally stress free both there and back!

Belturbet has a gorgeous church building.

 Clergy robed in one of the galleries so we could look over the congregation as they gathered to join in the ordination service. 

 Afterwards the newly ordained deacon, Rev Naomi Quinn, was one of a number of speakers who had the opportunity to address the people.  It was so good to see her at this point of the journey, and to catch up with others who, over the years, I've had the privilege of getting to know.   

 Belturbet is one of the parishes in Bishop Ken Clarke's diocese and he gathered the proceedings to a conclusion.

As is traditional, all the clergy and lay readers wait in a semi-circle for the newly ordained person to emerge from the church where she had the chance to greet us before we all adjourned to a nearby building for refreshments.

 This place had character!  And the supper was magnificent.

Meanwhile the Parish Magazine is ready for collection tomorrow ... that was the big job completed yesterday morning ... and the church is beautifully decorated for Harvest Thanksgiving.  Photographs of that will follow.

Right now it is incessant rain and feels nothing like the balmy autumn days that we'd prefer to enjoy!

However, this is home and it is comfortable and dry.  Outside temperatures are still a reasonable 

12 °C

For some readers that will sound cold ... but not here!  It's quite pleasant really.

In the background the dishwasher is churning away ... it was loaded up while lunch was cooking ... getting that done will make the kitchen begin to look a lot more organised!  It might even be possible to see the counter surfaces once again!  I had no difficulty in resisting the temptation to take a picture of lunch ... in reality it looked grand and tasted good ... in a picture it may have resembled nothing quite so much as a dog's dinner!  

Fairly soon I need to take a run down to the hall.  ["Run" as in "drive" - in case you think that I've found a sudden burst of energy from somewhere!]  There's an Antiques and Collectables fair on at Saint Nicholas' today - but I'd be afraid that this weather will mean buyers may have stayed at home. 

It were my soul's desire

to see the face of God;

it were my soul's desire

to rest in his abode.

It were my soul's desire

a spirit free from gloom,

it were my soul's desire

new life beyond the doom.

Church Hymnal number 633

Old Irish - versified by Eleanor Hull (1860-1935)

Sung to "Armagh" composed by Charles Wood (1866-1926) 

Façade reflected in façade ....

... and other stories!

 It was an Apprentice-Style challenge!

 Today groups of office staff took over a number of Marie Curie Charity shops.  For the last number of weeks ... months .... they've been collecting items for sale.  They've had to sort, bag, transport and then exchange the regular stock with their stuff!  At ten o'clock this morning they began trading.

 And, as 3.30 pm struck the tills were closed and the money taken recorded against each group of civil servants or whoever!
Judges came to inspect the work, check out the window displays and record marks against each group ... all this information will then be collected and discussed until a winning team can be identified.
So, what's my interest?
Apart from knowing that it is a fantastic charity!
Well ... my sister was on this team!
This is my Wee Sister!  The baby of the family!  She is, in fact, the grandmother of a small child who calls herself a genius!

 The lady with her here is one of the regular volunteers in this particular shop ... she seemed happy enough that a team of workers should take over!  They had a tombola as well ... drum supplied by one of the Belfast churches.  I'd asked on Facebook if anyone had such a thing as a tumbler for a tombola and one of my colleagues was able to supply the same!  Facebook has its uses.

 The happy post three thirty picture doesn't show the sore feet!  But it was well worth the effort.  £2,491 raised in five and a half hours!  They weren't allowed to sell anything before ten or after half past three to count in the challenge.  If they'd been able to do that then the total would have been much larger!

 I wasn't able to arrive at the shop very early so missed the fashion parade that was taken out into the street!  Nor was my sister willing actually to model the little frilly skirt ... although one of her colleagues had done so in the afternoon!

 You can see how much stuff was left at the end of trading (all that is now simply given to Marie Curie and becomes part of that shop's stock) ... how full must the place have been earlier in the day.  They also had pots of daffodil bulbs planted to give to the first fifty customers who spent over £15 and the cafe across the street gave a free tea or coffee to people who spent over £15 in the shop.  It became something of a community effort!

 I hope they all have deep warm baths to go to this evening!

 But it was a good day and a great effort for charity.
Having sunny and dry weather was a bonus ... today's weather watching picture shows cloud ... but lots of blue sky too!

 Finally, with the dog in kennels I keep up to date with him via Facebook!  Ballygrainey Boarding Kennels (they do cats as well) take pictures of the pampered pets ... fun to see a shot of "himself" that I'd not taken!

So .... just a small glimpse into a fun part of a long day ... back to the computer now to work ... to complete the Parish Magazine and have it ready for delivery first thing in the morning!  At least ... that's what I'm aiming for!

