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As Del. Marcus Simon, D-Fairfax, pitched a Republican-led subcommittee last week on his proposed law requiring gun owners to lock up their firearms and ammunition if there are children in the home, he raised his index finger in the air and began a visual demonstration. He pressed his fingertip to the biometric gun safe on the podium in front of him, showing the audience the safe would quickly open for him and no one else. For gun owners who have hundreds of dollars to spend on a weapon, Simon said, a secure storage device that can be bought online for...Article LinkSupport the show
Bucks share some of the terrific feedback on Bridey Thelen-Heidel's story We Owned the Night from her upcoming memoir , Bright Eyes. The response was dazzling and we plan to have more author interviews in the future. Bucks are wishing Bridey the best as she navigates the challenging route to publication.A listener in Switzerland sends a news story saying the Ukrainians are, in fact, using trucks to shoot down drones, much as Del's suggestion in Episode 117. Ahead of the curve once more.Del resorts to counting stars to stump Dave while Dave stumps the starstruck Del on Everything Everywhere All At Once, a spectacular feast for the senses.Del inadvertently discovers the rabbit hole known as YouTube [here since 2005] and fritters away hours of his life he will never get back. Dave steers him away from TikTok, now a formally-designated addiction. As Del says, "There is no end..."Del is disgusted by partially- frozen eggs he finds in his refrigerator. He eats them anyway. Consider this your Public Safety Announcement for the week.Del longs to invent a new word but settles for a new texting shortcut : TMB. This is particularly appropriate when commenting on the words spilling out of the mouth of a politician.Dave dig out his pickle ball paddle in search of new body parts to injure. Del sees get-well cards in his future.Science tells us how to skip stones and the Bucks nod the antlers to rockers we've lost recently-Christine McVie of Fleetwood Mac, guitarist extrordinaire Jeff Beck, and David Crosby of the Byrds, CSN, and CSNY. Upcoming episodes include sea stories from Cap'n Jim and an interview with members of a French village that has taken in hundreds of Ukrainian refugees.Dave plugs his monthly column in the OLLI-Ringling College newsletter. His assignment was new year's resolutions so he wrote about artificial intelligence. A stretch but did he pull it off? Let us know.Give us your thoughts: BUCKSTWOOLD@GMAIL.COM Find us on Twitter: @twooldbucks1Leave a Voice message - click HERE
Del continues to rally from his bout with covid. His sense of taste has still not returned. Does that make him tasteless?Listeners seemed to enjoy last week's AI segment on bot-writing. We love to get those Letters From Afar so let us know what you think. As Del appears intrigued by GRAVITY, Dave had the bot create a prose poem of sorts on the subject. Here's what we got in four seconds:Gravity is a force that binds us all together. It is a force that is ever-present, yet often overlooked. It is a force that keeps us grounded, and yet allows us to reach for the stars. It is a force that can be both a blessing and a curse. It can keep us safe and secure, but can also be a hindrance when we want to explore the unknown. Gravity is a reminder that we are all connected, and that no matter how far we…It won't win a Pulitzer but not bad for four seconds. Warning: it will only get smarter.Del's beef with gravity is reflected in his naked posing in front of the bathroom mirror, clutching his pectorals and upon releasing them, watching gravity sag them toward the center of the earth. Talk bout tasteless! Sorry if this image is now burned into your brain. NFT available soon.https://www.istockphoto.com/photo/senior-man-with-headphones-naked-shoulders-belly-and-chest-gm157641773-14178053SBF, wunderfraudkid, asks to be let out of jail because he's Vegan. Seriously? Speaking of frauds, Elon continues to snub Del, who aces today's Stump the Buck on he who shall not be named. Dave learns about House Dancing at the Dentist office. You can learn here and then watch the experts here or try Dave's fave, shuffle dancing, here. The Bucks are furiously practicing to dance their way into 1977.Dave reviews the book Brain Damage by Freida McFadden. He didn't love it but found it educational. Read another review here.Tell your friends to subscribe to our podcast. Send us your thoughts. Send Del some clothes.Give us your thoughts: BUCKSTWOOLD@GMAIL.COM Find us on Twitter: @twooldbucks1
