I was on my way over to small group meeting this evening in the pickup. The wife was at work and had the car. I popped in a cassette tape (it’s a 1998 pickup…it has a cassette in it) of the Mormon Tabernacle Choir singing various songs, religious, secular, and patriotic. I haven’t heard that tape for awhile and really enjoyed it. And it got me to wondering just what kinds of music I like and why.
I like things like the Hallelujah Chorus from Handel’s Messiah. I like the more modern religious songs that we sing at church. I also like many of the classical compositions, both familiar and unfamiliar. And I like a rather eclectic assortment of music from classic rock to southern gospel, and even some jazz and country.
I think mostly I like music when the performers are good at their craft. I mean truly good. There’s a difference, I think, in being popular and being good at what one does. Some of the best performances have come from people who are virtual unknowns (remember Susan Boyle?).
The Beatles are a classic example of popularity overriding, sometimes, the performance. Because it was the Beatles, the song was an automatic hit, regardless of the quality of the performance. Additionally, the Beatles couldn’t sing. They could write and play music with the best, but their singing talents were sadly lacking, in my opinion.
I hope I always will be able to hear well enough that I can enjoy good music. And I hope that should the time come when I can’t do for myself, those caring for me will play music such as the Mormon Tabernacle Choir, or the Statler Brothers, or Karen Carpenter, Sandi Patty, Bette Midler, the Gaither Vocal Band, Louis Armstrong, Lawrence Welk (yes, even him), the Cincinnati Pops Orchestra, the New York Philharmonic, the bands of the Armed Services, and others who truly display the best.
Sunday, September 27, 2009
Saturday, September 26, 2009
Musings From the Back Porch
I'm sitting on the porch swing in the back yard while our small pond is refilling. I drained it, or at least most of it in order to put in clean water from our well before winter sets in. I do that a couple times a year.
I also had a couple of ulterior motives. I knew there was a water snake in the pond and thought that if I disturbed it enough, the snake would appear and I could catch it and dispose of it. I also am wondering if any of the algae eaters I put in there this spring have survived.
As for the snake, if you saw my Facebook, you know I got the snake. He was sunning himself on the lily pad and I got the rake and tried to hook him and get him out of the pond. That didn't work and he went down to the depths. In a few minutes, though, he got out on a rock that had been exposed by the declining water table in the pond and started sunning himself. I took that opportunity to put the rake on him to hold him, then grabbed his tail and flung him into the yard. He wasn't long for this world as I stepped on him and did him in with a shovel.
As for the algae eaters, I still haven't seen them, although I don't drain about 18 inches of water from the bottom of the pond, as I don't remove the fish. I will rely on the relatively clear water that replaces the old to see if they might be around somewhere.
The weather is great this afternoon, and after a night when I was called three times by work about something or other, and when the wife was called at least a couple of times by work (she's on nursing call this weekend), and after having to go into work twice this morning, I'm enjoying what's left of the day.
The hummingbirds have left, but there are some butterflies here that are fluttering around, along with some dragonflies. The neighborhood is quiet, and there are a few walkers on the trail in the park behind our house. The breeze is pleasant, although I suspect it will cool off some tonight.
I'm amazed at the diversity of life in our back yard in the city, even though I know it borders on a wooded area. I'm hearing what I think is an owl of some kind off in the distance, and even with a bright red helicopter flying overhead, I can appreciate other critters (yes, even snakes) that are close by.
The one thing I'd really like to hear is a great horned owl. I haven't heard one yet here, but would think they are around. I remember years ago as I lay in bed at home hearing the horned owl in the hackberry tree just outside my bedroom, or more distantly as he sat on top of a grain bin at the grain elevator just across the way. There was something at once soothing and haunting about hearing him, even on some of the coldest nights.
It's funny how sounds, whether recalled from memory or heard again, bring back all sorts of memories. I recall when I was a child at home that one of the windows in my bedroom would rattle a certain way when the train was switching cars at night on the other end of our small town. There was something about the deep-throated vibrations of the engine that was in tune with a spring on the inside of one of the windows that made the spring vibrate against the side of the window.
Years later, when we bought the house from my folks estate and lived there ourselves, that same window did the same thing on certain nights when sounds carried a distance and everything was just right. Sometimes I couldn't hear the train engine, but knew one was working because of the vibration of the window. Several times, I would go outside to listen and sure enough heard the engine.
The owl was also there, up in the hackberry tree looking over his territory and hooting. The grain elevator had long since been torn down, replaced by a hardware/lumber store.
We no longer own the house. The hackberry tree is gone and others now live where we grew up. I wonder if the window vibrates for them just as it did for us all those years. And I wonder if it does, if they have a clue that it's been doing that for at least 50 years. Actually, it may not vibrate at the noise of a train locomotive anymore because the railroad has pulled up the switching yard. They now just go through town at 70 miles an hour on a double track that stretches from Chicago to Los Angeles. Many, many things now are memories only. So be it.
