12 September 2020 - Plague Journal Day 183

Micah 6:8
Song of Solomon 3:2
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?

Studebaker was one of many car companies for which my Dad didn't get to work. Perhaps if he had, thy might still be around - one never knows. At any rate, today is International Drive Your Studebaker Day. That is something he did get to do. When I was a kid, he had a Studebaker, although I don't remember for sure which model it was. I'm thinking it was probably a Commander, but it could have been a Lark. I know, they don't look anything alike, but I was little and I really don't remember.

Then in the early 60s they came out with a futuristic car - the Avanti - that was going to save the company. Sadly, it was not to be, and Studebaker is no more. As time went by, others have bought the rights, tooling, and parts for the Avanti and tried to bring it back (perhaps you've seen an Avanti II driving around somewhere). That hasn't ever quite caught on either, but look at this picture below - I think you'll understand why people keep trying to revive it.

 

Now get out there and drive your Studebaker!

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.

11 September 2020 - Plague Journal Day 182

Micah 6:8
Psalm 127
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?

Nineteen years ago these United States were attacked in a heinous act of perfidy, largely because we stand for freedom. (Yes, there were other 'reasons' or excuses for the attack, but I believe that's the real basic reason.)
I was arriving at work when news of the first plane hitting the first tower came in. I pictured something like a Piper Cub running into a skyscraper, and wondered who could be that bad a pilot. It wasn't long before the second plane hit and it became apparent that something very different was going on. Soon after the news updates, those of us in the office went home to try to deal with what was happening. I think we're still doing that nineteen years later.
The bravery of those Police, Fire, EMT, and just regular folks who ran to help rather than away is still amazing, incredible, and inspirational. May we never forget.

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.

 

 

 

10 September 2020 - Plague Journal Day 181

Micah 6:8
Daniel 3:19-26
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?

I was reading Southern Living the other day and came across a piece on a designer named Julia Tatum. Among the various things included in her profile was a quote:
"Light yourself on fire with passion and people will come from miles around to watch you burn." A pretty cool quote, I thought, and even more so when I noticed that it's attributed to John Wesley.
There was a man on fire for God; a veritable brand plucked from the burning.

John Wesley, rescued from fire at the Rectory in Epworth, Lincolnshire, England.

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.
Note that it's also World Suicide Prevention Day. If you think you might need help, please reach out.

09 September 2020 - Plague Journal Day 180

Micah 6:8
Psalm 49:1-4
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 International Sudoku Day. Who knew there was such a thing? (As noted before, there seems to be a day to celebrate pretty much anything one can imagine, so I should not be surprised.)
It's a pretty fun game, really; pretty much a logic problem in a prescribed format. By adding or removing the seed numbers, the puzzles can be made easier or harder.
I don't remember how I came across this (probably YouTube just suggested it based on something else I had viewed), but here is a video of a really cool sudoku puzzle. "Wait, how can a sudoku puzzle be cool?" I hear you ask. Well, in this case there are added restrictions and rules: Normal sudoku rules apply. In addition, both marked diagonals must also contain the digits 1 to 9. Cells that are a knight's move apart (in chess) cannot contain the same digit. The central 3x3 box must form a magic square.

Today is also Wonderful Weirdos Day. Feel free to celebrate by expressing your inner weirdo. Another way would be enjoying this video. Those weirdos were pretty wonderful.

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.

08 September 2020 - Plague Journal Day 179

Micah 6:8
Genesis 27:32-34
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 Ampersand Day! Yes, that's that "and" sign - & - that we see so often. Did you ever wonder how it got its name? This is how I understand it.

Many years ago (in our Colonial times, in fact), the alphabet that children were taught finished up with W,X,Y,Z, and &. It was spoken as W, X, Y, Z, and and per se (as in and itself). Over the years of mumbling children, that and per se elided into ampersand and the name stuck.

I absolutely certain that story is true, even though I have no way to verify it. You should just take it on authority - after all, you read it on the Internet!

That symbol is very useful, especially if one is involved in improv. The second rule of improv is one never says "No" nor even "Yes, but." Instead, one always says "Yes, and" or "Yes, &." Now you know.

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.

Oh - you want to know the first rule of improv? Don't talk about improv.
You probably should have seen that coming.

07 September 2020 - Plague Journal Day 178

Micah 6:8
Colossians 3:23-24
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 Labour Day. We should be at Tim Hortons Field watching the Ti-Cats dismantle the Argos, but not this year. Not only is the border closed, but there's no CFL season at all.
Friggin' COVID-19. grr.
Also, always remember that laborare est orare. That can make Mondays and other workdays more bearable and even joyful.
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.

06 September 2020 - Plague Journal Day 177

Micah 6:8
Psalm 148:1-4
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 Sunday, why not join us for worship at Grosse Pointe United Methodist Church? (211 Moross, Grosse Pointe Farms)
We meet on the lawn around the Memorial Garden, and worship starts at 9:30AM.

If you can't be there in person, join our YouTube live stream here.
This and other worship services can be found on our YouTube channel.

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.