Watch Night - 31 December 2020 - Plague Journal Day 294

Micah 6:8
Isaiah 21:11-12
Yes, your life matters.

We all are still sheltering in place, but I'm here to keep you sane and entertained.
One could hardly ask for much more than that, now could one?

Yes, today is New Year's Eve, but if you look on many calendars you'll see that today also lists Watch Night. "What is that?" I hear you ask. Well, let me tell you about it.

Back when the railroads were the main mode of long distance transportation, the need to keep schedules became clear and paramount. That was a large part of the move to standardized time zones rather than purely local time (based on noon as the actual local time of the sun's zenith) so folks in different cities could figure out when trains would really arrive and depart. That's the source of "Railroad Grade" pocket watches, and the origin of today's celebration - Watch Night. This is the night when all the train conductors would synchronize their watches based on telegraph signals sent down the rails to all the trains across the North American continent.

Remember, you read it here first. Happy New Year Anyway.

Keep Calm and Stay Away.
I'll be back tomorrow.
The mental health issues related to our lockdown and the pandemic are especially hard for people with depression. NAMI, the National Alliance on Mental Illness, has a 24 hour helpline: 800-950-6264.

East Is East - 30 December 2020 - Plague Journal Day 293

Micah 6:8
Psalm 103:6-12
Yes, your life matters.

We all are still sheltering in place, but I'm here to keep you sane and entertained.
One could hardly ask for much more than that, now could one?

Today would have been Rudyard Kipling's 155th birthday (he was born in 1865 if you want to check my subtraction). If your only encounters with Kipling have been the various animated versions of "The Jungle Book," I would like to recommend that you read his original, or - probably better yet - find some of his other stuff and read it. Novels, short stories, poems, Kipling did it all, and he did it with style. (Some of our more over-modernized readers may need a warning that this stuff wasn't written in the current politically correct environment, but rather in a different time altogether. Please, use your brains and empathy when reading - unless you really do like being intolerant.)

  

We're all still in celebratory, holiday mode, so I'm very happy to inform you that today is Bacon Day! I'm fairly certain that the creators of this day meant us to remember neither Roger nor Sir Francis, but rather that tasty pork product. You have my permission to celebrate any of the three.

Making me even more convinced that it's the tasty meat version that's being feted today is the fact that today is also National Bicarbonate of Soda Day. It seems a likely consequence of the first celebration, no?


Keep Calm and Stay Away.
I'll be back tomorrow.
The mental health issues related to our lockdown and the pandemic are especially hard for people with depression. NAMI, the National Alliance on Mental Illness, has a 24 hour helpline: 800-950-6264.

What a Year! 1916 - 29 December 2020 - Plague Journal Day 292

Micah 6:8
Proverbs 3:7-8
Yes, your life matters.

We all are still sheltering in place, but I'm here to keep you sane and entertained.
One could hardly ask for much more than that, now could one?

What a year 1916 was! On this date - 29 December - of that year we saw the publication of "A Portrait of the Artist As a Young Man," by James Joyce. It's actually a readable book by the author of "Ulysses" and "Finnegan's Wake," and I recommend it to you all.
On that self-same day, just as the world was receiving the gift of that tome, we were "losing" the presence of one Grigori Rasputin. As the story goes, he was no easy man to kill, but eventually he did die, and it was apparently on this date in 1916.

A commemorative song is linked here for your enjoyment.

Keep Calm and Stay Away.
I'll be back tomorrow.
The mental health issues related to our lockdown and the pandemic are especially hard for people with depression. NAMI, the National Alliance on Mental Illness, has a 24 hour helpline: 800-950-6264.

RIP Tony Rice - 28 December 2020 - Plague Journal Day 291

Micah 6:8
2 Kings 3:15-16
Yes, your life matters.

We all are still sheltering in place, but I'm here to keep you sane and entertained.
One could hardly ask for much more than that, now could one?

Well, sad news reached us this weekend. Tony Rice, probably the most influential lead guitarist in the history of the Bluegrass Music, died on Christmas Day. That's obviously a loss to bluegrass, but frankly it's a loss to all music. Tony was an amazing stylist with a flatpick, and a great singer too. Clarence White's Martin couldn't have found a better home than it had all these years. Rest in peace, Tony.
Man, what a band they're building up there in Heaven!

Today was Regis Philbin's favorite holiday, Phone A Friend Day! (OK, it's actually "Call" A Friend Day, but that's close enough.) Why not call someone you haven't seen in a long time? Why not call that friend whose name just popped into your head as you read this? Go do it now - don't wait until you remember that you forgot to do it.

