Monthly Archives: November 2016

GeekWorld

Walkabout

Leave a comment

Samain                                                      Moon of the Winter Solstice

weeping-buddha-1As these things happen, my main computer decided to go on an internal walkabout yesterday. It’s up in the loft, a place I won’t be spending much time for a few weeks, so not a big deal in that sense. But.

It is the computer that has most of my stuff on it, though it’s well backed-up. I’ve had it a long time, five years or more, and it’s not gone round the electronic bend on me very often. This one feels more permanent, perhaps a sign that the time has come for a new desktop.

I’ve used up all the tricks I know, usually enough, but not this time. It feels like a sign. This is a time for recovery, change. Leave some of the old habits behind, build new ones.

Fortunately, I have this little Lenovo that I take on trips. It functions just fine, but it doesn’t have the apps and stored data that my loft desktop has. It will work until I can get a new desktop.

Aging, Health

Taking a Knee

Leave a comment

Samain                                                             Moon of the Winter Solstice

orthocoloradoIn two days I go bionic. Metal in my body and a song in my heart. Or something like that.

Panorama Orthopedics and Orthocolorado, principles in this knee replacement, have been by far the most organized, patient centered medical folks I’ve ever encountered. We’ll see how the procedure goes before I declare them outstanding, but so far they have been.

Dr. William Peace, surgeon
Dr. William Peace, surgeon

Right now I’m in the time before a big storm comes, waiting for it to hit, anticipating it, getting things ready. We’ve moved the couch upstairs and two chairs downstairs. I’ll be occupying this red leather chair for the duration of my recovery, at least the part where I’m deeply medicated. That’s roughly the first two weeks.

P.T. folks from Mt. Evans Home Health Care will come to the house during that time since rehab is key to a good long term result. After the first two weeks, I should get the ok to drive. At that point I’ll transfer to Conifer Physical Therapy where I hope Dana will see me through this latest adventure. She helped me a lot during my shoulder episode a year ago.

I hope to not use the hospice services for some time.
I hope to not use the hospice services for some time.

Surgery time is 11:00 am on Thursday, arrive at hospital at 9 am. Two days there so back home on Saturday. I’m motivated and want to hike, workout, walk without pain so I anticipate a positive experience.

I’m ready.

 

 

 

 

 

Aging, Friends, Third Phase

The Ancientrail

Leave a comment

Samain                                                                   Thanksgiving Moon

Worked in this Johns-Manville factory for two summers for Stephanie's dad
Worked in this Johns-Manville factory for two summers for Stephanie’s dad

As we grow older, there are many times when we realize, sometimes even say, boy, that makes feel old. I’m sure you’ve had one of those moments. If you’re older, that is. Not assuming. I remember the first time somebody called me sir. It puzzled me, made me turn my head to see who was behind me. Or, there was the time in Hot Springs, South Dakota when I noticed a ten-percent reduction on my bill. The cashier at the front explained, “Oh. That’s our senior discount.” Oh. The list could go on. Easily. Signing up for medicare. Even, for me, that very early, late thirties, instance of going deaf in one ear. Made me feel my imminent mortality in a way nothing else had other than the death of my mother.

All of these incidents, some funny, some bemusing, all trail markers on the third-phase path, have been, so far, just that, sort of funny, at worst bemusing. One that came the other day was neither funny nor amusing.

Reading through facebook posts, which I do with less angst these days because I know it helps me stay connected to folks I’d otherwise miss completely, I found a note that says Stephanie Lewis died of complications from dementia. Stephanie was my first serious girlfriend, my first kiss and she helped me a lot during the death of my mother. We parted before college. I don’t recall why. She was 1 year younger than me.

Now she’s dead. From complications of dementia. According to her mother, it had something to do with an extreme low sodium diet and seizures.

I did reconnect with Stephanie three or four years ago, mostly to say thanks for helping after Mom died. I couldn’t remember if I’d ever done that. We did communicate a couple of times through e-mail. I’m very glad I did that now.

This crooked path we call life carries us along, always in Charon’s boat, just not knowing when it will bump against the other shore. Steph has landed. And I know, once again, that I’m in that boat, too, and the muddy river Styx flows just below the gunnel. I hope if anything greeted her on the other shore that it is a pleasant and peaceful place. She deserved it.

