Thread Drift

[Zen]

My husband's grandma's second husband was a Mason. They had Masonic graveside services- those were very interesting.

That's intriguing. I may have to do some quicky Wiki research.

[Duck on Wheels]

That's intriguing. I may have to do some quicky Wiki research.

Hmmm. Yeah. Since they reputedly have some kind of casket ceremony when new members join, I bet it's pretty interesting what they do when a member dies. Oh well. As far as I know I don't know any Masons, so it'll just have to remain a mystery to me.

The only funerals I've been to here have been Lutheran. I find the organ music initially consoling and releasing. If the minister has known the deceased well, or done his homework, he can say some relevant remarks. The rest I don't connect to much until the meal after. After a bit people start sharing good memories of the deceased and I find that a very comforting and meaningful tradition.

[Zen]

At my mom's funeral they had to jump start the hearse. We thought they were going to have to haul her to the cemetery in the back of a pick-up. And the preacher was late.

When he arrived at the cemetery, it was in a car with a license plate frame that said "I feel the need for speed"

Classy.
.................................

[crazycanuck]

I've never been to a funeral & don't really want to go to one! All the loved ones that have passed away did so when i moved overseas & was too expensive to travel home.

Memorial services yes..funerals no..

[Aggie_Ama]

That's intriguing. I may have to do some quicky Wiki research.

Well it was at the graveside they had like some secret thing they were saying. I mean it was all normal English but none of it really made sense. Some of it did but then some didn't. And the men all wore aprons, had swords and kept calling him "BROTHER BILL".

Hmmm. Yeah. Since they reputedly have some kind of casket ceremony when new members join, I bet it's pretty interesting what they do when a member dies. Oh well. As far as I know I don't know any Masons, so it'll just have to remain a mystery to me.

The only funerals I've been to here have been Lutheran. I find the organ music initially consoling and releasing. If the minister has known the deceased well, or done his homework, he can say some relevant remarks. The rest I don't connect to much until the meal after. After a bit people start sharing good memories of the deceased and I find that a very comforting and meaningful tradition.

My Pawpaw's funeral was conducted by a dear friend that was a Lutheran Pastor (or do we call them ministers), it was funny and sweet. Everyone came back to my Nanny's house for beer and sharing funny stories. I don't remember organ music but I know they played Amazing Grace. Pawpaw wanted Bagpipes but my Nanny found them too depressing, I always was disappointed she didn't get them for him.

[crazycanuck]

Whoops...I was backing up into our driveway after picking up Ian's mtb from the shop & hit the back light.. It's been raining & couldn't see through the back window very well..

I'm patiently waiting for a call from leaseplan's insurance folks..hopefully we can get this fixed in the next day or two..

oops..

[Zen]

I was rooting through my bag at the gym and I found a pair of brake levers.
In my gym bag.
Is this rock bottom? Should I seek help?

[OakLeaf]

You never know when you might need to stop quickly.

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

Well, this winter is STILL keeping us off our bikes. Despite having crammed in about three puny 11 mile rides over the past 3 months, it's just about impossible to ride. Either it's nice and sunny but 25F degrees and windy (like today)....or it's 35 and raining sleet all day.... or there is a snow/ice/mud mess on the roads.
I tell you I am really really ready for Spring.
Good thing I at least am still able to do several miles of fitness walks a couple times a week...or else I'd have become a gelatinous blob by now.

I guess the bright side is that I've had a little more time to focus on non-biking things this winter, projects that I've been putting off for too long.

[Tuckervill]

It's the last day of February and we usually have baseball tryouts on this weekend every year. We woke up to SNOW and it still hasn't stopped snowing. sheesh Am I still in Arkansas?

Karen

[Selkie]

Well, this winter is STILL keeping us off our bikes. Despite having crammed in about three puny 11 mile rides over the past 3 months, it's just about impossible to ride. Either it's nice and sunny but 25F degrees and windy (like today)....or it's 35 and raining sleet all day.... or there is a snow/ice/mud mess on the roads.
I tell you I am really really ready for Spring.
Good thing I at least am still able to do several miles of fitness walks a couple times a week...or else I'd have become a gelatinous blob by now.

I guess the bright side is that I've had a little more time to focus on non-biking things this winter, projects that I've been putting off for too long.

Unfortunately, more is on the way. I think those north of us (PA, NY, New England, are supposed to get it worse) Peeked out the window and there is a coating of snow/sleet on the ground. Checked weather.com---5-8 inches expected tonight into Monday. Supposed to be our most significant snow since 2006.

And to think, yesterday I saw daffodils poking through the ground....

Hopefully, it will RAIN, as predicted, later this week and melt the inevitable mess.

I'm warming up the sunroom now and will reacquaint myself with Coach Troy.

This has one endless, unrelenting winter.

[redrhodie]

Snowing here already. We're not supposed to get real accumulation until after midnight, but it's already sticking. I'm going to walk to the store in a bit. I love falling snow!

That said, I hope it melts fast!

[Crankin]

Well, the snow hasn't reached here yet, but tonight... they are predicting 6-15 inches in our area! I am happy because I am going up to Vermont Friday for last weekend of x country skiing. So, I might get to practice locally before we leave.
But, I am ready to get on my bike. It seems like every time we had a warm day, it was windy. I mean like 20-40 mph gusts windy. This is the first time in 4 years I haven't ridden at least once in January and February. I've been going to spin classes 1-3 times a week and using my trainer and "learning" how to run.

[Tuckervill]

Crankin, where do you stay when you go to Vermont?

I'll be there for almost 3 weeks in September, and I usually camp while I'm there. But this time, since my stay is a lot longer, I'm thinking of a condo or something smaller, but bigger than a tent. Everything I checked online seems to have in-season rates, not less than $900 a week. Yikes. I'll be there before peeping and skiing season.

If you have any insight about cheap, non-touristy lodging, I'd love to hear it. I don't care what part of Vermont, though my son will be staying in the middle of the state.

Karen

[Crankin]

We are staying at an inn in Stowe; I can't remember the name. You might want to consider a B and B. Some are very reasonable.
That said, you also might want to think about Craftsbury Outdoor Center. It is way up there in the Northeast Kingdom. They have rooms for 2 and a communal bath (I didn't really like that part of it, truthfully), like a dorm. But, they also have cabins you can rent and September is definitely in between season. The best part of Craftsbury is the food. They have a communal dining room and the meals are included in the price. The food is good, healthy, etc.
I went there for the out the door x country skiing. They also have a lake where rowers train and you can mountain bike on the trails in the summer/fall. Very hilly road riding around there.
Here is the link: http://www.craftsbury.com/index.php?flash=yes