On Friday....

I wanted to blog about something lovely today.  It's a hot, summer Texas day and the Mr. and I have been down sick.  There's something extra dreadful about being sick in the summertime, but he took really great care of me and then when he got sick, he managed pretty well.  He might say I took care of him, seeing how he's nice and all that, but I really didn't.  I was still sick and he just got better.  It's good to have things closer to normal, I have to say. 

Last night while we lay in bed getting some actually restful sleep, a tragedy occurred in Aurora, Colorado.  Someone came into a theatre, tossed a couple of cannisters of noxious gas and started shooting.  At this time it's been reported that 12 people died and 59 others remain wounded.  I don't know why things like this happen, but it's horrible.  One might suppose that someone who had a successful academic record and was on his way to a Ph.D. wouldn't do something like that, but he apparently was in the process of changing directions and took a really wrong turn.  I'm less interested in the details of what was going on in his mind and why he did what he did, than I am in the lives of those who have been cut short or suspended in this nightmare.  It will take longer than forever to heal.

We offer our most sincere condolences and prayers for healing peace.

Shawn & SGTex

****

It's not that complicated....

....but on most days, it's easier said than done.  For adults, anyway ;~).

I had no idea what to blog about today, but felt compelled to stop by and come up with something. 

Live....

The 4th of July came and went.  I heard that our local fireworks were great.  We have decided that grilled salmon should be an annual event in our back yard.  It was yummy (thanks, Mr!!) and we nearly polished it off with some toasted sandwiches last night with our popcorn ;~).

I guess that's about it for now about living. 

Laugh....

Well, the usual stuff.  Bizarro comics, CNN news, the Havanese Hellboys and just generally silly stuff can give us a much-needed laugh in the midst of the workaday world.  His days are workadays.  Mine are just times to hang out and make plans to make myself useful ;~).  I do appreciate not having to put in those hours that way (thanks, Mr!)...and I am in the planning process of making plans for some good things to do.  Hey!!  Don't laugh!!!  ;~)

Love.... 

Well, I'm learning all sorts of new and different and old things about loving.  And if I said more than that, I might give you ideas.  Hey, you go get your own ideas!!  There is much to be appreciated about loving.  Any more to say about that?  It'd be TMI.

Au revoir pour le moment, les gens dans l'amour

Shawn
****

Our Saturday night special....

.... is about to start here in Texas, and SGTex is getting ready to fire up the grill for our picnic-and-a-movie night. 

WYMM Day (Will you marry me?) has come around again.  I can't believe it's been 7 years since that fateful day back in 2005 when everything changed in an amazing, exciting way for both of us. 

We've decided to do something different and make it a stay-at-home celebration.

Not a lot of news for us, other than high temperatures and sunny skies.  It's hot out there, but not as hot as it was last week.

We sure feel sorry for those who are really enduring the high temperatures and having storms and wildfires and such traumatic events in their lives.  We are truly blessed.

Enjoy the rest of your weekend!!  (Thanks for asking me that big question way back when, Mister.  I'm glad you did!)

Shawn & SGTex
****

Je vous remercie! Děkuji vám! Tak! Kiitos! მადლობა!

To those probably really nice people who have left us messages that say stuff like:


"I want a blog just like yours!"

"How can I have a blog like this?"

"This is great, but where can I learn how to make my blog look exactly like your blog?"

Thank you very much.

Anyone who wishes to have a weblog is free to do so, can do so, and no doubt will do so, with your own crazy style and creativity. ...

Flattery will get you just about anywhere....except published as a comment on our blog, if you wish to pay us such nice compliments anonymously.

Sorry, but we really do sincerely thank you.


Shawn & SGTex
****

Summer Solstice....

......Seattle style!

Color our world....

Isn't it something, how you can put these colors together on a fence-top? 

But you'd never wear them at the same time, or paint a house these colors, (unless you live in Astoria, OR or at the beach), or decorate your home in these colors, (well, I might, given some cash and plenty of seating for silk pillows)...

I guess I just went and unmade my point.  LOL!!  I'm kinda like that sometimes.

This just impressed me, and I'm wishing our backyard fence line was bursting with blooms....

What else it brings to mind is how you can put all sorts of people from different races and backgrounds together and come up with something really special...I suppose that might only happen if the people had been tended like flowers (as in brought up carefully and with a certain amount of concern and love, not just allowed to grow up like weeds).  There've been a couple of occasions lately when the people I thought would act reasonably and with some conscience and manners and broadminded tolerance turned out to have apparently little to no raising (rearing) and, as adults, turned out to act like children...bratty children!!  Maybe some people grow up in years and then act out, because there's nobody tending their behavior any more.  It never fails to surprise me when that happens.  But for every one or two unpleasant people I lose, I seem to gain two or three very nice people who fill the empty spots, and that makes me very happy.

I hope some of that made sense.

Actually, there's nothing highly newsworthy to report, other than I've been busy at the desk not working, but studying on a big project.  SGTex is doing all the important stuff around here and making things happen.  I look forward to seeing some of his writing here on the blog before too long. 

The pups are good.  Seamus' little eye has healed beautifully and he and Sebastian have fun out in the big back yard.  Sebastian chases squirrels and Seamus chases Sebastian and keeps up on the dogs across the alley pretty well.  Sasha the Persian kitty is as sweet as ever.  It's become evident that she taunts the Hellboys and actually wants to be chased.  Haha!

It's hot out there, and beautiful.  More blooming goes on in Texas in summer heat than I could have imagined.  But I said that already this time last year, and the year before that.

Yes, I'm still madly in love with Texas!!  Enjoy your part of the planet.  Welcome to all our new blog friends and may you all have a wonderful week.

Namaste'......
Shawn
****

Somewhere Down in Texas

Hey....It's May....

I was sitting here wondering how the heck it got to be May....and what to blog about....and I fell asleep.   The thunder and lightning had that effect on me.  Then it started raining....  It's not a soft, Washington rain that we'd get on the coast.  This is a Texas cloudburst, pounding down, and there's nothing peaceful or soothing about it.  ;~)   It's very welcome, however. 

And falling asleep didn't clear my mind of all the thoughts that have been cluttering it all up, keeping me from knowing what to say here.

Baby Seamus looks great now.  His eye is all healed up and he seems to be as good as new.  It's fun to see him all happy and rompy again, leaping off the kitchen porch without any hesitation and racing over to the fence to peek (and bark) at the neighbor's dog.  I'm so glad that's all over with.  He doesn't seem to mind a bit that he's got such a summer hair cut, lol.   Sebastian is getting slowly trimmed (when I'm not looking), so before too long, they'll both match, I guess.  I'm trying to not be alarmed and actually hesitate to say anything out loud about the fact that these are Havanese "silk" dogs.... ;~)  Actually I'd better not mention that, as I'm the one who's likely going to be expected to keep them well brushed when it does grow back out, and that's nearly a full-time job, lol.

