Dearest Rachel – Well, it’s happened again; I don’t know if you’ve found out about Josh, as I don’t know how time works up there, nor how new entrants are welcomed by those who have gone before. If it’s just a case of being ‘asleep’ until summoned by the trumpet at the end of days,Continue reading “Street Cred”
Author Archives: randy@letters-to-rachel.memorial
Sunshine Taken Away
The other night, dear, as I lay sleeping,I dream’t I held you in my arms.When I awoke, though, I was mistaken,And I hung my head, and cried. Dearest Rachel – I have always hated the song “You Are My Sunshine,” for reasons that should be obvious from the very first verse (no, not the factContinue reading “Sunshine Taken Away”
To Hear Your Opinion
Dearest Rachel – Look, I do try my best to not talk about politics (or current events in general) when I write you – and when I do, I try (and probably fail) to appear somewhat neutral in what I speak of. I’ve learned, for instance, to avoid dropping the names of the players involvedContinue reading “To Hear Your Opinion”
Why In the Dead of Night?
Dearest Rachel – In Dickens’ A Christmas Carol, the story kicks into gear with the first of the spirits arriving at Scrooge’s bedside over the night before Christmas. Despite having been warned of both the fact (which, to be fair, he disbelieves at first) and the timing of this visit, Scrooge isn’t in the moodContinue reading “Why In the Dead of Night?”
Puzzling Dissatisfaction
Dearest Rachel – Two hundred ten point five. That’s what I was looking at this morning when I first woke up; before making my way to the gym to work out. Yesterday aside, I’d only seen that number after a hour or more of vigorous exercise, and only a couple of times before bobbing backContinue reading “Puzzling Dissatisfaction”
Walking On Fumes
Dearest Rachel – When I got up this morning at 3:30 (I have no idea why or how – I was up until 10:30 last night watching videos with Daniel, so it’s not like I had what I would call an early bedtime. Yes, I know you’d call it that, but five hours isn’t aContinue reading “Walking On Fumes”
from Rachel: Like a Weaned Child
What do you think Peterson meant by ‘neurotic dependency’? “Maybe whiny insecurity, coming to God as our therapist (??)” Offer a scenario depicting a way this could happen: “An idea, plan, event, etc. that really feels like God’s will fizzles, gets canceled, causes controversy, etc.” God‘s goal is not children scared into silence, but thoseContinue reading “from Rachel: Like a Weaned Child”
The Womb and the World
Dearest Rachel – So the men’s Bible study is back on its regular Saturday schedule – at least for the moment, since next week will be taken off due to what they refer to as “Man Camp” next weekend (which I suspect you’d be pushing me to go to, but I still think there areContinue reading “The Womb and the World”
Banner Day
Dearest Rachel – Well, after telling you a couple weeks ago about the several irons I had in the fire regarding this project or that idea, I can finally go into detail about one of them, seeing how I’ve basically done all I can do on it (or possibly not; more on what I meanContinue reading “Banner Day”
Am I Really Okay?
Dearest Rachel – You already know I started writing these letters to you to try and remember this or that incident in our lives together and attempt to commit them to paper (or at least pixels) before they were erased from mind and memory like words written in the sand on a tide-washed beach. However,Continue reading “Am I Really Okay?”
