My Daily Struggle in the COVID-19 Lockdown

 Much to talk about today. First, I had another dream last week. In this dream, nonwhites, myself included, were forced onto trucks and taken to a concentration camp. We went through metal detectors, had our heads shaved and designed according to race, and were beaten for being too slow or for no reason at all. There were no thugs or thots mouthing off in this dream. Either they were the first to die, or they were just as scared as I was. While we were being herded into the camp, I somehow had gotten lost from my group, and I was confused to find myself alone and frightened that I would be beaten or worse for straying from my group. All the while, I heard a song in the background from a hatenanny from George Lincoln Rockwell's American Nazi Party: "Ring a bell, shout for joy, White man's day is here. Thirty million ugly coons waiting by the pier. America for Whites, Africa for Blacks, give that ugly ape a stick, give that ugly chimp a spear." As I have said before, I ...

 Well, I am back at the monastery for the weekend. Enjoying it very much. Doing some thinking and reflecting, as well as getting questions answered. Whilst meditating, I realized that, in my anger about how I was treated regarding my grandmother, I dishonored my father. It does not matter that he dishonored me and hurt me very much. When I reflected on the Ten Commandments, I realized that my obligation to honor my father is greater than his to honor me. By my comments, I have sinned, and I am sorry. So, just as I thought things were getting better pandemic-wise, this week happened. In Illinois, between Wednesday and Thursday, the rate of COVID-19 cases increased by 54%. The mayor of Chicago, Lori Lightfoot, placed a curfew on restaurants, bars, and nonessential businesses. I keep hoping that things will at least get better for Thanksgiving. If I must cancel Thanksgiving Dinner, I will be very unhappy. Many of us will certainly struggle to find something to be grateful for this yea...

I read an interesting article this week from The Atlantic, discussing why African-American congregants are leaving "White" or multiethnic churches. While some were offended by the criticism of church leaders for those who did not come to church in the earlier months because of COVID-19 fears (especially from those with pre-existing conditions), most respondents left because of issues surrounding the lynching of George Floyd. Because of the fact that this is a major social issue, they were angry that their pastors or at least the church leaders would not make an issue about it. They would just ignore it or decry the looting. Because of how the killing affected nearly every African-American person in some way, they expected their church families to at least check in with them and see how they are doing.  When their churches were silent when silence was not an acceptable answer, they left, feeling betrayed. (https://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2020/10/why-black-parishio...

 This has not been the best week. First,  I had to argue with health-based providers about them not doing their job. Then, on Friday, my morning started, among other unpleasant things, with me approaching my car to see that someone hit it the night before, and I did not see a note.  Look at my poor car! The person's light obviously broke, and they didn't bother to clean it up. Because of the dent in the bumper cover, it is hard to open and close the hatch. Thankfully, my next door neighbor admitted that her sister slammed into it, but that she left a note. Well, either someone removed it or the wind blew it away. Or, perhaps she is lying. I had to talk to my neighbor's husband to get her phone number because the woman was supposed to call me but didn't. Now, she is taking her sweet time to give me her insurance information. She said that she is going through hard times, but so am I. Wrecking my car does not help. I am prepared to be a thorn in her side until I get her i...

 So, this has been quite an eventful week. First of all, a client had a medical procedure done, and she later found out that a staff person in the operating room had COVID-19, and she might have been infected. They had better pray that he is not infected. It has been over 10 days and she is showing no symptoms, but she has the right to sue for malpractice. Now her life is on whole. I know stuff happens, but don't people get tested anymore? In hospitals??? Speaking of COVID-19, our president and his wife have it. There have been people celebrating or laughing because of this. I know that he made mistakes and often does not use that muscle between his ears, but he is still the President. You think you can do better? Then why aren't you running. Some of these people celebrating will be in church worshipping tomorrow. We are not perfect, I know. No Christian is perfect. Still, at least try having a sliver of compassion for a serious illness. Just look at that outspoken pro-choice m...