Heart thread - 02/01/2011

Some of this evening's prayers are running behind schedule but the human heart and divine activity are not limited by schedules.

At Facebook I had asked prayers for Nate. He is suddenly single, has been out of work for a while, and struggles with depression. He feels lost but he knows you lot will be praying for him.

I ask your prayers for Kathy who is looking for work. And Jonathan and so many other online friends who need recompensed employment.

I ask your prayers for my sister Shirley and her husband Jack. They are the ones in the car accident last week. The newest news from late last night:

Shirley had a upper GI today and her heart acted up, raced then slowed, so they admitted her.

She is not doing well physically or emotionally right now.

For Olga and Regina and for Mark and Fran.

For Bill as he travels in California this week.

For all endangered by weather, throughout the world. Winter storms over half the United States, a Cyclone Yasi threatening Queensland, the eruption of Shinmoe Peak in Japan, and all the other life-threatening events. I think now especially of those who lack shelter, food, or warmth.

For IT, whose father died last night, for her mother and for BP and all touched by sorrow.

David@Montreal sent this request last Friday:

beloved Giants
i'd ask your prayers please for my cherished cousin Frank out in Brittish Columbia struggling with the effects of his long fight with lukemia.
dear Mam received a call from Carol this afternoon, and in the process also got to speak to Frank for a very short while.
able to control the spread of the fungus in his lungs, but unable to beat it with his immune system so seriously compromised by the most recent gene therapy transfer, they have sent him home from the hospital. not fully mobile, my cousin is a robust fellow and Carol is going to have to get help for handling him.apparently he spends much of the time sleeping at present.
as he is still intubated there will be medical staff going in daily to maintain it, and Frank will be returning to the hospital weekly for as long as he is able.
so i'd ask your prayers for both Frank and Carol, knowing that through the unfailing grace of that 'Love beyond our wildest imagining' they will be given what they need.

i'd also ask your prayer for dear Mam, his godmother, who at eighty-nine is finding it challenging, the possibility that her beloved godson/nephew could be dying before her.

in other quarters, i'd ask your prayers for the people of Tunisia, Egypt and Sanaa; that they indeed are able to claim that 'life more abundantly'. prayers particularly please for our Coptic brothers and sisters in Egypt- for their protection and safety. prayers please for the repose of David Kato, the gay Ugandan martyr, and for our LGBT brothers and sisters at risk wherever they might be.

prayers for the Great +Katherine and her brother primates in Dublin. prayers for Gabby and Mark and for all those struggling to heal in Tucson.

thank-you beloveds

love always-always Love

We also pray for the people of Egypt as the world focuses on the protests and the calls for reform there. We also pray for the people of Tunisia, Yemen, Jordan, and Syria. For the people of Southern Sudan as they work toward independence following the election.

For Nelson Mandela.


--the BB

Heart thread - 01/24/2011

My sister Iva just sent me word that our sister Shirley and her husband Jack were in an accident yesterday.

Shirley and Jack were in a accident this morning in bad fog! Their car is totaled, but they were checked out at the hospital and no broken bones or blood. Probably gonna be really sore tomorrow. Paula and Rick [their daughter and her husband] had just left for home and had gotten as far as Madera so turned around and came back. I saw them this afternoon and they were doing alright. P and R are staying until tomorrow.

May God the Father bless you, God the Son heal you, God the Holy Spirit give you strength. May God the holy and undivided Trinity guard your body, save your soul, and bring you safely to his heavenly country; where he lives and reigns for ever and ever. Amen.

--the BB

Heart thread - 01/22/2011

I just received distressing news from the Rev. Pamela Cranston, Vicar of St Cuthbert's, Oakland:

The Rev. Connie Hartquist Jacobs phoned me early this morning to share the distressing news that her husband, Tom Jacobs, a valuable and faithful member of this parish, has been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. They went to Kaiser hospital in Fresno last night and after extensive tests, he was diagnosed early this morning. Apparently, Tom has a very large mass on his bile duct. She [said] they would be learning more about his case as the doctors do more tests.

Please keep Tom and Connie in your fervent prayers at this time.

Deacon Connie was a dear friend all through my journey in the Diocese of California and I got to witness some of the twists and turns of her own journey. She and Tom found each other and their wedding was a cause of great joy to many. They recently retired and had a new home built in the California foothills and begun to enjoy it. Now this.

Conclusion of A Lindisfarne Litany

Most High and Glorious,
Lowly and Generous,
Sweet God,
Strong and Swift to Save,

By your joy in making all things,
By your passion in saving all things,
By your grace in keeping all things,

Hear the prayers of your servant,
Give ear to the prayers of your friends,
Hearken to the voice of those who love you,
And show mercy to those who know not your love;

Fashion anew your Image in us,
Keep us by your tender love,
Save us and guide us safely home;

For your own sake, Who pity mortal flesh,
For your own dear sake, Who took our mortal flesh,
For your mercy's sake, Who are the Life of mortal flesh,

Holy and Glorious, Gracious Three,
Save us and guide us safely home,
Save us and guide us safely home.
Amen.

(Litany (c) by me)
--the BB

Schnozz update

Granted, I was not smiling in this photo though I am smiling now. It IS a post-surgery photo and one cannot tell anything was done to my nose. Well, I should hope not. It was repair of a deviated septum, not a "nose job."

