What is a pump kin to?

In response to last week’s imponderable question, “What is a pump kin to?,” my business development friend Ray replied, “if you're at the local coffee café, a pump is kin to another shot.”  And my sister-in-law Lorrie noted, “Looking though my shoe bags, I see my pumps have a lot of kin in sneakers, flats, and slippers - some of which haven't seen the light of day much less proximity to the ground in a long while.

One could add that a pump device is a kin to gravity; what gravity does to fluids and slurry, pumps can do, and do so uphill.  In baseball, a pump is a kin to a balk; and in law enforcement, a pump is a kin to prodding for information.  And with an ego, it is a kin to making someone feel good, even if not earned. 

On a serious note, thank you for the outpouring of feelings and sympathy regarding the Oct 27 killings in a synagogue in Pittsburg.  I personally received numerous phone calls and emails expressing extreme sadness for our community as a whole as well as the Tree of Life congregation, and support to end hate-motivated violence.  As my friend Ray wrote,

It is impossible to put into words the level of chagrin that this household has over all of this. Really hard to put into words that would be deemed printable. If there was ever a place where we as a society could find refuge, solemnity and safety in times of crisis, it was our religious institutions (churches in Charleston, SC and Sutherland Springs, Texas are other examples). Such is no longer the case. We have drifted so badly that the notion of having reasonable – let alone civil – discourse is out the window. Everyone is so quick to say "God Bless America" yet we can only hope and pray that The Almighty does bless us during these difficult times. You, I, and others grew up in a multiplicity of ethnic backgrounds and we were taught to respect others and to learn from cultures and traditions different from ours. We also did it with a keen sense of humor that is steadily diminishing in our society. At the same time, when someone got out of line, we let them know about it while remaining civil. 

May we find ways to remain civil and respectful as we push for solutions.  And may we find and care for those that seem despondent, overwhelmed, and alone, so that they do not turn to the darkest corners of the Internet for find support of other loners who turn to illogical, inappropriate, and inhumane solutions.

Please send me your thoughts about this week's "things that make you go 'Hmmm' ":

Who pays the check? (from my friend Lon)

Life is too short for drama and petty things, so kiss slowly, laugh insanely, love truly, and forgive quickly.

Hal

If you haven’t voted early, please vote on Tuesday.  All votes count.  It’s a system that’s served our country for 240+ years.

For my part of respectful conversation, save the date:  I’m helping plan the 14th annual Thanksgiving Ecumenical Celebration on Thu, Nov 15 at 7p.  Click here for details because this is an annual display of respectful conversation and reflection.  Join us in person or what streaming live online.

Thanks to Demetri Martin, Steven Wright and George Carlin for the inspiration for Hmmm.   I invite you to call or email me to catch up.

In response to last week’s imponderable question, “What is a pump kin to?,” my business development friend Ray replied, “if you're at the local coffee café, a pump is kin to another shot.”  And my sister-in-law Lorrie noted, “Looking though my shoe bags, I see my pumps have a lot of kin in sneakers, flats, and slippers - some of which haven't seen the light of day much less proximity to the ground in a long while.

One could add that a pump device is a kin to gravity; what gravity does to fluids and slurry, pumps can do, and do so uphill.  In baseball, a pump is a kin to a balk; and in law enforcement, a pump is a kin to prodding for information.  And with an ego, it is a kin to making someone feel good, even if not earned. 

On a serious note, thank you for the outpouring of feelings and sympathy regarding the Oct 27 killings in a synagogue in Pittsburg.  I personally received numerous phone calls and emails expressing extreme sadness for our community as a whole as well as the Tree of Life congregation, and support to end hate-motivated violence.  As my friend Ray wrote,

It is impossible to put into words the level of chagrin that this household has over all of this. Really hard to put into words that would be deemed printable. If there was ever a place where we as a society could find refuge, solemnity and safety in times of crisis, it was our religious institutions (churches in Charleston, SC and Sutherland Springs, Texas are other examples). Such is no longer the case. We have drifted so badly that the notion of having reasonable – let alone civil – discourse is out the window. Everyone is so quick to say "God Bless America" yet we can only hope and pray that The Almighty does bless us during these difficult times. You, I, and others grew up in a multiplicity of ethnic backgrounds and we were taught to respect others and to learn from cultures and traditions different from ours. We also did it with a keen sense of humor that is steadily diminishing in our society. At the same time, when someone got out of line, we let them know about it while remaining civil. 

May we find ways to remain civil and respectful as we push for solutions.  And may we find and care for those that seem despondent, overwhelmed, and alone, so that they do not turn to the darkest corners of the Internet for find support of other loners who turn to illogical, inappropriate, and inhumane solutions.

Please send me your thoughts about this week's "things that make you go 'Hmmm' ":

Who pays the check? (from my friend Lon)

Life is too short for drama and petty things, so kiss slowly, laugh insanely, love truly, and forgive quickly.

Hal

If you haven’t voted early, please vote on Tuesday.  All votes count.  It’s a system that’s served our country for 240+ years.

For my part of respectful conversation, save the date:  I’m helping plan the 14th annual Thanksgiving Ecumenical Celebration on Thu, Nov 15 at 7p.  Click here for details because this is an annual display of respectful conversation and reflection.  Join us in person or what streaming live online.

Thanks to Demetri Martin, Steven Wright and George Carlin for the inspiration for Hmmm.   I invite you to call or email me to catch up.