Everlasting God,
you have ordained and constituted the ministries
of angels and mortals in a wonderful order:
Grant that as your holy angels always serve you in heaven,
so, at your command,
they may help and defend us on earth;
through Jesus Christ our Lord.  Amen. 

Saint Michael and All Angels

Book of Common Prayer

2010:365:57 E is for Eliot

Here he is - enjoying peanut butter which has been spread on a lid.  It is one of his current favourite treats and results in much lip smacking and funny faces.  Eliot gives a lot of pleasure, although today his insurance papers arrived and that's another story!  Still, it has been useful in the past when he's needed attention from the vet and it means that I don't have to worry about him.  What I pay in a year wouldn't cover the cost of X-rays!

The letter "E" gave me a lot of scope: Elizabeth, Eliot, Elephant, Energy, Electricity ... The 365Project has been fun and I'm enjoying the alphabet challenge very much.  Elephant came to mind first (after Eliot, of course) very early this morning.  Then I discovered that "E stands for Elephant" is how I learned the alphabet in the first place!  "Our Darling's First Book" with which you must now be quite familiar, used that common British animal to illustrate the capital E!  

I have a friend who has a collection of elephants that rivals my hoard of turtles.  (Just wait until we reach "T".  The only elephants that I have are: 

a glass one that I bought in a glass factory in Swaziland; 

bone earrings that I purchased in Kenya; 

ebony ones that an uncle brought from what was then Ceylon; 

and two tapestry cushions.

I thought that one of them would provide a good background image for yet another picture of Eliot!  The colours please me and the bigger cushion, the other one, is good as an extra seat.  

If yesterday's blog could have been the pub sign "The Dog and Duck" then perhaps today's might be "The Elephant and Dog".  

Finding enjoyment in the simple things of life is a great blessing.  A pleasing cushion, a well formed glass ornament and my friendly and very soft and affectionate dog ... I'm contented.  Even doing this blog during my coffee break has been fun!
Now .... what will I do tomorrow for "F" as I don't think "farmer" is going to be a possibility!








Merciful God,
you have prepared for those who love you
such good things as pass our understanding:
Pour into our hearts such love toward you
that we, loving you above all things,
may obtain your promises,
which exceed all that we can desire;
through Jesus Christ our Lord.  Amen.

Book of Common Prayer

The Collect of the Sixth Sunday after Trinity.

2010:365:37 Sometimes you're just too close...

Sometimes you're just too close!


"You can't see the wood for the trees".




Parts of this strange object are in focus but what on earth is it?



What size is it?



Why does it exist?

Even when you turn it around and focus on another part the actual item is still unclear (unless you happen to be a dog owner).

Not all dog owners will recognise it - though that is a fairly big clue.


A lot of problems are like this - you're just too close to see the big picture.


So step back.  Take a longer look and put the "thing" in context.  If you see the whole picture the object's size isn't so awesome.

What is this multi-coloured object?


It belongs to my dog!

Over the years it has been well chewed and tugged.



And it isn't so large and scary as the initial photographs made it appear!

It is all to do with perspective.



It has been a while since Eliot appeared in a blog so this was my way of getting him back on the page.  But these pictures did make me think too about life's problems and difficulties.

There are times when we need to step back -  everyday we should take some space to reflect and put things in God's perspective.  Nothing is too big, or too difficult when God is in the picture.


Almighty God,
whose Son revealed in signs and miracles
the wonder of your saving presence:
Renew your people with your heavenly grace,
and in all our weakness
sustain us by your mighty power;
through Jesus Christ our Lord.  Amen. 

Book of Common Prayer

The Collect of the Third Sunday after the Epiphany.

2010:365 Day Eight. Blog Eight. Photographs 8++

One of the inevitable topics of conversation these days is "The Weather". Today, with the sun shining brightly Eliot and I took a wee walk to the park. This photograph is from almost the same place as yesterday's but we had to move into the shade to take it. At least that awful grey mist and gloom has gone but the temperature hasn't risen above -4*C all day....and during last night it was much lower. It has dropped to -6*C already so tonight may be even colder.

I made an interesting discovery when putting on the walking boots. They'd been a bargain some time ago....and today I discovered why! They don't match! Same size, same general colour....but inside the linings are different and the labels are completely odd. Somewhere, someone else has a similar "matching pair" that aren't identical. Like in so many other things...you see what you expect to see! It's one of the reasons that proof reading your own material is so challenging.

Even if the boots don't match we had a grand walk and Eliot got a good run in an almost deserted park. So, today's photographs join the 2010:365 collection - another day in the life of The Rev and a Dog.

