A cup of coffee, a crossword puzzle and thou
Beside me in the morning were Paradise enow
(with apologies to Omar Khayyam)

It's so nice of you to be keeping me company this morning. I guess I should add to the simple pleasures the enjoyment of making (almost) daily entries. In my head, I'm speaking to you as much as I'm talking to myself. It's great being able to share my day with you.

I got up at 4 a.m. (!) to start a loaf of bread baking for this morning's Sunday service. Not even the neighbors' rooster was awake yet.

Every Thanksgiving Sunday we have a bread communion. Those of us in the congregation who are bakers make a special loaf on this one Sunday to share with everyone. During the service, after our minister has given thanks, we bakers walk around the sanctuary with our breads on platters and people help themselves.

Some, like me, make traditional loaves. I usually bake a 12-grain hearty bread. Others make specialty breads. One friend of mine bakes a zucchini bread that is heavenly (pun intended).

After the service, we have our regular coffee hour. Usually there are bagels and cream cheese or cookies. Today, given the abundance of bread, we'll include lots of seasonal fruit and juice.

The breaking of bread together is an ancient tradition and when we participate, we feel connected, not only to each other, but to all those who came before us, and all those who will follow.

So may it be.