THE DAY AFTER THANKSGIVING
Guess what I've had for breakfast, lunch, and supper. That's right -- pumpkin pie (and a little turkey, too). And like many others in our neighborhood (many of whom are bound and determined that they are going to single-handedly take down the Western Grid) I put up the Christmas lights this morning -- both of them -- the red one and the green one. I just changed out the two front house lights -- no hassle with ladders or draping electrical cords -- or annoying little twinky-blinky lights that don't twink or blink.

Because I saved so much time with my minimalist approach to Christmas decorations I actually went in to work today. Things were pretty quiet in the office so I got a lot of desk bulldozing done and worked on a few other projects.

This evening Cheryl and I went to see her father, Earl, who has been moved from the hospital, for recovery at Brandel Manor. He's not a terribly happy camper these days -- understandably so. But I brought my uke and we sang a few songs for him. I'd never thought of taking the uke with me on calls -- but who knows, that may be my new thing. Jeff Woods, my friend and pastoral colleague at Turlock Covenant Church, is known for singing hymns to the people he visits in the hospital. Well, I could develop a reputation for playing the ukulele to people in the hospital. Then I could develop a ministry seminar around the uke and -- well, the possibilities are endless! A little silliness can go a long way. That's what eating too much pumpkin pie will do to you.