Daily writing prompt

How has technology changed your job?

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I retired from full-time clergy duties in the Fall of 2021, but by then technology had long found its way into the life of the congregations I served– from basic word processing for bulletins and newsletters, to improved processing and copying capabilities, to microphones and various audio-visual tools, like projectors and drop-down screens, sound systems and televisions, to mass communication tools like email and Zoom and call lists.

Zoom was the tool of choice and necessity during Covid, and a pre-recorded service uploaded to YouTube became a regular feature during those days. Nowadays, more congregations can broadcast their services live, since the cost of equipment to do so, along with the means to upload, is within reach of more than just the larger worshiping communities.

And there’s the utility of digital cameras and smartphones.

Daily writing prompt

How often do you say “no” to things that would interfere with your goals?

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Not very often, but that’s mostly because I don’t have nor have ever had many goals. I’m more tempted to say “no” to things that interfere with certain routines. In a macro sense, I’ve been more a creature of habit than a goal-oriented person. I’ve learned to respond in certain situations rather than always trying to steer the ship.

In short, I’m not a good person to talk to about goal setting, guess I haven’t looked at life that way– much to certain peoples’ disappointment and frustration.

Daily writing prompt

What’s a secret skill or ability you have or wish you had?

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I play the piano by ear– I hear tunes and chords in my head and can sometimes work them out on the keyboard. But I’d much rather have the ability to sight read music. I can make sense of the right hand, but the left hand takes me a while to decipher. And note value and time signature still mystify me.

I know it’s always been a matter of practice, but I’ve never taken the time nor made the effort. Guess there’s no time like the present.

Daily writing prompt

What is your favorite type of weather?

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Sunny and mild, just a touch of breeze. The kind of day we get every now and then in the Spring, when temps in the mid-60s feel comfortable, and when the sun isn’t directly overhead doing its midsummer best to torch everything.

Sometimes, I like a rainy day, too. For some reason, it feels cozy, and it takes the guesswork out of having to plan some activity or project outdoors.

OK, last one. I like a good thunderstorm– minus the damaging wind and hail. It’s a sensory experience, kind of awesome.

Daily writing prompt

Who was your most influential teacher? Why?

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My high school Spanish teacher, Mr. McGregor. He was funny, intense (he was also the football coach), he took his job seriously yet also had a sense of humor. He made it very clear that he cared about the subject matter, and us. He spent a year in Guadalajara, Mexico, immersed in the culture and language. He wanted us to learn and would walk out of the room to cool down when it seemed clear we hadn’t done our homework.

He drove an MG Midget. I never had another teacher who came close to his passion for his work.

Looking back, it was an interesting dynamic: he was demanding, but no one seemed to mind. I wouldn’t be surprised to learn that he burned out and left the profession prematurely.

Daily writing prompt

What do you wish you could do more every day?

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It’s a bit of a quandary. On the one hand, find ways to be more useful, purposeful. On the other, really make every day an open book with blank pages, totally open for whatever I feel like doing or not doing.

On the purposeful end, write with insight and passion, find new recipes to actually try, get into a stretching routine, expand my workouts at the Y, practice piano regularly, create a reading list, a household fix-it list, get going on the workbench I want to build, organize old pictures and slides, find an activity or activities that both of us enjoy, get out with my camera and walk around taking pictures, either service my bicycle and use it, or try to sell it, start learning about the stock market and dabble in some investing, find a part-time job that I’d actually be willing to commit to– as disappointing as that would be to have to contemplate. I still really like being retired.

As sad as it may sound, somedays I’m perfectly fine with wandering aimlessly. I’m still taking notes, though. Maybe I should gear up for the coming days– it’s looking like we’re all gonna be called upon.

Daily writing prompt

What tattoo do you want and where would you put it?

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I have no desire to put a tattoo anywhere on my body.

Daily writing prompt

What is one word that describes you?

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Hesitant.

Close second: cautious.

Daily writing prompt

What was the best compliment you’ve received?

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Way back in a moment when it mattered, almost 30 years ago, I overheard a respected member of the congregation to which I was recently called say, in reference to me, that I was the real deal, or something to that effect. I was buoyed by that for a while, even as I knew I couldn’t let such things go to my head, and even as I felt I must have somehow pulled the wool over her eyes.

Daily writing prompt

You’re going on a cross-country trip. Airplane, train, bus, car, or bike?

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Flying, with some sort of vehicle rental awaiting at the other end, sounds appealing but also expensive. And we’ve often talked about a train trip, since we’ve never done that. I suppose if we did the math, we might have a better idea of what makes sense from a cost perspective. Still, it would probably be by car, though I’m not sure I’d want to take either one of the ones we have now. They’re both eleven years old. We’d have to get the OK from a mechanic before venturing out on a long trip.

Car, though, gives us flexibility, makes a change in plans or spur-of-the-moment side trip a lot more feasible. And we’d have the time.