Just a little more than usual
Like cereal without milk, popcorn without a touch of salt, vanilla ice cream without some sort of topping.
My brother and I spent parts of several days last week on a couple of projects at the house. We listened to tunes the whole time. It was admittedly a trip down memory lane, for the most part, but having the music playing while we were working made the tasks less tedious, and we had a good time singing along.
Music is a sensory wonder.
I happened to catch a YouTube post from Adam Kinzinger the other day, on the topic of civil war and those who see it as inevitable and are blithely wishing that hell upon us all. It was his opinion, of course, but I found it worth considering.
Basically, Kinzinger said that some, maybe many civil war proponents and prophets of doom are just needy loners searching for meaning. There’s probably some truth in this, since few people possessing a healthy amount of emotional stability would advocate for civil war, would want to tear down an earnest attempt at democratic governance, along with all that has taken decades and centuries to build up—from basic infrastructure to healthcare and medicinal advances and the numerous means of communication. Lifestyles and amenities have changed a bit since the 1860s.
Civil war would mean the disruption or disappearance of pretty much everything that we’ve come to take for granted. Few would be prepared for the depravity and hardship. In fairly short order, life would become unbearable and harsh. Kinzinger basically issued a warning: be careful what you wish for, because these hardline civil war zealots have no idea what they’re talking about.
They may have their stockpiles of MREs and weapons, but they’ve spent way too much of their lives trying to justify their paranoia, feeding their irrational hatred– preparing for the worst, while all along they could have been part of ongoing efforts to make things better.
It wasn’t always a word. It began as an acronym for light amplification by stimulated emission of radiation.
Laser.
That’s my favorite word, for now.
I wish I had somehow absorbed a more robust understanding of things financial, in terms of disciplined saving and savvy investing.
Backing up even further, I wish I had a clearer sense for the path I wanted my life to take, from a vocational standpoint. I could have more intently focused my energies in college, actually gone to college with a clearer sense for what I needed to be doing and studying, maybe even finding something I was actually passionate about.
My life has been akin to Forrest Gump’s, without all the serendipity– unfocused, aimlessly floating like a feather.
For the warm weather ones– Memorial Day, July 4th, Labor Day– we might get together for a cookout. We used to seek out a fireworks display on July 4, but not so much anymore.
The cool/cold weather ones– Thankgiving and Christmas– have lately been times to gather with family who comes in from out of town. At Thanksgiving, we might take in a local road race, and a big meal is often involved. All the cousins get to see each other and catch up.
A Christmas tradition of late is to head up to our son’s and daughter-in-law’s place for some gift giving and opening– especially among the grandchildren– and then we have a nice breakfast. I might try to catch a presentation of A Christmas Story during its 24-hour marathon, and seasonal tunes are often playing in the background.
On the one hand, anything that tastes good. On the other hand, things that I know are good for me. I eat certain foods mostly because I know they have nutritional value– beets and such. Others I eat because they simply satisfy a craving. Pasta with meat sauce, honey garlic chicken, oatmeal, eggs over easy, avocado toast, baked cod, rice pilaf, french fries, a grilled cheese and tomato sandwich, an occasional apple.
And popcorn.
No running, just walking. And not as often as I should. I count every step, though.
By no means, if by leader one means in the mold of Presidents and Generals or CEOs. If called upon, I can gather myself and focus on what needs to be done. I had to be a leader of sorts when I was pastoring congregations, but I was not what was known as the Herr Pastor type– the authoritarian for whom it was my way or the highway.
I foolishly thought it would be different in America. If we ever got to the point where law enforcement and the military were given orders by a rogue President to occupy American cities with a bogus reason for doing so, I had hoped they’d rebel and say No.
Disappointing to the max. Maddening as hell.
Just doing your jobs, though, right? Following orders? You’re awesome at following orders.
It turns out that the sheep are everywhere. Especially the ones wearing masks and carrying assault weapons.
When someone can’t stop talking, needs to get the last word, seems to knowingly or unknowingly engage in one-upmanship, followed closely by someone who turns every conversation or activity into blood sport, who’s ridiculously intense and competitive and talks frequently about being bored.
These will have me implementing a flight response.
3 Cents' 