January grocery shopping

Patterns in the frost on my car window before driving to shop early on Wed. Jan. 6. I thought that way I would avoid crowds of people, some of whom still ignore "mask required" signs. 

 

I enjoy finding many things at bargain prices at Hopey's Grocery store in Black Mountain. They frequently have bulk displays, like this one in the crackers aisle. But I look carefully to find what I need, and don't usually buy many of the discounted "past their date" items. 

This was before the latest snow, but there was rime ice, or hoarfrost on many of the mountain peaks. Here I was driving into Black Mountain, passing the Hampton Inn on the far left, with the exit from I-40 coming onto my route...which was NC-9.

When my light turned green I still tried to catch a shot of these whitetops...but got more cars instead.

After going under I-40, I could see the mountains a bit better as I drove into Black Mountain center itself. 

A lovey Christmas present, a bit delayed from a friend. Some cheerful flowers. I added them to the same vase that had held my Christmas bouquet (and removed the faded ones!)

Today's quote:

I pray this day for the courage to be . . . *
The courage to be humble 
in the midst of inequity and pain, 
to know that the power has been given me 
to make a difference, 
although not to end all suffering or 
to save all the whales that populate our days.

I pray for the courage of endurance, 
to keep acting in the wake of challenge, 
to keep trying in the aftermath of failure, 
to keep hoping in the lull that 
comes after encounter loss or change.

May courage give me patience 
and patience give me healing, 
and may I ever know Love’s healing presence 
at the center of my days.

* Acknowledging debt to Paul Tillich for his well known phrase, “the courage to be.” Which article, it should be known, is still worth reading.

by Maureen Killoran, UU Minister, retired