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