So Go Before You Leave Home....

Proposed light rail station bathroom (left).

Jim Walsh at the Arizona Republic reported yesterday that there is a wave of discontent among passengers using the spiffy new light rail, The Metro. It seems these delicate souls need bathrooms at Metro stations, and Phoenix has failed to anticipate and provide for this basic need.

Let me just say this: If Metro light rail stations get bathrooms, then bus transit stations should get them, too.

One of the first hard lessons of bus commuting for me was continence planning. You know, visit my home bathroom before leaving for work? Just like Mom taught me to do before rides in the car? Know the route to the bathroom upon arrival at my distination business? Drink less fluids? Surely Metro riders have heard of these precautions.

For that matter I used to plan accordingly for my car commutes. So, what's with these precious needy folks? Did they all have mini-commodes in their automobiles?

Quite a few Metro riders are enjoying test rides anyway. Metro still looks like a Disneyland ride on weekends: "I know George. Let's bundle up the kids and take them for a ride on the train." I also secretly long for a sign four feet high saying, "You must be at least this tall to ride."

When the newness wears off and the Metro is left to experienced mass transit commuters, the idea of bathrooms at stations will be an amusing memory.

Are There Christians in Iraq? Yes!

And many of the Christians in Iraq worship in Baghdad with the Reverend Canon Andrew White who has courageously worked for religious reconciliation in the midst of Iraq's war. Tip of the hat and thanks to Lyle Skillen for connecting me to Canon White's updates from Baghdad. From an article published in the UK Times, January 23, 2009:

From Times Online
January 23, 2009
Wanted by God, but wanted by killers too
Canon Andrew White talks about life, work and death threats in the world’s most dangerous parish.

Michael Binyon

He drives to church in an armourplated car, escorted by 25 members of the Iraqi Army. As he preaches, he and his congregation are protected by soldiers cradling machineguns. Each week, familiar faces disappear — kidnapped, abducted or blown up by a suicide bomber. And each week politicians, generals, Muslim clerics and desperate mothers stream in to St George’s Anglican church to beg the help of an English vicar in ending violence, promoting dialogue and negotiating the release of hostages. For Canon Andrew White, fighting for peace has an all too literal meaning. His parish is the most murderous in the world: Baghdad.

* * *

“Peacemaking of the old woolly liberal kind no longer works,” he writes. And the US military, he says, is vital to any effort. “Many people object to the idea that military action has an important role in peace- making, but I believe it more strongly now than ever.”

But he insists that religious figures are central to politics in Iraq. There is, in Iraqi eyes, no distinction. He is trusted and respected, he believes, because he is ordained — and because he belongs to no faction. His work in encouraging reconciliation has high backing — by Lord Carey of Clifton, the former Archbishop of Canterbury and a personal mentor, by Shia and Sunni clergy, by the Iraqi Government, US commanders and by President Bush himself, who wrote to him, just before leaving office last week, to “thank you for helping our people and sharing the Almighty’s love with the people of Baghdad”.

Read the whole article here.

Canon White has a new book out in the UK:
The Vicar of Baghdad by Andrew White (Times Books, £8.54)

Thank You, MadPriest!

As I trolled my favorite blogs last night, I discovered that this humble (new, sketchy) blog of mine has been recognized as a new friend of MadPriest's most excellent blog, Of Course I Could Be Wrong. OCICBW, as it is known in the blogosphere sector I frequent, is full of music, humor, irony, commentary, and God's love for all of us.

I am grateful for the hat tip, MadPriest! I was blown away, and thanks for the references to other new friends, more than one of whom I'll be following further.

Yes We Can!

And I promise to help do the work of healing America.

As I was watching the inauguration, I realized that none of this would have happened if Al Gore had assumed the presidency in 2005. At that time, I wondered what God's plan was. I wondered what benefit could come from President W being re-elected (by court decision, no less). I reminded myself that there was surely a purpose underlying Gore's election loss (by court decision, yes). So many of us were discouraged and even angry. We could not see ahead.

But today I know the purpose, and my faith in God's guidance of our paths is renewed and refreshed.

All hail the Power....!

Cardinals and Steelers!

Our Arizona Cardinals will meet the Pittsburgh Steelers on February 1 in the Super Bowl! We Arizonans have enjoyed a stellar weekend: Cards win the NFC championship; Martin Luther King Day which many of us had to march for in Arizona; and next up, the inauguration of the next President of the United States. Well, maybe not everyone is as thrilled as I am. But many, many are!

Go Cards! Go Barack! Dr. King, what a prophet you were in our midst!

Cardinals Win NFC Championship!

We don't know yet, whether the Ravens or the Steelers will be in Super Bowl 2009.

We do know the Arizona Cardinals will be in Super Bowl 2009 after winning their first ever NFC Championship game against the Philadelphia Eagles! Now Bill Bidwill and Arizona Cardinal fans have just about seen it all!

Go Cards!

I'm a Born Again American

Caution: If you listen to this more than once, it will be yours for life. And you'll be glad you listened!



Norman Lear and Keith Carradine have collaborated to bring this new anthem for Americans. They have built a website that asks us to sign on, to be educated about issues, and to volunteer in ways to build a stronger, healthy nation. Count me in!

It's worth the time to go to "About Us" to read the brief stories and biographies of the Americans who performed in this video.

One of the most inspirational settings is at Mount Rushmore where Patti Linsky, Cantor for Temple Ahavat Shalom, sings with Islamic Center's Mu’azzin (Caller to prayer) Benyoucef. Now that's American!

For those of us, like me, who need to see the words, go to the Born Again American website and click on "Read the Words".

Thanks to Rev. Susan Russell at her Inch At A Time blog for sharing this. She is justifiably proud of All Saints' (Pasadena CA) choir's participation!

