00012 · West Fork of the Upper Des Moines River
When my dad was around 19 years old, he wrote a story about the Des Moines River flowing through our hometown of Windom, Minnesota.
The story was from the point of view of the river, describing the land turn from wild to farm to city and back to wild again. The river shared its observations on the comings and goings of the people in the town and country, as the water and story progressed through their lives.
00002 · The Great Commandment
The Bible is so fricking complicated and contradictory it drives me crazy. I am constantly aware of how I and others cherry-pick verses that suit their needs.
We lift up verses and themes that bolster our current personal and institutional survival situation. We ignore obvious calls to change. We weaponize spiritual writings as tools of shame and power.
So grant me a bit of hypocrisy as I cherry pick a Bible verse.
“He said to him, “ ‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the greatest and first commandment. And a second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets.” — Matthew 22:37-40 (NRSVUE)
00001 · Electrolytes
Our bodies are meant to contain the same saline and rich liquids as the seas from which we came. Our brains need salty synapses for maximum electric efficiency to fully comprehend this short life we get to live.
Why are they called electrolytes? Because they carry an electric charge! Without those minerals, you’re simply less sparky. Your muscles and brain are running cranky, like an engine low on oil.