Thursday July 31st 2014

Bluebird

Bluebirds symbolize happiness 

in many cultures.

Someone needs one today . . . 

     Here it is--just for you--carry it
     on your shoulder, as the song says.

      Happy last day of July 2014.

Wednesday July 30th 2014

Water Fun

This is the season of water fun. . . 

(Sunset Blvd is not having water fun today.)

People and pipes get old--enjoy 

the gift of water while you can.

Caution: CA is in a drought 
so use water already there 
for you.

        Thanks J.G.

Tuesday July 29th 2014

ANYTHING WILL DO

To smile about! 

Now you feel better--
even if you are being stared  down
by a little critter in a creek bed.

Happy to report that over 100 images 

have now appeared on this blog.  

Thank you for taking the time to view them!

Busy months for writing/traveling ahead.

There may be fewer posts, but know

I am grateful when you drop by for a 

look/see visit.

                                k.g.

Monday July 28th 2014

Gerard Manley Hopkins. S.J.

The priest-poet was born this day in 1844.
A leading Victorian poet, very few poems
of his were published in his lifetime.

"The Holy Ghost over the bent World broods
with warm breast and with ah! bright wings."
                                    "God's Grandeur" (1918)

"Nature is never spent, said Hopkins.

                       . . . but sometimes cats are.

"What I do is me,  for that I came."  

                  -Gerard Manly Hopkins

A great answer for cats--or poets trying to explain why they write poetry.

Would you agree?

Sunday July 27th 2014

Joyce Kilmer

We know him for his poetic line from "Trees."
Hint: I think that I shall never see . . .
But there are other things in a garden--maybe.
Have you ever wondered about a garden fairy?

"The fairy poet takes a sheet
of moonbeam silver white;
His ink is dew from daisies sweet
His pen a point of light."

                                    -Joyce Kilmer

                                    "Fairyland"

(The poet Joyce Kilmer died on July 30, 1918)

Would you like to write with light?

Saturday July 26th 2014

Possessions

Have you ever read a quote
that hit home
and made you want to
work toward a change?

"The wisdom of life consists in the eliminationof nonessentials."  -Lin Yutang (1895-1976)

but . . . aren't books a good thing?

"Possession isn't nine-tenths of the law. It's nine-tenths of the problem.    -John Lennon                                                (1940-1980)

And then you say, "Let's leave it for another day."

Friday, July 25th 2014

JULY

This middle summer month will soon be gone. . . 

Do you recall The Real McCoys television series?
Yes--then you are in the healthy stage of middle age.
 Grandpa McCoy, the actor Walter Brennan was born
on this day in 1894.

If imported correctly you will hear his voice again.  Enjoy.

Old Rivers - Walter Brennen

Thursday, July 24 2014

LOST

This week it seems
there is one image
that remains with us.

                                       

 

Wednesday, July 23rd 2014

After Children

Today brings together two very different
parents. 

St Bridget of Sweden was born on this day in 1303
She was the mother of eight children. She married
at fourteen and became a widow 20 years later. She
devoted her life to prayer and good works after her
husband died.
She was declared the patron saint of Europe.

On July 23, 1823 Coventry Patmore was born in England.
After their mothers died he took it upon himself to raise
all eight of his children.
His poetic talent was never highly regarded. Though chances
are you have heard a few lines from his poem, "The Toys."

"And I, with moan,

Kissing away his tears, left others of my own."

                         ***

"To God, I wept, and said:

  . . . Thou rememberest of what toys

We made our joys. . . 

For some the poem is about a Heavenly Father 

who knows us and forgives us as His children.

Stories can flower whenever we

take the time to find connections.

Tuesday, July 22nd 2014

Mary Magdalene

Today is the day that Roman Catholic,
Anglican, Lutheran, and Easter Orthodox
churches honor Mary Magdalene.
She was at the Crucifixion and the
Resurrection of Christ.
For many centuries her identity has
been in question.
Recent books and movies have fed
the mystery.
We may not be sure . . .

 

There are so many things we cannot
know for sure "until all things are
revealed to us" after death.

Until then . . .

Today we know is the birthday of 

Alex Trebek who gave us an appropriate

quote:

"You should not be afraid of silence."

Monday, July 21st 2014

By The Sea

If you are of a certain age,
you will recall a song.
The words roll off
the tongue from memory . . .
whether from a cartoon
or a musical show:

"You and I, You and IO how happy we'll be."

The song topped the charts as World War I  began.

If you go to the National Jukebox at the Library

of Congress website, you can hear this old song.

However, don't stop with the music, get to knowyour Library of Congress: maps, performing arts,American memory, prints and photographs -- plusso much more.The Library of Congress is the largest library inthe world! It was founded --for all of us-- in 1800.The walls and columns are covered with art and quotations. May it be that everyone will one dayview their library buildings--on screen or in person.

  A quote from the South Corridor ceiling:

"They are never alone that are accompanied  with noble thoughts."  -Sir Philip Sidney

Sunday, July 20th 2014

THE MOON

On July 20, 1969 the Lunar Module named Eagle landed
on the surface of the moon. Three astronauts were aboard.

