Diverse Mind

Then and Now at 4112

2011-02-17T18:25:00.006-07:00

This is how 'home' looked December 1, 2010, the day I moved in. I took the real estate agent's sign out of the living room window and made a few other changes.

And this is how HOME looks today after those few changes!

Hard to believe it's the same place. Just a bit more work inside and we'll do some before-and-after inside. This is a precious gift from my Creator, Redeemer, Teacher/Friend!

Honey, I'm Home

2010-12-16T22:33:00.004-07:00

Holy mortgage payments, Batman!! Pat owns a house. Stay tuned for updates coming soon!

9-11 Remembrance

2010-09-11T12:33:00.006-07:00

Please, Lord, this...

...not this....

Journey To a Consecration in Navajoland

2010-08-08T16:16:00.005-07:00

Just home from Navajoland, the Shiprock and Farmington area to be more precise.

I had the pleasure of traveling with 40 good souls from St. Stephen's Episcopal Church, Trinity Cathedral and other valley churches. David Kaiser was our trusty "motor coach (not bus!) operator". Janet Kaiser was our very able organizer and Cruise Director.

Our journey's purpose was to celebrate the consecration of David Bailey as bishop of the Navajo Area Mission.

Pictures and more information are at Flickr.com under my files as Patinphx.

Cathy Eden for US Senate

2010-08-01T14:05:00.004-07:00

I'm stumping by telephone for Cathy Eden, the only woman candidate on the Democratic primary ballot.

It ain't easy.

First my only working phone is my cell phone. And because I don't have the company with the best coverage, I must call from the front porch in order to get calls to go through.

Most people have voice mail and it is a simple matter to leave a message from the script provided by Eden for Arizona campaign. Interestingly the only time a human answers the telephone, the person to whom I need to speak is not there. Every single one of them has given me permission to call back later. I must sound good to them. As for the left messages, I sound like a canned message. I try to personalize the message by using the voter's name at least once. Best I can do.

Cathy's website is www.edenforaz.com.

I'm happy I can help Cathy Eden's campaign in the way.

Oh, yes! Vote for Cathy Eden on your Dem ballot by mail or at the polls on August 24th.

Go Cathy!!

July Respite

2010-07-24T08:39:00.005-07:00

Phoenix Arizona blisters from mid-June through September. During monsoon season, we get an occasional break from the 105 -- 115 degree (Fahrenheit) temperatures. Now is such a time.

Our dew point and humidity rise and the cloud cover shades us. Over the past three days we have enjoyed mild temperatures under 100 degrees. I resumed walking and busing for pleasure, not just for getting to work. Summer in Phoenix is estivation time for me. I just hide out in air conditioning until a respite like this.

Joy to the world! It's cool this morning. Only 86 degrees. Our respite will end today or tomorrow. But I will remember this blessing as we resume hot, hot weather.

Happy Independence Day

2010-07-04T14:33:00.003-07:00

God Bless America!

Here's my favorite celebration for today courtesy of cartoonists Cantu y Castellanos:

I am an immigrant to Arizona, having lived in the Phoenix area over 35 years. I don't expect to leave, though one never knows what the future will bring. Many people in Arizona have worked themselves into a miserable frenzy over Mexican border immigration laws and policies. Rather than evaluate each new neighbor as an individual, many in Arizona have formed a blanket belief that anyone coming to AZ from Mexico is inherently evil, a bringer of smuggled people or drugs, an automatic addition to urban gangs, or a sneak thief intent on sucking up American benefits without paying taxes.

I know Mexican nationals living here without valid documentation who have started businesses, paid taxes, bought their home, contribute to their churches and charities. In short, they live just as I--a transplanted Nebraskan--live. Responsible people should be recognized and welcomed. People who come here from anywhere to create trouble, divert resources, or especially commit crimes need to be deported and KEPT THE HELL OUTA OUR NATION, not just Arizona.

Right now my chosen home state is not behaving as I would prefer. We will have a new law, SB1070, by the end of this month that is an embarrassment to me and quite a few other Arizonans. It is sufficiently egregious that even our state courts may stay its implementation. This law attempts to usurp federal border and immigration policies for local enforcement. Although I disagree with this law personally, if it drives immigration reform at the federal level, it will have served a noble purpose.

In the meantime, Baldo is my neighbor. I don't care where he was born!

God bless America!

...as I understand God.

2010-07-04T11:34:00.002-07:00

As a child my understanding of God came from Christian teachings, specifically the Episcopal Church's teachings. As an adult I can't just shake off my understanding of God as Creator, Redeemer, and Guide-Teacher-Friend. Yet my understanding has repeatedly changed, grown and expanded as my life progresses.

God, as I understand God, is beyond the confines of the Old Testament, the New Testament, the Quran, or any other sacred writings. God is beyond human understanding other than how we choose to anthropomorphize a deity. God is productive in far more ways than male or female. God is the sum and substance of all that is seen and unseen in and beyond the known universe.

As each element of creation comes into being, it is imbued with the nature of the Creator. Stars, planets, black holes, little planets like Earth have life in ways beyond human understanding. So, too, do paramecia, amoeba, viruses, seeds, nuts, and all plant and animal life.

For me God is present in all Creation. How could it be otherwise?

Waiting

2010-06-18T18:22:00.002-07:00

Waiting is usually not too hard for me.

So I've been waiting. It seems like I've been waiting a long time. Waiting to hear if lender(s) will approve the short sale of a home I'm trying to buy. There is absolutely nothing I can do to hurry the process.

I was carefully cautioned by my real estate professional that short sales take a long time and can even fall apart on the day of the final signing. Final signing. Doesn't that sound like a prized ritual of commerce? Then I read an article in the Arizona Republic that made more clear what a "long time" really meant. Ouch. We are just at the beginning of a long time.

It feels like it has been six months, but it has only been six weeks. Prayers are welcome! I wrote a prayer asking Abba to help me awaiting the perfect timing and solution. I'm pretty sure He knows I meant "Hurry up, Dad, please!" But I know that perfect timing and perfect solution lead to the best outcomes.

So wait I will!

Practicing perpetual patience,

Pat

Now I'll Git Fit

2010-06-14T19:34:00.002-07:00

I came home from work today to find my latest issue of AARP Magazine. Opening to a random page I found myself looking at advice for gardeners regarding bending, raking, pushing a wheelbarrow, and doing squats. Each gardening activity was accompanied by an exercise to improve muscle performance for each job.

I was not gardening today, but my work involved bending, lifting and carrying light loads. After every workday, I feel like I need a total back replacement. Mercifully a warm shower and a good night's sleep followed by a day off from work relieves the aches and pains until the next work day.

Semi-retirement: What a blessing! Think I'll try a couple of these exercises. Maybe.

That's How She Is

2010-06-13T18:57:00.002-07:00

Recently I re-wrote my e-mail tag line to say that I don't do social networking, but I write a blog.

In all honesty I play with a blog. I am more apt to embed a video I like or comment on someone else's writing with a link to the original material. It took me a while to learn how to upload pictures, embed videos, and create links that worked. So I guess it is useful to practice those skills sometimes, but I feel myself filling up with the Great Unwritten. It's time to live up to my tag line, to relieve the clogged up case of literary constipation.

Yeah, yeah. Promises, promises.

Okay now: once a day, every day, write, write, WRITE!

Wolfram Alpha Search is Phenomenal!

2010-06-09T21:03:00.004-07:00

Give this fascinating search resource a try. For an introduction: Wolfram Alpha .

It's like an instant Almanac only better and with greater scope. This is a must for mathematicians, chemists, physicists, astronomers, and even biologists. But there's terrific uses for the rest of us mere mortals as well. Stock and bond info, anyone? Enjoy!

Thanks to Auguste Charles for this treat.

Jill Bolte Taylor's Stroke of Insight (Ted Talks 2008)

2010-06-09T17:28:00.003-07:00

This is a lively and fascinating video I saw before. Every time a friend has a stroke, I recall Jill Bolte Taylor's 18 minute message and I search it out on Ted Talks (www.ted.com) . I'm sharing it here and now as I think of a friend recovering from a stroke:

Superstition Reigns

2010-06-02T14:38:00.005-07:00

Part of me wants to tell you all about a house on which I have made a buy offer.

Part of me is superstitious enough to keep my mouth shut.

All of me is getting a little impatient with the real estate face-saving practice called short selling. And if you think I'm having a little problem with this, please try to imagine the struggles of the home seller who is valiantly and honorably trying to stay ahead of foreclosure.

My ReMax Professional, Danielle Martinez, warned me that making an offer on a short sale would be setting myself up for a long drawn out process that could fall apart even at the last minute of closing. Caution to the wind, I made the offer. (I've always been this way. Give me advice and watch me ignore it!)

So now I sit in short sale limbo. And wait.

More as the process continues..... (Is that a promise or a threat? Lol!)

As for why short sales take so long? Check out this Arizona Republic article. Scary. Very scary.

Where in the World is Lubna Hussein?

2010-06-02T14:02:00.005-07:00

Okay, let's put M. Lubna Hussein, journalist and Sudanese woman activist, in the history book of Diverse Mind. One more short chapter and we are done: M. Hussein was freed after serving one day of her jail sentence after the Sudanese journalists' union (government sponsored) paid her fine. That was on Sept. 9th last year. (London Times Online) She has left the Sudan and continues to work for 'the emancipation of Muslim women'. (London Times Online)

The second article is a good summary of M. Hussein's fashion crime, the trial, her unwanted early release from jail. The article details several practices common in The Sudan that are demeaning to women and even little girls, including female circumcision (clitoral removal and partial closure of the vaginal opening). Lubna Hussein has much educating and and agitating to do.

My hat is off to her for her activism on behalf of Muslim women.

Lubna Hussein Takes Jail Time -- Belated Report

2010-06-01T15:47:00.005-07:00

Last fall as Lubna Hussein's trial for public indecency was postponed, my life was in flux on a lesser but turbulent track. However belatedly, here's the follow up story from an Huffington Post report on September 9, 2009:

KHARTOUM, Sudan — A woman journalist was convicted Monday of public indecency for wearing trousers, but was spared a sentence of flogging. A defiant Lubna Hussein said she would not pay a $200 fine and would take a month in prison instead to protest Sudan's draconian morality laws.

The 43-year old journalist has set out to challenge the police and courts since her arrest in July by insisting the case go to trial, aiming to embarrass the Khartoum government with the publicity. Her prosecution – and the prospect that she could get the full sentence of 40 lashes – drew an international outcry.

The judge's decision to impose a fine equivalent to $200 appeared to be an attempt to curb the criticism.

"I will not pay a penny," Hussein, who during the court session wore the same trousers that sparked her arrest, told The Associated Press after the ruling.

Read the rest here.

Freedom from Facebook

2010-06-01T13:04:00.003-07:00

This is independence day.

I just zapped all that I could out of my Facebook presence and deactivated my account.

I removed my pictures, my friends, my places, and even my family. Try as I did, I could not seem to remove my log in data. FB wished me fond farewell and hoped I'd be back soon. "Just log in as before...." Ah.

While it was mildly entertaining to peer into the lives of friends and acqaintances and downright addictive to play the games, Facebook doesn't make much of a place for self-expression. It also channels my known demographics to advertisers so I can be blitzed with any service or product suitable for retirement age spinsters with left-leaning tendencies. Or at least what they think I want. I don't need this; I don't want this.

Buh bye FB; hello Diverse Mind!

Where the Dickens Has She Been??

2010-05-30T20:23:00.003-07:00

Where the heck have I been?

Oh it's a long, long time from May to December--and seems even longer the other way around. The winter garden failed. Michael opines that we chose a place too much in the shade, and that is likely so.

