The state of things political. As a species, it seems someone somewhere is always trying to keep the wolves from breaking down the door. Evolution can’t move quickly enough– if peaceful co-existence is where we might be heading. It’s often exasperating to think that there are still so many self-anointed “visionaries” who enjoy imposing their will, spreading misery, always aching for a fight.
Tag: dailyprompt
Slowing Down
If it has involved exertion of any intensity, like helping our son with his landscaping work, I’ll shower, get some comfortable clothes on, then sit in my favorite chair and look at the iPad for a bit, or sit outside with a glass of ginger ale on ice, or cold brew, and revel in a day well spent– being useful, getting something done. And I’ll probably fall asleep for a bit.
Anymore, a “demanding day” means something different than it used to when I was still pastoring a congregation, but I guess the things I do at the end of such a day haven’t changed all that much. It basically involves winding down, maybe a bit of review, and doing something relatively mindless.
Judiciously, for the most part
As little as possible. I text and email people when I need to, I don’t have Instagram or TikTok or anything of that nature. I do occasionally look at videos on YouTube, mostly music but a couple of politics-related ones.
By and large, I refuse to go down the social media rabbit hole– partly because I’m of a particular age and it doesn’t interest me, but mostly because it can be such a huge waste of time and energy. I prefer to frustrate the algorithms, or just ignore them. They’re probably not meant for me, anyway.
There’s such freedom in simply putting the phone down. It can be an act of rebellion or sheer will, or at least a bit of respite from the noise.
Home
It’s nice, for the most part, to be back in Massachusetts, staying at the house my brother and his wife used to own back in the day, and next door to where I grew up.
A close second was coffee.
Feel good moment
Daily writing prompt
Describe a random encounter with a stranger that stuck out positively to you.
The only one coming to mind is when I paid for a guy’s lunch at Louis Armstrong Airport. There was some misunderstanding about payment method, or something, and he didn’t have enough to cover the meal. I might have been played, but it felt like a random act of kindness.
Far-reaching Decisions
Daily writing prompt
Describe a decision you made in the past that helped you learn or grow.
Though I’m sure there were others– asking for my wife’s hand in marriage among them– the one that emerges was the decision to go to seminary, which was a learning experience on various levels. It opened my eyes to the vicissitudes of human existence, it expanded my knowledge of Scripture, deepened my appreciation for the Lutheran tradition but also tempered any bias I might have from being what many might consider indoctrinated.
This decision led me and my family away from Massachusetts, where I had spent the first 37 years of my life. In terms of roots, our children may consider themselves Pennsylvanians, though two of them have long since moved away and have established lives in other states.
I guess the other decision that has affected me personally is reading Sapiens, by Yuval Noah Harari, which has cast deepening doubt on my faith, such as it has always been, and pretty much everything I learned about the Bible, along with leading to a falling away from the church.
A pretty dramatic shift, though I don’t blame Mr. Harari. It’s just something that can happen when one dares read a dissenting opinion and is skeptically-inclined to begin with.
To Don’t List
Haven’t thought much about places I’d never want to visit, but I’ve never had a real hankering to see North Korea, or Somalia, or maybe Sudan.
A Kind Gesture
Most of the time when we eat supper, we sit at the kitchen table and tune in PBS Newshour or watch videos until that comes on. This past Sunday, I was watching the final round of The Masters golf tournament and was pleasantly surprised to be handed a plate of food by my wife, as I sat in the den and watched the last few holes of Rory McIlroy’s victory. It was unexpected, but much appreciated.
Tasty Fare
Locally, it’s a place that’s been in business for about seven years now– decent pub food, good beer. They have a pork chop entree that’s quite delicious. We often stop at a Chipotle for lunch when we’re out and about. And sometimes we’re close enough to East Earl, PA to rationalize a stop at Shady Maple Smorgasbord.
Fancy restaurants are usually off the table, but on recent visits to our daughter and son-in-law outside of Denver, I was treated to a wonderful meal at a Ruth’s Chris Steakhouse, and a Japanese sushi establishment that’s out of this world. These were a whole other level of dining.
Getting Real
Best case scenario- still in our house, still able to function and get around and live independently, still able to take walks with my wife and watch the grandchildren grow up. It’s a sobering question, at this point.
