I do tell myself that I have a good excuse for the acquisitions. My grandfather was bald and fair just like me, and he spent the last 30 years of his with doctors cutting cancer off his head. A fate that I would certainly like to avoid!
Of course, I suppose that a single hat would do that, but that wouldn't be any fun at all!
Yes, a good man. And certainly a traveling man! I swear that it seemed as if he had led every single little Masonic Order that no one has ever heard about in North America! Of course leadership in the big ones too, but he seemed to enjoy those tiny Orders just as much.
Sometimes it’s best to just say what’s on your mind without exhausting thoughts in rhetoric or linear storytelling to form panegyrists, or calumnies. You have a gift with writing and I always enjoy reading your posts.
You covered many a topic on this post! Let’s start at the beginning:
MWB Bill Miller: Indeed! This Past Grand Master had a storied Masonic Career! He was a Past Deputy of the Grand Master before I was born, and held numerous Grand Lodge positions in the 1970’s. He was the Grand Master when I was in 10th Grade in high school. And in all those years, he never stopped sharing the knowledge and wisdom he accrued from all those years in our Craft. He was a tremendous resource for me. One of the few regrets I had from my trip to Puerto Vallarta back in December of 2021 was that I didn’t get to fly with him to and from that city. I know I would have learned even more than I have.
He lived 90 years, and a day. “I am well taken care of.” Live respected, and die regretted, indeed.
Emeth: It’s true! You did clarify the meaning early on, but since then, numerous Brothers have found you and your Substack since then, so a recap is totally appropriate. In fact, dare I say now that for many Masons, the word “Emeth” is more like to reference you instead of Pike! Good move on the recap.
Knives: I have numerous knives, as do many of us. I remember talking with a handful of self-defense people (law enforcement, martial arts, etc.) who mention that it doesn’t take that much to defend yourself against an assailant with a knife, if you’re situationally aware. For a few, I played the assailant, using a ball point pen or a marker as the weapon, and I did what I could to mark the defender. It was embarrassingly easy for the defender to send the pen, or myself, flying clear of him. You don’t have to be a trained police officer or a Black Belt to defend yourself against someone with a knife. But it helps to get training of some sort, and I encourage all of you to do that. The same applies to the walking stick, and watching reruns of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles doesn’t count!
Government: All I can say in general is I hope you voted, and that vote was an informed one, not a “straight ticket” vote based on party affiliation (if it were a person,) and not “No” just because you didn’t find the time to research the topic of the question. This is your “Break.” The Legislative Session starts on the 2nd Monday of January, and I strongly advise all of you to follow along with what your State Government is doing. It takes a notable amount of time, but if you allot the right amount, it won’t overtax you.
Madsen’s: I’ve known Sam and his now-late parents for many years. It was a nice little store about ¾ miles from my house at the beginning and is now pretty good-sized. Hats are all well and good, but if you really want to get some “street cred,” you’d better buy yourself a lumber crayon or two. Red and Yellow work best.
Hats: “(Earflaps up and hidden away of course, one does not want to look like a lunatic.)” Now, now, Elmer Fudd wasn’t a lunatic! He was … passionate…
Agreed. I too wish that Bill would have been able to join our Grand Lodge on our trip to Mexico.
As I recall Emeth's growth, it did begin with just two subscribers, Amber and myself, but it quite quickly jumped to a few hundred as people shared it, primarily on Facebook. I remember in the early days I set the subscription goals in relation to our Masonic Districts. Get more subscribers than a District, then get more subscribers than our largest District. But, after that initial hundred or so, it was a long slog to get 1000. Then suddenly there was a huge surge and it shot up to 2000. Then it slowed to a trickle again.
Today 2409 people receive Emeth in their email, and it is pushed out to 3653 people in the app. Not bad, but I wish it were more, because I truly believe that it is a tool that can be used to help improve our Lodges, and help make a better experience for our Masons.
Yeah, in untrained hands, I think that a knife is a useless tool of self defence.
Honestly I'm pleased as punch with yesterday's election. I only cared about a single race, that for our little Port of Centralia. The voters clearly voted to put a stake in the heart of the 'good ol' boys club' (I figure that one can have a good ol' boys club even with girls) that had dominated the port for so long. Things should dramatically improve now that those seeking to reform the port have the majority.
Madsen's never fails to amaze me with the sheer volume of high quality clothing it carries. A really awesome place. I think though that the vast majority of their business is mail order, not through the retail store.
In my humble opinion, Madsen's is the best place to buy a Filson hat, because:
-Their price is $15 less than I've seen anywhere else, and $20 than buying it from the actual Filson store.
-They have a really large number in each size. The Filson people don't seem to take sizing uniformity very seriously, so this way there are lots of Larges to try on to find the one that actually fits best.
Worry not, I've got an Elmer Fudd hat too! With the Square and Compasses embroidered on it!
I wish I'd had the opportunity to meet MW Bill Miller. From everything I have heard it sounds like he made a significant impact on quite a few people in and out of the Craft.
How many guitars does John need?
How many hats does Cameron need,?
Same answer to both questions: One more!
Exactly!
I do tell myself that I have a good excuse for the acquisitions. My grandfather was bald and fair just like me, and he spent the last 30 years of his with doctors cutting cancer off his head. A fate that I would certainly like to avoid!
