Sunday Morning

Today finds me at a softball field not far from where the kids live. We took a bit of a detour on the way to the ballpark to grab a cup of coffee from a nearby coffee shop. Aaron has the early game so I am just using this time to write while he and is team are warming up.

Our tequila tasting trip from yesterday was really quite wonderful. In fact, it is deserving of its own post and I will be doing that when I have the time to devote to it.
Today will be an easy day. Softball this morning, then who knows what this afternoon? 
All-in-all ...

Just another day in the life of John.

It's the weekend!

I know -- What difference does that make for a retired guy?

There is a big market that steps up in the several blocks at the end of the kids' street every Saturday morning. I'll be heading out for coffee and to do a little browsing in a few minutes. I don't expect to buy anything, but the atmosphere is always pretty festive and it will be a great way to begin the day.

Tequila tasting this afternoon. Aaron's baseball game and Jenny's softball game tonight.
It's going to be a full day. I'd better go get that coffee!

Have a grand weekend wherever you are.

John

Stuck in Paradise

Poor planning and a false assumption on my part has forced an extension of my stay in this tropical location. Since the cost to extend my stay is far less than booking a future trip to complete my dental work, I will be staying an additional week. Chris will be traveling home today and I will be moving from the Airbnb where we have been staying to the kids' place. 
Sacrebleu!

There are worse things in life.
Although it is an inconvenience and there is an associated cost, being here in November isn't the worst thing that could happen.

While the stay here is very much a departure from the quiet routine of home, I have kept up with some of my normal practices. I get up and go to bed at around the same time. I begin the day with a couple cups of coffee and time on the Chromebook. I read and enjoy an occasional cigar.
There are way more people encounters each day than I am used to -- probably as many each day as I would have had in the entire month at home! It is much louder in the city than it is from the quiet, rural setting of Highlandville MO.

Still, I am able to adapt and find a comfortable routine.
I am walking and moving much more than I do at home. I am managing to read about the same amount of time and really haven't watched more than a few minutes of TV. I am keeping up with a bit of blogging and have managed to post daily for the first three weeks of November. 

While I do believe that happiness is a choice, I also understand that privilege can make that much easier. Both our home in rural SWMO and spending time in the tropical beach area of Puerto Vallarta, Mexico are pretty easy places to be happy. 
But one could also find plenty to complain about either place and make themselves miserable. Oftentimes, changing our state from misery to happiness is just a matter of changing our attitude.
I do realize that's not always easy for some people.

I'll manage to be happy in the additional week here. 
I hope that you will be happy wherever you are in the coming days. 
It's a choice.

John

Community

On several occasions in the past, I have mentioned the overall feeling of community that I sense here in Puerto Vallarta. The more I think about it, the more I wonder what it would take to duplicate that feeling back home -- or if it even could be.

Unfortunately, I think that most of it is cultural and would take a generational shift in how we take care of one another. Also -- and I fear this for my Mexican friends -- I can see or sense that capitalism and its evil characteristics are making slow progress into the culture. While still a generational shift that will take time, I hope that they will see the signs from the corruption in the US and take great precautions to prevent such things in this country. I have hope that the strength of their communities will stand well against the few individuals that will wield power and wealth to attempt to overtake and control them.

On a much smaller scale, I am again realizing that I have a very small personal community of people. I also realize that I bear the responsibility for that. However, I am unclear about just how I feel about changing that. I may need to take some time for self-evaluation. 
Or maybe it's something that will take a little outside input to determine just how important a personal community (is that an oxymoron?) can be. 

In the past, church has provided most of the community for me. Church as I once knew it no longer exists for me and I really haven't found a community to take its place. I thought something more progressive might work, but I have found that, in many ways, even more progressive churches are still church. I just need to figure out how many allowances I can make between what I want and what I can accept.
Perhaps I need to be more purposeful in my search for community.

I don't think it is unusual for older men to have little or no community. That doesn't mean it is a good nor a healthy thing. It's mostly just a typical thing, but a thing that needs some attention. 
Hmmm...
Maybe a winter project to work on.

John

Wednesday Wisdom

Why do we listen to people with a platform but no credibility?
Why do we give opinions the same value as facts or science?
and Why do we let people get away with that shit?

John

Today is the Day

Today is the day I came here for -- to complete the dental implants I started earlier in the year. 
My dentist was on a nearly month long vacation in Japan so I scheduled the appointment for today, the 18th of November. But I really wanted to be here for the Day of the Dead celebration, so we came earlier for that. Getting to spend time with the kids and having some overlap with my nephew's time here has been a bonus.

Medical tourism is really becoming a growing industry for many countries that decide to meet the needs that the US healthcare system fails to meet at a reasonable price. For anyone needing dental implants and wanting to vacation in a tropical beach town -- I was able to pay for my two implants and two roundtrip airfares for less than the cost of the implants back home!
And I can recommend a fine dentista here in Puerto Vallarta!

Elective surgeries are also big on the medical tourism front. Many cosmetic surgeries, gender affirming healthcare procedures, and other things that are not covered by many insurance plans in the US are much more affordable here and in other countries that have learned to capitalize on our healthcare failures. 

I'm going to go out for coffee this morning and then a morning walk to begin the day. My dentist appointment isn't until this afternoon so I imagine another easy day in the life of John.

John

¡Feliz lunes! (Happy Monday!)

I am a little bit sad that this will be my last Mexican Monday for some time. We will be back home later this week. I know that I will enjoy the comfort and familiarity of our own home, but I will also be missing both the physical warmth and the social warmth of life in Mexico.

I have certainly had some meditative moments while sitting on the beach or floating in the ocean, and there is a peacefulness that exists in spite of the sound (noise) that permeates the city, but it is hard to beat the quiet meditation that I am able to have sitting on our deck with just the sounds of nature. 

The first time I experienced the ocean I felt the energy of the earth pulsing in the waves. It was something I could see, hear, and feel. And while you can't really smell or taste energy, you can smell and taste the ocean and be reminded of the earth's energy. I remember mentioning that to a farmer when I got back home and was sharing my experience. They said that they felt that in the earth; in the land.
It made sense to me as a young man, but it wasn't something I had experienced -- yet.

Today I do feel the earth's energy and life in its land. I love contact with the earth and believe that walking barefooted or working in the soil holds life giving value. I have learned to be sensitive to the energy of the earth from our landlocked home in Southwest Missouri (SWMO). It's weird how learning to sense energy from the land can help one sense energy from other living sources like plants, animals, and even other people.

Did you know ...
That the earth has a pulse-like beat that happens roughly every 26 seconds? While we can detect it seismically, nobody knows where it comes from nor what exactly causes it.

Just things I'm thinking about on my last Mexico Monday.

John

People

 

...or why they've been taught that.

John

Beach Day!

Again!

I am looking forward to today.
All summer I saw pics of a beach that the kids were going to with their friends on the weekends. It's not like the area of the beach that we've been going to. This one doesn't have the restaurants and drink service, but it also doesn't have the large numbers of people. The temperatures today are expected to be a little cooler than they have been and it should be a beautiful day. 

It is hard to believe that our short stay here is almost over. I'll be back to typing out my blog from the deck in just one week from today. Although it has been a warm November back home, the cooler temps will seem much colder as we return from the tropics of Mexico.
Being at home is always nice, but I could also be at home in a much warmer climate!

In spite of having the same free time to be connected to the internet and news of the political bullshit that has become the norm in the US, I find that being around people that are not as invested nor impacted by US politics to be refreshing. While the expats living here are certainly aware of and appalled by what is going on, they don't dwell on it the way it is back home. Even the remote and isolated life on the deck doesn't compare to the remoteness of being in another country.
Unfortunately, there is an overall kindness and caring about community that is present in Mexico but is very much missing in the deeply red populations of rural SWMO. There is both community and kindness in our area, but it is often limited to people that look, think, and believe the same way. I have become much more aware of just how exclusive kindness is in our rural area and it is pretty disgusting.