I also had a couple of ulterior motives. I knew there was a water snake in the pond and thought that if I disturbed it enough, the snake would appear and I could catch it and dispose of it. I also am wondering if any of the algae eaters I put in there this spring have survived.
As for the snake, if you saw my Facebook, you know I got the snake. He was sunning himself on the lily pad and I got the rake and tried to hook him and get him out of the pond. That didn't work and he went down to the depths. In a few minutes, though, he got out on a rock that had been exposed by the declining water table in the pond and started sunning himself. I took that opportunity to put the rake on him to hold him, then grabbed his tail and flung him into the yard. He wasn't long for this world as I stepped on him and did him in with a shovel.
As for the algae eaters, I still haven't seen them, although I don't drain about 18 inches of water from the bottom of the pond, as I don't remove the fish. I will rely on the relatively clear water that replaces the old to see if they might be around somewhere.
The weather is great this afternoon, and after a night when I was called three times by work about something or other, and when the wife was called at least a couple of times by work (she's on nursing call this weekend), and after having to go into work twice this morning, I'm enjoying what's left of the day.
The hummingbirds have left, but there are some butterflies here that are fluttering around, along with some dragonflies. The neighborhood is quiet, and there are a few walkers on the trail in the park behind our house. The breeze is pleasant, although I suspect it will cool off some tonight.
I'm amazed at the diversity of life in our back yard in the city, even though I know it borders on a wooded area. I'm hearing what I think is an owl of some kind off in the distance, and even with a bright red helicopter flying overhead, I can appreciate other critters (yes, even snakes) that are close by.
The one thing I'd really like to hear is a great horned owl. I haven't heard one yet here, but would think they are around. I remember years ago as I lay in bed at home hearing the horned owl in the hackberry tree just outside my bedroom, or more distantly as he sat on top of a grain bin at the grain elevator just across the way. There was something at once soothing and haunting about hearing him, even on some of the coldest nights.
It's funny how sounds, whether recalled from memory or heard again, bring back all sorts of memories. I recall when I was a child at home that one of the windows in my bedroom would rattle a certain way when the train was switching cars at night on the other end of our small town. There was something about the deep-throated vibrations of the engine that was in tune with a spring on the inside of one of the windows that made the spring vibrate against the side of the window.
Years later, when we bought the house from my folks estate and lived there ourselves, that same window did the same thing on certain nights when sounds carried a distance and everything was just right. Sometimes I couldn't hear the train engine, but knew one was working because of the vibration of the window. Several times, I would go outside to listen and sure enough heard the engine.
The owl was also there, up in the hackberry tree looking over his territory and hooting. The grain elevator had long since been torn down, replaced by a hardware/lumber store.
We no longer own the house. The hackberry tree is gone and others now live where we grew up. I wonder if the window vibrates for them just as it did for us all those years. And I wonder if it does, if they have a clue that it's been doing that for at least 50 years. Actually, it may not vibrate at the noise of a train locomotive anymore because the railroad has pulled up the switching yard. They now just go through town at 70 miles an hour on a double track that stretches from Chicago to Los Angeles. Many, many things now are memories only. So be it.
Wednesday, September 23, 2009
Can I Say I'm Impressed?
I don’t often think highly of people (or businesses) who make it their business to sell me something. I’ve thought for many years now that if I want something, I’ll go somewhere and buy it. Telling me I need this or that, whether through an ad or by the way a store is arranged just doesn’t do much for me.
So it has been with the new Dillon’s Marketplace stores that have been popping up here in the Wichita area. For those who may not know, Dillon’s is a subset of the Kroger company. They have food markets all over, and recently have begun to sell other things in their Marketplace stores. They now sell furniture and a wide variety of home needs.
I’m working in Derby for several days helping the new nursing facility there pass the inspections. Yesterday, I needed a three ring binder and some file folders. I was going to go to the Wal Mart down the street, but stopped at the Dillon’s Marketplace instead.
I must say I was impressed. Not only did I find my binder and folders, I also found a 25 foot tape measure, a digital thermometer, a three ring hole punch, and a couple of other items that I needed, but expected to have to go somewhere else to purchase. The store is bright and cheery, I could find people to help me find things (one walked with me all the way to the opposite side of the store to help me find a thermometer), and I didn’t see anyone in a sagging, torn, dirty tank top and shorts.
Now, I don’t always appreciate Dillon’s. The Dillon’s we normally shop at doesn’t have the smaller jars of instant coffee, and I also can’t find a few other things that I wish they’d have. The store is sometimes too big for what little I want to buy, and I have to park a half mile away when I get there. But this marketplace was just the right thing at just the right time in the right place for what I needed at the time.
