Fish in Spring Yellow

"The importance of clean water" Florida, 2013

Two roads diverged in a yellow wood
And sorry I could not travel both...

Let's just cut to the chase. It's really about Robert Frost on mixed metaphors and quite possibly - wait...it's my fish photo from Florida.

Maybe it's just the color of the sand. 

Dummy

If we want to get ahead,
I might add,
we'll have to iron out the remaining bottlenecks.

When Dr. Gregory House (in the TV series House, M.D.) says, "I'm a night owl, Wilson's an early bird. We're different species," he's speaking metaphorically. When Dr. Cuddy replies, "Then move him into his own cage," she's extending House's bird metaphor--which he caps off with the remark, "Who'll clean the droppings from mine?"

Other important yellow resources: 

Essential Vermeer

Ward No. 6

                                                                                                                    Spirit of the Beehive

A Post Earth Day Reminder

I'm willing to bet that many of our respected leaders (or the bloggerati for that matter) - whatever side of the community spectrum they gravitate toward - lack heartfelt knowledge regarding human population, the environment, and our treasured forest resources. And since Earth Day has come and gone, I'm simply taking this friendly moment to remind them of an age old Environmental Quiz developed by the University of Minnesota. Check it out here. Although it "ain't easy being green", it's never difficult to learn and grow. Find the answers here.

No peeking please.




                         

 Faint hint of a whistle...

Resources:

Dovetail Partners

Forest Info

When Earth Day Falls on a Monday

Arbor Day

Divine Mercy Sunday and the Cross

I truly hope and pray that you will take a moment to reflect on God's message for the second Sunday of Easter. Many parishes will be offering celebrations, along with the Sacrament of Reconciliation. To find a location in Minnesota near you, click here (scroll down to find the list) or here.

Abbey-Roads offers an alternative if your unable to attend in person.

Thumbing through various publications and books I have concerning Divine Mercy, I came across Pope Benedict XVI's address to the sick and suffering May 27, 2006 at the International Shrine of Divine Mercy in Lagiewniki, Poland. I find it to be particularly comforting and insightful: 

“On this occasion we encounter two mysteries: the mystery of human suffering and the mystery of Divine Mercy. At first sight these two mysteries seemed to be opposed to one another. But when we study them more deeply in the light of faith, we find that they are placed in reciprocal harmony through the mystery of the Cross of Christ. As Pope John Paul II said in this place: ‘The Cross is the most profound bowing down of the Divinity towards man… the Cross is like a touch of eternal love on the most painful wounds of humanity’s earthly existence (August 17^th, 2002). Dear friends who are sick, who are marked by suffering in body or soul, you are most closely united to the Cross of Christ, and at the same time, you are the most eloquent witness of God’s mercy. Through you and through your suffering, he bows down toward humanity with love. You who say in silence: ‘Jesus I trust in you’,  teach us that there is no faith more profound, no hope more alive and no love more ardent than the faith, hope, and love of a person who in the midst of suffering places himself securely in God’s hands.” - Pope Benedict's Divine Mercy Mandate

May the Divine Mercy message continue to resonate throughout the world!

Danielle Rose sings "If I Touch Him" from the album I Thirst.

Eternal Father, I offer You the Body and Blood, Soul and Divinity of Your dearly beloved Son, Our Lord Jesus Christ, in atonement for our sins and those of the whole world.

Luke 18: 35-42.

The 1994 Polish film Faustina (with English subtitles).

Divine Mercy Resources: 

The Message

St. Maria Faustina Kowalska Diary: Divine Mercy of the Soul

Divine Mercy Novena

Divine Mercy and the Blessed Virgin Mary

The Floodgates of Divine Mercy

Apostolates

Cloud Angel Shines

The cloud angel shines in Florida during the inauguration of Pope Francis. Oh happy day!

Photo: (Jodi G, Florida)

The Other Great Match

The pounding and the yelling - it never stops. The SF tag continue their timeless rant above my dusty flat despite the obvious. I know, I know. Obviousness. I guess it's appropriate given the news that changes are on the way.

Party, party...... parting. 

Hey, wait a minute. I just thought of something. Can we recognize another football event? A superior worldview sporting glimpse of culture that includes both  men and women?

