Misspellings

ByHal Hammons

I like food videos.  I’m always looking to learn how to do something better.  And I love anything having to do with food that does not increase my calorie count.

But I have to question the credibility of some of these so-called experts.  For instance, I recently ran across a link to a video about “easy crispy chilli beef.”  And that is not a typo.  Chilli.  A little part of this Texas boy died when he saw that.  And it was spelled the same way in both the video title and the big, boldface words on the thumbnail.  This was no accident.  The person making the video thought that was how you spelled the name of one of the greatest foods on earth.

Misspellings are not the greatest sin in the world.  We’ve all been guilty; even in the era of spellcheck and squiggly red lines, I find errors in my printed material on a regular basis.  But I must say in my defense, I rarely misspell anything of primal significance — the name of Jesus, for instance.  And I don’t do it twice in close proximity.

Repeated misspellings weakens your credibility.  If you don’t know how to spell a topic, how much could you possibly know about it?  It’s not a necessary inference, but it’s close.  If you’re resigned to being a “bad speller,” quit writing.  Stick to audio.  No shame in that.  But don’t put your weakness in the spotlight.

Saying the right thing is not enough — not when speaking the words of God, at least.  Your attitude matters (James 3:1).  Your approach matters (Colossians 4:6).  Your consistency, or lack thereof, matters (Matthew 7:1-4).  If you don’t care enough about the words you are saying to say them correctly, perhaps you should rethink whether you should be speaking at all.

 

 

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Thanksgiving

ByHal Hammons

The problem with having a day on the calendar specifically dedicated to the giving of thanks is twofold: one, we are tempted to save our expressions of thanksgiving for “the day”; two, when that day arrives, we wind up repeating ourselves.  How can something so sacred be ignored and cliché at the same time?  And how do we avoid them both?

Let my people grow

ByHal Hammons

One of the first things you notice at Walt Disney World is the preponderance of “Mickey-shaped” items.  From pencil tops to fireworks, everything seems to consist of two small circles sitting atop a larger circle.  Sometimes, as with shrubbery, the shape is forced upon the item; those in charge simply alter it until it achieves the proper proportions.  Sometimes, as with ice cream, the item is formed inside a mold.  The latter of these can get downright creepy at times.  Forcing a pumpkin to grow in a “Mickey” shape by placing it in a mold in its infancy is … weird.  The desired effect is achieved, yes.  But at some point a living organism has to be allowed to grow in its own direction.  I don’t know.  Maybe I’ve just seen one too many Mickeys over the last seven years.

Anyway, striking a balance between fostering growth and channeling that growth has been a bit of an obsession with me over the last 23 years. 

 

Short cuts

ByHal Hammons

It’s time for another report from the Facebook links.  Really, one of these days I will quit watching these things.  But then again, if I did, where would I get ideas for this column?

Anyway, in this particular instance a woman was being interviewed by a TV reporter because she had difficulties while dropping her children off at school.  She was running late, so she decided to cut through an elementary school parking lot to get to another school in the neighborhood, driving around two traffic cones while doing so.  One schoolteacher was so upset at her actions that he literally threw himself onto the hood of her car.

Growth

ByHal Hammons

We have been inordinately blessed with rain in recent days.  As a result, my lawn is greener and lusher than it ever has been.  The grass is not exactly “high as an elephant’s eye,” but it might create some visibility issues for the neighborhood possums.

So, of course, it is time to cut it.  Well past time, in fact. 

Brunch

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I always take a seat on the patio when I have the option — and when it isn’t too hot or wet.  The other day it was a little bit of both — not too much, though, to discourage an avid fan of sightseeing, people-watching and atmosphere-drinking.