Yeah, but ...

Dr. Martin Luther King's Birthday is a big deal at my church. Service is our sacrament, and Dr. King certainly inspires us to do our part, and then to do more, to make the world a better place. I get it.

Today's sermon was not only about Dr. King but Sister Simone Campbell, one of the "nuns on the bus," who encourages us to "walk toward trouble," not away from it, as we strive to serve. A laudable idea, to be sure.

But my heart was hurting when I entered church this morning. I wanted someone more learned than I to put the events in France of this past week into perspective for me. I didn't get that from today's service. I was disappointed.

My regular minister was on vacation. Maybe the associate just isn't fleet and flexible enough to rewrite his sermon in time.

I wish Dr. King was with us today. I'd love to hear his feelings about Ferguson and Garner and George Zimmerman being arrested for violent acts yet again ... and Paris.

I don't know what to make of the world I find myself in. I need help. I didn't find it within my house of worship today. This doesn't shake my faith in God, but it does shake my faith in our ministers.

Sunday Stealing

2014/15 Meme, Part 2

26.What experience would you love to do all over again? I really enjoyed my birthday trip to Las Vegas

27.What was the best gift you received? Definitely the purse from my coworker. It was such a lovely and unexpected gesture!

28.How did your overall outlook on life evolve? I am trying to relax more. I don't want to waste my life on worry.

29.What was the biggest problem you solved? Solved? Instead I'll say I've made progress toward improving my bathroom.

30.What was the funniest moment of your year, one that still makes it hard not to burst out laughing when you think about it? The night my oldest friend and I spent seeing Donny and Marie in Vegas.

31.What purchase turned out to be the best decision ever? Signing up with my personal trainer.

32.What one thing would you do differently and why? I'd be more positive at the office. I'm working at it. But our "clown car" open seating arrangement is very hard on me. I like privacy, and I have none.

33.What do you deserve a pat on the back for? I have been supportive of my friends.

34.What activities made you lose track of time? Farmville!

35.What did you think about more than anything else? Worry.

36.What topics did you most enjoy learning about? The 19th century is my new obsession.

37.What new habits did you cultivate? Nothing comes to mind

38.What advice would you give your early-2014 self if you could? Watch your pennies!

39.Did any parts of your self or your life do a complete 180 this year? No

40.What or who had the biggest positive impact on your life this year? MeTV. I'm not kidding. I have found sliding back to a simpler time very comforting when the going gets tough.

41.What do you want the overarching theme for your 2015 to be? Serenity

42.What do you want to see, discover, explore? I want to learn more about myself and how I can make myself better

43.Who do you want to spend more time with in 2015? Kathleen. I think she needs me. She has a lot on her plate -- her own family, her parents, her siblings, her career -- and I hope to remind her to take care of herself and enjoy herself amid the tumult.

44.What skills do you want to learn, improve or master? I want to regain control of my surroundings and finances.

45.Which personal quality do you want to develop or strengthen? RESOLVE!

46.What do you want your everyday life to be like? No drama

47.Which habits do you want to change, cultivate or get rid of? I have promised myself to take a bag of stuff to Goodwill every month.

48.What do you want to achieve career-wise? Hang on to this job!

49.How do you want to remember the year 2015 when you look back on it 10/20/50 years from now? I'm 57. I hope to simply make it to 2025 and 2035.

50.What is your number one goal for 2015? Organization.

A good day

Saturday was just fine, and left me feeling tired but happy.

I slept well and didn't wake up with a headache for the first time this week. I think the overnight headaches have been triggered by allergies, recycled air and the relentless heat that's being forced into my condo because of the coldsnap. I was glad to start the day without that stuffy head/pressure feeling.

I got a good haircut. Good hair = good mood.

Had lunch with my nephew. This is the first time we've talked at length this year. He's interesting to converse with he grows up. He's sensitive and smart, and it was fascinating to get his 14-year-old opinion on real issues of the day -- Charlie Hebdo, the death penalty, Hillary Clinton. He's enjoying school and missing Stephen Colbert. I enjoy him.

Got laundry out of the way. I hate doing laundry.

The only dark cloud on my personal horizon is that I didn't do any "Clean Me" activity to improve my personal environment. But, as Katie Scarlett used to say, "tomorrow is another day."