I had an interesting day yesterday. I can't even remember the proper order for all these events, so I guess you'll just get them in order of relative impression.
I saw a guy with a shirt that passionately encouraged me to "Fight Tectonic Shift" and to "Restore Panagea." On his back was a graphic of the aforementioned supercontinent. When he turned around, the shirt also proclaimed that the wearer was, in some form or fashion, connected with the Oklahoma State University Geology Department.
I wonder if Pistol Pete has a degree in geology. Go Pokes!
As I was making the turn to get onto I-44, I saw that a man of African-American heritage had felt the need to exit his vehicle whilst at a stoplight and dance upon the median. In the split second I had to ponder him, I noticed the inordinately large, self-possessed smile he carried on his countenance. Seems that he was having a great time.
Man. I should try that sometime.
After dropping off my tennis racquet to be strung, I ambled down the sidewalk to the local Barnes & Noble. I discovered, to my great joy, that they had a volume of Father Brown detective stories. This line of stories was written by my author of choice, G. K. Chesterton, and is comprised of many short stories, similar to the style of the shorter Sherlock Holmes narratives. I would rate Father Brown as Sherlock Holmes' equal in intelligence, if not his superior. (Perhaps not a fair comparison, but ah well.) However, Brown is as humble and unassuming as Holmes is vain and arrogant. Holmes, while always doggedly tracking down the scent of a clue, remains sharp and focused. Brown, while just as determined, casts an air of being aloof, disconnected, and prone to making observations and comments that seemingly have nothing to do with the matter at hand, but always bring him home to the perpetrator. Perhaps the most striking difference between the two is that Holmes is a free agent; he will turn criminals over to the authorities as he sees fit, or will release them if he judges that they can do no more harm. Brown is a Catholic priest; and Chesterton, in an interesting twist, brings the climax of the story in the criminal's confession of their sin to the sharp-witted man of the cloth. The focus is not on the bringing of the criminal to justice; instead, the emphasis lies on the criminal's reconciliation to God.
Interesting.
Finally, I took a walk last night. It was a nice walk; I had always passed this trailhead around 101st and Garnett, and wondered where it went. Last night I found out. It follows the turnpike. It was a lovely walk, and I got kinda carried away. I followed the trail to Elm and the Creek Turnpike, and then turned around and walked back. About 7 miles, all told. It was nice; fireflies were out, there was a nice breeze. If I could ignore the pavement under my feet and the highway over my shoulder, I would have thought I was in the country. My legs kinda hurt today, but it was time well spent.
And in light of all that.... I can't help but believe God looks down on his kids and smiles.
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