Cup of Joe June 14, 2026

By Joe McKenzie

Stone Age: I read a spiritual meditation that we were not in the Stone Ages, but in the Age of Anxiety. Not much of an advancement, but at least we have meds. Around 15% of Americans take medication to deal with our modern society. Others carry a worry stone in their pocket. This does not make them a pre-historic, cave dwelling (not homeless) wild American. A simple talisman of a common stone that is always in the pocket or purse is a comfort. It’s smaller than a comfort dog. Eats less. So faithful.  Maybe, we get a little crazy if we accidentally wash or lose it. Easy to find another one in this era of contemporary stone age. Could be a nice prize in an adult organic happy meal. Hold the fries.

RUOK: I once asked a young lady, who had fainted, if she was okay? While she was still lying on the floor. While she was barely conscious. Surely, you have asked that same question more than once. Just trying to be helpful. I wanted to hear a positive response. She had a fairly quick yes. Everybody’s fine or we want to be perceived as okay, fine, healthy, good and getting better. We might even assure a crying child they are okay. They may not have a clear definition of okay yet. Life’s hurts only last a minute. Or a lifetime. When you are on the receiving end of the are you okay query, take your time, assess the pain and go for it. 

Flounder: My father would often order flounder stuffed with savory crabmeat as a dinner entree at a favorite restaurant.  But, I digress. Flounder is the name of a character in the film Animal House. Picture him. Remember his pudgy innocent freshman face and smile. He was disappointed when Belushi gave him the nickname Flounder. He freaked out when he fired a blank into the ceiling and a horse keeled over dead. But, Flounder also epitomized pure joy, waving his arms above his head when he was initiated into the only fraternity that would have him. One of his classic lines was: “Oh boy, This is so great!” Can you find a small moment in each average day to feel so alive and be like Flounder? 

Grape: It has to be grape. Do your research. If you intend to feed the beautiful Baltimore Orioles passing through Kansas, use cheap grape jelly. Orioles express themselves. They can be loud. Their angry tone is not restricted to their mates. You will get the message, as birds train you to listen by singing so well. It is not all happy song. They have a message. Sometimes it is simply - please, humans, we have the power of flight and can dash off to Nebraska tomorrow. We don’t ask much, just a simple jar of grape jelly hanging in your yard. Thank you for your attention to this matter.

Turn the Page: If you are a musician, like an organ player at church on Sundays, you are probably used to taking fingers off the keys to quick turn the page of the written score. The music continues in that split second. Life goes on. There is no pause. It never looks easy. Sometimes a page fights back and will not settle. Changes in our life are often like that. We may not be quick or decisive. But, we know it has to happen. We might see it coming. Might not, if we’ve lost our way. We need to find the measure on the next page again to keep the melody of our lives playing. Are you ready to turn a page?