Studied, you guessed it, Spanish!

It’s all about cumulative effort.

I think this is a high score in Clozemaster.

Cloze refers to learning words in context.

I had a fun and productive meeting with Jon Paul who served as our treasurer for nearly two decades at Whirlwind Missions.

We handled some financial things (namely our Christmas bonus!) and I sat in on a conversation with Paychex to have a smooth transition as he retires from the treasurer position. He’ll still serve as a Board Member.

We also had a tasty lunch!

My new thing is to make “Old Year Resolutions.” Why wait? See what worked and do more of that! So I’m starting to set up regular meetings with people that are important to me. I’ve really enjoyed my time with Carl Barrington, and I plan on expanding that strategy with other board members and close friends. What some Tim Time? Let me know! 770-490-1668.

I have three filing cabinets absolutely JAMMED with files.

At our last board meeting for Whirlwind Missions, I was told that we only have to keep files for the last seven years. So I went through all the files and put them in containers for long term storage. I’m not throwing anything away, but I freed up 1/3 of my file cabinet space. Amen!

Went by the office to pick up mail. Then went by the mission to drop off some documents for Ashley. I missed seeing them. They were at an art exhibit. I was jealous. I love that sort of thing.

Ashley is having phone problems. Hopefully, we can get it squared away tomorrow. I have the plumber coming over to work on the handle for a faucet on our kitchen sink. After that, I’ll be focused on Ashley and her comms.

School is pretty much out for the holidays. We are looking forward to our Christmas party! ESL Classes will resume next year. Everyone is pretty busy with family stuff now.

On the way home, I stopped by QT for some ice-cream. Been a long time since I’ve done that. I saw this little piece of art on the ground.

I put this piece of art in my mouth!

Then I saw this.

I believe it is the world’s oldest religious symbol.

I got home and realized I must have dropped my hat. Bahd luck. I have a couple of secondary hats. We’ll see how they work. Rare for me to do something like that.

Enjoyed playing God of War. Incredible art. Pretty hard game.

Admin duties now and more study.

I worked on memorizing “Do not go gentle into that good night” by Dylan Thomas today. I have it “roughed in.” That means I know it pretty close, but now have to work on it being fluid and every word right. It actually took an emotional toll on me as I practiced it.

Do not go gentle into that good night.
Old age should burn and rave at close of day.
Rage, rage against the dying of the light

Though wise men at the close of day know dark is right
Because their words had forked no lightning
They do not go gentle into that good night.

Good men, the last wave by, crying how bright
Their frail deeds might have danced in the green bay,
Rage, rage against the dying of the light.

Wild man who caught and sang the sun in flight,
And learn too late, they grieved along it’s way
Do not go gentle into that good night.

Grave men, near death, who see with blinding sight
Blind eyes could blaze like meteors and be gay,
Rage, rage against the dying of the light.

And you, my father, there on that sad height,
Curse, bless me now with your fierce tears, I pray
Do not go gentle into that good night.
Rage, rage against the dying of the light.

I just checked it over and got it about 95% correct. Yeah, brain!

It’s a wonderful piece.

This year I’ve memorized “Tiger, Tiger” and “Did those feet walk?” (which is also a song) by William Blake, “Ozymandius” by Percy Shelley, “Jabberwocky” by Lewis Carrol and “Do not go gentle into that good night” by Dylan Thomas. And bits and pieces of other poems from Lord Byron and others.

I’ve also mastered lots of scripture including all of 1 Chronicles 29:10-13 in Hebrew! That was the hardest by far.

It’s a fun hobby. I spend about thirty minutes every day quoting it all.

Perhaps my favorite to perform is “Jabberwocky.” I go into full “interp” mode when I do it. Did you know I won the Chloe Armstrong Award at Baylor for best interpreter of poetry? My overwhelming humility keeps me from going on and on about how good I am at it.

I see myself doing more Dylan Thomas in the future. Did you know Bob Dylan took his name from his?