Posted in dogs, neighbor, neighborhood

Picture perfect poop

Posted on by William Douthwaite

A neighbor framed his driveway with these new signs last week. On my daily walks I haven’t noticed any dog waste left behind.

Until today.

Today someone deliberately left a bag of poop right there in the driveway. It wasn’t me. I swear. But I want to thank the person who did for creating the perfect picture for me.

This does nothing to improve the neighborhood. I have this theory that these signs cause owners to make their dogs wait until they arrive at these yards.

Let’s say for the sake of argument that the camera catches my dog, big or small, making an early morning deposit on this lawn. What would happen next? Is there facial (or butt) recognition for dogs, revealing their home address? Would someone come knocking on my door with photo evidence of the crime? Could they get a canine restraining order?

These signs come and go in my immediate neighborhood. They fade, rip, deteriorate, and eventually blow away. Nature will restore balance to the world.

Sign, sign
Everywhere a sign
Blockin’ out the scenery
Breakin’ my mind
Do this, don’t do that
Can’t you read the sign? (Five Man Electrical Band 1971)

Posted in retirement, time

Four years? Already?

Posted on by William Douthwaite
Photo by Jon Tyson on Unsplash

I’ve been retired for exactly four years. My last Sunday worship service was July 17, 2022. It’s time to reflect on this chapter in my life.

First, I am not bored. I have never been bored. For all who wondered, “What will you do when you retire?” or “How do you pass the time?” let me assure you that my life is full. My life is full of the same people and experiences, as well as lots of new ones.

I had lots of extra-vocational pursuits during my career as a pastor. I practiced music (guitar and trumpet), wrote (blog posts and devotions), exercised (everything from running to weight-lifting to Crossfit), gardened, and cooked while I worked. Retirement meant more time for those things. I learned bluegrass guitar, continued to write, re-created much of the gardens and landscaping around my home, learned how to make sourdough bread and sugar cookies, and walked many neighborhood miles with a giant dog (hello Willow, the Great Dane).

My family continued to grow in size (from eight to ten grandchildren) and ability (baseball, dance, soccer, basketball, flag football, reading, and crafting). I had time to watch, cheer, and help them create. I love the privilege of grandparenting.

Church and worship were a challenge. I didn’t move away, so I was told to separate from my church for a year. Let the new pastor settle in. Don’t get in the way.

Okay. Problem is, churches of my denomination are few and far between in these parts. One just to the north. Felt mechanical and sanitary. One to the south of us. Lots of struggles.

I tried an Evangelical Free church. Good preaching. Conservative theology. Friendly people. Great fellowship with men. Before I knew it, I was engaged with a men’s bible class, a couples small group, and teaching middle school youth. I also gained a better understanding of my own faith as well as the fervent faith of other Christians.

Turmoil at my retired-from congregation led me to worship at the church just to the south of us. They were seeking a pastor, aligned with all of my beliefs, and needed some of what I had to offer. I felt much more at home here as I plugged into their mission and ministry.

Along the way, my wife encouraged me to try out an online Bible Study Fellowship group. This group of men, weekly meeting via Zoom studied the bible in-depth and developed surprisingly good online relationships. After a couple of years, I became a group leader. I’ve learned so much from the group I lead, and from the training required to be a leader.

A couple of years into retirement, my wife and I started a small business making custom iced sugar cookies. She was the artistic arm of the business while I helped with the bookkeeping, making cookie cutters, and baking. I learned a lot about accounting, 3D printing, and edible ink printing. It was challenging but not profitable, so I also learned about closing a business.

Most recently, I’ve been asked to fill in for vacationing pastors. I’ve enjoyed the Sunday morning preaching and teaching experience without much of the daily work that happens in-between weekends. I remember how much I appreciated preachers who covered for me during vacations, and I am happy to provide that for others.

Since I’ve retired, I’ve got two new dogs. One is small: a White West Highland Terrier we adopted from an older couple. One is giant: a Great Dane we picked up from a breeder west of here. Dogs bring much joy to my life.

I’ve met so many people since retirement. Some in person, some online. All have been a blessing, and have helped me become the newest, best version of me.

