A Sunday miscellany

We continue to get photos from Jordan from the Hill Country which make us glad she’s enjoying but wish we were too. The latest is the sky just before sunset. Meanwhile, back at home, things remain calm.

Church this morning was a treat. The church began a series on Broadway shows and how they reflect our current values. First up this morning was the hit, “Hamilton.” The service opened with an actor, apparently a former TCU student, providing a striking rendition of the opening song. Russ’ sermon gave a lot of background on both Lin Manuel-Miranda, who wrote the musical, and the actual history of Founding Father Alexander Hamilton. Doesn’t sound like church? Well, it was, because the sermon ended by posing several questions that hit home with me. Apparently, Hamilton was obsessed with contributing something to make the world better—he did a whole lot—and with having someone to tell his story. His wife outlived him by fifty years and spent them telling his story, building his reputation, publishing his voluminous writing. So, Russ challenged us: who will tell your story? What is your story? What I have done to make the world a better place is a frequent question for me, and I was comforted that Russ confessed it is for him too.

The actor who played the lead in the opening Broadway show used to gather the cast for prayer before each performance, and his challenge to them was that they make each person in the audience grow during the performance, go away from it having learned something that changed them, made them a better person. It’s what I’ve always said about books. I’m seeing lots of links here between Broadway and literature and religion. Lots to think about, and lots of history to explore.

I watched the nine o’clock service, but then to my surprise Christian and Jacob came out to watch the eleven o’clock with me, so I’ve been to church twice today. We’ll see if it makes me a better person.

I was saddened to learn that actor Nick Cordero died today after fighting COVID-19 for ninety days. I never heard of him, not being up on such things, until he got sick, but his struggle and his wife’s determined faith have been much in the news. He underwent the amputation of a leg and was recently told he would need a double lung transplant. Perhaps had he lived he would have had no quality of life nor life expectancy, so maybe his death was God’s grace, but it is still a tragic story. Don’t even talk to me about how you don’t have to wear a mask!

I spent the day writing a review of a book about France, food, and World War II. Fascinating to immerse myself in the life of villages and the stories of what it was like to survive the war’s hardships. One woman reported they relished heated pork belly on toast, because when you have little, what you do have becomes a treat. There’s a moral there. Another slyly said, “We did not need to diet” and talked of evenings when there was one potato for a family of five. On the other hand, many French households today have really well-stocked larders, the reaction to the years they went without. The French eat a lot of seafood and a lot of rabbit—the latter a surprise to me. They are surprisingly unsentimental about eating the bunnies they raise. The book is Searching for Family and Traditions at the French Table, #Two by Carole Bumpus.

Tonight Subie and Phil came for happy hour, and we had a lively discussion—of the title business. They quizzed Christian on his work, what he did, how it affects home buyers. Educational and interesting. We managed some other conversation too, and as Subie said, it was good just to see people. Subie questioned how our patio can be so cool and comfortable when the rest of the world is sweltering, but it’s true—it really is a lovely place to be. Christian pointed out that it is tree covered and never gets sun—which is why there’s so much ground cover and no grass. But the new grass in the center of the yard is doing well, and Christian is faithfully watering. Jordan will be proud when she comes home.

Tonight, Chef Christian fixed sesame chicken, and I quick sautéed some asparagus. A good meal.

And so another week begins. I lose track as they roll one into the next, but I hope it is a good week for each of you. Stay safe and well.