What's Tony Thinking

Reading Recommendations

June 30, 2022 — If summer reading — meaning light and entertaining — is still a thing, I have a great recommendation for you. It is Richard Osman’s The Thursday Murder Club. Set, improbably, in senior living residence somewhere in Britain, a gang of four concerns itself with murder cases. Each brings their own delightful personality and life-time experience to... Read More

From the Wallowas No. 14

June 28, 2022 — We are at the family cabin in the Wallowa Mountains of Northeastern Oregon. Lovely here. It was, along with much of the Northwest, quite warm over the weekend. Undaunted, my son Joe, his son, Colin, and Gpa set out for Aneroid Lake. It was Colin’s first backpacking trip. By definition, that means carrying your own... Read More

After Roe

June 25, 2022 — We saw the overturning of Roe v. Wade coming, but it still is a shock. And I think that’s true whichever side of the abortion issue you are on, or if you are in the “vast disquieted middle.” I don’t know that I’m ready to venture too many thoughts or opinions as yet, but I have... Read More

Embrace the New (Or Not)

June 24, 2022 — One more blog from my recent experience at the ATS, Association of Theological Schools, meeting in Pittsburgh. We heard a good deal from various speakers about the need to “let go of old models, embrace the new.” Well, yes. I have said as much. And the Bible has a good deal to say along these... Read More

“Spaces” And Other Hot Words

June 22, 2022 — I am returning from the Association of Theological Schools Biennial meeting in Pittsburgh and that portion of the meeting focused on schools who are Pathways to Tomorrow grantees. One of those is Vancouver School of Theology, my employer. It was a good meeting, mixing large group, small group and one-to-one interactions. Eighty-four theological schools are... Read More

Both/ And in An Either/ Or World

June 20, 2022 — Though I am no longer a part of the regular rotation of those who write for the UCC Daily Devotional, the editors to run one of mine from the archive every now and again, as they did last Sunday. It seemed to strike a chord with readers of the DD so I thought I’d run... Read More

Be You, Do You

June 18, 2022 — I notice signboards. One I saw today said, “Be You! Do You!” This is the essential wisdom of modern, American culture distilled in four words, “Be you, Do you.” At first glance, it sounds cheerful, upbeat and vaguely liberating. What’s life all about? It’s about you being you, performing you. Don’t worry what others think.... Read More

Curmudgeonly Notes No. 12

June 16, 2022 — I’m noticing that, as June 16 fades away, I haven’t turned over the calendar page from the month of May. Better get on it before June slips by as this lovely month is now more than half over. See a previous post for, “Who knows where the time goes?” In the upper right hand corner... Read More

Forgetting How To Be A Society

June 14, 2022 — One of you readers drew my attention to a brief piece by Paul Krugman in which he reflected on some recent time spent in Europe. He wrote: ” . . . while I wasn’t engaged in serious journalism, I did come away with an impression — namely, that America no longer seems advanced compared with... Read More

Second Hearing, No Letdown

June 13, 2022 — I caught most of the second hearing of the Jan. 6 committee this morning. And it definitely was morning, roughly 7:00 to 9:30, here on the west coast. I wondered if there would be a sense of letdown after the dramatic opening hearing in prime-time last Thursday. I didn’t think there was. If anything it... Read More

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