However, I will not be thinking about that as we head to the beach this morning. 
I will love being with our kids and their friends.
I will be enjoying the beauty and power of the ocean.
I will sense the rhythmic pulse of the earth.
I will absorb the warmth and life from our local star (the sun).
I will read my book.
I will live in a kind world

...at least for today.

John

 

Friday Fun Facts

Did you know there's a flat spot in the curvature of the ocean?
Okay, no scientist really describes it as a flat spot, but that's how my own pea brain pictures it.
The Indian Ocean Geoid Low is a place where the earth's gravity is much lower than the surrounding area so the water of the Indian Ocean is pulled away from the low gravity area making the surface of the ocean nearly 100 meters lower at the center off it than the surrounding ocean.

Because of the size of the area, there isn't really a perceptible hole in the ocean, just a gradual decrease and increase in the actual sea level versus the mean sea level.
Over 100 meters; nearly 350 feet!

I wonder if you measured your vertical jump from the deck of a ship at the center of the geoid vs outside of it if your jump in less gravity would increase.

Our little planet is pretty amazing, isn't?

John

Thursday Theology

Something simple for today's theology post.
I truly believe that the best theology is simple and easily understandable, while still giving us something to think about.

Live life well today.
Be kind.
Be grateful.

John

Wednesday Wisdom

I thought that a traveling themed meme might be appropriate for a Wednesday Wisdom post while visiting Puerto Vallarta.

May all of your journeys be good ones.

John

Nothing to see here -- Move along

Sometimes I wonder if people in the US realize how small their impact is globally. 
Oh, I get it. The US is a major player in world economy and trade and most definitely has the world's largest military -- but the day to day bullshit and the 42 (and counting) day government shut down doesn't mean anything as the rest of the world goes about its daily routine. 

Friends returning from international flights from anywhere other than the US are not concerned about cancellations or over-stressed air traffic controllers. Social programs and healthcare aren't being cut. There isn't a great political division among the general population that divides families and breaks up friendships.
The divisiveness of US politics has even less impact here than it does in my little corner of Highlandville MO.

It's pretty nice.

I really hate what politics has become in the US. 
I hate what I see in other people, and 
I hate what I have become politically, as well.
Government has stopped governing and is working on a divide and conquer policy as if half of the country is enemies with the other half. This isn't a f*#king playground that gets divided by the biggest bullies even though that's what it looks like.

I thought I was going to write a big political rant this morning. Then I decided that I wasn't going to write anything at all -- maybe just post a meme or inspiring quote. Finally I decided that a little venting rather than a full-blown rant might be helpful for expressing my frustration while maintaining some control and peace of mind.

Maybe there are others with similar feelings.
Maybe not.

I may find myself on the beach this afternoon.
The rhythm of the waves and the energy of the sun bring harmony and life to my troubled soul.
How are you coping?

John

Monday Morning

It's 23c in PV this morning and 23f in Highlandville MO!
That's 73f vs -5c.
Brrr...
Apologies to those that are enduring the cold blast in the Midwest.
We still have 11 more days in PV. I will make the most of enjoying the summer-like temperatures while I can. 

I spent most of the day yesterday just lounging on the beach with an occasional dip in the ocean waters of the bay. Although it's still a little early for whale sightings, I did read a local article that a humpback has been sighted in the bay already. That's good news for locals and tourists. 

Staying in the Romantic Zone is a reminder of how quiet our life is in rural SWMO. Other than some traffic noise from a nearby highway or a neighbor's lawn mower, it's mostly just birds or other wildlife to disrupt the silence. Any city would be a stark contrast to what we have, but the festivity and the night life in PV make it exceptional. 
Monday morning coffee in this little shop isn't too bad. It's a relatively busy little shop, but the atmosphere is calm and most of the patrons are tourists getting a little pick-me-up before beginning their days.

My day is basically like most Monday mornings -- coffee, keyboard, quiet time (maybe not so much on the quiet). My life is pretty simple. I like it this way. 

John

Cold weather season

The first Arctic cold air blast of the season is moving into the Ozarks of SWMO. I have to admit that I am happily missing it and enjoying the warmth of the Mexican tropics. While I am sunning myself on the beach this afternoon, my friends back home will be preparing the overnight crisis cold weather shelter for our unsheltered friends.

This is the Facebook page for the shelter where I normally work/volunteer. 
If you can help by volunteering in some way or contributing to the many needs the shelter has, we would greatly appreciate it. 
It looks like this early blast of cold will only last for about three days and then we'll be back to warmer overnight temps for a couple of weeks -- but the season is long and there will be many nights and many needs over the course of the coming winter months.

Please consider helping if you can.

And for those of you that are not in the SWMO area -- I am certain that there are shelter needs in your area. Please look them up and see what you can do to help.

John

People

What do you like about people?
What don't you like about people?
And -- be honest, now -- which of those characteristics and traits describe you?

How often are we the people that we don't like?
How often do we do the things that aggravate us when other people do them?
If you weren't you, would you like you?

I'm curious.
If I want you to like me, what should I do or avoid doing?

Just wondering

John

Do Better

 

John

Going and Doing -- or NOT!

Yeah, that's not really for me.
I mean I do like going out occasionally, but the constant rush of having to do things, be places, and see people just isn't really my thing -- at all.

Last night we found ourselves 1700 miles (2700 km) away from home and doing exactly what we would have been doing at home -- Chris inside watching Netflix and me on the deck smoking a cigar.
I guess we truly are creatures of habit.

Aside from getting to visit with the kids, our trip to PV is to finish with my dental implants later this month. My dentista is currently vacationing in Japan, but I wanted to be here for the Day of the Dead celebration, so we came early. 

With the first part accomplished and the second part still more than a week away, we are just here to extend our summer by a few weeks. 

Life is good!

John

Wednesday Wisdom

A life of relative leisure is certainly a privileged thing to have, whether it is living here in Puerto Vallarta as some of our friends do or living in rural SWMO as we do. We got to meet up with some of our PV friends last night and I am really happy for them and the life that they have here. 
One of the conversations last evening centered around identity and how it can make retirement difficult for some people that identify themselves by the work they do. 
I think this is more prevalent in the US than it is in other cultures and countries.

For me -- one of the more difficult things about adjusting to retirement was just finding a new rhythm of daily life. Apparently some people also need to redefine who they are.

Who are you?
Wouldn't it be nice if we could be who we are without feeling like we have to meet the expectations of others?
What if we (as a society) didn't place expectations nor judgments on one another and just let each person manage life in their own way?
What if we didn't have to have a purpose, achieve goals, accumulate wealth, or be successful by societal standards to have worth?
What if we didn't focus on doing and just enjoyed being?

What if... ?

John

Taco martes

No
It doesn't work nearly as well in Spanish as in English. 
And since Taco Tuesday is a US marketing thing that capitalizes on alliteration and tacos are just an everyday thing here -- let's just call it martes or Tuesday.

It's day 4 of NaBloPoMo and I suppose I should be writing about our time here in Puerto Vallarta. It's still warm here, but as I've said -- summer is my thing. I spent most of yesterday relaxing on the beach, sipping palomas, and enjoying a cigar. Jenny joined me and it was a pretty good day. 
Chris joined us for an evening walk along the malecon to take in the Dia de los Muertos sites with the evening lights. There are a lot of tourists here for the holiday as the low season is coming to an end and the high season is ramping up.

I don't know if we'll be back for this celebration again, but I am glad we made the trip for it this year. We still have a couple of weeks and we will enjoy the warm days and always festive and friendly atmosphere. And although I rarely indulge in the US Taco Tuesdays, maybe I will start a new trend by going to los Molcajetes for dinner today -- Molcajetes Martes!

