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Saturday, January 16, 2010

Pretty darn close to a flat-out glory attack


It's been long overdue. This cleaning, 'purging' and reorganizing that I've been doing all day today.

This is not unrelated to the "letting go" piece I did the other day, but it is different. I've been doing things like: purging and reorganizing the medicine cabinet in the bathroom. My bedside table (how did it get so cluttered?). My books (back on the shelves where they belong and stacked by my beside or on the bureau). The closets. Even reorganized my shoes by season.

Ms. Conroy and I hooked up the new flat screen TV in the master bedroom and was able to move the reclining chair from the guest room into the master bedroom where the old TV was so now I don't have to read in bed when herself is watching "the game." Even have a little place where I can use my laptop and store some books - and, of course, my Kindle.

Like that.

Also sorted through all my T-shirts. There was a method to my madness. At the clergy conference last October, we had an auction to raise money for ERD. A clergy colleague auctioned off his ability to make a quilt out of old T-shirts. My bid won!

Great idea, huh? So, I dug through and found my first Boston "Walk for Hunger" in 1983. Also got my Oasis T-shirt ("Working for Justice since 1985"), my "Praying for an Inclusive Church" from 1998 Lambeth Conference along with "Here I Am, Send Me" tee from General Convention 2009.

Got a few "College Mom" tees from the various colleges our kids went to, as well as "You Can't Kill the Dream" tee from the Civil Rights Museum in Memphis and the B.B. King's tee from the same town.

Love, love, love my "God is not a Boy's Name" and "Justice IS Orthodox Theology" from the Episcopal Women's Caucus. Got a whole lot more like that which should make a wonderful quilt, I think.

While I was working away, I was listening to one of my favorite groups: Squirrel Nut Zippers. They are a five piece band from Chapel Hill, North Carolina. I'm not sure how to categorize them. I'm not sure anyone does, really. I think the band likes it that way.

I've heard them described as "Swing Revival". That comes close, but no cigars. One of the CD sleeves I have says:
"Nut Zippers," is a southern term for a variety of old bootleg moonshine, and the band's name comes from a newspaper account which related the story of a highly intoxicated man who climbed a tree one night, refusing to come down even after authorities arrived. The article's headline read: "Squirrel Nut Zipper."
I can't think of one song on any album I love more than another, but "Prince Nez," "Hell," and this one, "Put A Lid On It" number among my very favorites.

They are very talented musicians and their music always makes me move my feet. The next thing you know, I'm dancing and twirling and shakin' ma bootie and with it, any blues that might be trying to shadow me.

With all the work I got done today, I'm feeling downright righteous. Sanctified. In fact, I'm teetering pretty darn close to having a flat-out glory attack.

Some very dear friends just called and we're going out to an early dinner. That just may put me right over the edge.

It's been a wonderful day in the neighborhood. I only hope your Saturday was near as good.

If not, just poor yourself a glass or mug of your favorite beverage and, well, put a lid on it, pal. Everything will be alright.

3 comments:

Peter Carey+ said...

I love Squirrel Nut (having lived in Chapel Hill for 5 years...)!!

Love your selections, also "Bad Businessman" is pretty good when you think of all the 'bailouts' these days !

Peter Carey+

susankay said...

Wow -- I so need to do this. Altho MY 1983 Boston Walk for Hunger t-shirt may have been left behind when I moved from Boston to New Mexico.

It does feel so good when things are winnowed out and organized. If only they would stay that way. I have the totally unfounded belief that if I could only find the perfect file cabinet/closet or drawer organizer/kitchen system/or whatever my life would be calm and under control.

Elizabeth Kaeton said...

Bad Businessman is awesome. Truly.

Isn't the T-shirt quilt a great idea? Can't wait to see how it turns out.

Actually, if I only had as good a wife as the wife I was when I was a wife, there would be no problem. No problem at all.