Posted in seasons

Fall in Florida

Posted on by William Douthwaite

There’s no panorama of yellow, orange, red leaves. There is no chill in the air. Beaches don’t close. Trees don’t drop their leaves. It’s still too humid to leave the windows open.

It’s fall in Florida.

I’ve gotten used to it these last thirty years. People put pumpkins imported from northern places by the front door. Scarecrows stand watch over manicured lawns rather than fields ready for harvest. Pumpkin spice candles fill the house with autumnal smells. Pumpkin spice beverages keep baristas busy.

But it’s all manufactured to make it feel like fall. The pumpkins will quickly melt into a pool of orange goo. Air conditioners still run, keeping the outside humidity at bay. Palm trees will look as they did last month, last year. Pine needles will blow across the lawn, but there’s plenty more where they came from.

A few things have changed in Florida as we approach the end of October.

  • I don’t have to cut the lawn every five or six days. It’s as if someone flipped the switch and the grass growth slowed.
  • The days are shorter. Sunrise comes later, sunset earlier.
  • It’s election season, so campaign signs pop up at intersections like fast-growing weeds. I don’t recognize the names. But I’ll need to choose some in a week or two.
  • Families who live up north in the spring and summer begin showing up in Florida as northern temperatures drop. There more traffic and longer lines.
  • The annual property tax bill arrives by mail. It’s not due until the end of March, but I can save money if I pay it earlier.
  • I don’t have to apply as much sunblock as I did in the summer.

I’m sure there’s more signs of fall in Florida. I’ll add more as I think of them. Much different than up north, but a nice season nonetheless.

Posted in church, Through the Bible Devotions

Small, medium, and large

Posted on by William Douthwaite

Now I am about to build a temple for the Name of the Lord my God…The temple I am going to build will be great, because our God is greater than all other gods…the temple I build must be large and magnificent” (2 Chronicles 2:4, 5, 9).

Those are King Solomon’s words to Hiram, the king of Tyre. Hiram is like the manager of the biblical Home Depot, supplying all kinds of wood and contractors for the work.

The words that caught my attention this time around were “large” and “magnificent.” I’ve worshiped in some really small, simple chapels. I’ve also been in some beautiful, expansive sanctuaries that took my breath away. I’ve worshiped in spaces that had no windows but lots of stage lighting. I’ve preached in windowed churches where the sunlight blinded me for a few minutes as it moved across the sky.

Even Solomon acknowledges you can’t put God in a box. So why even try? Why build a place at all? Why a big, medium, or small worship space?

Every worship building, from tabernacle to temple to cathedral is a reminder of God’s presence, power, and protection. God doesn’t need a place. But we need to remember that he has come to dwell with us. And every building is a space that illustrates that truth.

Posted in mathematics

Math and donuts pair well

Posted on by William Douthwaite

When my daughter asked me to teach homeschool math to two of my grandsons, I said, “Yes!”

For our first session this school year, I decided I would set the tone with donuts. Who doesn’t like donuts? I do. They do. A win-win.

In preparation for the first week, I found a six pack of Entenmann’s donuts for about ten dollars. Pricey, especially if this was going to be weekly.

Second week, store brand chocolate frosted donuts. Yummy and only $3.49. Now we’re talking.

Third week felt like a bonus week. I picked up a half-dozen donuts for about $15 at a gourmet donut shop. They better be good! They were.

I’ve settled into grocery store donuts. The popular flavor is chocolate. I can live with that. I love chocolate donuts too!

Pre-algebra, measurements, exponents? Finally I get to use my math degree!

Posted in Through the Bible Devotions, worship

Let’s make some noise

Posted on by William Douthwaite
White-robed musicians playing trumpets in a temple courtyard
Rows of white-robed musicians sound silver trumpets before an imposing stone temple.

The temple’s built and furnished. They’re bringing in the ark. And it’s getting loud.

One hundred priests are blowing trumpets (2 Chronicles 5:12). Levites are singing and making worship noise with cymbals, harps, and lyres. There is so much divine smoke in the temple that not even the priests can enter.

Now that’s a worship service, right?

Not everywhere. Some people insist on quiet. Silence. No interruptions. Meditative. Contemplative.

