All posts by Fr Tom Tirman

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Smelling great……….

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I have a confession……..I actually like the cologne that my wife bought me for Christmas, but let’s keep that our little secret, okay?

It actually represents a real breakthrough in our relationship too. For years I have worn stuff that she seems to call “cowboy cologne,” but I like it. I also like the brand that makes the stuff you find in the barbershop….it cost approximately 6 bucks for a 55 gallon barrel too. But I don’t wear any of it because it is cheap (here meaning not costing a lot). I wear it because I like it.
In truth, I would probably get the “willies” if I knew what this bottle of stuff costs. I could ask my barber, but I am sure it would give us both a coronary (here meaning heart attack), plus there are things that real men just do not discuss at the barbershop……fancy cologne is one of them (quiche and ice dancing are two more). But I wore some today and I liked it. Go figure.
But the big joke is that she has not noticed I have it on! She always makes a scene when I am wearing the other, but this appears to do nothing for her at all.
We however are making progress……..because if I find one that works, regardless the cost, I am buying a 55 gallon drum.
Goodnight my friends and God Bless!
Tommy+
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Bowed under………

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My wife, though delightful, is the queen of OCD, and Christmastime is a time when it isn’t very hidden.

For instance, we reuse bows. After unwrapping a gift, part of the routine is to throw her your bow so she can store it away. And if the truth be known, we actually had to move to this house because it was bigger……we had run out of room at the other house for used Christmas bows.
That’s why, of course, I do not use them when I wrap. I just count the number of gift bags I have used (also recycled) and then dig out that number of bows from the bow tote (not a box, we are a modern family) and hand them to her. They then go back in for the next time.
Of course she is technically a scientist (a microbiologist) but she appears to not be using her scientific mind. I of course can see the danger. I mean, if you keep using and reusing the same bows, AND, if others keep giving your gifts each year (some with bows) sooner or later we will be overrun by bows……this is a scientific fact. And I know this because even though none of my degrees are in science, Captain Kirk had the very same problem with “truffles” on an episode of Star Trek that I watched as a kid. And everyone knows that Star Trek teaches a lot of truth about science.
But for now I will just smile and go along with it. I know better than to cross an addicted personality.
Goodnight my friends and God Bless.

Tommy+
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Merry Christmas!

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I am posting this picture of Ben protesting getting his picture taken for the bizzionenth time and, taking the day off to spend some much cherished family time! But I wanted to wish you all a Merry Christmas.

May the blessing of the God who made the heavens and the earth be upon you as you celebrate His gift to us of His Son!
Have a wonderful Christmas!
Tommy+
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Still kicking……..and on Christmas Eve!

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It seems so hard to imagine that I have missed just about 48 hours of life right before Christmas service, but that is indeed true. I am pretty beat (exhausted), but in just about 7 hours I will preside over one of our many Christmas services. My sermon is finished, the bulletins are done, the parking lot is clear, and if anything gets in the way someone else will just have to deal with it. I am thankful just to make it.

Of course I still need to get there and do it, but after the last couple of days that should be easy. I am no weenie, as they say where I come from, but whatever I had really kicked my butt. My intentions pre-all this were to attend a 5pm at St. Anne’s, and then preside at an 8 and 11 pm at St. Patrick’s…..obviously, I will just be at the one. I am stubborn, but certainly not stupid. I am scheduled to do three services on Sunday, not uncommon for any of us, but if I do not get my energy back it will be a long weekend.
But thanks be to God that I am up and walking! It prevents everyone else from scrambling to cover for me. Keep us all in your prayers too. It is such an important time of year. Jesus truly is the reason for the season.
And as for me, I am thankful I will be at a service tonight explaining that rather than having coffee with Him in heaven. A day ago, I wasn’t so sure!
Goodnight my friends and God Bless!
Tommy+
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Why why why???

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Of course I thought, or better yet assumed, that after I would receive the very first flu shot that I have ever had in my life that it might make me a bit immune…….of course that was wrong. I have been miserable all day (and last night), in bed, and hoping and praying for a great day tomorrow. I rarely ever get sick, but this is exceptionally stressful this week. I missed a good 24 hours I needed to prepare, and will be scrambling, feeling better or not, tomorrow.

So no fancy words of wisdom, or funny posts tonight. I am just hoping to get better. I have already cancelled the 11pm service tomorrow because I am certain I will not have the energy. I have every intention of doing the 8pm one though.
So please keep me in your prayers. I am very frustrated. I want to be better for tomorrow. And God willing, I will be.
Goodnight my friends and God Bless!
Tommy+
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Da plow……..

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Although it felt great, when you are already under the weather, shoveling the parking lot at St. Patrick’s by hand was perhaps a bit much. It DID need to be done, and to be honest, I had no desire to head over and sweat my brains out right before services on Christmas Eve. It however is done, and I pray no more snow comes before Friday, and that no one takes our shovel like they did the last one.

