Sunday, November 25, 2012

I can now say quite honestly, “Great… compared to the rest of the world!”


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Misty Hollow Carvingwas launched in October 2008
Misty Hollow Digital Images was launched on September 26, 2012.
“Crop Circles’ Web Site” where all my images are available.

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I can now say quite honestly, “Great… compared to the rest of the world!”
 Isn't there something about the world going to end in December… or something coming up…?” my Grandson Thomas asked while we were riding in the car together.

“That’s what the media tells us.  The Mayan’s apparently have been credited with the fact that on December 21, 2012 the world as we know it will become extinct. We will all be gonzo!” was my reply.

Thomas was quiet for a few moments… then his brother Jonathan said, “It’s all a bunch of Hoopla.” Being older he has heard that there are different opinions to what has been stated by the readers of the Mayan Calendar. 

Not everyone believes that it is all over on December 21, 2012 – except maybe some folk working in the returns department of a larger store – but their belief is likely going to happen after Christmas when people take back what they didn’t want as a Christmas present.

But for a young fellow that is 14 going on 15 he may well be concerned about it and to dismiss it as simple ‘Hoopla’ is not fair.

I remember when the Cuban Missile Crisis took place. I was in my teen years and I remember well hearing lots about what was taking place. The Russians had shipped a supply of Nuclear Missiles to Cuba for Castro to possible use against the aggressors – the USA.  From Cuba many if not all the USA was a possible target.

I remember during that same time watching the actions of the US Military being mobilized just south of the Saskatchewan Border in North Dakota and Montana.  Huge Missile silos were constructed and in each one were huge, destructive weapons that had a nuclear war heads fastened to them… to send to Russia with love.  That was a three hour drive south of where we lived.

As a teenager we knew all about the enemy that could wipe us all out.  That wipe out may not be from the bombs hitting us but rather the fallout of radioactive particles which would finish us all in the days to come. Whatever we would or could eat after this horrendous series of potential bombs flying overhead we would only last a few months before the radiation would start the terrible sicknesses that would take us.

Thomas’ question was a good one. Jonathan’s answer with ‘Hoopla’ was a sensible one as well.

But then… with all the whackos living in our world… and ready to blow the USA to bits in a heartbeat… maybe the Mayans were on to something after all.

It is a ‘good story’ by the different reporters and writers around the world. It sells books and makes unknowns celebrities overnight.

The other day…
While enjoying a coffee the other day at McDonalds another whack job stopped by our table to talk. The whack job is tall with a big belly and he is dirty, unkempt and a time waster.  My silly wife goofed and said hello to the dude. 

The dude used to attend the church we served and was there at that church looking for a potential wife.  No kidding – he stopped by often under the guise of needing spiritual help/counseling from me.  And every time he would come back to me to ask if there were any new women in the church that he might meet. At this point all the single ladies in my ‘friendship life’ need to breath a big ‘Thank you’ – I told him ‘No’.

Why mention him along with my grandson’s question…?

Well the big ugly dude is absolutely convinced that there are aliens all around us.  He explained all this as big dirty belly was hanging over my hamburger. I lost my appetite as he told us of his holidays alone to New Mexico and Texas. He was looking for more evidence and the opportunity to speak with experts in the areas of the US that had ‘really experienced’ the aliens… you know the place where they found the alien’s body(ies) – and the USA had kept it a huge secret!

After we finished eating what we could… the big dirty dude looked at me and asked how I was doing and what I thought. (My dear wife had kept asking him questions – which he answered and stayed at our table – yuk!). 

I looked at him and didn’t use the word ‘Hoppla’.  I simply looked him right in the eye and said, “Most people that talk like you do and that I am contact with are in the Psychiatric Ward at the Hospital. Please be careful who you tell about your sightings at Lakefield and Apsley.”  Then we left.

Thomas will meet more of these ‘freaks’ than I will.  I think Thomas could make an excellent nurse someday and he has shown some interest.  I hope he has his own act together before the Mayan Reports, the Russian threat, the Iranian Threat – or whatever is going down at that time… is coming his way.

Personally I need the Mayan Calendar and the reports of the end of the world, as well as the aliens, as well as the hatred in almost all parts of our world… in order to answer someone that asks me, “Hi Murray, how are you doing?”

I can now say quite honestly, “Great… compared to the rest of the world!”

