Misc.

Well, the Cowboys did it. They finally beat the Giants in JerryWorld.

I spent the afternoon framing my “Artsy Fartsy” photographs for display at the church. They’re having a photography show in the gallery there.

The Lighthouse at Vashon

Crescent Lake

Bridges (on the Tacoma Narrows over the Sound)

Sunlight over the ocean

The headland at low tide

I think they’re nice, and maybe other folks will enjoy looking at them.

There seems to be a tiny ray of hope with the Russians agreeing to monitor the turn-over and destruction of chemical weapons in Syria.

Lord, have mercy

Christ, have mercy

Lord, have mercy

 

Slow Week

This has been a pretty slow week here in the Pacific Northwest. Yesterday and today have been cool, cloudy, and rainy. It looks like our typical PNW weather has turned to fall already.

Since the week was short with Labor Day on Monday, and since my Tai Chi instructor is taking a four-week hiatus to go back to school for more in-depth training, I have been kind of rattling around. The only thing really interesting this week has been our trip to see The Butler.

I did go to my knitting club this morning, and Big Al and I ventured to an Indian restaurant for lunch today.

Underlying everything I’ve been doing this week has been the drumbeat of possible approaching military action against Syria. It seems like there is no good action available, and inaction is just as bad. The only thing left was said best by Rachel Held Evans in her blog on Wednesday. And by the Pope in his call for prayer and fasting tomorrow.

Lord, have mercy.

Christ, have mercy.

Lord, have mercy.

Rattling Around in my Head

I was heartened to see the way Hugh Hollowell and Love Wins Ministries in Raleigh, NC, were able to make inroads in some of the draconian laws and ordinances about the homeless.

I also absolutely agree with David Hensen in his God Article. I am constantly amazed at the shear meanness some governments exhibit when it comes to “the least of these.” We’ve got to do better, people.

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On a related note, I grieve for the folks in Seattle who have made their “homeless homes” in Nicklesville. Apparently the city is closing it down, and cleaning it out, but Seattle also hasn’t provided anywhere else for them to go.

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I’m re-reading Prodigal Summer by Barbara Kingsolver.

Interestingly, the current issue of the National Audubon Society Magazine has an article about using native plants to control pests and increase the bird population. Fiction imitates life.

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I’m absolutely opposed to us taking unilateral action in Syria. I think the use of chemical weapons is anathema and beyond the pale. But I’m sure we can no longer be the arbiters of the world. I keep thinking “If this is so awful that it warrants bombing those in power, why don’t we feel the same way about the atrocities being committed in sub-Saharan Africa?” Big Al disagrees with me, and I’m not sure what the answer is, but I am sure that an escalation of violence is not it.