Snakes

It's that time of year again. Time for the snake pictures to hit my Facebook feed. In the words of Indiana Jones: 

"Snakes...why'd it have to be snakes!" 

Much Iike Indiana, I HATE snakes. I have an unreasoning terror of even those that are harmless. I can't bear to see them on the TV or the movie screen, and I don't even like to look at pictures of them. 

Trying to hide all the pictures from my Facebook feed without having to really look at them is quite a feat. I wish Facebook had an extension of some kind to automatically change pictures of snakes to say, puppies or kittens. 

Until then, I will just have to hit the little ... in the upper right-hand corner of the post and hide it as fast as I can. 

Is it true that there are no snakes in Ireland?

Maybe a move is in order. 

Winning?

Lately, on Facebook, I have been seeing a lot of posts about WINNING! It is all about this CHRISTIAN movie, BEATING another fine movie at the box office. Don't get me wrong, I am a Christian. But, this just does not seem to be a "Christian" attitude to me. Personally, I am happy when any movie that I can take children to does well!

Or the "my particular denomination is superior to YOUR denomination." As far as I can tell, Jesus was not a member of any particular church. I wonder what He would think of some Christians claiming superiority over other Christians? I am United Methodist, but I respect my friends of other denominations and other belief systems. 

Life is not a "zero-sum" game. It is possible to for things to be "win-win." I can be happy for my "side" and still be happy for yours (unless you happen to be an Alabama football fan!). 

Let's stop this obsession with winning and just be happy. 

Hamilton

Listening to the Broadway cast album of Hamilton (about 50 times!) I was intrigued and decided to read the Ron Chernow tome that inspired this hit musical. 

I began reading this book on July 10th, 2017. I just finished it today, March 5th, 2017. This was by no means the only book I read during this time period. I just had to take breaks from the intense story of this Founding Father periodically. 

Politics was about as nasty during those first years in our young country as it is now. Instead of social media, there were handbills and newspapers. Through these, usually under pseudonyms, political adversaries attacked each other with creativity and gusto. Today's politicians could certainly take lessons on how to insult with aplomb. 

Hamilton was far from perfect. I think we tend to idolize our Founding Fathers to an unrealistic degree. Hamilton was deeply flawed but equally brilliant. 

The part of the book that interested me the most were the chapters about the time leading up to the duel that ended Hamilton's life at the too early age of 49. This was no spur of the moment, in the heat of passion affair. There were weeks between the challenge and the actual duel. It was enlightening to see the difference between the way Hamilton dealt with his time as opposed the way Aaron Burr did. 

Hamilton was well worth the read. I recommend taking it in sections while having lighter fare to turn to when a break is needed.