On a sunny, warm March day I replanted the garden. Last week I ate beets and lettuce and three vestigial green onions. I harvested the spinach, too, but I plowed it back into the soil as pre-composted nutrients. It looked like something the earth would enjoy more than I would. Let's face it. I'm hopelessly spoiled with store-bought pre-washed velvety baby spinach leaves. This spinach was probably the stuff of Popeye's strength. It certainly looked like it! With sunshine, the spring garden grew just dandy.

Some kind of financial guru has been whispering in my ear as I go to sleep. Dave Ramsey coaches people to get out of debt and stay out of debt. He also talks real estate a lot. Somehow all this late night subliminal chatter has me house-hunting. I'll keep you posted on this adventure later, but at this point I have an offer in on a home at an ideal (for me) location. The sellers are happy, I am happy, however it seems to be taking the lender(s?) forever to make up their mind. I'm told this is the nature of short sales, so I am practicing patience and trying my best not to count my chickens before they are hatched.

I was thinking about starting to write again and I browsed through some of my old posts. I laughed. I cried. I clicked on links. I even sang. I really need to keep doing this. Who cares who--if anyone but I--reads it? It is pieces of my life well worth keeping.

A Favorite Secular Christmas Song

2009-12-05T19:31:00.003-07:00

Billy Squier rocks Christmas in this three minute delightful song from the MTV heyday:

Sprout It! Lettuce!!!!

2009-11-28T15:53:00.004-07:00

Okay. See all that light brown to medium brown stuff laced with little black specks of Heaven-Knows-What? Now look very closely at the tiniest specks that aren't brown or black; they are pale GREEN: tiny lettuce sprouts on their first day above ground, November 28th.

I am so proud. More to come!

Planting It!

2009-11-22T11:36:00.004-07:00

Today is Day 5 after planting. On Wednesday, the crops were planted in my autumn garden. The upright sticks mark the rows of planted seeds. Why two rows in one? 'Cause I love green onions. Bring 'em on!

Leaf lettuce was the only one that specified a need for some direct sun, so it's planted at the north end. See the light? Spinach is next to it in the 'inner north', then green onions in the 'inner south' plot and the Chioggia beets in the southern most plot.

Here's a pic of Chioggia beets. Pretty, huh? They are Italian in origin:

I used some plugs of grass from allotted gardening plot to transplant into thin or--like below--barren patches of lawn. Looks like they are surviving and may fill in nicely.

More will be revealed as the crops sprout over the next few days. Spinach may be the first to peek up into the world. I'll keep you posted.

Digging It!

2009-11-17T21:41:00.006-07:00

Remember Michael, "Blue Rider"? Michael is happily off the road and back at his home in Phoenix. There are things he misses about traveling the western United States with a Werner truck, but he admits he doesn't miss the stress.

Michael is a master artist in his own home as well as on the road. About 10 days ago, he was planting his winter flower beds and urging me to help him. I demurred, saying that gardening was not my thing.

Then I began to see the results of his labor. And make no mistake, there is a lot of hard work in Michael's gardens.

Michael has customized his flower beds and lawns with a computer directed watering system, so each area of lawn and each flower bed can be watered as needed. As you can see above his results are breath-taking! And I became respectful and a little envious of his artistry and skills. Well, I harrumphed, I don't do flowers. But I might do vegetables.

Michael assigned me a plot of land and said go for it! And I'm going for it. Sunday I dug it up, and today I groomed it by picking out grassy clods and shaking off the dirt. I conserved the grass by replanting it in some thin spots. It may or may not root again, but it's better than having it go to waste.

No, this is not a grave!

My plot is about 3 feet by 9 feet, and it will be divided into four sections: Green leaf lettuce, spinach, green onions, and beets.

Michael and others speak of the joy of working the soil. I must admit it is a good feeling.

Folks, you know what this means? More blogging! Brace yourselves!!

Pat Oliphant Rocks The Silliness

2009-11-04T14:42:00.004-07:00

I can't pass this one up!

Pat Oliphant, usually on the political/policy beat, occasionally takes a jaded look at Anglicanism and the silliness of the day. His cartoon speaks for itself. And I'd guess he has actual life experience with various facets of Anglicanism!

Fear of Superior Parenting

2009-09-08T10:18:00.002-07:00

Today President Obama will speak to children and teens to encourage them to be better students, to develop and work toward good life goals, and to believe that with a good education they can grow up to have a good life. He will point out that he got where he is by following that advice.

Parents are horrified and are blocking their children's access to this message. And why?

Mr. Obama will be demonstrating better parenting skills in one brief video message than the 'parents' have shown in the child's lifetime.

Well, we can't have that!

Dear Governor Brewer:

2009-08-28T08:45:00.003-07:00

My letter to Governor Jan Brewer, today:

I support you completely in your insistence for a sales tax increase (referendum). Wish we didn't have to wait for voter approval.

Please continue to hold the budget line, Governor Brewer. Arizona needs and deserves good government and most of us KNOW it takes money to operate efficiently and effectively.

Thank you,
Pat Klemme
Active Registered Voter (!)

I am living proof that a life-long Democrat can support a Republican. We ALL need to be going where Gov. Brewer is: to the practical middle where business--yes, government business--gets done well.

Lubna Hussein "Immodest Dress" Trial Postponed

2009-08-04T10:47:00.003-07:00

The judicial court in Khartoum Sudan has postponed the trial of Lubna Ahmed Hussein on a charge of wearing indecent clothing, specifically trousers. The trial is being adjourned for a month while the court investigates whether Ms. Hussein's former job for the United Nations confers immunity for her sartorial indescretion.

Here is Ms. Hussein, not only in 'trousers', but blue jeans. Wicked, I'm sure!

Ms. Hussein was arrested by the Islamic fashion police at a cosmopolitan restaurant where she was wearing a pair of green slacks with her dashiki and head scarf. Having been exposed (oh my!) to western immorality through her employment with the United Nations, Ms. Hussein decided she would not take the 10 lashes plus a fine (which other women with her meekly accepted) until she had had a well publicized trial.

Ms. Hussein is quoted in this article by the BBC, "Flogging is not pain, flogging is an insult to humans, women and religions." She means this to be a test case, one which will call the world's attention to abhorrent treatment of women under a civil law that is more severe than Sharia law is. In order to force the court to put her on trial, Ms. Hussein resigned her United Nations job to neutralize the immunity issue. The court is clearly embarrassed to be put into this position, and is deferring its action until media attention dies down.

Good luck there.

To get a clearer understanding than I'm providing, click the highlighted link above for a professional journalist's factual report.

SEAPLEX and Project Kaisei Visit The Great Pacific Garbage Patch

2009-07-31T21:50:00.002-07:00

Holy Science Friday!

This afternoon on NPR's Science Friday, Miriam Goldstein described a three week scientific mission to study the ecological mess we call the Great Pacific Garbage Patch. She is a graduate student at Scripps Institute of Oceanography and she and her colleagues have obtained a grant sufficient for three weeks' use of Scripps research vessel, New Horizon. You can hear her account of the team's plans here. The project is called SEAPLEX--Scripps Environmental Accumulation of Plastics Expedition. SEAPLEX has its own website, and a newly started --you got it!--blog.

SEAPLEX will be working with Project Kaisei. While the New Horizon leaves San Diego, Project Kaisei's ship will depart from San Francisco with a similar mission:

"Project Kaisei will examine the largest area of the Plastic Vortex, an ocean gyre, situated to the North East of Hawaii, and approximately five days by boat from the United States (San Francisco area). The expedition will consist of a large pass through the Plastic Vortex, with the aim to collect and study plastic and other debris forms from the ocean in order to showcase some of the new technologies that will be used for processing and recycling."

These two expeditions working together give me hope that this environmental mess and its effects on ocean life can be studied and ultimately cleaned up.

I'll be following their progress with interest.

Don't Blame Me, Blame Karen J

2009-07-30T19:08:00.005-07:00

Karen J sends this goody along today:

THE WIFE FROM HELL

A police officer pulls a speeding car over. The officer says, ' I clocked you at 80 miles per hour, sir.'

The driver says, 'Gee, officer I had it on cruise control at 60, perhaps your radar gun needs calibrating.'

Not looking up from her knitting the wife says: 'Now don't be silly dear, you know that this car doesn't have cruise control.'

As the officer writes out the ticket, the driver looks over at his wife and growls, 'Can't you please keep your mouth shut for once?'

The wife smiles demurely and says, 'You should be thankful your radar detector went off when it did.'

As the officer makes out the second ticket for the illegal radar detector unit, the man glowers at his wife and says through clenched teeth, 'Dammit, woman, can't you keep your mouth shut?'

The officer frowns and says, 'And I notice that you're not wearing your seat belt, sir. That's an automatic $75 fine.'

The driver says, 'Yeah, well, you see officer, I had it on, but took it off when you pulled me over so that I could get my license out of my back pocket.'

The wife says, 'Now, dear, you know very well that you didn't have your seat belt on. You never wear your seat belt when you're driving.'

And as the police officer is writing out the third ticket the driver turns to his wife and barks, 'WHY DON'T YOU PLEASE SHUT UP??'

The officer looks over at the woman and asks, 'Does your husband always talk to you this way, Ma'am?'

(You'll love this part...)

Only when he's been drinking!

Skirts vs. Trousers for Modesty

2009-07-29T13:35:00.007-07:00

Reuters reports on the trial of a woman who had the temerity to wear 'trousers' in public at a restaurant bar in Khartoum in Sudan:

Woman in court in trouser "test case"

KHARTOUM (Reuters) – A Sudanese woman facing 40 lashes for wearing trousers in public made her first appearance in a court packed with supporters Wednesday, in what her lawyer described as a test case in Sudan's decency laws. She attended the hearing wearing the same green slacks that got her arrested for immodest dress.

Indecency cases are not uncommon in Sudan. But Hussein has attracted attention by publicising her case, inviting journalists to hearings and using it to campaign against dress codes sporadically imposed in the capital.

The article continues to explain that Ms. Hussein is insisting on this case being adjudicated in court--even if she must resign her United Nations job--to focus an international spotlight on the form of punishment: 40 lashes plus a fine. The fine is not the objectionable point. She contends that lashing a woman 40 times for wearing slacks instead of traditional dress will be viewed as a human rights violation. She hopes to end this punishment, at least for the crime of 'immodest dress' in Sudan.

Good for her! But here is my question: In what way are trousers more immodest than a skirt?

Traditional dress in Sudan is influenced by Islamic definitions. Basically modest dress would consist of clothing that covered a woman's body from the neck to the feet, and the lower portion would be a long dress or skirt. A skirt is open from a waist band to the ground, a fabric tube that encases the legs, but has no closure between the legs to cover genitalia. Sounds pretty immodest to me!

Trousers are open at the waist, then narrow to two fabric tubes, one covering each leg--and they are closed between the legs to completely cover the genitalia. Sounds pretty modest to me!

I have worn slacks, jeans, trousers most of my adult life. When I wear a skirt I feel slightly exposed even with appropriate underwear.

When I wear pants I feel dressed, quite modestly dressed.

I ponder why society has put men in trousers and women in skirts. In patriarchal societies it seems a distinct access advantage for men. Just pull up that skirt and have at it. Anthropologist Margaret Mead would have a field day with this observation, if she didn't already.

My salacious observations are tangential to Ms. Hussein's legal test case. I will be watching with interest as this story unfolds.

The link to Reuters' story is: http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20090729/od_nm/us_trousers_odd_1

August 1 Update: Here is an interview of Mrs. Lubna Hussein in the London Telegraph.

Happy Birthday (Belatedly) to Diverse Mind

2009-07-28T14:44:00.003-07:00

I discovered that I've posted a blog now and then for over a year. Sometimes I'm fairly sure no one is reading but me. Other times I've been gratified by written or face-to-face comments, a sure sign that I'm not alone here.

