SUX

US 69 runs through Ames. In fact when I was in High School we lived right beside it.


Who are these people and why are they on this list?

1969 Gerard Butler, Scottish Actor
1967 Jimmy Kimmel, American Celebrity
1954 Chris Noth, American Actor
1953 Tracy Scoggins, Galveston, Texas, actress, Colbys, Gumshoe Kid
1949 Whoopi Goldberg, Caryn Johnson, New York City, actress, Color Purple, Burglar
1941 Dack Rambo, Delano California, actor, Guns of Will Sonnett, Dallas
1938 Jean Seberg, Marshaltown Iowa, actress, Breathless, Paint Your Wagon
1934 Garry Marshall, New York City, producer, Laverne and Shirley
1922 Madeleine Sherwood, Montreal, actress, Mother Superior-Flying Nun
1922 Oskar Werner, film actor and director, Shoes of the Fisherman, Das Ekel

1906 Hermione Baddeley, England, actress, Camp Runamuck, Maude, Good Life

1856 Justice Brandeis, American Lawyer
1850 Robert Louis Stevenson, Scotland, author, Treasure Island
1833 Edwin Thomas Booth, U.S., U.S. Hall of Fame/actor, Hamlet
1814 Joseph Hooker, Major General Union volunteers
354 Saint Augustine, born in Souk Ahras, Algeria, saint and Doctor of the Church, patron saint of brweers, printers, and theologians

They all share my birthdate November 13.

As such Astrology says:

Scorpios born on November 13 possess a powerful conscience and a strong desire for personal autonomy. Uniqueness is so important that they may adjust their opinions to deliberately conflict with others! They have a natural dignity and are humorous, spontaneous, and often lucky.

Scorpio Information for November 13 You should embrace: Ethics, appreciation, desire You should avoid: Irreverence, ill-will, stress

Friends and Lovers

November 13 people have difficulty making friends. When they do make friends, it is a complicated process.(God knows that is true!) They seem destined to draw criticism of their love affairs. They often pick partners who are different from them in lifestyle, background, or religious beliefs.

{As a rule, Scorpios have few friends but are close to them. Scorpio men and women are loners who look to themselves to solve problems. It is often said that a Scorpio wants to know everyone's secrets but never willingly divulges his own. Scorpio natives have great wisdom and are often sought as life guides, even as gurus.} -truedat

Children and Family

People born on this date have a powerful connection to their upbringing. It is possible that they experienced an emotionally transforming period in childhood, which forever marked their development. They may have felt insecure about their appearance or social standing when little. They are strict parents and never allow their more tender feelings to get in the way of what they perceive to be their parental duty. (Doesn't count - no one I wanted to marry no one who wanted to marry me - no kids - no hassle - )

Health

People born on this date believe in taking control of their physical and spiritual well-being. They often follow the advice of a healer, guru, or spiritual counselor to understand the esoteric nature of life. Being healthy isn't a part-time occupation -- it's a lifetime quest. (That is BS. Health problems have to hit me in the face with a sledgehammer before I take notice.)

Career and Finances

November 13 individuals often follow a circuitous path to career success. They may start out in one field, only to be lured into another through circumstances. This appeals to their love of the unexpected. They are careful about money; their careful handling of assets is often born out of a fear that prosperity will not last. (More BS- I don't pay enough attention. Going under the adage "Divine Love always has met and always will meet every human need - MBE)

Dreams and Goals

November 13 individuals want to achieve success on their terms. They know their talents, but, no matter what they have to offer, they will resist if they cannot do things their way. They strive to achieve a personal best and have no concern for others' opinions. (Again BS, I worry too much about others opinions... but I am getting better.)

Since I was born in 1941 that makes me a

sex·a·ge·nar·i·an

noun \ˌsek-sə-jə-ˈner-ē-ən\

: a person whose age is in the sixties. it is my last year to be a sexy. 69 years old. I can't say that my 6th decade has been all that much fun. In fact it started out as fun. The kids at school (the classes in my wing) all came in accompanied by a pink gorilla with a chocolate cow pie and sang to me.. It was downhill from there on. I had a couple of good years until my sister was in an accident and wound up in a wheel chair and I wound up very ill (600 blood glucose) and in the hospital with diabetes and flesh-eating bacteria and then later with a Charcot condition on my ankle which required ankle fusion surgery. And now one leg is shorter than the other (just call me Ileane). Found out some people I thought were friends were undermining me behind my back and working against me. Probably the beginning of not wanting to trust friends... One of the Lodge Brothers convinced me to come back and be an officer in Lodge so I did and I had fun for awhile but even that has suffered of late and I am no longer enjoying the heaviness of my involvement so I am getting out of some of that.

It sounds like it was all downhill - there were some good things that happened. I was involved with starting a new lodge and a new Rosicrucians here in Iowa, was appointed Intendent General for the Red Cross of Constantine for Iowa and received the Knight Commander Court of Honor for the Scottish Rite, Something I neither expected nor sought but was highly honored to receive. I made a couple of friends and lost others (its complicated) Be all that as it may I just need to pull back and take time for me...and besides with gasoline at almost $3 a gallon there just aren't going to be a lot of trips to Des Moines.

So today is the 69th anniversary of my birth. My sister is having me out to her place for dinner on Sunday but I will work at the Consistory in the morning tomorrow and probably just go to Costco to pick up some butter and get gas and then come home. I was hoping for lunch with a friend but that isn't going to work out. And it is just as well. I don't like my birth anniversary anyway. Never really have. (Don't have it posted on Facebook...people who want to (care enough) can remember it, Others don't need to worry about it.) . There was only one real time I enjoyed it when my friend made me....oh well I won't go there. I have a lot to be grateful for every day of the year and really what more could someone ask...ARTYAL Hugs, j

This n' That

In the midst of snow and ice I thought that a reminder of Spring/Summer to come would be helpful.

Things around here have been hectic. I went to Des Moines on Monday and Tuesday to help out in the Scottish Rite office. There was/is a lot to be done and I enjoyed getting out of the house.

While I was there I went to the Gateway Market on Tuesday and purchased some things I should not have purchased - but those Cranberry bogs with chocolate and carmel are really good. And I limit my intake. So there.

Tuesday night I spent an inordinate amount of time doing the annual report for the Red Cross of Constantine. Now I only have two more to do. But at least one is out of the way.

Last night my Internets were down and the phone was also out. I had to do without the computer. Or at least the Internets access. I actually had to finish my book. I read The Kite Runner byKhaled Hosseini. I really enjoyed the book and am probably going to pick up the second novel by this author... A Thousand Splendid Suns.

