"Nobody ever drowned in his own sweat." - Ann Landers

We were supposed to hit 92 today but only made it to 84 because of the smokey haze that helped shield us from the sun. They're calling for 98 tomorrow (ugh!) so I'm hoping for more haze! Tomorrow's to-do list includes cleaning barns, rebuilding feeders, and misc. other tasks in preparation for being gone a week.

I did 5 miles this morning and it was a killer. I don't know why that distance was so difficult today when last week it was no big deal. Preaching yesterday?

For the last week I've noticed a horrible road kill smell at the 2 mile point but couldn't see any reason for it. Today I noticed a very dead deer in the ditch just off the west side of the road. That carcass has been used and abused and is now more like pieces than a carcass. The good news: it doesn't smell anymore.

I've always found the day after preaching to be difficult. First because I obsess over the details. I think back over every part of it and wish I had done things differently. I tell myself "Let it go" over and over again.
But I also struggle with how I should think about doing a good job. Is it OK to want to kill it or is that sinful pride? And if feedback indicates I hit the mark...same thing. Pride in workmanship or egoism?
You know that tradition where after the service the pastor goes to stand at the back door and people pass by him on the way out. "Good sermon, pastor," or "That sermon spoke to me." Those comments may be sincere but the preacher suspects they are more likely simple graciousness.
My older brother refers to that back door ritual as "the glorification of the worm." And that's accurate; the preacher is a worm, a tool.
I don't have answers. After 44 years I still haven't figured it out and probably won't ever. It's likely a tension that is not only inherent in the task but perhaps healthy. Permanently landing on either option could easily lead to unfortunate consequences.

A Facebook friend told me early this afternoon that this is National BACON Day.
Why did I not know this?!
When Pam got home early afternoon from doing the laundry I asked her if she knew about it.
"Yeah, I meant to tell you about that this morning."
WHAT?????

With all the coverage, including an hour-long retrospective of her career and music I think I need to download some Aretha.