My first doxology

I was up early this morning. Like, really early. Sometime between 3 and 4am. My mind and heart tussling over how in the world I am ever going to recover... how am I going to fit back into the world... how will I listen to and exchange banter over sports, weather, halloween parties and the like.

I don't know. 

Earlier this week I attended my first Doxology "conference." It's not a conference though... I think they just say... Doxology. On their website they have two descriptions. This one offers a practical view:

Doxology is a 3-day gathering in Holland, Michigan, for pastors and poets, carpenters and caregivers, business leaders, therapists, teachers, and stay-at-home parents (for all of us) —who long for the simple, sacred life that flows from the Father, Son, and Spirit. We gather to nurture humility, joy, and holy resistance against the forces that dehumanize, choosing instead the quiet beauty of being God’s beloved in God’s astounding world.

Beside it is this shorter version: 

Doxology is a posture of wonder, gratitude, and awe in a world crowded with noise and exhaustion.

Yeah... and it was... So...

How am I supposed to recover from that? That's what I was wrestling with this morning.

It was a glorious time for me (other than being away from home). Those invited to host, lead, speak, and otherwise simply mingle were the likes of Winn Collier (head of the Peterson Center for Christian Imagination), Eric Peterson (Eugene's son), Kenneth Tanner, Andy Squyres led us in singing hymns, as well as Q & R times, an evening of music, and just being present... The main presenters were author Sophfronia Scott, artist Bruce Herman, and Catholic theologian Frederick (Fritz) Bauerschmidt. There was also rock polishing, yoga, poetry readings, dramatic Scripture recitations, painting, and just... such a genuine feeling of friendship and hospitality everywhere.

I'm having trouble finding words... so maybe I'll just offer some bullet thoughts:

• I heard Eugene Peterson speak maybe 2 or 3 times (and have read many of his books). Seeing his son, Eric, speak was an almost haunting reminder. He looks, sounds, and has a similar way. And Eric's wife was so nice.
• Winn Collier is the perfect host for something like this (and probably why it is the way it is). A truly gentle and humble man who isn't afraid to laugh.
• I'm tempted to say I connected most/best with Bruce Herman and Andy Squyres, though I also liked Fritz quite a lot. I was just surprised that the two more "artsy" people seemed to have such a deep impact on me.
• That's not to say Sophfronia didn't have anything worthwhile... The writing exercise she led us in Wednesday meant a great deal to me and I will likely remember for a long time.
• Some of the best times were when Winn, Sophfronia, Andy, Bruce and Fritz were on stage for question and response times. Listening to them answer audience questions off the top of their heads, as well as listening to them talk about how much they were moved by the other presenters was just fantastic.
• Singing old hymns with Andy and several hundred others... several times a day... There's not much better than that. I don't really know what would be better than that...
• Holland is a really cool town (at least the downtown area by Hope College where we were.) It's right at a 3-hour drive... I took route 30 west to route 31 north; about 90 minutes on each; four-lane all the way. Easy trip. 
• There were nine of us from our church there. We could all squeeze into a single row together in the long-ass pews at Pillar Church. 
• I don't recall any other "conferences" - or things like this - where the presenters were all present for every other presenter... taking notes right along with the rest of us.
• I silently wept A LOT - during the presentations, and even at night in my hotel room alone. This was a very moving experience for me.
• I have lots of notes which, hopefully, I can share some of over time...

There is obviously more I could say but... I don't know if words would do justice. We'll see.

So, now, here I am... wondering if I'll ever be able to just 'go about my day.' I mean, I know that's the point of these things... to take this stuff and integrate it into our ordinary everyday lives... but...

I don't know if I can.

I don't know how.

I feel so... out of place. And it's not entirely because of these three days... but they were a good reminder to me of... I dunno... how... hard it is.

 

Anyway... the neighbor one house over is having a new concrete driveway poured today, and it's "cleaning day" in my house. I suppose I need to enter the noise and exhaustion for a while... 

Grace and spiritual practices

 Our current teaching theme at church is:

"Spiritual Formation with no one to impress and nothing to prove."