Then winter came back. With a vengeance. I hate snow and cold but more to the point I hate ice. (And fear it) - So I cancelled my trip to Des Moines and I missed the Scottish Rite Officers meeting and the York Rite Installation but with ice on the road I made the correct decision. I am not going down there today either and if I go out to Lodge tonight and find ice on the parking lot I will turn around and go home. Not taking a chance with ice. If I fell that would be it. I would have no one to take care of me or the kids.

I downloaded Chrome and I really love it now that I am getting used to it. Instead of opening a new window I open a tab and can navigate back and forth between them. Much faster and more convenient. I am using it for this post but will likely go back to Firefox for most posting as I find there are features there which I like..It is much easier to move jpeg's in Firefox. It probably doesn't matter to you but since this has a lot of pictures on it it makes a difference. Browsers are funny animals. I like Safari for some things, I have to use Netscape for my banking and Firefox is best for composing.

It is interesting all of the things going on in our world. We have a horrendous situation in Haiti with massive amounts of help needed (but tour ships are still stopping there on cruises) Our national government is composed of a group of people who seem to think they were elected to pander to the losers. Mr. Obama we elected you to get things done and keep your promises. we seem to think that a 41 -59 minority can stop everything we wanted you to accomplish. Get real! We also do not seem to understand that the things which happened in the past should have been investigated and prosecuted. Now we are reading about murders which were covered up and made to look like suicides. And with all this going on we fuss about the Leno/O'Brian debacle and David Letterman. It seems as if this is an important piece of news that must be covered 24/7. I just don't get it.

Also we just passed 115,000 and coming in close to 116,000 on the Blog counter and as my friend and brother Craig pointed out we have had readers from every continent. Thanks for coming by..

In the meantime I have things I need to do to get ready for tonight and for tomorrow and Saturday. No rest for the wicked....but first I must check my Facebook. Thanks for stopping by. Hugs, j

Petula Clark at 77 - And some "God thoughts"

Petula Clark still has it. At 77 years of age. Thanks to Americablog for posting this.



I think that it is interesting that some people "fuss with God" about things. They constantly pray to bless food and the hands that prepared it, to protect them on their way home, to change something, to heal someone...

To me I can't do that. Prayer to me is to recognize the Deity who has already created all that was made and found it "very good" - Grandmere Mimi is always putting up a prayer on her blog over at Wounded Bird. Tonight she was blogging about the Episcopal Church and the place of women in the Church. She used the phrase " How long, O Lord? How long?"

The idea that you can sit down and talk to God and ask questions and expect changes to come because of your prayer or question to me misses the mark. In the very first book of the Bible - in the very first Chapter God created everything. He created man and woman and did so in His own image which is an image of Spirit. Man is spiritual, not material, - And it says that this creation was very good. All done and all good. Finished, complete.. So what good is it to ask Him to do more than He has already done. Everything done and in its place.

So what do we need to do. We need to relax and recognize this good and put ourselves in line with God. God is Love. Love, loves - Perhaps that is what we need to do. Love - Ya think? I find that when I turn to thoughts of what God has done and bring myself into line with His revelation whether it come through Jesus, Buddha, Mary Baker Eddy or an off-hand comment of a friend or sometimes just a feeling or a thought that comes into my mind from "somewhere" I ground my being in God and bring myself into line with the Universe I can be calm and feel that love that continually comes to us from our Creator. That is when I no longer have to "ask" God FOR things but rather feel gratitude for all that He has done.

What about "acts of God" we were talking about this at the Secretaries Conference yesterday and it was mentioned that we should use the phrase "act of nature" rather than God. God did not create the earthquate in Haiti to "punish" the people of that country. God does not punish. God loves. These things just happen and we have to get through them and we get through them by loving and sharing and helping one another. We bring ourselves into line with God by loving and caring and sharing. Then we become closer to God and as a result our lives are blessed.

When we condemn and fuss and try to control others we only disturb ourselves. You can hate me all you want and the only one who gets hurt is you. It eats away at you and does no good. Change your "base" and ground yourself in Love. Things will then change for the better.

And by the way God is both make and female. It says in that same book of Genesis that God "created man in his image and likeness, male and female created He them." So when I use He I am not thinking He. When I used to go to Church the Church I went to had a prayer for little children - "Father-Mother God, loving me," The first time I heard it I thought that it meant three people father, mother and God. It did not it meant that God is our Father and our Mother - Therefore to me the place of women in the church should be co-equal with men. We should not have to have these discussions. Women are not property - they are not "owned" by men and it is our job to bring our thinking into line with God's ---- and that thinking is not the Bible verbatim. We need to be discerning readers of the Bible and realize that it was written by men, not dictated by God. At least that is my feelings on the matter.

I can churn out a prayer for a table grace or some other event and sometimes they are pretty good. The true, effective prayer is the one when I "enter into my closet" and commune with the maker of a Universe and feel gratitude and love for all that has been done for me. ARTYAL - Always Remember That You Are Loved. Thanks for stopping by - Hugs.

Miles / Funerals

Miles has one ear that is sticking up.  It is kind of cute but  it should flop down like the other one.

Bailey isn't sure whether he likes it or not.

I was supposed to go to Des Moines tonight for York Rite. Or rather I could have gone to Des Moines tonight for York Rite but decided not to go.  I went out to the Temple and got the material I will need for the Funeral tomorrow and because it was raining and my windshield wiper blade needed replacing and because gas has jumped to $2.54 a gallon and because I was down there last night I decided to stay home.  Doubt anyone will notice anyway.

The whole idea of a Funeral Service for one of our Masonic Brothers got me to thinking about funerals. I am not having a funeral.  Perhaps a Masonic Service if anyone wants to bother but it isn't necessary.  I do not want a religious service.  My great aunt Erma did not want one either and she had specified that in her will.  My father's ex-wife's son (a minister) held a "small service" at the committal because he wanted to. I was not happy when I heard about it.

Funerals are not for the dead, they are for the living and I suppose that it made him happy but it was not what she wanted, it just seems to me to be wrong.  I do know that the people who "sell" funerals will argue with me that it brings closure and is a chance for the family to get together for a reunion and all of that but to me a funeral is worship of a person and I don't think that is right.  I remember watching when Princess Diana died and then closely thereafter Mother Theresa passed.  Big funerals were held for both of them and it seemed as if the entire world was in attendance.  It seemed to me that they were both worship of a person and they were turning them into Gods.

