tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-85018362024-02-07T11:12:30.672-08:00Thought, Form, Fire and Ice !An attempt to communicate my reaction to light and shadow; love and hate; good and bad. A place to share some thoughtsLarryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12964010161964360512noreply@blogger.comBlogger26125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8501836.post-31710056685646020112016-05-17T07:30:00.001-07:002016-05-17T07:30:25.003-07:00<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">A Word About Fusion…A Rant<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">Simply put, FUSION has come to be (to me) a very
annoying word.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The word was dug out of
the dictionary by some marketing/public relations type for the express purpose
of<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>annoying me to the point of
distraction. Only after FUSION had become the second F-Bomb did my Doctor find
it necessary to prescribe statin drugs as part of my morning pill cocktail!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">It was once a very normal word…minding it’s<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>own business in the middle of Webster’s until
that fateful day when it crawled into common usage.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Siri says “the<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>process of joining two or more things
together to form a single entity”. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
picture the motor and all ancillary bells and whistles seizing up to become a
metallic<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>blob when one starts their Ford
car!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">A short internet search reveal, literally, scores of
products given the appellation: Fusion. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">I picture my Fusion razor bonding to my face, women’s
slacks (Kohls) forming a bond with…well…!! <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">Lastly, we take up the dire results of sitting upon a
Fusion toilet seat ! <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I found, on Ebay, A
Floral Toilet Seat Elongated and Hand Painted.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>At least if this thing should live up to it’s name and become one with
the sitter (or s*itter) it will be a fashionable bonding !<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">Larry LaBounty<o:p></o:p></span></div>
Larryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12964010161964360512noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8501836.post-83979949155087455752013-10-05T16:25:00.000-07:002013-10-05T16:25:01.199-07:00<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: 'Open Sans', 'Helvetica Neue', sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24.25px;">God, by a popular definition is: One’s ultimate reality or that than which there is nothing greater in one’s life. Recent studies seem to indicate that humans are “wired” for a god and that we ALL have a god. That god might be money, power, position and even an all consuming belief and dedication to a concept or particular value. It can be said that even atheists have a god….their dedication to their idea. Certainly, it can be said that the God of the Christians and the Jews is their ultimate reality. He is now, always was and forever shall be. God does NOT exist in the sense that some folks would like him to. For something to exist, it must be created. God was NOT created. As explained in the Athanasian Creed: Uncreated is the Father; uncreated is the Son; uncreated is the Spirit. The Father is infinite; the Son is infinite; the Holy Spirit is infinite. When we try to make God conform to OUR idea of existence, we demean him, anthropomorphize him and turn him into an idol.</span>Larryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12964010161964360512noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8501836.post-53278549414215449472011-06-01T11:45:00.000-07:002011-06-01T11:45:34.603-07:00Presidents and American Thinking.<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px;"></span><br />
<div class="uiHeader uiHeaderBottomBorder mbm" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; margin-bottom: 10px; padding-bottom: 0.5em;"><div class="clearfix uiHeaderTop" style="display: block; zoom: 1;"><div><h2 class="uiHeaderTitle" style="color: #1c2a47; font-size: 16px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><br />
