#356

Megan asked me, "Do you have a blog?" I said, "Uhhh, yes. How did you hear about it? She said, "I've heard people talk about it." Uh-oh. But then her real curiosity about it: "How many followers do you have?" I said none, since I'm not aware of any subscribers or followers, a feature on the site which, umm, is underused I guess; something about better content. Anyway, Megan was incredulous. "You have no followers?! Why do you do it then?" I spared her a sanctimonious lecture about how one's own path and interests and – shocking to her generation – fulfillment can be independent of social media followers, clicks, views, thumbs-ups (thumbs-ups?), whatever. Her cute face would've been a portrait of confusion and pity. And yeah, it would've been hypocritical as hell to get on my soapbox; I very much enjoy it when someone mentions my blog.

I'm watching Bear Grylls and Marshawn Lynch spear-hunt a wild hog in some gnarly mountains. Bear said, "This takes courage and a little skill." Marshawn said, "I got courage but no skill." Bear said, "Lean on the courage then." Brilliant. M 'n' m, if nothin' else, lean on the courage then.

I also watch documentaries – or listen to them while driving – on YouTube. The kids prefer proper YouTubers, whoever they are, but Michael doesn't complain. Recently I, and sometimes we, have learned or relearned about Marcus Aurelius, Wyatt Earp, Jackie Robinson, Hannibal, Ghenghis Khan, George Washington, Ponce de Leon, Vasco de Gama, Edward Teach, Seneca, Napoleon, Peter the Great, Tecumseh, Leif Erikson, and others. I especially like what Leif Erikson's mom supposedly taught him: Think before you draw your sword. I have mostly lived this way myself, metaphorically of course, and sometimes to a fault (unleashing a quick, unfettered response has its place and effectiveness too; and there's fun and exhileration to consider) but maybe it's saved me from an ugly consequence or two. I wonder how M 'n' m will judge themselves against this maxim someday. Think before you draw your sword.