2700 N. Shore Dr., Unit 405, Clear Lake, IA
The rain we received overnight was another welcome event, and when seeing how much we received, I was certainly glad I managed to get all my mowing done yesterday beforehand. My veggies are definitely glad for it as well, and for whatever reason, those bell pepper plants have grown markedly taller and sturdier than I've ever seen, so they must be reacting to our changing weather patterns.
The first hours at office were spent preparing a file for a listing I would be taking this afternoon, along with returning calls and emails that had come in while out, and since I knew I had to be over to St. Joseph's Church a good forty-five minutes before my friend's funeral started, I found myself in a bit of a rush to get over there in time.
When I arrived, they still had her casket open, so I went over and paid my respects, and was pleasantly surprised to see how good she looked, and to the point where she simply looked asleep. If should I live to be 101, I sure hope I look that good.
As I suspected, the female pianist and male song leader were already up in the choir loft practicing when I got up there, so I waited until they finished and introduced myself, and then talked about the hymn I'd be singing, along with possibly joining in with the sung psalm they had picked which was, "The Lord is my Shepherd".
For whatever reason, all the time I was up there, I had this gnawing 'feeling' of being unwelcome which must've been resonating from the both them, and of course at the time, I dismissed it because I was more interested in staying focused on my part in that musical tribute to Agnes Lewis. After we finished singing the psalm, I said to the song leader, "Good job", and was left with curt "Thanks". Ok, that's when I decided I was going to do my own thing and not pay the least attention to their heavy auras.
My solo was well received, and to my surprise, one of their regulars mentioned that she so much wanted to turn around and look because she was almost positive it was me singing. Yes, even several of the old ones were giving me flack over my still being able to sing. I so wickedly responded to one of them, "Oh, a number of years ago I discovered the secret to keeping one's singing voice intact."
The priest came up to me during their luncheon and said how nice it was to hear me singing solo again, and of course I kicked back by saying, "You've maybe heard me sing, but never a solo.", and only because I'd stopped soloing long before his arrival on the scene. I couldn't help mentioning the cool reception I received from the pianist and song leader, and then added, "My goodness! Were they thinking I was after their paying jobs? Not!" Of course I got another eye-roll along with a weak excuse for their behavior.
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It's no wonder so many people are leaving our mainline churches, because after receiving a chilling first encounter, one wouldn't want to darken their doors again. I was reminded just yesterday how important it is to be exceptionally welcoming to new faces, and only because it helps to relieve those 'first encounter' anxieties. Way back when I was helping a church's music department with their new singers, I was more than welcoming, and perhaps sometimes too much so to where they must've thought I had a hidden agenda. Yes, once again I was reminded how tribal the inner circles of churches are which has been going on for decades.
When thinking back, I'm now wondering if I must've un-knowing snubbed the pianist when she said something about getting the microphones adjusted for both singers, and then my quick reply being, "Not necessary because my voice is strong enough to carry without the use of one." Well, I was only stating a fact. Right? Unbeknownst to most of our church-going public, any church that was built back before they had microphones, their architects and builders already factored-in the need for good acoustics, and I dare say, St. Joseph's Church is a classic example. Oh well, I did my best and I'm sure Agnes' spirit appreciated my personal tribute.
The luncheon they provided was very good, and especially one of the salads I had to go back and get a second helping of which was made with small florets of cauliflower and cashews which was covered with a not so sweet light-caramel colored sauce. Now I wish I would've asked who made it, just so I could get the recipe. There was also a tasty grape-flavored relish I had to try. Even the ham sliders were good. Yes, with all things considered, it was an exceptionally memorable experience.
The bulk of my afternoon was consumed with getting my new listing signed up, and then making a quick trip over to Clear Lake to take some exterior photos of it, but unfortunately I have to wait until early Monday afternoon to get the interior ones taken and then posted out into the cyber-universe. If you click on the above photo, you'll at least see a short slide-show of the exterior of 2700 N. Shore Drive, Unit 402, Clear Lake, IA.
Being fully-familiar with those units in the Pilot House, I have very little doubt it'll be on the open market very long, and only because of how many have sold over these past twelve months. Yes, those units have always been hot items for all those from out of town who're looking for vacation homes close to the shores of Clear Lake. It's a large and tastefully decorated one-bedroom unit with views, a balcony, elevator, all furniture and appliances included, along with access to their well-maintained indoor pool, so if you know anyone looking, please pass it on and have them give me a shout. The asking price is: $199,500.
Tonight's One-liner is: The aura given out by a person or object, is a much a part of them as their flesh.