A little more about the movie "A Hidden Life"

A Hidden Life. A film by Terrence Malick, made in 2019, now available for rental on Netflix.  

In contemplating more about this film (re. a conscientious objector to Naziism in Hitler's time), which I watched last night and highly recommend, the word "cult" became prominent in my thoughts.  I looked up its definition:

A system of devotion or loyalty directed toward a particular figure or object.  A misplaced or excessive admiration for a particular person or thing.

It's pretty obvious that because earth humans are tribal beings, we instinctively group together.  As I look at life objectively with a somewhat simplistic view, it seems to me that every grouping of mankind eventually becomes a hierarchical "cult" (using the least offensive descriptive sense of that word, because cults are most often identified with fanaticism), in which one must put their faith if they are to comfortably live/work within it. If the authority/leader at the top (whether it be a husband, a parent, a CEO, a priest, minister or a President) uses power selfishly to their own advantage against the welfare of the overall group, the cult can quickly become a dark -- and even dangerous one -- especially for the most vulnerable members on the lowest rungs of the group's ladder.  

Using this as a guideline, perhaps it is important and necessary to recognize this fact -- and to look beyond appearances to discover one's true identity, in order to live an authentic life. One's own experience is always the best teacher.  Franz, the main character in the film, was driven--no matter the cost--to live by his core principles when dark forces invaded his and his family's peaceful pastoral existence. He was impelled to live by his own truth--and his wife, though grief-stricken, honored and loved him for following his conscience.

The way the family in this film is treated by their friends and neighbors because of the husband's decision to leave the Hitler cult is a familiar story. Cults, big or small, don't look kindly on "deserters" who rock the boat as they dive overboard and swim away. To use another metaphor, there is usually a price to pay when leaving the herd.

The Christian mystic, St. John of the Cross, once put it this way: "In the inner wine cellar I drank of my beloved, and, when I went abroad through all this valley I no longer knew anything and lost the herd which I was following.  If then, I am no longer seen or found on the common, you will say that I am lost, But, stricken by love, I lost myself, and was found."

I realize my musings are a simplistic view of things. There are many philosophical nuances that can be added, and the film shows some of them, even without words needing to be spoken -- as different characters along the way in Hitler's time evaluate their own beliefs and actions in contrast to Franz.  In their eyes, you can see the reflection of "What if I......"  I wonder how many of the Republican "leaders" in America today are experiencing that kind of self-reflection?  As in Hitler's time, we can see them murmuring in angst behind the scenes, but none of them are speaking out in public defiance of Trump. The courage it takes to leave the herd seems to be absent in them.

Variety had a very good review of the movie (see: https://variety.com/2019/film/reviews/a-hidden-life-review-terrence-malick-radegund-1203220352/), ending this way:

In this film, Malick draws a critical distinction between faith and religion, calling out the failing of the latter — a human institution that's as fallible and corruptible as any individual. At one point, Franz goes to a local chapel and speaks to the cynical old artisan (Johan Leysen) restoring the damaged paintings on its walls. "A darker time is coming, and men will be more clever," the man tells him. "They don't confront the truth. They just ignore it." In recent years, Malick may have seemed out of touch, responding to issues that interest him more than the public at large. But whether or not he is specifically referring to the present day, its demagogues, and the way certain evangelicals have once again sold out their core values for political advantage, "A Hidden Life" feels stunningly relevant as it thrusts this problem into the light.

ReplyForward

Read More

Want to see a good movie? Here's one I saw today and recommend

It's called "A Hidden Life," and was made last year by director Terrence Malick. It is almost 3 hours long -- and speaks perfectly to the times we are in, though it is based on a true story that took place in Hitler's Germany/Austria during WWII.  The cinematography is incredibly beautiful!  If you have never visited Austria, prepare to be visually overwhelmed by beautiful natural scenes that will take your breath away. Almost every scene in this movie is like a perfect painting (some reminded me of Van Gogh's paintings of farm workers and house interiors) -- with light, shadows, color, and visual depth that evokes feelings of being a participant, rather than a member of the audience. The little vignettes of life events in a little Alpine village are so realistically depicted, the viewer feels as though he is in the movie, living it along with the characters. You can almost feel wet spray on your face as the characters walk by fast-splashing water being turned by a mill wheel.

The parallels between the main character's dilemma, determined by having to live in a country where Hitler is the leader -- and our own time and dilemma with our similar leader in the White House are very clear to see.  Plus, the existential questions the film delves into are the same ones that have been asked by humans throughout history -- and are ones that we are asking today. 