Crying babies? Chatting friends? Youth group bake sales? Friends catching up with each other?

Just shut up, already. I’m trying to worship!

When did worship become quiet and reserved?

I guest-preached last month where the congregation was vocal. Plenty of “Amen” and “Yes” and laughter and nods. How refreshing! How invigorating! When I’m preaching I can feed off that. It’s so much better than stiff-faced, unemotional faces looking back at me.

Babies in worship? I hope so! I want to hear young voices in the room. I want families together in church, the more generations the better.

Let’s make some noise!

Posted in Travel

Home sweet home

Posted on by William Douthwaite
Cozy armchair by window with coffee mug labeled HOME, book, candle, and mountain view
A warm reading nook invites quiet relaxation beside a mountain sunset.

The Airbnb was nice. Really nice. It was located in a quiet northwest corner of Columbus, Indiana. Three bedrooms, two bathrooms, two big TVs, well-equipped kitchen, nearby walking trails, and a bonus room over the garage. The best feature was he outdoor fireplace, a perfect spot to sit on a cool night with a glass of wine and perhaps a few marshmallows to toast for s’mores.

It wasn’t till I got home that I realized what I missed.

Comfortable places to sit. All three sofas were nice, but they were deep. So deep that I couldn’t really sit without a pillow behind my back. I needed to sit on a pillow to make the folding chair tall enough to sit at a desk for writing. I felt like I was sitting really low out by the fireplace. Back home, I really appreciated our love seats where I could put my feet up and indoor and outdoor tables where I comfortably sit to read and write. The irony: lots of place to sit, but nowhere I wanted to sit.

Lighting. As in most Airbnbs, there was only harsh overhead lighting, and no dimmers. Two settings: daylight or midnight. I moved the one lamp around from bedside to the desk and back. I’m sure too many lamps have either walked off or been damaged, so I understand the scarcity. I just appreciate the subtle lighting of home.

My favorite coffee mug. I know that sounds silly. But morning coffee or tea is a daily ritual, and the heavy, white ceramic mug I use each day is anchoring. Airbnbs usually have an interesting collection of scenic, tall, and large coffee mugs, plus a few small cups. They just don’t feel right in my hand. I can adapt for a day or two. But it’s unsettling.

So when I get up in the morning, turn on a table lamp, and sit with a mug of coffee, I know I’m home.

Posted in advent, Christmas, nativity

True story. Fake product.

Posted on by William Douthwaite

Last Christmas, we found a wonderful advent calendar from Story of This Life. It was called “The Rescuer” and featured thirty plastic figures in twenty-five wooden drawers along with a book to share the narrative of Christ’s birth.

Priced at only $35 each, we purchased three through a Facebook link. What a wonderful gift for our three children and all the grandkids.

Weeks passed. No delivery. Finally, a few days after Christmas, they arrived.

The figurines look legit, but the “wooden” drawers are made from cardboard. And there’s no book to explain the characters. Plus, no way to return them.

A few weeks ago I found the three boxes, and decided to list them for sale. When I looked for comparable prices, I discovered that scammers sold tons of counterfeit “Rescuer” nativities last year. The real item was priced at $249.99!

I listed them for sale anyway. And I was honest: this isn’t the real thing. But the characters are fun and I’ll pay the shipping. I just wanted to find a good home for them. Here’s the link: https://ebay.io/m/HELmzT

I re-learned a few things. Go to a legit website instead of buying something from a social media link. Do a little comparison shopping. Read reviews. Lots of reviews.

Posted in death, Through the Bible Devotions

I’m glad they’re gone

Posted on by William Douthwaite

“[Jehoram] was thirty-two years old when he began to reign, and he reigned eight years in Jerusalem. And he departed with no one’s regret” (2 Chronicles 21:20).

“So all the people of the land rejoiced, and the city was quiet after Athaliah had been put to death with the sword” (2 Chronicles 23:21).

When’s the last time you went to a funeral where the attendees were glad the deceased was gone?

I’ve been to a few. No one said it, but I know it was on their mind.

Now to be fair, the circumstances have a lot to do with how we feel. The deceased may be a loved one who endured a lot of pain. It’s okay to be glad their suffering is over.

