1. I'm following Marty's suggestions and today was fertilizer day in the back yard. As I broadcast the little pellets with one of those little broadcasting cart things, I suddenly remembered that I didn't note, as a beautiful thing, the other day that I ran into Marty at the nursery and she didn't remember me (I figured she wouldn't), but I took less than ten seconds to tell her that she had come to my house, given me advice, and that it was working out well.
2. Maybe now that I'm retired, I'll do some of the reading independently that I've always wanted to do in a good teacher's classroom: read 20th century theology. I started Tillich's The Courage to Be and was struck by how much I enjoy theology over theory and how much, already, Tillich is helping me learn more about Plato, Aristotle, Aquinas, Stoicism, and other philosophical thought. In my teaching, it was always the philosophical I most wanted to focus on, with the exception of giving courses, when I could, that included the study of work/working and exploring coal mining -- and, when I could, exploring the silver mining, too, but there's so much more that's been written about big coal.
3. As the evening continued not to cool off, I relaxed with some music videos: Duran Duran, "Hungry Like a Wolf"; Gary Numan, "Cars"; Flock of Seagulls, "I Ran"; Midnight Oil, "Beds are Burning"; somehow, I made a move from Midnight Oil to Kajagoogoo, "Too Shy" and then to its foil, Roxy Music, "Love is the Drug". I liked the love thread, so I went to my fav, Robert Palmer and watched "Simply Irresistible", "Addicted to Love", and "Bad Case of Loving You (Doctor, Doctor)". Well, I thought, if I'm going to listent to "Addicted to Love", I can't pass up Tina Turner's version and if I'm going to listen to Tina Turner, I'd best go back to the Midnight Special and listen to Ike and Tina Turner sing "Proud Mary". I ended my evening of things not cooling off listening to half of Brian Lamb's interview of Martin Marty as he discussed his biography of Martin Luther.
Monday, July 1, 2013
Sunday, June 30, 2013
Three Beautiful Things 06/29/13: The Eucharist for Karl Sorg, The Dirty Business of Coal, Keeping it Simple at Billy Mac's
1. Karl Sorg lived to be ninety years old. His life was full of service as an attorney and as a member of St. Mary's Episcopal Church and as a member of the Socialist Party. Today was his funeral. It was a dignified service that honored Karl's life and gave us one last chance to join together to celebrate the Eucharist in fellowship together in his honor.
2. I finished The Price of Justice today and because it's non-fiction, the book could not come to a tidy conclusion. After nearly fourteen years, Hugh Caperton is still in court, trying once and for all to succeed in his lawsuit against the former company, Massey Energy, since purchased by Alpha Natural Resources. This was a fine book, adding to others I've read about the world of coal mining in West Virginia. It's a dirty world in so many ways, starting with the work itself and then there's the dirty management of the mines, the dirty politics, and the dirty damage done to the lives of everyday people because of the disregard by the powerful for how coal production affects common people, under the ground and above.
3. After finishing this book, I decided to wind down the early evening at Billy Mac's and enjoyed a cheeseburger and some fries with a couple of very refreshing Corona beers. I got to shoot the breeze a bit with Cathy and Derrick and enjoyed watching some baseball on the tube. It was a simple, relaxing time.
2. I finished The Price of Justice today and because it's non-fiction, the book could not come to a tidy conclusion. After nearly fourteen years, Hugh Caperton is still in court, trying once and for all to succeed in his lawsuit against the former company, Massey Energy, since purchased by Alpha Natural Resources. This was a fine book, adding to others I've read about the world of coal mining in West Virginia. It's a dirty world in so many ways, starting with the work itself and then there's the dirty management of the mines, the dirty politics, and the dirty damage done to the lives of everyday people because of the disregard by the powerful for how coal production affects common people, under the ground and above.
3. After finishing this book, I decided to wind down the early evening at Billy Mac's and enjoyed a cheeseburger and some fries with a couple of very refreshing Corona beers. I got to shoot the breeze a bit with Cathy and Derrick and enjoyed watching some baseball on the tube. It was a simple, relaxing time.
Saturday, June 29, 2013
Three Beautiful Things 06/28/13: Hosed, Cutch, Mama's Little Yella Pils and Fun at Sixteen Tons
1. I bought one of those things to roll up a garden hose with. Now the front yard hose is rolled up on this thing rather than coiled on the ground. Not having the hose coiled on the ground leaves a space open for a miniature rose. I'll be preparing the ground and planting this rose a.s.a.p. This is a big deal for me.
2. The Cutch called me earlier this calendar year about getting together with him and Peter this September and I lost track of the call and hoped he'd call back or get a hold of me another way and today, in the mail, I received a micro version of "Waiting for Godot" from Cutch and Peter with an email address, so I emailed Cutch and our reunion in September is on. I'm thrilled. Big time.
3. I hadn't been to Sixteen Tons for a while and the scene there made me feel good. At one table a half a dozen or so men and women of all ages brought carrots, chips, dip, and other snacks and drank a bit of beer and were talking and laughing. At another table, two young men and a woman were playing one of those special card games, not with a 52 card deck, but with cards that come in a game box. They were enthralled and having a great time. I sat at the end of a table where a young man and woman were playing rummy on the the other end. A guy was in the corner drinking a beer and studying. My bet: a law student. I sat quietly, smiling inside, and, upon Mike's recommendation drank a pint can of Occidental Kolsch (nearly a perfect beer) and then, upon orders from Terry Turner, drank a pint can of Mama's Little Yella Pils from Oskar Blues. It was a very interesting pilsner. I've got to try another when it's the only beer I'm drinking because I thought it had something going on in it that bordered on being a saison.
