Daily writing prompt

If you could make your pet understand one thing, what would it be?

View all responses

If I had a pet, probably a dog, I would try to make it understand that it’s not nice to hover around the kids’ table and wait for handouts or simply steal stuff off a plate. It’s not nice to beg, to sit and wait for scraps. I know dogs and animals in general live in a different world where etiquette isn’t a top priority, and food– any food, any time– is OK with them.

I realize there might be a whole other level of pet ownership, involving trying to understand them and treating them like I would a human member of the family, but I have little interest in doing that.

Daily writing prompt

What’s your dream job?

View all responses

I think I’d prefer to work for myself, so if I was still looking, it would have to be along the lines of some sort of woodworking business. If I could have it to do over again, I would invest in a decent lathe and other tools, and learn that craft.

Plan B would probably revolve around gaining familiarity with computing– writing code, software development, maintenance of equipment. And I might find time to play keyboard in a band, just for fun, and nurture an interest in astronomy.

Daily writing prompt

What makes a good leader?

View all responses

Courage, conviction, the strength to speak honestly and frankly with people; maturity, a moral core; patience, persistence, the lack of an ego that is counterproductive; a certain empathy and humanness, an ability to listen and delegate and cast a vision, and, as often as possible, an ability to make informed decisions after research, discussion, and evaluation of options.

I’m of course drawing upon our national experience of currently enduring the exact opposite of pretty much everything I’ve mentioned. Different leaders are needed for different settings and scenarios, but certain leadership qualities are more desirable than others, across the board.

Daily writing prompt

If you could un-invent something, what would it be?

View all responses

Nuclear weapons, or any implement of war. Imagine the financial outlay and intellectual resources mis-applied over the centuries. Of course, this would mean we either ignore or show superhuman restraint in using various technologies for other, more beneficial purposes. It seems unlikely that this would be possible, given current human tendencies.

The first thing that came to mind was cell phones, but that wouldn’t make sense. Beyond the distraction they cause among our youth, they’re also quite useful, some might say indispensable.

How about pharmaceutical commercials?

Daily writing prompt

Can you share a positive example of where you’ve felt loved?

View all responses

I grew up feeling loved. I may not have put that label on it in those early years, but this was driven home as I got older and began realizing how lucky I was to have parents who were committed and engaged and who gave us some space, along with an extended family which largely shared similar values instilled by parents and grandparents.

I got along with my siblings and continue to treasure that bond. And the early years of married life were exhilarating.

Daily writing prompt

Where can you reduce clutter in your life?

View all responses

Funny you should ask… I started cleaning out my bedroom closet a couple days ago and ended up parting with three bags’ worth of longtime favorites- lined flannels, a couple of zip-up sweatshirts, one from a trip to England and Scotland over 20 years ago, along with a couple of cool and cold-weather jackets. I could still do some further culling, but it’s getting a bit more difficult now.

Other than clothing, there are always the boxes of stuff never opened after several moves, but some of that is keepsake stuff– mementos and memorabilia, journals and such. And my workbench and tools can always use a good going-over, could be better organized.

In a spiritual, emotional sense, or maybe head space-wise, I could work on letting go of long-held insecurities, and make an attempt at being more conversational, especially with my wife. It’s difficult, because I have never felt compelled to speak if I didn’t have anything to say. I don’t talk for the sake of talking or breaking silence. I used to have to do that when I was in the Parish Pastor setting and visiting people, but manufactured dialogue was and remains a chore sometimes. Maybe it’s a matter of being less concerned with quality, and more concerned with basic communication and connection.

Daily writing prompt

What is your favorite animal?

View all responses

Of the domesticated variety, I’d have to say dogs. Undomesticated? Probably one of the big cats, maybe the cheetah. Their speed and maneuverability are stunning, and they’ve always seemed somewhat refined to me.

Birds are fascinating, as well. Floating on the thermals, getting, well, a bird’s eye view of everything. I’ve always been a bit envious.

Daily writing prompt

In what ways do you communicate online?

View all responses

I’ve always tried to minimize my online footprint, which is most likely futile. As it is, I use the texting app on my phone, along with email, a weekly Zoom session with family, and an occasional Facetime chat. That’s enough of a cyber plunge.

No X, Instagram, TikTok, or anything else of that nature.

Daily writing prompt

Think back on your most memorable road trip.

View all responses

This time around, it’s a trip we took as a family in the summer of 1964, when we drove from our home in central Massachusetts to Sycamore, IL.

There were seven of us– Mom and Dad, my two brothers and two sisters, the youngest of which was less than a year old. I was 10. We were riding in a maroon 1960 Pontiac Catalina station wagon, a boat-like vehicle with few modern safety features– if there were seatbelts, they weren’t used, and there might have been a padded dashboard. The speed limit on I-90 was at least 70 MPH most of the way.

I forget where we stayed the first night, probably somewhere in Ohio, but I do remember seeing Lake Erie for the first time. My Dad pointed it out by saying something like, “Look over there. See that blue that looks like sky? That’s actually water.” Or something like that. It was an amazing sight.

I don’t remember everything about our stay at our aunt and uncle’s place, mostly bits and pieces. I do remember a thunderstorm that forced us to sleep on the living room floor one night (we had been sleeping in a screened-in portion of an outbuilding on the property). We got to meet some folks on my uncle’s side of the family, connections we’d have for the rest of our lives. We went to the Museum of Science and Industry in Chicago, and took in a Yankees-White Sox game at Comiskey Park. Whitey Ford was on the mound, and I think both Mantle and Maris were playing.

I remember, on the way home, stopping at Niagara Falls and the Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, NY. And I also recall that by the time we got to Cooperstown, we were all getting tired and cranky from sitting in a confined space for extended periods of time.

When school started back up, it was the experience I shared with the class when we talked about What We Did This Summer.

Daily writing prompt

What snack would you eat right now?

View all responses

Just about any flavor of Pop Corners, an Oatmeal Raisin Clif Bar, Smartfood White Cheddar popcorn, regular popped corn with a bit of salt, an apple, cheese and crackers, a bowl of cereal. Maybe a small piece of dark chocolate for dessert…