A perfect day?

Today would be hard to surpass! It was a kind of perfection. We got up at a good hour - for me, about 7:15a.m. - and I fixed a good breakfast for myself and we went off to church, to sing in the choir. We got there just a bit early - already a good sign - and Ellen had a chance, before choir rehearsal, to check out the books left from the book sale yesterday to see if she wanted anything. The sale was unexpectedly successful -it brought in over $1200, quite a bit more than last year. But there were still a lot of books left. She decided to pack up a few boxes to store for next year's sale. We sang two good anthems - Welcome Holy Spirit, and I Want to Thank You, Lord, and had another powerful service in which a lay member of the congregation "shared a sacred story." This is a part of a series that is going on this fall called "Faces of our Faith: Bold and Untold Stories." People are volunteering to tell a story coming from their personal "faith journey." Last week it was Fred Breunig, this week Rob Harnish. Both told stories coming from a moment of crisis in their lives in which they experienced a powerful sense of the presence of God. In Fred's case, the moment when he learned that his wife was diagnosed with cancer, and in Rob's case, the moment he learned his young daughter had a rare and serious illness. Both spoke very simply and humbly, but winsomely, about their experience.

Fred Breunig

Rob Harnish*************************************** We also had the first "in-person" coffee hour after church since the beginning of the pandemic -2 1/2 years or more - and that was very satisfying - being able to see and talk with people again. After church we had time to go to the Chelsea Royale Diner for breakfast - that is fairly new too - they have not been open for breakfast after noon on a Sunday for some time. I had a wonderful "Vermont Omelette" (cheddar cheese, bacon and scallions) with hash-browns and cinnamon-raisin toast). That was a real treat! Then we drove up to Marlboro for a concert of the Blanche Moyse Chorale singing Brahms' "German Requiem." What could be more wonderful than that? It is true that in earlier years, I would have been singing in the Chorale myself, and it is a little sad not to be singing in it now, but that has been true for several years now, and I have pretty much come to terms with it. So it was wonderful just to be there. The drive up to Marlboro was very beautiful because the color is close to being at its peak this week. And I had a chance to speak to some old friends after the concert whom I have not seen for quite a while. Then afterward, we went right by Ann Janeway's driveway, so we spontaneously decided to stop and see her. She was thrilled and we also found Diane and Elliot Freeman there, who had made the same decision - they had also been at the concert. So we brought some cheer there, and had another lovely visit. While there, Ann showed me a montage of photos of the "women's group" (made in 1992 - 30 years ago) that she, Diane, and Shirley had been a part of, along with three others, before Shirley died, and I was able to make a copy of it with my phone. That was special. Then we drove down Ames Hill Road - another beautiful foliage drive - to the Guilford Church again, this time to pick up the flowers Ellen had supplied the church with this morning. We got home in time to hear our favorite radio programs - "Says You" -a very entertaining word game program, and "All the Traditions," a folk-music program we love. For supper, Ellen fixed me a fantastic bacon/lettuce and tomato sandwich, made with a fresh garden tomato Mark Kennedy had left when they visited last week, and after supper, I worked on "Spelling Bee" while we listened to the radio. Now what could be more perfect than all that?

The Blanche Moyse Chorale performing the Brahms Requiem.. It was accompanied by piano today, not orchestra. They also performed Brahms' Nänie today.

The "women's group" - Clockwise from upper left: Ann Janeway, Lise Sparrow, Diane Larsen-Freeman, Connie Woodbury, Elizabeth Christie, Shirley in the center. This group still meets every year at Shirley's grave. They did so just a couple of weeks ago.

Some foliage scenes today.