I think that’s a lot of what retirement has been. I’ve transitioned from a life measured by what I do to who I am. From activity to being. That’s been the best part.

I no longer say I’m busy. Instead my life is full. Full of people, places, and experiences. It’s so much better than I ever imagined it would be.

To be honest, I don’t miss it. As much as I loved pastoral ministry, preaching, and teaching, I do not miss the weekly pressure of sermon preparation, endless non-essential meetings, and impossible expectations that accompany that profession. Retirement came at just the right time for me. Burnt out? Perhaps. Time to explore a new chapter.

Without a doubt-waite. Lol.

Posted in noticing

Who’s watching?

Posted on by William Douthwaite
Photo by Quilia on Unsplash

The sky was fully blue when I saw the big dog watching the sky. She’ll often notice a low-flying hawk or a high-flying jet followed by its contrail.

This morning was different. A couple of silvery objects wandered back and forth overhead. Drones. I don’t think anyone was spying. Probably from a realtor or contractor.

But you never know. It made me wonder, “Who’s watching?”

The short answer is, “Everybody.”

Cameras watch every intersection. They watch you entering, shopping, and checking out in stores. Someone’s watching at ATMs and banks. TSA grabs a picture at security. Potential buyers “watch” your online listings, hoping you’ll drop the price.

That’s just the tech. What about the people?

After a few minutes at a car dealership, a salesperson who saw you will engage in conversation. A voice from somewhere says, “Welcome in,” as you enter a store. At restaurants, someone is watching to see if your water needs refilling. The dog is watching as you prepare food in the kitchen, knowing that something will fall to the floor. Friendly greeters watch for you to walk up the church entrance. A patrol officer is watching from a car just out of sight along the highway. Neighbors keep an eye on my house when I’m out of town.

And then there’s the children. Kids are always watching. What are you doing? What are you eating? Where are you going? Why are you doing that? Inches from your napping face they ask, “Are you asleep?”

Someone is always watching. Is it possible to disappear? Not completely. There are too many eyes out there.

Nevertheless, some feel invisible. No one notices them. No one would miss them. No one sees them. Which translates, “No one cares.”

Be the one who notices. Smile. Say, “Hello.” Ask a question. Validate someone’s presence. It only takes a second to make them feel like somebody.

Posted in morning

Another sunrise

Posted on by William Douthwaite

Every sunrise is different. Every sunrise makes me pause in wonder. Every sunrise prompts me to take a picture.

The clouds looked like a thousand little cotton balls in the sky. The sun was small but intense as it peeked over the distant trees. The dark of night surrendered to morning pinks, golds and blues.

I could tell the air was a few degrees cooler as I headed out the door. The humidity hadn’t yet arrived, a recipe for a wonderful walk.

In the early morning hours, I rarely think about the day before. I anticipate the people I’ll encounter, lunch with someone, some of things I want to get done, and always what I’m going to write about. It’s a hopeful, imaginative, and inspiring time of any day.

Posted in party

The party’s not over yet

Posted on by William Douthwaite

I passed this impressive inflatable waterslide several times over the weekend. This one is a beast, taking up an entire front yard. I think I first saw it on Friday night, the party was on Saturday, and here it is pre-dawn Sunday morning. It’s not only still inflated, but the water’s running, too.

Maybe it’s just me, but that seems like a long time to leave the power on and the water running. I always thought that you’d want to turn everything off once the party was over. At least overnight. But maybe the rental people told them to just let it stay as is.

The inflatable party rental business is huge. I see them in yards every weekend. It’s a lot of work, too. These monsters must weigh a ton, requiring delivery, set up, tear down, and removal. I’ve watched. It’s impressive. And it’s fun. Few things light up kids’ faces like a big waterslide. It gets a little rough, and sometimes someone gets hurt. Not to worry. A few minutes later, they will be right back in there.

When I checked out local rental websites, I saw some that were thirty feet tall and twenty-six feet long. Wow! It’ll set you back about $600, but you’ll all have a blast!

Posted in cookies

More sprinkles

Posted on by William Douthwaite

It’s not a celebration until the sprinkles come out!

