Yesterday, Saturday, I was out all day. In the morning I went to a Hispanic Episcopal church in the City where there was a Cursillo reunion/get-together. I was a little disappointed to be the only person there from Shawnee. In England I loved going to the reunions, both those on a local and a diocesan level, there was always a big crowd, like a couple of hundred, but although there are several Cursillistas in Emmanuel, I don't think they are really very interested.
But the few people who were there, and the Spanish hosts, were friendly and welcoming. Mostly they were from McAlester, which is about 130 miles away from the City, over in the south east of the state.
From there I went on to Barnes and Noble, the bookshop I love in Norman, totally forgetting - until I was in the middle of it - that negotiating busy lanes of traffic in the City is not for little old (faint hearted) English ladies, who haven't grown up used to it. But as I tell myself in difficult situations, the only way through is to keep going. Bought another Bill Bryson book.
Got home shortly after 5, expecting to find Bubbles suffering from cabin fever and waiting to dash outside, but her latest place to sit is on the bedroom rocking chair, and she was comfortably curled up in that, in no hurry to get up.
This morning, Sunday, was pottering on the computer at 8.30, looked at the date and realised it was the 2nd Sunday and my turn to get the donuts for Emmanuel, so had to get a hustle on and dash out the door, the service was at 9.30.
I might have said this before but there is nothing in this country that makes me want to scream with frustration, more than Asians, Hispanics and African Americans in shops and restaurants who just stare at me uncomprehendingly when I speak to them. I then carefully asked the girl in the donut shop if she speaks English, but she continued to just stare at me, like I'd parachuted in from Mars. A white American in the shop stepped in and interpreted, and told her what I wanted. I don't get it, I just don't, I am speaking the same language as the white American who knew what I wanted and was able to convey it to the Asian who didn't have a clue.
Anyway, back to Emmanuel and Pentecost.
The cake is in honour of the fact that it is the 'birthday' of the Church, when the Holy Spirit descended upon the apostles and they founded the church.
That was a very nice chilled drink being served there, with sliced strawberries in it.
I don't know what it is but there is some connection over here between Pentecost and ladybirds. After the service the children run around the garden (although it might have been a bit wet this morning) and try to catch them.
The person responsible for the table settings is brilliant at them, I've suggested to her that she write a book, and the little musical instruments shown here brings me to my next point.
Rosalyn retired this morning as organist and choir master at Emmanuel, and there was a little presentation for her.
This is a prayer shawl, woven for her by one of the church members.
I will publish this, and might come back this evening with something on the news. And what a lot of news there is here at the moment.
And in the news................
I don't think it is looking good for Obama. It has been suggested that if any of the released Taliban orders another 9/11 style attack on the US - and one of them has vowed to do so - it is going to jeopardise his Presidency.
He also seems to be under the delusion that when all the US soldiers are withdrawn from Afghanistan it is going to be the end of the war. But in the 21st century wars don't end like that - the Taliban have nothing else to do, they have no intention of stopping their war on the US. What a mess.........
This horrifying story happened two or three days ago. Two twelve year girls pinned down another 12 year old, and as it says stabbed her 19 times. Miraculously she survived, one of the stab wounds was 1mm away from a main artery. Obviously, the twelve year olds who did the stabbing are very seriously disturbed and they were acting out some kind of black magic fantasy they had got into.
But horrific and disturbing as this is, what I just can't get my head around is the fact that these children are not being sent away for psychiatric evaluation and care, the prosecution are insisting they be charged and stand trial in an adult court, and if convicted will be sentenced to 62 years in an adult prison.
It more than beggars belief............................
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