I'd be interested if any other saison drinkers who've tried the Little Yella Pils have had this experience.
2. The Cutch called me earlier this calendar year about getting together with him and Peter this September and I lost track of the call and hoped he'd call back or get a hold of me another way and today, in the mail, I received a micro version of "Waiting for Godot" from Cutch and Peter with an email address, so I emailed Cutch and our reunion in September is on. I'm thrilled. Big time.
3. I hadn't been to Sixteen Tons for a while and the scene there made me feel good. At one table a half a dozen or so men and women of all ages brought carrots, chips, dip, and other snacks and drank a bit of beer and were talking and laughing. At another table, two young men and a woman were playing one of those special card games, not with a 52 card deck, but with cards that come in a game box. They were enthralled and having a great time. I sat at the end of a table where a young man and woman were playing rummy on the the other end. A guy was in the corner drinking a beer and studying. My bet: a law student. I sat quietly, smiling inside, and, upon Mike's recommendation drank a pint can of Occidental Kolsch (nearly a perfect beer) and then, upon orders from Terry Turner, drank a pint can of Mama's Little Yella Pils from Oskar Blues. It was a very interesting pilsner. I've got to try another when it's the only beer I'm drinking because I thought it had something going on in it that bordered on being a saison.
I'd be interested if any other saison drinkers who've tried the Little Yella Pils have had this experience.
Friday, June 28, 2013
Three Beautiful Things 06/27/13: Goulash (Sort Of), The Price of Justice, Charming Corgis
1. An experiment that worked: pinto beans, onion, celery, cabbage, diced tomatoes, mushrooms, and some extra water mixed together into a goulash like stew sort of concoction that is really good. Oh! Seasoned with sweet paprika, salt, pepper, basil, and oregano.
2. The book The Price of Justice: A True Story of Greed and Corruption has me under a spell. It's about the way Massey Energy head Don Blankenship did business and the efforts of two attorneys, Bruce Stanley and Dave Fawcett, to bring him to justice. It's gripping.
3. When I dropped by CJ, Zoe, and Nicole's place to pay for Nicole's dog sitting and to express my thanks to CJ and Zoe for their support of Nicole's efforts, I was very happy to learn that Nicole really loved the corgis and that they charmed Zoe as well. They really are wonderful dogs.
2. The book The Price of Justice: A True Story of Greed and Corruption has me under a spell. It's about the way Massey Energy head Don Blankenship did business and the efforts of two attorneys, Bruce Stanley and Dave Fawcett, to bring him to justice. It's gripping.
3. When I dropped by CJ, Zoe, and Nicole's place to pay for Nicole's dog sitting and to express my thanks to CJ and Zoe for their support of Nicole's efforts, I was very happy to learn that Nicole really loved the corgis and that they charmed Zoe as well. They really are wonderful dogs.
Wednesday, June 26, 2013
Three Beautiful Things 06/26/13: Rose Garden Pictures, Cooking at St. Mary's, Cleaning at St. Mary's
1. I haven't been taking as many pictures as I did before I started
working in earnest in my yard and in my gardens. Today it felt good to
peruse the ninety-two pictures I snapped at the Portland Rose Garden and
post ten of them on Facebook. Here are two pictures that friends of
mine have enjoyed:
2. Father Bingham Powell is hosting a series of small group dinner in order to talk with parishioners at St. Mary's about the remodel of the parish hall and kitchen. Tonight I was the chief cook and bottle washer and made a three cheese and basil tomato pasta dish with green salad and a loaf of bread. I also got the cookies and ice cream ready for dessert. It was a good thing I got started on the cooking really early. It's very difficult to cook in some one else's kitchen -- it's hard to find things, hard to use knives I'm unfamiliar with, and hard to work with unfamiliar stove burners, bowls, and pots. But I did it! And the four church matriarchs, all long-time members, complimented me many times. They loved the food. They also split a bottle of pinot fusion from Sweet Cheeks Winery. I hope it wasn't the wine talking when they said such nice things!
3. I devoted myself to trying to do the running of the dishwasher and the cleaning of the kitchen right. I hadn't run the dishwasher for a long time. I tried to remember all the things I've heard people who are kind of territorial about the church kitchen complain about and tried to do the opposite. I enjoyed being as meticulous as I'm capable of and I hope I don't get a report back that I screwed something up in the kitchen. I'm sure I turned everything off, cleaned everything, and left the place looking pretty good.
2. Father Bingham Powell is hosting a series of small group dinner in order to talk with parishioners at St. Mary's about the remodel of the parish hall and kitchen. Tonight I was the chief cook and bottle washer and made a three cheese and basil tomato pasta dish with green salad and a loaf of bread. I also got the cookies and ice cream ready for dessert. It was a good thing I got started on the cooking really early. It's very difficult to cook in some one else's kitchen -- it's hard to find things, hard to use knives I'm unfamiliar with, and hard to work with unfamiliar stove burners, bowls, and pots. But I did it! And the four church matriarchs, all long-time members, complimented me many times. They loved the food. They also split a bottle of pinot fusion from Sweet Cheeks Winery. I hope it wasn't the wine talking when they said such nice things!
3. I devoted myself to trying to do the running of the dishwasher and the cleaning of the kitchen right. I hadn't run the dishwasher for a long time. I tried to remember all the things I've heard people who are kind of territorial about the church kitchen complain about and tried to do the opposite. I enjoyed being as meticulous as I'm capable of and I hope I don't get a report back that I screwed something up in the kitchen. I'm sure I turned everything off, cleaned everything, and left the place looking pretty good.
