tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-65912766535201538102012-01-13T10:58:06.492-05:00<small>He called her forward and said to her, "Woman, you are set free."</small>liberatahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03538780709575642489noreply@blogger.comBlogger2891100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6591276653520153810.post-70777554116747351372011-12-19T22:40:00.000-05:002011-12-19T22:40:57.019-05:00

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liberatahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03538780709575642489noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6591276653520153810.post-90535967701654969682011-12-04T21:20:00.001-05:002011-12-05T08:43:56.682-05:00

It recently struck me that, for years now, I've been suppressing the entire Advent season from my consciousness. The process started when the easy-listening station that I tune into now and then began switching to all Christmas music, all the time earlier and earlier.  The day after Thanksgiving is already way too soon for my taste.  But two weeks before Thanksgiving is ridiculous, and one week

liberatahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03538780709575642489noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6591276653520153810.post-1681597224336233312011-11-27T20:00:00.001-05:002011-12-04T20:13:54.421-05:00

 12/4/2011 - Update Well, Sen. Ayotte failed to make a name for herself as our latest tough-as-nails-on-terrorists politician.  (Romney will have to find something else to tout about her).  Her amendment never even came up for a vote.  Yaaaaaaayyyy!!!!! Unfortunately, McCain and Levin managed to push through their venomous sections of the National Defense Authorization Act. Gitmo will

liberatahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03538780709575642489noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6591276653520153810.post-21206013574273558252011-11-24T14:53:00.001-05:002011-11-24T15:02:33.785-05:00

  Started the holiday out right: a 1 1/2-hr zumba "burn your turkey" session.  Lots of fun -- at least 40 participants!      I did 3 1/2 hours of cooking last evening and am now packing it all up to take to share with the in-laws who are too infirm to travel out.  Our younger son will join us.  So happy we'll all be together.    My love affair with the music of Latin America continues, and

liberatahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03538780709575642489noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6591276653520153810.post-3451110362142686492011-10-07T10:08:00.001-04:002011-10-07T10:09:18.931-04:00

Yesterday was lovely in D.C., as occupiers gathered in Freedom Plaza for the kick-off of the Stop the Machine/Create a New World actions.  Wish I were still there but, as one of the fortunate Americans with a job, I need to report for work today.  Occupiers were peaceful... The music was great  I volunteered with The World Can't Wait, which occupied one entire end of the

liberatahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03538780709575642489noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6591276653520153810.post-4085900892912462342011-10-02T17:21:00.001-04:002011-10-09T16:48:36.928-04:00

Back in the 60's (I know I'm showing my age here), poet/songwriter Rod McKuen published a collection of verse entitled Listen to the Warm. Arriving quite early at our meetinghouse this morning (my heart must finally be repenting of my chronic tardiness and must be turning over a new leaf), I sat listening to the crackling fire that a Friend had generously lit in the fireplace for the comfort of

liberatahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03538780709575642489noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6591276653520153810.post-56899972086901183842011-09-29T20:31:00.000-04:002011-09-29T20:31:10.754-04:00

Love it!!

liberatahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03538780709575642489noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6591276653520153810.post-523852602394863342011-08-30T22:20:00.000-04:002011-08-30T22:20:56.695-04:00

Know what? I'm going!! Sept. 10, 2011, 7-9pm World Café 3025 Chestnut Street Philadelphia, PA 19141 TICKETS: http://www.thesimpleway.org/connecting/events/jesus-bombs-ice-cream/ Be there or be square!!! Jesus, Bombs & Ice Cream from The Work Of The People on Vimeo.

liberatahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03538780709575642489noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6591276653520153810.post-27980672180201856622011-08-21T22:26:00.002-04:002011-08-21T22:30:40.273-04:00

This morning I stand still in that which is pure as liquid Light seeps down into the dark chinks where I hide my sins as relentless illumination scours those deep recesses of self-deception No need to strike my breast my heart heaves and rocks with each wordless mea culpa Wracked ransacked still I stand in the Light Then mercy comes in

liberatahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03538780709575642489noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6591276653520153810.post-60457472830964091812011-08-14T07:00:00.001-04:002011-08-14T07:00:00.313-04:00

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liberatahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03538780709575642489noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6591276653520153810.post-84633682682832082472011-08-12T09:30:00.000-04:002011-08-12T09:30:42.730-04:00

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liberatahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03538780709575642489noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6591276653520153810.post-3837133440211353362011-08-11T22:45:00.006-04:002011-08-12T10:21:00.288-04:00

While participating in a hiking/yoga/writing seminar in the high desert of Abiquiú (New Mexico) last week, I was invited to write an ode to some ordinary object in my life, taking inspiration from Chilean poet Pablo Neruda's Odes to Common Things. Here's what emerged. Ode to my frying pan Your non-stick coating minimizes the need for grease   but a touch of sesame oil lends a proper oriental

liberatahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03538780709575642489noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6591276653520153810.post-36930305198622360242011-08-09T19:49:00.006-04:002011-08-12T10:20:13.456-04:00

Today it was a cholla that taught me to defend myself  to grow nettles if need be to ward off intruders  to twist and curl away to avoid more demands on my time If I could, I’d plant that cholla  next to my work table  and hang a sign around its neck   Beware: ferocious intruder-eating plant I don’t know much about the cholla   except that it's part of the cacti family  and I’ll bet that

liberatahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03538780709575642489noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6591276653520153810.post-15958041958157094392011-07-24T21:57:00.001-04:002011-07-24T22:17:41.692-04:00

I feel as though I'm living in some sort of futuristic, dystopian novel. At 8am the kitchen table and counter tops are warm to the touch, and even after the sun goes down the heat does not abate. Not a hint of a breeze if I open the window.  From the time I left work on Friday, I've been running errands in temperatures around and even above 100°F (37.7°C), with a heat index that makes it feel

liberatahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03538780709575642489noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6591276653520153810.post-53451783740289490522011-06-23T08:06:00.005-04:002011-06-23T13:02:18.879-04:00

