+ updated at 2:00pm ESDT on Tuesday, March 20, 2012 + Vernal Equinox was at 1:14am ESDT.
+ Spirituality and Practice offers "Spring: 12 Ways to Inaugurate the Season" by Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat.
Excerpt 1: "As outside, so inside. Spring is a time for cleaning out and making way for fresh possibilities and new commitments. It's a time to revive our senses and expand our horizons. It's a time to begin again."
Excerpt 2: "Cherish Beauty Afresh: Watch the video movie Enchanted April about four Englishwomen who rent a medieval castle in Italy for a month. This paradisiacal place tutors them in the spiritual arts of letting go, luxuriating in the senses, and loving. They discover that a vacation can be a soulmaking experience when it emphasizes the path of the heart, reverie, wonder, counting one’s blessings, and living in the present moment. Ponder the ways in which the change of seasons enhances the feeling textures of your life."
+ I'm glad last week's weather predictions are turning out wrong. It is still unseasonably warm and will be for another few days but the mid-70s F. feel a lot better than the high 80s F. which were predicted.
Showing posts with label weather. Show all posts
Showing posts with label weather. Show all posts
Tuesday, March 20, 2012
Friday, August 6, 2010
COFFEE BREAK 193
+ updated at 9:46am ESDT on Friday, August 6, 2010
+ The Red Sox managed to win last night but lost their home series against the Cleveland Indians. Now they head for the Bronx where they must win at least one game to stay alive in the pennant chase.
+ Oppressive heat for the past couple of days has now been totally replaced by a powerful Canadian High. I like natural cooling far better than artificial cooling.
+ Thanks to the OC Progressive Christians, I discovered Other Words which offers "Misguided U.S. Economic Policies Drive Many Mexicans to Come Here" by Manuel Pérez-Rocha.
Excerpt 1: "Most immigrants would prefer to stay at home with their families and live their own culture, eat their own food, and listen to their own music."
Excerpt 2: "Why do so many people migrate here from Mexico and other countries in Central America? The answer is that they need to look for jobs because there aren't enough jobs at home. Several years of the wrong economic policies have destroyed millions of jobs, both in the countryside and in cities. These economic policies tend to concentrate wealth. They're based on what's often called the "Washington consensus" because they're designed and dictated from institutions based in the U.S. capital like the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund."
+ The Red Sox managed to win last night but lost their home series against the Cleveland Indians. Now they head for the Bronx where they must win at least one game to stay alive in the pennant chase.
+ Oppressive heat for the past couple of days has now been totally replaced by a powerful Canadian High. I like natural cooling far better than artificial cooling.
+ Thanks to the OC Progressive Christians, I discovered Other Words which offers "Misguided U.S. Economic Policies Drive Many Mexicans to Come Here" by Manuel Pérez-Rocha.
Excerpt 1: "Most immigrants would prefer to stay at home with their families and live their own culture, eat their own food, and listen to their own music."
Excerpt 2: "Why do so many people migrate here from Mexico and other countries in Central America? The answer is that they need to look for jobs because there aren't enough jobs at home. Several years of the wrong economic policies have destroyed millions of jobs, both in the countryside and in cities. These economic policies tend to concentrate wealth. They're based on what's often called the "Washington consensus" because they're designed and dictated from institutions based in the U.S. capital like the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund."
Friday, July 9, 2010
COFFEE BREAK 187
+ updated at 10:42am ESDT on Friday, July 9, 2010
+ Spirituality and Practice offers a book excerpt on clutter. The book is Make Room for God: Clearing Out the Clutter by Susan K. Rowland. S&P offers a review.
Here's an excerpt from the excerpt: "Clutter steals away our time and saps our energy. It takes time and energy to keep it, to take care of it, to find things we need buried under it. Clutter costs us money when we buy something we already have because we forgot we had it. Clutter makes it hard to relax. It screams for attention, like a cranky child who has been dragged around on errands all day."
This speaks to me as I have a lot of clutter here in my study. Books not opened for decades and probably never will be opened by me or anybody else again. Piles and files of information which can be accessed elsewhere if needed. Gadgets long ago made obsolete. OK. What can I discard today? Or, rather, what will I discard today? I will report!
+ The heat wave is over here in Central New York. We have been cooped up for 4 days and it is good to feel like the outside world can be entered again!
+ Spirituality and Practice offers a book excerpt on clutter. The book is Make Room for God: Clearing Out the Clutter by Susan K. Rowland. S&P offers a review.
Here's an excerpt from the excerpt: "Clutter steals away our time and saps our energy. It takes time and energy to keep it, to take care of it, to find things we need buried under it. Clutter costs us money when we buy something we already have because we forgot we had it. Clutter makes it hard to relax. It screams for attention, like a cranky child who has been dragged around on errands all day."
This speaks to me as I have a lot of clutter here in my study. Books not opened for decades and probably never will be opened by me or anybody else again. Piles and files of information which can be accessed elsewhere if needed. Gadgets long ago made obsolete. OK. What can I discard today? Or, rather, what will I discard today? I will report!
+ The heat wave is over here in Central New York. We have been cooped up for 4 days and it is good to feel like the outside world can be entered again!
Wednesday, July 7, 2010
COFFEE BREAK 185
+ updated at 4:50pm ESDT on Wednesday, July 7, 2010
+ Spain just defeated Germany 1-0 in the WorldCup semifinals. I'm a little disappointed since I got interested in the Worldcup games traveling through Germany. The finalists are Spain and The Netherlands.
