Wednesday Wisdom

John
 

From Windy to Rainy -- Just another day in the Ozarks

Yesterday was windy. 
Today will be rainy.
There will be thunderstorms -- some of them severe.

I had hoped to go to the day baseball game today. The start time has been pushed back an hour, but I suspect the game may be postponed for another day. Either way -- I'll pass.
It is already raining lightly and there is thunder rumbling in the distance. The weather radar looks like this is going to be an all day rain as this system moves from southwest to northeast.

Springtime in the Ozarks of SWMO.

I have books. I can watch TV. And if the wind isn't blowing rain onto the deck, I can enjoy a cigar. 
Both the rain and the thunder are intensifying as I type, but coffee on the deck while it's raining is a fine way to begin the day.

 I am learning to be content with circumstances that would have once troubled me. A rainy day can be dark and depressing. Or it can be just a day when the storm rages outside and I appreciate the safe, dry home we have.

I hope your Tuesday finds you safe, dry, and appreciative of living life on this day.

John

Let's Talk Coffee!

There are so many ways to enjoy this wonderful elixir that is grown in the tropical mountains around the globe. And there are so many variables that there are nearly infinite combinations to bring the specific taste in your morning cup of coffee.

The specific climate and soil where coffee is grown will affect the flavor. When and how it is harvested can make for a sweeter, more bitter, or meh cup of coffee. How the cherries are processed changes the end result, as does how the beans are roasted. Even the grind and brewing method can enhance or ruin an otherwise good cup of coffee.

For the most part, we are limited to the grinding and brewing part.
We can select coffees that are produced for the masses, packaged in larger facilities, roasted and ground to please the general public, and marketed through big box stores. 
Or we can choose the origin and roast and buy beans either already ground for general use in drip coffee makers or whole beans and you can grind them to suit your brewing method and taste.

Currently, I prefer lighter roasts (medium is good, too) and whole beans that I grind right before brewing. My grinder is set about halfway between medium and coarse, but a little closer to medium. The beans I have right now are a washed (process), medium roast from Rwanda. My daily brewing method is a pour over. I find that 50g of coffee to 1 liter of water produces a flavor that suits me.

I'm not the guy that typically adds anything to my coffee, but will occasionally add milk or cream to an iced cold brew in the summertime. 

Tell me about you.
Are you the person that just wants a cup of coffee in the morning?
Maybe you like yours strong, dark, and bitter. 
Maybe you want cream and sugar or will sweeten a cup with chocolate or caramel syrup.
Some like their coffee scalding hot, others prefer it just warm, and some like it iced.
K-cups, packaged ground coffee, whole bean?
Brand preference, local shop, online purchase?
Drip maker, percolator, press, or one of those fancy counter top coffee shop machines?

What do you like?

John

Over-doing the April Showers

It looks like we are in for another week-long stretch of overcast skies, rain showers, and thunderstorms. It is not unusual for spring in the Ozarks. I'm sure it can be frustrating for people that work outside or for people with kids that love to play outside or for adults that want to enjoy the outdoors for hiking, golfing, going to ballgames, etc., etc.
A rainy day or two isn't the worst thing to happen to me. I have lots of things that will be put off until sunnier days, but I also have books to read or something I can watch on TV. I'm sure I can manage my way through the coming days.

I was able to have a little people interaction last night at the weekly gathering of Venues' peeps at Mother's Brewery. I'm experiencing a different, passive kind of people interactions this morning at a local coffee shop. Several people meeting with friends and small table conversations are taking place around me as I enjoy my refillable drip coffee up and do my morning blogging.

Even busy coffee shops seem to have a pretty laid back feel to me. In spite of the activity that takes place behind the counter, coffee shop people rarely seem to be rushed or in a hurry. The people in a hurry take their coffee to go, but the people that sit seem to enjoy the time and the people they are meeting and spending time with this rainy morning.
It occurs to me that coffee shops kind of scream -- "Privilege!"

In fact, drinking good coffee at home could be considered to be privileged. I don't have a fancy coffee maker or anything like that, but I do buy good beans, grind them fresh daily, and savor the aroma and taste of a simple pour over coffee on a daily basis. I've been thinking about switching over to the French press occasionally, and I do enjoy a good cold brew from time to time. I have a stove top espresso maker that I haven't used in a long time. Maybe I'll try it again some morning. It might be interesting to try it with some lightly roasted, flavorful coffee beans.
Yeah -- pretty privileged.

It looks like I have a few hours before the rain resumes for the day. The ground is pretty saturated, but there is work that I can do and probably should do before that happens. It's difficult to do any of it from my butt in a coffee shop miles from where the work needs to happen. 

I hope that your weekend is a wonderful one. I hope that your people interactions are enjoyable ones. 
Embrace the weather -- whatever it might be!

