Home Again .. Naturally

We left Branson (they never knew what hit 'em) Wednesday morning at 8 o'clock and pointed the bus back toward Humboldt.

A lot (yes Erin .. I know it's two words) of ground had been covered since Monday (three shows, a tour of College of the Ozarks and more food than should be consumed by a normal human) and when I offered a prayer (asking for safe travel) on the bus before "take off" yesterday morning, it should have included "now I lay me down to sleep" (bobbing heads, open mouths and drool seemed to be prevalent as we journeyed home).

We arrived at 3:30 (right on schedule) and this year's Spring YY trip was history.

Two weeks of travel (actually, Monday - Thursday and Monday - Wednesday .. it sure seemed like two full weeks) are behind me and now I can slow down.

Today I'm on the radio (Morning Praise with Tom Mapes on 97.7) from eight until ten talking about the West Tennessee Strawberry Festival, it's my hospital day (visiting .. not being admitted .. at this point, anyway), I have to complete Sunday's worship order, and I'm speaking at West Jackson Baptist Church tonight for a children's choir workers banquet.

Home .. it's so relaxing.

"Return unto thy rest, O my soul; for the LORD hath dealt bountifully with thee." - Psalm 116:7

Kev's Klip of the Week

"A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance" - Ecclesiastes 3:4

Putting the Bran Back in Branson

We arrived in Branson at 3 o'clock (right on schedule .. thanks for driving, Lonnie) yesterday afternoon. Just in time to get in the room, unpack and take a quick nap (I did .. most of the others went exploring or sat around and talked in the lobby .. silly seniors) before leaving for the Golden Corral .. which had more food than you can 'shake a stick at' .. I know .. one of the ladies, slightly disoriented from the eight hour bus ride, had one .. she was shaking and poking it at customers and staff, alike .. sad really).

After supper, which was pretty good (I'm calling this place the O.K. Corral .. not to be confused with the singing group by the same name), we headed over to The Dutton Theatre for "The Dutton Family Show."

What a talented bunch! In fact, they were on "America's Got Talent" and made it to the top ten .. a few years ago. Every one plays every instrument imaginable (well, not exactly .. I do have a pretty vivid imagination .. hot-dog trombone, for example .. play it .. eat it .. no pesky case to carry around .. no repeat performance either .. unless you count really, really repeating .. never mind).

Gotta go.

I have to get some breakfast before we depart (8:30 AM) for College of the Ozarks.

That would have been a great place to go to school. A degree in "fiddling around" .. sounds right down my alley.

"For the goodman is not at home, he is gone a long journey" - Proverbs 7:19

Sr. Adults .. Branson Bound

Just a quick word, today.

This morning at 7 o'clock (I need to be there by 6:30 AM and still have some packing to do), the 1998 Bluebird bus from FBC pulls out of the parking lot for Branson, Missouri.

Senior adult + Branson = Match made in heaven (perhaps there's a clue in the name itself .. BRANson .. I think I see the attraction).

There is plenty of entertainment to keep them smiling and enough food to fill their stomachs (forget 'born to be wild' .. they are 'born to buffet'). What's not to like?

We've had this trip planned for several months (thanks Jane Smith) and now it's finally here .. just three days after coming off my chorale trip .. yippy skippy.

I am taking my laptop so you can experience this exciting "geriatric journey" with me.

Hopefully, I will be able to sleep on the bus on the way over today.

On second thought, I better not close my eyes for even a minute with this crew. Things could quickly get out of hand.

"They shall still bring forth fruit in old age; they shall be fat and flourishing" - Psalm 92:14

Tune In Tomorrow

No blogging on Sundays. See you Monday.

"And Sarah said, God hath made me to laugh, so that all that hear will laugh with me." - Genesis 21:6

Good Old Entertainment

This past week has been quite busy traveling with the Chorale across the great state of Tennessee (Monday through Thursday) and it was so good just sitting at home on Friday night with nothing (actually .. I could have cleaned house, washed clothes, worked outside, or done a number of things that needed to be done .. I didn't) to do.

Monday morning at 7 o'clock I will get back on a bus (can you feel my excitement?) with the YYs (Youth of Yesterday) from my church and head out to Branson, Missouri .. Mecca for the elderly.

I knew I would have "back to back" trips when this was planned months ago and I thought, "No problem. I can handle this" .. and I can. How well? Now that's another story.

