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

Wednesday Wisdom

 

And before my Christian friends get their panties in a bundle...

Open minds make way for growth and learning.

John

Happy Spring!

It is spring in SWMO and the temperature just broke into the above freezing zone. Looking at the long-range forecast and it doesn't look like we'll see freezing temperatures again until the fall. 
Yay!

There are still some cool nights ahead and it will be a little while before I stow the sweatpants and flannel shirts, but spring is here and I am happy. I am not ready to extinguish the pilot light on the gas fireplace just yet, but I hope that there won't be many more indoor morning coffee times or late evening reading by the fire times. 
I will not miss mornings by the fire, but Groucho the cat might. She doesn't know how few mornings like this are left.

Of course, she is also a fan of sleeping in the morning sun on the deck, so...

I am looking forward to connecting to my Creator through spending more time with creation (nature). I wouldn't exactly say that nature is my religion, but I am pretty sure that my beliefs about life, community, and caring for each other is grounded in the world around me. It is where I find my connection to God, where I find my connection to our planet, and even where I realize that I am connected to others. 

I don't think I have ever felt as connected to God in a church service or gathering of believers as I do when I am alone in nature. It's obvious that being in nature would connect me to earth, but actually feeling connected to the energy of creation is different than just walking in the woods or digging in the dirt.
It is that connection to nature that helps one connect to or find your true self. And finding your true self is really necessary in order to connect with others.

It's kind of weird how this awareness has made me feel like more of an introvert and at the same time it has made me feel more connected to and aware of the energies and personalities of others. 
I recently read an article about a lone-wolf personality that has the appearance of an introvert, but also has some dominant traits of extroverts. I don't know. Maybe that's me; maybe it's just bs.
No worries.

In another week, the hummingbirds will begin to show up and the rest of the MLB will be underway.
It's spring!

John

The Clash of the Seasons: a free verse poem

Winter will not go quietly.
As the Spring sun gently warms the earth,
Winter blasts with cold winds from the north.
She tries to send a final covering of snow,
But Spring's warmth turns it to rain.

The plants yearn for warmth and light.
They look forward to displaying their bright colors.
The animals are ready to play in the fields.
The birds are returning to soar through the skies.
But Winter drives them back to their dens and nests one final time.

Winter declares, "I'll not leave!"
Spring whispers, "Be patient. I am coming."
Winter howls and tosses its remaining dead leaves and twigs.
Spring waits and will soon declare her own presence with showers and flowers.
"Tomorrow," she says.

Silently in the night,
The earth glides past that imaginary celestial line in its annual orbit.
We wake up and the night is over.
With the morning, comes Spring.

Wednesday Wisdom

Read a book.

That's it.
Find a book and read it.
Fiction, history, biography, self-help, educational, hobby related -- it doesn't matter. 
Read a book.

Read for entertainment.
Read for education.
Read for relaxation.
Read for fun.
Read to learn something or experience something new.

I am currently reading a special ops thriller The Doomsday Medallion. It is my tenth book of the year.
I'll get back to some non-fiction, enlightening kind of reading when I'm finished with this one.

What are you reading?

John

Face Time

Early on Thursday, March 20th, the earth will cross that celestial line that marks the spring equinox for the northern hemisphere. For the past few years, it has also marked the date when I shave off my winter beard. Right now I kind of like my beard and mustache and am debating on whether I'll shave it, trim it, or wait a little longer since there are still some cold weather nights ahead.

I have to admit that there is something satisfying about shaving off the winter face with a straight edge razor. It's a little tricky since I am definitely out of practice with the straight razor. In the past I have used the straight razor for a first pass and then cleaned up with a safety razor. I'm not sure why, it just feels like the right thing to do.
I've never really felt compelled to shave daily and probably won't through the spring and summer months, but neither have I felt some attachment or identity in having a big beard. Maybe I'll end up shaving it off a few days early. I'm comfortable either way.

And really -- being comfortable with yourself and your look is what's important, right?
Or maybe you are more interested in dressing or looking a certain way to please others. I guess that's okay, too. Personally, I am way past the point of feeling like I need to impress or please others. I can dress up and be comfortable when the occasion warrants it, or I can be comfortable in shorts, a t-shirt, and barefoot. I'm pretty much the same, easy going person either way.

I'm not sure why I am thinking about shaving this morning; maybe it's time.
Neither am I sure why I'm writing about it. I guess I just felt like writing something this morning. It's like self-talk but with a keyboard.

I hope that you are comfortable with who you are.
Have a grand weekend.
I am ready for spring!

John

3 Rs -- Reading, 'riting, and 'rithmetic

As I am doing more reading, I am doing less writing. I don't think I can do less arithmetic. 
I really am liking my little Kindle reader, much more than I expected I would. 
At the beginning of the year I set a very modest and attainable goal of reading just two books per month for a total of 24 books for the year. I'd say I read fiction to non-fiction at around 4 to 1. 
I am currently way ahead of pace and should probably adjust my total to somewhere in the 40-50 books for the year. I am also at about 1 to 1 on the fiction/non-fiction right now.

I rarely pay for books anymore. I make good use of my Kindle Unlimited subscription (I guess that's kind of paying for books), I use free e-book sites, and I use our local public library for both printed books and e-books. Our small library is still pretty limited on available e-books and often has a long waiting list for newer releases. 