Fine, Thanks! No Mo Trips to Vet, Pleeez

Joyful Klemme tolerated a trip to the veterinarian Tuesday afternoon and survived indignities like rectal temp and an immunization shot. She traveled in the most modern of conveyances, The Metro light rail. All of that was fine. Joyful was not amused at being 'crated' and bungee corded to a (rolling suitcase) dolly and trundled over bumpy driveways, sidewalks and light rail tracks. I kept reminding her how green we were being, keeping our carbon pawprints down, and saving money on transportation. Joyful kept uttering muttered epithets at every jounce.

Joyful wants her God-guardians, Gail and Laverne, Marge and Maggie, and the neighbors to know, she is healthy, healthy, healthy! "No mo' trips to the vet, pleeeez. I am well!"

On Being Set Free to Live a Dream

A note of admiration and respect to my friend Michael: You go, Blue Rider!

Michael's previous employer 'riffed' him. Reductions in force are happening in all sorts of businesses, and many people look upon being laid off as a dismal and depressing event in life.

Not Michael.

Michael spent some time figuring out what he could do to match his love of travel with his need for a career change. Michael loves driving and hiking and drinking in the beauty of creation. Yes, there are ways to live out the joys of life in one's work, and Michael found his. Then he set about learning how to make his dream job come true. After a few weeks of training, he was granted his unlimited CDL (commercial driver's license), and he went to work for Werner Enterprises as a driver trainee. He put in his required driving time with an instructor-driver, and then got his own Werner-owned truck.

Today he and his trusty side-kick, Skittles, drive the highways of America delivering goods to distribution warehouses, everything from toilet paper to lawn mowers and more. The list of goods he has freighted over the road boggles the mind! When they stop for rest or a meal, he and Skittles take long walks, exploring woods, deserts, mountains, lakes, streams and any other roadside wonder of nature. Skittles and Michael are always accompanied by the spirit of Duffy. Skittles and Duffy have been Michael's canine companions at home and on the road for many years.

I'm a big fan of Michael's can-do spirit. Instead of falling into fear and depression about losing his job, Michael made the most of being set free to make new choices.

I've taken to calling him Blue Rider and his truck, Big Blue. He calls me and lets me know where he is driving and gives me a verbal travelogue of his scenery while driving and nature walks on breaks. He is living out a dream and he knows now he has options for his new career.

If I can talk Micheal out of some other pictures, I'll post them. In the meantime, thanks to Werner's website for allowing use of an ideal picture of Big Blue. And thanks to photographer Jim G. for this picture of the happy travelers. Isn't that Duffy in the image, too?

You go, Blue Rider!!

Being Gay Really IS a Gift from God

Here is the Reverend Edwin Bacon from All Saints Church, Pasadena CA with an expanded message for my life and the lives of LGBT people everywhere:

Cardinals Win! (Yes, really!)

Would you look at this?

Arizona Cardinals 33

Carolina Panthers 13

It is Saturday, January 10th, and the long-time lackadaisical Arizona Cardinals just won an NFL quarter-final game. They will next play for the right to go to the Super Bowl!

Is this the same Arizona Cardinals we've had all along? Well, yes and no. It sure is Kurt Warner at quarterback and Edgerrin James and Anquan Boldin and other familiar names. Yet there is a distinctly new spirit and team, perhaps as the result of Coach Whisenhunt's leadership. I'm not a Cardinals fan; I lost interest years ago due to year after year of failing seasons. So I'm not going to run out and try to buy a ticket or buy a TV to watch them, but I'll give them a post in my Diverse Mind blog! Good for the Cards! Go Cards! We are finally proud of you!!

My Other Car Is A Valley Metro Bus!

Mi Coche

On October 31, 2008, I donated my car to charity. Yes, it will be nice to have a modest tax deduction. Yes, it means I'm thinking 'Green!' But mostly it helps me prepare for retirement. It was time to fix or replace my well-worked car, and I chose to do neither.

Instead I walk out to a bus or Metro stop on Central Avenue or Camelback Avenue and hop aboard for a relaxed ride to anywhere. I read my newspaper or a book or do a puzzle or just spend quiet time. I smile at children and sometimes help someone who is new to riding the bus. We are all new at riding the Metro, so I'm the one being helped half the time. I'm getting some exercise walking. I'm enjoying a slower pace to life. I'm reducing my carbon footprint. And I'm being much gentler to my bank account.

People react with astonishment or pity. They have no idea how much I enjoy my car-free lifestyle. If you don't believe me, try it! Click on the title above for help getting started. You don't have to give your car away or sell it. But you might find you want to. I did!

Missing You

 

Babs,

Your smile was there for me when I was new, your hand reached out in welcome.

You gave me your name and phone number and asked me to call you the next day. You became my sponsor, my guide, my friend, and--somewhat unwillingly on my part--my honorary psychologist. You taught me how to make the steps work in my life and how to hang on to recovery no matter how life buffetted me. You said, "There are no big deals." You also said, "Life's hard and then you die." No matter what my whine, you had a wine-free answer. And I learned to live one day at a time, however imperfectly.

We were at Willie's on the north shore of Kauai, a short walk to End of the Road. We visited gardens and luaus and beaches. We spent relaxed vacation time together with our loved ones, and it was good. This photo is in my memory as one of the happiest smiles I've ever seen. I'm keeping it here and looking back from time to time to remember.

I miss you. Thanks for my very life!

Feeling Fine in 2009

It's here; it's the New Year!

This year is full of promises for us as individuals, for our nation, and for the world. Let's make it the best we can, one person at a time. Let's do less criticizing and more construction. Let's find the kernel of good in each other's ideas and help improve the idea. Let's work together, instead of obstructing one another.

Let's build 2009, build America, and build our self-respect. That's my hope for 2009.