~ Murray Lincoln ~
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Saturday, November 24, 2012

One of My Heroes died this week… Larry Hagman is gone – so is another era


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Misty Hollow Carvingwas launched in October 2008
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One of My Heroes died this week… Larry Hagman is gone – so is another era
Today as I read the news it was a kind of a reflective moment as I again heard (read) of another giant passing. Larry Hagman died at 81 years old.

The moment is ‘reflective’ for me in that more and more people that from ‘my generation’ are passing away. As I stare at the stories after reading them I think back to the times the person was involved with me as one of my entertainers… one of people that acted a character that I followed, ‘admiring’ them or ‘hating’ them.  Some of the characters or personages were definitely one way or the other.

Larry Hagman was both for me and most of my generation.

When he first arrived on the TV Scene for me he was an astronaut that was always trying to prove to a Psychologist that was given the work load to see if Larry was sane – or not. On the program he was always in trouble because someone that tried to help him, messed with him and all the things around him… making the Psychologist sure that he was as crazy as a bed bug.

This show was happening between 1965 and 1970.  And on that show Larry Hagman’s problem as he played “Major Anthony Nelson” – the astronaut that had found the small bottle that contained ‘Jeannie’.  His finding the bottle and releasing her made sure that she would serve him in any way he would like. He could be wealthy, healthy and wise – or whatever.  He could order up anything her wanted as she blinked it into existence. Most of the time he slipped up by saying something that ‘Jeannie’ would hear and then take care of – instantly.

‘Jeannie’ was every man’s dream, a woman who would do anything for him at his slightest beck and call. She would do anything to please her ‘Master’- even if it caused him great problems.  And unlike the other kind of Big Blue or Green Genies that had been these men’s lives as boys – who only granted three wishes before they were freed…. ‘Jeannie” stayed on.

Remember there was no sexual interaction between ‘Jeannie’ and ‘Major Anthony Nelson’.  Though she was always dressed in sexy ways for the imagination of 1965 - 1970 men… and they may well have dreamed of their own wives being a ‘Jeannie’.

What a hugely Sexist story… a nightmare for Women’s Rights people at that time. A problem for newlyweds as well. 

Alida and I were married in 1967 – two years after Major Anthony and Jeannie were doing their stuff on TV. For two years I was dreaming of having my own Jeannie – only to find out I was married to Alida – who was definitely NOT A ‘JEANNIE’.  Alida knew that I was capable to get the tasks done myself and she refused to jump at my every beck and call!

Oh Boy!  How many men did the “I dream of Jeannie” show mess up? How many couples had problems with the depiction of insanity the way Larry Hagman was able to get us to believe?

But then when this show stopped Larry was not seen again until he surfaced as ‘J.R.’- actually ‘J.R. Ewing’ that the whole of the TV Watching World thought that he was a complete idiot.  We all watched as the most wealthy man ever acted out, controlled and manipulated people around him. He destroyed people at a whim and in any one of his many sullen, angry and hateful moments in his life.

‘J.R. Ewing’ was the model for an ‘abusive man’- a poster boy for the things abusive people did to others.  While seemingly in love with his wife and family he did the worst things possible with his affairs and ridiculous living.

Now remember that the story of ‘Dallas’ in the TV depiction of ‘J.R.’ is taking place in part of the USA’s Bible Belt – in the real world.  A place where the strictest kinds of Christianity were in full practice. And during the 1978 to 1991 – for 13 years ‘J. R,’ ruled the roost as anything but a Christian Man example.

But most of all as a Minister I witnessed men acting out the role ‘J.R.’ in their families in real life arenas.

Nope it wasn’t Larry Hagman’s problem, nor Hollywood’s problem… abuse and stupid living were very much part of that era in normal people’s lives.  “Dallas”, the TV Program and series, simply showed the world what nasty men were really like.

I doubt that Larry Hagman was anything like his TV Personalities.  Larry was just real good at acting whatever part he was given.

On the side, Larry was the son of a famous Movie Star, Mary Martin… who was in her own right someone very special and unique.

Today another ‘hero’ of my generation is gone.  Who and what will come next?

‘Skyfall’ is the most recent Theatre Movie with yet another ‘James Bond’ doing his stuff.  And all the ‘James Bond’ men/actors will die someday.  I wonder if any of them will have represented their generation the way that Larry Hagman did?

But then when you go to the TV shows that are on right now… who would you pick as being representative of the ‘now generation’?  My generation had ‘some’ not so good things about it.  When I click the channels today – there are way more than ‘some’ not so good things. Yikes!!!

