There is a lot going on there, and the context of it is "the resurrection." Still, that last line makes sense to me in a profound way. God's knowledge and presence spans time and space-- and to either side of death. In that way, my dad and I still stand together in our relationship to God; we still share that as we did. And there is solace in that.
Sunday, November 30, 2025
Sunday Reflection: The first Sunday of Advent
I love Thanksgiving. I love Christmas. But I also love the season between the two, which we enter today: Advent.
It's a season some Christians blow right past in the business that precedes Christmas, but is beloved by others. The essence of it is quiet anticipation, a rare thing for many of us.
One reason that I love it is that it is a challenge to me, personally. A lot of my life is about trying to complete tasks, create change, and get things done, all of which is antithetical to waiting patiently for something I have no control over.
And that's the beauty of it. We are so often told to "be ourselves," but sometimes it is wonderfully humbling to turn that off and listen to something greater than ourselves.
Saturday, November 29, 2025
The Remix
Friday, November 28, 2025
Haiku Friday: Thanksgiving Recap
I hope that everyone had a spectacular Thanksgiving! It was quite a day here, full of family, football and food. Let's recap in haiku today; here, I will go first:
Opened the old wine
This was the moment, the time--
Waited thirty years.
Now it is your turn! Just use the 5/7/5 syllable pattern, and have some fun!
Thursday, November 27, 2025
Happy Thanksgiving!
I do love this holiday, even in difficult times for our country-- perhaps it is more important now than ever.
At my house, there will be two high-quality meals (I'm making my "famous chicken nachos" for lunch) and a lot of houseguests-- 14 for Thanksgiving dinner, followed by traditional Thanksgiving Kitchen Dancing.
There really is a way that a holiday that forces us to focus on the good is well-timed right now. I am convinced that our challenges are short-term, and that we have the capacity to do better. More importantly, I know that there are wonderful things right now if we choose to see them, too-- including those dancing houseguests and that beautiful turkey and maybe even my nachos.
Wednesday, November 26, 2025
The day before...
Today is one of my favorite days of the year-- when people arrive from all directions for Thanksgiving. I have a bunch already here, a sister driving in today, and then at midnight a nephew flying in.
For thanksgiving dinner there will be people I have known my whole life and a few people I will be meeting for the first time-- which is just the way it is supposed to be.
Tuesday, November 25, 2025
Thanksgiving Prep FAQ pt. 2
Dear Razor,
Last week, you told me to get a 45-pound turkey. I went to the store and the biggest one they had was 22 pounds. The butcher said that a 45 pound turkey would be a "freak of nature," and that I had my "head up my ass." What's the deal?
Confused
Dear Confused,
You obviously need to go to a different store. That store you went to both stocks tiny turkeys and they are pretty rude. If there is not another store available, buy two 22-pound turkeys and one one-pound turkey and tape them together before roasting.
Yours,
O. Razor
-----------------------------------------------
Dear Razor,
Our theme for Thanksgiving this year is "Harry Potter." Will it be too scary for small children if my husband dresses as Voldemort?
Hermione
Dear Hermione,
First of all, your name is ridiculous. If it wasn't for the movies, no one would ever know how to pronounce it. As it is, the nation now has suffered two generations of 11-year-olds blathering on about "Herm-ee-own-ee."
Second, Thanksgiving already has a theme! You don't need to give it another one. So sell the costumes. Also make sure to get a large enough turkey.
Yours,
O. Razor
Monday, November 24, 2025
Thankful
Three great poems this week. I love when Gavin stops by:
We live far from home.
Again, new friends take us in.
I give thanks for that.
Again, new friends take us in.
I give thanks for that.
And Christine has small big plans:
I set the table
Fine china, silver, crystal
Just dinner for two.
Fine china, silver, crystal
Just dinner for two.
And Jill Scoggins has a (logical) question:
Cornbread dressing is
my fave. So why don’t I make
it all year? Why??? Hmmmmm.
my fave. So why don’t I make
it all year? Why??? Hmmmmm.
Sunday, November 23, 2025
Sunday Reflection: Thankful
Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday. Though it is a "secular" holiday, for me it has always had deep religious meaning.
Jesus's message was so often about humility and serving others, and I have long observed a strong correlation between humility and gratitude. It makes sense, of course; to be grateful requires a measure of humility, as we are crediting something or someone other than ourselves for what is good.