Diverse Mind has no one particular advocacy. This lack of focus is probably disconcerting to visitors from other blogs that are topically focused. But everyone is welcome come and browse through this Diverse Mind, or to just drop in and see who that commenter is over on Inch At A Time, Telling Secrets, Wounded Bird, or others of my blog friends.

I am in awe of those who can produce a blog post at roughly the rate of one or more post a day! In slightly over a year, Diverse Mind has produced 70 posts. I'm going to give myself an at-a-girl for an average of roughly one a week.

The greatest joy in this is looking at what I've offered and being proud of all but one of the posts. And I'm not ashamed of the one; it just doesn't represent my better choices. My favorite is a mini-meditation that my Higher Power strongly suggested: Respiration. There is resonate core truth in that one that came from Someone greater than me.

Thanks for a good year, Diverse Mind!

Great Pacific Garbage Patch Redux

2009-07-28T13:02:00.005-07:00

This is Jan Eliot's marvelous family strip, Stone Soup, on July 28, 2009. The Great Pacific Garbage Patch is real, and some estimate it may be approaching the size of Africa. When this blog was new, and I was still learning how to embed pictures, I wrote about this phenomenon here and here.

The name 'Garbage Patch' is deceptive on multiple levels. I always think of a patch as being a small piece of fabric or other material designed to repair something. This patch is immense and destroys rather than repairs. I think of garbage as being the biodegradable leavings from food preparation such as used coffee grounds, vegetable shavings, fat scraps and the like. Garbage is stuff that comes from the planet and returns easily to the earth, even improves the earth with nutrients to support new growth. What circles in this enormous floating morass is not garbage. It is non-biodegradable trash, much of which is plastics.

We need to stop calling this the Great Pacific Garbage Patch. That's entirely too cute. And the only truth in it is 'Pacific', denoting the location of this one. (No, it is not the only one, just the worst.)

Maybe the Indestructible Pacific Killer Waste Dump. How about that? I'm open to reader suggestions in comments.

More important, the world is open to suggestions on ridding our oceans of killer waste.

Thanks to Jan Eliot whose Stone Soup I read at Go Comics and Arizona Republic newspaper.

Health Care Reform: The Republican Option

2009-07-23T07:26:00.004-07:00

Heaven help us all!

This about sums up my Republican Senators' point of view.

Senator Kyl and Senator McCain are emotionally stuck in the middle 20th century. I don't think there is any hope of them ever getting gay-friendly.

But worse they are committed to allowing bloated big businesses in pharmaceutical and insurance industries continue to pile up mountains of profit at the health expense of America's uninsured and 'uninsurable'.

Let's remember this when we vote to fill Senate seats in the future. We need senators who will care about their voters, not their money baggers.

Political cartoonist David Horsey comes to me via Go Comics.

Wise Latinas Rule!

2009-07-22T07:41:00.004-07:00

Ben Sargent, one of my favorite political cartoonists at Go Comics, absolutely nails the disgruntled WASPMs who insist on niggling away at Supreme Court Justice nominee Sonia Sotomayor. The offending Republican senators should see themselves through the eyes of tolerant diverse Americans. They would be ashamed of themselves.

Every news outlet I read agrees that nominee Sonia Sotomayor will be consented by the Senate. Yet White Republican Male Senators (okay, I'm outa caps now!) make fools of themselves pestering her about a speech she made once, a speech to an audience of predominently Latina women. Haven't any of these macho lilly white elitists ever given a speech in which they made statements to motivate and inspire their audience? That's all it was!

Shame, shame.

And good on Ben Sargent for calling them on their probable fears. Imagine: Someone other than a white male might actually be as good as....!

Update at 8:05 AM: Per NPR,Sen. Kyl will vote against Judge Sonia Sotomayor. He will explain in a press conference later today. Hrummmpf!

Working Dogs Rule!

2009-07-21T13:12:00.005-07:00

The Baaa-Studs have put their high tech skills to work demonstrating the skills of their working dogs. True. I am not giving a lot of credit to the other stars of this show. Well, you'll see!

Hat Tip to Katie Sherrod at Desert's Child.

Hot Flash! News Flash!!

2009-07-15T20:51:00.004-07:00

Hot news or news flash, but here's today's good news:

The House of Bishops (of The Episcopal Church) has passed Resolution C056 which opens the pathway for designing rites for same-sex blessings and allows for 'generous pastoral care' in jurisdictions where same-sex marriages or civil unions have been legalized. It's the Anglican way of saying, local bishops may allow (or not) pre-union counseling and even some type of ceremony to mark Episcopalian couples' unions.

Alleluia in the highest!!

Before I get too carried away, let's remember that's the action of the House of Bishops; we still must get approval in the House of Deputies. Let us pray.... Amen!

Update: The House of Deputies has concurred with wide margins among laity and clergy.
Amen Ba-wo! Amen Ba-wo! Amen sia kudu misa!

A Short Joyful History of Integrity Eucharist

2009-07-15T12:14:00.003-07:00

The history of Integrity Eucharist at The Episcopal Church's triennial General Convention is remarkably recent--just since 1988! In this video, Rev. Canon Dexter Cheney talks about the first occasion in Detroit. Then enjoy images from this year's Integrity Eucharist followed by additional history of the G/L/B/T journey to full inclusion in TEC:

The Episcopal Church Welcomes ALL of Us!

2009-07-14T13:27:00.003-07:00

On Friday I grabbed my toothbrush and comb and went to Anaheim California to attend a special church service, Holy Eucharist by and for members and friends of Integrity. Integrity is the fellowship of gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender Episcopalians that advocates for sacramental equality within our church. I was not in small company; over 1200 members and straight allies participated. The Holy Eucharist was celebrated by Bishop Gene Robinson, our church's first OPENLY gay bishop, and Bishop Barbara Harris, our church's first woman bishop, who delivered a stellar call for inclusion. It was a joyful experience for me on many levels. The music reverberates in my memory causing my heart to leap with pleasure at my encounter with God at the table with several hundred of my close, personal friends!

Super-short history: The Episcopal Church has been working its way toward full inclusion of GLBT members since 1985, but sustained a setback to progress at our last general convention (2006). In an attempt to placate some parts of the church in places where homosexuality is still subjugated and criminalized, a resolution (B033) was passed promising we would exercise restraint in choosing bishops "whose manner of life" might offend other parts of the Anglican Communion. The wording was short and simple. It failed to satisfy those conservative members of the Anglican Communion and it offended GLBT faithful to varying degrees. (Call me hyper-offended!)

Now the House of Deputies and the House of Bishops have passed a resolution (D025) which supercedes B033 and clarifies the Episcopal Church's relationship with the Anglican Communion and with ALL of its members, especially GLBT faithful (shown as ammended):

Resolved, the House of Bishops concurring, That the 76th General Convention reaffirm the continued participation of The Episcopal Church as a constituent member of in the Anglican Communion; give thanks for the work of the bishops at the Lambeth Conference of 2008; reaffirm the abiding commitment of The Episcopal Church to the fellowship of churches that constitute the Anglican Communion and seek to live into the highest degree of communion possible; and be it further

Resolved, That the 76th General Convention encourage dioceses, congregations, and members of The Episcopal Church to participate to the fullest extent possible in the many instruments, networks and relationships of the Anglican Communion; and be it further

Resolved, That the 76th General Convention reaffirm its financial commitment to the Anglican Communion and pledge to participate fully in the Inter-Anglican Budget; and be it further

Resolved, That the 76th General Convention affirm the value of "listening to the experience of homosexual persons," as called for by the Lambeth Conferences of 1978, 1988, and 1998, and acknowledge that through our own listening the General Convention has come to recognize that the baptized membership of The Episcopal Church includes same-sex couples living in lifelong committed relationships "characterized by fidelity, monogamy, mutual affection and respect, careful, honest communication, and the holy love which enables those in such relationships to see in each other the image of God" (2000-D039); and be it further

Resolved, That the 76th General Convention recognize that gay and lesbian persons who are part of such relationships have responded to God's call and have exercised various ministries in and on behalf of God's One, Holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church and are currently doing so in our midst; and be it further

Resolved, That the 76th General Convention affirm that God has called and may call such individuals, to any ordained ministry in The Episcopal Church,; and that God's call to the ordained ministry in The Episcopal Church is a mystery which the Church attempts to discern for all people ~~which call is tested~~ through our discernment processes acting in accordance with the Constitution and Canons of The Episcopal Church; and be it further

Resolved, That the 76th General Convention acknowledge that members of The Episcopal Church as of the Anglican Communion, based on careful study of the Holy Scriptures, and in light of tradition and reason, are not of one mind, and Christians of good conscience disagree about some of these matters.

The Episcopal Church welcomes ALL of us: Straight, GLBT, and those who'd rather GLBT weren't here. And that's the way The Episcopal Church is--Via Media with room for all!

Health Care Reform: The Public Option Question

2009-07-12T19:07:00.004-07:00

Here's a real education about the health care 'public option'. After watching Bill Moyers interview a former Cigna public relations director, my mind is made up. Get your coffee and settle down for a revelation:

http://www.pbs.org/moyers/journal/07102009/watch2.html

Good Morning World!

2009-06-20T10:06:00.002-07:00

Sometimes a day just calls out for recognition! I am glad to be alive today.

I look forward to what the day will bring.

time with friends
a little housework
a friend's sobriety anniversary
and whatever else God may pack into the day

Thank you to the Universal Creator for another beautiful day!

Let Governor Brewer Do Her Job

2009-06-17T16:42:00.003-07:00

Today I have written to my senator and representatives as well as the leaders of our legislature to insist they deliver the budget to Governor Brewer. I hope she returns it to them with specific guides to improvement, because their time-wasting efforts have fallen far short of what Arizona needs.

Arizona has the capacity to be a high ranking state in quality-of-life issues. Arizona voters know it takes investment--yes taxes--to improve education, health care, services for homeless and mentally ill, and security from crime and terrorism. Our legislature seems to think the way to a better Arizona is to pinch pennies and cut services.

Governor Brewer is an excellent businesswoman and administrator. Our legislature should take advantage of her skills and experience.

A WEH To Meet the Millennium Development Goals

2009-06-03T16:39:00.008-07:00

The Millennium Development Goals are realistic if we can all find a way to contribute. A friend of mine just showed me a way to make the most of my MDG charity dollars, and I'm embarrassed that I didn't realize this opportunity sooner.

I'm a crank when it comes to charitable giving. I want to know that my donation will be used for the charity, not for fundraising costs, administrative costs, staff pay, etc. And Friends of WEH is a sure-fire winner. My friend, the Reverend Carol Hosler, recently returned from a trip to Cameroon in Central Africa where she spent her time with the founder and director of Women, Environment and Health. Carol knows Ruth Musunu Titi-Manyaka very well because they were roommates and friends in college a few (ahem) years ago. Carol and three other board members of Friends of WEH worked with Ruth and her team in everything from repackaging basic foodstuffs to health care assessments conducted by a volunteer group of student nurses from Linfield College.

Carol documented her reunion with Ruth and the visiting team's work with Women, Environment and Health in her Cameroon trip blog. Her letter to the Board of Friends of WEH is eloquent and gives the exact information I need to be sure my MGD dollars will be well spent. I heartily recommend the rest of her blog also, especially the photos and stories of WEH clients being served.

I also recommend this 2 minute trip to Cameroon to see the work of WEH and Friends of WEH for yourself: MGD Work of WEH

So here's a challenge: Pick this one, or another one, but find a way to support reaching the MDG's by target year 2015. Donate regularly or pitch in and help with the work as Carol and the board members do. For me, this is the WEH.

Yes and No

2009-05-26T10:45:00.002-07:00

Yes. My friends, M & J, are still married according to the California Supreme Court.

No. Proposition 8, which banned gay marriage in California, will NOT be repealed.