John 

Awake

It's not often I find myself awake after a single sleep cycle and unable to quickly fall back to sleep, but... that does seem to be the case in these early morning hours. One of the great perks of retirement is that the clock on when you need to sleep becomes less important and you can pretty much sleep whenever you can and get up in those times when you can't.

It is 3:30 in the morning and the coffee is just about finished brewing. I have two books on my Kindle and one from the library and I have my trusty Chromebook and less trusty wifi signal, but I am probably the only one up and using it. 
There is a disadvantage to being awake in an unfamiliar place and to not really having any available snacks. I have yogurt, granola, and some protein bars. I can make due with that or step out to the convenience store that is basically next door.
It appears that I may have a Wordfeud opponent that is in a time zone where they are up or perhaps they are also experiencing a bit of insomnia. At least they have made a couple of plays in our current game. I am magicianary if you are a Wordfeud player.

I am not really being meditative at the moment, but I am thinking about personal responsibility -- owning who we are, who others perceive us to be, and figuring out if we need to reconcile the differences or if it is okay for us to be perceived to be different people than we think we are.
I think it's probably okay for people to think I'm a jerk or unkind -- as long as I'm not really being a jerk or an unkind person. But how obligated am I to changing either their perception or my behavior? 

Just stuff in my head.
Since my Wordfeud friend seems to have gone back to sleep (or maybe off to work) I think I'll pour another cup of coffee and read a book.

Happy Monday
(It is Monday, right?)

John

NaBloPoMo 2025

National Blog Posting Month

It's that one month when bloggers strive to post daily for the month -- or at least it used to be.
Let's face it, blogging is a relic of the past and video messages from influencers on various platforms are now the way to communicate with the masses.

Fortunately, I've never been an influencer nor have I ever really tried to communicate with the masses. A few years of preaching and performing magic was more than enough for me. My little blog is just a way for me to organize some thoughts, share some ideas, and kind of bring a little calm to my own world. You can be in charge of your own world and finding whatever influencers you desire to follow. 
Following John is not highly recommended.

I've got a two day streak going, so I may just see how it plays out over the coming days. I am not going to make it a goal, but I may make a bit of an effort to post daily. In any case -- Happy November!

John

Daylight Savings Time -- Can we just end it?

We won't notice the change from Daylight Savings Time to Standard Time this year. We went from Central Daylight time to Mountain Daylight time when we arrived in Puerto Vallarta, but since Mexico no longer does the twice a year clock hokey pokey we will now be on Central Standard Time and we don't have to change our clocks. 

I've pretty much always thought it was stupid. 24 hours is 24 hours. We can adjust work or school schedules and it's not like we don't have artificial lighting for late-night summer activities. I am sure that we will notice the early sunsets when we return to the Ozarks of SWMO. 
It's no biggie. We have lights.

I could be wrong, but I doubt the time change has the economic impact that it once had. I think technology probably nullifies most of that. Outdoor recreation areas are well lit with the latest/greatest high bright, low cost lighting available, and I'm not sure why we ever needed later daylight hours to go into dimly lit bars and nightclubs.
Isn't it time to recognize that the reasons for switching no longer really matter?

On the other hand -- the clock doesn't really matter to me. Do whatever you want to do. I'll go to bed when I'm tired and wake up when I'm finished sleeping, and find ways to occupy the hours in between.
Most things in life don't have to be as hard as we make them.

John

Friday in PV

It's coffee in the condo this morning. 
We'll be out a little later for breakfast at a favorite little diner. I have discovered that most restaurants don't have very good coffee, so I'll have my coffee now and water or diet coke when we go out. Chris has a couple of appointments today, including a 90 massage. I might just bring a cigar and find a place to sit and smoke it while enjoying a paloma or margarita while reading a book or people watching.

Nothing special planned. 
More meeting with friends tonight. More nightlife than we are used to. 
But still...

...just another day in the life of John.

John

¡Buenos días, mis amigos!

I am writing this morning from the sidewalk in front of Dee's Coffee Company next to the pier in Puerto Vallarta. The birds are screaming this morning!

My early morning walk for coffee was a nice reminder of why I love it down here this time of year. 
It is so green and colorful with the beautiful flora! 
It seems a little old man-ish to be walking in a city as vibrant as PV and notice the flowers, but that is what I have become. This time of year is very festive and the Malecon is decorated for the weekend celebration of el dia de los muertos -- the day of the dead.

Our travel day was long, but easy. We hit the early morning flights because they are generally cheaper, plus you get an extra hour or two in the tropics. We didn't do much once we got here other than to settle into our Airbnb, grab lunch at a familiar and favorite place -- Monzon Brewery, and spend time with the kids.

Typically, Puerto Vallarta doesn't feel like a vacation. It's really just being retired in a different place. I'm generally up when I finish sleeping and I enjoy my coffee, while spending a little time on the Chromebook. It is much noisier here than the quiet of my deck, but it is also much warmer -- 76 vs 38 (24c vs 3c). I'll take wearing shorts and t-shirts and dripping in sweat over bundled in coats any day -- especially today!
Today we'll go to the store and get the things we'll need for a three week stay, and hopefully we'll catch up with a few friends that we have made in previous visits. 
I did have a brief conversation with a couple of guys that have moved here from Texas and a guy visiting from Canada. They were just at nearby tables friendly enough to chat with. 

I have a pretty good life for a fat, old man that grew up in a small town in Central Illinois -- retired, relatively healthy, and financially secure enough to have a nice home and do a bit of traveling. I suppose it is a bit of a bonus to have great kids that live in wonderful places to visit. 

I am sure that there is strife and stress in daily life for people in Puerto Vallarta, but the overall vibe is one of a great community. That incredibly positive energy is one of the things (other than the beautiful flora) that keeps me coming back. 

John

Checked In for Checking Out

We are checked in for our early morning flights when we will be checking out of the Ozark's fall weather for the next few weeks. The next few days in Puerto Vallarta will be mostly overcast but in the mid 80s (30c). I am looking forward to leaving the sweatshirts and sweatpants behind and getting back to shorts and t-shirts. The anticipation of the warmer weather helps to offset the typical stresses of traveling day. Dressing for the cool of the Ozark morning and then arriving to summertime temps is a bit of a challenge, but I am hopeful that we can get into our Airbnb early to change. 
I don't really know what posting will look like for the beginning of November, but I am hopeful that I can remain as regularly irregular as I have been in the past. I'll probably take care of tomorrow's post this afternoon. Thursday morning's post is anybody's guess.

I managed to get the deck enclosed with my vinyl covered panels so it will be ready for me when we get back. I re-did two of the smaller panels with clear plastic and will try to do more when we get back so that I can see through them and enjoy "being outside" more.
Also, I can make the deck into a mini-greenhouse and continue a little bit of gardening through the Ozark winter.

I don't usually take many pictures while we are traveling. I am not sure why. I guess I just enjoy the moments for what they are and move on. Having pics to share or memories to look back on is also nice, so I may try to take a few more. You may see some of them posted here at Out of My Hat.

A few more things to do today and then...

John

People Interactions

Well, I have had several positive interactions with new people this week. I'm not sure what that's all about, but it wasn't bad. Some conversations were initiated by others, a couple were from my asking questions. One situation was about making new people feel welcome at our Barchurch gathering. Being the new people among a group that already knows each other can be awkward, so finding ways to engage new people is a way to make them feel comfortable enough to come back. Bourbon seemed to be a common interest last night and that is an easy conversation to build from.

