character – Page 7 – 300 words a day

More cowbell. Less noise.

My grandfather had a few cows. He had a cowbell for the lead cow. It was a great way to know where the cows were when you have more woods than pasture on the land you homesteaded. My mom got the cowbell when my grandfather gave up cows. She had followed the sound for years. […]

by Jon Swanson

I’m gradually learning that Snickers doesn’t satisfy.

I used to argue strongly on behalf of Snickers as a healthy snack. After all, it has peanuts. That makes it healthier than other candy bars like 3 Musketeers that are just fluff. I was helped in the argument by an ad campaign which affirmed that if you were looking for satisfaction, Snickers was the […]

by Jon Swanson

A prayer for persistence on Monday

God, it’s Monday. You knew that. You know that lots of my friends are asking you for lots of things right now. For peace while waiting to find out about cancer. For patience while waiting to find out about a daughter. For endurance while preparing for a quest. And we keep wondering about the answers, […]

by Jon Swanson

How Rich Dixon kept rolling.

Many of you know my friend Rich Dixon. You see him here most mornings, sitting down in the comment box. Last fall, you helped him support Convoy of Hope as he rode his handcycle the length of the Mississippi, from Minnesota to New Orleans. You’ve read his book, Relentless Grace, about his learning to live […]

by Jon Swanson

How to make a follower.

Commit your life to something. Could be anything. It’s more fun if it’s something that matters. Or someone. Learn about it. Or them. I mean learn. Details, subtleties. Favorite time of day. Batting average. History of the development of the scholarship. Not because it’s impressive, just because you love to know. Conform your life to it. Change […]