In the review below, the main character is compared to Bartleby the Scrivener from Herman Melville's short story, and yes there are times in the story when I wanted to shout at him in frustration that there are other ways you can do this!   It's a slow-paced movie but oh so worth the viewing, if only for the treat of seeing the majestic, idyllic beauty of the Austrian Alps and the meadowlands below them.  Add in the story (a true one) and you have a memorably magnificent movie -- one that will stay with you because of the deep questions it presents about life and love and the principles we hold dear. The acting is superb, too, for every character!   Highly recommended!

You can view a short video preview of the movie at:

https://www.google.com/search?q=a+hidden+life+movie+review&oq=A+Hidden+Life+movie+review&aqs=chrome.0.0l7j69i64.4643j0j4&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8

and read a long written review of it at:

https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/a-hidden-life-movie-review-2019

EXCERPT from the review:

The phenomenon of ordinary citizens investing their pride, their sense of self-worth, and (in the case of men) their fantasy of machismo in the person of a single government figure is one that many nations, including the United States, understand well. Malick doesn't give interviews, but I don't think we'd need one to understand why he would release a film like this in 2019, at a time when the United States is being torn apart over the issue of obedient support of an authority figure, and have the dialogue alternate German with English. But the film is rich and sturdy enough to transcend the contemporary one-to-one comparisons that it is sure to invite—and it's not as if we haven't seen this scenario elsewhere, before and after World War II, or will never see it again. The social dynamics presented here are timeless.

And yet, improbably, "A Hidden Life" is a tragic story that doesn't play solely as a tragedy. The misery endured by Franz, Fani and their children is presented as a more extreme version of the pain everyone suffers as the byproduct of life on earth.

Read More

Trump calls wounded and killed American soldiers "losers" and "suckers"

Please share this informative article with friends, especially Trump supporters who are vets or now serving in the military.  

It's enough to make you weep 😪.... what must the veterans and present military troops who support him think of these contemptuous comments byTrump?  Or do they even know about it?  This article in the respected magazine The Atlantic tells many facts about Commander-in-Chief Trump's true feelings about the military (which he never served in because of 5 deferments for his claim of a "heel spur").  He revealed his disdain for military heroism in public when he said about John McCain,  "He's a war hero because he was captured. I like people that weren't captured."  The following article tells more verifiably witnessed facts about the president's disrespect and contempt for the military. He has repeatedly disparaged the intelligence of service members, and asked that wounded veterans be kept out of military parades, multiple sources have told The Atlantic.   I hope more of our troops hear of this as they get ready to vote.

https://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2020/09/trump-americans-who-died-at-war-are-losers-and-suckers/615997/

As for Trump's heel spurs, many reports have now come out that he never had any. As he said scornfully to his lawyer, "I'm not dumb. Do you think I was going to go to Vietnam?"  See: https://www.militarytimes.com/news/pentagon-congress/2019/02/27/trumps-lawyer-no-basis-for-presidents-medical-deferment-from-vietnam/   and https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/onpolitics/2018/12/27/trump-vietnam-war-bone-spur-diagnosis/2420475002/

EXCERPT from article:  When President Donald Trump canceled a visit to the Aisne-Marne American Cemetery near Paris in 2018, he blamed rain for the last-minute decision, saying that "the helicopter couldn't fly" and that the Secret Service wouldn't drive him there. Neither claim was true.

Trump rejected the idea of the visit because he feared his hair would become disheveled in the rain, and because he did not believe it important to honor American war dead, according to four people with firsthand knowledge of the discussion that day. In a conversation with senior staff members on the morning of the scheduled visit, Trump said, "Why should I go to that cemetery? It's filled with losers." In a separate conversation on the same trip, Trump referred to the more than 1,800 marines who lost their lives at Belleau Wood as "suckers" for getting killed.

Read More

Some astrological observations of the times we are experiencing

For anyone who might be interested in exploring for answers about present events in all our lives:

I've been doing astrology charts and readings again lately, paying attention to the transits in this "interesting" time for all of us.  Particularly for Capricorns and the other Cardinal signs of Aries, Cancer and Libra.  In truth, we are all being affected by the unique and important time in which we are living, and astrology can give an understanding that you won't be hearing in the mainstream media.😊 If you are interested in learning a little about what is going on now, here is a video link of one astrologer's explanation. Don't worry if you don't understand all the astrological terms she uses. Much of her talk is in common terms that anyone can understand, and she has some good insights that match with what we are all experiencing. She speaks of the full moon in 11 degrees of Pisces that will occur on September 2nd, and its effects, as well as other planetary influences that are affecting us on Earth at the present time.  Even if you don't believe in astrology, it's comforting to hear uplifting information that is meant to bring clarity, instead of the confusion we are bombarded with daily from Trump. 🙂 See: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4I9dh0MWxK8&feature=youtu.be Right now, it looks like we, our government, and the Earth itself are in the midst of a bumpy ride as inexorable transitions are taking place. Psychically derived Sabian symbols tell an interesting story about the transition. I've found them to give very helpful guidance when applied to one's birth chart.  If interested in finding more about the origin and history of Sabian symbols and how they were derived (a very interesting story!), go to: https://sabian.org/sabian_symbols.php The full moon of September 2nd will be in the 11th degree of Pisces.  I think the Sabian symbol for that degree fits very well into the story of what we are all experiencing now.  It's not surprising that all these happenings appear to be in perfect alignment with the stars.  As we live through this transitional and transformational period on Earth, it's important to know the turmoil and confusion are temporary and necessary, as we are meant to rise from one level of consciousness to another of higher understanding.  This kind of revolutionary transition doesn't happen overnight, either on a personal level or a cosmic level, but, since it is occurring, we need to trust that it is a change we are ready for and is for the ultimate good.  As we look around us, we can see the element of conservative thinking has become outworn and outmoded. We, as a planetary people, are in the midst of inevitable change to more progressive thinking.  But, as other times of dramatic changes in past history tell us, there will always be those who dig in their heels and refuse to move forward in the ways the time demands.  We are presently witnessing the turmoil caused by whipped-up fear and hatred as hard-liners desperately try to hang on to greed-and-power-driven systems that no longer serve the planet or its people. We have grown beyond those beliefs and it is time to move on from them, into a wider-based, more inclusive vision for life on Earth. Everything that is happening now, including climate change and the Covid virus, is telling us we cannot stay with the old ways.  In the midst of all the confusion and rabid rhetoric from the dug-in leaders and their followers who refuse to move forward, tumultuous events are occurring. Regardless of how hard Trump and the old guard (and other leaders of their ilk around the world) try to keep the status quo of conservatism and racial divide, their efforts are doomed to fail. Massive changes are in the works, and divinely-protected events will inexorably continue to move us in a higher direction.  Wise sages keep reminding us that no matter the appearance of anything and everything that may occur in our lives during these difficult times, we must have faith that, truly, All is Well. 😇 💫 See the following interpretation from astrologer Lynda Hill of the Pisces 11 Sabian symbol...as well as for the symbols before and after Pisces 11.  I like her insights, and you might find them interesting, too. The symbols are an eye-opener, in their perfect alignment with what we see happening all around us. To me, it is proof that the ancient science of astrology is a legitimate way of gaining deeper understanding for our lives. ..."As above, so below." 💕 Eileen Pisces 11: On The Path To Enlightenment By Lynda Hill   Posted March 1, 2015   In Lunar Stories by Lynda Hill  0 Pisces 11: PEOPLE TRAVELING A NARROW PATH, SEEKING ILLUMINATION Are you on your own path? Are you heading for a desirable destination? Are you allowing distractions to take you away from what you know you should be doing? Do you feel supported by others in your quest, or, is this a more solitary journey? Do you seek the light, but sometimes find yourself wandering around in the dark? Is it time to get going on your one true path? This Symbol shows the ability, or the need, to be able to have a quest, to "Seek Illumination", to have a "Path" and to stay on it regardless of what life throws at you. Sometimes the search for high ideals and understanding places us at odds with the more conservative social expectations of others. It is the ability to persevere with the search, regardless of the cost, that marks the sincerity of any path or journey. You may, at times in your life, have to go without some comforts or stick to a rigorous agenda. Most times this quest is very illuminating, sometimes it's confusing. You will need to reject that which is unworthy, while staying true to your objectives in order to arrive at your destination. People 'on the path'. Having a cause to follow. The promise of light at the end of the day. Sticking with