I ordered some new eyeglasses this week. One pair that I tried on was a little snug in the temples. The woman helping me made a comment about her own Hispanic background and big head and having difficulty finding a good fit. 
I wasn't sure if she was just commenting on my big head or if she recognized some Spanish heritage, but I asked about her background and we had a good conversation about that. Her maternal great-grandmother was from Spain (near Madrid) and her father's family was from northern Mexico. She was born in southern Texas, not far from the border. It was late in the day and no one else was in the shop, so we had an enjoyable conversation while she helped me select and order my frames and lenses. She thanked me for the enjoyable conversation as I left.

Sometimes people need to be seen. And oftentimes they just need permission or encouragement to talk about themselves. While some people love to talk about themselves and rarely ask about others, many need to be coaxed into sharing bits of their lives and need to feel comfortable before doing that.

I generally try to refrain from asking people what they do for a living.
I don't want to know what you do as much as I want to know who you are.
If people identify with their work, they will tell you that without being asked. Most people are way more interesting than their jobs. Some people have interesting jobs and I love hearing about them, but that's not usually where I want to begin when getting to know somebody.

There are certainly people that are passionate about their fields and have chosen them because of that passion. They do their work because that is who they are. 
Most of us do what we have to do to survive and hopefully we can make the time and have the resources to enjoy being our true selves and real lives whenever we get away from those jobs.

What do you want people to know about you?
If you could choose how people identify you, what would that be?

John

Surrendering

I know it is Thursday (because I just checked to make sure), and I know that "Surrendering" could work for a theology post, but this isn't a theological post. My surrender this morning has to do with accepting that it is fall -- whether I like it or not.
On the bright side -- I think I have mowed the field for the last time this year. I may need to hit the yard one more time, but maybe not.

I am still having coffee on the deck this morning -- even with a wake-up temperature of just 44 (7c) degrees. It is a little early to enclose the deck, but I am thinking about doing it now and making an improvised greenhouse so I don't need to move our deck plants inside. The panels that I've used in the past are easily removable for the warm days that will continue to happen, and shorts and t-shirts are always suitable attire for a warm, sunny deck. 
As you can see, it isn't a complete surrender. I will adapt and resist where I can, but still accept that it is going to be colder than I prefer. 

Anyway you look at it -- I have a pretty good life!
I will be working in the yard again today. It is time to bring in some of the potted plants and time to cut back some of the perennials for overwintering. It doesn't contribute anything to society other than keeping me sane and at home. Maybe that is enough for now.

John

 

Wednesday Wisdom

There is nothing wrong with being awake (woke) and aware.
Being asleep and being ignorant is a far worse thing.

John

Coffee shop day

Rather than spend a third consecutive day of sub 50 (10c) temperature on the deck, I am at a Springfield coffee shop -- Travelers. To be fair, the real reason for my coffee shop trip this morning is that I don't have enough coffee at home for my normal daily allotment and this way combines my coffee shopping and coffee drinking into a single trip. Plus I have my annual eye exam this morning and wasn't going to be out working early anyway. 
This particular shop seems to be more older people than most places. I am surprised by that. Coffee shops have seemed to be the morning domain of Millennials, not Boomers. This one is full and is about a 50/50 split with a few Gen Xers mixed in.

Today is my first flannel shirt day of the SWMO fall. I did wear flannel on our recent trip to Wisconsin, but this is a first for home this year. It almost makes me sad. At least it will warm up enough that a short sleeved shirt will work for working outside this afternoon.

FYI, I don't plan on bringing flannel shirts to Mexico next week!
Shorts, t-shirts, sandals, flip flops, cigars, and a loaded Kindle.
I am ready!

John

Just another day...

Brrrr...
It is another chilly morning in the Ozarks of SWMO. This is the second day in a row of sub 50 (10c) temperatures at wake-up. Although the sun is shining, it is a little cool to be sitting out here with my morning coffee. It's not cold enough for coffee by the fireplace yet, so I am still outside with sweats on and a blanket covering me as I drink my coffee from an insulated travel mug. 
No worries. In just 10 days I will be drinking coffee somewhere in the Romantic Zone of Puerto Vallarta!

I need to re-figure my winter enclosure for the deck. I'd like to keep the sunlight coming in, stop the wind from blowing through, and keep it warm enough to keep my plants alive through the winter. I didn't like the translucent plastic I used before and may end up recovering the same panels with a clear marine vinyl for this season.

I spend so much time out here that it feels a little weird sitting inside at night, but it is especially strange in the morning. Coffee on the deck is just how I almost always begin the day.
Coffee by the fireplace is okay, but I think I'd rather be outside, on the deck with a small space heater. There is a different energy about being outside. I don't know, maybe the clear vinyl enclosure will change that. I don't really remember it well from two years ago. (I didn't do anything last year.)

Just in case I haven't already mentioned this -- I am ready for spring!

Fall gardening work continues. I pretty much ignored two large areas this past year and I am now spending quite a bit of time and work to get them ready for next spring/summer. It's a bit of a pain in the butt, but I am sure it will be worth it for the birds, bees, and butterflies next spring.
And for now, it keeps me busy for a few hours each day.
Admittedly, I have a pretty good life.

While I most definitely enjoy late spring and summer the most of all seasons, fall and winter are easily endured from our home in SWMO. Overall, winters are generally mild and even the short bouts of extreme cold and occasionally heavy snowfall are easily managed for a retired couple that doesn't actually have to go out in it. I suppose we could migrate like some birds or animals do, but we are generally content. 
There are always trade-offs.
Shorter, warmer winters usually mean longer, hotter summers.
We may not always get to choose where we live, but we can choose whether or not we are happy for the moment. 

So...
even in my sweats I choose to be happy this morning. I'm ready to grab my work gloves and garden tools and get busy doing what I do. I'll be back here on the deck this afternoon with a good cigar and some extra anejo tequila. 
Life is good and retirement does not suck.

John

Coffee shop morning

Thursday was a good day for getting several hours of fall garden work done. There is always stuff to do and I plan on being outside working again later today, but for now I am sipping on a cup of coffee and waiting to meet Chris for a Costco trip.
Neighbor's Mill is more of a sandwich shop/bakery than it is a coffee shop, but they do have good coffee and it tends to be a regular meeting place for people in a coffee shop kind of way. And they have decent coffee, which is a must if you are serving up freshly baked cookies, breads, and pastries.

Tomorrow is the big "No Kings" day event and there are protests in the Springfield MO area. I am considering participating by actually going to an event, but also thinking that a dedicated "No Kings" post is really more my style. While I do believe that the large crowds will have a more effective media impact, damn, I hate large crowds of people. In fact, I begin to feel the inner tension just thinking about going.
I find it interesting that our "No Kings" event has crossed national boundaries and demonstrations are expected in other countries, as well. It turns out that only fascists like fascists and unfortunately, their are large numbers of people here in the US that don't even realize they are the fascists they hate because they are too ignorant to know what fascism actually is. 

If you are unsure of what fascism actually is, this video explains it pretty well.

Whatever I decide to do tomorrow, know for certain that I am opposed to the type of executive authoritarianism that Trump is imposing on the USA. It has to be stopped. 
Are any of you planning to participate in the peaceful demonstrations tomorrow?

John

Wednesday Wisdom

While there is something to be said about remembering the past and hoping for the future, neither is the place where we live. Living in the past or always being focused on what is ahead of us robs us of the simple joy and happiness of the present.

Find happiness in the moment.
Find happiness in today.

John

Safe Places

I am home after a weekend of not being home.
We were in southern Wisconsin for my niece's wedding. We took our time going there and coming home so that we didn't have to make an all day drive either way. 

The wedding was fun. It was a beautiful day and an outdoor setting. The bride and groom were officially hitched under a 225+ year old oak tree, and the reception dinner was in a beautifully decorated barn. A covered pavilion outside the barn was there for music and dancing. There was a large fire pit surrounded by benches and cornhole or bags boards set up for games.

