The dark days of winter

The dark days of winter are finally upon us and several people were reacting to them, including Fr. Davis who said he is already looking forward to spring. I'm even feeling a touch of it, though I adjusted a couple of decades ago. It's clearly going to be a long winter, the down side of our gorgeous summers. But this is why our Christmas lights go up outside at the very beginning of Advent and remain on until Twelfthnight (the end of Christmas), turned off along with the tree (which goes up on Christmas eve) for Epiphany. A bit of cheer through the gloom.

But it seems others may be feeling it too. After church I was extremely surprised to see a car with a Christmas tree strapped on top (circled in the photo). It's not even Thanksgiving yet!!!

(Speaking of trees: per a lunchtime discussion Friday I sent Fr. Davis a link to a blog post from a couple of years back, The Trees of St. Mary's. It will be interesting to hear what he has to say.)

Reviving the Continuing Anglican BlogRing

Years ago I set up the "Continuing Anglican BlogRing", a means for traversing through a ring of registered Continuing Anglican blogs. After a while activity on the ring dropped to zero so I quit putting in the time and effort to maintain it. Suddenly there seems to be interest again, so I put in the time to verify that it could still be traversed.

Unfortunately, some blogs have gone away and others have removed the navigation bar code ("navbar"). I have had to remove 8 entries and deactivate 6, but the ring should work again now. Unfortunately, there are three basic forms of the navbar and it is not always placed in the same place on each blog, so one may have to hunt for it. (In the few cases where it's not in a sidebar it is probably at the very bottom of the page.)

Update an hour later: A hearty welcome to Fr. Ed Bakker and his blog, entered into the ring just two minutes ago!

The latest Christus Rex is out...

... and it's another superb work by Monty Stanford. Not at all biased by the fact that it leads off with St. Bartholomew's: Fr. Davis' institution, the Schola Cantorum, and an article on Fr. Davis (a regular series so we can get to know our clergy all across the Province). And much other good news -- congratulations to St. Paul's, Redmond OR, on their new church building!

Take a look (PDF).

Good-byes

While I was away in Denver I received very unhappy news: one of our member families has left. Maybe it wasn't a very big surprise: from where they live it's a LONG drive to get here and circumstances have changed from when they joined, to make it considerably more difficult for them to get here. I'd seen some of these difficulties and when their recent effort to move closer fell through, well, I guess this was inevitable. (Will they remain in the greater Seattle area too? I guess not, for similar reasons.)

I commend them for trying. When we moved to Seattle over a quarter-century ago and tried to find an ECUSA church home, we drew the boundaries of our search rather a bit closer than what they regularly drove. (But I don't think that extending our range would have produced any better results; we were simply intended to be here in our "continuing" home.)

In case they check in on this blog I will merely wish them "good-bye" in the original sense of, which Fr. Leen always loved to remind us, an earlier-English contraction of "God be with you."

God-speed, y'all. We're going to miss you.

Stewardship Program and other happenings

Well, it's autumn and so, of course, the Stewardship Program (AKA Annual Ingathering) is underway. Being away (and not on the Vestry) I seem to have missed its start but it was clear from an item in this week's email from Fr. Davis to the Parish.

I just learned about other things going on, as well. Feeding Tent City 4 on Monday, November 30th; I wonder what our master chef Drew will come up this time for their repast.

And Barbara, bless her, has started a collection to support our troops in Afghanistan and Iraq. (Last night, when our plane pulled up to the gate at SeaTac airport, one of the stewardesses added to the usual announcement to remain seated a remark about how we had "some of America's finest" aboard the aircraft -- before she could even finish the entire plane erupted in applause.)

That's it for now. Tomorrow morning I'll be at the airport again, on my way to the conference in Denver. It's too bad we don't have an 8:15 Mass.

ACW Sale

Many thanks to Claire, without whom I could not have posted about the sale and who provided the photos for the blog! The entire event was for me one of miscommunication leading to missed opportunities. One element of last Saturday's ACW (Anglican Church Women) sale was the raffle of this creche. The ACW wanted a picture of it (for the tickets?), but because of several miscommunications (one of which had me arriving at the church, camera and other accessories in hand, with nobody to let me in) opportunities to take the photo slid by right up until it was time to head for the airport.