Those among us without humility rarely show humility. But this holiday turns us all in a good direction, and I love all of it.
Saturday, November 22, 2025
It's that day!
In honor of the Harvard-Yale game, here is my favorite video of the Yale Precision Marching Band. It's got everything: The mysterious dancing hippie girl, the catchphrase "Love Boat- no mercy!" the appearance out of nowhere of a twirler and get run off by the cops at the end:
Friday, November 21, 2025
Haiku Friday: Plans for the week?
This is just about my favorite week of the year. I have family coming in, food to prepare, er, consume, some time away from work. What are you up to? Let's haiku about that. Here, I will go first:
I do love the food
(But) that means I love the folks
Who eat it with me.
Now it is your turn! Just use the 5/7/5 syllable pattern and have some fun!
Thursday, November 20, 2025
PMT: More clemency blather
Wednesday, November 19, 2025
New writing!
If you want to know what I am thinking about clemency, I set it out in a substack here. Please do give it a read!
And yes, it does relate to the car above....
Tuesday, November 18, 2025
Thanksgiving Prep FAQ
Dear Razor,
How do I know the right size turkey to buy for Thanksgiving? I am having 15 people over for dinner.
--Wondering
Dear Wondering,
There is a simple formula to figure out the right turkey for your group:
# of guests x 3. So for your group of 15, I suggest a 45 pound turkey.
O. Razor
_______________________
Dear Razor,
This year, we are having about 15 people for Thanksgiving dinner. How many pies should we have, and of what kind?
-- Pie Parent
Dear PP,
My simple rule is that one guest = one pie. So if your dinner will include you and 14 others, you will need 14 pies. My mandatory pies are pumpkin, cherry, apple, lemon meringue and pumpkin with a different kind of crust. Pie is good for you, too, as it contains high levels of both breadolin and smartonin!
O. Razor
______________________________
Dear Razor,
My cousins have starkly divergent political beliefs and always get in a big fight at Thanksgiving. What can I do to have some peace around here? There will be about 15 guests total.
-- Torn
Dear Torn,
If you serve a 45 pound turkey and 14 pies, you should have no problem with people staying awake.
O. Razor
Monday, November 17, 2025
On presidents....
I loved the haiku this week! Des brought up one of my favorites:
Peanut farmer put
solar on the White House; we
should follow his lead.
solar on the White House; we
should follow his lead.
And so did Craig:
Two term George Wash set
the anti-Trump precedent:
Country before ego!
Jill Scoggins is right about FDR:
Best prez: FDR
Didn’t wait for okays. Took
action! Helped people.
Showed that we should ask
forgiveness not permission.
Just do it! Today!
The old, young, sick and
forgotten – all citizens -
should give him their thanks.
This Hayes descendant isn't proud enough of the connect to not be anonymous (but I think I know who it is):
In my family tree
Rutherford B. Hayes. He too
Had some crazy hair!
While it is hard to argue with this anonymous entry:
Abraham Lincoln
Man from modest beginnings
Who saved a nation.
And finally, this gem brought us back to Fillmore!:
Too much partying
for Zach Taylor. Died. Next up:
It's Millard Fillmore.
Sunday, November 16, 2025
Sunday Reflection: The clarity of late autumn
Yesterday was probably my last bike ride of the year. I was on the Dakota Trail west of St. Bonifacius, which I ride several times a year.
Because this is Minnesota, the trail is a little different every time as the seasons change. In the early spring, there is still snow along the edges of the trail and on the bridges. Then later in the spring there is a bright green emerging and a chorus of frogs all along the way, loud and bold. In early summer the trail is full of people and the trees are filling out. Late in the summer, there is the hum of crickets and a bounty of a deeper green all around. Then comes early fall and the hint of color giving way a few weeks later to this glorious crescendo of gold and maroon that just takes my breath away.
But late autumn is different. The leaves have fallen and layer the ground. Suddenly, you can see all the things that usually are hidden: a tiny secret lake with a single long-necked bird resting on its trip south; a junkyard of cars stretching back into the woods outside a small town; a creek wending between tall white reeds. All these things that were obscured!
