Daily writing prompt

What’s your #1 priority tomorrow?

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In broad terms, to be productive, get something done. It might be a recycling day, which means a stop at Walmart to combine trips. We suddenly have a breaker issue that needs attention, and the electrician we’ve called on in the past often needs multiple calls before he responds, so that’ll probably be on the list. My wife’s car needs a basic lube, oil, and filter service, so that call might get made. Tuesday is Zoom day, so I’ll send out an invite in the morning and we’ll talk with folks in the afternoon.

Out of all that, getting ahold of Ed the electrician will probably be a priority.

Daily writing prompt

In what ways does hard work make you feel fulfilled?

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It’s self-affirming, reminds me that I’m not a slacker. Depending on the type of work, I’m maintaining my stamina, being productive, maybe even getting a bit stronger. I’m helping someone, I’m showing people that I am capable and can be counted on to make a worthy contribution to some project. And there’s just something about putting in a good day’s work– the day hasn’t been wasted. I haven’t been idle, or spinning my wheels.

Daily writing prompt

What’s the trait you value most about yourself?

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Tricky question, because something I sense about myself isn’t neccessarily what others perceive. I don’t spend a lot of time in that mode– thinking about what I value most about myself. I guess I’ll have to go with a sensitive, sometimes well-calibrated bullshit meter, even as others might label this as unhealthy skepticism.

Daily writing prompt

List three jobs you’d consider pursuing if money didn’t matter.

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I guess money has always mattered to me, even though I never really applied myself or made enough of it to live without worries in retirement. Anyway, if money didn’t matter, I might have considered being a tutor or a piano player, maybe even a writer.

Daily writing prompt

What aspects of your cultural heritage are you most proud of or interested in?

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One thing that comes to mind is what looks to be a healthy understanding of work/rest/recreation.

Through the geneological efforts of a cousin-in-law, we learned that we had many relatives in north central Sweden, about 250 miles from the Arctic Circle. There was a period in the early to mid-80s when we were visiting one another with some regularity. My father learned that his father’s sister– his aunt– was still alive, and he got to meet her and a bunch of cousins when he and my mom traveled there in 1983. They got there in time to celebrate Midsummer, held in June, when the sun dips below the horizon and comes right back up, and the revelry lasts for multiple days, often into the wee hours of the morning.

I think I’d like to experience that for real– actually travel there and share that time with whatever family is still around.

Here in the USA, we’ve embraced the concept of fika, which for us was and occasionally still is a daily ritual/tradition of taking a break mid-afternoon for coffee and pastries with friends and family. My mom was a big advocate for this, always ready to break for one more cup of joe and just a little something to eat, usually sweet. It’s never spoiled our appetite for supper.

Daily writing prompt

What brands do you associate with?

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I’ve never thought of it in terms of an association, but in general, brands historically known for build quality and a modicum of style and appeal– Hoka, Brooks, most anything from LL Bean. Tool-wise, I’ve been buying my share of Wen tools because they get decent reviews on Amazon and the ones I already have have served me well. It’s not top-of-the-line in price, but there seems to be a consistent quality and dependability. There’s also Bosch, MIlwaukee, and Dewalt.

I’ve always liked Toyota, and lately Mazda, as vehicles of choice. And I appreciate the over-engineering that goes into just about any Yeti product. My 20-ounce tumbler would survive Armageddon.

Daily writing prompt

What could you do more of?

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More listening, more exercise, more reading, more thoughtful processing of the political climate, which I hope would result in improved understanding and unpacking; more cooking and more research of healthy recipes; more around the house.

I could always do more golf, too, except that would get expensive.

Daily writing prompt

What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever received?

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Maybe it was the Boy Scout Motto: Be Prepared. Or maybe it wasn’t spoken or written advice, but more something my mom or dad or grandparents modeled in their own behavior.

I’m grateful for the seeds of musical interest planted by any number of people in my immediate and extended family, along with regular reminders that I’ll never improve if I don’t practice.

Or it might have been the poster in my third grade classroom which reminded us that Maturity is the ability to forego the immediate pleasure in favor of the long term gain. That’s stuck with me for over 60 years, though I’ve not always adhered to it.

I may think of something more pertinent after I publish this. If I do, I’ll update.

Daily writing prompt

What things give you energy?

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Coffee and certain foods, and the right amount of exercise. Besides those things, the prospect of visits from or to family, having a project to work on, coming up with a good topic for a blog post, and, as it turns out, the grandchildren. They aren’t things, but as much as they can tire me out, they also provide a spark. Often times, their energy is contagious.

Daily writing prompt

What’s your all-time favorite album?

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This is about as subjective as it comes, but there are several contenders, mostly relatively ancient but from the same decade: Abbey Road (Beatles), Bridge Over Troubled Water (Simon and Garfunkel), Deja Vu (CSN&Y), Dark Side of the Moon (Pink Floyd), Court and Spark (Joni Mitchell), Desperado (Eagles), Goodbye Yellow Brick Road (Elton John), Chicago VII (Chicago), The Stranger (Billy Joel), 52nd Street (Billy Joel), and Hotel California (Eagles). Also, In the Digital Mood— Glenn Miller music, released in 1991.

Since I have to pick one, I’ll go with Abbey Road.