We had the National Day of Prayer here in our town, as usual, at the sweet little park with a wall-of-waterfall...Well, it wasn't actually "as usual," as this year was the first time the interfaith council allowed for pagan participation.  There was one stipulation about that, to which I don't actually agree:  The word "pagan" is to be replaced with the term "earth-based spirituality" in order to be acceptable to the council.  The reason for this, the council claims, is that the term "pagan" will make the townspeople too uncomfortable, and the people aren't ready for it.  Interestingly, the term was used at least twice in the local newspaper (about me having a speaking engagement), and there was no uproar about it.  Oddly enough, the person doing the most complaining about the term, in fact, apparently used the objectionable word "pagan" in a short club notes article preceding my speaking engagement.  What?  LOL

Anyway, I had SGTex (who is SGI Buddhist) offer the prayers I'd selected at the ceremony.  He'd put in all the time and effort and had been faithfully standing up for the disenfranchized, unwelcome outsiders all these years, encouraging the council to try on an attitude of inclusiveness and he kept speaking up, making sure people remembered that there are more Americans of different faith traditions and chosen paths than just those deemed worthy to sit on the council by the few who started it way back in the day.  I'm proud of him for that.  Don't you find it a bit ironic that an "interfaith" council excludes religions or philosophies which don't fit their particular picture?  There's been a lot of discussion behind closed doors and behind our backs (haha) about it.  A few got pretty hot under the collar and a couple were downright unpleasant about it all.  I suppose it's a bit disturbing that we've talked to people who, in the past, were snubbed and shunned by the council members and who were told their beliefs weren't a good fit.  Can you imagine turning somebody away who wants to participate, telling them they just won't do?  What??  Well, things just might start to brighten up around here.  Some light will be shed and some clerical collars will be loosened up a bit, perhaps.  We shall see.... I've been scolded and told I'd better show up and pay up and have something to say, when the time comes.  Okay.  They asked for it.  I'll do my best to accommodate.  ;~) 

So, the rain is letting up now.  I hope the rest of the month brings good things to all who pass by here, and that we will be blest.

Let's see if we can do something good for this planet which has been so good to us.

Namaste....

Shawn
****

Earth Day 2012......

Enjoy!!!

Can you find.....

....the mistakes?

If we were on Facebook, I suppose this would say something like, "If you can find the mistakes, click "like" and share."  LOL!

I don't know about you, but sometimes it gets a bit much, all the bubble-gum psychology and self-analysis and self-worth stuff that flies around the Internet and elsewhere.  That is, until it touches a nerve and hits home.  That's when every time something like this pops up, I seem to be saying, "Yeah, right!"  LOL

Not a whole lot has been happening here.  Funny, as I say that, I'm reminded of a communication I received the other day via e-mail that stated "nothing new going on" and "not much exciting," in spite of the fact that there had been something new and exciting going on.  Or at least I would have thought so.....A major life event was being celebrated....or so I thought...I'd have been hard put to say there was "nothing going on" if it was happening to my loved one.  Wait, it was!  I am beginning to suspect I wasn't supposed to know about it.  Or maybe THAT person didn't know about it, so would naturally be saying there wasn't anything new happening.....Hmmm....."This is too convoluted.  On to the next blog," you say?  Well, it is pretty convoluted trying to keep ahead of who isn't supposed to know what about which family member is having something going on...Nevah mind.  I just had to get that little vent taken care of...LOL!

Baby Seamus' eye seems to be a little better.  He's back to romping around and playing with Sebastian, drinking out of the bird bath and being his little charming self again.  We shall see if the vet is as impressed with his progress as we are.

Nothing else going on here.  No, seriously, it's true!  I heard the first mockingbird singing at night on Easter, which was beautiful.  Oh, yes!  Easter came and I got a lovely basket filled with all sorts of fabulous chocolates and candy.  The most fabulous treat was the giant strawberry dipped in white chocolate (well, it was pink) and sprinkles! 

My goddess, I will do just about anything for one of those outrageous strawberries....

Shawn
****

Here's what's on Shawn's heart these days....

"The opposite of love is not hate, it's indifference.

The opposite of art is not ugliness, it's indifference.

The opposite of faith is not heresy, it's indifference....

And the opposite of life is not death, it's indifference."

~Elie Wiesel (1928 -)

Don't be indifferent. Get involved.

For more information, please go here:

http://www.paganrightsalliance.org/30_days.html

Springtime in Texas....

I guess it would be like committing a sin (if I was a believer in that) if I didn't post something about the bluebonnets here in Texas. It is the season, and they are showing themselves all over the place. This is the first year I've seen them coming up in people's lawns around town. I've been told that folks did that, but I'd not seen it until now, and I wonder if it has something to do with the drought and hot summer we had and people being worried that the bluebonnets wouldn't show up. I'm still new around here, and probably always will be, but I sure was happy to see those happy blossoms again this year.

We've been doing some picnics in the mornings and I've not seen so many blooms or heard so many birdsongs...I s'pose I should check back to last year at this time on the blog to see if I'm just saying the same old stuff all over again. LOL!

We've had a busy March. Baby Seamus hurt his eye and has been being doctored for that. It's better, we think, but it was kinda touch-and-go there for a little bit, poor little guy. He went outside on a very windy day and something blew into his eye and he ulcerated his cornea quite deeply, the worst our vet has ever seen. He's about 85% back to normal, I think. Hopefully, he'll have full vision again and be back to his happy self real soon.

Last Saturday I gave a little talk on Paganism to the Interfaith Council people and guests. That was a lot of fun. SGTex did himself up as the Green Man and was quite the pagan hottie, I must say... ;~) I was thinking that I could mess up and nobody'd notice, what with his getup and greenery, lol. The talk went well, I think, and I met lots of nice people who were very kind and hospitable. (Thanks, everyone!!)

Of course, lots of people have lots of thoughts on the situation in Florida with the Trayvon Martin killing. I hope the truth comes out and that this George Zimmerman character's bad deed catches up with him. I know it will, sooner or later, but it would be good to have some justice done in the here-and-now world and that Trayvon's family somehow has the small blessing of some answers. Nothing will bring their lost son and brother back to them, and that's what really hurts. It's beyond sad.

