Lenten Photos Day 2: Return

Funny thing:

I took this pic this morning, thinking it might make a good "return" photo.

I remembered that, when I lived in Pennsylvania or Ohio, a vacation week in Louisiana always included a return, with my sis, to one of the Louisiana-based coffee shops called CC's Community Coffee House.

I aimed my phone at the CC's sign, thinking about my return to Louisiana about 5 months ago.  That more permanent move was a return to long-missed familiar things -- crawfish boils, warm weather, Cajun accents, and CC's.  Knowing I would be a "regular" there, I got my very own CC's card.  I keep a few bucks on it, which makes it easy to return there often.

This particular CC's is within walking distance of my New Orleans home.  I returned there this morning for a cup of coffee to take to the office.  I took the pic on my phone as I went in, because I had an inkling that there could be a connection with my CC's habit and today's word: "return." There was the chance, too, that there would not be another better photo op later in the day.

I stepped up to the counter and ordered my usual: A grande, half dark roast, half medium roast, with room for cream. (The 2 dashes of cinnamon don't take any room, so why mention that?)

The young barista seemed rattled, and I wondered what was so hard about my fairly ordinary order.  She said she was afraid that the CC's card reader wasn't working. She told me she wouldn't be able to give me my receipt.

That CC's receipt is my return ticket.  With the receipt, I could return any time that same day to any CC's and present the receipt and the empty cup for a free refill.  It's a nice perk. Still, I said "That's OK. Don't worry about the receipt."

She tried again to get my CC's card to read. No luck.  She didn't want to tell me, so I asked: "It's not charging the coffee to my card either, is it?" She nodded and tried the card again, and again, ever more flustered.  The coffee had been already been poured.  A line was forming behind me.

My move.  I offered to return to my car and get cash for the coffee. Relief poured off her face.

That's how it happened that I got to return to CC's in that same trip.  The photo was just right.

Friday Five: Very Very Good



A snowy cemetery in December in PA



The Friday Five at RevGalBlogPals today is perfect for Lent-in-Full-Swing.  Thanks, Kathryn, for asking us to do something do-able for busy RevGals: a "quick pick" of five things that are good in our lives right now and -- the bonus -- one thing we could do without.

The five good things:

• Health and strength.
• Just the right amount of very good social life.
• An uncharacteristically peaceful spirit
• The awareness of co-workers in the struggle for justice and peace.
• I am looking forward to vacation the week after Easter!

And I could do without another funeral during Lent.  Monday will be number four of the season.

A blessed Lent, everyone!

Friday Five: Favorite Things About Lent

I'm B-A-A-C-K!  I'm back home in the foothills of the Pocono Mountains, I'm back from the boisterous and thoughtful adventure that was BE 4.0 and I'm back to blogging.  Thank you RevGalBlogPal sisters (everywhere!) for this venue as perpetual encouragement and energy boost.  I have coffee in front of me and a day of major big-time catching up ahead of me.  And -- oh yeah -- it's Lent in just a few days!  Ack!  And ... I am still rocking a little, as if still rolling on that big boat!

Today's RevGalBlogPals Friday Five:

What are some things you appreciate about the season of Lent? Perhaps you would share 5 of them with us. And for your bonus question feel free to share one thing you could do without.

1. Ash Wednesday:  I like the messiness of the ashes as a defining marker of the beginning of the season.  I don't understand Ash Wednesday without ashes, but I found out it does happen.  In the first year of a particular call, I went along with our UCC church's tradition of sharing Ash Wednesday and Maundy Thursday services with a neighboring (happened to be Methodist) church.  Their pastor was appalled that we were imposing ashes at the Ash Wednesday service, that year hosted at our church.  He refused to participate in imposing the ashes or receiving them.
2. The Color Purple:  I like changing paraments and wearing the purple stole.  I found out on BE 4.0 that the clergy stole evolved from a pastor's need for a sweat rag!  Well, then, give me a purple one!
3. A New Beginning:  Like New Year's Day and the first day of school, the beginning of Lent feels like a good time to do some self-reflection, begin new habits &/or look to the future.  So, Lent also gives me the gift of ...
4. Disciplines:  I have lately started using the word "practice" instead of "discipline" because it helps me to remind myself to actually "do practice" or otherwise I don't think I will ever "be disciplined."  I usually add a practice or two rather than taking something away.  
5. Good Friday:  It's a hard service to mess up or embellish a lot as the story speaks very well for itself.  I like to wallow in it -- yes, wallow rather than immerse -- because the implications are profound and deep and I'm pretty sure I've not yet touched the bottom of that deep end.

BONUS -- The one thing I can do without:  If I had to say one thing, it would probably be the church Easter egg hunt which is held, strangely enough, on Palm Sunday! The reason for that date:  "People are too busy on Easter" and "The kids' Easter clothes might get messed up!"  My childhood family Easter egg hunts -- yes, multiple egg hunts at multiple family homes -- were wonderful!  I haven't figured out how the one we do at church adds a thing to what families can -- and will -- do for their kids.  I have nothing at all against a church Easter egg hunt; I just don't get it.