Along those lines, I finished David G. Benner's fine little book 'Surrender to Love: Discovering the Heart of Christian Spirituality' last week (we're actually starting a class on the book this coming week). Ever since then I've been sitting with this piece from p.101:

Union with God is not something we achieve. It is not the summit of a spiritual mountain we are trying to ascend. It is a gift of Grace. We do, however, have an important role to play in accessing this grace. And that is the place of spiritual practices. They are the way in which we offer our consent to Grace.

Surrender is not the only means by which we access the grace of transformation, but it is the most important and most distinctively Christian. But surrender is not something that we only practice when we approach God with open hands and hearts in faith. It is something that we need to make a moment-by-moment part of how we live our life.

 

I'm not really even sure what to say about that yet...

I definitely believe it's true... and it is probably a difficult thing to hold onto and wrap my head around... sort of that need to hold it 'tightly but also loosely'...

Hmm... man, it's something to think about, alright. 

I don't like yesterday's, and a k-shaped economy

Before I clicked "publish" I already did not like my post from yesterday. I mean, I don't know Ed Sheeran. Maybe he's an okay person. Still... I have an attitude about mucho money. I won't go so far as to say 'you can't be a follower of Jesus and also be rich'... but I would say those people are few and far between. And, I might go so far as to say you can't be a billionaire and be a follower of Jesus (I just don't see how it's possible).

Anyway, this morning I was wonderin' what in the world a "k-shaped economy" is. I've been reading the headlines and, I admit (and you likely know), I am not an economic genius. So, if you're wonderin' too, here are some basics I have learned:

• In general: A k-shaped economy is where different groups of people have very different experiences at the same time.
• Think of the vertical line on the left of the letter "k" as the starting point, or base point. The economy then splits into two different groups: those for whom things begin to look better (the line going up), and those for whom things are much worse (the line going down).
• The line going up might be a person/family where they have high-paying jobs, own their home, have investments in the stock market... They're making more money than they were a few years ago.
• The line going down is a person/family where they have low-paying or no jobs, their rent and housing costs are rising, groceries and gas are more expensive, they have few or no investments, and they're having trouble saving money or staying afloat.
• So, someone could say "the economy is doing well," and some would say "yes" and some would say "no"... and they would both be technically correct. 
• The problem with a k-shaped economy is that those who are well-off tend to become better off, and those who are struggling tend to struggle even more (a widening of the gap between rich and poor and a further diminishing of the middle class). 
• That means the country's economy isn't one that affects everyone equally.
• Two people living in the same city at the same time can experience completely different economies.
• In other words, the benefits and problems are being distributed unevenly.
• So, when someone says "the economy is growing," they can technically be telling the truth, but it doesn't tell you very much about how ordinary people's lives are actually changing.
• And, just my own two cents: I'm guessing many of those on the upward swing have little or no clue what life is like for those on the downward swing. 

 So, there ya go. A little economics on this gloomy loomy day.

Just thinking... this and that

I have no idea who Macklemore is, nor what kind of music he(?) plays. 

I could not tell you a single song by Ed Sheeran, or what kind of music he plays either. However, I have heard of him. And I think it's a cop out to say he doesn't want to "get political." We're all political, dude!!! He is supposedly worth $400 million and apparently enjoys the success of being famous. You don't have to align yourself with a candidate or party, but you should at least have the nads to say "I think this is right," or "I think this is wrong." Wouldn't it be nice if we could all just stay neutral while raking in boatloads of money... What kind of world does that leave us with??? The exact kind we have!!! Shame on Ed. imho. 

Do I think the USA has committed war crimes in Iran? Ha! Absolutely!!! And I wouldn't believe a single word out of Washington if you paid me Ed Sheeran's salary.

I just discovered I forgot to take my meds last night (my second dose of blood thinner). Oops. I think I've only forgotten maybe 3 times since I started a couple years ago.

My regular running routes are all under water. The one I'm still able to use is one I've traveled plenty... but I prefer running along the river and through the trees. It does not get monotonous to me.

I am currently reading Surrender to Love: Discovering the Heart of Christian Spirituality, by David G. Benner. We are going to be doing this as a class at our church next month.

