December 3: Christmas Concert, Errands, New Cartoon

Hey, y'all.  It's been another crazy day of running errands.  I just picked up my daughter's birthday cake from Wal-Mart.  When I payed at the register, the total seemed really low.  As I was walking out, I read the receipt.  The cake wasn't on it.  For a brief few moments, I actually thought about counting it good fortune and leaving.  I have no love for Wal-Mart, especially since they fired my wife and then tried to fight her unemployment claim.  However, my conscience kicked in, and I went back to the cashier and pointed out the error.

So, I'm fifteen dollars poorer than I would have been, but I don't feel like a thief.  I guess that counts for something.

Tonight at church, I'm performing with my band at a Christmas Benefit Concert for Toys for Tots and a local food pantry.  It's going to be a wonderful show, and the only charge is a new, unwrapped toy or some canned goods.  Not a bad deal.  If you're in the neighborhood of Mitchell United Methodist Church in Negaunee, Michigan, at around 7 p.m., swing by and partake in some entertainment.  Just ignore that little ol' winter storm warning.  The hard stuff won't start coming down until around midnight.  I promise.

I have a new cartoon for you today.  I think it pretty much speaks for itself.

Saint Marty's gotta run.

Confessions of Saint Marty

February 22: Let Them Eat Cake

Okay, so I really didn't do anything special today.  I worked.  I taught.  I ate.  Later on, I'll eat.  I'll work.  I'll sleep.  I had every intention of accomplishing a lot today.  I was going to finish grading some essays.  I was going to write a lengthy blog post.  I was going to finish reading The Help for my book club on Thursday.

What did I actually end up doing?  I worked. I taught....

I wonder if a saint ever feels this way.  I wonder if a saint gets up in the morning and says, "Here we go again.  I pray.  I levitate.  I heal a leper.  I pray.  I fast.  I eat communion.  I pray.  I pray.  I bi-locate.  I sleep.  Same old stuff."  Probably not.

My coworker's cake

 A coworker brought a cake to work today.  It was delicious.  Funfetti.  I wasn't going to eat a piece, but then I just cut a sliver of it and crammed it into my mouth.  I went away.  Then I came back and cut another sliver, since the first one was so small.  I went away.  A little while later, I returned for another sliver.  You get the idea.

I imagine, for saints, doing God's work is sort of like that.  You just keep coming back for more, because it tastes so freakin' good.  And the best thing?  The cake never runs out.

Saint Marty's going to check the kitchen to see if there's any cake left.  With my luck, the saints I work with probably polished it off.