  It was a hot, humid day in the former swamp, capital of the free world since 1791.  I  made a trip to our senators' offices yesterday with pastors Sandy, Linda, and Deborah to discuss the issue of torture. Friend Will Penn came along too in the guise of his book Some Fruits of Solitude.  I even quoted maxim #537 for the greater amusement of one of the staff members: "A good End cannot sanctify

liberatahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03538780709575642489noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6591276653520153810.post-10358277161436693932011-06-03T20:26:00.002-04:002011-06-03T20:42:48.227-04:00

It arises from those dark recesses of our soul, stirred up by anger and nourished by the desire for vengeance. It grows and swells in direct proportion to our ability to dehumanize the Other, until our actions are out of control and our own humanity corroded. Torture. While the Milgram Experiment in the 1960’s demonstrated that almost anyone is capable of inflicting torture, most of us

liberatahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03538780709575642489noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6591276653520153810.post-89203481611242450202011-05-27T23:09:00.003-04:002011-05-27T23:23:18.231-04:00

Hilda and I with our signature granola bars Not sure where the last couple of months went, but they sure were busy. Not much time to write.  Last weekend I finally took a breather.  Spent a lot of time outdoors staffing the Schuylkill Friends outreach table at the annual Phoenixville Dogwood Festival (listening to live music emanating from the stage located behind us and inhaling the

liberatahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03538780709575642489noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6591276653520153810.post-16120246359456954432011-03-20T10:52:00.005-04:002011-03-20T11:02:07.821-04:00

The loss of power on Amtrak's entire Northeast Corridor yesterday was emblematic of why we should get out of the war business and redirect a major chunk of our defense budget toward rebuilding our country's infrastructure. Wanting to attend Resist the War Machine, the second veteran-led rally against the war (the first was held on December 16...narratives, photos, and videos...) I asked some

liberatahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03538780709575642489noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6591276653520153810.post-26977226544864324502011-01-23T20:21:00.002-05:002011-01-23T20:27:41.467-05:00

Marooned   on an island   called Delta trapped   in an iron bubble    never bursting threadbare    the hope    tethering me to life    in year ten of my exile    my captivity In nightmares   I see my wife's face   hear neighbors denounce me   for bounty   my father convinced   his son is an outlaw My tears are my food   day and night My only solace    the Book    of God's word

liberatahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03538780709575642489noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6591276653520153810.post-61812110931178670332011-01-17T09:20:00.004-05:002011-01-17T15:42:21.802-05:00

Spent Saturday morning with my husband down at the Philabundance warehouse in Philadelphia. Philabundance collects non-perishable food items from the public, as well as left-over produce from restaurants in the area.  Workers pack them and distribute them to food banks all over the Delaware Valley. The company Bob works for had organized a day of service at Philabundance in conjunction with Dr.

liberatahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03538780709575642489noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6591276653520153810.post-28910283503515002652011-01-12T20:43:00.002-05:002011-05-01T17:34:14.335-04:00

Had a really bad day.  I really need this song from the inimitable Pink.

liberatahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03538780709575642489noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6591276653520153810.post-67091448577111371292011-01-11T10:48:00.000-05:002011-01-11T10:48:48.041-05:00

  Gitmo will keep us safe.  We must never release those Yemeni detainees ...    But allow any deranged American to have a gun, and we'll all be safe then.  (sigh) ___________________________________________ from Witness Against Torture http://www.witnesstorture.org/pr-01-07-2011 CLOSE GUANTÁNAMO WITH JUSTICE NOW Day Of Action Against Torture, Extra-Legal Detention At The White House And

liberatahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03538780709575642489noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6591276653520153810.post-37566605651509454242011-01-02T08:08:00.000-05:002011-01-02T08:08:55.033-05:00

My first contribution to OpEd News: http://www.opednews.com/articles/Guant-namo-mon-amour-by-Barbara-Quintilian-101231-363.html

liberatahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03538780709575642489noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6591276653520153810.post-55546603772051652852011-01-01T19:39:00.001-05:002011-01-01T19:42:33.816-05:00

The Light...being believed in, kept to, and obeyed, is able to work a Change, and cleanse the Heart, that was corrupted by Sin and Transgression, and to beget good Thoughts and good Desires, and to judge down the contrary, even all the Corrupt Ways that man in his own Inventions has involved himself into, and forsaken his Maker: But this is not of our selves, nor by any Acquirement of our own;

liberatahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03538780709575642489noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6591276653520153810.post-16080353437205431322010-12-30T08:04:00.002-05:002011-05-01T17:37:23.058-04:00

I found great excerpts of the December anti-war action on YouTube. Mike Prysner (a Winter Soldier Conference participant) was electrifying: Chris Hedges' address: Daniel Ellsberg: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TDRPPDX0QxE A great summary from The Real News: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CIb5CniKCas

liberatahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03538780709575642489noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6591276653520153810.post-58447320870316198962010-12-19T09:40:00.004-05:002010-12-19T09:45:16.103-05:00

Well, I'll never make it as a real-time, on-the-spot blogger or tweeter!  Here are some photos I took at Thursday's rally: Here's Chris Hedges.  "We cannot rely on any systems of power, including the pillars of the liberal establishment—the press, liberal religious institutions, universities, labor, culture and the Democratic Party. They have been weakened to the point of anemia or work

liberatahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03538780709575642489noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6591276653520153810.post-23426836525326491312010-12-15T23:08:00.001-05:002010-12-15T23:08:58.982-05:00

... to join with   Chris Hedges and others.

liberatahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03538780709575642489noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6591276653520153810.post-28126408917576419262010-11-26T13:57:00.002-05:002010-11-26T14:02:13.177-05:00