Yesterday I was given Seeking God Together: An Introduction to Group Spiritual Direction, by Alice Fryling. I will read this next... in preparation for leading a Community Group at our church. I'm trying not to freak out about that.

I think I actually watched an entire football game yesterday (mostly) - Dallas vs. Washington. I don't remember the last time I did that. However, it was only because we were feeling tired and lazy and it was about the only thing on. I have a hard time getting into watching a bunch of millionaires make money for a bunch of billionaires. I'd rather not support anything having to do with such...

I do believe money is the "root of all evil." 

Pomodoro productivity

You've probably heard me say I have lately been having problems with procrastinating. I still manage to get most things done, but it bothers me. So... 

I think I may begin experimenting with the Pomodoro Technique. It's basically setting a timer for 25 minutes, then working on one thing and one thing only. Then, when the timer goes off, take a break and repeat.

Wikipedia describes it like this: 

The original technique consists of deciding on the task, setting the timer (typically for 25 minutes), working on the task, taking a short break (typically 5–10 minutes) when the timer rings. This repeats until four pomodori are completed, after which a long break (typically 20 to 30 minutes) is taken before starting the cycle again. 

Apparently it is supposed to work best if you have an old fashioned kitchen timer or egg timer, but most phones nowadays have timers, there are plenty of apps, or you can just type into google "25 minutes timer" and it starts counting down immediately.

Seems easy enough.

Now, if I can just get started... 

 

What is your dream for the day?

This past Sunday our church did a table gathering centered around Spiritual Formation (the theme for this season, from now until Advent).

Spiritual Formation was defined as:

To be shaped by the Spirit into an every deepening Christlikeness. A process that takes place through surrender and receptivity to love.

Practices become experiences that wake us up and give us tangible training for becoming people of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.

The first of several questions was: How do you come today, what is your dream for the day?

The second was: What if we could approach our spiritual formation with no one to impress and nothing to prove? What would happen? How would this approach change things for you?

 

I thought these were both pretty profound questions. I guess I especially perplexed by the "What is your dream for the day?"  

I don't know that I've ever considered a 'dream for the day.' People at our table  - ranging in age from middle school up to us (the oldest) gave varying answers. I think I said something like "To get some rest." I knew right away it was a lame answer.

Anyway, I've been thinking about that question ever since. Why don't I have any idea what my dream for the day might be? 

I wanted to write this down here so maybe I will contemplate it some more. I think it's worth thinking about... 

When everything feels broken

I know it's not... but sometimes it feels like it.

This week has been a series of broken things. When they start to add up it can seem like everything is broken... and my life can start to feel a bit crumbly/crummy.

1. The Security Flood Light on the garage had apparently stopped working some time ago. We are hardly ever out past dark (something about being old, I suppose), so I didn't notice when it happened. Anyway, I googled how to check/fix it. They had me do all these things. One of their suggestions, however, was not to check to make sure both bulbs hadn't just burned out. Yep. So that was an easy enough fix. ~$12 for two floods.

2. The dryer timer was a little more complicated. It simply would not turn, and therefore the dryer wouldn't work. I sprayed some liquid wrench in the switch and could finally turn it with a pair of plyers. I've been doing that all week now. I did get a new switch, but I haven't gotten around to changing it yet. I bought it at the local appliance repair shop and got the GE replacement - rather than waiting on an aftermarket order. I should have saved my money and just got it on Amazon (for like $35, instead of $85). Oh well.

At first we thought this was the dryer we bought when we moved here. Silly us. It's only two years old!! And apparently the timer switch goes out quite often. Great. 

3. After that was the passenger side door mirror on my Ford Escape (picture above). I have backed out of our garage a million and seven times and never once hit the mirror. However, the other night we were in a hurry to get to a volleyball game and... CRUNCH! I said a few cuss words very loudly. I was so mad at myself because I'm usually very careful (it's a tight fit on my side of the garage). I don't know how it even happened, but I was mad, embarrassed, and humiliated. It had not been a great week anyway. Now I felt like I couldn't do anything right. Jane telling me it was "no big deal" did not help... because, you know, she's not the one who has to fix these sorts of things. Plus, I'm just not pleasant when I start to feel things piling up...

