Tuesday, May 24, 2011

Today's fortune: May 24, 2011

Today's fortune: Your ability to love will help a child in need.

This fortune could be the result of one of two things: either this is a case of Engrish where the fortune writer crafted a strangely-worded sentence that takes my mind (and yours too, you sicko) to a bad place. Or, the fortune writer knew exactly what he was writing - and he's kind of a creep.

I thought about this strangely-worded fortune while I finished up my front-yard improvement project, including laying a new walkway, cleaning out debris and tearing out old paving stones.


While I shoveled a scoopful of dirt into my trusty wheel barrow, a thought struck me: this fortune isn't necessarily talking about loving children.

I'm not saying I don't love children. I enjoy spending time with kids, and they enjoy spending time with me. Usually, if we go to a party where kids are, I become the center of attention for those kids, because I give them some attention, and speak to them on their level (which also happens to be my level).

I even have a Little Brother. We do all kinds of fun stuff, and I love the time we spend together. Later this week, I'm taking him to see "Thor" in 3D, which gives me an excuse to see the movie and a person to see it with since Jamie wouldn't go.

Yes, I love children... in small doses. There's something true to that sentiment, the one where people say they love their own children but can't stand other people's kids. Since I don't have any offspring of my own, I have a little bit of room in my heart for other people's children, especially the children of my relatives and friends.

But let's take a look at this fortune again: "Your ability to love will help a child in need."

What are the things I love? My wife. My family. Meat (especially this week). Writing. My cats. Books. Reading.

So how can I use one of those loves to help a child? I can help my wife, who is studying to become a teacher, finish her degree so she can get in the classroom sooner. I can bring my Little Brother over to play with my cats.

And I can read to children at a school. I can share my love of reading - which is to say, love of learning - with young minds who are facing years of education and may not be too psyched up for that journey. I can help get them psyched up.

When the new school year starts in the fall, I am going to look around for opportunities to read to kids.

VEGETARIAN WEEK: Day 7

I made it! I'm almost through! Just a few more hours of being a vegetarian stand between me and The Day of Meat Madness (that's what I've nicknamed tomorrow).

To celebrate the end of a difficult week, Jamie is making veggie fajitas, the classic vegetarian meal: sauteed onions, red peppers and sweet potato, wrapped in warm flour tortillas and covered with salsa, cheese and sour cream. I'm sure it will be heavenly.

I've learned a lot from Vegetarian Week. I learned that just because you're not eating meat doesn't mean you have to go hungry. And I learned the lack of meat does not mean you can't have a damn good meal (although last night's veggie dogs were pretty gross).

I also learned vegetarians don't necessarily eat that many vegetables.

I'm really glad I did this. I learned a lot more about my wife (who is a full-time vegetarian), and I'm pretty proud of myself for sticking to it. I think I could be a vegetarian for life. I just choose not to.

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