My husband just returned from his dream trip to the Antarctic. Here are just a few photos. Read his reflections here. itinerary tour ship, the Ocean Nova zodiac expedition boat group photo penguin trail Hey, guys, wait for me! This is the life! Gift shop window, Port Lockroy happy feet Hello, world! peek-a-boo!

liberatahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03538780709575642489noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6591276653520153810.post-25499059900035725602010-11-25T07:34:00.000-05:002010-11-25T07:34:10.492-05:00

a memory of a September weekend... I’d forgotten the sound of the ocean forgotten its voice the roar of a natural engine the swish of white billows lace curtains in the breeze I’d forgotten the natural pungence of salt air smelling salts reviving my swooning spirit I’d forgotten the motion of the waves its life force reanimating me Running barefoot along the wet sand flying an imaginary kite

liberatahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03538780709575642489noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6591276653520153810.post-16987865323571025362010-11-23T06:27:00.000-05:002010-11-23T06:27:18.682-05:00

A bit of flour sugar baking powder some milk, oil a few spoonfuls of yogurt throw in blueberries or on special occasions chocolate chips mix well pop into the oven Before I can sweep up the stray flour dust and wipe the counter muffins take shape Pretty silly   but I'm always amazed Watching the little muffin monsters devour them after First Day school I wonder which is the more

liberatahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03538780709575642489noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6591276653520153810.post-29766033385195832742010-11-04T23:54:00.010-04:002010-11-05T09:56:03.182-04:00

1.  Which of the following journal article citations is in correct APA 6th format? 2.  Identify the punctuation error(s) in this citation formatted according to APA 6th style: Ball, J., & Bindler, R. M. (2008). Pediatric nursing: caring for children. 4th ed. Upper Saddle River, N.J.: Pearson/Prentice Hall.    3.  If you really care about the above two questions, are you        

liberatahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03538780709575642489noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6591276653520153810.post-83629379176929120342010-10-16T14:17:00.002-04:002010-10-16T14:23:37.071-04:00

Something I recently put together in my writing course (which I've decided I'm going to continue for another 5 weeks) Eyes Wide Open In perfect formation   peaceful and still two hundred boots   aligned on a hill In ten neat rows   in each ten pairs pungent leather   in autumn’s damp air weather beaten   scuffed and brown now empty soles   without a sound tell of Esteban   or John or Lee

liberatahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03538780709575642489noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6591276653520153810.post-45169541689565683982010-10-01T07:40:00.002-04:002010-10-01T07:44:25.148-04:00

I've been taking an online writing course through the Elizabeth Ayers Writing Center, and I can't recommend it enough. http://www.creativewritingcenter.com/bio.html The very first time my family and I vacationed at Ghost Ranch, NM, I took a week-long writing seminar taught by Elizabeth. She has developed all sorts of exercises to get your creative juices going and to make writing fun. The eight

liberatahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03538780709575642489noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6591276653520153810.post-12736363075119473202010-09-12T09:37:00.003-04:002010-10-01T07:20:09.187-04:00

Ask.com, owner of Bloglines, has announced that the aggregator will close on October 1. I know that I'll sure miss it. I've been subscribing to my favorite blogs through Bloglines over the past few years.  My blogroll is arranged not alphabetically, but sort of chunked by broad topic: news, politics, Quakerism, anti-torture groups, librarian groups. Bloglines has kindly provided a way to export

liberatahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03538780709575642489noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6591276653520153810.post-74264171772410201122010-09-11T22:18:00.003-04:002010-09-12T08:13:16.311-04:00

I recently connected with a group of French Unitarians online.  How I came to know about them is too long a story...but I enjoy reading their newsletter and participating in their forum. And they seem to like having an English-speaking Quaker hanging around :-) There was a request for an English translation of a prayer, and I did my best to rise to the occasion. It occurred to me that, on may

liberatahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03538780709575642489noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6591276653520153810.post-593081119252906292010-09-07T21:36:00.001-04:002010-09-07T21:38:00.819-04:00

 Though I am free and belong to no man, I make myself a slave to everyone, to win as many as possible.  To the Jews I became like a Jew, to win the Jews. To those under the law I became like one under the law (though I myself am not under the law), so as to win those under the law. To those not having the law I became like one not having the law (though I am not free from God's law but am

liberatahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03538780709575642489noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6591276653520153810.post-89212562656286222032010-08-13T22:05:00.002-04:002010-08-13T22:07:02.706-04:00

Just got through my first week of work and did my second load of wash since returning from France. I've also done food shopping and prepared quite a few meals. (The terrine didn't turn out too pretty.  As a matter of fact, it broke when I took it out of the baking dish. But it tasted yummy. OK, so I'm not Julia Child.) The enchanted aura of my trip has worn off, but some positive effects seem to

liberatahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03538780709575642489noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6591276653520153810.post-13945424015486260502010-08-12T23:01:00.000-04:002010-08-12T23:01:15.250-04:00

me at la Roche de Solutré (Bourgogne, France) Avignon and Villeneuve-les-Avignon http://www.flickr.com/photos/9847041@N02/sets/72157624699111090/show/   Congénies, Nîmes, Arles http://www.flickr.com/photos/9847041@N02/sets/72157624574622567/show/   Bassy (Bourgogne) http://www.flickr.com/photos/9847041@N02/sets/72157624701424892/show/ Lons-le-Saunier (Jura) http://www.flickr.com/photos/

liberatahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03538780709575642489noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6591276653520153810.post-50692438458000321852010-08-08T23:58:00.002-04:002010-08-09T06:18:35.875-04:00

Rublev, The Hospitality of Abraham It's not the memory of the Palace of the Popes,  the Coliseum at Arles,  the Eiffel Tower, or even Taizé ... or the sight of fields crowded with sunflowers or hills lined with grapevines that I will cherish most about my trip to France. It will be my visits with friends...some of whom were Friends as well. It was a pilgrimage of sorts: Avignon, Congénies,

liberatahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03538780709575642489noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6591276653520153810.post-21333844244649062462010-08-07T23:34:00.001-04:002010-08-08T14:42:15.305-04:00