Without Consultation
Dearest Rachel – So the fellow from the HVAC company came over yesterday; I showed him the old system we had on the side of the house, and he agreed that it’s past its time. Apparently, air conditioning systems have an expected life between eighteen and twenty years. That we got over twenty-five years outContinue reading “Without Consultation”
Housework Day
Dearest Rachel – Maybe I can get away with this kind of thing because I’m a bachelor of fairly recent vintage. I’m not expected to know – or necessarily to care, even – about the various tasks that need to be done around the house from day to day, whereas the typical housewife would considerContinue reading “Housework Day”
The Wind in My Ears
Dearest Rachel – I did my best to sleep past it, but this morning found me lying in bed at four-thirty, staring at the dark ceiling with the fan spinning down on me, and listening to the (relatively) loud hum of the tower fan blowing on me. Daniel had turned that one on last nightContinue reading “The Wind in My Ears”
from Rachel: Things Too Great
At second and third glance, you’ll see that Psalm 131:1 bulges with potential discussion. But at first glance, what does Psalm 131:1 say to you? “Lord, I try to stay out of trouble. I try not to get a swelled head because I know there’s a lot of stuff I can’t do (e.g., unlike Tomo-chanContinue reading “from Rachel: Things Too Great”
The Place to Gather… Eventually
Dearest Rachel – Well, I think you’d be mildly pleased that the house is still a gathering place for the old gang… eventually. It may be as a last resort, but that it’s still considered as such is enough for me to consider it a win in my book. The situation started nearly a weekContinue reading “The Place to Gather… Eventually”
I’ve Lost the Taste for Mac’n’Cheese
Dearest Rachel – I know I really don’t have the right to complain about this. There are plenty of times where I don’t feel like cooking – most recipes are made for at least a family of four, anyway, which, now that I think about it, must have irritated you no end in your ownContinue reading “I’ve Lost the Taste for Mac’n’Cheese”
The Reminder
Dearest Rachel – Thanks to the fact that “some people did something” (to quote a certain congressperson whose constituency guarantees that she will never have to regret her choice of words; indeed, they all but celebrate such a callous attitude toward that day), twenty-three years ago yesterday, it’s impossible for me to forget about ourContinue reading “The Reminder”
The Best We Can Do
Dearest Rachel – Obviously, from my side of the veil, I have no idea how you perceive time and events on this side anymore – assuming you could, or even would want to. There are those who claim that you and everybody else are asleep until the day the trumpet sounds, and we will allContinue reading “The Best We Can Do”
Not At This Hour
Dearest Rachel – I found myself awake this morning in pitch blackness, and upon checking the time, saw that it was barely four in the morning. I did get to bed shortly after we got home from Sparks – relatively speaking – but I wouldn’t say that ten o’clock was particularly early, given this situation.Continue reading “Not At This Hour”
To Descend Without Stumbling
Dearest Rachel – I’ll say one thing for these weekends in which I’ve purposed myself to go without eating for forty-plus hours; they make Monday that much more bearable (even setting aside the fact that I don’t have to worry about going to work anymore). At least this morning, I can finally allow myself somethingContinue reading “To Descend Without Stumbling”
from Rachel: Full Redemption
Name a few other things that lead to hopelessness: “I think the biggest is the death of someone who almost certainly was not a believer. Leading up to that, a friend or family member who refuses to believe.” For I know the plans I have for you – plans for your welfare, not for disaster,Continue reading “from Rachel: Full Redemption”
Dreams of Dixie
Dearest Rachel – I dreamed of Dixie last night. I’m not entirely sure why. I don’t hold to the romanticism of the Lost Cause – or any lost cause, for that matter. I try my level best to forget the girls I had crushes on (and behaved as stupidly over them as any mid-teen boyContinue reading “Dreams of Dixie”
Phone Book Paranoia
Dearest Rachel – I know a few people who are into the “true crime” genre of entertainment; heck, to a certain extent, I’ve started to follow a few YouTubers whose focus is in the genre (which – and I may have asked this of you in previous letters – I’d have been curious as toContinue reading “Phone Book Paranoia”
It Could Happen in Any Neighborhood, Now
Dearest Rachel – I’ve been meaning to write out the usual stipend to Twofeathers ever since the holiday weekend marked the turn from one month to the next. I admit that I’m nowhere near as faithful – or should I say punctual – as I was when it came to paying the mortgage to yourContinue reading “It Could Happen in Any Neighborhood, Now”