objectives. Being in the now. Going towards the light. Spiritual journeying. The Caution: Being blinded by the light. Not knowing where you're going. Denial of physical pleasure. Puritanical and one-eyed. Distractions. Narrow minded. Disillusionment. QUOTES:    The difficulties you meet will resolve themselves as you advance. Proceed, and light will dawn, and shine with increasing clearness on your path. D'Alembert There are two mistakes one can make along the road to truth - not going all the way, and not starting. Buddha On a long journey of human life, faith is the best of companions; it is the best refreshment on the journey; and it is the greatest property. Buddha Awake, arise! Strive for the Highest, and be in the Light! Sages say the path is narrow and difficult to tread, narrow as the edge of a razor. Upanishads Do not say, "I follow the one true path of the Spirit," but rather, "I have found the Spirit walking on my path," for the Spirit walks on all paths. Khalil Gibran If you follow your bliss, you put yourself on a kind of track, which has been there all the while waiting for you, and the life that you ought to be living is the one you are living. Joseph Campbell How many roads can a man walk down before they call him a man? Bob Dylan Pisces 11: Men Traveling A Narrow Path, Seeking Illumination. The following is from Lynda Hill's book The Sabian Oracle: 360 Degrees Of Wisdom:  'Men Traveling a Narrow Path, Seeking Illumination' is an image of people on a mission, seeking to find some knowledge or truth. They are on a journey of discovery, endeavoring to find the answers to questions that may have eluded them until now. They are 'Traveling a Narrow Path', one that probably has deep meaning, regardless of the perceived outcome in terms of society's expectations. This journey is likely to be a very personal one for each participant, even though there may be many who are 'Seeking' the same things. Sometimes the search for 'Illumination', with its high levels of understanding and idealism, places us at odds with more conservative, social expectations. It is the ability to persevere with the search, regardless of the cost, that marks the sincerity of a journey. Most often this quest is 'Illuminating', although it can sometimes be confusing as new information comes flooding into our conscious awareness. You will need to reject that which is unworthy on the 'Path' as it could lead to disillusionment about values and what is truly worth pursuing. This Symbol can indicate the need to go without many things and having to stick to a strict agenda in order to accomplish a task, goal or education. It may have taken some time to find this particular direction in life. Disregarding one's more mundane physical needs and emotions may be necessary in the quest for getting to the place of ambition or attainment. You may have to leave others behind when you set out. As this is a 'Narrow Path', not all can share the same endeavor or, indeed, would want to. The rewards are usually rich in some measure as one moves towards the light - the 'Illumination'. Maybe you should ask yourself – are you on 'a Path' or a treadmill? Be wary of taking shortcuts, as these may not lead to the thing that's intended. Keywords: People "on the Path". Sticking to one mindset, diet, regimen or habit. Having a cause to follow. Not looking sideways. Awakening one's base senses in order to progress. Physical ecstasy. Being in the now. Going towards the light. Staying true to self. The promise of light at the end of the journey. The Caution: Blinded by the light. Not knowing where you're really going. Disillusionment about what's been chosen. Being one-eyed about goals and beliefs. The denial of physical pleasure. Puritanical behavior. Distractions that stop forward movement. Narrow mindedness. The Karmic Condition (the degree before)  is Pisces 10: An Aviator In The Clouds. There may be a feeling of having to rise above everything in order to get a bird's eye view of what is going on. You may also feel the need to remove yourself from people, places, events, memories, etc, and to see them from a somewhat heightened or 'uninvolved' perspective.  Keywords: Elevated views. Always seeing the best in people and things. Peace and tranquility. The longing for transcendence. Not seeing limitations. Being in a refined "head space". Mastery. Flight, planes, pilots. Avoidance of time constraints. Pollyanna attitudes. Free flights of fantasy and escapism. The need for accurate navigation. Being in charge of the controls. Seeking higher truths. Maps. Compasses. Global satellite positioning. The Caution: Sailing through difficulties or missing what's really going on. Escapist use of alcohol and drugs, etc. Lack of grounded energy or reality. Being unearthed. Escaping responsibilities. Isolating oneself. Completely missing the point.  Wrong turns. Missing the signs. We are meant to stay on our paths, that is the true thrust of what's going on. Meanwhile, we may wonder how we are doing in amongst the 'tests and trials' we may be experiencing.  The Quest (the degree after) is Pisces 12: An Examination of Initiates in the Sanctuary of an Occult Brotherhood. This symbol is one where we may feel we are 'being judged', having to live up to the expectations of others, or, as though we are somehow being 'examined' by life, love, events, people, etc. This is something we may need to work on. Keywords: The ordeal that comes to any initiate for entrance into higher realms of being. Tests, examinations, having to prove oneself. Being judged. Being cross-examined. Rarefied atmospheres that demand personal sacrifice. The attainment of knowledge. Finding out how and where one fits in. One-pointed dedication. Cults. Rituals. ReplyForward

