My temper is quick this morning. Small things that would normally float under my radar have my molars grinding, my feet moving to another room to be alone with my peevishness.

I’m starting to suspect it’s a need for quiet. I spent Sunday, Monday and Tuesday nights alone on my bike, mile after mile, just my breath and the sound of the wind. But band practice Wednesday and a family event Thursday have put me out of sorts. Though I enjoyed both, they cost me that time alone. The separation from my own breath has me feeling out of touch with the quiet to the point that every sound is an annoyance.

By chance, I happened to learn this morning about a part in the Bible where Jesus got so annoyed by a fig tree he cursed it.

Matthew 21:18-22 New International Version (NIV)

¹⁸ Early in the morning, as Jesus was on his way back to the city, he was hungry. ¹⁹ Seeing a fig tree by the road, he went up to it but found nothing on it except leaves. Then he said to it, “May you never bear fruit again!” Immediately the tree withered.

Damn you, stupid fig!!  —Even Jesus had enough from time to time. I guess I can be forgiven this once.