Goodbye Larry Hagman.

~ Murray Lincoln ~
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Friday, November 23, 2012

Proud Grandparents of Super-duper Grand Kids


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Proud Grandparents of Super-duper Grand Kids
Well my wife and I turned another corner the other evening. We graduated from the cold stands of watching football in the fall. Our granddaughter Emma has just completed 5 years of playing football (the CFL or NFL kind)!

We were attending the Kinsmen Minor Football League Awards night.  Our Emma’s Team, the Steelers, had done fairly well this past year for which we were very proud.  Their team didn’t get to the finals but did do very well.

The Awards Night is a special one that highlights the kid’s activities throughout the year.

One award after another was passed out. Our granddaughter had her name chosen in a number of categories. She was a nominee over and over again… but she never won.  After the last one was passed out her brother Clifford, who was sitting with us, stated flatly, “Well that does it for Emma…” with a kind of regret in his voice. He and we thought she should have won something because she had played so hard and did her best.

In this past year Emma had served as her Team Captain which alone was amazing!  And Grandpa was proud of that accomplishment alone!!!!

Towards the end of the evening each team was brought on to the stage for the kids to receive their individual participation medals.  And at that time the most valuable player was called out and giving the award that they deserved.

One of the boys of Emma’s team was called… not Emma. I wanted to stand up and shout it out “What about my Emma!!!?” But I knew that Emma would give Grandpa a “Sit down and behave yourself Grandpa” – look… so I stayed still.

Then the coach announced a very special award for this year… for a very special person that had done something that no one else had done… and that was the fact that this person had produced over 100 hundred points for their team this year… IMAGINE over 100 points for their team…!!! “And that person is Emma Lindsay, the kicker for the football team has kicked the ball over the cross bars for 100 extra points!!!!”

Inside Grandpa’s head stuff went nuts that made me yell real loud and get into it big time.

Way to go Emma Lindsay.  This Grandpa Lincoln and the other Grandpa Lindsay are a way over the top proud of you.  You go Girl!!!!

Now for the rest of you, Emma is considering the possibility of moving up and on to the next level of play with the newly formed Wolverines Football Club that competes in a much larger arena of play…!!!

Could Emma be the First CFL Woman Player in that league? This year and weekend the CFL is celebrating the 100th Year Grey Cup game.

Who knows in the next century – a girl might just become the first ever Female KICKER for CFL… and why shouldn’t it be OUR EMMA!??  Watch out boys… she is good – real good!

I have to say something to her brother Clifford now… “Nope that is not it for our Emma... hang on boy – you aint seen nutin’ yet!”

Way to go Emma!!!!

~ Murray Lincoln ~
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 Wonky photo - but the whole team was shown here

 With one of her coaches..

The team trophy winners...

Wednesday, November 21, 2012

Three Cheers for Fat People – they are my Happy Friends


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Misty Hollow Carvingwas launched in October 2008
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“Crop Circles’ Web Site” where all my images are available.

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"Lisa Riley"
Three Cheers for Fat People – they are my Happy Friends
Every single friend of mine is fat!  Now that statement covers them all. From this minute on I am not singling one person out so that they are offended. I have offended the whole lot with seven words and an exclamation mark.  There it is done.

But today I can also say with some greater confidence that it is better to be FAT than skinny. There are a number of reasons for that statement.

The number one thought that came to my mind when I started down the road towards writing this piece is something my Dad told me over and over again. He said, “Murray you need to marry a Fat Woman.  In the winter she will keep you warm and in the summer she will keep you shaded.”

Mind you his statement came from a time when most men were thin as a rake, the Post Second World War.  My Dad and his friends/co-workers all had to walk to work… and work longer hours. So maybe the idea that you needed a Fat Woman was a simple practical one.

My wife Alida, at that time my girlfriend, thought my Dad’s statements rather odd. She had no intention of getting fat to make me happy.

But here today is some scientific fact or information that has been gleaned by news studies done.  It is proof positive that Fat is Good… not only for women but for men.  Are you ready for this?

FAT PEOPLE ARE HAPPIER!

In an article entitled, Fat people really ARE more jolly - because their genes mean they're less likely to get depressed”, Amanda Williams reports this amazing finding at the McMaster’s University.

These scientists have discovered that the same gene that makes or helps people to be fat – something called FTO – also makes people jolly.