Read More

Neil Young's new must-hear song! Lookin' for a Leader

Lookin' for a Leader...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5Ti3U-fmXGA

Says it all!    

Read More

Mark Ruffalo -- his tragic life and how he has overcome severe obstacles without being defeated

Mark is one of my favorite actors -- I love the way he has dedicated himself to bringing truth to the public about religious, governmental and corporate abuse.  Just think about how much he has warned and informed us of:  His efforts to promote the documentary Gasland about the environmental and toxic dangers of fracking.  His performance in Spotlight about the abuses of the Catholic church.  

I just watched his performance in the movie Dark Waters, about the poison inflicted on millions of us through extremely toxic Teflon by DuPont, which was making that company tons of profit.  Despite knowing that Teflon was poisonous and killing people, DuPont continued promoting and producing all kinds of products with it, including cookware!  In the process, in areas near their factories, they were also poisoning the water that people were drinking.  I highly recommend this film for viewing by everyone.

And most recently, Mark's remarkable performance in HBO's series "I Know This Much Is True," as twin brothers living through great tragedy, deserves an EMMY best actor award.  

Mark has lived a life filled with challenges and hardship that he has had to overcome.  I just read this article about him, which helps me to understand the depth of the wise and caring man he has come to be.  I admire and respect him even more now, and think of him as one of the great actors -- and humanitarians -- of our time.

https://www.looper.com/145732/mark-ruffalo-tragic-past/

Read More

Don't be confused -- Trump's virus response has been brilliant. Here's the explanation

Trump's coronavirus response has been brilliant. Here's what you don't understand.

by Rex Huppke, Chicago Tribune

It seems some Americans are confused about President Donald Trump's extremely strong and very powerful national response to the coronavirus pandemic.

That confusion is understandable, as many Americans are not used to having a president who, by his own expert account, has "a very, very large brain" and also has "the best words." It's not President Trump's fault you're confused. It's your fault.

The coronavirus is nothing to worry about, will likely be gone by April (anyone who says April was last month is a FAKE CALENDARIST!) and the virus is also a Democratic hoax, and a plague.

The number of deaths from the virus are being overblown by Trump-hating death counters, and also more than 90,000 people have died, which is a great success. If the president had done nothing, millions would have died from this nothing-to-worry-about virus. Also, the dead are only a small percentage of the population and it was their fault (the dying, I mean) because they were unhealthy, so they don't really count and technically the COVID-19 death toll is zero. But we salute them — the hardly any — for being warriors in the great fight against this horribly overblown hoax-plague that could've killed millions were it not for President Trump's great leadership.

What's important now is that Americans come together and TRANSITION TO GREATNESS by closely adhering to the federal guidelines established by the coronavirus task force. Americans also need to REOPEN OUR COUNTRY immediately and completely disregard the aforementioned federal guidelines.

Everything's fine, life can return to normal, and also President Trump has launched an initiative called Operation Warp Speed that will create a coronavirus vaccine in record time, because everything's fine but a vaccine is crucial, but also not crucial. As the president said while announcing Operation Warp Speed: "We think we are going to have a vaccine in the pretty near future, and if we do, we are going to really be a big step ahead and if we don't, we are going to be like so many other cases where you had a problem come in, it'll go away at some point, it'll go away."

So the vaccine, which we're traveling at warp speed to create, is vitally important and also no big deal because this coronavirus plague — which is nothing to worry about — will simply go away at some point.

Also important and simultaneously not important is testing. While other countries started widespread testing almost immediately, President Trump made the smart choice of not doing that. What's the point of testing when you don't already have thousands of deaths demonstrating the need for testing? Swift, widespread testing would have shown a large number of coronavirus cases in America, which would have made the president look bad, and the last thing Americans want during a pandemic is to have their president look bad.

So he patiently waited, and now America has ramped up its testing and the president has boasted about how amazing his administration has been at testing, while also pointing out how testing is dumb (probably Obama's idea) and causes more people to get the virus: "Don't forget, we have more cases than anybody in the world. But why? Because we do more testing. When you test, you have a case. When you test, you find something is wrong with people. If we didn't do any testing, we would have very few cases."

Make sense? It's understandable if it takes you a minute. It's not easy keeping pace with someone who has a very, very large brain.

What's truly remarkable about President Trump's flawless response is how he has managed it while people tried to blame him for the aforementioned very small number of 90,000 deaths. Only a godless liberal would waste time casting blame in the middle of a national not-a-big-deal crisis.

