just saying

Randomness from the week

Found this and I agree with it.

Just sayin that I hope all those people who think they were voting against incumbents because they believed conservative candidates had an acceptable plan to achieve cuts are having just a little bit of buyer's remorse.

.R.K. Barry

All I have heard from the conservative candidates are plans to disrupt, delay and cancel the progress (such as it is) made during the last two years. I really worry about the disengagement of the voters who wanted change and the man who was going to bring us change and yet seems afraid to use the power we gave him.

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I do not understand why Iowa has an Iowa Liquor Commission that is the only one allowed to sell liquor in the state of Iowa. The distributors must sell through them and the price goes up accordingly. There is no reason for this except to make alcohol more expensive and place another (unnecessary) tax on those of us who purchase adult beverages.. I cannot order wine from the winery out of state which has time to time special deals on their wine because it has to go through the Iowa Liquor Commission. There needs to be a change. We are not babies that our type of booze needs to be rationed. Do we believe in free enterprise? Why should the state be involved with liquor sales? I know that if they were out of the business I could get my single malt much more cheaply at Costco.

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Those politicians in their $1000 suits deciding on how to cut the deficit by cutting Social Security really piss me off. They could really cut the deficit by shutting down the war machine. But they lie to us and try to scare us - James Madison said it best

Of all the enemies to public liberty, war is, perhaps, the most to be dreaded because it comprises and develops the germ of every other. War is the parent of armies; from these proceed debts and taxes, the known instruments for bringing the many under the domination of the few. In war, too, the discretionary power of the executive is extended….No nation could preserve its freedom in the midst of continual warfare.. James Madison, 1792

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That's gone up on the sidebar for awhile..

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Let us all remember the first Christian principles – love of God and love of our neighbour. Our divided world needs a united church.

Bishop Michael Ingham Canadian Anglican

first Christian principles????? they are the only Christian principles. It is unfortunate than so very many "Christians" have lost sight of that and give lip service only to them.

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One of my new "discoveries is Levi Kreis I just got one of his CD's from Amazon and this is part of one of the tunes I heard on it.

...friends grow together and friends grow apart
And friends get replaced even though it may hurt a friends heart
But aside all of this what i want more than anything else
Is to have just a moment when you stop pretending
You look at me in earnest
Admit that we're strangers
And You've no intention to face what you'd rather ignore

But I guess I'm the one left over
Cause we don't resemble who we were before
I guess once that ship has pulled out of that harbor
The things that had measure don't measure up anymore

It seems to fit things that have been happening in my life of late. I made some decisions that pissed people off and I got an e-mail and a letter and it seems I have two less friends. They think they know why I decided to pull back from some things but they don't and they won't unless they are willing to discuss it with me. In the meantime I shall leave them alone. People can talk about me if they want but unless they talk to me face to face nothing will be solved and the meantime I am the one left over. Everybody loses. It is a great song and it came to me just when I needed to hear it.

I used to have a private blog where I kept private thoughts and feelings and time to time things which happened to me. I had to shut it down because someone from out of State found it and was reading it. I recommend having one if you need to work through some things. It helps.

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Everybody is fussing about the new TSA rules and pat downs. I put this up on the comments.

I will be driving to Idaho this summer. But if someone wants to touch me all over I will give them my address.

Just leave your e-mail in the comments.....

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And finally on a positive note I found this. Posted it on Facebook but it bears repeating:

In the Kalamasutra, Buddha said:

Do not believe in anything simply because you have heard it.
Do not believe in anything because it is spoken and rumored by many.
Do not believe in anything simply because it is found written in your religious books.
Do not believe in anything merely on the authority of your teachers and elders.
Do not believe in traditions because they have been handed down for many generations.
But after observation and analysis, when you find that anything agrees with reason and is conducive to the good and benefit of one and all, then accept it and live up to it.

Thank you for stopping by. Have a wonderful week. among the things I am grateful for is this community of bloggers and folks from all over the world who stop by to see my prattling. I will try to do better. God Bless. j

On My Mind

From An article in the Ames Tribune

The Ames Community School District budget advisory committee will recommend increasing class sizes, eliminating programs and classes and trimming staff positions to reach a goal of $3.5 million in budget cuts next year.

