Good Morning All & Happy Sunday!
Just another day in “paradise” and pressing on through the current “coronavirus blues.” We’ve got another brilliantly sunny day in store in Spokane!
It’s been fun to follow the “simulated” NCAA March Madness Tournament that would have been. The Zags are still in the thick of it, having beaten the LSU Tigers last night in one of the simulated rounds. Let’s hope they go all the way in the simulated tournament, just like they would have in the real thing!
Speaking of good things, did you know that today’s word definition for the day is “Ambrosia,” which just so happens to be the name of one of our favorite Spokane-area restaurants. Ambrosia means “something very pleasing to taste or smell” and the Ambrosia Bistro in the Spokane Valley lives up to that definition in grand style. The owners of Ambrosia, the Cooks, do a great job of presenting some excellent dishes and terrific martinis, as well as providing a great vibe. Check out Ambrosia when it reopens (or you may be able to order take out right now)…you’ll be glad you did!
Happy Birthday to our friend and father to Renee, Larry, of Wanakee, Wisconsin (I hope I spelled it right!). Larry is celebrating his 64th birthday today! Here’s to you Larry! Larry certainly has a lovely daughter in Renee. Renee and my daughter, Amy, were classmates at the Chicago School For The Performing Arts at Roosevelt University and I had the pleasure of attending her wedding in Waukesha, Wisconsin a few years ago. Happy Birthday wishes also go to legendary composer/lyricist Stephen Sondheim of “A Little Night Music” Broadway theater fame, who is 90 today; to actor William Shatner of “Captain Kirk/Star Trek” fame, who turns 89 today; composer Andrew Lloyd Webber of “Phantom Of The Opera” & “Cats” Broadway theater fame, who is 72 today; and to sportscaster Bob Costas, who turns 68 today. Here’s to all of you!
I’m sad to learn of the death of the legendary singer/songwriter Kenny Rogers, who died the other day at the age of 81. He was a good friend and collaborator with one of my favorite people, Dolly Parton. Dolly said of Kenny…”I loved Kenny with all my heart and my heart is broken and a big ole chunk of it is gone with him today.” As the chief executive officer of the Country Music Association said yesterday…”Kenny was one of those artists who transcended beyond one format and geographic borders…”He was a global superstar who helped introduce country music to audiences all around the world.” Who will ever forget his songs “Lucille,” “Lady,” “The Gambler” and “Islands In The Stream.” Here’s to you, Kenny Rogers, and thanks for all the great music over the years!
Another great American died yesterday…astronaut Al Worden, who circled the Moon alone in 1971 while his two crewmates test drove the first lunar rover. NASA administrator Jim Bridenstine said yesterday that “Al was an American hero whose achievements in space and on Earth will never be forgotten.” Bridenstine also praised Worden for his appearances on “Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood,” to explain space flight to children. Worden flew to the moon in 1971 along with David Scott and Jim Irwin. Once his crewmates were back on board the “Endeavour” and headed home, Worden performed the first deep-space spacewalk—nearly 200,000 miles from Earth. He inspected the service module’s science instrument bay and retrieved film. His adventure outside lasted just 38 minutes. Worden said of the mission: “Now I know why I’m here. Not for a closer look at the Moon, but to look back at our home, the Earth.” Here’s to Al Worden and the Apollo 15 mission to the Moon in 1971!
During this time of uncertainty due to the coronavirus challenge, I’ve found encouragement in reading a terrific little book entitled “The Rare Jewel Of Christian Contentment” by Jeremiah Burroughs, first published in 1648. It’s one of those books that you can only absorb a little bit at at time, as it’s very deep/thought provoking. Just little snippets each time. But, boy howdy, there’s a lot to ponder in each word. Not bad for someone who wrote this in 1648! Here’s an excerpt from the 7th Chapter entitled “The Excellence of Contentment”: “So it is in a man’s spirit: you find many who have weak spirits, and if they have any ill fumes, if accidents befall them, you will soon find them out of temper; but there are other men, who though things fume up, still keep in a steady way, and have the use of reason and of their graces, and possess their souls in patience.
I remember it is reported of the eagle that it is not like other fowls: when other fowls are hungry they make a noise; but the eagle is never heard to make a noise though it lacks food. Now it is from the magnitude of its spirit that it will not make such complaints as other fowls do when they lack food, because it is above hunger, and above thirst. Similarly it is an argument of a gracious magnitude of spirit, that whatsoever befalls it, yet it is not always whining and complaining as others do, but it goes on its way and course, and blesses God, and keeps in a constant tenor whatever befalls it. Such things as cause others to be dejected and fretted and vexed, and take away all the comfort of their lives make no alteration at all in the spirits of these men and women. This, I say, is a sign of a great deal of strength of grace…”
Wouldn’t it be grand that instead of being “dejected and fretted and vexed”, all of us could “possess our souls in patience” and “keep in a steady way” through this period of uncertainty? These are manifestations of a spirit of contentment to which we should aspire, not only in the “good” times, but in “bad” times too…
Here are some thoughts for the day:
“I go to nature to be soothed and healed, and to have my senses put in order.”
—John Burroughs
“If you read History you will find that the Christians who did most for the present world were just those who thought most of the next…It is since Christians have largely ceased to think of the other world that they have become so ineffective in this. Aim at Heaven and you will get earth “thrown in”: aim at earth and you will get neither.”
—C.S. Lewis, “Mere Christianity,” as quoted in C.S. Lewis’ Little Book Of Wisdom” (2018)
Here’s to a great Sunday and lots of love & good wishes always!
Press on,
Papa ‘a (Dad, Uncle Mark, Mark, etc.)