Fruitful Detours
I recently watched a short documentary on Netflix that was wonderful, and well worth your time. It was called A Tale of Two Kitchens. This is only a 29 minute film, but it gives perspectives on immigration, hiring felons, differences in the cultures of the U.S. and Mexico, and the behind the scenes work of […]
Many Americans are familiar with a number of European artists, but don’t know much of anything about two of the most famous artists in Mexico — Frida Kahlo and Diego Rivera. Theirs was a story full of drama. Rivera was famous for his giant-sized murals, and for his politics. He was an unrepentant communist at […]
A black Nissan pulls into the McDonalds parking lot. He cuts his turn a little too close, and rides up on the curb, crushing some wet grass. Macs doesn’t have any ice, so he skips his drive-thru order and goes next door to Panera Bread for an iced tea. A seventeen year old in his […]
When I am doing an interview, this is one of my favorite questions: “Who are your favorite authors?” Of course, I learned a lot about some people right off the bat because they couldn’t name any. But hearing about the authors that resonate with someone can tell you a lot about them. What excites them? […]
I’ve recently changed my status as a United Methodist pastor from Active in Extension Ministry to Retired. That doesn’t really mean much functionally, as I’ll continue working as a psychologist and helping out in the church, but it does get me a retirement check every month. The Retirement Committee of the Annual Conference asked each […]
There are days that feel like they are just dragging on without end, and then all of a sudden your child is ten. Or an adult. I remember asking my Dad what it was like to be eighty, and he said, “Do you remember what it was like to be twenty?” I said I did. […]
I was sitting in my car one day, just vacantly looking out the window, when a leaf caught my eye. Nothing special – just a dried up brown leaf. It was going around and around in circles, caught in a tiny little breeze vortex. It reminded me of the plastic bag scene in the movie […]
“When I go to church, I don’t want to hear about politics.” I’ve heard lots of people tell me that over the years, generally when I had just finished preaching on something that felt unjust, and often when I had asked (I might say “implored”) the congregation to do something about it. The hardest part […]
Querétaro is a big city, with a number of great restaurants. Here are a few of my favorites: Manduka Manduka has stir-fry (yakimeshi), pastas, and pizza, and the owner is really friendly. Vinicio’s Vinicio’s has the best hamburger that I’ve found in Querétaro, and Vinicio himself is a joy to talk to. Maco Cafe Maco […]
I must tell you, I love this Ramen Salad. I’ve used it at church potlucks for years, and it is a staple at the giant Christmas Party that our friends Greg and Danny host every year. It’s also super simple, and there is only one thing to watch out for — toast the slivered almonds […]