Jeez Louise

 Word of the day:  Contemplation.  Richard Rohr writes in today’s daily reflections that: “ Contemplation, in non-mystified language, is the ability to meet Reality in its most simple and direct form. When I let go of my judgments, my agenda, my emotive life, my attachment to my positive or negative self-image, I am naked, poor, and ready for The Big Truths. Without some form of contemplative surrender, I see little hope for breakthrough, for new ground, for moving beyond ideologies, the small mind, and the clutching ego.” So, Action requires contemplation in order to do the right thing.  A year ago, I had left my spiritual Camino walk in Spain 🇪🇸 due to a hacking cough and high fever.  It provided me time to contemplate the nature of this spiritual journey.  Eileen and I enjoyed a Sunday afternoon with her friend Andrea and daughter Lola! Family is truly the most important gift we have.  And it extends beyond blood relatives.  But, Eileen had her wallet stolen on the crowded bus!  S

 Word of the day: Birth: the start of life as a physically separate being or form.  And today, I celebrate 69 laps around the sun ☀️.  Can’t say I feel enlightened!  Just weary of our constant wars!  All in the name of some sick form of “JUSTICE”!!!!!!!  But I also feel blessed in my own world.  I am so grateful for my family, living in a lovely spot on this earth, and having all that I need, and most of what I want on this earth 🌎 🌍.  (Notice the different perspectives on the globes 🌏)!   Jeez Louise! A butterfly exhibit we attended on my birthday in 2016 stroudsburg, Pennsylvania

 Word of the day: Chronology: arrangement of dates according to occurrence.  Just read “The Truth at the Heart ❤️ of the Lie.” By James Carroll.  He talks about the corruption of the church!  “The pillars of the Catholic Church are crumbling on every side, shaking the very structure of the faith.”(pg 7).  He talks about the difference between the institutional church vs “living the faith by” what we DO, “more than by which rules or dogma” we hold. (Pg43).  Jesus is with us “in the ‘great and simple image’ of the Mass.” (44). Pope Urban II, was quite the corrupter! In 1089, he ordered the enslavement of women married to priests.  Pope Gregory, who proceeded him; began advancing celibacy in 1073!  He also began the First Crusades in 1095.  By 1123, celibacy was mandatory in the “Roman” Catholic Church.   The beauty of Autumn in Spokane!   So, a piece of church history! And a reminder of the joys of our world!  Jeez Louise!

 Word for the day: GRACE:  simple elegance! At church today, a beautiful refrain: “ lord, listen to your children praying,                           Lord, let your spirit in this place.                                 lord, listen to your children praying;                              give us love give us power give us grace!”    So much do we need Grace today. A new war raging in Israel and Palestine; continued wars throughout Africa and the Ukraine; and just a lack of peace anywhere I hope the Lord is listening to the children praying 🙏 and that somehow we can find grace in our world. The fall here is gorgeous, beautiful colors, blue skies, and a calmness in the air. I am hoping that somehow this piece may permeate throughout Spokane, Washington state, all the way to Washington DC, and beyond.  just looking for Grace.  Happy Autumn, peaceful fall,  bountiful blessings!   Jeez Louise!

 Word of the day:  banalities: devoid of qualities that make for spirit and character! In a quote by journalist Maher Mezahi, he made this statement about returning to Algeria from France: “I've realised that on life's journey, if you find happiness in the banalities of day-to-day life, then it's usually a good place to stop and pitch your tent.” Such we have found at our lake place!  But,it really is far from banal!           Painting the outside of the house, 3 stories up!            Tia Leenie and Benny, enjoying the lake!      And always the gorgeous sunsets.  It’s been a great      place to “pitch our tent”, then our trailer, treehouse,   And now our lovely home, Halloween 🎃 is coming           Wishing you a fabulous October and fall!   A year ago today, I had my first electric bike ride in Barcelona.  Home after a vermouth event, where I won a t shirt for throwing the rings over the bottles!!!                                                      Jeez Louise!