CBS Evening News with Katie Couric

A local CBS news crew is here using the Church's food distribution as a backdrop for the national network CBS Evening News. May air tonight. Shout out to Katie Couric!

Lucky

There you have it. The fortune cookie gods know something I don't and I have until 11:59 PST to figure out what it is.

"They Call Me Mellow Yellow"

O.K., this one's a little graphic but it's where I live. Sorry.

I just had someone come up the steps of the church toward my office. There's the tell-tale sounds. You hear them come up to the stoop, expect a knock, or a ring of the doorbell (before it was stolen) but nothing. It can only mean a few things. They've dragged their kill over here from the taco shop across the street and are feasting on it, they are thinking they're going to bed down in front of the door (i.e. - from a facility coordinator's position - fire escape) for the night or they are thinking what better place could there be to commit an act of public urination.

Then there's the other tell-tale sound I need not describe to you. I threw open the door and there SHE was stooped on my stoop, a young "lady".

stoop ² (stp)

n. Chiefly Northeastern U.S.

A small porch, platform, or staircase leading to the entrance of a house or building.

---

stoop ¹ (stp)

v. stooped, stoop·ing, stoops

v.intr.

1. To bend forward and down from the waist or the middle of the back: had to stoop in order to fit into the cave.

4.

a. To lower or debase oneself.

v.tr.

1. To bend (the head or body) forward and down.

2. To debase; humble.

n.

1. The act of stooping.

3. An act of self-abasement or condescension.

She's not the first and unfortunately won't be the last. We've had our share and more. There was the "Urinator". His work was found most mornings in a stairwell or in the alley. Becker and I stayed up all night to catch him red-handed because he would deny having done it every time.

We're a popular spot for those going through the drive thru across the street to come and find relief. Behind the dumpsters is another popular spot. I get really upset when they do it during business hours and our restrooms are open at the time.

The excuse is usually the same - "I'm really sorry, I couldn't find anywhere else to go." Usually I lay into them, coming on strong in the beginning and then lighten up. I did that with one guy. I ranted, he apologized, I started to make a friendly gesture and offered my hand to shake hands but then pulled back remembering what he had just done. This time tonight I was speechless. Instead of biting her head off, I bit my tongue. Let he who is without sin cast the first stone.

F/A-18 Down!

FYI-Well I just got a text from BFF, Steve, in Indiana - "How close was the plane wreck to you?" Fortunately, not too close - 10 miles. I'm not an ambulance chaser but had to be in the area so we checked it out. We took an alternate route, I-15, to the Feeding America/Food Bank and then took the 805 back to see if we could see anything - you can barely make out the rising smoke. It had subsided quite a bit at that point. The exit to that neighborhood from the freeway is shut down and rightly so. They don't need people like us over there right now.

A Date Which Will Live in Infamy

Today we remember those who were injured or lost their lives during the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor on 7 December 1941.

U.S.
2,345 military and 57 civilians killed, 1,247 military and 35 civilians wounded.

Japan
55 airmen, 9 submariners killed and 1 captured.

My brother, Lyndon, and I were able to visit the memorial on our trip to Hawaii, courtesy of 24 Hour Fitness.

Entertaining Angels

Do not forget to entertain strangers, for by so doing some people have entertained angels without knowing it. Hebrews 13:2 NIV

Hats off to Angel! Though he completed his community service with us long ago, he continues to come by and help out often. Many people tell me after they do their duty they'll return and volunteer. The truth is, it seldom happens. Without much fanfare at all, Angel returns time after time and always with a smile to serve the Lord and his community. Thanks!

SERENITY NOW!!!

Now I lay me down to sleep….

Well today (Wednesday) was a day off. I won’t go so far as to say a good day off, but a day off. Parts of it were good. I estimate it was split up the middle; 50% work, 50% off. In that time off, I found some time to read and to commune with the Creator and the created. The all-encompassing aspect of the work, though, crept in via the mobile phone. It was turned off for a time. I know, "That's one small step for man; one giant leap for mankind." “We have been trying to get you to do that.” “Why did you even bring it along?” I heard you today. Thank you.

Lately, the job is driving me to drink and because on principle, I don’t do that, (occupational hazard and all) I’ll find another outlet for my angst. I don’t drink, but I know those days when I would, if I did. Today will find me at some point at the driving range, shooting range, Sarah’s Smash Shack, or all of the above. Please flatter me and tell me you have days like that too. I have an old cell phone that might be martyred in the process. Why not bid good riddance to some golf clubs as I wrap them around a tree? Please don’t try and stop me. In the end, I will be a better person/parson for it.

Have a good day,

My thoughts and prayers are with a family member who’s in surgery today…..