About the sale itself I know little but a subsequent e-mail from Fr. Davis to the Parish indicates it was quite successful, as usual. So it seems the bad weather didn't keep folks away.

Report request

Since I cannot be there, I've asked for pictures and a report on today's sale. Assuming the Parish Hall is still above water and with power, based on reports of the weather there. Looking at the St. Bartholomew's Weather and Road Conditions Page, it doesn't look good.

Touch and Go

In the previous post, I wrote:

But at least, Deo volunte, I will be home the week after that. Yesterday I narrowly dodged attendance the following week at a conference in Denver, to be present for the kickoff of yet another committee on which I am likely to serve.

Long story short: when I got back from dinner and checked my e-mail this evening I learned that I hadn't dodged it after all.

Fly home Friday,
Fly out Sunday,
Touch and Go.

The question is whether I can get an afternoon flight at a time that lets me attend Mass that Sunday and catch up with my parish family (e-mail just isn't adequate). Denver is close enough that it might be possible. Deo volunte.

Update 11/21: Wasn't possible; I was dropped off at the transit center to catch a bus to the airport, arriving about the time Mass began. BUT the morning after I returned from Denver, there was an e-mail inviting me to a Dept. of Energy workshop near D.C. in mid-December. Yet another trip loomed -- but there was a conflict so I will get to stay put at least until early 2010.

Selah

Once again, it's more than likely there will be a pause in the blog. Tied up in offsite corporate training this week (through tomorrow), I am off on a red-eye flight to Atlanta tomorrow night to participate in 8 straight days of technical committee meetings at Georgia Tech. I've been through this lengthy meeting routine before and it's pretty grueling, even when one starts out rested.

There is a church in our communion that may be reachable via public transport. If it all works out, the Wandering Anglican will pay a visit and report back here.

But at least, Deo volunte, I will be home the week after that. Yesterday I narrowly dodged attendance the following week at a conference in Denver, to be present for the kickoff of yet another committee on which I am likely to serve. It would not have been fun to fly home Friday night only to fly out again Sunday morning -- or worse, early afternoon when I would have still had to have been at SEA (U.S. airline code for SeaTac airport) early Sunday morning so family could attend services.

Sadly, I will miss everything about the ACW autumn/Christmas sale which will be held Saturday the 7th. We had a comedy of missed/confused communications over the past two weeks about my taking some pictures of a finely detailed creche set that will be raffled off. A series of assumptions took place, only one of which had to be wrong, for me to have come up with a photo of the set, using the makeshift low-cost photographic accessories I've been developing. But everything fell through, leaving Nancy to come to the rescue.

Come on by!

Vigil of All Saints

Fr. Davis noted in an e-mail last week to the Parish that Hallowe'en (All Hallow's Eve) was originally "known as the Vigil of All Saints, which is the feast we'll celebrate the following morning (Sunday, Nov. 1), a Day of Holy Obligation, and a feast day that originated in the ancient Anglican Church (did you know?)."

Actually, I didn't know but it doesn't surprise me after having encountered, in Scots Gaelic class, the Celtic roots of Hallowe'en in Samhain. There's always the possibility of distortions in current presentations, but our old readings in Gaelic about Samhain gave credibility to a rather Christianized observance of the occasion back at the time of writing, from which All Saints is not at all a long reach.

Unfortunately we missed this evening's observance, which was at the least featured Evensong/Holy Communion followed by a (potluck?) supper in the Parish Hall. Through a series of circumstances we found ourselves free this afternoon to deliver a couple of large framed photographs related to ancient Egypt (yes, one included the Sphinx and Cheops) to a good friend who decorated her house on this theme. Things ran a bit late but as it turns out it was in an extremely good cause, one we had not expected. I hope Fr. Davis will forgive our absence this evening.

Catching up

Sorry about the pause; it's been a busy week complete with travel to the other Washington: D.C. that is. Being away, I missed Wednesday evening's event at St. Bartholomew's.

