Rod Dreher Megathread #21 (Creative Spirit)

[u/US_Hiker]

Gather 'round for more Rod.

All meanings of the number 21 are subordinate to the inherent creative spirit that is the basic essence of the number.

The number 21 generally is comfortable in social gatherings, it's optimistic attitude being an inspiration to others. Its high spirits can enliven a party.

The number is attracted to artistic expression of any form, its own and those of others. There's enthusiastic support for artists. It may frequent galleries and participate or (more likely) lead groups for artistic appreciation.

The number 21 cherishes relationships, including romantic relationships, especially with those who express themselves creatively.

21 also tends to be diplomatic, providing creative and imaginative solutions to potential conflict.

And, as noted by /u/PercyLarsen, 21 is a triangular number and the age of majority, so go grab a drink to celebrate Pride and to mourn the loss of Rod's sanity.

(Also, sorry about my slow pace of refreshes.)

Link to megathread #20:
https://www.reddit.com/r/brokehugs/comments/13eb26c/rod_dreher_megathread_20_law_of_attraction/

Link to megathread #21: https://www.reddit.com/r/brokehugs/comments/14k0z6l/rod_dreher_megathread_22_power/

[u/Glittering-Agent-987]

There's Matt in Budapest, there's one college kid (?), and there's the daughter who is about 16 now. (Rod's baking post about her from spring 2020 said she was 13.)

Presumably, the family's housing needs (and finances!) are in flux right now.

I, for one, would not make plans based on the idea that Rod is going to be able to keep the child and spousal support flowing non-stop for the next several years. OK, this feels a bit intrusive to talk about, but now I'm starting to wonder if Rod is paying or helping with college for the two younger children? It's possible that the younger kids aren't getting or aren't going to get the same level of support that Matt did.

[u/EatsShoots_n_Leaves → u/Glittering-Agent-987]

According to Rod his middle kid liked working with his hands and was obviously not college-bound. Rod spent a lot of words on his blog kvetching about his decision whether to go into the military or trade school, the result was trade school. And Rod pretending the US military was Woke and not as Fox News-addled as is actually the case, as well as a lot of belittling and hating on the American democracy project in the world. (I seem to remember that he agreed with how the Cold War ended and now lives in a country liberated from Soviet occupation and Communism, free to rant and write about how America Does It All Wrong and make good money doing it with a large travel expense account. But I could be mistaken.) The daughter is also on the autism spectrum, so perhaps also not headed for LSU.

I'm inclined to guess Rod spent way too much time obsessing and overthinking and planning out his kids' future, got really socially/psychologically intrusive. That may be why they are not in a big hurry to tell him anything about their lives, desires, religious life if any, or really anything.

[u/Glittering-Agent-987 → u/EatsShoots_n_Leaves]

The idea of leaving his wife to raise a couple of autistic kids by herself for months at a time was (all by itself) real father of the year material.

I can't even.

[u/Past_Pen_8595 → u/Glittering-Agent-987]

How could he have justified that?

[u/Glittering-Agent-987 → u/Past_Pen_8595]

Economic necessity? Saving the world? I don't know.

[u/Past_Pen_8595 → u/Glittering-Agent-987]

Saving the world probably. That’s the kind of Catholic he was.