Doing less writing

Yeah, I'm not really sure how I feel about that. 
I enjoy writing, but rarely feel the motivation to do it these days. I'm not sure if it's the bullshit political environment and the general decline of human decency in the US or if it is something else that has me in a writer's funk. Maybe my personal isolation is shifting into my blogging world and I have less motivation to be seen here, as well.
I thought the regular weekly posts like Monday Meditation, Wednesday Wisdom, and Thursday Theology might force me to write or at least post regularly, but that doesn't really seem to be the case anymore. Oftentimes, I'm sure it has to do with changing and poorly defined thoughts that I am not yet ready to put into words. And sometimes, there just are no words to express my frustration or outrage with people and processes.

Doing less math

It's pi day! 
3.14
That's my math contribution for the day (or the week, or maybe for the whole month)!

I think I'll add a 4th R -- resting
I'm good at that one!

John

Thursday Theology: Taking a fresh look

I need to take a fresh look at Christianity -- not the Christianity that I've been taught by Catholics or evangelicals, but the type of Christianity that one would have from actually following the teachings of Jesus, the Christ. I have a basic set of morals that I follow and I realize that they come from my religious upbringing and evolution, as well as from societal norms. I feel I need to examine those foundational basics in a way that I really haven't done in the past. 

I, like many others in the recent past, have been critical of conservative Christians that profess to follow Jesus but act out in ways that are contradictory to his teachings as I understand them. 
What if it turns out that I am not that different?

Just thinking that it is a possibility makes me wonder what I might do if that is the case.
Do I continue to think of myself as a follower of Jesus -- except in cases that I'm not?
Do I adjust my beliefs and behaviors to come into line with what Jesus teaches?
Do I decide that I am no longer a follower of Jesus? 
And if that is the case, from whom or from where do I gather the thoughts and ideals that form my basic beliefs on life and living?

I don't think this is a journey for the timid. 
My greatest concern is that I end up being my own god -- determining for myself what is right and wrong in the world based on what works for John. We have more than enough self-gods in our world that have little or no concern for the rest of the world around them. I don't want to be thought of as just one more.

I truly believe that we are connected to one another and to the earth and wildlife around us. How we treat the environment and how we treat each other affects us all. 
How does that square with what Jesus teaches?

I guess I'll find out.

John

Wednesday Wisdom

 

Happy Monday!

It could be just another day in the life of a retired guy, but this Monday seems like the early coming of spring! With the freshly acquired later hour of daylight (which I happen to think is stupid) and some warmer temperatures this week, it does, in fact, feel like spring has arrived.

However, it is only the tenth of March and this is SWMO, so one would be foolish to believe that winter has completely left us. I will enjoy these warmer days while keeping the sweatpants and flannel shirts handy for the cooler days that will surely reappear. 

As for the Monday Meditation thing --
I've been thinking about stuff lately, the kind of stuff that we get attached to and brings us both joy and suffering.

Buddhist tradition teaches that stuff (or the attachment to it) is the source of suffering.
Mesoamerican mystics believe(d) that we are addicted to suffering.
Jesus referred to it as worry and asked -- Why do you worry about everything?

How much of my daily existence is connected to and defined by stuff?
(By the way, you can include people and relationships in with stuff as those are also a part of joy and suffering.) 
What stuff would I be better off getting rid of?
Are attachments or connections to certain things or people a cause of stress or suffering in my life?
Am I addicted to suffering? Has it (suffering) become a way of life?

Just stuff I've been considering lately.

John

What's the point?

I've been spending less time on social media and I have refrained from posting here at Out of My Hat for some time. It's a strange conundrum -- I don't really want to be silent about the stupidity and injustices that are happening in our country, but neither do I feel like writing about it is going to change anybody's mind and there is more than enough negativity in the world without adding to it.

I am much more of a pacifist than an activist, but I have contacted the local Democratic party committee. Maybe there is something I can do to oppose some of the bullshit that is taking place. Social media isn't the place for education and correction of misinformation. The misinformed just double down on their stupidity and continue to spread their lies.

Honestly, I feel like staying in my isolated little world of experimenting with my smoker, planting flowers, smoking cigars, and sipping bourbon or tequila. However, watching the world burn from my privileged place has an elitist feel that I really don't care for. I'm in a place where I really don't know what to do or even what I can do. I live in a deeply red area and all of my elected representatives, both state and federal, are Trump supporters or at the very least -- party first supporters. Writing or calling their offices is merely an annoyance and is likely more annoying for me than for them.

What are you doing to cope?
Wait and see?
Happy about how things are going?
Wringing hands and clutching pearls?
Checking out the expat life?
Or just enjoying your privilege and living day by day?

John

Ishmael by Daniel Quinn

In looking to save my eyes a little stress and preparing for reading in the spring and summer sun, I decided that a small Kindle paper-white would be beneficial. It arrived on Monday and I decided to buy a Kindle edition of the book Ishmael by Daniel Quinn. The book was recommended by several friends and was an interesting read. 

Although the book was written more than three decades ago, it remains a timely read for today's destructive culture of humanity and I would also recommend reading it. I imagine that if it were read and reviewed by today's extreme religious groups or far right nationalists it would be banned from schools and local libraries for its counter-cultural philosophies. It is truly amazing how threatened people are when others are encouraged to consider evidence or thoughts and then to think for themselves and draw their own conclusions.

