Category: Uncategorized

The First and the Last

On October 5, 2017, the New York Times published a story that would not only rock Hollywood but also the rest of the nation.  It was an expose of one of the most powerful men in the film industry, Harvey Weinstein.  It detailed decades… Continue Reading “The First and the Last”

The MAGA Pet Cookbook

Like many of you, we watched the debate Tuesday night.  We had a group of friends over, ate a lot of pizza and a very good salad.  And drank a little beer and coffee. Several of our guests almost injured themselves when convulsed with… Continue Reading “The MAGA Pet Cookbook”

The Power of Love

Like many other people, my days are filled with things to do and places to go.  Right from the get-go, I’ve got a “to do” list and the internal dialogue between my two ears is the ordering of it. If there’s a problem, I’ll… Continue Reading “The Power of Love”

What Defiles and What Builds Up

More about food this Sunday.  Some religious authorities insisted that the dietary law be followed scrumptiously – washing hands.  Now, even my mother insisted on that before dinner.  Not that we scrupulously followed her directions about hands.  But these ultra-religious leaders insisted that dirty… Continue Reading “What Defiles and What Builds Up”

The Sacramental Dinner Bell

Food is basic – necessary for survival.  Call me whatever you want but don’t call me late for dinner. It is unconscionable that the civilized world stands by as famine stalks Gaza and Sudan – where just in Sudan three fourths of a million… Continue Reading “The Sacramental Dinner Bell”

What’s This Stuff?

When I was in the Army, our cook was often a favorite target for scorn and derision – and bad jokes.  We knew they believed in hiring the handicapped because we joked that Cookie must have had his taste buds shot off in the… Continue Reading “What’s This Stuff?”

A Generous Extravagance

Nothing signifies abundance like a church potluck.  In the downtown United Methodist Congregation I served as a young deacon, we had a wonderfully diverse congregation:  black, white, Salvadoran, Asian, Mexican – all of which enriched our culinary experience at our potlucks.  It was Sr.… Continue Reading “A Generous Extravagance”

Poor Choices and Costly Alternatives

When I was stationed at Letterman Hospital, San Francisco, I served in the Neurology Department.  There I was trained as an encephalograph tech, the brain wave test. Initially we had an NCO in the EEG lab, an E-5 Specialist Monroe, who was senor to… Continue Reading “Poor Choices and Costly Alternatives”

Just Us Chickens

Early on in my ministry I encountered a woman with an excruciating tale of abuse.  No, not her.  Her daughter was being sexually abused by her father.  She told of having fled in the middle of the night while he was off carousing.  She… Continue Reading “Just Us Chickens”

E Pluribus Unum

One of my favorite films is “Blues Brothers,” released in 1980.  It featured a star-studded cast of cameo performances. The film’s plot centers around the tale of redemption of two paroled convicts Jake, played by John Belushi, and his brother Elwood, played by Dan… Continue Reading “E Pluribus Unum”