Every day is a good day in the great Republic of Texas, but today was especially good. Mass #1 went well in an early morning kind of way, and the Senior Warden surprised me afterwards, asking, "What're we going to do for the Feast of Mary in August, because we're St. Mary's." I looked at GH and he looked at me, a man of few words.
"The Feast of the Assumption?" I asked, "That's right, August fifteenth, I reckon we should get together for a cookout the day before. Hamburgers." Easy decision, "Good idea, let's do it."
And so we have a plan. Just so you know, GH raises Polled Hereford's on the side and is a good man. I've spent many a happy hour shooting pistols with his father (RIP), against hay bale berms and shooting dove in season on their land. Big fun. Setup in a treeline behind some Mojo decoys and wait for the avian acrobats to brave the flak barrage of #8 shot.
Mass #2 went well too, with lots of kids, a mercifully brief LSP homily on the remarkable, moving, powerful miracle of Jairus' daughter being raised from the dead, maiden, arise, and then an outstanding potluck after the service. Slow cooked ribs, turkey, pulled pork and more sides than you could count. All delicious. Just a really enjoyable country church lunch after a spirited Eucharist.
Then, as everyone was enjoying themselves, the heavens opened and rain shot down with frontier intensity on the parked rigs of the faithful and the baked Texan land. Seriously, it was pretty much zero viz for an hour or two.
It's raining now, though less furiously, and I like that, cools things right off and smells good to boot. You see, sometimes our old adversary The Weather is our friend. But Climate War aside, what a good day.
God Bless,
LSP
Not being Episcopal, I had to look up the position of Senior Warden. Interesting, and GH appears to be well out in front of his job. His Daddy raised him up right, it seems.
ReplyDeleteWhat kind of gat is GH, Sr. holding? I don't recognize it.
I'm trying to remember, WWW, but I know it was cheap, a Hi-Point? On the other end of the scale, Sr. had his dad's old duty wheel guns, and they were beauties, but in inaccessible calibers. So he couldn't shoot them. These days, I'd sort it out with the hand loaders... oh well.
ReplyDeleteGat looks like a Beretta Px4.
ReplyDeleteWe only had a bit of thunder and the edge of the rain in our part of Arlington. It occurred to my wife and I the other day, where else can you step outside into 90 degree heat, 50% humidity, and get pelted with ice balls from the heavens, all at the same time? Not complaining. Haven't had to water the lawn yet this year.
Right, RHT, I'm shooting a PX4, not sure about the other one...
DeleteHope you get more rain!
Spirited Eucharist.
ReplyDeleteI saw what you did there.
Dammit, Ed, you caught me out.
DeleteTruly blessed! And good that you got to spend time with the gent!
ReplyDeleteHe was good man, NFO. Sometimes we'd use pics of heretical bishop figures as targets. Heh.
DeleteRain in your part of the world is usually a good thing. My son is Seattle is getting by the 100° heat with a fan and wet towels. I feel for my friends and relatives in Portland where it has hit 110°. Texans may scoff but those folks have never dealt with those temps.
ReplyDeleteHere in Northern Colorado temps have dropped and we have neem getting a soft and gentle rain. Much welcomed!
That's seriously hot for the N/West, WSF. Ye Gods.
DeleteSoft and gentle rain? Beautiful!
It sounds as though a good time was had by all. Seriously, what's to argue about when you're BBQing burgers and shooting - unless it's a question of whether you shoot first or eat first.
ReplyDeleteRight on, LL. Just a lot of fun with good people.
DeleteSounds like exactly what your blog proclaims to be, Parson. Genuine Country Folk praising God, and sharing their vittles (and ammo!) with each other.
ReplyDeleteTruly a blessed day.....
drjim, I try to stay on topic but "anything else I care to think of" does have a habit of sneaking in.
DeleteBut for sure, what a blessing.
Did you hear it's like 114 up in the Northwest lately as one Portland based blogger laments and WSF mentions. That's ridiculous, especially since the hottest i can remember in Tempe AZ is 116 in July.
ReplyDeleteSee, if only Bush woulda signed the Kyoto Protocol.
-Kid
Kid, I'm really surprised. Don't they pay their weather tax?!?
ReplyDeleteThanks, LSP, for the identification.
ReplyDelete