The state of the world, and more specifically the condition of our politics in this country. All the ugliest tendencies are rearing their ugly heads here in America. We’re being called upon to take sides and take action, and it’s hard to know what that action is going to end up looking like, though it has started as vocal dissent and protest. We’re witnessing a stunning all-out assault on our institutions and norms, and it’s making a lot of us nervous.
Tag: dailyprompt
Go-to Options
There aren’t many demanding days anymore, but if I spend time working with my son, or finish mowing and trimming on a hot day, I’ll sit in the carport with a cold ginger ale and just take in the sounds of the day– birds, distant traffic, etc. Most days still wind down with time on the iPad– daring to check the newsfeeds, playing Solitaire, reading an e-book. I’ll occasionally sit at the piano and plink away for a while. Sometimes a walk hits the spot, and there are lots of seasons of Doc Martin to get through.
Codger speak
As infrequently as possible, except for the texting app that came with my phone– if that’s even considered social media. I started a Facebook page a number of years ago, but am not sure why. It’s hardly ever used, except for checking what comes in via email notifications. My Instagram account is probably inactive, since I started that way back in its infancy and have never used it. As for X and Tik-Tok, just No.
I’m not sure how WordPress fits in. I’m engaged here pretty much every day, though there’s not much back-and-forth.
The Daily Grind
“Time for coffee,” followed shortly by the settling of the daily pall, the daily heaviness, the awareness of the reality that we’re living in dangerous times, because America is currently in the hands of self-interested incompetents with authoritarian aspirations.
TMI, Probably
Daily writing prompt
Describe a decision you made in the past that helped you learn or grow.
It was 34 years ago– the mutual decision of my wife and I to pull up stakes and move the family away from our New England roots to Pennsylvania, so I could attend the Lutheran seminary at Gettysburg and earn a Master of Divinity degree.
Master of Divinity. Apparently, I would become a vessel of knowledge and authority regarding the mysteries of God.
Anyway, besides classroom learning, including Greek and Systematic Theology (think: religious trigonometry), I learned things about myself– strengths, growing edges, and so on. I became a bit of a “wordsmith,” as one classmate described me, though I’m still not sure this was offered as a compliment. I learned that being an introvert in such a public role unsurprisingly took its toll, as it exposed my tendency toward retreat from the noise. I succumbed to reason over faith, instead of seeking and finding some sort of balance between reason and faith.
Sadly, to me, I’ve grown away from the church. I’ve become a skeptic, sometimes a cynic. I still want to believe, but it’s hard. I’ve read and seen and learned things along the way that have challenged whatever faith I once had. There’s still a spark, I guess, but not much more.
No Go
Hmm… I don’t often think in those terms. There’s a long list of places I’d like to visit, but to never want to visit? Maybe a lead mine, a landfill, a refinery, a nuclear waste storage facility, a meat processing plant, an abandoned mine field.
How about the Chernobyl Exclusion Zone?
Not a Foodie, but…
I haven’t been to many besides the chain outlets. Among these it’s gonna be Chipotle, Panera, and every now and then, and just because it’s relatively quick and easy and uncannily delicious, one of the burger joints– either McDonald’s, Burger King, or Wendy’s.
I was lucky enough to have a meal at a Japanese sushi bar and restaurant outside of downtown Denver, CO a few weeks ago, and that was a real treat. The food was fantastic, the waitstaff was a cut above, and I think I might have finally gotten the hang of chopsticks. On an earlier trip to the area, I was treated to a meal at the Ruth’s Chris Steak House in Denver, which was like no place I’ve ever been. Great food, and unearthly prices (my daughter and son-in-law had gift cards).
The Future Seems A Lot Closer
It wasn’t all that long ago that I might have answered that question with a bit of anticipation and optimism, but 10 years from now puts me at 81. If I’m still here, I hope I can still get around, still function, still be useful, still drive, still laugh, still love.
No climbing the corporate ladder, which is one direction an answer to the question could take a person of a certain age and disposition. That has never been a thing for me. I guess I don’t really know what ten years is going to bring.
One thing I do know is that this question has confronted me with the passage of time, with the reality that there’s much more sand in the bottom than in the top of the hourglass, and the time to ponder future goals or dreams is a-fleeting.
1900
Simple but luxurious, to me
My morning routine, which includes cold brew and writing; a good breakfast, then reading through the local paper online; having lunch and watching clips of the previous late night monologues from Colbert and Kimmel; sitting in a comfortable chair by the front window on a sunny day; pouring a glass of wine and taking the time to cook a nice meal.
Sensory and Otherwise
I learned a bit about anatomy when we dissected a frog in Biology class. I contributed to the noxious aromas wafting through the hallways when we created esters in Chemistry class.
Mostly, what I remember to this day was learned in Spanish class with Mr. McGregor. I learned a bit of the language and witnessed what passion for one’s work looks like.
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