Maybe they required a lot of end-of-life care. Even though it’s a blessing to care for a loved one, it’s hard work. It’s okay to be relieved that your shift is over.

I imagine some look forward to an inheritance, so a death is good news for them.

You might even believe a person’s death is what they deserve. Did they commit a heinous crime? Did they leave behind a trail of failed relationships? Just be honest. You’re not going to miss them at all.

Few people are honest at funerals. Folks speak kindly of those they couldn’t stand when they were alive. Every corpse was give-the-shirt-off-their-back generous. We pretend to celebrate life so we don’t have to grieve death.

I know the above sounds insensitive, so I’ll close with something positive. If the person who died was a believer, they are now with the Lord. Isn’t that good news? Absolutely! They’ve fought the good fight and finished the race. They’ve crossed the finish line! And I’m glad.

Posted in tourism, Travel

Fall? Yes. Festival? Not so much.

Posted on by William Douthwaite
How to Visit Brown County State Park, Indiana's 'Little Smokies'

A fall festival in Brown County State Park? Yes! Images of vendor booths, local music, apple cider, and pumpkin-flavored donuts filled my mind. After hiking a trail or two to enjoy the near-peak yellow and orange foliage, we’d stop by to enjoy the tastes, smells, and sights of southern Indiana in the fall.

Upon entering the park, we saw no signs directing us to the festival. Uh-oh. Was this the wrong weekend? I double-checked. This was the right day. Where were the lines of people waiting to get in? Where was the parking lot teeming with cars?

I had to ask Google. It was centered at the Nature Center, in the heart of the park. I headed down the road, certain I’d hear and smell it long before I arrived.

The park features a wonderful nature center, featuring displays about county history, what plants and animals to see, and geological formations. A few turtles posed for pictures.

Where were the booths? Where was the food? I didn’t hear any music.

Everything must be around back. I wandered around the path only to encounter a wedding on a back deck. A chilly wedding party was posing for pictures above a scenic overlook.

But no festival.

I headed the other way and discovered a marker board listing fall festival activities. They included a birds of prey presentation at the pavilion, pumpkin carving judging, and an evening flashlight hike and campfire. Twelve pumpkins sat on a table competing for the prize.

That was it.

No food trucks. No music. No vendors. No crafts. No photo spots. No people. Nothing. Just a sign proclaiming “Fall Festival.”

In Florida, we import all the makings of a fall festival. From pumpkins to leaves to apples to cider, it’s all from out of state. I expected to find all that and more in a place where fall happens full force with the onset of shorter days and cooler weather.

I have to admit the park was beautiful and the weather autumnal. Just no hot cider. Or apples. Or hay rides. Boo.

Posted in fraud

Almost scammed

Posted on by William Douthwaite

Since we scaled back our home-based cookie business, I’ve been trying to sell our Eddie edible ink printer. It’s an investment, but it prints amazing images on royal iced sugar cookies.

I listed it on a dedicated message board as well as a local online marketplace. I’ve sold lots of items there, just nothing this expensive.

Over the next few weeks, I got lowball offers which I rejected. I was offering a great price, so I wasn’t coming down much.

Then we got a phone call from a woman in Boise, Idaho. She asked if we had recently sold an edible ink printer. She saw our business information in a picture the equipment and tracked us down. A person in Eau Claire, Wisconsin had copied my photos and created a fake listing on Craigslist. If she had sent the money, it would be gone and she’d have no printer. She was wise to check it out.

Everything I sell is for local pickup. And it’s been working well. I list items, someone stops by with cash or sends money via Venmo and takes it home. But I hadn’t tried to sell any high priced items. Ten to twenty bucks at the most.

I wouldn’t try and box up the printer for shipping. I hadn’t kept any of the original packaging. Plus, it would be expensive.

I found the listing on Craigslist and reported the fraud. It was creepy. I felt violated. Craigslist is like the wild west of online shopping, rife with scams and lies. I wasn’t surprised that it showed up here. I was just surprised to find my item here.

No one is going to mess with a ten dollar bin of baby toys or Mr. Potato Head parts. But you get into the thousands of dollars and you better watch your back.