First week of November

This past week has been wonderful. The weather has just been great for Iowa. The last two days in the 70's. The only bad part is that I haven't been able to play any golf. Tuesday night my lodge in Ankeny had a 1st degree followed by our stated meeting. It has been awhile since I took part in a first degree and I was Senior Deacon for our new member. The candidates uncle is a Past Grand Treasurer of the Grand Lodge of Iowa and someone I've known and traveled with several years ago. I didn't know the candidate was his nephew till he showed up for the degree. Our lodge was very lucky to have many visitors that helped put on the degree.

Wednesday evening dad and I traveled to Oelwein to have dinner with the North Iowa York Rite group. Not many people were present, but it was a good meal. They had an excellent, but a bit long speaker (and no it wasn't me). I then had a conversation with a couple of the members of Oelwein's York Rite about their bodies and a possible consolidation. Got home before 11 which was nice.

Earlier this week I received an e-mail from a friend I met in Jackson Hole that he would be in Iowa and was planning on attending Arcadia Lodge in Ames Thursday night. I was a bit late getting to Ames, as I was not aware their dinner started earlier this month because of being Past Masters night. When I got there there was a nice crowd and I had desert. Then after the Past Masters were introduced I was privileged to present my student his DL certificate. To attain a DL certificate is a great achievement in an Iowa Mason's career. It means they have been tested and proved proficient in the Ritual and Floor Work of all three degrees including opening an closing. I received my DL over 15 years ago. Since that time I have examined many new DL's and have helped three to receive theirs. It was good to see my friend from Denver, he had just received his 33rd for Scottish Rite and was happy to show off his new lapel pin. I was really only in Ames to see my friend from Colorado, but it was also nice to see many of the Brothers from Ames and talk and socialize with them.

Friday I decided after work that I would take Nat out for dinner. After work I stopped by to see Past Grand Master Bud, he had been having some health issues. He had decided to step down from being in charge of the Jerry Marsengill Christmas Day Dinner. Bud and I have co-chaired this event for almost 20 years. Now I am looking for someone to help me with it. It is hard to find someone as it involves time during the holidays. I have a couple people in mind that I will be talking to. If any reader is interested please let me know. We want to continue this tradition.
I stayed quite awhile at Bud's, solving all of Iowa Masonry's problems, Not!! Got home sat down in the recliner and rested a few minutes, then Nat and I went to the Waterfront for dinner. I had been invited to a Table Council in Ceder Rapids Friday night, but chose to spend the evening with Nat, I haven't been around to much lately and wanted to spend some time with her.

Because of Bud's health he was unable to take part in the Shrine Ceremonial, so I got a call to cover the part. I used to do the Potentates part over ten years ago, and two ritual rewrites ago. I got a script Wednesday and had to use cards as the new ritual is much different than the old. The upper Shrine leadership has seen fit to desensitize the ritual, taking all references to Allah, novices, Islam, and the penalties out. I believe our candidates are intelligent enough to realize the references are in a generic sense, in fact the old ritual said just that. But the meat and meaning has been taken out. Does anyone really take our masonic penalties for real? Of course not, in today's world we are smart enough to determine that they are symbolic.

After the Shrine Ceremonial I hurried to Cedar Rapids for their Red Cross of Constantine annual meeting. I wish I could have been there for the entire ceremony. I was unable to attend my own conclave because I was in DC. One of my conclaves candidates couldn't make our meeting either and took his ceremony there Saturday. I would have liked to have been there for that. I did however make it in time to receive the ceremony to allow me to serve as Viceroy. Many of St. Bartholomew members attended St. Ignatius's meeting. Many received the additional work not given in our conclave, but should be. They had a wonderful meal. The outgoing Sovereign is a Past Grand Commander and one of the Sir Knights who signed my inspectors certificate. The new Sovereign is a Past Most Illustrious Grand Master and a dedicated mason. It was good to see many friends and fellowship with them. Today is rest, work tomorrow, then to Clarion Tuesday for a Cornerstone Laying.