a stack of things I haven’t done

In case you don’t generally click the “Related” posts at the bottom of the page, here’s one you missed yesterday, originally posted Aug. 6, 2024. I don’t remember writing this but I’m glad I did.

I could take a dog for a walk through the forest and the fields,

but there’s a stack of things I haven’t done.

I could go to a beach and watch the waves come in and stick my toes in the sand, 

but there’s a stack of things I haven’t done.

I could read a book full of adventure or insight or both,

but there’s a stack of things I haven’t done.

I could listen to music or make some,

but there’s a stack of things I haven’t done.

I could get in the car and not stop until I reach a place I’ve never seen,

but there’s a stack of things I haven’t done.

I could call some old friends or write them a note,

but there’s a stack of things I haven’t done.

For every impulse I have to do something wonderful,

there’s a stack of other somethings I haven’t done.

When I’m breathing my last, it won’t be all said and done — 

there’ll be a stack of things I haven’t done.

And so I walk with the dog and I find me a beach,

I listen to music and write an old friend,

because the stack of things I haven’t done must wait a little longer while I go live a life.

Inspiration

“This is the beginning of what comes next,” he said as the wind blew. “I look around this world, and I know it doesn’t have to be this way.”

“And so —?” she asked.

“I can imagine everything changing,” he said, gesturing. “I see these things there and those things here and that whole section gone entirely.”

“And where am I in all this?” she asked wildly.

“You,” he said, drawing her near, “are everywhere.”

Hate, bait and switch

Melania Trump on Monday gave Jimmy Kimmel another temporary bump in his feeble ratings by calling on ABC to do something about its late-night hate fest. Kimmel fantasized about the death of Donald Trump again, and Melania took the bait.

I see and hear so many horrible comments out there, on anti-social media, on mainstream media, walking down the street. Kimmel’s supposed jokes are some of the most horrible. I remember when he was funny, 20 or 30 years ago, and it’s sad to see this unpleasant and hateful shadow of his old self. 

But the proper reaction to bad television is the same as it always has been — I change the channel. In a world of ratings and analytics, it is actually true that if you ignore it, it will eventually go away.

I can’t blame the First Lady for being upset, but all she accomplished was to make Kimmel feel relevant again. And truth be told, her husband is not exactly a role model for proper etiquette.

I try, when I see or hear something I would love to respond to with equal venom, to say to myself, “Love God and love your neighbor, and we are all neighbors.” Some days I have to say it several times, but it bears repeating. In fact, it stands up to frequent repetition.