TURNING BACK THE ...
TURNING BACK THE TIME? (AND BUY MY BOOKS.) I just re-read my last blog entry – 28 days ago, and it looks like “time” is still uppermost in my thoughts. Today, though, it is a bit more tangible. As many of you know, I have a watch fetish. I love my collection of colors and styles – even a belt with four watches on it. Guess what I’ll be doing this evening? (In between trick-or-treaters.) I’ll bet I’ll forget some of them when I’m in my turning-back-an-hour frenzy. That’s OK until the day comes that I innocently choose to wear one that’s been overlooked and arrive late at my destination. It’s not just time-pieces, though, that have my attention. It’

TWENTY YEARS FROM NOW
Many recent and anticipated events have me rooting around in my own view of my past, and how I have shared it with others. Probably most outstanding is the sense of being on a long journey, which, incidentally, I expect to continue for at least another 20 years. I anticipate that I’ll understand at that point the real meaning of what’s going on in our world right now. On a very personal level, I find myself ruthlessly throwing things away, with the thought that I want to leave a clean job behind for my children who will be at least 20 years older than they are now when they have to face that sorting. I am eternally grateful to my parents for doing me that same favor. How easy it was

Ecclesiastes, reading, demons, and ambiguity
Something strange has been happening to me lately. I’ve been reading, even as I neglect other “work” I “should” be doing. I started with a really short little book, (83 pages): In Celebration of Wisdom: Life and Meaning in Job, Proverbs and Ecclesiastes” (2009), edited by Steven Schweitzer. I guess I chose it because it seems work-related. (Think “Mrs. Job”). But something on p. 71, in reference to Ecclesiastes 7:1-18, had the effect of setting me free (at least temporarily): “Humans are capable of some wisdom, but perfection is beyond their reach. ‘Do not be too righteous’: Qoheleth uses irony to state that excess—eve

Book Signing September 10, 2009
On the happy side, I'm looking forward to a fun night and book signing at Lillian's in Excelsior, Minnesota. I'd like to attach the neat poster they created, but I can't figure out how to do it. So, here's the verbal description.The special night is September 10, 2009, from 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. My book-signing will focus on Mrs. Job, but I’ll have my forgiveness books there too.If you haven’t been there, you’ll love the handbags, scarves, and accessories at fabulous prices. I think it’s all a great way to yield to that Fall desire for something new. (And a great way for me to make people aware of my books.)The invitation asks fo

Remembering Lou Affinito one final time
Lou Affinito died at 12:45 Sunday morning, August 23d, after a period of time at Connecticut Hospice. He ended his sojourn here on earth on the anniversary of his mother's death many years before. It was the end of a long battle that began around April 2008 when he was diagnosed with a brain tumor. His wife, his children, and his family suffered with him through the long battle which was reportedly horrifyingly heart-rending toward the end. His wake was held in Hamden Connecticut on Monday the 24th, with hundreds of friends, families, fellow church members, and co-workers creating a constant four-hour stream of care and grief. His memorial Mass was celebrated at Ascension Church in Hamden o