Observations

The heat, my goodness the heat! It's been a week and I've got some observations on these days of heat, home runs, and holy conferencing.

There is a bit of a break in the weather, yet, this heat has been of the Dante Journey variety! During our very mild winter, I was one who kept nagging my winter hating friends that the summer would be hot...hot...hot. Yowzers! One thing about this heat, one does bask in the gift of a small breeze and one definitely slows down. Both good things for the soul.

One of the coolest re-additions to the Pittsburgh skyline debuted this week with the weather tower atop the Gulf Building. I have absolutely no idea how to read it nor what it means, yet, the red, purple, and yellow colored bars add a zip and a wow to the skyline.

As we know, people from these parts, we love our fireworks! I chose the West End Bridge for my viewing vantage point on the Fourth-of-July. Always good to see the huge number of boats in the river and the incredible amount of folks who come out to watch the pyrotechnics. There were a couple of kids standing next to me and within the first three minutes of the display they had lost interest and spent the rest of the 20 minute (!) display saying the refrain, "I want the finale! I want the finale!" Seriously?? Here's this amazing free, firework display, the young ones are on the bridge where it's kind of cool to be and provided a great view and they were not able to appreciate it??!!?? What in the name of electronics and computers have we done??!!?? Shoot, when I was a kid running around the front yard with a sparkler was a thrill!

Pittsburgh was the focus point for two faith groups: the Episcopalians and the Presbyterians who held their major denominational meetings here in our fair city. I continue to be disheartened by the Church who continues to exemplify and be lead by fear insted of prophetic witness.

Lastly, HOW BOUT OUR BUCCOS??!??!? That energy of being in a city with a winning baseball team is back again this summer only this year it feels even better because we are playing amazing baseball and are 11 games over .500, have one of the best records in baseball, and are in first place at the break! Of all the spors, I've always loved baseball the best and it is magical to be following a winning baseball team...again...after 19 long years. The second half of the season will be exciting to watch and I will remain faithful win.....or that other thing....(I don't want to even write the word out of risking letting loose bad ju-ju).

Enjoy these dog-days of summer and keep paying attention, there are lots of things to talk about!