</h2></div></div></div><div class="mbl notesBlogText clearfix" style="display: block; font-size: 11px; line-height: 1.5em; margin-bottom: 20px; word-wrap: break-word; zoom: 1;"><div><div style="font-size: 11px; line-height: 1.5em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">It seems to me that we are way too hard on (all) our Presidents. We expect more from them than they are required to give and blame them for things over which they have no control or authority (gas prices, etc.)</div><div style="font-size: 11px; line-height: 1.5em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div style="font-size: 11px; line-height: 1.5em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">Part of our problem is that advances in media, such as immediate (and often erroneous) reporting have outstripped our capacity to think critically. This shouldn't be a surprise because we make little or no effort to teach the art of thinking to American students, at ANY level.</div><div style="font-size: 11px; line-height: 1.5em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div style="font-size: 11px; line-height: 1.5em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">We have come to the point where greedily lap up the swill fed to us by talking heads and publicists for pop-culture types, with no thought regarding the accuracy of or ethical weight of the comments. </div><div style="font-size: 11px; line-height: 1.5em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div style="font-size: 11px; line-height: 1.5em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">We NEED to think or we are lost. We NEED to develope ethical values or our humanity will rot in front of our children's eyes.</div><div style="font-size: 11px; line-height: 1.5em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div style="font-size: 11px; line-height: 1.5em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">Facebook is a great instrument for the sharing of ideas thoughts and art, not just "look at my cute doggie" or quotes picked up on an "app". The rest of the World is way ahead of us, when it comes to the sharing of ideas.</div><div style="font-size: 11px; line-height: 1.5em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div style="font-size: 11px; line-height: 1.5em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">We NEED to take a hard look at ourselves. Our ethnocentricity will be the death of us...we are already becoming a laughing stock.</div></div></div>Larryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12964010161964360512noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8501836.post-34369343971391980602011-04-29T08:44:00.000-07:002011-07-13T17:51:54.920-07:00Latest Kantele<div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse;"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGme4Pv37no6t2LqifYubabtClZgE3jj3yI4XVY2_XNC8gXghzP4IqO2i-dlbQBSRLTZq1569ZaW5Xt3LTM7vWeIEMqCQX8e8R5qccw7ZSXNASszXKRj4N7vYXdP5XVUjBsIsS/s1600/IMG_3314.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGme4Pv37no6t2LqifYubabtClZgE3jj3yI4XVY2_XNC8gXghzP4IqO2i-dlbQBSRLTZq1569ZaW5Xt3LTM7vWeIEMqCQX8e8R5qccw7ZSXNASszXKRj4N7vYXdP5XVUjBsIsS/s320/IMG_3314.JPG" style="cursor: move;" width="320" /></a></div></td></tr>
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</tbody></table>Larryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12964010161964360512noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8501836.post-63568098613329138962011-04-16T06:40:00.001-07:002011-04-16T06:40:33.584-07:00Ashley LaBounty's outfit...<h2>2nd Ohio Independent Battery</h2><h4>compiled by Larry Stevens</h4><h3>References for this Unit</h3><ul><li>see also <a href="http://ohiocivilwar.com/cwbiblio.html" style="text-decoration: none;">Bibliography of State-Wide References</a></li>
<li><cite>Ohio In The War-Volume II.</cite> Whitelaw Reid. Moore, Wilstach & Baldwin. Cincinnati 1868</li>
<li><cite>National Tribune. Incidents of Champion Hills.</cite> T.S. Young. 2nd Ohio Battery. August 21, 1884. Per "To Care For Him Who Has Borne The Battle": Research Guide to Civil War Material in the National Tribune. Volume 1: 1877-1884. Dr. Richard A. Sauers. See Ohio Bibliography</li>
<li><cite><a href="http://www.ahco.army.mil/site/finding_aids_brief.jsp" style="text-decoration: none;">Unit Bibliography</a></cite>. U.S. Army Military History Institute. Carlisle Barracks. PA. 1995</li>
<li><cite><a href="http://www.nps.gov/vick/oh/oh2lart.htm" style="text-decoration: none;">2nd Battery Ohio Artlllery Monument</a></cite>. Vicksburg National Military Park. 3201 Clay Street. Vicksburg. MS. 39180. 1998</li>
</ul><h3>History</h3>Organized August 6, 1861, under Captain Thomas J. Carlin, on the 15th it started for Missouri and was assigned to General Fremont's corps. It marched to Springfield against Price, and in March, 1862, participated in the battle of Pea Ridge, sustaining a loss of thirteen men and seven horses. The Battery thereafter marched with General Curtis to Helena, Ark., where it remained until March, 1863; it then joined Grant's army in the rear of Vicksburg, taking part in the battles of Black River, Raymond, Champion Hills and Vicksburg. After the surrender the Battery joined General Banks' Red River expedition. It remained in Louisiana and Mississippi until mustered out July 21, 1865.<br />