Snap back to reality, ope there goes...everything? As Del and Andresj recover from the end of their latest case, a clash at the Daywalker's HQ sends reality on its head which end with two of our Mist-Fits gaining new "titles." Catch the pre-recorded streams first and chat alongside the cast on twitch at twitch.tv/forgeekbygeeks Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/forgeeksbygeeks/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/ForGeeksByGeeks TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@forgeeksbygeeks Learn more about CoM here: https://cityofmist.co/ *********** HEY YOU! That is so cool you scrolled all the way down here. That must mean you're a pretty cool human. Since you're so cool, we want to invite you to come hang out with us and our community full of dorks, nerds, and geeks just like you. Welcome to your judgement free place to geek out loud: https://forgeeksbygeeks.live/ FGBG has everything.... • Live on Twitch every week featuring interviews, idiotic games, miniature painting, and our on-going TTRPG Campaigns! • Active Discord community full of hot takes, the dankest of memes, and amazing potential new friends • Merch to let your geek flag fly IRL • Boser and the D&D Boys who will be there for you when you just need to geek out loud! Find all that and more at https://forgeeksbygeeks.live/
As Del concludes his story, he continues to tell us about the process of leaving. Del began to place his eggs in other baskets to help himself prepare his exit. Del tells us about having a conversation with church leadership and other church members about his leaving. He made his break a formal one as he informed those around him whereas many people just leave. However, upon informing the leadership they took it upon themselves to announce that Del was kicked out of the church, which was a false narrative. Our conversation also includes the matter of mental health. Del discusses how he managed his mental health when he was in the church. Del reveals to us that he has struggled with suicidal ideations since his childhood, including his time with the church. He recognized that the church was not equipped to help him, so he kept these thoughts to himself. However, the church insisted that its methods of governing people were equal to or better than professional methods of coping with mental health. This mixture of arrogance and ignorance on the part of the ICOC is one of the reasons that thousands of people around world have rejected this organization. He reflects on his time in the church and recognizes the positive elements of it. He also recognizes the church as a cult. If you or anyone you know is contimplating suicide, understand that help is avalable. Contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255 or use the following link:https://suicidepreventionlifeline.org
As Del and Neal finally approach Chicago, Rob is joined by Travis Bow of Reel Comics Heroes who notices something quite fascinating about the Chicago skyline.
As Del gets insulted and storms angrily out of the café, Rob is joined by David of BluePrint: Review in order to see where the Marathon bus will take Neal.
As Del explains on this podcast, the striking thing is not that a room full of people can miss the map to financial freedom, it's the many different ways they can do so. Join us as we explore what very likely is at the heart of today's financial literacy problem: an overabundance of mediocre retirement ideas. Then, stay tuned as Del hits the mailbag to address radio show questions and a very powerful listener story. Click to Listen Now
When Del came across the 3 Principles, she found a way out of a lifetime of codependency and narcissistic abuse. She spent so much time trying to change her thinking until she realized she just didn't have to take it so seriously. As Del depended on her understanding, it was obvious to her that sharing the 3 Principles with other people who were suffering was clearly something she was going to do. She is now a 3 Principles Practitioner, specializing in helping people with codependency and narcissistic abuse. Meet Del… Del Adey-Jones is a Principles Practitioner, Youtuber, and Blogger, and founder of The Way Out of Codependency and Narcissistic Abuse. She is also the host of, ‘Insightful Conversations,' and the co-author of the book, ‘25 Tools for Goddesses.' Thanks to her unconventional childhood growing up in the UK, and her personal challenges including divorce and raising children as a single parent, her work is informed both by the empathy gained from real-life experience and her deeper studies of Spirituality and Psychology. Using her down-to-earth, relatable approach to coaching and her commitment to creating a safe space to explore the Inside Out Understanding, she continues to serve a wide range of clients worldwide. website at https://www.deladeyjones.com ————