Neil Armstrong made the announcement, "Houston,
Tranquility Base here. The Eagle has landed."

Over 450 million were listening to the news.
And when Armstrong stepped onto the surface of the Moon,
his words echoed around the globe:

The "a" before the word man is a bit of a
mystery. Armstrong recalled putting it there,
but that little letter is difficult to confirm in the
recordings.

His words are repeated with pride by all -- of that there is no doubt.

 

Can one small word change a meaning?

   

Saturday July 19th 2014

Edgar Degas

Born on this day in 1834, this French 

painter became widely known for 

his ballet dancers.

"Art is not what you see, but
  what you make others see."
                         -Edgar Degas

Little dancer at the barre.

"Art is much less important than life,

but what  a poor life without it."

                                 -Edgar Degas

Degas said that he had luggage in his head. Do you carry around  luggage tocreate from also?

Time to open it and begin.

Friday, July 18th 2014

Hate War

"Keep peace, hate war, bind wounds,
be patient, love."  -Archibald MacLeish

Today we mourn with those families who lost
loved ones on Malaysia Airlines Flight 17.

Today we also remember the strength of  

Nelson Mandela, born  July 18th  1918.

Thursday July 17th 2014

Blueberries

Who knew?
July has been designated National Blueberry Month
by the U.S. Dept. of Agriculture.
Native Americans taught the pilgrims about this
healthy food and today we eat these berries
for brain power--and for many other reasons. 

Blueberries begin as small green berries.
As they change to blue their size increases.

"Blueberries as big as the end of your thumb

Real sky blue and heavy . . ."  -Robert Frost

This pie holder holds no pie yet, but maybe it will
provoke you to collect some blueberries and
begin.   

Wednesday, July 16th 2014

Each Day

        Tell someone . . . 

 

    

July 15th 2014

Flight 2014

Maybe you are planning a summer vacation and
are wondering what the flight plan will include.
You will be traveling what Wilbur Wright called
"the infinite highway of the air."

If the weather permits, you may be looking out a
small window for much of the time, trying to identity
from the sky what you are viewing on earth.

"There are two critical points in every aerial flight--
its beginning and its end."  -Alexander Graham Bell

In this digital age it may not surprise you that people
do not share life stories anymore with the stranger
next to them. No. They will be engaged with
private games on a private screen.

"Flying might not be all plain sailing, but the fun of it is
worth the price."  -Amelia Earhart

Amelia would be very surprised at the price of flying today !

If you are making plans to fly, make them with

adventure in mind--the adventure of meeting someone

who might just be waiting to meet the likes of you.

We are all just passengers in this life anyway.  Right?

Friday, July 11th 2014

E.B. White

Born: July 11, 1899     Died: Oct 1, 1985

"Writing is an act of faith, and not a trick of grammar,"

said the man whose birthday we celebrate today.

This same writer  updated The Elements of Style

in 1959. 

"Be obscure clearly." E. B. White loved language and

ordinary events. His short, witty writings for the 

New Yorker are evidence.

Charlotte's Web written by White has sold

 over 45 million copies.

"We must always be

   on the lookout for 

  the presence of wonder."

                      -E.B. White

Here is the first line of a brief essay by White:

"This is a ridiculous assignment."

Take the challenge tonight and write another

short piece using the master's first line.

He won't mind where it takes you.

Thursday, July 10th 2014

City and Science

Today is known as the birthday of Dublin City
in the year 988 -- mostly because a King came
into power and taxes were collected.

Happy Birthday!

Dublin in 2012

Perhaps you have visited Dublin and gone
into one of its many pubs. You certainly would
have seen their famous stout ( Guinness ) served
by the pint. You might have gone for a taste,
since it looks akin to a cold glass of Root Beer.
Surprise! An acquired taste -- the Irish say.

Arthur Guinness and his wife had 21 children.
They were generous with their wealth and
helped restore St. Patrick's Church in Dublin.

                                 &

This day we also remember Nikola Tesla, born
on July 10, 1856. He was an inventor/scientist
who immigrated to the U.S. and worked for
Thomas Edison until he began his own electrical
projects. 

 Nikola Tesla left us some thoughts & beginnings:

"Though free to think and act, we are held together,
like the stars of the firmament, with ties inseparable.
These ties cannot be seen, but we can feel them."
                                                       -Nikola Tesla

Perhaps you will look at a stranger today andrecall the words of Nikola Tesla . . .

Wednesday, July 9th 2014

FOOD (MORE OR LESS)

Summertime and the living is easy or so the song
goes. Suddenly though, you step on the scale and
a number digitally appears that makes you very
uncomfortable -- maybe even a bit anxious or angry.
You have gained a few pounds.
How did it happen?
-holiday get-together
-birthday celebration
-that fun Bar-B-Que
-maybe a Cruise

      Carbs got you -- but you walked the ship!

You are a temple of the Holy Spirit you tell

 yourself.  You should have more self-control.

 You try to eat healthy most of the time.

 Do saints have such problems?

 Yes, but the difference is they do not
 allow their physical body to overburden
 their soul.
 Your BMI does not dictate the Lord's
 Mercy & Love for you.