So it has been with the new Dillon’s Marketplace stores that have been popping up here in the Wichita area. For those who may not know, Dillon’s is a subset of the Kroger company. They have food markets all over, and recently have begun to sell other things in their Marketplace stores. They now sell furniture and a wide variety of home needs.
I’m working in Derby for several days helping the new nursing facility there pass the inspections. Yesterday, I needed a three ring binder and some file folders. I was going to go to the Wal Mart down the street, but stopped at the Dillon’s Marketplace instead.
I must say I was impressed. Not only did I find my binder and folders, I also found a 25 foot tape measure, a digital thermometer, a three ring hole punch, and a couple of other items that I needed, but expected to have to go somewhere else to purchase. The store is bright and cheery, I could find people to help me find things (one walked with me all the way to the opposite side of the store to help me find a thermometer), and I didn’t see anyone in a sagging, torn, dirty tank top and shorts.
Now, I don’t always appreciate Dillon’s. The Dillon’s we normally shop at doesn’t have the smaller jars of instant coffee, and I also can’t find a few other things that I wish they’d have. The store is sometimes too big for what little I want to buy, and I have to park a half mile away when I get there. But this marketplace was just the right thing at just the right time in the right place for what I needed at the time.
Sunday, September 20, 2009
More Outdoor Observations
Speaking of spiders, this is the sixth straight night that another Charlotte has built (or rather rebuilt) her web in front by the garage door just under the outdoor light. Since I keep those lights on all night, she’s found a great place as the light attracts all kinds of flying bugs. Sometimes she re-spins just the circular part of the web. Once or twice, she’s torn down the whole thing and started over. She’s been moving ever closer to the light and the wall of the house in the last few days. I don’t know if that means anything or not.
Another light has attracted one or more preying mantises (walking sticks). They too are feasting on those insects that are unfortunate enough to get too close. These small animals are indeed marvelous creatures of God.
All too soon, this time of year will be over and it will be too cold for these marvels of nature. They’ll die, but will leave their legacy in the form of eggs deposited somewhere…on a leaf, in the ground, on the side of the light, or somewhere else. Those eggs will endure the winter, and then hatch when it warms up next spring. The cycle will then repeat itself as it has for countless eons past.
One might think it difficult to find much nature in a city. And to an extent, that is correct. This environment is more “sterile” than, say, the Flint Hills or the badlands of Western Kansas. But if one looks just a little, there is plenty happening right outside the door that continues to make the Creator apparent to all who will see.
Another light has attracted one or more preying mantises (walking sticks). They too are feasting on those insects that are unfortunate enough to get too close. These small animals are indeed marvelous creatures of God.
All too soon, this time of year will be over and it will be too cold for these marvels of nature. They’ll die, but will leave their legacy in the form of eggs deposited somewhere…on a leaf, in the ground, on the side of the light, or somewhere else. Those eggs will endure the winter, and then hatch when it warms up next spring. The cycle will then repeat itself as it has for countless eons past.
One might think it difficult to find much nature in a city. And to an extent, that is correct. This environment is more “sterile” than, say, the Flint Hills or the badlands of Western Kansas. But if one looks just a little, there is plenty happening right outside the door that continues to make the Creator apparent to all who will see.
Continued Amazement
I went out in the back yard last night after it got mostly dark. I just wanted to take a brief look around for no particular reason. Going over to our small goldfish pond, I noticed something reflecting some light just above the water. An orb spider had made a web just above the water of the pond and was in the middle of it waiting for an insect to catch itself on the sticky webbing.
Now, this may not seem like so much of a big deal, and you know that I am fond of orb spiders this time of the year. I’ve even been known to not drive into the garage for several days because a spider had made her web of “doom” across the opening and I didn’t want to disturb her (the feminine is used in deference to “Charlotte’s Web”) in her business.
This web, however, was horizontal…parallel to the water in the pond, and just a few inches above it. It also stretched across the entire width of the pond, which at that point was six feet or more. I’ve never seen such a thing. Most spiders build their webs vertically and perpendicular to the ground. Not this one.
That brings me back to the wonderment of just how this spider accomplished this task. One of the supporting brace webs was even anchored on a water plant in the middle of the water.
The completed web didn’t sag, even with the weight of the spider and some insects that had already met their fate. The spider seemed unconcerned that a thousand gallons or more of water were just below her and continued her business.
I’ve watched these spiders as they put at least parts of their webs together. I evermore continue to be fascinated and humbled by this handiwork of God’s creation. Soli Deo Gloria
Now, this may not seem like so much of a big deal, and you know that I am fond of orb spiders this time of the year. I’ve even been known to not drive into the garage for several days because a spider had made her web of “doom” across the opening and I didn’t want to disturb her (the feminine is used in deference to “Charlotte’s Web”) in her business.
