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February 2021

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February 25, 2021

“Come out, come out, wherever you are”

By Bob Sitze
In Arcania, Current Events, Personal Power, Time
February 25, 2021
2 Min Read
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25February

Wizard of Oz fans—you know who you are—will recognize this memorable tune sung by Glinda, the Good Witch. With those words she encourages the Munchkins—more than “little people”—to come out of their hiding places so they can meet Dorothy. Why memorable? The whole story turns on whether these good folks will put aside their fears and show themselves. If they had remained in hiding, the narrativeMORE...

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February 22, 2021

Wretched individualism

By Bob Sitze
In Current Events, Lifestyle, Soul Searchings, Words
February 22, 2021
2 Min Read
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22February

1 Individualism took a hit in Texas this past week. Alongside the punishing circumstances of power outages and bursting water pipes was the realization that disregard for the common good eventually hurts everyone. Even those who thought of themselves as rugged or self-sufficient were brought to their knees—a distressing posture when your power is out and your knees are deep in freezing waterMORE...

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February 19, 2021

*Obituary tips

By Bob Sitze
In Current Events, Death/Dying, Relationships, Words
February 19, 2021
2 Min Read
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19February

If icebergs reveal only their tips—they aren’t shy, just heavy—it seems possible that obituaries might also share that characteristic. Perhaps the same heft.  In both cases, there’s more to be seen and told. I have known about this similarity—icebergs and obituaries—for years. Every day I read the Obituary section of the newspaper. I wrote obits for both my parents. I understand how theMORE...

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February 16, 2021

Honored, I’m sure

By Bob Sitze
In Arcania, Relationships, Words
February 16, 2021
3 Min Read
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16February

If you’re like me1, you may not usually be known by your 2 honorifics. In my case, retirement has meant the loss of some of them because I don’t have a 3 job title any more. My education doesn’t extend to the PhD level, nor have my peers elected me to 4 honor-laden roles. This is not a problem—there are 5 other ways to confer honor in the words we use. Recently I have remembered that seniors likeMORE...

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February 12, 2021

Unsubscribed!

By Bob Sitze
In Current Events, Relationships, Soul Searchings, Words
February 12, 2021
2 Min Read
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12February

After months of deleting unwanted e-mail messages and texts—like swatting at gnats while walking through a swamp—I recently decided to start removing myself from both the swamp and the gnats. The folks sending me information have been gracious in removing me from their mailing list. Because I spent much of my professional life distributing what I hoped was useful information to congregationalMORE...

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February 9, 2021

Tepid Torpor

By Bob Sitze
In Arcania, Current Events, Mind/Body, Soul Searchings, Words
February 9, 2021
2 Min Read
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09February

1Tepid 2Torpor I’m not sure what comes first: 3isolation, boredom or apathy. I am fairly certain, though, that all three have been working together to lull me into something close to torpor: a physiological condition best described as prolonged inactivity. Mostly I’m not a 4torporous guy. With Chris, I walk or exercise every day. Zoom-enabled worship and Bible study are part of my life. I keep upMORE...

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February 4, 2021

The household manual, Part 2

By Bob Sitze
In Arcania, Death/Dying, Lifework, Pleasure/Pain, Time
February 4, 2021
2 Min Read
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04February

As I’ve been writing a manual about our household—in printed and digital formats—I’ve also realized the benefits of this effort. Perhaps you could find similar blessings writing your own descriptions and instructions. While engaged in details-sleuthing and writing, I’ve realized that I can at the same time organize household files, simplify processes, discard unused items and remember what thisMORE...

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February 1, 2021

The household manual, Part 1

By Bob Sitze
In Arcania, Death/Dying, Pleasure/Pain, Time
February 1, 2021
2 Min Read
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01February

Here’s an idea that might be helpful…. Like me, you may have experienced what happens when an executor or adult child has to pick up the pieces of a legacy or estate when a loved one has died. Those who remain must sort through perhaps-confusing elements of normal household functioning. In too many cases, that information is scattered, hidden or non-existent. Your loss creates chaos and begs forMORE...

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Bob Sitze

BOB SITZE has filled the many years of his lifework in diverse settings around the United States. His calling has included careers as a teacher/principal, church musician, writer/author, denominational executive staff member and meat worker. Bob lives in Wheaton, IL.

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