 

Great Work, Politics, US History

DAPL

Leave a comment

Samain                                                                      Thanksgiving Moon

daplI’ve not written here about the Standing Rock protests. At least not much. Neither have I posted about them on Facebook though many, many of my friends have. Several people I know, including ex-wife Judy Merritt, have been out there. She’s going a second time this week.

The issues are complex because they deal with pipelines, fracked oil, climate change and the string of broken promises that have been U.S./Indian treaty relations. The simple issue concerns the possible contamination of water for the Standing Rock Reservation. The current route of the pipeline takes it under the Missouri River near the res. Pipelines break. This is common knowledge and documented well. The objection is reasonable and has not been refuted by the developers of the pipeline.

Then, there are burial grounds. The Standing Rock folks don’t want the graves of their ancestors dug up for a project that will add to the growing carbon load in the atmosphere. What if the project’s economically feasible path took it through any of the many National Cemeteries around the country? Easy to see the problem from that perspective.

Building more pipelines and fracking in the North Dakota oil field for more oil actively contributes to the climate change problem. Keep it in the ground would solve the Standing Rock problem and aid in carbon sequestration.

Most poignant, of course, is the dismal Federal record of maintaining treaty accords, of forcing native children to go to “indian schools,” of slaughtering bands and tribes, of moving whole nations from their homelands, of keeping reservations poor. It is an even more original sin than slavery. I learned about it from my home state, Oklahoma, the end of the trail of tears.

The tragedy here is that the tragedy is not new. We’ve left a trail of broken promises and whatever happens at Standing Rock will likely reinforce that trail.

The promise and the hope of Standing Rock is the amazing national and international gathering of native peoples in solidarity with the water protectors. White allies, too. And, perhaps even more amazing, a contingent of former military folks going out to guard the water protectors. This may usher in a new era of cross-border alliances for native people all over the world.

 

 

Commentary on Religion, Faith and Spirituality, Judaism, Reimagine. Reconstruct. Reenchant., Third Phase

A Secular Sabbath

Leave a comment

Samain                                                                           Thanksgiving Moon

alan-wattsThe sabbath experiment. I liked it for the most part. There was a couple of hours + for reading. I reread the material on zeal in the Mussar text translated by Rabbi Mordecai Kaplan. I also read the Torah portion for this week, the story of Sarah ending with the death of Abraham. Finally got into Judaism as a Civilization by Mordecai Kaplan. Very, very interesting guy. I also read a book, The Queen of Blood, recommended by a sci-fi fan review. A good yarn. By the time night fell and the sabbath ended though I was ready for it to be over.

The time away from my normal routine was refreshing, but I did get antsy, wanting to do something. But, I think that will recede if I go to services, keep up my reading program and we learn to put up meals for Saturday. The focus on spirituality, family and inner work is valuable. Even more valuable is the cut out of time place the sabbath offers. The work week, even the work week of a retired guy, vanishes in the rear view.

I’m going to continue for a while, 3 months or so, just to see how this fits into life, but it feels good right now. My suspicion is that this is like a holiday every week, 24 hours snatched from the jaws of ordinary time and placed in that sacred space we reserve for the Winter Solstice, Christmas, Yom Kippur. A holiday a week sounds good to me.

 

Faith and Spirituality, Family, Judaism, Third Phase

Sabbath

Leave a comment

Samain                                                                            Thanksgiving Moon

sabbathThe sabbath as a day of rest fascinates me. It seems, in our ramped up and goal oriented culture, it’s easy to lose sight of truly important matters: family, inner work, reading in a spiritual or religious tradition that works for you, meditation.

While investigating a Reconstructionist Judaism understanding of the sabbath, I came across an idea I’d missed in previous study. The sabbath is not a day set aside from work, though it is that; but, more specifically, it is a day set aside from creation. On the sabbath we rest from making, from shaping, from forming. Why? Well, of course, there’s the 7th day in the Genesis account of creation. There’s also the notion of not arrogating to ourselves the creative power of the universe. That doesn’t mean we shouldn’t create. It means we should be clear about the limits of our creative abilities. Taking a day off puts a clear barrier between us and a life submerged in effort.

challah-2-300x280I’m easing into this starting this week. Therefore, this post, though an act of creation, is a signal not to expect a post from me anymore on Saturday mornings or during the day. If I make a Saturday post, it will be after sundown when the sabbath ends.