Del Bigtree is a big, brilliant personality. Another refugee from the failed state of California, Del and I talk everything from medical tyranny, entertainment, the nuance of scientific data, and what information goes to die in journals that can save your life. As Del mentioned, here is a link to the World Economic Forum's Great Reset predictions: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ER04dbt5p74If you want to follow Del, you can find him on Twitter.Listen to his show on The High Wire and be sure to sign up for the weekly newsletter! SUBSCRIBE & DONATEhttps://www.patreon.com/kaysmythekaysmythehttps://www.kaysmythe.com/donatetokayhttps://www.twitch.tv/kaysmythehttps://gettr.com/user/kaysmytheSupport the show (https://www.patreon.com/kaysmythekaysmythe)
Este é um episódio diferente e especial: conta com a vossa participação, em direto! Para todos os que não puderam assistir pelo Instagram e/ou preferem o formato áudio, aqui fica um episódio com 10 dicas para sermos mais criativos na cozinha. -- Mencionado no episódio: - Massa com legumes e molho de feijão branco: https://anaruasmelonutricionista.pt/massa-com-legumes-e-molho-de-feijao-branco/ - Livro "O Menu da Semana", Vânia Ribeiro - Livro "Cozinha Vegetariana para bebés e crianças", Gabriela Oliveira - Livro "As Delícias de Ella - O livro cem por cento vegetariano", Ella Mills -- Podem seguir-me em: https://anaruasmelonutricionista.pt/ www.facebook.com/anaruasmelo.nutricionista/ www.instagram.com/anaruasmelo.nutricionista/ Contacto: anaruasmelo.nutricionista@gmail.com -- Música: Joseph McDade - Elevation
Thank you for tuning in for PART2 of "The First Responder Apologist" with speaker and teacher Del Potter. If you have not yet watched or listened to PT1 please make sure that you do so! As Del will conclude in this follow up segment, all believers in Jesus Christ are first responder apologists on one level or another because we live in a hurting and decaying world in need of the Savior. As first responder apologists, we have the ability to lead help lead others to the Ultimate Physician, Jesus Christ. Make sure you watch both PT 1 and 2 and tell your friends to do the same. Also, please SUBSCRIBE to our Channel so that you won't miss an episode of Reason For Truth.
Del Keffer is the Vice President of Sales at Kirby-Smith Machinery, a leading distributor of heavy equipment and cranes in the central United States. In his role at Kirby-Smith Machinery, Del believes in the value of teamwork and trust-based business relationships that drive superior results. In the last 40 years, Del has carved out a powerful career path, transitioning from garden sales to the executive suite. Before joining Kirby-Smith Machinery, Del was the President of North American Trailer and a Vice President at Volvo Construction Equipment. His drive and leadership continue to inspire his colleagues and team members to grow and succeed. In this episode… How dedicated are you to cultivating teamwork and leadership within your organization? Del Keffer, the Vice President of Sales at Kirby-Smith Machinery, has worked in countless roles as a salesperson, and he passionately believes in investing in the growth of his team. As Del says, the ability to invest in ourselves, our company, and those under our care is essential for leadership. That's why his New Year's resolution is to be a more responsive leader for his team. So, what is his advice on how to better engage with your team and focus on achieving your—and their—goals in 2021? In this week's episode of Level Up, host Nick Araco sits down with the Vice President of Sales at Kirby-Smith Machinery, Del Keffer. Together, they discuss the essential ego of a salesperson, Del's start in the sales industry, and how to cultivate your team's authentic talent. Del also shares the valuable lesson he learned from his biggest sales mistake and the importance of being a responsive leader for your team. Stay tuned.