The evening started with Holy Communion, celebrating the Feast of Ss. Simon & Jude, and then continued with discussions about the Vatican's recent overtures to Anglicans. From the subsequent e-mail that Fr. Davis sent to the Parish, it sounds like a very successful opportunity to explain the overture, the circumstances that produced it, and the requirements placed on those who accept the offer. As Fr. Davis noted in his e-mail, after private discussions the following day or two:

It seems that all in attendance were more than able to comprehend what the carefully prepared, subtly-worded "VATICAN NOTE ON ESTABLISHING PERSONAL ORDINARIATES..." (a copy of which was passed out to all in attendance) meant for us and are able to say,

"Thanks, but no thanks."

I'm not completely clear on this (Hallowe'en) evening at St. Bartholomew's, but it at least begins with Evensong at 5:30. I gather that in the future at least there will be an alternative costume event in which the children are encouraged to dress up as saints instead. They do this (if memory serves correctly) at St. Luke's, Redding CA, though Fr. Davis related how it felt funny to have one girl show up in black shirt with clergy collar saying, "I'm you, Fr. Davis!"

I am reminded of a church many years ago where the adults did the same. One couple came as "St. Swithin's in the Swamp": she was St. Swithin, and he had all sorts of green vine-like material draped all over him -- as the Swamp.

Update: Somebody directed me to this cute idea: Trunk or Treat

No end to the year?!

I was startled yesterday when Fr. Davis observed that there would be no "Sunday Next Before Advent" this year. It's not entirely clear how this happened but it seems that, as Fr. Davis put it, our Roman brethren moved the date of the Feast of Christ the King from the last Sunday in October to the last Sunday in Trinitytide, and our Ordo Kalendar followed suit.

This just feels wrong. As Fr. Davis noted, that Sunday marks the end of the church year and the long quiet season of Trinitytide, preparation for the "liturgically busy" season comprising Advent, Rose/Gaudete Sunday, Christmas (all 12 days at the proper time), Epiphany, Septuagesima, Sexagesima, Quinquagesima, Shrove Tuesday, Ash Wednesday, Lent, Rose/Laetare Sunday, Holy Week, Good Friday, Easter Even, Easter, Rogation Sunday, Ascension and Whitsunday, finally winding down to Trinity Sunday again.

This won't change back until 2011, probably because the 2010 Ordo Kalendars have already been ordered. Fr. Davis' e-mail to the Parish notes the basis provided by our Church Propers and says:

We'd better be darned sure before we go messing with a system that has basically shaped the lives of Christians from the time of the Ss. Bede and Anselm to Julian of Norwich and C.S. Lewis (just to name a few Anglicans over the past two millennia).

I agree.

Natural-born acolyte

It was a pleasure to watch Geoffrey serve as acolyte yesterday. Well-trained or natural-born, he had it all down just perfect. For example he came out of the Sacristy at the right speed, not too slow but reverently, to light the candles. Mary Ellen would have been really happy to see how he minimized the time the taper was over the altar linens, for all it required a lot of extra motion (done most gracefully) on his part.

I chuckled inwardly when, after the procession out, he ran forward (outside) to get in the Sacristy in time to extinguish the candles. But then it wasn't all that long ago that I started noting how many verses there were in the recessional hymn so I would have some idea of how pressed for time I would be.

It's my humble opinion we need a single standard for practice (which, ahem, includes having the Sacristy lights off during the service -- it might just be me, but the light leaking past the pocket doors is slightly distracting). I've thought about assembling an acolyte/lay-reader manual for St. Bartholomew's, but never got started with so much as a draft for discussion.

Men's Breakfast and Fellowship..

..was to be held this morning, but I didn't make it. Between the sound of the heavy rains outside and being overtired from the trip I woke up too late. I did call the church, but nobody answered so I left Fr. Davis a message.

Rain and fall colors... it's good to be home.

Selah

On the road again for a week in soggy Atlanta, returning late Friday night.

Fr. Davis' blog

I did not know (or maybe I'd just forgotten) that Fr. Davis has a blog. But my attention was drawn to his quite wonderful writeup of last Sunday's performance. His experience of peoples' reactions were matched by the rest of us, and I look forward to hearing the CD being produced of the event by the good folks of St. Jude's. People with tears in their eyes afterwards? Yes, and I want to hear what they heard.

But in any event, his new blog is more than worth a look. I'll have a regular link to it up soon if time (and Internet access!) permits during this week's time away, or hopefully soon after my return home -- before the next trip out!