When I was younger, it was no big deal being gone every night of the week. I got bored easily and the thought of sitting around and doing absolutely nothing (that's why I have office hours) was foreign to me.

This is not the case anymore.

I enjoy sitting on my rusty-dusty (my Grandmother used that term .. so I am becoming more 'Branson-worthy' each day) when I get the chance and I don't apologize for that. When you get older, you don't necessarily have to work harder to keep up with everyone else. You have to work .. smarter.

Working smarter might be accomplished by consolidating tasks, delegating, and pre-planning.

It can also entail the strategic use of "personal days" and calling in sick when there's moving (furniture, large boxes, etc.) to be done.

Pretending to be injured is another highly effective way to work smarter. This must be used sparingly, however. You don't want the people to see a pattern every time there's hard labor (like heavy lifting) involved.

Finally, there is .. faking your own death.

This one can only be used once (per church), so save it for something really big.

"Rest in the LORD and wait patiently for Him."

- Psalm 37:7a

Plum Tuckered Out

Last night, we combined forces with the Tennessee Ladies Chorus and sang at the Renaissance Center. It was the final presentaion of our "six concerts in four days" tour and I have to say (I suppose I don't have to say it .. but since this is my blog .. well, you know .. that goes without saying) the experience was bittersweet (after a long week .. the guys were bitter .. the ladies, who only had to sing last night .. sweet).

We sang in a variety of settings (acoustically speaking) all week, but the Performing Arts Theatre (last night's room) in Dickson was "dryer" than an outdoor Episcopal sermon in July and it took every available ounce of energy (after a week on the road .. that wasn't much) just to get some sound in to the room.

By the end of the two hour program, we were all completely exhausted (now that's total praise). Fortunately, we had a short intermission and I was able to sit down backstage and watch a little bit of television to relax. There was a 1980 movie on about the students in a New York City High School for the Performing Arts .. so I got my fifteen minutes of "Fame" (no groans .. please).

The evening ended in grand fashion with a wonderful round of applause from the audience. Of course, we were unable to hear it in that dead room, but you could see they were clapping.

Thank you, Dr. Paul Clark .. our fearless (except for one part when I saw you sweat a lot after a 'deer in the headlights' moment from the group) leader.

Well done, good and faithful servant.

"To the end that my glory may sing praise to Thee, and not be silent. O LORD my God, I will give thanks unto Thee for ever." - Psalm 30:12

My Bonnie (Lass) Lies Over the Ocean

We are down to the final leg (I don't really have one to stand on at this point) of the tour and tonight will be our "swan song" (not the ancient belief of the bird that is silent its entire life and then sings one beautiful song just before its death. We are performing a piece about a swan .. who better to do so .. than a bunch of ugly ducklings).

Actually, our group will get a "makeover" tonight when the Tennessee Ladies Chorus (and couldn't we all use a little TLC these days?) joins us at the Renaissance Center in Dickson, TN.

This will be concert number six and adding a little estrogen to the group might be just the "shot in the arm" we need to add vitality (we are 'wore slap out' .. which is Tennessee vernacular for our 'get up and go .. has got up and gone' .. which is Tennessee vernacular for we're 'too pooped to pop' .. which is Tennessee vernacular for .. oh, forget it!!) to our singing.

I have enjoyed spending the week with fifty five guys that I really respect (we had sixty on the tour .. five of them are jerks) and I know my life has been enriched by the experiences we have shared.

Thank you, FBC Humboldt for allowing me to participate (actually I didn't ask permission .. I just did it .. sorry) in this tour of our great state.

At least it was nice and quiet in the office all week.

"And not that only, but who was also chosen of the churches to travel with us with this grace, which is administered by us to the glory of the same Lord .."

- 2 Corinthians 8:19a

Kev's Klip of the Week

"The righteous also shall see, and fear, and shall laugh at him" - Psalm 52:6

Bonsoir .. I'm Home from Paris

We are still on tour, but I am able to sleep in my own bed tonight (Ricky, you're a great roommate .. Cheryl trumps you, however) after a wonderful concert at FBC in Paris (I got to see some old friends .. by old I mean .. some I have known a long time and others who are just .. old).

This is a quick update to let you know .. I'm still alive (when I get tired I don't always 'work well with others' and I have received some threats during the trip from a few chorale members who said they 'had just about enough' of my mouth .. I love these guys).

Tomorrow there's a concert at Union University in the morning and a program at Second Baptist Church in Union City at night.

