- It was quite a week. Off in my favorite country on an annual birthday trip with my dear Josiah (13) and BSIL Kermit ('way-younger-than-I). It was a very full time, and a joy to be with both of them. I learned more about Kermit, too. I knew he loved God, was a tireless worker, witty, well-read, quick-witted, and a really good guy. Never boring. He's embraced our family, and we love him a lot. Also, he and I have a lot of overlap in knowing movies, TV, actors and such. So we "get" the jokes the others don't.
- But this week, I also learned that Kermit is a strong hiker, and that he builds a mean cooking fire. My initial scoff at the way he built it went up in crackling flames a few minutes later. He got the job. What's more, I exposed Kermit to a couple of new experiences, and he took to them pretty much instantly.
- Over the time we spent in the Sierra, I shared with Kermit a number of places with deep, personal meaning to me and to our family. Now perhaps he'll make some new memories with his own family. When we got back, I was tired and a bit crabby, and Kermit was ready to go work at his job that same night. All that to say that I'm thanking God again at what a good choice my Rachael made; and thinking their little baby will have a great father.
- It's fun, too, to see Josiah learning the places, developing favorite traditions and memories of his own. Casts a mean lure, too. And, like all of us, he looooves Schat's.
- Now, to the usual lineup, such as it is.
- Today's Title of the Week just proves that there's an audience for every kind of article: How to Boil Water. I kid you not.
- Archaeology has unearthed yet more about Nero, the emperor under whom Paul and Peter finished their course. (Thanks ro reader Tim, in MN.)
- Oh dear. Pastor Al points us to a little ceremony in which the Peace Day dove in Afghanistan doesn't quite make it. Emblematic?
- They're from the government, and they're there to help you — not to be a good neighbor. Reader Ryan Moran notes that Michigan has a law that is making it illegal for a mom to help out some friends by watching their kids for a bit each morning. To their credit, though, the legislature is working to make the laws a bit saner.
- Out family doesn't "do" Halloween, in any form. But that doesn't keep me from admiring pumpkin art, like these Star-Wars-themed pumpkins:
- This one... not so much:
- Finally, these:
(Click for article)
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34 comments:
This is completely unacceptable.(*)
(* = translation: can we see pictures? We might have the Olympics soon here in Chi-town, but we don't have cool mountain views. We'll take your pictures and tape them to buildings to make us LOOK cool.)
Well, you saw these pictures? Is that what you're talking about?
You're saying you want more? Or am I misunderstanding?
My oldest sister didn't spend much time in the kitchen growing up. I'll never forget (or let her forget) her phone call to our mom soon after she moved out on her own. "Mom, I'm boiling water to make spaghetti. Which comes first, the big bubbles or the little bubbles?" Thanks for yet another opportunity to tease her. :-)
What a joy it must be when your child chooses a spouse wisely, one of the most important and consequential decisions they'll make. What a joy it must be to your daughter to see her father not only validate, but sincerely and publicly appreciate her husband.
I particularly enjoyed the Bush and cougar pics! Thanks for the chuckle.
Schat's. In God's Providence, He stationed Schat's almost exactly halfway between our house and Grandma's. He is so good. :)
Those were some fine words to share about your SIL. How is his missus feeling these days?
Wow.
I'm so glad you cleared up that "boiling water" thing.
Now if I could only make ice cubes I could be success as a homemaker.
Glad you had a good time with the 'boys' :0)
Julie
Schat's Sheepherder bread. The yummiest. Maybe next year I can make the trek to the eastern Sierras and go on the annual family backpacking trip, which I have haven't participated in for several years now. :-(
Rabbit, my DAOD reports:
She still has constant nausea, can hardly eat. Still a lot of nausea, only occasional vomiting. Baby loves carbs (particularly Schat's Sheepherder's bread), which means more frequent eating.
She's ready for this stage to be over.
The Nero rotating dining room article was very interesting. I'm always fascinated with antiquity.
Ginger tea, motion-sickness wristbands, and it's probably a boy with all that nausea. Here endeth the unsolicited advice. :)
The DAOD is in our prayers.
I have to go look at that magnificent cougar again!
Oh... I don't miss that part of being pregnant.
Tell your daughter that "Pukahontas" wishes her well.
Julie
Our family doesn't "do" Halloween, in any form.
I can't recall exactly how I should describe you because of this (I'd have to dig through last October's Pyro archives to refresh my memory), but I'm fairly certain that it won't be flattering.
Those first two carvings are amazing. Gotta admire the talent required to do something like that.
I don't do Halloween either. It's going to be tougher when my daughter and soon to be second daughter get older. But I do go all out for Christmas.
DJP sez:
>Well, you saw these pictures? Is >that what you're talking about?
See, folks: When you don't read Biblical Christianity every day and slide the bar down to see what you've missed, you've missed a lot.(*)
(* = crawls under a rock in utter embarrassment)
One of the many mysteries of the whole Halloween thing to this ex-pat Australian is the combination of root vegetables, razor-sharp knives, and small children.
So sorry for the DAOD. It ends; it just feels like it never will. I swore by York Peppermint Patties, drinking food instead of having to chew (soups, protein shakes), and beseeching DH to please unpack, store and consume all roast chickens at the neighbors' house.
The dove clip reminded me far too much of my wife's grandmother's funeral last year. Someone decided to have a dove releasing ceremony at the grave site, which we were just hoping we wouldn't laugh through because it sounded like such a dumb idea to begin with. They read an incredibly stupid poem about a dove flying free and blah blah blah, then released the dove and started a prayer. About three seconds later, the sound of a shotgun blast rang out loud and clear. The SIL was practically convulsing and biting her thumb so hard she still had teeth marks a week later just to keep from laughing. I had to hug her and play it up like she was majorly weeping, but I'm not sure anyone bought it. I guess if you're going to release a dove, you should probably make sure it isn't the first day of dove hunting season.
