Family meals are a true blessing.

Painting by Norman Rockwell

I think it's fair to say we all love food to a certain degree--hopefully in a healthy way. Growing up, my family always ate the evening meal together, at the dinner table. Our modern, chaotic, haphazard, and ridiculous schedules topple this concept much of the time. However, I still think it's important to gather at the table and eat. It's important. It's fun. It's worthwhile.

Why?

The main reason is so the family can get caught up on each other's lives. We need personal contact, and to ignore that reality is to the detriment of us all. We bond over food, and always have. Being together also encourages talking and getting to know each other. Sure, we hopefully enjoy good food, but it's the fellowship with loved ones that's primary in my mind.

Our lives are so busy, it's hard to find the time to get everyone all in one place. But, take the time and effort to do so. You'll quickly discover how treasured these moments become. I regret not spending more time with my children at the table. How is it we have all the time we need for silly activities, yet so little for the ones that truly matter? I'm not sure. What I do know is I hate regret, and leap at the opportunity to gather and talk and eat.

- M

Wow, how time flies ...

Isn't it incredible how fast time rushes past, especially when you're doing something fun? I completely lost the weekend in a blur of editing my newest book. I've heard it said that if you love what you do, you'll never work a day in your life. That's true. However, it may not begin that way. When you're first learning a skill, it's tough as nails to keep learning. You have to force yourself. But, there comes a time when the work becomes natural (not necessarily easy) and you find enjoyment in the process.


image credit

Then there are those activities which are a joy from start to finish. Sports you enjoy, parties you love, games you can hardly wait to play. Life is filled with wonders and joys. Why do we spend so much time complaining about the things we dislike? I've never understood that. Sure, scooping trash and cleaning gum off the sidewalk isn't particularly celebratory, but there's no need to dwell on it -- unless it's your job and you're making money, in which case feel free to celebrate all the way to the bank.

I think I need to set an alarm so I realize what time of the week it is. Lost track of time? No. I'm not sure what day it is!

- M

Treasured photos are oddly hard to keep these days.

When I was growing up, my parents studiously put together photo albums and maintained a large collection of photographs. These days, most photos are digital, which makes keeping a photo album strangely difficult. Isn't that odd? Photos are more common than ever, but if you don't have your phone with you then how do you show them off? Sure, you could print them off--though you require either going to the store or a specialized printer to do so--or you could get one of those digital photo frames (funny things, which hold many hundreds of images and can cycle through them).

My parents, circa 1981. Shouldn't this be in an album?

I love the ease of photos now, but also sigh with sadness at the loss of picture albums. Some of my favorite memories are sitting on the couch, flipping through photos, and listening to stories about each image. Families get to know each other through photos, and somehow that's being lost. Maybe now it's become an art form--such as scrapbooks--and special attention is given to them? I don't think so. We are so determined to snap thousands of images that we scarcely consider how to present them to others. It's tough to match the wonder of a picture held in your hands, with the date and location scrawled on the back for timely reference.

Funny how nostalgia bleeds throughout your life. I find myself pining for simpler days very frequently anymore. Perhaps I'm getting old ... I prefer to think I'm growing wiser ... or senile. Memory and emotion floods me when I look at old pictures. Also, physical photos don't require electricity to display, won't be deleted accidentally (unless you're very inattentive), and can be restored to their original luster with care. See? There's lots of good reasons to have a photo album! Go out and make one today.

- M

Time for a fair ... state fair that is.

I love state fairs. When I was a kid, we would trudge down, spend far too much on tasty pastries, and enjoy a free concert or two. One of my very special memories is enjoying a concert from a man of many voices. He pretended to shoot the rafters with a six shooter, rolled wooden doorknobs down the stairs, did a fantastic impression of a locomotive, and entertained with his hilarious stories throughout. Apparently he was the sound effects for the Disney movie, "20,000 Leagues Under the Sea" (storm sounds, wind noises, and lightning, etc.).

image credit

Depending on my mood, I'll either enjoy the games or become very frustrated. Usually I won't play them anymore ... not because they're rigged (they aren't cheating exactly, but are still insanely difficult to actually win). Mostly, I enjoy watching the people interacting with others. Also, there's lots of shopping to do, and even I can find interesting things and trinkets. It's a good thing I don't bring much money, because I could spend a lot on stuff I don't actually need--that goes for the fried butter and funnel cakes too.

