The Necklace

-
Image
  “SHE WAS one of those pretty, charming young ladies, born, as if through an error of destiny, into a family of clerks. She had no dowry, no hopes, no means of becoming known, appreciated, loved, and married by a man either rich or distinguished; and she allowed herself to marry a petty clerk in the office of the Board of Education. . . .  She had neither frocks nor jewels, nothing. And she loved only those things. She felt that she was made for them. She had such a desire to please, to be sought after, to be clever, and courted.” —THE NECKLACE Guy de Maupassant    France, 1884 (pic by Grok) Read this short story here:  https://americanliterature.com/author/guy-de-maupassant/short-story/the-necklace

nateNotes

-
nateNotes: "So this Christian walks into a bar and says, 'I'm a Christian.' The bartender says, 'Oh, yeah? Here's a movie I filmed about famous missionaries. It's a gospel film, except the gospel's never explained, and the hero of the movie is played by a major gay activist. Basically, the message I'm sending is that details about Jesus' sacrifice aren't important, but God's definitely down with homosexuality.' The Christian says, 'Wow, that's bad reasoning and an adulteration of the gospel. I'll pray for you.' The bartender calls the police, and they freeze the Christian's finances because he's so exclusive and divisive.

So this Muslim walks into the same bar and says, 'I'm a Muslim.' The bartender says, 'Oh, yeah? Here's an unflattering picture I drew of Mohammed. Basically, I'm sending the message that Mohammed was a radical extremist hatemonger.' The Muslim pulls out a gun, takes over the bar, and threatens to kill anyone who dares blaspheme the Islamic faith. The police arrive, and assure the Muslim that the bartender won't do it again.

Well, that was the punch line. Yeah, I didn't think it was that funny, either."
**************
Well, that was concise, wasn't it?

Popular posts from this blog

Rock Me, Epictetus!

-
Image
“Keep constant guard over your perceptions, for it is no small thing you are protecting, but your respect, trustworthiness and steadiness, peace of mind, freedom from pain and fear, in a word your freedom. For what would you sell these things?” EPICTETUS, DISCOURSES, 4.3.6 b –8 
Read more

The Smooth-flowing Life

-
Image
Legend has it that the astronomer Ptolemy (1st century A.D.) suggested that falling stars were caused by the gods moving in the heavens, thus knocking stars out of their places. Somehow people reasoned that that if the gods were moving, they must be getting close to earth so they would lift their "prayers" or "wishes" (literally, "desires") whenever they saw the stars falling in hopes the gods would notice and grant a favorable answer. But how does one wish on falling star? Once you see it, it's gone before the wish or prayer can be made! The answer is simple: meteor shower. That's how to get your wish. Mrs. Ann Hodges had a wish fall right into her lap. Sort of. In 1954 Mrs. Hodges was sleeping on the couch when a 8 1/2 pound meteorite fell through her house and into her living room where it bounced off the radio and struck her left hip leaving her with a bruise. Not sure what she was wishing, but that's not how to do it. Epictetus hel...
Read more