Three Beautiful Things 06/25/13: Drizzly Day for Roses, Uninspiring Huber's, Home Again/Corgis Again
1. For how I like things, the cool, gray, drizzly morning was perfect for Christy and me to take in the seemingly endless varieties of roses and other flowering plants (like fuchsia, irises, lilies, hostas, hydrangea, and many more) at the Portland Rose Garden in Washington Park. We took a bunch of pictures, had a few good laughs with people we didn't know, and enjoyed the splendid experience of all those roses.
2. We had lunch downtown at Huber's, Portland's oldest restaurant. I'd go back for a cocktail in a fine old atmosphere, but my barely lukewarm, almost chilly, clam chowder and very ordinary, afterthought of a Caesar salad didn't inspire me to want to return to eat. Now if I find out from someone who lives in the Portland area that I must have caught Huber's on a bad day, then I'd give it another go. I enjoyed being there, but not eating at Huber's.
3. Navigating downtown and the Washington Park area and walking among the roses left Christy and me in need of a nap. It was refreshing and gave me the rest I needed to head on down I-5, which was all clear from the top of Portland to the outskirts of Eugene, and arrive home where the corgis were relaxed and content. Thanks Nicole and Zoe!
2. We had lunch downtown at Huber's, Portland's oldest restaurant. I'd go back for a cocktail in a fine old atmosphere, but my barely lukewarm, almost chilly, clam chowder and very ordinary, afterthought of a Caesar salad didn't inspire me to want to return to eat. Now if I find out from someone who lives in the Portland area that I must have caught Huber's on a bad day, then I'd give it another go. I enjoyed being there, but not eating at Huber's.
3. Navigating downtown and the Washington Park area and walking among the roses left Christy and me in need of a nap. It was refreshing and gave me the rest I needed to head on down I-5, which was all clear from the top of Portland to the outskirts of Eugene, and arrive home where the corgis were relaxed and content. Thanks Nicole and Zoe!
Three Beautiful Things 06/24/13: Visiting the Hansens, Theology at Powell's, Henry's at 12th, Bonus: 'Hawks Win!
1. Such a great day! Christy and I gathered ourselves and drove to the gorgeous home and grounds of Jane and James Hansen. I have known Jane for forty years, although we just got back in touch with each other in the last four years or so. Jane gave Christy and me a tour of their very smartly remodeled home, of Jim's studio and gallery, and of the peaceful grounds of their home. I talked with Jim about writing and Dan Brown while Jane prepared us a superb lunch of salmon and green salad. Christy and Jane had never met: they hit it off really well. It was a smashing several hours together.
2. After a period of rest at our room, Christy and I headed to Powell's City of Books. Powell's is like a museum for me. At museum's, I decide ahead of time what I'll focus on and I did the same thing at Powell's. I focused all my curiosity and interest on the theology section, and, more precisely, on 20th the 20th century theologians Paul Tillich, Dietrich Bonhoeffer, Rudolf Bultmann, and Richard Niebuhr. I bought a few books. Many I hoped to find weren't there. Now it's time to enjoy these great thinkers who wrestle with the great philosophical questions of the 20th century and what they might mean in a Christian context. My own interest is, and has been for nearly 40 years, the Christian conversation with existentialism. My new books will help.
3. Near Powell's is Henry's 12th Street Tavern where Christy and I had dinner. After what I thought was a sort of frosty start with our hostess, things warmed up immediately with our server. She was helpful, efficient, and had a ready smile and chuckle for some of my self-mocking comments. I couldn't eat my entire reuben sandwich, because of its size. The sandwich was a bit mild. I wanted it to have more of a kick. I like corned beef to have a clovey taste. This didn't. I didn't think the sauerkraut was very "sauer". I wanted the Russian dressing to speak up a little. It was too quiet. I enjoyed the restaurant and Christy and I enjoyed each other's company. I'd give it another try and I'd order something other than the Market House Corned Beef Reuben. (I still, after about two years, have not found a Reuben anywhere as tasty as the one I had in Pendleton at the Prodigal Son.)
BONUS: The Blackhawks scored two goals in seventeen seconds near the end of the hockey game and not only won Game 6, they won the Stanley Cup! How about that Deke!!
2. After a period of rest at our room, Christy and I headed to Powell's City of Books. Powell's is like a museum for me. At museum's, I decide ahead of time what I'll focus on and I did the same thing at Powell's. I focused all my curiosity and interest on the theology section, and, more precisely, on 20th the 20th century theologians Paul Tillich, Dietrich Bonhoeffer, Rudolf Bultmann, and Richard Niebuhr. I bought a few books. Many I hoped to find weren't there. Now it's time to enjoy these great thinkers who wrestle with the great philosophical questions of the 20th century and what they might mean in a Christian context. My own interest is, and has been for nearly 40 years, the Christian conversation with existentialism. My new books will help.
3. Near Powell's is Henry's 12th Street Tavern where Christy and I had dinner. After what I thought was a sort of frosty start with our hostess, things warmed up immediately with our server. She was helpful, efficient, and had a ready smile and chuckle for some of my self-mocking comments. I couldn't eat my entire reuben sandwich, because of its size. The sandwich was a bit mild. I wanted it to have more of a kick. I like corned beef to have a clovey taste. This didn't. I didn't think the sauerkraut was very "sauer". I wanted the Russian dressing to speak up a little. It was too quiet. I enjoyed the restaurant and Christy and I enjoyed each other's company. I'd give it another try and I'd order something other than the Market House Corned Beef Reuben. (I still, after about two years, have not found a Reuben anywhere as tasty as the one I had in Pendleton at the Prodigal Son.)
