With the political primary season in full gear (at least for one party), I thought it would be appropriate to use the primary process to make a point or two regarding core values and the comparative dangers and benefits of adaptation. (Check out last week’s article if you missed it.) Since then we have had…
When I feel ill, all I want to do is wallow. Just sit and groan. It’s not a cry for attention — usually I’m alone when I make my pathetic whimpers of discomfort. I’m feeling sorry for myself. It’s pathetic, but at least it’s private. As we say in my family, “If you’re going to…
Tea freezes at a temperature higher than 32 degrees Fahrenheit. At least, it seems to. I left a bottle of Snapple in my office refrigerator over the break. It was beneath the weird little “freezer compartment” but certainly not in it. It was at least an inch away from anything icy. And when I opened up the fridge, it was totally frozen. The lid had somehow detached itself to make room for the ice that had formed. (I wish I had video of that. Was it slow? Was it explosive? I digress.)
Mark 5:25-43 tells the story of how Jesus healed the daughter of the leader of the synagogue, a man named Jairus. The people had already pronounced her dead by the time Jesus arrived, but that did not stop the Lord. He told her to rise up, and she did. The text describes the people as being “completely astonished” — a reaction that astonishes none of us. We would be astonished as well.
The healing itself is remarkable on its own, of course. However, I have always found it interesting that Jesus asked specifically that she be given something to eat immediately afterward.
My podcast listeners will remember I made reference recently to a collection of quotations from Mark Twain, perhaps the most beloved of all American writers. Although he was a masterful storyteller and social critic, he is perhaps best known for his quippy one-liners and witticisms. He knew better than most that truth gets through hard skulls better when accompanied by a bit of humor. We all (well, most of us) instinctively are inclined to laugh at ourselves; when we give ourselves a chance, we may motivate ourselves to grow.
Your word for the week is petrichor. It means the smell of rain on dry soil. The refreshing petrichor of summer brought a coolness to a hot and sticky Pensacola. I don’t know how you would ever have occasion to use that sentence, but now you can.
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.
Run toward your fears. That’s some billboard-variety advice I get while driving past the local university. And as we all know, multicolored roadside signs are the most reliable source of life advice these days.
Lean into it. That’s how the same basic sentiment was expressed in an article I read recently. Except this wasn’t written by a nameless, faceless intern. This was from an expert in the field of stress management who woke up one day struggling mightily to manage his own stress.
A couple in Mongolia recently ate raw marmot meat, which is apparently a thing in Mongolia. It is believed to be a health boost by the locals. (A marmot is a rodent, sort of like a woodchuck or large squirrel. I prefer them braised or fricasseed, but that’s just me.) The couple contracted bubonic plague and died — which I think we can all agree is pretty much the opposite of “a health boost.”
The resulting quarantine held up the lives of 118 locals and tourists for six days. The danger appears to be over now, so our family vacation to Mongolia is back on. Get back to packing, girls.
I have been cranky lately. The circumstances of my life, although delightful in most ways, are not ideal. And I have let that affect my attitude — precisely what I criticize others for doing. I am not sure exactly how bad it has been, but I have enough humility, introspectiveness, and respect for others’ judgment to believe it has been considerably less than what it should be. If you don’t know what I’m talking about, obviously I would encourage you to ignore this paragraph. If you do know, please accept my apology.