+ I just uploaded some Berlin Photos. Go to http://www.pbase.com/abundancetrek/berlinjune2010
+ One of our great finds in Berlin was an exhibit entitled Wege, Irrwege and Umwege which is loosely translated as the Paths and Detours on the way to German Parliamentary Democracy. It is in a museum located in The Deutscher Dom, a restored church building in Der Gendarmenmarkt. The exhibit is sponsored by the Bundestag, the German Parliament. The church has not been used as a church since its partial destruction in World War 2.
+ The heatwave continues. Highs in mid 90s F. since Monday and expected to last through tomorrow. New York City, Boston, Philadelphia, Baltimore and Washington DC all topped 100 F. yesterday.
+ Spain just defeated Germany 1-0 in the WorldCup semifinals. I'm a little disappointed since I got interested in the Worldcup games traveling through Germany. The finalists are Spain and The Netherlands.
+ I just uploaded some Berlin Photos. Go to http://www.pbase.com/abundancetrek/berlinjune2010
+ One of our great finds in Berlin was an exhibit entitled Wege, Irrwege and Umwege which is loosely translated as the Paths and Detours on the way to German Parliamentary Democracy. It is in a museum located in The Deutscher Dom, a restored church building in Der Gendarmenmarkt. The exhibit is sponsored by the Bundestag, the German Parliament. The church has not been used as a church since its partial destruction in World War 2.
+ The heatwave continues. Highs in mid 90s F. since Monday and expected to last through tomorrow. New York City, Boston, Philadelphia, Baltimore and Washington DC all topped 100 F. yesterday.
Monday, May 10, 2010
COFFEE BREAK 176
+ Still quite chilly and breezy but today's blue sky is welcome compared to yesterday's clouds and wind and snow showers. I had to wear my winter coat again. Snow did not stick here in the valley but we could see the snow coating the nearby hills.
+ The Red Sox finally came back to life yesterday against the Yankees at Fenway, winning 9-3 after two humiliating losses.
+ The Red Sox finally came back to life yesterday against the Yankees at Fenway, winning 9-3 after two humiliating losses.
Thursday, May 6, 2010
COFFEE BREAK 175
+ Shuck and Jive offers PDA Responds to Flooding.
+ The heatwave is over. I love days like today. A little breeze. Very blue sky. Extremely comfortable. Perhaps a sweater needed. This is the way May should be.
+ The heatwave is over. I love days like today. A little breeze. Very blue sky. Extremely comfortable. Perhaps a sweater needed. This is the way May should be.
Tuesday, March 9, 2010
COFFEE BREAK 155
+ updated at 1:07pm EST, Tuesday, March 9, 2010
+ Bread for the World urges us to sign a petition dealing with the ridiculous Glenn Beck idea that people should leave churches which mention social justice or economic justice. Here's an excerpt from the appeal: "Fox News Host Glenn Beck is famous for making outrageous statements. And normally, we don't feel compelled to respond. But now he's gone too far. Recently, he urged his audience to leave their congregations if the church mentioned 'social' or 'economic' justice. Please sign the petition at www.bread.org/beck to remind him that justice is central to the Gospel of Jesus Christ. And once you've done so, please forward it to your friends. If we get 35,000 signatures, we'll hand deliver the signed petition with a copy of the Poverty and Justice Bible to Beck's office."
+ Holy Cow! Another sunny day. Is this really the Mohawk Valley or have I been transported to another place?
+ Bread for the World urges us to sign a petition dealing with the ridiculous Glenn Beck idea that people should leave churches which mention social justice or economic justice. Here's an excerpt from the appeal: "Fox News Host Glenn Beck is famous for making outrageous statements. And normally, we don't feel compelled to respond. But now he's gone too far. Recently, he urged his audience to leave their congregations if the church mentioned 'social' or 'economic' justice. Please sign the petition at www.bread.org/beck to remind him that justice is central to the Gospel of Jesus Christ. And once you've done so, please forward it to your friends. If we get 35,000 signatures, we'll hand deliver the signed petition with a copy of the Poverty and Justice Bible to Beck's office."
+ Holy Cow! Another sunny day. Is this really the Mohawk Valley or have I been transported to another place?
Friday, March 5, 2010
COFFEE BREAK 153
+ updated at 2:49pm EST Friday, March 5, 2010
+ The Network of Spiritual Progressives offers "Koran's Universal Messages" by Arnold Yasin Mol. You will most likely be surprised and learn a lot. For example: "Jerusalem was taken without any force, nor were the rights of Christians and Jews decreased but even increased, Christians from other sects and Jews were allowed in the holy city for the first time since the second century when the Romans had banned them from the city."
+ Shuck and Jive offers "Religion in America" by John Shuck.
Excerpt 1:
On Saturday, February 20th, the PCUSA made the Faith section of our local paper, the Johnson City Press. It was in regards to the survey the research department of our denomination made of its members.
The media turned us into national news for a couple of weeks. Here is the story:
"The Presbyterian Church USA’s statement of faith says God through Jesus Christ delivers followers “from death to life eternal.” But one in three members of the nation’s largest Presbyterian denomination seem to believe there’s some wiggle room for non-Christians to get into heaven, according to a recent poll."