Anyway, I found this replacement part, it arrived today, and was a piece of cake to swap out. Three bolts and one plug. Whew. Still, $60 and the humiliation just about did me in.  

4. Of course, yesterday was cleaning day, and I'd noticed my toilet had been making a hissing sound for a few days. I finally looked under the hood and it was the fill valve. I tried to wiggle it or something. Wouldn't you know... that made it leak somewhere and I soon had a puddle of water on the bathroom floor. 

I figured that since yesterday was cleaning day anyway, I'd just put a new toilet valve in it. I got the cheapest one I could find at Menards and swapped it out in no time. I still had some water collecting, but by this morning it had stopped and was dry. 

5. I don't actually have any broken bones... but, man, are they weary. I did manage to run a little over 7 miles this morning, but my legs are feeling soooooo weak. I just seem to have no strength in them anymore. I'm still doing a weight workout twice a week, but I'm kinda sore.

I finally broke down and order some Creatine this week, I'll see if that helps. Otherwise, for no more running than I've been doing (3--5-ish miles, 3-4 times a week), I don't know why I'm so run down. Surely it's not just age... right?

I could go on with at least a few more things feeling broken in my life right now, but it's Friday, so... we'll stop at five. That seems like enough. 

New shoes for both of us

We both got a new pair of running shoes last night. One was planned... the other wasn't.

She wanted to go to the running shoe store after work. I tagged along because... that's what I often do; plus, I just wanted to look at shoes. I didn't intend to even try any on because the last couple times I was there they didn't have anything in my size.

Jane ended up with the light blue Altra Experience Flow 3. For some reason they were $5 cheaper in the store than online. Anyway, this is a new shoe for her - and I've never worn Altra's before either. I actually tried some on because I like the wide toe box but the one's I tried on were a stupid color.

While the salesperson was helping her find new running shoes, I was looking over their wall of sale shoes. They actually had quite a few in size 8.5 and 9, so I started trying some on. I ended up getting the navy Saucony Triumph 23 in a size 9. It turned out not only were they on sale at the running store, but Saucony was having a Labor Day sale, so they were only $91.95 instead of $170.

I've never been a Saucony fan - I had another pair of them that I did not like at all, but my grandson liked them. These seemed pretty comfortable in the store, and seem very much like the Brooks Glycerin I am used to. I'd wanted something a little different, but bought these mostly because they were on sale, and also because I simply need another pair of shoes on hand. So, we'll see.  

Weekend in st. paul

I think I figured out why these are such relaxing times for me...

This past weekend we took a quick trip to St. Paul, MN to see the boy and his family. They live in a small house just off West 7th Street. It is a chill quiet neighborhood, but easy walking distance to so many shops, restaurants, breweries, parks, and other activity. (I didn't realize West 7th was St. Paul's first settlement, and the oldest commercial corridor in the state!).

We flew up - direct from Fort Wayne - Friday morning, and flew home Sunday evening. This flight schedule is so nice for a weekend visit. We're there by 9:30am and stay until just after supper - arriving back to our house around 10pm. It was 1hr 20 minutes wheels up to wheels down on the way there, and 59 minutes on the way back (apparently we can fly faster at night).

This trip included most of the usual: a couple visits to Brake Bread for breakfast scones and coffee, Chinese takeout one night, Waldmann Brewery one afternoon, Francis (plant based) Burger Joint one night, and this time we took in some music at the White Squirrel Bar (just down the street from the boy's house). I also found a place to run from this house - a trail along Shepard Rd that is excellent).

Otherwise we mostly hung around the house with the youngest grandchild - watching him paint, play his dad's drum set, read books, and throw a ball outside in the yard.

I have to say, this boy has the sweetest, most tender heart of anyone in the world. I know he is sure to have it broken one day - and it will hurt mine when that happens - but I hope he can hold onto it for as long as possible.

That is largely why this is such a relaxing trip for me: His parents seem to have no anger themselves. Certainly no one is perfect, but it is such a breath of fresh air to be around people who feel hopeful and light and seemingly hold no anger, animosity, or bitterness towards other human beings. It just feels... "light" to be around them.