Keep Calm and Stay Away.
I'll be back tomorrow.
The mental health issues related to our lockdown and the pandemic are especially hard for people with depression. NAMI, the National Alliance on Mental Illness, has a 24 hour helpline: 800-950-6264.

Worship - 27 December 2020 - Plague Journal Day 290

Micah 6:8
Galatians 4:4-7
Yes, your life matters.

We all are still sheltering in place, but I'm here to keep you sane and entertained.
One could hardly ask for much more than that, now could one?

  

It's the first Sunday after Christmas!

With the current spike in COVID cases in Grosse Pointe, we've paused our in-person worship, probably for the rest of the year. We will only be streaming our services on YouTube until further notice, so please join us online.

Speaking of joining us online, the church building remains closed for the time being, so we have made another video virtual service from clips recorded at various times in the church. Our virtual choir makes another appearance this morning, and that's not all the singing you can expect. In addition there's a sing-along hymn included for the "congregation" at home, so please stand and join in singing!

Today's stream should just appear as the latest entry on our YouTube channel, here.
You'll find all our previous worship videos right there at that same place, and today's stream will stay there as a recording as well.

Speaking of worship videos, a doctored / repaired version of the Christmas Eve service is posted at YouTube now as well. This time the sound is included, and it pretty much goes along with the video. Whatever the cause of the problem was, we're glad we were able to grab bits and pieces and paste the service back together, so please go check it out. (Interestingly, that bad version of the service is our most viewed video to date. No doubt it's down to people trying over and over to get it to work, but it sure makes our channel look better!)

Keep Calm and Stay Away.
I'll be back tomorrow.
The mental health issues related to our lockdown and the pandemic are especially hard for people with depression. NAMI, the National Alliance on Mental Illness, has a 24 hour helpline: 800-950-6264.

Boxing Day! - 26 December 2020 - Plague Journal Day 289

Micah 6:8
Matthew 19:16-21
Yes, your life matters.

We all are still sheltering in place, but I'm here to keep you sane and entertained.
One could hardly ask for much more than that, now could one?

Boxing Day! This year it's likely there were fewer punches thrown on Christmas Day than usual, simply because there were fewer folks in close enough proximity to throw those punches, but it's the day after Christmas - Boxing Day - when fisticuffs are the order of the day.

Actually, that's not what it's about. The origin of boxing day seems to be that after Christmas, folks would box up their surplus to donate to those in need. There's an admirable way to follow up the gift-giving of Christmas, eh? By giving gifts even after the day of gift giving, we remind ourselves that all we have is a gift. It seems to me that an attitude of generosity leads inexorably to an attitude of gratitude. Try it - you'll like it!

Keep Calm and Stay Away.
I'll be back tomorrow.
The mental health issues related to our lockdown and the pandemic are especially hard for people with depression. NAMI, the National Alliance on Mental Illness, has a 24 hour helpline: 800-950-6264.

Merry Christmas! - 25 December 2020 - Plague Journal Day 288

Micah 6:8
Isaiah 9:1-7
Yes, your life matters.

We all are still sheltering in place, but I'm here to keep you sane and entertained.
One could hardly ask for much more than that, now could one?

Merry Christmas to all! It's not a normal Christmas, but that only fits the rest of this abnormal year.
The thing is, it doesn't really matter what the weather is like, nor how many or few presents are under the tree (that may or may not be there), nor even how many friends and family you actually get to see in person. What really does matter is that today we celebrate with Joy and Thanksgiving the fact that God so loved the world that He gave His only Son that whoever believes in Him will have eternal life.

With that gift - the gift of Jesus, the gift of gracious forgiveness, the gift of eternal life - what else could possibly matter? Rejoice! Emmanuel! God is with us!

Hallelujah! Amen!

Keep Calm and Stay Away.
I'll be back tomorrow.
The mental health issues related to our lockdown and the pandemic are especially hard for people with depression. NAMI, the National Alliance on Mental Illness, has a 24 hour helpline: 800-950-6264.

Christmas Eve! - 24 December 2020 - Plague Journal Day 287

Micah 6:8
Luke 2
Yes, your life matters.

We all are still sheltering in place, but I'm here to keep you sane and entertained.
One could hardly ask for much more than that, now could one?

At last, it's Christmas Eve!
It's hard to believe, the way time has both dragged and flown by at the same time, but we've made it at last.