The other thing that bothers me (just as much as the above mess, because I am a pantheist) is the authorization by the government (or those who claim to be wildlife authorities) of killing wolves, coyotes, and now polar bears (what????) around the country. It's absolutely wrong and insane. There seems to be an all-out war on wildlife, for some reason. I do not believe in hunting for sport...just barely tolerate hunting for what is claimed to be food provision, but this other business is totally wrong. I do not understand why the sport-killers should be able to lobby and convince and pay off the so-called wildlife management people to make it legal to kill hundreds and thousands of innocent creatures (and those other unfortunate animals who are killed alongside them), in order to increase the elk herds or whatever...just so the sport hunters have a better chance of killing. Let's see, the reasoning behind that is to kill in order to increase the chance of more killing. Oh, yeah.

I'm sure that's going over real big with Gaia....

Shawn
****

On the home front....

....it's been pretty crazy.

I could stop right there and spare you the details, but why would I want to do that, now that we've arrived at the magical number "99" visiting countries for the blog? I'd hate for anyone to miss out on anything...

Actually, we don't allow the cat on the counter, and are pretty sure she makes no attempts to invade that space when we're not at home, should there be an empty spot upon which she might wish to land.

Now, the Havanese Hellpups, however, are entirely another matter. I swear the one (likely Sebastian) stands on the shoulders of his younger brother Seamus in order to reach some forbidden shiny thing, and spirit the item away to their hidden Stashaway....

Their adventures are somewhat limited lately, as on a very windy day last week Seamus must have had something blow into his eye and now he's being doctored for a corneal ulcer. He's quite pathetic, and he's not much interested in misbehaving. They were just outside for a little sunshine in the back yard and it was sooo cute how Sebastian kept trying to entice Seamus to a romp. ;~) We've been quite concerned and will be glad when he's back to his full-force naughty self...which is not really very naughty at all. Now, if it was Sebastian, I'd be afraid to wish that, lol. Actually, they're both angels and they rule.

Spring has come to our part of Texas, and we took a drive today to find some bluebonnets. I did get a glimpse of a patch just starting to bloom along the roadside, but it might be another week or two before they're all showing themselves. We have had a spectacular carpet of purple wildflowers covering lawns all over town, and that is lovely. I know I've said much about how pretty Texas is in the spring, so I shouldn't go on about it, but it is true and I do love it.

I had a birthday and am pleased to be a year younger than I was at this time last year...I'm still adjusting to not working now. I really appreciate not having to deal with that sort of stress and am grateful that SGTex has afforded me the opportunity to be a full-time housewife. I hope I'm good at it!

I guess there's nothing really exciting to report at this point, but maybe that's a good thing. I hope everyone else is having a wonderful week!

Shawn
****

I've been told I'm.....

.....eclectic.

I'm going to admit that's probably quite true about me. Although I have a few major interests, about which I can stay pretty focused, I have quite a few minor ones. In other words, there is much yet to learn in this lifetime.

When I saw this beautiful collage created by my longtime, sweet school-friend Debbie, I asked her if I could borrow it for our blog. It represents such a wonderful variety of wonderful, inspirational ideas, don't you think? I'm so glad she agreed to let me use it, because today I was sitting here feeling like I might have something to say, but couldn't quite land on any particular thought. Actually, I remember having some really nice conversations with her back in the day. She's always been a person who was cheerful, with a good attitude and wonderful sense of humor. I remember her lovely smile just lighting up the room and she always made me feel better about things when we took time to chat. It doesn't surprise me one bit to find her as nice a person as she was back then, and these pictures reflect that personality, to me. (Thanks, Deb!)

I don't have a lot of my own stuff to share, really. The stuff that I might need to really talk about wouldn't really be bloggable. (Hey, a new word?! LOL) I guess the biggest news I have right now is that I quit my job and am working on getting back into full-time domesticity (note I didn't mention the word 'goddess'-- that would be a bit optimistic at this point, and I don't want anyone getting the idea that I'm anywhere near full-on, full-tilt mojo). I enjoyed my desk job and loved working with my Man in our home office, but I'm really glad to be freed up to do and be more of what I used to think I was good at doing and being....

A sad note on the ex-job front is that we found out we lost a dear, wonderful lady over the weekend. Our friend was a super Human Resources Angel, and she all-of-a-sudden stepped into her next life, leaving behind a sweet family, and we grieve for and with them.

Goodbye, Beth.

Shawn
****

Photo courtesy of DSH ;~)

Rational naturalistic mysticism....

The creationists, of course, you have with you always.

We may develop fusion energy, make the deserts bloom and colonize Mars, but someone still will object to evolution theory taught as science in the middle schools there.

The traditional creation/evolution discussion always has tried to allow for being nice, for the kindly argument that science and religion need not be at odds.

More than ever in this latter day, our options extend beyond the polarity of scornful atheism versus passionate investment in the factual veracity of the Books of Moses.

Here at our station between such extremes (see Middle Way), Buddhists heartily believe in the Big Bang, abiogenesis and organic evolution, and all such discoveries of ever-honest and beneficial science — since these attest to a living universe in which all things and beings are interdependently meaningful and good.

After all, scholarly Buddhism's characterization of the true nature of phenomena, many centuries old, is remarkably like theoretical physics. Just as chalkboards of calculations work out to give us Einstein's good equation, sutras of grand sweep come down to a formula made up of five or seven Chinese characters.
In both cases, we obtain glyphs of concentrated meaning that name the universe and unlock awesome stores of power.

For believers in Moses (who lived perhaps 700 years before the lawgiver Gautama Buddha), something of the Dharma is referenced in Exodus 3:14, when Man receives a title for invoking G_d, styled in all capital letters like Sanskrit: "I AM THAT I AM." The fundamental reality or law is not a result, not the effect of any prior cause, but a perfect and eternal singularity that contains its own purpose.

My faith tradition likens this sovereign absolute to the lotus, wherein flower and seed — which cause one another — appear at the same time. Sure enough, quarks have a similar arrangement, revealing how it might be that the intelligent design and the intelligence doing the designing are, as we Buddhists are fond of saying, "not two."

Left to their own devices, quarks and leptons make the atom, a living engine of order that carries construction codes in its heart.
From there, stellar birth-death cycles cook up the hundred elements out of just hydrogen and helium, ordaining the phenomenon we call chemistry.
Thus, a basic proposition about forces and particles has been blueprint sufficient for all the intricacy and value we see around us, and all purpose. How wondrous!

These splendid and interesting things, pleasing as they may be to you and me, just make the creationists mad.
Their comic book depicts the old evolutionist as scowling and shaking a fist, but it is they who have been cranky for a hundred years. It must be mighty irksome to have your paradigm humiliated, long before you were born.