As you likely know, I am not like that. So it does my heart good to experience it on occasion. Even when we have to all share one bathroom, which is right next to our tiny guest room, in this close-quartered house. But it helps that McDonald's is a mere .25 miles away, and there are several places to get a drink in the same area.

Yet, all that said, it was still nice to get back to Fort Wayne and settle into my routine again. I'd give just about anything for all our kids to live in the same area. Probably not ever going to happen... but I can dream. A little. 

30 things we learned about love

Hey there... how about a surprise for this Friday? Instead of a mere five things, why not thirty!?!

These aren't from me, but our good friends at the Gottman Institute (well, not that I know them or anything, but we are currently reading/working through their book 'Eight Dates').

I subscribe to a couple of their newletters, and one I usually read is the bi-weekly Marriage Minute email. This came on Tuesday (9/1/26)... for their 30th anniversary of founding of the Institute:

30 things we’ve learned about love in 30 years:

1. Friendship is the foundation of lasting love.

2. Knowing your partner’s inner world matters.

3. Fondness and admiration protect connection.
4. Small moments can make a big difference.
5. Turning towards each other builds trust over time.
6. Happy couples still disagree.
7. How you fight matters more than whether you fight.
8. 69% of relationship problems are ongoing, or perpetual.
9. Not every disagreement needs to be solved.
10. Understanding can be more valuable than agreement.
11. Gentle beginnings lead to better conversations.
12. Criticism attacks the person, not the problem.
13. Defensiveness makes resolution harder.
14. Contempt is extremely damaging to relationships.

15. Shutting down is often a sign of overwhelm, or flooding.
16. A six second kiss can lead to more intimacy.
17. Repair attempts help couples reconnect.
18. Accepting influence strengthens partnership.
19. There are always two perspectives, two viewpoints, two opinions.
20. Trust is built in everyday interactions.
21. Commitment is a choice made again and again.
22. Appreciation should be expressed, not assumed.
23. Emotional intimacy supports physical intimacy.
24. Talking openly about sex leads to better sex.
25. Shared rituals create stability and meaning.
26. There's not one right way to support each other’s dreams.
27. A strong sense of “we” is important for your story.
28. Teamwork and an “us against the problem” mindset matters.
29. Great relationships require intention, not perfection.
30. Lasting love is built through small things often.

 And... there ya go!

Happy Friday!! 

Addicted to a clean car

This past winter we had a new car wash open not far from our house (Yea, Wash N Roll!) They offered one month of their free premium membership. Which meant I could drive through and get my car washed as often as I wanted. It was nice, so I took it!

I fully intended to use it for that month, then cancel the membership. Then... you know... because it was winter... I thought I would wait until Spring and cancel it.

Well, wouldn't you know... I still have that membership.

I've had it on my list of 'things to do' for weeks now to cancel that membership... and I just can't bring myself to do it. I think I'm addicted to a clean car.

And what I like about Wash N Roll is... not only is it an easy way to get my car automatically washed on the OUTSIDE... but I also like their features for the inside.

There is an attached garage with:

•  Microfiber towels to dry off the inside parts of the doors and back hatch (that the automatic dryer don't always get)
• Two types of vacuums for the interior
• An air hose to blow out little nooks and crannies
• A dry cleaner for floor mats
• A window clean for interior and exterior window cleaning
• And an interior spray to use on the hard surfaces
• They also sell various cleaning supplies inside

So, lately I've been cleaning my car inside and out at least once a week... and I can't tell you how much it improves my mood simply driving around in a clean car.

Whether it's worth $40 a month... I don't know. But I'd probably choose this over a lot of other things that cost that much or more.

Maybe I'm just a sucker for yet another subscription scam-a-jama... and I realize it's a super privileged thing to do (both the cost and having the time to do it)... but maybe some things that feel good... should be done.

I dunno. 

Writing ritual

I really do want to write in this space more often. I know I say that all the time (at least in my head I do). Yet, something always seems to come up.