<h3>From Dyer's Compendium</h3>2nd Independent Battery Light Artillery. Organized at Camp Chase and mustered in August 7, 1861. Ordered to St. Louis, Mo., August 15; thence to Jefferson City, Mo., and duty there till October 4. Attached to Army of the West and Dept. of Missouri to January, 1862. 5th Brigade, Army of Southwest Missouri, to March, 1862. Artillery, 2nd Division, Army of Southwest Missouri, to May, 1862. Artillery, 3rd Division, Army of Southwest Missouri, to July, 1862. District of Eastern Arkansas, Dept. of Missouri, to January, 1863. Artillery, 12th Division, 13th Army Corps, Dept. of the Tennessee, to July, 1863. Artillery, 3rd Division, 13th Army Corps, Dept. of the Tennessee, to August, 1863, and Dept. of the Gulf to November, 1863. Plaquemine, La., District of Baton Rouge, La., Dept. of the Gulf, to March, 1864. Artillery, 3rd Division, 13th Army Corps, to June, 1864. Defences of New Orleans, La., Dept. of the Gulf, to August, 1864. Reserve Artillery, Dept. of the Gulf, to February, 1865. Post of Ship Island, Dept. of the Gulf, to August, 1865.<br />
SERVICE.--Fremont's advance on Springfield, Mo., October 4-27, 1861. Duty at Springfield till November 8. Moved to Rolla, Mo., and duty there till February 24, 1862. Curtis' Campaign against Price in Missouri and Arkansas February-March. Battles of Pea Ridge, Ark., March 6-8. March to Batesville over Ozark Mountains April 5-May 8, thence to Helena, Ark., May 25-July 13. Duty at Helena, Ark., till March, 1863. Expedition from Helena to St. Francis and Little Rivers March 5-12. Madison March 9. Ordered to Milliken's Bend, La., March 20, and duty there till April. Movements on Bruinsburg and turning Grand Gulf April 25-30. Battle of Port Gibson May 1. Fourteen-Mile Creek May 12-13. Battle of Champion's Hill May 16. Siege of Vicksburg, Miss., May 18-July 4. Assaults on Vicksburg May 19 and 22. Advance on Jackson, Miss., July 5-10. Siege of Jackson July 10-17. At Big Black till August. Ordered to New Orleans, La., August 13; duty there and at Plaquemine, La., till March, 1864. Western Louisiana Campaign October 3-November 30, 1863. Red River Campaign March 10-May 22, 1864. Advance from Franklin to Alexandria, La., March 14-26. Middle Bayou May 8. Retreat to Morganza May 13-20. Duty at Plaquemine till February, 1865, and at Ship Island, Miss., till July. Mustered out July 21, 1865. Battery lost during service 2 Enlisted men killed and 45 Enlisted men by disease. Total 47.<br />
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</div>Larryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12964010161964360512noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8501836.post-7326411175066873092011-04-05T11:38:00.001-07:002011-04-05T11:38:55.940-07:00Mystique of the Kantele<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 16px;"></span><br />
<div style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 1.5em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;">They say that there is magic, even music, in wood. Working in the shop last night, the plane seemed to sing as it busied itself, working on a kantele. More remarkable, Jouhiorkesteri was on the ipod and the plane (hoyla...pardon my keyboard) was in sync with them !!! It was as if I was only a spectator. Maybe I'm nuts ?</div><div style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 1.5em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 1.5em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;">Said old Vainamoinen:</div><div style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 1.5em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;">"Do not weep now, tree so green,</div><div style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 1.5em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;">Leaf-bedecked and girdled white!</div><div style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 1.5em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;">You will have a merry future,</div><div style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 1.5em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;">New and joyous life awaits you.</div><div style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 1.5em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;">Soon now you will weep for gladness</div><div style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 1.5em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;">And sing out in ecstasy."