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hangovers have convinced me it's not worth the effort. Who would've dreamed I'd become a total lightweight? I could be a Baptist!
So. Religion. I think you should follow whatever you want to believe. I also think if you try to sell your religion to me our friendship will take a big hit. I don't believe in God and I don't think you have to believe in Him, or Her, to be a good person. Any idiot can figure out that it's wrong to murder people or steal or do things that hurt others.
I do believe in impermanence, living simply, trying to be a good person and trying to find some sort of inner peace. I think if you're going to have prayer in schools you should also teach math in church. It's only fair.
P.S. You cannot meditate your way to hitting a flop shot to an elevated green. You have to practice. Amen.
Family Values, and How to Overcome Them
I feel I have shortchanged my dad and mom. Here is more.
Both of my parents graduated near the top of their class at Wayne University. My mom came from a well-to-do family, members of the Detroit Yacht Club. I remember going there with my grandparents and seeing the beautiful wooden boats and elegant clubhouse with billiard tables and dark wood paneling and leather chairs. Her family name was Skinner and her father was a gentle guy who smoked a pipe.
My dad's background was different. His father had a dental repair service. My dad helped him and they repaired all kinds of dental equipment, including X- ray machines. My dad figured he'd gotten more than his share of radiation. His father was a little man and known to have a violent temper. He had a Model A pickup truck with a steel back bumper and once someone cut him off on the road. He pulled back around the guy, got in front and slammed on the brakes. Messed up that car.
My dad worked harder than I ever did. He worked for Detroit Power Screwdriver Company and he also taught business at Wayne University night school. On weekends he would help out in the dental repair business. At one point he bought a Crosley, a tiny little car and rebuilt the engine in our garage. Mom used it to drive me and other kids home from basketball practice and I was embarrassed. The other kids thought it was fun. My dad had a metal lathe in the basement and machined stuff with it. He also had a drill press. At one point he and mom took classes in how to make jewelry and they made stuff out of silver.
Mom was always trying new things. At one point in Detroit she found a place where they played polo and you could go watch for free. There were two