Even lately, it's not that I haven't been writing. Not as much has been on this blog. However, I do have one chapter complete in what I hope some day will either be a short story or short novella. It's a lot different than anything else I've written, so this is the first I've spoken of it... to anyone. I also have somewhat of a framework for my long-overdue Holy Week devotional using the music of David Gilmour. And, then there's the handwritten journal I keep.

Still, what I would like to do is have this blog be for my daily writing routine. Just stuff that's off the top of my head. Then, perhaps I can utilize my substack page for more Five Things Friday type stuff... or something. I dunno. 

Basically, I guess, I want to continue trying to be a writer. I know I will never make a living at it... or probably any money at all... but I think there are worse things I could do with my time. I have the perfect spot to do it from - sitting here at the dining room table looking out over the neighborhood. The slightly elevated view of our street gives me the feeling of being the overseer or something... 

Yesterday I happened across this short (10-minute) video clip of a guy talking about the drawing advice that changed his life. He said he was advised to stop trying to do so many things, and concentrate on just doing one thing every single day... over and over and over... for a year (he drew pictures of a bird). I'm not sure how it works for everyone, but for an artist... it kind of makes sense. And, right or not, I consider writing to be sort of an art. So, I'd like to just write more... maybe not every day, but most days - whether I have anything to say or not. Sometimes... it may be that our best efforts come from those days we don't think we're being effective... (I dunno for sure, but it sounds like a good thing to say).

Although, I just read a piece on Wendell Berry (I can't believe he died yesterday - even though he was 92, but still...). Winn Collier said Wendell told him "our real work is our love." So Wendell may refute that 'do the same thing every day'... because life will dictate that interruptions will be necessary... if we're loving people. 

I suppose those are two good things to hold onto together: being intentional about what we do, but also holding onto love for others above all else.

And there it is... 

Preaching...

Yesterday I spoke at our Sunday service again. Oof. I'm glad it's over. Again.

I suppose it went fine. I mean, I survived... no one threw anything at me... no one cussed at me... no animals were harmed and nothing got broke (at least I don't think so). 

Still... ugh. 

I didn't sleep very well the night before - which I think had more to do with what I'd eaten for supper than nerves about speaking. But it made me nervous, because I wasn't sure how/if my stomach would cooperate. 

That part went fine. The part that didn't... I don't know... it's hard to explain. 

I'd been working on this sermon for way too long. I thought I was suppose to share in June, or July, or sometime before the last Sunday in August. So, I had too much time to prepare. Which, naturally, meant I didn't really settle on what I was going to say in particular until too late. Also, I didn't really go over it very much the few days before. 

I felt kind of unsettled - for lack of a better word I can think of - as I delivered it. 

And... two people got up and walked out right as I started to share. I felt my heart drop a bit, and it took way too much energy from me to not let it get to me... which means it got to me.

The space where we meet - which is actually a Methodist church sanctuary - has all glass across the back. So when I'm up front speaking to the audience, I can see what's happening in the foyer and even outside - since the doors and walls leading outside are all glass too. It can be very distracting to me when people are out in the foyer. Even more so when I see them walk out of the sanctuary, and then leave the building. My mind wanders and I wonder why they left, what were they thinking, was it me, something I said or did... or did it have nothing to do with me at all?

Anyway, I left out some big hunks of my manuscript, I rearranged parts of it on the fly (and not well), and I added some bits here and there. I wasn't very happy with it.

And that doesn't really bother me so much. I knew it was not my best effort going in. Maybe that's why the two people who left made it hurt so much worse.

I don't know.

Anyway, this morning I started reading Andrew Arndt's substack post for today (https://theandrewarndt.substack.com/p/20-years-in-miscellany-and-meanderings?utm_campaign=post-expanded-share&utm_medium=web). In it he had this little ditty about Yo-Yo Ma:

 I heard Yo-Yo Ma say once that he approaches his concerts not as performances but as acts of hospitality. The goal is to use the music to open up a generous, life-giving space for all to feast and enjoy.

I like that. THAT is what I would like my preaching to be like... opening up a generous, life-giving space for all to feast and enjoy. What a way to enter into communion, eh?

