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Room 8 at The Palomino
I prefer to go off the beaten path whenever possible. I don’t mean it in a figurative sense, as in a poem by Robert Frost. When I want to experience real America, I hit the back roads. That’s why, if I can help it, I prefer to lodge in rustic roadside motels. At best, these abandoned motor courts have become hotels catering to long-term guests; at worst, they have become seedy backrooms for the world’s oldest profession. If you’re lucky, you find a motel under new ownership that the latter has lovingly restored for the benefit of kitsch enthusiasts. In my travels as a sales representative for a major technology…
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The Teru Teru Bōzu, Umbrellas, and Ponchos: Exploring Rain Gear and Japanese Folklore
Introduction The teru teru bōzu. Could that be the best way to deal with rainy weather? Personal Preferences Umbrellas have always given me mixed feelings. Despite their intended purpose, they frequently leave me wetter when I try to close them after reaching my car and dealing with the resulting drips and dampness is inconvenient. Many people worldwide often use umbrellas, particularly in Japan, where they have established a specific set of rules for proper umbrella usage. However, I’ve discovered a better rain gear solution: Frogg Toggs ponchos. They allow me to embrace the wetness only when I remove the poncho, making rainy days more bearable. Umbrella Usage and Japanese Culture…
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Nostalgic Delight: Exploring the 1980s Phenomenon of Voltron and Its Enduring Popularity
The 1980s Cartoonscape: From “Space Ghost” to “Speed Racer” When I got home from elementary school, I always looked forward to one thing: homework. I’m kidding. I couldn’t wait to get home and watch some cartoons. I fondly remember everything from “Space Ghost” to “Speed Racer.” I started fourth grade at Heard Elementary School in Franklin, Georgia, in 1984. I’d get off the bus, drop off my belongings, and go to the den, where the television was. I only had a few hours until my father arrived home and took over the “dial.” (One turned analog knobs on televisions. We referred to these knobs as “dials.”) When my father returned…
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The Mysterious Voice: Haunting Encounters in Munfordville, Kentucky
The Parsonage in Munfordville: A Minister’s Home In the mid-to late-1960s, my parents lived in Munfordville, Kentucky. My father served as the minister of the Munfordville Church of Christ. As a result, my parents and my young sister resided in a residence known as a “parsonage,” which belongs to the church where a minister serves. Munfordville was my father’s second full-time “located work.” Their sojourn in Kentucky lasted only four years but was full of memorable events. Repairs and Unexplained Incidents: October 1967 When the church-provided home was undergoing repairs, one such incident occurred in October 1967. One of the church’s members was a carpenter. He and several other members…
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Finding Emotional Balance in a Broken World
Emotional Balance in a Fallen World: Seeking Equilibrium In this article, I examine the concept of emotional balance in a fallen world and emphasize the importance of equilibrium for optimal mental health. I begin by recognizing that sadness is a natural part of life and explain how our free will in a broken world leads to sorrowful experiences. Using an Arabic axiom about the weather, I emphasize the importance of balancing sunshine and rain to appreciate life’s fullness. The Significance of Balancing Sunshine and Rain: Appreciating Life’s Fullness Despite the initial appeal of positivity, the article then delves into the significance of avoiding positive feedback loops. I use the biblical…
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The Power of Stillness: Trusting in God’s Providence Amid Life’s Struggles
Exploring Spiritual Stillness in Christianity In this article from 2020, I explore the spiritual concept of stillness, which I base on Christian teachings. Psalm 46.10a is my foundation: “Be still, and know that I am God.” I contend that we discover God in the stillness of our hearts, not in our anxious minds. I go on to say that in the biblical context, there are times when we’re supposed to act, such as when the Israelites faced Pharaoh’s army at the Red Sea, and other times when we’re supposed to be still and trust in God’s Providence. Navigating Life’s Trials and Embracing Surrender I delve into “stillness,” implying that it…
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Finding Strength in Adversity: Lessons for Life’s Challenges
This is a synopsis of “Lessons From Adversity: An Introduction.” The original article is here. Synopsis: In the face of life’s challenges, this article delves into the universal theme of surrendering control and embracing divine guidance. I examine the transformative power of abandoning one’s plans and trusting in a higher power through the lens of my experiences and scriptural references. Embracing the Celestial Yoke: Surrendering Control to Divine Guidance With a focus on humility, the article emphasizes Jesus’ invitation to accept a celestial yoke, which represents surrendering personal control and accepting God’s guidance (Matthew 11.28–30). I note the importance of distinguishing between self-control, which governs passions, and the recognition that making plans…