So next week, no Saturday morning post. We’ll see how this experiment goes.

 

Commentary on Religion, Faith and Spirituality, Family, Great Wheel, Myth and Story, Reimagine. Reconstruct. Reenchant.

Born to Wonder

Leave a comment

Samain                                                                                    Thanksgiving Moon

black-fridayWe have entered the corporate zone. Black friday is a religious event in board rooms across this great land, accountants eagerly showing spreadsheets of how much money will be made from poor people desperate for a decent present to give loved ones. Yes, once we’ve put away the gravy boats, the extra large platters, the aluminum foil we can move on to the biggest revenue source-I mean, holiday-of all: Christmas.

Looking out at Christmas from within my pagan earthship and now also from within the friendly confines of Congregation Beth Evergreen, I can marvel at how the Santa Claus, Christmas tree (a pagan German contribution), bright lights, banquets and family gatherings accreted themselves around a minor Christian holiday, the celebration of the incarnation.

This is weird in two ways. First, the accretions are much more fun than the actual holiday. Second, many people think the accretions are the holiday.  Among those people are retailers who want to sell, sell, sell right now.

rudolphThe notion of incarnation and its celebration hooked up with the Roman Saturnalia and the rest is Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer. I don’t know what percentage of annual retail sales occur post-Thanksgiving, but I’m sure it’s more than you’d think. According to this site, 30% of all retail sales happen between Thanksgiving and Christmas, 40% for jewelers. Think about that. A holiday focused on a great God’s voluntary assuming of human form focuses now on ringing cash registers.

I know. This is a tired argument and I agree. Still, the irony is so thick at this time of year, I might have to get out my chainsaw to cut it. And, I’m not proposing to put the Christ back in Christmas. In fact, I’d be ok if Jesus (not yet the Christ, the messiah, at his birth) was decoupled from the festival of lights we call Christmas. In my opinion the gift-giving, song singing, wassail guzzling, home decorating holiday is just what we need as the Great Wheel turns toward its deepest darkness. Maybe take the Christ out of Christmas?

Thank about that idea though, the incarnation. Really, a pretty spectacular claim. God, the god of creation, of the flood, of the exodus, of the Sinai, of the ark of the covenant, of the Hebrew prophets, decides, like a genii in the Arabian nights, to decoct himself/herself into a living human body. Now that’s a reason for a holiday. As a cause for celebration, it’s pretty good.
namasteMy version though puts forward not an individual event in Bethlehem, not just incarnation in one child, but an incarnation in every child. Each babe is a true miracle, the universe creating and recreating creatures who can reflect on it. Life, as a random feature of development on this blessed planet, animates, literally, inanimate matter. Life is a godlike power, awesome and equal to any of the claims about the powers of Allah, G*d, Vishnu, Mithras, Ahura-Mazda.

We are born to wonder; there is no need to wonder why we are born. We are here to be in the world, touching and seeing and hearing and tasting and smelling the stuff of very stuff. We are born as witnesses to the furnace of creation inherent in each atom, molecule, dna strand, star, planet and comet. We have no more important duty than to be present as the world creates, recreates, as the cosmos does the same.

 

 

Commentary on Religion, Faith and Spirituality, Great Wheel, Great Work, Holidays, Reimagine. Reconstruct. Reenchant.

A Thanksgiving Gift for you

Leave a comment

Samain                                                                        Thanksgiving Moon

The Thanksgiving Prayer, Adapted from the Mohawk

By
Illustration by John Kahionhes Fadden

Illustration by John Kahionhes Fadden

THE THANKSGIVING PRAYER
Adapted from the Mohawk by John Stokes and David Kanawahienton Benedict

The People

Today we have gathered and we see that the cycles of life continue. We have been given the duty to live in balance and harmony with each other and all living things. So now, we bring our minds together as one we give greetings and thanks to each other as People
Now our minds are one.

The Earth Mother

We are thankful to our Mother, the Earth, for she gives us all that we need for life. She supports our feet as we walk about upon her. It gives us joy that she continues to care for us as she has from the beginning of time. To our Mother, we send greetings and thanks.
Now our minds are one.

The Waters

We give thanks to all the Waters of the world for quenching our thirst and providing us with strength. Water is life. We know its power in many forms—waterfalls and rain, mists and streams, rivers and oceans. With one mind, we send greetings and thanks  to the spirit of Water.
Now our minds are one.