So... there ya have it. That's all I've got to say today.

Here is the Youtube link to the message: https://youtu.be/lLyvt6GagDQ?si=LPkPpu4XMjdVPbMn 

Tedeschi trucks band & alabama shakes show

I finally gave m'Lady her birthday present (from February). We saw the Tedeschi Trucks Band & Alabama Shakes at the Ruoff Music Center in Noblesville, IN this past Saturday (8/22). It was awesome!

For those wondering about the show: they were co-headlining (I guess that's what you call it). Alabama Shakes opened, but both bands played just a tad over 90 minutes... and they both had their own stage setup. It wasn't a traditional opening band then headliner. And they were both equally incredible.

I was perhaps slightly surprised at how good the Alabama Shakes set was. Wow! Just filthy awesome. Brittany Howard can sing out of this world, AND play the guitar! I really, really liked them. And the two female backup singers were fun to watch too. We could see them when they came off the stage. We were on the left side (looking at the stage), and they sang and danced just as hard when they were off-stage as they did when they were on! It created an extra good vibe.

Tedeschi Trucks, of course, sounded incredible with their 12-piece band. Susan (Tedeschi) and Derek (Trucks) were on top of their game. Between her vocals and his guitar, it sounded as good as anything I've ever heard. My only problem... the stage set. For some reason they had the keyboard/organ on risers in front of the entire rest of the band. Since it was to Susan and Derek's right, it almost completely blocked our view. We could only see Susan when she stepped to the mic to sing, otherwise she was hidden from us. So it seemed like they were only playing to the people from the middle seats towards the right side. It bothered me at first, but I was either quickly high enough (from the people around us), or I decided I wasn't going to let it ruin my night. They still sounded great.

Otherwise... there was about a 10-minute total downpour during the tail end of Alabama Shakes. We were under the roofed part, so we didn't get wet, but a lot of people got completely soaked! Still, I didn't notice that anyone left. 

The other annoying part were two women seated directly behind us. One of them in particular had the most annoyingly piercing voice - and she talked the entire time!!! I turned around and burned them both a look twice, and other people were doing the same. Finally, about halfway through TTB the two rows in front of them (including us) just stood up so they couldn't see anything. They obviously weren't there for the show anyway. They all left shortly after that.

Besides the stage setup for TTB, the brief downpour, and the annoying talkers... it was a near-perfect evening.

Logistically... the show start time was 7:30. We left home at 4pm and arrived at the Sleepy Bear Campground (directly across the street from Ruoff) at 5:30. It was a piece of cake getting there. Originally we intended to tent camp there, but our son happened to be in town for the weekend, so we just parked their and drove home after the concert. It was super convenient, and was a mere 1/2 mile walk to the venue. We had a glass of wine and ate our peanut butter sandwiches in our lawn chairs while we waited for gates to open. There were plenty of people milling about - playing cornhole, music, smoking pot, and drinking.

We walked over to the venue around 6:30 and just followed a group of people who went all the way around the entire venue before entering. There was quite a line, but it didn't take long at all to get through because neither of us had a bag to search and they didn't make us go through the metal detector. Once inside, we meandered about and located restrooms, food and drink spots, and our seats. 

A lot has been added since our last time there in ~2006. There were plenty of drink options and spots to get it, and bathroom lines weren't even too long (especially the mens). We did get a couple drinks each. Ouch! Beer and seltzers were in 25oz. cans, and two of them were $50+. I had two light beers between 6:30 and 11:30, and I didn't need any more than that.

Our seats were great (other than the organ/keys setup). We were in section 105, row D, seats 1 & 2. So we were the fourth row back behind the pit area. They were nice stadium seats and we had a good view of the stage, but also the hallway leading from the green room to the stage. I always prefer being on the end of a row, and kind of like being slightly off to one side or the other. I think we paid $158 apiece, and for this show it was worth it.