Hey Christmas is coming, so is ‘Jolly Old Saint Nick’ – Skinny Santa’s are not the Happy Guys… they apparently can be depressed more often that Fat Santas.

Tada!  There is your Wednesday Morning revelation!  If you are Fat – you likely laugh more often than that Skinny Person next to you at the Donut Shop.  The Skinny one is envious of what you have… and are trying to eat themselves into your state of good old fun.
Now think about it… you don’t feel so good today… what is the one thing that you would love to have at that moment… FOOD – right?  And if you really know what is good for you – CHOCOLATE FOOD smeared with other good stuff to make you happy and healthy!

There you have it!  Eat and stay happy.  Don’t eat and you will look good on a magazine cover – in your mind… but you really are likely to be depressed and a miserable person to live with. AND YOU CANNOT KEEP ANYONE WARM IN THE WINTER – NOR SHADED IN THE SUMMER!!!

Lisa Riley is my new heroine.  She can give James Bond a run for his money any day. Lisa Riley has recently said she is a 'big, really happy girl who is lucky enough to be confident in her own skin'.

Way to go Lisa!  You rock and are very funny to boot. You are my poster girl now.

Now that you have locked this very positive thought deeply inside… or maybe are sitting there thinking how this information will help you… smile.  Way down, deep inside you are starting to feel better – right?  You can now go get in the shower and state loudly, “It is GOOD TO BE FAT! Wahoo.”

I am so glad that I made your day.  And today I am going to celebrate with a ‘Salted Caramel Mocha’ in the super large size.  Every single part of that drinks name is happy!!! And an alternate choice is the Chocolate Brownie with it!!

So today… here is to Fat Friends that help keep me happy!  You are something else… in fact you are a couple of something else-s – and I love you the way you are!

~ Murray Lincoln ~
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Monday, November 19, 2012

The Geocaching Grandpa and Grandma – Thanks Clifford Lindsay


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Misty Hollow Carvingwas launched in October 2008
Misty Hollow Digital Images was launched on September 26, 2012.
“Crop Circles’ Web Site” where all my images are available.

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The Geocaching Grandpa and Grandma – Thanks Clifford Lindsay
My wife Alida, with a big grin on her face, declared on her first Geocache experience, this is just like the old “Treasure Hunt” that we used to do.  I had to agree… except that this is somewhat easier using a GPS.

The problem would be for our grandsons and granddaughter – they have no idea what we mean about a “Treasure Hunt”. People our age would remember but the memories of getting outside and then following a series of clues to find the treasure is almost impossible now. They can’t do it any longer.

Setting up a “Treasure Hunt” took a lot of effort and time.  The results were a onetime thing that usually was over in an afternoon… or a day. It likely was set up at a Summer Camp and a great experience for younger kids.

Clifford, our oldest grandson, didn’t realize what he did when he started me on the Geocache experience.  This is way too much fun… and for two older people, Murray and Alida, we started remembering the wonderful old days when we were much younger.  In fact the memories took both of us back to when we were kids at Summer Camps doing this kind of thing – and then later when we were our Grandson’s age, leading kids to experience the fun of a “Treasure Hunt” as counselors.

As Alida and I walked through the bush following the ‘clues’ she said, “Can you smell that?” I could smell the wonder of the fall season and the millions of leaves lying on the ground around us.  We were walking through underbrush with big and small trees on every side.  The sun was shining above us and there was a light breeze outside the trees… but complete stillness inside the brush.

I think that walking in this brush and taking the time together to find a Geocache hidden by another family took us back again to about 50 years ago on a date together. We had gone on a hike and were walking through the beautiful back country of our home province Saskatchewan. I had taken Alida to see where my friends and I used to go hunting together. She was my brand new in my life and I couldn’t wait to show her what I had enjoyed so much.

Now after that initial 5 years of dating, and 45 years of marriage, two daughters and two son-in-laws, plus one granddaughter and five grandsons, we are still able to walk in the bush together.

However on Sunday afternoon, November 18, 2012, I discovered a distinct problem in my being… neither Grandpa Murray, nor Grandma Alida, can keep up to our Grandson Clifford. At 17 years old he can really move along any trail at top speed when he is excited and on the trail of a Geocache.

My pace is slower than it was 50 years ago, but I still can get to the places like this with some ease. And the fun that we had together, first me with Clifford and then me with Grandma, is hard to relate in this post. Some of the photos will help you to see perhaps what we felt.

