Sleep, health, and random stuff

I seem to be getting back to my 6 hour per night sleep pattern. I'm sure if I went back to bed at my natural wake up time I could easily get another full 90 minute cycle, but I've been getting up and making coffee to get the day started. I will admit to taking a brief nap at some point in the late afternoon or evening. 
It works.

I feel fortunate to be a good sleeper when I know that many people have a difficult time sleeping well. I think that a good night's sleep is a vital part of good health. Admittedly, I haven't always thought that way. Typically, I go to bed between midnight and 1 am, and get up between 6 and 7 or whenever I've finished sleeping for the night. I tend to fall asleep quickly and also wake up easily. 
People have asked if I am more of a morning person or night person. I am usually just awake and have no real preference. 
I started getting a little bit of exercise recently(walking or exercise cycle), and have noticed that I sleep more soundly on days that I have exercised, even if the exercise is earlier in the day.

I had my annual physical yesterday and it turns out that I am pretty healthy for a fat guy. The Doc reminded me that there are no real health benefits from smoking cigars and drinking alcohol (even in moderation), and there can definitely be negative consequences.
I have cut back on both, but will probably continue to indulge in the occasional sip and smoke afternoons on the deck that seem to soothe my soul.  
He did not suggest cutting out my daily coffee, but did suggest being aware of my caffeine intake and how it can affect blood pressure, anxiety, sleep, and other aspects of health.

In a strange juxtaposition, retirement has found me being more attentive to my mental and spiritual well being and less concerned with my physical care. I think our Western culture is more the opposite way. I need to find a better balance.
It is interesting that we have doctors to care for our physical well being, but tend to shun the practices and practitioners of mental care that many other cultures embrace.

So, I'm curious...
Do you sleep well or struggle to get a good night's rest?
Do you have a nighttime ritual to help you sleep better?
How does diet impact your sleep quality?
Do you reduce your sleep time to make time for awake activities?
Do you consider good sleep to be a vital part of good health?
Are you willing to make changes to your awake time to allow for better sleep?

I am truly interested to hear what different perceptions people have about sleep.
My -- I'll sleep when I'm dead -- perspective has definitely changed even though I am still pretty much a short sleeper.

John

Church thoughts

This Saturday morning finds me in the local Starbucks -- local, as in Ozark MO.
I just decided to go out for coffee this morning and this is the nearest coffee shop. It's Saturday morning on Labor Day weekend, so it's pretty quiet in here. There is plenty of activity behind the counter, but most of it for drive through or online orders that dash in for pick-up and then are quickly on their way.
For some unknown reason my Chromebook is not connecting to the wi-fi, so I'm using a hotspot from my phone.

I've been thinking about the church/religion thing lately ... again.
There are certainly things that I miss about regularly attending church. The gathering of like believers and sharing of ideas, experiences, and thoughts is certainly uplifting. However, the whole religious thing is pretty tiresome. 

All-in-all, I'd have to say that church people are among the most fake people I know.
Like most things, that isn't always true, but it seems that church people can be a pretty judgmental bunch and as such, have to guard against being judged themselves by putting on their church masks when they around other church people.

Although I rarely get answers to questions I ask on Out of My Hat, I am truly interested in your thoughts on church/religion.
I don't know if you attend church regularly now, or ever have.
I don't know if you have experienced some kind of church or religious trauma somewhere along the way.
I don't know if you follow any particular religion or denomination within a religion.
I don't know if you feel compelled to share your religion with others or to convince them to follow with you.

But, if you were looking for a church today...
What would it look like?
Maybe not the whole structure, but what things would you really want to see in your church?
A large church with small groups? Or maybe just a small group?
A band with contemporary music? A choir and traditional music? Some sort of blend?
Teaching/preaching from the Bible or holy book? Uplifting message for daily living? No preaching at all?
Or maybe just a place to connect with others that have a similar outlook on life and philosophy of living?

Maybe you are looking for some kind of instruction on how to get to heaven or an explanation of heaven/hell, life/death, or something like that.
Maybe you are looking to connect with God.
Maybe you are looking to connect with people.

What would your church look like?
Who would your church welcome?
                                     ...exclude?

I'm curious.

John

I wish people knew...

"What simple fact do you wish more people understood?"
That's the gratitude journal prompt for the day.

Hmmm...
Facts can be tricky things and are generally based on perspective. I'm not sure I know what a simple fact is or looks like. I could certainly share my perspectives on what I perceive to be simple facts, but I don't know if I really want people to be as cynical as I am.

