Okay … so how many watching online spit their coffee onto the computer screen when they heard Glen say my name last week as their “new” supply minister?
Perhaps you imagined you thought you might see me at some point in the future … as a guest preacher or offering a week or two worship supply … at one of your many social events … but 8 weeks after I was last here as your supply minister?
You know I learned in the past two years to never say never … so I will just leave it at that.
I won’t be writing a weekly blog, but I may from time to time check in if I have something to say, or if there’s an important theme or conversation we need to have.
We’ll see what happens. But I am not putting that expectation on myself that I will have time each week to write something.
This week, because I have had rather an eventful summer, I thought I would share “what I did on summer vacation/since I last saw you.”
I read 17 books … here’s a small sample. I am a fast reader when that’s all I am doing (and procrastinating the next activity) … I loved them all, the newest from many of my favourite mystery writers (Martin Walker, Elly Griffiths, Richard Ozmon, Rhys Dylan), and including a new series of 9 from Derek Fee … the Galway Mysteries. Also includes 3 Canada reads 2026 picks … liked them all, especially The Cure for Drowning which I loved. Would be happy to talk about any of them.
I filed and sorted … which took ages. It was part of an overall project of rearranging our home office/spare bedroom to give me a bit more space for whatever it was I was going to do next, including home physio and yoga. Here is before and after.
I finally finished knitting the vest Alana asked me to make for her about 6 months ago.
We took two weeks to travel (drove) to Ontario and back … mostly to see Bonnie Raitt in Hamilton (more on that in a minute) and look after Murphy while Alana and Matt attended a wedding in Prince Edward County. Although Pat and Murphy are besties, there were a few times he didn’t mind giving me a bit of love … mostly if I was eating something but hey … I’ll take it.
Bonnie Raitt. What can I say? I think it was the highlight of my summer. At 75 … she’s still got it after 6 decades of music making. There are reviews online from many of her concerts, and several years ago she was honoured with a Kennedy Centre award. It was astounding to watch her in person. The place was full of boomers who thought so too. I want to be like Bonnie Raitt when I grow up. I have posted one of her big hits at the end.
photo from Colin James, Facebook
And, oh yeah… my sister had a kidney transplant in London while we were there, after only being on the list for 2 weeks. It’s been a bit of a rollercoaster as far as how she has been doing … but as of today she is home resting comfortably. Still checking in with the clinic in London (3 hours away) twice a week. But things change constantly. This was what we saw on her first day after her surgery. I was glad to be there right after, and then went back in late August to be with her when she was still in the hospital. The picture at the top of the page is from the first night I was in London and there was a huge thunderstorm, and a double rainbow. I was staying at a cousin’s condo on the 26th floor … although not the biggest fan of heights and tall buildings, it was pretty spectacular, … but I was too scared to step onto the balcony to see the top of the rainbow.
So … that’s what I’ve been up to. Actually, it kind of feels like a bit of a rest to start work.
Thanks for all your kind words of welcome back and prayers of support these past few weeks.
See you on Sunday.
Martha
PS …. following up on Ann’s theme of “time” last week …. here’s Bonnie Raitt singing Nick of Time.
https://youtu.be/CR4LYkYX1yw?si=FQdsa-NTPXsR0yBl
PPS … adding this on Saturday. I just re-watched (saw it at the time of broadcast, in 2024, when the world was slightly saner …) the Kennedy Centre Awards from 2024 where Bonnie was honoured. For those who are new to Bonnie Ratit and for folks who have been enjoying her music for over 50 years … it is a musical feast, with guests Emmy Lou Harris, Dave Matthews, Cheryl Crow, Brandi Carlyle, Keb Mo, Susan Tedachi, Jackson Brown, James Taylor … a retrospective of her life begins at around the 6 minute mark. Enjoy!