The only real snafu came when the show ended. We just walked out with the crowd - which went toward the venue parking lot. Neither of us had any idea what direction the campground was from where we were, even while I was trying to use my phone map for directions. Finally we turned around and went to go back in the venue, which is what google maps said to do, and a kind security guard took us under his wing and walked us to where we needed to go to get to the campground. So, what should have been a 10-minute walk was more like 15. We made it to our car, and were easily back on I-69 heading north. We left the campground at 11:45pm, and pulled in the garage at 1:10am. Our son had just gotten home before us (from his 20th high school reunion).

All told, it was a very enjoyable time. The bands were awesome, the venue was superb, the campground parking excellent, and other than 10 minutes the weather was beautiful. I would definitely go see both bands again, and for sure take in more shows at Ruoff. A fine time, indeed! 

Five things friday

It's not that I've given up on this 'Five Things Friday' thing...

Some days I sit down to write a blog post... I put my hands on the keyboard... I raise a finger here and there (like opening my mouth to speak)...

And nothing comes out.

Here's another shot.

1. GLP-NONE

I tried some GLP-1 for weight loss. Granted, it wasn't the shots, and I didn't take it very long, but instead of losing weight... I gained a few pounds. Sounds about right, doesn't it?

Jane had gotten some GLP pills called "Calocurb" from a dietician or something (the main ingredient was Amarasate extract). They made her sick. So, instead of throwing them away, I took the rest. It was maybe 2 1/2 weeks worth. I could stand to lose 10 pounds or so. I figured, "Why not?"  

Well, one reason "why not" is because they didn't seem to do anything. I think I gained a couple pounds WHILE taking them, and a couple more since I stopped. 

2. BOOKS

I finished Jay Stringer's Desire (I may have already mentioned that), and last week finished Robin Wall Kimmerer's fine little book The Serviceberry: Abundance and Reciprocity in the Natural World. 

I loved it! For one thing, it's short (100 and some pages), but I also loved the sketches and the idea as a whole. What I think is most interesting, is that a lot of rural-ish, traditional-type people - the very same base who seem to make up a large portion of MAGA - would agree wholeheartedly with the book. However, if anyone else suggested the very same ideas, they would call them "woke" (or socialists, or liberal) or some such craziness.

Anyway, I really liked it, and think everyone should read it. It's economics made super simple, imho.

3. I'M PROBABLY ADDICTED

I stumbled onto this piece by Alex Olshonsky last week: You're Probably Addicted to Thinking. I think it's almost definitely true, but I'd like to read it again... so I put the link here.   

4. YES, I SAID SEX-THERAPIST

This is one (just one) of those things I've been meaning to write about but just don't really know how to get started. We have been seeing a Sex & Relationship therapist for... I think we've been there three times now. I know what you're thinking: We've been married more than 43 years, don't we know how to have sex yet??

Well, yes, we do. We even have proof!

However, it's also true that sex (and relationships) are complicated things. So, rather than just continue to avoid some delicate issues and cowander through old age as mere "companions"... we decided to do something about it. In other words - we think things could be better. 

I don't know why sometimes it seems so hard to say we could use a little help... because we could ALL use a little help. And, that's what we're doing. So far it's been good. We both really like our therapist, and most of the time it's honestly just us paying someone to sit in the room while we talk to each other. I think it's worth it. Feel free to reach out if you have any questions.

5. THE QUOTE

“The first gulp from the glass of natural sciences will turn you into an atheist, but at the bottom of the glass God is waiting for you.” — Walter Heisenberg, Nobel Prize-winning physicist 

Okey doke... I've done it! Five actual things. And I even have some left over! 

Here's some bonus content (for sticking around and being a pal - plus I didn't know where else to put it). From Mike Woodruff's Friday Update:

1) July was the hottest recorded month in the continental USA’s history.

2) Citing mental health concerns, the University of Michigan is launching a 2027 pilot program where no grades will be given to first-year students.

3) In the ‘90s, US men held 7M more payroll jobs than US women. Today, women hold 176K more jobs than men.

4) Last year, 52% of Zers directed funds meant for investing into sports betting.

5) Domesticated pet raccoons are becoming a thing.

6) Per this study, pastors are more concerned about AI than those in their churches.

7) Although sharks get the movies, mosquitoes kill more people in a day than sharks do in a century.

8) Among D’s, more now favor socialism than capitalism.