It's Earth Day! I actually would not have remembered that, had Patty not told me. I think of May 1 as Earth Day, because that was the date of the first Earth Day, in 1970. That was before it was changed to an annual observance that we now hardly observe. May 1: now that's a date that sticks in the mind! Who changed the date to the highly-forgettable April 20-something?

Today is also Williamsburg's special day of Garden Week in the Commonwealth of Virginia. Busloads of garden aficionados are scheduled to visit -- and it's pouring down rain, for the second (or is it the third?) day in a row ... It's been a cold and/or rainy spring. The most beautiful azaleas this spring have been those with white blooms. The white blooms stand out with a fierce beauty against the darkness of rainy days.

Speaking of the Commonwealth, I owe Virginia seven dollars. Yup. Seven. I sent in my tax return, and received a phone call the very next day from someone in the James City County Treasurer's office, explaining that my figures were not correct on the Spouse Tax Adjustment Calculator (for those who don't live in Virginia: I am not making this up!); and so I need to write an additional check for $7.00. Well, OK. I'm glad to get the personal service of someone in the Treasurer's office who quickly checked my return. But it makes me wonder: if they're going to check tax returns that quickly and that closely, wouldn't it be just as easy for them to do our tax returns for us? Why do we need to spend the time?

And speaking of the number "seven" (to again change the subject, dramatically), I was pleased to learn at a recent Project Connect meeting that St. Stephen is attracting notice among those in the ELCA who track candidacy (those preparing for public ministry positions in the church). This past weekend I was with the Virginia Synod Candidacy Committee, and had the high privilege of celebrating with Haley Poynter, Brett Wilson and Deanna Scheffel who were granted entrance approval to begin seminary this fall. This fall, between the congregation's members and the campus ministry program, we'll have seven students in seminary!! People in ELCA candidacy circles are asking, "What's going on at St. Stephen?"