This web, however, was horizontal…parallel to the water in the pond, and just a few inches above it. It also stretched across the entire width of the pond, which at that point was six feet or more. I’ve never seen such a thing. Most spiders build their webs vertically and perpendicular to the ground. Not this one.
That brings me back to the wonderment of just how this spider accomplished this task. One of the supporting brace webs was even anchored on a water plant in the middle of the water.
The completed web didn’t sag, even with the weight of the spider and some insects that had already met their fate. The spider seemed unconcerned that a thousand gallons or more of water were just below her and continued her business.
I’ve watched these spiders as they put at least parts of their webs together. I evermore continue to be fascinated and humbled by this handiwork of God’s creation. Soli Deo Gloria
Saturday, September 19, 2009
Some Observations
Some Saturday observations after spending most of the day either traveling to and from Lawrence or attending the KU/Duke game.
Fifty thousand (give or take a few) people is a lot of people to all be crammed into the KU football stadium. It was obvious where the student section was; they were crammed in more than the other folks.
Some bathrooms still have the troughs in which to relieve oneself.
You can get decent food at a KU football game. You can’t get a decent place to park, however, that’s within a mile of the stadium unless you pay big-time for the privilege..
Home out on the back patio is s a world away from a major college football game.
How do football players possibly remember all the plays?
Why do car light bulbs burn out at what seems to be the most inopportune time? Is there an “opportune” time?
I know someone at work will call me wanting me to come in and do something when I’m hundreds of miles away (and I’m not on call).
The grass in the Flint Hills remained lush all summer. Cattle look better there than they have in awhile, I think.
Some kids still have fun outdoors doing the most simple things…swing, tree-climbing, etc.
I wonder if any other toll road has a “Cattle Pens” exit that literally goes to cattle pens out on the open range.
Why would anyone wear hot pink heels (3 inch or more) to a football game?
People leaving the bathroom still don’t wash their hands.
Lawrence, Kansas on game day is a zoo.
Most people will engage in at least brief pleasant interaction if you just try a little.
How did we ever get along before cell phones?
Why doesn’t TV show more of the field during televised football games? I think it’s fun to watch the defensive backfield move and develop as the play develops.
I missed my Raisin Bran this morning (had a bowl this evening).
Being with a beloved spouse all day, whether or not a lot of verbal communication is going on, is one of the most comforting and relaxing things on earth.
I wonder how many people at the game were, deep inside, terrified of their own mortality and what might happen to them when they died?
Fifty thousand (give or take a few) people is a lot of people to all be crammed into the KU football stadium. It was obvious where the student section was; they were crammed in more than the other folks.
Some bathrooms still have the troughs in which to relieve oneself.
You can get decent food at a KU football game. You can’t get a decent place to park, however, that’s within a mile of the stadium unless you pay big-time for the privilege..
Home out on the back patio is s a world away from a major college football game.
How do football players possibly remember all the plays?
Why do car light bulbs burn out at what seems to be the most inopportune time? Is there an “opportune” time?
I know someone at work will call me wanting me to come in and do something when I’m hundreds of miles away (and I’m not on call).
The grass in the Flint Hills remained lush all summer. Cattle look better there than they have in awhile, I think.
Some kids still have fun outdoors doing the most simple things…swing, tree-climbing, etc.
I wonder if any other toll road has a “Cattle Pens” exit that literally goes to cattle pens out on the open range.
Why would anyone wear hot pink heels (3 inch or more) to a football game?
People leaving the bathroom still don’t wash their hands.
Lawrence, Kansas on game day is a zoo.
Most people will engage in at least brief pleasant interaction if you just try a little.
How did we ever get along before cell phones?
Why doesn’t TV show more of the field during televised football games? I think it’s fun to watch the defensive backfield move and develop as the play develops.
I missed my Raisin Bran this morning (had a bowl this evening).
Being with a beloved spouse all day, whether or not a lot of verbal communication is going on, is one of the most comforting and relaxing things on earth.
I wonder how many people at the game were, deep inside, terrified of their own mortality and what might happen to them when they died?
Thursday, September 17, 2009
She's Gone
“A dragon lives forever, but not so little boys…” And not so the human beings that bring dragons to life in music. Mary Travers of Peter, Paul, and Mary has lost her battle with illness and has passed from this life.’
For those of us who grew up in the sixties and listened to the LP records and the eight-track cassettes of Peter, Paul, and Mary, this is the passing of an age and a realization that we indeed are becoming more fragile and ever closer to that time when we too will pass from this life. We have also lost someone who, even though we personally knew her not, has by her death left an empty space in our hearts and minds that won’t be filled.