BONUS: The Blackhawks scored two goals in seventeen seconds near the end of the hockey game and not only won Game 6, they won the Stanley Cup! How about that Deke!!
Monday, June 24, 2013
Three Beautiful Things 06/23/13: Isaiah 65: 1-9, The Power of a Positive Restaurant, Corgi Photos
1. I'm telling you, I'm assigned about one Old Testament reading a
month at St. Mary's Episcopal Church to read during the Eucharist and
they are always good readings, but sometimes they are beyond good.
Today was such a day. I read Isaiah
65:1-9. If you feel so inclined, look it up. Read it aloud. Try to
me true to the variety of tones in this reading, to the different
voices. Enjoy what it has to say, too. Reading it this morning, I
didn't want it to end. I sure enjoy that the church lets me be a
lector, a reader of Old Testament lessons. (Or, you and I might prefer
calling them Hebrew Bible lessons...)
2. Christy and I deliberated and deliberated over where to have dinner and decided to go to the noisy (in a good way) and upbeat eclectic eatery called Beaches. OK. My margarita was kind of lousy. But after that, my bleu cheese salad and New York steak was solid and the cognac I had on the rocks was a nice evening capper. We had a very attentive waiter who I think would have gone to Powell's and picked up a book on fly fishing if we'd asked him and it was kind of fun being in a restaurant with so much positive energy. (I mean about 75 employees greeted us when we came in and as we left about 75 more asked us how things were and told us good-bye. I half expected Oprah to pop up and remind me and Christy that "the greatest discovery of all time is that a person can change his future by merely changing his attitude.")
3. I really appreciated Nicole posting fifteen (fifteen!) pictures of Maggie and Charly on my Facebook page.
2. Christy and I deliberated and deliberated over where to have dinner and decided to go to the noisy (in a good way) and upbeat eclectic eatery called Beaches. OK. My margarita was kind of lousy. But after that, my bleu cheese salad and New York steak was solid and the cognac I had on the rocks was a nice evening capper. We had a very attentive waiter who I think would have gone to Powell's and picked up a book on fly fishing if we'd asked him and it was kind of fun being in a restaurant with so much positive energy. (I mean about 75 employees greeted us when we came in and as we left about 75 more asked us how things were and told us good-bye. I half expected Oprah to pop up and remind me and Christy that "the greatest discovery of all time is that a person can change his future by merely changing his attitude.")
3. I really appreciated Nicole posting fifteen (fifteen!) pictures of Maggie and Charly on my Facebook page.
Sunday, June 23, 2013
Three Beautiful Things 06/22/13: I'm Not Willy Loman, Resisting the Abstract, Won Ton Soup and Lo Mein
1. I am happy to say that contrary to an extended dream I had, I am not playing Willy Loman in a play opening Monday and that I do not have to face the terror of not having started to learn my lines with dress rehearsal on Sunday. I also do not have to serve the meatloaf I cooked for the meal provided by the cast on opening night. In my dream, it was a good meatloaf. I woke up relieved that in my waking life I am incapable of playing Willy Loman and so hadn't been cast in the role and that I am not part of the doomed theatrical enterprise of my dreams. (Sometimes my dreams are audacious. I can't quite fathom the audacity of even my dreaming/nightmare self casting me as Willy Loman. I think I'm deeply afraid of finding myself in situations where I'm in way over my head. That was the case in this dream and maybe the cause of this dream.)
2. Even though I'm retired and teaching on a reduced schedule, this afternoon, over coffee with Michael, MB, and Jeff, I got fired up about the parts of institutional program assessment that for many, many years I've never been able to come to peace with, even as I participate in it. It has to do with abstracting student writing from the student and from the classroom, as if a piece of writing (called an artifact) can be assessed apart from the person who wrote it and the classroom context it was written in. I know I'm spitting in the wind on this one. Institutional assessment methods are established. Solidly established. I have lived and do live with it. But I was surprised, even as I am retiring from institutional education, how much I cared about this conversation. It felt good to get a little fired up with my friends.
3. Heh. I went to Jade Palace and ordered a small bowl of won ton soup and a plate of the house special lo mein. The waiter was concerned I had ordered too much food. I appreciated his concern and countered that if it was too much, I could take some of the lo mein home. Honestly, in eating the whole bowl of soup and the plate of Lo Mein, I didn't feel like I'd overdone it. The soup was deeply satisfying. I loved the sesame flavor of the won ton soup and the texture and taste of the won tons and the Lo Mein noodles were nearly perfect for me: just oiled enough, not dry, but not greasy, with tender pieces of chicken and beef and a handful of sweet shrimp. It turns out the Saturday New York Times was a perfect companion for my meal.
2. Even though I'm retired and teaching on a reduced schedule, this afternoon, over coffee with Michael, MB, and Jeff, I got fired up about the parts of institutional program assessment that for many, many years I've never been able to come to peace with, even as I participate in it. It has to do with abstracting student writing from the student and from the classroom, as if a piece of writing (called an artifact) can be assessed apart from the person who wrote it and the classroom context it was written in. I know I'm spitting in the wind on this one. Institutional assessment methods are established. Solidly established. I have lived and do live with it. But I was surprised, even as I am retiring from institutional education, how much I cared about this conversation. It felt good to get a little fired up with my friends.