Dr. Karen Woo, a humanitarian working in Afghanistan and killed along with her colleagues by persons blinded by hatred, was a fellow blogger:http://explorerkitteninafghanistan.blogspot.com/ Like Margaret Hassan, Nick Berg, Tom Fox, Michel Germaneau, and others,  she lived a nonviolent life and died giving service. She was an example for us all.

liberatahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03538780709575642489noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6591276653520153810.post-66533646013945774172010-08-06T08:15:00.004-04:002010-08-06T08:23:44.491-04:00

The beauty of a blog is that that it can handle quite serious topics such as complicity of medical personnel in CIA torture, as well as the flimsiest of personal trivia. So here goes my trivial pursuit of the day: my coffee addiction. Because I spent a lot of my time in France with friends who were generously hosting and feeding me, their meal times were my meal times, and what they purchased

liberatahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03538780709575642489noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6591276653520153810.post-19066213073511195682010-08-05T07:42:00.001-04:002010-08-05T07:54:44.799-04:00

If that truism is familiar to you, then you must be from Philadelphia.  I stepped off the plane last evening and stepped right into a sauna. Very different from the heat in Avignon, even though the thermometer reads the same: 33⁰ C (92⁰ F).  As a matter of fact, the heat was so dry in the south of France that my skin started to get dry and I had to buy some moisturizer.  Managed to stay awake

liberatahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03538780709575642489noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6591276653520153810.post-92073130922737246802010-08-03T17:14:00.004-04:002010-08-05T08:40:54.078-04:00

 My last day in France, and I have so many experiences to process and memories to catch up on, including meeting and spending time with two penpals. Statue of Rouget de Lisle (wikipedia) ...rolling hills of Bourgogne where grape vines grow in neat rows...Romanesque churches, deserted castles, a cheese tower, the ruins of Cuny...and Lons-le-Saunier, with its lovely park and statue of native son

liberatahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03538780709575642489noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6591276653520153810.post-73125612362866053372010-07-26T18:16:00.002-04:002010-08-05T07:51:49.533-04:00

I can't help wondering what it's like to live in a place where there's an ancient Roman arena right smack in the middle of the main thoroughfare.  Do you just get used to it like the corner newspaper box? I'd think it would be pretty hard to ignore... Les Arènes, Nîmes Torero (bullfights are held in the Arènes also)   There's an amphitheater at Arles too. In the Middle Ages

liberatahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03538780709575642489noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6591276653520153810.post-54809877488807836782010-07-25T15:32:00.004-04:002010-08-06T15:38:18.245-04:00

Connectivity has been problematic, but I'm online at least for moment so ... faut en profiter.  I'll have to upload photos later. The Spirit breathed its presence into our bilingual meeting for worship here at the Maison Quaker in Congénies in the south of France.  (Trilingual, actually, if I take into account the crickets who gave nonstop vocal ministry the entire time!) http://

liberatahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03538780709575642489noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6591276653520153810.post-73097223906445247072010-07-22T05:18:00.003-04:002010-07-26T18:27:59.040-04:00

Très rapidement, because my battery quickly running down. a preview of one of the plays...by a few of the characters Avignon saute aux yeux, saute aux oreilles, s'anime, sautille, scintille pendant le Festival ! Costumed actors roam the streets all day long, handing you announcements of their performances. The outdoor cafés couldn't be more packed, and everyone in the boutiques and

liberatahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03538780709575642489noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6591276653520153810.post-47443851511377293472010-07-16T07:39:00.003-04:002010-07-16T07:42:11.873-04:00

Went to what will be my last Zumba class for at least 2 ½ weeks…I return from France on a Wednesday. It remains to be seen whether or not I'll have recovered sufficiently from jet lag to go to Zumba Thursday evening. Said à bientôt to my teacher. à bientôt, l'espagnol too…getting ready to spend my time speaking en français.

liberatahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03538780709575642489noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6591276653520153810.post-17162720376849586872010-07-04T22:51:00.002-04:002010-07-04T23:00:47.127-04:00

Hope is the thing hanging by a thread from the mouth of an oil-caked bird A thing with black feathers bathed by loving hands and returned to a purer sea A tear riding a blue-green ripple keeping her promise to the tar-bruised beach

liberatahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03538780709575642489noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6591276653520153810.post-57169769758188326772010-06-27T07:56:00.005-04:002010-06-27T13:22:52.778-04:00

Remember those things called books? They were composed of elements called pages, printed with words and then sewn or glued together between two covers, sometimes rigid, sometimes soft. Hard to explain, but when I hold one of those old-fashioned objects in my hands, my stress level drops and my imagination soars. Books can be illustrated or plain oversize or pocket size massive or miniature

liberatahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03538780709575642489noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6591276653520153810.post-56802931006365771192010-06-06T15:04:00.001-04:002010-06-06T15:13:09.186-04:00

Responses from members of all ages of our Quaker Meeting: See at: http://www.wordle.net/show/wrdl/2132552/spiritual_community1 (may display better with Internet Explorer) Word art courtesy of wordle http://www.wordle.net

liberatahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03538780709575642489noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6591276653520153810.post-64756713138015368702010-06-05T12:31:00.001-04:002010-06-05T12:32:29.911-04:00

from http://www.mcclatchydc.com/2010/06/03/95326_a95311/bp-deepwater-horizon-oil-spill.html

liberatahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03538780709575642489noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6591276653520153810.post-55314574835811224992010-05-30T13:39:00.010-04:002010-05-30T16:27:57.978-04:00

