that explains a lot

I finally got to the doctor today about my shoulder. About 6 weeks ago I woke up sore, like I slept on it wrong - that's happened before. This time the discomfort didn't go away. I explained to my doc the symptoms and he did his exam. One of the things was holding my arm like a waitress holds a tray, then kept turning my arm backwards. I said it would start hurting when my elbow was several inched higher than my wrist. He gave a funny look. Then he drew my arm straight down and told me to indicate when there was pain. Nothing. He gave a really funny look. He said he just dislocated my shoulder by a lot, and I felt no pain. "Is that what that is." I said. That explains a lot.

Turns out, I've been able to dislocate both my shoulders all my life. When I was doing Brazilian Jui Jitsu ten years ago, my sifu was really impressed that no one could ever submit me with any arm or shoulder lock. I've always had good flexibility, but now it seems that I have hyper flexibility. There's a tendon that runs behind my scapular that's gotten irritated somehow. It hurts when I move my arm in a particular way. Got a scip for an anti-inflammatory. Will move on to physical therapy later if I need it.

















Don't know who's shoulder this is, but I can dislocate further. Pretty gross, huh?


















An ancestor who also couldn't be submitted with an arm bar.

















It took four men and a pole to get this guy. You go, brother.






















I see a lot of misgivings in these people. Hang in there dude, it doesn't really hurt.

holiday

Back from a few days up north. We went to Petoskey, MI with stops in between on the way. Stayed at a posh hotel in downtown. Balcony view of lake. Excellent weather for Petoskey stone hunting. Got three good ones and a couple fossils too. Side trip to the Old Mission Peninsula. Drove all the way out to the lighthouse at the end.

















The 45th parallel. We share an imaginary line with some other fine places on our planet. You can look them up for yourself.


















The lighthouse at the end of the peninsula.

















K and Roz getting ready to check out the beach that the lighthouse watches.

















Beach bums.

















We also some some wildlife. Those northern Michigan critters are unusual. Here we found a family of raccoons canoeing. I never knew they needed sunglasses. It's a shame humans have encroached on wild lands. The poor things have to drink Budweiser. Such a shame.

same questions, different day

I've been looking at gifts for some of my graduating parishioners. My first stop for gifts is usually on-line book sellers. One of my most excellent graduating young people has an interest in history. A girl after my own heart, that one.

I found a book called "Turning Points: Decisive Moments in the History of Christianity," by Mark A. Noll. In his opening chapter about the fall of Jerusalem he writes, "Once the given framework of Judaism passed away, what would take its place?" He suggests that the early church leaders asked the questions: what is truth (ultimate revelation of God), how do we know it (authoritative interpretation), and how do we put it into action (right organization of life in this new way of being)? Here in EDWM, as in many other places, we've been keeping up the conversation about the emerging church, spurred by Phyllis Tickle's book "The Great Emergence: How Christianity is Changing and Why." Noll's questions go to the same concepts. I wonder if the development of post-Christendom is as comparable as it appears to the fall of Jerusalem and it's subsequent questions of identity and purpose? As the Anglican Communion struggles with the changes of post-Christendom understanding of self, theology, and mission, I think we find ourselves asking the same questions lo these many years later. Sadly, I could only read the first 5 pages of Noll's book on-line. Obviously a delicious taste of a rich meal.

I might have to pick up two copies. Bringing Noll together with Tickle in the conversation could add further strength to an already strong conversation.

mums day success

The Mothers Day liturgy went better than I expected. Some mums even got a little misty-eyed. I placed the liturgy between the Prayers of the People and the Passing of the Peace. It happened to work out as a pleasant surprise. No one saw it coming until I went to the fore and announced that we were going to recognize mothers. Then they turned the page and saw what was planned. I didn't intend for the pages to format like that - just a happy coincidence.





















Now for Fathers Day.

o mother where art thou?

I'm trying to find a liturgy for Mothers Day. I want to put something between the Prayers of the People and the Passing of the Peace to recognize the mums in the parish (and the wider community for that matter). I could adjust the prayers I've already got to more specifically speak to Mothers Day I suppose. I could write my own collects. I've been looking for resources on-line for stuff others have done. The Sunday ordo information needs to get to my secretary by this evening. I'd like to have a good cover image too. Anybody know any mothers day liturgies that work well?