I guess I would want people to know that they matter, that they are important.
I really don't know how to go about convincing them when they may have been told by so many others that they are not important or simply ignored by society, friends, and even family. Truthfully, I sit here on my deck most of the time completely oblivious to those that are oppressed and ignored by society. I suppose that I am as much a part of the problem as anyone. 
Maybe that's not even a fact -- maybe it's just my opinion. Surely there are others that would claim that certain segments of our population don't matter. We see that everyday.

Maybe the thing I would want people to know is that opinions are not facts.
That might make all of us examine what we truly believe and base our lives and decisions on.

"What simple fact do you wish more people understood?"

John

The Games People Play

I'm talking about real games, not the bullshit mind/manipulation games. 
I had taken a rather long break from playing Wordle and Quordle, but I have recently picked them up again. I like that it is just one puzzle per day so I'm not getting sucked into playing for long periods of time. I also play a couple of block puzzle games from time to time. I have a cribbage game on my phone but I haven't played it in quite some time.

Do you have a go-to game that you play on your phone, tablet, or computer?

I know I'm old, but I still think the classic tetris is one of the best computer games. I'd love to find an app with the classic game.
I recently read about people that had never played solitaire with actual cards and weren't sure how to deal the cards to begin a game.
Do people still play cards?
There are so many card games -- hearts, spades, euchre, rummy and its variations, bridge, casino, pinochle (that's a weird name), and countless others. 

I don't usually like playing games with strangers. I'm a little competitive and that can be hard on relationships. It's safer just to talk. I can filter my comments easier than changing my competitive nature. And to be fair, it isn't that I have to win -- I just don't want to lose. There is no fun in losing. 
I think solo computer games suit me just fine.

What are your time kill games?

John

Going out

Wow!
It's been more than a week since I've posted here. I should write more often. There have been plenty of days that I've thought about writing, but just put it off. I need to be more disciplined about making myself write. It's pretty therapeutic. 

Last night we were out for a small birthday celebration for one of the guys at our church. He's a guy that volunteers A LOT! He's a pretty quiet and unassuming guy, but he's always available and willing to help and serve the community in any way that's needed. If you were to ask random people at The Venues about lay leaders, chances are that his name wouldn't come up. But in my own mind, he is the face of what The Venues is all about. If there was an award called "Mr. Venues," he'd win it - hands down!
I was glad that we were thought of and invited to this small birthday gathering.

Not only was it fun to celebrate our friend, but having dinner out with a small group was pretty enjoyable, as well. In fact, I mentioned to Chris that we could do that with a small group of people anytime, maybe on a monthly basis - different friends, different restaurants. 
Yeah, I know - it's weird for me to think of this, but here I am.

So how about indulging me and participating in an imaginary dinner party. You and your significant other or guest will have dinner with me and Chris and a couple of your choosing and one of my choosing. Last night we were at a quaint little neighborhood Italian place. It was pretty good, so let's do something like that - nothing fancy, small, quaint, ethnic. How about Greek? I'm going to invite AOC and her guest. I'd be interested in hearing her on a personal, conversational level. And as interesting as the political conversation might be, I'd also like to know her personal likes and dislikes - favorite foods, does she have pets, favorite music, movies, actors, etc. And I don't know why, but I think she'd be funny and have a great laugh, too.
Who would you invite? And why?

John

The Simple Life

I'm enjoying a cup of good coffee (Ethiopian) next to our ventless gas fireplace after a good night's sleep in my own bed. It's true -- I'd rather be sitting outside, looking at the ocean from a tropical beach or balcony, but this isn't too bad.
I don't know if there is a great difference between content and happy, but I am definitely content this morning.   

I know that I'm not too motivated to do anything today, so I'm going to enjoy the moment and worry about motivation later. 

What are the simple things in life that you enjoy?
Even though I do like an occasional lunch with a friend or meet for coffee, most of the simple things I enjoy seem to be things that I enjoy in solitude:  reading a book, enjoying a good cigar, sipping bourbon, listening to music, taking a ride on the motorcycle, etc.  
I enjoy watching MMA fighting, baseball, hockey, and even soccer, but wouldn't list those things as something that brings me joy or even contentment. They are more just ways to pass time. 

I don't really have any hobbies. I don't have a regular job that I go to. I have no real routine in life and I kind of like it that way. I know that many people need structure and routine to get by from day to day. I'm pretty happy that I'm not one of them,
Maybe life for you is better if it is busy and complex.
Maybe your preference isn't for a simple life.
Maybe you are one of those people that have to be moving and doing to be happy -- making a do list and checking things off one by one until it's completed.