</div><div style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 1.5em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 1.5em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;">Then he carved the weeping birch tree,</div><div style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 1.5em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;">Whittled out an instrument;</div><div style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 1.5em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;">On a summer's day he carved it,</div><div style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 1.5em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;">Saped it to a five-stringed harp....</div><div style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 1.5em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 1.5em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;"><em>Runo 44 The Kalevala</em></div><div style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 1.5em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;"></div><div class="photo photo_none" style="clear: both; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><div class="photo_img" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><img class="img" src="http://a5.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc4/64354_159658104052658_100000254071147_420784_3752020_n.jpg" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; width: 493px;" /></div></div>Larryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12964010161964360512noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8501836.post-59741188928782907622010-11-10T17:40:00.000-08:002010-11-10T17:40:08.575-08:00A winter scene along Lake Erie<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC0eVcsAhqxHJAvLlwdVJlHTLwoKFik1zm3cpdAroBo9A6rR130Vq33H-3xrqsl3kfMmuqgMXl2XtKFX76CYmvSCjes6yQg_PKhK46693rT3HLo9o_uJZNWLPy1IHaoiASJ3Xe/s1600/Winter%252C+Lake+Erie+1-23-2006+10-37-34+PM1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="210" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC0eVcsAhqxHJAvLlwdVJlHTLwoKFik1zm3cpdAroBo9A6rR130Vq33H-3xrqsl3kfMmuqgMXl2XtKFX76CYmvSCjes6yQg_PKhK46693rT3HLo9o_uJZNWLPy1IHaoiASJ3Xe/s320/Winter%252C+Lake+Erie+1-23-2006+10-37-34+PM1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>Larryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12964010161964360512noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8501836.post-89380897226029345002010-11-10T17:36:00.000-08:002010-11-10T17:36:57.218-08:00A tree on the beach at Fairport Harbor.....I like this<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj765b-ogaXHZ1J6BsOKO4v7rnTjYGFoKNPzIU1Mru6wC0RmngVeUXyuEMCpxKzJhb_x-XS45sskchyfirwWhXWH4DH_kGMrMMF8NTNNQYfxJnFfkCn1hLTU7y4z_31rPO2c7jS/s1600/Lone+Tree%252C+Fairport+Beach.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj765b-ogaXHZ1J6BsOKO4v7rnTjYGFoKNPzIU1Mru6wC0RmngVeUXyuEMCpxKzJhb_x-XS45sskchyfirwWhXWH4DH_kGMrMMF8NTNNQYfxJnFfkCn1hLTU7y4z_31rPO2c7jS/s320/Lone+Tree%252C+Fairport+Beach.jpg" width="313" /></a></div>Larryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12964010161964360512noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8501836.post-33904980795676092292010-11-10T05:47:00.000-08:002010-11-10T05:47:12.983-08:00Defending my country's freedom to do what?As I celebrate my veteran-hood, I had some thoughts. Thoughts that some of my friends may find troublesome and un-patriotic but things I feel compelled to share.<br />
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As we talk about "our boys" serving "over there", in "harm's way" and defending the "freedoms we hold dear", are we really sincere? Sometimes, it seems, we heap these platitudes on "our troops" to gloss over the fact that "our freedom to do as we please" has not really been in real jeopardy since World War II. Thousands have perished due to poor decision making and vagaries of political maneuvering and profiteering. <br />
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In the case of the current conflict, we have lost sight of our original objectives and "our boys (and girls)" are dieing for reasons we can't quite put our finger on. Maybe to protect the "freedom" of politicians to stonewall and the freedom of hate spewing, pundits to make treasonous statements about othe Commander in Chief. Are we protecting the "freedom" of certain Church Leaders to damn gays, entire racial groups and ethniceties to Hell? <br />