Charged with offering input to the school board and administration for a budget that must be trimmed by $5 million in the next two fiscal years, the voluntary team of teachers, administrators, staff and community members honed a list of items aimed at restructuring and eliminating programs at all levels of district education and administration.

And From The Des Moines Register.

Elementary and high school teachers in Des Moines' schools would have more students in their classrooms next fall and youngsters in kindergarten through fifth grades would spend less time in art, music and physical education, under budget proposals unveiled Friday.

The proposal calls for slashing an unprecedented $33 million from next year's budget and eliminates nearly 480 positions, most of them teachers.

We have just gone through (in my opinion) the worst administration ever in our government. They have led us to a recession and in the process of a "No Child Left Behind" Act (Which left all children behind and did nothing for the schools but rather made a lot of money for the Bush cronies who own the test making companies) sucked a lot of money away from the schools by its unfunded mandate.

My question is today is this:
"If the banks and the auto industry are so important that they " not be allowed to fail" and had to have boatloads of cash pumped into them why is it that the school system, which is arguably the most important industry in the nation because it is there to train and educate the next generation, being allowed to fail. Why are these school districts having to take a hit? Why is the government not pumping boatloads of cash into them?

At Firedog lake there is an essay "An Angry Mother's Take on the Firing of Central Falls Teachers." which asks why the parents aren't involved in this failing school.

As a former teacher I will say this that the most important ingredient in a child's education is an involved parent. Bar none. The most important. The next most important is the teacher who interacts with the students on the "front line" and those teachers deserve a living wage. It seems to me that if the Federal Government were doing its job the schools would not have to be making these cuts. But then perhaps the goal of those in government is to so diminish our schools so that they will not be able to educate the next generation of voters. Perhaps they do not want a thinking electorate but rather perhaps a group of Myrmadons who will follow blindly those in power. If there is to be a "bailout" it should go to the schools. Schools should not have to be making these cuts. And No Child Left Behind...put it in the trash and click "Empty Trash"

Simple Sunday Smatterings

Here's looking at you Kid!
I just love this picture.

I don't really celebrate the commercial holiday known as Valentine's Day any more. I used to do it up big in the classroom Giant paper hearts made out of tag board which hung from the ceiling lights via red string and bent paper clips. On them I had glued all the Valentine's which students had given me. Over the years I had quite a few of them. Not only did it help me remember the students but they looked nice hanging in the room I think the kids enjoyed it.
The Olympics have started. I thought the Opening Ceremonies were wonderful. I love the concept of "First Nation" People and got chills watching them participate and welcome the world to the Olympics and I teared up when the Georgians walked in. I could not understand why NBC would show the accident where the athlete died. To me that was an invasion of his privacy. I refused to watch it. I will watch some of the Olympics but actually I am not much interested and I will use the 16 days to catch up on reading. Of course my "reader" keeps me updated on my blogs and I found the next two items over at Dawn's "Randomness In My Mind" -- Dawn is a divorced Mother and is celebrating Anti-Valentine's Day. Can't say as I blame her one bit. The movie below is delightful even if it does have a couple of NSFW things in it. It was from another of her posts. I really enjoy her blog and you will also.



Schadenfreude is a concept which has intrigued me. I do not like to watch the YouTube videos where people fall or get hurt. I don't like seeing people injured. I do however like it when the sanctimonious so-called "Christian" politicians get caught in an affair or in any of the other things they seem to do with impunity. It is as if they feel they are above the rules. So,when they get caught I feel a little schadenfreude.

I do not understand the Tea Party or the Republicans (some of them) who say one thing and then go and do another. They had a piece on The Daily Show about the recent meeting in Hawaii.

The Daily Show With Jon Stewart	Mon - Thurs 11p / 10c
RNC Meeting in Hawaii
www.thedailyshow.com
Daily Show Full Episodes Political Humor Health Care Crisis

No one seems to have a clue that they are being made fun of. I really think the schools are at fault. They have not taught people to think or grounded them in basic classical understanding that when you are going to be hypocritical you should at least feel a little embarrassed by it. No they just go right on acting as if the policies which took us here:

were not their fault and that Mr. Obama and the Democrats were the ones to blame. Oh well - perhaps it is genetic.