So...
What are the things in life that make you happy?
Do that.

John

Winter activities

If you know me, you already know that winter ain't my thing.
If I were to choose a favorite winter activity, it would be traveling to a tropical beach. Since I've taken on a seasonal job this winter, traveling to a tropical beach isn't on the table of potential activities for the coming months.  

Fortunately, SWMO doesn't typically get a lot of snow. It makes the winter long without much opportunity for sledding, skiing, outdoor ice skating, or other snow and/or ice related fun. 
So, what do you do for winter fun?
Maybe it's the same thing you do for summer fun, but with more clothes on!

I need to run into Springfield today. Google Maps says it's 16 miles to the coffee shop where I'm meeting a guy. It will be a cool ride, but I think I'll take the bike. Motorcycle riding is a summer activity that I do in the winter, but with more (or at least warmer) clothes on. 

I still need to enclose the deck if I'm going to make use of it this winter.
I have a few magic effects I'd like to work on (although, I haven't been too serious about it). 
I also have some woodburning tools that I received a couple of years ago that might be fun to experiment with.
I read, but inside rather than outside.

Where do you live and what are your go-to winter activities?

John
#readyforspring

Unusual Week

Tomorrow will be the third morning this week that I am out of my normal routine.
Typically I sleep until I'm finished and then have my coffee and quiet time on the deck before doing anything else, even if that something else is doing nothing.

Tuesday was a morning call to visit the hospital (it's my week of Chaplain duties). Today was time with my sister who overnighted here on her way to see Mom. And tomorrow will be a morning coffee meet with a friend to catch up on what is going on in each other's lives, followed by the noon interment of a friend's ashes at MO Veterans' Cemetery.

Those are all fine and good things to come out of routine for. It's just a little weird for it to happen in the same week and I feel a little discombobulated. Nothing bad, just a little out of rhythm. 
Between preaching the past two Sundays, chaplaining this week, and serving as minister at the interment tomorrow, I'd say it's time to re-evaluate and get back to the full time retirement gig!
I've about exceeded my annual quota of people-ing and it's only September 1st!

It won't be too long before cold weather shelter time is upon us, so I may have to expand my people-ing time in the coming months.

     *****     *****     *****

New subject
In an earlier post I asked about favorite Bible stories, but only received a handful of responses. I'm kind of hoping for a similar response to today's question.

What are your hard questions when considering the Bible?
God of judgment and destruction vs. God of love and mercy?
Is Genesis for real and how old is the earth?
Are miracles real?
What about angels?

What are your "shake your head" or "I just don't get it" parts of the Bible?

John




 

TV

I don't watch much TV. I don't get into binge watching series after series of soap opera like stories. I have watched a few seasons of a few shows, but not many. It's interesting how some shows seem to have a cult-like following and the followers are overly enthusiastic, unpaid proselytizers recruiting friends, family, and freaking strangers to join their mind numbing cult -- "Oh My God! You've got to watch it! It's soooo good!"

Chris and I watched Goliath on Amazon Prime. The final season recently released after its year+ delay due to COVID. I watched The Man in the Tower (or something like that) for a season or two, but really couldn't keep up with it. 
There was a Jack Ryan series that was pretty good (two seasons, I think) and a story on witches that I started while working the overnight shelters last winter. When the overnights ended, I stopped watching.

Do you watch TV?
Do you binge watch series programs?
What is your go-to streaming service?
What are your must sees? 

Just curious.

John

Watches

Who wears a watch these days?

A couple of decades ago I stopped wearing a wrist watch. I was working (part-time) at Silver Dollar City and wrist watches weren't allowed because they didn't fit into the time era of the theme park. I started using a pocket watch and just never went back to a wristwatch. My pocket watch was replaced by a cellphone.

A recent change in cell phones prompted me to buy a cheap smartwatch to use as a step counter. Counting steps isn't as important to me as it once was and I'm considering shelving the smartwatch, but have gotten used to wearing a wristwatch again. I can continue to use the smartwatch as a timepiece, go back to one of the wristwatches that are in a drawer and just need new batteries, or just use my cellphone as my portable time piece.   

It's funny that an ordinary wristwatch is a bit nostalgic. While still functional, it's not as practical nor as necessary as it once was. Today's wristwatch is more of a fashion accessory than a necessary timepiece.
Do you still wear one?

