tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14373879600823498142024-03-05T23:17:14.787-08:00Shadar's MusesA modern Druid and Pagan priest getting by in America today. sounds easy right, lets find out...Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03783841142856148628noreply@blogger.comBlogger70125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1437387960082349814.post-29502176396428771712013-10-20T08:40:00.001-07:002013-10-20T08:40:36.600-07:00Autumn Morning Meditation ReflectionThe Autumn leaf in red, blazing against a bright pre-winter frosty morning. There are yellows and golds, orange and even a few purples to be seen from my perch beside the window. The colors compete with one another in a last great show of Nature before the blanket of snow arrives and the skies turn from blue to grey. Colors that show every emotion, feelings hidden deep within our instinctive self, that know it is time to reflect before the long winters rest to come.<br />
This is not unique to humans as we are part of this natural state of life. We follow the rhythms of Nature, the seasons of life as all creatures do. Nature speaks softly yet reveals so much in her display of light, weather, color and in her quiet. Wherever there is life, Nature speaks, and where there is quiet, there is a knowing. Even the smallest of things understand without question that this is so.<br />
The Laws of Nature go on, unswayed by the inventions of mankind. The Earth moves and changes regardless of how man dictates days and nights, work and rest, construction and demolition. The lifeblood of the Earth is water, and even in the deepest of winter, it flows...from the skies and deep under the icy coverings of the rivers. The winds drive the seasonal changes influenced by solar flares and solar winds originating deep in space by the Sun... yet mankind only revels in the days marked out by calendars, who's origins come from mankind and are as fallible as only mankind can be while trying to regulate something much greater than their understanding can be.<br />
Autumn, begins the time of reflection and preparations, for Winter comes. Winter comes without malice, without consideration, without expectation... It comes to bring us time of regeneration, of inner workings of projections. A time needed for rest and rejuvenation to remain in balance to Nature's course of life. In times long past, mankind huddled together and took rest from the long nights and only ventured slightly during the short days, but today they try to continue on in their daily workings as if there were no signals to slow down. Man's imitation day lit by false lights gives mankind the illusion of day, and a drive to continue work, their 'progress' must go on, yet they care not for the 'progress' of the inner self, the natural man. They no longer listen to the voice of Nature, nor do they choose to see the signs of the Great Cycle that all other life follows.<br />
Those that are not blind to the sight, and can hear the messages upon the winds are called dreamers, poets, romantics,...and fools. Yet these are the people who can feel deeply and understand quietly and can live in such simple bliss of knowing. These are the ones in balance and live without the illusion of suffering.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03783841142856148628noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1437387960082349814.post-65688045623824786712013-10-02T12:27:00.002-07:002013-10-02T12:27:44.254-07:00My Official Position<div align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
My Official Position...
</div>
<div align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
those who know me understand the majority of this, those who do not may want to start asking questions...</div>
<div align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
In 1993, I was an eager 'go
getter' and 'get things done' driven person, fueled by not only my
desire to learn, but by my character of servitude. And boy did I
learn... I researched and correlated information and communications
from every available source of information and applied it liberally.
My desire was not to become a leader, but to become a teacher.</div>
<div align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
I served a rather small but
growing community at first, and within a year or two I was working
with several other communities. I became a chronicler of events, a
historian of an organization, a research specialist and maintained my
daily duties and rituals of worship and service to the community.</div>
<div align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
I developed training systems
and classes for others as well... teaching about service, history,
ethics and even group dynamics and grievance council. I sat on
panels, held board positions, lead workshops and developed intense
training methods for preparing to fill such positions as minister,
clergy, priest and councilor. All this before 2004.</div>
<div align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
In 2004, I backed off quite
a bit, even took a sabbatical from my duties for a year, but never
removed myself from my obligations to my deities and still served my
community as a councilor and guide. I had begun a group of earnest
students of history and knights, mostly students of the Squire and
Maiden courses, designed to better understand and apply servitude and
self discipline. By 2006, we all went on along our own paths,
keeping in touch and continuing to find truths about ourselves and
our communities.</div>
<div align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
I worked intermittently with
other groups along my journey, as researcher, assistant, councilor
and adviser, continuing my dedication to the community. My personal
path demands that I serve others, yet I had forgotten to restrain my
energies and suffered from it emotionally and physically. I began to
slow down...</div>
<div align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
In 2010, the call for a new
centralized community gathering and group became too loud to ignore
where I had moved to. This time, I took the lead roll rather than a
supportive position. We held open classes and workshops, hosted
rituals for Sabbats and the Full Moons. In retrospect, we could have
stopped there, maybe we should have. This we developed into a church
format rather than a coven format, and founded a church, even
chartered with the ATC (where I got my beginnings with Pagan/Wiccan
church settings, but not my beginnings as a Pagan) and by 2012 I was
again full swing into serving and working for my community.</div>
<div align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
That didn't last long
though, but only because the group began to thin out down to a
handful of active members, and even less supporters for our humble
coffers. So we tried to promote without proselytizing, asking for
suggestions from our community as to what they wanted... We received
a lot of ideas and much of it worth while, but no one would or could
help on the expenses of them. Eventually, we came to the decision to
close that church, and only function as a small group of Pagans
again.</div>
<div align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
During all this that I was
involved in, other grand things and events were going on within my
communities... and along with them, some bad things. Community
leadership suffered 3 heavy losses, and although one organization
carried the heaviest loss and grief, we all mourned. Mistakes come at
such times, good judgment become impaired, and those with ulterior
motives can maneuver easily into positions...and all such did.
However, new groups began, new events were designed, old groups
renewed and new people discovered the beauty of the experience
because of them.</div>
<div align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
We all make mistakes right?
Bad things happen outside of all our plans. However, mistakes should
be corrected, and more so, bad behavior should be corrected. A lot
was not, on many occasions and from many groups and individuals. The
breaking had begun so subtlety that most were not even aware of it
until the more aggressive and pronounced actions and individuals were
taking charge. There were many calls for communication and council,
corrective implementation, and even for apologies.... there were very
few of those, completely absent in many cases. It was all called to
be covered up and for everyone to focus on the positive. Sometimes
that is the worst option, but for somethings that might work.</div>
<div align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
So from 2009 until 2011, I
remained vigilant on trying to refocus on the positive, to observe
without direct conflict, to research and interview, and keep record.
That's what I do best. However, in 2011 I became directly involved in
a pattern of offenses that I had no desire to be. It placed me in a
very uncomfortable position with my church elders and many other
community leaders that had either stood behind the offender, or had
been a victim of the offenses. I stood up and called that person out,
presented my case with evidence and supportive testimony and demanded
corrective action and an apology....neither were granted and I was
instructed to 'drop it' for the betterment of the church. I did, for
2 more years.</div>
<div align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
In October of 2013 I find
myself facing a personal and spiritual delima. The offender now has
positioned herself and petitioned (no, make that demanded) a ritual
rite of Cronehood. Although she meet almost none of the 'traditional'
requirements based on my belief and the majority of the community's
opinion, the church backs this. Two of my Elders actually approve
this. Yet, the majority of the community, and community elders, as
well as the other churches do not support it. I cannot abide it, as
it is a slap in the face to other Crones and offensive to most of us
who have had dealings with the woman involved.</div>
<div align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
I spent only an hour in
personal debate and evaluation of my principals... I retired my
position as ATC Clergy.</div>
<div align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>retire</b></span></span></span><span style="color: black;"> </span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-size: 9pt;">-
From French retirer, from re-, "back" and tirer, "throw,"
its first sense was "withdraw to a place of safety or
seclusion."</span></span></span>
</div>
<div align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-size: 9pt;"><b>1. </b>to
withdraw or go away to a place of privacy, shelter, or seclusion:</span></span></span></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.39in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-size: 9pt;"><b>2. </b>to
go to bed.</span></span></span></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.39in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-size: 9pt;"><b>3. </b><span style="background: #ffff00;">to
give up or withdraw from an office, occupation, or career,</span>
usu. because of age.</span></span></span></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.39in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-size: 9pt;"><b>4. </b><span style="background: #ffff00;">to
fall back or retreat, as from battle.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.39in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-size: 9pt;"><b>5. </b>to
withdraw from view:</span></span></span></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-size: 9pt;"><i>v.t.</i></span></span></span></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.39in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-size: 9pt;"><b>6. </b>to
withdraw from circulation by taking up and paying, as bonds or bills.</span></span></span></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.39in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-size: 9pt;"><b>7. </b>to
withdraw (troops, ships, etc.), as from battle.</span></span></span></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.39in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-size: 9pt;"><b>8. </b><span style="background: #ffff00;">to
remove from an office or active service, </span>as an army officer.</span></span></span></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.39in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-size: 9pt;"><b>9. </b>to
withdraw (a machine, ship, etc.) permanently from its normal service.</span></span></span></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.39in;">
<br />
</div>
<div align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">Now
this does not mean I resigned;</span></span></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>re•sign</b></span></span></span><span style="color: black;"> </span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-size: 9pt;">(rɪˈzaɪn) </span></span></span><br /><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-size: 9pt;"><i>v.i.</i></span></span></span></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.39in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-size: 9pt;"><b>1. </b><span style="background: #ffff00;">to
give up an office or position</span> (often fol. by <i>from</i>).</span></span></span></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.39in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-size: 9pt;"><b>2. </b><span style="background: #ffff00;">to
submit; yield:</span></span></span></span></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-size: 9pt;"><i>v.t.</i></span></span></span></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.39in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-size: 9pt;"><b>3.</b><b><span style="background: #ffff00;"> </span></b><span style="background: #ffff00;">to
give up (an office, position, etc.), often formally</span>.</span></span></span></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.39in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-size: 9pt;"><b>4. </b><span style="background: #ffff00;">to
relinquish (a right, claim, etc.)</span>.</span></span></span></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.39in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-size: 9pt;"><b>5. </b><span style="background: #ffff00;">to
submit (oneself, one's mind, etc.) without resistance</span>.</span></span></span></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="margin-top: 0.08in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-size: 9pt;">[1325–75;
Middle English < Middle French </span></span><span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-size: 9pt;"><i>resigner</i></span></span><span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-size: 9pt;"> <
Latin </span></span><span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-size: 9pt;"><i>resignāre</i></span></span><span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-size: 9pt;"> to
open, release, cancel =</span></span><span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-size: 9pt;"><i>re-</i></span></span><span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-size: 9pt;"> </span></span><a href="http://www.thefreedictionary.com/re"><span style="color: #645e7d;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-size: 9pt;">re</span></span></span></a><span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-size: 9pt;">-
+ </span></span><span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-size: 9pt;"><i>signāre</i></span></span><span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-size: 9pt;"> to
mark, seal,]</span></span></span></span></span></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">However
in this case, since I stood up to the church, against my Elders
advise and demands, I can only assume that I have lost my license of
Clergy status. I had already made plans months ago to close our
church, so loosing that means nothing. No one can take away my
history of service, my experience in the communities, my reputation
nor can they discredit over 20 years in public works and personal
growth and achievements, so the only thing that can be taken away is
the 'right' of title or function...but only in their organization. So
no, I loose nothing when I measure and weigh it against personal
fortitude and ethical principals that I still wholeheartedly believe
in.</span></span></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">Actually
it freed me somewhat, removed limitations I was holding to, yet
observed others in similar situations ignore. It removed a burden
that I was sharing that was not honorable to carry, that of
concealing truths and accepting inappropriate behavior. If nothing
else, it allows me to refocus my personal dedications and accept a
few things that I was beginning to become confused on. It allowed
clarity of thought, and revealed a lot about my elders and church
community.</span></span></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">Sometimes
one must walk alone, headlong into life, ready to accept that there
are real battles fought inside and out and all around that you will
be involved in, wounded, and at times triumphant. Sometimes you think
you walk alone and find a chorus of voices cheering and a crowd
marching along. But from today, I will not worry so much about it or
for the community, as I will focus on making what I know to be wrong
right. I will focus on upholding to my moral compass and priorities
of my principal beliefs. If that part of the journey is traveled by
only myself, or even along by a very few, then it is to be that way.