 May you all feel the Joy and Peace that Christ brings to His world and His people.

“Glory to God in the highest,
    and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!”

Amen.


Keep Calm and Stay Away.
I'll be back tomorrow.
The mental health issues related to our lockdown and the pandemic are especially hard for people with depression. NAMI, the National Alliance on Mental Illness, has a 24 hour helpline: 800-950-6264.

23 December 2020 - Plague Journal Day 286

Micah 6:8
Matthew 2:1-2
Yes, your life matters.

We all are still sheltering in place, but I'm here to keep you sane and entertained.
One could hardly ask for much more than that, now could one?

It's hard to believe that it's almost Christmas Eve (let alone almost Christmas), but it is.

In these days of COVID and other sources of unrest and dis-ease, try to remember that wise men still seek Him.

Keep Calm and Stay Away.
I'll be back tomorrow.
The mental health issues related to our lockdown and the pandemic are especially hard for people with depression. NAMI, the National Alliance on Mental Illness, has a 24 hour helpline: 800-950-6264.

The Winter of Our Discontent - 22 December 2020 - Plague Journal Day 285

Micah 6:8
Matthew 2:9-11
Yes, your life matters.

We all are still sheltering in place, but I'm here to keep you sane and entertained.
One could hardly ask for much more than that, now could one?

Well, yesterday was the winter solstice, so that means today it is well and truly Winter. Winter in 2020 can be nothing but a winter of discontent, no? Still, we're just about to celebrate Christmas - commemorating the birth of Jesus, the Son of God. So with no apologies to Shakespeare for the deliberate misquote:

Now is the winter of our discontent

Made glorious summer by the Son of God.

Let the Joy that Christ can bring into your life make you a beacon of light and warmth for the world around you!

Keep Calm and Stay Away.
I'll be back tomorrow.
The mental health issues related to our lockdown and the pandemic are especially hard for people with depression. NAMI, the National Alliance on Mental Illness, has a 24 hour helpline: 800-950-6264.

The Cat Who Hates Santa - 21 December 2020 - Plague Journal Day 284

Micah 6:8
Matthew 2:7-12
Yes, your life matters.

We all are still sheltering in place, but I'm here to keep you sane and entertained.
One could hardly ask for much more than that, now could one?

Today is the Winter Solstice, the first day of Winter. At last, Winter has returned to the Northern Hemisphere! (To all my readers in the antipodes, welcome to Summer!)
The Winter Solstice means that we're very near to Christmas, and thus to the visit of the big guy in the red suit. Sadly, there is one inhabitant of our home who is not happy about that big jolly fellow.

  

Roma is officially the Cat who hates Santa.

Why? You see her above in her wonted position on the back of the couch where she can look out the front window and watch all her bird friends in the bushes and trees. The big shadow in the window - right from where she would normally watch - is cast by Santa himself (or rather a painted wood effigy of that jolly old elf - also seen above). While it would be easy enough to move over a foot or two and look out a different part of the window, Roma, being a cat, would rather be angry. Thus, she sits behind Santa and scowls. One wonders what the feline equivalent of coal will be this year. Maybe oregano in a package marked catnip? It would serve her right, no?

Today is also Crossword Puzzle Day, because on this date in 1913 the first crossword puzzle – with 32 clues – was printed, in New York World.

PS - I wouldn't mind a Solstice like this one:

Keep Calm and Stay Away.
I'll be back tomorrow.
The mental health issues related to our lockdown and the pandemic are especially hard for people with depression. NAMI, the National Alliance on Mental Illness, has a 24 hour helpline: 800-950-6264.

Worship - 20 December 2020 - Plague Journal Day 283

Micah 6:8
Psalm 126:1-6
Yes, your life matters.

We all are still sheltering in place, but I'm here to keep you sane and entertained.
One could hardly ask for much more than that, now could one?

  

It's the fourth week of Advent!

With the current spike in COVID cases in Grosse Pointe, we've paused our in-person worship, probably for the rest of the year. We will only be streaming our services on YouTube until further notice, so please join us online.

Speaking of joining us online, we have closed the church building for a while, so it was a mad scramble to make a video virtual service from clips recorded at members' homes, emailed, and assembled by the crew of Last Minute Productions, Ltd. Why not take a look and see if we were adequate? (I know the music for the offertory was more than adequate!)

Today's stream should just appear as the latest entry on our YouTube channel, here.
You'll find all our previous worship videos right there at that same place, and today's stream will stay there as a recording as well.

