“Writing a novel is the closest thing a male writer will ever get to the experience of childbirth.”
American journalist and author, Norman Mailer, was born on this day in 1923 (d. 2007)
Just a mere thirty-one days ago, we were all watching 2021 die a slow, painful death. Sure I said even then that there was nothing magical about the turn of the calendar page. But I refuse to accept the gift of prophecy.
I won’t want to bore you with all of my trials and tribulations, even if I did always hope that I’d be an apostle. If you know, you know.
But a simple recap of the last four and a half weeks. My job at the amusement park was shut down due to cast members having COVID. That was a loss of income. While I escaped, two family members tested positive for COVID. My Mother fell and broke her leg and continues in rehab. Before I could go visit here I had to spend nearly a thousand dollars to get my truck to pass inspection. And, an old shoulder injury decided it would be a good time to come back for a visit.
If I’m reading the memes correctly, many of you have had similar months.
I’ve accepted the fact that I’m not attaining those goals over night, or even over a month. I just have to keep moving in the right direction.
It’s not all doom and gloom. Some good things have happened.
I’ve almost got the Christmas decorations down. Don’t @ me Karen. It’s been a challenge. And I still keep thinking they’ll only be back up in nine months.
I’m back as a contributing partner at Bearing Drift. That feels good.
I sort of straightened my home office out. It will require another purge and revamp before much longer, but
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I’ve recovered from the Christmas wrapping and receipts.
And, we spent this weekend honoring the man who has led the Music and Fine Arts ministry for forty years at our former church. We were blessed to be a part of that for over half of that time. It was there, in fact, that I first donned the red suit. I didn’t care for it at the time, but now I realize it was the beginning of what I understand to be a calling to spread the joy of Christmas.
Pretty significant.
So, sure, much of January has been sucky. And I didn’t even mention the weather.
But some good things are happening, and even when they don’t week keep going.
It’s a new week. Tomorrow we get a new month.
And in just eleven more months we get a whole brand new year.
There’s nothing wrong with looking to the future, as long as we don’t forget to make today count.
We only get one chance.
ONE MORE THING:
The picture above notes that it’s National Hot Chocolate Day. ?If you’re looking for a way to make your cup of cocoa a little more special. Check out the recipe from Ned Flanders.
EDITOR’S NOTE: You’ve probably noticed that there are now ads appearing on this site. I know they’re annoying, but until Publishers Clearinghouse shows up with that big darn check, someone has to pay the rent.
1797 – Franz Schubert, Austrian pianist and composer (d. 1828)
1872 – Zane Grey, American author (d. 1939)
1892 – Eddie Cantor, American singer-songwriter, actor, and dancer (d. 1964)
1902 – Tallulah Bankhead, American actress (d. 1968)
1919 – Jackie Robinson, American baseball player and sportscaster (d. 1972)
1921 – Carol Channing, American actress, singer, and dancer (d. 2019)
1929 – Jean Simmons, English-American actress (d. 2010)
1937 – Suzanne Pleshette, American actress (d. 2008)
1941 – Jessica Walter, American actress (d. 2021)
WHAT I’M READING
BENEDICTION
Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.
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Just a mere thirty-one days ago, we were all watching 2021 die a slow, painful death. Sure I said even then that there was nothing magical about the turn of the calendar page. But I refuse to accept the gift of prophecy.
