“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.
Tag: dailyprompt
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.
Up and at ’em
Probably turning the occasional and well-intentioned trip to the YMCA into something more regular, to the point of realizing some of the benefits of regular exercise. Better late than never.
Just Doing It
I don’t very often equate exercise with fun. It’s not that I don’t derive satisfaction from knowing I’m doing myself some good by getting to the Y on a regular basis. It’s just that I don’t spend much time trying to figure out how to make it fun. I just do it, and feel good when I start seeing progress and an increase in strength and stamina.
I suppose the fun quotient is raised when I’m giving horsey rides to the grandkids, throwing a football or playing catch, golfing, working in the yard, or taking a hike with friends.
Slim Pickins
There aren’t many that would fit that bill. Maybe To Kill A Mockingbird, or something by Hemingway. Certain passages of Scripture might be worth revisiting– in search of a spark.
3 Cents' 