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For those who have died in our many wars, we can better honor their memories by praying that we will, someday, live in REAL freedom and peace. So that, in fact, they will NOT have died for nothing.Larryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12964010161964360512noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8501836.post-48055528946699445162010-11-04T07:29:00.000-07:002010-11-04T07:40:16.999-07:00Just an early morning photo from this past August<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://picasa.google.com/blogger/" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" target="ext"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUEXvaR6-UdCedvsGMzMEIETcpfHTd2X7rrFgzDa0hyphenhyphenM5967AK-UD7CkiJA8SeXgqYUTKAKgaZa_n2daK42ElpP6rDV3-VWHeAEwiYcXs0AJXot88kgEYd0JhrmqC_1GIoFVPQ/s400/59016_151561884862280_100000254071147_373569_945208_n.jpg" style="clear: both; float: left; margin: 0px 10px 10px 0pt;" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hancock Point Maine at low tide</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
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</tbody></table><div style="text-align: center;"></div>Larryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12964010161964360512noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8501836.post-19380310492792420242010-11-04T07:25:00.000-07:002010-11-04T07:25:09.975-07:00Book of DanielSunday, I 'm going to talk with my group about Daniel's dream. He sees no end to oppression in the world. Each leader is worse that the one before.... Sounds familiar doesn't it ?<br />
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Fortunately, there is ONE leader we can count on ...Larryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12964010161964360512noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8501836.post-52809064378755802762010-09-12T12:09:00.000-07:002010-09-12T12:09:07.153-07:00Gay Ordination<div class="mbl notesBlogText clearfix"><div>This morning, my Christian congregation voted to leave the ELCA (our governing body). While the main issue was the ordination of gay pastoral candidates, those pushing for this action claimed that it was really about the Synod not adhering to the Word of God and that homosexuality was NOT the real issue.<br />
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I was not at the vote or the preceding meeting. The reason being that I feel this action is horribly wrong and I feel so strongly about it....it makes me physically ill. My understanding is that homophobic comments were made during the proceedings and and not challenged. Sadly, I am not surprised by this.<br />
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This Church has been a big part of my life. I feel shame and sorrow over these actions.</div></div>Larryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12964010161964360512noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8501836.post-856719347478495022010-08-04T12:59:00.000-07:002010-08-04T12:59:02.824-07:00One of my favorite Jouhikkos....<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8Cgi7E6d9VD7VNYvXV5zgN4KCvCfEgBnI7PTf81ngPHLoVz0P7M4tGyOumNETozzwbTEpJG4DsCURgPfvM8wWO7GKtoFc0HCJ12cwljPdA6JHAoGGGAaYQ22mB8yVMI-CjAux/s1600/Jouhikko+Feb+2010" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8Cgi7E6d9VD7VNYvXV5zgN4KCvCfEgBnI7PTf81ngPHLoVz0P7M4tGyOumNETozzwbTEpJG4DsCURgPfvM8wWO7GKtoFc0HCJ12cwljPdA6JHAoGGGAaYQ22mB8yVMI-CjAux/s320/Jouhikko+Feb+2010" /></a></div>Larryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12964010161964360512noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8501836.post-76283892644059856092010-08-04T12:54:00.000-07:002010-08-04T12:55:15.876-07:00C.S. Lewis on Fascism and Communism (paraphrased by me)<div class="note_header"><div class="note_title_share clearfix"><div class="note_title"><br />
</div><a class="note_share uiButton uiButtonDefault uiButtonMedium" href="http://www.facebook.com/ajax/share_dialog.php?s=4&appid=2347471856&p[]=100000254071147&p[]=131343050242703" rel="dialog" title="Send this to friends or post it on your profile."><span class="uiButtonText"></span></a></div></div>Fascism and Communism are powerful because of the good that they imitate. This "good" is appealing to some, because of those who have left humanity starved of that particular need (or good).<br />
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We must stand guard against the penetration of politics into Christianity, especially the extreme Left and Right ideologies. They will feed upon, and exploit the openings provided by our inattention and ignorance.<br />