When I center down at Meeting for Worship and try to quiet my thoughts so that I can hear the Still, Small Voice in my heart, more often than not a Gospel verse or story comes to mind.  This morning, however, while trying to detoxify my mind of concern over the oil spill catastrophe, I thought of a tale from Greek mythology, King Midas and the golden touch. Maybe you remember it. Once upon a

liberatahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03538780709575642489noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6591276653520153810.post-68337413489684715732010-04-25T20:59:00.001-04:002010-04-25T21:10:56.229-04:00

If you get the chance, listen to this interview with Candace Gordon, attorney to two Gitmo detainees, 1 of whom has been recently released ...to Tbilisi, Republic of Georgia: http://thestory.org/archive/the_story_1018_Al_Ghizzani.mp3 Only the first 15 min or so contains the interview with Gordon. Before leaving Gitmo, Mr. Al-Ghizzawi (who had never been charged with any offense and who was

liberatahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03538780709575642489noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6591276653520153810.post-66368957743974159062010-04-18T15:15:00.001-04:002010-04-18T15:15:55.624-04:00

A Friend just shared this poem with me this morning after meeting for worship. I think I'll find prayer a bit easier from now on... Praying It doesn't have to bethe blue iris, it could beweeds in a vacant lot, or a fewsmall stones; justpay attention, then patch a few words together and don't tryto make them elaborate, this isn'ta contest but the doorway into thanks, and a silence in

liberatahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03538780709575642489noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6591276653520153810.post-81855353141439133592010-04-10T08:46:00.002-04:002010-04-10T10:44:22.213-04:00

I woke up this morning to read this astounding report in the Times of London. Someone --besides several Judge Advocates General, besides several military prosecutors, besides a hundred valiant attorneys, besides the Physicians for Human Rights, besides Amnesty International, besides the National Religious Campaign Against Torture, besides a no-account like me-- someone highly placed in the last

liberatahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03538780709575642489noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6591276653520153810.post-49598439955826592502010-03-13T19:25:00.003-05:002010-03-21T11:50:15.828-04:00

   If you want something done right, you just have to do it yourself.  Today the Philadelphia Inquirer printed an amputated version of my letter.  The topic? Karl Rove, who says he's "proud" that the CIA waterboarded Khalid Sheikh Mohammed ...that waterboarding is not torture...and that we obtained oh so much information that way.     Note the circular justification: 1) Waterboarding is not

liberatahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03538780709575642489noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6591276653520153810.post-72032683038729237512010-03-09T11:57:00.002-05:002010-03-09T12:12:36.523-05:00

March 9, 1910 – January 23, 1981 I pass his childhood home quite often when I drive through West Chester (here in PA). Who hasn't heard his Adagio for Strings? Here's an excerpt from a letter he wrote when he was only 9 years old, breaking the news to his mom that he wanted to be a composer and not an athlete: Dear Mother: I have written to tell you my worrying secret. Now don’t cry when you

liberatahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03538780709575642489noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6591276653520153810.post-80855623156513248982010-03-07T20:08:00.001-05:002010-03-07T20:08:05.158-05:00

Stopped following my son's twitter. Decided I really don't need to know what goes on in the 19-yr-old male mind.

liberatahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03538780709575642489noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6591276653520153810.post-6053227433504894622010-03-07T15:17:00.002-05:002010-03-07T16:14:53.963-05:00

This is a test using Word 2007 to generate a blog entry. This is only a test. If it had been a real blog post, you would be reading some actual content or at least some serious twaddle. This test has been brought to you by Microsoft Word.

liberatahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03538780709575642489noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6591276653520153810.post-75042054963489354832010-03-01T10:38:00.005-05:002010-03-01T19:27:22.753-05:00

 There's an excellent op-ed. in today's New York Times on the complicity of medical doctors and psychologists in torture at Guantánamo Bay and the lack of accountability for their unethical assistance. How did we sink so low?  [The CIA's Office of Medical Services] said detainees could be exposed to cold air or hosed down with cold water for up to two-thirds of the time it takes for hypothermia

liberatahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03538780709575642489noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6591276653520153810.post-73783016656680463012010-02-22T23:26:00.005-05:002010-02-23T10:56:30.475-05:00

The 1000th American soldier has died in Afghanistan, as recorded by the website iCasualties.   Pray... Participate in a vigil... Join the American Friends Service Committee in telling the President: Not one more death, not one more dollar for war! But though kind Time may many joys renew, There is one greatest joy I shall not know Again, because my heart for loss of You Was broken, long

liberatahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03538780709575642489noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6591276653520153810.post-3138572991267327952010-02-20T08:44:00.008-05:002010-02-20T11:36:16.005-05:00

Since my first post on La Tregua (The Truce), I've finished reading the entire book. I've also read Levi's earlier work, Se questo è un uomo (If This Is a Man -- some English editions are entitled Survival at Auschwitz), and it has to be the most beautiful book I've ever read. One of the saddest, surely, but so beautiful because of Levi's simple, straight-from-the-heart description of life in the

liberatahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03538780709575642489noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6591276653520153810.post-40709655608398037972010-02-13T08:41:00.001-05:002010-02-13T16:42:37.400-05:00

The old familiar sights of oursTook marvellous shapes; strange domes and towersRose up where sty or corn-crib stood,Or garden-wall, or belt of wood;A smooth white mound the brush-pile showed,A fenceless drift what once was road;The bridle-post an old man satWith loose-flung coat and high cocked hat;The well-curb had a Chinese roof;And even the long sweep, high aloof,In its slant spendor, seemed

liberatahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03538780709575642489noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6591276653520153810.post-75859969735748531212010-02-10T12:29:00.001-05:002010-02-10T12:29:43.393-05:00

Just came back in the house after shoveling snow for an hour and found Beethoven's "Emperor Concerto" playing on the radio.  What better reward for my hard work?

liberatahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03538780709575642489noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6591276653520153810.post-42081381371930367212010-02-09T08:50:00.009-05:002010-02-10T12:05:35.830-05:00