Creation "science" is distinguished as the only branch of science to consist chiefly of desperately persuasive commentary — no findings as such, no experiment done nor discovery made in the field, no; it appears that they would substitute fervor for data.

I am counting on the science-inclined of today's youth to see ludicrous propaganda for what it is, just as I did so long ago, and choose the path of reality and reason.

From there, some may come to consider Buddhism and take faith in it. Glory!

SGTex

****

This article was published in the local newspapers on Sunday, February 19, 2012

Paix de mon cœur ...Vrede van my hart ...Frieden in meinem Herzen ...שלוות לבי ...Peace of my heart....

For as long as I've had this picture in my file, I've thought what an absolutely great experience it would be to participate in an event like this.... What a great day!

On the other hand, my heart tells me that, while it would have been important and all, to be a part of such a project, it might be nothing more than a project on a great day if I didn't take home some of that special feeling and apply it to my corner of the world on a day-to-day basis.

In other words, one doesn't have to be part of a peace exhibit to make a real big deal, a significant difference in this world.

And I've been thinking about conflict. There are some real problems in the world these days, not the least of which is happening right here in the USA. All the trauma and the melodrama about idealogy and who thinks what about who....who is giving their money for what and can we believe what this person says or that person? Boyhowdy.

I've decided that people tend to fight about what they fear...I've had some interesting conversations lately (and yes, I have said some angry words) on meaningful topics that can get heated in a hurry, because I actually do care and I actually do want to be understood. Sometimes, it seems like people just have a mental (or emotional or spiritual) block and can't for the life of them (us) see the other (my!) side, have a little empathy, or at least pretend to have a little sympathy, lol. Do those things really matter that much? I mean, do I really care what So-and-So thinks about my life or idea so much that I get mad and huff off ? Is What's-His-Name's problem something I care about and will I be helpful and encouraging, or...??

Sometimes yes, sometimes no. LOL!

So much to think about, it gives me a headache. It's a pick-your-battle kinda thing. Where can I do the most good? Honestly, I'm not exactly sure.

I will not pretend to disbelieve something I consider to be true, and that is this: When angry thoughts or words are spoken, a spark flies, and that wee spark is all that is needed to start something burning that takes hold....Before too long, we've got a Syria on our hands...

Peace out.......

Shawn

****

"Nothing that I can do....

....will change the structure of the universe. But maybe, by raising my voice I can help the greatest of all causes - goodwill among men and peace on earth." ~ Albert Einstein

I've been meaning to blog, lately, but couldn't think of what I really had to say.

Well, yesterday evening I received a message on Facebook that provided me with a topic. I'm sorry to say what precipitated this private conversation was an unfortunate exchange of words on a semi-public forum...

The social network is a wild and crazy place, with some wild and crazy people who apparently are willing to say most anything, no matter how hurtful, unwise and yes, I will say it--no matter how dangerous.

By way of explanation: There is at least one person out there who is what we in America, and perhaps other places, might call a "loose cannon." She shoots her mouth off from time to time and says rather wild-eyed, rash words that are best ignored. This time, for whatever reason, she went too far. She didn't just share her own philosophy or point of view with brashness or bravado (like some of us do from time to time, me included). She fired off some really outrageous hate speech of the worst kind, was inappropriate and evil. In a word: Racist. At one of her own...a fellow American living in a small, peaceful town, mother of the most beautiful children ever, wife of a wonderful man who just happens to have been born to wonderful people who are not white, Anglo-Saxon, protestants born in the U.S. of A....

In short, I am outraged.

As they say, it only takes one bad apple to spoil the whole barrel.

Shawn

****

May you all have a....

Ever wonder why these guys don't stick around when they drop by....??

Looking For Each Other....

I have been looking for you, World Honored One, since I was a little child.With my first breath, I heard your call,and began to look for you, Blessed One. I've walked so many perilous paths,confronted so many dangers,endured despair, fear, hopes, and memories. I've trekked to the farthest regions, immense and wild, sailed the vast oceans, traversed the highest summits, lost among the clouds. I've lain dead, utterly alone,on the sands of ancient deserts. I've held in my heart so many tears of stone. Blessed One, I've dreamed of drinking dewdrops that sparkle with the light of far-off galaxies. I've left footprints on celestial mountains and screamed from the depths of Avici Hell, exhausted, crazed with despair because I was so hungry, so thirsty. For millions of lifetimes, I've longed to see you, but didn't know where to look. Yet, I've always felt your presence with a mysterious certainty. I know that for thousands of lifetimes, you and I have been one, and the distance between us is only a flash of thought. Just yesterday while walking alone, I saw the old path strewn with Autumn leaves,and the brilliant moon, hanging over the gate, suddenly appeared like the image of an old friend. And all the stars confirmed that you were there! All night, the rain of compassion continued to fall, while lightning flashed through my window and a great storm arose, as if Earth and Sky were in battle. Finally in me the rain stopped, the clouds parted. The moon returned, shining peacefully, calming Earth and Sky. Looking into the mirror of the moon, suddenly I saw myself, and I saw you smiling, Blessed One. How strange! The moon of freedom has returned to me, everything I thought I had lost. From that moment on, and in each moment that followed, I saw that nothing had gone. There is nothing that should be restored. Every flower, every stone, and every leaf recognize me. Wherever I turn, I see you smiling the smile of no-birth and no-death. The smile I received while looking at the mirror of the moon. I see you sitting there, solid as Mount Meru, calm as my own breath, sitting as though no raging fire storm ever occurred, sitting in complete peace and freedom. At last I have found you, Blessed One, and I have found myself. There I sit. The deep blue sky,the snow-capped mountains painted against the horizon,and the shining red sun sing with joy. You, Blessed One, are my first love. The love that is always present, always pure, and freshly new. And I shall never need a love that will be called “last.” You are the source of well-being flowing through numberless troubled lives, the water from your spiritual stream always pure, as it was in the beginning. You are the source of peace, solidity, and inner freedom. You are the Buddha, the Tathagata. With my one-pointed mind I vow to nourish your solidity and freedom in myself so I can offer solidity and freedom to countless others, now and forever.

by: Thich Nhat Hanh

photo courtesy of David Buonomo, moon over New Hampshire

Just sayin'....

2012 !!!!

O Tannenbaum....

....O Tannenbaum, wie treu sind deine Blätter!

Du grünst nicht nur zur Sommerzeit

Nein auch im Winter, wenn es schneit.