I have been to funerals where the officiant did not even know the deceased.  They were forced to fall back on a "set piece" or a service that would work for everyone.  One funeral service I went to had a friend of the deceased give a talk and he did a marvelous job.  He told more about the life of the deceased than the minister who freely admitted that he did not know him.  Another minister used the funeral as a chance to prosletyze and try to get people to recognize Jesus as their personal savior and be saved.  I don't think that it was appropriate nor was it much comfort for the family.

I don't currently attend a church so for me to have a funeral someone who doesn't know me would have to perform the service.  I can't say I have ever been to a funeral that I liked.  The Masonic Service on the other hand is short, sweet and I do like it...That is I like the one I give not every one of them.

I really like the Jewish concept of end of life .  The burial should be quickly done and people should remember the deceased but they should get on with life.  Of course I intend to be cremated and they don't do that....but that is another post.

Oh and by the way I don't plan on any of this happening anytime soon.  I still have things to do.  Thanks for stopping by Always Remember That You Are Loved.  Hugs j

Musings

I read this today:
From the Existentialist cowboy

Bush has not governed a free people, he has supervised a crime syndicate. He has, thus far, gotten away with it. As a result, American forces are bogged down in an unwinnable war against an enemy of our making in a war begun upon a pack of lies. To what degree do Americans share his guilt by simply obeying the laws and, in passive ways, enabling his criminal, murderous regime?

I recommend that you take the time to click over there and read the entire article.

I took Aunt Jo to the airport tonight. She is flying down to spend 12 days with Amy and Lee and she left on a beautiful day. We got up to 60 degrees today and it was lovely. There was a gal at the airport in just a jacket and I asked her if she liked the weather. She (kind of) grinned and said that this was "Iowa, it'll change." I guess she is right but I saw a lot of melted snow today and I for one am glad. I am still coughing.

Then I stopped at a really neat place. Graziano Brothers, Inc Wholesale and Retail Italian Foods. It has been there since 1912 and I had never heard of it until Tom Dean mentioned it to me in one of his e-mails. I got two kinds of meat, some cheese, olive oil, orange jelly and two kinds of hard candy, mint and anise. The anise is delightful. Not a strong taste at all. So I thank you Tom.

I was asked to attend the Officer's meeting at the Scottish Rite to help out with newsletter writing. Shane asked me to come down and take notes and then write up articles for the newsletter. I was glad to do it and for the most part I felt welcomed. One person obviously questioned my being there and did not think I should have voted on the candidates. You know it is funny. Before he got there I was given a list of the candidates and I said something about my not voting and had been told that yes, anyone who attended the meeting and who was a member could vote. So when I was passed the ballot box I voted. I was proud to do so as I knew some of the members as they belong to Arcadia Lodge.

Later when Shane explained why I was there this person said something about how he did not think I should have voted. I sort of laughed it off but you know really one person can make you feel unwelcome. Even though almost all the guys there were welcoming and friendly I am not sure I want to do it again because of one person. I know he probably would wish I wasn't there but I was asked - I didn't ask and I was there for a reason. I don't know what his problem is but I guess there are just some people who are not going to be my friend - ever. And I guess I should stop trying to be his friend.

It is hard for me to take my own advice. I used to tell my students that one negative person does not have to color their whole experience but it does. The expression on their face or the remarks they make hurt. Whether they mean to or not it hurts. So, as I said I don't know if I want to do it again. I did it tonight, came home and wrote up the notes and sent them in. The officers are a good group of guys and I appreciated having something to do for the Scottish Rite but I don't know. It doesn't seem worth the heartache.

It is just stupid to feel this way. He may not even have known that he hurt my feelings. After Monday's experience with Stephanie and the nice e-mail and comments others made what he said should not have mattered, but it did. One negative thing can really push a person down. I guess it is just payback because I am such a crummy person. Oh well give me time,..

After the meeting I went out to my favorite restaurant, Chef's Kitchen. It was very busy tonight but they had my "usual" table for me. I got the special Meat Loaf and it was really good. I had to bring half of it home with me. Big portions. (and I took two cookies). I had to eat alone but I am still reading Stephanie's book so I guess I had company of a sort. I am used to eating alone.

I am going down to Des Moines for lunch with Matt tomorrow and to The Producers tomorrow night. Wade Sheeler is coming up from Newton to go with us. Friday morning I am having coffee with Wayne and Ken Davis. Ken is Wayne's son and lives in Indiana. He does Prospero's Books but has been relatively inactive lately. I need to post the Wednesday Service for the CS Church and then decide on who I am putting up for Women's History. So busy. ARTYAL, Hugs, j

Dads

Dianne over at Forks Off The Moment has written an incredible post. It tells about the struggle she had raising her son as a single mother and it tells about Everyday Kindness which is something she is trying to live by. I sent her an e-mail and congratulated her on a fine post. (She is so good, I recommend you read her regularly.)

It got me to thinking about my father. He wasn't much of one. Al Simser left my mother for one of his girlfriends when I was about 3 years old. He was a womanizer and he was a salesman who had girlfriends all over the state. I have one memory of him when I was little. He and Doris came up and picked me up and took me for a ride in his convertible. Mom told me later that I called him Al and was already calling my grandfather "Dad." (Which is what my mother and all her sisters called him.) He never came back.

When I graduated from High School I sent him an announcement. I figured the $25.00 a month he sent once in awhile entitled him to at least an invitation. I did get a card back telling me I was welcome to come down to their home any time. I was disappointed.

When I was in college I was dating a really neat girl who had been adopted. She had looked up her birth mother and had a really nice relationship with her. She encouraged me to contact my father, so I did.

I was invited to come to Des Moines (Yes, all this time he had lived 30 miles away from me and never once had he contacted me.) So I went down and met him. I liked his wife, Doris, (the woman he had left my mother for) as she was friendly and a really nice person. Al had raised her two sons and so I guess he didn't need me. Doris told me that he was very strict with them as he thought they were a reflection on him.

I went down several times but I finally figured out that it was always me going down to visit him. I wasn't really invited (except by Doris) and eventually stopped going. I did keep in touch with Doris and enjoyed that contact.

Al left her for a woman he met who lived in Atlantic, Iowa. He did not stop womanizing. My cousin John's wife told me about how he tried to pick her and her girl friend up in a bar in Des Moines and get them to go back to his room for some "fun" - She recognized his last name and asked him if he was related to me. he acknowledged that I was "probably" his son. From then on he became "probably" my father.

Al Simser wasn't really a presence in my life but it probably bothered me that I didn't have him there. I had a father figure in my grandfather who was the finest man I have ever known. I also had some great Uncles who "filled in" as a father. All in all he wasn't much of a person as far as I was concerned.

