Here’s a super easy Christmas cocktial I enjoyed last week: I poured an ounce of bourbon: Then added some apple cider and ice: Then my wife prettied the drink up with her fingers (and some cranberries and rosemary): And a final festive picture:
Author: Rob
It’s the holiday season
The Christmas massacre at work . . . all this in one day: It’s no wonder the average male has gained 30+ pounds from his 1960s weight of 166 pounds. The average women in 1960 weighed 140 pounds: Now:
When you can be the victim . . . don’t!
Two quick thoughts today (both related to Dan Crenshaw*): One In a widely-denounced skit on SNL, SNL actor Pete Davidson recently made fun of Congressman-elect Dan Crenshaw for the patch he wears over his eye from an IED explosion in Afghanistan. Crenshaw, age 34, got blown up in 2012—the summer following my last summer in Afghanistan. In this piece, Crenshaw writes that, while he agrees with the criticism levied at Davidson: “I also could not help but note that this was another chapter in a phenomenon that has taken complete control of the national discourse: outrage culture. It seems like every not-so-carefully-worded public misstep must be punished to the fullest extent, replete with soapbox lectures and demands for apologies. Anyone who doesn’t show the expected level of outrage will be labeled a coward or an apologist for bad behavior. I get the feeling that regular, hard-working, generally unoffended Americans sigh with exhaustion — daily. Was I really outraged by SNL? Really offended? Or did I just think the comment about losing my eye was offensive? There is a difference, after all. I have been literally shot at before, and I wasn’t outraged. Why start now?” More: “So I didn’t demand…Continue reading When you can be the victim . . . don’t!
One hundred years later: World War One
One hundred years ago yesterday, “on the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month,” World War I ended. Like most history-lovers, I grew up deeply entrenched in World War II and Civil War history. The American War of Independence would be the next most likely war I studied, followed by Vietnam. Forgotten? World War I. probably spent less time learning about this war because of the small scale of U.S. involvement compared to the European nations. I also think the war’s nature—trench warfare with very little maneuver—captures the burgeoning platoon commander’s attention far less than the maneuver warfare and gallantry of the American Civil War and World War II. In the last few years I have been trying to beef-up my historical study of topics I don’t know much about—Napoleon, MacArthur, and, sadly for a former Marine Corps officer, the Pacific Theater of World War II. World War I was brutal. Orders to the front line were a near-death sentence. It’s a day after the anniversary, and I hope you took a moment to remember the millions of men who died or were injured in the “war to end all wars.” If you find yourself without a…Continue reading One hundred years later: World War One
“Nones”
So the fastest growing “religion” in Minnesota and the country is “Nones,” the Star Tribune reports. In reading this article, I was struck by the interviewees’ infantile understandings of religion and Faith. L.P. said that “[she] can’t imagine that only one religion has access to the pearly gates,” said Lisa Pool, explaining her church breakup after class ended. “I realized there are all kinds of different paths to being a good person.” [Let’s ignore L.P.’s probably snide reference to “the pearly gates” and analyze her thoughts. First, L.P. does not understand that the goal of life is not to “be a good person.” The goal of life is to glorify God and reach salvation. And if the goal of life was to be a Good Person™, L.P. must admit that either (i) there is no definition of “Good,” so each person (Hitler) is good if he acts in accordance with what he believes is good or (ii) there is an objective reality stemming from some universal truths indelibly written on the heart of each human. Second, L.P. alludes to the oft-cited complaint with religions that they each deny that other faiths provide a path to salvation. But L.P. is wrong: for example, the Catholic Catechism…Continue reading “Nones”
The fire burns on–Charlie Daniels at 82
Charlie Daniels turned 82 yesterday. Last week he penned a nice letter about his life at 82. I think you should read it: October 28, 2018, God willing, I will turn 82 years old. What are you supposed to be doing and how are you supposed to act when you’re 82? Should there be an added degree of sophistication, a thicker veneer of dignity, with most of your attention aimed toward the weightier things of life? Or maybe sit in a rocking chair and regale anybody who will listen with tales of “the good ol’ days”? Or maybe spend your days in a bass rig or on a golf course or indulging in some sedentary hobby? Or just sleep late and learn to name the players and identify with the ongoing tragedies in the lives of soap opera characters? Well, to those who choose to spend their golden years in such pursuits, as they say “down unda,” “Good on ya, mate,” hats off, kudos, well wishes and bon voyage on your chosen method of cruising into the sunset. But as for me, I look at my next year of life as another journey through the competition, hassle, hustle bustle,…Continue reading The fire burns on–Charlie Daniels at 82
