July 3, 1863...

U.S. Civil War, July 3, 1863, The Battle of Gettysburg:
The estimated casualties on both sides totaled between 46,000 and 51,000. In terms of lives lost, Gettysburg remains the most costly conflict in US combat history.On November 19, 1863, our President, Abraham Lincoln, delivered the Gettysburg Address:

The butterfly...

“The butterfly counts not months but moments, 

and has time enough.”
                                                              ~ Rabindranath Tagore ~

Art...

Art is something that makes you breathe with a different kind of happiness

~ Anni Albers ~

~ watercolor by Auntie Em ~

Doing right by others...

Rabbi Yochanan ben Zakkai and Rabbi Yehoshua were on their way out of Jerusalem. Seeing the destroyed Temple, Rabbi Yehoshua exclaimed, "How awful for us --- the place where the sins of Israel could be forgiven lies in ruins."  Rabbi Yochanan replied, "My son, do not grieve.  We have another, equally effective form of atonement. What is it? Acts of kindness, for it is written: 'I desire kindness not sacrifice.' "        ~ Avot de Rabbi Natan ~

The Last Munchkin...

How sad.  On May 24th 2018, Jerry Maren the last

of the Munchkins from The Wizard of Oz died at age 98.

He will forever be remembered as one of The Lollipop Guild. 

 One of three boys who march up to Dorothy to welcome her.

He hands her that giant lollipop.

The Last Munchkin

May he rest in peace.

Walking in wilderness...

Surely the Lord your God has blessed

You in all your ways; He knows

your walking through this great wilderness.

                                                                                                           Deuteronomy2.7

    Tolkien said that 'Not all who wander are lost'.  Too often we walk and see nothing because we are mentally distracted and are oblivious to our surroundings.  Many people use the gym or engage in aerobics or other forms of workout without caring for their psyche or their spiritual well-being.

     To walk meditatively is to enjoy the environment through its colour, texture, sound, design and apparent beauty as well as through its inner sound, silent music, and immediate presence.

 My beloved is the mountains, the solitary wooded valleys, strange islands. . .silent music.

                                                                                              St John of the Cross 

painting by "mystele"

Free consequences...

My Valentines...

~Happy Valentine's Day to all~

"Xena, Warrior Princess"

"Marigold, Screensaver"