That is probably why when his third wife invited me down to Atlantic to visit his grave I wrote and told her that since he had chosen not to have a relationship with me in life I chose not to have one with him in death. I suppose I would have liked the emotional closeness that I missed out on by not having a father but I won't ever know. I know I tried once to have a close relationship and it didn't work out and that caused me a great deal of sadness. But all in all I am all right.

I hate it, though, when I see kids who don't have a father in their lives because their father has left their mother for one reason or another. I despise deadbeat dads. I don't like it when I hear about kids who need glasses or something and the mother who is doing her best to raise the little girl who needs the glasses and her sister and brother can't afford them and tells the clerk "I will have to see if her father will pay for them." (She had her glasses the next day but don't tell anyone.)

If I had a lot of money I would start a foundation to help these moms and their kids.

What is it about the male ego that will enable them to justify leaving their wife and kids with nothing just so they can have a 'trophy wife." I can understand two people not being able to stay married but I can't understand not taking care of your kids.

I think I told Dianne that we needed to have people tested before they can have children. If they can't pass the test they can't have the kids. That would really be a "No Child Left Behind" Act. I am sure the Republicans can come up with a test. After all they seem to be able to do it for everything else.

Anyway the one thing I really regret is that I never had any kids. So I adopt other people's if they will let me and that is not often. I get to be an Uncle and a Brother and I guess that is enough. If you have a chance, do something nice for a kid. And do it without hope of fee or reward. And Always Remember That You Are Loved. Hugs, Uncle j-bear

If it isn't one thing it is another.

I seem to have developed something new tinnitus. Such fun - NOT!

I e-mailed my doctor and described my symptoms. He suggested that this was what I have. Now I have yet another doctor's appointment. It is just bothersome and I seem to remeber my grandfather having it. I asked the pharmacist for something to take in the meantime (The doctor appointment isn't until February 25th) and so I have some herbal pills to take, Not much helps so far.

Some of the time I can ignore it completely at other times it is really annoying. Any suggestions would be appreciated.

I hear from the guys at Abiff Apparel that they had a lot more "hits" on their web site yesterday. So did I. 186 to be exact. I am awestruck. It got me to thinking that you might like to send me a paragraph and a picture describing who you are and telling a little about yourself. I could then post it on here and we can get to know each other. I will post my "obituary" which I wrote when I was Grand High Priest so you can know a little about me at the end of this post. (if I can find it)

Also I am pleased to have been "Certified" an an Educational Masonic Site by Pietre-Stones Review of Freemasonry. (I always knew I was certifiable) - Just click on the little stone in the upper left hand corner to be taken to their site to find out about them.

Now the Biographical sketch:

JAY COLE SIMSER

Jay Cole Simser was born November 13, 1941, in Ames, Iowa. For the first ten years of his life he was an only child, but grew up in a large extended family consisting of his mother, grandparents, aunts, uncles, great-aunts and uncles and many cousins. When he was ten years of age, a sister, Ginny, was born, and he has particularly enjoyed the role of big brother.

His elementary schooling was in Ames, and he remembers with fondness the dedicated teachers at Beardshear Elementary School who guided his early years. He graduated from Gilbert High School in 1959, and enrolled in Iowa State University as a business administration major. During this period of his life he taught a Sunday School class at the First Methodist Church in Ames, and because of his work with these young people and in the Methodist Youth Fellowship, he decided he would like to be a teacher.

Jay graduated from State College of Iowa (now University of Northern Iowa) in 1965 with a major in Elementary Education, and has never regretted his choice of a profession. Helping guide our young people is very rewarding to him. The first four years of his teaching career were at the Main Elementary Building in the Linn-Mar School District, Marion, Iowa. During his first year of teaching, Jay joined the Masonic fraternity.

Jay returned to Ames in 1969 and has taught in the Ames Schools ever since. He finished his career teaching sixth grade at the Edwards Elementary School. He retired in June of 2003 after 38 years of teaching.

While in college he was active in the College Players Theater Group and continued this interest after graduation. He enjoyed working in the Cedar Rapids Community Theater, the Ames Community Theater, and the Ames Children's Theater group as a stagehand, performer, and director.

One of his other interests is travel, and he had made good use of those two and a half month summer vacations with trips to both coasts and the southern part of our great land. Jay has visited Canada, and spent three weeks with a friend traveling through Mexico by bus. In 1976 he and twenty-one other teachers from Iowa spent five weeks in Egypt on a work study trip.

Jay 's Masonic career spans four decades. He was raised April 20, 1966 in Trojan Lodge No. 548 in Marion, Iowa. He affiliated with Arcadia Lodge No. 249 in Ames in 1970, where he was master in 1980. He served on the Grand Lodge Youth Committee from 1984 - 1989. He is a member and Past Master of the Iowa Research Lodge # 2 and is currently serving on the Editorial Board. He affiliated with Acanthus Lodge No. 632 in Des Moines in April of 2007. He places a high value on his Masonic associations and counts the Brothers and Companions as a part of his family.

He joined the Ames York Rite Bodies in 1970 and served as High Priest in 1974, Illustrious Master in 1976 and Commander in 1987. He received the Knight of the York Cross of Honour in 1988 He is also a member of the Iowa York Rite College and is a Past Governor and he received the Order of the Purple Cross in 1998. He joined the Scottish Rite in 1976,

He was Grand High Priest of the Grand Chapter of Iowa in 1981 - 1982 and has served as Chairman of the Jurisprudence Committee since 1986. He "retired" from that position in 2006. He was admitted and set apart as a Companion of the Holy Order of High Priesthood in 1974 and was president in 1988-89. He received the Order of the Silver Trowel in 1978 and joined the Iowa Past Commander's Association in 1987.

He joined the Order of the Eastern Star in 1966 and served as Worthy Patron nine times. He was a member of the Galaxy Committee from 1973-1976. He currently serves on the Eastern Star Masonic Home Board in Boone. He became a member of Friendship Court No. 6, Order of the Amaranth in 1977 and was Royal Patron in 1977 and 1989.

He was honored by being elected to membership in St. Bartholomew Conclave, Red Cross of Constantine in 1981 serving as Recorder since 1983 with the exception of 1993 when he was Viceroy and Sovereign. He is also a member of the Topeka Council No. 1 Ancient Toltec Rite.

His work with Masonic Youth began with the Order of the Rainbow for Girls Ames, Assembly where he served as Executive Board Member also serving as chairman. He received the Grand Cross of Color in 1974. He also served Grand Assembly as a member and Chairman of the Grand Executive Committee from 1979 - 1982. He was named a Masonic Ambassador to the Order of the Rainbow for Girls and served as Vice-President of the Iowa Rainbow Foundation. He has served as President of the foundation from 1990 to 2000. He was an executive board member of the Nevada Chapter of DeMolay and is a recipient of the DeMolayHonorary Legion of Honor. He currently is on the Advisory Committee of Cyclone Chapter DeMolay in Ames.

