August already
The months seem to fly by fast
While each day just crawls
School starts down here on Monday.
My summer mentally doesn’t end until after Labor Day.
Category: These United States
Aug 2 – steakolicous?
saw steakolicous . . .
really? really? OH really!
some words, not needed
The TV show, Barney Miller, had an episode where an English Professor was arrested for assaulting an Ad Man who used the phrase, “crun-crun-crunchiest,” to describe pickles (Barney Miller: The Psyhic.)
The Professor says, “It’s not just a matter of a stupid pickle slogan. The manipulation of language is one of the primary methods used by those in power to confuse and divert the public.
A false statement isn’t a lie. It’s simply “no longer operative” . “War” becomes “Pacification” and “Bombing” becomes “Vertical deployment of anti-personnel devices”.
The English Language is one of the most beautiful and expressive of all tongues. It is being corrupted and debased by chronic misuse, manufactured lingo, like that…dull-witted cliches, redundancies, mindless phraseology’s. Save up to 50% and more; What does that mean?“
Steakolicous?
I saw this word on a billboard driving home the other day.
I didn’t catch the name of the restaurant.
I didn’t catch the rest the message on the billboard.
I focused on the word steakolicious.
Really?
To further the moment, I believe the word was written in cursive.
Really?
Make up a word.
Make it hard to read is such a way that eliminates a large part of today’s audience.
Really?
Does this motivate anyone to order this?
To look forward to ordering this somewhere?
Who writes this stuff?
Who PAYS for this stuff?
As I always tell my wife, this was the ad campaign that was selected by the client.
This was the campaign, or concept, that won.
Consider what the losing campaigns must have been.
Picture that meeting where this was pitched.
Steakolicous?
Really?
Beyond all other considerations and questions, let’s just focus on the word.
What is wrong with any of these:
appetizing
delectable
delightful
distinctive
enjoyable
enticing
exquisite
heavenly
luscious
piquant
pleasant
rich
savory
spicy
sweet
tasty
tempting
yummy
choice
dainty
darling
divine
good
lush
nice
adorable
ambrosial
delish
fit for king
gratifying
mellow
mouthwatering
nectarous
palatable
rare
sapid
scrumptious
tasteful
titillating
toothsome
well-prepared
well-seasoned
Sadly the episode ends with the Professor in jail and the Ad man wandering out, musing to himself, ” . . . ko-ko-kosher-est . . . Ko-Ko-kosher-IFIC.”
The Professor says “Unfortunately, it’s often the very people who are trying to preserve the society, who are the first to be persecuted by it.”
July 31 – New transformations
New transformations
confront a common focus
creative freedom
Will not the good people respond to a united, and earnest appeal from us?
Can we, can they, by any other means, so certainly, or so speedily, assure these vital objects?
We can succeed only by concert.
It is not “can any of us imagine better?” but, “can we all do better?”
The dogmas of the quiet past, are inadequate to the stormy present.
The occasion is piled high with difficulty, and we must rise — with the occasion.
As our case is new, so we must think anew, and act anew.
We must disenthrall ourselves, and then we shall save our country.
Abraham Lincoln
Annual Message to Congress —
Concluding Remarks
Washington, D.C.
December 1, 1862
July 28 – Slow Sunday Mornings
Slow Sunday Mornings
Wake up late, wait for coffee
privileged lifestyle
It’s the simple things, right?
Quiet Sunday Morning and I can sleep in late and read while the coffee percolates in the cool of the living room.
A piece of toast with blueberry jam from up north.
Then off to Church.
Perfect way to start the week.
What could be more simple.
Starting the preaching a little early, I hope I never lose the insight that this simple start is so very, very privileged.
Home, shelter, food, leisure, job to experience leisure, love of family, friends and wife, loving and benevolent God and gracious Savior.
“For unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required” says Luke (12:48 KJV)
Been given so much.
Better not forget.
It’s simple.
July 27 – old shoes like old friends
old shoes like old friends,
comfortable, as old shoes
new shoes, someday old
If there were things more comfortable than an old pair of shoes, the saying, “As comfortable as an old pair of shoes”, would not have lasted in the list of english language idioms.
Three pairs of low cut, white (at one point in their lives), leather Nike sneakers.
The first pair is at 30 years old with a white swoosh.
I sent a clerk (who was a Wiedeman if I remember) back into the storeroom at MC Sports to find ‘that old fashioned smooth leather look.
The second pair, with the black swoosh stripes, I think are about 10 years old and were a birthday present from my wife, I think the first year we were Georgia.
The last pair, my FRESH sneakers, were a birthday present this year.
They are free of the past snow and rains and mentioned in the book, Dandelion Wine, by Ray Bradbury.
” with this new pair of shoes, he could do anything, anything at all,” writes Bradbury.
And they have the potential to, one day, like friends who stick around, become old shoes.
Comfortable beyond belief.
As comfortable as an old pair of shoes.
Based on the time to takes to break these in, are they the last pair of sneakers I will need to buy?
