International Day of Reason a Lonely Affair in Mehlville

'Hello World!,' as a beginning programmer often says in Programming 101.  I could not think of a better way to start off my new blog on the Mehlville Patch than with a little logic on May 5th, 2011 - the International Day of Reason.

Unfortunately—in Mehlville—reason is a lonely celebration.

There certainly are no shortages of reasonable people in these parts, and the history of the Mehlville community is an honorable one.  A history that should be celebrated often, no doubt.  But, there are few (if any) opportunities for freethinkers to coalesce and trade ideas and some friendly conversation.  

While Mehlville does continue to change with the rest of the world, our community's German Catholic roots are on full display in our culture.  If you fit that mold, there is never a shortage of places to be and things to do for a little social interaction.  However, if you are largely outside that culture in your thoughts, values, and ideas, it can get a little lonely around here.

Luckily for me I have a large and wonderful family and plenty of friends who are more than happy to put up with me (even if only on occasion.)  And since this is the 21st Century, there are millions more like me all over the world who also celebrate the first Thursday in May, every year, as an International Day of Reason.

Unfortunately for us, we have not adopted any pagan traditions or immaculate conceptions to tie to our celebrations, so it may be a lonely tradition for some time to come.  Regardless, perhaps Mehlville is due for some organized interaction amongst freethinkers, and maybe 'Hello World!' is a solid name for a what promises to be a solid group of people.

In the meantime, the freethinkers of Mehlville (as well as the not-so-freethinkers) are always welcome to stop in for a drink on this blog.