John

Spontaneous Speaking (or writing)

I saw this on Facebook. 

Okay...other than the poor sentence structure, I think it's an interesting question.
Of course, in today's world one might have to clarify -- What could you intelligently talk about for 30 minutes with no preparation?
I also thought -- What could I just sit down and write about?

So--

Two questions for you today--
What could you talk about...?
and

What would you like me to write about?

John

Something Different for Today

I'm going to try something different today and start the active part of my day a little earlier. 
Typically, I spend a good part of the morning drinking coffee, browsing the internet, reading, contemplating, and basically getting ready (or procrastinating) to do what I plan on doing for the day. It is often past noon (and moving towards the hottest part of the day) before I actually get around to doing anything. I'm going to change that up a bit and actually start working a little earlier today.

It is about a year past due, but today's plan is to work on the John Deere room -- put up some shelving, hang some garden tools, unpack crap that was packed up almost two years ago. 
Hmmm..."packed up almost two years ago" sounds like that crap probably needs to get thrown out!
That's the plan for today. I'll save the lawn work for the cooler temperatures forecast for the weekend.

Truthfully, I am not much of a planner and I'm not very organized about my day. I could probably benefit from more structure, but that seems a little stressful for such a laid back person like myself. Isn't it weird how one person can be very stressed by a job that is undone and another is stressed by having to stick to a schedule to get the job done.
How are you wired?
Schedule or more carefree?
Easily stressed or more laid back?
Work on something unfamiliar or hire an expert?
Just curious.

John

Music

What is your go-to music genre?
I'm kind of stuck in the 70s and 80s. I generally listen to Classic Rock. When reading, it's Pandora's Classical music for studying. I can listen to some outlaw country, but not for too long. I know not too many people listen to the radio anymore as there are so many other digital mediums available for delivering more specific music or playlists. 
Right now, I'm listening to Today's Hit's Radio on Pandora. Levitating (feat. DaBaby) by Dua Lipa is what's currently playing. Hmmm...
Just trying to figure out what's current and popular. 

So tell an old school guy what you listen to and what your preferred music medium is. 

John

Influencers

I'm wondering:  Whom do you follow?
What people influence your life, your decisions, your beliefs, your politics, your purchases?
Do you follow people with opposite view points?
How much influence do celebrities, social media or TV news stories have over you?
Who interprets the news, current events, religious texts, etc. for you?
How do you determine whom you can trust?

Just wondering...

John

Guilty Pleasures

What are your guilty pleasures -- those things that are nothing more than unnecessary indulgences?
They can be food, drink, apparel, activities, etc.

Three of mine are cigars, bourbon, and UFC fights.

Yours?

John 

Daily Devotions

I'm curious.
How many of you have a daily (or at least regular) type of devotional reading that you use?
It doesn't have to be a religious reading. It can also be inspirational, motivational, or educational.
I have an intellectual devotional that covers seven different fields of knowledge in rotating fashion for 365 days. (I'd be a lot smarter if I actually read it daily.)

I've never been disciplined enough to stay with a daily devotion for very long. Or maybe I've never had a daily program that was interesting or inspiring enough to keep my attention.
What do you (or would you) look for in a daily devotion?
Something for meditation and contemplation?
Something for inspiration?
Something enlightening and informative?
Something else?

Seriously, leave a comment.
I'm interested in what keeps people coming back day after day.

John

Tips for Trying Times

No, I don't really have any new tips. I am looking for them.
How are you coping with isolation?

Are you calling people?
Binge watching TV? What are you watching?
Listening to music? What's your favorite genre or Who is your favorite artist?
How much time are you spending on social media?
Is anybody working on crafts? Maybe just coloring or putting together puzzles?
Playing video games or maybe board games? Cards?

What are you doing?
Help a guy out, will ya?

John

Decisions, decisions!

It's getting late in the day but I thought I'd offer this choice.
If you could ... which would you choose?

I think I'd pick 3 and 7.
How about you?

John

Survey Says ... ?

It is autumn.
And soon it will be winter.
So I'm thinking ...
Should I regrow the fall/winter face or keep it clean shaven?

I know hat many people have said that I look much younger with my face shaved cleanly. While I do appreciate looking younger, I'm not so vain that it concerns me greatly.

What do you think?

John <><

Survey says _____ !

For coffee drinkers:
How do you brew your morning coffee?

Pour over?
Press?
Drip?
Something else?

I use a pour over.

John <><