Second Thoughts – Facebook Famous

Greetings Dear Reader,

Sometimes I will end the day with thoughts that are important to get out.  Usually I just write them and put them in my journal folder.  I have chosen that on occasion I will share them with you Dear Reader.

I saw a picture on my Facebook feed this week.  It was an adorable elderly lady holding a sign that read “I am 102 years old today.  Can I get Facebook Famous?”  I applaud her reaching my goal.   In fact, my goal is 102 years, six months, and twenty days.  That, however, is another story.

What troubles me here is the whole idea of being “Facebook Famous”.  Fame is one of those things that I see as attached to accomplishment.   I do not desire fame.  This is why I use a pen name.  Even if I become a bestselling author my desire is not to be known but to be lost in crowds. 

The idea of being Facebook Famous seems so fleeting.  It seems so unimportant.  What matters is what we do and not who sees it.  What is vital is that we accomplish things and not that we are famous for them.  We make celebrities out of those who are not deserving of celebration. 

Do not get me wrong.  I am impressed by the guy who can eat 72 hotdogs.  In the grand scheme of what matters, however, this does not matter.  I think it is great that the champion pumpkin pie eater can eat 46 pieces of pie.  This will not matter when we account for the good we did in the world. 

So tell me Dear Reader, what matters when it comes to fame.   I feel that like so many other things fame has lost its value as it is propagated throughout the world without merit.  I do not begrudge anyone recognition.  I just do not want recognition and acknowledgment to replace true earned fame and honor.

Wishing you joy in the journey,

Aramis Thorn

Mat 13:52 So Jesus said to them, "That is why every writer who has become a disciple of Christ’s rule of the universe is like a home owner. He liberally hands out new and old things from his great treasure store.”

(͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)

Second Thoughts – Crema Cafe

Greetings Dear Reader,

Sometimes I will end the day with thoughts that are important to get out.  Usually I just write them and put them in my journal folder.  I have chosen that on occasion I will share them with you Dear Reader.

Crema Café is a simple but by no means simplistic eatery on Madison’s East Side.  Literally a scone’s throw from lake Monona it is almost hidden by the small strip mall in which it resides.  It is, however, worth finding.

I love trying new diners and cafés.  I did not venture to this one accidentally.  A former student works here and we wanted to reconnect.  I brought my Daughter for a Sunday brunch a few weeks ago.  I was pleased to see my student again but was also surprised by the reasonably priced high quality fare.

I chose the Killer Scramble (smoked salmon, sautéed leeks, local goat cheese, 3 eggs w/ toast and petite salad).   I did not inquire as to whether the actual goat or its cheese was local.  I was too taken by the excellent portion and quality balance of the food.  Smoked salmon can overpower a dish but not in this case.  It was rich and sweet to a perfect complement of the goat cheese.  The leeks were properly sautéed and rendered their flavor to harmonize with the dish, 

My Daughter chose the Breakfast Sandwich (Fried egg, local smoked bacon, cheddar-herb cream cheese, and frisée on ciabatta).  Her palate is much harder to please than mine but she found it wonderful.  She liked it enough that she had the same thing on our second visit.

The atmosphere is relaxed.  They offer sidewalk seating when the weather allows.  Tea and coffee are abundant in quantity and variety.  The staff is friendly and energetic.  It is very busy on weekend mornings but I also chose to linger whilst writing on a weekday.  It was made clear that I could sit as long as I wished.  

I urge you to try this hidden gem. 

Wishing you joy in the journey,

Aramis Thorn

Mat 13:52 So Jesus said to them, "That is why every writer who has become a disciple of Christ’s rule of the universe is like a home owner. He liberally hands out new and old things from his great treasure store.”

(͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)

Second Thoughts – What to Hoard in a Storm

Greetings Dear Reader,

Sometimes I will end the day with thoughts that are important to get out.  Usually I just write them and put them in my journal folder.  I have chosen that on occasion I will share them with you Dear Reader.

Whilst the East Coast is in the throes of a record setting winter storm I have been entertained by watching my Southern friends and family respond to the event.  I have seen pictures posted of the snow and the jokes about “running to the store for bread and milk.”  Also in demand when expecting snow can be eggs and toilet paper. 

This reminds me of a winter ice storm in Atlanta when I was much younger.  We lost power and heat.  We spent almost a week with a friend who had both.  I remember we brought bread and milk with us.  We had some excellent French toast.   The current situation makes me wonder what one hoards during other types of extreme weather.

One of the highway warning sings call for LIZARD conditions.  My friend Robin was curious about this so I suggested she needed to run to the store for onions and prune juice.  I have seen it rain frogs when I lived in Florida. Perhaps this is similar. Of course if it rains frogs you need to buy pears and kefir.

For tornado shelters one primarily needs to stock up on good snacks and digital entertainment.  A weather radio might be a good idea too.  I am not sure there is a proper prescription for tidal waves other than RUN.  Another aspect of storm hoarding is taking on enough salt or plywood as the weather condition proscribes.

In hurricanes they suggest stocking up on fresh water.  I prefer large quantities of the following whilst riding out a tropical storm:

Vodka

Grenadine syrup

Gin

Light rum

151 rum

Amaretto almond liqueur

Triple sec

Grapefruit juice

Pineapple juice

Volcano eruptions provide the opportunity for many kinds of weather all at once.  I do recommend observing them from a safe distance, in a shelter, on a video feed.  Hot lava and ashes tend to mess up the hair.  You may hoard whatever piques one’s fancy.

Whatever your weather challenge it is “your” weather challenge.  I care that you are besieged by a storm.  I promise not to mock you for buying bread or prune juice.  I will offer this.  God never gets the weather wrong.  Ride it out and enjoy the change.  Stay safe and do not give in to the temptation to do stupid things.  Snow is always beautiful to me even when it is in my way.

Let it Snow – Dean Martin

Oh, the weather outside is frightful

But the fire is so delightful

And since we’ve no place to go

Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow

It doesn’t show signs of stopping

And I’ve bought some corn for popping

The lights are turned way down low

Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow

When we finally kiss goodnight

How I’ll hate going out in the storm

But if you’ll really hold me tight

All the way home I’ll be warm

The fire is slowly dying

And my dear, we’re still good-bying

As long as you love me so

Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow

When we finally kiss goodnight

How I’ll hate going out in the storm

But if you’ll really hold me tight

All the way home I’ll be warm

The fire is slowly dying

And my dear, we’re still good-bying

As long as you love me so

Let it snow (let it snow)

Let it snow (let it snow)

Let it snow (let it snow)

Wishing you joy in the journey,

Aramis Thorn

Mat 13:52 So Jesus said to them, "That is why every writer who has become a disciple of Christ’s rule of the universe is like a home owner. He liberally hands out new and old things from his great treasure store.”

(͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)