Ms. Travers was larger than life. Peter, Paul, and Mary were the voice of many of us who had something to say, but didn’t quite know what words to use or how best to tell the message. Many of us weren’t even sure what it was we wanted to say. We just knew that things weren’t how they should be, and hoped that someone somewhere would know what to do. Peter, Paul, and Mary knew what to do and what to say and how to say it in such a way that people not only listened, but acted upon what they heard.
And although Ms. Travers' voice wasn't like that of Karen Carpenter or Sandi Patty, she had absolute control over it and could lend her trademark sound to one of many genres of music and have it sound as it was supposed to sound.
I am one of literally millions of people in my age group who are actively mourning Mary’s passing and the silencing of a two and a half octave (or more) voice that spoke for us all.
How many years can a mountain exist
Before it’s washed to the sea?
Yes, and how many years can some people exist
Before they’re allowed to be free?
Yes, and how many times can a man turn his head,
Pretending he just doesn’t see?
The answer, my friend, is blowin in the wind,
The answer is blowin in the wind.
Blowin in the Wind
Written by Bob Dylan
For those of us who grew up in the sixties and listened to the LP records and the eight-track cassettes of Peter, Paul, and Mary, this is the passing of an age and a realization that we indeed are becoming more fragile and ever closer to that time when we too will pass from this life. We have also lost someone who, even though we personally knew her not, has by her death left an empty space in our hearts and minds that won’t be filled.
Ms. Travers was larger than life. Peter, Paul, and Mary were the voice of many of us who had something to say, but didn’t quite know what words to use or how best to tell the message. Many of us weren’t even sure what it was we wanted to say. We just knew that things weren’t how they should be, and hoped that someone somewhere would know what to do. Peter, Paul, and Mary knew what to do and what to say and how to say it in such a way that people not only listened, but acted upon what they heard.
And although Ms. Travers' voice wasn't like that of Karen Carpenter or Sandi Patty, she had absolute control over it and could lend her trademark sound to one of many genres of music and have it sound as it was supposed to sound.
I am one of literally millions of people in my age group who are actively mourning Mary’s passing and the silencing of a two and a half octave (or more) voice that spoke for us all.
How many years can a mountain exist
Before it’s washed to the sea?
Yes, and how many years can some people exist
Before they’re allowed to be free?
Yes, and how many times can a man turn his head,
Pretending he just doesn’t see?
The answer, my friend, is blowin in the wind,
The answer is blowin in the wind.
Blowin in the Wind
Written by Bob Dylan
Saturday, September 12, 2009
I Can't Stand It (Again)
Speaking of CNN and reporting of news, did you hear about the misinformation that was spread about the Coast Guard firing on a boat while President Obama was at a 9-11 remembrance? Come to find out the Coast Guard was performing a routine training, and CNN mistook the words “bang, bang, bang” and other statements on their scanners that were tuned to Coast Guard radio frequencies for an attack on a boat.
When it was all over, the “news” organizations were stumbling all over themselves justifying their utter lack of journalistic work (they didn’t check out anything…they instead wanted to be the first to go on the air with the misinformation). They made up information as they went and even had the nerve to disclaim responsibility.
The ignoramuses that went with the story haven’t a clue what journalism and true news-gathering and reporting really is, let alone how to deal with the broadcasting of misinformation. Can you imagine Walter Cronkite or Chet Huntley going on the air with this story without having checked it out thoroughly before it aired? (If you don’t know who these two true journalists were, check it out).
So now the Coast Guard is conducting an “investigation” to find out whatever they are trying to find out about the situation. CNN, Fox and others continue to say it’s not their fault, pointing their collective fingers at the Coast Guard for daring to conduct a drill at the same time the President is at some event not far away.
I can’t stand it.
When it was all over, the “news” organizations were stumbling all over themselves justifying their utter lack of journalistic work (they didn’t check out anything…they instead wanted to be the first to go on the air with the misinformation). They made up information as they went and even had the nerve to disclaim responsibility.
The ignoramuses that went with the story haven’t a clue what journalism and true news-gathering and reporting really is, let alone how to deal with the broadcasting of misinformation. Can you imagine Walter Cronkite or Chet Huntley going on the air with this story without having checked it out thoroughly before it aired? (If you don’t know who these two true journalists were, check it out).
So now the Coast Guard is conducting an “investigation” to find out whatever they are trying to find out about the situation. CNN, Fox and others continue to say it’s not their fault, pointing their collective fingers at the Coast Guard for daring to conduct a drill at the same time the President is at some event not far away.
I can’t stand it.