Simser enjoyed his work with young people and with the Ames Community Schools. He served as Chairman of the Language Arts Cabinet for the Ames Schools and the District's Multi-cultural, non-sexist committee. He was active in his education association and is a past president of the Ames Education Association and the Executive Board of Mid-Iowa Uniserv Unit of the Iowa State Education Association. He served as a delegate to the National Education Association’s representative Assembly for 10 years. In 2002 he was named the Wal-Mart/Sam’s Club teacher of the Year and he was twice nominated to “Who’s Who Among American Teachers”.

His (current) favorite quotation is "Each of us has a capacity to help others discover the colors in their very own Rainbow." He hopes that with his work with youth he has helped his students and others to discover those colors.

Additional favorite quotes include:
People who are willing to give up freedom for the sake of short-term security deserve neither freedom nor security. Benj. Franklin
Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming -- "WOW -- What a Ride!"

We are here to be the activity of God expressed in our own unique way. Beca Lewis

So, if you would like to tell a little about yourself sent it to me at JaycoleS@aol.com and I will publish it. Remember you are loved. Hugs, j

Three Pictures from Bob

Bob sent me three more pictures. As always if you want to see them full screen click to make them larger. The first on he entitles "Frozen Diamonds" I would rather see pictures of spring flowers peaking through the snow but this will have to do. I will exercise my imagination for the flowers, and the green grass, and the blue, blue sky with a bright yellow sun.
Next a picture of a distinctive weathered old barn. Great shot. Did you ever go to the farm as a kid and get to play in a barn? My aunt and uncle famed in Adel, Iowa and we would go down there for Easter and sometimes at other times during the year. Fran and Harold were a lot of fun. Fran was mother's older sister and she knew how to be a hostess. Their farm was several miles west of Adel on a (then) gravel road. There was an old farm house with lots of room for all of the relatives and a barn. We would go to the barn to play. I can still see the "hay dust" floating in the sunlight that seeped in through the cracks in the barn. We would take hay bales and build forts and swing from ropes and have a great time. Sometimes there were cattle in the barn and it was a great place to explore.

I also remember a barn which my great uncle had behind his house at 522 Crawford. I got into trouble there but then I was only 3 or 4 years old. I had climbed a long ladder to get into the barn. My great-aunt had to get me to come down. Another time I was found hanging over some farm equipment which would have hurt me greatly had I fallen. You know it is a wonder I survived.
Speaking of survival. Bob sent this photo of our resident Sandhill Crane. The Cranes usually flock together but somehow this little guy got left behind and is stopping over in Ames at Lake Laverne. He is visiting Lancelot and Elaine (our two swans) who are there year around. Sandhill Cranes are interesting birds and if you have never seen them it is worth the drive to the Platte River in Nebraska when they are migrating. National Geographic has a Cranecam which is live when they are migrating. Right now they are showing highlights. It is worth a look - of course, you have to wait through a short commercial but you can do that. The hope is that he will survive to rejoin the flock. In the meantime he is with a murder of crows. They go out together to the fields to get corn during the day.

You can read my poem about crows here. You can read a much better poem about a type of crow here. The Raven by Edgar Allen Poe. And you can get some answers to Frequently asked questions about cows here. What all of this has to do with Bob's pictures is beyond me but that is just the way it worked out.

As another side bar which has nothing to do with the pictures but I am in the mood to ramble this morning (keeps me from doing my work) Jon was over last night (until 1:30) and we were talking about the movie The Golden Compass which he has finally seen and is now a convert. I told him how he could make his own daemon by visiting the movie site and he asked me about mine so I started to look for the post. If I click "Return to the list of Posts" on the page where I make the post it will take me to a list of all the posts and then I can scroll through them to find the one I want. He suggested that I just Google Bailey's Buddy The Golden Compass. You know, by golly, he is one smart nephew. It worked and that is how I was able to get the link for the 522 Crawford and the Crow Poem for this post. So from now on when I want to find something old I can use Google. If you just Google Bailey's Buddy you get a lot of other "stuff" but this way sure beats scrolling through a list.

By the way Happy Birthday to Louis Carroll and Brother W.A. Mozart.

I laughed and learned something yesterday so in addition to everything else it was a very, very good day. Hugs, You are loved. j

(My) Ark of the Covenant

The Ark of the Covenant (ארון הברית in Hebrew: aron habrit) is described in the Bible as a sacred container, wherein rested the stone tablets containing the Ten Commandments as well as other sacred Israelite objectsFor some reason I got to thinking about the Ark lately. The Royal Arch Degrees of Most Excellent Master and the Royal Arch both involve a representation of the Ark.

According to the degree the Ark contained a pot of manna, Aaron's rod and the Book of the Law. All sacred things to the ancient Israelites and proof to them that God exists and had made a covenant with them.

I got to thinking about what was in my Ark. The one in my heart. The one full of the treasures which prove to me that God IS.

I was sitting in the First Methodist Church today for Sherry Allen's funeral. I grew up in that church and as I sat there I looked around the sanctuary. The picture of the good shepherd dominates the room. It depicts Jesus carrying a small lamb. Funny I had never noticed before the way the light in that picture emphasizes the lamb's head. Almost as if it had a halo. On the other wall smaller but just as meaningful is a stained glass of the risen Christ. Underneath that glass is the phrase, "God is Love. Those three words say it all. Not for me the God of blood and vengeance. Not the God who destroys or turns Lot's wife into a pillar of salt. Just quite simply the God which Jesus shows us. The one who LOVES and does not condemn.

My Aunt Jo told me that my grandmother believed that we make our own heaven or hell right here on earth. I believe that. God sends us constant Love and all we have to do is tap into that Love and miracles happen in our heart.

Obviously another item in my Ark is my Lodge. The brothers and the way I feel about them and the good that we try to do is a major portion of my life right now. I am (and always will be) extremely grateful that my mother suggested to me that I "might enjoy the Masons." She had no idea. (and neither did I.)

The public school system that taught me how to read and reason is another "treasure" in my ark. I will always be grateful for the teachers I had who encouraged me in so many ways and helped me to grow. I hope I was able to pay back some of that in my years of teaching. Speaking of those years all of the students and colleagues and parents (and yes even some of the administrators) are in there.

