The Sheriff Is Near - 07 February 2022 - Plague Journal Day 697

Micah 6:8
1 Corinthians 1:20-25
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?

On 07 February 1974, the classic comedy by Mel Brooks, “Blazing Saddles,” opened. An amazing film that condemns all kinds of racism and bigotry - but in a way that today's audiences probably couldn't tolerate. Funny that; here we are in the age of tolerance and the tolerant can't tolerate those who speak out against what they find intolerable. Well, almost funny. It's sad, really.
I can't imagine anyone making Blazing Saddles or its equivalent today. There are too many folks out there who are too quick to take offense without thought when the offensive thing is meant to spark some thinking.

You may have noted that yesterday I didn't write on the prompt word of the day. That was deliberate, as I took Sunday off to worship. That does mean, though, that I'm a word behind, so it's time to catch up:
Yesterday's freewrite prompt word was Fizzle.
Today's freewrite prompt word is Erupt.

It's almost like the word fairies are playing right into my hand (or my memories). This takes me back to a July in the 1970s (I really don't remember which year) when a bunch of us had gathered at the parsonage with the pastor's sons - basically a subset of the normal MYF group of the day. We were lighting off fireworks in the side yard. Joel or Tim had gotten hold of some Roman candles and they were quite fun.
Then there was one that was a dud. It was lit as the previous ones had been, but rather than shoot forth its sparkling glory into the sky, it sat on the ground and fizzled. Howard go tired of waiting for it to either go off or go out, so he headed over to the fizzling firework, ready to throw it away. Just as he got there, standing over it (yes, you're way ahead of me), the candle finally caught and erupted with a gout of flame and sparks - right into Howard's face.
He was OK after a while - washing his eyes out with cold water helped immensely - and I don't think anyone even got in trouble for being stupid ... that day.

Keep Calm and Don't Stay Away.
I'll be back tomorrow.
The mental health issues related to our insane 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 Test of Time - 18 December 2021 - Plague Journal Day 646

Micah 6:8
Luke 8:11-15
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?

Mannheim Steamroller. We discovered them the same night we discovered Jolt Cola. That was back somewhere in the 1980s (at least that's my assumption since Mannheim Steamroller's Christmas CD came out mid-80s, and Jolt debuted then as well) at a progressive dinner.

As I recall, we were at the house serving salad and other pre-entrée fare where Jolt was on offer and the stereo was Steamrolling. The extra caffeine was fine, but the extra sugar made our teeth itch, so Jolt simply wasn't for us. The music, however, was captivating.

No doubt you're wondering which one has stayed relevant to us. Which one has stood the test of time?
If you must know, it's the musical one (no real surprise here as that was probably pretty well telegraphed in the previous paragraph). In fact, we're going to see the Mannheim Steamroller Christmas concert this year! That should be fun.


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.