3. Heh. I went to Jade Palace and ordered a small bowl of won ton soup and a plate of the house special lo mein. The waiter was concerned I had ordered too much food. I appreciated his concern and countered that if it was too much, I could take some of the lo mein home. Honestly, in eating the whole bowl of soup and the plate of Lo Mein, I didn't feel like I'd overdone it. The soup was deeply satisfying. I loved the sesame flavor of the won ton soup and the texture and taste of the won tons and the Lo Mein noodles were nearly perfect for me: just oiled enough, not dry, but not greasy, with tender pieces of chicken and beef and a handful of sweet shrimp. It turns out the Saturday New York Times was a perfect companion for my meal.
Saturday, June 22, 2013
Three Beautiful Things 06/21/13: Plant Bandit, Miso and Sushi, Christie and McCallum
1. I mean it's not a big deal. But, still. I hate it when I have a plant plucked, roots and all, from my flower spots in front of the house and I hated it this morning when I discovered someone had stolen a zinnia. Do any of you who grow flowers have specific plants that nearly die and need resuscitation? This was one of those plants in my triangle garden and my efforts worked. It went from the brink of death to being vital. Well, I replaced it with a cosmo. It adds a little more variety both in plant and color to my triangle garden. Honestly, I wish whatever knuckleheads over the years have swiped planters, stolen flowers, and plucked plants from my gardens would stop -- but they don't, and I don't stop planting.
2. Russell and I had a really good lunch at Pure. I went with a bowl of miso and the chef's sushi special and the variety of tastes was a great pleasure. It was a very relaxing lunch.
3. Nicole and Zoe came over and met the dogs and everyone got along great and I celebrated by going over to Billy Mac's for a cup of clam chowder and a cheeseburger and some scotch whiskey and some IPA. The place crazy busy so there wasn't much time to shoot the breeze with the help, so I enjoyed being quiet, watching UCLA defeat North Carlonia in the College World Series, and listening to Christie and McCallum cover Merle Travis, Johnny Cash, Dolly Parton, Patsy Cline, Stevie Nicks, and a variety of other artists in a way that put that kind of half-smashed, nostalgic, stare nowhere look on my face.
2. Russell and I had a really good lunch at Pure. I went with a bowl of miso and the chef's sushi special and the variety of tastes was a great pleasure. It was a very relaxing lunch.
3. Nicole and Zoe came over and met the dogs and everyone got along great and I celebrated by going over to Billy Mac's for a cup of clam chowder and a cheeseburger and some scotch whiskey and some IPA. The place crazy busy so there wasn't much time to shoot the breeze with the help, so I enjoyed being quiet, watching UCLA defeat North Carlonia in the College World Series, and listening to Christie and McCallum cover Merle Travis, Johnny Cash, Dolly Parton, Patsy Cline, Stevie Nicks, and a variety of other artists in a way that put that kind of half-smashed, nostalgic, stare nowhere look on my face.
Friday, June 21, 2013
Three Beautiful Things 06/20/13: St. Mary's and 20th Century Theologians, Bean Salad (I Guess), Stuck in the Middle with Pop and LeBron
1. Members of the Adult Ed. Committee at St. Mary's had a spirited and very productive meeting over lunch today and discussed creating a short class that will study a handful of short readings written by four very influential theologians of the 20th century. Discussing Bultmann and, earlier in the morning, reading Richard Niebuhr, Bonhoeffer, and Tillich took me back to my days at Whitworth in 1974-78 when young professors, with their studies at Princeton Theological Seminary still fresh in their minds, lectured on these theologians or weaved them into campus worship sermons. It was thrilling to work with their ideas and insights again today and I hope there will be parishioners in our church who might also enjoy wrestling with these writers and discussing their indisputable relevance in 2013. We'll see......
2. I still had leftover cold kidney beans in the fridge and mixed them up with corn, avocado, cilantro, red pepper, tomato, white basmati rice and lime juice, lots of lime juice, to make a salad (I guess it's a salad) that I just couldn't stop eating, I enjoyed it so much.
3. One last NBA game for the season. One last early evening on espn radio. One last evening listening to Mike Tirico and Hubie Brown. As a play-by-play guy, Mike Tirico is solid, but he doesn't thrill me like other radio play-by-play announcers have. BUT, the on air chemistry between him and Hubie Brown, who is my all-time favorite, is so good that listening to them together is, for me, among my chief pleasures. I enjoyed the game for a lot of reasons and I was disappointed for others. I was very happy that LeBron James performed so well, hopefully silencing his detractors for a while. At the same time, I have loved the San Antonio Spurs ever since Pop and Tim Duncan joined their organization and I hate that they lost. I was rooting for both teams and so I was stuck: I couldn't feel unbridled joy or total despair at the outcome. I guess, for me these days, the game is the thing and I enjoy how these two teams go about it.
2. I still had leftover cold kidney beans in the fridge and mixed them up with corn, avocado, cilantro, red pepper, tomato, white basmati rice and lime juice, lots of lime juice, to make a salad (I guess it's a salad) that I just couldn't stop eating, I enjoyed it so much.
3. One last NBA game for the season. One last early evening on espn radio. One last evening listening to Mike Tirico and Hubie Brown. As a play-by-play guy, Mike Tirico is solid, but he doesn't thrill me like other radio play-by-play announcers have. BUT, the on air chemistry between him and Hubie Brown, who is my all-time favorite, is so good that listening to them together is, for me, among my chief pleasures. I enjoyed the game for a lot of reasons and I was disappointed for others. I was very happy that LeBron James performed so well, hopefully silencing his detractors for a while. At the same time, I have loved the San Antonio Spurs ever since Pop and Tim Duncan joined their organization and I hate that they lost. I was rooting for both teams and so I was stuck: I couldn't feel unbridled joy or total despair at the outcome. I guess, for me these days, the game is the thing and I enjoy how these two teams go about it.
