Daily writing prompt

What does your ideal home look like?

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Modest but functional ranch, well insulated, metal roof. Four bedrooms, 2 1/2 baths. One main level, with a finished basement, including entertainment room with large screen 8k TV, top-of-the-line sound system, strong wifi connectivity; separate sewing and embroidery room with all necessary equipment and storage space. Detached garage/workshop; maybe 2 acres of land, mostly open, tastefully and functionally landscaped, with a bit of woods. Flat, though properly drained, and above the effects of any flood plain. Solar power generation, passive solar, and geothermal heating/cooling. Spacious kitchen, able to accomodate food prep and gatherings of family and friends. Sunken living room, baby grand piano, gas fireplace, space for 14 at a large dining table. Back patio and pergola, opening to a spacious lawn with a good mix of sun and shade.

Other than that, just a roof over our heads.

Daily writing prompt

What brings a tear of joy to your eye?

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The tears start welling up at certain points in a song or classical piece, in certain scenes in TV shows or movies, like that whole scene in The Sixth Sense where Cole finally shares his secret with his Mom; when something is so funny that the eyes start watering and the nose is running.

In general, those moments when I’m feeling particularly fortunate and blessed by knowing and having certain people in my life– my wife, our kids and grandkids, other family and friends.

Daily writing prompt

Why do you blog?

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I read, and listen and react to what’s being said and what’s happening in the world. This is an outlet, a means of connection, and an opportunity to receive a bit of feedback regarding my take on things. It is a discipline, of sorts, in which I engage– in hopes of refining a craft and simply expressing myself.

Daily writing prompt

How are you feeling right now?

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Pretty good– mostly awake, cold brew on the coffee table in front of me, and a couple ideas in my head for blog entries. Gonna get a haircut today, probably make a fresh batch of almond butter. I’m not sure what else will end up being on the agenda– maybe some yardwork. As far as breakfast goes, it’s an oatmeal day. It’s nice to have a few things on the To Do list, even if they’re mundane.

Daily writing prompt

What was the last thing you searched for online? Why were you looking for it?

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Just a few minutes ago, I checked to see if my Social Security payment was deposited. It was.

Daily writing prompt

What TV shows did you watch as a kid?

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The Three Stooges, I’ve Got A Secret, Password, What’s My Line?, To Tell the Truth, The Dating Game, The Disney hour on Sunday nights– with the peacock and musical flourish and the words, “The following program is brought to you in living color on NBC…” which we first saw in all its glory in the mid-60’s when my grandparents got a Magnavox console color TV– the big cabinet with the tiny hexagonal or octagonal screen; Bonanza, The Rifleman, Mister Ed, Green Acres, Gilligan’s Island, Petticoat Junction, The Monkees, Laugh-In, The Carol Burnett Show, the Roadrunner cartoons, Rocky and Bullwinkle, Gumby, Davey and Goliath, and an occasional movie– A Christmas Carol, The Wizard of Oz.

I remember tuning in for the live broadcast of Peter Pan, and maybe Cinderella— with Leslie Ann Warren, though I can’t remember if that was live or pre-recorded.

We watched the evening news with some regularity– only 3 networks to choose from, but it would be whatever station we could pick up. I think it was often CBS, possibly with Edward R. Murrow at first, but then Walter Cronkite, or John Chancellor on NBC. And, though it wasn’t a regular show, I remember being riveted to the TV for a whole weekend in late November 1963. I was nine.

Daily writing prompt

What’s your favorite time of day?

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In my book, nothing comes close to break of day. I’ve been an early morning person for a long time now. I love getting up before the sun, pouring my cold brew, and settling in with the journal and WordPress. It started when I was still a pastor, and early morning was my refuge, my time. The mind is somewhat uncluttered, and I love the stillness of it– before the noise and bustle commence and the day unfolds. Unspoiled and fresh.

Daily writing prompt

What’s your favorite recipe?

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Probably a chicken and dumplings casserole. It includes a bag of peas mixed in, but you could use mixed veggies or corn. I could eat a whole pan of it, over rice, which would be gluttonous and ill-advised, but that’s how tasty it is. I think it’s the basil and a bit of sweetness.

Daily writing prompt

Tell us about the last thing you got excited about.

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I get excited about morning coffee and Amazon deliveries, so it doesn’t take much. But I’d have to say the last thing to generate real excitement was probably our drive to Minnesota a couple of months ago. The purpose for the trip was sobering– to gather for a memorial service for my brother– but the destination and the opportunity to be with the extended family, along with possibly seeing some folks from college who I hadn’t seen in 50 years, all contributed to a sense of excitement.

More recently, we had a getaway with just our kids, their spouses, and the grandchildren, which was enjoyable, but a bit more frazzling.

Daily writing prompt

Where did your name come from?

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I think my parents were of the mind to give us kids our own unique first names, but the middle names are in honor of other relatives. My middle name is after an uncle on my father’s side.

Our last name is supposedly not what would have been our original last name. The original was a very popular one in Sweden, so, as the story goes– and I hope it’s true– our last name was changed when one of our ancestors entered his compulsory year of military service. This likely means that if we run into anyone with our last name, chances are we’re related.