Excerpt 2:
I find the whole business embarrassing that so many still are worried about archaic speculation such as heaven and further worried about who will get in or not. This to me is religion at its most superstitious. Many of us are trying to move on.
There is a great tune embedded in the post. It's not the best technical quality but still worth hearing and seeing. Definitely worth it so I am embedding it too!
+ Presbyterian News Service offers "Presbyterians favor pushing corporations not to promote violence: Poll shows strong support for ‘two-state’ solution in Israel/Palestine" by Jerry Van Marter. Excerpt: "At least two-thirds of Presbyterians believe the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) should try to dissuade corporations from doing things that 'directly or indirectly' support violence against Israeli or Palestinian civilians, and at least three in five Presbyterians believe that the denomination should shift its investment funds away from corporations that continue to support such violence despite pleas to stop."
It is reassuring to see that so many Presbyterians support justice for the Palestinian people so victimized by the continuing illegal and immoral expansion of Israeli settlements in The West Bank and East Jerusalem.
+ Presbyterian Voices for Justice offers "The Israel Palestine Mission Network calls upon PC(USA) leadership to stand firm". Excerpt: "Many on the forefront of the human rights struggle in Occupied Palestine know that in Israel itself there is a healthier debate going on throughout Israeli society about these issues than is taking place in the American Jewish Community. One only needs to read Israeli dailies like The Jerusalem Post and Ha’aretz to know there are significant Israeli voices calling for an end to injustice in Palestine; voices of people who believe their beloved homeland has become an oppressor nation. Their motives in calling for immediate change in government policies are not only for the sake of Palestinian human rights, but also for the future security of Israel itself."
+ At Inner Frontier, Joseph Naft consistently offers very insightful and illuminating weekly spiritual practices which he calls Inner Work. This week's practice is "I am Present". Excerpt: "Be the one who sees through your eyes, the one who is aware of your thoughts, aware of your mind, aware of your center of emotion. Inhabit your body. Inhabit your feeling. Inhabit your mind. Claim it all as your own. Instead of letting so many of your words and actions happen on their own in a stimulus-response cycle and without your participation, say what you say and do what you do. Engage and be who you are."
+ I'm looking forward to seeing and hearing some great Celtic Rock tonight. Enter The Haggis is coming to town. They will be playing at Utica's The Electric Company.
+ It is sunny and chilly this morning. Here in the Mohawk Valley, whenever we see blue sky we are delighted. Blue sky or even patches of blue are particularly rare in the winter months. But even in the summer, a blue sky can be all too rare. Last summer was more cloudy than usual. I called it the Patch of Blue Summer since on many days we saw mostly clouds and a few patches of blue. So, a blue sky is very welcome even on a cold March day.
+ The Network of Spiritual Progressives offers "Koran's Universal Messages" by Arnold Yasin Mol. You will most likely be surprised and learn a lot. For example: "Jerusalem was taken without any force, nor were the rights of Christians and Jews decreased but even increased, Christians from other sects and Jews were allowed in the holy city for the first time since the second century when the Romans had banned them from the city."
+ Shuck and Jive offers "Religion in America" by John Shuck.
Excerpt 1:
On Saturday, February 20th, the PCUSA made the Faith section of our local paper, the Johnson City Press. It was in regards to the survey the research department of our denomination made of its members.
The media turned us into national news for a couple of weeks. Here is the story:
"The Presbyterian Church USA’s statement of faith says God through Jesus Christ delivers followers “from death to life eternal.” But one in three members of the nation’s largest Presbyterian denomination seem to believe there’s some wiggle room for non-Christians to get into heaven, according to a recent poll."
Excerpt 2:
I find the whole business embarrassing that so many still are worried about archaic speculation such as heaven and further worried about who will get in or not. This to me is religion at its most superstitious. Many of us are trying to move on.
There is a great tune embedded in the post. It's not the best technical quality but still worth hearing and seeing. Definitely worth it so I am embedding it too!
+ Presbyterian News Service offers "Presbyterians favor pushing corporations not to promote violence: Poll shows strong support for ‘two-state’ solution in Israel/Palestine" by Jerry Van Marter. Excerpt: "At least two-thirds of Presbyterians believe the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) should try to dissuade corporations from doing things that 'directly or indirectly' support violence against Israeli or Palestinian civilians, and at least three in five Presbyterians believe that the denomination should shift its investment funds away from corporations that continue to support such violence despite pleas to stop."
It is reassuring to see that so many Presbyterians support justice for the Palestinian people so victimized by the continuing illegal and immoral expansion of Israeli settlements in The West Bank and East Jerusalem.
+ Presbyterian Voices for Justice offers "The Israel Palestine Mission Network calls upon PC(USA) leadership to stand firm". Excerpt: "Many on the forefront of the human rights struggle in Occupied Palestine know that in Israel itself there is a healthier debate going on throughout Israeli society about these issues than is taking place in the American Jewish Community. One only needs to read Israeli dailies like The Jerusalem Post and Ha’aretz to know there are significant Israeli voices calling for an end to injustice in Palestine; voices of people who believe their beloved homeland has become an oppressor nation. Their motives in calling for immediate change in government policies are not only for the sake of Palestinian human rights, but also for the future security of Israel itself."