So far I have referred to Geocache a number of times and many of you who have only some idea of what a “Treasure Hunt” is all about… are saying “Huh? What are you talking about and how does Geocaching work?”

Well how do I sum it up simply? Hmm?

An individual or a family begin the Geocache by registering with the Geocache people.  Then with some care they plan making a Geocache.  Inside the cache they place a small scroll of paper where all that come to visit and find the cache can write their names and date to tell the Geocache-r that they have found it.

Now I use the word “small” here because that is the size we were looking for. The cache-s that we found were 35 mm film containers that were wrapped in camouflage duct tape and hidden in the different spots.  There are actually four sizes of Geocache containers that people use… from the 35 mm film containers – or pill bottles up to something like a larger garbage bin where many things can be stored.  In some of the cache containers you leave your name.  In the larger ones you can take something that someone else has left but you must then replace it with something you are willing to give them – or others in return.

One of the neat things that I have read about is the possibility of placing a “special prize” with a recorded number on it.  This cache item is then possibly retrieved from the spot that you placed it and then transported to another cache, placed there and then picked up by still another Geocache-r… where it can travel to other places in the world.

Through the use of a computer and the registration and reporting of what you do at each place there is a permanent record of what you have done. In the case of the cache item with the registration number on it that you placed… you follow this thing all over the world apparently.

Nope I haven’t done this one yet but rather did the grandfather thing and read about it.

So you might like to read more about this Geocaching – here are the links that I have looked at.
http://www.geocaching.com/seek/nearest.aspx?country_id=5 – where in Canada I have found 35,500 sites possible so far in Ontario. In Saskatchewan there are about 5700 to date. And BC has 29,000 – Alberta has 16,000 – and so on.
Oddly enough… New York State just south of us, has about 26,000.

But every country in the world has participants in Geocaching looking for things.

There are 702 in Hong Kong, 466 in China, 79 in Kenya, 7725 in South Africa… and so on.

Summing this long post up today… I need to say a big “Thank You” to Clifford and his teachers that got two old people out on a trail and an adventure that started 50 years ago but was laid aside – but started again.

We looked for seven geocache sites yesterday and found three.  Oh boy this is fun.

~ Murray Lincoln ~
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Sunday, November 18, 2012

What does your name Mean? Why did they call you that?


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What does your name Mean?  Why did they call you that?
Have you thought of ‘why your mother and or father named you what they did’?

I mean personally, “Why did they call me Murray and then Ross… which was added to Lincoln to make me. And with that name it kind of affected where and what I did. I am sure of it!

Right from the start I was different. There never was any Murray-s in any of my classes in public school or high school.  It wasn't until after college and university that I met another Murray.  Murray was a name that came from somewhere before 1944 and my mom likely picked it up – or maybe it was my dad. They wanted something unusual because they expected to have that happen with me.

My name means something to do with sailors and liking to travel the world… maybe it sounds like the spray that slid from or by the bow of a sailing ship???

Well things are about to change again… baby’s names are coming from other sources that people are affected by.

For example “Katniss”, “Tris”, “Finnick”, “Rue”,  “Aria”, “Renesmee” all names from famous books and/or movies of today.

Can you imagine a teacher doing an attendance check at school that first day and calling out “Rue” or “Katniss” and then wondering who will stand up in class?

It has changed the way that I think and am – my name at least.  My name is signed “M. R. Lincoln” or for short “Mr. Lincoln” commending respect for me when I was just a baby.  So it should be – BTW! Ahem!

Check out some of the Web Sites like http://www.meaning-of-names.com/names/  and there I am at Sea Warrior, Lives by the Sea, Lord of the sea, Sailor, From the sea – ancient Scot

I smiled today as the next generation comes into their own.


~ Murray Lincoln ~
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Saturday, November 17, 2012

Sacred Heart of Jesus Church and my art work of Restoring Jesus


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Sacred Heart of Jesus Church and my art work of Restoring Jesus
For my Blog followers you have read of my newest project that I have been working on.  The project of “Me and ‘Jesus’”.

I have spent 12 hours alone with ‘Jesus’ this past week.  It has actually taken a bit longer than 12 hours to get the job done.  I have been painting Jesus – at least a statue of Jesus at the Sacred Heart of Jesus Church in Peterborough, Ontario – at Romaine and Aylmer streets.

The Sacred Heart Church was built a little over 100 years ago.  Either at the time it was built or shortly after that time this ‘Jesus’ was installed as a sacred image to encourage the congregants in their worship.

