Birthdays, Uhtred & Father Jan

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On Sunday there was a “drive-by birthday celebration” at the home of our dear friend Jeanine’s. It looked like the entire Epiphany congregation, friends and relatives drove by. There were plenty of signs and honking horns.

Happy Birthday Jeanine!

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"The Last Kingdom." 

Season 4 starts April 26.

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Another birthday for one of our close friends.

A man who has a boisterous laugh and who also happens to love our granddaughters as much as his own.

He turned 80 last Saturday. We expect to celebrate his 90th as well.

Happy Birthday Clark! 

De colores!

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I spend a lot of time at my desk. More than normal. So, I'm not surprised that my neck muscles bother me. Correct posture is the key, along with a proper chair and some adjustments.

A quick research brought me to "Fit for Work." 

I read through the checklist and made adjustments as recommended. Posture, positioning and scheduled breaks are now more important to me. My chair, keyboard and mouse were a bit off and I wasn't sitting back in my chair.

Too soon to tell how the changes will help, but I'll provide an update next week.

Netclipart

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Father Jan is the author of the beautiful song, "On Eagle's Wings." Steve Givens interviewed him and posted it on his blog.

Steve writes, "At this moment in time, when the world is wracked by disease and the fear of the unknown, Fr. Joncas suggests that leaning on ancient texts like the Psalms can be a healing salve precisely because there's nothing new under the sun."

It is worth reading and then watching the video of Michael Crawford in Concert.

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I agree that everyone should be wearing a mask when away from their home. My mask was homemade by our dear friend Brenda. A mask made with love and care.

Thank you Brenda.

 However, somewhere in my family tree, on my mother's side, I am connected to the Clan of Turnbull. I have two Clan Turnbull kilts and wear them proudly. In fact my buddy Tony said that on St. Patrick's Day, what makes it a celebration is me dressed in my kilt.

However, a new Clan Turnbull item has come to my attention.

No, I don't have mine yet.

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Toby Keith - “Don’t Let The Old Man In” (THE MULE)

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There are more "takes" over at Kelly's place.

Wine, Bond & Suspence

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This week there was discussion of wine drinking and how long a standard bottle of wine should last. 

First, we're reviewing "best wine drinking practices for sheltering." 

Second, there was a concern that wine left too long would loose it's taste.

Third, drinking a bottle of wine a day would not be a good idea.

So, a standard bottle of wine is 740 milliliters or 25.36 ounces. If we're looking at a standard glass of wine at being 8 ounces we get 3.17 glasses of wine per bottle. 

At one glass of wine per evening, a bottle would last three days. So, an average consumption would be 2 bottles of wine per week. 

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Dee and I watched an old James Bond movie, “Goldeneye.”  

Pierce Brosnan was James Bond and Judi Dench was “M.” 

She is a young “M,” in this movie and starred in a long line of Bond movies. 
Then a new "Bond," Daniel Craig shows up in “Skyfall.” She dies at the end.
 I do miss her character.

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Colleen O'Sullivan wrote the following in "Your Daily Tripod," Wednesday. It is in the last section titled "Action."

"When you are praying today...

Pray for those who lie in hospital beds without the comfort of family or friends.

Pray for those who have no faith to sustain them in this crisis.

Pray for those who have lost their jobs.

Pray for those who have lost loved ones to this virus.

Pray for those who are hungry and those who are homeless.

Add anyone else you know who requires any sort of assistance."

Thank you Colleen.

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Our Governor, Ralph Northam, announced that he is extending business closures until May 8th.

Hopefully this will help reduce the spreading of the coronavirus.

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Dee found an interesting movie on Netflix, “The Next Three Days.” It stars Russell Crowe and Elizabeth Banks. Brian Dennehy plays Russell’s father. Liam Neeson has an interesting part which is short but important to the plot. 

The police department is led by Lennie James, as the Lieutenant, and Jason Beghe as the quiet but observant detective. 
I enjoyed watching it.

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It's Friday and I continue to work on painting my miniatures. 

On the painting board is a squad of the 78th Regiment of Foot. 

Next in line will be a squad of the French Regiment de Bearn. 

I play with "skirmish" rules, so the size of each unit is six figures. 

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Bill Withers - “Ain’t No Sunshine” 
Died 5-3-20 Age 81

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More "takes" at Kelly's.

A Miniature Short, Friends & 98

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"A Dark Tale"

An interesting "short" from Paul's Bods.

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Our community clubhouse has been closed for the last couple of months. So my exercise has shifted from the treadmill to the street. Fortunately there are no crowds. 

It makes me feel good to get outside and enjoy the fresh air. And Dee is there with me. 

MSN.COM

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Our son Eric sent us this interesting graphic about "pandemics."

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Dee and I took the weekly "Salvation Army Meal" over to church on Wednesday afternoon. Afterward we stopped at Tony and Pam’s house to drop off some puzzles.

 Jack and Maureen were dropping off cookies for Roger and Margaret and Tony and Pam. Then Margaret, after putting away her cookies from Maureen, came over. 
Tony set up chairs for the 7 of us, following the 6-8 foot rule. It was nice to see everyone and talk about how we are all coping with the virus issue. Each of us had our masks and there was no hugging or hand shaking. 

Thank you Lord.

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Dee's Mom, "Grandma Lucy," turned 98 this week. She is healthy and living at an assisted living facility here in Richmond. 

One of the staff worked with Dee and setup a "Zoom" call so that all the family could "log-in" and wish her a happy birthday. 

Her son, daughter-in-law, their three sons with their wives and children, her daughter, son-in-law, their three sons with their wives and children, her godchild, her niece, and a lot of family friends. Dee counted 38 people.

A rather large group that filled my screen. 

Everyone took turns talking to her and then we sang "Happy Birthday.". 

A successful surprise!

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Everyone have a Blessed and Happy Easter.

Pinterest

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Reba McEntire - Cathy's Clown  

This is one of my favorite videos. It includes Bruce Boxleitner.

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There are more takes at Kelly's.

Gathering, Painting & Miscellaneous Stuff

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Last night, Dee invited some of the neighbors over for an
 “outside-bring your own drink and chair-stay 6 feet away gathering.”
 It was a great idea and we’re sharing and learning about each other. During my walks I have seen gatherings like this throughout our 55+ community. It’s a positive thing during this crazy pandemic.

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A good friend of ours, Steve Ambrose, is an awesome singer, musician. He has been putting on some excellent programs Saturday evenings at 5PM. It is worth the visit. Just log in to your "Facebook" account and type in his name.

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"What delights us in the spring is more a sensation than an appearance, more a hope than any visible reality. There is something the softness of the air, in the lengthening of the days, in the very sounds and odors of the sweet time, that caresses us and consoles us after the rigorous weeks of winter."

Philip Gilbert Hamerton

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Completed a British campfire group. You can view it over at my Briartun blog.

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My spring allergies have hit me pretty hard this year. It doesn't help that the pollen count has been high. However, with our clubhouse closed down because of the "virus" I venture out into the neighborhood for my "power walks."

This weather wasn't cooperating this week but Dee found a video on YouTube.
1.0 Mile Happy Walk.

It's great, it's fun and it works. Give it a try!

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You don't have to miss church services while "sheltering at home.' Most churches have online services. Take advantage of them.

Dee and I use our Church of the Epiphany as well as Bishop Robert Barron's "Chapel" services.

"God Bless us everyone."
Tiny Tim

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Paul Simon - "You Can Call Me Al" 

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More Take's over at Kelly's.