Observable Increments
Dearest Rachel – Well, it seems like you can strike what I said yesterday about things not having changed from year to year at our Awana club. There are, in fact, a few fairly drastic changes this time around. In fact, I may be out of my usual job entirely – they seem to haveContinue reading “Observable Increments”
Full Circle
Dearest Rachel – Another day, another letter where I don’t know what to tell you about. Not that I’m exactly short on topics, as much as the topics themselves are a little short, in terms of what I have to say. Some of them are due to a lack of details (including one about someoneContinue reading “Full Circle”
Taking Compliments
Dearest Rachel – Yesterday had me breaking my weekend fast at a holiday party at Jeff and Julie’s place; ironically, my last meal had taken place Saturday morning with Jeff in attendance as well, so he probably thinks I eat a lot more often than I do. I can’t recall at this point if you’dContinue reading “Taking Compliments”
from Rachel: If You Kept a Record
How are the names translated into English…? “Yahweh (YAHWEW) Adonay (ADONAY) Yah (YAH)” Can you think of any reason the psalmist might have addressed God by both titles in this context? No right or wrong answer exists. Imagine you were the psalmist; then offer your thoughts as to why you used both names: “The worshipContinue reading “from Rachel: If You Kept a Record”
Memory Book
Dearest Rachel – Considering that I so rarely see you in my dreams these days – especially in comparison to the quasi-nightmares that are the ones that have me back at my old job, having to deal with Mohinder for one reason or another – it was pleasant for you to visit me last night.Continue reading “Memory Book”
The Shirt Doesn’t Fit Anymore
Dearest Rachel – I woke up this morning to the sound of thunder and rain, and between that and the darkness, I decided this time around to let myself sleep in a bit longer. Perhaps, I reasoned, the storm will pass by over the next hour or so. But while the pitch darkness of five-thirtyContinue reading “The Shirt Doesn’t Fit Anymore”
Awake, But Not Eager
Dearest Rachel – After an afternoon spent walking with Lars (and these afternoons are getting longer; for the last three weeks, we’ve gone under the tunnels below the Edens Expressway, and ventured to the next major street the preserve path takes us, adding nearly a full mile to our customary route) and an evening spentContinue reading “Awake, But Not Eager”
The Curtain of Charity
Dearest Rachel – For all that I talk about how you and I filled our gender roles in a slightly blurry way – where you had more ‘guy’ in you than the typical girl, and I had more ‘chick’ in me than most boys – when it came to our childhood reading habits, we wereContinue reading “The Curtain of Charity”
Filling Vacuums
Dearest Rachel – It’s said that the shopping mall is one of America’s major contributions to civilization, right alongside baseball, hamburgers and the internet. But while there’s certainly something to be said for having a collection of shops all in a single (albeit large and labyrinthine) place, such locales appear to be dying out inContinue reading “Filling Vacuums”
Mental Meanderings
Dearest Rachel – Some time between Saturday night and Sunday morning, I found myself in an interesting situation, but one that – for reasons that will become obvious in a moment – I can’t clearly describe to you. All I can remember of it at this point is that at the time I was thinkingContinue reading “Mental Meanderings”
from Rachel: To Be Heard
Based on your life or someone else’s (including any historical figure), can you think of an example when survival was in itself a crowning achievement? “Earlier I mentioned Sokun, she and another friend (her name escapes me right now) escaped Cambodia with their families as small girls ([in the] mid-70s), lived for several years inContinue reading “from Rachel: To Be Heard”
Thank God for Dirty Dishes
Thank God for dirty dishes,They have a tale to tell;While other may go hungry,We’re eating very well. Dearest Rachel – This won’t come as any surprise to you, but as fond as I am of eating (and enjoy cooking now and again – although I don’t get the opportunity as much as we used to,Continue reading “Thank God for Dirty Dishes”
Sleeping In
Dearest Rachel – I’m sure you’re looking at that title, and fully expecting to get a good laugh out of my story, in much the same way you would when I would refer to us as living “paycheck to paycheck.” In my defense, I would often point out that by the time I received theContinue reading “Sleeping In”
For the Rest of My Life