Keep Calm and Stay Away.
I'll be back tomorrow.
The mental health issues related to our lockdown and the pandemic are especially hard for people with depression. NAMI, the National Alliance on Mental Illness, has a 24 hour helpline: 800-950-6264.

Celebrate the Vision - 19 December 2020 - Plague Journal Day 282

Micah 6:8
Matthew 13:15-17
Yes, your life matters.

We all are still sheltering in place, but I'm here to keep you sane and entertained.
One could hardly ask for much more than that, now could one?

Yes, this year has cause time to run in bizarre ways, dragging and speeding by at the same time, but that's been my experience of time for most of my life. I really don't have a good sense of how long ago anything is unless I have some other event to use as an anchor. For example, I could remember when things happened based on the teachers I had in school, or on the teachers my son had in school. Of course, once he was out of University I was pretty well doomed.

So it wasn't with total surprise that I noted on my calendar that today is the sixth anniversary of my retinal repairs. I remember the day before and that day very distinctly - who wouldn't remember when they had liquid nitrogen poured behind the eyeball? or when they were told that liquid nitrogen would be poured behind the eyeball the next morning? You'd have to be beyond forgetful, I should think.
At any rate - six years ago my eyes were repaired, and they still work pretty well to this day. I am grateful for the vision I've been granted all these years, and pray that God will move me from just sight to insight as I continue in His service and fellowship.

Keep Calm and Stay Away.
I'll be back tomorrow.
The mental health issues related to our lockdown and the pandemic are especially hard for people with depression. NAMI, the National Alliance on Mental Illness, has a 24 hour helpline: 800-950-6264.

Them Dry Bones - 18 December 2020 - Plague Journal Day 281

Micah 6:8
Ezekiel 37:1-14
Yes, your life matters.

We all are still sheltering in place, but I'm here to keep you sane and entertained.
One could hardly ask for much more than that, now could one?

On 18 December 1912, British archeologist Charles Dawson announced the discovery of fossilized remains of an unidentified human ancestor in Piltdown, East Sussex, England, at a conference of the Geological Society of London. The discovery was thought to provide valuable clues about human evolution. Of course, in 1953 the Piltdown Man was discovered to be a hoax - with the skull consisting of the jawbones of an orangutan and the cranium of an adult human being. As always, it's important to look at what's being said and decide if we believe it. Then we need to take a step back and decide if we believe it because the evidence convinces us that it's true, or rather because we want it to  be true.
It would appear that Charles Dawson made a monkey of those scientists.

Keep Calm and Stay Away.
I'll be back tomorrow.
The mental health issues related to our lockdown and the pandemic are especially hard for people with depression. NAMI, the National Alliance on Mental Illness, has a 24 hour helpline: 800-950-6264.

True to the Truth - 17 December 2020 - Plague Journal Day 280

Micah 6:8
Isaiah 6:1-9
Yes, your life matters.

We all are still sheltering in place, but I'm here to keep you sane and entertained.
One could hardly ask for much more than that, now could one?

Yesterday was Ludwig van Beethoven's 250th birthday. In celebration, our local classical music station - WRCJ 90.9 FM - played essentially all Beethoven from 6AM to 7PM. It was amazingly diverse. One might think that thirteen hours of music by one composer would get monotonous. It was anything but. How instructive to see that one man could write in so many different genres and adapt his style to match the requirements of each of them. (Have you ever noticed how Flemish that name looks? Ludwig van Beethoven doesn't sound like a German name to me.)
Anyway, it made me think of the objections to there being an actual Isaiah who wrote the eponymous prophetic book in the Bible. "There are three different styles of writing, so there must be three different writers. There can't have been an Isaiah, so the whole thing borders on a fraud. Move on, there's nothing to see here."
Well, I know that when I write about different things, my writing style is different. Why wouldn't that be the case with others? Well, of course it is. No one would expect the oracles of God, poetic laments, and historical recording to be written in the same style - and that's exactly what's going on in Isaiah.
Thanks for the insight, Ludwig! You have to be true to the truth, and have style!

Keep Calm and Stay Away.
I'll be back tomorrow.
The mental health issues related to our lockdown and the pandemic are especially hard for people with depression. NAMI, the National Alliance on Mental Illness, has a 24 hour helpline: 800-950-6264.

Limited Government - 16 December 2020 - Plague Journal Day 279

Micah 6:8
1 Kings 12:6-11
Yes, your life matters.

