Dearest Rachel – I’m sure you remember how pop culture influences our conversations; how we relate to each other, and even how we see ourselves. Remember the little internet quizzes that would ask “what character from [the latest ‘thing’] are you?” I think we were a little dismayed, for instance, to see that we wouldContinue reading “What Does Daisy Want?”
Author Archives: randy@letters-to-rachel.memorial
Free to Do Nothing at All
Dearest Rachel – “Anyone free this weekend?” After three weeks of silence in the group chat, it was Logan who ventured the question the other day. Evidently, he thought it might be worthwhile to see if the others wanted to do something together either today or tomorrow. Which you might think to be a no-brainer;Continue reading “Free to Do Nothing at All”
To Travel With Another
Dearest Rachel – Ever since the accident which took you “home” at the end of a day trip in the midst of the Covid lockdowns, you’re aware that I’ve been doing (and telling you about) a lot of traveling. These are things we always meant to do together one day, but were precluded from doingContinue reading “To Travel With Another”
Compound Interest
Dearest Rachel – I try to avoid talking about specifics regarding our financial situation in these letters, and I’ll try to continue with that today. We don’t know who might be reading over your shoulder, and as I’ve mentioned before, talking about what one makes or owns is a sure-fire way to get someone toContinue reading “Compound Interest”
You Can’t Always Finish The Job
Dearest Rachel – You might recall how last week, when I was struggling (unsuccessfully, as it turned out) to keep from catching whatever it was that Daniel had been dealing with since before the weekend began, I was also trying to remember about a commitment I thought I remembered making, but was unable to recallContinue reading “You Can’t Always Finish The Job”
A Few Hours of Darkness
Dearest Rachel – I’ve written to you about power outages before, and most of them have been short-lived and short-ranged, while still leaving one contemplating about just how dependent we are on electricity for just about everything. This one was a little of both, and a little of neither. For starters, I showed up atContinue reading “A Few Hours of Darkness”
from Rachel: I Understood from the Scriptures
According to Daniel 7:1, when was the dream of the little horn, the Ancient of Days, and ‘one like a son of man’ given to Daniel? “in the first year of Belshazzar” According to Daniel 8:1, when was the vision of the ram, the goat, and the horn depicting Antiochus IV given to Daniel? “inContinue reading “from Rachel: I Understood from the Scriptures”
The Long Road Back to Normal
Dearest Rachel – No, I’m not talking about taking a road trip back to our old collegiate stomping grounds. Apart from a meal at Avanti’s, there’s little reason to do so (and even that is hardly compelling, given the distance and time to get there and back. It violates all of my rules regarding travelContinue reading “The Long Road Back to Normal”
Story Arc
Dearest Rachel – It would amuse me no end for some theorist channel to happen across this sheaf of letters, read a whole bunch of them over your shoulder, and try to make sense out of them as if they were the components of an ARG or an extended literary work. Applying the tropes ofContinue reading “Story Arc”
Speaking Terms
Dearest Rachel – I have to admit, this particular cold, and the measures Daniel and I have taken about it, feel like life under the Covid lockdowns. I haven’t been to the office since Monday – especially since Dad reported to me that Mom was dealing with a similar level of illness as I wasContinue reading “Speaking Terms”
Seeking Distractions
Dearest Rachel – Another morning dawns, and with it, the realization that I can’t have a day that passes for normal just yet. Woke up before two with a coughing jag, and took a little more medicine to allow me to go back to sleep, and managed to eke out another five hours worth, inContinue reading “Seeking Distractions”
Bloodshot
Dearest Rachel – You probably remember that when I’m sick, I sneeze at two different volumes. When it’s unrestrained, it’s loud enough to be heard anywhere in the house – and probably for several houses down – and it’s practically yelled out, as if I’d hit my thumb with a hammer or something. More often,Continue reading “Bloodshot”
Ill at Ease
Dearest Rachel – Monday morning, and something just doesn’t feel right. Much as I’m planning to head to the ‘office’ for what should be an ordinary day (with a side request to help the folks deal with “a credit card situation,” which probably just involves an internet communication issue), there’s this sense that I’m forgettingContinue reading “Ill at Ease”
from Rachel: What on Earth is a ‘Rapture’?
