So, continuing

The most memorable thing about the General Synod was being part of a 9000 member choir. Can you imagine that many people singing your favorite hymn? It was awesome. It was equally cool to be walking down the sidewalk and striking up a conversation with total strangers about their slogans on their t-shirts. Except they didn' t feel like total strangers; corny as it sounds they were like brothers and sisters. It was really unlike anything I've ever experienced.

Unfortunately, it all took place in this very backward town of Hartford, CT. If you ever have a chance to go there, don't. Nothingsville and cops that clearly were not happy to see out of towners. Ask Erich....I'll say no more.

One of the neatest touches that brought that huge crowd together was home made chocolate chip cookies. Every UCC congregation in Conneticutt made dozens of home made cookies. Every time a session started in that huge arena ( home to their professional hockey team) you would find your neighbor passing along a plastic conainer of home made cookies. And every time you sat down you would declare that you were NOT going to eat more cookies. But t hey were always irresistible. It was a very homey touch and a big hit. My friend Carl found "cookie central" and there were literally dozens of containers of cookies you could choose from...it wasn't easy to pry him away from there either. Of course, I exercised great restraint (that means I only t ook half a dozen instead of a dozen).

i think the other mistake I made was being there 5 days...too long to be focussing on one thing for me. One of the joys of being retired is that I don't have to do the same things days in a row. Everyday is different. It was hard for me physically too with this bad knee and my general Parkinson's fatigue. But I am glad I experienced it.

Next, it's on to New York and the granddaughters!