Climate Change ~

It has warmed up so much that the snowman the grandchildren made sunk down on its knees and lost its carrot nose.

Alabama ~

Decency still counts in America.

American Future? ~

I am beginning to see States breaking away from the Union as a result of growing division due to viral political convictions.

Thanksgiving 2017 ~

What will the topic of conversation be today when families sit down to enjoy a Thanksgiving meal?

Playing the Piano ~

I am beginning to feel something new going on with my hands when playing. It seems as if they are no longer two separate instruments. I can feel them as one, giving the feeling I am gently throwing balls, like a juggler, from one to the another.

St. Benedict ~

He was a genius to have made a rule under which men could live together in community and thrive. His key was the virtue of humility that he insisted on instilling in his members. A perfect Benedictine, following the Gospel dictate should always "take the last place".

An Offhand Remark ~

I heard someone say: "Fingers have memory." Ever since hearing that my piano playing has improved noticeably.

Local Beauty ~

The neighbors next-door cut down this stately red beech tree this morning. 

Leaf-raking was too much of a chore. . .

Just lost a friend.

Thomas Merton ~ Spiritual Mentor for a Young Seminarian ~

 

Choice of Words ~

"Get that son of a bitch off the field right now. Out! He’s fired. He’s fired!"

                                              ~ President of the United States

Was Ist Los? ~

80-90 seats in the German Bundestag will now be filled by the new extreme right AfD party that won yesterday in the elections.

Cavalier's Delict ~

Here in Germany no one is really upset about VW and Audi cheating. No rage, no protests, no demonstrations. Cheating is all part of the game.

Seasons Don't Wait ~

Sadly, I see the first tinge of autumn today on the maple trees along my path.

Boy Scouts of America ~

It was reported that the chief executive of the Boy Scouts had apologized for the President's speech held at a national gathering of Boy Scouts because of his rousing political statements. The White House spokeswoman deftly sidestepped saying: "I saw nothing but roughly 40,000 to 45,000 Boy Scouts cheering the president on throughout his remarks and I think they were pretty excited that he was there."

Protectors ~

Two stately San Bernardino dogs out in front of a lady with their unneeded leashes would turn every thirty paces to see if she were coming along.

Newfound Energy ~

Five new windmills on a hill in the distance rotating day and night, counterclockwise.

 

Remembering with Gratitude ~

Today is VE-Day. 

I look out my window and think what it would be like had Hitler not been stopped.

Breaking the Heart ~

What happens when a child realizes this loss?

Yevgeny Yevtushenko ~

† April 1, 2017

BABI YAR

by Yevgeny Yevtushenko

No monument stands over Babi Yar.

A steep cliff only, like the rudest headstone.

I am afraid.

Today, I am as old

As the entire Jewish race itself . . .

At 7:45 in the Morning ~

The highway is buzzing with cars heading off at high speed to make it to the place of work with all the people who are helping to hold this world together.

Cosmic Reverberations ~

Today at a funeral while they played Mozart's Clarinet Concerto K 622 Adagio and the world stood still . . .

Seeing in Darkness ~

To look up into the sky late at night and see the radiant stars . . . and then orient myself in the deep cosmos.

Beacon Light ~

Americans, the President said: "make no concealment of the fact that we want wealth, but there are many other things we want more. We want peace and honor, and that charity which is so strong as element of all civilization. The chief ideal of the American people is idealism. I cannot repeat too often that America is a nation of idealists. That is the only motive to which they ever give any strong and lasting reaction."

                                            President Calvin Coolidge 1923-29

Farewell Address ~

He made me feel proud to be an American and taught me, more than any other, what it meant.