Journeying alone for me is not lonely, there is always the company of
the Gods and of Nature....and neither have ever mistreated me.</span></span></div>
<div align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
</div>
<div align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03783841142856148628noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1437387960082349814.post-35887742681958128772013-06-16T15:45:00.002-07:002013-06-16T15:45:41.853-07:00Whats wrong with Society today?Large topic, and many willing answers to it. But we seem to address everything about society as a whole from a very narrow angle, self perspective. Myself included. So how can we address the wonders and wrongs of a society? First we must be an active part in all of the society that we are gauging. That means we are part, not observing from the outer rims of society. This means we are part of whatever is going on, actively creating the present sociological moment....<br />
But that is a long subject beyond the scope of my writings here in a blog; a blog that is written from a single viewpoint in time and place, and not as described in above measure....<br />
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Lets start with this...."We the People...." As I am in America, I will refer to this one great piece of legislature that governs our land. The Constitution begins quite plainly and simply, outlying the 'sovereign rights' of the People and how we retain the control over our lives with the help of the civil servants known as our government officials who have only the power we grant them to help us in our daily lives to fulfill our 'American Dream' of Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness. The Bill of Rights, those first very important Amendments to the U. S. Constitution are simply that, rights. They are not subject to qualifiers to any American born (and later Naturalized) citizens. They are not 'privileges' subject to Government allowance, as the Government likes to believe.<br />
All American citizens have been taught to believe that the government has control over all things, while in fact it has very little legal authority in our daily lives. Our Laws, both State and Federal, are mandated by the People first, then adjusted, applied and regulated by the Government in and for our behalf...Seeing it from this angle it seems that we are in control, yet we do not get to see this often as the illusion of servitude has been eroded from our government and placed somehow upon the people.<br />
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Proverbial and literal lines have been drawn and drawn again in the constant clash of government overstepping it's authority and private citizens, the People, in restricting rampant and gross negligence of who is in servitude to who. The individual's rights are being superseded by the 'rights granted by government' to entities who have no individual or single point of responsibility nor accountability for denying individual rights and imposing their own wishes over the majority. That is known as Capitalism over Democracy, and was one of the reasons that this country was formed, in the accordance of all having equal rights, not just the wealthy.<br />
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When these lines are tested, by either side, we call it a protest, then a riot...Media can play either side, yet since the majority of mainstream media is owned or regulated by individuals who are either in corporate or government seats, guess who the favor and which way they tilt the view-point. Rarely are the People heard after that, and only the misgivings stated by whom ever is currently in 'authority' over the people....laughable if it weren't so demeaning and troubling. So is Society in the wrong for demanding of it's civil servants to perform their service to the People? Or is the Government in 'control' and hold 'authority' over the People?</div>
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In these last few years, from Egypt to Australia, whenever people gather to voice their demands to the government and assemble to address the government, they are met with denial by their government, and even forcefully removed, beaten and arrested. Now, I don't know about every other country, but in America, that is as Un-Constitutional as you can get. And we should not only allow this to happen, we should bring the offending civil servants to justice. The Supreme Law of the land, the U. S. Constitution, is on our side in these matters, not some bank, nor corporation, nor any government official has any more 'rights' than the People that hold this government and this land.</div>
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The U. S. Government, under one form or another, by one name or title or another, actually owns large swaths of lands as well as small parcels. No matter the name of the land, nor the entity which governs or regulates such land, there is one thing that they do not want to admit nor tell you.... We own the land. Again, the government stands to support its citizens, thus they hold onto only what we allow them, and only if it should benefit the Nation as a whole, not a profit for any if not all. And what about Public Lands....</div>
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Public means, well....PUBLIC. These pieces of land or 'property' are accessible by the public. The Government is responsible for the upkeep and protection of use of these areas, not the regulation nor the ability to deny use of public lands from the public...</div>
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Wanna see some Public lands that were once thought of and treated as if by owned by the People and that are no longer freely accessible by the People?.........</div>
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The House and Congress... no longer the Peoples House.</div>
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The Supreme Court House..no longer the Peoples Court House.</div>
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The White House...which has been steadily restricted by the Government to allow less and less access of the People since 1935, and now is rarely visited outside of Presidential invitation or $1300 tour fee (and that is IF you pass their Security background check)</div>
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No Longer the Peoples House.</div>
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There is something wrong with today's Society alright, but it did not start with the People in action, it started because we did not act. The Government decided to start regulating our sovereign rights, and we were quiet.</div>
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The Government began to regulate and restrict our access to address them in office, and we remained silent still. Then the government decided that they no longer worked for the People, and we reminded them that they were our representatives, and we were silenced by the Government.</div>
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Freedom is not an illusion, it is there for us, all we have to do is take it back. It comes with a price, and not one that can be bought for any amount of money....but through integrity, honesty, working hard, and yes even fighting and death may and will be the cost for us all to regain what has been ever so slowly and quietly taken away from us.</div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03783841142856148628noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1437387960082349814.post-5909067245623480082013-06-03T17:02:00.000-07:002013-06-03T17:02:02.736-07:00Sometimes in the end we learn something of more value than the test we took.....Several years ago, while working as a mountain trail guide, I had one of those days...<br />
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5 AM: We awoke to the sounds of a trailing thunderstorm, still rattling the bunkhouse windows in their frames. Knowing that we had seven riders plus their gear going up into the high pass, we scrambled to get our selves ready to start bringing in the heard of riding and pack horses. Finding the coral muddy and dank from rain and horse droppings, the meadows still marshy by the all night rain, our spirits had already begun to sink. Then we heard about the mountain lion that had been in the valley all night harassing the horses and mules. ( One of the neighbors lost a horse due to it being chased off one of the cliffs by that same lion.)<br />
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By 6 AM the horses had been located and herded into the coral twice, only to break away and charge the wranglers who were lucky enough to have gotten a mount drawn. Leaving the rest of us on foot, pacing the flank of the now highly energized and aggravated herd, trying to keep up without pressing in on them too soon or too hard. Tired beyond my belief of ability, I finally caught my preferred wrangling mount and quickly bridled and saddled him before he decided to dance away with his herd mates.<br />
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At 7 AM, the bosses wife had passed through the lot, which scattered the 8 head of still skittish horses I was trying to push into the wrangling coral. (Mind you that now we are an hour late for breakfast and still not ready to ride up the mountain with our guests, who were gleefully watching the wranglers round up these all to excited animals, without realizing the hardships we were going through, nor the fact about the mountain lions actions earlier in the night.) She shouted at me to turn those horses back in and get them saddled...even though her stepping out in front of them had spooked them and made them turn out and charge past me and my now exasperated mount. I in return, informed her to let me do my job and get out of the way so I can... then I offered to let her mount my horse and do it so I could catch my breath. See how this day was quickly going down hill?<br />
Around 8:00, we had them in, saddled the riders horses, got the pack animals loaded up, and realized that there was not enough wranglers assigned for this large group to proceed up the trail. We have to have one wrangler for every six animals, and there were seven animals being ridden, and ten being used to pack with, and we had only pulled 2 wranglers. (The riders would be dropped off leaving 2 wranglers tethering 17 animals plus their mounts back down alone. We could handle it, but the guide laws said otherwise. Not only that, in the mood we were in, and already exhausted, the boss and his wife decided to send one more rider/wrangler along to make sure we brought back the unruly animals...)<br />
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By 9:15, off we proceed, lead wrangler in front of the 7 guests leading 1 pack animal, 2 wranglers trailing with the remaining 8 pack animals. At least the weather cleared and the sun was out, and we had time somehow to swallow a few bites of breakfast leftovers and a cup of coffee while changing into drier clothes. The ride up would take us 4 hours or better depending on trail conditions and how the riders, and animals, acted. And this being in the Wind River Mountain Range, in the middle of the Bridger-Teton Wilderness, all bets were off on that going well today by us wranglers, yet we kept that from our riders.....A long ride ahead up, and we were only focused on the return ride, hot food, and our bunks...and it wasn't even noon.<br />
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We rode until the guests needed a break, so we stopped in a semi clearing along the trail, only an hour or so from our destination. Securing the pack lines and the saddle horses, we sat down for a quick lunch of sandwiches and an easy stretch of the legs. After everyone had eaten and worked the morning kinks out along with some new found saddle sores, we mounted up and began once again up the trail. Talk began to flow between riders, and we were all feeling a bit better about the day.<br />
At our destination,I looked at my pocket watch, having not wanted to look at it since leaving the valley floor, and discovered it to be closer to 3 pm than 1 pm as was our schedule. The ride up went well, except...except that one of the riders horse took a mis-step and fell, dropping him off hard on the rocks. His ankle was banged up and bruised, but nothing broken. We tended to the scratches received from the rocks, and bandaged the ankle to help ease the discomfort of riding. Then within minutes of getting back underway, my horse slipped on the still wet rocks and fell to his knees, busting his chin wide open. That wasn't too bad, but in the process of this, the pack animals in both lines had become entangled in the leads, creating what we like to call a mountain train wreck. Delays like this can take hours to get settled, and it seemed like it did, but in reality the wreck gave us only a 10 minute delay, and another few minutes to get going again, with a bit more spacing and a slower pace due to the rock trail becoming more obviously slick as we climbed.<br />
We hustled best we could to unload all the pack animals and ready the saddle horses to be tethered and lead back down. The horses and mules alike decided that they were going to graze and spend more time watering than we hoped, and were not going to be deterred for it. Knowing that they had been pushed hard early in the morning, and had taken us up the mountain without rest or water, we decided not to argue, but we did push them to the edge of their good nature about it. (You can argue with 1700 pounds of horse flesh, but you can't win a fight with it.) Saddled, we began our decent, lead man riding with 6 in tow tethered behind, a wrangler with 5 more, and I in the drag pulling 6...a long way to go...I looked again at the watch, almost 5pm now, and daylight is in short supply in these deep mountain valleys.<br />
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The weather decided to turn on us within an hour of the return ride, from sunny and 70 degrees, to just above freezing with sleet and rain, and as normal for us, wind....and lots of it, from every direction at once it seemed. The trees in the dead burn area of the mountain we were riding through, were tossing back and forth threatening to snap like tooth picks and fall down on us at any moment...and one did, smacking across the back of one of the pack horses, sparking a bucking twisting of tangled lead ropes and tether lines, entangling horses and riders both....train wreck number 2, and a bad one. It took more time to settle the startled animals than it took to get the lines back in order, still it cost us almost half an hour...and the storm was only just brewing for us. The wind picked up if anything, and the rain left only to be replaced with more sleet and bits and flurries of snow, wet snow.<br />
Passing the cliff face we call the slide, we negotiated the hairpin cut-back trail along the face, fully exposed to the driving winds and increasing snow/sleet mix. Once we got back into a draw, and began our turn to the next pass, we were pressing hard on the horses for better speed trying to make up time, yet they were having nothing of being rushed and wanted only to head for the tree line and huddle from the storm. For once I would agree with them, but I was trailing the lead, and he was not going to let up and only wanted to keep pushing, almost to a trot down these slippery rocky trails. By now, Nature played an even more sinister hand on me...I HAD TO PEE!!! and I mean right then. However hard I called out, the wind ripped my words over two states, as neither rider ahead of me heard my calls for a stop and kept riding on, leaving me behind and pulling up to dismount.<br />
Now those who do not know, when horses tend to heard and work together, they like to stay together. Meaning, that my mount began chomping the bit to get moving the moment he realized that the lines ahead were not stopping when we did. As I was trying to get my clothing back arrayed, he nudged me trying to get me to start walking so we could keep moving, which only made me slip and almost fall and loose my hold on his reins. Frantically I start to remount as I realized what could happen if he bolted... and bolt he did, just as I was swinging my leg up and around. I hit the ground flat on my back so hard that it actually knocked me out...<br />
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I opened my eyes to rain and sleet pelting me. I laid there, coat wide open, shirt and pants soaking wet, no hat, my glasses gone....not only my glasses gone, but my horse and his tethered charges were no where in sight. The shock of the cold almost unbearable, I stood up, located my glasses about 10 feet away, drew my coat closes, and saw my hat laying muddy and soaked just a few steps from being blown over the trail side and down the ravine below. Yep, this day just got worse, and I knew I only had about 2 hours of daylight left, about 10 miles of trail to get through, my body temperature was falling and my saddle bags had my only food, drink, and emergency shelter....and it was gone.<br />
Here I stood, contemplating finding some sort of windbreak and trying to light a fire, or begin walking down this mountain in hopes of finding my mount or any of the horses along the way and get off the mountain. I lit a cigarette, swallowed my pride, rejected my growing fear of hypothermia, and began walking....<br />
I walked about a mile, and found my horse, all tangled in his reins and lead rope along with the rest of my charges. I don't know how happy they were to see me coming, but I was relieved that they were there. I got them untangled, checked them all for any rope cuts or sores, adjusted the saddles and even got remounted without a single upset. We rode only a few minutes before we caught up to the others, who had eventually discovered that I was no longer behind them and had drawn up to wait. Pleasantries were not exchanged, only harsh words and gruff comments. Apparently pit stops were not going to be part of the return trip and I cost them time, and if I could not keep up or in the saddle I would be left behind. (mmmm...now I am feeling the burn of that even to this day)<br />
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I rode, in silence, through the waning daylight, into the twilight, and on into the darkness. In the wilderness, without Moon nor stars (due to heavy clouds) when I say darkness, I mean pitch black. Flashlights only startle your horses, and can attract curious night predators, so all you have is your best guess at what you think you see, and rely on your horses ability to see the trail to get you home. And still I remained silent. Another tangle-up/train wreck happens due to hurried attempts at a cutback in the trail and two tethered animals trying a short-cut. Then within a half hour we detour due to a down tree across the trail, and blaze a round about way around, again tangling up in the trees and branches which are happy to snag anything they can, this also spooks one of the lead pack animals and starts a whole new wreck. But, I remain silent.<br />
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9 PM; the valley floor trail opens up and our humble bunk house and lodge come into a faint view by the lights left on for our return. Relief washes over me, passes through my mount and is transferred along the lead ropes and tethers to the other animals. The day is all but done. We ride that last 1/2 mile, horses dragging hoofs, riders slumped and thoroughly exhausted, all in silence, all thinking the same thoughts, of warm clothes, warm food, and warm beds.<br />
We dismount, tie each animal to the hitch, pull saddles and packs, trying to get this last bit done before our strength fails. The lead wrangler decides that now was the best time to address me about the waste of time, and to impress his point that it was only my fault that this ride took so long. (Mind you he set the pace up and back, pressing for speed and causing 3 of the 4 wrecks along the days ride.) I had about all I could handle of the blame game, and turned away, grabbed my saddle bags and began to walk away. Now this was not acceptable to him, as he stepped in-front of me and made it a point to remove his gun holster from his mount.<br />
Intimidation does not bode well with me, and I looked him in the eye and said; "I don't know if you noticed or not, but I quit about 5 miles back up that trail. I am going to bed." This must have made an impact upon him, as he (to this date) has never spoken to me since.<br />
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The next morning, the boss asked me what happened, and I told him knowing that the other wranglers had already spoken to him. (I did not bother to get up and wrangle horses, feed, nor any other morning chores or even go into breakfast and decided to sleep in instead.) He asked if I still worked for him, and I said that was totally up to him. He asked if I would ride with the lead wrangler up the mountain again, and I said yes, but he might not come back. So with that all in mind, he said he needed me to stay on, to take a day off, stay away from the wranglers and he'd see to me later about rides going up later in the week and the return of the group I had just went up the mountain with.<br />
I spent the day on the bunkhouse porch watching the herd, listening to the wind, and peacefully enjoying hours. That evening, a young wrangler approached me and said that he had heard the other versions of the previous days ordeals and wanted to hear my telling of it. So we sat down and I told him how it went from my point of view.<br />
After hearing it, he looked at me and said;<br />
"Ya know, it was all in all a bad day for you, hell, for most of us that morning it was bad. That trip was pushed, could have been delayed a day. But all in all I guess, it was the worst day that you made the best out of. You made it back, everyone is alive, the horses are okay. You did good."<br />