+ At Inner Frontier, Joseph Naft consistently offers very insightful and illuminating weekly spiritual practices which he calls Inner Work. This week's practice is "I am Present". Excerpt: "Be the one who sees through your eyes, the one who is aware of your thoughts, aware of your mind, aware of your center of emotion. Inhabit your body. Inhabit your feeling. Inhabit your mind. Claim it all as your own. Instead of letting so many of your words and actions happen on their own in a stimulus-response cycle and without your participation, say what you say and do what you do. Engage and be who you are."
+ I'm looking forward to seeing and hearing some great Celtic Rock tonight. Enter The Haggis is coming to town. They will be playing at Utica's The Electric Company.
+ It is sunny and chilly this morning. Here in the Mohawk Valley, whenever we see blue sky we are delighted. Blue sky or even patches of blue are particularly rare in the winter months. But even in the summer, a blue sky can be all too rare. Last summer was more cloudy than usual. I called it the Patch of Blue Summer since on many days we saw mostly clouds and a few patches of blue. So, a blue sky is very welcome even on a cold March day.
Friday, February 26, 2010
COFFEE BREAK 147
+ updated at 10:16pm, Friday, February 26, 2010
+ My daughter and grand daughter had a snow day today. They joined us for snowshoeing and making a snowman in the backyard. Did I say the snow was very heavy, very VERY heavy?
+ The winter storm is over and snow removal is difficult due to heaviness of the snow. At least 15 inches fell here in Whitestown NY.
+ My daughter and grand daughter had a snow day today. They joined us for snowshoeing and making a snowman in the backyard. Did I say the snow was very heavy, very VERY heavy?
+ The winter storm is over and snow removal is difficult due to heaviness of the snow. At least 15 inches fell here in Whitestown NY.
Thursday, February 25, 2010
COFFEE BREAK 146
+ updated at 8:25pm EST, Thursday, February 25, 2010
+ Huffington Post offers "Only Spirituality Can Solve The Problems Of The World" by Deepak Chopra. Excerpt: "If there is anything that will at this moment heal our wounded planet with its immense problems of social injustice, ecological devastation, extreme economic disparities, war, conflict and terrorism, it is a deeper experiential understanding and knowledge of our own spirit. With this deeper understanding and with an interfaith dialogue that looks at our commonalities rather than our differences, we have the opportunity to solve the problems of the world, address its inequities and heal ourselves. The word, "healing" and the words, holy and whole, all mean the same thing. To be healed is to have the return of the memory of who we really are. When we return to our sacred source, the world will be holy, and it will be healed."
+ 2:11 pm WEATHER UPDATE: Utica area is now expecting to get 8 to 14 inches of snow before it ends sometime tomorrow. Higher elevations to the South may get 2 feet.
+ The Worldwide Religion of Reality offers "Total Enlightenment: The Wisdom Prophecy."
Excerpt 1: John L. Petersen is quoted: "We need to start the discussion about how a new world might operate. We need to get going. We're already late."
Excerpt 2: Dan Brown is quoted: "According to legend, the sages who encrypted the Ancient Mysteries long ago left behind a key of sorts… a password that could be used to unlock the encrypted secrets. This magical password – known as the verbum significatium – is said to hold the power to lift the darkness and unlock the Ancient Mysteries, opening them to all human understanding. At a pivotal moment in history… a moment when mankind can no longer survive without the truth, knowledge, and wisdom of the ages. At this dark crossroads, mankind will at last remember the Word and herald in a wondrous new age of enlightenment." (The Lost Symbol)
+ The Charter for Compassion has now been signed by almost 40,000 people. Here's how it begins: "The principle of compassion lies at the heart of all religious, ethical and spiritual traditions, calling us always to treat all others as we wish to be treated ourselves." Read it all. Please consider signing it if you haven't already. Tell your friends about it. Spread the word. Compassion. What the world needs now.
+ Click HERE to find out about a great conference on Emerging Christianity coming up in Albuquerque in April. It's on my wish list. Maybe someone can help me make my wish happen.
+ Voices of Sophia offers "Feminist theology basics: What is gender?" by Heather W. Reichgott. Excerpt:
Feminist theory defines essentialism as the view that women have certain traits by nature, although it’s very much open for discussion what those traits are, what makes them good or bad, and how they ought to be deployed in the world. Theologically, this means God made two genders and each gender was created in a certain way, although it’s very much open for discussion whether or not that implies a hierarchy of genders.
Feminist theory defines constructivism (or constructionism) as the view that gender is created by culture. That does not mean gender does not exist, although that is a common misunderstanding of constructivism. Things created by culture are very real, and cannot easily be changed: buildings, books, economies, laws, prisons, prizes, even our own names. Theologically, this can mean we are to learn and grow into a predefined godly gender role, or it can mean gender roles are open to debate, criticism and change. A constructivist might stress Genesis 1.26-27 and Galatians 3.28: God made humanity male and female, not male or female, implying a combination or continuum of genders–and even our created gender can be altered by who we become in Jesus Christ.
+ It is snowing lightly this morning but it is expected to pick up this afternoon and get windy as well. We have been spared a real winter storm until now.