It might not be a great read for somebody that isn't open minded or willing to examine their own philosophies and religious beliefs. It is a book that will challenge your thoughts on history, culture, religion, society, evolution of humankind, and our connection to the world in which we live.

Check it out.
Give it a read.
Let me know what you think.

John

I wonder what I'm missing today...

Today, February 28, is an economic blackout day here in the US. 
It's a day to measure the impact consumers can have if we boycott the corporate machine that influences and maligns the lives of hard working Americans.

Included in the blackout are certain social media sites such as Facebook and X (Twitter). I'm guessing that other Meta owned apps, such as Instagram and WhatsApp are also included. I may make an exception for WhatsApp since that is the primary app I used to communicate with my expat kids.

While it is encouraged not to make any purchases today -- in person nor online -- exceptions can be made to support locally owned small businesses, but use of credit or debit cards is discouraged.

It's a little ironic that most of my readers come from linking this blog to Facebook which won't be happening today. Oh well, there's not much here worth reading anyway.

John

Coping

How are you coping in today's chaotic world?
I guess that is more a question for my US friends or maybe even my North American friends.

I suppose I have been coping by limiting social media time and conversations with people that get so much of their news from social media sites and the uniformed opinions of the people that post stupid shit. One of the things that I was concerned about when returning home from my four weeks in Puerto Vallarta was the constant saturation of political news and social idiocy. 

I don't want to come across as not caring about the injustices and political upheaval that is taking place in the US, but neither am I going to spend my days in a state of constant worry. I am going to plan my garden, think about baseball, cook and eat good food, read books, sip tequila and bourbon, smoke cigars, and find or create places of peace and calm in the midst of the chaos.

Today is the second consecutive day of having my morning coffee outside on the deck. I know that there will still be days when I will have to be inside, but today I am enjoying the feel of the morning sun and the morning chatter of the birds. The ground is still a little soggy from all of the melted snow, but I am looking forward to doing some yard work when the time comes for that.

How do you cope?
Where do you find your peace?
In a person?
...a place?
...an activity?

I'm interested in knowing how other people cope with the stresses of life.
Please share your ways.

John

Wednesday Wisdom

 

Unintended Consequences

This past week the federal government staffing cuts hit the FAA. While air traffic controllers seem to be exempt from the cuts, the people that support the system were not. The people that keep the software and the hardware running, the people that maintain the facilities where air traffic controllers work, the people that inspect the airplanes that the public flies, the people that test and monitor the systems that make the US air space the envy of the world -- those people have had staffing reduced to dangerous levels and let go the people that were training to replace them.

Halts to hiring and training are not new to the FAA. Such moratoriums happened during my career as a controller. Although they were supposed to save money, they never really did. They just put advancement farther behind and expenses farther ahead.
And the FAA always maintained the standard line -- Safety was never compromised.

Bullshit!
Safety was always compromised. It took some pretty extraordinary work by those left holding the system together with duct tape and software patches to keep the system users alive from airport to airport and day to day. 

I am all for reducing the size of government and cutting unnecessary waste (Is any waste necessary?), but these cuts are removing vital parts of the system to find more money for the richest among us.
I wonder how many winning lottery tickets I need to move me into the class of people that will actually benefit from these cuts.
Damn.

John

Saturday

It's a cool and damp 45 (7c) degrees in the Ozarks of Southwest MO today. I decided that it is warm enough to sit on the deck and enjoy (or endure) the cool day. I am wearing sweatpants, a flannel shirt and I am covered with a poncho I bought in Mexico a couple of decades ago, so I'll be fine for as long as I decide to stay out here. The snow and brutal cold will be back on Tuesday with single digit highs expected for Wednesday and Thursday. 
Brrrrrr

No worries.
We have food (and coffee), an ample supply of propane for the furnace and fireplace, and a cozy home to keep us safe and warm. I'm glad that I don't have to brave the elements to go to work or take kids to school or anything, and I seriously doubt I will be typing out a blog from the deck next week. 

It's an easy day today. I ran a few errands, did a few things around the house, and now to chill -- both figuratively and literally.
I think I'll find the UFC fights and watch them out here for a bit. Eventually, I will move inside as the temperature continues to drop. 

I hope that you are warm and safe and happy.

John

Wednesday Wisdom

It's a slightly different environment for my morning coffee today than the tropical sidewalk cafe of the past few weeks.

We got a light snow last night and a little freezing fog this morning. Currently it is just below freezing, but it looks like it may be a little bit warmer today than was originally forecast. 

Here's the thing --
You are where you are. You can be where you are and miserable or you can be where you are and make the most of it. I have a midday doctor's appointment and then I'm going to help some friends that have set up a day shelter so that some of our homeless population can get out of the cold and expected freezing rain.
The organizers and coordinators of our crisis cold weather shelters are the best. They have full time jobs, but spend so much time and energy being aware of and meeting the needs of others. And they are pretty good at recruiting volunteers that will cook food, serve, and clean up afterwards. It is really an honor to be a part of such a community of people. These are the people that Jesus talked about in Matthew 25 when he spoke about taking care of the marginalized people of society. These are the people I think about when I hear the word -- Christians. 
I'm glad they let me hang out with them.

Find the good where you are. 
And if you can't, then make something good where you are.

John

¡Adios, Puerto Vallarta! ¡Hasta pronto!