Anyway, I think I shall just sit back in my new leather recliner

(which I feel some guilt about having) and finish Craig Ferguson's book. (If I don't fall asleep - did that once already and was doing fine with my zzzz's until some old bat called up to tell me she had a wrong number.) Have a great week - ARTYAL. Hugs, j-bear

P.S. discovered that HBO was showing War of the Roses. The perfect Valentine's Day Movie.

Now to the Book and the Figure Skating on the Olympics.

Rainy Day/Week-end Update

Craig and I went to Des Moines for a practice tonight. it was not a great practice because not enough people showed up. So we just got to talk about things instead. Then Kurt and Craig and I went to the Royal Mile so Kurt and I could eat and we talked some more. It has been a crummy rainy week-end but at least the trees and the flowers and the green are returning.
The trees in Des Moines are a little further along than they are in Ames but it is nice to have warm weather bursting the buds. I will get some more pictures this week I hope.
The clouds and the rain on the way home were awesome. We were under a tornado watch and also a flash flood watch (so that is Iowa in the Spring) but nothing came of it. There was a York Rite Festival in Des Moines yesterday but I did not go, I went to a movie instead. Russell Crowe, Ben Affleck and Helen Mirren in State of Play. It was a great thriller and I enjoyed it. The acting was top notch. The twist at the end was not expected. It was set at a newspaper and it made me think about how much the press has not been doing their duty the past 10 years but are just regurgitating the spoon-fed pap which was hand fed to them.
I also finished reading a book and started another. David Baldacchi's First Family is going to be a great read. I really should be reading it instead of writing this.
My car has problems. I am not sure what it is but it is going to cost me $1000+ to get it fixed. but at least it can be fixed and it is cheaper than a new car. I still like it and it fits. I tried to drive a couple of other cars- In one, a Ford Edge I had no leg or ass room. I had my knuckles scrape when I put the seat belt on and my knee was banging the dashboard. Obviously these cars were not designed for someone who used to be 6'3" (and still am at least on one leg.) So I will stick with what I have. After all it only has 124,000 miles on it.
We are still getting rain and thunder. Bailey has not heard the thunder of the would be out growling around and barking. He hates thunder. I have gone back on Facebook and have learned how to do some things on there so that it is more fun. Not sure how long I will stay on it but for now I am enjoying it. Since I am not getting many e-mails lately it is one way to keep in touch with people. Since I am not supposed to drive my car very much I will be hanging around the house and maybe I will get some things done. (But don't count on it.)

Interesting experience today also that points up how my fraternity connects and helps. I had an opportunity to help out one of my Brother's wife and son. As I was waiting for Craig I got a phone call. The brother (who lives in Cedar Rapids) gave his wife my number to call when her car broke down. It was 2:30. Her son had to go to the dorm pick up his tux and cello and get back to C Y Stephens for a 3:00 rehearsal and 4:00 concert. We did it. I left the house, went out and picked them up and took them to the dorm and delivered them to the concert. Then when I got back in town I called and made arrangements to pick her up to take her out to a motel where she will spend the night until she can find out about her car in the morning.

I was the one able to help in this instance but there are thousands of Masons all over the world who would do the same thing and help a brother's family when he can't be there in person.

I love my DVR, I can fall asleep watching a show and wake up in the middle of the next one and because I had set them to record I can watch the end of one and the beginning of the next. Another added plus is that you can fast forward through the commercial. Well that is it for now. Thanks for stopping by, ARTYAL. Hang in there. Flowers are coming. Hugs, j

Birthday Party and some thoughts.

Lyssa had a surprise Birthday party for Kurt's 30th birthday. It was really nice and a lot of people were there to surprise him. Craig and Paul and I went down together and had a great time. Wade joined us at our booth. I took a lot of pictures.

My daffodils are not really doing very well but I got this picture.

In Des Moines the trees are beginning to bud. Spring is coming and things are getting nice again. I am so glad not to have to wear the winter coat. I had a really nice time at the Scottish Rite this week-end. I worked in the office and went to the Spring Fling Banquet. I have to say that I went to these places because there are no pictures of me since I take the pictures.