But I was there to help Amanda. We adopted a family for Christmas at St. Patrick’s and tonight was the collection and delivery time. No, I didn’t take a picture showing how much was collected, nor did I ask to take their pictures. What we did as a congregation was to just reach out and help a family in need….period. I am thankful we did. Other than that whole marrying me thing, Amanda seems to make pretty good decisions.
So for now I will head off to bed with two very busy days ahead. It has been a great day. I hope to feel better soon!
Goodnight and God Bless!
Tommy+
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Vow of silence…..

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Wow, if it were not for all that global warming I would swear it was WINTER….oh yeah, it IS. Our new snow blower got its third full workout on the season’s first day today. Of course it was Scotty at the controls. He loves that thing and does a great job with it. I can’t tell you how much that pleases me too.

And as for me, I have made some progress today, though I am pretty worried about my voice. I can always work with a headache, but a priest without a voice is not a lot of good (although many of them talk too long, so maybe they really might be popular). But with Christmas just a few days away, I would like to have no worries.
Sadly however, I do. I am trying to talk as little as I can, and I am drinking a lot of fluids. As long as I keep at that I am certain I will do fine. At least that’s the plan (and hopefully not the delusion).
So to bed I go. Tomorrow will be lived mostly in silence…….I’m just praying that I do not talk in my sleep!
Goodnight my friends and God Bless!
Tommy+
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Evil doesn’t stand a chance……..

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The biggest challenge of writing my blog after doing what they eye doctor wants me to do with my eyes is seeing through all the gunk (my technical description of the medicine he prescribed) well enough to type, let alone to see.

And that’s too bad too, seeing as all the action tonight was blurry there in the boys’ room where they were hiding first from the “evil dog” (the Golden Retriever), the “evil wind” (the fan), and the “evil pajamas,” which was just a way of avoiding bedtime. The “evil mommy” (a piece of the night’s drama that can be debated as not fantasy) came in and made sure those pajamas, evil or not, were “installed,” and the adventure came to an abrupt end. At least that’s what I could hear….but they say when you are blind your other senses get better…..too bad I already qualify for hearing aids.
But the good part is that I am home, reasonably sure I will not be going out tomorrow, and have three full days to see better, get my voice back, and prepare for Christmas services. At this point I am just so very thankful I can count on the boys to be battling all the evil here in the house.
It is really going to free up some time.
Goodnight my friends and God Bless.
Tommy+
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I’m just sayin…….

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I do not know who coined the phrase “under the weather,” but it certainly does not make any sense, because we are constantly “under the weather,” and the only thing that changes is they type of weather we are under.

But the point is, I still do not feel all that well. I have had a cough for a couple of days and not the kind that feels like I am sick, but the kind that feels as if I have something caught in my throat. Of course “frog in my throat” comes to mind, but I find that even more bizarre than “under the weather.” I mean what do you have to be drinking to compare what you are feeling to a “frog in your throat,” and if you are not drinking, then what type of counselor treats such disorders?
But I expect to be feeling better in “three shakes of a lamb’s tail,” which for those of you who live outside of Indiana that means “soon.” Indiana now unfortunately uses “Daylight Savings Lambs” which means they get up earlier to accommodate farmers and kids getting on the bus, but the concept is still the same. I do not feel good, but expect to feel better soon.
Goodnight my friends and God Bless!
Tommy+
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Closed today….will return tomorrow morning….

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Today was a shut down day. I really have been stressed and not feeling well, and I spent the lion’s share of the day laying low. I really need to do that more often than I do, but sadly I am still not 100% nor am I feeling that great.

Tomorrow morning I will head to Nashville for the 9am service, and to be honest, I am not really sure how long it takes to get there from here. I suppose I will find out, but I really like to know the answers to such questions before starting to drive. Such is the need for order I have post-stroke.
Of course there is Mapquest, but I find that often to be inaccurate. Could it be that I drive too fast, or worse yet too straight? I am not sure, but the lesson in all of it is that I suppose sometimes we just need not worry about the details of the journey as we do just getting on with it. Of course tomorrow I will be on it whether I get my answers pre-trip or not. So I guess it really doesn’t matter. What I find however on days such as these that my mind really has to grasp (sometimes at straws) just to focus. That’s why this blog is such a discipline. It forces me to focus even during the times when I struggle.
Anyway, my attempts tonight at deep and meaningful thoughts are about as likely as the Cubs winning the World Series……and I am a diehard fan. So for now I will just call it a day. Tomorrow will come and I do expect it to be better.
And of course I say that with the delusional optimism of a life-long Cubs fan.
Goodnight my friends and God Bless!
Tommy+