Meanderings, 13 November 2021
Good morning! We have some fun in this collection of links and stories.
Photo by Dennis Buchner on Unsplash
Houses for Healing, a Texas-based nonprofit organization that provides free, short-term living for those experiencing medical crises, has announced it is adding 16 new houses to its faith-based ministry.
The ministry, located in North Abilene, comprises four houses that provide shelter to families who go to Abilene for medical treatment. Six local churches help feed, minister to and provide transportation for residents in each home.
Now, 16 more miniature houses will be added across the street from the four already in existence.
Brian Massey, the founder and president of Houses of Healing, told The Christian Post that when the new houses are added to the initiative, up to 30 additional churches will likely step up to meet the needs of new residents.
“We build tiny houses to love neighbors and take care of the sick, and we invite churches to adopt houses. They minister to the residents and help them to know the Lord and provide food and transportation for them,” Massey said.
The ministry provides short-term living spaces for those facing debilitating medical conditions for three months at a time.
“We love whoever comes into the tiny houses. We will soon have 20 different houses serving the Big Country area of Texas. Whoever is coming in from Abilene for healthcare, we don’t want them to die and go to Hell. We hope the residents will begin to see the Church as a resource in times of great health need and for other needs.”
Massey said Houses for Healing was founded in 2016 after he got a vision from God while on a prayer walk.
Don't bet against Julia "Hurricane" Hawkins.
The retired Louisiana teacher just became the first female track and field athlete in the 105+ age bracket to clock a time in the 100-meter dash.
Hawkins crossed the finish line in 1:02:95, a slightly slower time than she'd hoped for.
"It was wonderful to see so many family members and friends. But I wanted to do it in less than a minute," she said after the race, according to the National Senior Games Association.
When someone in the crowd asked whether it made her feel any better to realize that her time was still less than her age, she simply said: "No."
Hawkins nabbed the record over the weekend at the 2021 Louisiana Senior Games competition, which is the state's qualifying event for the biennial National Senior Games.
PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WPRI) — For 89-year-old Manfred Steiner, becoming a physicist has been a lifelong aspiration.
That’s why, when the East Providence resident retired at age 70, he started taking physics classes at Brown University.
“It has always been my dream,” he said. “I wanted this.”
When Steiner was younger, his family encouraged him to pursue medicine over physics, so he earned his medical degree and then his first Ph.D. in biochemistry. Prior to retiring, Steiner worked as a hematologist and researched blood disorders at Brown University, eventually becoming the head of the hematology section of the university’s medical school.
When asked what drew him to the field of physics, Steiner said the answer is simple: “Precision.”
“In medicine, I always felt there were so many variables,” he said. “In physics, there are some variables, a lot of them actually, but you can go to a precision that is unmatched anywhere in the other scientific world.”
Steiner said he wouldn’t let retirement stop him from learning or giving up on his lifelong goal.
“One or two classes a semester was enough for me,” he said. “So, I went to all the classes and eventually, I made it on to graduate school and I thought, ‘Why not continue now? I might as well get a Ph.D.'”
Photo by Anthony Lee on Unsplash
PORTLAND, Maine (AP) — An 83-year-old from Alabama started walking when he retired more than a quarter-century ago — and never stopped.
M.J. “Sunny” Eberhart strode into the record books Sunday as the oldest hiker to complete the Appalachian Trail.
Eberhart, known by the trail name Nimblewill Nomad, acknowledged that despite having tens of thousands of miles under his belt, the trail was tough going at his age, leading to quite a few spills on slippery rocks.
“I’ve a got a couple of skid marks on me, but I’m OK,” he said in a recent interview. “You’ve got to have an incredible resolve to do this.”
He hiked the trail out of order, in sections, to take advantage of optimal weather, and had already completed northern sections including Maine’s Mount Katahdin. He completed his final section in western Massachusetts, in the town of Dalton, in the same year in which a 5-year-old became among the youngest to complete the feat.
Being invited to spend Christmas with the Queen is a privilege that comes with many rules, according to royal expert Ingrid Seward. In an interview with Grazia, Ms Seward detailed the timetable of the royals’ holiday which starts with arriving on Christmas Eve.
“There will be a present-giving ceremony after tea,” the expert said.
“The presents are laid out in the drawing-room on trestle tables covered with white linen table cloths.
“There will be an order of precedence, but the gifts won’t be extravagant.
“There are mainly useful things, such as homemade jams, china or curios bought from country fairs.” …
As the festive period revolves around eating, the Queen ensures that the guests “weigh themselves” on a pair of antique scales, says Ms Seward.
This happens before and after their visit.
The tradition dates back to King Edward VII’s reign in the early 1900s.
A car parked in an Italian town had become a landmark, having been a fixture on the street as far back as 1974. Parked by a local news stand, it became an icon and even somewhat of a tourist attraction. After 47 long years, the vehicle has now finally been towed by local authorities, reports Insider.
The car hails from the town of Conegliano. Speaking to Italian newspaper Il Gazzettino, the car's original owner Angelo Fregolent stated "I ran the newsstand under the house for 40 years together with my wife, Bertilla." He would regularly park the 1962 Lancia Fulvia out the front, where he would unload the day's newspapers from the trunk.
When the couple retired, Fregolent simply left the car where it was. It remained undisturbed, appearing on Google Maps and earning a place in the hearts of the townspeople. Residents and even political candidates would visit the car to take selfies, with much love shown towards the humble four-door sedan.
Is a virtual Santa a real Santa?
PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) — The supply chain issue has hit Santa Claus, literally.
As we rapidly approach the holiday season, there is a Santa shortage across the country. HireSanta.com books Santas — aka Santa’s friends or helpers — for events across the country.
Head Elf Mitch Allen said there are about 15% fewer Santas this year, yet the demand is 120% over pre-pandemic levels.
Christmas trees, decorations hit by supply disruptions
He listed many reasons, including aging out, but COVID-19 appears to be the primary culprit.
Many Santas are still apprehensive about having young children who aren’t vaccinated sit on their laps. On a grimmer note, Allen said many of Santa’s helpers died over the past year due to the coronavirus.
“As you can imagine, our Santas are in a high-risk group for a negative outcome if they get COVID,” Allen said. Age and weight tend to put Santa at high risk for severe illness from the coronavirus.
Allen added that some Santas contracted COVID-19 and are still dealing with the long-term effects. He said they have no additional Santas for the first two weekends in December.
Many Santas are doing virtual visits again, he said.
My favorite Appalachian Trail hiker is still Grandma Gatewood.