Sunday, April 04, 2021

THU 01 APR 2021 to FRI 30 APR 2021

THU 01 APR 2021
Ordered health supplies for me and for M, D online today. Went grocery shopping at Friendship/Shadyside. Watched the Holy Thursday Mass in the evening. It is the first year that I know of for no Washing of the Feet (No "Mandatum" sung, composed by Peter Latona). Bishop David Zubik presided, with various co-celebrants. The schola sounded great.

FRI 02 APR 2021
I had a rescheduled meeting this Good Friday morning. D, M, and I listened to the Seven Last Words of Christ during the televised service, then Rebecca cantored the service that followed, with the "Miserere Mei" (transcribed by W A Mozart) and Bob Farrell's "Crucifixus." The sound system was particuarly good, thereby making the choir sound good. Bishop David Zubik presided over both services. During the second service he upheld the one crucifix for veneration by all congregation individuals, with everyone masked and socially distanced.

SAT 03 APR 2021
I had an appointment with Best Buy to repair my computer at 13.30. There was a long difficulty, so they took my computer after about an hour and 20 minutes had passed. Also looked for an additional device on the sales floor after leaving the Geek Squad desk.

SUN 04 APR 2021
Happy Easter! D, M, and I watched the crowded-for-COVID-days, SRO (with additional overflow in the Social Hall) 10.00 Easter Mass. There were 6 altar servers, and Erica Gamerro was the Episcopal emcee. Gerry Gasparella lectored, and Angelo Ragghianti cantored. There was Deacon Tom Berna, Fr Kris Stubna, and of course Bishop David Zubik presided. The size of the congregation was notable, and the Bishop sprinkled the people with Holy Water after all forsook Satan and stated a Credo. The Bishop blessed all in the congregation by walking up each of the 3 major aisles of the nave. Communion was distributed by Fr Stubna, Deacon Tom, and 3 additional Eucharistic Ministers. Fr Kris had started the Homily by introducing the fact that Queen Elizabeth II had recently called a year "Annos Horibilis." He ended the reflection with the statement that "for believers, every year is 'Anno(s) Benedictones'."

I spent some time in the kitchen, then we all enjoyed:
Homemade Hot Crab Dip 
Sourdough Bread Tips
Shrimp Ring with Cocktail Sauce
Homemade Devilled Eggs
Iced Cinnamon Sticky Buns

Everyone took to heart that Sunday is a day of rest. I chatted with friends by phone and texted with more of them. Tried to take care of computer issues. When it rains, it pours. (Maintained the language learning online today).

MON 05 APR 2021
Worked on M's computer. Chatted with a friend. Had an easy Easter Monday. Went grocery shopping at Palenkeng de Malaking Aguila in Shadyside. Got gyros and fish sandwiches for dinner, with potato chips. Watched Jeopardy! with the new guest host as Aaron Rodgers, the quarterback for the Green Bay Packers. He was easygoing.

TUE 06 APR 2021
Easy day. Took two short naps. Weeded some clothing from my wardrobe (present and other seasons). D just popped in, waiting for dinner. I (with the aid of the tech support team) wired the printer to M's computer. We will watch Jeopardy! shortly.

WED 07 APR 2021
Had a great day. The weather was in the high 70s to 80 Fahrenheit. Bought a hair product for D at the local drugstore, went to Palenkeng de Malaking Aguila in Shadyside for cake (the bakery associate had not yet tried ANY of the cakes in the glass case-!), a chantilly berry cake reminiscent of Burnt Almond Torte, and picked up 3 carnitas burritos---which we ordered earlier---in Shadyside. Had a grand, fun time. While I was at home JAH called, LS called, as did WA's family.

THU 08 APR 2021
D drove M and I for her routine medical tests this morning. A did drawing. After, I had a phone meeting with a friend in the morning. Again, D drove M and I to Shadyside for her dental appointment, which was made necessary due to the last dental appointment. 
We were so fortunate to have a return to Bible Study, facilitated by Fr Mike D. We watched Jeopardy! right before, and I went home by myself.

FRI 09 APR 2021
Today I worked by phone on my external computing problem (again, from this week). A technical support representative suggested a solution involving the manufacturer, and I wanted to consider all my options before taking advantage of this. 
Told my friend, DR about it, and she offered to look at it on her home computer. I conceded. Watched Jeopardy! then headed home. 
Phil Coyne passed on this morning, 2.5 weeks shy of his 103rd birthday. What a nice, outstanding gentleman. 

SAT 10 APR 2021
Went for a walk with SH to the local koi pond. We chatted for a bit, then afterwards, DR and I met up for her to hand off the computing device ("at least it's not worse!" I said). I gave her some of the Challah-Mexican French Toast Casserole to try. Chatted in the lobby with Margaret and Diane. Went home to retrieve SC's Reader's Digest How in the World for this evening, and hand-me-rounds for BF and MM. Took a brief nap, and brought the items over to M and D's. Helped M with card selection. We 3 will head to WA's family for the beginning of the evening.

SUN 11 APR 2021
Watched the 10.00 Mass from Cathedral.

MON 12 APR 2021
At 19.00 I watched a Zoomed viewing and commentary on the documentary film Chasing COVID. Great presentation from a STEAM education point of view. Watched it with M. Salk's son spoke about COVID and polio----from a very personal point of view.

TUE 13 APR 2021
Zoomed our second Bible Study session of the season this evening with Fr . Mike Darcy and technically set-up by Emily T.