The beauty of the many sunsets (and a few sunrises when I have had to haul my hind end out of bed) are also there. I don't care how bad things get when God paints me a sunset the world becomes a beautiful place once again. Along with that all of the beauty of nature and the changing seasons are in my ark. From the smallest microbe to the turkey vulture and the elephant I see wonder and beauty.

I add some special friends to my ark (you know who you are) who support me through all of my real (and imagined) ups and downs. You are the best and the bond we have is a cable-tow I am proud to wear.

I also need to be sure to put the members of my family in there. I have been very fortunate to have been born into the family (clan) that I belong to. They are the best and I would not trade them for anything. The connection is real and I know I can count on them as they can count on me.

All of the pets that have shared my life prove to me that there is a loving God. For most of my life I have been able to share it with a dog and for awhile a cat or two. I remember them and miss those who are gone but I know that they, each and every one, were/are here for a purpose and that purpose is to show us what God's love is all about. I mean, really, have you ever been greeted at the door by a tail wagging and a tongue ready to kiss.

I also keep music in my ark. Our world would be a boring place without music. Right now I am listening to Christmas music and it is beautiful. Music enriches my life and it leads to DANCE. Even if you can't you should. Dance, that is . Just listen to the music and move. People may look at you strangely but so what! If you bring a smile to their faces you have improved the world. And that is a good thing.

I am sure there is a lot more in my Ark (after all I am old and have avoided being eaten in my 66 years) but that is enough for now. Notice that I don't have gold or jewels or money in there. If my house burned down tonight (heaven forbid) I would still have my ARK and all of the treasurers would be safely deposited therein. Safe for all time

Hunker down and enjoy the week-end. I have movies and books and music and my computer. Hugs, j

Illness

I seem to have an illness. I think it is called bookitis. I never seem to have enough of them.

A person who shall go unnamed sent me an e-mail yesterday and told me about a book. He wrote:

I have a book to recommend. It's not a new book, but it has just been re-released on its five year anniversary. It is Lamb, by Christopher Moore. It is funny, irreverent, bawdy, and has a real message. (Did I say it was funny?) If you have ever read anything by Moore, you will know that his humor is outstanding and side-splitting. Anyway, this is a first person story of the life of Jesus, as told by his life-long pal Biff. It fills in all those years between the time when he needed to be about his father's work and when he began his ministry, at least as documented in the recognized scriptures.

I read this book when it first came out, and just about hurt myself laughing at times. And I really thought that Christopher was in danger of being assaulted by the religious right. But I loved it. Anyway, the new version has a leather (fake I suppose since the book isn't all that terribly expensive) cover, a nice little ribbon place holder, and looks a lot like a skinny Bible. It also included a new afterword, which I shamelessly read while standing in Barnes and Noble. (Heck, they wouldn't have minded if I sat down and read the whole book, as long as I bought a cup of coffee.) Anyway, in the new afterword, he talks about his experience writing the book, and his fears that he would be pilloried for it. But he said the response has been wonderful. With the exception of three people, and perhaps he exaggerates, he said that everyone wrote that they loved the book but assumed that everyone else would hate

Well, I had to go down to Des Moines today for an Eastern Star Masonic Home Board Meeting. and then I had to pick up my suit which was altered (made smaller :~)) and as I was already close I went out to Costco to buy gas (13 cents a gallon cheaper than Ames) and of course, I was going right past Barns and Noble I decided to stop in to check it out.

I usually buy my books at Borders but I love Barns and Noble and am so glad they don't have one in Ames. But I went in, followed the lady up the stairs and came away with a bill of $82.
When I am in the poor house I wonder what boiled book will taste like?

It is not as if I needed the books, I have about 10 lined up to read and another 10 that I bought and put in a pile for when I run out of the books I really want to read. See what I mean, it is an illness. I do share them when I have finished and I enjoy doing that but - - -- oh, what the heck, I enjoy them, I don't have anybody but me to spend my money on and it doesn't hurt anyone. I don't know of any pills to take for a cure so I will stop worrying about it and in the meantime I have a book to finish before I can start the new ones. Hugs, j-bear

Monday Musings

OK, I rode the exercise bike this afternoon. General Hospital was putting me to sleep and I needed to stay awake. I am a little sore from Saturday's ride so I did not ride as fast. But it was all right.

I had lunch with the Edward's retired teacher's bunch today. They are a good group and I enjoyed the lunch. We ate at Gateway and I had a Mediterranean salad.

I am catching up on some Secretary/Recorder things but it will probably take me until tomorrow. I have DeMolay board tonight so I am going to that.

Last night I went to bed at a reasonable time. Bailey brought his Birthday present to bed with him. While I watched CSI:Miami he played with it. I thought he would settle down when I turned off the light but pretty soon he was down on the floor and "worrying" it and growling and fussing. So, of course, I had to get up, put on my "boot" and go to find out what was wrong. The ball was stuck under a small brass bound chest and he "had" to have it. Well he didn't get it. I dug it out and it had to spend the night in the hallway by itself. Needless to say it had me awake and I was awake for about another hour. I did sleep until 8:00 AM this morning. (Thank heaven I do not usually have to get up in the night). I have a new book to start toight and just finished a great one. Leave Myself Behind by Bart Yates of Iowa City. (Don't ask to borrow it.) I am waiting for three more that I ordered and am going to Borders to look for one that was advertised in the New Yorker.

You may ask me why I don't use the library more? (Then again you may not) The last time I went there I got a book, was excited to read it and then had to take it right back. It had previously been borrowed by a smoker and it reeked like the bottom of an ashtray. As most of you know I am an a-hole about smoke so I sprayed it with Fabreeze and took it back to the library.

Last night I wrote a new poem and Jon was over.

Be loved, Hugs, jcs

Imagination

Imagination

My friend Ken Davis has this posted on his blog

23 AUGUST 2007
A practiced imagination

"I would rather have in my science class a young person who was raised on fairy tales and Harry Potter than a person who spent elementary school science classes measuring the growth of bean sprouts in styrofoam cups on the classroom window sill. We all know that bean sprouts need sunlight and water; that's common sense. But it requires a practiced imagination to appreciate the spinning loom of the DNA that makes the plants what they are. . . ."
--Chet Raymo, Science Musings
Posted by Kenneth W. Davis

I, of course, have copied it here because I totally agree with it.

(Speaking of Harry Potter, my copy has been returned and is available for loan - I also got my (signed) copy of Solomon's Builders back and it too, is available)

Science is fun and it is fascinating but imagination is most important, even in Science. In fact, the people who have (and use) imagination are extremely important to everything. Where would we be without it?