Ever gotten on a diet or a workout plan only to see yourself hit an endless wave of plateaus? Ever had this happen with other life goals? As Del says on this show, this is because there is a mismatch in your level of thinking and the lifestyle you're trying to reach. It's all about elevating your thinking to the level of life you want to live. Listen in to learn more. Click to Listen Now
Neste episódio elejo os meus livros de cozinha favoritos: desde comida e viagens até inspiração para o dia-a-dia. -- Links mencionados no episódio: Chef Kiko Martins: - Facebok: https://www.facebook.com/ChefKikoMartins/ - Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chefkikomartins/ - Livro "Comer o Mundo": https://www.wook.pt/livro/comer-o-mundo-maria-martins/10984383 Daniela Ricardo: - Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/danielaricardo.by.abiofamily/ - Livro "Viagens da Comida Saudável": https://www.wook.pt/livro/viagens-da-comida-saudavel-daniela-ricardo/17388515 - Zen family: https://zenfamily.pt/ - Livro "Sabores do Viajante": https://www.wook.pt/livro/sabores-do-viajante-daniela-ricardo/23335232 Gabriela Oliveira: - Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gabriela.cozinha.vegetariana/ - Academia Vegan: https://www.instagram.com/academia.vegan/ - Livro "Cozinha vegetariana para quem quer poupar": https://www.wook.pt/livro/cozinha-vegetariana-para-quem-quer-poupar-gabriela-oliveira/15705794 - Livro "Cozinha vegetariana para quem quer ser saudável": https://www.wook.pt/livro/cozinha-vegetariana-para-quem-quer-ser-saudavel-gabriela-oliveira/16198340 - Livro "Cozinha vegetariana para bebés e crianças": https://www.wook.pt/livro/cozinha-vegetariana-para-bebes-e-criancas-gabriela-oliveira/17415370 Vânia Ribeiro (Made by Choices): - Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/madebychoices/ - Site: https://www.instagram.com/madebychoices/ - Livro "As 5 cores da cozinha saudável": https://www.wook.pt/livro/as-5-cores-da-cozinha-saudavel-vania-ribeiro/19260465 - Livro "O menu da semana": https://www.wook.pt/livro/o-menu-da-semana-vania-ribeiro/23042367 Ella Mills (Deliciously Ella): - Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/deliciouslyella/ - Site: https://deliciouslyella.com/ - Livro "As Delícias de Ella - O livro cem por cento vegetariano": https://www.wook.pt/livro/as-delicias-de-ella-ella-mills/22818701 -- Podem seguir-me em: www.facebook.com/anaruasmelo.nutricionista/ www.instagram.com/anaruasmelo.nutricionista/ Contacto: anaruasmelo.nutricionista@gmail.com -- Música: Joseph McDade - Elevation
The Ficke Family has been ranching and running a livestock operation in Pleasant Dale, Nebraska since 1888. Today, Del Ficke and the Ficke Cattle Company are role models for successful, holistically-managed, independently owned, profitable rural producers. On this week’s RANCHCAST with host Lem Lewis, Del shares his disruptive techniques for making ranching and farming both more profitable and more satisfying. Better still, Del is showing rural producers how to manage their land so that their children and grandchildren will be incentivized to stay at home or return there. As Del travels the country, speaking to groups and working one-on-one with producers, Del often encounters those ranchers and farmers who think his ideas are crazy. At first. But when they hear Del out and see what he’s been able to accomplish on his own ranch and for his consulting clients, Del’s stature quickly transforms from: lunatic to genius.
