After a miserable cold and ugly sinus infection, I had that irrepressible urge that is useless to resist: get a make-over! On Saturday, I got a sassy, shorter haircut and dug out some decent clothes. The next issue: getting out and socializing. I have not had much luck finding a church here, so I visited another this morning. I had passed by a beautiful Presbyterian Church while wandering through the fall countryside and decided to check it out. Bingo! It is perfect for me. Why?

• Multi-generational
• Excellent, professional preaching
• Two ministers, one female, one male
• Incredible music. Contemporary but not like the Evangelical churches. This music was sometimes softer versions of traditional hymns.
• Friendly, kind people. I stayed for the second hour when they have small fellowship groups that discuss the message for the day. They also take time to hear each other’s prayer requests. I bonded quickly with my group. I have not told anyone yet I am a retired minister but I don’t think it will matter. My group leader was a retired chaplain.
• I felt at home there.

I haven’t been attending church much since I retired. I thought a lot today about what church will mean for me now. It did not take me long to realize that I just want to serve others out in the community, including seniors. I have done some outreach, like Habitat for Humanity, but not as part of a church and not regularly. So, I saw a sign-up sheet at today’s church asking for volunteers who want to help get food boxes ready at a food bank. I signed up for this coming Wednesday. It feels so good to be in a spiritual community and I hope to find something similar in Sequim. I feel sometimes that I am looking to have it all. Community and travel. Serving others often. I am finding my balance.

The best part of attending church in the fall is coming home to football, football, more football. It is just chilly enough to have the space heater on and sit in the rocker covered by a blanket. Tango sits at my feet, of course, while I enjoy mugs of hot decaf coffee. My little home is cozy and comforting as night falls.

I am loving Washington State and the people here, but this corner is heading towards winter with cold mornings and evenings. Brrrrr. I am ready, though. I unpacked the fleece layers and heavier socks and keep the small heater on overnight.

I kept changing my mind about where to vote in November. I could vote absentee in New Mexico, but a tight Senate race here intrigues me. It is one that could change the balance of the Senate, so I finally decided to register here. I expect a ballot in the mail soon from New Mexico, but I will tear it up. I could probably vote in both states, but voting, to me, is such a sacred thing. I can’t imagine abusing it.

I had a surreal moment on Friday. I was watching news about the FBI investigation for Judge Kavanaugh. Trump was talking and saying that Ford was credible, she was a nice woman, that maybe the FBI investigation would be a blessing in disguise. It seemed that he got it. Not only that, he was talking calmly and thoughtfully. It crossed my mind that he was acting “presidential”. Wow! I blinked though, and he was back to chastising and blaming everyone. For a second I saw a real leader. I wish it could last longer.

By the way, if you missed the season premiere of Saturday Night Live, it was amazing. Maybe it is available online by now? The Senate hearing parodies were priceless. 

So, it is onward towards the most exciting thing on the horizon: the midterm elections.  Since I am now in the Pacific Time Zone (3 hours earlier than the east coast), news will start coming in early for me. Still, I am prepared to stay up all night, drinking regular coffee if needed!