We all are still sheltering in place, but I'm here to keep you sane and entertained.
One could hardly ask for much more than that, now could one?

Today is Boston Tea Party Day, the 247th anniversary of the Boston Tea Party. I find it very interesting that yesterday was Bill of Rights Day, celebrating the 229th anniversary of the ratification of the Bill of Rights. The controversy over making that list of rights is very instructive. Those opposed were generally opposed based on two ideas. The first was that one doesn't forbid what can't be done - one doesn't specify that the government isn't allowed to do what it already is unable to do. The second was that by calling out particular rights in a list like that, future governments might be emboldened to assume powers that were forbidden by the Constitution, but not specifically listed in the Bill of Rights.

 

I think it's safe to say that both of them were right, but it's probably better to have been safe by at least specifying those particular rights. As bad as some things have gotten, just imagine where we might be without the specific language in those amendments.

In a birthday celebration today, born on 16 December 1917 was sf author Arthur C. Clarke. I wonder what he would have thought of the "monoliths" appearing around the world.

(I think he would have been bothered by the missing ' in that message. I know I am.)

Keep Calm and Stay Away.
I'll be back tomorrow.
The mental health issues related to our lockdown and the pandemic are especially hard for people with depression. NAMI, the National Alliance on Mental Illness, has a 24 hour helpline: 800-950-6264.

America Drinks and Goes Home - 15 December 2020 - Plague Journal Day 278

Micah 6:8
Ephesians 5:17-19
Yes, your life matters.

We all are still sheltering in place, but I'm here to keep you sane and entertained.
One could hardly ask for much more than that, now could one?

Today is a relatively important date in music. On 15 December 1877 Thomas Edison patented the phonograph. (As I recall, "Mary had a little lamb" was his demonstration recording.) Sadly, 67 years later, the plane carrying Major Glenn Miller - a major recording artist of the day - was lost over the English Channel on the way to Paris during WWII.

There's a fun story relating to his passing (I hope it's been long enough). My mother was a big Glenn Miller fan. In fact, I still have a book of her Glenn Miller 45s that I should pull out and play one of these days. At any rate, Mom (many years before she was a Mom) went on a date to see "The Glenn Miller Story." After the movie, she berated her date through her tears: "Why didn't you tell me he died at the end?!" It would appear that she was not fully informed regarding the life of her favorite musician.
Ah, youth.

In news unrelated to music, on 15 December 1933 the 21st Amendment to the U.S. Constitution came into effect. Ratified on 05 December 1933, the amendment repealed the prohibition on alcohol in the United States which had come into force on 17 January 1920, when the 18th amendment took effect. Folks are still celebrating this event in homes across these United States even today. Please celebrate responsibly.

Keep Calm and Stay Away.
I'll be back tomorrow.
The mental health issues related to our lockdown and the pandemic are especially hard for people with depression. NAMI, the National Alliance on Mental Illness, has a 24 hour helpline: 800-950-6264.

Safety - 14 December 2020 - Plague Journal Day 277

Micah 6:8
Psalm 141:9-10
Yes, your life matters.

We all are still sheltering in place, but I'm here to keep you sane and entertained.
One could hardly ask for much more than that, now could one?



Alaska Airlines has come out with a Safety Dance video where we are informed that we must mask up to fly on their planes. How fun was that?
No matter where you come down on the value and efficacy of masks, I will say that Alaska Airlines has made a fun video. Still, it really does pale in comparison with the original.

In unrelated news, on today's date, 14 December back in 1984, Howard Cosell retired from Monday Night Football. Apparently he eschewed further seasons! (probably an inside joke) To connect to the first part of today's post, I have to believe that during his tenure in the MNF booth he witnessed at least one NFL team score a safety.

Keep Calm and Stay Away.
I'll be back tomorrow.

The mental health issues related to our lockdown and the pandemic are especially hard for people with depression. NAMI, the National Alliance on Mental Illness, has a 24 hour helpline: 800-950-6264.

Worship - 13 December 2020 - Plague Journal Day 276

Micah 6:8
Psalm 126:1-6
Yes, your life matters.

We all are still sheltering in place, but I'm here to keep you sane and entertained.
One could hardly ask for much more than that, now could one?

  

It's the third week of Advent!

With the current spike in COVID cases in Grosse Pointe, we've paused our in-person worship, probably for the rest of the year. We will only be streaming our services on YouTube until further notice, so please join us online.