 I'm still holding out the hope that this story, which started making the rounds of the Net yesterday, will turn out to be a hoax after all: US soldier 'waterboarded' daughter, 4, because she couldn't recite alphabet    Ok, the alleged "waterboarder" obviously has serious emotional problems, no doubt exacerbated by a tour of duty in a war zone. But for me, this sad story serves as the last bit

liberatahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03538780709575642489noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6591276653520153810.post-60013257295324202292010-02-06T11:01:00.007-05:002010-02-06T11:42:11.601-05:00

...and by "book" I refer to the humble codex, a collection of thoughts on a subject committed to writing and then printed as text on pages that have been bound together and placed between covers ... not the Kindle, iPad, or other manifestations of the ebook. A book is so simple. I realized this one day on the train to work as I pulled out the title I was reading. I don't have to subscribe to it

liberatahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03538780709575642489noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6591276653520153810.post-27509936228028524592010-01-16T12:41:00.003-05:002010-01-17T00:54:11.514-05:00

   Yes, I wrote ourself: the grammatical error is deliberate.  Tomorrow two facilitators will visit Schuylkill Friends and at rise of meeting will explain the purpose of the survey  members and attenders will complete as part of the "Knowing Ourself as a Meeting" process, developed by the Center for Deepening and Strengthening Our Meetings, a ministry of PYM. The use of the singular --ourself--

liberatahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03538780709575642489noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6591276653520153810.post-23101936724354311482010-01-10T23:10:00.006-05:002010-01-10T23:39:32.697-05:00

Been car sharing several days per week with my son, who works part-time at a local Così restaurant. On Monday he will start taking courses at the local community college as well, so I'll definitely be taking the train to work Monday through Thursday. Maybe Friday too, if his work schedule requires. He cannot get to college or to work except by car, while the train leaves me right on the campus

liberatahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03538780709575642489noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6591276653520153810.post-28204594201814463542010-01-03T13:15:00.005-05:002010-01-03T13:34:45.914-05:00

Time it was, and what a time it was, it was A time of innocence, a time of confidences Long ago, it must be, I have a photograph Preserve your memories, they're all that's left you  Simon and Garfunkel, Bookends   Ordinarily I'm not one to attribute psychological or other arcane symbolism to something as simple as a cold. I'm not one to believe that a physical illness is a sign of some

liberatahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03538780709575642489noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6591276653520153810.post-83684737893042634232009-12-30T10:09:00.002-05:002009-12-30T10:13:31.707-05:00

Just started a new blog with photos of a school located in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo, where a minister is doing his best to educate about 500 children of various ages.  Many of them are poor, some have been accused of witchcraft and thrown out of their homes.  The school has barely the wherewithal to operate, and for over a year now I've been searching for some charitable

liberatahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03538780709575642489noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6591276653520153810.post-103638707031822812009-12-27T10:59:00.001-05:002009-12-27T11:01:36.975-05:00

Watch Amnesty International's new video, introduced by Morgan Freeman:

liberatahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03538780709575642489noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6591276653520153810.post-77159976754755733272009-12-25T14:23:00.006-05:002009-12-25T15:28:29.237-05:00

Dazzled by gold ornamentsby trees swathed in white lights and the winter sun piercing stained glass with its ice-pure raysBody and soul vibrating to the organ’s swellI sang with the choir and congregationSuperlatives and absolutesflowed from the liturgylike winefrom a celestial caskGloria to God in the highest Deum de Deo Lumen de lumineDeum verum de Deo veroWonderful Counselor, Mighty God,

liberatahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03538780709575642489noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6591276653520153810.post-79183560543182055002009-12-24T20:59:00.011-05:002009-12-24T22:07:28.533-05:00

"When the star in the sky is gone, When the Kings and Princes are home, When the shepherds are back with their flocks, The real work of Christmas begins. To find the lost, To heal the broken, To feed the hungry, To release the prisoners, To rebuild the nations, To bring peace among brothers, To make music in the heart." - Howard ThurmanMerry Christmas!Follow the light of the star...____________

liberatahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03538780709575642489noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6591276653520153810.post-56562342457958144742009-12-21T09:45:00.001-05:002009-12-21T09:47:13.909-05:00

A Lesson on Nonviolence for Obama by Eric Stoner -- Antiwar.comAlmost immediately after acknowledging that there is "nothing weak — nothing passive — nothing naïve — in the creed and lives of Gandhi and King," Obama equated nonviolence with doing nothing.

liberatahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03538780709575642489noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6591276653520153810.post-70298392745071409982009-12-13T08:00:00.006-05:002009-12-15T00:23:16.621-05:00

So one more enemy leader is dead   killed by a droneRejoice! they saidCacophonous carols assail the ear   and mountains of merchandisestifle our fearIsaiah wanders the glitzy streets   searching for signsof the Prince of PeaceWearied by Macy’s wonderland   he lies down with plush Leoand soft Gucci lambAnd Mary, her soul extolling the Lord   looks for fulfillmentof his gracious wordOf haughty

liberatahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03538780709575642489noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6591276653520153810.post-49388844143578919032009-11-27T16:58:00.017-05:002009-11-27T23:53:48.549-05:00

You'd think that Black Friday took its name from the dark clouds that packed the sky all day today. Another turkey dinner come and gone, another Christmas shopping season ramping up.My in-laws are infirm and deteriorating more every day. My husband's mom can't go out anymore, too difficult for my father-in-law to care for outside of their own home, so we brought dinner to them. I cooked the

liberatahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03538780709575642489noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6591276653520153810.post-85590588081805552452009-11-01T14:37:00.013-05:002009-11-01T15:42:00.245-05:00