Tomorrow Kurt and I are going to work on Ritual when he gets off work. I enjoy doing this for him even though I won't be doing ritual in the future. At least I can help him to attain his goal. I also have a project for Shane at the Consistory but am not sure when I will get that done. Last night I found myself sitting between the Master of Kadosh and the Personal Representative for a while. I was told how much they appreciated what I do at the Scottish Rite. I actually just sort of carved out a spot. I take pictures, post them on the Consistory Blog and help out in the office. The Meet and Greet's have been fun and I have had a chance to make some new friends.

We see a lot of people in Masonry that we can only relate to superficially so it is nice to have an activity where we can really get to talk and know one another. The Consistory has recognized this and have many activities where members can interact on a more personal level. I think it is one of the reasons that I enjoy it so much more than the other things I do. Not that I do not have friends there also but it just seems that right now I am appreciated for what I do in the Scottish Rite. And I enjoy it a lot. Thanks for stopping by. ARTYAL, Hugs, j-bear

Advent

My Advent

Advent (from the Latin word adventus, meaning "coming") is a season of the Christian church, the period of expectant waiting and preparation for the celebration of the Nativity of Jesus, in other words, the period immediately before Christmas. It is the beginning of the Western Christian year and commences on Advent Sunday.

Advent Sunday is the fourth Sunday before Christmas Day. This is equivalent to the Sunday nearest to St Andrew's Day, 30 November,

Wikipedia

John Shuck has his sermon for the First Sunday in Advent up over at Shuck and Jive. He calls it a "season of waiting" and it is important to religious Christians. I don't remember ever worrying much about Advent. (I do remember an Advent Calendar with candy in it - but Jay being Jay it didn't last until Christmas) Advent was on the peripheral of my consciousness as a child. But then really so was church. Oh I went to Sunday School and to Church and I participated in MYF (Methodist Youth Fellowship) and I even gave a talk once to the Church on Youth Sunday (Wonder what happened to that talk.) But Advent, didn't mean much

Later as a Christian Scientist nothing was ever said about Advent. I likened it to the place of Christmas as I grew older and studied the Bible and read about how the early Catholic church "borrowed" pagan worship ceremonies and times in order to make the people more comfortable with Christianity. Much like the Romans did when they conquered the known world. They just co-opted the religions of the places they conquered and brought them to Rome. Made the people feel good

Advent and Chanukkah are both at this time of year. Chanukkah is not an important Jewish holiday. Christians have made it so because of its proximity to Christmas. Both are at the time of year when the dark is prevalent (It is dark at 5:00 these days) and we are waiting for the "Light" (sun) to return and we celebrate that return with joy and holidays.

I imagine that if any of you have read this far you think you know where I am going with this. You think I am going to repudiate Christmas and the Advent season. Well I am not. As I said I had never given much thought to this but John's sermon made me think. And probably not the way he anticipated.

I think the whole season of this time of year is a wonderful renewal of hope for all of us. I keep two kinds of Christmas. One is the secular Christmas with decorations, Christmas carols, cards. and presents and the other is my spiritual Christmas. In one (which I love) I get to give things to people and they have to accept them (most of the time) and like it. In giving I receive. I show people that I love them and want good things for them and their families. Last year I found out that I did not have to give presents. I could give my time and energy to help out on Christmas Day. I had a friend for whom a Christmas Dinner is named. The Jerry Marsengill Christmas Dinner takes place every year in Des Moines and it feeds people who would be alone on Christmas Day. Anyone can come. They also take Christmas Dinner out to people who can't make it down to the Scottish Rite Temple to eat. It is a wonderful way to give.

The other Christmas is the one I keep in my heart. (and I love it more) That is the one that I really keep all year long. When I think of the incredible gift which God gave to the world of the great teachers which he sent to us to teach us how to live and care and give to one another. The gift of His Sons and His Love. That is the Christmas I can keep all year long. Christ has come again, and again and again - in every act of love and kindness to a friend or to a stranger.

"And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me."