Speaking of joining us online, our new streaming solution (all new cameras and software running on a new, video-optimized computer) came at just the right time, and we'll be sharing our attempt at a Music Sunday without a big choir, so why not tune in and see if we're adequate?

Today's stream should just appear as the latest entry on our YouTube channel, here.
You'll find all our previous worship videos right there at that same place, and today's stream will stay there as a recording as well.

Keep Calm and Stay Away.
I'll be back tomorrow.
The mental health issues related to our lockdown and the pandemic are especially hard for people with depression. NAMI, the National Alliance on Mental Illness, has a 24 hour helpline: 800-950-6264.

Howl! - 12 December 2020 - Plague Journal Day 275

Micah 6:8
James 5:1-3
Yes, your life matters.

We all are still sheltering in place, but I'm here to keep you sane and entertained.
One could hardly ask for much more than that, now could one?

Born on this date in 1863 was Norwegian painter Edvard Munch. Scream in his honor today.

That reminds me of the beat poet, Allen Ginsberg, and his book, "Howl and Other Poems." That whole beat scene was like gone, Dad. If I had been born sooner, I probably would have been a beatnik. Or not. I mean, my threads are like cubesville, but give me my axe and I can swing like sixteen.

    

Keep Calm and Stay Away.
I'll be back tomorrow.
The mental health issues related to our lockdown and the pandemic are especially hard for people with depression. NAMI, the National Alliance on Mental Illness, has a 24 hour helpline: 800-950-6264.

Art History! - 11 December 2020 - Plague Journal Day 274

Micah 6:8
Ephesians 4:28
Yes, your life matters.

We all are still sheltering in place, but I'm here to keep you sane and entertained.
One could hardly ask for much more than that, now could one?

First off, I'd like to wish a very Happy Hanukkah to my Jewish friends. May the Light continue to shine forth in the darkness!

Next up, on this day in history, 11 December 1913, the famous painting by Leonardo da Vinci, La Gioconda (Mona Lisa), was recovered after having been stolen from the Louvre two years before. It's interesting to see what's going on at the Louvre these days in the absence of visitors:

Finally, and perhaps most importantly, today is National Noodle Ring Day. Regular readers of this blog know that food is one of my passions. In fact, I actually eat food nearly every day, rain or shine. Today's food item is kind of fascinating. It's essentially just a pasta dish that's baked in a Bundt pan (or other ring-shaped pan, such as an angel food cake pan). I have to admit that I've never had this, but I'm thinking I'd like to give it a shot.
Who knows? Maybe I try to make a lasagna ring!

Keep Calm and Stay Away.
I'll be back tomorrow.
The mental health issues related to our lockdown and the pandemic are especially hard for people with depression. NAMI, the National Alliance on Mental Illness, has a 24 hour helpline: 800-950-6264.

Bizarre Fun - 10 December 2020 - Plague Journal Day 273

Micah 6:8
2 Samuel 6:14
Yes, your life matters.

We all are still sheltering in place, but I'm here to keep you sane and entertained.
One could hardly ask for much more than that, now could one?

One of my friends exposed me to this on Facebook this morning. It's one of those things that not only can you never un-see, you can't even look away. It's not that it's disturbing or upsetting or anything like that; it's just bizarre in the Old Gregg kind of bizarre.

The "best" part is that there's more where that came from. For example, this one.
Once you're headed down that rabbit hole, you may as well go all the way, so all the glory that is Leslie Hall is here.

You're welcome.

Keep Calm and Stay Away.
I'll be back tomorrow.
The mental health issues related to our lockdown and the pandemic are especially hard for people with depression. NAMI, the National Alliance on Mental Illness, has a 24 hour helpline: 800-950-6264.

Doggerel - 09 December 2020 - Plague Journal Day 272

Micah 6:8
Hebrews 4:14-16
Yes, your life matters.

We all are still sheltering in place, but I'm here to keep you sane and entertained.
One could hardly ask for much more than that, now could one?

Today is National Llama Day! (Please refrain from praising alpacas today. Thank you.) In celebration of that fact, let me share a great bit of doggerel from the fabulous Ogden Nash:

The Lama

The one-l lama,
He's a priest;
The two-l llama,
He's a beast.
And I will bet
A silk pajama
There isn't any
Three-l lllama.

Ogden Nash

Keep Calm and Stay Away.
I'll be back tomorrow.
The mental health issues related to our lockdown and the pandemic are especially hard for people with depression. NAMI, the National Alliance on Mental Illness, has a 24 hour helpline: 800-950-6264.