Maybe we've been going about it all wrong.You know, the in hoc signo thing, converting the king, defeating and baptizing the hordes, Gothic cathedrals, pilgrimages, relics, auto da fés. And more recently, televangelism, rallies, megachurches, blockbuster serial novels, and a graphic Passion on the big screen...Where's the subtlety, where's the cunning and skill in any of that? Where's the

liberatahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03538780709575642489noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6591276653520153810.post-59177375546693588332009-10-30T08:39:00.006-04:002009-10-30T09:04:06.695-04:00

The Goodnight Anthem is on the road again, taking my son Tony (guitar and lead vocals) with them. They're off to venues in Michigan, Illinois, Minnesota, Iowa, Arkansas, Tennessee, Georgia and beyond.One of their first shows had to be canceled because a couple of musicians in another band got the current version of the plague that's also touring the country. This got me worried, so I sent Tony

liberatahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03538780709575642489noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6591276653520153810.post-86738473452953090582009-10-03T17:02:00.010-04:002009-10-04T15:47:18.102-04:00

I've never pretended to be someone who just loves kids. When I would wistfully dream about falling in love and getting married, having children was something I forcefully pushed out of the picture. I'm an only child and never did much babysitting. I'm used to teaching undergrads. Furthermore, the very idea of this mysterious thing that was going to happen to my body and that I would only learn

liberatahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03538780709575642489noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6591276653520153810.post-89369635424449103842009-09-25T21:09:00.008-04:002009-09-26T19:20:00.462-04:00

Just finished reading Krista Tippett's book Speaking of Faith: Why Religion Matters--and How to Talk about It. The author hosts the weekly American Public Media's progam Speaking of Faith, which airs at 7:00am in the Philly area, so I rarely catch it--or if I do, it's usually the tail end. I usually try to sleep a bit later on Sundays. However, Tippett certainly know how to talk about religion.

liberatahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03538780709575642489noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6591276653520153810.post-30175182173429861512009-09-16T21:13:00.012-04:002009-09-17T09:14:20.625-04:00

Oh right, this is my blog! I almost forgot. That's how insane work has been lately. But then the first half of the first semester is always the busiest time of the academic year...Still, I wouldn't miss my annual gig as the token Quaker on campus for anything. Every year about this time in September, Campus Ministry sponsors World Religions Day and invites pastors and lay members of various

liberatahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03538780709575642489noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6591276653520153810.post-65255195226955669862009-09-03T07:10:00.005-04:002009-09-03T07:29:44.687-04:00

I recently discovered that I can download mp3 versions of some of my favorite old, old songs and listen to them wherever I like on my Sony Zen Stone.So...I know I'm really dating myself, but here are two of the most beautiful songs I've ever heard..."Marieke," by Jacques BrelUnfortunately, my number 2 song, "The Last Time I Saw Her Face" by Gordon Lightfoot, doesn't seem to be available on

liberatahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03538780709575642489noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6591276653520153810.post-18220379114936531622009-09-02T21:21:00.007-04:002009-09-02T21:50:26.947-04:00

Actually, I was at my 6am Body Pump class doing squats with 12 kg (26.5 lb) resting on my trapezius muscles. Even just a couple of years ago I would never have imagined that I'd enjoy a cardio/weight lifting class so much. Hey, what better way to start off the first day of the rest of your life?Of course a good many of the loved ones who used to help me celebrate my birthday are gone now. I miss

liberatahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03538780709575642489noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6591276653520153810.post-55948319837133926832009-08-30T07:18:00.007-04:002009-08-30T07:43:05.536-04:00

Gazing out my dining room window I don't see Eagle Harbor, but I do see lots of well-watered greenery thanks to all the storms we've been having.I've had a month to readjust to life at work and at home after the serenity of Bainbridge Island and the enchantment of Victoria and Butchart Gardens. A week's getaway. But what a week!At least there are pictures:http://picasaweb.google.com/grellet06/

liberatahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03538780709575642489noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6591276653520153810.post-64508482458006728832009-08-03T22:28:00.005-04:002009-08-03T23:36:40.700-04:00

...on Bainbridge Island, at the home of friends.We drove our rental car onto the ferry this morning and crossed the Puget Sound. Had breakfast on board the ferry, too. Coffee, Total cereal, and milk aboard the ferry.They've been having a hot spell up here in Seattle territory, but fortunately, it's cooler this week. Really enjoying the salt air.Bainbridge Island reminds me a bit of New England

liberatahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03538780709575642489noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6591276653520153810.post-64192147462990177262009-07-30T16:03:00.002-04:002009-07-30T16:05:59.933-04:00

Here I am at Annual Sessions, being held at De Sales University in the beautiful rolling hills of Penn's Woods... Scilla Wahrhaftig and I just held our interest group discussion session on torture. Bob Greene from Princeton Friends and Harry (can't remember his last name) from Crosswick Friends attended. Hey, that's 2 more people than showed up last year!! After viewing NYYM's video minute on

liberatahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03538780709575642489noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6591276653520153810.post-61320786947216779222009-07-22T22:40:00.004-04:002009-07-22T23:38:13.431-04:00

Correct me if I'm wrong. Didn't President Obama issue an executive order on his first day in office mandating that Gitmo be CLOSED within the year? What is Senator James Inhofe's (R-OK) problem? Has he bothered to read the reports of the Combat Status Review Tribunals? Or the testimony of Lieut. Col. Stephen Abraham before the House Committee on Foreign Affairs in May 2008? ("The Mistakes of

liberatahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03538780709575642489noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6591276653520153810.post-56892721918353878462009-07-17T21:41:00.022-04:002009-07-18T11:05:20.264-04:00

The Goodnight Anthem, featuring my son Tony on guitar and vocals, played at Warped Tour today....at the Susquehanna Bank Center,and I was there (as you can see, I found the Greenpeace tent). I got in for free, even got a VIP wristband, because I'm the lead singer's mom and the band's manager is a really nice guy...and it probably didn't hurt that I cooked dinner for them last night.Took the

liberatahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03538780709575642489noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6591276653520153810.post-53191139109308506562009-06-25T21:26:00.011-04:002009-06-25T23:58:48.405-04:00

