QUARANTINE BLOG # 529

September 10, 2021

For my Padawan Mac, the conclusion of the “back to school” comics.

👉  You may not have heard it here first, but the news is out: downing up to three cups of coffee daily is associated with lower risks for stroke and death from cardiovascular disease, as well as death from all causes, suggests research presented at the European Society of Cardiology Congress.  “Our results suggest that regular coffee consumption is safe, as even high daily intake was not associated with adverse cardiovascular outcomes and all-cause mortality after a follow-up of 10 to 15 years,” said study author Dr. Judith Simon of the Heart and Vascular Center.  So drink up.

👉  Some pictures to smile about:

👉  The regular season for major league baseball is winding down (yawn) but you may be interested in which manager holds the record for being tossed out of more games than any other.  In 29 seasons with the Atlanta Braves and the Toronto Blue Jays, Bobby Cox was given the heave-ho 162 times.  What Cal Ripken Jr. is to the Iron Man streak, Bobby Cox is to the all-time ejections record – a possessor of a record unlikely to be broken.  He was ejected in five different decades – from the 1970s to the 2010s and even got tossed from two World Series games. 

Cox was known for sticking up for his players, which prevented them from getting ejected.  An example came in 2006 when Cox attempted to save Jeff Francoeur from being ejected, only for both player and manager to get tossed.  Francoeur asked Cox what to do after an ejection: “What do I do?” he said.  Cox replied, “Go have a couple cold beers and get in the cold tub or something and relax. And then you’ll probably have to write a $500 check. Or you can do what I do, write a $10,000 one and tell them when it runs out, let me know.”

My Pittsburgh Pirates, who haven’t won anything since 1979, and aren’t likely to win anything until at least the 45th anniversary of that last World Series title had managers who placed 40th on the list – Chuck Tanner, 38 tosses – Clint Hurdle, 64 ejections – Jim Leyland, rung up 73 times – and Frankie Frisch with 88 heaves.

👉  Non Sequitor confronts social media:

👉  Continuing with our unusual vacation spots, maybe you can plan a road trip to one or more of these:

Riverside, Iowa.  The future home of James Tiberius Kirk.  “No, I’m from Iowa.  I only work in outer space.”

Paris Texas Eiffel Tower.  Everything’s bigger in Texas, except for this replica of the Eiffel Tower in Paris, TX, that’s roughly a thousand feet shorter than the actual one in France.  At least there’s a little Texas flare with the cowboy hat nestled on top.

World’s Largest Time Capsule.  Time capsules aren’t much of an attraction to begin with, as they are a “set it and forget it” way of preserving the past.  So while it is impressive that this pyramid in Seward, Nebraska, is the largest time capsule in the world, containing two cars, a motorcycle, and a myriad of other items, it will be much less interesting when it’s opened in 2025.

👉  Some signs for the time:

👉  And some words to amuse before we close:

👉  Today’s close is from The Songs of Jesus, by Timothy Keller.

Lord, do not rebuke me in your anger or discipline me in your wrath.  Have mercy on me, Lord, for I am faint; heal me, Lord, for my bones are in agony.  My soul is in deep anguish. How long, Lord, how long?  Turn, Lord, and deliver me; save me because of your unfailing love.  Among the dead no one proclaims your name. Who praises you from the grave?  I am worn out from my groaning. All night long I flood my bed with weeping and drench my couch with tears.  My eyes grow weak with sorrow; they fail because of all my foes.  Away from me, all you who do evil, for the Lord has heard my weeping.  The Lord has heard my cry for mercy; the Lord accepts my prayer.  All my enemies will be overwhelmed with shame and anguish; they will turn back and suddenly be put to shame (Psalm 6:1-10).

Waiting is hard. “How long, O Lord, how long?” is the cry of someone who has walked with more pain and sickness than he thought he could ever bear. God hears the prayers of the faltering because of his “unfailing love” (the Hebrew chesedh, the steadfast love of a covenant God who cares for us not because we are perfect but because he is) (verse 4). Though David scarcely has the heart to pray, his tears are not in vain. He gets an “answering touch” (verses 8-9) – an assurance that God is listening even though he hasn’t done anything about the circumstances – yet (verse 10). God walks with us, and helps us to “run with perseverance the race” (Hebrews 12:1).

Prayer: “Thy promise is my only plea – with this I venture nigh. Thou callest burdened souls to Thee, and such, O Lord, am I.” I know that your love is unfailing even if I don’t feel it. But I ask that in your grace you touch me and give me a sense of your presence at my side. Amen.

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