O Tannenbaum, O Tannenbaum,wie treu sind deine Blätter!

O Tannenbaum, O Tannenbaum!

Du kannst mir sehr gefallen!

Wie oft hat nicht zur Weihnachtszeit

Ein Baum von dir mich hoch erfreut!

O Tannenbaum, O Tannenbaum!

Du kannst mir sehr gefallen!

O Tannenbaum, O Tannenbaum!

Dein Kleid will mich was lehren:

Die Hoffnung und Beständigkeit

Gibt Trost und Kraft zu jeder Zeit.

O Tannenbaum, O Tannenbaum!

Das soll dein Kleid mich lehren.

A popular English version of this song:

O Christmas Tree, O Christmas tree, how lovely are your branches! In beauty green will always grow through summer sun and winter snow. O Christmas tree, O Christmas tree, how lovely are your branches! O Christmas Tree, O Christmas tree, you are the tree most loved! How often you give us delight in brightly shining Christmas light! O Christmas Tree, O Christmas tree, you are the tree most loved! O Christmas tree, O Christmas tree, your beauty green will teach me that hope and love will ever be the way to joy and peace for me. O Christmas tree, O Christmas tree, your beauty green will teach me.

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One wouldn't think that something so beautiful could generate controversy, but it has, and I'm acutely aware of that this season. After centuries, the debate still goes on as to what is the origin of the decorated tree (pagan or religious symbol) and what it represents. Whether or not one cut down a tree and decorates it with ornamentation that signified the stars, or the god(s), seems to stir up considerable discussion on chat boards. In my reading I learned that one could have been arrested for having and decorating a tree at home. Apparently there were occasions in which a tree in the town square or a tree at church was permissible, however.

There are references that go back to the Old Testament Prophet Jeremiah and his condemnation of decorated trees:

Jeremiah 10:2-4: "Thus saith the LORD, Learn not the way of the heathen, and be not dismayed at the signs of heaven; for the heathen are dismayed at them. For the customs of the people are vain: for one cutteth a tree out of the forest, the work of the hands of the workman, with the axe. They deck it with silver and with gold; they fasten it with nails and with hammers, that it move not." (King James Version).

You know, I've read the book of Jeremiah, yet somehow that one blew right past me, lol.

Whether we credit the Estonians or Latvians, the Germans or Queen Victoria and Prince Albert for showing us the way to Christmas tree enlightenment, or skip all that and put the origin of our tree back with the pagans, or not, it's a beautiful custom, and I'm not willing to make it a point of contention. I will admit there was considerable discussion regarding our tree's decoration this year...

Right now it's standing there in the living room window reminding me of one of those jeweled tree pins ladies wear. It's certainly cheerful and I'm glad about our sweet little tree. Each ornament represents something special to me and I'm going to be quite reluctant to take it down and tuck it away until next year....

Happy New Year...

Shawn & SGTex

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Merry moodiness.....

I posted this on Facebook in response to a dear friend's comment regarding people who claim one belief system and yet hang on to the practices of another, out of a sense of convenience or the inability to let go, for whatever reason....It kinda got my Irish up a bit, lol.

SGTex asked me to save this and put it here on the blog:

I'm not solely Wicca per se (Celtic reconstructionist pagan Pantheist, who in this lifetime identifies mostly and has an affinity w/Wicca, seein' that there aren't too many of us Celtic-types running around these parts). Do I have a problem w/Xianity? You bet- the practice of exclusivism stomping around on people of other beliefs- I don't hold with that much.

The Xmas that we (SGTex and I) celebrate is part of the holiday season that moves from Thanksgiving to Yule, 12 days which includes Xmas...

The fundie Xians have MUCH to say about our "secular" celebration of the holidays-- and frankly, I get tired of the judgmentalist finger-pointing tongue-clucking from any who take exception to my lifestyle...whether it be one thing or another. Yeah, it would be living a lie if I was going around doing "Hail, Marys" and setting up manger scenes with baby Jesus all over the place. Does the nativity have a part of the season? Sure- I can respect that, as I do Kwaanza and the Asian New Year and Hannukuh and anything else that happens...

But it's just as unpleasant to be berated by those on the left as it is by those on the right......I'm going to play my damn holiday music and enjoy it, no matter what the Baptists or the Satanists or anyone in between has to say ;~) ♥.

Well, I guess I'm glad I got all of that said. LOL!

~Happy Holidays~

Shawn

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The evolution litmus test....

“It’s a theory that’s out there. It’s got some gaps in it. In Texas we teach both creationism and evolution, because I figure you’re smart enough to figure out which one’s right.” – Governor Rick Perry “I support intelligent design…putting all science on the table and then letting students decide…(since) there is reasonable doubt on both sides.” – Michele Bachmann “Well, then I'm going to say creationism is a science, intelligent design is a science. If you say my faith isn't a science, I'm going to say yours isn't…Darwin…cannot explain the Origin of the Species…Nor can Marx, and nor can Obama (sic).” – Rush Limbaugh “We found in 2007 that a whopping 68 percent of Republicans did not believe in evolution…” – Frank Newport of the Gallup poll

Ever since that chemistry set in 3rd grade, we have appreciated the value of a litmus test. Suppose we were rating presidential politicians for brain power, smarts, sophistication. "College education" or facsimile would go in the plus column, while negatives would have to include such things as "Bible creationism" and "wears overalls." (And to be clear, bleating platitudes about “both sides” only gives aid to the creationist dream of having a leg to stand on.) As we have noted time and again, the liberal position or philosophy is a mark of intelligence while conservatives are, frankly speaking, not so bright. This would be why leftist thought and sentiment distill on major university campuses, while the opposing view fares best in rural venues and trailer parks. If such a correlation has long been suspected, today our neighbors on the right have mobilized to remove all doubt. Having a democrat of the progressive persuasion in the White House has been too much for some folks – confounding to processors that were hardly state-of-the art to start with. To paraphrase the Commander-In-Chief, idiots are frustrated. Be it on the Internet, evening radio or out at the fairgrounds, we’ve never far to go to get a load of their madcap manifesto, seething with hate and spelling errors. For some blue-ribbon boneheadedness, you can’t beat a news network that exists to serenade and reassure the right wing. FOX flunked geography; it’s not likely they fare any better in science. Certainly, four more years of intelligent administration are preferable to a resurgence of the numskull kind, but is it reasonable to hope that the side with the much higher IQ will win? History has shown that sometimes societies degrade and put anti-intellectual demagogues in charge, ushering in a nightmarish period.

SGTex

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My guest column in our local Sunday paper

No, this is not Father Xmas....

....but this is what I have against organized religion....

