Busy

Yesterday, Ray and I attended a church service, in person, and sang in the choir. The choir at ERUUF sings with masks. There was a soloist who unmasked when he sang. The minister really liked our singing. I did too. Amelia's Durham friend Becky, the social worker, came and hugged me afterwards. I have learned several people's names so far. We had to be there at 8:45 am, which is a little early for us these days. After an hour, we stopped and the ministers and service leaders prepared in the space. We had an hour to sit quietly (or go away and come back). The building is lovely, with views from windows of trees. We sang hymns from the teal hymnal, the newer one that we rarely use in Beverly. I thought the service was excellent, although it did run over. They are getting ready to do a strategic 5-year plan, which is a little weird for us to be involved in. Clint was one of the greeters and he was talking to people about putting in electric chargers. They have a grant for most of the cost, but want the congregation to be in agreement about spending the rest of the money from the budget. I'm in favor, but should my voice be equally valuable with long-time year-round members? I have a blue nametag as a visitor/new member. 

It rained all day. After a quick lunch of leftovers, Ray dropped me off at the protest site for Bigger than Roe, a celebration of the 50th anniversary of Roe v. Wade. There were about 8 of us and we didn't last long. It was a little rainy, but mostly quite cold for most people. I wore my big puffy coat and boots and mittens, so I was fine. They were showing "Come from Away" at the Performing Arts Center (Ray and I saw it on Broadway and really liked it). The officials from DPAC did not want the protesters on "their" sidewalk engaging with people coming to see it. Most people were supportive. 

I spent the afternoon at Amelia's shop. I was planning to take the bus--they're free! But the organizer, Miriam, gave me a ride. She knew Amelia slightly and had been there. The store was busy, which is always gratifying. I knit on a sweater project that I have been working on off and on. The more time I spend there, the more I want to buy. I bought some fancy buttons for a sweater I finished a while ago that doesn't have buttons. I want to make some more underwear, but I left the pattern in Beverly. I really want to make a Handmaid's cape and there is some great red fabric, but I don't have a pattern. It will take a lot of fabric and probably needs to be lined.