Preserve us, O Lord, while waking, and guard us while sleeping,

that awake we may watch with Christ, and asleep we may rest in peace.

From the Office of Compline.

Day Two of the Photographic Record/Blog....so far, so good!

He's a very patient animal. The footpaths and roads are icy this morning so Eliot is content to wander around the frosty back garden when any hope of a morning walk has gone. We've not had any fresh snow but temperatures have remained low enough to freeze solid the little bit that is lying since the Sunday before Christmas.

To learn patience from a dog seems an odd lesson but he'll sit for hours waiting for the mouse to appear from behind the skirting board or stay at you knee for the crumb that you'll save as a treat for him. Of course, Eliot understands "now" just as clearly as do we humans and will bounce to the door if he thinks a journey is possible. But, if he's not going out, then he's content to curl up in a basket or at the bottom of the stairs and just wait until his owner returns.

Today's lesson for me is: patience! "Plan B" is grand if "Plan A" isn't possible today. Sometimes it is okay to wait, and wait. and wait. Those things that I'd like to change at once may have to wait until "tomorrow" or until conditions are right. That's fine - just find joy in the present moment and be content.

Almighty and everlasting God:

Increase in us your gift of faith

that, forsaking what lies behind,

we may run the way of your commandments

and win the crown of everlasting joy;

through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

(Collect of the Eighteenth Sunday after Trinity)

Raindrops

Have you ever noticed that raindrops on windows aren't "drop shaped"? There are many oppportunities to discover that these days!

Daffodils are floating dejectedly in about ten centimeters of water though the Iris are happily growing tall thinking that the marsh has come to them. Even the dog won't go out.

That may be due to extreme fatigue as much as the weather. Last night he had an absolute ball as he was entertaining Angel. It is quite amazing how well they behave when together considering just how different they are. She's an absolute beauty - a Lurcher - with a close resemblance to "Santa's Little Helper"! In the field she can outrun Eliot by miles. He might have stamina but she has speed. Eliot, unfortunatly, hasn't learned to share his bones. The bone in question lay undisturbed for days, possibly weeks. Suddenly last night it was the most important chew in the house and he carried it around like a prized possession. Angel, of course, true to her nature, simply ignored him - apart from a few longing glances as he took another lick.
Today, with the heating on, he's tucked up in his favourite chair, bone forgotten. Meanwhile his owner is thinking about all the things that need to be done and getting on with none of them! What else is a day off for? From time to time it would be good if there could be sunshine on Thursdays...maybe next week?

...those things that I ought to have done...

There'd be quite a list and perhaps the list is one of the things that ought to have been done? Is it procrastination or trying to sort out priorities and therefore inevitably some things can't be attempted in the time available? Whatever it is, to come to bed time exhausted, having worked almost all day from early morning, and feel that you didn't achieve half of what you wanted to do is, to say the least, frustrating. Fifteen hours since I arrived in the Parish Office this morning and now I can think of nothing but bed (and all the work that hasn't been done!).

Tomorrow looks to be about to follow the same sort of pattern as I'm meeting workmen on site at 8.00 am and then the day is likely to be pretty much non-stop until after Choir practice tomorrow night. But there's the oasis at 1.00 pm when we have Holy Communion. That is always a refreshing moment in the middle of a busy week - time to step aside and remember...to reflect...to rest...

Regularly the poor dog looks with great longing brown eyes as I leave him curled in his basket (if you can call a plastic bed "a basket"), or sitting at the top of the stairs, to await my return sometime. But Eliot is never complaining. He's just delighted to see me and willing to follow me around, flopping at my feet in the most awkward places - he doesn't even object when I trip over him! At times I think he keeps me sane - at other times he drives me mad! Last night he came to Fusion, the Youth Club, with me and found himself to be a very popular dog, happily trotting off with whoever wanted to take him for a walk. Some of the youngsters played football until you could hardly see the people at the other end of the green - but when there's good weather you have to make the most of it! Others were in the Youth Centre doing impressive magic tricks and just sometimes letting slip how the "magic" worked! Wouldn't it be great if there were a way to solve problems as easily as making a silk hanky disappear?!!