Oh dude. Wow.
Gilbert - you didn't know there'd be pop quizzes?
(c:
I wasn't being snarky; just wanted to know whether you were asking for more, or whether you'd missed what was there.
trogdor:
HA HA HA HA HA!!!
Aaron - what we do instead is Reformation Day.
Which, for the record, makes you a "holier-than-thou pietist" (among other things).
See? I told you -- not flattering...
Not really following you, 3GD.
Sorry -- as I said earlier, comments from last October's Pyro archives when a debate ensued about celebrating or not celebrating Halloween. Left a bad taste in my mouth.
I'll go back to sleep now...
Well, when you wake up, tell me:
Is that what you think of people like our family, who don't participate in Halloween?
Is that what someone else thinks of people like our family, who don't participate in Halloween?
Or something else?
Dan,
I apologize for an utterly miserable, fumbling mess. No, I don't believe that of anyone who doesn't celebrate Halloween. Others made comments to that effect, and it really surprised me how insistent they were about it.
Dear me -- apparently I need to go back to lurking for awhile.
Sorry for the misunderstading...
NP, and no, please don't just lurk. Comment.
1. "How To Boil Water". Hmm. Food Network used to have a show with the exact same title that starred Tyler Florence and this other girl (whose name I obviously do not remember). Fortunately it was much more advanced than the link you had there, Dan.
That does remind me of an anecdote, however. Years ago someone at my first place of employment had told me a story about her friend who has no concept of cooking whatsoever. One day this friend was asked to go to the supermarket to buy some shrimp (for a cookout, I guess), and she returned empty-handed. When asked why she didn't get her item, she replied, "They didn't have any shrimps. Well, actually, they had these things that kinda looked like shrimps, but they weren't red!"
2. Rabbit, I hate to counter your prediction as to the gender of Dan's grandchild, but it really could be a girl as well. Just ask my mother. ;)
3. Trogdor--LOL!!! Stifling laughs at a funeral must have been quite an experience....
Dan! You don't practice Halloween, but you watch Harry Potter movies?!
I'm sending you to the repentance corner for exactly the time it takes for the next Harry Potter movie to come out...
I was thinking though, that it would be quite scary if we all dressed up like Rob Bell, Doug Pagitt, Brian McLaren, et all. People would ask us who we're supposed to be an we could call ourselves the PoMo-Emerg Posse! Then Dan and his Reformation crew could destroy us on people's lawns with fiery sermons from Calvin, Luther and the like. It would be like doing Halloween, but not really. I'm going to stop now...
Yeah... but we don't watch HP on Halloween.
:^P
we could call ourselves the PoMo-Emerg Posse! Then Dan and his Reformation crew...
Jon, here's your uniform.
Dan,
I know that I am mostly a stranger to the blog, but I have read for a while now. Phil Johnson has been to my church in FL a few times b/c he is BF to my Pastor, Steve Kreloff. That is how I found Pyro, and followed your links here. (Hoping that shameless name-dropping makes my question okay since it is mostly off-topic).
I have been impressed by your well-articulated arguments on points of doctrine, and the depth of your biblical knowledge. Add to that your knowledge of the original languages, book reviews, recent book writing, blog writing, and I find it unbeleivable that you have any time to find Death Star pumpkins on the internet.
I realize that because you love Jesus, you will be loathe to boast in your abilities. But, I am thinking that it may be edifying to the readers if you put together some comments about where you get good, relaible reading material (news sources, Christian related news, etc.) Also, do you read like 700 words a minute or what? I guess I am just curious how a normal day goes... do you read all day? Could you give the readers some tips... or perhaps a whole post on the subject. Please forgive the rambling nature of this comment. I am not as witty or economical with words as most of the commenters here. Thanks in advance.
You're very kind, but I can't help but think you meant the question for Phil or Frank.
The HT and other eclectic stuff I pick up randomly through the week. My job allows me odd time between calls, and I surf around and save what interests, annoys, informs or amuses me. Turns out the same things interest, annoy, inform or amuse a few others. Who knew?
As to the rest, I pass you the best advice I ever got on the subject: fill up odd moments. Got that one decades ago from the late F. F. Bruce. I have books placed here and there, or books and sermons and lectures on my iPhone. I try (try!) to make the most out of each moment.
And no, I read painfully slowly and am easily distracted. More's the pity. I can only marvel at gents like Phil, who seem to inhale and retain prodigiously.
Thanks, hope that's of some help.
Thank you for the tips. I read the F.F. Bruce post, as well as the comments... another sidebar= It must be disheartening to put that effort into a post and have the detractors go off a cliff with their criticisms (I know it kinda irked me).
By and by, perhaps I will tell my posterity that DJP actually took the time to respond to a personal request I made. :-)
Seriously though, thank you for taking the time. I will work at implementing yours/Bruce's advice.
Finally, in light of your comments about Phil and Frank, I humbly submit a request for a Pyro blog (perhaps a cooperative from all three of you) that addresses this issue of how, and what (recognizing Frank's recent call to a few particular books, but asking for more-- and periodicals, websites, news outlets, etc. that are worth the time on a regular basis), and when to read-- again, with some practical tips for those among us who are not in the same stratosphere but would like to improve.
Oh my, dude; do that and your posterity will either look with blankness or pity.
Yeah, slip that in a comment on a Phil or Frank post over at Pyro. I'd be interested in the answer, too.
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