Author: Patrick

I'm not above jealousy. Sometimes when I see people's facebook vacation photos, I think, "Damn, I would love to be there." And then I think if I could be anywhere, where would I go?  Skiing? Scuba diving? Rock-climbing? I ran across this video a couple days ago, and I thought, I would be here, with … Continue reading Happy Enchilada

We have a funeral at the church tomorrow. It may sound strange, but it's a privilege to be with people at this point in their lives. One of the churches I served in Chicago had an interesting arrangement.  We told the local funeral home that if anyone didn't have a connection to a church, but wanted a … Continue reading Stories

Driving back to Georgia from Chicago, one gets to spend a good deal of time on I-65. Now no disrespect to those who live along this fine strip of Americana, but this road is dull as dishwater.  It's flat.  It's straight.  If Chevy Chase had fallen asleep at the wheel on this road in "Vacation," … Continue reading WTH

Lots of lists coming out this time of year.  Best movies, books, etc.  I'm adding mine. I dedicate them to my wife, as she is the inspiration for these lists. I've learned a lot from her over the last 18 years.  One of the most important gifts she has given me is her spirit.  She remains amazingly … Continue reading Lists

Yes, I'm kind of thinking about Star Wars.  People are pretty hyped up that it's premiering tonight.  Theories have been flying around for months about what is actually happening, and of course, people are concerned about the possibility that it will not be all it's supposed to be.  I really don't care. It's not that … Continue reading What if it sucks?

I never planned to make this a blog about current events. But the events that are current seem to worm their way in too often. Guns. Sometimes we say we'll pray for someone because we don't think we are capable of doing anything else.  Sometimes we say we'll pray for someone because we don't feel … Continue reading Again.

Tonight I would like to write about anything, anything other than what is actually happening in the world.  I would like to write about football, or parenting, or red coffee cups or AC/DC.  Anything other than terror and refugees. But these are the things on my mind. Three suggestions as we navigate this mess. Remember … Continue reading Remember

I don't like games on my phone.  I think they're a distraction, and many of them are downright annoying.  Besides, I do have the IMDB app, and as long as you have that, you have all the distraction you need. I do have one game on my phone.  Chess. To say I know how to play … Continue reading Check and Mate.

So, it's been interesting since my mom died last month.  In a lot of ways life has gone back to normal.  Back at work.  Kids are back in school.  Dog still barks at squirrels and people and cars and trucks and well, nothing much at all. In other ways it hasn't.  We spend a lot … Continue reading DAMN IT!

Edna Murphey had an idea.  Her father was a surgeon and was working on an antiperspirant to keep his hands dry during surgery.  Edna tried it on her armpits and realized that not only did the liquid keep her armpits dry, it also kept them from stinking.  She bottled it and shipped some of the product to … Continue reading Edna Murphey thinks you stink.