9-11 Revisited
I watched a two-hour special on the 9-11 disaster last night. By the way, this was the only thing I could find on all of cable TV having to do with 9-11 last night. The special was on the History Channel and was a montage of video taken on that day by both professionals and amateurs. There was no commentary…no talking heads.
I was surprised to find rather strong emotions within me as the special presentation went along. Heavens, it’s been eight years, and I didn’t have anyone I personally knew who was injured or killed in the tragedy. Yet I found myself with feelings of sadness, anger, melancholy, and grief.
What I noticed most of all, however, was the directions people were walking/running during the first minutes of the calamity. Civilians were walking or running away from the buildings; police, fire, and emergency medical responders were walking or running toward the buildings. Knowing what I now know, I know that many of those I saw in the videos going toward the buildings died when the buildings collapsed.
One man who shot some of the video says that he doesn’t watch it, mostly for the reason that he knows that many of those he caught on video are no longer living, having perished in the collapse of the buildings.
One other thing that stood out was the abject disbelief, blank looks, and far-away stares from people who were watching what happened, knowing that it was an intentional act and that people were already dead and dying. It was as if they were trying to wrap their minds around what they were seeing, not believing the reality of what is. My guess is that there weren’t many atheists in those crowds of people on that day.
Yes, many were angry with God. Many were confused. Many just hadn’t a clue what to think or believe any more. I’m sure emotions ran the gamut, as did the petitions and exclamations to the Almighty.
I believe we as a nation did not handle the response correctly. We were told to go ahead and go to work, shop and keep the economy going while the politicians handled the crisis. That was the perfect time to mobilize this nation in a way that hadn’t been done since World War II and we blew it badly. Instead, we spent our way into a recession that has resulted in people out of work, people going hungry, and people in predicaments that they have never before even thought they would be in. Our government is broke and getting broker (is that a word?). We have a much deeper hole to climb out of than we had even immediately after 9-11. I am not as optimistic as I probably should be that we will overcome this time around. I’m glad I won’t be here that much longer to see what I think will, in coming decades, be the carnage of the bad decisions made years before by both Democrat and Republican politicians who no more have a clue what it means to be leader, statesman, and unifier than the man in the moon.
I am sure, however, that CNN and Fox will be right there, whether or not they really know what happened, and tell us all what they think they heard from someone.
I can’t stand it.
I was surprised to find rather strong emotions within me as the special presentation went along. Heavens, it’s been eight years, and I didn’t have anyone I personally knew who was injured or killed in the tragedy. Yet I found myself with feelings of sadness, anger, melancholy, and grief.
What I noticed most of all, however, was the directions people were walking/running during the first minutes of the calamity. Civilians were walking or running away from the buildings; police, fire, and emergency medical responders were walking or running toward the buildings. Knowing what I now know, I know that many of those I saw in the videos going toward the buildings died when the buildings collapsed.
One man who shot some of the video says that he doesn’t watch it, mostly for the reason that he knows that many of those he caught on video are no longer living, having perished in the collapse of the buildings.
One other thing that stood out was the abject disbelief, blank looks, and far-away stares from people who were watching what happened, knowing that it was an intentional act and that people were already dead and dying. It was as if they were trying to wrap their minds around what they were seeing, not believing the reality of what is. My guess is that there weren’t many atheists in those crowds of people on that day.
Yes, many were angry with God. Many were confused. Many just hadn’t a clue what to think or believe any more. I’m sure emotions ran the gamut, as did the petitions and exclamations to the Almighty.
I believe we as a nation did not handle the response correctly. We were told to go ahead and go to work, shop and keep the economy going while the politicians handled the crisis. That was the perfect time to mobilize this nation in a way that hadn’t been done since World War II and we blew it badly. Instead, we spent our way into a recession that has resulted in people out of work, people going hungry, and people in predicaments that they have never before even thought they would be in. Our government is broke and getting broker (is that a word?). We have a much deeper hole to climb out of than we had even immediately after 9-11. I am not as optimistic as I probably should be that we will overcome this time around. I’m glad I won’t be here that much longer to see what I think will, in coming decades, be the carnage of the bad decisions made years before by both Democrat and Republican politicians who no more have a clue what it means to be leader, statesman, and unifier than the man in the moon.
I am sure, however, that CNN and Fox will be right there, whether or not they really know what happened, and tell us all what they think they heard from someone.
I can’t stand it.
Monday, September 07, 2009
I Repent
Well, I said I wouldn’t do it, but all along I knew I would. I went off and got a Facebook page yesterday. Sigh. I feel like (you ever have dreams like this?) I’m dancing naked in front of 200,000 strangers and don’t have any place to go to hide. Yes, I know, I’ll get used to it. That’s what they all say, and that’s part of the scary part of it. I don’t really WANT to get used to having everything I think and do hanging out there for all to see. I’m old enough to recall when there was no such thing as touch tone phones (you had to twirl a dial thingy around to get the right number). Big Brother didn’t know your every move, purchase, and thought. And people didn’t sell information collected by loyalty cards to others so they could convince you to buy something.