…Glance at the segment on week 7, day 5, then write a brief synopsis of pre-millennialism in this space: “After a seven year tribulation, Christ will return, bind Satan, rule for 1,000 years with the martyred saints, loose Satan, have a final battle, conduct final judgment, and usher in eternity” Please read the following primaryContinue reading “from Rachel: What on Earth is a ‘Rapture’?”
Bags of Bags
Dearest Rachel – So, after being invited to two different backyard events in a single Saturday (and it’s not even a holiday weekend; what gives?), I had to get something to bring to each of them. Now, technically, I didn’t have to go out shopping to do that; the one asked specifically for a dessert,Continue reading “Bags of Bags”
Enforced Silence
Dearest Rachel – I have a couple of topics to share with you about the past 24 hours, so if I’m really motivated (and Daniel manages to get the night’s rest he needs and deserves), you might get more than one letter today, as they’re not really related to each other. They won’t be longContinue reading “Enforced Silence”
Health Concerns
Dearest Rachel – Normally, when I wake up of a morning, the house (at least, the portion within earshot) is quiet as a tomb. Even the fact that Logan gets up early enough to start his workday doesn’t register with me. Maybe it’s because his upstairs room that he confines himself to during working hoursContinue reading “Health Concerns”
Were She Here Already
Dearest Rachel – I’ve been keeping in touch with “Lee” now since March or April, I think (I’m pretty sure that was when we discovered we shared a birthday, right down to the same year and all). And while I haven’t been texting her quite as faithfully as I’ve been writing to you (I’m downContinue reading “Were She Here Already”
Tuk-Tuk Temptation
Dearest Rachel – I don’t think of myself as a “car guy”; the idea of popping open the hood and messing around with a car’s engine does not appeal to me. I’m not one for getting my fingers dirty over a vehicle’s mechanical parts, nor do I relish the smell of any oil other thanContinue reading “Tuk-Tuk Temptation”
Monday Deferred, But Monday Nonetheless
Dearest Rachel – There are moments when, while I can’t thank you enough for allowing me to check out of the work farce (and I’ll never forget how you put it at the moment; “you’ve supported me for the last twenty-plus years, now it’s my turn to support you.” Not every one, even as aContinue reading “Monday Deferred, But Monday Nonetheless”
On Being “That Guy”
Dearest Rachel – This is something of a confession, as in hindsight, I think I may have been excessively rude to someone who was just trying to be polite. It’s the sort of story that might possibly be submitted to r/AITA, where Redditors dealing with a pang of conscience ask the community at large, “AmContinue reading “On Being “That Guy””
from Rachel: Important Distinctions
What questions did I tell you we seek to answer? What is ahead for this “world”? And what part will the “church” play? As we lengthen our eschatological timeline and consider all the players, let’s have a quick and important refresher: to whom are we referring when we speak of the ‘church’? (If necessary, seeContinue reading “from Rachel: Important Distinctions”
It Goes Both Ways
Dearest Rachel – Last night’s dream may have been short on details, but could be considered a source of all manner of speculation, I suppose it’s worth telling you about and getting into such speculation. Besides, as a Whovian yourself, time travel questions were always your jam, in a way – and it’s not asContinue reading “It Goes Both Ways”
Meanwhile, Back Home…
Dearest Rachel – I just stuffed the bags back into the car behind my driver’s seat again this morning. Normally, I’ve got this rotation of two of the many (most of which I either disposed of or gave away) cloth grocery bags you left behind, for when I stop at Aldi – either one, asContinue reading “Meanwhile, Back Home…”
The Silent Treatment
Dearest Rachel – I have to admit, it was something I hadn’t considered about traveling to a place like Honduras, where I don’t have coverage with my phone plan (although maybe it would be wise for me to look into one of those eSIM cards for future travels here and there). For the entirety ofContinue reading “The Silent Treatment”
Rattle Around in Your Bones
Dearest Rachel – I hardly need to refresh your memory that summer is Daniel’s least favorite season. Despite this being common knowledge between us, he will often complain about the heat – and I can’t say as I blame him; it’s at least ten, and possibly as much as twenty degrees hotter up here thanContinue reading “Rattle Around in Your Bones”