Dearest Rachel – I can’t say that I remember when I was first prescribed it, but it had to have been within the past decade; at some point after one or another company-ordered physical, I was informed that I had to go on lisinopril for high blood pressure. Not that it seemed to matter; whenContinue reading “For the Rest of My Life”
Visiting Hours at the Evening Zoo
Dearest Rachel – You might remember listening to the radio being piped in through the overhead speakers in the cafeteria back at college. While most of the time, it was playing the usual top 40 stuff we could just as easily watch on the ‘campus nightlight’ that was MTV (I referred to it as suchContinue reading “Visiting Hours at the Evening Zoo”
Keeping it Up, Dialing it Down
Dearest Rachel – Morning, and my leg still hurts when I roll out of bed or get up from my chair. It would seem that the weekend off I gave has had no effect, in terms of letting the muscles heal. The thing is, even I know I can’t let them lie unused for anContinue reading “Keeping it Up, Dialing it Down”
To Be the Glittering Joker
Dearest Rachel – It was one of the first albums I picked up once I got my bearings at university, and discovered the local Christian bookstore, with its racks of older music that straddled the line between secular and sacred; it was my introduction to Bruce Cockburn, a Canadian singer-songwriter who I was never anyContinue reading “To Be the Glittering Joker”
A Weekend Off
Dearest Rachel – I think I’ve mentioned it before, but only in passing, as I sort of assumed that it was a momentary thing, due to the stress of (relative) overwork and the effects of the early morning. The old slogan is “no pain, no gain,” after all, and the pain is merely supposed toContinue reading “A Weekend Off”
from Rachel: They Have Not Prevailed
Psalm 18:19 paints a very different picture of life with God as our Deliverer. What image does it use to contrast with oppression? “being brought to a spacious place” It’s testimony time. In what way would you say God has brought you out of oppression into a spacious place? “I haven’t faced much oppression, butContinue reading “from Rachel: They Have Not Prevailed”
Thoughts on Transport
Dearest Rachel – So, for the first time in what seems like a very long while, the girls were over last night. Well, two out of three of them were, anyway, but that’s better than we’ve managed, lo these many weekends. We’ve got to take these moments as victories when we get them, even ifContinue reading “Thoughts on Transport”
Keeping Secrets
Dearest Rachel – Let’s start out with the obvious; in a healthy marriage, there should be no secrets to speak of. Oh, there are the occasional birthday surprises, I guess (not everyone is like you, honey, knowing exactly what they want; some guys have to – and some simply love to – come up withContinue reading “Keeping Secrets”
Surgery Day
Dearest Rachel – I haven’t told you about this, because up until now, I didn’t see it as my story to tell. Besides, I’m likely to get the details messed up in any event. But as it now becomes part of my timeline, perhaps I need to fill you in on at least the barestContinue reading “Surgery Day”
Am I Really Doing Well?
Dearest Rachel – One of the side effects of this new habit of mine of daily exercise is the paradoxical fact that I wake up more sore than when I went to bed. One of the very points of sleep is to let your body rest and heal itself, so that by morning, you shouldContinue reading “Am I Really Doing Well?”
To Talk to Him as I Should
Dearest Rachel – I honestly forget which service I was at this weekend where I heard about it, but one of the pastors I listened to described a cartoon of God, sitting at an ornate cloudy desk, as might be found in a heavenly office. One’s focus wasn’t so much on Him and what HeContinue reading “To Talk to Him as I Should”
Factory-Installed Conscience
Dearest Rachel – One of the reasons why I’m hoping to find a ‘Megumi’ for myself is because I don’t trust myself to make the ‘right’ decision. Left to my own devices, I know I’m more likely to make the asocial, selfish choice far more often than not (consider, just as an example, how oftenContinue reading “Factory-Installed Conscience”
from Rachel: Olive Shoots Around Your Table
Write Hosea 14:9 from day 2 as a great reminder as we prepare to put both feet on Psalm 128. “Let whoever is wise understand these things, and whoever is insightful recognize them. For the ways of the Lord are right.” Read from day 2 Psalm 128: 1-4,6 in either version. How does it depictContinue reading “from Rachel: Olive Shoots Around Your Table”
Jackson Pollock Morning
Dearest Rachel – It’s six o’clock of a Saturday morning, and with it comes this sensation that I really don’t feel like doing anything just yet. Not heading to work out (despite registering my highest weight in several days), not wanting to write you (more due to not wanting to bothering with having to write,Continue reading “Jackson Pollock Morning”