Maundy Thursday

A damp morning for a walk so Eliot is now a smelly wet dog...the joy of dog ownership, I guess!
Mind is full of all the activities of today with the last of the home communions and then the big United Churches Celebration this evening. It is at 8 o'clock if you're in the area. Bishop Ken Clarke will be preacher and celebrant - looking forward to that. The services have been good all week and the church warm and feeling well filled.
Interesting thing is that the Anglicans have not suppported these services nearly as well as the Presbyterians and Methodists. Why is this? Has the Church of Ireland tradition of keeping Holy Week gone in this part of the world? The choir have been very faithful and the singing is beautiful...but where are the people who come out on Sunday mornings? I'm puzzled and disappointed. Those who have come have been blessed and encouraged - it is a great pity that so many others have missed the blessing. I wonder will people come this evening....hope so!
Meanwhile...having spent a while photocopying in the office at 7.00 am I'm now ready for breakfast and the first of the last of the home communions. Thinking too of all the "poorly" people, those in hospital and hospice, and others who need to travel for treatment and check ups.
It has been a good week here in Saint Nicholas' and I have be encouraged in my own soul. One of "The Boys" last night suggested that we do this kind of thing every week!! "The Boys" is the collective noun, coined by one of the choir, for my colleagues - Paul, Ivan and Fred - from the two Presbyterian Churches and Belfast South Methodist.

Monday in Holy Week

Lunchtime. It will be a short blog!
I've just eaten the last of yesterday's dinner...okay, but probably should have waited until it warmed a bit more? Dog happy enough with the leftovers - not that I want to leave leftovers - just couldn't resist his big brown eyes watching every forkfull!
Was up early to put out the bin...refuse collection is usually 7.00 am here...but today the black bins are still standing to attention at our gates while the brown ones are steadily creeping away to the back gardens since they were emptied mid-morning.
A "sudden rush of blood to the head" then motivated me to do laundry (of course it is now raining!) and clean the kitchen before heading out to the first of today's home Holy Communions.
That's always a great delight and privilege. And I'm booked for another two this afternoon, so need to keep an eye on the clock.
Eliot is around somewhere. This week the poor wee soul is totally neglected! He copes! And maybe next week there'll be a little more time to walk and play and maybe even spend a while with his dog friends! Every so often, if I'm around, a little toy is dropped at my feet or beside the chair...no demands...just the pulling of heart strings as you know he wants a game. Dream on my dog!
If you're around this evening there's a service in Saint Nicholas' at 8.00 pm - as there will be every day this week! Tonight is traditional Evening Prayer.

Durham 1

Arrived here in Saint John's College last night after two flights (have since discovered that it might be better to travel to Newcastle than to Durham!) and was escorted through a warren of corridors to a lovely room on the third floor; tea and coffee all available on a hospitality tray.
Daylight unveiled the sheer beauty of the aspect. A view, in glorious dawn sunshine, of the cathedral and the narrow cobbled streets of the Bailey. A walk before the sumptious breakfast was in order and times of Evensong noted as I passed the Cathedral.
At the breakfast table were clergy from all over the world. What a fund of experience is here even among the few of us who came early.
My choices now are huge. To stay in room (having got lost on the last attempt to find it) and read. To return to the library - assuming that I can work out how to negotiate the various bends and twists. Saint John's seems to be an entire row of 300 year old houses - appearing on the street facade to be distinct - all joined together behind and all opening out onto lovely gardens at the back. The easiest way to get around is to go out onto The Bailey by the nearest door and walk along the cobbles until you arrive at the door nearest the part of the building where you want to be. Inside, there are so many dog-leg turns and little flights of two or three stairs that you lose all sense of direction.
Or if I don't stay in the room, or go to the library, then there is Durham! The guest information has a list of the best coffee houses...though after the breakfast that we've just had....maybe an hour or two needs to pass first!
There is a sense here of being free from all the pressing demands of a "normal day" and of being able to relax into some serious academia. Even at breakfast the conversation explored ideas of ministry... Eliot just doesn't have that kind of interest!
He's probably chasing sunbeams in Bangor - didn't even give me a second glance as he headed off with his friends...
I think the sunshine beckons, and, since I'm still in cobble-friendly shoes, a little meander is in order. Photographs taken in the early light will be so different from those that I'll take on this exploration. Maybe I'll begin a Duham album - this is may be the first visit of many! But first impressions are important when you want to fix a location in your memory.
Blog may just have a few more postings this week than is normally the case!

Monday Morning

Beautiful morning - but had to fix a hole in the fence as Eliot trying to get through to the neighbour's garden where he could play with their collie. Huh! Apart from that - it is bin day here - recycling - so blue and brown bins line the leafy street! Do we appreciate how convenient it is to have rubbish collected from in front of the house?
There's a lot of traffic on the road today as preparation is underway for the Balmoral Show. At least from upstairs I'll have a good view of some of the activities. Any journey in the area may take a little longer this week as crowds pour in for the annual agricultural show - frustration at times perhaps!
What could we do to attract the same crowds to church services...?