daily life as life goes on . . .

Bed, Bath and Beyond has been a place to shop. I liked the idea of creative items for the house on sale for affordable prices. But the refinancing plan for the company seems to indicate they are in trouble.

Of course, online sales have also become the place for me to shop. Wayfair has seen my money. Amazon seems to squeeze all sorts of products into their purview. At the same time, I do like to shop local – and we are a small enough town that we don’t have a Bed, Bath and Beyond within range.

I’ll miss the store – I wonder what next is in store?

For years I’ve been about discipleship for Christians.  We start with a toe in the water and gradually go deeper until we are floating in God’s grace.  That is full participation.

Meanwhile, the LGBTQ+ community has given some new language to further understand participation.  Years ago we were called on to be partners.  To be inclusive in our approaches to others, we took whatever part we could of the philosophy and attached that to our biography. 

Then the call was for allies (allys).  This was a group of people who would promote the agenda with at least some enthusiasm. 

Now I see the term co-conspirator arising.  Not only do you pick just a part, or even promote an agenda.  You are being called on to initiate.  This is what I would call a missionary.  Take the mission and proclaim it around the world.

25 plastic bottles are the thread of my socks. 

Now, I’ve walked over plastic bottles before.  Everyone knows you are coming.

In this case, with these socks, I can be as quiet as possible.  Other than the squeaks in the floor you’d hardly know I was coming.

And my step is much lighter knowing I’m saving the planet!!

Nanaimo bars have been priced out of the market.

At least, if the market is me and my fellow potluckers.  We come to potlucks in part for the wide variety of food.  But also because you can get a full meal for merely the price of one portion of food.  And if you are lucky (which is the real point of pot “luck”), you get to take food home with you to eat at a later point.

For years prairie potlucks (and funeral receptions) were known for such things as perogies, casseroles and Nanaimo bars.  Over my almost four decades in church ministry I developed a slogan.  If you want to get me something to eat, make if Nanaimo bars.  I have harvested a rich reward over the years, to say nothing of an expanded waist line.

So, for the most recent potluck (last night) one participant asked if they could bring anything.  I flippantly suggested Nanaimo bars.  As we gather and set out the table, there were Nanaimo bars.  I relished both the thought of biting into them and the realization that reality is better than the mere thought. 

Now, to my credit, I did mention to her that the cost of store bought (and home-made) NB’s had gone up.  She noted that the cost was way more than she had paid years ago.

Inflation has taken a bite out of us.  Both financially and as a foodie.  At the same time, that bite has caused deflation and I can hopefully soon buy a new (and smaller) belt!