Cogitation 4, 2020 Friday 24 January It wasn't planned, but I've stopped doing Facebook for a spell. On Monday I was trying to post a Stanford University overview of the life of Martin Luther King, Jr. Somehow, I ended up in the early stages of creating a new account. Facebook wanted me to add friends. …
Author: John Bender
Hi, my name is John Bender, retired and loving it. I'm writing to help interested people cross bridges to and from the past. Stories from the past can shed light on life in the present and illuminate the future. We've got a lot of living to do. Let's do it!
‘Go church’
Cogitation 3, 2020 Saturday 18 January 2020 This week's blog differs from my usual first-draft, journal-style, review of the week. Here, I look back on my experience of church as we look forward to a new church home in the city where we moved a bit more than a year ago. The blog's plenty long. …
Quest to find home
Cogitation 2, 2020 Saturday 11 January Featured image: Sunrise. We made several trips to the City of Elkhart this week for some appointments and a few errands. It's where we lived for more than 45 years. Elkhart is only 12 miles from our new home in Goshen, though it seems like many more. We're happy …
What to say? 2020
Cogitation 1, 2020 Friday 3 January A New Year, a new decade, an old question: What's to say that hasn't been said? Personally, what I haven't said in 230 previous weekly posts? My, my. What to say? My nephew, Graham, helped me with that question some 33 years ago. I'm dipping back to the letter …
For the love of dogs
Cogitation 52 We enjoy seeing other people's dogs. We do not have a dog of our own. Once upon a time I was allergic to dogs. But, for some strange reason, the allergy took flight. For 17 years, we were owned by a cat, Miss Kitty. For the moment, we're happy to interact with other …
If only . . .
Cogitation 51 "WINTER BLEND," declares the eye-catching label on a bag of coffee beans, followed in smaller print by, "A rich and harmonious balance of sweet plum and dark chocolate notes. / Un equilibre riche et harmonieux de prune sucree et notes de chocolate noir." I'm in! The image of a bundled up, rosy-cheeked model …
I believe in the wonder
Cogitation 50, 2019 During December many families gather from near and far to celebrate the wonder. We gather to celebrate the wonder that the holidays bring. The wonder of homes decked out in holiday splendor. The wonder of secular and sacred music. The wonder of religious services. The wonder of opening presents. The wonder of …
Beyond the headlines
Cogitation #49, 2019 I read a newspaper, headlines first. Then I go through the paper again to read the items that have caught my attention. Edited well, a newspaper, or magazine, lets you quickly find what's of greatest interest to you, be that obituaries, letters, news of the day, weather, stock report, columnists, comics, weekend …
Tips for staying young
We saw this glider last Sunday from the window where we were having lunch. I hope the (young?) owner found it. Cogitation 48/2019--225th post I found a delightful editorial, "Staying young," in a New Hampshire newspaper, the Carroll County Independent & Pioneer (October 10, 2019). While perusing the national news stage filled with stories and …
Maudie, the movie / Maud, the artist
Cogitation 47/224 Friday 22 November 2019 Maud Lewis was a folk artist. The film Maudie paints Maud's life on the canvas of her relationships with family, community, husband--and art. Released in 2017. Cast of 10. On November 12, snow and cold closed Greencroft Community Center where I was scheduled to introduce the showing of Maudie …
It's About Now 