+ Huffington Post offers "Only Spirituality Can Solve The Problems Of The World" by Deepak Chopra. Excerpt: "If there is anything that will at this moment heal our wounded planet with its immense problems of social injustice, ecological devastation, extreme economic disparities, war, conflict and terrorism, it is a deeper experiential understanding and knowledge of our own spirit. With this deeper understanding and with an interfaith dialogue that looks at our commonalities rather than our differences, we have the opportunity to solve the problems of the world, address its inequities and heal ourselves. The word, "healing" and the words, holy and whole, all mean the same thing. To be healed is to have the return of the memory of who we really are. When we return to our sacred source, the world will be holy, and it will be healed."
+ 2:11 pm WEATHER UPDATE: Utica area is now expecting to get 8 to 14 inches of snow before it ends sometime tomorrow. Higher elevations to the South may get 2 feet.
+ The Worldwide Religion of Reality offers "Total Enlightenment: The Wisdom Prophecy."
Excerpt 1: John L. Petersen is quoted: "We need to start the discussion about how a new world might operate. We need to get going. We're already late."
Excerpt 2: Dan Brown is quoted: "According to legend, the sages who encrypted the Ancient Mysteries long ago left behind a key of sorts… a password that could be used to unlock the encrypted secrets. This magical password – known as the verbum significatium – is said to hold the power to lift the darkness and unlock the Ancient Mysteries, opening them to all human understanding. At a pivotal moment in history… a moment when mankind can no longer survive without the truth, knowledge, and wisdom of the ages. At this dark crossroads, mankind will at last remember the Word and herald in a wondrous new age of enlightenment." (The Lost Symbol)
+ The Charter for Compassion has now been signed by almost 40,000 people. Here's how it begins: "The principle of compassion lies at the heart of all religious, ethical and spiritual traditions, calling us always to treat all others as we wish to be treated ourselves." Read it all. Please consider signing it if you haven't already. Tell your friends about it. Spread the word. Compassion. What the world needs now.
+ Click HERE to find out about a great conference on Emerging Christianity coming up in Albuquerque in April. It's on my wish list. Maybe someone can help me make my wish happen.
+ Voices of Sophia offers "Feminist theology basics: What is gender?" by Heather W. Reichgott. Excerpt:
Feminist theory defines essentialism as the view that women have certain traits by nature, although it’s very much open for discussion what those traits are, what makes them good or bad, and how they ought to be deployed in the world. Theologically, this means God made two genders and each gender was created in a certain way, although it’s very much open for discussion whether or not that implies a hierarchy of genders.
Feminist theory defines constructivism (or constructionism) as the view that gender is created by culture. That does not mean gender does not exist, although that is a common misunderstanding of constructivism. Things created by culture are very real, and cannot easily be changed: buildings, books, economies, laws, prisons, prizes, even our own names. Theologically, this can mean we are to learn and grow into a predefined godly gender role, or it can mean gender roles are open to debate, criticism and change. A constructivist might stress Genesis 1.26-27 and Galatians 3.28: God made humanity male and female, not male or female, implying a combination or continuum of genders–and even our created gender can be altered by who we become in Jesus Christ.
+ It is snowing lightly this morning but it is expected to pick up this afternoon and get windy as well. We have been spared a real winter storm until now.
Saturday, January 30, 2010
COFFEE BREAK 134
+ updated at 4:33pm EST
+ HOPE: "Prayer is hope's breathing. When we stop praying, we stop hoping." — Dom Pedro Casaldaliga quoted in Lent by Megan McKenna < http://www.spiritualityandpractice.com/practices/practices.php?id=12&g=1
+ HEALTH CARE REFORM: The California Senate has the right idea. TruthOut offers "California Senate Approves Single-Payer Health Care Bill" by Jason Leopold.
+ THE WEATHER: While much of the South gets hit with a lot of snow and ice, we are enduring another Big Chill here along the Erie Canal. The temperature dipped to Minus Eight F. last night and at 11:20am has only reached 5 degrees F.
+ HOPE: "Prayer is hope's breathing. When we stop praying, we stop hoping." — Dom Pedro Casaldaliga quoted in Lent by Megan McKenna < http://www.spiritualityandpractice.com/practices/practices.php?id=12&g=1
+ HEALTH CARE REFORM: The California Senate has the right idea. TruthOut offers "California Senate Approves Single-Payer Health Care Bill" by Jason Leopold.
+ THE WEATHER: While much of the South gets hit with a lot of snow and ice, we are enduring another Big Chill here along the Erie Canal. The temperature dipped to Minus Eight F. last night and at 11:20am has only reached 5 degrees F.
Tuesday, January 26, 2010
COFFEE BREAK 130
+ updated at 3:07pm EST, Tuesday, January 26, 2010
+ Shuck and Jive offers "Being A Sermon -- A Sermon" by John Shuck. I preached on the same texts last Sunday with the exception of the Bhagavad Gita selection. John's sermon is profound and there are some delicious comments including a couple by me.
Excerpt from the sermon: "I have heard a lot of horror stories in my ministry from people who believed what they heard from a pulpit. What they believed about themselves or others or what they were supposed to do often didn’t turn out so well. It is frightening the power that interpreters of sacred texts can have over people."
+ The Diane Rehm Show offers Shankar Vedantam: The Hidden Brain. Guest host: Susan Page. The power of our hidden brains: How our unconscious minds elect presidents, control markets, wage wars, and routinely, but imperceptibly, influence our daily lives. Guest: Shankar Vedantam, author of "Department of Human Behavior," featured in "The Washington Post" from 2006-2009, and a Nieman Fellow at Harvard.