Enough To Make an Indian Cry
Dearest Rachel – I’d started this letter literally on the way to Just One from the airport. I’d thought, based on some of the topics touched on in the orientation, that our nightly debriefs might include the fact that we’d seen and heard stuff that we couldn’t comment upon in the moment. After all, weContinue reading “Enough To Make an Indian Cry”
Notes From The Return Trip
Dearest Rachel – It’s Monday morning after a week away from the gym, and the sky outside is dull, gray… and most importantly, raining. You can probably guess that these are more than enough reasons for me to be thoroughly reluctant to head out to the gym, honey, while at the same time that weekContinue reading “Notes From The Return Trip”
from Rachel: The Record of the Maccabees
[Antiochus IV Epiphanies] wanted [the Jews] Hellenized, not just in spite of their wishes to the contrary, but because of them. Please read Daniel 8:9-10 carefully. Using the same figurative language, record what the one fulfilling this prophecy would do. “throw some of the starry host down to earth and trample them” To what doContinue reading “from Rachel: The Record of the Maccabees”
Time for (Mis)Adventure
Dearest Rachel – In a way, it feels weird to spend a day completely away from working at Just One, especially considering how much work there is to do. The poor, as Jesus said, will always be with us, and they will always have needs we can fill for them, hopefully in an attempt toContinue reading “Time for (Mis)Adventure”
Set in Concrete
Dearest Rachel – So yesterday was our last day of actual work. Today, we’ll be on what they refer to as an ‘adventure day’; another nod to the ‘volun-tourism’ concept we discussed the other day. But with my work as an educator over with, this last day was spent doing manual labor – which, toContinue reading “Set in Concrete”
Misunderstanding the Assignment
Dearest Rachel – I’ve mentioned before that I’ve never actually had a chance to do karaoke, and it would seem that last night, that showed. I’ve always envisioned it pretty much like how the Japanese do it; a small handful of people getting together in a room no bigger than a hotel room, to competeContinue reading “Misunderstanding the Assignment”
What You Least Expect
Dearest Rachel – I knew from the outset that whatever I was expecting from a classroom here in Honduras, it wasn’t going to be like what one was like in the States (or, for that matter, since I’ve seen more of their classrooms in the years post-graduation, Japan). The trouble is, I couldn’t visualize whatContinue reading “What You Least Expect”
Put Through Paces
Dearest Rachel – Not that it’s germane to anything else going on, but I feel the need to send you greetings on this, the fifty-fourth month since your departure. It’s been four and a half years at this point, and more often than not, the twenty-third of the month still gets my attention in aContinue reading “Put Through Paces”
Cultural Experiences
Dearest Rachel – It seems like a bit of a waste of time, when there is so much that needs to be done at the school and clinic (to say nothing of the houses in need of water storage pilas – although there’s only so much that can be done in any given day towardContinue reading “Cultural Experiences”
Prince of Peace Corps
Dearest Rachel – I don’t know if you remember the slogan, but I have a vague recollection of the Peace Corps described as “the toughest job you’ll ever love.” It wouldn’t surprise me if Just One was striving to be that kind of job opportunity, even on the limited-time basis as it is for usContinue reading “Prince of Peace Corps”
Primera Mañana
Dearest Rachel – I’m not sure what you would’ve thought of this place, honey. I’m still trying to get used to it myself. After yesterday’s travels (particularly the obscenely early start to the day), I retired at what might otherwise be considered a ridiculous hour of nine o’clock, but which you might have at least beenContinue reading “Primera Mañana”
I’ll Never Quite Get Used to It
Dearest Rachel – I have this goal regarding travel that, one day, I’d get to the point where it’s a perfectly normal thing to show up at the airport, get on a plane, and be on my way to wherever it is I’m wanting to go without another thought. It’ll be almost a routine thing;Continue reading “I’ll Never Quite Get Used to It”
from Rachel: A Master of Intrigue