Dinner with the Bishop

Bishop Provence will be here tomorrow to institute Fr. Davis as our Rector, and to receive a new member of the parish. Unfortunately for me I won't be able to be there as I fly out (to Atlanta) for a week of business. The plane won't even start boarding until well after the service ends, but the airport is too far away. So I'll be dropped off early with a few hours to kill.

But the Vestry took notice and invited us to join them at dinner with the bishop this evening, so I'll get to meet with him anyway.

Update: A great dinner at The British Pantry and it was *really* great to see Bishop Provence. And I was able to advise our Senior Warden that the Institution is one of the two best parts of being Senior Warden if one gets it (and no, the other is not stepping down!), and usually the most deserved.

I think we have a choir...

Schola Cantorum (in its current mostly-adult incarnation, the previous core now being away at colleges across the country) had its first public performances today. The first was a performance during Mass but which could also be considered a final run before the really public performance 3 hours later at "An Ecumenical Musical Gathering" hosted by St. Jude's Parish (Roman Catholic) and featuring choirs from Anglican, Presbyterian, Lutheran, LDS, Methodist churches, and of course St. Jude's.

Each performance began with a few words by the priest, minister or equivalent, about (what might be different about) his church, and was followed by a prayer.

The tone was kept light, which helped relax the initial stiffness. The Presbyterian prayer was read antiphonally, beginning with the Gospel side. Then the Lutheran pastor announced theirs would also be read antiphonally, but beginning with the Epistle side because Lutherans are so flexible. "Catholics are not," exclaimed Fr. Rogerson to much laughter.

We led off the event. In his remarks Fr. Davis worked to lower expectations (and he says I'm the king of lowered expectations??), saying that he'd only arrived here in the Pacific Northwest just six weeks backs and one of the very first phone calls he received was an invitation to participate in this event. "Of course we'll bring a choir," he said.

He noted that he then addressed the parish saying, "Ladies and gentlemen, we are going to form a choir." More laughter.

But I was glad that we were first up. By the time the bigger and more experienced choirs were done we'd be forgotten. And we were presenting a tough, if short a capella piece, Ave Verum Corpus by Mozart.

And yet... it didn't sound bad to me, and better than our practices and earlier performance. I'll just ignore my own struggles with it; I'm not used to singing parts but with practice I can learn that. (The Haugen piece by all the choirs combined at the finale gave me a much better sense for singing parts, and I enjoyed that!)

And yet... all of us in Schola Cantorum were singled out for accolades after it was all over. Questions as to whether we had had only six weeks to prepare (yes, though some of us had been trained in Schola Cantorum under Fr. McGrath's tutelage). Comments about doing this somewhat difficult piece a cappella -- and one of the choirs essayed this a couple of years ago. and knew its difficulty.

Beginner's luck maybe, or possibly just because we were just giving it our all (some people noticed this) because we'd reached really far? I don't know.

With practice I am sure I can do better, and extend my vocal range to cover the upper end of tenor (without choking) the way it once did.

Maybe someday I can even sing half as well as Matt.

-- Update: MANY thanks to Laura for the photos!

The Family That Serves Together...

Drew, having taken on the position of Acolyte Master from Ranjit, has just sent a draft new rota to the various servers & acolytes. It was interesting to see the "family ties": Matt, Stephen and Laura; Ranjit and Kavya,; Larry and James. They serve together each in one or more of the various positions: Cross bearer, Banner bearer, Torch bearer (x2), Altar server and Lay reader. The one combination that doesn't occur is Drew and Prue, but Drew is serving 5th Sundays only and it's better that Prue has the regular monthly service.

Fr. McGrath's blog, revised

Fr. McGrath noted here that his blog has been renamed, from "Anglican Parish Priest" (which is no longer accurate) to the naval-themed "Anglicans Aweigh" -- fitting for a Navy/Marine chaplain. I look forward to reading about his experiences.

Choir practice

almost wasn't, Thursday evening. About half the group didn't come, for one reason or another. I might almost as not not have; I couldn't hit any notes right. But I was also concerned about packing and being otherwise prepared for Friday's trip out to France, door-to-door about 22 hours.

And even then I forgot to do things such as printing a map of how to get to St. Alban's, Strasbourg.