+ The The Diane Rehm Show offers Debt and joblessness. Guest host: Susan Page. Debate over the role of the Federal government and Federal Reserve in steering the U-S economy out of recession, addressing the deficit and improving the outlook for jobs. Guests: Alice Rivlin, senior fellow, Brookings Institution, vice chair, Board of Governors, Federal Reserve System (1996-99); director, White House Office of Management and Budget (1994-96); and founding director, Congressional Budget Office (1975-83). Kevin Hassett, director, economic policy studies, American Enterprise Institute. James K. Galbraith, economist; Lloyd M. Bentsen Jr. chair in government/business relations and professor of government at the University of Texas at Austin's Lyndon B. Johnson School of Public Affairs; author of "The Predator State: How Conservatives Abandoned the Free Market and Why Liberals Should Too."
+ The Witherspoon Society is offering "Big money and democracy: a fair contest?" So far there are four articles responding to the recent Supreme Court decision allowing corporations unlimited access to our political campaigns.
+ Winter has returned to the Erie Canal. Almost all of the previous snow was washed away in heavy rains yesterday as the temperature soared into the 50s. But now the long January thaw is over. Snow is falling now but will end soon ... just a dusting.
+ Shuck and Jive offers "Being A Sermon -- A Sermon" by John Shuck. I preached on the same texts last Sunday with the exception of the Bhagavad Gita selection. John's sermon is profound and there are some delicious comments including a couple by me.
Excerpt from the sermon: "I have heard a lot of horror stories in my ministry from people who believed what they heard from a pulpit. What they believed about themselves or others or what they were supposed to do often didn’t turn out so well. It is frightening the power that interpreters of sacred texts can have over people."
+ The Diane Rehm Show offers Shankar Vedantam: The Hidden Brain. Guest host: Susan Page. The power of our hidden brains: How our unconscious minds elect presidents, control markets, wage wars, and routinely, but imperceptibly, influence our daily lives. Guest: Shankar Vedantam, author of "Department of Human Behavior," featured in "The Washington Post" from 2006-2009, and a Nieman Fellow at Harvard.
+ The The Diane Rehm Show offers Debt and joblessness. Guest host: Susan Page. Debate over the role of the Federal government and Federal Reserve in steering the U-S economy out of recession, addressing the deficit and improving the outlook for jobs. Guests: Alice Rivlin, senior fellow, Brookings Institution, vice chair, Board of Governors, Federal Reserve System (1996-99); director, White House Office of Management and Budget (1994-96); and founding director, Congressional Budget Office (1975-83). Kevin Hassett, director, economic policy studies, American Enterprise Institute. James K. Galbraith, economist; Lloyd M. Bentsen Jr. chair in government/business relations and professor of government at the University of Texas at Austin's Lyndon B. Johnson School of Public Affairs; author of "The Predator State: How Conservatives Abandoned the Free Market and Why Liberals Should Too."
+ The Witherspoon Society is offering "Big money and democracy: a fair contest?" So far there are four articles responding to the recent Supreme Court decision allowing corporations unlimited access to our political campaigns.
+ Winter has returned to the Erie Canal. Almost all of the previous snow was washed away in heavy rains yesterday as the temperature soared into the 50s. But now the long January thaw is over. Snow is falling now but will end soon ... just a dusting.
Thursday, January 21, 2010
COFFEE BREAK 128
+ Updated at 12:29pm, Thursday, January 21, 2010
+ In her continuing and determined effort to chastize John Shuck and all Progressive Christians, Viola Larson wrote: "John Shuck does bother me because he so brazenly denies my Lord while holding an office that is meant, by way of ordination, to glorify, love and proclaim Jesus Christ. And it bothers me that so many others allow this to go on, even encourage it. There is a word for that it is called apostasy." You can see this comment and the post which blasted us and all the comments at http://naminghisgrace.blogspot.com/2010/01/where-are-we-at-what-about-jesus-christ.html
I responded:
Dear Viola,
I do not believe John Shuck is brazenly denying your Lord at all. His understanding of your Lord obviously differs from yours on many points.
Many of us have come to accept the reality of hard-wired homosexuality as a reality of humanity. Your obsession with this particular issue is homophobia, nothing less. I hope you get over it. And Jesus had nothing to say about it at all. And the 3 or 4 other references to it in scripture are problematic and probably culturally-conditioned and certainly not written in stone.
It is sad when people decide they are right and others are wrong without any effort to be humble and willing to acknowledge our human limitations.
Einstein was one of the great minds and hearts of the last century and he said: "My religion consists of a humble admiration of the illimitable superior spirit who reveals himself in the slight details we are able to perceive with our frail and feeble mind."
A great American judge, Learned Hand, said "The spirit of liberty is the spirit of not being too sure you are right.”
Gandhi said: "Freedom is not worth having if it does not include the freedom to make mistakes.”
And the great Vietnamese Buddhist monk, Thich Nhat Hanh, who is featured in "Meaning of Life, Part 43" at Shuck and Jive said:
"Do not be idolatrous about or bound to any doctrine, theory, or ideology, even Buddhist ones. All systems of thought are guiding means; they are not absolute truth."
and:
"Do not think that the knowledge you presently possess is changeless, absolute truth. Avoid being narrow-minded and bound to present views. Learn and practice non-attachment from views in order to be open to receive others' viewpoints. Truth is found in life and not merely in conceptual knowledge. Be ready to learn throughout our entire life and to observe reality in yourself and in the world at all times."
and:
"Do not force others, including children, by any means whatsoever, to adopt your views, whether by authority, threat, money, propaganda, or even education. However, through compassionate dialogue, help others renounce fanaticism and narrowness."
