Hello Monday, my old friend’ I’m glad to see you once again. ( Should I sing that to you? I think it would be done like the beginning to a Simon and Garfunkel song.) Actually, I know a lot of people hate to see Monday morning come around but when you are retired and have nothing on the calendar it is just another day. 

How was your weekend? We had a good weekend. It rained all weekend as you know but that just makes for good reading days or good writing days. Yesterday we went to church at our home church. It is the first time that we have gone back since I retired. I have “gone” to that church since I was adopted at the age of five years. I was baptized and then confirmed at Zoar Church. However, to say I have “gone” to that church is not the same as saying I have attended that church. In reality, I have been away from my home church far more than I have actually attended it. Being gone for 32 years with the Air Force and then serving as pastor of the Ft. Branch churches for a total of 17.5 years has taken us out of the Zoar pews for long periods of time. But —- whenever we came home on leave or I had a vacation Sunday, or during the other periods when we were living in Evansville, I, and then we, —— attended Zoar; and I love my home church. It sits on 19 beautiful partially wooded acres, and the church. is simplistically aesthetically beautiful. I always feel so very at peace when I go and sit in that sanctuary.   Speaking of returning to Zoar, Ms. Kate and I got such a warm reception when we walked into the sanctuary. The smiles and hugs were wonderful. The Zoar congregation has always been so very supportive of me and my ministry. 

Today I went to Walgreens and got my shingles vaccine and my RSV vaccine. I found out that my last shingles vaccine was taken way too long ago, well over a decade, and was “the old style” and even when new had been only 50% effective; which I paid almost $400.00 out of pocket for a vaccine that was only 50% effective.   So, I got a “new first shot” of the new Shingrix vaccine today and will have to go back in 3-6 months for my next one. The new vaccine is 90% effective. I got the RSV vaccine too because it was recommended by my doctor. All of us “old people” are supposed to get it. With my asthma, I don’t need to take any chances of coming down with a pulmonary infection. Old dudes and toddlers die from that and I still have plans. The nurse said I may experience fatigue and some soreness but so far, I’m doing fine. 

That’s enough for today. I pray you will have a blessed week. The weather is supposed to be a bit more pleasant than it has been the last week or so. When you step outside and it is a nice day, —- look up to the Creator and Giver and give thanks. Peace.