This is it. Morning coffee on the kids' patio and then I'll load my winter tan into an Uber and head for the airport. I'll be back to the freezing temperatures I left behind tonight.
sigh

As much as I say that I could live here year 'round, home is home and I have a garden to plan and prepare for the coming spring. 
And I know of many people that are legit concerned about their future safety and their future in general that could use an ally and an activist. I haven't been much of an activist in the past, but I believe that being an ally is no longer going to be sufficient to protect many now endangered people. 
I even have to consider that my own financial well being is in jeopardy as federal pensions and social security become targets of Elon Musk's search for waste, fraud, and abuse of government spending.
sigh (again)

I think I'll be sighing a lot until I am able to return to PV in the late summer/early fall.
In the meantime, it is time to get to work.
Back home today. Cold weather shelter volunteering tomorrow.

John

Monday Meditation

I am back at Estaciòn Cafè for my morning coffee. It may be my last morning here for several months as I leave for home tomorrow morning. It's difficult to believe that it has been four weeks already! I spent most of yesterday lounging on the beach and soaking up the sunshine. By the time I get home tomorrow night the temperature will be below freezing and will remain below freezing for about three days!
WTF?

Such thoughts are not beneficial for peaceful meditation. 
Stay in the moment, John. 
It's warm
It's relatively quiet
You have your Americano while seated in an outdoor cafe in Puerto Vallarta.
Life is good.

Earlier I was watching a parakeet in the tops of one of the nearby trees and was looking for its mate as they are generally in pairs. I just saw them side by side on a utility wire. Their pale and dark green colors camouflage them well in the trees. It was their noisy chatter that drew my attention in the first place.
I am looking forward to being able to have my morning coffee outside on our deck, but I'm sure it will be several weeks before that becomes my regular habit, once again.

Today is my last day here. 
I am going to enjoy it.
Tomorrow will be spent in airports and on airplanes. 

John

The End is Near

It is my final Saturday for this current trip to Puerto Vallarta. Four weeks seems to have gone by quickly. I am really going to miss the 80+ (27+c) degree days and 60 (15c) degree nights. In spite of some warm days back home, it will be back to around freezing for daytime highs and well below that overnight. I doubt that shorts and sandals will work well in those conditions.

Summers here are very hot, humid and uncomfortable. There is a reason that tourism drops considerably from June to November. Nevertheless, I would choose to endure that over subjecting myself to the relatively mild Midwest winters. 

Just a block from where the kids live is a huge street market that is held every Saturday. I have walked through the block or so that is on their street and a couple of blocks that intersect their street. Today was the first time I walked the entire market and was surprised to find that it is many blocks long and full of so many different vendors. It is like a giant flea market/garage sale/farmer's market/food court all rolled into one giant thrift area. 
Tools, hardware, electronics, cell phone cases, clothing - both new and used, shoes, hats, fresh produce, street food vendors, and pretty much anything you'd find at a US salvage store or flea market.

Look at the size of those chicharrones!
I did refrain from buying any since the crunchy texture would not work well with my post surgery tender gums, but boy did they look and smell good!

I did laundry today, so I am ready for Sunday, Monday, and travel on Tuesday. 
As always, it will be good to be back home, but damn, I am also going to miss the warmth of Mexico.

John 

Monday meditation

My plan for today's meditation time is going to take a little bit of preparation. I'm going to hang a hammock on the kids' patio and then utilize it for a relaxing, outdoor meditation. It will not be my goal to nap, but there is a real possibility that I may end up doing just that.

For now I am enjoying the sights and sounds from a little coffee shop. I have finished my Americano and just ordered some avocado toast and a glass of cold brew. I have a book on Mesoamerican shaman teaching and life is pretty darned good right now. In all honesty, I am not looking forward to returning to the Midwest winter and the political hellhole of the US next week.

Today, I will enjoy the warmth and the peace of our good neighbors to the south.
And I will respect and treat them as good people and good neighbors.

John

Brunch

I'm a little earlier than I said I'd be here at Monzon at 11 and it's only 10:30, so I figured I'd spend a few minutes writing while I wait to see if any local friends might show up. 
I took a nice walk to get here and nearly have my steps in for the day. My plan is to Uber from here to a grocery store a km or so from the kids place and then walk home to hit my daily goal.

I have just over a week left in Puerto Vallarta. I have to admit that I am not looking forward to being back in the US and having to deal with the daily bullshit that is now my home country. In many ways I am unaffected by the new regime in DC, but dealing with the tariff imposed inflation will be a thing. The biggest thing though, is having a non-approved government entity (Elon Musk) that now has access and maybe even control over my social security and federal pension. 
sigh
The bullshit is going to continue until the people rise up against the tyrant.

But that is something to deal with on another day.
Today is sunny, beautiful and Trump-less in PV. 
Brunch, tequila, walk, rest, watch beisbol.

Retirement does not suck.

John

February 1st -- finally!

Maybe February has only 28 days to make up for the fact that January seems to be so much longer than its 31 days.

I think that February 1st finds me in a pretty good place spiritually and emotionally, but I need to do a little work on the physical part. I believe that overall mental health is very much tied to the physical health and see the societal problems we have with both being in generally poor condition in the US. 
Personally, I don't have issues of depression nor anxiety, and I live a pretty stress free life, but better physical health would be of great benefit to my overall well-being.