John

 

Thursday Theology: a personal project

It's mostly just a thought right now. It's a project that I have actually started, but it has a long way to go and may truly be bigger than I am up for. I am considering it to be a lifetime learning kind of project, so if it gets shelved from time to time that's okay.

I'm beginning by going through The Bible and looking at the red letters -- the things that Jesus said and taught. As I do this, I'll be making notes on how these things speak to me and try to figure out how I can best follow his teachings.
But then I want to compare what Jesus teaches to the things taught in other faith practices. Without going into it, I know that there are many areas where faiths overlap in beliefs and teachings. I'm guessing that there will be far more areas where we are similar than different, but will have to wait to see just how it all plays out. I am definitely going to have to learn more about Christianity and some of the other religions of the world.

Sheesh!
A lifetime project, indeed.
Perhaps some of my findings will show up here from time to time.

John

Wednesday Wisdom

Oftentimes, choosing not to argue is the best decision.

John

Reflections

This morning I am realizing that my writing has seemed to taper off recently -- not just my writing, but the desire to write. I am wondering why.
It could be that I simply don't have much worth sharing. Maybe it is a realization that nobody is really listening anymore. I guess reading and comprehending is similar to listening and I have observed that we are generally poor listeners.

It truly seems that more of us want to be heard than care to listen.
We'd rather share what we know or believe than listen to the perspectives of others.
We only listen to respond and rarely listen to hear or understand.
We know stuff and have opinions about things, situations, and even people,
but we rarely really know other people. 

I think our communities have suffered greatly by not knowing one another and by letting the loudest talkers govern instead of the best listeners. Ideally, the best leaders would do both well, or be a talker that has surrounded themselves with people that are well equipped to listen. That doesn't really seem to be a thing these days.

Are you primarily a talker/teacher or a listener/learner? 
While we are generally both, I think we have a tendency to be primarily one over the other. I don't think people give this much consideration. Without consideration, it is difficult to find balance.
And, as with most things, finding a balance is important.

I think that blogging gives me a forum to share without really caring if people listen. Carrying on conversations with people that interrupt, only wanting to talk and never really listen is too frustrating. Here, I already know that few people read and follow, so it's cool. 
Maybe everybody should have their own outlet for writing or sharing their thoughts without really needing for others to listen or pay attention to what they have to say. 

I like a good story.
I think most people do.
Tell me a story.
Tell me your story.
I promise -- I'll listen.

John

April Showers and Questions about Easter

It is a rainy Saturday in the Ozarks of SWMO. Fortunately, the rains held off until last night's baseball game was completed and I was back home. With the light winds from the northwest and the back deck shielded from most of the rain, it made a wonderful sleeping area. Light steady rain, occasional rolling thunder, temps in the mid 60s (17c) -- yeah, I slept quite well!

I don't know if today's games (day/night double header) will be played or postponed, but I think I'll pass on the afternoon game. Cold and wet is no way to enjoy baseball.

There are things to do around the house on a rainy day, and I'll probably get some of them done. I'll also enjoy a movie on TV and do some reading. I haven't been very good at writing and posting this month, so it seems like a good day to do that, too. I was going to post some Passion Week thoughts on Thursday, but had other things to do that morning.

Questions I have about the death and resurrection:

Did Jesus die for our sins?
While this is the common belief of most Christians today, the idea of substitutional atonement is debated and nuanced among many different Christian faiths. 

Did Jesus live just to die for us?
Or did Jesus live to teach us how to live and die because he became human?
Was his death sacrificial or was it just another rebel of Rome being crucified?

One of the things that Jesus said from the cross was, "It is finished."
That was just before he died.

If all of what Jesus came to accomplish was finished on the cross, was the resurrection a necessary part of the Christian belief?
Is it necessary to believe in the resurrection of Jesus to be saved?
Is it necessary to believe in the resurrection of Jesus to be a follower of Jesus?

I know! I know!
It's this kind of heresy and questioning that has separated me from my former life as an evangelist, but apparently my faith is too weak to just accept things without having my questions addressed. I don't even need answers. Reasonable explanations will suffice. 

For what it's worth, I am a follower of Jesus.
After decades of trying to understand life from a human perspective, I am only now trying to learn about life from a spirit perspective.
There are many challenges in changing this perspective, but that's a post for another day.

John

Wednesday Wisdom (and baseball)

It was a bit cool at the ballgame last night. 
And it might be cool and wet at tonight's game.
Brrr... and baseball shouldn't go together, but it is early in the season so it isn't entirely unexpected. I am looking forward to warmer evenings at the ballpark. 

**Wednesday Wisdom**

Go outside.
Go to a park or nature trail.
Sit by a lake or stream.
Connect to the earth.
Observe nature.