 Think about Good Pope John. A man
 of  humility, humor -- and considerable size.
 
  A wonderful story goes that when someone
  commented on his over-weight size, he smiled
  and replied, "This is just the package I came in."

  "Unity in necessary things,

   freedom in doubtful things,

   charity in all things."   -Pope Saint John XXIII

  We all need help in granting our own self

  some charity and acceptance each day.

        With three pounds of Amen!

  

July 8th 2014

Getting & Spending

Do you ever go out and buy something
just for a momentary thrill?  And then
after you get it home you realize that you
really don't need it--don't really want it.

It happens to everyone sooner or later.

Although there are special people for 

whom material needs are last on their list

of needs. 

For instance, every time they

buy a book, they give a book away.

We need to learn their secret for letting go.

In 1802 the poet William Wordsworth wrote
a sonnet about getting and spending:

"The World Is Too Much With Us"

The world is too much with us; late and soon,

Getting and spending , we lay waste our powers.

Did you buy something today that has left you 

uneasy?  

  

Monday July 7th 2014

THE OCEAN

Today in the coastal town of  Newport Beach. CA.
a lifeguard is being remembered.  Ben Carlson, 32,
died in the line of duty, trying to rescue a swimmer.

 

"Murmuring they move, as when old ocean roarsAnd heaves huge surges to the trembling shores . . ."

                                                                    from The Iliad 

Sara Teasdale often wrote of the ocean in her lyric poems:

"The cold and sparkling silver of the sea
We two will pass through death and ages lengthen
Before you hear that sound again with me."

                                 R.I.P.

Remembering Ben Carlson with gratitude -- 

Sunday July 6 2014

Little Saint 

In 1902 a young girl refused the 

sexual advances of her 18-year-old neighbor

Alessandro and he stabbed her 14 times. 

The next day on July 6th Maria Goretti

forgave Alesandro before she died.

Maria was proclaimed a saint (worthy

of Heaven) in 1950. Her mother and the

repentant Alessandro were both present

for the ceremony in Rome.

Today she is seen as a special helper to

those who have been raped.

This day is rich with birth days: 

The 14th Dalai Lama, Tenzin Gyatso,

was born on July 6, 1935. He is

recognized around the world as a 

man of peace. In 2011 he asked to be

removed from political power, thus ending

the tradition of the Dalai Lama as the

temporal head of Tibet. 

Also (in no special order) 

Happy Birthday! 

Frida Kahlo 1907-1954

George W. Bush  1946-

Marc Chagall 1887-1985

Detail from Green Violinist

by Marc Chagall 1923-24.

Saints, artists, politicians and

peacemakers -- all God's children.

Saturday, July 5th 2014

Howard Nemerov

A Formalist poet, Nemerov was said to have
"a quiet intelligent voice brooding lyrically on
the strange beauty and tragic loneliness of life."

Howard Nemerov died of cancer on July 5, 1991.

Poet, essayist and fiction writer, Nemerov also served
as Poet Laureate. He won a Pulitzer Prize and the National
Book Award.
His younger sister was the photographer Diane Arbus.

"Leaves litter the lawn today, that yesterday
   Had spread aloft their fluttering fans of light."  

                                   -Howard Nemerov
                                       "The Consent"

And . . .
Happy Birthday Chuck Close! The famous painter of
photo-realism was born this day in 1940.

Friday, July 4th 2014

America The Beautiful

America, The Beautiful Lyrics
by Katharine Lee Bates - 1913


O beautiful for spacious skies,
For amber waves of grain,
For purple mountain majesties
Above the fruited plain!
America! America! God shed His grace on thee,
And crown thy good with brotherhood
From sea to shining sea!

O beautiful for pilgrim feet,
Whose stern impassion'd stress
A thoroughfare for freedom beat
Across the wilderness!
America! America! God mend thine ev'ry flaw,
Confirm thy soul in self-control,
Thy liberty in law!

O beautiful for heroes proved In liberating strife,
Who more than self their country loved,
And mercy more than life!
America! America! May God thy gold refine
Till all success be nobleness,
And ev'ry gain divine!

O Beautiful for patriot dream
That sees beyond the years
Thine alabaster cities gleam,
Undimmed by human tears!
America! America! God shed His grace on thee,
And crown thy good with brotherhood
From sea to shining sea!

 USA Flag Site (copy)

Katherine Lee Bates (1859-1929) first wrote 

America The Beautiful  as a poem.

Later, Samuel A. Ward composed the music.

Today if we look around us, we can still see

spacious skies, waves of grain, and purple mountains.

God has shed his grace on us.

Peace!

Thursday July 3rd 2014

LAND & HOME

The Star-Spangled Banner became our
national anthem in 1931.

"Land of the free and home of the brave."

At "the dawn's early light" and 

throughout each day  

let us be grateful. 

Happy Birthday U.S.A. !

Wednesday, July 2nd 2014

Becoming

  Born into the Light

One of a Kind -- unique

Beautifully Formed

Embracing Others

Do you see really see yourself . . .
You are unique, one of a kind, beautifully made --