Briefly describe the concept of a dual reference.“One prophecy can foretell both events in the distant future and foreshadowing events in the nearer future.” Before I tell you the meaning of the Greek word translated ‘parable,’ let’s recap yesterday‘s lesson. Based on our previous study, briefly explain why the Old Testament was translated into GreekContinue reading “from Rachel: A Master of Intrigue”
Clinging
Dearest Rachel – I hardly have to explain Azumanga Daioh to you; while it could be argued that there’s not all that much to explain, the slice-of-life anime about a group of quirky girls thrown together (apart from Yomi and Tomo, whose otherwise inexplicable friendship predates their enrollment in the setting we encounter them) andContinue reading “Clinging”
Too Tired to be Frantic
Dearest Rachel – Early tomorrow night, I’m going to need to head off to bed by five or six, so I can wake up at three, summon myself an Uber (both Dad and Daniel offered to drive me there until I informed them both of the time I needed to be there, at which pointContinue reading “Too Tired to be Frantic”
Professor Perdonname
¡Buenas días, estudiantes! Bienvenidos a Hojas 101 (o Contabilidad 101). Mi nombre es Randy Larson, pero puedes llamarme “Señor Perdonname”, porque no sé mucho español, y voy a decir “¿perdonname?” a la mayoría de sus preguntas. De hecho, tengo tan poco español que necesitaba escribir este monólogo con antelación y revisarlo de antemano para asegurarmeContinue reading “Professor Perdonname”
Once Burned
Dearest Rachel – All too often, when we would bring home a certain local foodstuff from one or another of our travels, it would get lost in the back of the pantry and just go stale or otherwise bad. Sometimes, it would be due to a fear of never be able to have it againContinue reading “Once Burned”
Food at Home
Dearest Rachel – It’s so memetic that there isn’t a single iconic image to represent it; all there is to it is a basic script. Child asks for restaurant food (usually from a low-grade fast-food place – and yes, I know that’s something of a redundancy), to which the mom replies that “we have foodContinue reading “Food at Home”
Just Like It Used To
Dearest Rachel – It started off with a fairly frivolous announcement last week; during the orientation regarding the mission to Honduras, there was some mention made about the final full day in the area, which would not include much in the way of actual work, but would be a series of ‘cultural experiences’ as aContinue reading “Just Like It Used To”
from Rachel: An Uncommon Conqueror, A Common Language
Please read Daniel 8:1-8. Compare Daniel 8:20-21 and identify the following representations in the vision: The two-horned ram: “the kings of Media and Persia”The shaggy goat: “the king of Greece”The large horn between his eyes: “the first (and most powerful) king”Recall session 8 and our previous discussions of the Grecian Empire. Who did history revealContinue reading “from Rachel: An Uncommon Conqueror, A Common Language”
Don’t Cheer from the Ramparts
Dearest Rachel – Imagine, if you will a medieval castle as an opposing army advances against it. Standing among the battlements in defense are squads of archers, preparing to defend the keep against the impending onslaught. As they are stationed several stories up, they have the advantage of the first shot, since their arrows willContinue reading “Don’t Cheer from the Ramparts”
Cruel Silence
Dearest Rachel – There are times when I imagine you, like my paternal grandfather before you (who you never met, although I think you met my grandmother), either filling in for Saint Peter or standing alongside him at his post, welcoming the new arrivals as they appear at the gates each constructed of individual pearls.Continue reading “Cruel Silence”
Sleeping Weather
Dearest Rachel – Yesterday, while I was at the ‘office,’ Logan sent a text to me about there being water on the floor in the basement, both in the utility room and the half-bathroom that rarely ever gets used by any of us. Maybe Daniel was taking a bath upstairs, and he felt the needContinue reading “Sleeping Weather”
His Opinion Matters
Dearest Rachel – I don’t remember who told me this, specifically, but in the immediate aftermath of your departure, I was advised not to make any major rash decisions in my life. No major purchases, no attempts at pursuing ‘Megumi’ (who hadn’t been given that name at that point, let alone had her criteria fleshedContinue reading “His Opinion Matters”
Prime Moment