The Fish

We turn our minds to all the Fish life in the water. They were instructed to cleanse and purify the water. They also give themselves to us as food. We are grateful that we can still find pure water. So, we turn now to the Fish and send our greetings and thanks.
Now our minds are one.

The Plants

Now we turn toward the vast fields of Plant life. As far as the eye can see, the Plants grow, working many wonders. They sustain many life forms. With our minds gathered together, we give thanks and look forward to seeing Plant life for many generations to come.
Now our minds are one.

The Food Plants

With one mind, we turn to honor and thank all the Food Plants we harvest from the garden. Since the beginning of time, the grains, vegetables, beans, and berries have helped the people survive. Many other living things draw strength from them too. We gather all the Food Plants together as one and send them a greeting and thanks.
Now our minds are one.

The Medicine Herbs

Now we turn to all the Medicine Herbs of the world. From the beginning, they were instructed to take away sickness. They are always waiting and ready to heal us. We are happy there are still among us those special few who remember how to use these plants for healing. With one mind, we send greetings and thanks to the Medicines and to the keepers of the Medicines.
Now our minds are one.

The Animals

We gather our minds together to send greetings and thanks to all the Animal life in the world. They have many things to teach us as people. We see them near our homes and in the deep forests. We are glad they are still here and we hope that it will always be so.
Now our minds are one.

The Trees

Now we turn our thoughts to the Trees. The Earth has many families of Trees who have their own instructions and uses. Some provide us with shelter, others with fruit, beauty, and other useful things. Many peoples of the world use a Tree as a symbol of peace and strength. With one mind, we greet and thank the Tree life.
Now our minds are one.

The Birds

We put our minds together as one and thank all the Birds who move and fly about over our heads. The Creator gave them beautiful songs. Each day they remind us to enjoy and appreciate life. The Eagle was chosen to be their leader. To all the Birds—from the smallest to the largest—we send our joyful greetings and thanks.
Now our minds are one.

The Four Winds

We are all thankful to the powers we know as the Four Winds. We hear their voices in the moving air as they refresh us and purify the air we breathe. They help bring the change of seasons. From the four directions they come, bringing us messages and giving us strength. With one mind, we send our greetings and thanks to the Four Winds.

Now our minds are one.

The Thunderers
Now we turn to the west where our Grandfathers, the Thunder Beings, live. With lightning and thundering voices, they bring with them the water that renews life. We bring our minds together as one to send greetings and thanks to our Grandfathers, the Thunderers.
Now our minds are one.

The Sun

We now send greetings and thanks to our eldest Brother, the Sun. Each day without fail he travels the sky from east to west, bringing the light of a new day. He is the source of all fires of life. With one mind, we send greetings and thanks to our Brother, the Sun.
Now our minds are one.

Grandmother Moon

We put our minds together and give thanks to our oldest Grandmother, the Moon, who lights the nighttime sky. She is the leader of women all over the world, and she governs the movement of the ocean tides. By her changing face we measure time, and it is the Moon who watches over the arrival of children here on earth. With one mind, we send greetings and thanks to our Grandmother, the Moon.
Now our minds are one.

The Stars

We give thanks to the Stars who are spread across the sky like jewelry. We see them in the night, helping the Moon to light the darkness and bringing dew to the gardens and growing things. When we travel at night, they guide us home. With our minds gathered together as one, we send greetings and thanks to the Stars.
Now our minds are one.

The Enlightened Teachers

We gather our minds to greet and thank the enlightened Teachers who have come to help throughout the ages. When we forget how to live in harmony, they remind us of the way we were instructed to live as people. With one mind, we send greetings and thanks to these caring Teachers.
Now our minds are one.

The Creator

Now we turn our thoughts to the Creator, or Great Spirit, and send greetings and thanks for all the gifts of Creation. Everything we need to live a good life is here on this Mother Earth. For all the love that is still around us, we gather our minds together as one and send our choicest words of greetings and thanks to the Creator.
Now our minds are one.

Closing Words

We have now arrived at the place where we end our words. Of all the thing we have named, it was not our intention to leave anything out. If something was forgotten, we leave it to each individual to send such greetings and thanks in their own way.
And now our minds are one. ♦