Those words have come to me a lot since that day, during many ordeals, through trials and tribulations, and in reflection of what I did or how I acted or reacted to them. Many times, I have had those' worst days I ever made the best of'.<br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03783841142856148628noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1437387960082349814.post-24489812485525141892013-04-30T17:11:00.000-07:002013-04-30T17:11:09.894-07:00Earth Today and in 2100....<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQDqjD1L58b3yK9tHaqNB009Plo2NpUb69kubEnlIwe8TMCo1qn3nRsRTn42ZHv_n7xoHW488c-ASJqYMbNAZYRa9b15eVsiLXN68-W4XVT7aAKRJ33uq7XYVItwumXotqXCRq-8yJUzFX/s1600/images.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="112" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQDqjD1L58b3yK9tHaqNB009Plo2NpUb69kubEnlIwe8TMCo1qn3nRsRTn42ZHv_n7xoHW488c-ASJqYMbNAZYRa9b15eVsiLXN68-W4XVT7aAKRJ33uq7XYVItwumXotqXCRq-8yJUzFX/s320/images.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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I once again watched a great documentary, 'earth 2100', and once again re-evaluated my part in this growing global crisis that human kind has so greatly ignored in the richer and wealthier nations, i.e. USA, UK. Humans have played the greatest hands in ushering in global crisis for the last 200 years, and we are very close to reaching the tipping point which we will not likely survive, nor will much of any life forms sadly. Am I exaggerating? I only wish. The documentary explains in social and scientific terms and though examples based on solid evidence and hard facts what very easily could happen if we do nothing, and what we could do to improve, and worsen, the outcomes.</div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; text-align: justify;"><a href="http://topdocumentaryfilms.com/earth-2100-final-century-of-civilization/" target="_blank">“Earth 2100,” hosted by Bob Woodruff, will journey through the next century and explore what might be our worst-case scenario. But no one can predict the future, so how do we address the possibilities that lie ahead?</a></span></div>
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Greed has been the driving force for mankind's evolution and creation of societies though-out our long history....yet mankind's history is very short compared to the length of time this planet and other life upon it has thrived before humans. However, much of mankind's leaps and bounds in modern technology, science, medicine and other such advancements has not always started out as a reach for wealth or as a slave to personal greed or gain. Often it was a new or improved development that brought prosperity or relief to many, or everyone, until someone took it and placed a private label on it, patented it, or otherwise possessed it and limited it's availability, or as often as not, placed a higher and higher price for it. In that mindset and push for more and more profit, mankind has placed all other things, living or not, below it's importance. Thus began our long, or should I say short, journey to destruction, which will eventually include the very earth.</div>
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We have reached many levels of success in alleviating the stress and strains of our Natural resources and ecology, so it's not all gloom and doom. We have developed renewable energy sources, the highest demand mankind has on this planet. ( I say this due to the fact that many Nations have reached an expected standard of living that includes much, much waste of energy and many, many products that has a very high cost of energy and resources that is just, well...., not very cost, energy, or practicably efficient to produce them.) We have developed both positive and negative, long and short term, advances in producing foods, growing crops, and preservation of them as well as the ability to not only store long er terms, but to distribute them further from the farms. (Here again I must point out not all of these 'improvements' are applicable in our 'advancement'. Some of these things include pesticides that are killing off ALL insects and causing irreversible damage to the wildlife that come into contact with them. Some include herbicides that not only kill the weeds, but many other forms of plants and again kill or effect wildlife. Some include mutations and genetic tampering, which opens up the various experimental strains of seeds and plants to new and different types and strains of diseases.) And, we have developed wondrous steps in filtering and recycling water, which is barely keeping from falling behind our ability to pollute that same water.</div>
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I am not saying we don't know what to do, I am saying we are not doing enough....and we are running out of time to prevent things from getting much worse. We do not have to give up everything, but we must begin to sacrifice a few things, and drastically change our demands on the planet. We can do it in small and simple ways, starting slowly, and continuing our demands for enriching our lives and not our bank accounts. Face it, what good is your money when there is no more food left on the shelves in the market, or clean water to drink? We need to re-evaluate our needs, take a closer look at our lives and what we want to achieve, and leave behind for our children.</div>
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Lets look at a few things here to start with.....Energy Demands.</div>
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Solar Energy is growing, in almost every country and on every Continent. From home solar panels, businesses with solar reflectors on them, and even parking lots of shopping malls (which provide shade and shelter for the shoppers) and are also being placed over open canals to not only help reduce evaporation, but to produce the electricity to run pumping stations and flow gates. In less than 25 years, research and development of solar energy has produced better and higher performance equipment for generating 'free and clean' energy. Countries like Germany and Iceland have focused much of their energy needs and funding to be able to produce almost 50% of all electrical demands from solar energy plants and home energy producers. </div>
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Wind energy is also growing, in the western States of North America, Australia, and spreading....The wind doesn't always blow, nor does the Sun always shine, but combine the two, and you have a pretty stable, very renewable, and mostly reliable source of energy that has next to zero negative impact on the ecology. </div>
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<a href="http://www.esbi.ie/news/2008/img/seagen-tidal-energy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://www.esbi.ie/news/2008/img/seagen-tidal-energy.jpg" /></a><a href="https://encrypted-tbn1.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcRIAh_4uINeDOytA7xUtcTFgRay3BZS9couOK_HvfuLz4fYcTKF" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://encrypted-tbn1.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcRIAh_4uINeDOytA7xUtcTFgRay3BZS9couOK_HvfuLz4fYcTKF" /></a></div>
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Tidal energy is also a growing avenue that we can expand upon in every country. Holland might be best known for it's windmills, but they have had tidal wave towers for almost 30 years, and other countries have just now begun developing new and more efficient tidal turbines. Tidal energy supplements many power grids in shipyards all over the world, and can be successfully combines with wind turbine mounted above the tidal towers platforms. </div>
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I have written before about the history of hydroelectric power in America, and we have slowly been upgrading these massive generators for more efficient and longer life ones....but slowly due to a cost factor that many of us do not want to help pay. However, we still, in America, produce between 8% to 12% of our total energy output through hydroelectric means. </div>
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Food... a world of Hunger.</div>
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Today's food markets are driven not by supply and demand as one might have been taught in school, but by mega farm industries, government regulations and worse yet, but private chemical companies. THAT HAS TO CHANGE. Natural or organic grown foods are becoming more and more expensive thanks to not the rarity or difficulty in producing them, but through the government regulations that enforce private mega farming industries demands on the simple farmer and local co-ops that operate outside of these mega groups. Most of us have heard of <a href="https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=3&cad=rja&ved=0CEkQFjAC&url=https%3A%2F%2Fen.wikipedia.org%2Fwiki%2FMonsanto&ei=yFiAUeKxEcii2AX2nIC4BQ&usg=AFQjCNHDJLSf4gGr2lIqnXPSUtV7QTbkIA&sig2=UxvFbdV2ZIilDAj5CnV0vQ&bvm=bv.45645796,d.b2I" target="_blank">Monsanto</a> , but do we understand the long term cost of thier 'right now' plan? In plain English; if you have to dilute a product by 200% before application to your crop, and must wear personal protective equipment while applying it, and must wait 48 hours before harvesting it, and must wash it with soap and water and rinse for at least 5 minutes before eating it.....it is not healthy to use it. That in no way make any sense to use a product that is listed in over seventeen countries as toxic on your food. And that is only one of the many product created by such mega farm corporations trying to gain a monopoly on foods, in seed, plant genes, additives such as insecticides and herbicides, and they proclaim they are 'improving' the worlds food sources.</div>
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Today's foods, and tomorrows foods, need to be less toxic to the farmer and consumer alike. One trend that I am watching is edible yards, growing gardens as well as fruiting trees and shrubs as individual home owners and entire neighborhoods. This trend is something that a small town to an entire city can do to help with the growing food demand and commercial prices. Maybe a small step back in the direction of the 'Family Farm', and a big boost to the local Town Market.</div>
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I can go on to include transportation issues here, but I will blog about it in a later piece. But as a note, Americans have the most vehicles per population of any Nation today, and the most fuel use....see my point?</div>
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Also there is much to be said about sharing knowledge and technology to other Nations to get everyone reducing waste, demands on Natural Resources, and pollution.</div>
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Remember about 20 years ago when this concept came out on TV? How quickly we forgot.</div>
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It is time to change, now, not tomorrow or next year. Tell your family and friends....remind your Government that NOW is the time to enforce reduction of toxic pollutants and green house gases...not 30 years from now. Demand more efficient machines, and less waste. Start by doing your part as well, for we all carry this responsibility and will all share in it's consequences. </div>
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03783841142856148628noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1437387960082349814.post-32662410605776954782012-12-22T09:07:00.001-08:002012-12-22T09:07:43.175-08:00Sleeping Giant awakens....<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-size: 11.666666030883789px;">The earth has slumbers along as mankind has </span><span style="font-size: 12px;">evolved</span><span style="font-size: 11.666666030883789px;"> Yet in her sleep she dreams of us, however, we seldom return that consideration. and now she stirs as her dreams become restless with the influence of the reality of mankind and our potential for creation...and destruction. This is not only </span><span style="font-size: 12px;">metaphor</span><span style="font-size: 11.666666030883789px;">, but reality of what is currently going on in the world today.</span></span><br />
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<img height="320" mce_src="http://myschool.in.com//media/student_corner/2012/Oct/114720_earth.gif" src="http://myschool.in.com//media/student_corner/2012/Oct/114720_earth.gif" width="320" />Some things we do not consider on daily meditations have now been the focus of a few...The scientists, the clergy and even the Government have begun to take notice of not just civil unrest, but the Earths unrest as we have gone beyond the Natural Balance of life on this planet and tipped the scales, and not in our favor apparently.</div>
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Take a look at this...</div>
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<a href="http://www.volcanodiscovery.com/erupting_volcanoes.html" mce_href="http://www.volcanodiscovery.com/erupting_volcanoes.html" style="color: blue !important;" target="_blank">http<img class="emoticon halfhappy" mce_src="http://static.websimages.com/JS/Punymce/plugins/emoticons/img/trans.gif" src="http://static.websimages.com/JS/Punymce/plugins/emoticons/img/trans.gif" style="background-image: url(http://static.websimages.com/JS/Punymce//plugins/emoticons/img/emoticons.gif); background-position: -96px 0px; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; border: 0px; height: 16px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; width: 16px;" title=":/" />/www.volcanodiscovery.com/erupting_volcanoes.html</a></div>
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If the moving and shaking, and the obvious awakening of deep earth movements and breathing doesn't get your attention, how about the issues of Climate Change? There is a lot to be said of mankinds acceleration of release of 'greenhouse' gasses into our atmosphere, and the effects are worldwide, although not all the world is aware of them. A simple example for the USA can be seen and explained here... <a href="http://www.epa.gov/climatechange/">http<img class="emoticon halfhappy" mce_src="http://static.websimages.com/JS/Punymce/plugins/emoticons/img/trans.gif" src="http://static.websimages.com/JS/Punymce/plugins/emoticons/img/trans.gif" style="background-image: url(http://static.websimages.com/JS/Punymce//plugins/emoticons/img/emoticons.gif); background-position: -96px 0px; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; border: 0px; height: 16px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; width: 16px;" title=":/" />/www.epa.gov/climatechange/</a> and another look at weather pattern changes and forecasts can be found here... <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/12/21/2012-extreme-weather-climate-change_n_2348079.html" mce_href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/12/21/2012-extreme-weather-climate-change_n_2348079.html" style="color: blue !important;" target="_blank">http<img class="emoticon halfhappy" mce_src="http://static.websimages.com/JS/Punymce/plugins/emoticons/img/trans.gif" src="http://static.websimages.com/JS/Punymce/plugins/emoticons/img/trans.gif" style="background-image: url(http://static.websimages.com/JS/Punymce//plugins/emoticons/img/emoticons.gif); background-position: -96px 0px; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; border: 0px; height: 16px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; width: 16px;" title=":/" />/www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/12/21/2012-extreme-weather-climate-change_n_2348079.html</a></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-size: 11.666666030883789px;">So what does this mean to us? It means that we have not single </span><span style="font-size: 12px;">handed</span><span style="font-size: 11.666666030883789px;"> caused this, it means we had a hand in accelerating this. Shifting soil and rock, </span><span style="font-size: 12px;">extracting</span><span style="font-size: 11.666666030883789px;"> fluids and gasses, and destableizing the ground wasn't bad enough...we burned materials that changed our protective dome of life giving air into a </span><span style="font-size: 12px;">depleted</span><span style="font-size: 11.666666030883789px;"> source of life support and altered the temperatures and weather patterns that sustain life for this planet. Couple that with the destruction of forests worldwide, the paving over of nutrient rich soils with concrete and </span><span style="font-size: 12px;">asphalt</span><span style="font-size: 11.666666030883789px;"> and we can see a </span><span style="font-size: 12px;">dramatic</span><span style="font-size: 11.666666030883789px;"> global reduction of our life support system for us.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-size: 11.666666030883789px;">And we haven't even covered trash, waste and our ever growing landfills and our toxic pollution by oil, coal and gas companies. Take a look at...</span></span><a href="http://www.greenstudentu.com/encyclopedia/pollution" mce_href="http://www.greenstudentu.com/encyclopedia/pollution" style="color: blue !important; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.666666030883789px;" target="_blank">http<img class="emoticon halfhappy" mce_src="http://static.websimages.com/JS/Punymce/plugins/emoticons/img/trans.gif" src="http://static.websimages.com/JS/Punymce/plugins/emoticons/img/trans.gif" style="background-image: url(http://static.websimages.com/JS/Punymce//plugins/emoticons/img/emoticons.gif); background-position: -96px 0px; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; border: 0px; height: 16px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; width: 16px;" title=":/" />/www.greenstudentu.com/encyclopedia/pollution</a><span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-size: 11.666666030883789px;"> There you can read about air, water and soil issues that we, yes we as a whole, have created. As consumers of the good of the companies that have played a large roll in creating this, we not only accept this, we </span><span style="font-size: 12px;">endorse</span><span style="font-size: 11.666666030883789px;"> it and encourage it to continue.</span></span><br />
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My point is, although we did not cease to exist on 12/21/2012, we better wake up to the facts that we might not get many more times to become aware and start corrective measures to ensure that we are still around by the end of 2013.</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03783841142856148628noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1437387960082349814.post-82492144620684402852012-12-18T09:07:00.001-08:002012-12-18T09:11:53.504-08:00Global Change...a man made disaster?<br />
Climate change is not the only 'global' issue we face when it comes to the health and sustainability of our planet... there is another issue we face that we can directly influence it, because we (humans) are the source and cause of 85% of it. It's called Global Structural Change.<br />
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It would normally take hundreds of thousands of years to move as much topsoil, gravel and stone around the surface of the Earth, as it has taken mankind only a few centuries. It would tale millions of years for the under-structure of mountains to be hollowed out, and salt domes to be emptied by water solutions, for arid plain's under-fields of water and oil to me drawn to the surface and the rise, and or fall, of grounds to elevations more suitable for life....and mankind has done this in less than a century. Globally.<br />
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We move substrate from under solid ground, pump fluids and gasses into hollowed out salt domes and empty coal caverns. We pump water into bedrock crevices to flush out stable channels of under-structure. We drain ponds, lakes and swamps, and fill them with strata to place even more weight than was once there before. And we remove entire mountains from where they once stood and redistribute that matter across many miles of land unaccustomed to that weight and have less structural support deep within the crust lining. And we wonder why earthquakes, landslides and flooding is an issue in our modern world.<br />
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We humans see only the surface, and only consider a few hundred feet at the most when we do these things. And although we know and have an understanding of Geology, Physics and basic Earth Science of density and tensile strength, we forgot the simplicity of the domino effect and the ripple patterns that we learned in our youth. Once one thing is removed, or placed, and even replaced, it will effect all things in the old and new places....creating short term and long term issues.<br />
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The Earth is not just rotating on it's axis, nor just revolving around the Sun; it is expanding and contracting, the tectonic plates move, the crust rises and falls on its own in its own time of new lift and under supplementation. The Earth is literally 'breathing' and shifting mass in gas, liquid and solid forms all around itself. That we have no control of, yet can influence either in a positive way or a negative way. However, the Earth will do as She pleases, and although we may argue with Her and with ourselves, we cannot win that fight.<br />
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In moving mass earth in stone, sand and soil, we shift millions of tons around. We tip the balance and things beyond our scope of control begin to shift and shake. Like a sponge, the compression once removed, it expands. Like a spring held under tension, once the tension is lessened or released, the spring moves to a more suitable or natural state. That is what the crust of the Earth is, and how it acts and will react, given time and the right influence for it.<br />
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And what about water? We humans in America, while experimenting with nuclear explosions and military weaponry, managed to poison the largest underground fresh water deposit in Nevada... although a desert lays above it, we now have millions of people living there and are desperate for constant and reliable fresh water sources from the neighboring states. We deposit crude oils and gasses into our coastal waters. We release toxic chemicals into our air which taint our rainfall rendering it all but useless to natural life, and at times deadly to any life that consumes it or touches it. And Americans are not the only ones to be guilty of this....most 'developing countries' have done the same, over and over.<br />
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And speaking of air, we need that balanced equation of inert gasses to be able to live here. Oxygen alone will not sustain us well, and the amount of it is also a factor; too much and we die, too little and we die. Not just humans, but all animals. We need our plants to thrive, if the animals are to live, including humans. Yet we clear-cut rain forest for soy beans (removing 80% of that area's ability to produce oxygen), level meadows and forest alike to cover it with concrete and asphalt, which not only removed the oxygen machine in place, but now we up the ante by creating carbon gasses and other toxins by our machines not designed for life support, but for our own comfort.<br />
