Job 20:13

Though he cherish it, not forsaking it,

   Holds it back, within his mouth

About forty years later, I am almost ready to get another dog. Having had cats, I think I can deal with the trauma. But I would need a live-in butler or something to take care of the dog when I have to travel, so it probably won’t happen. I am sure kenneling is fine, but not a hurdle I really want to overcome.

‘Not forsaking it’ was also ‘does not let it go’. ‘Cherish’ was also ‘loves’, ‘saves’, ‘spares’, and modifiers for the last phrase of ‘is loath to’ and ‘cannot bear to’.

‘Holds’ was also ‘saves’ or ‘keeps’. ‘Back’ was also ‘still’ or left off. ‘Mouth’ was also ‘palate’ with ‘beneath’ or ‘under’.

Due to some fortunate circumstances, I am going to sit at another card show next month. I will only have half a table, so I have a want to get ready for less space. That means I’ll have to revisit how I have my show cards stored. That of course means I need to revisit how everything is stored and look at it all. Not really, but I am at least going through my graded cards. For someone who has only ever sent in two or three cards for free, I have a lot of graded cards.

Also, during the process, I have decided to remove the better cards from my online presence. I do not really want to worry about anyone stealing from my house, but it does have the potential for a concern. Statistically, fire is also a concern, but like a hurricane or tornado, those are mostly out of my hands. I do try to keep my house safe, but …

All of these topics running through my head lead to the question of what parts of the joys of living are part of the life that God calls me to lead? Yes, it’s acceptable to have a car to provide transportation, but do I have to only have a boring sensible car or can I have the fun car? Yes, I need shelter, but is it okay to have a house big enough to store some stuff in? Yes, it’s okay to have a fixed shelter, but is it okay to have it in a safe neighborhood? The answers to these questions are different for everyone, which is part of why we are not to judge others. There is no doubt that God has blessed my family, but I am still trying to figure out where the stewardship call applies to the old video system that needs an $80 plug or the extra laptop fits in the picture.

Written 2/10/26, Posted 4/2/26, Job 471/~1070