A big shout out to all the spiders not building their webs at face level.

Headline on NBC.com this morning: How to help kids cope with post-holiday blues.
Ah, c'mon. Really? How about starting by not turning Christmas into an "It's all about YOU, Johnny" event in the first place. And if that fails there's always, "Get over it."

I've had a virtual conversation over the last couple of days with one of my former students who now serves as the pastor of a church in the southeast. He referred to an assignment I used to give my first semester homiletics students - to prepare a 3-year sermon calendar with both Sunday a.m. and p.m. sermon texts/topics. It was a major project that required hours of work and always generated groans and muttering. (I could easily ID the guys who left it to the last minute. Some of their entries made me shake my head and grin at the same time.) The assignment accomplished several things, one of which this guy has recently discovered to be relevant in his current situation. That, too, made me smile.

We got into the low 40's overnight and because we're in a cold weather stretch today's highs were only in the mid-50's. I realize that's moderate weather by national standards so I'm not complaining.  But I thought about the difference between our December temps and those we'll have six or seven months from now. We can expect a 60-degree swing. I realize that's not unusual. Western Michigan where we lived for 17 years will go from cold winter temps in the 20's (or below) to the 80's, so I guess it's all about even. But somehow the difference between 50 and 110 seems more dramatic.

A reader (Mr. Chaney, was that you?) posted a comment here a few nights ago in reference to my paragraph about the Jack Reacher movie starring Tom Cruise. He recommended the series of books by Vince Flynn featuring the character Mitch Rapp. I finished Grisham's "The Litigators" last night (good book) and today ordered "Transfer of Power" for my Kindle, the first in the Rapp series. I'll let you know.

Pam went to her dr. today and learned she has bronchitis and an ear infection. She's now on an antibiotic which, we hope, will turn things around quickly.
She got home from the dr. about noon, had just enough soup to help her stomach handle the antibiotic, and went to sleep in her chair.
She is her father's daughter: sit for five minutes and fall asleep. And she makes the same faces when she sleeps that he did. I mock her about it and she just smiles because she remembers her dad doing the same thing and knows what I'm talking about.

Yesterday I looked online for ukuleles just to get an idea what they cost. Now almost all the websites I go to have ukulele ads, including Slate.com. This is scary, folks. Be careful what you shop for!

Posted by a friend on Facebook (I love it!)
Bracelet!

I think I figured out why at least some of the people here are grumpy. It dawned on me pulling out of the parking lot at the rec center today. I saw bumper stickers for the NY Giants, the Jets, the Cowboys, the Lions, even the Cardinals.
They'd be a LOT happier if they had Seahawks stickers.

When I was a misfit kid filled with all kinds of adolescent angst I used to daydream about being a hermit. Maybe some animals, but living alone up in the hills, away from all the pressure. Then I grew up, got over myself, and began working in a field all about people. After 15 years I switched to teaching, but that's also all about people, at least if it's done right. Ten years later, and for most of the last 12 years, back to being a pastor.

Some days, like today, I sit and think how blessed I am. I know all kinds of really good, interesting people. Yeah, there have been a few jerks along the way, but very few, and they are far outnumbered by those who make me smile when I think about them.
Have I mentioned that the people are the best part?