As Del continues to descend towards the surface, Hella, Fero, and Lem head towards the ruins of the New Archives in search of a Cartwright Wren, a peculiar bird with properties that may help the druid with the creation of new sorts of creatures. But when they come to an abrupt landing in a dilapidated and overgrown aviary, the group learns that they are, unsurprisingly, not the only ones who’ve come to the Archives in search of valuable things. What is surprising, though, is who they find... This week on Spring in Hieron: Music Through A Wall If there is one fact that neophytes fail to grasp, it is this: Every SPELL has two COSTS, not one. The first, pupils always remember: The component parts of whatever is being cast: REAGENTS, SOMATIC EXPRESSIONS, RITUAL PREPARATIONS. These are, of course, easily counted: Strands of wolf’s hair, the motions of a hand, the dust of rough chalk. But the second cost is missed: The cost on the self. And this cost is vital to consider. As many young magic workers learn through repercussion alone: You may have the material needed for a spell, but if you begin to work it without the will or the vigor necessary, it will cost you greatly. Which is why I say, with great care and seriousness: It is of utmost importance that you learn to REST. -An excerpt from the Crystalized Lectures of the Wizard Fantasmo Hosted by Austin Walker (@austin_walker) Featuring Ali Acampora (@ali_west), Jack de Quidt (@notquitereal), and Keith J Carberry (@keithjcarberry) Produced by Ali Acampora (@ali_west) Music by Jack de Quidt (@notquitereal) Text by Austin Walker (@austin_walker) Cover Art by Craig Sheldon (@shoddyrobot) A transcription is available for this episode here.A full list of completed transcriptions is available here. Our transcriptions are provided by a fan-organized paid transcription project. If you'd like to join, you can get more information at https://twitter.com/transcript_fatt. Thank you to all of our transcribers!!
Trail Access and Land Use - Join the Conversation As the popularity of overlanding and vehicle dependent exploration has grown, so has the discussion around land use. More and more people are turning to the great outdoors to seek solace and balance from the hustle and bustle of the daily grind. With our population growing quickly, proper land use is paramount to healthy and sustainable recreation in our lands and waterways. We sat down with Todd Ockert (President) and Del Albright (Executive Director) from Blue Ribbon Coalition/Sharetrails.org to discuss land use and land access. Todd Ockurt Blue Ribbon Coalition Sharetrails.org President Del Albright Blue Ribbon Coalition Sharetrails.org Executive Director Listen to the Podcast in its entirety below! As Del explains, BRC/Sharetrails.org has been working for 30+ years both regionally and nationally to help “preserve our resources and public lands for the public. Not from the public...That’s really part of our (BRC/ST) culture is to explore, have the adventure, share the land - there’s places where we don’t belong, places that we do belong. That’s part of our mission and vision.” And Todd is quick to point out the simple reason for becoming involved. Fun. “We want to make sure we have good forests and good public lands that are maintained so that they are sustainable… It’s responsible use of our public lands so that we can continue to recreate and go have fun.” What does someone who’s new to overlanding and exploring in the US need to know? Del sums it up easily. “Be Responsible. Setting the example. Carrying a trash bag. Volunteer for a club project. Writing a letter... ‘Land use’ is a package of persevering the adventure, the steps that we take to keep that adventure alive… It’s complicated and there’s a lot to it, but in reality it is that simple.” Here are a few key takeaways from the conversation: Have the right gear. “Anybody who doesn’t have a trash bag hanging on the back of their rig or accessible isn’t doing their part. Do you have to fill it up every time? No...but carry a trash bag.” Get involved. “Overland Bound is just a start. Get online and learn more about the clubs and organizations in your area and contribute… If I can donate, fine, but if I can give a day of my time? That is the value right there.” There are problems that can’t be fixed with money. Contribute. Consider setting $100 year aside to state and national organization memberships. In addition to the national reach of Blue Ribbon Coalition/Sharetrails.org, Del mentions CAL4WHEEL and/or CORVA as examples local to California. Del has an acronym he came up with to make it easy remember: JAIL - How to keep our public lands out of jail and what can the individual do: Join This is the most important action to take according to Del. You can join “nationally with BRC or if you want to start locally, whatever, start somewhere and join. Whatever makes sense. State. Regional. National. Local. Find the ones that make sense and throw some joining money their direction.” Advocate “Talk it up. When you’re talking to someone, share your passion. Why do you love exploring? What makes you so excited about driving around in the backwoods?” Include “If you ever get the chance to take a politician or someone that wants to learn more, give them a seat. Include them so they understand us.” Del definitely walks this talk. Letters “Write those letters when asked.” Most importantly, stay informed and active. When a post goes up asking for support, follow through and contribute. At the end of the day, we are all working for the same end goal. Del adds one more thought, “The respectful consideration… Cleaning up, trash bags, trail work, all those things make up that magic word of ‘land use’.”