The bride and groom wrote their own vows and shared them privately before the ceremony. In keeping with the tradition of not seeing each other before the wedding, they were around one of the corners of the barn from each other and could read their vows without being nervous from being in front of an audience and without feeling as if they were performing. 
They let me (the officiant)  read their vow books so that I could share some of their vows during the ceremony. 

The bride said that the groom is her safe place.
I've been thinking about that a lot.

Safe places are generally thought of as -- well, places. They can be a room, a home, a place in nature or near a body of water.
Safe places are sometimes gathering places with other people that have committed to keeping confidences and trust in one another.
And yes -- safe places can be people, too. A person that allows you to be yourself without fear of judgment, a person that encourages you in the endeavors you pursue and is there to catch you if you fall, a person that provides you with the things you need, even if it's just a hand to hold or a shoulder to rest your head upon -- that person is a safe place.

But what about people that have no safe place?
What about people that have no one they can trust?
What about people that can't get away from the chaos of life, from an abuser, from an addiction, from the demons in their own mind?
What about people that always feel like they have to perform or deliver so they don't disappoint a friend, a boss or coworker, or a parent?
How does a person without a safe place find peace and comfort in a life that has none?

I have no solutions nor suggestions about finding a safe place, and I suspect that everyone's safe place is different. These are just things that I have been thinking about.
I have also been thinking about the privilege I have to live this life where I always feel safe.
Sure, others may judge me and I may disappoint some people, but I really don't care anymore. Although I am concerned about the changing social climate, both for others and myself, I don't generally think I am in danger or in need of a safe place on a daily basis. 

I hope that you have a safe place today.
I hope that you have a person that allows you to feel safe to be yourself and yet inspires you to be better.
I would share my safe place with you, but I don't think that's how it works.
I think we all need to have our own.

John

It's a good day for a wedding!

It is not often that I find myself struggling to sleep. Last night was one of those rare nights.
Today is wedding day for one of my nieces and I have been asked to officiate their ceremony. It has been a little while (5 years) since I have done this and I was just going over what the ceremony will be like in my head -- over and over. 

Things tied to ministry really seem to be a part of a past life and I feel a bit like a fish out of water. I am not without experience in the wedding officiating, but I am certainly out of practice and the minister mindset is a little foreign these days. I'm sure that the day will be a wonderful day.

I'm in the hotel's breakfast area and there are several parents and grandparents with young kids. It's fun watching the interactions. One group was a quick gathering of a few easy to grab items and head out the door with their softball gear for a late season game or weekend tournament.
And then there are the older folks, like myself, just having a cup of coffee and a bowl or oatmeal or something. 
I wonder what everyone else's plans are for the day and what has brought them to Kenosha WI.

We will get to see Aaron and Jenny today, as well as a few of my siblings and some of their kids. It should be a wonderful day!

I hope you have a wonderful day, as well.

John

The Prize

It's a little bit strange that a president that has renamed the Department of Defense the Department of War is whining about not receiving a Nobel Peace Prize. While he may have played a role in the current cease fire in the Middle East, the deadline for nominations for this year's award was just days after he took office in his second term. Perhaps the imaginary eight wars that he has ended worldwide will get him a nomination for next year's award. 
Or at least for an imaginary award that can be displayed next to his imaginary cover of Time magazine.

There has been very little about Trump's time in office that has been peaceful. The imaginary violence that he paints in our cities allows him to send in the military to create violence. Peaceful protests against ICE actions turn into violent scenes when the ICE agents react violently.
Fortunately there have been some governors and judges that are taking strong stands against the unlawful and unconstitutional acts of this president.

I'm just going to make an uneducated guess that no one is going to award a peace prize to a whining bully.
I should also mention that I have decided that I am not going to shy away from posts that are unfavorable to our current administration. I really don't plan on being political, but I am definitely going to call out the unconstitutional bullshit and political violence that is being waged by the right as I see fit.
Fuck 'em.

Feel free to scroll on by.

John

Was Jesus an Introvert?

The gospels make several references to times when Jesus withdrew from the crowds to be alone. His alone time was often spent in prayer and one might assume that it was necessary for him to both spiritually and physically recharge.
In Matthew 17, an exasperated Jesus even wonders how long he will have to endure being with his disciples.

People (like me) that sometimes feel challenged to spend a lot of time with people and need to be alone in order to recharge physically, emotionally, and even spiritually are generally introverts. That's not to say that we can't be around people or don't enjoy being around people; it's just that being with people can be an energy drain and being alone is when we recharge. 
Other people, like extroverts, are charged up from being around people.

I'm sure it doesn't really matter one way or another. It's just one of those weird thoughts that popped into my head when thinking about the life and teachings of Jesus. 
Being an introvert or an extrovert is really just a personality trait and seems to have no real bearing on intellect, kindness, generosity, or anything else when it comes to functioning in a society. It's basically about how you spend and receive energy. 

There really isn't any theological thought to go with this. It's just that most of the time we really only look at Jesus as divine. Sometimes it helps (me) to remember the part of Jesus that was human.

John

Wednesday Wisdom

John

Lost Post and Losing Hope

Yesterday morning I wrote my Monday morning post but ran into an issue with my connection and ended up losing all but a short paragraph. As my writing (especially Monday's meditative post) is mostly a way to focus my own thoughts and is as much medication as meditation, I decided not to re-write it and just went on with my day.

This morning is cool and foggy and it might be a little while before I can get back to working on the back flowerbed. The work isn't going anywhere and will be there waiting for me. 

The sun is starting to appear over the morning fog and should clear things off in time. For now, I am going to enjoy my coffee and quiet time. Even though we haven't had rain in a while, the cool evenings and damp mornings have been good for the fall plants and those that (like me) are still clinging to summer.

Although the mornings on the deck are quiet and therapeutic, there is still much frustration from the political landscape in the US. It is sometimes difficult to celebrate the beauty of the season while knowing others are literally fighting for their rights to live in peace. I am disgusted by the people that are willing to sit by and ignore the atrocious things that are going on in our country. There is no context and no justification for our own military -- National Guard nor active duty -- to be taking action against our own citizens as if they are the enemy. 
Ugh!

It is probably good that I feel this frustration and anger. I hate that it disrupts the calm of my morning and I am at a loss as to what I can do about it. I believe there are only a few that read Out of My Hat that would disagree with me, so even writing to point out the truth of what is happening seems like a waste of time. Pulling weeds and planting flowers might bring some peace and control into my little world, but it doesn't help my immigrant neighbors or the single parents trying to afford healthcare for themselves and their families. I have never been big on going to people-y events for things that I like, much less to go to people-y things like demonstrations, peaceful protests, or even town hall meetings.
That may have to change.

Truthfully, I am losing hope in my country. I am growing increasingly sad about the changing conditions and the positions of people that I thought I knew better. Maybe all of the voices that want change are sitting on their decks or planting flowers. Maybe it is time to let nature tend to the flowers and get busy tending to people. 
The midterm elections are still a year away. What can we (I) do in the meantime?

John

A Different Kind of Book Club

I've read books as a group book club thing only a couple of times. I have to say that I really haven't embraced the idea of reading a book that I normally wouldn't read in order to be able to talk about it in a group setting. It's like a high school literature class without the teacher to give background on the author and the author's meaning and purpose.
Maybe I could learn to like a book club. I really don't mind reading out of my normal scope if I can find some interest or purpose in reading an author or genre.

But I'm wondering...
How about a book club just for people that always read?
When you meet regularly, people can talk about what they are reading or what they've learned from reading since the last meeting. You can share and recommend books or you can listen and accept ideas about what to read. Whether you read to learn or read for enjoyment and entertainment everyone can participate either by sharing or listening.

I'm wondering if anyone in my local area would be interested in a readers' club like this. 
It's just an idea. Anyone is free to try it in your own area. Let me know if you do.

Springfield area people, anyone interested?
Anyone?
Anyone?