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We will presently see both a Leftist and a Rightist pseudo-theology developing and this will be an abomination! (Lewis had these thoughts over fifty years ago...looks like he was correct.)Larryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12964010161964360512noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8501836.post-30713424423744974702010-05-22T06:15:00.000-07:002010-05-22T06:15:29.266-07:00Firsts !This is my first post in <i>moon</i>s. Makes me think of other, special "firsts" : First swig of cold beer, on a hot day. First coffee in the morning. First car. First love. First kid. And, when I go for the paper, the first breath of summer morning air.<div> </div>Larryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12964010161964360512noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8501836.post-51136237602186156392007-07-14T19:48:00.001-07:002007-07-14T19:49:54.574-07:00Recently, I had the honor to be involved in the opening of the Finnish Heritage Museum in Fairport Harbor, Ohio. This fledgling Museum, this cultural jewel on Lake Erie is a very positive development and it stands as an example of how one ethnic group has worked to keep their culture, music, history and language alive so that succeeding generations may remember the struggles, triumphs and joys of their immigrant forefathers.<br /> Northeast Ohio has a very exciting history, rich with the diversity of the many ethnicities that have come to call Northeast Ohio HOME! One common thread connects us all: Our ancestors came here to find a better life for themselves and their families....we must never forget that basic truth!<br /> Those of us in Lake County are particularly blessed, in that our community is being enriched by the arrival of immigrants from Mexico, who bring with them enthusiasm for our entrepreneurial traditions, love of family and the toughness to start a new life, regardless of the obstacles put before them. While these folks are not really "newcomers" (They are more closely related to the original Americans than most of us) hopefully, in the near future, they too will have a place where they can come to remember and reflect on their heritage.Larryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12964010161964360512noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8501836.post-60593101242824688382007-06-21T19:46:00.000-07:002007-06-21T19:50:49.701-07:00<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUyARcEDZPBwmBY0VVJPkXzC5mEAXUwNzFyN9lKjG3Et9WpUZtsNWhZJnUFR9DH0gmQJ5ASjZdmmoaOp_DzoGCCiKlAtTEVYR25gYbfbPeLXxZCz2nAqzL4PudOvl2jdZsdpuv/s1600-h/Old+Glove+-+W.S.+Tyler,+1980"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5078715029072617970" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUyARcEDZPBwmBY0VVJPkXzC5mEAXUwNzFyN9lKjG3Et9WpUZtsNWhZJnUFR9DH0gmQJ5ASjZdmmoaOp_DzoGCCiKlAtTEVYR25gYbfbPeLXxZCz2nAqzL4PudOvl2jdZsdpuv/s320/Old+Glove+-+W.S.+Tyler,+1980%27s.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div>This is where I worked</div><div>the year Lizzie was born.</div><div>I can't remember why</div>Larryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12964010161964360512noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8501836.post-15604690658582061812007-06-21T19:39:00.000-07:002007-06-21T19:44:41.934-07:00<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWV7YEsy7jRFEvmLm0yGnVNvYSjoFxs-7orH2ebipCOD8o6p1djKKg-y4NFJHX5UpVilQmrhPUpk1DPM8Jfqkp0VYnSt4XuMOnuWqfXc7IMrqZ7TRcY3jw1T0lZK2ds68k3WIy/s1600-h/View+Through+a+Church+Window+1-21-2006+8-06-50+PM.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5078713074862498274" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWV7YEsy7jRFEvmLm0yGnVNvYSjoFxs-7orH2ebipCOD8o6p1djKKg-y4NFJHX5UpVilQmrhPUpk1DPM8Jfqkp0VYnSt4XuMOnuWqfXc7IMrqZ7TRcY3jw1T0lZK2ds68k3WIy/s320/View+Through+a+Church+Window+1-21-2006+8-06-50+PM.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div align="center">The winter sun touches </div><div align="center">the naked church...</div><div align="center">No one prays, now!</div>Larryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12964010161964360512noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8501836.post-62884004037658605512007-06-21T19:35:00.000-07:002007-06-21T19:36:22.274-07:00ICE Crackdown on "Illegals"Imagine this scenario: You come home from work and your spouse is gone, carted away by plainclothes, government agents, and you are not told where they have been taken. Your children are questioned on their way to school and threatened if they don't give information about their neighbors. Your grandchild is taken from your daughter and you have to appear at a government office to get the baby returned.<br /><br />Where did this take place? Hitler's Germany in the thirties? Mao's China? Stalin's purges? No! These violations of personal freedom and dignity allegedly took place in Lake County, Ohio in May, 2007. Supposedly a crackdown on illegal immigrants ( a euphonism for Mexicans ), individuals were targeted because they "looked" Hispanic . It appears that human rights were violated, with no warrants, and that these alleged actions took place because certain special interest groups pressured the immigration authorities. The "crime" committed by these individuals was that they sought a better life for their families. Precisely the reason this country was founded.