Matthew 25:40

That is the one I want to share. I have read that Jesus was probably born sometime in April. That is when the shepherds were out in the fields "keeping their flocks." It doesn't matter that we celebrate it on December 25. What matters is that we keep the spirit of Advent (coming) in our hearts and ponder it. So go ahead and prepare for Christmas, get ready for the celebration. Plan to have fun. But keep the true meaning as well - all year long.

When I used to go home after the big Christmas Eve family party and orgy of gift giving and receiving I would stop and look up at the sky - looking for a Star perhaps - and wonder about Jesus and say a prayer of gratitude in my heart. Really just a momentary thing. A feeling of goodness. It helps get through the other times. The tough time when you think nobody loves you (even when they do) and the time when you wish things were different in the world and mankind could Love One Another in truth and not in lip service. The times when you are waiting for something and you know not what. That moment of acknowledging God's presence with us through the gift of his children can lift you up from the dark places and into the Light.

Thanks for stopping by and listening to my ramblings. Always Remember That You Are Loved. Hugs, J-bear

Simply Sunday

A Promise

You really can't see these very well but they are the daffodils in front of my house. In a day or so they will "pop open" and I will go take another picture.

They come up every year and are the promise of summer for me. Now if the trees would just bud I would be very happy.



Concert

This is the United Church of Christ Congregational (where my Aunt Jo and Uncle Dave were married. There was a benefit concert there this afternoon. The Des Moines Gay Men
s Chorus came to Ames and did their program. I had been told to go see it. I was sorry that I could not see it in Des Moines because I went to Craig Ferguson (have I told you about that yet? ) last night and their concert was then. But I have enjoyed their concerts in the past so I decided to go. I am so glad I did. I think it was the best concert that they have given that I have seen. It was to benefit the Good Neighbor and Emergency Residence Project. I used to be president of Good Neighbor but must have fallen between the cracks because they sent me no publicity on it. Anyway I found out about it and I was so glad I could go.

Two good Brothers held the door open as I went in and I sat behind another. Arcadia Lodge was well represented. I also ran into Chris White, Dinah and Bob and some other folks I knew. Besides a good concert it was fun to connect with them again.

Then when it was over it was time to eat so I went down to Carlos O'Kellys. I do not know why I went there. I never eat there - I don't know why, just never think of it. Anyway as I was heading in I ran into Jean and Bob Koss from Polk City. Jean is our Eastern Star District Instructor and I invited myself to join them and we had a great time and good conversation. Serendipitous and totally enjoyable. Sometimes the Universe just "nudges" us and we have to listen and when we do good things happen. I hope they enjoyed eating with me as much as I enjoyed being with them.

Speaking of OES. I got an e-mail from the Eastern Star Web Master. He told me that he has re-done the OES Web Site which I could never get to work and it should be "Mac" compatible now. So I went over to the site and checked it out. It works great. Go here to take a look.

When I got home there was a message from Jon on the answering machine, He has lost his cell phone. Tomorrow we will have to get him another one. Such is life and the way things happen. ARTYAL, Big Hugs, j-bear.

The Things I Get

I love these two pictures. The first one just appeals to my (wicked) sense of humor and the second is the way I feel about my friends.

Speaking of Bridges - Craig Ferguson wrote a very funny book Called "Between The Bridge And The River" That has nothing to do with what I am going to say about him (or with the pictures above but with a little stretching it all fits together) however, it was a nice way of bringing him up. I got an e-mail today (The Things I Get - see, it fits) from Cathy in Massachusetts and she pointed out this article about Craig. It tells about him and the fact that he has now been sworn in as an American Citizen. If you read this Blog regularly you know that Craig is my favorite Television Personality. Congratulations Craig, We are proud to have you as an American Citizen. But don't lose the accent.
RYAL (I am getting lazy and that is my way of putting my usual "tag" Remember You Are Loved in today's post. I may use it from now on. A girl I went out with in college had a bracelet with that engraved on it. It was from her folks and was a reminder to her that they loved her. I thought it was nice then and I think it is nice now. - So now you know where that came from. Just one of those "eclectic things."
Hugs, (and the Hugs is the way Craig, one of my former students signs his e-mail. See nothing original from me.) j-bear There has been an Addendum on the George Washington Carver Post if you are interested. Also check out the Consistory Blog (link on the left) for pictures from last night's event.

