Topic: Pastoral Year '04 - '05
I arrived on Saturday to the rectory where the faucets plentifully run with Shiner beer. I geared up for my introduction to the parish at all the Masses (three) this weekend and prepared myself for the expected comments, "You look like Fr. Bryan," of which I got many. The famous Sts. Cyril & Methodius Picnic (a.k.a. The Shiner Picnic) went well and I enjoyed myself receiving many SPIRIT-ual gifts of different types.
Today I woke up to an accidental "Razz-the-New-Guy Day" for 6:30am Mass, which on holidays such as Labor Day (today) and Memorial Day isn't until 8am. Today, my pastor left for his parents up in Fort Worth leaving me to the whole rectory. I decided to wash the species of bug that I am helping to annihilate with my truck...the Love-Bugs that like to hang out over the country highways of Texas. The one car wash in town was hiding from me so my next course of action was to travel the 18 miles to the next town (Gonzalez) for Wal-Mart and possible better luck finding a car wash. Just as I was setting out for Gonzalez, a police car started following me. Since I was doing nothing wrong, I stayed the course until Mr. Policeman settled on officially welcoming me to Shiner.
We had a good conversation, during which he reminded me of how country folk aren't really much in a hurry and that I was no longer in the rat-race we call Houston...and thankfully so. After he was done greeting me to this nice little farming/ranching community, he sent me on my way with many blessings. It was only after this event did I feel fully welcomed to the town.
FRIDAY WAS MY LAST DAY OF CPE! Can you tell I am a little excited? Right after the appreciation lunch, Michael Earthman and I set out for the long trip to College Station, arriving there at 9:30 pm with one stop for gas along the way. We both were ready to get back down south for good and wet our gills in the humid air. This weekend was planned to be a relaxing weekend with my nephew...oh, and Troy and Shannon. 
Blaise remembered me from the trip down here the previous week and immediately became my shadow. I couldn't go anywhere without Blaise right there. He also wanted to be like his Parrain, so he wanted to do everything I did even lying on the pillow in the living room. I was his new play buddy. He had worn out the old models...not that the old models are old as in age but the ones that he has had longer. :-) It was a great weekend, where I showed Blaise some great things like how to clean the table after dinner. We (Blaise, Troy, and I) even went on a trail south of town on bikes. The weekend was great but ended to quick. Today I will be driving home and getting ready to move some of my stuff on Wednesday to Shiner, where I will be for the next year in the parish.
cheeky
Last night had an interesting experience walking the halls going to a visit on the other side of the hospital. It all started when I was suddenly stirred from watching my movie by the phone ringing at 11:30pm. I don't think I was dozing. The primary chaplain on call needed me to go check on a patient. I quickly sprang into action at a moderate pace got dressed and headed down the elevator you walk across the hospital on the 2nd floor to the elevators for the East and South Towers. I get to the 2nd floor and begin making the football length trek to the other elevators down an empty hallway, which is surprising because normally there are people in and around the SICU waiting room (see Thurs. July 29). I think this is weird, but it wasn't until I saw a wheelchair sitting in the middle of the hall that I began to remember a similar scene in a Nightmare on Elm Street movie. My thought went something like this: "Isn't that weird, but I am awake so it can't be Freddie...but in the movie the people think they are awake but they aren't." At this moment a chill ran down my spine and the nest of hair on the back of my neck struggled to stand on end. I began to quicken my pace hoping to find anybody, a nurse, a lost visitor, a hobo...anybody. I could suppress the urge to continually look over my shoulder as I was frightened a man with a blade glove maybe standing at the end of the hallway following me. Luckily, I wasn't sleeping and Freddie is just in the movies. I made it to the floor and saw the patient without incident. I am just overjoyed that I didn't see a little girl jumping rope singing "1,2 Freddie's coming for you. 3,4 better lock the door. 5,6 get your crucifix. 7,8 better stay up late. 9,10 never sleep again." I would have freaked had this happened. (I bet you can't believe I actually remember that song from Nightmare 1.)
Look at the product of my labor. It was a labor of love...okay, one afternoon. The bishop has some grapevines growing on his backyard fence. I don't understand it, I was told that grapevines are labor and time intensive, but the bishop doesn't do anything with these vines, but allows the rain to fall on them when it does rain. I went out there one day a couple of weeks ago and found a few beautiful looking bunches of grapes but didn't pick any. Fast forward to today. I couldn't help myself. I just had to go pick some grapes...if there were any good bunches left after the birds had their pickings. I did find quite a few bunches and clipped them off. I tried on and immediately found that the seeds were bigger than the ones in the store, big enough that spitting them out is preferable. Despite the seeds, the grapes are pretty tasty. I have thought about making wine, but need the huge wooden tubs and about three barefooted beauties to stomp the grapes. I will, however settle for two...any takers? Please send a picture resume. What I mean by a picture resume is a full body color picture that has not been digitally touched up nor airbrushed. I will post my acceptances on this blog so check back.--Okay I'll stop day dreaming...at least on this blog........