Nah, that would be to refined... let's stick to film. 

A random review captures the essence:

"As the Amazon Indians discuss where they can find a TV to see the game, one suggests they go up river to the mission to which another replies "we can't go to the mission - the preacher's an American. They don't watch football". It's true as an American I'm not much of a soccer fan, but the show really isn't about soccer. It is about the change (and possibly the end) of indigenous cultures around the world who are increasingly influenced by international television. Through the course of the movie we learn how each of these groups acquired a television and observe the hilarious ways in which it has influenced their culture. The Mongolians now only follow the power lines so they can tie in to power their TV - the desert tribe must travel for miles to reach the only 'tree' so they can hook up their antenna - the Amazon Indians can't catch any prey because the soccer fan in the back is calling out plays the whole hunt. In the first scene in Mongolia we see a breathtaking hunt with Eagles, then later in the show we see these magnificent birds ignominiously placed as goal posts for a family soccer match (and one gets beaned with the ball). The show is lighthearted and humorous, but most memorable is the fascinating insights into these cultures and the ingenious ways they are adapting to technology. It is funny, yet sad in a way. Most of all, we observe a touch of familiar humanity in these cultures, from the most remote parts of the world, as an international game brings us all together."

. 

Resources:

Film Movement

Match Factory

Rotten Tomatoes

"The Last Night of the Year" Winner is...

Credit: E.F. Baker cdn.newsroom@sunmed.ca

Dear  Mr. E.F. Baker,

I am so pleased to inform you that your photo has been awarded first place winner in"The Last Night of the Year"  creativity in the arts program sponsored by Harbor Star. My sincerest thanks for such a unique and intriguing photograph! Unfortunately, due to limited time and resources, the prestigious ceremony and wealthy financial gifts have been postponed... indefinitely. Instead, I leave you with my humble praise and recognition (and I'm sure BC's too). I hope you enjoy a sampling of the principal interpretive comments and quotes concerning your award winning work.

In no particular order:

"...a balance of space in all four quadrants.What spatial connectivity... clearly a unified back and foreground image (an oak tree/grassland well past its bloom perhaps?)"

"Focus in, focus out."

"There is a botanical identification mind you..."

"Cool light brio, a bright color transition across a frosted landscape."

"A wolf-spider on frozen stalk...St. Michael the Archangel's holy sword -.aimed at, and crying holy, holy to the Lord!

"...a mysterious black figure, possibly Batman or Johnny Cash."

"I am the vine you are the branches."

" His bitter cold temperature named
agriculture...hardwood forest inclusions are important."

"Lived like a prince, now lives like a squire."

"Vultures are our friends...they purify the earth... they are God's necessary dark angels of bodily dissolution." - Margaret Atwood

"Bigger, brighter, and wider than snow.... and you finally found the courage to let it all go." - Robert Smith.

"Your old enough to know well, that better things are all up hill......there's a light, making its way, on up the mountain, night and day." Jakob Dylan

 "A peaceful frozen___________ on the eve."

Image and Resolutions

St. Gabriel of Our Lady of Sorrows is one of the exceptional holy saints who expressly defined a set of resolutions to live by. One of my favorites, of which he spent a great deal of contemplation over - to be sure, attempts to reconcile our faith with humility in the small things of the world. It’s a simple desire - one that needs no additional explanation. As we ponder the last remaining days of 2012, let us remind ourselves of this need to re-focus and re-prioritize.

 “Faithfulness in little things” is the motto I will always follow in my efforts to reach holiness.

To embrace my inner child,
                To read and pray more with Magnificat,
                                To cherish the desire for learning,
                                                To let go…

I recall some time ago, at a gathering of friends and colleagues, the request you made to me. Although the memory has faded and the resolution is fragmented with tiny little dust, the emotion it conjured up burns ever so bright. The instant, soulful joy of that moment is forever locked down despite my forgetfulness.

What did you say?

Something akin to encouragement in the time of frustration; that I should welcome and entertain opportunities to vent my thoughts to you.  Is that it? Did you really mean it? I can’t truly recall at the moment, so I’ll take it on faith.

