Half the Country?

Officially, there are 337 million people in the US. It’s probably closer to 400.

About 140 million people voted in total. About 67 for Harris. Half the country didn’t vote at all. Voters are a noisy minority.

I Disagree

Found on Facebook:

I would never abandon a friend for sharing thoughts that I found to be deplorable. I would listen with a compassionate heart and try to understand.

Shutting down conversations before they start makes people feel alone and neglected. It traps people in their own heads when they need to work things out with others.

I am where I am because I listened to people I disagreed with and cared about.

To Vote or Not to Vote

As a minority voter in a state like Delaware (also, most U.S. states), there is really no purpose in voting in a national election. That said, I’m more interested in the deep conversation over the principles behind whether to vote or not. Although I lean into Christian arguments against voting, these two conversations are entirely secular in their approaches.

I agree with Tom Woods and Dave Smith on most political issues, but I’m not convinced by their encouragements to vote in this election:

Alec Zeck and Derrick Broze discuss a freedom mindset that doesn’t entertain voting:

Unschool Politics

I’m an anarchist and voluntarist, former right winger, and have the high openness of a modern American liberal.

Although biased against government force and coercion, I try to steel man the various political concepts that arise in popular discourse.

Although I sheltered them from politics for much of their youth, it is now a vibrant topic with my teen sons.

Mary on a Date

Oh boy.

I’ve only been to The Union Transfer three times. The first with Mary and the two subsequent visits, I was on a date and her name appeared in a song.

Mary!
I think I need savin’
I’ve been calling & praying
But I can’t get through
Mmmmm Mary
I swear that I’ll change
I’ll swear I’ll be better a man
A better man
For you

Cause I hate sleeping alone
So I’ll put myself aside
Cause since the day that you left
Shit ain’t been right
So I’m asking you baby
To please come home tonight

Hey Mary!
I’m missing your kisses
Lovemaking in the kitchen
The way we used to do
Hail Mary!
I’m saved by your grace
You’re my guardian angel
My saviour so true

Cause there’s a hole in my heart that you
Know how to heal
So I’m standing here
Outside your door
With nothing left
Wanting more
I’m fightin’ for you
Can’t you see I’m fightin for you?

This was a tough one. Jordan Mackampa has a wonderful voice and stage presence. He introduced this song as a big proclamation of love from Joseph to his Mary. The lyrics dug deep and I’m shocked the tears didn’t flow from my filled eyes.

Mary has a way of showing up on dates. She’s warned me and encouraged me and comforted me and consoled me.

This was one of those times where I think she just wanted in on the fun. Music bonded us. She would have loved both acts (The Dip was the headliner and put on an amazing performance).

Who is the Enemy?

The medical/government complex that has staked its success on promoting poisonous “solutions” to problems we’ve always had cures for.

FDA gives cover to food producers, clothing manufacturers, and others to use these poisons.

It is in government’s interest to have a sickly population dependent on a healthcare system they control.

Six Years Sober

I quit drinking on Halloween night, 2018. I had been a widower for eight months.

My drinking was getting more frequent and my intoxicated thoughts were getting darker. I was exhausted more and more often. My will to go on was waning.

The exhaustion finally broke the pattern. After my sons returned from trick or treating, I had only had a couple beers, but my tank was empty.

I didn’t pass out in bed so much as falling into a paralysis that drew me into unconsciousness. In that twilight before a dreamless sleep, I knew I had had my last drink.

It took seven weeks of sobriety for my mind to start working at a higher level. Once I was thinking clearly on a consistent basis, it took weeks more before I realized that I was an alcoholic. This difficult journey coincided with my first foray into romance as a widower. It may not have been the wisest to navigate these uncharted paths simultaneously, but they are inextricably woven.

My lover inspired me to look directly at my addiction and actively fight it. In turn, the vulnerability I gained may have frightened her away. She ended our romance on the week of the anniversary of Mary’s passing. It was sudden and heartbreaking. I was thrown back into confusion just as I thought I was finding clarity.

The next months brought deep healing. I prayed, read, wrote, and meditated daily. People forget the widowed after some time and I thrived in solitude.

In those months, I accepted God’s love and started to love myself. He never left and has been lifting me up since before I was a believer.

I never had a temptation after that Halloween night. I accidentally ingested tequila in a tincture once with no itch to have more. I don’t rail against drinking, but I have little interest in being around those who do. It never benefitted me and has no place in my life.

I am grateful every day for God’s Love and Word. They bolster me and inspire me to deeper healing, while still having compassion for my former patterns.