Daily writing prompt

What makes a good neighbor?

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Good question. I think maybe there are different levels of neighbor. Some keep to themselves, others are more outgoing. For me, it’s someone who stops to say hi and chat, someone who exerts a bit of effort to maintain their property, who respects boundary lines but isn’t necessarily a stickler about it.

A good neighbor lets you borrow a tool if the need exists. They have a sense of decorum when it comes to making noise, they keep an eye on the place when you’re away, pick up the mail, etc..

In general, someone who’s cordial and considerate.

Daily writing prompt

What could you try for the first time?

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Zip-lining, various food items, wood turning, maybe driving a stick so I could do a lap or two at Pocono Raceway.

Daily writing prompt

What principles define how you live?

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Be loyal, be kind, be willing to lend a hand, find a way to respond when people in power are acting like idiots. Find courage, fight fear. Hope for the best, prepare for the worst.

The NRSV version of Romans 12, particularly verses 9-13, sums it up pretty well. I don’t know what to make of the church anymore, but Paul’s words here still strike a chord.

Daily writing prompt

What have you been putting off doing? Why?

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The first thing to come to mind is digitizing the collection of 35mm slides and negatives we have. There’s quite an accumulation, it’s a painstaking process, and I can see myself getting easily sidetracked by the sleeves of prints mixed in– I’d be sitting there looking at those instead of tending to business. And we currently don’t have the piece of equipment needed for the transfer.

It’s a project worth doing, and also one easily ignored. But it’s not like my schedule is packed…

Daily writing prompt

When was the first time you really felt like a grown up (if ever)?

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Something changed the day we got married. Life was joyous but somehow more serious. Parenthood instills a sense of responsibility, and at various times during the years I was an employee of the church, I felt grown up and capable on occasion, especially at moments during certain services– weddings, funerals, etc., and always in the pulpit– or in certain settings, visiting people, the occasional counseling session.

I guess I don’t remember the first time I felt like a grown-up. It might have had something to do with being on my own, holding down a job, owning my first car– pedestrian stuff like that.

Now that the grandchildren are here, I’ve settled into the role of Silly Papa. Some sort of switch gets flipped when I’m around them. I figure I can leave the parenting to their parents, though offer some advice or a bit of discipline if it’s called for. Mostly it’s indulging them, feeding their curiosity, and trying to make them laugh.

Daily writing prompt

If you had a million dollars to give away, who would you give it to?

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I’d take half and split it among our children and spouses, to do with what they want. If for some reason they declined to take it, I would add this amount to the sum I would parcel out to Rails to Trails, to agencies and organizations who help alleviate world hunger and other forms of suffering (The ELCA is a worthy recipient), to organizations and companies who are researching advancements in renewable energy sources, and to local start-ups who need some seed money.

It would involve some research on my part.

Daily writing prompt

What’s something you would attempt if you were guaranteed not to fail.

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Sell our current house and buy a bigger property where I had room for a decent woodshop. I’m assuming that since this endeavor is guaranteed not to fail, such a big move would be feasible and meet with my wife’s approval. More space might make it easier for her to commit to growing her embroidery business. As it currently stands, we’re a bit cramped.

At this point in my life, that’s as bold as I can imagine.

Daily writing prompt

What was the hardest personal goal you’ve set for yourself?

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I’m not sure I’ve looked at life that way. Maybe unconsciously, but I’ve never considered myself a goal setter. There have been things I’ve done, and completed, but it’s never been that I’ve sat down and made a five-year plan or an itemized list and checked things off. It’s never felt like my life has been one long To Do list.

The biggest endeavor we undertook– as a family, though the kids probably wouldn’t describe it that way– was when we pulled up roots and moved to Gettysburg so I could go to seminary. The unstated or assumed goal– the mission– was to sustain and support ourselves along the way, and to complete the course of study, which we did. What followed for the next 26 years involved my unstated and, again, assumed purpose of being present for my family and the people of the congregations I served– a sometimes difficult balancing act.

Goal setting has always been sort of a mystery to me. My life has felt more Forrest Gump-like than anything done with intentionality and blinders on.

Daily writing prompt

Who are your favorite artists?

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Artist is a broad term. I’m not really familiar with many painters, except some of the titans– Caravaggio, Da Vinci, van Gogh, Monet, Michelangelo, etc.; American Gothic, by Grant Wood, and Banksy. Rodin and Michelangelo come to mind, in terms of sculptors, and no architects besides Frank Lloyd Wright.

Musical artists make up a different category. I’m stuck in the 70s, mostly, so America, The Beatles, Beach Boys, Boston, Chicago, Judy Collins, the Eagles, early Elton John, Joni Mitchell, CSN&Y, Billy Joel, James Taylor, Carol King, Heart, Doobie Brothers, Earth, Wind and Fire, Pink Floyd, Stevie Wonder, Led Zeppelin, a bit of Clapton and a few Rolling Stones tunes, early Melissa Manchester; Bruce Hornsby, Sting, Sheryl Crow, Bonnie Raitt, Alanis Morissette, some big band stuff, Classical Gas by Mason Williams, Dave Brubeck, and Vince Guaraldi.

Daily writing prompt

What is your favorite hobby or pastime?

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I guess I know what I’d like it to be: woodworking. If I could, and it wouldn’t happen very often, I’d be in the shop from dawn ’til dusk, taking piles of unfinished wood and turning them into finely crafted products worthy of use, worthy of selling or giving as gifts. As I mentioned in a recent post, I’d love to be familiar with and well versed in the entire process– from choosing materials to designing or understanding procedures and plans and tricks of the trade, to knowing how to operate and use the different tools, to measuring, fitting, and finishing.

In reality, it’s probably looking around, taking things in, gazing at sunsets and the night sky and trying to get my head around the mysteries, contemplating an unfathomably large universe.