I think that imagination is the greatest gift our creator has given to us. Animals can appreciate many things and even express intelligence and love but I am unaware of instances where they have expressed imagination.

Because of imagination we have been able to create and accomplish much. In our lodge R.W. Brother Bill Yungclas gives a lecture on the trowel. Part of it mentions the creations of the beaver, the spider and the bee. He talks about the incredible creations of the beavers dam and the spider's web. Then he mentions that man came out of the caves and began to build in the sun. (obviously, you know I am paraphrasing here) He says - "In man there was a divine spark." That divine spark is imagination. Because of the architect's imagination we have been able to create giant cities and beautify our world. We have built highways that connect our cities. We were able to build machines which can carry us around the world quickly and efficiently. We have even been able to take a trip to the moon.

Sometimes that imagination operates in an individual. Leonardo Da Vinci comes to mind. The Museum of Science in Boston has a web site where you can learn more about him or you can just look at the picture to see some of the incredible results of his imagination.

When I read a book I use my imagination to bring it to life in my mind. I fill in the blanks and actually make it more vital and vivid than just the words on the page would allow. I draw pictures in my head and the experience is more wonderful. I always prefer to read a book before I see the movie based on that book. I think perhaps that people who do not read much have poor imaginations.

In our Lodge work the candidate is blindfolded. This enables him to use his imagination as he undergoes the initiatic experience. I think the experience becomes much more meaningful because of his being blindfolded. Otherwise he would be distracted by looking around the room and seeing a bunch of guys (thank me for not saying "old men") sitting around watching him and the initiation takes place mostly in his mind.

Imagination also works in group settings. People working together bounce ideas off one another and can accomplish more as a team than otherwise. In fact, some say that TEAM stands for Together Each Accomplishes More.

Back to Harry Potter for a moment. J. K. Rowings used her imagination to put together a world of wizards, witches, magic and muggles. She has entertained millions of us (and become very rich) by using her imagination. She along with others who have used their imaginations have greatly enriched our lives.

I had a student named Craig once. He used to sit and look out the window. He was using his imagination. Unfortunately, I couldn't let him do that all day so we developed a signal to bring him back. I would use the word "butterfly" and he would get back with what we were doing. Not a terribly creative way do do it but it worked.

Another unfortunate thing about imagination is that we can imagine things about others which are not factual about them. People used to make assumptions about me because I was obese (lots bigger than I am now) - Actually inside I have always been thin. (That was using my imagination.) You can also imagine that they like or dislike you when in actuality you don't really know. Even when they tell you one thing they may mean another. So imagination can be a bad thing. You can see someone on the street and assume that they are a danger to you when they are really not (or vice versa). So, imagination can also get you into trouble.

We would not have our world as we have it today without imagination. It was the imagination of the pioneers that brought them to this continent just as it was the imagination of their predecessors that kept them close to land and away from the "monsters" of the sea. It was the imagination of the founding fathers which enabled them to build our system of government. They took ideas from here and there and put them together in their imaginations and built them into a system that (for the most part) works.

Sometimes imaginings are beneficial sometimes they are not. I think we have to test our ideas in our minds and in reality and try them out.

Some of the things which we need to set our imagining to are:

Global warming and the environment. We can no longer imagine that these are not real problems or that they do not effect us. We dare not ignore them any longer.

Peace and prosperity for all. There are far too many places in the world where there is fighting or the people do not have enough to eat. The world can sustain its population but we will have to cooperate and use our imagination to solve the problems.

Renewable and sustainable energy. Let's face it folks the world is eventually going to run out of fossil fuels. This problem can also be solved if we work together but we have to decide it is in our best interests to do so.

Religious differences. One of the biggest problems with religion is that people seem to think that they have the only way to salvation and that everyone has to believe the same things. Some of these differences just need to be released. In the Masonic Lodge each person has his own conception of Deity. We do not discuss religion in the Lodge. The world needs to be more like that. I don't really think the God cares if we are a Catholic, a Methodist or even a Buddhist. There is enough diversity in the world that we just need to find some way to live and let live.

Let's put our imagination to work on things which will help solve the world's problems. It can be done. If we believe (as did the Mayans) that the world will end in 2012 then we don't need to take any action. If we don't believe that (and I am one who does not) then we really need to use our imaginations to work together to make this world a better place.

Be loved. Hugs, J

Monday Mutterings

Visit to the Doctor

I went to see the Doctor this morning. Ever since I got back from Grand Chapter and Council (as regular readers of the Blog will know) I have not been feeling right. The head ache and general "punk" feeling was accompanied by a gradual raise in my blood sugar. He is not sure. It could be caused by stress or a viral infection. I had to have blood drawn and pee in a cup and he will call me later. In the meantime I still feel crummy. Blood pressure was a little high but he was not concerned about that. He is going to call me when the results are in.

The good news is that I got weighed and I now weigh less than 300 lbs. Down 14 pounds since May 14. I have lost 68 pounds since last August. That along with the continually shrinking waist line gives me hope. Perhaps by next year (If I live that long) I will have gotten down to the 190 I would like to be. Then people can ask me if I am ill.

My friend Maryjane who lives in Minnesota sent me this in one of her e-mails:

"It certainly is great to be getting to our
golden years. A guy told me, that the only thing
golden about our golden years, was our urine! I think
he may have a good point"

I told it to the lab technician who took my blood (and other fluids) and she laughed. Maryjane and I are the same age (almost)

Masonic Honors

The only thing I have ever asked for in Freemasonry was to start through the line in Blue Lodge. A lot of good things have happened to me along the way. I was asked to be a District Deputy Grand High Priest and a grand officer later and eventually to start through the line to be a Grand High Priest. Along the way I received the Rainbow Grand Cross of Color, The Honorary DeMolay Legion of Honor, the General Grand Council Youth Medal and especially the Red Cross of Constantine.

My friend, Jerry Marsengill, had been denied that honor and before I accepted it I asked him whether or not I should accept it. Jerry was a great friend and mentor and I still miss him. He told me to take it because they would never offer it again if I turned it down. So I did. He also told me that there were some Masons who would find out what you wanted and do their best to deny it to you so never let anyone know if you wanted something.

Over the years I have watched this phenomenon and I know it is true and not just in Masonry. Be that as it may, I never asked for anything because, quite frankly, I have never cared. There is only one honor in Freemasonry that I care about and that is being called friend and Brother. unfortunately that honor is sometimes taken from me and when that happens it hurts. So I take myself out of the situation.