Those are the first 3 of his 14 precepts which are full of wisdom and compassion and common sense. Go to http://seaox.com/thich.html and scroll down to the bottom of the page to see them all.
Love + John A Wilde + Whitesboro NY + www.abundancetrek.com + "The day will come when, after harnessing space, the winds, the tides and gravitation, we shall harness for God the energies of love. And on that day, for the second time in the history of the world, humankind will have discovered fire." -- Teilhard de Chardin
+ Sunshine along the Erie Canal feels good for a second day.
+ In her continuing and determined effort to chastize John Shuck and all Progressive Christians, Viola Larson wrote: "John Shuck does bother me because he so brazenly denies my Lord while holding an office that is meant, by way of ordination, to glorify, love and proclaim Jesus Christ. And it bothers me that so many others allow this to go on, even encourage it. There is a word for that it is called apostasy." You can see this comment and the post which blasted us and all the comments at http://naminghisgrace.blogspot.com/2010/01/where-are-we-at-what-about-jesus-christ.html
I responded:
Dear Viola,
I do not believe John Shuck is brazenly denying your Lord at all. His understanding of your Lord obviously differs from yours on many points.
Many of us have come to accept the reality of hard-wired homosexuality as a reality of humanity. Your obsession with this particular issue is homophobia, nothing less. I hope you get over it. And Jesus had nothing to say about it at all. And the 3 or 4 other references to it in scripture are problematic and probably culturally-conditioned and certainly not written in stone.
It is sad when people decide they are right and others are wrong without any effort to be humble and willing to acknowledge our human limitations.
Einstein was one of the great minds and hearts of the last century and he said: "My religion consists of a humble admiration of the illimitable superior spirit who reveals himself in the slight details we are able to perceive with our frail and feeble mind."
A great American judge, Learned Hand, said "The spirit of liberty is the spirit of not being too sure you are right.”
Gandhi said: "Freedom is not worth having if it does not include the freedom to make mistakes.”
And the great Vietnamese Buddhist monk, Thich Nhat Hanh, who is featured in "Meaning of Life, Part 43" at Shuck and Jive said:
"Do not be idolatrous about or bound to any doctrine, theory, or ideology, even Buddhist ones. All systems of thought are guiding means; they are not absolute truth."
and:
"Do not think that the knowledge you presently possess is changeless, absolute truth. Avoid being narrow-minded and bound to present views. Learn and practice non-attachment from views in order to be open to receive others' viewpoints. Truth is found in life and not merely in conceptual knowledge. Be ready to learn throughout our entire life and to observe reality in yourself and in the world at all times."
and:
"Do not force others, including children, by any means whatsoever, to adopt your views, whether by authority, threat, money, propaganda, or even education. However, through compassionate dialogue, help others renounce fanaticism and narrowness."
Those are the first 3 of his 14 precepts which are full of wisdom and compassion and common sense. Go to http://seaox.com/thich.html and scroll down to the bottom of the page to see them all.
Love + John A Wilde + Whitesboro NY + www.abundancetrek.com + "The day will come when, after harnessing space, the winds, the tides and gravitation, we shall harness for God the energies of love. And on that day, for the second time in the history of the world, humankind will have discovered fire." -- Teilhard de Chardin
+ Sunshine along the Erie Canal feels good for a second day.
Saturday, January 16, 2010
COFFEE BREAK 124
+ updated at 10:08am EST, Saturday, January 16, 2010
+ Thanks to Frederic Brussat, I found out that Bill Moyers' Journal offers an interview with Greg Mortenson. Excerpt:
And I really think that, you know, fighting terrorism is based in fear. But promoting peace is based in hope. And I actually had to squabble with the publishers a bit because originally "Three Cups of Tea," the subtitle, that they wanted to be "One Man's Mission to Fight Terrorism One School at a Time," and actually had that subtitle for a year. But I kept persisting that that needs to be changed. Just a subtle change but it-- "One Man's Mission to Promote Peace...One School at a Time." And it doesn't mean we just go around the world holding hands and drinking tea and having peace. But I really do believe that there's a lot of power behind love and compassion and respecting and listening to people.
+ It is now the third day of the thaw after weeks of snow and cold along the Erie Canal.
+ Thanks to Frederic Brussat, I found out that Bill Moyers' Journal offers an interview with Greg Mortenson. Excerpt:
And I really think that, you know, fighting terrorism is based in fear. But promoting peace is based in hope. And I actually had to squabble with the publishers a bit because originally "Three Cups of Tea," the subtitle, that they wanted to be "One Man's Mission to Fight Terrorism One School at a Time," and actually had that subtitle for a year. But I kept persisting that that needs to be changed. Just a subtle change but it-- "One Man's Mission to Promote Peace...One School at a Time." And it doesn't mean we just go around the world holding hands and drinking tea and having peace. But I really do believe that there's a lot of power behind love and compassion and respecting and listening to people.
+ It is now the third day of the thaw after weeks of snow and cold along the Erie Canal.