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The 'Global Changes' that we face today are clearly, for the most part, our own doing. And we have gone way past the tipping point in regaining positive influence any time soon, and now have to ride out the damage ongoing and to come, while trying to install corrective change and positive influences to shore up our failing under-structure and rebuild the life support machine that we so ignorantly have been dismantling.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03783841142856148628noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1437387960082349814.post-24302360366704042942012-12-11T10:49:00.002-08:002012-12-11T10:54:51.743-08:00Energy, Economics and Environment...a few facts.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12px;"><span style="background-color: white;"> </span><span style="background-color: yellow; color: red;"> Intrigued by many inputs about power/energy consumption and production numbers posted all over the web and in social media concerning Green energy versus fossil fuels....I decided to do some digging of my own to see what was true, false, and the comparisons and potentials for improvement globally in our energy consumption of fossil fuels and increase use of renewable energy.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: yellow; color: red; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;"> In 2011, the US electricity generation was 4344 billion kWh gross, 1874 TWh (43%) of it from coal-fired plant, 1047 TWh (24%) from gas, 821 TWh (19%) nuclear, 351 TWh (8%) from hydro and 121 TWh (2.8%) from wind. Annual electricity demand is projected to increase to 5,000 billion kWh in 2030, though in the short term it is depressed and is not expected to recover to the 2007 level until about 2015. Annual per capita electricity consumption is currently around 12,300 kWh. Total capacity is 1041 GWe, less than one tenth of which is nuclear.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: yellow; color: red;"><span style="font-size: 12px;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">First</span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12px;"> let's look at some numbers from the USA:</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: yellow; color: red; font-size: 12px;">2009 daily statistics....18,690,000 bbl/day of oil consumed and this is the most recent statistic that can be confirmed as agreed upon by the National Energy Board. Imagine the numbers for 2010-2012 as we have increased volumes of vehicles on the roads each year. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: red; font-size: 12px;"><a href="http://www.nationmaster.com/graph/ene_coa_con-energy-coal-consumption" style="background-color: yellow;">http://www.nationmaster.com/graph/ene_coa_con-energy-coal-consumption</a></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: yellow; color: red; font-size: 12px;">most recent statistics....1,060,000,000 short tons of coal used yearly for heat and power generation.</span></span></div>
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<a href="https://encrypted-tbn2.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcTwtL7LJYbjSixRAV4UtwhgRnr5QPe8Fx79_dUyepTxsHV5bA7eiQ" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="background-color: yellow; color: red;"><img border="0" src="https://encrypted-tbn2.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcTwtL7LJYbjSixRAV4UtwhgRnr5QPe8Fx79_dUyepTxsHV5bA7eiQ" /></span></a><span style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: red; font-size: 12px;"><a href="http://www.world-nuclear.org/info/inf41.html" style="background-color: yellow;">http://www.world-nuclear.org/info/inf41.html</a></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: yellow; color: red; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; text-align: start;">The USA has 104 nuclear power reactors in 31 states, operated by 30 different power companies. Since 2001 these plants have achieved an average capacity factor of over 90%, generating up to 807 billion kWh per year and accounting for 20% of total electricity generated. Capacity factor has risen from 50% in the early 1970s, to 70% in 1991, and it passed 90% in 2002.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: red; font-size: 12px;"><a href="http://visual.ly/united-states-solar-energy-production-data-visualization" style="background-color: yellow;">http://visual.ly/united-states-solar-energy-production-data-visualization</a></span></span></div>
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<a href="https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcRGGyQgzsiDWc9IV2v1SBCKJqyAw_2gIG1-KNYyOvPNSoaNaE7VSA" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="background-color: yellow; color: red;"><img border="0" src="https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcRGGyQgzsiDWc9IV2v1SBCKJqyAw_2gIG1-KNYyOvPNSoaNaE7VSA" /></span></a><span style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: yellow; color: red; font-size: 12px;">Solar energy actually dropped production from 1998 (almost 11 million VDC) to 2009 (about 7.5 million VDC) Many argue that Solar power will never equate much more than a secondary or supplement source, however that argument is lead by the oils and coal industries. We have already seen proof from other Nations that Solar power can become not just a supplement source, but a mainstay production of energy not only in individual or isolated usage, but for municipal and National applications. All across Europe, in areas of Africa, and in Australia, Solar power is a principal source of power.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: red; font-size: 12px;"><a href="http://energy.gov/articles/energy-report-us-wind-energy-production-and-manufacturing-surges-supporting-jobs-and" style="background-color: yellow;">http://energy.gov/articles/energy-report-us-wind-energy-production-and-manufacturing-surges-supporting-jobs-and</a></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: yellow; color: red; font-size: 12px;">The United States’ wind power capacity reached 47,000 MW by the end of 2011. Although growing by an estimated 16% yearly in production, wind energy still only accounts for less than 2% of US Power production.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: red; font-size: 12px;"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hydroelectric_power_in_the_United_States" style="background-color: yellow;">http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hydroelectric_power_in_the_United_States</a></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: yellow; color: red; font-size: 12px;">Produced hydroelectricity was 282 TWh (2008).</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: yellow; color: red;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12px;"> 66.8% of the total renewable power in the U.S. in 2008. 6.4% of the nation's total electricity production. The potential for hydroelectric growth in the US is amazingly underdeveloped due to both government and corporate arguments as well as environmental issues. However, before Nuclear energy, the USA used hydro-electrical energy as almost 40% of its National power production. </span></span><span style="font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 12.666666984558105px; line-height: 19.19999885559082px; text-align: start;">It is the most widely used form of </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Renewable_energy" style="background-image: none; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 12.666666984558105px; line-height: 19.19999885559082px; text-align: start; text-decoration: initial;" title="Renewable energy">renewable energy</a><span style="font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 12.666666984558105px; line-height: 19.19999885559082px; text-align: start;">, accounting for 16 percent of global electricity consumption, and 3,427 terawatt-hours of electricity production in 2010, which continues the rapid rate of increase experienced between 2003 and 2009.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: yellow; color: red; font-size: 12px;"> Now, I know I have not included geothermal power, Natural gas power and a few other ongoing and developing resources for electrical production, and that is mainly due to lack of verifiable facts or information to apply it to a National level. Yet we are seeing the mainstay of Hydro, Wind and Solar potentials and growth of not only production, but as replacement over the 'traditional' energy or power sources. (Much to the dismay of energy companies who are still trying to delay if not destroy green energy growth and applications) As a Nation of growing concerned citizens about such issues over preservation of Natural resources and environmental preservation, we need to be better informed about these growing 'green energy' possibilities and potentials.</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: yellow; color: red;">Now look at this chart and information...from Germany:</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: yellow; color: red;">In 2010 the gross electric power generation in Germany totalled 621 billion kWh. A major proportion of the electricity supply is based on lignite (23.7 %), nuclear energy (22.6 %) and hard coal (18.7 %). Natural gas has a share of 13.6 %. Renewables (wind, water, biomass, photovoötaic) account for 16.5 %.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: yellow; color: red;"><img alt="Electricity production by energy sources" height="343" src="http://www.euronuclear.org/info/encyclopedia/images/elec-prod-ger-2010.jpg" width="450" /></span></div>
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<span class="style44" style="background-color: yellow; color: red; font-size: 10px;">Electricity production by energy sources, Germany 2010</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: yellow; color: red; font-size: 12px;">Now look at the growth of energy production and energy sources in Australia:</span></span></div>
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<a href="http://www.doinsightwork.com/images/power-generation-us.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="background-color: yellow; color: red;"><img border="0" height="228" src="http://www.doinsightwork.com/images/power-generation-us.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="background-color: yellow; color: red;">Or how about Spain....:</span></div>
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<a href="http://www.renewableenergyworld.com/assets/images/story/2012/4/2/4-1332-spain-imposes-temporary-halt-to-new-renewable-energy--co-generation-projects.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="background-color: yellow; color: red;"><img border="0" height="313" src="http://www.renewableenergyworld.com/assets/images/story/2012/4/2/4-1332-spain-imposes-temporary-halt-to-new-renewable-energy--co-generation-projects.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: yellow; color: red; font-size: 12px;">Even France is showing a growth out of it's Nuclear and toward renewable (albeit slowly)...</span></span></div>
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<a href="http://www.geni.org/globalenergy/library/energy-issues/france/graphics/FRELEC.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="background-color: yellow; color: red;"><img border="0" height="276" src="http://www.geni.org/globalenergy/library/energy-issues/france/graphics/FRELEC.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="background-color: yellow; color: red;">Would you like to see the charts of American Power production by source?.....</span></div>
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<a href="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/6/67/Electricity_Production_the_USA.svg/550px-Electricity_Production_the_USA.svg.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="background-color: yellow; color: red;"><img border="0" height="261" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/6/67/Electricity_Production_the_USA.svg/550px-Electricity_Production_the_USA.svg.png" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<a href="http://www.filegarden.com/tomblees/images/both.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="background-color: yellow; color: red;"><img border="0" height="236" src="http://www.filegarden.com/tomblees/images/both.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="background-color: yellow; color: red;">So maybe you wonder what my point is..</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: yellow; color: red;">As a Nation, we are the foremost consumers of Fossil Fuels worldwide, and the last place runners in renewable energy source development. We even began reduction of hydro-electrical energy production in favor of Nuclear and Natural Gas power plants. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: yellow; color: red;">Even our consumption of oil in transportation is decades behind other countries as far as railways, commuter bus lines, and fuel economic vehicles are concerned. We are not only loosing the race to new and renewable power sources, we are running out of time to not only stop the needless pollution for our energy needs, but save what is left of our delicate balance of wilderness/wildlife and life on this planet.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: yellow; color: red;">It is not about the economics sustainability... it is now about the environment survivability.</span></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03783841142856148628noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1437387960082349814.post-24018274794663590482012-12-06T12:51:00.000-08:002012-12-06T12:51:16.521-08:00Life's Journey...Or Ours?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://vintage.johnnyjet.com/image/PictureForNewsletterMalaysiaPangkorUncleYipInJungle.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://vintage.johnnyjet.com/image/PictureForNewsletterMalaysiaPangkorUncleYipInJungle.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Sometimes, we walk a path already well marked and well trodden. Sometimes we find ourselves blazing new pathways. Often we are lead by a compass of some sort, marked by our desires, goals and dreams. At times we find our compass is only a hint at the direction we are headed. So what makes us continue... what changes our path? Many times we label things as happenstance, or 'life getting in the way'. But is it?<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk_-RfG4IkggZ-K3L893ykdc8uk70rIy1QJEKP2fwzmjz-xKMBforDTrtcDMGeK6jQdBsTMJGu6tXC6hy3fM-g_O2iV36WT5CNLWDF7tvwCrR5sQ2-uOB7bV9xQlMRJxa-ZEWt9_cXzcPN/s1600/ProductsMap.gif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="224" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk_-RfG4IkggZ-K3L893ykdc8uk70rIy1QJEKP2fwzmjz-xKMBforDTrtcDMGeK6jQdBsTMJGu6tXC6hy3fM-g_O2iV36WT5CNLWDF7tvwCrR5sQ2-uOB7bV9xQlMRJxa-ZEWt9_cXzcPN/s320/ProductsMap.gif" width="320" /></a></div>
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Few of us believe in coincidences, yet we still find excuses that include the 'event' in our path as something that happened and we cannot control it. True, we are limited in controlling things in our lives as we are only a part of the co-creation of our world. Yet we have these obsticals and events there as part of our path, not a deterrent. How often we forget that. Trailblazing or following a well marked lane, we will always have the opportunity to find or experience things differently than what we expect. And thanks the Gods for them!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhd701WfpWkdNU5gqDGcfzAAw_6D2pXTG_IeEFqwKvAD-25xCdNTgPIp2UtFYTe_TnHwkhEWb_k2JK6GkxD4z_nv63e-R5-dZ8NSf7_yld2L8YXZ0sFFaq8UrUrIu9gEUJF_rwwxlOpLlJe/s1600/best-network-marketing-company.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhd701WfpWkdNU5gqDGcfzAAw_6D2pXTG_IeEFqwKvAD-25xCdNTgPIp2UtFYTe_TnHwkhEWb_k2JK6GkxD4z_nv63e-R5-dZ8NSf7_yld2L8YXZ0sFFaq8UrUrIu9gEUJF_rwwxlOpLlJe/s1600/best-network-marketing-company.jpg" /></a></div>
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How would we learn if not for those unscheduled events about maintaining direction...personal fortitude...determination... character...and always holding on to hope? If everything went as we expected, how droll would life be? Why would we seek balance, seek experience even seek spirituality without conflict of some sort to our plans? Lets face it, conflict is a big part in every known religion...there's good and evil, dark and light, elements of earth vs water and air, and fire vs. water and earth... this is just an example but clearly marked in all religions. These are all lessons of balance, either by attaining them or removing balance from their interactions.<br />
We strive for enlightenment, balance, harmony...yet we avoid the conflicts and dislike venturing close to them.....and these are our lessons and teachers of the very goals we set fourth to achieve. How do you learn these things without taking the lessons or avoiding the teachers? Life gives the test before the class as many have said and destiny is a two part principal...one of creating what we desire by our own action, and one in creating what we need by Universal manipulation beyond that which we can control.<br />
I have been taught that knowledge is only the beginning of wisdom, what we know helps us decide action and course to follow. Wisdom is tested by what you do when you don't know what to do, and based on the knowledge that you can hold to comparison of the situation. Experience is our only teacher then, and that is where we will find ourselves, while we walk our paths in life. Equipped with will, desire, motivation, and with any luck, a strong moral and personal fortitude of self worth...we travel along looking for our goals, answers and destiny. Many times we find out that the path we actually are on, takes us much further along many lesser venues that we needed to experience so that we could better understand if not appreciate the path we chose to begin with.<br />
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<a href="http://www.harborfreight.com/media/catalog/product/cache/1/image/9df78eab33525d08d6e5fb8d27136e95/i/m/image_13035.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://www.harborfreight.com/media/catalog/product/cache/1/image/9df78eab33525d08d6e5fb8d27136e95/i/m/image_13035.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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So we refer to our compass, and at times draw our maps through our journals. We find ourselves lost at times, and at other times set hard on our chosen coarse. We blaze through tangled jungles of confusion, sail seas salted with hardships, climb above mountains of personal issues, and wade through wondrous meadows of emotion. Such a journey is worth it....even if you are uncertain of the destination. And what of that?...a destination?<br />
We reach many crossroads between now and our chosen destination. We even change course in our quest to find a better path to it. But what is that destination? Where are we willing to go to get there from here? And why is it so important for us to reach it? Questions that we encounter, ideas that we meet, and perspectives that we begin to see all will ask us, and remind us, of that destination, and our purpose for finding it or achieving it. Sometimes it is a good thing to find a point in our journey to rest and reflect upon the destination and our value that we place on it. It also allows us to take stock in our growing supply of knowledge and our new found skills learned.<br />
Whatever your answer, it is right for you, and only you. Whatever your destination, path, choice...these only you can decide on. The rest is up to the Universe to collaborate and work in conspiracy with, and against, to create the perfect experience that you will meet next along the way.<br />
Journey well, rest often, and may we meet sometime while on our way...Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03783841142856148628noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1437387960082349814.post-87783057544422868302012-10-30T14:12:00.002-07:002012-10-30T14:12:17.014-07:00Storm Rant<span style="color: red; font-size: x-small;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 13.600000381469727px;"> I don't know about anyone else....</span></span><br />
<span style="color: red; font-size: x-small;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 13.600000381469727px;">but if this government spend a single penny on rebuilding Wall Street and trading houses, I will support the rioters that will appear! 7.2 million people need our help on the East Coast, and it is the People that this Government is supposed to support and defend. All the World Trade and Bank Corporations have the money, they can rebuild themselves... the People have each other. </span><br style="background-color: white; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 13.600000381469727px;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 13.600000381469727px;"> We don't need world trade right now, we need American know-how and muscle, American determination to get our country back from these international thieves and scamers and rebuild our Nation as a strong self sustaining country without the inflated dependency on foreign goods they we used to make here in America.</span><br style="background-color: white; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 13.600000381469727px;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 13.600000381469727px;"> We do not need the illusionary currency that these International Banks are driving this country further into debt...to them... We need National currency that this country has dominion over, not some private corporation.</span><br style="background-color: white; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 13.600000381469727px;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 13.600000381469727px;"> And lastly, we do not need polititions in our government, we need people who know how to govern a Nation, not politic themselves into more money for them while our tears are unattended and out cries are ignored. We need people who work for the People of this Nation, not some multinational group of thugs and thieves stealing our country one job, one product, one trade, at a time.</span><br style="background-color: white; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 13.600000381469727px;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 13.600000381469727px;">So take note America, civilian or government employee,...Rebuild America by rebuilding the security of the People, their homes, their families, their jobs, their future. </span></span><br />
