What I Endorse

Ran out of raspberries (Photo by D)

This writing exercise (which I stole from Esquire magazine) always worked well in my Creative Writing classes. I think I know why—it is fun to think about stuff that you like. Of course, I used to do my list with my students, but I no longer remember what I put. This is my list from now.

1) Raspberries – Aren’t they the greatest? You can put them in yogurt, cereal, fruit salad and all kinds of desserts. I still eat them by themselves.

2) Titleist golf balls – I don’t think there’s anything necessarily superior in quality, at least for a golfer of my level. It just feels good looking down on one—maybe it’s the font.

3) Pedometers – or Fitbits or Garmins or watches or whatever you use to measure how many steps you take in a day. As long as you’re moving, you know you’re alive. Don’t get too caught up in your goal—I will never be obsessed with a number again.

4) An Old-Fashioned – my favorite drink. Ice, bourbon, simple sugar, an orange slice, maraschino cherry, Angostura bitters. I have a separate essay planned for this one.

5) Vinyl – I don’t own any. But I watch my son handle records lovingly, and it reminds me of my earliest music awareness years, and it warms my heart.

6) Public libraries – a wonderful sign of civilization.

7) Symbols, icons, good luck charms – Let me be clear—I think it is delusional to attach any spiritual or supernatural power to them (inanimate objects)—but I had a counseling session with a pastor once, and he gave me a sandalwood cross, and I like the feel of it in my pocket.

8) Pistachio nuts – Anybody remember the red ones? The ones that stained your hands. I loved them! But the natural ones are fine. I’ll bet there was something about the chemicals. What I like is that you have to work a little for the payoff.

9) The Week – We get about five, but this is the only magazine I commit to. I do Editor’s Note, Political Cartoons, Television, Movies, Music, Books, and then leaf through the news stuff. Objective news has become an anomaly, but they try to stay balanced.

10) USPS – because I root for the underdog. How can you not feel sorry for a company whose number one product is called “snail mail”? But they try. Honestly, I have met some pretty cheerful people at the Post Office (behind the desk, not in line).

11) Polar bears – I love seeing polar bears at the zoo, but they just seem so out of place. The world is becoming their zoo.

12) Ceramic knives – Have you seen those suckers? First of all, they are white. They make anyone feel like a chef. They are sharp, and you never have to sharpen them. They make my fingers nervous, but in a careful way. There is nothing better for cutting up fruits and vegetables.

13) Barbecuing – My favorite way to cook (and I am not even good at it). The first rule of barbecue is: Never leave your meat—which means attentiveness—which is a weakness of mine. Ah, but the ambience of the back porch, and when you do get the meat (or whatever) just right—a taste of heaven!

14) The smell of a freshly mowed lawn – I hired someone to mow our lawn this year—never done that before. Damn if it doesn’t smell even better!

15) A cold beer on a hot day – Beer is seasonal—I can hear a chorus of disagreement—to me. The idea of coming in from the cold to open a beer is incongruous. However, when I have finished 18 holes in the middle of summer in Dallas, the sensation of the first taste is beyond exquisite.

Like I said, fun to write. Several of my items might seem worldly, but worldly is as worldly does. I look at my list and I sense God’s pleasure. I don’t like those performers who try to get their audience to sing or clap along, but if any reader wanted to share a few endorsements with me, I’d be very pleased—always looking for new things to enjoy.

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