What is it about life? In the best of times it is bliss, just seeing the little amazing, mind boggling, miracles that keep it full of spice, variety and wonder, yet at the same time saying one comforting word: home. Life is home. At other times it might as well be a horror film where every moment you wonder when the zombies are going to tear someone’s heart out, literally. I know I was taught symbolism doesn’t have meaning without the literal translation, but I’m not sure I can translate life without the symbolism first. Is it the language or the things themselves? Sometimes I feel I’m only a bunch of words in someone else’s mouth; I have no substance myself. What is reality? What’s real? That is the question we are really asking, Right? It’s not all about Truth, right? We are talking about what is going on in our living breathing lives here. Where’s the beauty, the joy, the peace, the vibrancy that keeps us existing, it only slightly seems to gleam from us, or from some idealized heroic figure, like Einstein, or Churchill, or Mother Theresa, who we keep in the public eye. The truth is they are like us too, people who fall and pick themselves up again, have worries and troubles and for a moment think they are the mud of the earth, fearing they will fail in their hopes and aspirations and lose all, even, or mostly, themselves. I can’t describe very well what it’s like to be there, except it sucks. Friends are the only thing that can pull you out of that again, or be there till you get through it. Churchill began to paint; Mother Theresa had prayer and an entire world of poor people. (I can’t think of what Einstein had right now) There is something redeeming about laboring for someone other than yourself (I think it always comes down to a someone, and I’ll tell you why another time), whether it’s a connection with the light of a landscape or the light in the faces of the poorest of the poor. I suppose the laboring part began at the beginning, (well, shortly after), but the redeeming part was always there part of the potentially that is a single human person, an amazing beautiful, joyful, peaceful, vibrant individual who shines light on every other. This is what I dream of, this is my idea of life, to be such a person and still fully me. I only know of one such person (or is it three?) who labored to this degree, and as far as I know that’s why the rest of us are here, real.
[1] quod fuit ab initio quod audivimus quod vidimus oculis nostris quod perspeximus et manus nostrae temptaverunt de verbo vitae [2] et vita manifestata est et vidimus et testamur et adnuntiamus vobis vitam aeternam quae erat apud Patrem et apparuit nobis [3] quod vidimus et audivimus adnuntiamus et vobis ut et vos societatem habeatis nobiscum et societas nostra sit cum Patre et cum Filio eius Iesu Christo [4] et haec scribimus vobis ut gaudium nostrum sit plenum [5] et haec est adnuntiatio quam audivimus ab eo et adnuntiamus vobis quoniam Deus lux est et tenebrae in eo non sunt ullae
John 1:1-5
Saturday, February 5, 2011
Monday, January 10, 2011
Friday, January 7, 2011
Sunday, March 28, 2010
Garden critters
For the last few days I have been trying to do garden and yard work with my mom to enjoy the beautiful weather, and the wild flowers that are now everywhere in our yard. I was surprised several times as I discovered critters who were finding there own perfect spots in the yard.(unfortunately, I don't have my own pictures).
It was late afternoon when I noticed this dragonfly was landed behind me. I've taken a picture, but with my non-digital 35mm, who know what will turn out, if anything at all. He stayed still for so long. My mom wondered if he was dead. I tried to coax him on to a stick, but I think he felt unbalanced and he took off.
This guy was under an empty, overturned water barrel curled up on a dirt mound. He slithered away and hid himself in a low growing plant where he stuck his tongue out and watched us. I like snakes in the garden. Hopefully this one was guarding the garden from rats, but he had lost part of his tail, so I don't know what that means when it comes to his experience.
I was pulling up weeds under the fig tree when my eye fell upon him. I was surprised, I hadn't noticed him before. He was about medium size for a green tree frog. I took one picture before the light dimmed enough for my camera to stop focusing, but I still sat right next to him and watched his vibrating throat and examining his translucent moist skin.
It was late afternoon when I noticed this dragonfly was landed behind me. I've taken a picture, but with my non-digital 35mm, who know what will turn out, if anything at all. He stayed still for so long. My mom wondered if he was dead. I tried to coax him on to a stick, but I think he felt unbalanced and he took off.
This guy was under an empty, overturned water barrel curled up on a dirt mound. He slithered away and hid himself in a low growing plant where he stuck his tongue out and watched us. I like snakes in the garden. Hopefully this one was guarding the garden from rats, but he had lost part of his tail, so I don't know what that means when it comes to his experience.
I was pulling up weeds under the fig tree when my eye fell upon him. I was surprised, I hadn't noticed him before. He was about medium size for a green tree frog. I took one picture before the light dimmed enough for my camera to stop focusing, but I still sat right next to him and watched his vibrating throat and examining his translucent moist skin.
