Waiting on God - 23 October 2021 - Plague Journal Day 590

Micah 6:8
2 Peter 3:9
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?

Maybe you've heard this one:

The cable company posts a job opening for an installer.
The first installer applicant shows up to the scheduled interview 45 minutes late.
"You're hired," says the interviewer.

That's how people are, aren't we? We don't always deliver on time. We don't always meet expectations - not even our own.
God is different, but we have our own perceptions to get around. He's never late - He's always there in His time - but it sure seems like it to us.

As the song says, "He may not come when you want Him, but He's right on time."

Well, that's where we are right now, waiting for Dad to go home to his Lord. Dad's ready, we're resigned, but apparently it's not God's time yet. Prayers are coveted and appreciated.


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.

It's Hip to Be Smart - 22 October 2021 - Plague Journal Day 589

Micah 6:8
Mark 12:29-31
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 is Smart Is Cool Day. How bizarre that we have to have a day dedicated to this. Why in the world would anyone think it's better to be stupid than to be smart? How have we come to the point where people regularly brag about being bad at math? where newspapers are written to a third grade reading level (and they're still too challenging to be successful)? where science is whatever someone in a lab coat tells us it is that day, rather than an actual intellectual pursuit where asking questions is the only way to progress?

I'm not one for conspiracy theories, but one wonders if our lizard people / robot / alien / iluminati / freemason / globalist / insert yours here overlords aren't orchestrating things so we won't be equipped to understand, object, and reject their rule.

By the way, on this date in 1844 Louis Riel was born. Riel was a Canadian Métis leader, member of the Anir, protector of the Cup and the Spear, and was hanged with the longest rope ever crafted into a noose. (That last part is sort of made up - apparently there are a vast number of pieces of "the actual rope" with which Riel was executed; enough that if they were "reassembled" they would stretch from Winnipeg to Vancouver.)

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.

Beans or Peas? - 21 October 2021 - Plague Journal Day 588

Micah 6:8
Genesis 25:29-33
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 Garbanzo Bean Day! (some folks may prefer to celebrate Chickpea Day)

Well, my contribution to the celebration will be the recipe for my quinoa + chickpea dish. This has been quite a hit at various gatherings of family and friends. It is both vegan and gluten-free, but don't let that deter you - it's still delicious.
I'm going to quote the version that ended up posted in my friend Beth's Delectably Free website and cookbook. I would concur with her that it holds up to variations very well, and that different herbs and spices can make a big difference in the flavour as well. Why not try it with some scallions, or celery seed, or whatever other herbs and aromatics you like.
Without further ado:

Has the universe been telling me to post some quinoa recipes, or what?

This one’s simple and easy, but thoroughly delicious. Try red quinoa, as Charlie uses, a variety of mushrooms, or other vegetables. I used basil, since I had it on hand, but I imagine other herbs and spices might be just as nice — or you could use none at all. I have a feeling this is one of those dishes that could be great with a million and one variations.

Tip: cook quinoa in vegetable broth instead of water.

Fried Quinoa:
1 cup uncooked quinoa, rinsed and cooked according to package directions
1 can chickpeas, drained, rinsed and patted dry
2 tablespoons olive oil
1/4 teaspoon cumin
1-2 cloves garlic, minced
3 Shiitake mushrooms, sliced thin
1 bunch fresh basil, sliced into thin ribbons
Salt to taste

Directions:
1. Toss chickpeas with olive oil and cumin and add to a hot skillet or stir-fry pan. Toss for a few minutes (2-3) over high heat, or until browned on the outside. Add mushrooms and garlic and cook until most of the oil is absorbed and mushrooms are slightly soft.
2. Add cooked quinoa and toss with the other ingredients until quinoa is dry and begins to get crisp as it comes off the bottom of the pan. Remove from heat and toss in fresh basil, plus enough salt to taste (I used about 1/4 teaspoon).

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.

Carnage du Jour - 20 October 2021 - Plague Journal Day 587

Micah 6:8
John 21:9,12-13
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?

So the other day we managed to get Jacki to take a break and come over for dinner. We had a nice piece of Arctic Char, some roasted potatoes with Herbes de Provence, and a mix of broccoli and corn. Everything was very tasty, but here's how I did the fish.

It was about a 1# fillet (and it only had three missed bones for me to remove!) which I rinsed and patted dry. I mixed a few tablespoons of Dijon mustard with about a tablespoon of honey and about a teaspoon of Aleppo pepper, then smeared that mixture on top of the fish.
That went under the broiler for about 6 minutes, then rested in the pan for a few more as we assembled the other dinner items on the plate.

It was delicious - I highly recommend Arctic Char. If you haven't tried it, it's quite a bit like salmon, and takes to similar flavours very nicely.

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.

Who Wants Chowder? - 19 October 2021 - Plague Journal Day 586

Micah 6:8

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?

Here we are on a beautiful Autumn day - and that reminds me of a Labor Day just over 39 years ago. The Sunday of that weekend had  been a glorious, sunny, warm day (and that was most happily received, as it was our wedding day, and we had an outdoor reception to host!), while Labor Day itself turned out to be one of those foggy, chilly, gray days we sometimes get in the Fall.
That year, in order to accommodate our wedding plans, the annual Gin & Chowder party hosted by family friends was moved from the (beautiful) Sunday to the (foggy) Monday. Well, it seemed quite appropriate to me - Gin  & Chowder seems like a New England thing, so why not a veritable pea-souper, right?

Interestingly, by the time we got to the party there was no chowder left! We were stuck with only the Gin & Tonic part of the menu (and cheese plates, crudites, etc.) - the which only I of our newly struck matrimonial unit was willing to imbibe. Still, what a nice gesture of them to move the party for us, right?

"So," I hear you ask,"why did you think of all this today?" Ah, I'm glad you asked. You see, today is International Gin And Tonic Day! That's why.
Interestingly, it's also Evaluate Your Life Day. One wonders if the gin & tonics mightn't be the chaser to some unhappy evaluations, eh?

Speaking of Chowder ... (yes, it's gross, but the payoff at the end is priceless.)

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.

Thar She Blows! - 18 October 2021 - Plague Journal Day 585

Micah 6:8
Psalm 104:25-26
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?


While it doesn't seem to be an official holiday, today ought to be considered National Combat Insomnia Day, as on this date in 1851 Moby Dick was published. Melville's novel about a sailor's obsession with tracking down and killing an elusive whale that took his leg in a previous encounter is not only considered one of the great novels of all time, it has also put countless readers to sleep in the intervening 170 years.

One bit of evidence of that is my mother who, while an English major at the University of Michigan, managed to negotiate her way out of reading Moby Dick and reading another novel instead, because she simply couldn't stay awake while trying to read it. What an enlightened and accommodating professor she had!

This book has had a lasting impact on literature and popular culture. There are many examples of thinly-disguised Ahab / Moby Dick pairings in other stories. Jean-Luc Picard, for example, had his Moby Dick moment with the Borg. The book, Railsea, by China Mieville is a retelling of the story in a world covered by railroad tracks. Both of those are recommended by me to you.

Another interesting side-note is a blog I used to follow called One Picture for Every Page of Moby Dick. Matt Kish was obsessed with the novel and created an illustration for each of its pages, posting them on his blog daily ... until it became an actual published book. What a cool thing for him! Also recommended.

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 - 17 October 2021 - Plague Journal Day 584

Micah 6:8
1 Corinthians 13:1-13
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 Jacki Rumpp with a solo at offertory time, and three(!) hymns for congregational singing with our substitute organist, Eric Winter (Doug is on vacation for two weeks).  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