Marriage after marriage, ceremony after ceremony and all the Mass conducted, this statue of Jesus was the welcome guest at all the services held I the church over the years.

Somewhere in the renovation period of the church a few years back it was decided by someone that ‘Jesus’ should be white.  It was a modernizing attempt that made this happen.  Perhaps it was one person or a few that had decided to have ‘Jesus’ painted all white.   But when it happened, it took place during the time the walls were being painted and the updating was taking place.

The short stories that have been shared with me about the shock that people had when they saw their blessed statue of Jesus coming back to its place in the sanctuary completely white – are many.  This one decision likely caused a number of faithful people to react.

Undoubtedly some were for the change because it signified the possible changes that they wanted in their faith practices.   But from what I heard there were way more that felt this was almost a desecration of what they considered Holy.  The beautiful statue that their Great Grand Parents had been married in front of was gone forever. The statue that had presided over their own Baptism, marriage, and the following Baptisms of their own children was not the same.

Though it has taken me more than 12 hours to carefully paint the statue in the original colours, it would take less than 2 hours to completely cover ‘Jesus’ in white paint… and that would include two coats.

How do I know these things?  Well I have been with ‘Jesus’ for the better part of a whole week, starting on Monday and working a half day at a time.  While doing this the people who regularly are involved as volunteers in the church service or that take part in some of the preparations for the congregation have stopped by to take a peek.  Some of these folks shared a little bit about what the statue has meant to them over the years.  The stories touched my heart.

You may ask how I knew what the original colours were.  Well the thick white paint that was covering the statue was easy to chip away to see what was below.  Then with the help of a few colour swatches that the paint department offered I found the exact colour match.

The problems that I encountered along the process of the new paint job were many.

The greatest problem was to get ‘Jesus’ to shine with a gold colour that had been originally there.  The shiny gold was hidden below the white paint and there was lots of it.  But that shiny gold colour, which likely contained real gold(not sure of this), is not sold today.  The sign painter’s gold is too shiny and would look terrible.  What should I do?

By applying a coat of paint that was kind of a ‘mustard yellow’ colour and then the metallic paint from a craft store… the old shine came alive again. ‘Jesus’ now has just the right amount of gold on his cloak.

Getting inside of the crevices and unusual areas of all the different parts of the statue was another hard part. Longer paint brushes were need and thin brushes as well to reach inside carefully and keep a straight line with the contrasting colours meeting.

A big problem was his eyes as well. If they are too big in the pupils he would look like he was shocked to see the people at the Mass.  If the eyes were painted too far one way or the other he would be looking away from people.  And the worst part if one eye looked to the right and the other to the left – well it would almost be sacrilegious… let alone if both eyes looked inward… which would break up the poor folk receiving the elements each Sunday.

As I worked hour after hour I thought about this congregation and its history. Through the hard time of losing men during the First and Second World Wars they had endured it all.  They had lost many special people and suffered the times when tragedy had struck.  The church and all its Masses plus its ceremonies over the years had supported its people and blessed them over and over again.

As time went on, the church changed.  People had left for one reason or another. The congregation had been shrinking just like the other churches in our city have as well.

Father Ervens Mengelle is the parish priest at Sacred Heart church.  And it was through Father Ervens that I was brought into this project. 

I know this one big factor – Father Ervens is a great man or faith.  How do I know this?  He invited and has encouraged me as I took on this task.  He was the one that asked me, a PROTESTANT MINISTER(now retired artist), to take on this huge task.  And he has trusted me that I will do a good job for him.

Father Erwens believes this small action of restoring Jesus to all his glory, the way it used to be, will encourage his congregation.

Father Erwens is young and a dynamic man – who in all likelihood will be moved someday because of his great potential of working to encourage his congregation.  I see the potential in this man.

For myself, at 68 years old and life zooming by… my promotion will come as well and I will no longer be painting or carving in this life.

If all goes well this weekend with more and more people taking a peek at the new statue there will be a growing joy in their congregation as they get ready for the Christmas season.

I love the new – old look… and gulp… I sure hope they do.  If someone complains that they don’t like the old look… YIKES!  And as an artist I suffer that pang of horror each time I present hat I have done.

But if they don’t like it… it can be made white again… in about two hours.

Fingers crossed and holding my breath… I pray of the dear people of Sacred Heart congregation – God richly bless them all!

~ Murray Lincoln ~
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