I'm trying to be grateful for a mixed blessing.

Common Cement at Tulane with Ellen

2009-05-25T18:19:00.006-07:00

Ellen DeGeneres is a personal hero, and here in her own words is why:

Ellen gives witty, wise, and joyful advice to Tulane's Spring 2009 graduating class. I'm not sure Tulane realized what they were getting into when they invited her, but it may have been the best commencement address of the year!

Thanks to the Rev'd Elizabeth and Grandmere Mimi, and to Lisa, too. This is a keeper!

Proposition 8: The Musical

2009-05-23T18:56:00.002-07:00

Proposition 8 in California evoked some of the most creative advertising in the history of politicking. As we await the decision on Proposition 8, let's enjoy again Jack Black's starring role:

http://www.funnyordie.com/videos/c0cf508ff8/prop-8-the-musical-starring-jack-black-john-c-reilly-and-many-more-from-fod-team-jack-black-craig-robinson-john-c-reilly-and-rashida-jones

Another Season of Advent

2009-05-23T17:32:00.005-07:00

I'm living in a season of advent right now, a time of anticipatory waiting.

Two friends of mine became a married couple last summer in California. They happen to be two men, and they were legally married in the span of time when marriage for gay couples and lesbian couples was validated by the California Supreme Court. In November California voters narrowly passed Proposition 8 making gay and lesbian marriage illegal again.

The California Supreme Court is now evaluating arguments for and against the language of Prop. 8. Even the Attorney General of California, who approved putting Prop. 8 on the ballot, asked the court to overturn the proposition. As I understand it, the CA Supremes will decide whether the language of Prop. 8 is contrary to the constitutional language guaranteeing equality for all citizens. They will also decide whether the existing married gay/lesbian couples will continue to be legally married.

The Supremes' decision will be announced this coming Tuesday, June 2. My friends are not alone. Thousands of couples were married between June and November. I'm waiting with detached academic interest. I cannot know how anxiously those many couples must feel as they await the California Supreme Court's decision.

More emotional for me is the pending national General Convention of the Episcopal Church scheduled for July this year. TEC meets only once every three years. Last time, in 2006, TEC failed to make any headway toward forming a liturgy for same sex commitment ceremonies. Worse, at the latest possible hour, then Presiding Bishop Frank Griswold persuaded the PB-elect, Katharine Jefferts Schori, to join him in getting a resolution passed to promise the Anglican Communion we would not consecrate any bishops "whose manner of life" might offend other members of the AC. Resolution B033 was so mildly worded that it failed to assuage fears of conservative provinces. It was so contrary to the slow but steady progress in GLBT acceptance in TEC that it offended me and many other affected Episcopalians.

In the intervening three years there has been a systematic, orchestrated undermining of the Episcopal Church. GLBTs and their families and friends have pulled back. Conservatives opposed to any acceptance of GLBTs have withdrawn individual congregations and even whole dioceses from TEC. There has been a continuous painful rumble of discontent over this issue from both polarized sides.

I have stood to the side, unwilling to support a church that won't support me. Some others have left altogether in disgust. Many courageous faithful GLBTs have stayed and worked within the framework of the church to bring about a change of policies. PB Jefferts Schori indicates that she does not want B033 rescinded. So will we have a resolution favoring my 'manner of life?' I cannot envision what, if any, solution will be adopted.

Meanwhile much of the life of the church has been drained by emotional and spiritual torment. We forget we are to be about our Father's business: feeding the hungry, clothing the poor, healing the sick, teaching the little ones, and preaching the Good News. This upheaval has had financial and legal impacts as well. Yes, we are paying lawyers to resolve property disputes. Is it little wonder TEC may not be able to fulfill its previous commitments to the Millenium Development Goals?

So, now is a time of waiting. I am waiting for the advent of justice and acceptance. I'd like to be like everybody else and still be myself--exactly as God created me.

Someday. Who knows? Maybe Tuesday. Maybe in July.

Thanks be to God.

Hail and Farewell, Tipper!

2009-05-23T17:10:00.005-07:00

Tipper Parker, light and lively, waiting for his walk with Pat each evening. If I can't have my own fine canine, my neighbor's will be the delight of my heart.

For almost two years, I'd get a little exercise with my neighbor buddy, Tipper. Tipper went to the Rainbow Bridge this week. I'm going to miss him as will Tipper's real Mom, Marilyn.

Hasta la vista, when we get there, little buddy!

Republicans vs. Democrats

2009-05-19T10:02:00.002-07:00

Republicans = fear based motivation.

Democrats = reconciliation based motivation

Which would you prefer?

I'll take solutions over fear any day.

Her Honor, The Mayor

2009-05-12T10:24:00.005-07:00

I've been looking for a reason to post. And here she is, the mayor of Mississauga, Ontario:

May we all be as hale and hearty as she is at...88! Thanks to Karen J, who finds the most fascinating internet media!

What would Jesus' Facebook Page Look Like?

2009-03-29T19:40:00.005-07:00

This is unabashedly swiped from the blog of my favorite Blogging Bishop, the Right Reverend Kirk Stevan Smith.

I got so wrapped up in it, I tried to write on His wall, 'friend' Him, and look at His picture albums.

For those of us who want to know Jesus, this is pretty right on!

Click on the image to enlarge it.

Policy Changes Making Ya Crazy?

2009-03-29T19:36:00.003-07:00

So does this mean it is hard for old men to keep up with young ideas? If so, count me as a young 'un!

New to Me: Why Is This Not Widely Known?

2009-03-29T13:59:00.009-07:00

Apparently America has been given the gift of another monument.

And this monument has been placed opposite an earlier monument given us by France, just across the water from the Statue of Liberty.

We said thanks to France. But have we given thanks to Russia for the Teardrop monument erected in Bayonne New Jersey in.....2006? Where has our press been? Why is this largely unknown?

This beautiful monument memorializes the loss of nearly 3,000 people who died when hijackers on four flights downed the World Trade Center Towers, a segment of the Pentagon, and the heroic people of United Flight 93 who downed their plane rather than allow it to be used for more deaths and destruction.

By the way, the next time I think contemptuous thoughts about suicide bombers, let me remember the heroism of our suicide squad on Flight 93. They surely knew they would not survive.

For more information about the Teardrop monument, click here. I thank the people of Russia for their kindness and sympathy.

To get an idea of the press' skepticism when the memorial was being proposed and offered, read this New York Times opinion piece by Peter Applebome. "...thanks but no thanks[?]" Not a nice way to behave when a gift is offered. Later the Times reported with an absence of gratitude that there were 40 names too many inscribed on the monument.

Hat tip to Jim Goodwine for educating me about this.

From "I Can Has Cheezburger"

2009-03-15T21:39:00.005-07:00

Respiration

2009-03-15T13:06:00.011-07:00

Breathe in....
Breathe out....

Inspire....
Expire....

All living beings breathe. People do, animals do, plants do, and even each cell of our being ‘breathes’. We take in what we need. We let out what we don't need.

When I watch a sleeping child or pet, I look for the rising and falling that demonstrates respiration. In that regular motion, I see life.

Waves in....
Waves out....

Is the ocean the respiration of the earth? Probably not in a scientific sense, but it is a vision of life in our planet for me.

In....
Out....

Does the whole universe breathe?
What an awesome creation we are!

Good News and Not-So-Good News

2009-03-14T22:24:00.004-07:00

From Episcopal Cafe's The Lead comes this update about a tutoring program that's raising reading levels and reducing (we hope) dropouts in the future:

LAST WEEK The Lead mentioned a children's circus performance. Looking more deeply into the program behind the event, we find that the Diocese of NY and Trinity Wall Street have funded a program called All Our Children. The Rt. Rev. Catherine S. Roskam, bishop suffragan, and Joyce Coppin Mondesire, who is on the faculty of the City College of New York and a member of Trinity Wall Street’s vestry, created the program. All Our Children asks that parishes commit 40 hours per year for five years to public education by becoming tutors, advocates, etc. Parishes are already making a difference in partnership with local public schools. Bishop Roskam says of the children, "Since participating in [these programs] their overall grade average has sky rocketed."

Roskam continues, "On a visitation to St. Ann's in the South Bronx in 2005, I was given a a copy of Jonothan Kozol's book, The Shame of the Nation: The Restoration of Apartheid Schooling in America. I was shocked to learn that not only are American schools as segregated as at the time of Brown vs. the Board of Education, but that the worst offenders are not in the south, but in the North, including New York, Michigan, Illinois and California. Schools in poor areas often operate without the basics, without adequate classrooms, no textbooks, inexperienced teachers. It is no wonder that minority students fare so poorly compared with their white counterparts. And most insidious is the school to prison pipeline, by which some states build prisons based on projections from third grade reading scores. As a society we seem reluctant to spend the $15,000 per year to support a child adequately in school but are more willing to to spend the $150,000 per year to keep that same child in prison when the schools fail him.
[Emphasis mine; this applies in Arizona as well.]

"It seemed to me that all the anti-racism training we were doing in the church was meaningless if we could face this level of racial inequity and do nothing. So All Our Children was born."
More information here and here.

Don't Thank Me; Thank MadPriest

2009-03-14T08:55:00.003-07:00

Here's a shocking thought:

madpriest's thought for the day

If 53% of Californians were either Jewish or Muslim you could end up with a Prop 8 situation where every man, no matter what his age or beliefs, could be forced to undergo circumcision. I may be wrong but I don't think even the Iranian government insists on that from its few non-Muslim citizens. This means that the majority of Californians have a less enlightened attitude towards personal rights and freedom than those peoples their previous government regarded as barbaric.

Comment: Actually it would be 51%--truly frightening.

If you've been locked away from all news sources since November 2008, Proposition 8 in California took away equal marriage rights for LGBT people. It is now being settled by the Supreme Court of California, and we will learn more in two to three months about their ruling.

Creation Stories

2009-03-10T18:24:00.002-07:00

Every culture has its creation story, an oral or written explanation of how the world and its inhabitants came into being. Some are whole histories of what has happened since creation.

One of the most widely recognized creation stories is carefully preserved in writing in multiple language translations. This creation story is generally agreed to be The Correct One by adherents of Judaism, Christianity and Islam. But the Creation Story of the Torah, the Pentateuch of the Old Testament, is only one creation story. For as many cultures that exist, there are creation stories with respective histories.

Many of these are not written, but told from generation to generation orally. Spiritual leaders of each generation's culture preserve the accuracy of oral tradition and carefully teach the next generation.

So what makes a creation story codified in written form more valid than those of oral tradition? What makes one written creation story more valid than another written one? I suspect the oral recounting of Navajo creation is just as sacred, just as valid, and just as much an allegory as the creation story of the Israelites. By this, I don't mean that none are valid; I mean all are valid.

For a sampling of cultural creation stories in short form check out Creation Myths in Wikipedia.

A Musical Reminder of Diversity

2009-03-10T16:29:00.004-07:00

This morning on NPR's Morning Edition, I learned that written musical notation in China pre-dates the earliest known written music, Gregorian chants, in the western world.

I was momentarily surprised. Then I thought, of course! Just because I am a product of western society, I'm inclined to think we are the beginning and end of Civilization. This is a massive fallacy of thought. Our historical perspective reminds us mankind has lived through culture after culture, civilization built on civilization. And this yeasty boiling up of civilizations happens throughout human history in all of the world--perhaps in all the universe.

Predating European civilization that produced Gregorian chants came Egyptian and other African civilizations, Mayan, Aztec and other American civilizations, Chinese and other Asian civilizations, not to mention Greek and Roman civilizations in place at the time of Christ. And let's not forget Hebrew civilization from which Christianity derives. Surely all of these civilizations experienced, played, and perhaps wrote music. Just because we don't have written notation of older musical culture, doesn't mean it didn't (or doesn't) exist.