<br /><br />Since our government no longer takes the high moral ground and has pretty much given up on recruiting people capable of critical and moral thinking , and uses our young people (including a disproportionate number of Hispanics and Blacks) as fodder for a war based on economic considerations, we have to be more vigilant. Our form of government has worked well up to a point, but it cannot continue if it becomes non-representative, made that way by our apathy and our obsession with ease and with ourselves. Just as a soul can be possessed by demons when there is a spiritual vacuum, so too can greed and ignorance befoul the body politic when reason and compassion are no longer present. Who will be the next group to be singled out? Blacks? Arabs? Asians? You? Me?Larryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12964010161964360512noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8501836.post-1146799179353866452006-05-04T20:04:00.000-07:002006-08-11T07:09:01.756-07:00Some Haiku AttemptsA homebound soldier...<br />alone in a hotel<br />with a Gideon Bible<br /><br /><br />Old Arthur Whitman's Model A<br />dusting down the road<br />Seems so fragile<br /><br /><br />August mist on Frenchman Bay<br />shrouds for schoonermen past<br /><br />V-J Day<br />Mother's radio<br />plays the Andrews SistersLarryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12964010161964360512noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8501836.post-1145932211845064052006-04-24T19:29:00.000-07:002006-04-24T19:30:11.856-07:00Hispanics in the MilitaryAt present, Hispanic soldiers are dying in Iraq at a rate 60% greater than that of the rest of the military age population. 170,000 Hispanics served in Vietnam. 3070 died. 13 won the Congressional medal of Honor.<br /><br /> 12 Hispanics won the Medal of Honor in World War II.<br /><br /> 11 Hispanics won the Medal of Honor in Korea.<br /><br /> I wonder....did anyone remember to check their proficiency in English?Larryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12964010161964360512noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8501836.post-1139371353001537132006-02-07T20:01:00.000-08:002006-10-20T19:14:05.888-07:00Pope Benedict and God's LovePope Benedict’s first encyclical deals with how Christians understand the sometimes simple, sometimes complex concept of love. Love that, “God lavishes upon us and which we must share with others”. The Pope goes on to say, “I wish to emphasize some basic elements, so as to call forth in the world renewed energy and commitment in the human response to God’s love”.<br /><br />Many journalists and churchmen were taken by surprise by this document.I think<br />expecting some sort of “social ministry” message dealing with the evils of our the world community.<br /><br />We forget that the simple act of loving one’s neighbor is the cornerstone of the<br />Christian faith. I think Catholics and Protestants alike can benefit from this dose of Papal reality. If all of us would follow this simple concept, we might find ourselves in a happier world.Larryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12964010161964360512noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8501836.post-1139277092503946182006-02-06T17:51:00.000-08:002006-02-06T17:53:50.366-08:00Definition of GodGod, by a popular definition is: One's ultimate reality or that than which there is nothing greater in one's life. Recent studies seem to indicate that humans are "wired" for a god and that we ALL have a god. That god might be money, power, position and even an all consuming belief and dedication to a concept or particular value. It can be said that even atheists have a god....their dedication to their idea. Certainly, it can be said that the God of the Christians and the Jews is their ultimate reality. He is now, always was and forever shall be. God does NOT exist in the sense that some folks would like him to. For something to exist, it must be created. God was NOT created. As explained in the Athanasian Creed: <strong>Uncreated is the Father; uncreated is the Son; uncreated is the Spirit. The Father is infinite; the Son is infinite; the Holy Spirit is infinite. </strong>When we try to make God conform to OUR idea of existence, we demean him, anthropomorphize him and turn him into an idol.Larryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12964010161964360512noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8501836.post-1134356664843072552005-12-11T19:04:00.000-08:002006-08-04T17:36:06.663-07:00Sexuality (Homo and Reg'lar)Sexuality….Homo and reg’lar<br /><br /> A major problem with arguing the sinfulness of homosexuality is that one must define “sin” before making any intelligent comment We must first understand what a sin IS and why certain acts have come down to us as sins. Did God arbitrarily choose some acts and omissions and throw them in to the pot marked “SIN”? Or, is there some reason that we have been given this lengthy list of “dos” and “don’ts”?