It was 5:00pm on Torture Accountability Action Day, and I was standing at the corner of Lancaster and Bryn Mawr with a ragtag little bunch from the Bryn Mawr Peace Coalition. I had brought NRCAT bumper stickers and brochures, as well as the petition calling for a Commission of Inquiry, ready to scrape up a few more signatures.We got a few friendly honks from after-work commuters and a couple of

liberatahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03538780709575642489noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6591276653520153810.post-4359048561189625612009-05-31T11:03:00.005-04:002009-05-31T14:17:18.775-04:00

On Friday the new class of doctoral nursing students came to the library for an instruction session. I had 90 minutes to tell them about the resources essential to their pursuit of a Ph.D. and to instruct them in how to use the software wonder known as EndNote.As usual, I planned a well organized, interactive session and, as often happens, I lost control of the session after the first half hour.

liberatahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03538780709575642489noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6591276653520153810.post-86496874171064951102009-05-23T07:10:00.009-04:002009-05-23T08:56:58.426-04:00

I'm sitting by the dining room window. A lovely breeze is coming in, the sun is shining, birds are singing, and very few cars have been driving by. A serenely quiet Saturday morning.May has been a lean month for blogging. I think I'm suffering a bit from burnout, between work and the interfaith forum I'm helping to organize (more about that later). Every time I sit down to write, no more than a

liberatahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03538780709575642489noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6591276653520153810.post-34571557423844894742009-04-29T07:36:00.013-04:002009-04-29T23:42:50.248-04:00

...or, Thank God for BodypumpFor the last four or five months I've been taking Bodypump class faithfully twice a week, Saturday morning at 9:00 and Wednesday morning (groan...) at 6:00. I also try to go to the gym a day or two between classes to exercise a bit, even if it's much less of a workout. If anyone had told me even a year ago that I'd be working out with weights, I'd have said, "Yeah,

liberatahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03538780709575642489noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6591276653520153810.post-6532426926425585212009-04-23T20:52:00.008-04:002009-04-24T14:02:49.137-04:00

OK, no sense trying to hide it. I’m cranky in the morning until I get my first cup of coffee. I’m not sure if this is a uniquely 20th/21st-century malady or if it was known to medical science somewhat earlier.To aggravate matters, I started taking a medication about a year ago that requires me to wait what seems like an interminable length of time before absorbing my first dose of

liberatahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03538780709575642489noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6591276653520153810.post-70848537424357080362009-04-19T22:46:00.011-04:002009-04-19T23:18:54.995-04:00

...but it's sure fun trying. Andrée Chedid is one of my favorite French writers. She was born in 1920...So, if my mother were still alive, she and Chedid would be the same age. And this is one of my favorite poems by Chedid, published in a collection entitled Fraternité de la parole (1975).

liberatahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03538780709575642489noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6591276653520153810.post-54711916407947641172009-04-13T08:30:00.007-04:002009-04-19T22:45:10.563-04:00

A couple of weeks ago, I saw a production of the play My Name Is Rachel Corrie at the university where I work. It's a one-woman show based on the title character's journals and emails.In case you've forgotten, or in case you never knew, Rachel Corrie was an undergraduate from Olympia, WA. At the age of 23, Rachel joined the International Solidarity Movement, an organization that advocates

liberatahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03538780709575642489noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6591276653520153810.post-25117364527287364272009-04-12T08:36:00.015-04:002009-04-19T22:46:27.431-04:00

I arose and am still with you, alleluia.You have laid your hand upon me, alleluia.How wonderful is now your knowledge, alleluia, alleluia.Lord, you have probed me and known me:You know when I sit and when I stand. (From the Introit, Mass on Easter Sunday morning)On this is day you celebrate my triumph over death. During the past week you have retold aloud the story of how my friends deserted

liberatahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03538780709575642489noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6591276653520153810.post-41575545685607194782009-04-09T06:13:00.010-04:002009-04-10T10:03:41.029-04:00

For the rest, what we call friends and friendships are nothing but acquaintanceships and familiarities formed bysome chance or convenience, by means of which our souls are bound to each other. In the friendship I speak of, our souls mingle and blend with each other so completely that they efface the seam that joined them, and cannot find it again. Michel de Montaigne, Of FriendshipI seem to be

liberatahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03538780709575642489noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6591276653520153810.post-30345261747731935692009-04-03T22:18:00.015-04:002009-04-04T13:22:52.190-04:00

A decided benefit of working at a university is the opportunity to attend cultural events and lectures by provocative and often moving personalities. I've had two such opportunities in the past 10-days. On Tuesday of last week I heard death penalty abolitionist Sister Helen Prejean speak, and just last evening I attended a performance of the controversial play My Name is Rachel Corrie.I don't

liberatahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03538780709575642489noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6591276653520153810.post-50670430796693889902009-03-28T22:01:00.002-04:002009-03-28T22:46:51.724-04:00

Greetings, gentle readers, old and new Through the magic of xml (which even I can manipulate with a few clicks, thanks to Blogger), I have migrated all the entries from an old blog entitled Pax et Lux. If you've followed me from there, allow me to express my sincere thanks -- not to mention my astonishment.It will take me some time to finish all the customizations, but then settling in and

liberatahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03538780709575642489noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6591276653520153810.post-64786775939350177772009-03-23T22:40:00.001-04:002009-03-29T18:53:36.985-04:00

Walk for a New SpringLast Saturday, March 21, monks and nuns of Nipponzan Myohoji Buddhist Order and the New England Peace Pagoda arrived in West Chester from Leverett, MA on their way to Washington, D.C. They were greeted by members of the Chester County Peace Movement and given dinner, places to stay the night, breakfast the next morning, and a send-off by members of West Chester Friends

liberatahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03538780709575642489noreply@blogger.com0