Blast from the Past

We had "visitors" today. To my shame I recognized them instantly but it took a LONG time for their names to flow back. They were very active members of St. Bartholomew's (Vestry, etc.) until 10 years ago when work sent them away elsewhere in the country. Their departure was a sad day here, but in my time here we've had so many sad days when members move away (Roger, this includes you!) one doesn't even tally them anymore.

But this visit was a complete delight. Their son (now at 6' plus not so little anymore) has moved to the area to attend college. He'll be mostly working on weekends but we hope to see him from time to time. He likes fishing so maybe we'll have him soon, um, hooked into the not-yet-formed GAFF (Guild of Anglican Fisher Folk). We have folks who can tell hm where the best fishing is to be had, at least.

And to the rest of the family I say, "We hope you'll come back here often for visits!" You're still part of our church family.

Temptation

It's not often I update the website three times in one day, but today was one of those days.

First was just bringing it up to date as of this morning, updating the service schedule for this coming Sunday and removing outdated items.

At that point I thought I was done for the week but I wound up at St. Bartholomew's mid-afternoon because I was already in the neighborhood, and learned that tomorrow's Men's Breakfast had been canceled while we re-organize. Okay... in case anyone is making their plans based on the website I needed to update that immediately. Done.

Then a bit later I receive Fr. Davis' e-mail to the parish (all but the two of us now without e-mail) and there were a few more items that I had overlooked (including Bishop Provence's upcoming visit for Fr. Davis' installation as Rector) or hadn't noted, including the upcoming Ecumenical (musical) Event hosted by nearby St. Jude's (Roman Catholic) at which our own Schola Cantorum will be performing. Okay, another update needed. Done.

But then I read this item from Fr. Davis' e-mail: ''our very own gifted group who intend to "make a joyful noise unto the Lord" (Psalm 100).'' Ohh.. boy... was I ever tempted to comment.

Understand. many years ago I was a member of a semi-rural parish roughly our size, maybe a little larger, whose choir had named themselves with absolutely precise and accurate nomenclature: "The Joyful Noise." The first time I visited... well, forget that. I became a member and when I got to know these folks the emphasis I took changed radically from "Noise" to "Joyful." For a certainty they'll never be ranked as the world's greatest choir (at least here on Earth -- who knows about after?) but they were OUR choir, doing their best and we all really appreciated them!

But as a result, whenever I read "make a joyful noise unto the Lord" I end up praying, "Lord, would you please help me/us do a little better than that -- at least when strangers are listening?"

Prayed for sun

Fr. Davis' mother was scheduled to arrive from Louisiana today for a week-long visit, and apparently her first to the Pacific Northwest. This being an iffy time of year weather-wise, as we shift from the gorgeous long dry (most years!) summer days towards dark gloomy wet winter, a number of us were praying for sunshine so she would enjoy her visit, for all that the early mornings are going to be chilly.

When I awoke this morning and looked out the window, all I could think was, "It's not going to happen." Dark, and with the reddish-brown dawn light that says "rain" or at least overcast. But it turned out okay. It burned off and the day became bright, warm and sunny.

But there is rain in the forecast...

"I will make you to become fishers of fish"

That part is already accomplished, it seems; it turns out we have a number of fishermen in our congregation, including Bob, Cynthia (some say the entire Davis family), Heather and Kavya. So already there's talk of them going on, er, fishing expeditions.

Sounds like a good idea to me. They should get together to form the Guild of Anglican FisherFolk (GAFF). They could form a school to teach the youngsters how to go fish ("spare the rod, spoil the child"); I nominate Bob for leader.

The jokes just keep writing themselves, but I think I should stop here.

Paul Sr.'s Memorial

Paul Sr.'s memorial service was today, but we had to hold it at the First Congregational Church in Bellevue because the anticipated (and actual) turnout was much too large for our church. In fact it was so large that they ran out of bulletins. Though that was not too surprising once one read his obituary; he'd been involved with far more things than I knew, for all that he had already been retired a quarter-century ago when we both joined St. Bartholomew's parish.

Catherine had asked if I would serve, as Crucifer and Reader. It was an honor to do so; thank you, Catherine!

Poor Fr. Davis ran into a series of last-minute hitches that threatened to significantly delay the service, but tackled them head-on and we started pretty much on time with a beautiful service and a wonderful sermon.