I have been giving some consideration to my spiritual health lately and have been wondering if I am being faithful to certain parts of Christian obligations. I no longer feel compelled to force others or to convince them to accept my Christian beliefs, but I do feel like I should still be living and teaching the things that Jesus taught. 
Preaching or teaching in a church setting isn't really available to me and I don't think that is the best venue for me anyway. I really don't know what an effective teaching/preaching ministry would look like anymore. I am a much different person than I was as a Southern Baptist Evangelist, and I don't even feel the need to go to church regularly myself.
I've become pretty anti-religious over the past few years, and yet I am learning much from the teachings of other "religious" leaders.

The ancient shamans of Mesoamerica, the Buddha, Native American medicine men, and many ancient European religions all taught many similar life lessons as what Jesus taught. You can say what you will about his divinity and about your beliefs on heaven, hell, and eternal life, but as far as how to live day to day and treat our fellow human beings -- well, his teachings were much the same as those that came before him.
By and large, today's evangelical Christians are the poster children for the saying of being too heavenly minded to be of any earthly good. And as it turns out, I really don't believe they understand heaven at all. What they understand is -- control.

Obviously, I still have a lot of work to do on John and figuring out my place in the world. Maybe another day or two on the beach will help.

John

Wednesday Wisdom

 

This is how we are easily manipulated by politicians, news, social media, even conversations with friends. Be careful of what you expose yourself to in our chaotic world. Check sources. Be honest about your own prejudices.

John

Taco Tuesday

...or as they call it here in Puerto Vallarta -- Tuesday or martes.

I am enjoying this weather! It is mid 60s (17c) for my morning walk to a different coffee shop and expected to be around 80 (27c) later today. Here is a pic of some of the flora I passed by on my morning walk.

I am ready for spring!

In truth, I may not actually have a taco today. I'll just have to see where the day takes me. Although the breakfast menu at this little cafe looks good, I may just enjoy my coffee and keyboard time and wait to have something to eat. 

Ten years ago I was ending my final shift at work as an air traffic controller. I used the balance of my sick leave to finish out the month and began my quiet, peaceful retirement. A couple of the gifts I received from coworkers were a bomber of a good barrel aged stout and a couple of very fine cigars. In each of the years since then I have celebrated my retirement anniversary with a barrel aged stout and good cigar. It hasn't always been right on the anniversary of my retirement because winter weather in SWMO isn't always kind to outdoor cigar smokers, 
Sometime in the weeks after my return to the States I will celebrate my 10 years of being retired. It has been a pretty good life.

I expect the coming year will also be a good year to be retired. In spite of the surrounding chaos, I am hopeful that good people and good things will continue to surround me and I sincerely believe that I need to have a part in being the good, encouraging, and helpful person to others that venture across my path in 2025. 
I hope to have encouraging posts and share some beautiful pics of my flowers and garden areas. 
For now I am going to follow this morning's Americano with a Oaxacan cold brew. It looks chocolaty and fancy.

John

Monday, Monday

... can't trust that day.

Today's truth seems to be that you can't trust any day or the news that comes from it.

In my absence from the US, I have kept up with the news and politics from home, but it doesn't saturate my day, nor my thoughts. The absurdity of some of it comes up in conversation with expats occasionally, but it remains background noise for the most part. None of the conversations at this corner coffee shop are about the Colombian government this morning, nor about the American president either.

I think that saturation is the most damaging part of the news back in the USA. The constant barrage of idiocy and meanness takes its toll on the sanity of kind and compassionate people. I am going to need to find a way to greatly restrict such negative influences in my life when I return to the US. I'm not sure what that will look like as I already am pretty isolated on our little slice of sanity in an otherwise deeply red area of the Midwest.

Today I will find peace.

I hope you do too.

John

Good Friday

It's Friday of a long, hard week.
Tell me something good!

Mexico is wrapping up the winter league baseball season and the Charros of Guadalajara are in the finals! Aaron and I will be making the trip to see tonight's game three with the seven game series tied at 1-1. All three of the games in Guadalajara are sold out, so we were lucky to get tickets. We'll spend the night at an Airbnb and return to Puerto Vallarta in the morning. 
It's been awhile since Aaron and I have been to a baseball game together and I am looking forward to it. 

In addition to enjoying my time here in PV, I have my implant (dental) surgery scheduled for 2/5. 
It's pretty crazy that I can pay for the implants and the two round trip airfares for less than the cost of implants (same manufacturer) in the US with my insurance. If the cost of dental implants is keeping you from getting them and you are interested in a little medical tourism trip, let me know and I'll put you in touch with my dentista.

Tell me something good.

John

Thursday Theology

It's just three days into this current presidential administration and I am thinking that I need to reinforce some of the spiritual thoughts and ideas that keep me grounded. Maybe there will be something here that will help others, as well.

This morning I was reading in the third chapter of Matthew's Gospel. 
Just a reminder -- Matt 3 is prior to the teaching of Jesus. What we find here is the teaching of John the Baptist as he prepares the way for Jesus. Jesus will pick up where John leaves off, repeating some of the same lessons like -- Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand (Change how you think about heaven. It's here!)

Look at this from verses 7-10:
But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sudducees coming for baptism, he said to them, "You brood of vipers, who warned you to flee from the wrath to come? Therefore bear fruit in keeping with repentance; and do not suppose that you can say to yourselves, 'We have Abraham for our father'; for I say to you that from these stones God is able to raise up children to Abraham. The axe is already laid at the root of the trees; therefore every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.

