I’ve decided to make this a multi-part post for several reasons: it is easier for me to write this in chunks and it will be easier (shorter) to read the post in sections, but most importantly, any discussion that comes from the ideas in these posts can be easily aimed to the relevant post instead of being jumbled together in one very large post. I am not a theologian, nor do i play one on television. In fact, one of the ways that God has gifted me is the ability to take complex ideas (theology, audio, computer, tech stuff, etc) […]
Bob Dylan – Bootleg Volume 8 – Tell Tale Signs
I realize that Bob Dylan is an acquired taste. His voice is . . . unique. None of my immediate family like him, not Jan nor either of my sons. I, however, am a fan. I have more of his music than anyone else, except perhaps Van Morrison. Bob Dylan has written some of the most meaningful and powerful songs of the past 55 years (He’ll be 74 on May 24). His work is poetry made even more impactful by being placed inside an envelope of music. Let me say one more thing about Bob Dylan’s voice: he can carry […]
Nitty Gritty Dirt Band
If you are of my age, you probably first heard bluegrass music when the theme song for The Beverly Hillbillies came on. Flatt & Scruggs played that song and it was a huge hit and popularizer of bluegrass. I also remember listening to Homer and Jethro as a kid. It was bluegrass, but it was also comedy. Roy Clark would occasionally play some bluegrass banjo on Hee Haw, but mostly, bluegrass was not very popular compared to rock or country. I first heard the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band back in the 70’s, back when you heard music either on vinyl […]
Quotations
Do you like quotations? I’ve always enjoyed them, though i’m very particular. It doesn’t matter to me how famous or well-known the author is, nor how well the quote is known. I look for quotes that impact me somehow. It may be a quote that impresses me with its wisdom, or one that is profound in its application to life. Or it could just be a quote that makes me smile. Sometimes it’s a quote that dings me; you know, it hits home and hurts a bit (or a lot). I have been collecting quotations for about the last 30 […]
Why John Loves History
Let’s start out with the elephant in the room. The way history is usually taught in school is responsible for most of us hating history. We were forced to memorize dates, names, places and events. What we should have been taught is history as stories involving people. When you learn about people, when they lived, what incredible events they participated in, that sticks with you. In fact, it becomes both fun and interesting. I was lucky. My senior year in high school, i took an elective course called Russian History. It was taught by Mr. Perretta, and we learned about the […]