Distant Innocence: January 2025

Friday, January 24, 2025

Irreconcilable Differences

Just days before our wedding, my spouse to be received a phone call from xxxxxxx, who called to urge her to reconsider her life choice. Apparently, her betrothed was not Christian enough - or rather the wrong flavor of Christian - and warned she was destined for a life of woe. And once marriage bans have been read, of course divorce was out of the question. This lay sermon was framed as a message from God - but in my view, it was a exercise to control with decidedly unholy origins. Happily for me, she dismissed this plea. She kept this conversation from me for several years and thankfully so. No telling what I might have said or done - something quite un-Christian most likely. By the time she finally did tell me, I had matured sufficiently that I could laugh off this meddling. Curiously, a similar thing happened to my grandparents, my grandfather's family objecting to the match due to the non-Lutheran bride. They went so far as not attending the wedding, but over time Esther became beloved.

Note: For the record, we've been married 50+ years and can still make each other laugh, although often unintentionally

So given this happened a lifetime ago, you can see I haven't really gotten over it. In fact, I have come to hold in disdain anyone who would deem it their right to dictate the trajectory of another's life. As if by the divine right of kings, the meddler, so confident in their views that any argument in opposition is hopeless. I do not condone holding grudges because the vessel holding this acid is always harmed more than anyone on whom it is poured. (Analogy credit to Mark Twain) Nevertheless, I confess that I enjoy a bit of schadenfreude whenever humble pie gets served to these folks. (I am not proud of that but don't take it as an apology. I am not Mother Theresa.)

So why would I post this irrelevant episode now? Well, our country is clearly divided into two adversarial camps, each trying to dictate their will upon the other. And worse, demonize the other. We have lost any semblance of respect for anyone with views opposed to our own. Is there any hope for civil discourse, moderation, compromise or reconciliation - or even … tolerance?

Probably not.

Tuesday, January 7, 2025

Deep Thoughts Vol 6

I got a million of 'em. Dave

When did it get this difficult to get up off the floor?

I would really appreciate more kindness in this world.

Wisdom of the goose. By flying in a V, the flock adds 70% to the flying range to that of a solo flight. Working together trumps solo flight.

A man is cold-bloodedly assassinated on the streets of New York and people are laughing and celebrating. I weep.

You are perfectly entitled to prevent your child from reading something you disapprove of but you have no right to extend that ban to me.

Bob Dylan's son is 55.

And .. Three thumbs up for A Complete Unknown.

Soto gets $765 million from the Mets. Unbelievable. I remember shock when Harmon Killebrew pulled in $100,000 from the skinflint Calvin Griffith.

I propose a ban on the use of word “unbelievable” on all sports commentators.

Just to be clear, seeking asylum has nothing to do with mental institutions.

When immigrants boarded ships bound for the USA back in their home countries, they were asked 31 questions, including name, age, health history, whether they were polygamists or anarchists, and whether or not they had at least $25.

For a (barely) passing grade in US history you should not require Google for help on these dates:

1. Jul 4,1776

2. Apr 14,1865

3. Dec 7,1941

4. Jun 6,1944

5. Nov 22,1963

6. Sep 11,2001

7. Jan 6, 2021

When your father dies, you lose your umbrella. Irish proverb

The past is not dead. It is not even past . William Faulkner

History is a pack of lies about events that never happened told by people who weren't there. George Santayana

Why couldn't life’s problems hit us at 17 when we knew everything.

Getting older is almost like changing species, from cute middle-aged, white-tailed deer to yak. Anne Lamont

I am rapidly approaching the third stage species change - Warthog.

If any one of you cry at my funeral, I will never speak to you again. Stan Laurel

By 2040, as few as 10 countries will have enough snow to host the Winter Olympics.

Are you old enough to understand this road sign? "Ensure your windows are rolled up before traveling this bridge". - - - - Storseisundet Bridge, Norway

“Joe, how does it make you feel
to know that our host only yesterday
may have made more money
than your novel ‘Catch-22’
has earned in its entire history?”
And Joe said, “I’ve got something he can never have.”
And I said, “What on earth could that be, Joe?”
And Joe said, “The knowledge that I’ve got enough.” Kurt Vonnegut

Just a little bit more. John D. Rockefeller's response to "How much is enough?"

It would be nice if the billionaires would just stick to their obscene money-grubbing and leave me alone.

Facebook is eliminating 3rd party fact checking in favor of “community notes”. All in the name of free speech. Billionaires are really cowards underneath their bluster.

Character is destiny. Heraclitus

Whether you think you can or you think you can’t, you are likely correct.

I wish I knew what I know now back when I could still do it.

Isn’t an invite to the Mayonnaise Bowl kind of an insult to start with and then they compound it with an end-of-game bath in the stuff?

You cannot convince me that the incredible increase in the size, speed, strength and muscle mass of NFL players can be explained solely by improved diet and training regimens.

Or college and high schools for that matter.

Pushing a drink on a person who doesn’t want one is ill-mannered in the extreme.

I've given up trying to fix people - and that includes myself.

It is solved by walking. St. Augustine

Anything worth doing is worth doing badly. G.K. Chesterton

This quote seems a paradox, but the idea is, if something is worth doing, you should make an attempt even if it results in a botched effort. [Some exceptions - maybe not brain surgery]

One always tends to overpraise a long book, because one has got through it. E.M. Forster

Read Jacques Barzun's 'From Dawn to Decadence'. It's quite wonderful. 912 p

I am so relieved. Angelina and Brad have finally reached a divorce settlement.

The percentage of young men aged 20 to 24 who are neither in school nor working has tripled since 1980.

When I think back on how rarely I thought of my grandparents in my youth versus how often I now think of my grandchildren, it’s kind of embarrassing.

There is no need to repeal the First Amendment. The self censorship by the Fourth Estate is working perfectly. Lord, protect us from spineless editors. TBW

kak·i·sto·cra·cy Look it up.

I’m pretty sure I have more fun writing these than you do reading them.

Wednesday, January 1, 2025

Best of 2024

Once again I offer up one of my sporadic "Best of" lists, joining the countless end-of-year others inundating you. Take it for what it's worth. Perhaps you will discover an unfamiliar author or title that piques your interest. Then this is worthwhile.

Happy New Year all.