It's worth noting that John doesn't say that trees that bear bad fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire. He says trees that do not bear good fruit will be cut down and burned.

This passage always brings an image to my mind. Several winters back, we had a severe ice storm in the Ozarks. Most of the Bradford pear trees (known for being brittle) in our neighborhood were badly damaged, some nearly split in two and others that lost large branches under the weight of the ice. Several weeks later when most of the clean up was done, there were piles of small logs cut from the trunks, boughs, and branches stacked to dry as firewood. 
These beautiful ornamental pear trees that bear no fruit were ready to be thrown into the fire.

Look at the fruit.
As a follower of Jesus, if I produce no fruit, no evidence of my faith -- am I any better than someone that produces bad fruit or acts in opposition to the teaching of Jesus?
John taught (and later so does Jesus) that our faith must be an active faith. People should know we are Jesus followers by the way we treat others; by the way we love others.

It seems that in today's culture we are most focused on the things we oppose.
What if I focus on the things I am for instead?
What if I focus on bearing fruit consistent with what I believe about life, love, justice, grace, mercy, etc.?
What fruit (if any) am I producing?

Hmmm...?

John

Wednesday Wisdom

Is there anyone that can explain how renaming the Gulf of Mexico makes the US a better place?
I'm all for loving one's country, but how about loving it because we take care of one another and the

land we live on?

John

Tuesday's Perspective

I did spend a few hours sitting on the beach yesterday afternoon. The energy of the beach is definitely therapeutic. The early afternoon when the sun was nearly overhead had a high thin layer of clouds that moved off leaving clear skies later on. As the sun reached full bright, I moved under the cover of the beach umbrella to keep from getting a winter sunburn. 
I enjoyed a margarita with a club sandwich for lunch and later had a paloma and papas fritas (fries). I also managed a couple of cigarillos. It was a good afternoon.

Like most days, I have no real plans for today. I need to get out for a nice walk today, and will likely join some friends for karaoke night tonight, but nothing is certain. I do need to take some laundry out before I run out of clean clothes. That's pretty much a must do today. 
It's just life -- one day at a time.

The privilege of enjoying the tropical weather in Puerto Vallarta while SWMO is experiencing bitter cold is not something I take for granted. The warmth and greenery here has me looking forward to spring gardening. Seeing the fresh produce in the neighborhood stores has me thinking about growing some vegetables this year. I don't know how much I'll do, maybe just some tomatoes, cucumbers, lettuce, cabbage, and peppers. I don't want to be too ambitious because I know that my enthusiasm for caring for a garden tends to wane as the temperatures climb in mid-summer.
Even just watering the flowers can grow to be a chore when it is hot and we haven't had much rain. I need to spend some money and do the work to set up a better watering system for our many flowerbeds. 

I think the thing I like most about planting flowers is that the simple act of planting seeds is an act of hope. Each seed holds a promise of future beauty. Each flower is a source of food and life for the birds, butterflies, and bees that will come to attend to them. And each flower will produce a multitude of seeds -- more promises for the future.

Be hopeful.
Find a place of peace today.
Or be a place of peace for those in your community.
Share a drink or a meal with a friend.
Be light in dark places.
Sow seeds of hope.

John

Monday Meditation

This morning's blog is coming from a street side coffee shop in the Santa Maria neighborhood of Puerto Vallarta. Back in the US there are preparations being made for today's presidential inauguration. Some are thrilled about the changes the upcoming administration will be making, many are dreading the coming years, and some are just moving forward and hoping for the best.

I'm not a doom and gloom kind of person, but I do believe that I am going to have to be more aware of social injustices in the coming months and years, and I think we will need to be more aware of what is happening as the American oligarchs take more and more control of the US government.

I am thinking of re-purposing my Monday Meditation post to focus on the teachings of past teachers of social justice and how they stood for the oppressed and how we might be able to do the same. I am most distressed by the attitudes of so many in our coming administration that are insistent about being mean to people they feel are beneath them. I have no use for bullies of any sort, but bullies with social power are the worst.

I am certain that our governmental neighbors here in Mexico and to our north in Canada are looking cautiously at the new US administration, as is the rest of the world. By this time tomorrow the war in Ukraine will be over and the price of eggs will again be reasonable, plus all US citizens will have jobs since the immigrants that have taken them will have been deported. All day 1 stuff, right?

I might need to spend some time on the beach today to purge my mind of the negative thoughts and cares that have seeped into my mind on this inaugural morning. Jesus teaches that worrying about tomorrow is foolish. Today has enough to concern us for now. 
If I consider today -- life is pretty good. I am here in Puerto Vallarta where it is beautiful. Life here is very laid back and simple. My morning Americano is good. The music on in the coffee shop is an 80s mix of familiar songs. The neighborhood streets are busy with both automobile traffic and pedestrians. People are pleasant. I am a little surprised at the number of expats that seem to be living in this very local neighborhood and am pleased that this little coffee shop is relatively busy on this Monday morning.

I think today will be a good day.
Sometimes bad things happen on good days. Let's not give too much credit to those that would bring a darkness to our otherwise sunny day.

Jesus also said -- Don't worry. I have overcome the world. I've got this!