Shawn

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Humankind has not...

....woven the web of life. We are but one thread within it. Whatever we do to the web, we do to ourselves. All things are bound together. All things connect.

~Chief Seattle, 1855

We give thanks to JM for sharing this beautiful photo...

Shawn & SGTex

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Evidently....

....in my case, anyway.

Sometime this past week it came to my attention that I am in need of a change, and I've come to a slow, drawn out, screeching halt. (I know, that doesn't quite work, but take my word for it. You'd have had to be here.)

But, you know, I kinda like routine. I thought I enjoyed the same sort of work, for instance, repetition, familiarity. It doesn't get monotonous, nor does it breed contempt.

I confess, I do like things to be arranged in a certain way....Furnishings, for instance. Hey, I'm not the one who thinks it's time to rearrange the furniture every few months. I have a friend like that from way back, and hardly a month has gone by and she'll be re-doing the whole house. Everything turned upside down, wrong-side out, and Shazaam, it's got a new look. Well, except for that one teensy little matter of what really needed changing: The man in her life. Wait, that would be a "who," wouldn't it? Mm hmm.... I have a feeling that before too many more refabs and rehabs go by on the house he'll get the hint and Shazaam. I mean scram. ;~)

Still, changing it up a bit once in awhile can be a good thing. I found that just getting out in the sunshine gave me a whole new point of view. It was remarkable how different things seemed in the "light of day."

Moral of the story: Take a little break from the routine in order to avoid a big one.

Cheers!

Shawn

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Beannachtaí Samhain go dtí ár gcairde ....

It's a beautiful time of year, a time of remembrance. It's time to slow down and take time to reach out to our loved ones, both here and there....

Blessed Be!

Shawn & SGTex

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photo courtesy of our friend DSB (thank you!)

It's Sunday night in Texas and....

....I've nothing really very important to say, but thought I might as well blog.

Yeah, yeah, you're probably right when you ask yourself, "What's so different about tonight? She never says anything very important..." (Hey, I liked the picture, okay?? lol)

What's been happening around here? My usual fluff stuff:

We got some rain. Yay. There are Monarch butterflies passing through the area and it's been beautiful. I discovered that the hyacinth bean vine (ours didn't survive the drought) comes on in October this year. The people across town have the most spectacular asparagus ferns and bouganvillea growing in pots--successfully. I got the marigolds all planted in the terracotta terrace pots. SGTex is working on a natural stone patio area in the front yard, which is going to be spec-tac-u-lar! The Havanese Hellboys absolutely love, love, love the back yard and are having a ball. Sebastian has learned to "sit" and Seamus has yet to learn. We have had some wonderful yard sale finds, including some great house plants, over the past couple of weekends, and scored a terrific table/chairs for the office that absolutely matches (a very masculine, moderne black and silver). That was on craig'slist. And the people delivered it! I discovered Verdi's Raspberry Sparkletini Spumoni is delicious! Work is going quite well. What I should be doing at this very moment is figuring out what's going to be happening over the next, oh, 6 months or so...some exciting prospects, if all goes as dreamed.... ;~)

Nothing else much to say is even remotely remarkable, but I'll mention that it's that *pumpkin spice latte' time of year*, and I've come to suspect that I'm borderline addicted to "I Love Lucy" reruns.

With that, I respectfully bid you a

beannacht agus oiche mhaith!

Shawn

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My country is....

....the world, and my religion is to do good. ~ Thomas Paine

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Shawn & SGTex

À mon avis, les chats ....

....are better. Two cats can converse quietly without getting into too much of a hassle. If they run out of things to say or disagree or become bored, they don't mind retreating to their separate cushions in a civilized manner. They don't get their feelings too hurt for too long and can be friendly when called upon, without going all to pieces about it.

If people were more like that, the planet just might have a few less fracas---wait, what is the plural for fracas? Fracii? I'm not sure, but the planet would be better off if there were fewer occasions about which to fracas.

These are Susan's cats, and I just loved this picture. Thanks, Lady, for letting us borrow your lovely cats.

Shawn

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Morning has broken in Libya....

....and it's a new day.

Congratulations & Best Wishes........

Shawn & SGTex

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Children seen in front of a destroyed tank at the vegetable market near Tripoli street in Misrata, Libya, Friday, Sept. 2, 2011

AP photo courtesy of: Sergey Ponomerev

So, this is September....

....and it actually has cooled off a bit. Right now I'm looking at the temperature here at our house and it's 81 degrees. The air conditioner still runs on and off but we've opened some windows and it's beautiful!! We're especially thankful for that in our part of Texas, as it's not so in much of the rest of the state, what with horrific wildfires and all that goes with that.

My friend Susan was saying that someone set off some fireworks while they were at a lake the other day.... I cannot fathom why anyone would be so utterly stupid and thoughtless to do that, when all it takes is a spark to start an inferno.

But I guess I've blogged about that earlier this season. It's been a long, hot summer here.

This time of year always makes me think back to the fall in the Pacific Northwest. It's about time for The Fair, and my mother and I would always take time to visit the "flower building" and see the spectacular blooms. That's why I picked this amazing picture....

Actually, I should be outside tying up the jasmine that SGTex transplanted and giving things out there an evening drink. The jasmine has started blooming, so it should really take off now that it's "unpotted" and in the ground ;~). The fern is a "rescue" and I'm hoping it's really happy here in its new home.

We're having a couple of events this week, one of which is an anniversary (we eloped !!! 09-09-09) and my NC brother G's birthday. Happy Birthday!!!

Did I manage to keep this all sweetness & light? I hope so, as my thoughts could be described as "trail mix" at this point.

Oh, and please do remember to light a candle, say a prayer, chant and think positive thoughts for Lily, Hope and Faith and all the other black bears whose lives are threatened for the next 6 weeks or so during hunting season.

Welcome to our new friends, here on the blahg, as well as on Facebook. We're delighted to have you......

Peace...
Shawn

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One thousand ninety-five blue sky days & starry nights....

....most of which have been spent in Texas....It was 3 years ago today that everything finally fell into place and I lost my status as a Pacific Northwesterner and took on aspects of a Texan....Well, after a wonderful and exciting time on the Oregon coast and the most amazing road trip across the country, that is. I'll never forget when my Man reached over and gave me a *proper Texas welcome* as we crossed the state line and began that long, wonderful journey across the panhandle...OMG.

I thought it would be nice to have something to say right here on the blog about how nice it has been to actually be Waltzin' Across Texas for the last 3 years, on a steady basis.

