If the Kingdom of God is a Feast. . .

. . .then we're getting a head start on things. Two Sundays ago we followed our morning worship with a potluck lunch in honor of a saint who was turning 90. Last Sunday we had a marvelous Easter breakfast, and enough leftovers that lunch could be served following our time of celebration. And this coming Sunday we're having a taco feed to coincide with our semi-annual business meeting.

Oh, and then there was Saturday, when the men gathered for our monthly breakfast; this time round was biscuits and gravy.

So, yes, we're getting a jump on that old Marriage Supper of the Lamb. At this rate, I fear, we'll already be full when we get there.

Tuesday Morning Update

The corneal transplant is a go. But it's not scheduled yet, as the surgery-scheduler was out of the office yesterday. I hope to have a date set by the end of this week.

I had a good talk with Dr. Rotkis, the man who will be performing the surgery. He says he does about 60% of all corneal transplants in the state of Washington. And that when Don Mattingly, star player for the NY Yankees, began having vision problems related to his cornea, the Yankees sent him out to meet with Dr. Rotkis for a consultation. So I think I'm in good hands.

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We had a nice time celebrating Karina's birthday yesterday, as well. Spent an hour or so wandering around Volunteer Park, one of the jewels in Seattle's park system. Visited the Conservatory and wondered at their cactus collection, strolled beneath the walnut trees, climbed the 100-foot-tall water tower and marveled at the view, watched artists paint masterpieces beside the reflecting pool. It was nice.

Then visited the Seattle YMCA for a short workout and chance to get spiffied up for dinner. . .

Which was at one of Seattle's finest steakhouses. We had a nice coupon, so we had a wonderful, amazing, delicious dinner (Oysters Rockefeller, NY Steak, wild mushroom risotto, caesar salad made right before our eyes, and a chocolate/raspberry ganache for dessert) for not much more than we'd usually pay at your local Applebees. What was even more fun, though, was ogling all the high-spenders around us. Like the party of 6 sitting next to us, who had, by our estimation, already spent $400 on drinks and one appetizer, before even getting to the main course (the appetizer alone was $98. . .kind of out of our price range). So much for all that news about how horrible the economy is these days.

Like a kid in a candy store

I remember back in the day, back when I lived in Other Places, I'd walk into a grocery store and see these tiny little plastic containers with, say, 10 blackberries in them, for $3.99. I'd be tempted, because I love blackberries. But, that's not exactly true. I was never tempted, because it would be ludicrous to pay $3.99 for packaged blackberries.

These days, the path I walk to work and home again is a veritable smorgasbord of berries. The blue huckleberries are coming in, a few thimbleberries remain, but the blackberries. . .aah, the blackberries. Hanging in clumps for me to pick, like so many grapes hung over the emperor's cot by the court virgins. I pick one, I turn, there are twenty more! I bite into another, that delectable sweetness bursting forth between my teeth and rushing down my palette, surging a flood of delight and rapture as it flows down my throat. But another step and there are more, and more, and more! And I think, in my euphoria, of the coming days of blackberry jam, blackberry pancakes with blackberry syrup, blackberry cobbler and blackberry ice cream. And, best of all, the sun-warmed blackberry, freshly picked, staining my fingers, popping between my lips and onto my tongue. The kiss of summer.

Oh yes. These are the days I know I live in the most perfect place. The blackberries have spoken once again.

slice of life

On my walk home for lunch, I was pleasantly surprised to discover our huckleberry bush full of ripe, red huckleberries. mmmm

How far I've come

I'm working at home today, both to watch a girl with the sniffles, and so I can have some peace and quiet to finish up Sunday's sermon.

It was lunch time. I became hungry. I went into the kitchen to make some lunch. I had flax seed chips with hummus, and a lamb and goat cheese quesadilla.

And to think it used to be peanut butter sandwiches or Del Taco. . .