Help from afar

Well, the three young women may be away but Ruby just rendered us invaluable assistance. An e-mail forwarded to the group has not only links to a nice recording of the entire piece, but a website with "a pronunciation track, individual parts broken up, and the whole thing." Thank you, Ruby!

Coincidence

It turns out I was wrong about the Schola Cantorum. The group is being formed for an ecumenical musical event to be held at a nearby Roman Catholic event. Fr. Davis picked a group and, in casting about for a name, thought of "Schola Cantorum". He was quite amused that we already had had same, with much the same folks. (Three of our young women's voices are now scattered around the country, away at college, but we'll just have to do without -- at least until they improve cellphones' speakerphone quality.)

First practice tonight wasn't too bad, at least for those of us who haven't sung in a long time. With a little practice I think I could regain the necessary range for tenor, through baritone felt more comfortable.

But we're going to need more than just Thursday night practices; perhaps a short session after Coffee Hour too.

...and the Schola Cantorum too!

I'm missing the history behind Fr. Davis' last e-mail, but it seems the Schola Cantorum will be alive and well!

I'd thought that after the departure of the Rev. Dr. Daniel & Dr. Josephine McGrath we'd rather wind back down to something like the level of music we'd had before, but it seems that's not to be. And I am glad.

Fr. Davis has just asked for all the usual suspects from the Schola Cantorum to preview sheet music he'd e-mailed us (PDF, of course) and get together soon, possibly Thursday evening, to rehearse for an upcoming event about which I know nothing, at nearby St. Jude's. On the other hand, "all the usual suspects" must have come from a list somewhere because my name is on it and it's been a while since I've been able to sing. I fear that on this I'd just cough my way through (a side effect of some medicine).

But he's asked us to cast the net wider for folks willing to join.

And I hear wind of other music programs to come.

Did I mention that he also sings Mass quite well?

Well, THAT didn't take long...

As I saw at the tail end of an e-mail to the parish, Fr. Davis has already discovered some of the delights of the Seattle area:

And finally, the Seattle Symphony's Beethoven & Wine Festival runs from Wednesday through Friday of this week at Benaroya Hall. Starting at 6:15 PM each evening, you can sample up to four pours of Northwest wines for only $5. But better yet, somewhat abbreviated, no-intermission, all-Beethoven concerts begin at 7:30 PM for lower prices than would typically be the case. Moreover [...] you can get an additional 50% off! Cynthia, the children and I will be attending Wednesday night's concert (featuring the Piano Concerto No. 1 and Symphony No. 7) for only $4.50 each (+ the ubiquitous service fee)!! Featured Thursday evening will be Symphony No. 3 “Eroica,” while the festival will draw to a close Friday with the beloved Symphony No. 5. So for half the price of conforming to the ways of the world and bankrolling Hollywood's latest bilge, you can affirm Philippians 4:8 with timeless music from an orchestra that's one of the very best in the West in one of the most renowned concert halls in the nation. Selah.

Philippians 4:8   Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.

Priest's Pulpit 'Puter

In one way I'm amused and in another way I approve: Fr. Davis has his sermons before him on his laptop in the pulpit. A new tradition forming...?

Not sure of the expense/energy/carbon difference between printing a couple or so pages vs. some 75 watt-hours of running the machine, and although my day job touches on these issues I am not going to follow through. This may well be the "greener" approach -- though I still hope he's printing a copy for John, who is deaf, to follow along. (Maybe in a few years he can send a copy to John's cellphone...)

But I am sorely regretting missing last Sunday's service due to illness -- he built upon that sermon with today's and I sense a series being formed.

But for all our numbers were expectedly low this Sunday, despite the unusual cold (52F this morning here!) and rain we were delighted to welcome Neil, whom we know from diocesan Family Camp, visiting in the area.

Autumn comes

Saw the first real signs of autumn today -- at higher local elevations cedars with fronds beginning to turn orange, and all around small but significant numbers of deciduous leaves turning color, including a few maples. The soon-to-be ubiquitous spiderwebs are beginning to appear too. All fairly much on schedule though it's odd that the regular early-morning fogs which usually start in August haven't been around. Maybe they require warmer summer days to get going.

With all the rain that's been coming through here lately (one forecast says thunderstorms tomorrow) it's almost funny to think back just four years (to the day?) when Fr. McGrath & family arrived and he texted me: "I'm here -- where's the rain?"