John

This page intentionally left blank

Back in the lifetime when I was a federal employee there were always publications and notices that would come out with blank pages except for the statement across the bottom of the page that said that the page was intentionally left blank.

It never made much sense to me, but there were a lot of things about working for the government that didn't make sense to me.
...And still don't.

But this post isn't about the nonsense of being a federal employee. It's about that blank page.
Maybe the page was left blank as an emphatic way to demonstrate that there is nothing more to say on that particular subject.
Or maybe there is nothing more that can be said nor should be said about it.

This is what came to mind this morning as I was thinking about the government shutdown.
What can be said when the controlling party resorts to using lies and misinformation to blame the other party for the shutdown?
One might point out the lies, but they are so bold and blatant that the supporters don't even care that their elected officials are lying. 
One might point out that the truth of what they are doing will cause much harm to millions of people, but if it is not harming them directly then they don't really care about that either -- especially since that harm comes in the future and there is a present issue to deal with as the government is actually shutting down.
One could strive to educate the willfully ignorant, but that is a colossal waste of time and effort.

At best one can express their frustration with the people that fail to see the harm that is being done to people that are in need of help. 
It's as if the administration's plan is to keep lying until we just give up and accept the lies as truth -- like their followers already have. 

How do you deal with the frustration of knowing that speaking the truth is less influential than using lies to appeal to people's misguided biases?
Typically my way has been to refrain from saying (or writing) anything. But that doesn't seem to be working. 

As I write nothing, the Administration and its incompetent leaders are deploying our military against our own citizens. The renamed Department of War is declaring war on the opposing political party in our own country and the Republican voters are okay with it. 
The press and media are doing a piss poor job of covering and criticizing the administration and are apparently afraid of doing so.

It's all about the money.
We have capitalized our society and our citizenship is for sale to the highest bidders. 
I am at a loss and really don't know what to do or say.
Even this post is nothing more than an expression of frustration and offers no real solution or resolution. I am not even certain that the little bit of venting helps in any way.

Maybe I should have just left the page blank.

John

Thursday Theology

I know -- this meme over simplifies the issue of religious control over its adherents. That's kind of what memes do. They are not comprehensive thoughts; just brief bits to make you think.

So let's think about it.
Although only three characters are mentioned, there are four men pictured. I am guessing that the fourth is representative of the Jewish religion and is supposed to be Moses. I don't know that. It's just an assumption on my part and an apparent afterthought of the meme creator.

I have read the teachings of some Buddhist monks and teachers.
I have read the gospels and the teachings of the New Testament.
I have not read the Quran nor many Islamic teachings. I probably need to.

As a follower of Jesus, I do need constant reminders of what he taught. Reading and understanding what he taught versus hearing what religious leaders have to say about it is often tricky and contradictory.
Many of the teachings of the Buddha and Jesus are very similar. As I have said, I don't really know much about the teachings of Mohammed. 

There are many more people that have influenced large and small sections of humanity with philosophies of how to live with one another. Some (like Buddhism) tend to be more philosophical than religious. And there are, of course, humanists that are more focused on using science, reason, and compassion to live ethically and achieve the best by everybody making contributions to living in society and community with one another.

The Christianity of most of my life taught me to believe certain things, say certain things, and to judge people and life based on what eternal reward or punishment one might receive after death. But as I read the gospels without the controlling bullshit of religion, I find that the teachings of Jesus are more about how we should live with one another daily than they are about what happens when we die.

There is a derogatory saying about Christians being too heavenly minded to be of any earthly good that brings that thought to reality. Following Jesus today (for me) is more about how I live and love today and less about what is going to happen when I die.
Even my concern for others today is more about how they live and love (and even hate) today than it is about what will happen to them when they die. 

What would happen if we were less worried about what happens after death and more concerned with the world we live in today?
I hope that whatever guides your life will lead you to live well -- today.
I hope that it will lead you to love well -- today.

John

Hard Work Leads to Hard Sleep

I know that I have said this before, but I will say it again -- I am glad that I didn't have to do physical labor throughout my working years. I did work in a lumber yard and in an aluminum factory back in my 20s when I was in good shape to do so. And I know that hard work now would be much easier if I were in better shape. 
As it is -- well let's just say that I have slept well the past couple of nights!

To be fair -- I do sleep well most nights, but after a few hours of pulling weeds and digging in the clay and rocks of SWMO I slept exceptionally well. I don't think today's work will be as strenuous as the past two days, so maybe I will work a little longer than my usual two to three hours. 
Then again, maybe not.

Yesterday was the first time that I have separated peonies. There were a few large tubers that broke off solo, without the recommended three eyes for replanting. I replanted them anyway. My understanding is that they may take a couple of seasons to produce flowers. I guess we will see in the spring.
I find that separating and replanting the gladiolus bulbs and the iris tubers as well as the peonies to be very rewarding. I have also thinned and shared the hostas we have and am trying to propagate some hydrangea and coleus, as well.

I don't think I would go so far as to call flower gardening fun, but it is quite enjoyable and very rewarding. I think I'm going to give roses another go. They are beautiful and smell nice, but the thorny little buggers can be a little challenging in this poor Missouri soil. 

There is more mulching and fall garden work to do today so I am expecting another work induced good night's rest tonight. I am convinced that not all of the good sleep goes to the hard work, but that much can be attributed to the energy flow of just being outdoors. Walking barefoot in the grass, sitting and listening to the birds and night critters, digging in the dirt -- all have a way of soothing the soul and relaxing the body. 
It could be that I would sleep just as well without the hard work, but the work needs to be done and I'm too cheap to pay somebody else to do it. Besides, it is both enjoyable and rewarding.

No wisdom for this Wednesday other than to suggest some time with plants -- even a potted house plant can bring some calming energy.

John

Front porch morning

It's a cool morning in the Ozarks of SWMO, a brisk 57 (14C) at wake-up. The front porch faces to the NNW and is a little cooler than the back deck. I just felt like a little change would be good. 
I thought about a coffee at a coffee shop this morning -- because I haven't done that for a couple of weeks and I do have some errands to run, but decided that home coffee and quiet time was the way to go today. The movie to the front of the house is enough change for me. 

I've been doing some fall work in the flower beds to prep them for winter and the coming spring. I have let them get away from me in the last couple of months and they need quite a bit of work. I may need to put in more than my 2-3 hours on days when I'm working and I may need to actually do something every day for a little while. There are some things that need to be done sooner rather than later -- like planting bulbs and tubers and separating or thinning some plants. Other things can wait -- like mulching and general clean up, maintenance, and seed harvesting.
Unfortunately, they often overlap and the later stuff needs to be done so that I can get to the stuff that needs to be done now. I am privileged to have the time and fortunate that nothing is truly imperative. I will still have plenty of time to sit and write, read, enjoy an afternoon cigar, and just live out the life of a retired guy. 

I am often amused at how excited I get over some of the simple things about gardening. Thinning the irises and replanting the abundance of tubers in a different location is pretty cool. I can't wait to see them growing in their new location next spring.
Also, digging up the gladiolus bulbs to separate and replant gives me more than twice as many for next year as I had this year.
It really doesn't take much to make me happy.

In some ways, I look at flower gardening as my kindness to the world -- well, at least in my small corner of the world. My flowers provide food for the birds and pollinators, and beauty for the neighbors that drive past our yard. The work keeps me busy and away from people that might be offended by my sarcasm and insensitive wit. It's pretty much a win for everybody.

It may not be a good thing when you consider it a kindness to stay away from people.

John

Monday (It is Monday, right?)

It's a little weird how often I have to check to see what day it actually is before I hit publish for a Monday Meditation, Wednesday Wisdom, or Thursday Theology post. I still haven't decided if not knowing what day it is is a good thing or a bad thing. Maybe not needing to know is the good thing; actually not knowing is neither good nor bad most of the time.

