Category Archives: Living My Life

The Neurological Infrastructure of Christmas

Posted on December 28, 2013 by hessd

I’ve been thinking for the last few days about believing in Santa Claus.  You might think that “neurological infrastructure” is a little too much for a piece about Christmas, but hold that thought until you are done.  If you still feel … Continue reading →

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He Said/She Said: the Two Narratives of the Birth of Jesus

Posted on December 15, 2013 by hessd

I have known for several decades that we have two accounts of the birth of Jesus.  It had not occurred to me until yesterday that one of them (Matthew) has Joseph in the foreground and Mary in the background, while … Continue reading →

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Nelson Mandela: An Educated Man

Posted on December 7, 2013 by hessd

Most of what matters to me most about Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela, I learned from watching—over and over—Morgan Freeman’s portrayal of Mandela in the movie Invictus.[1]  But in today’s New York Times coverage (here), I learned a little more about those … Continue reading →

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Christmas, not so much any more

Posted on December 3, 2013 by hessd

  More and more, as December begins, I find I am living in a time of Advent and less and less in a time of Christmas.  As I ponder why that is, I don’t begin with the idea that this change … Continue reading →

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Was Jesus Short?

Posted on November 16, 2013 by hessd

This post is about Jesus.  Or, more exactly, our attitude toward Jesus.  Or, still more exactly, our attitude toward images of Jesus. It won’t take long to get to where I want to go, but let’s start with this question.  … Continue reading →

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What Good Health Is For

Posted on November 4, 2013 by hessd

So I’ve been thinking about getting old and what I ought to do about it. The model that has suggested itself comes from all the 10K races I have run over the years.  I should say that for me, even … Continue reading →

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Tanya Luhrmann, Halloween, and Ghost Pets

Posted on November 1, 2013 by hessd

I want to begin this consideration of paranormal experiences with the first line of the Wikipedia entry under T. M. Luhrman.[1] “Tanya Marie Luhrmann (born 1959) is an American psychological anthropologist best known for her studies of modern-day witches, charismatic … Continue reading →

Posted in Living My Life, Paying Attention, ways of knowing | Tagged , , , | 1 Comment

Still a Family

Posted on October 7, 2013 by hessd

The men in this picture are the family among whom I grew up.  Our parents died nearly thirty years ago, and we have related to each other differently since then.  We have been much closer since then.  I think there … Continue reading →

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I’m Either Sleepy or Angry

Posted on September 22, 2013 by hessd

This is an honest dilemma.  We’ll talk about what a lemma is in just a moment.  It may not be a dilemma for this particular child, whom Bette says is about 8 months old.  And even if it were a … Continue reading →

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Vengeance is His

Posted on September 3, 2013 by hessd

I have long thought that Lincoln’s second inaugural address was one of the most powerful pieces of English prose ever written.  I still think that.  But I am beginning to wonder whether I have misunderstood his message.  Here is the … Continue reading →

Posted in Living My Life, Politics | Tagged , , , | 4 Comments