<span style="color: red; font-size: x-small;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 13.600000381469727px;">Because without the People, this Government doesn't stand a chance.</span><br style="background-color: white; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 13.600000381469727px;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 13.600000381469727px;">And we have had enough excuses, enough litigation, enough apathy....</span></span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03783841142856148628noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1437387960082349814.post-31019334383717315232012-10-25T15:44:00.003-07:002012-10-25T15:44:54.627-07:00My New BookToday I finished my working handbook project....actually finished it a few weeks ago, but tired of reading it, re-reading it, and tweaking here and there, and actually editing stuff OUT. So I contacted some peers, contacted some publishers, found some decent deals, (for myself and my reading audience) and proceeded to publish the work as finished.<br />
<a href="http://www.lulu.com/shop/sean-bigham/a-pagan-clergy-handbook-letters-essays-and-observations/paperback/product-20471955.html">A Pagan Clergy Handbook: Letters, Essays & Observations by- Rev Sean (Shadar) Bigham</a><br />
was published on Lulu Publications and is available in print for $12.95.<br />
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<a href="http://static.lulu.com/browse/product_thumbnail.php?productId=20471955&resolution=320" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://static.lulu.com/browse/product_thumbnail.php?productId=20471955&resolution=320" /></a></div>
The handbook is just that, a handbook. Not overly bulky, not overly complex, (at least not for those who have studied in the Pagan traditions and have entered into the Clergy services beyond the functions of the Priesthood) and slim and small enough (6x9 trade book size)to be able to be carried along where ever you may go. No, it is not a how to manual for Clergy, it is however a resource suggestion and guide for such functions as counseling, ministry work, community bulding and continual education for Clergy while serving their community.<br />
composed of letters between myself and various Pagan Clergy, essays on topics such as Universal Laws, Mystery of Religion, and observations of myself and others...rather they are condensed versions or footnotes of conversations during my 20 years of community service as Clergy. I kept this open to all traditions of Pagan and Neo-Pagan practitioners, held no custom or traditional values above any others, you know, quite generalized, yet concise information with enough lead and detail to help guide others into and along the way of our duties and responsibilities as Clergy.<br />
I am still working on 'One Man's Philosophy; A Druids Journal, and will one day have it completed and available to the public. I am still offering classes and discussions on What Modern Pagan Clergy is Today, and many other topics that we cover as teaching Clergy, ministers and Advocates of our various Pagan faiths.<br />
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03783841142856148628noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1437387960082349814.post-75436625231090782242012-06-07T09:24:00.003-07:002012-06-07T09:24:45.715-07:00Spring into Summer: Cycles and Seasons This Spring I agreed to stop working on my journal (One Man's Philosophies; A Druid's Journal) and begin getting another book going into the forefront of my works, 'A Pagan Clergy Handbook'. So I spent the better part of our slow arriving Spring reading and researching so that I could encompass as much as possible that we clergy face almost daily. Then, after so much reading (4 to 6 hours daily and 2 to 4 hours nightly) I began to gather essays, letters, and clips of emails and messages along with topics already addressed in our (Temple of the Stone) clergy handbook and Book of Order. That was the easy part.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh86WD3i4V2XRaCvGJwqMRHbhf17x7Y7-suKh9CNL_wsdYmUGI7k-F179zb89fy664F0dd8oSPCLPgTsbSN-FYExbaLT1BFQcfVk8uiizURSlW8yWmRYKf3F-btil_z87IMBxD5tIMx5im6/s1600/modern+witch.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh86WD3i4V2XRaCvGJwqMRHbhf17x7Y7-suKh9CNL_wsdYmUGI7k-F179zb89fy664F0dd8oSPCLPgTsbSN-FYExbaLT1BFQcfVk8uiizURSlW8yWmRYKf3F-btil_z87IMBxD5tIMx5im6/s320/modern+witch.jpg" width="198" /></a></div>
By late May, I began in earnest to write again, focusing on simple and complicated topics that I thought were the most important in "what clergy are, and what they do", and so began the headache of discovering my "going off on tangents and overstating the obvious". What came next was a laid back 'discussion' type writing style that allowed me to explain some things as if to someone who has never been involved in Pagan communities. Rereading that, I went out and discussed a few things, again, with Pagans and non-Pagans, clergy members of many faiths, and gathered their responses and questions. I found my 'crystal ball'!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg07JEC6cujklr3eFuY9TUPv5PNx5sgf6UTGtYwft3fHp8joKt9N11HTVxUAttn9b2dArj9h6d3A_DsZaStlacLOZc03s-m5KVNMeEa7El649XcaFZMWph8e7ulO7IfbAH5yiK3rb9NgsCX/s1600/kb_Rowena-A_Face_in_the_Frost.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg07JEC6cujklr3eFuY9TUPv5PNx5sgf6UTGtYwft3fHp8joKt9N11HTVxUAttn9b2dArj9h6d3A_DsZaStlacLOZc03s-m5KVNMeEa7El649XcaFZMWph8e7ulO7IfbAH5yiK3rb9NgsCX/s320/kb_Rowena-A_Face_in_the_Frost.jpg" width="222" /></a></div>
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Re-write, re-write, re-write... that became my mantra for a week. I had discovered a few things about understood labels, common allowances in definition, and a much better understanding of how to take my years of study of the American Witchcraft Traditions, Wicca and Pagan / Neo-Pagans traditions and explain things from a more simple approach. True, not everyone will agree with some of my terminology, however, it is based on common acceptance of various things and varying traditions. I sent out a few emails to friends , mentors and peers for further discussions. I sat and began to write once more; adding into some, editing out some, and saving notes for other possible chapters as well as adding some overseen and forgotten subjects.</div>
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Entrenched in my pondering, I became complacent with my current collection of 'background music' playing continuously from the laptop. I began to search often for more and new music. In doing this, I remembered a CD sent to us from a Pagan band in Boise Idaho (yeah, color me surprised as well). So I put it on, and actually sat for the next hour or so memorized by the songs and sounds of this wonderful group. It was nothing less than inspiring for me, and I began to write once again. The words flew, the culture of Pagans ( in general ) awakened in sentences of understood ethos, and it became more simple to explain.</div>
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Being Pagan clergy in this modern world, with it's social political bias and religious intolerance is hard enough, but to write about it in positive affirmative ways was the challenge. I refused to get too into the debates of religious definition, legal requirements and equality. I simply see all paths of enlightenment as true religious experiences, even if and when I disagree with their methodology, mythology, or doctrines. I have always felt that true religion is between me and my God(s), and no one can take that kind of faith away. So I focus on not the Priesthood aspect ( those who create ceremony and dispense the sacraments) but on the Minister or Pastoral aspects of the clergy. That function of administering to the needs of the community in spirit and mental/emotional council. In my research, clergy of every faith follows almost the exact types and systems of council. And the community demands that as well.</div>
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So, here it is, early June. I am only about half-way into the handbook, and yet the flow is beginning to ease into a slow ebb of distant tides. What once rushed to be written down, now flows more like dreamy clouds aloft in the sky, refusing to touch down. That too inspires me to re-read and meditate on the depths of certain subjects. I let common sense do a lot of talking, and i phrase metaphor more perceptibly. I have nothing new to write, and I don't want to re-write or hack what has already been written by me or by others.</div>
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But too I am reminded of an old adage; "Never fear moving slowly, only fear standing sill." I know what I must do, yet not yet how I am going to do it. To finish this work before Summer ends is my goal, yet I have yet to find the path that leads me to it... Maybe it is because of the cycle of the seasons, and the change in pace.</div>
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Each season has it's own pace, and it will affect those of us who live close in the cycles. It is because of our esoteric knowledge and the exoteric customs of our religion that we connect deeply with the seasons. (A point I teach upon in my lessons as well as in my journal.) I hope to get those lofty clouds to land softly soon, and regain my strength in writing that has been given renewed roots and such wondrous sprouts. It will soon be Summer and thus the height of growth. May we each find that in each other, and help nurture it along. </div>
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One last note</div>
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Here is some info about that wonderful band...</div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 14px; text-align: left;">Check out Boise, Idaho's very own Pagan Band!</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 14px; text-align: left;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 14px; text-align: left;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 14px; text-align: left;">Though their foundations may be traditional, Beltane's sound is quite “modern”. One can hear the influence of everything from Celtic violin, to Middle Eastern rhythms, to Native American flutes, and classic American rock guitar.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 14px; text-align: left;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 14px; text-align: left;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 14px; text-align: left;">Ultimately, Beltane’s sound is about the human voice, and its ability to create beauty, and to share messages, feelings and stories. The lush female harmonies, and the beauty and integrity of the lyrics are central to their sound.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 14px; text-align: left;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 14px; text-align: left;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 14px; text-align: left;">Take a journey through the pagan goddess myths of the Celtic lands and beyond. Beautiful female voices backed up by world and rock instrumentation, create a unique and evocative listening experience. Enjoy their new, self-titled CD, “Beltane”.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiW-HWGQGwA2jWr9o4MoxARPqm60GMuwgfLnCfU7817PtrIGRT4mXqW2JNBCNQdHQjOr2ZPJbLm1PfdrYtEFbK2Ni4IjRrYwysi61AIsLL4ZzMtZFBwCpusajB4kVTSPbkfVZspoxw-qJoM/s1600/cover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="280" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiW-HWGQGwA2jWr9o4MoxARPqm60GMuwgfLnCfU7817PtrIGRT4mXqW2JNBCNQdHQjOr2ZPJbLm1PfdrYtEFbK2Ni4IjRrYwysi61AIsLL4ZzMtZFBwCpusajB4kVTSPbkfVZspoxw-qJoM/s320/cover.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 14px; text-align: left;">You can purchase “Beltane” at:</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 14px; text-align: left;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 14px; text-align: left;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 14px; text-align: left;">The Record Exchange 1105 W. Idaho Boise, Idaho</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 14px; text-align: left;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 14px; text-align: left;">83702 208-344-8010</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 14px; text-align: left;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 14px; text-align: left;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 14px; text-align: left;">Crone’s Cupboard 712 N. Orchard Boise, Idaho 208-333-0831</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 14px; text-align: left;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 14px; text-align: left;" /><a href="http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/beltane" rel="nofollow nofollow" style="background-color: white; color: #3b5998; cursor: pointer; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 14px; text-align: left; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/beltane</a><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 14px; text-align: left;" /><a href="http://www.amazon.com/" rel="nofollow nofollow" style="background-color: white; color: #3b5998; cursor: pointer; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 14px; text-align: left; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">www.amazon.com</a><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 14px; text-align: left;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 14px; text-align: left;">iTunes</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 14px; text-align: left;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 14px; text-align: left;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 14px; text-align: left;">Check out their official website at:</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 14px; text-align: left;" /><a href="http://www.beltanesongs.com/" rel="nofollow nofollow" style="background-color: white; color: #3b5998; cursor: pointer; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 14px; text-align: left; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">www.beltanesongs.com</a>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 14px; text-align: left;"><br /></span></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03783841142856148628noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1437387960082349814.post-85663037450295378752012-05-20T10:00:00.002-07:002012-05-20T10:00:35.211-07:00Making a simple 'Sun Gun' to view Solar EventsTo safely view the sun during solar events, one can buy solar goggles, or use a #12 or higher strength welders lens(for short term viewing, about 30 seconds) but how can you share the experience with others? This can be done by a using a pin hole projector, which is okay, or by making a 'sun gun' projector, which is a little better and is safe for everyone.<br />
These are relatively easy to make, and there are several types and styles to choose from. A solar eclipse safety page ( <a href="http://www.exploratorium.edu/eclipse/how2.html">http://www.exploratorium.edu/eclipse/how2.html</a> ) is a good source as is this site - <a href="http://transitofvenus.nl/wp/observing/six-ways-to-see-the-transit/">http://transitofvenus.nl/wp/observing/six-ways-to-see-the-transit/</a> . Both have good ideas that anyone can use with simple tools and a little know-how. My style is a convergence of a few I found, and works well.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5kIFLINZVhvVZXjqlMg2ZUNkTrD-Bj3wuTAVY9gCtRBCPqs-DR7oTTeCJ8DBNAWnKiNOuQMy-peGnukFHey_rRf1cXn3RyCANFyp-f9HZ5ww5hUJMdjGLDOLYBQoCIoPt6H5FUF5eyuhV/s1600/2012-05-20_10-15-13_767.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5kIFLINZVhvVZXjqlMg2ZUNkTrD-Bj3wuTAVY9gCtRBCPqs-DR7oTTeCJ8DBNAWnKiNOuQMy-peGnukFHey_rRf1cXn3RyCANFyp-f9HZ5ww5hUJMdjGLDOLYBQoCIoPt6H5FUF5eyuhV/s320/2012-05-20_10-15-13_767.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
What you need: a 5 gallon bucket, a small monocular (I used a scope off my old Daisy air rifle) a tripod or stand to support the 'sun gun' a back board and some bright white paper or card stock. Some duct-tape or bungee cords to hold it to the stand.<br />
First, measure the diameter of the monocular or scope, the end opposite of the eye piece. Drill a hole of that diameter in the center of your bucket. I was able to use my mounting brackets for the air rifle to hold my scope in place, but you can duct tape yours in place through the hole. You can adjust the focus on the eye piece now or later, just DO NOT look at the sun through it while doing so, you can blind yourself that way.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiTkYvUOTwe6GFHfMrctSd6QBYMui4mtCx4MISnbQ4fS3mzvmIW8xlBWS-lZmg-V8rakAlHV0NQiVxK_GGRIgSa4AKw_OtjPDdzApw7BtHYfbJIjRlg1ZR0ghT2hU_vpn8Tktjh_3ei8RN/s1600/2012-05-20_10-15-50_818.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiTkYvUOTwe6GFHfMrctSd6QBYMui4mtCx4MISnbQ4fS3mzvmIW8xlBWS-lZmg-V8rakAlHV0NQiVxK_GGRIgSa4AKw_OtjPDdzApw7BtHYfbJIjRlg1ZR0ghT2hU_vpn8Tktjh_3ei8RN/s320/2012-05-20_10-15-50_818.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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After securing your bucket to your stand, you can use the wire handle and some small bungee cords to adjust and hold the proper angle. I placed a small hose clamp on my stand post and another through it to attach my bungee cords. You want to place your back board about a foot beyond the open end of your bucket to get a good projected image. My back board is a 1x10 shelving board that I taped a piece of white card stock on for better clarity. I used a scrap 2x4 for it's back rest. Now it's time for some aiming...</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2AdrPWz7nJ_AP4qN1BbId2so6ab6_dHJede1K9BOurHSqhIB4rpyDPqksEUHBR_-Gsc6XDTKbyT1nI4UEuywwnb8YXhzRzSiTZRtLskCCmh0E6_Ztk0LoUbHGkoLUAZ0NS6FQbCwbcD2L/s1600/2012-05-20_10-16-09_737.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2AdrPWz7nJ_AP4qN1BbId2so6ab6_dHJede1K9BOurHSqhIB4rpyDPqksEUHBR_-Gsc6XDTKbyT1nI4UEuywwnb8YXhzRzSiTZRtLskCCmh0E6_Ztk0LoUbHGkoLUAZ0NS6FQbCwbcD2L/s320/2012-05-20_10-16-09_737.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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By using your back board, aim your sun gun at the sun, watch the shadows cast on the board, DO NOT look at the sun to aim. When your bucket shadow is nice and round, the sides cannot be seen you are almost certain to begin to see a bright dot, about an inch or so round, appear. That is the sun.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEe3k4oElqQY5zcSWPNd_5tM985yIqEONoJY8FghO7j39OJo0HdXQmAxeQn46YlFNFlhG88dG1fbycqDSKGCIXfe4ZR82vqRUPfCax-vF5P8sG7vfErt_F6oDQb4YIFZDbaua-_tUsqATt/s1600/2012-05-20_10-16-48_376.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEe3k4oElqQY5zcSWPNd_5tM985yIqEONoJY8FghO7j39OJo0HdXQmAxeQn46YlFNFlhG88dG1fbycqDSKGCIXfe4ZR82vqRUPfCax-vF5P8sG7vfErt_F6oDQb4YIFZDbaua-_tUsqATt/s320/2012-05-20_10-16-48_376.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Now center your image into the shadow of your bucket. Now you can adjust your back board and or your eye piece for the best clarity safely by watching the projected image on the back board.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf4aVXpaAKCM7gjuAzzzjc751aUzuLUAPL9oquUMsSNdBjkqVbKKepM6MpNI2hhXS3gS686XpqA19G0zVDTXDPAIVqwpEuvUuleFfnm58Te1fBWVTkIPnA4Je9lQZRjDJ5_NySxI4_wOgu/s1600/2012-05-20_10-17-44_368.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf4aVXpaAKCM7gjuAzzzjc751aUzuLUAPL9oquUMsSNdBjkqVbKKepM6MpNI2hhXS3gS686XpqA19G0zVDTXDPAIVqwpEuvUuleFfnm58Te1fBWVTkIPnA4Je9lQZRjDJ5_NySxI4_wOgu/s320/2012-05-20_10-17-44_368.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Now sit back and enjoy your solar event. This can be used to watch eclipses, transits of Venus or Mars, or just to watch the clouds float across the sun. (This last photo was taken with light cloud cover so it does not appear as bright when the sky is clear.)</div>
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One last note: DO NOT LEAVE YOUR SUN GUN UNATTENDED!!!! Focused light can begin to burn your back board and it can damage your lenses on your scope or monocular. Take a few frequent breaks and either cover your lens or move it as to not be aimed at the sun to avoid damage to the equipment.</div>
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I hope you enjoy many solar events o come!!!</div>
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<br /></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03783841142856148628noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1437387960082349814.post-89493971108276601502012-04-23T08:33:00.000-07:002012-04-23T08:33:05.344-07:00Beltaine... May Day...<br />
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Beltaine... May Day...</div>
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I have always had a place in my heart
and childhood for Spring rites, and May Day was always the best. As a
child, we learned about May Day and it's roots in school (sadly not
taught much here in America any longer) and even did the May Pole
Dance as a school project during the Spring Fairs. The events that
bring about the 'new life' were the center of my life during the
first few weeks of Spring, and I watched in wonder as the plants and
animals around me aged and grew so quickly from my 'snails pace'
growing. It was here, at about the age of 8, that I discovered that
time moved differently for everything.</div>
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Beltaine has been a wonderful time for
all the peoples of the Earth in one form or another, and by several
various names and cultural traditions. A time of 'new beginnings', a
time of community gatherings, a time for planting, a time to revel in
making it through the harsh winters months and finding life springing
out all around us. Trade and wars were halted just to revel in life
affirming ceremony and ritual feasts were held in honor of lords and
ladies, Gods and Goddess alike. Truly a time to be with friends and
families.</div>
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Much honor is given to our Gods and
our gratitude bestowed upon alters and fields ready for a new season.