Broken Bed
Dearest Rachel – Another day, another task I’m not looking forward to having to deal with. This time, it’s a case of having to either buy an extra mattress, or find a handyman to see if the old Jenny Lind bed can be repaired or not. If I remember you and your mom correctly, thatContinue reading “Broken Bed”
Mandela-ing Myself
Dearest Rachel – I apologize if this letter turns out to be less than exciting to you (although why should I expect anything I tell you about the goings-on this tiny little dust speck in the cosmos to be of any particular interest to you anymore, other than perhaps that the news comes from me?).Continue reading “Mandela-ing Myself”
Price Point
Dearest Rachel – Yesterday found me between responsibilities, for the most part, at the ‘office.’ I had sent off what I considered to be the last of the reports our auditors needed for the annual review, and while the month has ended, I was still waiting for information from other people in order for meContinue reading “Price Point”
Pondering This Morning’s Earworm
Dearest Rachel – It seems apropos of absolutely nothing, but that’s pretty much how earworms work; like dreams, they aren’t required – or even expected – to make much sense. And yet, in some ways, it gives one something to think about, even if it’s only the obvious (and somewhat unanswerable, given the previous statement)Continue reading “Pondering This Morning’s Earworm”
Needing Nothing
Dearest Rachel – The morning I woke up to was gray and dark; apart from the fact that a sufficient amount of time had passed that I was ready to get up (indeed, at nearly half past six, it was already later than usual for me), I could have easily slept in quite a bitContinue reading “Needing Nothing”
from Rachel: Enjoy the Blessing
According to these Scriptures, what are some actions that incur divine blessing? Luke 11:27-28 – “hearing the Word of God and obeying it” John 13:14-17 – “being a humble servant to others”Romans 10:12 – “calling on the Lord” Has walking with God resulted in a change in your circumstances? If so, how? “I know itContinue reading “from Rachel: Enjoy the Blessing”
Bonfire
Dearest Rachel – I didn’t know what I was going to write about this (and to be honest, I still don’t, as I’m about as unmotivated to do anything this morning – writing, working out, you name it – as I’ve been in a long time), but from the moment we arrived, and made ourContinue reading “Bonfire”
They Don’t Make It Like They Do Over There
Dearest Rachel – It’s wild for me to realize at this point that I’ve now been back home for almost (but still not quite yet!) as long as I was abroad on that Asian cruise this year. And while I’ve still not gotten around to getting myself a deep-dish pizza like I said I wasContinue reading “They Don’t Make It Like They Do Over There”
Not Quite All Night
Dearest Rachel – I hardly need to remind you that we were never exactly what you’d call “party people.” We didn’t hit the town to go clubbing but once every few years, and those times that we did, we found the atmosphere too dim and too loud. Even in college, I probably attended more fraternityContinue reading “Not Quite All Night”
Obsession? Compulsion?
Dearest Rachel – As happens all too often these days, I find myself waking up to a dark room, staring at the ceiling. This would be understandable during the winter, but this far into July, I should be comfortably sleeping in, especially after putting in twenty-five thousand steps yesterday, between working out at the gymContinue reading “Obsession? Compulsion?”
Blanket Approval
Dearest Rachel – It was like walking in on a rehearsal in a Broadway theater. It seemed like you were playing the lead role; something that quite literally was out of character for you, but somehow looked like you were perfectly comfortable with. It wasn’t long, however, before you noticed me in the empty audience,Continue reading “Blanket Approval”
Superior But Equal
Dearest Rachel – A lot of men, including myself, will jocularly refer to their wives as their “better half,” with a fair amount of unspoken truth embedded in that title. While I don’t think I’m qualified to speak for all men, I can’t be the only one who sometimes suffers from “imposter syndrome” when itContinue reading “Superior But Equal”
from Rachel: A Heritage from the Lord
Please read the [entirety of Psalm 127]… then list everything it says involving family. “Sons are a heritage; children are a reward; sons of youth are like arrows; a man with many is happy; children bring honor.” How did Christ blow the doors off our concept of family (Matthew 12:46-50) “He taught that fellow believersContinue reading “from Rachel: A Heritage from the Lord”
What Commuters Miss…?