If you know me, you know I'm not much of an outdoor activity kind of person. I don't hike, bike, or exercise by doing outdoor sports. Other than a little gardening and sitting on a mower for a few hours every couple of weeks, I don't even do much work outdoors.
I just like being outside. 

There is something special about being aware of the activity that takes place in nature.
As the foliage starts to bloom in the spring, the birds and insects get busy. We have bluebirds, house wrens, and sparrows nesting in our bird houses. I'm thinking of adding a couple more houses for the many birds. The hummingbirds should be back this week and I need to get my feeders out.
As I was clearing the flowerbeds, I noticed all of the seeds were gone from the seed heads that I left for the finches and sparrows to feed on over the long winter. 
Even though we live in a semi-rural area, because of the open space (grass fields) there isn't a lot of wildlife. There aren't many trees for squirrels, and rabbits are just hawk food if they venture into the open fields. Occasionally we see deer in the treeline and I have seen foxes in the area, as well. Mostly, we just have birds and bugs.
It is enough.

Get out.
Enjoy nature.

John

Baseball

Previously, I mentioned that I am looking forward to baseball this year. The opening home series for the St Louis Cardinals AA team had some sucky weather so I didn't go to any of the games. But the Baby Birds have been playing well on the road and return to Springfield tonight for another home stand. I have tickets to tonight's game, as well as for Saturday's doubleheader, and will be using the general admission pass for the games on the other nights. I am kind of looking forward to it!
I typically go to games by myself, walk around as I feel like it, and just enjoy watching the game. I'll need to make a plan to go easy on concessions if I am going to go often. 

I've also been enjoying watching the St Louis team this year. It's the first year that I've been able to watch them since we moved to this house five years ago. Well, I suppose I could have paid for a subscription, but I'm too cheap to pay to watch baseball in my own home.
It's weird how the simple things we enjoyed for free in the past have become commodities in our capitalistic world today. But with a free app from T-Mobile and some creative digital help I am now able to watch Cardinal baseball from the comfort of the deck. 
I am looking forward to many summer nights, watching baseball, smoking cigars, sipping bourbon or tequila, and enjoying my own snacks and convenient between inning breaks. 

I'll see you at the ballpark!

John

Thursday Theology

I started a post yesterday but never finished it. It seemed silly to post a Wednesday Wisdom post that didn't offer any wisdom. Some days are just like that. Some days you just do what you can to make it through the day. It wasn't like I was depressed or down or anything. I just wasn't feeling particularly motivated nor wise. But that was yesterday and I did manage to mow the yard (not the field) and get a few other things done. 
Volunteer chaplains meeting today and since it's April 10, I think I'll do taxes this afternoon/evening!

Along the lines of Thursday Theology...
I have had a couple of recent conversations about church with people. While there seems to be plenty of people that have gone through some type of deconstruction of their faith, there doesn't seem to be plenty of churches to accommodate them. It is difficult to have the worship that many desire without the religion that most of us have left behind.

While I do miss some of the worship experience that I have had in churches or church settings, I am doing quite well without the religion and rule of church. I accept that I am pretty much a heretic as far as most of my former "brothers and sisters" are concerned. 
It's in the mid 50s (8c) this morning. The birds are particularly vocal. I can hear a distant rooster crowing. Although shorts and a short sleeved shirt are a little cool for sitting outside, the sun feels warm and I feel connected to nature and to the Creator. 

I do fondly remember the feelings generated by corporate worship. I do miss the experience of shared spiritual celebrations. But I really don't think I would trade what I have this morning to go back to that. 
I have become more sensitive to the energies around me and more connected to all things through private meditation and contemplation than I ever was through religion. I think that I would rather help people find what I have now than what I had then; I'm just not certain how I can go about doing that. 
To be completely honest, I'm not sure that I need to be doing that. Perhaps this is a journey that each person must make on their own. Seeking help and receiving it is very different from offering help and guidance where it isn't always welcomed. The latter sounds a bit like religion. 

I hope you are able to enjoy the energy of the earth today. 
I hope you are able to share your spirit with someone today.
Sing your songs.
Do your kind deeds.
Be love in a world that desperately needs to be loved.

John

Spring -- It's really here!

With last night's frost now in the history books, I believe that I can safely put plants on the deck and put the flower pots outside! I've got a couple of new raised beds for vegetables that I am ready to start and a couple of container plants to add.
Plus -- I have flowers!

I am thinking of re-doing the downspout flowerbeds this year. I'd like to add rain barrels at the downspouts, but I don't really know if it will be worth it. It's a cool, self-sufficient kind of thing that I don't really need since we are on a well. I'll probably redo them without the rain barrels. I am looking forward to being outdoor active once again.
Also, with the warmer nights in the mid 40s (7c) and up, I may be out on the deck for a night or two. I doubt that Groucho the cat is ready for sleeping on the deck at those temps!