This was a cause for many to take hand in hand and celebrate
rejuvenation of the land. And here I hold fond memories, as I once
also I embraced a lover and friend on a Beltaine morning in a field
ready to be planted. Memories from that day have carried me a long
way, and always have been part of my ritual. There is a lot to be
said about sex magic... but not here, not now. To May Day instead...</div>
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This year my 'home community' hosts
once again their May Day festival just outside Memphis, Tennessee.
This years theme is 'Back to the Roots', and I definitely cannot
wait. A trip back there is always good for me, and to be there with
them at festival is even better. Rekindling old acquaintances,
meeting new friends, swapping old and new stories and just soaking up
the Mississippi River's wonderful energy in the forest. Yeah, it is a
35 year tradition for us, and I have only missed a few times since my
first attendance in 1994. There is a lot of history there, and most
any Pagan in the Mid South can tell you a bit of it as well.</div>
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<a href="http://ts3.mm.bing.net/images/thumbnail.aspx?q=4626075458668206&id=b875ca24f66967cfa3bd7d6e324db85d" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://ts3.mm.bing.net/images/thumbnail.aspx?q=4626075458668206&id=b875ca24f66967cfa3bd7d6e324db85d" /></a></div>
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Also May Day (May 1<sup>st</sup>) this
year is a call to strike by the members of the Occupy local, state
and National movement along with Occupy Wall Street. Why? They
remember May Day as the Labor Unions day of rest. It is a day to
celebrate life, not to toil away one's life for others. Unions and
non-union workers are all being encouraged to take the day off.
Students of schools, colleges and universities, as well as teachers
are being invited to take a day out of class. Families are being
challenged not to shop, bank, or do any type of non-family engagement
also. It's all about celebrating life with the people in your life
that matter.</div>
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I know that I am going to enjoy myself
this Beltaine. I am co-hosting an event on the 29<sup>th</sup> of
April for our local Pagans here in Idaho Falls. I will be traveling
down for family and friends in the Mid-South for the May Day Festival
(11<sup>th</sup> – 13<sup>th</sup>). And somewhere along the way, I
will try to find a nice field, ready for planting... </div>
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<br /></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03783841142856148628noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1437387960082349814.post-57249026727226596912012-04-10T10:29:00.000-07:002012-04-10T10:29:41.717-07:00America's Spring RisingWith all the Winters wet and dreary days behind us, for the most part, I see renewed activities ongoing with the Occupy and 99% movements all around the Nation. people have spent much of the winter waiting to see if this continues, or falls to the wayside. We have not stopped! America is no longer in it's deep slumber of government and media induced dreams and illusions. The Occupy Movement grows stronger every day, and their voices shout out; Wake Up!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i.huffpost.com/gen/415577/SHEPARD-FAIREY-OWS.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://i.huffpost.com/gen/415577/SHEPARD-FAIREY-OWS.jpg" width="212" /></a></div>We are seeing many new faces and hearing many new voices just in the last few weeks, as more and more people realize that we are not just some passing fad, and mean to create change in our Nation by expressing our voices, our concerns and our needs to our government. Groups like the <a href="http://www.the99declaration.org/">99% Declaration</a> , <a href="http://occupywallst.org/">OWS</a> , <a href="http://www.occupytogether.org/">Occupy Together</a> , and even the <a href="http://www.democraticunderground.com/">Democratic Underground</a> have been doing a lot of things in favor of the U. S Citizen, even when most of the Nation was not aware of the goings on.<br />
We the People, yes all of us, have a voice to cry out with, and we all have issue(s) with how our government has been run and run down by these 'elected' offials. 'Elected' by corporate spending, private monies, and most of us never voted for them, yet they won. It is time to place the People back infront of the government concerns, and not these privatized corporate mongers of self worth and demand our Constitutional Rights be returned to us, WE the People.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.noora1.com/images/oppression_title2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="69" src="http://www.noora1.com/images/oppression_title2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>That is what is going on now, people like you and me, getting together, working on the avenues of redress for our grievances against our current sitting government and addressing the Nation. We started in humble lots and squares all across our Nation, to place ourselves in-front of our Nations government, our Nations media, and were systematically denied our rights, news coverage, and personal safety from government harassment. If it weren't for <a href="http://www.livestream.com/guide/livetv">Livestream</a>, <a href="http://www.ustream.tv/">U-Stream</a>, <a href="http://rt.com/">RT TV</a>, and many other Private On-Line media like YouTube, we would have never been seen nor heard. However, we do have the power of the free press and media sources outside government control, and we know how to use it. It gives us back our power of the media. And now, once the mainstream media and government controlled media has realized that we are not going away or will be silenced, they are slowly getting on board. A friend wrote a guest editorial in our local paper ( Kay Finley, who is running as a delegate in the 99% Declaration site) and I am going to share the important things she said:<br />
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4-4-12 Guest Editorial <br />
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Where are the people? The people of the United States have been left out of the public discourse. The jobless rate, foreclosures, healthcare, gas prices are all reported as “How will it affect Obama’s re-election?” “Will that affect the Republican candidates?” For the last two years, since the Supreme Court ruled on the “Citizens United Case”, Pacs, Super-Pacs, and media celebrities are important. The people-not so much. <br />
But the Constitution of the United States gives power to the people through the First Amendment “…the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances. Redress – to remove the cause of a grievance or complaint (Webster ‘s New Collegiate, 1979). <br />
Now we have a website set up to help “We the people” reclaim our power. The 99% Working Group, Ltd. is planning for a General Assembly in Philadelphia during the week of July 1, 2012. On the website (the99declaration.org), set up to facilitate the process, people can sign up to run as delegates (two from each of the legislative district), register to vote for a delegate ( a separate contracted entity will conduct the voting), give input to the preliminary set of grievances, add a new grievance, and share the plan with others. After the delegates are elected (June 1, 2012), it will be their responsibility to pare the grievances down to less than 10. <br />
The final ratified and signed Petition for Redress of Grievances will be presented to all 535 members of the 112th Congress, the nine members of the Supreme Court, the President of the United States and each of the political candidates seeking federal public office in the November 2012 general election. Each of the political candidates will be asked to respond to the ratified petition and each of their responses, or lack thereof, will be shared with the voting public in a series of wire press releases made in each of the 435 Congressional districts prior to the November general election.<br />
As the real concerns of our country keep mounting, the President and Congress appear to be in continual campaign mode, not willing to do the work we elected them to do. <br />
The 99% Working Group, Ltd is putting a tremendous amount of energy to help us regain a say in our government. All people of the United States are encouraged to participate. The more of us who give in-put, the more effective we can be. It is our country that is at risk. “Ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country (John Kennedy).<br />
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We have not yet begun our 'battle' in regaining our Rights, and repairing the damage done by the greedy governmental officials that have help steal and limit our National Freedoms.<br />
Join with us!Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03783841142856148628noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1437387960082349814.post-74568511748720666212012-03-08T08:02:00.000-08:002012-03-08T08:02:55.693-08:00A Druids Journey Home Like many other trips I have taken, the ones that lead me back to my 'home' of family and friends in my Mid-South region is always adventurous. Traveling out of the mountainous regions of the Mid-West, seeing the mountain of Idaho, Wyoming and Colorado slip off into the distance in the mirror enforces the understanding of time markings of our country, and I realize that I am traveling back through time, home to an older place in my history and the Earth's history. From the high plains to the deltas, I slip into visions of the past, mine and what the world must have looked like before my 'time'. It is invigorating, and humbling.<br />
Events fall into place, leading me to make changes to plans, and make new plans, so that the trip is always moving and I accomplish my outlined desires. It is a challenge of time, Nature, and the modern mundane world that I readily accept rather that allow it to discourage me. Weather in the early Spring is my first hurdle, with it's snow storms, high winds, and risky roads. The open plains then raise the bar with rolling thunder storms accompanied with their tell tale winds threatening tornado eruptions. Nature reveals her strength and mastery of the elements as she breaks into Spring with a fury of shaking off the old winter. She is Alive with power for any to observe,.... and most of the people do not see this majestic display as such, only head the warnings of ill weather and hold up in safety.<br />
The events that bring me home also change and challenge me. Sometimes for reunions, other times it is festival. This time it is due to family, and servitude to the community that I once broke daily bread with. Family, the life long friends whom you cannot avoid so easily as some passing acquaintanceship, but whom you would not trade for, even for their heartbreaks. My family is spread out across this Nation, but most reside here, in this old South. Here where roots run deep for many of us, and our fierce pride raises many interpersonal issues. And although I have simple plans and many aspirations for my family, they too are forming plans and the bartering commences as soon as one reveals their plans to another until a compromise is laid out and all work toward.<br />
I then begin to focus on my vocation as teacher, councilor and clergy. Being clergy in itself is a demand so great it easily swallows us in our service. That passion and faith drives us forward through many issues, and now is no exception. I gather, host and present ideas and concepts to other clergy of faith, clergy of other faith, and practitioners who have interests in the education and resources that we share in the service. This relay of information and the community feedback allow us as peers to share many ideas and information about our vocation, our community needs, and how we can continue to build toward our common goals. No, we do not always agree, but even then we address these differences not as arguments, but as a continued discussion of choice, decision, and practical applications of our various faiths and teachings that still bring us together and move us along. It is not so easily done, however, through replication and repetition, it becomes easier for us to achieve co-operation and interfaith growth in our community. This takes a lot of my limited time here, but the rewards are invaluable.<br />
Now I spend time in the presence of my 'home community', peers, Elders, and friends. Time well spent in council, discussion, and the ever present and evolving work around the church for Spring events and building onto and into the church property. Working forward here as well toward goals and achieving simple steps in our Spiritual lives. Here too I contact the 'professionals' needed in finishing up family needs, and work in research of church needs. I slip right into my 'old roll' that I carried for many years of my service here as if I were only gone a few days rather than close to a decade. Meeting new faces, and embracing old friends, this part of my journey is well worth it.<br />
As my time here draws to a close, last minute ideas and delayed events and plans now surface to my daily thoughts. I begin to iron out the wrinkles of my over-all plans and event changed goals. My easy going style starts to change into my purpose directed mode of interaction, I become a bit more serious in my actions. Still, I am subject to the hospitality of my hosts, and work with them and their needs willingly. here too I see the purpose why I became clergy, and remember my oaths of servitude, and await my 'turn' in getting my personal needs met.<br />
Home, a place that changes with time, and purpose. I long for my return trip back to my new home, and yearn for the comfort of family and friends there, and yet I see myself secretly desiring that I could remain just a bit longer. It is a selfish thought I know, but there all the same. Yet my time here is shortened by another day, and another day closer to my return. And even though when I leave here, my thoughts and promises never do completely. I dream of the people and places here, I remain in contact for them all each and every time they call.<br />
And the only regret I hold, is that I cannot simply teleport back each time.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03783841142856148628noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1437387960082349814.post-42630458409194116562012-02-13T14:17:00.000-08:002012-02-13T14:17:36.827-08:00Living Daily Your Beliefs<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXUK5V02A3_V20OvwSbOLgQkbWNHM_CF8tqWML94e7zFBeXz-YkSzKMsDP9CmmWA9HyY2TvS6Fe5bzHh2Tu6QXCFl6ZFpg2IV4AYmswv7TFbsyUVIKkXTSZVHtj8vEnodfcDOXN_4G0MT0/s1600/kb_Rowena-A_Face_in_the_Frost.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXUK5V02A3_V20OvwSbOLgQkbWNHM_CF8tqWML94e7zFBeXz-YkSzKMsDP9CmmWA9HyY2TvS6Fe5bzHh2Tu6QXCFl6ZFpg2IV4AYmswv7TFbsyUVIKkXTSZVHtj8vEnodfcDOXN_4G0MT0/s320/kb_Rowena-A_Face_in_the_Frost.jpg" width="222" /></a></div><div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
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</div><div align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"> I have spent the majority of my adult live in the service of others. My chosen career path is that of 'maintenance', structural, commercial, and industrial mostly. I enrolled in classes and took courses to learn electrical, plumbing, boilers and steam systems and studied with carpenters, cabinet builders, painters, wall paper and dry wall installers, all to better my knowledge and further my experience is achieving the best methods and practice that I could offer. From my 'tinkering' with household appliances to my certifications in auto mechanics, I enjoy what I do in maintenance.</div><div align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"> I have another vocation, based a lot on my career choice, and my faith. It is another 'maintenance' position in life as well. Through this vocation, I am allowed to help others, honored to assist in the maintainability of proper function of others. I am a Priest. It was not an over night decision, and it took many years (and still does) to learn the required techniques and information that this vocation calls for. Courses in psychology, sociology, religious science, history, comparative religious studies, all just to be able to perform one function of a Priest.</div><div align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"> The comparison of maintenance man and clergyman in my daily life, helps me to teach others how to better serve themselves and their communities. You see, in maintenance, we are not always 'repair men'. The actions we take in maintenance is to ensure continual operations or sustainability, which can be done quite often by a 'tweak' here or a 'support' there. Rarely do we need to repair or rebuild what it is we are working on. A Priest does the same, only with different tools and much more complicated subject matter. The clergy help maintain individuals strength in faith, education of religious custom, and foster a desired outcome, or product, that the religion and the community desire. These are just the aspect of councilor and instructor for a Priest, There is ever so much more...</div><div align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"> Each religion relies on a basic set of principal beliefs, an understanding of Deity or Divine Presence of Being, has a set of customs or rituals, and in short holds a traditional concept in how one should live and interact with others. There is a lot to understand, much information to retain, and many protocols to learn, adopt and practice. The only way that I have found to achieve this, is to honestly live it on a daily basis. Every act becomes a sacred ritual for me then, every word then becomes a blessing toward others. We live our religious beliefs in our lives beyond holding ceremony, observing the Holy Days, or in study of our religious works. Your religion is not 'what' <i>you</i> are or 'who' <i>you</i> are, but 'what' <i>you</i> do and 'how' <i>you </i>live.</div><div align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"> We each have daily rituals in life; from waking up, washing, eating, working, playing, and going to bed. Connect those simple mundane things, in your mind and spirit, and recreate that religious understanding of the Divine Within. Every act will become less mundane, and will acquire a more sacred meaning in your life. The simplest ways to live a Spiritual path, is to live simply believing that we are Spiritual creatures. It takes no more time to do it, than all the time you want. It is easy to do, with the mindset of achieving it, and it will only take a lifetime to master.</div><div align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"> Many journeys await you, greet them with eager anticipation for the lessons that they will give you.