The last week was a busy one in a lot of ways. I took my pastor’s advice as a choir member and didn’t get overwhelmed by all of the activities associated with Holy Week that I got to participate in.

I did get overwhelmed by keeping up with the news and, unfortunately, seasonal allergies. I found a good over-the-counter medicine at the drug store on Saturday morning and also came to accept that I’m taking in too much news.

My friend pointed out that there’s so much news every day it’s humanly impossible to take it all in, and most of it involves people being incredibly cruel. I am rationing my intake. I’m going to be focusing on people who have a history of staying in intelligent common sense when they communicate and limit my intake each day.

Yesterday I heard exactly what I needed to hear from a columnist I enjoy – “I need to unplug every so often.” This coming from someone whose job it is to keep up with events. I’m with you! It was excellent advice, and I am glad I heard it and hope I take it.

I’m plugged in enough that opportunities to volunteer and participate in nonviolent protests will find me. If I can help I will.

I don’t want my primary purpose with the blog to stray so far or get so into the weeds that I suffer for it.

On the news front, the courts are getting a lot of action. I’m paying attention mostly to how the people with visa problems or who are in the country illegally are being treated. To me that’s the most telling, because if you treat people who are struggling badly that says quite a lot about you, and when you run out of struggling people to mistreat you will turn to me. It’s like that manager I had so many years ago – everyone got a turn.

Rest in peace Pope Francis. You led quite a life and touched millions. You also got to experience looking back over your life and struggling with choices you made that you couldn’t go back and change. Thank you for your service.