Our ships passing...

As the evening came to a close, I prepared once again for the wintery elements. Fitting my wool hat snuggly over my head and ears, I marveled at how similar mine is to yours. Someone made a wry comment at the resemblance between the two (was it the hats or the faces?).  I smiled and so did you; that little whisper of kinship. As I got up from the crowded, boisterous table, not wanting to leave just yet, you said goodbye. My heart leapt at such graceful charm.

Once into the cold December night I paused - with every fiber of my being and all unified desire - I long to tell you a story.

“Do not depend on the hope of results. You may have to face the fact that your work will be apparently worthless and even achieve no result at all, if not perhaps results opposite to what you expect. As you get used to this idea, you start more and more to concentrate not on the results, but on the value, the rightness, the truth of the work itself. You gradually struggle less and less for an idea and more and more for specific people. In the end, it is the reality of personal relationship that saves everything.”

― Thomas Merton

My Life as a Turkey Documentary

The life of jakes, hens, gobblers, toms; it’s a thrilling yet sensitive glimpse into one of nature’s most misunderstood and mysterious creatures – the turkey (Meleagris gallopavo).

Combining unique photography, dry swamp nature scenes, and insight from naturalist Joe Hutto, this PBS special is one not to miss. Gather all your friends and family. What a story. Just fantastic! Plus a great soundtrack to boot, including music from Cat Power, Sarah Harmer and more.

Hint: Ever since childhood I’ve been fascinated with these birds. In fact, I can’t seem to get away from them, especially after an angry one charged across a state highway road, and then dive-bombed right into the front left headlight and grill of my truck last spring causing several hundred dollars’ worth of damage. What?

Turkey boy, you’re a mean one...mister.

Happy Thanksgiving!

PBS Nature Synopsis: After a local farmer left a bowl of eggs on Joe Hutto’s front porch, his life was forever changed. Hutto, possessing a broad background in the natural sciences and an interest in imprinting young animals, incubated the eggs and waited for them to hatch. As the chicks emerged from their shells, they locked eyes with an unusual but dedicated mother. One man’s remarkable experience of raising a group of wild turkey hatchlings to adulthood.

Watch the full episode here

Pro Orantibus Day

Pope Benedict XVI has set Nov. 21, the Feast of the Presentation of Mary, as a day to pray for cloistered religious. It is called Pro Orantibus Day (“For those who pray”). 

To all who serve in such a dedicated way,

you have our deepest gratitude and appreciation.

Thanks be to God.

Mary, teach us to understand the Brotherhood of Man
in the holiest of ways.
Teach us silence, when we want to gossip and slander.
Teach us to know true happiness and joy in life
through the presence of Christ
in our everyday life.

Give also peace of mind to the sick and suffering,
fill them with your loving trust and hope...
Be their true Star of the Sea -
a lighted ship on the turbulent waves,
set sail to our Father's house.

Most holy Mary, humble servant of the Lord,
pray for us.

In the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
Amen.

Resources: 

A Monk's Diary

Valley of our Lady Monastery

Cloistered Life

The Colors of the World

Musical Tag Membership

acapella accordion acoustic afrobeat alt-country ambient americana autumnal balkan banjo beats bloodshot records blue note blue-eyed soul bluegrass blues boogiewoogieflu bossa nova brass cabaret calexico canada celtic chamber pop chanson francaise chicken music christian close harmony cool cool for cats cosmic american music country coversongs dance daptone deep funk delanie and bonnie doo wop downtempo driving late at night dub duo electronic experimental fiddle folk funk glam rock gospel groove guitar gypsy hammond harmonica harp honky tonk house indie instrumental irish jangle pop jazz kora latin left of the dial literate lo-fi lounge neko case new weird america northern soul nouvelle scene francaise nu jazz old-timey piano post-punk psychedelic punk r&b reggae rock and roll rockabilly roma samba ska songs for winding roads soul soul-jazz soundtrack southern soul spotify stax sunshine pop surf rock swamp rock swing traditional trip-hop uptown soul urban backcountry vibes...

Nothing means more than sex pistol bodies, or baby birches (hint Joanna), or behind the scenes, or...

the new (old) sound

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