All posts by Dave Paulsen

Life is simple. Love God, neighbor, baseball, and cookies.

Always the Right Time to Help

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Yesterday, as I cleaned the garage, I noticed that the old digital clock that we use for its radio was off by one hour.

Considering that the time would “fall back” that evening, I considered just leaving the clock alone to fix it after the time change.

Somehow that didn’t seem right. It’s a clock. It should really enjoy the right time. It should be allowed to do its best.

We all need a chance. We should help others see their full potential. It often doesn’t take much, just a helping hand.

Adjusting the time, I smiled, because it made something right again and it’s always the right time for that.

Radiohead

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I had just introduced my 10-year-old son Ben to a new song and asked him what he thought. He paused. He obviously did not want to hurt my feelings.

“I don’t know how to say this, but it sounds like a modern song.”

i.e. one that I would be too old to listen to.

Well said, my young son. Now, turn it up.

PS – The song was “Rocket Fuel” by DJ Shadow, who asks the musical question, “Can you rock it like rocket fuel?”

“Corn Muffin Bites” – Salvaged Side of the Night (10/30/19)

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CORN MUFFIN BITES

“First step, turn off your brain. Second step, do whatever it takes to plate dinner. That’s all it really takes to enjoy ‘Corn Muffin Bites.’ You see, we were having chili for dinner and I was fixing corn muffins as a side. Problem is that I baked them for ten minutes too long and they turned out like blackened muffin-shaped rocks. Not willing to make another batch, I sawed off the exterior, which left yummy bite-sized corn muffins. Disaster turned delicious. Enjoy!”

1 cup Flour

1 cup Corn Meal

4 Tablespoons Sugar

1 Tablespoon Baking Powder

1/2 teaspoon Salt

2 Eggs

1 cup Milk

1/4 cup Vegetable Oil

Preheat oven to 425 degrees.

Stir together the flour, corn meal, sugar, baking powder, and salt.

Mix in the eggs, milk, and vegetable oil, until combined.

Pour the batter equally into a greased muffin tin.

Bake for 25 minutes until burned (or 15 minutes for regular muffins).

Remove from tins (if unburned top with butter).

Cut off burned portion (step unnecessary for unburned muffins).

If once burned, top with butter.

Makes 12 muffins.

Revised Source: “Corn Bread” recipe in Better Homes and Gardens “New Cookbook.’

Dark Reminder

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Three weeks ago, I ran the Twin Cities Marathon. In victory, I looked like this…

Well, I also felt great in that it was my first marathon where I finished without any blisters. Hooray!

Problem is that my left ring toe was not happy. No blisters, but the toenail went black. I mean all black. Nasty shade of black. Now, I warn you that what you will see next is a photo of my toes. Toes alone are not attractive and these are extra gross, because they show one messed up toenail. I’m sorry…

Well, there you have it. A little marathon reminder. I certainly liked the finisher’s medal more, but I am relieved that my toe has agreed not to leave the bodily union. Rather, it is hanging in there, regardless of its shade.

Rude sort of Politeness

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Strange how I get a rush by beating someone to a door, say at the Post Office, or the back of a line, say at the grocery store. Then after I have clearly won, I take great pleasure in holding the door for vanquished person to let them pass me or I offer them my superior spot in line.

I prefer to think of this as an “aggressive politeness,” rather than the simpler explanation of “jerk.”