Sunday, March 21, 2010
Sunday Morning, woke up just in time to be late for 7:30 Mass, so I decided to go to one of the later times. The day was beautiful. The rays of light streaming through the yellowish array of the oaks, putting out their pollen, came down to the lemon-lime grass spotted with patches of Carolina Buttercups. I was sent to the store for bacon and cheese, and whisked away a half dozen gorgeous roses I spotted on sale for two dollars, with thoughts of arranging them for the Our Lady of Guadalupe statue at the front door.
After Mass I found two! Dresses which fit (with minor adjustments), and went to the knee. I am so happy I have a dress I can feel comfortable in and wear every day. So many dresses in my size are thin, short and/or look like they are for special occasions only.
At home I followed a recipe for lunch. I am not on a diet by any means, but this dish was satisfying and refreshing. Roasted carrots with parsley and feta cheese: Wash and peel carrots, slice into chunks at an angle. In a walled pan toss carrots with a healthy drizzle of olive oil and pinch of salt and pepper. Roast in the oven, at 350 degrees for 20 to 25 minutes. Remove from the oven and mix in chopped parsley (or cilantro), and feta cheese. Simple, fast, and delicious.
Hmm, Do I sound too positive today? People all around me were complaining, were anxious, and were not feeling well. How can you help people who have difficulty letting go of their troubles and need to just Trust in God and do what they need to do, or need comfort and help you can't necessarily give? Well first I guess, do what I can and then, Trust in God for the rest.
After Mass I found two! Dresses which fit (with minor adjustments), and went to the knee. I am so happy I have a dress I can feel comfortable in and wear every day. So many dresses in my size are thin, short and/or look like they are for special occasions only.
At home I followed a recipe for lunch. I am not on a diet by any means, but this dish was satisfying and refreshing. Roasted carrots with parsley and feta cheese: Wash and peel carrots, slice into chunks at an angle. In a walled pan toss carrots with a healthy drizzle of olive oil and pinch of salt and pepper. Roast in the oven, at 350 degrees for 20 to 25 minutes. Remove from the oven and mix in chopped parsley (or cilantro), and feta cheese. Simple, fast, and delicious.
Hmm, Do I sound too positive today? People all around me were complaining, were anxious, and were not feeling well. How can you help people who have difficulty letting go of their troubles and need to just Trust in God and do what they need to do, or need comfort and help you can't necessarily give? Well first I guess, do what I can and then, Trust in God for the rest.
Thursday, March 11, 2010
I like Albert
If you want to know more about Albert Einstein, I would recommend this site as a start:
http://www.aip.org/history/einstein/index.html
After reading this short summary of his life, my interest and admiration was peaked. I find Albert Einstein a wonderful person. I don't tink of him as great scientist. To me he is creative thinker, and a great human being. He had faults, but he appears to have learned from them. He had fears and troubles, but he persevered through the long years of laboring through trial-and-error research, and working in situations where his hopes and ideas were misunderstood, to discover a way of looking at reality which has influenced the rest of us ever since. I think I would have liked to be his friend, to imagine with him, and enjoy with him, the beauties and mysteries of reality. His enthusiasm for life and its wonders went far beyond those areas we recognize as, science. Among the conflicts of the time he lived in, he was also aware of the importance of human life and human freedom and he frequently spoke his mind, first because people listen to celebrities, and by that time he was one, and second, because he had something worth listening to. I am almost continually amazed by the thing I learn about this incredible man. He was open to expanse of all existence, and when he found something of truth he was humble enough to say he change his mind. I am so greatful to be aware of people who are willing to change themselves for The Good. Long live intellectual truth and moral freedom! The seekers of The True, The Good, and The Beautiful, will persevere in this world and live in the next.
There are some good books about Albert Einstein out there, even an autobiography. Look him up.
Quote of the day
"Being a lover of freedom, when the revolution came in Germany, I looked to the universities to defend it, knowing that they had always boasted of their devotion to the cause of truth; but, no, the universities immediately were silenced. Then I looked to the great editors of the newspapers whose flaming editorials in days gone by had proclaimed their love of freedom; but they, like the universities, were silenced in a few short weeks . . .
"Only the Church stood squarely across the path of Hitler's campaign for suppressing truth. I never had any special interest in the Church before, but now I feel a great affection and admiration because the Church alone has had the courage and persistence to stand for intellectual truth and moral freedom. I am forced thus to confess that what I once despised I now praise unreservedly." - Albert Einstein
"Only the Church stood squarely across the path of Hitler's campaign for suppressing truth. I never had any special interest in the Church before, but now I feel a great affection and admiration because the Church alone has had the courage and persistence to stand for intellectual truth and moral freedom. I am forced thus to confess that what I once despised I now praise unreservedly." - Albert Einstein
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