conjectural navel gazing; jesus in lint form

it's raining this morning

Worship styles are one of the most significant reasons that people choose to join a given congregation. Correspondingly, they are central to the identity of most congregations.
- Alban Institute

Galena was lovely. It was just the break I needed...though, per most usuals, I could have used an extra week or two. That will come in time. When I get a chance this week, I'll download (upload?) some photos for you all to see.

Galena is a lovely little Victorian town. That's what they have preserved at least. U.S. Grant lived there for a time. It was once a thriving lead mining town and boomed somewhat leading up to and during the war. Now, it's a tourist town with about 3,500 residents. Rolling hills, history and several good golf courses seem to be the main draw right now. Trish and I may go back. We're trying to see what would bring us back beside "the pretty."

There's a little shopping area with the requisite overprices merchandise. But it's quaint. So, we walked around a bit on Saturday. We actually went into Dubuque, IA for dinner that night. If you are ever in Dubuque, go to dinner at Pepper Sprout. Now, that was a great place to dine. Seasonal menus, local produce, reasonable high end prices and great service all made for a lovely evening.

Trish and I stayed at The Captain Merry Inn. It's a spa and B&B. Very posh. One can visit Galina and spend much less. But the spa...the spa...We arrived at 1:30 on Friday, just in time for our pedicures and such. Heh. Yes, I got a pedicure. My toes have been painted with a lovely color named "Charisma" after Charisma Carpenter. All the colors were named after an actress or yound female celebrity. Trish is currently wearing "Paris." So, I gravitated to the Buffy alumae and then to a garish shade of magenta. My toes are, well, pretty. HA!

Pictures to follow.

I also received a deep tissue massage. I was a noodle for about three hours afterward. Trish suggested I should get one a month and not one every six years. I am tempted to agree. Hmmm.

So, Galena was great. Maybe we'll go again. We'll do a little more research on what's offered around the area such as hiking and the like. It's beautiful country there along the Mississippi. I loved the hills. Chicago does not do hills. Alas.

Today I'm writing. The final draft of The Thesis (now with upper case T's) is due tomorrow. I'll spend some time today polishing my draft and send the final out to my adviser and reader (By the way, my reader was in Galena when Trish and I were! So surprising! Thankfully she did not ask about the thesis but instead said "Hey, I hear great things about Community Church now that you are there." Now, that was kind.) tomorrow morning.

Y'all be good. I'll see you around.

Posted by tripp at March 31, 2008 06:19 AM