Yes, there's much to be said for a love relationship across the miles, and yet, there's so much more to be said about taking the romance on the road and covering those miles together, then settling down right here in town, being folks at home.

I'm glad about every single mile, every single moment. Thanks for making it all happen the way it happened, Buffy....

Shawn

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Oh, yeah...?

Well, actually, it's true. You can't really go back. That is, unless your husband just happens to pick up your old diary when he's looking for some 'light reading,' and you're compelled to wonder just what you might have said about who or what or......LOL!!

Awhile back, SGTex did that-came across the journal I'd kept while living in Ireland and spent a month in Wales and England, way back when. He's been reading snippets from it and asking me questions from time to time. I had to laugh this morning at his facial expression when he was sitting here looking through it.

Who was that Shawn, anyway? I have to wonder, when he reads aloud some of what I had to say back then about what was going on in my life. I sound somewhat domestic (still am, or aim to be). I was an educator (have left that laying to the side, for now), an artist, an accidental tourist on some days, and spent quite a bit of time with a bunch of women (now it's just the One Man)..... Anyway, it's kinda fun to think back and find out just how much I'd forgotten along the journey from there to here. Right now I could tell you exactly what I'd do differently, what I'd not miss seeing or experiencing, if given the chance for a do-over. Someday I'd love to take SGTex and show him all the old places and see some things I missed seeing the last time I was there.

One thing that astonished me was how little I'd said about one of the most wonderful experiences of that whole time, visiting Tintern Abbey-- all by myself. The winter blue sky (January), the green grass and all that was left of that structure, with nothing to listen to but a bit of bird song...and the fox hunt off in the distance. Later we met that fox, btw....haha. All I said about that in the journal was a parenthetical (liked it). Must've been very tired that night, ;~).

It makes me think just how important it is, when having a "moment," to absolutely say what needs to be said, right at the time, and if there's a hint of "specialness" or chance of it being a meaningful moment, I just might want to make a note, so I can remember all about it years later...

Another thing I did when I was living there was to take pictures of things which served as a reminder of those moments. To anyone else, a shot of a phone box or a bicycle or a green water pump alongside the road might seem silly, but to me it represents feelings and fragrances and waves of emotion...Like the time I came around the bend in the road and was engulfed in the sound and sight and flurry of trumpeter swans making their descent to their nesting area in our back yard, which bordered the River Liffey. Another amazing experience....

Well, all of it was.

Shawn

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photo courtesy of: Aimee Dolich

Be careful how you interpret the world...

....It is like that. ~ Erich Heller

It seems like each day that goes by there's something more to learn about life. Not just in the US of A, but now, what with Facebook and blogging, the planet ;~). We're really glad to see more and more people from more and more places (86 countries, now) have passed by the blog....

I read something yesterday and it's been on my mind, and I think it's very true. The gist of it was this: "Bless the person who walks away from you, for they're making room for those who won't." It seems that is very true.

I might interpret the "loss" of (what I thought was a) friendship or (what might have been a)relationship as a sad thing, but more often than not.... it's going to come out that it was a good thing.

That space in my life becomes occupied by someone who is actually more deserving of my regard...

Voila!

Shawn
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Seek peace...

....and pursue it.

~The Psalmist

We look forward to the time when the Power of Love will replace the Love of Power. Then will our world know the blessings of peace. ~William Ewart Gladstone

If we have no peace, it is because we have forgotten that we belong to each other. ~ Mother Teresa

~DESIDERATA~

Go placidly amid the noise and the 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 to the dull and the ignorant; they too have their story. Avoid loud and aggressive persons; they are vexatious to the spirit.
If you compare yourself with others, you may become vain or bitter, for always there will be greater and lesser persons than yourself. Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans. Keep interested in your own career, however humble; it is a real possession in the changing fortunes of time.
Exercise caution in your business affairs, for the world is full of trickery. But let this not blind you to what virtue there is; many persons strive for high ideals, and everywhere life is full of heroism. Be yourself. Especially do not feign affection. Neither be cynical about love, for in the face of all aridity and disenchantment, it is as perennial as the grass.
Take kindly the counsel of the years, gracefully surrendering the things of youth. Nurture strength of spirit to shield you in sudden misfortune. But do not distress yourself with dark imaginings. Many fears are born of fatigue and loneliness.
Beyond a wholesome discipline, be gentle with yourself. You are a child of the universe no less than the trees and the stars; you have a right to be here. And whether or not it is clear to you, no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should.
Therefore be at peace with God, whatever you conceive Him to be. And whatever your labors and aspirations, in the noisy confusion of life, keep peace in your soul.
With all its sham, drudgery, and broken dreams, it is still a beautiful world. Be cheerful. Strive to be happy. ~Max Ehrmann

Shawn

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Mood musings....

...or, what's on my mind.

I'm feeling very sorry about the passing of Amy Winehouse...and trust she will cross the river and that her path will be well-lit and soft under her feet, that she and her loved ones will be blessed and their sorrow eased.

I'm feeling confused and dismayed about the horrific occurrence in Norway. I just do not understand how something so awful can happen to so many good people with good things ahead of them. What???

I'm playing 'hide and seek' in my mind. Let's see, how shall I put this? Hey, I'm "IT" and in control, am I not? Well, soon...IOW, Shawn is going to be in control of her work and recreation and rest schedule and now she's been let off the Hammer (the. worst. ride. at. the. Fair), she's not about to grab a front seat on the damfreakin' Rollercoaster. I think you probably get what I'm saying here...

Are things good? Compared to what? Yes, the answer is "Yes," and I'm grateful. Not just because I don't have the emergent and tragic dealings of those I've mentioned above, but because my dream Came True and I've been granted some of my wishes.... and fully expect to be granted more. Hopefully, I'll have facilitated some blessing in the lives of others and be the "Come True" in someone else's dream, before this life, this time, is over.

Shawn

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We are...

...enabled to apprehend at all what is sublime and noble only by the perpetual instilling and drenching of the reality that surrounds us. We can never have enough of nature. ~ Henry David Thoreau

When our friend Jack shared this picture, it really spoke to me. I'm not quite sure what the artist is trying to say, and I really have no idea what the photographer was thinking when snapping the picture, but I just really wanted to borrow it and share it with you.

I was thinking about it again today, when I came upon this Thoreau quote and put it all together. ;+)

I admire the idea of beauty hidden in the mundane, the notion of lifting something wonderful and whimsical right up out of the ho hum, finding a reason to smile in spite of imperfect, yet-to-be-ideal circumstances. Like SGTex tells me from time to time, "But Honey, this is earth." LOL

You know me...I'm always taking an idea and stretching it until it nearly snaps.....

