Sunday morning.

If me, and the weather were right, I’d be getting ready for church.

But there’s a winter storm sitting on us —sleet,  freezing rain or something falling outside off and on. Most everyone is hunkered down, prepared as best they can.

Some better than others.

Yesterday morning, one of the first chores on my list was putting together my “scat bag.”

No… not that kind of scat.

Just a bag of essentials for when the dung hits the fan.

I started early and quickly realized how ill-prepared I really was.

All of that had to be worked around a funeral for an old friend. Not my closest friend, but one of those steady souls — always a smile, always time for a chat.  For many many years. 

The small country church was packed.

Smiles.

Laughs.

Tears.

A room full of people who all knew him differently — son, brother, uncle, father, grandfather, cousin, cousin-in-law, neighbor, fishing buddy, service buddy, co-worker. So many combinations of love.

The warm church spilled out into a bitter cold day, wind cutting through coats and collars. People huddled together — known and unknown — sharing warmth, sharing stories, sharing respect.

Laughs and freezing tears.

Until we said goodbye.

Some stayed for a meal. My sister and I let the cold chase us on. I still had things to do.

The last few days at Keysville Auto Parts had felt like a month — everyone scrambling to prepare. I stopped by after the service to check on folks and pick through whatever was left. Felt like a win just to find the couple things I needed.

Then the grocery.

Didn’t need much.

Still grabbed a loaf of bread. Seemed illegal not to…and I wasn’t sure they’d let me out without one, at the very least.

Back home, I threw together a quick chili — cans and dashes of stuff and ground turkey — and let it simmer while I worked through the rest of the chores. Store-bought cornbread this time. After the last fiasco, I wasn’t risking it.

Finished packing the scat bag. Set it by the door next to the camera bag. Both ready to go.  A camera bag is always ready.

I start my day well before daybreak usually.  This morning I slept in a bit. Snow and sleet on the ground.

Quiet.

Made coffee and started wondering…

How storm-ready am I, really?

Bag of clothes. A few necessities. A couple books. When the dung hits the spinner and I have to git…to skeedaddle... to scat… am I actually ready?

Do I have what I need?

Have I done the prep work?

When the Lights go out.

In the blink of an eye.

In an in-between.

A fraction of a second.

Yesterday at the graveside they played Norman Greenbaum’s Spirit in the Sky.

People laughed.

People cried.

People leaned into each other.

People looked up.

“Gotta have a friend in Jesus.”

Made me think.

I’ve got some water.

Crackers.

Peanut butter.

Potted meat.

But how good is my scat bag?

And yours?

Just thoughts from a snowy Sunday morning.

Going to church wherever I can.

Be safe.

Help others.

Be thankful.

Be blessed.

RIP, Bunnie. I know the fish are biting better where you are.