We are not the beginning and end. We are not alpha and omega.
Creation happens!

What is Right? What is Wrong?

2009-03-10T16:11:00.003-07:00

What is right? What is wrong?

What seems right to you may seem wrong to me, and vice versa.

I strive to remember that judgment is God's business, not mine.

When I catch myself identifying a person or situation as 'wrong', I try reframing it as different rather than wrong.

Funny how things that are different become interesting--or even right!

(See also Good or Bad?--Just Different)

I have to keep reminding myself. I'm a fallible human being, not to mention a self-centered, self-righteous, and self-absorbed one, ...she reminded herself with a smile!

Pitching In To Help Feels Good

2009-03-07T16:09:00.000-07:00

In response to Timothy Schmaltz's timely opinion in this morning's Arizona Republic, I advocate pitching in to help.

If you have a severely disabled child; if you have a parent needing round-the-clock care because of dementia; or if you are losing your employment because there is no childcare assistance, then you understand where Mr. Schmaltz is coming from. I work as a provider to severely disabled young people. Services to them are essential, so rather than reducing essential hours I am absorbing a reduced hourly rate of pay. I think of it as a way to pitch in and help.

In a small community, everyone chips in to help when someone is in need. Everyone feels proud of being able to do so. And everyone knows the community will be there for them when they need a hand. In Arizona we are a big community, but we can all pitch in and help. One way we can all participate in helping is to encourage our legislature to approve Gov. Brewer's suggest sales tax increase. We also need to expect our budget and finance experts to restructure our tax bases in a fair and productive manner.

The days of cutting taxes is over, but income, sales, and property taxes can be balanced to meet the needs of operating our state efficiently.

Oh dear. Did I just say fair and balanced? That's not like me! Let's keep our sense of humor while we are at it.

One Perp, Two Perps, Three Perps, and Counting

2009-03-07T11:31:00.004-07:00

I'm waiting for Pope Benedict XVI to weigh in next and become Perpetrator #4 in this dreadful story.

Today Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, speaking for the Vatican, defended Archbishop Jose Cardoso Sobrinho's excommunication of the mother and doctors of an impregnated nine-year-old child for proceeding with a termination of the child's pregnancy.

Let's go back to the beginning. A nine-year-old Brazilian girl was examined after complaining of stomach pain. The examination revealed that she was pregnant with twin fetuses, twin babies who through no fault of their own, were conceived by repeated rape by the nine-year-old child's stepfather. He would be Perpetrator #1.

Under Brazilian law, an abortion to save the life of the mother is allowed. Let's remember this mother is a nine-year-old incest victim, who would not likely survive bringing two babies to term. The child's mother and doctors made the decision to terminate the pregnancy to save the life of the child/mother.

Archbishop Sobrinho condemned this action, citing the law of God as being more applicable than the law of Brazil. He excommunicated the mother of the nine-year-old and the doctors who terminated the pregnancy. Archbishop Sobrinho qualifies as Perpetrator #2.

Now, Cardinal Re, defends Sobrinho's excommunication of the people who saved the life of the nine-year-old at the expense (and I GET this) of the innocent fetuses. Yes, it is a tragic choice. But for his affirmation of Perp 2, I nominate Re as Perpetrator #3.

There is one more layer of Roman Catholic hierarchy left to weigh in on this. Will there be a Perpetrator #4?

Is there no representative of Jesus Christ who will raise up and heal the nine-year-old victim? Is there no representative of Jesus Christ who will cradle this young child and tell her she is God's own daughter, worthy of God's love and protection from evil? Will no one defend this child's dignity and humanity?

Read the details at this BBC report: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/7930380.stm

Lord have mercy.
Christ have mercy.
Lord have mercy.

The Line

2009-03-07T08:34:00.002-07:00

I draw the line at tweeting on twitter. I draw the line at building a second life avatar and digitally romping through cyberspace.

I reserve the right to erase the line at some future date--lol.

Life's Not Fair

2009-03-05T19:31:00.003-07:00

...but God is good. The Rev. Dr. Robert Schuler of Crystal Cathedral says that. And it's a powerful message when life seems unfair.

Sometimes a news story catches my attention and it dwells in my mind until I write down some response. Now I can't find the story, so much so that I question the efficacy of my memory.

The gist of the story amounts to a high percentage of people unhappy with Obama's proposed homeowners' mortgage rescue plan, proclaiming vociferously: That's not fair!

Well, no it isn't. But lots of life isn't fair right now. Jobs are being lost by the thousands. Homes are being lost due to the mortgage mess. Businesses are failing. Families who have worked conscientiously, paid their bills promptly, and never dreamed of homelessness are now clogging private and public social service agencies, seeking shelter and food and medicines.

The number of respondents to this 'fairness' poll question was something like 62-65%. Since I can't lay my hands on the article, let's be conservative and say 'over 60%' of respondents feel the proposed mortgage bailout isn't fair. Now I wonder what percentage of these respondents claim to be Christian. And what would the Christian response be? Of the Christian/lifes-not-fair contigent, how many are going to social service agencies offering to help a nouveau homeless person or family get their life back on track? How many are figuring ways to help a friend or co-worker carry through this tough time? How many are kicking in a little money to hold someone else's household together until the mortgage industry decides how it wants to solve this crisis? How many are being part of the solution, so government doesn't have to rescue people?

Many want to scream, "Socialism!" Many want government to let the economy fail rather than pour money and regulations into resuscitating it. Many feel that bailouts and administering them can't be done fairly, so they shouldn't be done at all.

Unless those of us complaining about the unfairness of it all are prepared to give people a hand up, we need to be supporting solutions that may work--not whining about fairness or lack thereof.

Just a suggestion...!

Feast Your Eyes, Part Deux

2009-02-22T20:07:00.010-07:00

Whether he is herding "Big Blue" in the course of his over the road trucking or vacationing with his camper, Michael (just below) photographs his natural surroundings with a keen eye for composition. His photographs bring his trip home to share with friends. I'm grateful he allows me to share them with you.
Michael's first love is the scenery of Arizona, whether desert scenes or mountain scenes.

He captures the beauty of a sudden desert storm.

Here's a rugged rock formation set against a boundlessly blue desert sky.

We're not in AZ anymore with this one. Winter snows in the Rocky Mountains are sheltered by canyon walls.

Michael takes meal breaks, dawn or dusk walks, any stop for Big Blue, as an opportunity for hiking and photography. Here's Big Blue as he looks back at the start of a hike. (Or is it returning from the hike?)

How high is up? This Arizona butte is framed by the stalk of a century plant and the branch of a tree imitating a century plant stalk. That's a hiking challenge!

The rain gods have been good this year. After several years of hard drought, Arizona's mountain snow packs and desert rains have combined to nurture our lands back to health. This year's wildflowers will be spectacular. In the meantime, this oasis promises safety for wildlife.

Michael is home this weekend, spending time with family and friends. His first call to me? Would I like to hike the perimeter trail? Oh, I'd love to. Give me cooler weather please, and I'll gladly hit the trail to see the world through Michael's eyes. And for those of you elsewhere in the cold cruel world, the high today in Phoenix AZ was 80 degrees. Whew!

Just bring me the beautiful pictures, Michael, and thanks!

Atheist Bus? Not My Bus

2009-02-09T20:17:00.005-07:00

In London, UK, atheists have bought bus adverts to declare,
"There is no God."
Every blogger on two continents has trekked to a clever website that allows us to design our own adverts. Okay, I exaggerate.

I declare that for me, there is a God. She is devine. She loves us all with no exceptions.

My beliefs grow and change with time. They began with fairly conventional Christianity in the Episcopal Church, went to lapsed Christian, returned to theism in general, and are now Christianity plus. I couldn't explain it today to save myself. Thankfully 'saving' myself is His/Her job. My job is to be the best Pat I can be, cuz that's how God created me and wants me to be.

Thanks be to all the universe for the me that I am!

Feast Your Eyes, Nourish Your Soul

2009-02-08T21:27:00.022-07:00

Big Blue
Blue Rider blew into town last weekend and brought his digital camera with him. He kindly allowed me to share some of his Nature Boy discoveries along the highways of America. Blue Rider is my friend, Michael, who travels the highways of America and revels in every magnificent scene he absorbs.

Michael's constant traveling companions are Skittles (forground) and Duffy. Nope, that's not Duffy in the background; it's a local pup coming up to make friends with Skittles. Duffy is the spiritual one, present with Michael and Skittles wherever they travel. Notice how attentive--okay, downright hammy--Skittles is! Micheal sees beauty in barren winter scenes, and imagines the trees greening up in the spring.

Some images are from his drives in Arizona. There is precious little of his home state that Michael hasn't visited, hiked, and photographed. This was from a local trip, a "busman's holiday." Shall we call that truck Little Blue?

Below is a scene from the cab (passenger side, I'm sure) of Big Blue.

More pictures are coming. Due to my resurgent blog-ignorance, this post is it for now.

Flight 1549 From The Inside

2009-02-07T13:11:00.008-07:00

I was touched by this first hand account of passenger and rescuer heroism following the ditching of US Airways flight 1549. I received this by email and it is clearly an in-house communication that escaped into cyberspace. Because of this, I'm editing the names as I am sure the business would prefer. Thanks to Marge M for calling my attention to this account.

This is from a Managing Partner at Name & Name who was on Flight 1549.As many of you now know, Gerry McN. (New York/Charlotte) was on US Airways Flight 1549 last week. We caught up with him to discuss the harrowing incident and - in a departure from our usual format -present his stirring account as told to us:

Thursday was a difficult day for all of us at the firm and I left the Park Avenue office early afternoon to catch a cab bound for La Guardia Airport. I was scheduled for a 5 pm departure, but able to secure a seat on the earlier flight scheduled to leave at 3 PM. As many of us who fly frequently often do, I recall wondering if I'd just placed myself on a flight I shouldn't be on! Just prior to boarding I finished up a conference call with my associate, Jenn S. ( New York ), and our placement, the CIO of United Airlines. When I told him that I was about to board a US Airways flight, we all had a little fun with it. I remember walking on the plane and seeing a fellow with grey hair in the cockpit and thinking "that's a good thing... I like to see grey hair in the cockpit!"

I was seated in 8F, on the starboard side window and next to a young business man. The New York to Charlotte flight is one I've taken what seems like hundreds of times over the years. We take off north over the Bronx and as we climb, turn west over the Hudson River to New Jersey and tack south. I love to fly, always have, and this flight plan gives a great view of several NY landmarks including Yankee Stadium and the George Washington Bridge. I had started to point out items of interest to the gentleman next to me when we heard a terrible crash - a sound no one ever wants to hear while flying - and then the engines wound down to a screeching halt. 10 seconds later, there was a strong smell of jet fuel. I knew we would be landing and thought the pilot would take us down no doubt to Newark Airport. As we began to turn south I noticed the pilot lining up on the river still - I thought - en route for Newark. Next thing we heard was "Brace for impact!" - a phrase I had heard many years before as an active duty Marine Officer but never before on a commercial air flight. Everyone looked at each other in shock. It all happened so fast we were astonished!

We began to descend rapidly and it started to sink in. This is the last flight. I'm going to die today. This is it. I recited my favorite Bible verse, the Lord's Prayer, and asked God to take care of my wife, children, family and friends. When I raised my head I noticed people texting their friends and family, getting off a last message. My blackberry was turned off and in my trouser pocket; no time to get at it. Our descent continued and I prayed for courage to control my fear and help if able. I quickly realized that one of two things was going to happen, neither of them good. We could hit by the nose, flip and break up, leaving few if any survivors, bodies, cold water, fuel. Or we could hit one of the wings and roll and flip with the same result. I tightened my seat belt as tight as I could possibly get it so I would remain intact. As we came in for the landing, I looked out the windows and remember seeing the buildings in New Jersey , the cliffs in Weehawken , and then the piers. The water was dark green and sure to be freezing cold. The stewardesses were yelling in unison "Brace! Brace! Brace!"It was a violent hit - the water flew up over my window - but we bobbed up and were all amazed that we remained intact.