It's a ride during and about the late autumn of life, when the opaque foliage of striving for success and meaning, convincing ourselves of who we are and the burdens that come with all of that have fallen away. What I can see now! The things that matter and the things that don't, the foolishness I fell prey to and the beauty that was always there.
What a great place, a great time, to be!
Saturday, November 15, 2025
Oops!
The introduction of Russia's first AI-powered humanoid robot did not go very well....
Friday, November 14, 2025
Haiku Friday: The Best/Worst/Most Interesting President
We spend a lot of effort in selecting our president-- and yet, we have made some pretty strange choices. Let's haiku about that this week! Here, I will go first:
It is hard to choose
But there ain't no hair like this
Millard Fillmore hair!
Now it is your turn! Just use the 5/7/5 syllable pattern and have some fun!
Thursday, November 13, 2025
PMT: Education and politics
Most (though not all) Americans thing a college education is a good thing, and that an educated population is something we should strive for.
The above chart lists the percentage of people in each state who have a college education. It rolls pretty much the way you would expect, but there is something striking there once you look for it.
The left column (more educated) is almost all blue states. The right column (less educated) is almost all red states. The correlation is remarkable, to the point that it can't simply be coincidental.
This, I suspect, is an important driver of our national divisions.
Wednesday, November 12, 2025
The Moccamaster
I'm not a coffee snob-- I drink a cup in the morning, sure, but I'm ok without it, and I'm not that discriminating in my tastes. I've been known to buy gas-station coffee, and not from the the Kwik-Trip.
Still, I'm a little obsessed with the Technivormm Moccamaster coffee maker, which Wirecutter recommends. As you can guess from the name, they aren't made in the US or China (no US company would go by "Technivormm"); they are handmade in the Netherlands.
What do I love? Well, that it is called the "Moccamaster" is pretty appealing, and it looks pretty solid. It lacks the things I don't want (timers, etc.) and makes great coffee.
Not that I would be able to tell-- and a prefectly good coffeemaker greats me every morning! So this is something that, in the right moment, I will get as a gift for someone else....
Tuesday, November 11, 2025
A wild finish
Having watched the end of the Indiana-Penn State game last Saturday, I thought I had seem about the most dramatic close to the game for a while. I was wrong.
I'm not a huge fan of pro soccer, but do keep track of our local team, Minnesota United FC (pretty much universally known as "The Loons"). They are in the playoffs, and the ending of their game on Saturday was really something. The shootout shown below is just the tail end of the craziness-- before that, the Loons scored two goals to take a lead despite being down a man with a red card:
Monday, November 10, 2025
On the plane...
I'm so glad that someone else-- Desiree-- remembered People Express on Haiku Friday:
People’s Express! Yes!
Paper bag for snacks, and off
to Eurail Europe!
Paper bag for snacks, and off
to Eurail Europe!
Christine had her own memories:
We wore Sunday best
Meal came with real silverware
An extravagance.
Meal came with real silverware
An extravagance.
And a regret (kind of):
Applied for a job
In 1984, sigh...
Dreamt of free travel.
In 1984, sigh...
Dreamt of free travel.
The Medievalist remembers the really big planes:
MIssing TWA,
First trip to Madrid and Spain,
Seven four seven.
First trip to Madrid and Spain,
Seven four seven.
And Anonymous has some joy in it all:
I love that moment
When we lift into the air
Hooray! Off we go!
When we lift into the air
Hooray! Off we go!
While someone else will be glad the shutdown is ending (I think):
Oh no, Trump admin
Please don't cancel my plane trip!
I need vacation~
Please don't cancel my plane trip!
I need vacation~
Sunday, November 09, 2025
Sunday Reflection: God of all
Yesterday I glanced at a picture of my dad, and it made me really miss him. In those moments, I wonder about what his form is now, if that makes sense. Luke 20: 38 says this (after the Saduccees try to trick Jesus with a hypothetical in which a woman marries seven brothers): "Now he is God not of the dead, but of the living, for to him all of them are alive."
Saturday, November 08, 2025
The Best Catwoman?
Friday, November 07, 2025
Haiku Friday: Air Travel
Now that it looks like we might not be flying for a while, perhaps it is time for a nostalgic look at air travel. Let's haiku about that this week! Here, I will go first:
Favorite airline?
I did love People Express
Chaos and chicken.
