My refinishing project is taking shape. This dining room table started on August 6th as a dark veneered, peeling and needing care. That day I cleaned off a part of the table top.
The next day, August 7th, I had the table top and leaves scraped clean. I’ll still need to sand and oil them, but that will be another day. August 8th I’m planning on starting on the base and the claw foot legs.
What an interesting sight!
As we approached the Clearview country cemetery, sunlight reflected off parked vehicles. The dirt road had been winding through harvest-ready fields. Now silhouettes of people were outlined on the crest of the hill. The scene was reminiscent of movies of the Old West — a procession of people winding their way to the graveyard — the graveyard an abandoned piece of land in the midst of grain fields
The occasion was a memorial service for distant relatives of our family — Oliver and Dorothy Winger. Their ashes were to be buried in a cemetery that would overlook their old farmstead. Both died this past year — Dorothy in her late 80’s and Oliver in his early 90’s. Neither had actively farmed for years, but their heart was always with the land.
The service included scripture, tributes, prayer and singing. At the end of the service, all were invited to place a shovel full of dirt over the urns buried in the ground. Drops of rain began to fall. As I left the graveyard I looked around once again. The church building has been gone for years. Imagine the services held here. You came for the day and disbursed for the week, to once again eagerly return next Sunday.
My father had attended this church in his younger days. I can almost see him as a young person eagerly greeting all those who came. Fifty years ago he moved from the district. Could he remember how to get to the church? No problem — the memory is indelible.
At the reception, Dad greeted old friends once again. They no longer look 20. They have aged in half a century. He peers into their faces and sees a likeness. They do the same. The years evaporate. And then those years return as my parents shuffle to the car.
Aging is God’s idea — to steal a phrase from Max Lucado. Being old just means we will soon die. The Christian’s hope? As ones who have accepted Jesus, we will be resurrected in a better body and in a better place.
But until then we will gather at cemeteries to mourn a loss and celebrate a hope.
Well, I’m looking into tomorrow!
This will begin a week and a half of vacation. I guess I’m just vacating my work space than anything. We will stay around town — I’ll do some woodworking. Maybe a bit of visiting.
Tomorrow we will attend a memorial for Oliver and Dorothy Winger. They both died this past year. There roots were here in Kindersley and they will be interred at the Merrington cemetery. Relatives are already arriving in town. Some were at our church service today.
What runs through your mind when you think of holidays? I suppose I’m inclined to consider moving my mind away from the cares of the daily grind. Reforming my attitudes with a care free state of mind. To me the place is not the important part — although I do enjoy nice scenery! This is a time set apart from everything else that I do.
And so, I want to start tomorrow by not having to do some things . . . I’ll purposely abstain from visiting the church office — one friend suggested unplugging the phone (that won’t happen!) — and maybe I’ll just slow myself down, take an afternoon nap and head to bed without worrying about the next day!
Sounds good to me!
So, this morning, I’m up and out cleaning up weeds.
As I approach a grassy area, I chop down the stalks. I hear a buzzing sound — perhaps mosquitos or other winged creatures.
Other winged creatures, for sure! Here was the old colony of wasps from last year. They had transplanted themselves about 20 meters to the other side of the yard. And they were a little mad I was disturbing them
One planted his stinger in the area of my upper lip, left hand side! Now, last year I had experienced three wasp bites, and ended up at the doctors. I guess I’m allergic. So, after completing a bit more gardening, I hurried through a shower and ended up at hospital emergency. My doctor was there doing rounds. He looked. I was swelling. Prescribed two shots — Benedryl and cortisone.
The expansion of swelling stopped in a few minutes. But the swelling going down is another question. Jill nixed an evening visit since I looked out of shape (I had visited two other people and gone shopping in between). I also practiced speaking my Sunday sermon.
I feel fine, but I don’t look so good! Ought to keep people awake tomorrow trying to figure out who gave me a fat lip. Oh well, some days your sermons don’t get complete attention!