There was some panic - people jumping over seats and running towards the doors, but we soon got everyone straightened out and calmed down.There were a lot of people that took leadership roles in little ways. Those sitting at the doors over the wing did a fantastic job; they were opened in a New York second! Everyone worked together - teamed up and in groups to figure out how to help each other. I exited on the starboard side of the plane, 3 or 4 rows behind my seat through a door over the wing and was, I believe, the 10th or 12th person out. I took my seat cushion as a flotation device and once outside saw I was the only one who did; none of us remembered to take the yellow inflatable life vests from under the seat.

We were standing in 6-8 inches of water and it was freezing. There were two women on the wing, one of whom slipped off into the water. Another passenger and I pulled her back on and had her kneel down to keep from falling off again. By that point we were totally soaked and absolutely frozen from the icy wind. The ferries were the first to arrive, and although they're not made for rescue, they did an incredible job.

I know this river, having swum in it as a boy. The Hudson is an estuary - part salt and part freshwater - and moves with the tide. I could tell the tide was moving out because we were tacking slowly south towards Ellis Island, The Statue of Liberty , and The Battery.

The first ferry boat pulled its bow up to the tip of the wing, and the first mate lowered the Jacobs ladder down to us. We got a couple people up the ladder to safety, but the current was strong pushing the stern of the boat into the inflatable slide and we were afraid it would puncture it: there must have been 25 passengers in it by now. Only two or three were able to board the first ferry before it moved away. Another ferry came up, and we were able to get the woman that had fallen into the water on the ladder, but she just couldn't move her legs and fell off. Back onto the ladder she went; however, the ferry had to back away because of the swift current. A helicopter arrived on station (nearly blowing us all off the wing) and followed the ferry with the woman on the ladder. We lost view of the situation but I believe the helicopter lowered its basket to rescue her.

As more ferries arrived, we were able to get people up on the boats a few at a time. The fellow in front of me fell off the ladder and into the water. When we got him back on the ladder he could not move his legs to climb. I couldn't help him from my position so I climbed up the ladder to the ferry deck where the first mate and I hoisted the Jacobs ladder with him on it; when he got close enough we grabbed his trouser belt and hauled him on deck. We were all safely off the wing. We could not stop shaking. Uncontrollable shaking. The only thing I had with me was my blackberry, which had gotten wet and was not working. (It started working again a few hours later).

The ferry took us to the Weehawken Terminal in NJ where I borrowed a phone and called my wife to let her know I was okay. The second call I made was to Jenn. I knew she would be worried about me and could communicate to the rest of the firm that I was fine. At the terminal, first responders assessed everyone's condition and sent people to the hospital as needed. As we pulled out of Weehawken my history kicked in and I recalled it was the site of the famous duel between Alexander Hamilton and Aaron Burr in 1804. Thankfully I left town in better condition than Mr. Hamilton who died of a mortal wound the next day! I stayed with my sister on Long Island that evening, then flew home the next day.

I am struck by what was truly a miracle. Had this happened a few hours later, it would have been pitch dark and much harder to land. Ferries would no longer have been running after rush hour and it would not have been the same uplifting story. Surely there would have been fatalities, hypothermia, an absolute disaster! I witnessed the best of humanity that day. I and everyone on that plane survived and have been given a second chance.

It struck me that in our work we continuously seek excellence to solve our client's leadership problems. We talk to clients all the time about the importance of experience and the ability to execute. Experience showed up big time on Flight 1549 as our pilot was a dedicated, trained, experienced professional who executed flawlessly when he had to.

I have received scores of emails from across the firm and I am so grateful for the outpouring of interest and concern. We all fly a great deal or work with someone who does and so I wanted to share this story - the story of a miracle. I am thankful to be here to tell the tale.

There is a great deal to be learned including: Why has this happened to me? Why have I survived and what am I supposed to do with this gift? For me, the answers to these questions and more will come over time, but already I find myself being more patient and forgiving, less critical and judgmental.

For now I have 4 lessons I would like to share:

1. Cherish your families as never before and go to great lengths to keep your promises.

2. Be thankful and grateful for everything you have and don't worry about the things you don't have.

3. Keep in shape. You never know when you'll be called upon to save your own life, or help someone else save theirs.

4. When you fly, wear practical clothing. You never know when you'll end up in an emergency or on an icy wing in flip flops and pajamas and of absolutely no use to yourself or anyone else.

Thanks to all who have reached out; I look forward to seeing you soon!

Dick F.

Please Don't Divorce Us

2009-02-06T11:56:00.003-07:00

Thanks to Di Scott for directing me to this video that says it so eloquently:

"Fidelity": Don't Divorce... from Courage Campaign on Vimeo.

Now step right over to the Courage Campaign website and sign their petition to the California State Supreme Court.

The Stethoscope

2009-02-02T20:00:00.002-07:00

My friend, Nancy, sent me a copy of this reminder that we aren't walking alone in this world. What a joyful reminder:

This was produced by Southern Hills Church of Christ in Abilene TX. Thanks to them as well as to Nancy for calling it to my attention.

Arizona Cardinals (Almost!) Win Super Bowl

2009-02-01T22:45:00.005-07:00

The Arizona Cardinals did themselves proud in the 43rd Super Bowl tonight. Kurt Warner connected repeatedly with receivers and called rushing plays advantageously, but the Pittsburgh Steelers won out in the end. After going ahead with less than three minutes left in the game, our Cardinals were unable to stop a sustained and successful counter attack. Our Cardinals lost very honorably, 27-23.

Now that we've got our game, just wait until next season!

Sponsor An Executive

2009-02-01T22:37:00.002-07:00

This is funny once, maybe.... Or maybe it just makes me feel cranky. Thanks to Dale H for calling my attention to this:

So Go Before You Leave Home....

2009-01-26T20:40:00.012-07:00

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!

2009-01-25T19:56:00.009-07:00

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!

2009-01-25T11:20:00.003-07:00

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!

2009-01-20T10:44:00.003-07:00

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!

2009-01-19T21:56:00.002-07:00

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!

2009-01-18T17:38:00.004-07:00

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

2009-01-18T11:09:00.005-07:00

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

2009-01-17T10:38:00.001-07:00

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

2009-01-16T10:43:00.005-07:00

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

2009-01-14T16:46:00.004-07:00

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!)

2009-01-10T21:30:00.004-07:00

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!

2009-01-04T18:51:00.004-07:00

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

2009-01-04T11:15:00.003-07:00

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

2009-01-03T14:04:00.003-07:00

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.

Welcome to Our Home, Joyful!

2008-11-08T16:23:00.003-07:00

Joyful is the one on the left. She's a pretty 3-5 year old black cat with luxurient long fur and sparkling green eyes. Gail is the one on the right. Gail and her mother, Laverne, brought Joyful to me after a search for a new human Mom--that would be me. Joyful's previous Mom died unexpectantly, so Gail and her Mom set about caring for Joyful until they could find a new home. Never once did they consider taking her to the pound or any place else where she might not have a future.

Thanks be to God for good people who love animals. It's been lonely since Stretch died, and now Joyful and I can both be...well, Joyful!

It's Over and We Awaken to a New World

2008-11-08T15:53:00.003-07:00

Election 2008 is in the books.

Barack Obama is now the President-elect of the United States of America. What a journey he has made! And we will have a young, vibrant First Family to inspire continuous participation especially among young people. Barack was elected by the young people with a little help from their voting elders. It is a joy to see new life in people's faces reflecting new hopes and dreams for our nation.

Thank you, Senator John McCain! You are an American hero, and you are a gracious man, a statesman, to have conceded so magnanimously. I pray that your work in the senate will continue to be for the good of our country. I can imagine an Obama-Biden adminstration with you in a prominent cabinet position. And it would be magnanimous and smart of our new administration to use your talents to our country's best advantage.

On a personal note, I am disappointed and frankly hurt, that anti-gay marriage constitutional amendments have been added to the constitutions of Arizona, California and Florida. I almost expected it in Arizona and Florida, but I was appalled that California mustered enough deluded "Christians" to pass a blatantly discriminatory admendment. What will become of the marriages of over 18,000 couples who are married in the state of California since the California Supreme Court ruled that marriage was a right for gay couples as well as straight couples?

It must break the heart of God to see such vitriole from His children in the name of Jesus Christ who taught us to love one another. Discrimation is not a Christian value.

How Racism Works

2008-09-25T10:03:00.009-07:00

Thanks to my friend, Jane R, who sent this by email. The writer, Kelvin LaFond, wrote this as a letter to the editor of the Star-Telegram in Dallas/Ft. Worth for the September 5th edition. I find it helpful in discernment for the election, but also a sound life lesson:

How racism works:

What if John McCain were a former president of the Harvard Law Review?

What if Barack Obama finished fifth from the bottom of his graduating class?

What if McCain were still married to the first woman he said "I do" to?

What if Obama were the candidate who left his first wife after she no longer measured up to his standards?

What if Michelle Obama were a wife who not only became addicted to pain killers, but acquired them illegally through her charitable organization?

What if Cindy McCain graduated from Harvard?

What if Obama were a member of the Keating 5?

What if McCain was a charismatic, eloquent speaker?

If these questions reflected reality, do you really believe the election numbers would be as close as they are.This is what racism does. It covers up, rationalizes and minimizes positive qualities in one candidate and emphasizes negative qualities in another when there is a color difference.

--Kelvin LaFond, Fort Worth

Alaskan Women Reject Palin Rally

2008-09-19T09:22:00.003-07:00

Today I got this email that brought joy to my heart. Governor Sarah Palin is NOT recommended for veep by her own constituents in Alaska:

[The] Alaska Women Reject Palin rally was to be held outside on the lawn in front of the Loussac Library in midtown Anchorage . Home made signs were encouraged, and the idea was to make a statement that Sarah Palin does not speak for all Alaska women, or men. I had no idea what to expect.

The rally was organized by a small group of women, talking over coffee. It made me wonder what other things have started with small groups of women talking over coffee. It's probably an impressive list. These women hatched the plan, printed up flyers, posted them around town, and sent notices to local media outlets.

One of those media outlets was KBYR radio, home of Eddie Burke, a long-time uber-conservative Anchorage talk show host. Turns out that Eddie Burke not only announced the rally, but called the people who planned to attend the rally "a bunch of socialist baby-killing maggots", and read the home phone numbers of the organizers aloud over the air, urging listeners to call and tell them what they thought. The women, of course, received some nasty, harassing and threatening messages.

I felt a bit apprehensive. I'd been disappointed before by the turnout at other rallies. Basically, in Anchorage , if you can get 25 people to show up at an event, it's a success. So, I thought to myself, if we can actually get 100 people there that aren't sent by Eddie Burke, we'll be doing good. A real statement will have been made. I confess, I still had a mental image of 15 demonstrators surrounded by hundreds of menacing "socialist baby-killing maggot" haters.

It's a good thing I wasn't tailgating when I saw the crowd in front of the library or I would have ended up in somebody's trunk. When I got there, about 20 minutes early, the line of sign wavers stretched the full length of the library grounds, along the edge of the road, 6 or 7 people deep! I could hardly find a place to park. I nabbed one of the last spots in the library lot, and as I got out of the car and started walking, people seemed to join in from every direction, carrying signs.Never, have I seen anything like it in my 17 and a half years living in Anchorage.

The organizers had someone walk the rally with a counter, and they clicked off well over 1400 people (not including the 90 counter-demonstrators). This was the biggest political rally ever, in the history of the state. I was absolutely stunned.

