If you're young and conservative you haven't got a heart. If you're old and liberal you haven't got a head.

'twas a good day with a wide variety of tasks accomplished. I'd go crazy in a factory doing the same thing over and over and over and over and...

I was asked to join a Facebook page of folks in South Africa to discuss theology, specifically mid-Acts dispensationalism. I try to post an appropriately themed discussion starter most mornings and it's interesting to watch what comes in response. I'm going to guess that given the spelling and syntax of those responses many of the group members speak Afrikaans as their first language. And they're probably going crazy with my writing, which tends to make liberal use of idioms that don't work outside of the U.S.

Erratum
Sue, who used to be one of my favorite former students, sent me an email this morning rejecting last night's criticism of "by accident." In an exchange of emails, and with support from grammar websites, she pointed out that prepositions ("by" in this case) can sometimes have a legitimate adverbial function.
OK, I yield.
I still think using the adverbial form, "accidentally" makes more sense than hiring a preposition to stand in, but the law allows, so who am I to get all Pharisaical about it.

I went down to see Steve today and pick up that carb. We'd agreed on next Tuesday but the more I think about it the more I fear that day's plumbing work could go later than he'll want to stay at his shop.
I was there for an hour and we had a very interesting conversation. He opened up about his life - some good, too much sad. The more I'm there and see what he does the more I respect his considerable skill as not just an engine builder but a machinist. He told me he left High School in the 11th grade because he was a social outcast and found meaning in working with his hands on cars. Here he is 40 years later still doing what he loves and with a reputation that literally extends across the country.
"School" isn't for everyone. Not everyone should go to college, regardless of what they tell you. And a very rare few don't need to graduate from High School. What they'll lack in formal education they'll have to make up for in hard work, followed by more hard work. (Steve worked two full-time jobs for several years.) But the value of a person's life is not measured in the letters behind his name.

He knows I'm a pastor. I'm going back down in a few weeks when he hopes to have located some year-correct engine tin for me. I'll be praying.

That part where I used the laundry tub to rinse off greasy parts that had been soaking in the carb cleaner can - we don't have to tell Pam about that. And I'll have all that grease cleaned off the tub by tomorrow night. She won't go in there when she gets home from work tonight. Or I'm in BIG trouble.

With the temps dropping into the low 100's I decided to plant replacements for some of the perennials that burned up in the August heat. I'm cheap, so it's $3.99 Lantana from Home Depot, and I splurged on a $4.99 Purple Grass. I put those in last Saturday and so far they're still alive. This morning I hacked back the sick Palo Verde tree and gave it a good soaking, which I'll do once a week or so for the foreseeable future. Then if it still doesn't come back I'll take it out and replace it.

Making the slides for my sermon has the effect of editing it for content and presentation. Refinement. That's good.

Formula 1 is in Singapore this week. I'll watch qualifying tomorrow and I've got the DVR set to record Sunday's race. Something to watch between football games.