Blut und Ehre!
June 18, 2026
I have in my possession a Nazi youth dagger with “Blut und Ehre! etched into the blade. I am Jewish, and it sickens me to hold it, as if I were shaking hands with slime. It’s been well used, so I can’t help but wonder how and on whom? Regardless, it’s in excellent shape, and, I’m certain, worth a small fortune to the right collector. Fine, Why not sell it? I don’t want the damn thing in my house any longer than it needs to be. Now, knowing there are quite a few Nazi memorabilia collectors, given a little research, a buyer should be no problem. So, what’s the rub? My kids. Sevi and Madden. My kids. They’re the rub. Here’s their point. Any body interested in buying this thing for their collection is probably a Nazi sympathizer, so why would I want to associate with them in any way? It’s blood money, they say. Why not donate it to a museum? I pointed to the price of oil, yet I do see their point. OK. I’m curious. I’m really anxious to hear from you. What would you do? Sell it, or donate it. Your call.
What else?
June 20, 2026
Today was one of my best days in a long life replete with best days. Nothing special. Everything special. Spent most of it in one of my two most favorite places on earth: a full bloom nursery on a bright June day being one of them; a library on a rainy day being the other. The rhododendrons are gone as are the lilacs, but the day lilly’s are blooming plus wild daisies and columbine, and marigolds made the jump from our garden to the front lawn. We brought fuschia and geraniums and pansies and lavender and a lot of other stuff to fill in for those that passed. The story I’m telling today is a simple one:nothing special. Years ago I read a book called, Chop Wood, Carry Water,that talked about living with intention, that intention being attention paid to every action one takes, every breath, every morsel, everything one does having a kind of sacrament to it. Why not? I’m alive. And that in itself is a miracle. I spent today with my wife and daughter, and that is another.
Before you donate or sell the Nazi youth dagger, write a short story about it.
I agree collecting and dealing in Nazi artifacts, particularly weapons, suggests a degree of affinity with the values and intents of The Third Reich. If it were me: Determine the maximum value via a Google AI search. Donate the cursed thing. Take the guilt-free tax deduction. Use the tax savings to buy more flowers.