What’s with the name of this blog?
My sister Becca once sent me a coaster from a NY hotel called The Benjamin. At times I now refer to myself as The Benjamin. It’s an arrogant name for a humble blog.
What are you studying in graduate school?
I am working on a Ph.D. in horticulture. My project involves investigating the correlation (or lack of correlation) between phytophthora root rot and hypoxic soils in the production of true firs (Abies spp.). I am also screening true firs to look for resistance to phytophthora root rot and tolerance of hypoxic soils. To translate, I study athlete’s foot in Christmas trees (just in this case it is killer athlete’s foot).
I heard that you are a Mennonite. Do you use electricity? How do you update this blog? Do you drive a car?
Actually, I write all my blog entries in pencil on wide-ruled paper. I then pass them along to a friend who posts them on this website for me. I typically commute to campus by horse, though some days I walk. I trust most of you will perceive that I am being facetious. . . well, at least everything but the walking to campus part, I do that.
I do call myself a Mennonite, though maybe Evangelical Mennonite is more accurate. I’ve also called myself an Evangelical Christian with Anabaptist tendencies. My core theology is consistent with Mennonite beliefs. You’ll notice that there is no reference to electricity or automobiles in the Mennonite Confession of Faith.