Mostly, mornings are just mornings. 
The sun is shining on my face as I squint to make out the words I am typing on my Chromebook. My coffee is good and the noise from the highway seems unusually loud today. And I think the hummingbirds are gone. I only saw one yesterday, none yet this morning. 
I will see you soon, my little avian friends -- PV in a month!

I'll keep better track of days when winter gets here and I have the regular responsibility of working at the shelter again. There are shelters for women only and men only. A few allow couples or singles of either gender. I believe that the shelter where I work is the only all inclusive shelter and it is the only one that takes pets. All of the shelters have a great need for volunteers. Without volunteers, we cannot open. 

In Springfield MO the crisis cold weather shelter season is from November 1st until the end of March. During that time, dinners are centralized to a single location where shelter sign up takes place. Transportation to the shelters is provided by City Utilities via the Springfield bus system. Since buses do not transport pets, our shelter needs volunteers to transport pets (crates can be provided). Morning buses pick up guests to transport them to a central breakfast place. 

In addition, our shelter needs people to set up cots, prepare the kitchen area and serve drinks and snacks, stay overnight, open the kitchen for coffee, hot cocoa, and oatmeal in the morning, morning pet transportation, store cots (when necessary), clean up, and laundry drop off and delivery.

All-in-all, our facility alone uses 15 volunteers every night that we are open!
Some tasks take less than an hour and have no actual contact with our unsheltered friends. Other tasks are for two or three hours and a couple are for a 12 hour overnight shift. The overnight shifts can accommodate a four or five hour sleep time if needed.
If you are interested in volunteering this winter or are a part of a church or organization that can provide shelter or a steady stream of volunteers -- please let me know. We would gladly have somebody come talk to your group about serving our community with us.

When we reach the point of collecting donations for our shelter pantry and closet I will share that info and links in a future post.

Be well, my friends.
And find a way to serve your neighbors.

John

Friday Fun Facts

Some of the unexpected spoils from WWI

Did you know ...
(click it to big it)

and...

One final one today

Have a great weekend!

John

Following Jesus

In the bible, Paul tells the church in Corinth that they can just follow him since he is following the Christ (Jesus). I can see where that makes some sense back in the day. The Corinthian church didn't have the bible to teach them what Jesus taught, only the few people that taught what Jesus had proclaimed.
That's not the case today.
If you want to follow Jesus, you don't have to (and probably shouldn't) follow a person that claims to be following Jesus. In bible-speak we would call that idolatry. 

I mention this today because I see a lot of that type of idolatry within the church in the US these days. Honestly, it's always been there. 
Pastors know that oftentimes they are idolized by their congregations and do little to discourage it. Perhaps they secretly enjoy that kind of admiration.

Back when I was doing pulpit supply (filling in for pastors) I would often find myself preaching at churches where only a few people knew that the pastor would be gone. Pastors figured that if they weren't going to be there, the people would also take the week off from church. Perhaps the great tragedy from that is that if the people don't show up, neither does their money.

I get it. 
We get used to how a particular person teaches and preaches and that is what we want to hear. But we need to ask ourselves -- Are we going to church to worship God or for some other reason like worshiping the pastor or being with certain people? 
In my own mind, those alternative reasons are okay as long as we are honest about it. I don't think The Venues calls their Sunday morning gathering a worship service, maybe just a service -- probably some kind of church-y language to let non-Venues people know this is when they meet. When I do actually attend on Sundays (which isn't very often), I can honestly say it doesn't feel like I've been to church -- at least not in the way that going to church once felt like. I'm not sure if that is a good thing or not. I am sure that it works for a lot of people -- especially for people that have been hurt by churches and church people.

My following Jesus today looks much different than it did when I was trying to convince others to follow Jesus. Today I follow Jesus because I believe it is a better way to live rather than a better way to die. I see being a Christian as embracing the Christ-spirit within me, within others, and within the world around me on a moment by moment basis rather than waiting to die to be in His presence.
I don't go to church to sense the presence of God.
I sit here on my deck, surrounded by plants, looking out at the field and the trees beyond it.
I breathe deeply.
I hear the nearby bluebirds and sparrows, and the distant crows.
And I sense the presence of the Creator.
This is my church.
This is where I connect with God.
From here, I follow Jesus and his teachings.

I know it is not a theologically sound way of Christianity, but I'm only sharing it as my own. There isn't enough room on my deck for very many others so you will need to find your own way to connect to God. And if you are interested in learning what Jesus taught, I'd recommend starting with the beatitudes from The Sermon on the Mount. You can find them here.

John

You, be you.

I think we are too often stressing ourselves out by trying to be the person others expect us to be.
On the other hand, we often expect other people to be a certain way to live up to our expectations.

If you are kind to people because they are kind to you -- that's not kindness. That's business.
Maybe we should feel free to be the person we are without letting other people make the determination for us.
You can be kind to people that are not nice people. 
You can be generous to people that can't pay you back.
You can be respectful to people that might not be respectful themselves.
You only get to determine who you are.
You do not get to determine who they are.

You might want to read those last two lines again.
Here's a suitable meme for that...

And because recent events in the US have been focused around free speech, I thought I'd include a bonus gem. You get to have your opinions and free speech, but others get to freely disagree, laugh at you, and mock you if they are ridiculous.

Be you
but be careful.

John

A Final Summer Meditation

Shortly after 1PM CDT the earth will reach that spot in its annual orbit around the sun that marks the astronomical beginning of fall -- the autumnal equinox.
I guess it is time to break out the flannel shirts, hoodies, and long pants. Fall is here.
The fog is thick this morning and I am a little disappointed that the summer sun didn't make an appearance to say goodbye, but everything goes spinning along as planned. 

This morning I am wondering if the dense fog and not being able to see the field and the trees will help or hinder my meditation. I often begin with eyes open and both seeing and feeling the energy of nature. It is easy to say that the fog makes it so there is nothing to see. 
But what about the fog?

Being in the present this morning means embracing the fog -- seeing it as something other than a damp, oppressive grey thing that overwhelms the morning. This morning's fog is an appropriate beginning to the new season. It is a remnant of last night's rains and it cools the day as it guards against the quick evaporation of the needed moisture of summer's final rain shower. 
I don't know if the fog amplifies the backgrounds sounds or if I am just more aware of them because hearing is the best sense to interpret the world this morning. Background sounds from the nearby highway and even the jet that flew far overhead seem louder today. 
I am aware of the coolness the fog brings to the air as I feel it on my skin and as I breathe it in. 

I typically think of fog being oppressive, but it doesn't feel that way this morning. This morning's fog brings no sense of good nor bad. It isn't depressing nor is it encouraging. It simply exists. Maybe seeing the fog this way is a good lesson in viewing other things that tend to obscure the priorities of life -- identify them for what they are, understand that we are the ones that determine if they are good or bad, helpful or harmful, and allow them to just exist.

Hey, that's not bad for an unplanned meditative learning.

I hope you find peace in your day.

John

"Who loves ya, baby?" -- Kojak

I know.
I'm old.
Many readers have never heard of Kojak or the actor Telly Savalas that played the NYPD detective that sucked on lollipops and and always used the line -- "Who loves ya, baby?"

I started by thinking about -- Whom do you love? and How do you show it?
I could ask -- Whom do you hate? -- but people would just lie about that. 
So how about this -- Who loves you, baby? 
And how do you know it? What do they do to demonstrate their love for you?

I ask these questions because it seems that so much of what people say these days doesn't match up with what they do. Christians often use the line -- Love the sinner, hate the sin -- but they don't really love the sinner. They exclude people with certain sins from their fellowship. They vote for politicians that actively oppress those sinners. Their actions tell their truths while their words are just lies that they justify with some bullshit made-up religious garbage.

There is no hate like Christian love.