Dearest Rachel – Throughout my travels, both this year and previous, I’ve often seen this or that building or other place as the vehicle – be it a train, tram, coach or automobile – passes by along the way, and wondered what goes on there, being fully aware that I’ll never know the answer toContinue reading “What Commuters Miss…?”
The Ship That Hasn’t Sailed Yet
Dearest Rachel – So this is it; a day that I’ve promised myself would come, in which I’m doing the whole ‘tourist in my home town’ bit. Oddly enough, I’m doing something that we’ve done before – which, considering how little time we ever spent in the city (apart from admiring the annual Christmas decorationsContinue reading “The Ship That Hasn’t Sailed Yet”
The Joys of Being a Quitter
Dearest Rachel – I woke up this morning to the quiet darkness I’ve known all along that I appreciate for a good night’s sleep, after having had to deal with yet another tiny nightmare of Mohinder berating me for being a quitter. Given my surroundings, I was looking forward to rolling over and putting onContinue reading “The Joys of Being a Quitter”
The Second Season
Dearest Rachel – To the best of my knowledge, you didn’t have to deal with it much back in your hometown, but once you moved to live up with me in the Chicago suburbs, you learned fairly quickly about how the area basically has two seasons; winter, and construction. No matter where you wanted toContinue reading “The Second Season”
Finding Myself Well
Dearest Rachel – Hope this letter finds you well. I also hope that you don’t mind that it’s coming to you a bit later than I usually try to get them sent to you, but the events of the morning have kept me busier than usual; plus, they strike me as being more worth tellingContinue reading “Finding Myself Well”
Music To Fall Asleep To
Dearest Rachel – Last night found me nodding off watching YouTube. I’m sure you hardly find that to be stop-press news, as I used to do that quite a bit when the three of us would be watching this or that in the family room, especially after a draining day at work. This was doublyContinue reading “Music To Fall Asleep To”
Do I Try to Keep Up?
Dearest Rachel – I’ve told you numerous times in the past three and a half years that I’d prefer not to talk about current events with you. Aside from the obvious fact that nothing that’s happening on this tiny little mud clod in of much concern to you at this point (apart, hopefully, from Daniel,Continue reading “Do I Try to Keep Up?”
from Rachel: Vain Labor
“[Verse 5 is] very different [between the NCV and HCSB translations]: warfare vs. vocal confrontation” Glance at the headings under both translations. To whom is this psalm attributed? “Solomon” In Hebrew, the words are actually the name of God gave Solomon according to 2 Samuel 12:25: Jedediah, meaning ‘Beloved of Jehovah.’ The tone of theContinue reading “from Rachel: Vain Labor”
Twilight Thoughts
Dearest Rachel – In the twelve hundred plus days since your departure, I’d like to think that I’ve come to terms with my situation. You’re gone, and you aren’t coming back. Nor should I wish to drag you away from the paradise you’ve attained. Likewise, there’s no sign that Megumi is on the horizon, orContinue reading “Twilight Thoughts”
Rear Echelon, Monday to Friday
Dearest Rachel – Given that I do most of my writing to you fairly early in the morning, when the house is quiet and there’s not much else for me to do (other than go to work out – which provides a lot of the fodder for letters, as I suspect my reluctance to doContinue reading “Rear Echelon, Monday to Friday”
A Moment of Respect