Dearest Rachel – I have a couple of topics for you sitting in the wings at the moment, but I’ll reserve them for a day when I have less going on, both in terms of the lack of something happening to relate to you and the time to commit them to pixels. This one isContinue reading “Prime Moment”
The Risk of Ruin or Loss
Dearest Rachel – It seems that all too often, I wind up telling you about stuff that happened a day or so ago, rather than what’s happening to me right in the moment. It can’t be helped; it’s just easier for me to focus on writing first thing in the morning (or at the veryContinue reading “The Risk of Ruin or Loss”
from Rachel: Time, Times and Half a Time
How long does [Daniel 7:25] say the saints will be handed over to this evil king we’ve identified as the Antichrist? “a time, times, and half a time” Strange reference, isn’t it? Thank goodness we have the companion Book of Revelation to offer some clues to its meaning. Please look up the following Scriptures andContinue reading “from Rachel: Time, Times and Half a Time”
With No Expectations to Speak Of
Dearest Rachel – After spending Thursday evening wandering around the local Frontier Days festival, you’ll recall that I wasn’t particularly enthused about getting out and about on Independence Day, despite being of the understanding that it’s a once-a-year thing. If I wait until I’m “in the mood” for a fireworks display, there won’t be anyContinue reading “With No Expectations to Speak Of”
Indolence Day
Dearest Rachel – So here’s the setup; with our bellies full of Mississippi pot roast, so we wouldn’t be tempted by the blandishments of the various vendor stalls throughout the midway (although that wasn’t the purpose behind such a meal; it was Thursday evening, after all, and Daniel and I have that standing invitation soContinue reading “Indolence Day”
The Right to My Day
Dearest Rachel – I don’t think that I’ll ever fully comprehend the ‘gym rat’ mentality – nor, as I’m sure you would expect, do I wish to; to do so would be to become one, and for all the desirable effects, there are more than enough adverse ones, primarily having to do with attitude, thatContinue reading “The Right to My Day”
Sun Tea
Dearest Rachel – When you left, you left us with a kitchen and pantry full of edibles that filled the storage spaces of both places to overflowing and then some. The various foodstuffs were piled so high that certain passages weren’t navigable without taking long, careful high steps (which you weren’t capable of, due toContinue reading “Sun Tea”
Which Saturday is This?
Dearest Rachel – One of the guys in the ‘accountability group’ that I’ve been assigned (I’d say assigned to, but I seem to have wound up in charge of it, whether I wanted to be or not) as part of the Saturday morning Bible study is, among other things, a recent émigré to the retiredContinue reading “Which Saturday is This?”
Queasy
Dearest Rachel – I don’t know what’s been going on the last few days, honey, but every so often – at least, when I bother to think about it – there’s been this nagging sense of unease in the pit of my stomach going on. Now, it’s entirely possible that it’s simply due to anotherContinue reading “Queasy”
from Rachel: Oppression of the Saints
Let’s start with a recap of yesterday’s lesson. Please list the three additional names/titles for the ‘little horn.’ “Man of Lawlessness“Beast“Antichrist” Perhaps nothing is more dangerous than an evil genius. Why do you suppose evil and intelligence form such a deadly combination? “Dumb or even average evil will only get so far before it tripsContinue reading “from Rachel: Oppression of the Saints”
Returning to Collect
Dearest Rachel – I’m not sure whether I heard the car approach – I certainly didn’t recognize it, if I paid any attention to it at all – as it pulled up to your parents’ house and you got out to look through the place one more time. I watched through the immense picture windowContinue reading “Returning to Collect”
To Tell About Our Days
Dearest Rachel – As humans, we have a surprising amount of difficulty explaining to others how we spend our time, and what exactly we do with it. Or maybe it’s just me, which basically illustrates my point. You see, even though we know, intellectually, that it’s not so, we find it hard to imagine thatContinue reading “To Tell About Our Days”
Tell-Tale Feet and the Chocolate Plateau
Dearest Rachel – After telling you about how I ‘cheated’ to get under the two-fifteen line yesterday before I was to go and meet up with Lars yesterday, I didn’t have as much to talk with him about when we started to make our way around the mall. Oh, and by the way, I thinkContinue reading “Tell-Tale Feet and the Chocolate Plateau”