This year has generally been cooler and wetter (and with a LOT more snow) than usual. Fr. Davis and family should brace themselves for the slow passing from Seattle's gorgeous summer season into our ugly dark winter.

Travel planning

As Fr. Davis can attest, I've been a bit wound up recently by work issues, not the least of which is some upcoming travel. The latter includes a stay in Strasbourg, France a bit over three weeks hence. It's been difficult trying to get Kathy there on my frequent-flyer miles and we still aren't sure it will happen. But it would be wonderful to have a native French-speaker there with me -- with her coaching I can now pronounce "Strasbourg" almost correctly. Almost.

But during an e-mail exchange with Fr. Davis this afternoon, I suddenly thought to check whether there is an Anglican church there -- and there is! With Sunday morning Holy Communion (09:40 BCP), some two kilometres from the hotel. If all goes well, they might get a visit from the Wandering Anglican.

Stay tuned.

Update 9/04: Plans for Kathy fell through. But my flights are booked; I will arrive Saturday afternoon.

Jeff Foxworthy on "Living in WA"

This one is making its way around the parish via e-mail. (It will miss the one of us who has neither e-mail nor computer.) It's all familiar except #7 -- that has to be about Eastern Washington.

1. If someone in a Home Depot store offers you assistance and they don't work there, you live in Washington.
2. If you've worn shorts, sandals and a parka at the same time, you live in Washington.
3. If you've had a lengthy conversation with someone who dialed the wrong number, you live in Washington.
4. If you know several people who have hit a deer more than once, you live in Washington.
5. If you have switched from 'heat' to 'A/C' and back again in the same day, you live in Washington.
6. If you install security lights on your house and garage but leave both doors unlocked, you live in Washington.
7. If you can drive 75 mph through 2 feet of snow during a raging blizzard without flinching, you live in Washington.
8. If you design your kid's Halloween costume to fit over 2 layers of clothing or under a raincoat, you live in Washington.
9. If driving is better in the winter because the potholes are filled with snow and ice, you live in Washington.
10. If you know all 4 seasons: almost winter, winter, still winter, and road construction, you live in Washington.
11. If you feel guilty throwing aluminum cans or paper in the trash, you live in Washington.
12. If you know more than 10 ways to order coffee, you live in Washington.
13. If you know more people who own boats than air conditioners, you live in Washington.
14. If you stand on a deserted corner in the rain waiting for the "Walk" signal, you live in Washington.
15. If you consider that if it has no snow or has not recently erupted, it is not a real mountain, you live in Washington.
16. If you can taste the difference between Starbucks, Seattle's Best, and Dutch Bros., you live in Washington.
17. If you know the difference between Chinook, Coho and Sockeye salmon, you live in Washington.
18. If you can pronounce Sequim, Puyallup, Abiqua, Issaquah, Oregon, Umpqua, Yakima and Willamette, you live in Washington.
19. If you consider swimming an indoor sport, you live in Washington.
20. If you never go camping without waterproof matches and a poncho, you live in Washington.
21. If you have actually used your mountain bike on a mountain, you live in Washington.
22. If you think people who use umbrellas are either wimps or tourists, you live in Washington.
23. If you buy new sunglasses every year because you cannot find the old ones after such a long time, you live in Washington.
24. If you can actually understand these jokes and forward them to all your Washington friends, you live or have lived in Washington.

Okay. I fail a number of these. 2, 3 (close), 7, 8, 12 (I don't often drink coffee and even more rarely buy it), 16, 20 (who needs a poncho?), 23 (I have so many pair of sunglasses I am never without).

But... #4 (hit a deer): one co-worker is hospitalized for slamming into a deer at 40 MPH -- on his mountain bike! Broken ribs, punctured lung, but in good spirits as indicated by the "Oh deer!" e-mails.

13,18 and 22 are definitive, but Jeff Fozworthy missed one: You know at least 20 different terms for precipitation. From "light mist" and "drip" to "heavy downpour", I've never collected them all in one place, but there are a lot.

So to Fr. Davis and family: here you are, you are fairly warned about life in the great Pacific Northwet! Enjoy -- and oh, you'll be tested on #18 shortly.