Daily writing prompt

What have you been working on?

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Removing an old shed, with attached dog house. We rented a dumpster, and tore the whole structure down last week. So now we have to prepare a gravel pad for the new one, which will be arriving in pieces and assembled in one day, sometime in the next few weeks.

I also saved some of the 2x4s from the shed, which I hope to use to build a roll-around cart for a couple of tools that need to come off the workbench.

Nothing of great significance– no treatise on world peace or anything like that– but something we’ve been talking about doing for a while.

Daily writing prompt

What’s something most people don’t know about you?

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I’ve never had a surplus of self-confidence. I assume this is apparent to the astute observer or anyone who’s gotten to know me somewhat well. It’s not that I can’t function, or even summon the chutzpah to tackle some challenge, or project, but I’ve always had to deal with a sense of inferiority or some such thing. The way this manifests itself is in my hesitancy to try anything at which I might fail, for fear of looking impotent and stupid, for fear of being called out for not knowing something that should somehow have been common knowledge by now.

There often seems to be some mountain to climb.

Daily writing prompt

Do lazy days make you feel rested or unproductive?

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Most days it’s the latter. Now that I’m retired, I try to convince myself that I’ve somehow earned some lazy days, but even when that works, there’s still a part of me that feels like I should be more gainfully engaged in… something. Whether it’s irony or just guilt, most lazy days are not very satisfying, and the ones that are usually are only parts of a day, after a period of busyness and exertion– a deserved reward, I guess.

Daily writing prompt

When you think of the word “successful,” who’s the first person that comes to mind and why?

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It wasn’t Elon Musk or Donald Trump. Without thinking very long, the first name that came to mind was Warren Buffett. I don’t know much about him, but from what I’ve seen and heard, he seems like a pretty practical guy. Not flashy, but sensible and wise.

With a bit more deliberation, I am thinking about anyone who has felt purposeful or called, had or has a certain drive or vision, and sees it to completion. Success is often tied to money, but there are other ways to measure it: self-satisfaction, goals reached, improving lives, relieving suffering, overcoming challenges and doubt.

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.