My wife is entering her quilts into the fair, so I'll surely go see those. It's neat to see how she has grown in confidence, and isn't afraid to put her work out there for others to critique. Takes a lot of guts to do that. If you've ever gone to see what people enter, it's absolutely stunning to see the variety of arts represented, and the wide variety of talent. Last year we could have spent several days just looking at the arts and crafts section, but there's also food, beverages, collections, and on and on and on. Whatever you enjoy, I'm sure you'll find it at the fair.

If you can, I urge everyone to attend your state fair. It's all good fun! Did I mention all the rides and other fun? ...

- M

Who are you? Let the character introductions begin!

When it comes to movie character introductions, it's really hard to beat the way Indiana Jones is brought into the light. "Raiders of the Lost Ark" is perfect in this, and deserves to be studied. We are given the setting in establishing shots that tell a story of ancient, forgotten, civilizations. Then, there is an attempt at mutiny, and Indiana's trademark whip lashes out to disarm the ruffian. Only then does our hero show himself, with a shadow-into-sunlight face shot. It's instantly memorable. There's a rapid trap-laden treasure run, followed immediately by the reveal of the villain--who promptly takes the treasure from Indy.

I've noticed an alarming lack of introduction in many modern stories. One tactic is doing an interview (like in "Iron Man" or "San Andreas"), and it cheapens the effect. The last thing a story needs is forgettable main characters. In Tolkien's book, "The Hobbit," we're given a lot of information about hobbits and their comfortable existence, then directly shown Bilbo who is the paramount hobbit. Readers fall in love Bilbo immediately, because we understand him.

Sure, there's no rules about how to do anything regarding stories, but there are methods which work and ones which normally don't. I have no problem going against the grain, only make sure there's a reason to do it and not just because it's unusual. Fortunately, there's a huge number of fine examples to study. Pick one and let it be your guide.

- M

Beautifully dangerous animals.

There are a lot of stunningly gorgeous animals in the world, some yet to be discovered I'm sure. When I was a kid, I loved sharks and dinosaurs. I learned all I could about them. That led to a lifelong desire to understand nature. Did you know there are gorgeous frogs--poison dart frogs--with incredible colorations, and are so deadly that you can kill yourself by simply picking one up. A tiny octopus--the delightful blue-ringed octopus--can kill an adult human with a bite so fine you may not even notice. And, the platypus (my favorite creature of all time) hunts with it's eyes closed, can sense the muscle nerves twitching in shrimp, and has poison claws.

A common theme throughout nature is how bright coloring and vivid patterns are signals of a deadly kind. For we humans, it's hardly a sign of anything--aside from style and enjoyment. Interesting, right? I could only imagine how drab our world would become, if bright colored clothing was a sign of danger. We'd end up with gray and black everywhere. Yuck.

However, there are other creatures of profound beauty and mostly harmless, like peacocks, seashells, starfish, unicorns and rainbows. Once you understand the threat, you can easily enjoy the beauty. Yes, even sharks and dinosaurs. Wild animals are not to be toyed with, but there's nothing wrong with watching and savoring. Go out and enjoy nature!

- M

Happy Labor Day!

So, in celebration of Labor Day, we take a day off and work at home ... strange, but that's what we do. Oh, that and watch lots of sports and eat chips and salsa. It's all in good fun. Enjoy your day, you've probably earned it ... hopefully.

Happy Labor Day

- M

p.s. On a much more somber note, please pray for Texas and the major disaster that has befallen them. They can use whatever aid you can send.