Thursday, June 20, 2013
Three Beautiful Things 06/19/13: New Garden Spot, Trip to the Nursery, Oakshire Public House
1. When we had our yard landscaped a few years ago, we left a large spot on the northeast area of the back yard (northwest side of the house) unfinished, on purpose, and today I turned the dirt in that spot over and over and broke up clumps and worked new soil into it and put new soil on top of it and prepared a new garden spot.
2. I went to the nursery and bought another low lying flowering shrub to add to the one I bought yesterday and bought some good sized perennials, including more black-eyed Susans, and put them all in the new garden spot. At the very least, it's going to make looking out the northwest living room windows and out of the Deke's window much more pleasant. There's more to do in this area, but I'm off to a pretty good start.
3. Not long ago, the Oakshire brewing company built a public house across the street from the Wandering Goat and the Troxstar and I strolled down there this evening. The place was packed and people from Harmony (they provide medical support at big events) were having a party and we found two stools at the bar and I enjoyed a pint of Reclamation Lager and a pint of Strawberry Farm, a farmhouse ale. The strawberry taste was not all dominant. It wasn't a fruity tasting beer. Solid farmhouse ale. The Reclamation, which they call a pilsner, was very good, too.
2. I went to the nursery and bought another low lying flowering shrub to add to the one I bought yesterday and bought some good sized perennials, including more black-eyed Susans, and put them all in the new garden spot. At the very least, it's going to make looking out the northwest living room windows and out of the Deke's window much more pleasant. There's more to do in this area, but I'm off to a pretty good start.
3. Not long ago, the Oakshire brewing company built a public house across the street from the Wandering Goat and the Troxstar and I strolled down there this evening. The place was packed and people from Harmony (they provide medical support at big events) were having a party and we found two stools at the bar and I enjoyed a pint of Reclamation Lager and a pint of Strawberry Farm, a farmhouse ale. The strawberry taste was not all dominant. It wasn't a fruity tasting beer. Solid farmhouse ale. The Reclamation, which they call a pilsner, was very good, too.
Wednesday, June 19, 2013
Three Beautiful Things 06/18/13: More Flowers, Family Fun, It's Never Simple with LaBron James
1. I made a dent in that mountain of soil Rexius delivered yesterday and worked soil into some bare areas in the front and bought a whole bunch of new flowers at Gray's and got them in the ground. I really like asters, cone flowers, shasta daisies, and black-eyed Susans and look forward to these great flowers maturing and blooming.
2. I heard from the Deke and her report about how much fun she is having with her brother and his kids made me really happy. She also figured out how to turn on the television system. She doesn't get much practice with that in our home!
3. Game 6 of the NBA playoffs was tense, exciting, unpredictable, complicated, and, in short, epic. I will be happy no matter who wins Game 7. I enjoy both of these teams. But, the chief fascination for me is LaBron James. Israel Gutierrez at espn.com helped me think more clearly about my fascination.
Here's what Israel Gutierrez had to say: "LeBron rose up for another 3 that would've tied the game. That one missed, though, because LeBron's storylines are never quite that simple, are they?"
I've been thinking this very thing for the last few weeks, without saying it so well. LaBron James did everything last night. He scored big shots. He missed a big shot. He dished out 11 assist. He had two turnovers in the last minute. It's never simple with LaBron James.
2. I heard from the Deke and her report about how much fun she is having with her brother and his kids made me really happy. She also figured out how to turn on the television system. She doesn't get much practice with that in our home!
3. Game 6 of the NBA playoffs was tense, exciting, unpredictable, complicated, and, in short, epic. I will be happy no matter who wins Game 7. I enjoy both of these teams. But, the chief fascination for me is LaBron James. Israel Gutierrez at espn.com helped me think more clearly about my fascination.
Here's what Israel Gutierrez had to say: "LeBron rose up for another 3 that would've tied the game. That one missed, though, because LeBron's storylines are never quite that simple, are they?"
I've been thinking this very thing for the last few weeks, without saying it so well. LaBron James did everything last night. He scored big shots. He missed a big shot. He dished out 11 assist. He had two turnovers in the last minute. It's never simple with LaBron James.
Monday, June 17, 2013
Three Beautiful Things 06/17/13: Mountain of Soil, Hedge Trim, Tabbouleh
1. Success at Fred Meyer! I found a push broom and a garden cart. I ordered mountain of soil from Rexius and now I can get to work planting the huge bare spots in the back and shore up some of the front yard places. I love having a mountain of soil and moving much of it to the backyard was a good workout.
2. Before I moved the mountain of soil, I trimmed the hedge with a hand tool, not an electric hedge trimmer. It's probably a crummy trim, but it's done. And it gave me a good workout before I started moving soil.
3. I also succeeded in making a splendid brown basmati rice tabbouleh salad. It wasn't much of a workout, but it's tasty. I think I'm following the Asian-Mediterranean Diet these days.
2. Before I moved the mountain of soil, I trimmed the hedge with a hand tool, not an electric hedge trimmer. It's probably a crummy trim, but it's done. And it gave me a good workout before I started moving soil.
3. I also succeeded in making a splendid brown basmati rice tabbouleh salad. It wasn't much of a workout, but it's tasty. I think I'm following the Asian-Mediterranean Diet these days.