Hear the story read by the author. In the town of Normal, Pennsylvania, there's a little church at the corner of Wilson and Elm. One Sunday every year is designated Laity Sunday when the members of the congregation run the worship service. The clergy do not get the day off, however. Traditionally they make luncheon for the congregation as a gesture of gratitude.This year, Del Winslow was in charge of Laity Sunday. Del had a personal agenda for the day. He wanted to have a tight, efficient service that ended in exactly one hour. Senior Pastor Henry O'Donnell's services typically ran long by ten or fifteen minutes. Associate Pastor Michelle Tellum was only slightly better. Such overages annoyed Del greatly. In fact, he would have gotten up and walked out at the hour mark if he wasn't a member of the choir. So Del wanted to demonstrate to pastors O'Donnell and Tellum how a properly run worship service should go.Del convened a meeting of Laity Sunday volunteers two weeks in advance for the purposes of assigning parts of the service. Thad Wheeling was assigned the welcome and benediction. Church secretary Tammy Billings agreed to do the invocation and call to worship.The trouble started when Del asked for volunteers for the pastoral prayer. Missy Moore, an enthusiastic, heavyset woman had been sitting quietly in back, but now her hand shot into the air. Del was not a fan of the way Missy tended to babble on endlessly in conversation. He dreaded what might happen if he gave her free reign at the microphone.Del turned to his thirty-year-old daughter, Carrie. “Carrie, why don't you do the prayer?”Carrie seemed startled. “I don't know,” she said. “Do I have to make it up myself?”“Well, yeah,” Del replied.“I was hoping I could just read the scripture or something,” Carrie said.“Come on, I know you'll do great.”“Okay,” Carrie muttered, not nearly so sure. In the back, Missy put her hand back in her lap with a frown. She had really wanted to do the prayer because she felt moved to express her gratitude for her church family and thought a group prayer would be the perfect opportunity.The choir did the hymns and anthem as normal on Laity Sunday, but Del needed someone for special music. Pastor Michelle's boyfriend Ian Wells got that assignment. Michelle wanted Ian to participate but Ian wasn't fond of public speaking. However he did play guitar in a jazz ensemble so special music was right up his alley.Tammy's husband Ralph volunteered to read the announcements. Missy again raised her hand to do the Offertory figuring she could use the Prayer of Dedication to express her gratitude, but Del assigned those jobs to Jill Boyer. Next Del called for a volunteer to read scripture. “Missy, how about you?” he asked.Missy was startled. She hadn't raised her hand this time. “What else is left?” she asked.“Just the sermon,” Del said, “and I'm doing that.”“Fine,” Missy grumbled.Meanwhile, Pastor Michelle was also out to prove something. It always annoyed her that food at church events tended toward the cheap and unsophisticated. She fancied herself a bit of a foodie and wanted to demonstrate a more gourmet approach. Of course she also had to feed a hundred people without much help, so she needed to keep things simple. She settled on a spicy seared scallop salad.Pastor O'Donnell was a little skeptical when she told him, but didn't want to crush her enthusiasm. He was planning to make bagel pizzas for his contribution. Michelle smiled indulgently. They would probably make the kids happy, she figured.Michelle wanted to get the scallops as fresh as she could so she arranged to buy them on the way to the church the morning of the service. However when she arrived the seafood store did not have as many fresh scallops as she wanted. Michelle began to panic. Fortunately Ian was with her to calm her down. He suggested they swing by the grocery store to pick up some frozen scallops. Michelle was disappointed by the compromise but didn't see any other option.The only downside was that Ian would miss the walk-through Del had scheduled prior to the service. It didn't seem like a big deal to Ian, but at the church Del was annoyed. To make matters worse, Ralph had caught a bad cold a couple days before and coughed constantly through the rehearsal.Del was just about to cut special music out of the program entirely when Ian and Michelle arrived. Michelle went to the kitchen to begin preparing her salad while Ian sauntered into the sanctuary.Del wanted to give the tardy youngster a piece of his mind, but it