</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03783841142856148628noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1437387960082349814.post-23861402639535596582012-02-12T02:50:00.000-08:002012-02-15T16:10:12.214-08:00I AM LIVID<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="background-color: black; color: red;"><b> Anyone who has met me can tell you one thing, I am mostly straight forward about my observations and reserved about my opinions. Anyone who has spent a day with me can tell you that I am blunt yet not brutal, and handle a lot of things with an amount of diplomacy and patience to see things through to the end. And everyone who has spent at least a week around me can testify to my position on standing on my principals, holding to my oaths, and 'walking my talk'. So when people mistake me for some run of the mill so and so, I have to remind myself that they have not had the benefits of experience about my person, nor fair warning of my personality.</b></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="background-color: black; color: red;"><b> I have been recently offended and internally injured. My ethical standards attacked, my Faith tested, and my service as clergy belittled and questioned. Normally this combination of events and affronts would not phase me so, however, due to the personage of this individual who has made the ill fated mistake of performing it, I AM LIVID. </b></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="background-color: black; color: red;"><b> This was not a 'concerned family member trying to save my soul', that I have always dealt with through my teachings, and usually theirs as well, with tact and diplomacy, respect and understanding. This was not some random stranger to my faith or religious beliefs, for they too I handle quite well and help inform or educate them, or the very least accept our differences and agree to disagree. This was a supposed educated, experienced and fellow practitioner of a Pagan faith.</b></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="background-color: black; color: red;"><b> One who tried to convince me I was at odds with my teachings. That I was in breach of Ordains, By-Laws and contracts as a clergy-member. That I was being disrespectful, one the verge of attacking or shunning them. That I was refusing advise and council, even friendship. There was only one, slightly important, mistake... That this person was not only wrong, that this person not only openly lied, that this person mistakenly implied threats... no non of that really. It was that this person not only made the mistake to blatantly attack me, it's that I will not tolerate that kind of action by someone who supposedly knows better and that they consider themselves my equal or better! This person will be held accountable.</b></span></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03783841142856148628noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1437387960082349814.post-31541930262672082892012-01-30T03:20:00.000-08:002012-01-30T03:22:27.225-08:00What I learned from Dr. Debu Majumdar<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgs9kMAC8Yp-Pa4vDt9Pa6wNoWXkbgUJIPpKdaYI8SfuHVhTzdRcRGSt0Q2WS47wbwK0ZrWqZ3cVXk7UU5cP8ULCbKQ7E58_1en5Bq5RqtSzvAbv1JuxyVp_Yt0AGjaueh19CZJPYM_Qvoo/s1600/Debu.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="182" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgs9kMAC8Yp-Pa4vDt9Pa6wNoWXkbgUJIPpKdaYI8SfuHVhTzdRcRGSt0Q2WS47wbwK0ZrWqZ3cVXk7UU5cP8ULCbKQ7E58_1en5Bq5RqtSzvAbv1JuxyVp_Yt0AGjaueh19CZJPYM_Qvoo/s320/Debu.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"> <span style="color: orange;"> I had the opportunity Sunday, to go and listen to a man speak about something I have been juggling with within myself. The man was Dr. Debu Majumdar, past </span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: orange;">President of the Board at the UU Church in Idaho Falls and an author of children books that teach moral stories based on the Hindu stories from the Mahabharata and the Ramayana. The speech was titled simply;</span><span style="color: yellow;"> </span></span></span><span style="color: yellow;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>Occupy Wall Street Signals a Need for Return to Ethics</i></span></span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">.</span></span></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: orange;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> The message however was much more profound, at least for those of us who have trying to find the balance within us of being a good citizen, and a good spiritual person. I say this because of the good judgment of separating our faith from our politics and governing laws. Debu has been a devout believer of the Hindu teachings and ethical standards and has managed to form strong ties in his waking life to them, and weaving them into his mundane work as well as his political views. </span></span> </span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="color: orange; font-size: small;"> I had been wrestling with my civic responsibility(s) to my fellow citizens and my religious obligations to my community while I have been active in the ever growing social movement of the Occupy Wall Street campaign. As an active citizen, I have attended events and General Assemblies held by our local Occupy Idaho Falls groups and those of Occupy Pocatello, as well as interacted on a National scale of communication and interaction with the many various Occupy groups online, sharing ideas and developing plans of action to help educate the public and address our elected officials. As a clergy person of my faith, I have helped develop and implement action and communication of peaceful assertion and ethical behavior. True they both compliment each other in application, yet I had felt that together, they limited my ability to do more. Sunday, I sat there and realized that they did not.</span></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="color: orange; font-size: small;"> Debu brought up many things that we had all mentioned or focused on in our activities or assemblies concerning our Nation in general, our Government in action, and our future in specifics. Being a history and mythology buff, I had several times pointed out the parallels and patterns that we had fallen into as a Nation and how it had played out in the past with other countries. Debu pointed out that this country, this culture, has no long standing mythology, but does have a well documented history that we all learned as children, however, they lack much of the moral and ethical teachings that accompany the majority of cultural mythologies. Every culture that has come and blended into this great melting pot of a Nation, has brought these mythologies and cultural teachings, yet they have been played down if not removed from our education system. With such downplay in favor of science and math, we lost much more than 'faery tales' and 'ancient history', we lost the advantage of instilling into our progeny a solid foundation of ethics. I know, Christians that read this will be up in arms, but the Bible has been so over interpreted and forced onto individual thought, that the majority of the younger generations have long since pulled away from it. Sad, but true.</span></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="color: orange; font-size: small;"> As a clergyman of faith, and a spiritual person, I learned that to teach a religion or cultural belief, we must allow for the individual understanding and expression of personal interpretation. Allowing the 'student' to think, rather than telling them what to think. Faith is belief, not one based on outside definition, but in personal understanding. I too believe in the understanding and investigation of science, history, and accurate literature of cultural arts and expression. That is a belief based on facts and evidence supported by various pieces of science and history. I have blended them so deeply in my personal life, that I must always be wary of not being perceived as a manipulator of others. And I always encourage others to do the research, to think for themselves, and to be strong in their findings.</span></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: orange;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> But back to Debu... He expressed that it has more than years for this country to come to this state, but it has taken generations. He pointed out that the generation gap has grown so much, that it has gone from grandparent - grandchild to parent – child. Whereas; our children cannot fully function in communication of ideas, goals and simple ethics outside of their own generation, leaving parents, and grandparents at a loss of how to convey to them these moral choices and good behavioral patterns. Sounds like something for 'family practice councilors'? Look what 60 years, roughly 3 full generations, of this has lead our country into. These children today, have lost so much due to our failures in our generation, and the oversights of our parents generation, and the lack of communicating and keeping in-touch with our grandparents generation. Personal ethics, business ethics, social morals, and just plain common sense has been overwritten by such things as our modern society has promised us by it's technical advances. </span></span> </span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="color: orange; font-size: small;"> In place of savings, we strive for a credit rating, which requires us to borrow money and enter into debt willingly. In stead of the practice of business to raise standards of living, it raises the requirement to raise the cost of living, with the ultimate goal to 'make money' rather than quality products. In place of electoral officials working for the common goals of the people, we have allowed bribed politicians to pander to these same money minded businesses to prevail over us. There are so many places in our comparatively short history as a Nation, that we allowed these things to come to pass, without looking toward our future as a sovereign and sustainable country. Too many 'short sighted' laws have been passed that it is now common place for our legislators to through 'quick fixes' at our Nations problems, so that they can pas it off to someone else. How can we have become so complacent, so blind to this open proof of non-responsible or irresponsible acts by our government? It is simple, we do it on a personal level almost as often, if not more so, and we won't even go into the daily business dealings that make 'white collar crime' a common place term in our lives.</span></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: orange;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> That is a big bite to swallow. We are responsible. It has been a trickle down affect for generations, going back to our great-grandparents easily, and further back if we spent the time searching it. We have allowed more and more of our generations to accept and conform to a level of complacency, that the modern response to government action of corporate rulings is; apathy. Somehow, somewhere, we forgot to care, unless it happened to us directly. We forgot how to care about our fellow citizen, we blinded ourselves to facts about laws, and we forgot how important our voices and our votes really were. We were told that we didn't matter, and we believed it. We allowed our freedoms to be trimmed and limited by our government and we allowed our government to be regulated by private corporations and big business interests. (The twisted comical part is, that these corporations are crying 'foul' when the government places regulations on them, and then convinces the government to 'privatize' the regulations by outsourcing to 'third party' companies, that they have even more influence on.) </span></span> </span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: orange;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> The answers? That is now the issue. We have over 60 years to review what needs to be changed, adjusted, or repealed. The overview? Get money out of politics by removing the corporate person-hood granted by </span></span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>'Citizens United'</i></span></span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> act, regulate influences of our politicians by not allowing them to be seated on corporate boards of private businesses while they hold a public office, and limiting if not completely removing the ever growing crowd of lobbyists in our legislative process. That is a good start, and mandatory before continuing I believe. </span></span></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="color: orange; font-size: small;"> Next? Return the authority of this Nations currency back to the government of this Nation and out of the hands of private banks that hold no allegiance nor true investments in the well being least not the sustainability of this Nation. Then focus more on our National infrastructures that are failing our Nation; Education, Labor, Communication, Roads and Bridges, Harbors and waterways, Power grids and resource management. I'll even go so far as to focus on a National plan to increase research and general application of renewable resources for heat and power, building transit systems that increase interstate and National transportation, i. e. bus, train and waterway transit plans that resemble those of other Nations.</span></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="color: orange; font-size: small;"> From here, we have to get there, from there...well only our future is at stake.</span></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: black;"> </span> </div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03783841142856148628noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1437387960082349814.post-78134746899175937432012-01-26T14:00:00.000-08:002012-01-26T14:00:31.671-08:00A Trieste on Leadership: the common call, duty and expectations we call for<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"> “Leadership dictates morale.”</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"> In the concept of leadership, we strive to find many things. To lead by example, to be a driving force of compassion, to hold up to expectations of guiding rules and laws, and to defend those which are lead. Simple really, right? How often do we desire to find these things in ourselves and in others that aspire to 'lead'. How often do we examine the ethics and principals of our 'leaders'?</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"> We question a lot of what our 'leaders' say and do, and for good reason. We do so in hope to find them, and ourselves, in line or in tune to the various things that govern our daily lives. We compare ideals, goals, aspirations,...<i>we </i>evaluate their ability to 'lead' us by <i>our evaluation</i> of <i>their interpretations</i> of <i>our concepts</i>. That alone likely weeds out many. Judging others by our standards. It is exactly how we select those who would be our leaders. Then we hold them to their duty by our regulation of their applications of our desire. Beginning to sound like a position that is highly unlikely to be sought after now doesn’t it?</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"> “The actions and deeds of our leaders mandate the acceptance of their ability to lead, and their words encourage others to follow.”</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"> Actions will always speak louder than words, and although action and words both can be set to lie or deny the truth, we sometimes fall unto our desire to see, or hear, truth despite actuality. We deceive ourselves for our desire to be in agreeance with our leaders, sometimes. Other times, we see the disagreement between our desire and that of our leaders to be in direct conflict and ability to generate action-ability. We too hold our leaders in check by what we ask of them to do, and by what they are able to do, and in so can easily find fault and lay blame that is truly undue. On the other hand, many known 'leaders' have found fault in their followers based on the same premise. Both are unjust toward the other.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"> “The expectations of our leaders must be as real and justified as in their ability to preform such duties.”</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"> Many times have we allowed others to rise up to the function if not the position of leadership, by their eloquent words, single deeds, or series of 'victories' of some such ideal to be championed. These 'champions of ideals' are hero’s, but not necessarily leaders. Sometimes there are those who achieved goals, but lack the ability to hold influence and maintain an action-ability of leadership. Or, worse yet, we change our minds and redirect influence and new goals outside the endorsement of the current leader. The fault in leadership isn't always in faulty leadership, and much can be shared, if not owned, by those under the individual(s) who lead.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"> “It is a higher value, to know how much one cares, than by how much one knows. For Knowledge is the measure of what one has retained in memory and is the first step toward understanding. Wisdom is the application of knowledge when there is experience in circumstance, or is judgment based on circumstance when there is no previous experience nor knowledge of proper action. However, without compassion, neither knowledge nor experience, will serve leadership well, nor those who would follow.”</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"> Leadership is a position that must be able to foster and maintain mutual respect. Our leaders should be able to give and harbor respect toward all who would come to them, regardless of station or position. And if we do not hold respect toward our leaders, then we fail them and our fellows in being able to foster strong leadership. Not all leaders can earn nor keep the respect of those they would lead, and ofttimes that is a good measure of their true ability to be able to lead. Here too, we must remember to gauge that ability by facts and not opinion. Opinion is necessary in debate of leadership ability, but all who would desire to become or maintain leadership, must be judged on factual ability, experience, knowledge and measure of compassion beyond their desire, willingness and drive.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03783841142856148628noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1437387960082349814.post-17166703040795366212012-01-25T12:33:00.000-08:002012-01-25T12:33:32.753-08:00Your'e Gonna Miss This...A day in the Life... I woke up this morning to news that once would upset me to no end, yet today, I blinked my eyes and shrugged it off. It was important, but not so much that my day was going to be offset by it's fact. I knew that it would most probably happen, and I had already foreseen the how's, why's, and ways to deal with it's inevitable possibility that it would be. I accepted it...<br />
Before my first cup of coffee, I had been dealt a personal blow. It happens more often that any of us would like, but this time, it had almost no affect on my ego nor my morning mood. I drank my coffee, read my news blogs, smoked my morning cigarette...This day was no different now than yesterday, or the day before. My routine went uninterrupted, my rituals all fell into place, my schedule undaunted.<br />
