October 3: Idea for New Poem, Prayers for Friend, Prayer Warriors

Well, my disciples, the day has gotten away from me yet again.  I have an idea for a new poem, but it has remained just that.  An idea.  If I get some time this evening, I may work on it a little.  If not, it may have to wait until tomorrow or Wednesday (Saint Marty's Day).  It's a really good idea, so I'm a little excited to see what comes of it.

I do need to get a little serious for a moment now.  I have a friend who has been out of work for some time.  She has been searching and interviewing all over the place, but, as with many people these days, she has not had any luck.  She's a great friend, a lover of Jesus, and just plain cool.  Tomorrow morning, she has an interview for a really good job. 

I'm asking everybody who reads this post, stumbles upon it, or just passes through to pray for my friend.  She needs this job.  She deserves it after a couple of really tough years.  Prayer can do powerful things.  I believe prayer can get my friend this job.  I want all of my disciples to become prayer warriors over the next day or so.  Pray for my friend.  Arm her with the grace she needs.  Let her know that God is on her side.

Now, I know I usually don't get that Pentecostal in my blog.  People who speak like that tend to make me a little nervous.  However, something just put the idea for this post in my head.  Maybe it was the Holy Spirit.  Maybe Jesus.  Or maybe the stir fry I had for dinner tonight.  I don't know.  But do me a favor.  Say a prayer for my friend tonight or tomorrow morning.  Send good thoughts her way.

That's what Saint Marty's going to do.

We can all be prayer warriors

October 3: Daughter's Friend, Two More Days, Thursday

So much to blog about this morning.

First, my daughter.  It seems that one of her friends from the neighborhood (a boy) has been giving her a hard time on the bus.  My daughter was sitting on the bus with another friend, and she laughed.  This boy, "Andre," who was several seats behind her, yelled, "Your laugh is so annoying."  My daughter ignored him.  A little while later, she laughed again, and Andre yelled, "Your laugh is so annoying."  To the amusement of the whole bus. 

Well, when my daughter told me this story, my first reaction was to drive down to the boy's house and pound the little fucker into oblivion.  However, I gave myself some time to cool down.  Last night, I told my daughter to have Andre come talk to me if she saw him.  At about 6 p.m. last night, I finally had a little talk with him.

When he saw me come out of the house, Andre said, "What did I do?"

I smiled and said, "Come here for a second."  He approached.  I fought the urge to reach out and wrap my hands around his throat.  "You know when you yelled at my daughter on the bus the other day?"  I said.  "You yelled that her laugh was annoying."  He nodded, knew he was in trouble.  "Well, you really hurt her feelings, Andre.  You made her feel bad about herself."  I paused, looked him in the eye.  "That's what a bully does.  And I know you don't want to be a bully, do you, Andre?"  My hand was on his shoulder, and I was looking him in the eye.

"No," he said.  "I don't"

"Okay, then before you open your mouth to say anything to my daughter next time, think about what you're going to say."  I squeezed his shoulder a little bit.  "If it's not nice, keep your mouth shut.  You got me?"  He nodded.  "Good.  I'm not going to mention this to your parents.  This time."  I took my hand off Andre's shoulder.  "Thanks for talking with me."  And I released him.  Andre turned and walked slowly away.

I think I handled the situation well, considering I initially wanted to run him over with my car.  I also told my daughter that if Andre kept teasing her, calling her names on the bus, to let me know.  My next step will be talking to Andre's parents.  If that doesn't do any good, I will be talking to the school principal.  I'm going to test that zero tolerance policy the school has in place.

That's subject number one.

Second, there's only two more shopping days until Saint Marty's Day.  If you're still floundering around for gift ideas, refer to the birthday list I posted on September 19.  There are plenty of ideas.  Plan your Saint Marty's Day dinner.  Get together with friends, and go Saint Marty's Day caroling around your neighborhood.  Don't be a Saint Marty's Day Scrooge.

Third, the Swedish Academy just released a statement saying it will announce the winner of the 2011 Nobel Prize in Literature this Thursday, October 6.  That's only one day after my birthday!  I have a good feeling about my chances this year.  It can't be just a coincidence that the winner is going to be revealed one day after Saint Marty's Day.  The Swedes are smiling down on me this year.  I know it.  I can smell the fish on their breath already.  It's going to be a really good week.

I'm feeling a lot better now that all that's off my chest.  Time to throw myself into preparation for the day.  Maybe I'll have a pre-Saint Marty's Day gin and tonic tonight.  Just to get into the spirit.

Saint Marty is going to have a good week.

Sing with me:  "Have yourself a merry little Saint Marty's Day..."

October 2: Quick Post, Three More Days, New Cartoon

It has been an absolutely gorgeous fall day.  In the 60s with sunshine.  It almost makes you forget that winter is breathing down our necks.  Yes, I had to throw that in.

We had a great time at worship this morning in church.  We sang "Dancing in the Streets," and got down with the Holy Spirit.  At communion, people actually danced back to their seats.  It was silly.  It was fun.  And I think we made God smile.  You can't ask for anything better than that in worship.

A reminder:  Only three more days until Saint Marty's Day.  There is still time to buy Saint Marty some presents and bake Saint Marty's Day cookies.  You may not be aware of this fact, but eggnog is also a traditional beverage for Saint Marty's Day.  So is gin and tonic, but that's a whole other story.

I just finished having dinner at my parents' house.  Bratwurst and Klondike Bars.  Yup, an almost perfect dinner.  Just throw in some eggnog or gin and tonic.

I do have a new installment of Confessions of Saint Marty.  It's October, so I can start talking about Halloween, doing cartoons about it.  This is the first of many Halloween cartoons.

Saint Marty's Day is coming.  October 5.  Don't be left out in the cold.

 

October 1: Son's Birthday Party, Four More Days, New Cartoon

Tonight, we celebrated my son's third birthday with my family.  His real brithday was September 26, but everyone was just a little too busy during the week for ice cream and cake.  Besides, a three-year-old doesn't know any better.  My son is happy any time you put cake in front of him.  The candles were just a bonus.  And, of course, more toys to trip over at home.

Which reminds me, don't forget that Saint Marty's Day is only four days away.  Hopefully, by this time, you've all baked your Saint Marty's Day cookies and trimmed your Saint Marty's Day trees.  I myself have just put out my Saint Marty's Day manger scene.  It's beautiful.  My dad and mom looking down at me lovingly, knowing I'm the best thing to ever happen to them.  My sisters are huddled with the sheep, jealous because our parents love me best.  My brothers are the three kings, riding in on ATVs to bring me their gifts--pizza, cake, and an iPad2.  Me, I'm cuddly and cute and holy.  It's really inspiring.

I do have a new cartoon for you.  This cartoon was obviously inspired by my son's birthday party.  Hope you enjoy it.

Saint Marty's going to go bake some Saint Marty's Day fudge now.

Confessions of Saint Marty