Sunday, June 16, 2013
Three Beautiful Things 06/16/13: U.S. Open with Dad's Ghost, NBA Finals with Dad's Ghost, Disappointing Dad's Ghost
1. All that was missing was a television. And some Heidelberg beer. I decided to spend Father's Day doing what Dad and I would do if he were still alive. I subbed the radio for the television and listened to the ESPN broadcast of the final round of the U. S. Open. Dad and I were both sentimental about golfers over the age of forty and my guess is we would have joined forces to pull for Phil Mickelson, knowing in the backs of our minds that he would do what he has done best in the U. S. Open five previous times: finish second. And he did. I think Dad would have used one of his favorite sayings about Mickelson on the 13th hole and complained that he "coughed up his guts" with his tee shot that went over the green. Dad never said athletes choked. He always used the more vulgar and colorful saying, "He coughed up his guts."
2. I continued my Father's Day celebration with Dad's ghost by listening to the Spurs defeat the Heat in Game 5 of the NBA Finals. Dad would be a Spurs fan. I can guarantee that. He'd love Greg Popovich. I can think of a lot of reasons he would have not liked the Heat. No one really coughed up their guts in this game, but I'm going to imagine that Dad would have really enjoyed the resurrection tonight of Manu Ginobili and would have been a great admirer of Tim Duncan.
3. I confess. I went off the Pert Woolum grid when it comes to dinner. I stir fried broccoli, onion, mushrooms, red pepper, and purple cabbage with fresh basil and lime and served it over buckwheat Soba noodles. Sorry, Dad. I know if I'd served this meal, you would have found a way to throw it in the bushes in front of the house. I think it was at this point during Father's Day that I heard the ghost of Pert Woolum say, "What's that shit?" and go to the icebox for another Heidelberg. I cannot now nor could I ever always please my dad!
2. I continued my Father's Day celebration with Dad's ghost by listening to the Spurs defeat the Heat in Game 5 of the NBA Finals. Dad would be a Spurs fan. I can guarantee that. He'd love Greg Popovich. I can think of a lot of reasons he would have not liked the Heat. No one really coughed up their guts in this game, but I'm going to imagine that Dad would have really enjoyed the resurrection tonight of Manu Ginobili and would have been a great admirer of Tim Duncan.
3. I confess. I went off the Pert Woolum grid when it comes to dinner. I stir fried broccoli, onion, mushrooms, red pepper, and purple cabbage with fresh basil and lime and served it over buckwheat Soba noodles. Sorry, Dad. I know if I'd served this meal, you would have found a way to throw it in the bushes in front of the house. I think it was at this point during Father's Day that I heard the ghost of Pert Woolum say, "What's that shit?" and go to the icebox for another Heidelberg. I cannot now nor could I ever always please my dad!
Three Beautiful Things 06/15/13: It's Not a Golf Course, Just Don't Have It Today, Live from the United Center
1. With the rain showers having ended, I got out the push mower and cut the front lawn. Unlike the power mower, the push mower cuts unevenly, misses some grass, but it gives me a little workout, especially when the grass is a little wet and longer than usual. I thought back to the ten minutes Marty from Rexius spent here about a month ago, giving me advice about lawn care. Her advice is working. The lawn doesn't look like a fairway at Augusta, but it's coming right along.
2. Russell and I have been going on photo strolls for quite a while. I'd say we started going out regularly in the fall of '09, but I might have that wrong. No matter. It's been quite a while. Today, for the first time, neither one of us was feeling it. Russell was bushed after a demanding several weeks at school and I was just lethargic (for no good reason). So we had a very tasty lunch at Pure and each purchased an iced drink at El Pato (my iced mocha was really good) and sat on the market porch facing 5th Street. We talked about movies, television programs, the NBA, and other things; we watched a train go by; we watched some people; I only took about three pictures; Russell took several. It was a cool afternoon, out of character, and very relaxing.
3. The Deke sent me a handful of text dispatches from the United Center in Chicago while watching the Blackhawks and the Bruins battle to a 1-1 tie. The Bruins scored in the first overtime, so while the Deke did not have the thrill of seeing the 'Hawks win, she got to experience Stanley Cup hockey, live, in person, with her brother. I enjoyed experiencing a tiny bit of it vicariously.
2. Russell and I have been going on photo strolls for quite a while. I'd say we started going out regularly in the fall of '09, but I might have that wrong. No matter. It's been quite a while. Today, for the first time, neither one of us was feeling it. Russell was bushed after a demanding several weeks at school and I was just lethargic (for no good reason). So we had a very tasty lunch at Pure and each purchased an iced drink at El Pato (my iced mocha was really good) and sat on the market porch facing 5th Street. We talked about movies, television programs, the NBA, and other things; we watched a train go by; we watched some people; I only took about three pictures; Russell took several. It was a cool afternoon, out of character, and very relaxing.
3. The Deke sent me a handful of text dispatches from the United Center in Chicago while watching the Blackhawks and the Bruins battle to a 1-1 tie. The Bruins scored in the first overtime, so while the Deke did not have the thrill of seeing the 'Hawks win, she got to experience Stanley Cup hockey, live, in person, with her brother. I enjoyed experiencing a tiny bit of it vicariously.
Saturday, June 15, 2013
Three Beautiful Things 06/14/13: Bijou Metro Matinee, Gabfest, Jade Palace Overload
1. The new Bijou Metro that opened downtown shows matinees every single day of the week and this makes me almost deliriously happy. Today I watched an 11:25 screening of "Angel's Share". I enjoyed myself a lot: the movie featured splendid characters from Glasgow and Manchester, a gritty, dangerous working-class world, tight acting, and an unexpected story line (kind of a fairy tale) that included a plunge into the world of distilling whiskey. I had a great time.