I'll post .. if I don't get my knuckles broken (music ministers can be very aggressive when provoked).

"I will call upon the LORD, who is worthy to be praised: so shall I be saved from mine enemies." - Psalm 18:3

Don't Miss the Bus

Today's post is going to be like my wife: Short and sweet.

I will be touring the state this week (Monday through Thursday) with the Tennessee Men's Chorale and, unfortunately, I will be neglecting "my daily blog."

I have to be at West Jackson Baptist Church this morning at 6:30 (what in the world am I doing sitting here in front of this computer??) to catch the bus (we always travel first class) for Dickson.

Tonight, we will sing in Knoxville at Beaver Dam (so many comments that could be made .. so little time) Baptist Church.

Tomorrow, there's a concert at Carson-Newman College in the morning and another concert at FBC in Paris (7:30 PM).

Wednesday morning, we will sing at Union University (this is good .. I still need two more 'chapel credits'). Wednesday night, we are singing at Second Baptist Church in Union City (completing the all Union theme for the day) as part of their Community Concert series.

Finally, Thursday night we will combine with the Tennessee Ladies Chorus (similar to the men's group .. except better looking) for a ticketed concert at the Renaissance Center in Dickson (right back where we started).

For obvious reasons, I won't be able to take my laptop (I don't trust these guys) and posting on RevKev's blog will (most likely) cease until the end of the tour (unless I find computer access .. and the time .. to do so).

I trust this will not cause too much of a problem for my readers.

Don't worry. I'll be back, soon enough.

Consider that a warning.

"Sing unto the LORD, O ye saints of his, and give thanks at the remembrance of his holiness." - Psalm 30:4

See You Tomorrow

"And the next sabbath day came almost the whole city together to hear the word of God." - Acts 13:44

You're a Grand Old Flag .. My Pretty

Yesterday, tickets went on sale to the general public (not for those of a lower rank .. like corporal or sergeant .. although, I believe there is one private showing) for "Wicked" at the Orpheum in Memphis and Cheryl and I are going .. on July 4 (there might be fireworks when we miss her family reunion).

If you are unfamiliar with this musical (which debuted on Broadway in 2003), it is based on a best-selling novel by Gregory Maquire that parallels L. Frank Baum's classic story, "The Wonderful Wizard of Oz." The twist (as in 'come on baby, let's do the ..') is that it is written from the perspective of the witches (doesn't this sound like something a minister should be attending? .. I'm a minister of music .. that makes it okay).

I saw this musical in London (there, it had to be said .. when I posted on Facebook, several members responded .. one had seen it in San Francisco .. a few in New York .. I didn't want to sound pretentious and play the international card .. on FB .. but here? .. my nose is in the air as I write) in 2007 when the Tennessee Mens' Chorale toured Wales (the nose is now almost touching the ceiling fan .. let them eat cake) for ten days and I have wanted Cheryl to see it ever since.

This summer, she will have the chance.

The last time Cheryl and I went to the Orpheum, it was to see "High School Musical." We had great seats on the floor and there was a lot of energy in the room .. from all the 11 and 12 year old girls in attendance (the only adults there were with 11 and 12 year old girls .. we sat next to a couple of them and pretended they were with us .. it cost me over $50 in popcorn and drinks .. however, we made new friends .. we're taking them to see the 'Hannah Montana' movie).

Our next outing at the Orpheum should be better.

This time I'll go home singing some of the hits from the musical and not trying to recreate Troy's dance moves.

"Many sorrows shall be to the wicked: but he that trusteth in the LORD, mercy shall compass him about."

- Psalm 32:10

It's (Almost) Never Too Late

The Rev joined the Rabbi this morning and decided to sleep in after a very long Thursday (got up at 5:00 AM .. got home at 10:20 PM). I know this is nothing for those in the medical field (Dinah is always 'trumping' me when I say I've had a long day .. 'I've been up for 72 hours straight .. give me more cappuccino and I can go another 36 hours' .. you nurses make me sick .. wait .. that's exactly what you want, isn't it? .. job security .. you sneaky, sleep-deprived genius, you).

Cheryl's plane landed right on time yesterday afternoon at 5:42 PM. Of course, I had been at the airport since four o'clock (in the morning) .. waiting patiently (maybe just waiting .. I was like a dog staring out the window at the end of a long workday .. anticipating his master getting home) for my woman to arrive.