Dearest Rachel – “Our people are our greatest asset.” I honestly don’t know if I’ve ever seen or heard it stated in those specific words, but in one variation or another, it’s a motto across the business world. And why wouldn’t it be, especially in a customer-facing business? Any interaction between staff and customer canContinue reading “A Moment of Respect”
We’re On the Pavement, Thinkin’ ’Bout the Gov’ment
Dearest Rachel – Our individual news feeds aside, honey, Daniel and I aren’t like the Bob Dylan of old; we aren’t “thinkin’ ’bout the gov’ment” twenty-four seven. At least I hope not; I can’t speak for Daniel, and I don’t know what he does or listens to while I’m across town, ‘working’ at my ‘office.’Continue reading “We’re On the Pavement, Thinkin’ ’Bout the Gov’ment”
Lullaby of the Sirens
Dearest Rachel – Last night found me home from the first night of VBS, watching videos in the bedroom, when I realized that there was a sound that didn’t quite mesh with the video I was watching. Sure, it was a compilation of creepy stories, and the sound was similarly unsettling, but it didn’t “go”Continue reading “Lullaby of the Sirens”
Give the Superego What it Wants…
Dearest Rachel – There are some mornings, honey, where I come to the conclusion that I don’t necessarily like who and what I’ve become. This morning found me lying in bed at a little after four, with that little nagging voice in the back of my head telling me that “well, as long as you’reContinue reading “Give the Superego What it Wants…”
from Rachel: Sowing the Seed
Please turn back to day 3 and read either translation of the psalm, giving special attention to verses 4-6. Today, we center on the statements in the last two verses. Does Psalm 126:5-6 sound more like a… “hope (in the definite, Biblical sense – not the wishful, worldly sense); promise” Complete the following according toContinue reading “from Rachel: Sowing the Seed”
Lowering the Ceiling
Dearest Rachel – …And this is why I think I can still take a little pride in just maintaining my weight while traveling the world on that cruise ship, despite never quite being able to escape from that same ten-pound range I would occasionally feel trapped in. The fact that I didn’t gain a considerableContinue reading “Lowering the Ceiling”
Not Burned
Dearest Rachel – In her one woman show The Search for Signs of Intelligent Life in the Universe, one of the many characters that Lily Tomlin plays is a teenage punk (which is a reference to the subculture she’s a part of; it’s not a descriptor as such, but I won’t deny that the girlContinue reading “Not Burned”
Why Not the Truth?
Dearest Rachel – It’s another day of music that was never ours, and of which some you’ve never heard. Like I said, I’m trying to listen to different stuff, so that it doesn’t bring back painful memories. On the other hand, some of it is painful enough as it is, by sheer dint of content.Continue reading “Why Not the Truth?”
Just As Well, I Guess
Dearest Rachel – While I did manage to get to the gym yesterday morning, I got a late start on the day, and still wasn’t feeling my best, so I didn’t put in the same level (or time) of workout that I’ve been doing pretty regularly over the past few weeks. I’ve also gone backContinue reading “Just As Well, I Guess”
Giving Up Too Easily?
Dearest Rachel – While it was good to see you last night in my dream, I found it rather confusing. For whatever reason, you seemed to be upset with me. Something about ‘giving up’ on you too easily, as you prepared to leave – which I don’t mind telling you, seemed very out of characterContinue reading “Giving Up Too Easily?”
