27th November

I was out and about and busy for a good part of the day.  Went to Emmanuel to pick up the flowers for the hospital, they hadn't been left out for me so I asked Fr Bill if it was alright to take them off the altar, and he said it was.   They were stuck in oasis in a plastic container, and I didn't know it at the time but this plastic container thing is very precious, and IMPORTANT.  I had the common sense to leave the brass container that holds them all on the altar, and set off for the hospital chapel where I intended to transfer the flowers to a vase.  However, they were firmly stuck in the oasis so I decided I'd just leave it all - the important plastic container, oasis and flowers,  on the table in the chapel.

And I went on my merry way to shop at Walmart.   I told Jeremy the other day that I can't go anywhere in Shawnee without bumping into someone I know, and I realised today how true that was.  Pushing my trolley round Walmart I bump into the head honcho of the Altar Guild, who is responsible for everything to do with the sanctuary and altar, including the flowers and the precious plastic container that holds them (hereinafter called ppc).    I told her what I'd been up to and she spelled out very carefully that ppc had to be retrieved and put back by Friday morning.    Every Friday the florist delivers two arrangements in these containers, and takes back the previous two.   Emmanuel bought four of these ppcs, so they have to be kept together, as it were, one of them can't suddenly go AWOL.    Although there are two arrangements on the altar I just have one of them, I don't know where the other one goes.

So I finish my shopping and drive back to the hospital, and the senior chaplain, Bill exclaims "You're Back!!"    It was nice having a bit of time to chat with him, no one else was around.

Next on the To Do list was my water walk, where I bumped into Kevin who is on the Board of the YMCA, and is often around there.  He asked what I was doing tomorrow for Thanksgiving, and I didn't mean to sound forlorn, but he invited me to join his family at his brother's house, somewhere between here and OK City.    That will be nice, I hope I can make it because I think I've pulled a muscle in my back, and it is quite painful this evening.

The Cable Company is just across the road from the YMCA so I went in there.   I stood at the window inside, bitterly complaining about the updated digital service I've got to have and didn't want, and the fact that I can't get a programme guide, and don't know where to find the channels I want.  She handed me a list of the channels, and told me I'd have the programme guide in about a fortnight.

I turn round from the window and I'm facing a rapt audience.   One woman stepped forward and said "I LOVE your accent"     I replied, faintly, "even when I'm having a rant?".     At least I think my little cabaret relieved the boredom of all those who were waiting.

Last thing to do before going home was dropping off the ppc at Emmanuel, and I had a little chat with Fr Bill.

Friday - the day after Thanksgiving - is a Big Sale day here, but it has been decided that instead of waiting until Friday the stores would open their doors on Thursday evening.  Can you imagine that.  It's like us on Christmas Day, having our big Christmas lunch, listening to the Queen's Speech, sitting back all relaxed and happy, nibbling on the nuts and dates - then putting on our shoes and coats to go shopping for bargains.   Who would want to do that?????????????

And finally....the weather.   It has been cold, but very bright today, but tomorrow I think is going to be warmer.