<br /> William Spurrier defined sin as: “….the belief that man is self-sufficient, that he is the master of his fate and the captain of his soul.” In other words, we want to be like God. We tend to think that His commandments can be altered to fit our particular circumstances. Our pride makes us believe that we can save ourselves from ourselves and live our lives according to our own constructs. There are two important reasons why we always get into trouble when <em>we </em>try to run the show: <strong>1</strong>. Sins are immutable, there is no turning away from them, and they always shall be as set forth by the word of God and cannot be altered to fit popular opinion or current custom. <strong>2</strong>. Sins are acts or omissions that interfere with the natural order of things, per God’s plan. Acts that will, ultimately, destroy us.<br />So what does all this have to do with homosexuality? Does God care if members of the same sex share committed relationships? Probably not. Does it concern Him that members of the same sex can find themselves in love? My <em>guess </em>is not. Why is it, then, that “homosexuality” is among those acts that are designated as sin?<br />Some conservative Christians claim that HIV-AIDS is God’s way of punishing homosexuals and that God inflicts this disease on those who stray from His direction. Fortunately, God doesn’t work that way. But suppose that the situation is turned around? Suppose that there is an aspect of a sexual activity that <strong>is </strong>destructive to mankind? So destructive that it cannot be abated and no matter what measures are taken, may disappear only to return in some more virulent form. Would not this activity, with its potential to destroy lives, fit the above definition of sin? It seems to me that it would. <br />Now ….if we all agree that that activity is a sin (I’m a dreamer) then how ought Christians deal with the homosexuality problem? I’m going to think about that.Larryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12964010161964360512noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8501836.post-1128476398394971832005-10-04T18:18:00.000-07:002005-10-28T10:48:28.420-07:00Evolution.....Evolution (again)<br /><br />Over a half century ago, most progressive theologians and mainline Christian leaders were pretty much in agreement regarding evolution….the idea being (without going into great detail) that it really doesn’t matter <strong>how</strong> mankind was created. The important thing is that <em>God is The Creator.</em> The Christian apologist, C.S. Lewis wrote, “….I believe that Christianity can still be believed, even if Evolution is true.” Lewis refused to include arguments against Evolution in his apologetics, on the basis that how man was created is a false issue. The Genesis account of creation is about mankind’s fall into sin occurring because God “perfected the animal form”, according to Lewis and man became aware that he has a conscience. This conscience is what makes man different from all other animals. Without it, without being able to make moral choices in the interest of God’s plan, we would be no more “human” than rats or cockroaches. There would be no reason to have a conscience if we were not created to live within the bounds of this divine plan. In other words, what would be the point of conscience if we did not have a “higher power” to report to? Without the ability to make moral decisions, we would probably be better eating machines but we might also be living in burrows!<br />So….if it is the case that the creation v. evolution is really irrelevant then why have we not been made aware of this, years ago? Many are of the opinion that the mainline protestant clergy has not done a particularly good job of preaching the word of God in a way that can be understood and accepted by seekers and doubters in this modern world. The building fund has become a subject for too many sermons and, often, clergymen preach what the biggest contributors want to hear. Many conservative churchmen are in bed with money and politics, while their liberal brothers push “social ministries “ , which fly in the face of the very Gospel they are called to preach. This lack of a ministerial and evangelical presence in the community, has left a vacuum which has<br />allowed the “TV preachers” and conservative mega-churches to become the visible face of the Christian Church. Thus, the general public gets a rather mean spirited, judgmental, literalist, political and legalistic impression of the Church. A Church which spends too much time and spiritual energy arguing doctrinal and political issues. A Church which has drifted away from the wonderfully simple and liberating Word of God as set forth in the ancient creeds.Larryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12964010161964360512noreply@blogger.com0