The "bloom where you're planted" concept is so completely and utterly simple.....trite, in fact. Yet, in some cases that very small idea can become so powerful as to be one's mantra.

The mosaic work (play?) on these steps certainly conveys that one can find happiness right where one is, in the moment. One doesn't have to avoid the day-to-day, ordinary, the not-new-anymore in order to be surprised and find joy right under one's feet.

So, I guess what I'm seeing here is *extra*ordinary, sublime.

Some clever person went and prayerfully unfurled, unswirled, unwound what amounts to a lovely, magnificent mandala.

Shawn

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Caylee....

It's not like she hasn't been on our hearts since the day she was discovered to be missing...All over America tonight there are porch lights turned on, candles lit and social network discussions. We're speculating as to what really happened, why did the jury come to the (in)decision that it did, who in their right minds would set Casey A free, what about the grandparents, who was telling the truth and who and what went wrong the day she died. I'll never look at duct tape the same, and I doubt that any sentient being has not been affected by all of this. What will you be thinking, the next time you see a little brown-haired, bright-eyed girl turn and smile?

Shawn
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BANG!!!!

Let freedom never perish in your hands. ~Joseph Addison

Look at this!!

Not your typical 4th of July greeting card, but I'm sure it got some attention back in the day, lol..... I thought it was cute~ I wonder if one of those "Don't try this at home" kind of warnings came with it.... ;+)

Anyway, here comes the 4th of July in America again. I'm a big fan of fireworks and music and picnics, but this year my heart goes out to those who have lost so much in the fires around Texas and New Mexico and elsewhere. I'm kinda hoping that we can set aside our pyrotechnics for after a few rainy days and maybe find other ways to celebrate our patriotic gratitude and enthusiasm. That's probably expecting too much, and I do know of a few people who have their hoses and buckets handy, lol.

Fireworks or not, a lot of barbecue, fried chicken, apple pies, potato salads and watermelons will be enjoyed by those who are really glad about being lucky enough to do so in the land of the free and the home of the brave.

Happy Birthday, America!!!

Shawn & SGTex

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I never would have dreamed....

....six years ago today, that I'd be sitting here in Texas, thinking back on that night in Washington, when I said yes to the Best Question Ever....

Wow...and that I'd have been awakened in the Best Possible Way and open my eyes to see the most beautiful yellow Texas roses, a gift from the Man who's a Gift from the gods...

Boyhowdy, Honey.....XOXOXO

Happy Will You Marry Me Day!!!

Shawn

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Public Prayer the American Way

On the National Day of Prayer this year, once again, we stood with the Interfaith Council folks downtown to intone Buddhism's exquisitely potent prayer. Besides the obvious faith-based reasons for doing this (prayers for the sake of one's nation are an integral Buddhist tradition), we had patriotic motives. In showing up for the annual duty/privilege, my friends of diverse faith and I put into practice that enlightened civil covenant called constitutional religious liberty.

Before a few progressives stood up for equality in 2005, the NDOP observance in this steeple-studded Texas town epitomized a troubling erosion of appreciation for the very opening terms of the Bill of Rights, known as the "establishment clause," whereby government promises not to lend advantage to any one religion. Because those prior events were held on the City Hall steps and lawn and were starkly sectarian, they represented a distinct enough violation -- local government heartily encouraged the one religion and snubbed all others.

Our beautiful Interfaith ceremony has been exemplary and a major improvement over the protocols of a self-ordained "National Day of Prayer Task Force" chaired by church lady Shirley Dobson. The exclusion of Jews and even Catholics is something their web site is haughtily unapologetic about, and thus they give themselves away. Theirs is not an "official" role, or even a lawful one, in the National Day of Prayer.

Speaking of reprehensible, Governor Rick Perry continues to rally the zealous on and on towards a constitution-stomping orgy of pandering scheduled for August 06 at a Houston stadium. He eyes the White House as an "apolitical" Christian, whence his chilling conviction that "(a)s a nation, we must come together and call upon Jesus to guide us…"

This after Perry recently figured prominently in wrangling dubious judicial clearance for one of those small-town insurrections where they stage some sort of utterly inappropriate public school prayer. Down in Castroville, for a sublime moment there, our good-haired boy surpassed Palin herself as an avatar of confusion.

The irony in it is, of course, that the Christian commencement prayer and sentiment would have been perfectly fine under the Bill of Rights if only other creeds were shown the same respect during the same ceremony. Set aside a full 20 minutes or so and announce weeks ahead of time that any student wishing to compose and give a brief message of faith or philosophy for commencement is encouraged to do so. Then the graduation event would be consonant with the constitution and the American way. An Atheist student might very well speak for a bit about the superiority of reason, etc.

It's just that all faith options must be accorded respect. We can do this either by having no religion at the event or by welcoming any and all religions. Frankly, I don't see what is so hard to understand about this.

But the "no establishment" part is what people like Shirley Dobson and Rick Perry keep forgetting, or pretending to forget. They are like the racists of our grandparents' time, like the "male chauvinists" who used to stand in a woman's way, or like the Boy Scouts of America, fervently reassuring and protecting a culture of prejudice.

They don't know (or they pretend not to know) that freedom without equality is phony freedom, hollow and unstable. The founders of the nation saw this in a vision and specially inscribed equality on the freedom of worship. Something so complete and perfect must be an emanation of the Dharma or wonderful law of the universe!

As it plays out in society, the "no establishment" provision has been disappointing only to those who have a problem conceding equal rights to their neighbors. Obviously, a proscription against unjust domineering by one religion is hardest on those who had in mind to do just that.


SGTex

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To be natural...

.... is such a very difficult pose to keep up. ~Oscar Wilde

"Au naturale" isn't just everyone's best look...as people, or in garden world, for that matter. To allow one's garden to naturalize sometimes takes a certain willingness to let it be and wait for the results, which turn out quite nice, at times.

My mother was one who always had a certain willingness to let something grow and bloom to the maximum beauty, yet she was also known to "deadhead" the roses or azaleas around town, lol. In her own garden things went wild in a crazily-controlled sort of way, and her yard usually turned into a showplace... She was kinda that way with people, too....Well, other people, not me, (wry smile, here).

To allow oneself or others to be natural doesn't always come easily (or naturally, lol). It's not easy to flourish outside of one's own familiar territory (just ask me), but hopefully in the end, all will turn out just beautifully....

I don't know exactly what I'm wanting to say here, as SGTex just put Pink Floyd's "Fearless" playing and that's melting away my thoughts pleasantly........

Ta for now~
Shawn

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