WED 14 APR 2021
Woke up early to get to M's appointment. I left at 6.00; tag-teaming was the name of the game today. M and I watched Jeopardy! together.

THU 15 APR 2021
Made some phone calls in the morning. C was worked on. Ordered an item in the evening on M's computer.

FRI 16 APR 2021
Met Anita, Jenifer, and D E today. 

SAT 17 APR 2021
I went to make a return at the drugstore in North Oakland. Then, D went to get his watch repair repaired. He retrieved M and me, I got lunch from Palenkeng de Malaking Aguila in Shadyside.

SUN 18 APR 2021
Bicycled 10 min this morning before breakfast and Mass. Picked up chicken and made cole slaw and sweet potatoes with apricots, jasmine rice for lunch. Received a delivery in the afternoon for work & personal use.

MON 19 APR 2021
Went to FedEx to return the delivery after talking to customer service. Initially, they said they would replace it, then said that inventory could not support that. The box was more than double the cost of the shipping, 
My friend SCN helped me look through possibilities for replacement.
Went grocery shopping at Friendship/Shadyside and to Palenkeng de Malaking Aguila in Shadyside. Watched Jeopardy! with M. Rested at home.

TUE 20 APR 2021
Spoke with Lisa this morning, and had a virtual meeting with T (with updates), picked up my device from Best Buy. Attended a webinar, Dismantling Social Injustice: Unpacking Anti-Asian Racism. 
Soon after, met virtually with N about committee work.
I had enough time to make a small sandwich. Then I printed out the readings for this Sunday, the 4th Sunday of Easter, in triplicate. D, M, & I virtually Zoomed to Bible Study with Fr Mike. We went well overtime. M spoke with U Danny, and we typed an email letter to him, too.

WED 21 APR 2021
Morning all staff meeting to introduce our new leader, Gretchen. Also had a chance to meet 3 other coworkers in a breakout room. Went grocery shopping in the afternoon at Palenkeng de Malaking Aguila in Shadyside.

THU 22 APR 2021
Earth Day! This evening, at about sundown, kea came to visit.

FRI 23 APR 2021
Drove k and M to her appointment. All is well, according to her health team! (We had fresh lumpia, sinigang, and each of us had a lobster to celebrate, all prematurely.) I had gone to the Strip District to retrieve groceries at the Chinese grocery store and at Wholey's, the fishmonger. D, M, k and I each took naps after our late lunch. We watched Jeopardy! in the evening, ending Anderson Cooper's first week as guest host.

SAT 24 APR 2021
Early this morning took care of administrative tasks; wrote records of them (for several months hence). At ~ 16.00 WA and MM's family came by. We started a "Bears" game, then headed indoors due to some sprinkles. MM and I went to get her coffee; later k, BF, WA, MM, and I went to retrieve sushi and poke bowls for dinner. After dinner, we took a COVID  photo, with masks.

SUN 25 APR 2021
Woke up very early to take care of computer tasks, but ended up returning home for a short nap. Watched the televised Mass with D and M. Fr Joshua Kibler from the Oratory celebrated Mass with Deacon Tom Berna. Becky cantored, Julie Beroes lectored, three servers (including Luke/Lucas, the typical high school server, and the youngest server who serves this Mass). Readings were from the 4th  Sunday in Easter (B). Fr Josh's homily touched on points from the readings today:

From Acts 4:12 "There is no salvation through anyone else, nor is there any other name under heaven given to the human race by which we are to be saved."

Why? Jesus explains in the Gospel reading, Jn 10:11-18. Jesus is the Good Shepard. Other shepards are no match for the predators. Jesus will lay down his life and take up life again. Jesus does not take sides; Jesus Christ is the Cornerstone that brings the meaning of Saving Love. ---Fr Joshua Kibler, paraphrased.

The Communion Hymn was "Gift of Finest Wheat."

I helped M with her administrative and electronic communications, Kelly is preparing roasted cauliflower, beets, and (at the end) asparagus. We enjoyed these with roasted garlic. I had the tail end of my lobster on bread as "lobster roll" with mayonnaise and lemon juice.

We had our SUN family ZOOM meeting.

MON 26 APR 2021
This morning I paid my house bill. I called Verizon Wireless to iron out the issue with the Cloud being discontinued. Made certain that all is being saved to Google account/s. Spoke by phone with 2 friends. After lunch I worked on my accounts. I was deep in the black last month with one of them. Ordered computer supplies from Amazon today. Anderson Cooper continued to be guest host for Jeopardy!

TUE 27 APR 2021
Haircuts for M and me, from our favorite hairdresser. Last ones were in June, 2020. A fast lunch, then a virtual appointment. For M, D, and I, I printed out the readings for Bible Study with Fr Mike D this evening at 20.00 to ~ 21hour. M and I watched Jeopardy! after dinner and before Bible Study.

WED 28 APR 2021
Gave a big bag of hand me round clothes to a friend, A. Paid bills. Watched Jeopardy!

THU 29 APR 2021
Received the computer supplies from Amazon today. This week, copied onto my external device my files on M's computer.  
Watched Jeopardy! Helped M with computer correspondence.

FRI 30 APR 2021
Turned in early this evening after Jeopardy! Been keeping up daily with online language learning. This week is a second week in the Dmnd League!

posted by Grace @ 4/04/2021 06:51:00 PM 0 comments