Tell me -- What is your favorite part about spring?
Or what are you looking forward to in the coming weeks?
I am looking forward to gardening, going to a few baseball games, and getting the kayak out and onto the water somewhere.

John

Monday Meditation

It has been a minute since I have been purposeful about daily meditation. Recently I have been seeing ads in my social media feeds that promote classes or readings that are teaching meditation techniques. Perhaps, the universe is telling me I need to get back to that practice.
I realize that the season contributes to my lack of regular meditation. I feel better about practicing outdoors where a connection to the world around me comes more easily. It isn't much more difficult inside. It is just a matter of pre-session mindset. I sense that the outside energies are more natural and the inside energies are more manufactured. I don't know if that is the case; it's just the way I feel.

In any case, with spring upon us and the temperatures getting warm enough to be outside for my morning coffee and quiet time, I should be back to a regular practice soon. 

...And some people do both!

John

April Showers

Holy smokes!
Another day of rain in the Ozarks.
The atmospheric river is dumping its water over the Midwest. One weather source said that by the end of the weekend we will have received four months of average rainfall this first week of April. Flood warnings and flash flood warnings are active for much of the area around here.   
Wow!

In spite of the weather, I made it out into the world for a few people gatherings this week -- actually three nights in a row! 
Wednesday night, monthly small group dinner
Thursday night, midweek church gathering at Mother's Brewery
Friday night, shelter volunteer appreciation dinner
Similar to the rain, that's about four months' worth of public exposure in the first week of April!
I think I've earned a few days of quiet solitude!

I heard a line the other day -- There are friends that you take to a ballgame and there are friends that you talk about life with. 
The conversations at the different group gatherings were different -- from small talk to deeper topics of life, death, and perspective. Each was enjoyable in its own way, and each took varying amounts of energy to make it through the respective exposure. 
All-in-all, not a bad week.

And like the early rain showers bringing later blossoms and growth in the local flora, maybe the people exposure will also bring about some type of growth. I'm not certain of that, but I will try to remain positive. It is interesting that I feel less and less like making the effort to be with people, but usually don't mind the experience as it actually happens.

Sometimes I think that maybe I need some counseling, but then my inner voice says, "Maybe people need to stop being such a$$holes!"
I'm sure that's an over simplification. I don't think that all people are jerks, but I do think that most people are a chore for me to be around for very much time. 

When it comes right down to living in the moment -- I have a pretty good life. 
Today's rains are kind of restful. There isn't a lot of activity in nature as much of the wildlife is also seeking shelter from the rain and cool temperature. If we pay attention to nature, we might also use today to tend to our nests and dens (homes) and then to rest for the work that will come after the rains cease.

Be well, my friends,
John 

Wednesday Wisdom

 

April

I am up early on this first day of April. I just dropped the moms off at the airport for their house/pet sitting trip to Mexico. The kids don't seem to have any trouble getting somebody to stay and care for the cats whenever they need to be gone for a time!
Google maps says it is only 30 miles, but it sure seems a lot longer than that. I feel like an old guy when I think that the distance I used to drive every day is now somehow a really long drive. I guess it is just a matter of perspective. 

I'm not planning on going back to bed, even though I only got a few hours of sleep. I'm up and awake so maybe I'll put on a pot of coffee and just consider my early cup as a bonus coffee for being the airport driver this morning.
It is supposed to be another overcast and windy day in the Ozarks of Southwest Missouri. No rain is in the forecast for today, but we are expecting rain for the rest of the week -- April showers, you know! 
Along with the rain, we are expecting some more severe weather--high winds, thunderstorms, hail, etc. The severe storms seem to be a little early for the season. 

Maybe I'll work on starting some plants indoors. I probably should have already done that, but I am pretty much a rookie gardener, so I haven't really made a plan for the year. I do have concepts of a plan, so...

In other news...
It's baseball season!
I am hoping that the Springfield Cardinals' opener doesn't get rained out on Friday. Between my Red Access Membership for the AA team and my MLB TV subscription, most spring and summer evenings will likely be spent watching Cardinal baseball at either the AA or big league level.
AA baseball at the ballpark or StL Cardinal baseball on the deck TV with a cigar and tequila cherry limeade -- either will be a fine way to spend a spring or summer evening. I should set daily work goals so that I can watch the evening games as a reward for all I've accomplished during the day -- a little self-incentivizing (I just made that word up -- and I like it!) 
Maybe I'll do that.
Then again, maybe I won't.
Maybe I'll just watch baseball.

John