Posted in Life

Halloween

Posted on by William Douthwaite

Boring.  That’s all I have to say.  No one has come to our door, and it’s 7:15.  We might get a few, but I think the Trunk or Treats around town now rule the day.  The picture is the pumpkin I carved for our front porch this year.  You must pay for the best pumpkin patterns online, so this is an example of what you can get for free.  The really good pumpkin carving patterns — presidential candidates or movie stars — take several days to finish.  Maybe next year.

Just had three trick or treaters.  A witch, some kind of ghoul, and a tiny batman.  If I remember correctly, batman was popular when I was a kid, too.  The classics never go out of style.  The one thing we had going for us:  big candy bars.  Sizes you can’t hardly get now.  Real candy bars, not the mini version.  Yes, we knew how to do halloween.

Posted in Life

Timber

Posted on by William Douthwaite

Sable our Bassett howled, gazing out the window at a big black dog — mostly Rottweiler — cruising the neighborhood.  It was Timber, from a few houses down who had gotten out of the garage on Monday morning, just looking for something to do.  When I went out to corral him he snarled, but wagged pathetic stump of a tail to let me know his heart wasn’t in it.  I had grabbed the retractable leash, rated at 10 lbs., to help take him home.  I clipped it onto his collar, but he promptly bit through the cord like a piece of spaghetti.  Note to self:  take higher rated leash next time.  After he slobbered on my pants, Timber let me escort him home, and I haven’t seen him since.  But a man drove by the other day, asking if I had seen that enormous black dog who scared him “s***less” one morning.  Chuckling inwardly, I acted concerned, but knew that Timber really hadn’t intended any harm.  My neighbor Stan thinks I’m a hero for saving the neighborhood.  I think I just smelled enough like my own dogs that Timber knew I was OK.

Posted in Ministry

Legrand Malany

Posted on by William Douthwaite

Legrand Malany died last Friday, and I did his memorial service today for a packed house at Lohman Palm Coast Funeral Home (read 70+ people).  Quite a tribute to the man.  I had only met him a few times, but knew his wife of 70 years, Marian, very well.  What a privilege to meet his four children, along with lots of other relatives and friends.  The best part is just knowing someone named Legrand.  Awesome name.

I’ve noticed that writing funeral messages comes easier than I remember in the past.  With some biographical information and scripture, they just flow.  Practice and experience help, of course.  Most important:  keep it simple.

All of Legrand’s children spoke.  A tough assignment, but they did a great job.  Just enough to share their hearts and lift our spirits.

I haven’t minded doing funerals and memorials lately.  I like to be the one who mentions Jesus.

Posted in Ministry

Dolphins

Posted on by William Douthwaite

Not the Miami football team.  The full time residents of Marineland.  I did a wedding there this past Saturday.  WIth a stunning view of 5-6 foot waves in the background, I stood at the edge of the main dophin tank as Jake and Kali took their vows with about 60 people and 14 dolphins as witnesses.  After the service, trainers were on hand to have pairs of dolphins leap out of the water as a backdrop for pictures of the newly married couple.  Impressive.

I’m glad it had rained the night before.  With the Washington Oaks rose garden too soggy for the wedding, they moved it to Marineland.  Excellent call.

Before the ceremony began, I got to talk with some of the trainers there.  Most had worked there two years or less, but loved the job and living in Florida.  Long hours though:  6 am to 8 pm.  After only a few months, they knew all the dophins by name.  The staff was just as good with me and the other people gathered there as they were with the dolphins.

The bride and her bridesmaids were all varsity volleyball players from Coastal Carolina University.  Yes, they were tall, at least taller than all the groomsmen.  (But not taller than the groom.)

I rate this wedding very close to the Bahamas experience three years ago.

Posted in Ministry

Jail

Posted on by William Douthwaite

Lisa went away for the weekend, and I ended up in jail.  It’s been a long, long time since I’ve visited anyone in prison (my vicarage year!), so I was apprehensive.  I didn’t know the person.  I visited them at the request of his significant other.

I sat in one of those rooms where you sit behind glass stations with a phone in front of you.  The guy picked me out right away, and began ranting and raving about how angry and frustrated he was.  I could barely hear him through the phone I was using.  I didn’t get to say much; just listened.  He had been in for 90 days so far.  I’d be pretty angry and frustrated, too, I guess.

Anyway, after about 45 minutes, I said I’d talk with him again when he was out.  What I’ll say, I have no idea.  I was there only because I could hear the voice of Jesus in my head, “…when I was in prison, you visited me…”  Did I make a difference?  I doubt it.  But who knows?

Posted in Life

Go Phils!

Posted on by William Douthwaite

Suddenly, October’s an exciting month since the Phillies are in the World Series for the first time in fifteen years.  I’ve paid little attention to baseball this year until recently, and now my mind is swimming with memories of games I’ve attended in the past.  I attended my first games with my Dad, making what seemed like a very long trip up to Connie Mack Stadium.  Then, Veteran’s Stadium opened only minutes from our home.  I got to see every home game working concessions through high school and college, including some of the 1980 World Series games.  Recently, I got to take my Dad to some games at the new Citizen’s Bank park, and enjoy attending the games as much as ever.  I know he’s enjoying watching the series, too, and he’s still right there near the action!