The phone rings, as it ofttimes does, just before my morning constitutional, and it is a 'friend in need'. This too is my morning ritual, council and advise to others who found themselves in a pickle of emotions or choices and are hesitant to act upon them. We chat our morning greetings away, get down to brass tacks, I listen intently, they speak openly, we share a common thread of intent and conclusion. Thus goes one or two phone calls every morning, my day begins in service. By the time I am fully dressed, and heading out the door to actively begin my mid morning interaction with the waking world I begin to look for a topic of focus for my personal growth and understanding.<br />
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At my little desk set aside in the office at to place I work as a volunteer manager and receptionist, I sit and read through emails...From here I trade ideas and submit information to other small business owners/managers about marketing, social media outlets, local news and events. More blogs are written, and read from this niche, that have to do with the well-being of others I forget about eating until my stomach grows it's discontent over being ignored, and I notice that it is well into the afternoon hours. Then my phone goes into active mode again...<br />
By the time I decide on my meal, I will have answered my phone a half-dozen times, all personal or semi-personal calls about choices or technical advise about social media. No job offers, no potential employer call-backs, no calls to see if I need anything. No, I am not upset nor depressed about it, it is my normal day, what I do as council, manager, friend... it is and has been that way for years now. I would hate for that to not be the way, it is my life-line to the outside world, beyond my limitations of travel and physical activities.<br />
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Through lunch, now closer to a normal persons dinner time, I write and sketch out blog entries in my head or on notepads. I chat with whoever is nearby about this-n-that, and ponder who might read my blogs and comments. I begin to polish up my entries...<br />
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I check through emails and social media accounts again, settling in to answer a few inquiries, trade comments with friends, and look into the trending topics to see if they hold any interest for me. I write my blog....<br />
I write because I am interested in sharing my insight, my opinions, and my knowledge. I write to keep my mind active and my imagination stirred. This is also why I read, and I am an avid and voracious reader of blogs on many subjects. But I write...<br />
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By late evening, I am winding down into my sitting room chair. Facing a TV with the laptop just to the side of me on it's own little table, in reach and at hand, and usually on-line. I eat my dinner, watch bio's or documentaries, sometimes how to shows, sometimes sci-fi. My interests there also varied. I glance at the laptop from time to time, connecting with friends and family who catch my eye in a chat or direct post. The day has been good, normal, in sync with my ritual and routine.<br />
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By mid-night, I quietly slip into bed, aware that tomorrow will bring change, will be different, will fall into step with the march of my life. I smile. I know I accomplished more than I planned on, and now rarely got to bed with regrets. At peace with my world, I begin to dream....Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03783841142856148628noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1437387960082349814.post-6882860546246396962012-01-21T13:49:00.001-08:002012-01-21T13:49:43.309-08:00Priest, Patriot, Citizen, Activist,...but why am I called a terrorist?I find myself more and more akin to a political activist than an active citizen. It has thrown me into an internal debate with my ethics of being a politically neutral clergyman. I still hold to my philosophy of peace, yet I yearn for some sort of action beyond yelling to the apathetic crowd of government domesticated cattle. I pray that those who hold office will once again begin upholding to the people of our Nation. I pray that the people will rise up and demand freedom from these constrictions placed upon them and their civil liberties. I pray we once again turn to the needs of our Nation and fix our failing systems in communication, education, our hi-ways, bridges, ports and harbors.<br />
I have been watching and waiting for the accountability of our governmental body to be answered, only to see and find that there is no such belief of our elected officials to be held so accountable for not only their actions, but for the lack of concern for this nation. Each office, each representative, each district, all claim no responsibility yet all call for more, more, more from us citizens to be given, and then blame us when there is no more left to give. And when we, drained of our own personal resources, ask for government assistance, welfare, medicaid, social security, or unemployment, they call us a burden to them, and spend the money overseas, on pet projects or to pay their salaries and personal cabinet budgets.<br />
Enough! I have seen too many good people exploited by them. I have witnessed unchecked and unlawful actions by their privatization of our government system, a system once set as a social democracy for the good of it's people, now stands as a for profit corporation on it's own with it's own agenda.<br />
It sickens me overly, to know that a Nation brought down to it's knees, was done so by our own apathy and our so called representatives. Our voices, so long dormant, now scream for attention, only to be given over to deaf ears. And when they do hear, they respond with arrests of civil disobedience, assaults, and insults to the very people they are supposed to be serving and protecting. This Nation, the one I grew up with so much pride in, was proud to serve and proud to be a part of.<br />
This Nation is no more... it was critically wounded when we gave away the power to print and control our currency. It became crippled when we allowed foreign national and multi national corporations dictate policy on interstate and international trade. It was fatally wounded when our inherent rights of freedom and liberty, was restricted and limited, for our 'own good' of safety and security, by a measured congressional and presidential combination of acts, that effectively would overwrite and render useless our one true governing law, the U S Constitution.<br />
Now, even before that said, I have been placed on a list. A long list of names. Names of people who have spoken out against the government. Names of people who have protested against corporate control, of unlawful bank and mortgage company actions, and worst of all, against our seated government.<br />
By the newly accepted standards of our government, I am a terrorist.<br />
And that, sickens me most of all.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03783841142856148628noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1437387960082349814.post-88262080163237237502012-01-20T11:19:00.000-08:002012-01-20T11:19:01.350-08:00And one day, after a time...<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"> Once, in the history of this country, the people addressed the then government of issues and grievances in person and through correspondence. Their words were received, and responded to, with contempt. Their voices fell upon deaf ears, and their persons were labeled as trouble makers, rabble rowers and instigators of unrest. This only accelerated the situations presently in contention, and after a time, these persons instituted a direct action against the then empowered government. Yes, the first hesitant and faulty steps toward revolution and replacement of empowered government with new provisions and government body.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"> Almost every existing country today can claim that as a beginning of their now embanked government body. And in many places, these scenes are replayed over and over, time and time again, for various reasons with various peoples portrayed as villain and veteran, terrorist and patriot, sinners and saints all. We have so many reasons and excuses to 'go to war', and many were initiated from a 'move for peaceful change'. We take sides based on individual needs and sometimes switch sides for reasons as minor as worried about being on the loosing, or as history usually records it, the 'wrong' side. Petty and impersonal decisions, that fall far from the initial reasoning and desired outcomes.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"> Always is there a call from the oppressed to be helped, to be aided and uplifted from depression, disease, hunger and lack of shelter. Always there is reason to assist our fellow humans as we ourselves were helped and aided by others. Always is there also a call by the empowered to be served. Where these line vary and cross, we see injustice, unlawfulness, and a reason to be concerned. Our existing government has set guiding laws into place to uphold these less fortunate, to ensure a common defense of all persons. Persons...not corporations, not government employees or elected officials, but persons.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"> YET WHEN THE PEOPLE SPEAK, THEIR VOICES ARE FALLING ON DEAF EARS. </div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">Deafened by cash, gifts, entitlements not earned by any other means but to give heedance to those already empowered. </div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;">And the people continue to suffer. But they are not silent.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"> Together, they gather and vent their grievances, plan communications with their government, and hold to their promised rights and liberties, all the while being stripped of them and limited by new laws. Until, one day, after a time...</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"> There is honor in holding to truths, honor in defending those who cannot defend themselves. There is honor in demanding justice, and equality, for all under the law; and there is honor in demanding the laws be just and followed by even those who would make the laws. </div><div align="CENTER" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"> But there is no honor in war. No glory in battle. </div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"> Battle, the acts during a state of war (and in many times during a state of peace) cause harm, destruction, and death. They hold a high price, even unaccountable by some measures, especially when compared to the miniscule cost of a movement toward peace or peaceful change. There is little glory in death, even when defending a purpose or ideal greater than accepted Gods, endangered family, or indebted friends. Death, the final sacrifice that one can give, is a final act of defiance in the face of adversity. You cannot repeat that action once done, nor repeal it's application, but only hope to honor it by following it with changing what has lead up to and caused it's appearance.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"> Wars are not impersonal, they affect everyone. They affect economics and environments. They affect every species that come close to it's boundaries and actions, and they affect them for far longer than the time it takes to fight, win or loose. We all loose in war. In battle we say we either won or lost, ground, men, ideas... We still loose. In war if we be victorious, we then survey the damages and losses on all sides...We still loose. Those costs are rarely repaid nor reclaimed, and many are uncounted. We loose so much because we, as fickle and impersonal as we have become, do not see that once we begin to attack and engage in battle, one side, or many, will loose the ability to hold to itself and it's goals and will be forced into something it does not belong to nor want. Sometimes that is forever.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"> We destroy the old and replace it with the new. We loose. We loose bits of identity when cultures are over run and replaced by different alien things. We loose languages, art, cultural histories that once stood out and became unique only to be redefined and judged against the new. We might believe that we have won, but the cost is almost always too high to bear.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"> I am no lover of war. I, much like most people, prefer peace. I'm not considered a pacifist by my peers, however I hold to debate, legal precedence, and mediation and negotiation of commonality and or compromise. I will defend myself, and those who cannot defend themselves, and that of my property, and my family when necessary. That too being my right. And I will do so by any and every means necessary based on circumstance, and here too ,I hold to peace and peaceful means as long as possible. But even the hardest steel can shatter under extensive pressure.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"> Change is inevitable, and we are in the constant field to implement and direct it. We are all accountable for it, and it will affect us all, in some manner or another. Our choices are independent and personal, the consequences, however, are another matter all together yet still are shared by all.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">And one day, after a time....</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03783841142856148628noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1437387960082349814.post-70136395665956071052012-01-11T15:08:00.000-08:002012-01-11T17:14:00.945-08:00Occupy Movement in Idaho<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/N4HI1PfGMnY?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>Here is a quick video that has a lot of the information and links to the Idaho Occupy websites. This is not a complete collection of this information, but will be added to as information comes in.<br />
Please share this with everyone.<br />
<a href="http://occupyif.org/">Occupy Idaho Falls</a><br />
IF facebook <a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/OccupyIF/">Group</a> and <a href="https://www.facebook.com/OccupyIF">Page</a><br />
<a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/165589080194476/">Occupy Pocatello Facebook Group</a><br />
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Please add more in the comments...Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03783841142856148628noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1437387960082349814.post-12247096491651094702012-01-09T11:15:00.000-08:002012-01-09T11:15:40.200-08:00Sometimes its hard to be positive...Sometimes its is hard to be positive...<br />
I look back, once or twice a year, over just my life and the interactions that I have shared with others (and there are so many others out there) to see just where I have been and where I am going. Every once in a while someone asks me;"Where do you see yourself in 5 years?", and it grates on my grain. I have a talent for seeing things as or before they develop, and I observe the goings on around me acutely, allowing for a perception of future possibilities and probabilities that is fairly accurate. Mix into that a deep understanding of the 'natures of man' and I am allowed a fairly clear vision of up coming events.<br />
Knowing that we are 'pre-programmed' to be 70% more negative than positive, we tend to look and focus on the 'bad things' in our lives. The outstanding thing is, we strive for positive goals. When looking at this information, are you still curious as to why there are so many cases of manic/depressives out there? They call it 'bi-polar' now, yet we have been predisposed to be that way by how we live, what we learn, what we teach, and that nagging inner voice that screams about 'fairness' in the universe. What a mind f*#k. We are exposed to so many sources in our lives that contradict our desire to simply be happy.<br />
Our various religions teach of morals and accepted attitudes or actions, yet they add into those the call of duty to follow only certain teachings or worse yet, follow only certain teachers. So much for free will, right? Many of the known practiced religions have been helpful in growing out of the negative world concept, but on the same note, and within those same teachings, is a call of destruction in harmony within our differences. One of the many reasons that I hold little to no stock in religion, at least as far as what we define as religion. That however does not give me reason or purpose to not study these interpretations and transcribed translations of these most sacred of works. I study them in-depth.<br />
Our sciences of psychology and aptitude of psychiatry has done less good than harm in application. Yes they both have provided guidelines and outlines of 'human nature' and who our minds can bend and warp 'reality' as well as given us many definitions about mental disease... but have you noticed that these definitions change as the generations move forward, and yet they still have no clue as to how to 'normalize' the mind without loading down the 'system' of the functions of the brain with drugs? We do have a better understanding of 'what is wrong with the mind', yet we haven't accepted a recognized treatment that works outside of; "Change your mind and how you think." Then we are left to the questions of; why change our thoughts, who approves our thoughts and where do we go from here?<br />
Modern science or ancient mysticism has been chasing those questions for centuries. Here we are, 70,000 years into our known understanding of the 'human nature' and we are finding ourselves as infants wondering about the existence of other worldly life while we have yet to understand our own. Are we truly that audacious to believe that we are as intelligent as we surmise? We are barely to the stepping stages in our walk in life, as we only have comparison to gauge and judge things to, for or against, and even there we cannot always agree. We are still arguing over 'authority' and recognition of credentials while giving little credit to experience in actual application. Another mind f*#k.<br />
Authority,... where does that come from? Who has it, and over what topics or position in life? How did they get it? Why should we accept it? All these come from our teachings and understandings of religion, science, government. Our elders, ancestors, our teachers, our family... There has been an ongoing battle of authority and control, waged continually for centuries either in plain sight or behind the scenes, to be able to control. It is part of the 'human nature', the will to control, to dominate. We, as a species, speak both for and against it in the same breath. Is it audacity? Is it justified?<br />
We fail to accept our own inner voice that tells us things such as; 'Be cautious, be happy, be productive, be part of thy own tribe and share the grazing lands.' we focus way too much on control, on dominance, that we, as a species, have destroyed land sea and air along with driving to extinction many other species of life just so we, as a species, can prevail even toward our own extinction. A long sentence, a long thought.<br />
So now you see why I started with such a simple, yet deep statement...<br />
Sometimes its hard to be positive...Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03783841142856148628noreply@blogger.com0