The Extent of the Effect
Dearest Rachel – “For every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction.” So goes Isaac Newton’s first law of motion, the product of the Enlightenment concept of experimentation and observation, as opposed to blind acceptance of received wisdom from generations past. Best envisioned (and demonstrated) on a billiard table or a croquet lawn, thisContinue reading “The Extent of the Effect”
from Rachel: To Laugh Again
Though one goes along weeping, carrying the bag of seed, he will surely come back with shouts of joy, carrying his sheaves “‘We shall come rejoicing / bringing in the sheaves’” Psalm 126 falls conveniently into perfect halves. The Message makes the transition clearest. Write the verse that you think introduces the second half. “‘AndContinue reading “from Rachel: To Laugh Again”
The Center of the Universe
Dearest Rachel – As much as I try to stay out of the boys’ business when they’re watching stuff, they do tend to be a little bit noisy from time to time. Both the shows they watch and the discussions they have are almost impossible to drown out, even from our bedroom on the oppositeContinue reading “The Center of the Universe”
Sleeping Through the War
Dearest Rachel – To be fair, for me to describe last night thusly is to completely mischaracterize it. After all, while the fireworks displays that are part and parcel of the Fourth of July are meant to represent the clamor and fire of early modern warfare in which this nation was birthed (perhaps not unlikeContinue reading “Sleeping Through the War”
The Cruelty of the Spotlight
Dearest Rachel – As much as I am loathe to, even as it feels like it’s unavoidable, I guess it’s appropriate, on this day of all days, for me to talk about politics. It is, after baseball, the national pastime, especially every four years – which is where we are now. We aren’t as physicallyContinue reading “The Cruelty of the Spotlight”
Holiday Week
Dearest Rachel – One of the strange effects of being retired and out of the work farce is that I don’t exactly have my finger on the pulse of current trends. If people are doing things en masse, I’m not always aware of it – or if I am, it’s a very dim awareness, basedContinue reading “Holiday Week”
A Herd of Boxen
Dearest Rachel – Being the grammar maven that you were, you might look at that title and get a little puzzled. What the heck are ‘boxen’?, you might ask. Then again, you were the one who introduced me to Richard Lederer, and his books on grammar and the English language. You might remember his parodicalContinue reading “A Herd of Boxen”
All Of The Power
Dearest Rachel – It was a scene right out of the last temptation offered to Jesus Christ; I dreamt that the fellow you might guess to be behind the throne and actually running the country right now (because – especially after last Thursday – no one believes that the guy ostensibly in charge really is,Continue reading “All Of The Power”
from Rachel: A Love That Surrounds
How did the psalmist describe God’s position regarding His people (v. 2)? “He surrounds them/us, like the mountains surround Jerusalem.” What do these verses say about God’s help and sustaining presence? Psalm 34:7 “He encamps around and delivers those who fear Him.” Psalm 139:5 “He is in front and behind; His hand is on us.”Continue reading “from Rachel: A Love That Surrounds”
An Honest Cheat Day
Dearest Rachel – Four-thirty in the morning, and I’m awake. It doesn’t exactly surprise me; while a little earlier than most days this week, I’ve been getting into something of a habit of waking up early enough to walk down to the gym and put in a few miles of walking in before getting backContinue reading “An Honest Cheat Day”
In Every Direction At Once
Dearest Rachel – There are days when, as I sit down in front of the computer to write to you, I find myself dealing with writers’ block, even with – possibly even especially when – considering the events of the day or so past. Some days, there just isn’t much of interest going on; thereContinue reading “In Every Direction At Once”
He Wants No Part of It
Dearest Rachel – The other day, I observed about how Daniel doesn’t really seem to have much of a handle on adulting. Oh, he can manage a thing or two when the chips are down; in fact, just this morning, he was calling the insurance company about the fender bender he got into a coupleContinue reading “He Wants No Part of It”
I Still Have My Appetite
Dearest Rachel – It’s almost funny; last week, I was struck at various times by a good half-dozen ideas of thoughts to tell you about – and which didn’t pertain to the moment at hand, so they could be kept in reserve until such time as I didn’t have much to tell you about fromContinue reading “I Still Have My Appetite”
I Don’t Like Piña Coladas, Either
Dearest Rachel – A few years ago, there was this song that was part of the top 40 repertoire whose chorus began with “if you like piña coladas / and getting caught in the rain…” I never bothered to look further into it, since as far as I was concerned, it was nothing but anContinue reading “I Don’t Like Piña Coladas, Either”
I Think I Got Its Attention
Dearest Rachel – It’s been over a week since I bought that new computer to replace the one in my ‘office’ in the basement of my folks’ house. Indeed, it’s almost been a week since it arrived and I took it over to Best Buy to have an additional hard drive installed. Now, while youContinue reading “I Think I Got Its Attention”
from Rachel: He Surrounds His People
Today you and I will steep ourselves entirely in the first verse and the picture it draws. How does verse 1 describe the people who trust in God? “like Mount Zion” ‘Those who [are “confident”] in the Lord are like Mount Zion. It cannot be shaken; it remains forever.’ How would you describe confidence inContinue reading “from Rachel: He Surrounds His People”
Letters to Rachel 