Sunday Thoughts

I have to talk about what Jack (Craig's son) said about the best thing about living in Ames was for him. They moved here from Chicago because Craig wanted to raise his family in a more family friendly place than Chicago and a place with a good school system.

I met Craig through the Masons and he and I both belong to a lot of the same organizations. It has been a wonderful experience for me to get to know him and I admire him greatly.

We were talking about an article in the Ames paper talking about the number of students from Chicago who have moved to Ames. It was not necessarily a complimentary article and Craig was wondering if his kids were included in the count.

Jack brought a book along to read since he was sure that he wouldn't be "that" much interested in the adult conversation. It was about King Arthur and I mentioned to him that he could continue to read about King Arthur in various books all through his life. The book he is reading now and as he goes on there are various books on the aspects of the Arthur legend right up until the adult level. I found Jack to be an articulate, intelligent young man. He also plays chess. (I told him that I used to play chess also until I got beaten by a kindergartner - true story.)

Anyway back to the thing Jack likes the most about living in Ames is the "Freedom." He went on to explain that if he wants to play outside, he can! He can also go to the park with his friends. Think about it. Something you and I take for granted is so precious to a second grader.

There are a lot of cultural advantages to living in Chicago. I have always loved visiting there. The Art Museum and the stores are wonderful. The places to eat are out of this world. I can still taste the roasted garlic I had in a restaurant one time I was in there with Jonathan. (That was the time I came back from my meetings to the hotel room and Jon was not back from his excursion to the Museum. I worried for about an hour and a half. Of course he wasn't worried. He was just enjoying his walk back. Teenagers!)

I know that Craig must miss some things about living in Chicago but raising his family in a place like Ames is more important to him and I admire him greatly for the choices he has made. I also am glad that he came to Ames and that we met through the Masonic Lodge.

So Jack, enjoy your freedom. It was great to meet you and have breakfast with your dad and you and Shane. I am glad you are here! Enjoy your freedom. Hugs, j-bear

A Quiet Sunday - Albert Pike

I spent the day relaxing, reading, visiting my friend Jack Horowitz who is in the Hospital. He seems to be doing well. I also met Ann Clubine who was visiting him. Her Husband and I worked together to set up the Culture Kits and Friendship Fairs in the early 1970's. He was a visionary and I am glad I got a chance to meet her. She and the Horowitz's share grandchildren.

I rented some more movies from Hollywood Video. I seem to be having a Simser Film Festival at the house this weekend.

I have the back porch cleaned off and got some flowers at Holubs to make it nice. The bushes around the back are sending out a nice scent and it was fun to have supper out there with Bailey begging for chunks of chicken.

The movie "Night at the Museum" was fun to watch. The others were heavier and were both foreign language films with subtitles. I stil have two to go.

I am reading "Symbolism of the Blue Degrees of Freemasonry - Albert Pike's ESOTERIKA" transcribed and edited by Arturo de Hoyos. It was sent out by the Scottish Rite Research Society and it was worth the entire cost of the dues. The book is a copy of a book by Pike in which he gives his thoughts about Masonic symbolism. It opens up depths to our degrees and what things really stand for that I had never thought possible. Pike was an incredible thinker and it really shows in this work.

To many the Masonic initiation is straight forward and the explanation of the ritual is enough. For others of us there has to have been a deeper more spiritual meaning and this book points the way to those meanings. Pike spent years thinking about Masonry and studying the underlying meanings of our degrees. Believe me when I say that I will never look on our work superficially again but will continue to look for those deeper meanings.

Pike had two copies of this book made and directed that it not be published or distributed. I am so glad that his wishes were not followed as these ideas should be widely distributed. I am not finished yet and in the preface it suggests reading it twice. I have never been able to finish Pike's Morals and Dogma but this book is very readable and I am getting a lot out of it. I hope others will read it and we can discuss some of the ideas in the book.

All in all a beautiful, restful day. Be happy. Hugs.