Friday, January 15, 2010
COFFEE BREAK 123
+ updated at 12:51pm EST, Friday, January 15, 2010
+ Talking Points Memo offers "Gibbs Calls Robertson, Limbaugh Remarks 'Stupid'" by Rachel Slajda. Excerpt: "Robertson had said Haitians 'swore a pact to the devil' hundreds of years ago, which resulted in the country being 'cursed by one thing after another.' Asked about that (Thursday), Gibbs said, 'It never ceases to amaze that in times of amazing human suffering somebody says something that could be so utterly stupid. But it like clockwork happens with some regularity.'"
+ Is this the January Thaw? We have been above freezing for the past 36 hours or so. The forecast says our Highs will be above freezing at least through Monday. It may snow again on Sunday. We have had very little snow in the past ten days.
+ We finally took down our Christmas Tree last night.
+ Talking Points Memo offers "Gibbs Calls Robertson, Limbaugh Remarks 'Stupid'" by Rachel Slajda. Excerpt: "Robertson had said Haitians 'swore a pact to the devil' hundreds of years ago, which resulted in the country being 'cursed by one thing after another.' Asked about that (Thursday), Gibbs said, 'It never ceases to amaze that in times of amazing human suffering somebody says something that could be so utterly stupid. But it like clockwork happens with some regularity.'"
+ Is this the January Thaw? We have been above freezing for the past 36 hours or so. The forecast says our Highs will be above freezing at least through Monday. It may snow again on Sunday. We have had very little snow in the past ten days.
+ We finally took down our Christmas Tree last night.
Saturday, January 9, 2010
Thursday, February 12, 2009
COFFEE BREAK 5
+ Winter is returning with a vengeance … 60 mph winds along the Erie Canal … snow showers … flooding too because of the meltdown.
+ Bowie of Suburbia offers "Let's Get Serious Here." This is an excellent post by an excellent blogger and I just added a comment.
+ “How to Save the Suburbs: Solutions from the Man Who Saw the Whole Thing Coming” by Jebediah Reed < http://www.infrastructurist.com/2009/02/10/how-to-save-the-suburbs-an-interview-with-christopher-leinberger/ + link offered by Rebecca on facebook.
+ The 790 billion stimulus plan is now expected to pass both houses and be signed by President Obama on Monday, Presidents Day.
+ Today is the 200th anniversary of the birth of Abraham Lincoln.
+ Bowie of Suburbia offers "Let's Get Serious Here." This is an excellent post by an excellent blogger and I just added a comment.
+ “How to Save the Suburbs: Solutions from the Man Who Saw the Whole Thing Coming” by Jebediah Reed < http://www.infrastructurist.com/2009/02/10/how-to-save-the-suburbs-an-interview-with-christopher-leinberger/ + link offered by Rebecca on facebook.
+ The 790 billion stimulus plan is now expected to pass both houses and be signed by President Obama on Monday, Presidents Day.
+ Today is the 200th anniversary of the birth of Abraham Lincoln.
Friday, January 30, 2009
COFFEE BREAK 2
+ Anything goes in the Coffee Break posts!
+ It's cloudy today in Whitestown with some occasional flurries. It's a heat wave (!) with temperatures in the 20s F.
+ 5:30pm update: The sun broke through at times today and yhe wind was calm. So, once again, it felt balmy even though the temperature did not reach 32 F.
+ Mary returns from Rochester today. I am making turkey burgers for dinner.
+ Facebook seems to encourage a lot of play. That's a good thing. But we do need to play in more physical ways too.
Thursday, January 29, 2009
SUN IS SHINING OVER THE MOHAWK VALLEY
That little, bright dot in the sky which many people see every day is not always seen here in the MV ... especially in winter when the Northeast can have sunny days while snow piles up here .. or it just stays cloudy.
So, when the sun comes out in the middle of winter, we all celebrate. Today, the flurries stopped, the wind died down, the temperature soared into the mid-20s F. and people and dogs got walks. I just finished blowing the snow off our driveway & sidewalks.
So, when the sun comes out in the middle of winter, we all celebrate. Today, the flurries stopped, the wind died down, the temperature soared into the mid-20s F. and people and dogs got walks. I just finished blowing the snow off our driveway & sidewalks.
Wednesday, January 28, 2009
LIGHT SNOW MOST OF DAY
+ The current radar shows that the precipitation is turning to sleet and freezing rain which will be followed by a dry spell and then perhaps a little more snow. We may have 6 inches before it is all over ... somewhat less than expected.
+ 4pm update: The dry spell is here. I will have to get my little power shovel going soon. The radar shows that we can expect a little more snow coming in from the West but I don't expect a whole lot more even though the forecast continues to say "Heavy Snow."
+ 6:30 pm update: It did not take too long to blow the snow away. It is snowing again but the radar shows that it will stop soon.
+ 4pm update: The dry spell is here. I will have to get my little power shovel going soon. The radar shows that we can expect a little more snow coming in from the West but I don't expect a whole lot more even though the forecast continues to say "Heavy Snow."
+ 6:30 pm update: It did not take too long to blow the snow away. It is snowing again but the radar shows that it will stop soon.
+ 9pm update: The last burst of snow was pretty heavy ... perhaps 4 more inches ... lots of drifting. It is definitely tapering off now. So, the total accumulation here was about 9 inches.
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