Hate to Disappoint
Dearest Rachel – As happens every week these days, I’m meeting up with Lars to walk for a couple of hours (granted, due to the combination of the recent heat wave and the current threat of rain, we’ll be doing so for the second straight week at the mall over in Rosemont, rather than theContinue reading “Hate to Disappoint”
Returning from the Woods
Dearest Rachel – As she attempts to recover from her unplanned tryst with Prince Charming late in the second half of Into the Woods, the Baker’s Wife sings “back to life, back to home, back to child, back to husband… you can’t live in the woods.” Of course she doesn’t get back to all thoseContinue reading “Returning from the Woods”
Either a Liar or a Fool
Dearest Rachel – You probably remember this meme, as the template has been going around for ages: “Never Ask: a woman, her age; a man, his salary; and” the third option – the real punchline – being something that the questioner really wouldn’t want the answer to. It would either one of those ridiculous imponderablesContinue reading “Either a Liar or a Fool”
Sixteen Hundred Days
Dearest Rachel – It’s been fifty-three months as of today, honey. In that time, I’ve written you well over two thousand letters – actually, over twenty-two hundred or so, in fact – and once this is sent, I’ll have dropped you a line every day for sixteen hundred days straight. Which by the way, meansContinue reading “Sixteen Hundred Days”
Stones for the Squirrel
Dearest Rachel – Some days, there’s just not that much out of the ordinary that’s happening to me personally to tell you about, so I have to rely on the news, or a dream, or just something that comes to mind, to tell you about on a given day. It’s less, in terms of theContinue reading “Stones for the Squirrel”
from Rachel: Other Names for the Little Horn
How does verse 24 explain the uprooting of the other three horns in verse 8? “The little horn is a new king who will arise and subdue three of the ten existing kings.” Sketch One: 2 Thessalonians 2:1-10. Title: Man of “Lawlessness”Additional information: (Always document Scripture locations) “Before the Day of the Lord (Christ’s return)Continue reading “from Rachel: Other Names for the Little Horn”
One Billion Seconds
Dearest Rachel – I mentioned the other day in passing about large numbers like millions and billions, and told you I’d go into more details soon enough. Well, soon enough has arrived – well, in fairness, it’s already come and gone, and I didn’t notice it at the time, but that’s neither here nor there.Continue reading “One Billion Seconds”
DIY Catfishing
Dearest Rachel – Another day, another dip into my news feed. This one hits a little closer to home, as it touches on the topic of artificial intelligence, and the relationships we develop with it – quite literally, in fact. This is something I’ve come across that really makes me wonder where we’re going asContinue reading “DIY Catfishing”
Freedom in a Land of Plenty
Dearest Rachel – This morning, I was just heading out from the gym (and having to turn back after passing the office complex behind the strip mall it’s in because I left my cap there; it was bright and sunny when I left, which caused me to forget that I’d worn it in the drizzleContinue reading “Freedom in a Land of Plenty”
Don’t Always Follow Leaders
Dearest Rachel – I mentioned yesterday about reading through my news feed as part of my body’s scheme to distract my mind from getting everybody up and out of the house to work on getting back into shape, particularly after a couple of days in a row in which I’d had a heavy meal atContinue reading “Don’t Always Follow Leaders”
Refreshing Inertia
Dearest Rachel – The world outside my door may be speeding by at a ridiculous pace – when I woke up for the first time a couple of hours ago, there were an insane amount of unread articles in my news feed to go through – but that doesn’t mean I have to move atContinue reading “Refreshing Inertia”
A Recursive Change of Subject
Dearest Rachel – I don’t know if it’s annoying or depressing to have – or need – a filter on what I say, but such is life sometimes. There was a conversation yesterday that got me thinking about how the three of us would spend rather a lot of time in companionable silence, apart fromContinue reading “A Recursive Change of Subject”
from Rachel: The Little Horn