By the way, if someone has to convince you to buy something, do you really need what they’re selling?
I was amazed at the number of potential “friends” that Facebook suggested just by mining my Yahoo email address. I should have known, though, that would happen. I’m thinking about closing my account and opening another one with a different, disposable address so there would be no history. Then I could just find the “friends” that I truly wanted instead of having the stupid software suggest to me that this person or that would really like to be my friend. Sheesh.
And what is this farming business? Do people have nothing better to do than to run a virtual farm? And what is that lost sheep stuff? Why would I care whether the virtual lost sheep was ever found, or whatever it is?
I know, I know. I’m just an old curmudgeon who is still getting the hang of solitaire and how to add someone to my cell phone book. I can’t really be expected to be up and with it (that’s an old expression) at my age.
On the other hand, I do know how to use the formula function in Excel. And I know what the vast majority of the ready-made formulas mean and how they are used. I truly enjoy creating a spreadsheet that is hundreds of cells long and wide with hundreds of interlaced and dependent formulas which provide answers to previously intractable problems in a matter of microseconds.
And databases that I created in the distant past (mid-1990’s) on what is now really clunky DOS-based software provided the same medical and patient-related administrative and billing information that commercial software now provides.
So maybe I’m not quite so curmudgeonly after all. Maybe my priorities are just a little skewed. And that’s OK because it takes all kinds to make the world go ‘round…even virtual farmers!
By the way, if someone has to convince you to buy something, do you really need what they’re selling?
I was amazed at the number of potential “friends” that Facebook suggested just by mining my Yahoo email address. I should have known, though, that would happen. I’m thinking about closing my account and opening another one with a different, disposable address so there would be no history. Then I could just find the “friends” that I truly wanted instead of having the stupid software suggest to me that this person or that would really like to be my friend. Sheesh.
And what is this farming business? Do people have nothing better to do than to run a virtual farm? And what is that lost sheep stuff? Why would I care whether the virtual lost sheep was ever found, or whatever it is?
I know, I know. I’m just an old curmudgeon who is still getting the hang of solitaire and how to add someone to my cell phone book. I can’t really be expected to be up and with it (that’s an old expression) at my age.
On the other hand, I do know how to use the formula function in Excel. And I know what the vast majority of the ready-made formulas mean and how they are used. I truly enjoy creating a spreadsheet that is hundreds of cells long and wide with hundreds of interlaced and dependent formulas which provide answers to previously intractable problems in a matter of microseconds.
And databases that I created in the distant past (mid-1990’s) on what is now really clunky DOS-based software provided the same medical and patient-related administrative and billing information that commercial software now provides.
So maybe I’m not quite so curmudgeonly after all. Maybe my priorities are just a little skewed. And that’s OK because it takes all kinds to make the world go ‘round…even virtual farmers!
Friday, September 04, 2009
The Passing of an Era
Erich Kunzel, conductor of the Cincinnati Pops Orchestra, died a few days ago (September 1). I don’t know if you know of Mr. Kunzel or the Cincinnati Pops Orchestra or not. But if you’ve never heard the music made by this man and marvelous group of musicians, you’ve missed something special in this creation of ours.
For over 30 years, Mr. Kunzel has directed the orchestra, taking pops programs and music to new heights. Begun, I think, by Arthur Fiedler and the Boston Pops Orchestra, the continuation of the mainstreaming, so to speak, of classical pops, and the growth in popularity of that kind of music is a direct result of the efforts of men and women such as Mr. Kunzel.
In case you aren’t familiar with his work, or even if you are, take a listen to the orchestra’s rendition of the theme of The Magnificent Seven. You can find it at this address http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=45KAjt7v4t4
Classical pops music is one of my favorite genres of music. And the Cincinnati Pops does it as well as anyone, anywhere. Thank you, Mr. Kunzel, for putting your vision, effort, and imagination to good work.Thursday, September 03, 2009
The Pale Blue Dot
I was looking at the Astronomy Picture of the Day archives. Somehow, in doing that I ended up on Wikipedia at the article on the rings of Saturn. In that article, someone filed a wondrous photo, taken by the Cassini space craft in 2006. The photo shows Saturn eclipsing the sun, with the rings in high relief. Out toward the edge of the rings is a “pale blue dot” which they tell us is Earth.