I have watched as people who want something "suck up" to those in a position to give them an appointment and have been on the receiving end of that situation. It was amazing to me how many "friends" I had who disappeared once I was finished being Grand High Priest. Sometimes, however we make a friend in Lodge who is good enough to stand by you no matter what. I cherish those friends above all others.

The Scottish and York Rites both have a system of "honors" In the York Rite there is an honor called the KYCH. You have to work to get it. It means that you have been the Worshipful Master, High Priest, Illustrious Master and Commander of your local bodies. Sometimes it can take years to work your way through all of these. If you have been the Grand (whatever) you can have a grand Quadrant on your honor. I have seen Brothers who have all four Grand Quadrants on their KYCH medals. That is quite an accomplishment.

There is also the York Rite College Purple Cross and in the Grand Chapter, Council and Commandery there are other awards given out once a year. One in the Chapter is the Knight of the Royal Arch. One of these was presented to Charlie Smithson this year. The other is the General Grand Chapter Bronze Medal. One only is given per year. This year it went to David Dryer. David is a tireless worker in both the York and Scottish Rite. Any honor he gets is well deserved, as was Charlie's. I congratulate both of them.

Another award given is the T.S. Parvin Award I am especially proud of it because I thought it up and gave the first one. It is distinctive because it cannot be given to someone who has gotten a Grand Office or the KCCH or 33rd degree in Scottish Rite. (that was Jerry's idea and I totally agree with it.) Some of the recipients have gone on to become Grand Officers but not before they received the honor.

I get the Message

Sometimes it takes me awhile but eventually I figure out when someone has "dropped" me or doesn't want me to be around. If I like someone I am willing to forgive and forget much. Sometimes I just "don't get" the message and keep trying to be a friend. Eventually I have to give up. I had a person I thought was a friend and she stopped responding to e-mails and so I just quit. If I call her on the phone we can have a nice conversation and I know from what is said that she has gotten the e-mail so I have to drop that line of communication. It is hard to have a friendship die but I guess maybe that person wasn't a real friend after all. Eventually I get it and stop trying. I think sometimes that my only real friend is Bailey. (Stop the Pity Party jay, no one really cares.)

Alexander McCall Smith

Click above to go to his Web Site

Over the week-end I read three books ( I do that when I need to escape) and the best one was "The Careful Use of Compliments" by Alexander McCall Smith. Over the years I have read many of this Scottish author's books. This one was a great one and gave me a lot to think about regarding friendships, etc. He must have written it just for me. And a higher power must have seen to it that it got into my hands just when I needed some of the ideas in it. I highly recommend his books.

Hopefully everything works out the way everyone wants it and you get all the honors you want and can read all the books you want. (I now have three more Smith books to find) and you can enjoy good music and the love of friends. You are loved, Hugs, j

P.S.
For the Groucho Marx fans, I added some of his one-liners below the You Tube movies. You may wish to scroll down to read them. j

Prayer

In the Royal Masters Degree of the York Rite one of the participants gives the following prayer. (It's not ritual so it is OK to share - Highlights mine.) I think it is one of the most beautiful I have ever heard. It says in part:

Let me do my work each day and if the darkened hours of despair overtake me, may I not forget the strength that comforted me in the sadness of other times...

Spare me from bitterness and from the sharp passions of unguarded moments. Though the world know me not, may my thoughts and actions be such as shall keep me friendly with myself. Lift my eyes from the earth and teach me the uses of the stars. Forbid that I should judge others lest I condemn myself...

Give me a few friends who will love me for what I am and not for what little I may possess. and though age and infirmity overtake me and I come not within sight of the castle of my dreams, teach me still to be thankful for life and for time's olden memories that are good and sweet, and may the evening's twilight find me gentle, still. Amen

I am not sure I have ever understood prayer. I go to meetings where prayers are given and so often the prayer turns into a "sermonette" telling us how to behave or what to believe. These prayers do not seem sincere to me and turn me off. Other times the prayers are given in a perfunctory manner or (in the case of the Lord's prayer) recited so quickly that there is no time to think about the meaning behind the words.

I was at a High-Twelve meeting and the prayer (table grace) given was so obviously given as a political prayer that it really turned me off for that organization.

Prayer can be many things. Prayer before a meal is a prayer of gratitude (or should be in my opinion), one of thanks for the meal about to be eaten. In a Masonic meeting the ritual prayer asks that harmony and brotherhood be present at the meeting and at the end of the meeting we ask God's blessing on all regular Masons. Ritual prayer becomes just that ritual. Many people do not even listen to ritual.

Prayer of gratitude (thanksgiving)
Prayer of acknowledgement (God is with us and we ask for a blessing)
Prayer of petition (we ask for something)
Prayer of teaching (putting the prayer givers views/beliefs/ onto the listener)

To me I guess that prayer to be effective should be silent, contemplative prayer which brings us into line with the Creator. I don't think that God sits in heaven and cares what stance we take when we pray, nor whether or not we are in a church or on our knees or crossing our hands over our breasts. I think the prayer that is the most effective is the one that puts us in touch with the Deity and it can be given any time, any where, and in any position.

I used to see a lot of people bow their heads in restaurants and obviously say a prayer before their meal. I guess that is all right but I wonder if they were really doing it for themselves or to put themselves up before the world to say "look at how pious I am." (didn't Jesus say something about "When you pray enter into your closet." ?)

I also think that quiet, listening prayer gets answered. I feel that the answer to our prayers comes to us with the still, small voice. Not in a whirlwind or fire but in the quietness of listening.

Some cultures have Prayer wheels that are supposed to send up constant prayers to the Deity. Sorry guys, I just don't think that works. In fact, I don't think most of the things we call prayer really work.

Prayer works when it is sincere, quiet and when we listen for the answer. the prayer above works. But it works because it brings me into line with what I truly want and grounds me in reality. I can forget about fantasies and pipe dreams. I'm not going to win the lottery and if I did how would that change me. (I suppose I could give away more and travel more but really who cares) It certainly won't fix damaged relationships. (That is what I am currently praying for but I don't think it is going to happen). But it does help because it puts things in perspective. It was written, by the way by Max Ehrmann who also wrote Desiderata which is also worth reading and pondering. I love the first part of it:

Go placidly amid the noise and haste,
and remember what peace there may be in silence.
As far as possible without surrender
be on good terms with all persons.
Speak your truth quietly and clearly;
and listen to others,
even the dull and the ignorant;
they too have their story.

I am going to start remembering how to do those things and worry about getting inner peace and not from others. Perhaps that will help.

By the way you might find this interesting. They have discovered a star with a tail like a comet.
just one more piece of evidence that the Universe is a fascinating place in which to live.


Remember you are loved. Hugs, j