It has been 28 years, but my heart still starts pumping a little faster when I catch a glimpse of "the little woman" (I know, Dinah .. your heart probably pumps three times as fast when you see Darrell .. can't you let me win at something? ..).

We picked up her suitcase and left for .. the hospital (I know that was the first thing on my mind after being apart for almost a week) to check in on our dear friend, Ernie Owens (continue praying for him and his family).

Next, it was off to Bahama Breeze for some "good eats" .. for me: Sun-Drenched Portobello & Vegetable Sandwich (with char-grilled seasonal vegetables, tomato, asparagus, pepper-jack cheese and fresh basil, hot-pressed on Cuban bread) .. yum!

We left Memphis well after nine o'clock and headed back to Humboldt. Cheryl slept most of the way home .. I slept part of the way (dozing on Interstate 40 at seventy miles per hour is not a good thing) .. it was a real struggle to stay awake.

Fortunately, we made it home without incident .. if you don't count causing a motorist in a truck to swerve a few times (sir, your vehicle distinctly said 'dodge' on one side and 'ram' on the other .. I'm a 'rule person' and I follow instructions).

When we got home, I checked email and did what I had been waiting all day to do .. go to sleep.

I think I'm starting to show signs of aging.

"Cast me not off in the time of old age; forsake me not when my strength faileth." - Psalm 71:9

Never More to Roam .. for Now

Cheryl arrives this afternoon (5:42 PM) at the Memphis International Airport and I can hardly wait for her return .. The Lord of the (WEDDING) Rings: Return of the (FORMER) King (her maiden name .. I married royalty)!

It seems like "forever-ago" when I dropped her off at the airport last Saturday for a visit to Wilmington. However, for the most part, the time has passed fairly quickly.

With Easter Sunday, a SonShiners program on Monday, and "regular" (whatever that means these days) Wednesday night rehearsals, I have kept busy enough to at least tolerate these last 5 or 6 days.

My mom fed me a few times (three meals .. plus leftovers to take home) and I got to spend a little time "catching up" with my parents and performing a few internet-related tasks (where are my bookmarks? .. my email doesn't open like it used to .. this poor man from Nigeria needs help getting money out of his country and wants to give us a cut ..) on the computer.

A week "home alone" would be absolute heaven for my wife.

For me?

It is absolute .. NOT heaven (sorry to use that kind of strong language).

I hate being by myself.

My mind thinks some pretty bizarre thoughts (I'm sure this is in no way noticeable to my readers) on a regular basis. When given additional time to "run amuck" .. I can't be held responsible for what might take place.

I will have to fight the urge to completely "spill my guts" (she just loves my non-stop babbling .. verbal diarrhea) the moment Cheryl gets in the car this afternoon. I am going to try to pace (New York City??) myself and spend more time listening to what she has to say.

Yeah, like that's gonna happen.

"He that keepeth his mouth keepeth his life"

- Proverbs 13:3a

Kev's Klip of the Week

"And these things write we unto you, that your joy may be full" - I John 1:4

Thank a Vet?

Yesterday, our SonShiners choir presented a program at the Tennessee State Veterans' Home here in Humboldt.

This is the third time we've been outside the walls of First Baptist Church on a "gig" (or "jig" as the Youth of Yesterday president said at last week's meeting) .. the fourth, if you count singing for the Humboldt Music Club (an outside organization .. which was technically inside the walls of FBC where the November meeting was held).

I am so proud (the good kind .. not the kind that 'goeth before a fall') of this group and all they have accomplished since we began last September.

We rehearse every Monday from 1:30 to 2:30 PM and I can just about tell you the whereabouts of any absentee at any time because .. they tell me .. ahead of time .. often weeks ahead of time ('don't look for me on August 24 .. I have a doctor's appointment').

I love this age group (55 and up .. most, in the 'up' category). They keep you informed.

They not only tell you where they are going to be (example: at the doctor), they tell you what their problem is (example: enlarged prostate) and offer "proof" if that's necessary for an excused absence (as long as I'm the director .. proof will never be necessary .. never .. ever).

Back to the Veterans' Home.

We were a big hit and have a standing invitation (perhaps sitting invitation is more accurate) to come back any time.

I'm reasonably sure we will.

They fed us strawberry shortcake afterwards .. that's like "crack" for the elderly.

"I have been young, and now am old; Yet I have not seen the righteous forsaken, Nor his descendants begging bread." - Pslam 37:25