The second most amazing thing is how many people honked and gave the thumbs up as they drove by. And even those that didn't honk looked wide-eyed and awe-struck at the huge crowd that was growing by the minute. This just doesn't happen here.

Then, the infamous Eddie Burke showed up. He tried to talk to the media, and was instantly surrounded by a group of 20 people who started shouting O-BA-MA so loud he couldn't be heard. Then passing cars started honking in a rhythmic pattern of 3, like the Obama chant, while the crowd cheered, hooted and waved their signs high.

So, if you've been doing the math? Yes. The Alaska Women Reject Palin rally was significantly bigger than Palin's rally that got all the national media coverage! So take heart, sit back, and enjoy the photo gallery. Feel free to spread the pictures around to anyone who needs to know that Sarah Palin most definitely does not speak for all Alaskans. The citizens of Alaska , who know her best, have things to say.

There followed numerous delightful pix of intelligent Alaskans expressing their opinion of Sarah Palin, all delightful.

And I wish I could reproduce them all, but here is my favorite:

SNL Lives!

2008-09-15T07:43:00.002-07:00

Saturday Night Live is back! And what a way to start. If you haven't already seen their Palin & Clinton segment, here's your chance:

Live from New York, it's Saturday Night!

Godparenting A Gay Child

2008-09-12T17:07:00.002-07:00

I have been asked to prepare a reflection about being Godparent to a child who may be gay. This is the first draft. I invite your comments. (Careful now; be as critical as you like, but be nice!)

My Godchild May Be Gay: How Can I Help?

Children are not as shielded from references to sexuality in today’s culture. What they may be shielded from at home will likely be picked up at school or play. Most grade-school children know rudimentary (and sometimes erroneous) facts about sexuality, and some are shockingly knowledgeable at a young age. As a result a child may realize at quite a young age that he or she feels attracted to children of the same sex, or get crushes on adults of the same sex. Such children may or may not talk to their parents or other adults in their lives about this. Or they may approach the topic obliquely, saying something like “I have a friend….” Other children may display signs of gender confusion like dressing up in the opposite gender parent’s or friend’s clothing, or behaving more like opposite gender children.

Like me some children, no matter how cognitively knowledgeable they are about sexuality, may have no conscious feelings of same or different gender attractions, may never talk about gay* sexuality or demonstrate any signs of cross-gender behavior. Such children may not awaken to their sexual identity until their late teens or even later in life. This is as prevalent, or more so, than children with early conscious awareness of alternative sexuality. I was a tomboy from the time I could crawl with a swagger. Yet I had no conscious awareness of alternative sexual expression until my early twenties.

Sexuality is one facet of our God-created lives. We are physical, mental, emotional, spiritual, and sexual beings. We who may affect the lives of children need to evaluate how we feel about gay (or other) sexuality. If our feelings are negative or if we feel we don’t know enough about the subject to be able to help our Godchild, one of the best resources is PFLAG--Parents and Friends of Lesbians and Gays. PFLAG’s website, http://community.pflag.org/, provides a wealth of information, including ways for you learn more about supporting anyone in your life who may be gay. There are local chapters in every state and if one is not far from you, I urge you to meet with members personally. I will recommend some additional resources later.

Here are some suggestions to help a child who may be gay:

Ø For all children, know that ‘gay’ behavior is not a predictor of adult sexuality. Keep an open mind, but realize that a child is trying on different personas as he or she is growing up.

Ø Let your Godchild know that some people are gay, just as some are of other races. Point out that God creates diversity in humanity just as in all nature.

Ø If you have a gay relative or friend that your Godchild knows also, express your appreciation of that person. It’s not necessary to point out that he or she is gay, just that he or she is a valued person in your life. (Think you don’t have any gay people in your life? Look again!)

Ø Let your Godchild know that there are different forms of family, and that love, respect, and spiritual well-being are characteristics of healthy families, whether large multi-generational families or single parent families, or same-sex families.

Ø Let your Godchild know that you are always open to questions about confusing subjects or things that come up at school that are not easily understood. Be open to “I have a friend…,” or other subtle openings to teachable moments.

Ø If your Godchild shares that he or she may be gay or is gay, ask how that is going. Open a conversational avenue to get your Godchild’s feelings about this. He or she may be elated or depressed or even hurt. Be prepared to provide tangible assistance if your Godchild is having a hard time with this. Know gay-friendly resources in your town such as doctors, counselors, clergy who can help support good mental, emotional, and spiritual health as your Godchild adapts to a new or renewed self-image.

Ø If a child under the age of 12 says he or she is gay or is going to grow up to be gay, treat it respectfully and check for support needs as above. Know, however, that it can probably be safely filed with I’m gonna be a fireman when I grow up, I wanna be an astronaut, and the myriad of other trial and error imaginations of most young children. The closer to twelve-years-old, however, the more carefully you need to assess for reality vs. imagination.

Ø Remind your Godchild that God created each of us just the way He meant us to be and that “God don’t make no junk!” God loves us with the sexuality He gave us, but he expects us to use the gift of our sexuality responsibly. The values we learn in our families, schools, and faith communities apply just as much to gay relationships as to straight ones.

For some people, coming out to a loved one about minority sexuality takes more courage than they will ever have to muster again. Our culture is not supportive of gay sexuality. Children and teens can be especially cruel to a ‘sissy’ classmate, even if that child is not gay. There is a frightening high incidence of suicide among gay or questioning teens and young adults. Likewise many states still do not have hate-crime legislation to prevent gay-bashing. Gays awakening to their sexuality are at high risk.

They also fear hurtful responses from their families and loved ones. A loving Godparent can manifest God’s love for a gay Godchild through acceptance and support.

* 'gay' meaning gay, lesbian or other minority sexual expression

Additional resources: For The Bible Tells Me So, Soulforce, Metropolitan Community Churches, Integrity, Dignity, etc.

Wise Words for Governor (VP Nominee) Sarah Palin

2008-09-05T10:25:00.005-07:00

I am only one of hundreds who finds this quote relevant to Gov. Palin's criticism of Senator Obama's work experience as a community organizer:

"Mrs. Palin needs to be reminded that Jesus was a community organizer, Pontius Pilate was a governor." ("MJR, Michigan" via the NYT comments .)

Like my source, Rev. Elizabeth Kaeton's Telling Secrets, I'm guessing MJR, Michigan is a woman and an Episcopalian.

Careful There, Barack Obama!

2008-08-22T16:20:00.002-07:00

Tip of the Hat to Gail who sent me an automobile sized bumper sticker, the same one that now electronically graces the sidebar of this blog. If we ban Republican Marriage, people like me--daughter of two stalwart Republicans--will not be able to counterweight them later. What to do, what to do?? Should we continue to allow them to marry and reproduce, knowing that they are apt to produce solid Democratic Party off-spring? Or should we ban such marriages so they will taste the pain of ostracism? Something to mull.

Gail also brings my attention to an opinion piece in the July 7th (2008) Seattle Post-Intelligencer written by syndicated columnist Amy Goodman: To Whom Does Obama Respond? Ms. Goodman documents several actions of Senator Obama that seemingly go against his own stated values. And she is right about Obama's motives. He is likely stretching himself beyond his personal values in an attempt to appeal to the broadest spectrum of potential votes.

Ms. Goodman cites an apparent position change on the pending (as of 7/5/08) FISA amendments. However days later, Sen. Obama voted with his colleagues, Sen. Dodd and Sen. Feingold, to oppose giving communication companies immunity for past releases of customer records to the federal government Homeland Security agencies. When that amendment failed, however, Sen. Obama voted for the overall package of FISA changes that included the immunity provision. As I say both of these votes took place after Ms. Goodman's article.

It is noteworthy that the senior senator from Arizona was only one of two Senators who were not present to vote on either FISA amendment. Senator Ted Kennedy was in treatment for glioblastoma cancer. Senator McCain was....?

I'd have preferred that Sen. Obama continue to oppose a FISA that permitted immunity; many of us would have preferred that he continue to vote with Sen. Dodd and Sen. Feingold. That he chose to do otherwise was probably a practical choice, but not a morally sound one.

As for Ms. Goodman's opinions on other Obama statements, some of which I like and some of which I don't, Obama is answering questions in the context of the moment--never a good situation for a candidate's credibility. I would like to know what details surrounded these other issues. For example, overall I dissapprove of the way NAFTA has worked in practice. I'm guessing he feels the same way overall. But if he were being asked a specific question about a narrow issue within that topic such as establishing NAFTA with Colombia, his anwer might indeed appear to conflict with previous statements. Free trade isn't fair trade, but regulating and increasing trade with a Colombia, seriously working to clean up its historical drug cartel economy, may give them badly needed alternative economic support in transition.

Ms. Goodman also cites Obama's opinions of Supreme Court decisions on overturning DC's ban on handguns (favors the ruling) and on prohibiting the death penalty for child rapists (disagrees with the ruling). Taking Ms. Goodman's accuracy as a given, these statements give me the willies. These are 180 degrees from my opinions on these decisions. Watch it, Barack!

She concludes that Senator Obama may well be losing some voters in an attempt to appease others. One of the most attractive qualities of Candidate Obama was his apparent commitment to values like my own. He is not going to lose me over this, because the alternative is unthinkable. But it's a shame that he's slip-sliding on his own values. I like him for his values, and failing his integrity in this way may lose him as much as believes he will gain.

Different, Just Different!

2008-08-19T16:30:00.003-07:00

What is good? What is bad?

What is good to you may be bad to me, and vice versa.

I strive to remember that judgment is God's business, not mine.

When I catch myself identifying a person or situation as 'bad', I try reframing it as different rather than bad.

Funny how things that are different become interesting--or even good!

So What Happened at Lambeth 2008?

2008-08-05T10:14:00.001-07:00

...my friend, Kristin, asks...

Well as nearly as I can tell, it happened exactly the way the ABC planned it. The Willing-to-Try-Gang met for a few days in highly-structured activities designed to promote a thorough deep conversation in which all sides actually HEARD each other. The indaba group process produced a document that digested their communications. It set forth the discussions of MANY problems in the Anglican world, not just sexuality issues.

So it gave the Willing-To-Try-Gang a rich perspective of the Anglican Communion and its difficulties in each province, some of which desperately need help with protecting women and children in the most basic ways, for instance. Put into perspective, my particular little gripe aint nothin'. The inclusive church folks got their voice into the indaba process and the get-outa-Dodge extremists got their voice in the indaba process. The voices that the bishops often haven't heard for all the clammor of sexuality extremists, are the ones who are saying, "Our children are dying, our women are being raped, our battle with AIDS and other diseases is not working, we have arable land but no way to develop agriculture, and on and on and on....

Where does this leave the Anglican Church in Canada, the Episcopal Church, and others who may be ready to become inclusive churches? Once again the whole and healthy part of the Anglican Communion is placing the moral burden of that decision on the individual provinces. Right where it ought to be. That Abp. Rowan Williams is a smart cookie.

Bishop Smith's Lambeth Daily blog was an insightful look at the process. He gave a sketch of what was happening every day and expressed his feelings about the progress. Some days, good and hopeful, some days apprehensive. It was a good perspective to observe.

The Integrity blog was pretty comprehensive for the inclusive church organizations.

The one grinding regret about Lambeth 2008, one which Abp. Rowan may regret also, was the deliberate and very enforced 'disinvitation' to Bp. Gene Robinson. But I think it made the Willing-to-Try-Gang bigger than it would have been otherwise. It was not only a heart-rending insult to a good and Godly man, but it was an insult to the good and Godly people of his diocese and to the Episcopal Church. Bp. Gene had two blogs, The Gene Pool, and Canterbury Tales from the Fringe.

A respected blog from the traditionalists' point of view is Canon Kendall Harmon's Titus 1:9. I am directing you to Canon Harmon's blog that quotes Bp. Smith followed by KH's comments which are mild compared to the 10 (or more) comments from readers.

