The island of regret

I told a few friends this week that I was going to write a book entitled, 'Living on the Island of Regret'
I've decided instead to co-write an Arlo Guthrie style ballad with my buddy Todd (who doesn't know it yet.)
It might go something like this (without the audio you'll have to imagine the tune)

Intro
Lots of my brothers and sisters telling me where to live.
I'm just looking for a ticket off the island of Regret.

1st verse:
A friend took up his residence at 1-10 Kings Kid Court
Gold dust in his bible paid the cost
Another heads for Wormsville, a hairshirt on his back
seems caught up in all the love he's lost

Chorus:
Once I hitched a ride on that good old ship Repentance
thought that was the boats name anyway
Lately I've been thinking maybe pirates have boarded
left me stranded in Delusion Bay.

2nd verse
Heard today that all you need is faith in your believing
where they're teaching that I'd hate to go
There's a gospel train that heads down the wrong side of Charis mountain
lose the feelings and you'll plunge real low

3rd verse
Took a trip to PoMo River where an unchurch had emerged
Left entertained but stuck in deconstruct
Went caving with the Set Apart to see just how they lived
Got shunned for my disorderly conduct

4th verse
Well I've sure muddied the waters with my never-ending search
for fiery fervent fixed fidelity
But His truth cuts through my blindness and paradoxically
when I'm "cross-eyed" His face I'll clearly see.


got any melodic inspiration Todd?
And my dear sister who has agreed to play the bongos, you're on!

Reflections on time spent with nieces

My nieces came to spend several hours with me today. They are 7 and 9, so it was hardly onerous. They are old enough to occupy themselves, and they are girls so it doesn't involve treating a variety of household articles like softballs. No lamps were broken. I learned a little about the world of Webkins, and they learned as the youngest one said that "cats aren't at all like dogs".
Every time I have this privilege, I reflect on the discipline and sacrifice that I haven't experienced as a result of being childless. I've bought into the deception that my time is my own. My role within the evangelical organization I work for has a degree of autonomy. Most evenings I have no-one telling me how to spend my time.