Please read Daniel 7:7-28 carefully and list every fact about the little horn under its proper heading. These ‘successes’ or ‘failures’ may be implied or obvious. Be sure to note the verse locations with each fact. The little horn’s successes:“crushed and devoured its victims (7)“trampled what was left under its feet (7)“was waging war againstContinue reading “from Rachel: The Little Horn”
Out of Sync
Dearest Rachel – It’s probably not advisable for me to be writing to you like this at three or four in the morning; it certainly would have been pointless to talk to you like this back in the days when you were alive, as you would have just gotten to bed and fallen asleep, mostContinue reading “Out of Sync”
The Price of Recovery
Dearest Rachel – Well, as much as I may have complained yesterday that it wasn’t instantaneous, my foot certainly feels much better this morning. I can still feel a slight nagging if I try to wiggle my big toe, and there’s a noticeable twinge if I put too much weight on the meaty part ofContinue reading “The Price of Recovery”
Pondering Addiction
Dearest Rachel – It’s said that humans are, as a rule, narcissistic and self-centered, with no innate sense of empathy; whether that’s due to the Fall or something else, anyone is free to make theories about the underlying cause. It dismays me to go through these letters and see all the use of the first-personContinue reading “Pondering Addiction”
You Can’t Really See It
Dearest Rachel – Last night – or rather, this morning, at about two a.m. – I was awoken to a searing pain in my left foot… The pain is a nagging one that extends along my first three toes, and then draws a hypotenuse to my insole, about halfway to my ankle. It’s of suchContinue reading “You Can’t Really See It”
Two Against the Hawk
Dearest Rachel – I would promise you that this title and story has nothing to do with the individual known virally as the “Hawk Tuah” girl, except that she came to prominence well after your departure, so you wouldn’t have the first clue about who I’m even referring to. For whatever it’s worth (not thatContinue reading “Two Against the Hawk”
Golden Eggs in Gilded Ages
Dearest Rachel – I don’t know if it’s just me, or if it’s the effect of last night’s dream, but it occurs to me that we tend to think that the great men of history – at least those from the same historical time period – knew each other. They may not necessarily have beenContinue reading “Golden Eggs in Gilded Ages”
Have We Lost Our Minds (Again)? Did We Ever Have Them?
Dearest Rachel – Despite the relative tranquility of our own personal lives, we were born into a world of utter chaos. The year of my birth was a particular annus horribilis; I can – and often do – imply the date by connecting it to the assassination of Martin Luther King (I have an alibi,Continue reading “Have We Lost Our Minds (Again)? Did We Ever Have Them?”
Parking Lot Pandemonium
Dearest Rachel – There’s a passage in Piers Anthony’s On A Pale Horse in which Zane, the mortal who has inadvertently assumed the role of Death by killing his predecessor in the position, is summoned to meet with the woman who serves as the incarnation of Nature. To get to her, he is required toContinue reading “Parking Lot Pandemonium”
from Rachel: Four Beasts out of the Sea
Reread Daniel 7:9-14. If you participated in the session, what was the most meaningful to you about the court scene? If you didn’t view the session which part of this segment intrigues you most? “I agree with Daniel’s incredulity that the little horn doesn’t stop boasting even as the Ancient of Days and His entireContinue reading “from Rachel: Four Beasts out of the Sea”
Constructive Notice
Dearest Rachel – This morning, when I woke up and reached for my phone (to see what time it is, honest! I’m not gonna look through my news feed until I know I’m not going to go back to sleep, and need to use the washroom. Yes, that happened this time around, and yes, itContinue reading “Constructive Notice”
Cicadian Rhythms
Dearest Rachel – Often, when I lack a topic to talk with you about first thing in the morning, I try to come up with something to say during my workout (hey, it beats actually working out, truth to tell – and even if I’m actually into the whole ‘pushing weights around’ thing of aContinue reading “Cicadian Rhythms”
Light as (a Ton of) Feathers, Stiff as a Board
Dearest Rachel – Not that you’re dealing with anything like this these days, I’m sure, but did you ever experience something that essentially proved to be the opposite of what you were promised? I think that rather sums up my last night, right down to the dreams therein. I might as well reverse gears forContinue reading “Light as (a Ton of) Feathers, Stiff as a Board”