John

PV

I've been in Puerto Vallarta since Tuesday afternoon and this is my first writing from here on this trip. I am enjoying the t-shirt and shorts temperatures. The mornings have been cool, but the afternoons are simply lovely. These first couple of days I have been doing some preliminary stuff for getting a couple of dental implants -- x-rays and imaging yesterday, initial consultation today. It will be sometime next week for phase 1 part of the implants. 
This afternoon, we'll (Aaron and I) install a new washer/dryer unit in the apartment after picking up a couple of parts this morning. We pulled the old unit out yesterday.

I've enjoyed visiting with Aaron and watching him play softball. I'm looking forward to seeing some friends this weekend. 
I don't really think of my trips here as vacation time -- it's more like being retired in Mexico instead of Highlandville MO. I am just fine with keeping it simple and don't need to be entertained nor occupied all of the time. I'll probably spend some time reading a book on the beach tomorrow afternoon. 

Life here can be as simple or as busy as you like. Because it is a resort city and a prime tourist destination, there is an abundance of entertainment and a vivacious nightlife. There is always something to do or someplace to go -- even if something to do is dining in and reading a book or watching TV. 
Like at home, I tend toward the more simple side of life.

John

Clear skies for tonight!

I missed a meteor shower  earlier this month due to overcast skies, but it looks like there will be clear skies to view the moon occult Mars early this evening, Most of the US will be able to observe the moon passing in front of Mars tonight. How long the occultation will last will depend on where you are and the effects of lunar parallax. 

You can read about it here for more information and approximate times.

I do love watching the night sky as it changes throughout the year. It is more enjoyable when it isn't so dang cold out. 

John

Finding Joy

Sometimes it is difficult to live in the moment and find joy in life when it isn't a particularly joyous moment. After a couple of days of exposure to people and the winter bugs they carry with them, I have spent most of this past week feeling pretty poorly.
At least I was able to feel poorly in a warm house with all of the comforts of home surrounding me, including a medicine cabinet with cold and flu meds and fever reducing NSAIDs.

My new year's streak of exercise days came to a sudden halt, as I have been very inactive for the past few days. On the plus side, I haven't had much of an appetite either, so I have managed to lose a few pounds this week. I wouldn't recommend it as a weight loss plan, but I'm not going to let this side benefit go unappreciated. I need to eat like I'm sick more often.

Yesterday (day 4) felt like day one with just a runny nose and cough and I felt like I was finally getting over it. This morning I feel much better.

The thing is this -- at some point I have to recognize and appreciate just how incredibly privileged I am. 
Very few people have the opportunity to manage risk exposure during this cold and flu season. Most people have to go to work or school or maybe they are unemployed and looking for work or un-housed and gathering in warming shelters.
I have a choice.

I suppose I need to admit that I've gotten careless. I should wear a mask more often in situations where I am exposed to airborne microbes that can make me sick -- especially with an upcoming trip planned. 

Being able to stay at home when there is 6" (15.24cm) of fresh snow on the ground and the temperature is well below freezing is quite nice. The simple pleasure of my morning coffee by the fireplace would be considered quite the luxury by many people. 

I do hope that you manage to stay healthy during this winter season. And I hope that you can always find joy in your circumstance. 

John

Wednesday Wisdom

 

Click it to big it!

John

About that image thing...

So  -- I was sitting at one of the additional cold weather shelters on Monday night waiting for the guests to arrive. One of the coordinators from the shelter where I usually work was waiting with me and our conversation went something like this:

Coordinator: I thought of you the other night. I was at the shelter and sort of lost my patience with one of the guests, and ...

Me (interrupting): Wait! You lost your patience and that made you think of me?

Coordinator (backtracking and laughing): No. You said that you don't have the patience you used to have and I'm just saying I can relate to that.

Hmmm...
Truthfully, I have expressed that to the shelter coordinators and it is one of the reasons I chose not to be on staff this year. I hope that my lower threshold of patience hasn't been too apparent to our guests. Conflicts that require de-escalation are pretty infrequent. Dealing with people is ongoing. 
Sometimes you have people that need help, but treat the people trying to help them poorly. I used to readily give them a pass and just do my thing. It has become more difficult to show that level of grace. I'm not sure why, but it has. Now I have to find the balance between helping and dealing with the stress, and guarding my own well being by staying away.
I shouldn't let a few people keep me from helping the many that are so very grateful and appreciative of the staff and volunteers. 

When I started this five years ago, it was the homeless community that pretty much policed themselves. If someone treated a shelter property poorly or gave the volunteers a hard time, it was the community that made the offender straighten up or they would keep them from coming back. Protecting the shelter property and the people that worked there was to the benefit of everyone and so they guarded it accordingly. 
As the nationwide homeless demographic has changed, that level of responsibility has also changed. There is a larger number of younger people and the chronically homeless are aging. Homelessness is a much greater problem in the US than it is in other countries. Part of it is a lack of social safety nets. Part of it is a culture that just doesn't care about our fellow citizens -- and oftentimes those fellow citizens are actually family members.

Sheesh! Now I'm the impatient, cigar smoking, bourbon drinking, introverted, retired guy!
I should be getting my journeyman curmudgeon card any day now.
Oh yeah -- And get off my lawn!