Prayer for ordering your life wisely
Heard about this on the Pints With Aquinas podcast episode 125. The poet priest Father Paul Murray offered a new translation St. Thomas Aquinas’ daily prayer for ordering his life wisely: Grant me, O merciful God, to desire eagerly, to investigate prudently, to acknowledge sincerely, and to fulfill perfectly those things that are pleasing to Thee, for the praise and glory of Thy holy Name. O my God, order my life, and grant that I may know what Thou wilt have me to do; and grant that I may fulfill it as is fitting and profitable to my soul. Grant me, O Lord my God, the grace that I may not falter either in prosperity or adversity. May I not be unduly lifted up by the one, nor unduly cast down by the other. Let me neither rejoice nor grieve at anything, save what either leads to Thee or leads away from Thee. Let me not desire to please anyone nor fear to displease anyone save only Thee. Let all things transitory seem vile in my eyes, and all things eternal be dear to me. Let me tire of that joy which is without Thee and to desire nothing that…Continue reading Prayer for ordering your life wisely
It’s happening…
I think it is happening. After years and years of losing and coming back for the next whipping, it seems like the conservatives in the United States are waking up. Look at them: Look at the fighters: Recently, a moderately liberal friend reached out to me. He’s converted, in large part because of Trump and finally seeing liberal hysteria for what it is. He told me that more than a true belief in conservative ideas, he just hates the Left. Here’s what I told him: Strange times we live in. I’ve been saying that the Left has been at war with America for years, and now–when this idea seems to be going mainstream more than ever–I am actually more sure we will prevail than ever…why? Because we have truth, beauty, and justice on our side. And no matter how many times we hear up is down and wrong is right, Truth by its nature cannot be perverted permanently. And because of this… Trump is waking people up. Your instincts (destroy the Left) are understandable…but while we *should and must* destroy them, we must be sure to build up our own families, businesses, arts, religion, etc. After the conflagration (we are…Continue reading It’s happening…
The Successful Lieutenant Part Two: “Mission First”
Army Captain Christopher J. Courtney recently offered new lieutenants ten rules for success in his recent piece “The Successful Lieutenant.” This is the second part in my ten part series on his rules (here is the first). Put The Troops First. This rule is perhaps best summarized in a quotation from Field Marshal Sir William Slim. He was the commander of the British 14th Army in the Burma Campaign of World War II. I tell you as officers, that you will not eat, sleep, smoke, sit down, or lie down until your soldiers have had a chance to do these things. If you hold to this, they will follow you to the ends of the earth, if you do not, will break you in front of your regiments Quite simply, you put the needs of your troops ahead of your own with every chance you get. As a platoon leader, I had a simple rule in the field, no squad leader could eat until all of his soldiers had eaten, the platoon sergeant could not eat until all of the squad leaders had eaten, and I could not eat until the platoon sergeant had eaten. On the surface it appears a…Continue reading The Successful Lieutenant Part Two: “Mission First”
The Successful Lieutenant Part One: “Lead from the Front”
Army Captain Christopher J. Courtney offered new lieutenants ten rules for success in his recent piece “The Successful Lieutenant.” I am beginning a series on this article and will try to post my thoughts on each of Courtney’s ten rules. Here is the first: Lead From The Front. The privilege of leading U.S. Army soldiers is an honor you should not take lightly. Your first priority must be to become worthy of leading them. Lead by example every day and in everything you do, whether it is at physical training, on field exercises, or on the range. Face it, you will have to prove yourself every day as a lieutenant. Put yourself in their shoes and take a hard look at yourself. Would you follow a person with your standards? Would you follow a person with your level of tactical and technical expertise? Do not be a hypocrite. If you expect the soldiers to meet a certain standard, ensure you exceed it. Stay cool under pressure and be a calming presence in the platoon when things get stressful. Remember this when you arrive as a new platoon leader, you are like a transplanted organ. The body (platoon) either accepts or…Continue reading The Successful Lieutenant Part One: “Lead from the Front”