Good Friday and the veneration of the cross

We adore Thee, O Christ, and bless Thee,

Because by Thy holy cross

Thou hast redeemed the world.

This day is called "good" because on it the condescension and goodness of God were exceedingly manifested toward mankind in the death of the Saviour of the world.

Behold the wood of the cross, 

on which hung the Saviour of the world.

Come let us adore.

Thy cross, O Lord, we honor,

and we praise and glorify Thy holy resurrection:

for by the wood of the cross

the whole world is filled with joy.

God be merciful to us and bless us:

may He cause the light of His countenance to shine upon us, and have mercy on us.

This evening, as I write this, I feel lousy. Headache, congestion, sneezing. The start of spring and the onset of seasonal allergies.

It was a gorgeous day today: low 30°s and sunshiny. T went to work. While H and M were out skiing, I worked out to my exercise video. They were back in time for M to pick up his school lunch.

Made some hot-cross buns, a Good Friday tradition. Delicious!

Day 13 of the 100 Day challenge

Went into town for the first time since last Friday. The glass & can dumpster was gone from its usual spot. Wonder if the city doesn't want us to separate our trash anymore. Will have to ask C's husband; he's got his ear to the ground.

Stopped by the post office to mail a few letters. I had a few extra picture magnets made and sent them off. Fond memories!

My sister and I spent a summer in Chicago with my mother's cousin; I was maybe 11. My parents put us on the bus at our city on the east coast, and off we went. I remember being terrified. And the elderly cousin and her husband ate like birds; sis and I were always hungry. Until a neighbor took us out to an Italian restaurant. I don't remember the circumstances, just that there was lots of food!

I also sent a couple to my younger sister. My favorite was of us and our father at Niagara Falls the summer I graduated from high school. And another of when we were tiny. Just cute!

My brother and his girlfriend got engaged so I sent them a card. I love to get letters and to send correspondence via the mail still has charm for me.

I also stopped by work to pick up a charger I'd left there. Talked to a coworker briefly; he seems in good form. I'd talked to another colleague on the phone earlier in the day about a sticker project we were working on together. Strange to have so little contact with folks I usually see every day.

Went grocery shopping, and wore my face mask for the first time. It felt weird and will take some getting used to. The veg and fruit in the store looked picked over and yucky. Disappointed because that's what we need. The store offers curbside service, but I'm reluctant to use it as I'm afraid I'll end up with a cart full of rotten produce!

Went for a walk in the afternoon with C and the dogs. She made me a mask! Sadly, the elastic is tight around my head, so it doesn't fit right. I'll have to figure it out as it's a much cleaner design than my other mask.

Today was full of peace.