So, in as far as you'd like to...read, mark, learn, and inwardly digest. General Convention 2009 is right around the corner. And the moral burden of where do we go from here rests on TEC's shoulders.

How Does the Holy Spirit Work in the Episcopal Church?

2008-07-27T07:05:00.005-07:00

The Holy Spirit teaches most freely in democratic practice. As democratic polity leads the Episcopal Church toward the inclusion of all, the exclusion of none, the Holy Spirit is at work inspiring behavior that Jesus taught us to practice. We are Christians, followers of Jesus Christ and the teachings of Jesus in his lifetime.

Now the Anglican Communion, largely dominated by men, is trying to reform in a way that will create a hierarchal power structure. This is antithetical to its historic beginnings as the Church of England, formed in Elizabethan Great Britain. We are talking Elizabeth I, btw. Think of the times of Shakespeare for reference.

Queen Elizabeth watched Roman Catholics and Anglican Catholics killing each other off in droves over religious beliefs. Her Majesty had the wisdom to pull all factions together with agreement on basic principles and a Book of Common Prayer, then pointed out that having room for many shades of belief within that common structure allowed the Holy Spirit to help the church and Merrie Olde England to grow and prosper. (My words, my very abreviated version of history.)

And so it has happened. The Church of England evangelized as it colonialized and the Anglican Communion is now a world wide denomination with 38 provinces, each subscribing to the Apostles' and Nicene Creeds and sharing Books of Common Prayer. Colonization subsided, but the teachings of the Anglican Communion have survived and thrived. Each province has grown in grace by the teachings of the Holy Spirit and each has structured its manner of internal governance, its polity, in ways that fit local customs and traditions. So it is that the Queen of England today, HRH Elizabeth II, appoints bishops, and that American bishops are elected by the clergy and laity of their diocese. There is more to it than that on both sides of the pond, but the key difference in polity is democratic action vs. appointment.
Other provinces govern themselves in ways that fit their cultures and some of them select by democratic process, too.

Tradition 2 in 12-step programs states: "For our group purpose there is but one ultimate authority--a loving God as He may express Himself through our group conscience. Our leaders are but trusted servants; they do not govern." The group, meeting together with differing ideas, prays for guidance and votes on leaders and issues. The outcome is believed to be the best outcome God could give and is accepted by most participants.

Doesn't this sound like 'servant leadership'? And doesn't it compare with our elected bishops chosen through the Holy Spirit-led group conscience of the diocesan members? Not all will agree, but we accept that God is working in the election process to give us the best possible candidate. Likewise, the Episcopal Church resolves issues through a Spirit-led democratic process. This can happen on vestries, in diocesan deliberations, or at the triennial General Convention.

So, back to the original point: The Holy Spirit has led the Episcopal Church progressively forward at a different pace than other parts of the Anglican Communion through freedom to explore those shades of belief. The group conscious of TEC has gradually devined that slavery in today's world is counter to Jesus' teachings; that prayer need not be in archaic language to be valid, but may be in contemporary language more meaningful to the pray-er; that women can be deacons, priests, bishops and yes, Presiding Bishops, serving God and their communities with grace and dignity; that we are called by Jesus and led by the Holy Spirit to reach out to all marginalized people in our society and to see in them the reflection of God's love. These people are the hungry, the homeless, the immigrant, the orphan, the sick, the disabled, the prisoner, and the despised. We are called to make society whole through the love of God and the salvation of our Redeemer. That the American church continues to seek and embrace new people is a product of God's grace through our democratic polity.

By having faith in the Holy Spirit's guidance and by getting on with the business of welcoming all of God's children into communion, the Episcopal Church can grow in grace and prosper as Elizabeth I's Church of England did. As long as we quarrel and deny our God-given mission, our church will remain stagnant.

The Great Pacific Garbage Patch

2008-07-25T16:44:00.007-07:00

This is indeed a tragic comment on stewardship of our planet.

I was called to do a little research about my previous post(see below), to be sure I wasn't blowing smoke. Now you can do the same. The Wikipedia article leads to links from agencies such as National Geographic and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration as well as others.

One resource said the size of this deadly patch is as least as big as Texas and perhaps as big as the continent of Africa.

And it is growing. Plastics are the worst component. Let's be careful with our trash, friends. Let's start thinking about reusable containers, biodegradable alternatives to plastics, etc. Please.

Flotsam and Jetsam

2008-07-25T11:19:00.024-07:00

Somewhere in the north Pacific Ocean there is a mass of accumulated flotsam and jetsam. It is reputed to be miles across it's diameter. It is loosely bound together by a vortex current that moves with the ocean currents generated by weather conditions. It is a toxic malignancy on the ocean comprised of plastic products, shipping fuel and spilled oil, scrapped or lost fishing nets, shoes (with or without feet) and other fabric products, and the other wretched trash of careless humanity. It continues to grow, and it is too immense to clean up by any normal means. It traps wildlife and kills. It is a shame.

My original idea for this post was to deliver a variety of topics briefly and concisely and to practice embedding links. I thought 'flotsam and jetsam' would be a cute way to say, "A Variety of Topics." And what comes out of my diverse mind? A mini-rant about Topic A, flotsam and jetsam.

The long pause since July 7th is the result of my apt attention to the goings on of the World Wide Anglican Communion (hereinafter WWAC), a loose association of 38 provinces, originated by the excellent evangelism of the Church of England around the world. The archbishops and bishops (with some exceptions) are met in Canterbury UK for the decennial Lambeth Conference. Why do I care? Because I am an Anglican.

I was born a cradle Episcopalian (aka American version of Anglican), baptized into the body of Christ within a week of my birth. I grew up with an active, church-going family and I loved church, loved Sunday School (for kids), and loved teen youth groups and activities. I have learned in advanced adulthood that one cannot just shuck off such beginnings. I have distanced myself from the Episcopal, first in my youth and then more recently. But I continue to be fascinated by the interactions of this incredibly diverse religious community.

With us it is always something. Changes in the Book of Common Prayer drove traditionalists to start 'orthodox' Anglican churches. The ordination of women--only since 1977 puh-leeze!--drove traditionalists to start 'orthodox' Anglican churches. Well, guess what? Now the movement to provide full inclusion of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender folks is driving traditionalists to start 'real' Anglican churches.

The nouveau 'orthodox' or 'real' Anglican churches aren't recognized by the WWAC. Yet over this latest issue, HUGE parts of the Anglican Communion are talking schism. This issue has become a slow motion side-show to the Lambeth Conference and if you like watching paint dry or grass growing, you might like to check out a daily official summary of the Lambeth Conference here.

More entertaining are blogs from articulate advocates of either side. Here are a few examples:

Integrity is a leading advocacy group in the Episcopal Church working toward full inclusion of sexual minorities.
Titus 1:9 advocates to maintain the status quo in the Episcopal Church. Its author, Kendall Harmon, seems to be respected as an articulate spokesperson for this point of view. (Full disclosure: His is not my point of view, tho' I respect his presentations.)
The Right Reverend Gene Robinson, Bishop of the Diocese of New Hampshire, has become the focal human being for this issue. He was singulary uninvited to the Lambeth Conference by the Archbishop of Canterbury. His two blogs, Canterbury Tales from the Fringe and The Gene Pool pull at my heart especially. Over $50,000 was raised, not for his travel, but for his security team in Canterbury. He and his partner of twenty years, Mark, have had death threats since before Bishop Gene's consecration. The threats continue to this day.

When you've had your fill of all this sturm und drang, do what I do: Check in with the very droll Fr. Christian Troll to lighten your heart and blacken your soul: He's Fr. Christian and he reads The Bible. A certain degree of prior knowledge about Anglican high jinks is prerequisite for Fr. Christian. (Big eye roll.)

If you've read this far, you are an Episcopalian or an Anglican or an Anglophile. You are also bored stiff. But I have mastered embedding links. Next time I'm going to learn how to embed a link that generates a new window. Can you wait??

God loves us, each and everyone, beyond our wildest imagination! (With or without the WWAC)

So Many Subjects; So Little Writing

2008-07-07T19:57:00.004-07:00

One scarcely knows where to begin:

McCain vs Obama
Economic changes
Transportation challenges
Education
Health care
Railroads

Railroads??

Yes, railroads. I have a friend named Bruce, whom I call James. It's a long story. But this gent told me railroads would be a good investment and would pay off handsomely in the future. He said that in the early 1990's.

I scoffed. I hooted. I couldn't imagine the dying railroad industry being resuscitated in the 21st century. And I told him so.

Yet the trend is beginning. With diesel fuel prices knocking on $5.00 per gallon, major trucking companies are loading cargo containers and long haul semi- trailers onto railroad flat cars for shipping of any distance. The trade-off for this cost saving innovation is somewhat delayed delivery of goods at the destination. As I drive to work along the Burlington Northern Santa Fe tracks parallelling Highway 60 I watch car after car roll by with key names in the trucking industry: Schneider, J. B. Hunt, Swift, even UPS loaded up. My path takes me past a mechanical unit that loads and unloads the frieght containers. It is always busy.

I dream of boarding a commuter train that will trek me out to my job in Sun City on the same tracks, and trek me home in the evening. Local transportation mavens favor exactly this future to move people from the northwest valley to the southern and southeast valley. So far it is talk only, but James may be right about this soon.

Here's the kicker. We have carbon-spewing airplanes long-hauling people at ever increasing prices. Aviation fuel has risen proportionately with diesel and gasoline. Airlines are doing the best they can to hold airfares down by instituting poly-fees, fees for luggage, fees for food, fees for beverages, and on it goes. To survive, the airline industry needs to pare the number of flights down as much as possible and begin charging airfares sufficient to cover their expenses and make a decent profit.

So how fast can we build additonal tracks? How fast can we build passenger cars, dining cars, club cars and sleeper cars? How soon can we offer passengers lower cost long distance transportation with a trade-off of delayed arrival at the destination?

Let's talk just a minute about that delayed arrival. Many of us are too young to have passenger train travel experience in America. Let me tell you.... Room to stretch your legs. Comfortable enough to get up and walk up and down aisles or even into other cars. Pleasant dining cars with menus--yes, choices! Sleeper cars that rock one to sleep to the hypnotic clickety-clack, clickety clack. Big picture window to watch the world roll by. Upon arrival one is rested, relaxed and ready to be productive at the business meeting or attentive to the family or primed for vacation.

Yes. It will take longer. So you have time to finish your homework, prepare your Power Point presentation, read a book, meet new friends. Life is more enjoyable and restful at a slower pace.

Economic circumstances are likely to slow us down anyway. This is one idea--James' idea--whose time has come.

God Is Smiling from Ear to Ear

2008-06-24T10:07:00.000-07:00

"There is a growing pluralistic impulse toward tolerance, and that is having theological consequences," [D. Michael] Lindsay said. Good news! And more good news.

Today's Arizona Republic* reports 70% of Americans with a religious affiliation said they believe many religions can lead to eternal life. For many of these believers this represents a conflict with their religious teachings.

America's pluralistic and mobile society puts each of us in touch with people whose beliefs differ from our own. As we live near, work with, and sometimes even love people of differing beliefs, we learn to appreciate and respect other faith traditions. Likewise we have the opportunity to know and appreciate people of different cultures, nationalities, races, sexual orientations, and abilities.

My faith tradition tells me to love God and to love my neighbor; to love myself; and even to love my enemies. It seems to me that 70% of faithful Americans are loving their God and their neighbors with intelligent respect and kindness. I'm proud to count myself among them.

Could it be that American secular pluralism is challenging religions to teach tolerant love of our neighbors?

Thoughtfully, Pat

PS: Please bear with my footnotes until I learn to imbed links :)

* http://www.azcentral.com/arizonarepublic/news/articles/0624religion0624.html