Of course, I suppose that a single hat would do that, but that wouldn't be any fun at all!
Well, since you and I have the same hair style I'll be sure to wear a hat when I'm on my next guitar hunt.
Now that's a plan! 🤠
Bill was a good man. I saw him frequently in DC, he visited NC and Monroe Several times as well. He traveled quite a lot.
Yes, a good man. And certainly a traveling man! I swear that it seemed as if he had led every single little Masonic Order that no one has ever heard about in North America! Of course leadership in the big ones too, but he seemed to enjoy those tiny Orders just as much.
Yup!
So Old Hickory was a Mason...
Yep, Grand Master of Tennessee.
Yeah, it's interesting to note that we've had more than one United States President who was a Past Grand Master.
Sometimes it’s best to just say what’s on your mind without exhausting thoughts in rhetoric or linear storytelling to form panegyrists, or calumnies. You have a gift with writing and I always enjoy reading your posts.
Thank you very much! I truly appreciate the compliment!
MWB Cameron:
You covered many a topic on this post! Let’s start at the beginning:
MWB Bill Miller: Indeed! This Past Grand Master had a storied Masonic Career! He was a Past Deputy of the Grand Master before I was born, and held numerous Grand Lodge positions in the 1970’s. He was the Grand Master when I was in 10th Grade in high school. And in all those years, he never stopped sharing the knowledge and wisdom he accrued from all those years in our Craft. He was a tremendous resource for me. One of the few regrets I had from my trip to Puerto Vallarta back in December of 2021 was that I didn’t get to fly with him to and from that city. I know I would have learned even more than I have.
He lived 90 years, and a day. “I am well taken care of.” Live respected, and die regretted, indeed.
Emeth: It’s true! You did clarify the meaning early on, but since then, numerous Brothers have found you and your Substack since then, so a recap is totally appropriate. In fact, dare I say now that for many Masons, the word “Emeth” is more like to reference you instead of Pike! Good move on the recap.
Knives: I have numerous knives, as do many of us. I remember talking with a handful of self-defense people (law enforcement, martial arts, etc.) who mention that it doesn’t take that much to defend yourself against an assailant with a knife, if you’re situationally aware. For a few, I played the assailant, using a ball point pen or a marker as the weapon, and I did what I could to mark the defender. It was embarrassingly easy for the defender to send the pen, or myself, flying clear of him. You don’t have to be a trained police officer or a Black Belt to defend yourself against someone with a knife. But it helps to get training of some sort, and I encourage all of you to do that. The same applies to the walking stick, and watching reruns of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles doesn’t count!
Government: All I can say in general is I hope you voted, and that vote was an informed one, not a “straight ticket” vote based on party affiliation (if it were a person,) and not “No” just because you didn’t find the time to research the topic of the question. This is your “Break.” The Legislative Session starts on the 2nd Monday of January, and I strongly advise all of you to follow along with what your State Government is doing. It takes a notable amount of time, but if you allot the right amount, it won’t overtax you.
Madsen’s: I’ve known Sam and his now-late parents for many years. It was a nice little store about ¾ miles from my house at the beginning and is now pretty good-sized. Hats are all well and good, but if you really want to get some “street cred,” you’d better buy yourself a lumber crayon or two. Red and Yellow work best.
Hats: “(Earflaps up and hidden away of course, one does not want to look like a lunatic.)” Now, now, Elmer Fudd wasn’t a lunatic! He was … passionate…
Agreed. I too wish that Bill would have been able to join our Grand Lodge on our trip to Mexico.
As I recall Emeth's growth, it did begin with just two subscribers, Amber and myself, but it quite quickly jumped to a few hundred as people shared it, primarily on Facebook. I remember in the early days I set the subscription goals in relation to our Masonic Districts. Get more subscribers than a District, then get more subscribers than our largest District. But, after that initial hundred or so, it was a long slog to get 1000. Then suddenly there was a huge surge and it shot up to 2000. Then it slowed to a trickle again.
Today 2409 people receive Emeth in their email, and it is pushed out to 3653 people in the app. Not bad, but I wish it were more, because I truly believe that it is a tool that can be used to help improve our Lodges, and help make a better experience for our Masons.
Yeah, in untrained hands, I think that a knife is a useless tool of self defence.
Honestly I'm pleased as punch with yesterday's election. I only cared about a single race, that for our little Port of Centralia. The voters clearly voted to put a stake in the heart of the 'good ol' boys club' (I figure that one can have a good ol' boys club even with girls) that had dominated the port for so long. Things should dramatically improve now that those seeking to reform the port have the majority.
Madsen's never fails to amaze me with the sheer volume of high quality clothing it carries. A really awesome place. I think though that the vast majority of their business is mail order, not through the retail store.
In my humble opinion, Madsen's is the best place to buy a Filson hat, because:
-Their price is $15 less than I've seen anywhere else, and $20 than buying it from the actual Filson store.
-They have a really large number in each size. The Filson people don't seem to take sizing uniformity very seriously, so this way there are lots of Larges to try on to find the one that actually fits best.
Worry not, I've got an Elmer Fudd hat too! With the Square and Compasses embroidered on it!
I wish I'd had the opportunity to meet MW Bill Miller. From everything I have heard it sounds like he made a significant impact on quite a few people in and out of the Craft.
Yes, he was a great man and Mason.