Lately I have been trying to avoid reading, listening to or watching any of the “hard” news after I came to a realization that none of it really matters — and that I can’t change anything; it’s already history.

I feel more of a sense of calm when not buffeted by these outside forces over which I have no control. Other than while driving, I feel little sense of stress or anger.

The 4th of July continues to be the most confusing holiday in Utah — especially if it falls on a Sunday.

We’ve been barraged with firecrackers and other dog-affecting noise since Friday and it no doubt will continue well into the evening of the 5th, but there will be few official fireworks or other public celebrations of the 234th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence held today — the actual date.

The reasons are twofold:

A non-LDS friend of mine put it best in a Facebook post:

I’m celebrating the 4th on the 4th. Please don’t tell my bishop.

Mark Twain speaks through his character, “Satan”:

“In a little while you will be alone in shoreless space, to wander its limitless solitudes without friend or comrade forever–for you will remain a thought, the only existent thought, and by your nature inextinguishable, indestructible. But I, your poor servant, have revealed you to yourself and set you free. Dream other dreams, and better!
(more…)

Had lunch on Friday with an old mission buddy who I hadn’t seen in almost 25 years. He was in town for a periodic check-up following liver transplant surgery in January.

It was interesting how around the subject of my personal life he and his wife tip-toed. They asked me about work, travel, where I had lived in the last 25 years, etc.

Not once did they ask, “So, are you married?”, “Do you have any kids?”, “What callings have you held?”. It was as if they had choreographed the conversation beforehand and had determined what not to ask.

So they would not have to know.

After 90 minutes, I guess they can see I’m the same person as they once knew and will perhaps feel more at ease next time so we can talk about our lives.