Also, the Obama administration is to blame and Democratic governors are to blame and the people getting sick are to blame and the so-called infectious disease experts who keep saying the nation needs a coordinated federal response are to blame and the media are to blame and hospitals are to blame and China is to blame, though they must have hacked Trump's Twitter account on Jan. 24 and posted this tweet: "China has been working very hard to contain the Coronavirus. The United States greatly appreciates their efforts and transparency. It will all work out well. In particular, on behalf of the American People, I want to thank President Xi!"

Monsters.

Lastly, as President Trump has demonstrated by not wearing a mask, you should always wear a mask while around others. It's just the right thing to do. Or not do.

Now get out there! Everything makes sense. Everything's perfect. And anything that's not perfect you're wrong about.

Enjoy your transition to greatness! (Unless you die, in which case it's your fault for transitioning to greatness wrong.)

rhuppke@chicagotribune.com

Read More

New Lincoln Proj. ad - Trump voter in coma for 3 1/2 years wakes up in hospital

and his still-Trump-supporting family tells him about all he's missed.  A must-see.

https://crooksandliars.com/2020/07/new-lincoln-project-ad-waking-three-year

Read More

Must-see video: Trump & Company sing as they line their pockets: "WE ARE THE WORST"

You'll have to skip through a couple of youtube ads to see this, but
it's worth that small annoyance.

This video link should be sent to every Trump supporter so they can hear
their MAGA "heroes" sing out the truth about themselves:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P1lailGN1xg

Read More

Ex-Republican, ex-Christian evangelist Frank Schaeffer speaks truth to power

Fiery, Frustrated and Horrified, just like the rest of us, former dedicated Republican Frank Schaeffer is speaking out with flaming rhetoric against what Trump is doing to our country.  This video ought to be viewed by everyone, including Trump-supporting evangelists (but we know their "Christian" "values" don't match with Schaeffer's).  If you watch this short video, you can make up your own mind as to whose vision you agree with:

Donald Trump: A Threat to American Democracy

https://frankschaefferblog.com/2020/07/donald-trump-wants-civil-war/

Read More

a better Randy Rainbow link for his newest song

If you're not on Facebook, you won't be able to access it on the link I just sent you.  Here's a youtube one that will work:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lUiDLcp_hIw

Read More

Randy Rainbow's Newest and Best: Gee, Anthony Fauci

Randy's back with a new one! (~.~)  His parody on West Side Story's Officer Krupke is Done to Perfection!  A bunch of the White House villains are given their just due in it -- with Dr. Fauci being honored.  Randy speaks/sings for all of us in our desperation at what is happening in our country!

https://www.facebook.com/RandyRainbowOfficial/videos/gee-anthony-fauci-randy-rainbow-song-parody/969704716805739/

Read More

A cartoon strip dedicated to all Trump voters

If only they can recognize themselves.  The tragedy is they and the Trump party have taken ALL of us over the cliff with them.  It will take the Democrats years to clear the wreckage.  As for the Republican party, it died in the crash.

Read More

Window Swap - site dedicated to seeing views from other peoples' windows

Great idea -- good way to take quick vacations around the world, seeing wonderful views while pretending you live in other peoples' homes (~.~)  No money needed, because it's priceless. :-)

Read about it:  https://www.cnn.com/travel/article/window-swap-quarantine-trnd/index.html

Go into it: https://window-swap.com/

ENJOY the VIEWS!

Read More

A song of calmness -- Be Still

Although it has undertones of religion, the message of this song is also deeply spiritual (touching the spirit within).  It can apply to all, no matter whether "religious" or not.  "Be Still" is a powerful message, pointing us to our own inner guidance.  In chaotic, cacophonous times like we are now experiencing in our world, the messages we seek from within, with a sincere heart, are our best guidance.  Whether or not you believe in a personal God or a particular spiritual leader, if you believe there is an energy, a power that is the source of everything, then this song can also be for you. Each person who hears it can put their own interpretation on it -- but the important thing is the inner calmness and clarity it points us to in these troubled times. :-)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5nUuBjz4Vhc&feature=youtu.be&fbclid=IwAR1kdSDHQhyoFR0R08Zkmx-SyhLZ7zR6gY3Tjns8ND1eo56hNCT2owrUbHY

Read More

Inspiring TED talk by brain scientist Jill Bolte Taylor

In this time of Trump madness, in order to lift my spirit and remind me of what is really true and good, I returned to a TED talk that inspired me a few years ago when I first saw it.  This neuro-scientist, JIll Bolte Taylor, through experiencing a stroke, discovered the oneness that permeates existence, showing we are not separate beings apart and divided.  We are one magnificent energy of pure consciousness, lighting up the world.  As she said, the beauty and wonderment of that is something she thought is worth sharing.  I can't think of a better time to share JIll's story/discovery once again.  Her story has the power to change the world by changing our understanding of who we really are. 😊

Jill Bolte Taylor: My stroke of insight | TED Talk - TED Talks

www.ted.com › talks › jill_bolte_taylor_my_stroke_of_in...

