That Mouse Still Roars - 16 October 2021 - Plague Journal Day 583

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

Some of you are still sheltering in place, but fear not: I'm here to keep you sane and entertained.
One could hardly ask for much more than that, now could one?

Walt and Roy (before eating)

On this date in 1923 The Walt Disney company was founded as the Disney Brothers Cartoon Studio by brothers Walt and Roy Disney. Shortly after creating Micky Mouse, Walt killed and ate Roy in order to keep all the rights for himself. That's not true - I just made it up.

Still, the Disney company (especially since Walt's passing) has continually lobbied to change US copyright laws to keep anything from ever passing into the public domain, thus turning on its head the entire purpose of those laws.

You may recall this post from nearly a year ago where I railed against the blatant hypocrisy of this once-family-friendly entertainment behemoth.


Keep Calm and Don't 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.

Not Your Rear, Your Ear! - 15 October 2021 - Plague Journal Day 582

Micah 6:8
Ecclesiastes 3:10-12
Yes, your life matters.

Some of you are still sheltering in place, but fear not: I'm here to keep you sane and entertained.
One could hardly ask for much more than that, now could one?

Today we went to the Beyond Van Gogh immersive experience, and it was beyond wonderful. I was hoping not to be disappointed, but it was far beyond what I had imagined it could be.

The emotions of van Gogh's work were almost amplified by the way they were presented. We really felt ourselves inside the art, inhabiting the thoughts of the artist. It really was awesome in the original sense of the word - it was awe inspiring, jaw-droppingly beautiful work; an amazing blend of the classic paint on canvas and digital manipulation and projection.

If you have a chance to get there - it's only in Detroit through 20 October - I urge you most urgently to take that chance and experience it. You won't be disappointed unless you want to be.

Perhaps some of the impact was due to having watched and re-watched (though not recently) the "Vincent and the Doctor" episode of Doctor Who. That humanized the legend by putting him in another legend, somehow. However it worked - and it did work - it made him more of a real person to us, and knowing more of him as a human made experiencing his art this way even more amazing. Don't miss this unless you're a total Philistine.

Have I made myself clear? Go to this experience! You're welcome.

Keep Calm and Don't 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.

More Silly Old Bears - 14 October 2021 - Plague Journal Day 581

Micah 6:8
Numbers 22:21-31
Yes, your life matters.

Some of you are still sheltering in place, but fear not: I'm here to keep you sane and entertained.
One could hardly ask for much more than that, now could one?

Today marks the 95th anniversary of Winnie-the-Pooh's literary debut - just a day after (but several years before) that of another British bear, Paddington, mentioned in yesterday's post. (Yes, Paddington was originally Peruvian, but there's little doubt he's been naturalised by now.)
Pooh was created by British author A.A. Milne, and he lives in Ashdown Forest, Sussex, England with his friends Piglet, Owl, Rabbit, and Eeyore (among others).
It's also National Frump Day, perhaps celebrating the personality of Eeyore. Please don't be an Eeyore.

Keep Calm and Don't 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.

Puppets, Bears, and Trains - 13 October 2021 - Plague Journal Day 580

Micah 6:8
Job 9:1-10
Yes, your life matters.

Some of you are still sheltering in place, but fear not: I'm here to keep you sane and entertained.
One could hardly ask for much more than that, now could one?

On this date in 1947, the TV puppet show “Kukla, Fran, & Ollie” premiered. I remember seeing it as a youngster, but now I wonder if it was in reruns. How long did that show run? (I just looked it up, it ended before I was born, so I any episodes I did see were definitely reruns.) At any rate, I recall wondering why she was called Kukla Fran. It didn't take long to realize there was a comma in the title. Punctuation matters. (As a side note, today is English Language Day, so please try to punctuate properly.

Also on this date, but in 1958, Paddington Bear made his debut, first appearing in the illustrated book, "A Bear Called Paddington," by Michael Bond. Apparently he was so popular that they named a major train and underground station after him in London. (just kidding, folks)
I'm assuming Paddington's debut is the reason that today is also National Bring Your Teddy Bear To Work And School Day. What with so many folks working from home these days (that includes yours truly), I'm guessing there are many teddy bears at work today.

Keep Calm and Don't 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.

Sail On! Sail On! - 12 October 2021 - Plague Journal Day 579

Micah 6:8
Psalm 107:23-25
Yes, your life matters.

Some of you are still sheltering in place, but fear not: I'm here to keep you sane and entertained.
One could hardly ask for much more than that, now could one?

Today is (the real) Columbus Day! on 12 October 1492, Columbus set foot on an island of what is now the Bahamas. He thought at first that he had sighted Japan, but eventually his error was realized. While he is roundly excoriated for being a monster who wanted only to kill the natives, he actually was doing two things on his trips. He was looking for a trade route to Asia - realizing that the Earth is round and that he might be able to get there without sailing around Africa - and he was looking to spread Christianity to those who had never heard of it.

I realize that, in this present age, the whole concept of proselytizing and evangelizing is seen as horribly rude. However, if you know something wonderful - if you know Someone wonderful - don't you want to share that with other people? It would be nice if folks could stop being "woke" and wake up instead. There really are things that are true and real; not everything depends on our opinions. Of course, our eternal destiny might well depend on that, but the facts of existence simply don't.

On a lighter, yet related note, I would point everyone to a really fine short story by Philip Jose Farmer, titled "Sail On! Sail On!"

Keep Calm and Don't 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.

Happy Thanksgiving! - 11 October 2021 - Plague Journal Day 578

Micah 6:8
Philippians 4:4-9
Yes, your life matters.

Some of you are still sheltering in place, but fear not: I'm here to keep you sane and entertained.
One could hardly ask for much more than that, now could one?

Today is Thanksgiving in Canada! Even with the amazing restrictions under which my Canadian friends have suffered this past year and a half (or more!), they still have much for which to be thankful. I pray they realise just how blessed they have been, and work to reclaim the freedoms which are slowly being taken from them.

For even more to celebrate, remember that on this date in 1887 the elevator was patented, eventually leading to one of my favourite palindromes: "Sit, Otis." (That's a good one, but I really like "Go hang a salami, I'm a lasagna hog." That just hits more right notes.)

Keep Calm and Don't 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 - 10 October 2021 - Plague Journal Day 577

Micah 6:8
Philippians 1:3-11
Yes, your life matters.

Some of you are still sheltering in place, but fear not: I'm here to keep you sane and entertained.
One could hardly ask for much more than that, now could one? 

 

For our 9:30 worship service we have Doug Dykstra with a keyboard offering at offertory time, and three(!) hymns for congregational singing. (Yes - we're back to congregational singing. We're Methodists again!) Remember, we'll be streaming for all those who can't join us in person, and intend to continue that practice indefinitely. Still, know that we miss seeing you in person - please come join in corporate prayer, praise, and worship as soon as you feel ready.

As usual, 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 Don't 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