2. Michael, MB, and I sat down over coffee and gabbed for nearly two hours about millions of things and Michael and I continued the conversation in the Brails parking lot and talked about a million more.
3. When I'm home alone, I often purchase a family dinner for two to go from Jade Palace and it gives me a meal and then a ton of Chinese food leftovers to pick at for a couple of days. I know, I know...these family dinners do not necessarily feature the best in Chinese food, but it always works for me and sure did tonight. It's one of a small handful of things I enjoy doing when the Deke is out traveling the world.
2. Michael, MB, and I sat down over coffee and gabbed for nearly two hours about millions of things and Michael and I continued the conversation in the Brails parking lot and talked about a million more.
3. When I'm home alone, I often purchase a family dinner for two to go from Jade Palace and it gives me a meal and then a ton of Chinese food leftovers to pick at for a couple of days. I know, I know...these family dinners do not necessarily feature the best in Chinese food, but it always works for me and sure did tonight. It's one of a small handful of things I enjoy doing when the Deke is out traveling the world.
Friday, June 14, 2013
Three Beautiful Things 06/13/13: Bon Voyage, Happy Rain, Intriguing Heat
1. I didn't enjoy saying "Have a good trip" to the Deke and I don't relish her absence over the next several weeks, but, we got to the airport in plenty of time and she has a great trip ahead of her. Already, I'm really stoked for the good time she's having and what lies ahead and she's only just arrived!
2. I know it's standard practice to bemoan the June rain showers, but I look at how much my flowers and lawn and other foliage love the rain and I can't complain a bit about it.
3. The unpredictability of the Miami Heat intrigues me. Ya just never know.
2. I know it's standard practice to bemoan the June rain showers, but I look at how much my flowers and lawn and other foliage love the rain and I can't complain a bit about it.
3. The unpredictability of the Miami Heat intrigues me. Ya just never know.
Thursday, June 13, 2013
Three Beautiful Things 06/12/13: Farewell Disgruntled Student, Stanley Cup at Billy Mac's, THREE Overtimes
1. I put the disgruntled student I played in five interviews to rest today after the last interview. I bid him farewell at the corner of Broadway and Pearl, near the Greyhound station, before I dropped in at Noodle Bowl to have a spicy chicken bento box. I really don't know if I'll ever see him again, but I got to like him over the last six or seven days.
2. The Stanley Cup finals opened tonight. The Deke's brother and three adult kids were at the Blackhawks/Bruins game in Chicago and she and I went to Billy Mac's and watched the game for three periods. It was really fun to see the 'Hawks battle back from a 3-1 deficit and tie it, but we decided we couldn't stay for overtime.
3. Make that the THREE OVERTIMES. Ha! Well, two and a half periods of overtime. I came home and watched the overtime periods online and marveled at the stamina of these hockey players and couldn't believe the plays Corey Crawford, with a little help from his friends, made in front of the goal. Ditto Tuukka Rask. How did these goalies maintain their concentration over the course of about 112 minutes of hockey. And it's not like the Bruins' goalie, Rask, whiffed at the game winner. The puck ricocheted off a stick and bounced off a knee before sliding past Rask.
2. The Stanley Cup finals opened tonight. The Deke's brother and three adult kids were at the Blackhawks/Bruins game in Chicago and she and I went to Billy Mac's and watched the game for three periods. It was really fun to see the 'Hawks battle back from a 3-1 deficit and tie it, but we decided we couldn't stay for overtime.
3. Make that the THREE OVERTIMES. Ha! Well, two and a half periods of overtime. I came home and watched the overtime periods online and marveled at the stamina of these hockey players and couldn't believe the plays Corey Crawford, with a little help from his friends, made in front of the goal. Ditto Tuukka Rask. How did these goalies maintain their concentration over the course of about 112 minutes of hockey. And it's not like the Bruins' goalie, Rask, whiffed at the game winner. The puck ricocheted off a stick and bounced off a knee before sliding past Rask.
Wednesday, June 12, 2013
Three Beautiful Things 06/11/13: Being a Student, Lawnmowers Fixed, It's Troxstar Time
1. So I'm helping out the interview committee by playing the role of an LCC student in a mock conference with each candidate. One candidate told the committee she thought I really was a student and was really the one who had written the paper we discussed. Another faculty member on the committee told me that when I play this role he finds himself forgetting it's me and really believing I'm the student I've created. This all makes me very happy, mostly because I'm doing the job I was asked to do in helping out this committee.
2. Both my lawnmowers had minor problems that needed attention and Mme. Troxstar, who has helped the Deke and me in several such situations, cheerfully came over and did some taking off here and some tightening there and presto!: both lawnmowers are functioning. Now I just need to put them to use.
3. I met the Senior Warden, a.k.a. the Troxstar, at Falling Sky for a beer after vestry and it was a good time, although it was time to get on home before we quite finished solving the world's problems. We got about as far as the pros and cons of brewing beer at home.
2. Both my lawnmowers had minor problems that needed attention and Mme. Troxstar, who has helped the Deke and me in several such situations, cheerfully came over and did some taking off here and some tightening there and presto!: both lawnmowers are functioning. Now I just need to put them to use.
3. I met the Senior Warden, a.k.a. the Troxstar, at Falling Sky for a beer after vestry and it was a good time, although it was time to get on home before we quite finished solving the world's problems. We got about as far as the pros and cons of brewing beer at home.
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