was a mere five minutes until the service was scheduled to start and he wanted to begin on time even more. So he simply ordered Ian to get to his seat and then gave Thad his cue to welcome the congregation.After the opening hymn Tammy delivered the Invocation and Call to Worship without a hitch. By the end of the second hymn the service was running two minutes ahead of schedule according to Del's calculations. That's when the first hiccup occurred.Carrie stepped up to the lectern to deliver the pastoral prayer. She had written it out on a piece of paper, revising it through half a dozen drafts during the week. She pulled the paper out of her pocket with shaky hands, only to drop it. It floated down over the railing and into the third pew. Del tapped his foot impatiently as Tammy scrambled down to retrieve the paper. Well, it was only a small delay. They could make up the time.Carrie managed to get through the prayer without vomiting which she considered quite an achievement. Next came the special music. Ian got his guitar and pulled a microphone out to the center of the chancel. However when he tried to introduce the song he discovered the microphone wasn't working. He verified that it was turned on then began tracing the cord to see that everything was plugged in. Organist Walter Tibble came over to help. “Just get a different microphone,” Del finally snapped, a little louder than he intended. “This is why we rehearsed,” he muttered under his breath.Ian's song was wonderful but Del didn't hear it. He was busy editing his sermon to make up for the lost time. Then came the announcements. Ralph stepped up to the microphone and began to speak. No sound came out.At first Del thought Ralph was using the broken microphone. But when Ralph coughed and it was amplified over the speakers it became clear the microphone was not the problem. Ralph had lost his voice. Del strode out and took over. He didn't have time for any more delays.Then real disaster struck. As Del was moving back to his spot, he tripped on the microphone cord. His glasses fell off and by an unfortunate coincidence Del's left knee landed right on top of them. He heard the lenses crunch and began to feel sick to his stomach. Without his glasses he wouldn't be able to read his notes for the sermon.Fortunately Jill managed the offertory without any problems but when Missy went to the lectern to do the scripture reading, she started by saying, “before I begin, I'd like to take a moment to express my gratitude for this church…”Del felt his blood begin to boil. He coughed pointedly but Missy ignored him. She went on for ten minutes determined to deliver the message she would have done had she been given the opportunity to lead a prayer. By the time she got around to reading the scripture, the service had been going for fifty-eight minutes.Del gave up. He had rehearsed his sermon several times and could deliver it without his notes, but he couldn't edit it on the fly. So he just did it the way he had originally planned. Halfway through he was interrupted when the smoke alarm went off in the kitchen. Michelle had left one batch of scallops in the frying pan a little longer than she should have.It took ten minutes for someone to ascertain that the church was not on fire. Del finished up his sermon, the congregation sang the final hymn, and Thad delivered the benediction. The service had run a total of twenty-nine minutes over, considerably more than was common when the clergy were in charge.The congregation moved to the Social Hall for the luncheon. Tammy Billings was first in line. She examined Michelle's scallop salad closely. “What is it,” she asked.Michelle described the ingredients and manner of preparation proudly. Tammy forced a smile. “Sounds very fancy,” she said. She took a small helping just to be polite, then grabbed one of O'Donnell's bagel pizzas. “Where's the coffee?” she asked.Michelle and O'Donnell looked at each other. They'd both completely forgotten to make coffee. They scrambled to go set it up.By the time the luncheon was finished the bagel pizzas were completely gone but half the scallop salad remained. And the coffee had finally finished brewing but by then nobody wanted it anymore. As Ian helped Michelle pack up the leftovers he observed that she could have gotten away without the frozen scallops after all. Ian wasn't always the smartest boyfriend.The following week the pastors were running the service again and Tammy was back in charge of coffee hour. And everything went much more smoothly.