I’ve put the photo on the blog. I’ve labeled the Earth for your convenience. I’d like for you to look at the photo for a moment and think about this place we call home. Astronomer Carl Sagan coined the phrase “pale blue dot” based on a photo taken by Voyager I from about 3.7 billion miles away. You can see the photo and accompanying article at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pale_blue_dot
Mr. Sagan believed that this photo only confirmed what he knew…that there is no God and that we are truly alone in the universe; that if we are to survive, we will have to save ourselves.Others may well look at this and other photos and believe quite the opposite…that there is a God and that we are never truly alone in the universe; that we cannot save ourselves and must rely on the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob for life and salvation.
I don’t know enough to know how to convince a skeptic or a non-believer to change how they view photos such as this. I’m not even sure I know enough to intelligently talk with someone who doesn’t believe in God to convince them that God does exist. What I do know is that some how, some way, there has to be an explanation for what we see and know (and all that we can’t see and don’t know) that has as its explanation something other than chance.
We’ll never really know, in the full sense of the word, which way it really is. That’s why faith is sometimes so hard. And we have it easy compared with those who have come before us who had only traditions, oral stories, and the wonder of the universe to point them to faith in God. We are indeed blessed.
Wednesday, September 02, 2009
Of the Father's Love Begotten
As we were driving home from Wednesday Bible classes this evening, for whatever reason I thought of a Christmas carol that I hadn’t heard in some time, but really liked. We also sang this carol when I was part of a community Christmas choir some years ago. This song has several incarnations, but is commonly believed to have been penned first by a Roman poet in the fifth century.
This has to be one of the relatively few hymns that are so good that they seem to be inspired. So much packed into so few words, and so much truth put into so few verses of song. And the beauty of the words (and later on the music) is just phenomenal.
I don’t often do this, but today would ask you to read the words of the song as it appears below (taken from the Lutheran Hymnal). If you’d like to see a choir sing the song, you can go to http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RDGjxAqENbI and see a 1980’s performance, which is one of the better ones on YouTube.
"Of the Father's Love Begotten"
by Aurelius C. Prudentius, 413, cento
Translated by John. M. Neale, 1818-1866
and Henry W. Baker, 1821-1977
1. Of the Father's love begotten
Ere the worlds began to be,
He is Alpha and Omega,
He the Source, the Ending He,
Of the things that are, that have been,
And that future years shall see
Evermore and evermore.
2. Oh, that birth forever blessed
When the Virgin, full of grace,
By the Holy Ghost conceiving,
Bare the Savior of our race,
And the Babe, the world's Redeemer,
First revealed His sacred face
Evermore and evermore.
3. O ye heights of heaven, adore Him;
Angel hosts, His praises sing;
Powers, dominions, bow before Him
And extol our God and King.
Let no tongue on earth be silent,
Every voice in concert ring
Evermore and evermore.
4. This is He whom Heaven-taught singers
Sang of old with one accord;
Whom the Scriptures of the prophets
Promised in their faithful word.
Now He shines, the Long-expected;
Let creation praise its Lord
Evermore and evermore.
5. Christ, to Thee, with God the Father,
And, O Holy Ghost, to Thee
Hymn and chant and high thanksgiving
And unending praises be,
Honor, glory, and dominion,
And eternal victory
Evermore and evermore.
This has to be one of the relatively few hymns that are so good that they seem to be inspired. So much packed into so few words, and so much truth put into so few verses of song. And the beauty of the words (and later on the music) is just phenomenal.
I don’t often do this, but today would ask you to read the words of the song as it appears below (taken from the Lutheran Hymnal). If you’d like to see a choir sing the song, you can go to http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RDGjxAqENbI and see a 1980’s performance, which is one of the better ones on YouTube.
"Of the Father's Love Begotten"
by Aurelius C. Prudentius, 413, cento
Translated by John. M. Neale, 1818-1866
and Henry W. Baker, 1821-1977
1. Of the Father's love begotten
Ere the worlds began to be,
He is Alpha and Omega,
He the Source, the Ending He,
Of the things that are, that have been,
And that future years shall see
Evermore and evermore.
2. Oh, that birth forever blessed
When the Virgin, full of grace,
By the Holy Ghost conceiving,
Bare the Savior of our race,
And the Babe, the world's Redeemer,
First revealed His sacred face
Evermore and evermore.
3. O ye heights of heaven, adore Him;
Angel hosts, His praises sing;
Powers, dominions, bow before Him
And extol our God and King.
Let no tongue on earth be silent,
Every voice in concert ring
Evermore and evermore.
4. This is He whom Heaven-taught singers
Sang of old with one accord;
Whom the Scriptures of the prophets
Promised in their faithful word.
Now He shines, the Long-expected;
Let creation praise its Lord
Evermore and evermore.
5. Christ, to Thee, with God the Father,
And, O Holy Ghost, to Thee
Hymn and chant and high thanksgiving
And unending praises be,
Honor, glory, and dominion,
And eternal victory
Evermore and evermore.
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