In preparation for our nation’s semiquincentennial, the three granddaughters went all out with cookies, icing, and sprinkles. Once we baked the star and USA-shaped cookies, they got to work with red and white icing and patriotic sprinkles.

The best moment of the decorating was when one of them heaped on a 1/2-inch stack of red, white, and blue sprinkles and asked, “Is that enough?”

A cardinal rule of cookie decorating is that a cookie cannot have too many sprinkles. If you think you do, you need more. Sprinkles falling onto the floor? You must need more icing! And then more sprinkles.

Posted in neighbor, neighborhood

Shorty-short mailboxes

Posted on by William Douthwaite

Okay, this will be my last mailbox piece. At least for a while.

Today’s topic: short mailboxes.

I chuckle every time I walk by these two mailboxes. They are short. Really short. They struggle to max out a two feet. USPS indicates a height of 41 to 45 inches to the bottom.

So why have a shorty-short mailbox?

The gracious answer: the person is in a wheelchair or scooter. That’s what they can reach. Their house has lower counters and lower shelves, to accommodate their limited reach.

Or perhaps they are just short people. One doesn’t use the word midget any more. So maybe it’s a little person or person with dwarfism. For them, a mailbox like this works.

Bad installation? Maybe. Someone didn’t buy a long enough 4×4. Or got carried away pounding one into the ground. They were too lazy to change it, so they just cut it off and made it fit. Who cares? It’s mostly junk mail anyway.

It could have been a former mailbox casualty, fixed and restored. After discarding the broken pieces, this is what was left. Good enough.

I’ll try not to chuckle too much when I pass these homes. Short mailboxes have feelings, too.

Posted in neighborhood

It’s not easy being a mailbox

Posted on by William Douthwaite

It’s been a rough week for mailboxes in our neighborhood. Every morning I notice new ones that have been attacked and left for dead.

A few years ago, it looked like someone drove down the street with a baseball bat, taking out a whole row of roadside mailboxes. I’ve seen the latest rash of violence in front of random houses. Whoever it was didn’t just take a swing at the mailbox, but intentionally knocked down whole posts.

I suppose this is how some have fun late at night. I don’t know who they are, but they are bold. When most houses have doorbell cameras, someone is going to see you. You’re going to get caught.

I know most mailboxes are just plain ugly. Even brand new ones only look attractive for a few months. The Florida sun and heat quickly takes its toll.

My mailbox is intact. For now.

Posted in preaching

Too political? I hope so!

Posted on by William Douthwaite
Photo by Chase Kennedy on Unsplash

The other day, I heard about a pastor who refused to preach on topics he deemed “political.”

Really?

I’d expect his sermons to be very short since our culture has politicized everything from choosing a state insect to off-shore power generation to dog licenses. Never mind issues about beginning and end of life, marriage, immigration, and homelessness.

Plus, Jesus was political.

The angel Gabriel told Mary that her son would have the throne of his father David. If we’re talking about a king, we’re talking politics.

Jesus’s first sermon was, “Repent, for the kingdom of God is at hand” (4:17). A kingdom? We’re talking politics. By the way, John the Baptist preached the same message.

Jesus went throughout all Galilee proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom (Matthew 4:23). He sent his disciples out with the same message (10:7).

On Palm Sunday, Jesus was hailed as king as he rode into Jerusalem. He advocated paying taxes to Rome. He told governor Pilate about his kingdom. The sign over his head on the cross hailed him as the king of the Jews.

If Jesus was anything, he was political.

  • Do you want to talk to Jesus about that unborn baby? Go ahead. He knit that infant together in his mother’s womb. Give it your best shot.
  • Do you want to talk to Jesus about end-of-life pain and suffering? Go ahead. Better yet, do so while he’s dying on the cross.
  • Do you want to talk to Jesus about all the undocumented immigrants? Don’t forget he came from out of town.
  • Want to talk to Jesus about homelessness? Fine. He had no place to lay his head. Tell him all about it.

Please don’t portray Jesus as apolitical. He’s right there in the mix. You don’t have to agree with him. You don’t have to like him or his opinion. But don’t avoid the discussion.

Hey, preacher, your flock wants to know what Jesus has to say about all of these things. Don’t deny them. You don’t have to take sides. Just preach the word.