"Grace" and Easter Lily

We are continuing the tradition of taking an Easter Lily to the Seward United Methodist Church in recognition of my parents as long time members who have passed on to their Heavenly Reward. There will probably be over 50 Easter Lilies on display tomorrow morning. Many of them on a triangular stand that provides a display shaped similar to a Christmas Tree. I took this picture with the plant on our kitchen table with the painting of "Grace" on the wall in the background. We have always liked the painting since it so resembles our memories of my Grandfather Joseph J. Vrana. The picture was taken of an elderly peddler by Eric Enstrom in his photography studio in 1918 at Bovey, Minnesota. The Enstroms had a daughter, Rhoda who was born above her father's studio a year before he took "Grace". After college and work at Minnesota Woolen, she returned to her father's studio and began coloring black-and-white photos with heavy oil. She brought color into photos prior to the days of color photography. Enstrom's picture "Grace" showing the elderly peddler with head bowed in a meal-time prayer of thanksgiving, is now known and loved throughout the world. A Monument was erected in front of the Village Hall in Bovey, MN in 2003 to commemorate the 75th Anniversary of the picture "Grace".

Legend of the Dogwood

Here is a picture of the "Legend of the Dogwood".  The Dogwood is the State Flower of Virginia, and we gave this to my Mother during the years we lived back there. The Legend was discussed at coffee this morning and Elaine reminded me of this picture which we have had since Mother's passing 26 years ago. Legend has it that, Dogwood once grew to the size of the Oak. Because it was strong and firm, it was chosen, according to legend, for the timber of the cross of Jesus.  When the tree sorrowed over seeing such a cruel purpose, Jesus made this promise: "Never again shall the Dogwood tree grow large enough to be used for a cross. Henceforth, it shall be slender and bent and twisted, and its blossoms shall be in the form of a cross--two long petals and two short petals and in the center of the outer side of each petal, there shall be nail prints brown with rust-stain and blood. And in the center of the flower, there shall be an image of a crown of thorns, and all who see it will remember that it was upon a Dogwood tree I was crucified and this tree shall not be mutilated or destroyed, but cherished as a reminder of 'My Death Upon the Cross.' "

The Living Last Supper

We enjoyed the Message provided at the Living Last Supper of the Leonardo da Vinci painting last night at the Seward United Methodist Church and were very favorably impressed with the "professional" presentation of the the cast. It is being presented again this evening at 8:00pm. While it appeared to be a "full house" last night, there were a few single and double, empty seats interspersed among the crowd. I would expect a similar attendance this evening. The Disciples are (left to right: 

 Nathaniel,  Cameron Soester; James the Lesser,   Jerry Meyer; Andrew,   Rod Barth; Judas,  Jack Broderick; Peter,   Rod Lyon; John,  J.B. Ketner; Jesus,   Jack Fuller; Thomas   Matt Hastings; James,   Larry Chapman; Philip,   Patrick Checketts; Matthew,   Greg Zabka; Thaddaeus,   John Moody; Simon the Zealot,   Clay Shepherd. Lynette Broderick gave the Prologue and Lindsay Hastings served as Narrator.

 

Very Good Day

 This was a full day. Julie picked me up to ride along as we took Sadie to pre-school. She and Jack rode in their car-seats in the back seat of her van. It was amazing to me how those two talked all the way up to the north part of town where Julie took Sadie in for their Easter party. Then we headed for the Barber Shop and when we went past the Hughes house, Jack wanted to see Grandma Carolyn. He was a “good boy” getting his hair cut and was pleased to give Bob a tip after I got my haircut and we were ready to leave. He spent some time at our house and Carolyn came down to pick him up, and they had lunch with us. He enjoyed sitting on my lap and helping eat a jelly filled Kolache to top off our lunch. He was anxious to go to Carolyn's house when they left in our intermittent rain showers.

We had a call from our Account's office that our Income Tax forms were ready to be picked up so we went down and got them. Following my review, I had to call back down to clarify my understanding of a couple items, and they are on their way electronically. 

Then Carolyn called to see if we would like to go with her to see Sadie and her Dance Class perform for the residents at the Ridgewood Care facility. We were real proud of her attention she showed her teacher and did real well. Then this evening we attended the Seward United Methodist Church Presention of Leonardo da Vinci's Living Last Supper. It is a very impressive Service which will be presented again MaundyThursday evening.

Grocery Shopping

We bought groceries this afternoon at our local family Pac-n-Sav store. We are still getting use to having an Ace Hardware Store section in what was all grocery store for many years. We also noticed the lighting in the store being much brighter and had heard they were installing a new "energy saving" lighting system. We are very conservative buyers and usually watch for the bargains. We also check the ticket when we get home and today found a $9.29 item listed as NSCFE TC HSE. The total order amounted to $93.41 and as we un-bagged the groceries on the kitchen counter, realized that the "Mystery Item" was a 7 oz jar of Nescafe, Taster's Choice instant coffee. Elaine said it was a bargain and often cost over $10.00. It's an item that Elaine puts in the cart, and I just didn't realize what it cost. On the other hand we got some bargains like 2 roasting ears for $1 and 80% lean hamburger for  $1.99/pound. It wasn't even marked for "Quick Sale" but tasted good as we had a big burger for supper and topped it off with a Jelly Kolache. Those of us who grew-up during "hard times" need at least 2 bargains to offset something costing more than we expect.

Busy Day, Locally & Nationally

We enjoyed seeing Sergio Garcia on the CBS morning show with David Rose this morning, going over some of the Highlights of the Masters Golf Tournament yesterday and seeing a replay of his getting "cloaked" with a Green Jacket by Danny Willett, last year's Champion. It was also interesting reading the newspaper accounts of yesterdays event and even the listing of pay-outs. Garcia received $1,980,000. in addition to the Jacket. Justin Rose got $1,188,000. Even Phil Mickelson who finished 11 strokes behind the winner, received $105,600. 

I came home from coffee early to be ready for Carolyn to pick up Elaine and I in her new Subaru SUV and take us to our Eye Doctor in Lincoln for appointments. Dr. Mousolf gave Elaine a new eye-drop prescription and scheduled me for out-patient surgery on the lower eye lid of my left eye.

 We stopped at the Super Saver on the way home and did a bit of shopping. We could have gone on our own since neither of us had our eyes dilated, but it is so much more relaxing just to be able to ride along in a nice new car with Carolyn doing the driving.
This evening we watched a PBS program of the Justice Gorsuch swearing in to the Supreme Court by Justice Kennedy. Mrs. Gorsuch is shown holding the Holy Bible and President Trump is in the background. He did a good job moderating the session in the White House Rose Garden with an audience of all Supreme Court Justices, etc.

Sergio Garcia won the Masters

Sergio Garcia won the Masters Golf Tournament  and the Green Jacket this afternoon in Augusta, Georgia. He won in a one hole play-off over Justin Rose. He is shown here right after last year's winner helped him into the Green Jacket, and is being congratulated by the Augusta National President. It was an interesting day with many lead changes. I followed Charles Hoffman who led after the first day and managed to stay on the fist page of the leader board throughout.