▶ 18:19

Jill Bolte Taylor got a research opportunity few brain scientists would wish for: She had a massive stroke, and ...

Mar 10, 2014

Read More

A very different kind of instrument: The Chapman Stick

I think you might like the sound of this musical instrument.  Maybe you already know about it, but it's new to me.  The Chapman Stick, first developed in the 1970s, is a stringed instrument, shaped like a long wide stick, looking something like a guitar, but you don't pluck it like a guitar.  Instead, it's more percussive.  Your fingers tap down on the strings and under them, to the fret, to create the unusual sounds that can be made on it. It's kind of a combination of a guitar, piano and drum. Very interesting! I think Holland would have loved it.  Just think of the practice it would take to learn to play it!  Here is a musical genius playing "While my guitar gently weeps" on the Chapman Stick: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dYKB6Lag-wg

We humans are amazing beings, aren't we? With all of our talents that can create art and devise beautiful music and instruments like this, it's a puzzlement why we don't just spend all our time creating beauty together and ignoring tiny differences like skin color, religions and the like.  IF only....:-)

Read More

I think you'll like this column about teachers Yay! (and Trump Ugh!)

Trump: If You Want to Know Him, Just Listen

Jaime O'Neill

Article Tools
E-mail | Print
Comments (0)

FB comments (1)

Donald Trump

by Jaime O'Neill | May 26, 2020 - 6:36am

---

When I was in college, I was often really impressed with some of my profs. Some of them seemed to have read just about everything. They were erudite, ready to share an insightful anecdote, a scrap of history, or a spot-on quote in response to most anything that might come up in class, any question raised. Any time a point needed clarifying they seemed to have an illustration or a helpful enlargement to contribute to the discussion or lecture at hand.

I remember one very unimposing little professor of English history, a man who dressed in tailored suits from Saville Row, dapper, but bookish, rather stuffy, and never histrionic. Still, his love of his subject, as dull as It could sometimes be, was contagious. I hung on his every word. Still, it surprised me when he finished the last lecture of the semester and the class broke into spontaneous applause. I hadn't known everyone in that room had been as transfixed as I had been, too focused to notice that they were transfixed, too.

I've lost his name to memory, and don't really remember much about the 18th century parliamentary disputes studied that semester. But I can still draw his image to mind, along with the sure knowledge that I learned a lot that semester, though most of it has been lost.

As I sat in that handful of classes presided over by exceptional teachers, I could only hope to someday be as good as they were. Like most every profession, the percentage of truly gifted people is about equal to the truly bad ones. By my completely unscientific reckoning, I figure 10% of people in most any line of work are truly great at what they do. On the other end of the spectrum, about 10% really suck. Everyone else is somewhere along the scale of acceptable, from not too bad to very, very good. Without undue or false modesty, I'd place myself somewhere closer to the better end of that spectrum. Surely some students wouldn't place me there. 

How we respond to teachers varies, just as there are ways to respond to most anyone else we encounter. Much is subjective. But I've given a lot of thought to this, as old people do as they look back at their lives, and I know I never allowed myself to cheat students, to skimp on the effort, to phone it in, though there were surely days when I wasn't able to bring my best, or to get the best out of them.

But, like so many of those profs I studied to see what kind of teacher I wanted to be, I gradually acquired a storehouse of anecdotes, scraps of info I could make pertinent and apply to discussions, and a whole bunch of quotes--snatches of poetry and profundity I always loved to share, partly because it made me look smarter than I am, but also because that stuff had taught me lessons or ways of seeing I thought might be useful to students, too.

One quote I never completed a semester without repeating is this one by Ralph Waldo Emerson, who wrote: "With his will, or against his will, a man reveals himself with every word." I think I first encountered that notion when I was trying to learn how to write dialogue in ways that would reveal character, realizing that people often don't say what they really mean, but will show who they are, nonetheless, if we only listen carefully.

That quote came to mind, as it often does, when I read some of Trump's daily tweets sent by the POTUS on Memorial Day or in the days before we were doomed to hit the sorry milestone of 100,000 dead, all lost to the coronavirus, many of them who might not have died but for the criminal negligence of the Tweeter-in-Chief.