Now it is your turn! Just use the 5/7/5 syllable pattern and have some fun!
Thursday, November 06, 2025
PMT: The Virginia House of Delegates
Of all the elections on Tuesday (NY mayor, NJ Governor, Virginia Governor, Minneapolis Mayor, Pennsylvania Supreme Court, etc.) the one that really captivated me (once IPLawGuy tipped me off) was the blue wave in the Virginia House of Delegates. On Tuesday, the Democrats significantly expanded their representation in the House of Delegates. They went from 51 to 64 seats in the House, which has 100 members.
That's a huge jump, and significant given the fact that Democrats also won there in races for Lt. Governor, Attorney General, and Governor.
I think part of that bump is not about Virginia at all....
Wednesday, November 05, 2025
Trial of the Week: Sandwich Guy!
Washington DC is home to one of the more interesting trials of the year, starting (and probably ending) this week.
Sean Dunn is a 37-year-old Air Force veteran who, according to the prosecution, approached some federal agents after buying a sandwich at Subway. He was at 14th and U. Street, a popular nightlife (and sandwich-obtaining) area. He yelled at the agents for a while and then threw his salami sub at the officers. One officer complained of getting mustard and onions on his uniform.
In a very rare moment, a federal grand jury refused to indict Dunn for a felony, so he is on trial for a misdemeanor. I look forward to the verdict!
Tuesday, November 04, 2025
Orcas
Since I was a kid I have been fascinated by Orcas, even though I have never seen one.
Though sometimes referred to as whales (and even "killer whales"), Orcas are actually the largest member of the dolphin family. They live in sophisticated matrilineal "pods" of related individuals. They actually live with their mothers until either the offspring or the mother dies-- and since they can live to be 90, pods often contain four generations of the same family.
The pods can be surprisingly complex, particularly as they hunt. Like wolves, they hunt as a pack and coordinate their actions with one another. The New York Times recently reported that some pods in the Pacific have developed techniques to disable Great White Sharks and then eat their livers (which, if you are an Orca, is a nutrient-rich delicacy). Those sharks can be about the same size as an Orca (about 20 feet long), and are considered apex predators themselves-- but the Orcas have the advantage of coordinated attack and technique.
Other groups gorge on herring by using a "carrousel" technique where they push the herring into a ball by circling them before devouring them.
Someday, I do hope to see one in the wild....
Monday, November 03, 2025
At the door
Great haiku on trick-or-treaters! Welcome back, Gavin (same thing happened to me):
And what’s your costume?
K Pop Demon what’s that now?
Man, I’m getting old.
K Pop Demon what’s that now?
Man, I’m getting old.
And I loved this one from Desiree, who apparently gives out potatoes for Halloween (that tracks):
Lilo and Stitch knock
at my door. No potato
for them. They choose Twix!
at my door. No potato
for them. They choose Twix!
I feel bad for Craig A.-- I got dozens here!:
No sidewalks means no
costumes and no kiddos at
our door: miss tricksters.
costumes and no kiddos at
our door: miss tricksters.
This anonymous writer had good visits:
One a dalmation
The other a firefghter
Cute team of brothers!
The other a firefghter
Cute team of brothers!
As did this one:
Coven of witches
In a tight little witch pack
Only two feet high.
In a tight little witch pack
Only two feet high.
Sunday, November 02, 2025
Sunday Reflection: Back at 7th & J
Last Wednesday, I was thrilled to find myself back at my old church in Waco, 7th and James Baptist. I was there to talk about clemency, and the room was full-- though probably not for me. It was the night of the traditional Halloween parade of kids in their costumes, which was just as cute as you might imagine.
Seventh and James is the place where I experienced the most intense growth in my entire spiritual life. There, I was surrounded by smart, warm, fascinating people who took their faith lives seriously and had built a remarkable and supportive community. I would say that going there let me see old friends, but the truth is that many of my closest current friends, people I talk to regularly, are there. It is the best church experience I have ever had, and one of the things I miss most about Waco.
When Jesus taught that when "two or more are gathered in my name, I am there" (Matthew 18:20) it was a powerful directive to worship in community with others. Finding that community can be the hard part.
Baylor may not have been the right place for me, but Seventh and James was.
Saturday, November 01, 2025
You know...
I kinda think Jason Sudeikis would make a pretty good game show host...