Of Plumb-bobs and Progress Bars
Dearest Rachel – You probably remember earlier iterations of The Sims much better than I do (even now); while I bought myself a copy of Sims4 a while back, I never really got into it. Heck, I barely bother to play Civilization these days, and I got into that game. I guess there are soContinue reading “Of Plumb-bobs and Progress Bars”
The Cards We Are Dealt
Dearest Rachel – Sometimes, I have several story lines going on at the same time, and start one or two letters to you, hoping I can flesh them out before the situation itself goes stale. Other times, an idea occurs to me that requires me to at least set up the framework before I forgetContinue reading “The Cards We Are Dealt”
Reverse Porch Piracy
Dearest Rachel – There are neighborhoods that have problems with what I understand are referred to as ‘porch pirates,’ and while I can’t imagine that being an issue in a relatively affluent and homogeneous socioeconomic area as ours, I get the driving force behind it. Covetousness is a thing that exists (otherwise, why would thereContinue reading “Reverse Porch Piracy”
The Quiet Month of Summer
Dearest Rachel – So; it’s June. We’re almost halfway through the year, and it rather feels like it, seeing how much has already happened thus far (some of which didn’t go according to plan, but that’s life on this abandoned planet, isn’t it?). While I haven’t covered the kind of ground that I did lastContinue reading “The Quiet Month of Summer”
from Rachel: Keep Singing
Reflect on all we’ve studied. What kind of things would Daniel and his friends have missed out on had they chosen instead to blend in? “Rather than miraculously avoiding being killed in chapters three and six respectively, they would have been killed in chapter 2. (If they had somehow dodged that, Daniel wouldn’t have beenContinue reading “from Rachel: Keep Singing”
Answering the Door
Dearest Rachel – There are times when I think our tendency to answer the door (or the phone, for that matter) when it rings is a mistake born out of politeness. It’s common courtesy to respond to a knock on the door, or a ring of the doorbell; that’s why you have them. But itContinue reading “Answering the Door”
Random Groggy Thoughts
Dearest Rachel – I don’t know if it’s more funny or annoying (I suppose it all depends on how groggy I am at the moment); I can be falling asleep trying to watch a YouTube video of an early evening, but as soon as I decide to make it official, and set the channel toContinue reading “Random Groggy Thoughts”
Cheaper Than Miami
Dearest Rachel – It so happens that, not only have Daniel and I been eating out a bit more than usual lately, but we’ve been making a point of checking out places we’ve never been to before. Moreover, several places have been unapologetically… let’s just say ‘carnivorous,’ and add that one of the places wasContinue reading “Cheaper Than Miami”
Watching the Numbers Bounce
Dearest Rachel – Ever since I determined that ‘Megumi’ (assuming, as always, that she exists) wouldn’t be interested in a 275-pound dad bod, I’ve been finally getting around to doing more things that would cause (or at least encourage) me to lose weight; particularly the basics of eating less (and/or healthier) and exercising. It hasn’tContinue reading “Watching the Numbers Bounce”
They Still Remember You
Dearest Rachel – Yesterday was my first day back at the ‘office’ in a while; when Friday is taken up by a walk in the woods, and Monday is a national holiday, suddenly the weekend doubles in size (setting aside the fact that any day could be considered a weekend if I so chose to).Continue reading “They Still Remember You”
In Prandium Veritas
Dearest Rachel – You’re well familiar with my rule regarding long-distance travel; if it takes longer to get somewhere and back than the time spent at the destination, then it really wasn’t worth the time to bother with. It always struck me as overly cruel when executives from my old workplace were required to flyContinue reading “In Prandium Veritas”
I Don’t Think I Try Sometimes…
Dearest Rachel – I’ve said enough about Memorial Day festivities for one year (at least!) already, honey, so I’ll set the day itself aside for now. I will say that getting together at Jeanette and Ramón’s place is still a little surreal. It’s like attending a family reunion where I’m not actually a part ofContinue reading “I Don’t Think I Try Sometimes…”
Letters to Rachel 