John

Winter

Winter has arrived in the Ozarks of Southwest Missouri!
There is a light layer of snow covering the ground and it is cold out there -- 16f (-9c)!
Brrrr

It is said that if you let the winter weather steal your joy, you'll still have the cold weather, but you'll have less joy.
Today I am grateful and joyful about my warm fireplace and good coffee as I quietly type away on the Chromebook keyboard. I have what I need without having to venture out into the cold for today and I plan to enjoy staying in. I am extremely grateful that I no longer have to go into work every day and have been doing this retired thing long enough that I really don't remember what that routine was like. 

Today, like most days, will be quiet and pretty unproductive. I'll do some reading, maybe complete a Spanish lesson, spend a little time exercising, and might get some of the Christmas decorations packed away. 

After writing this post about who I am or who others perceive me to be, I've been thinking about it -- perhaps more than I need to be. 
Truthfully, I really don't care what most people think of me. Certainly, there are people that I don't want to disappoint and would enjoy having their admiration, but those are a very select few. I am really most interested in the personal assessment of who I am and I find that there are definitely areas that I need to work on. 

While I am genuinely grateful for and content with many areas of life, I know that I have been negligent when it comes to my health. Although I currently only take medication for high blood pressure, I know that being 100 lbs (45.4 kg) overweight is not a good thing and there are probably other health maladies in my near future. 
I'm working on it.

There are also other areas that I need to pay more attention to and some things that I just need to get around to doing. Procrastination has always been a problem for me. 
It seems that most of the problem areas of life are consequences of poor choices in our past and need to be dealt with as they are since undoing them isn't really possible.

One day at a time.
73 days until spring.

John

Celestial Irony

Today is the day that the earth reaches perihelion, the closest point to the sun in its annual orbit. 
From the Greek peri -- meaning near, helion -- meaning son.

It also marks the beginning of some extremely cold weather here in the US Midwest. I suppose we should be glad that we are not faced with the summer heat that our southern hemisphere friends have. It is a good thing that we humans are an adaptable species.

Although we use 24 hour days, the actual time of each day varies slightly as we make our elliptical orbit around our sun. And our earth's spin is slowing down! As the moon orbits the earth, its gravitational pull is actually slowing our rotation. It (the moon) is also inching farther away from the earth.
Science -- it is pretty amazing.

I may check and compare weather conditions for our counterparts on the other side of the globe from time to time. 37 degrees north latitude covers a lot of land and people around the globe, while 37 degrees south latitude touches relatively few. 
The line cuts through Chile and Argentina in South America, is farther south than the entire continent of Africa, just hits the southern most parts of Australia, and runs through the capitol city of New Zealand.

Currently it is about 1:30 on Sunday morning in Melbourne, Australia and 76f (24.4c).
Here it is just 8:30 on Saturday morning and it is just below freezing.
I doubt that Melbourne will be below freezing six months from now on July 4th!

It looks like it will be overcast all day in the Ozarks. In spite of the fact that we are closer to the sun than we will be all year, it doesn't appear that we will get to see it today. Groucho and I will have to count on the fireplace for warmth.

John

Friday Fun Fact

The year is 2025.
Our old blog friend, It's a Numeric Life would likely point out that 2025 is a perfect square -- 45 x 45.
It's not that big of a deal, but as numbers get larger, perfect squares get farther apart. The last one was 89 years ago -- 1936, and the next one won't be for another 91 years -- 2116!

John

Coffee Shop Theology

I'm at a local Ozark coffee shop this morning -- Urban Grounds coffee + plant lab.
It is a bright (glass on two sides) open place with lots of plants and planters. I'm not much for the sweet, creamy coffee drinks. A decent drip or a classic Americano is about all I ever get. The refillable mug of drip coffee here is just fine for my morning cup (or two) of coffee and time on the Chromebook.

If you've followed my faith journey over the past several years, you have probably figured out that I'm not a big fan of church nor religion in general. The greatest downside to that is that discussions about faith and interactions with a faith community become quite rare.
I miss those faith centered conversations and sharing of thoughts. 

So I am wondering...
Are there others that feel that way and would there be any interest in a small group/regular gathering to talk about faith, theology, philosophy, etc.?
I'm thinking of a morning coffee shop meeting, but --
     not everyone is a coffee drinker
     and a weekday meet is difficult if you're not retired
I'm sure we could work around a couple of objections, but I don't want to make it complicated.
An afternoon brewery meet would also work, but I know there are more and more people that are non-drinkers. 

In my head, this is a group of men, but it doesn't have to be that way. I'm also thinking of a pretty small group -- six to eight at the most. I have no interest in being a teacher and I don't want it to be a class. I see a need for a moderator or facilitator to keep things on track, but also want it to be flexible enough to adapt as life happens for those in the group. It's a pretty loosely formed idea and would need some work that the actual group could help with.

Right now it's just a thought and I'm going to be gone until mid-February. 
However, if you are in the Springfield/Nixa/Ozark area and have any interest in such a small group beginning sometime around the end of February, let me know.

John

Ready or Not -- 2025 is Here!

I don't usually make New Year's resolutions.
This year, I'm making three:

1)  Get healthy (and off the blood pressure meds)
2)  Plant flowers
3)  Enjoy life

For more on #1, you can check out my other blog.  
The others are pretty straightforward and simple.

I'm not ready to put purposeful people interactions at a resolution level just yet, but I'll keep it in mind as a "things to do" item.

Get healthy
Plant flowers
Enjoy life

I think that'll work for Wednesday Wisdom!

John