Is it really fair to say you are not a racist when you support, follow or defend someone that is?
Can you really say that you love a queer person when you support legislators and legislation that actively oppresses them and may even make life less safe for them?
If someone is working against your best interests, would you think that person loves you?

Honestly, today's John doesn't even care if you claim to be a Christian or not. I would stand with, work with and defend a hundred persons of different faiths or of no faith or atheists that actually care about and love their fellow humans rather than stand with the hypocrites that claim to love in the name of Jesus but do nothing to prove their words true.

If people knew you, if they watched you and you couldn't tell them anything -- would they feel like you love them?

It is a struggle for me to spend a lot of time with people. I am learning to see good in people and that isn't really the issue. I think that oftentimes it is more about whether or not they will see the good in me or will Ugly John make an unscheduled appearance and destroy what I have built on the ashes of that old, judgmental creed that I have set aside.

The funny thing about growing past your past is that it is always back there lurking and waiting to drag you back -- even if only for a moment. I suppose it is a good reminder that I was there and that I need to have grace for those that still are, and hope that they will evolve or grow, as well.
I believe that as I have become more contemplative I have also become more caring and more loving. I am grateful for the privilege to have the time and means to be contemplative and meditative. God knows (and so do most people that know me) that I have a long way to go. 

Figuring out who loves me is way easier than demonstrating love towards others.
I'm going to go ahead and post this now, on Saturday night. Tomorrow is National Back to Church Day and while many churches have been busy inviting people and will be hoping to welcome large numbers of people back to church -- The Venues isn't doing church tomorrow. We will be being the church. 

No church service tomorrow, just community service. We will gather together early at The Venues and then disperse throughout the city and take care of different needs in our community. Then we will meet back at The Venues around lunchtime and we will have a party. 
Serving the community and having fun.
James, the brother of Jesus said something about showing our faith by what we do. I think it also works if you take out faith and put in love.

John

Spiritual Warfare

I need some help in understanding this concept of spiritual warfare.

First of all -- Is this a battle between spirits, for spirits, or by spirits?
And secondly -- How has this spiritual battle often turned into actual physical violence between human beings?

It seems a bit sci-fi-ish to talk about a battle between the spirit realm and the physical realm, but that is the image that I always come up with when confronted with the topic of spiritual warfare. 
Do we physical beings sit this one out while waiting for our souls to be divided or won by powerful, eternal beings (angels and demons) of the spiritual realm?

Or are human beings active participants in this battle, winning and losing souls for our side?
How do we do that? 
Doesn't killing the infidels put them permanently on the other side?

From a simple human perspective I am having a really difficult time reconciling that we must do battle for the powerful spirit forces that are engaged in some epic battle for control of the earth and all of its resources (both people and riches).
It sounds an awful lot like our own wars -- rich and powerful people using the lower classes to do battle so that they have more stuff and control more people.

Could it be that spiritual warfare is as much bullshit as actual warfare?
Could it be that the idea of this great spiritual battle is just another lie told by religious leaders to bring followers under control?
Why would a god of any realm need to use mere humans to do battle?
Or are we just collateral damage; a resource to be won or lost in their epic battle?

Or maybe we are just a vile and violent people that will use anyone and any means to take from others.
What if there is no spiritual war?
What if there is no battle for the souls of humanity?
What if the battle for religious control is just a fight for control?
What if we are mere pawns in a chess game of powerful people?

Can we decide not to participate?
Can we decide not to hate?
Can we decide that violence isn't the way?
Can we decide that we don't need to be in control of other people, or nations, or religions?

I hope you didn't come here today seeking answers.
All I have are questions.

John

Wednesday Wisdom

If you know me at all, you already know that I don't talk to too many people. I don't even interact much on social media forums. I've gotten much better at reading and not commenting about what somebody else has posted. I still often type out a response or comment and then delete it before posting it, but I have mostly just scrolled on. 
Also, I rarely feel compelled to read all of the comments left on others' posts.

Having said that -- people seem to have a great need to comment, condemn, or criticize other people's feelings about Charlie Kirk and all that surrounds his past and his murder. There have been a lot of hateful and hurtful things said about people that loved him as well as by people that loved him.

As is usually the case with internet arguments -- nobody is going to change anybody's mind and we just end up angry and frustrated with one another. My thoughts on this are going to be -- If you feel the need to share your feelings on this -- do so, but allow others to do the same. And just as you don't want to hear their criticism of your stance, you should allow them to have their opinions without your negative comments.
Just scroll on.

People are going to have widely varying thoughts on what they find to be important. There will be those that find someone to be important and influential while others find the same person to be insignificant and irrelevant. So what?
There are some people that are deeply moved and motivated by their religious beliefs and others that feel that any religious beliefs are just foolish scams. And still others would go to war to make others know that their god is God. 

If you want the freedom to share your thoughts, beliefs, or even just your uninformed opinions without fear or favor then you have to be willing to allow others to do the same. 
Just scroll on.

For what it's worth -- I think Kirk was a master at his manipulative craft and not a nice person at all. I think he clothed his hate speech in religion and civility and was a modern day Pied Piper that lured unsuspecting people to very dark places. Kirk capitalized (made money off of) on the fear and hate and even on the religious beliefs of others. Even today, his organization continues to make money by showing his funeral and declaring that the fight must go on. 
As I've said in the past -- Hate sells.

I've disengaged a bit from social media recently. Honestly, I've even grown weary of people that share many of my beliefs but feel like they need to fight or argue or post mean things about people that see things from other perspectives.
Just scroll on.

That's my offering for this week's Wednesday Wisdom post -- 
Just scroll on.

And if you don't like it, well ...
Just scroll on.

John

Milestones and What Really Matters

Yesterday I reached a milestone here on Out of My Hat -- 1 million views!
I'm not too overly excited about it because I know that a large percentage are bot hits that have keyed on keywords or topics -- like Charlie Kirk or politics.
I've already had twice as many hits this month as I had for all of last month.

I suppose I could post more political or controversial content and keep a steady stream of high hit days. Then I could monetize my blog and allow ads to supplement my retirement. I could start adding video and make Out of My Hat more of a vlog or blog/vlog combo. 
To be honest, I have considered doing the advertising thing once or twice over the past almost 20 years, but didn't want the added pressure to write or to choose more controversial topics. I prefer to keep it a place for me to just write and share thoughts. I've had a few angry responses over the years, even got called in to the church office over a post that somebody didn't like -- and I wasn't even on staff or holding any kind of church position!

I don't mind writing controversial stuff and I don't really care if everybody agrees with me or not. Having said that, I would rather have people feel good about reading Out of My Hat and come back often for that feeling or maybe to learn something than to be angry or come back to reinforce their own prejudice and bias.

If we have learned anything from either the mainstream media or from social media (or politics) it is that causing division and spreading hatred sells way more than sharing good news and spreading kindness and love. It also appears to be way easier to get people to hate the people you hate than to love the people you love.  
Why is that?
Is it so important for us to feel more important, more powerful, or just better than somebody else?
Are we that insecure with ourselves and who we are that we need to tear other people down?
Why are we so willing to use technology to effectively spread hatred to build our tribes than to use love to enhance our communities?

I understand that it is a part of our natural instinct to be distrustful of things and people that we don't understand. But we can overcome those ancient survival skills and be better. Humanity should be better. We don't need to remain in our small competing tribes and factions. We can learn from one another and be better together. 
Violence is the least educated or least intellectual way to address our differences. It is the way of tyrants and bullies. We are better than that.

I have a few people-ing events this week -- dinner with a small group of friends tomorrow, barchurch on Thursday, and an afternoon of cigars, conversation and a sip or two of bourbon with a friend on Friday. I'll use Saturday as a recharging day and then Sunday is our church community service day followed by a celebratory party. 

Community is hard for me.
I think I'd be better as a hermit.

John