Here's a few of the recent bird-brained sentiments he chirped to tout his many personal virtues, aptitudes, or accomplishments, to lie, or to launch yet more puerile insults toward any lesser human beings who have annoyed him. Following a holiday observance for those who died in service to this country, at a time when thousands are dying daily of a very scary virus, I'd suggest you read these tweets in the context of that Emerson quote, then add to Emerson this well-known quote from Maya Angelou: "When people tell you who they are, believe them the first time." How much grief might we have been spared if we'd really listened hard to damn near every utterance Trump has offered with those two cautions in mind.

"Great reviews on our handling of Covid 19," Trump tweeted last weekend. "sometimes referred to as the China Virus. Ventilators, Testing, Medical Supply Distribution, we made a lot of Governors look very good - And got no credit for so doing. Most importantly, we helped a lot of great people!"

He chose the word "reviews," as though it was all a reality show performance. And only 100,000 died. How great is that? We're Number 1. Again.

And he tweeted, defensively, about the criticism he got for golfing on a weekend meant to honor fallen heroes. "Some stories about the fact that in order to get outside and perhaps, even a little exercise," he tweeted, "I played golf over the weekend. The Fake & Totally Corrupt News makes it sound like a mortal sin - I knew this would happen! What they don't say is that it was my first golf in almost…"

He also tweeted this: "Those who died for our great country would be very happy and proud at how well our country is doing today. Best economy in decades, lowest unemployment numbers for Blacks and Hispanics EVER (& women in 18 years), rebuilding our military and so much more: Nice!"

Oh, those happy dead.

And he just had to get in a few jabs at a woman who stood against him on the subject of mail-in ballots, and who chastised him for not wearing a face mask when he visited a Detroit auto factory. "Do nothing A.G. of the Great State of Michigan, Dana Nessel, should not be taking her anger and stupidity out on Ford Motor - they might get upset with you and leave the state, like so many other companies have - until I came along and brought business back to Michigan. JOBS!"

Then, unsatisfied and still pissed, he tweeted again:

"The Wacky Do Nothing Attorney General of Michigan, Dana Nessel, is viciously threatening Ford Motor Company for the fact that I inspected a Ventilator plant without a mask. Not their fault, & I did put on a mask. No wonder many auto companies left Michigan, until I came along!"

So, I repeat Emerson's words: "With his will, or against his will, a man reveals himself with every word." Sometimes so much is revealed that we have to look away in disgust.

Read More

Russian/Chinese bots trying to create division in U.S.

https://www.huffpost.com/entry/carnegie-mellon-covid-19-twitter-bots-research_n_5ec9e47bc5b64085c39ba7d0

I've read warnings like this before, saying that we are going to be bombarded with bots with all kinds of graphic distortions, meant to confuse, mislead and divide our country's population.  Now that graphic programs have become improved/advanced and available to anyone, changes can easily be made in photos and even in videos (changing the faces of the people, like was done in a recent video purporting to be Bill Gates), we are at the mercy of the purveyors of all kinds of online disinformation. Most of them favor right-wing beliefs.  

Looks like it's time to hone our discrimination skills.  I am questioning everything that comes my way and trying it on for size with questions:  Does this, at first glance, sound like nonsense?  Does it go against common sense?  Could it possibly be from Russia?  Is it divisive?  racist?  anti-government?  does it have the flavor of right-wing madness about it?  You can almost taste the poison of right-wing nuttiness -- the kind of thing you hear and see on Fox News every day.  If any conspiracy theory comes my way that has that flavor, I will delete it.  

Regarding Covid-19: We've got enough trouble in our country with the right-wing nutcase in our White House who doesn't believe the virus is dangerous.  Regardless of what he and/or the bots say, I'm going to stay sheltered as much as possible -- and wear a mask whenever I'm out in public. This virus is showing itself to be pervasive and deadly. Common sense tells us a second or even third wave is predictable, when not all of the population has had it.  Anyone urging us to go out without protective masks, as if nothing is happening, is suspicious to me as being either a right winger or a victim of right-wing propaganda ginned up in our country or in foreign countries that want to sow more confusion and division here--especially in this election year.   

Read More

Beautiful to share: Purest voice -- sung as she was dying

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pPAGH0AT-os

What a Wonderful World.  Eva Cassidy's last performance before she died one month later of melanoma. She was very weak and had to be carried on stage to perform this -- but listen to that strong, pure voice -- an angel here on earth, getting ready to depart for her true home. O:-)❤️️

Read More