This morning the surgeon removed the stents on either side of my septum and I can now truly breathe freely. Woohoo! I can, mostly, return to normal life (well as near to normal as I ever get). I can bend over, lift heavy weights, and do all the other things I was supposed to shun for the past two weeks. I am going to the gym and pumping iron today. Yay!

There is some follow-up care and it is easy. I see the doc in a couple of weeks to check up on how it is doing. Things look good at this point. The goal is to have everything clean going forward so he will not have to do any follow-up surgery.

I want to thank everyone for all the love and prayers that have come my way through this. Compared to the ills others go through, this was chump change but I am grateful to have had friends all along the way.

Deo gratias!

--the BB

Sunday dinner and beyond

I was feeling better (probably more energetic than I really was) and decided to cook Sunday dinner for Bill who was coming over after Mass at the cathedral. I swiftly regretted not taking a photo of the main course. Mind you, it was mostly rather simple.

Pork roast, already marinated by Costco and sealed in a cryopac. I took that out of the freezer on Saturday. Mashed potatoes (with cream cheese, butter, milk, white pepper, salt, and nutmeg) - more on those in a moment. Green peas taken out of the freezer and microwaved. See? Simple. Oh, and a sauce.

The supermarket had some lovely sweet peppers and I bought a nice orange one and roasted and peeled it. (Roast directly over the gas flame until it is charred all over, then put in a moist brown paper bag to sweat for ten minutes. Remove and peel under running water.)

The sauce began with about two tablespoons of finely minced onion and an entire small package of crimini mushrooms (they call them baby bellas now, but I mean the brown ones) chopped, sauteed in butter and oil. I added thyme and freshly ground black pepper. Then I tossed in the chopped roasted orange pepper. When those were partly caramelized I set them aside and deglazed the pan with white wine. To that I added some beef stock and about half a teaspoon of demi glace (you DO keep that in your fridge at all times, right?). I cooked the liquids down to about one third their original volume then added the onion-pepper-mushroom mixture. Bill tasted it and it did not need adjusting. The sauce was done except for adding some pan juice from the pork roast at the end.

Not long after Bill arrived I was running about doing this and that and doing what I do best in a kitchen: schvitzing like a behayma. As I frantically wiped my brow with paper towels and tried very hard not to bump my nose in the process, with only mixed success, Bill volunteered to mash the potatoes, which he did and I could calm down.

As the meat rested I microwaved the peas, reheated the sauce, warmed the plates. Then I sliced the pork and served up. I used my mother's china because it was Sunday dinner. The result was pleasing to the eye and even with my impaired sense of smell it tasted great. Since I was winging this without recipes, I was relieved and pleased.

There were fresh flowers on the table and ironed napkins.

You can see the salad course above: mixed greens tossed with canola oil, white balsamic vinegar, salt, and pepper. Topped with chunks of pear, toasted pecans, and dried cranberries.

Dessert was slices of fruit cake and small glasses of port.

I did very little cooking in the period 2002 to last year but have begun to cook more. I hate cooking for myself. Sunday was a nice excuse to do up a formal meal. It wore me out but it fed my soul.

Last night (Sunday/Monday) I slept through the entire night. This was the first time in a week and I am greatly relieved and encouraged. Sleep has been segmented and inadequate as I have been recovering. Although I did not go to work today, and won't until next week, this felt like a Monday. The only accomplishments were cutting my hair and riding the exercise bike but I am beat. I managed to go seven hours between painkillers, which was really stretching it further than I should have. Anyhow, I am clearly recovering.

Last week I was too out of it to feel cabin fever. I think it is setting in now in week two. I could not help wondering why I have to spend this week home also but I have realized over the weekend that my number one job right now is to protect my nose. It is tender and fragile, even though it looks just like before surgery on the outside. It is incredibly easy to bump it, nudge it, wrinkle it up, etc. in the course of unconscious daily life. I must be mindful, night and day, to prevent that from happening. I must wash my face and shave very carefully. I cannot rub my nose, scratch it, blow it, etc. I cannot sleep in my favorite positions. I have to pay attention even wiping my brow. My upper lip is badly bruised on the inside from the trach tube and this makes some drinking awkward and can cause sudden sharp, but mercifully brief, pain. Which can trigger a sneeze. That I can't wipe as usual. Bottom line: I can't resume habitual behavior just yet. And I am still pretty much a mouth breather. Most unattractive.

Patience, Grasshopper.

Thanks for letting me share another meal with you all. If I cannot gather all my online friends around my table and feed them, I can at least share the memories. Hope that's not too much of a tease.

--the BB

Heart thread - 01/07/2011

My friend Ryan's grandfather has died and tonight was the wake. May he rest in peace and rise in glory. May those who love him find comfort. May Ryan be sustained and return safely to school.

In very good news, my dear friend Kathy has a new job and begins work on Monday. This was, blessedly, a very short time unemployed. May she shine in the new position and find satisfaction in it.

The other Cathy is still battling that nasty flu and needs to be working. May her health return swiftly, her vigor increase, and her employment suffice.

Let us also remember to uphold MP in prayer and, where possible, in financial support of his ministry.

Another overlong update on me, me, me:

I did not sleep well (or enough) last night so today had a very rough start. I think my nose is at the healing stage where it is just tender. Sort of that easily irritable phase, like a wound when it itches and you know that's a good sign but it's driving you nuts and you cannot scratch it. For my nose's sake it would be lovely if my facial muscles would go all botox for a few days and not move. Smiling, laughing, yawning, whatever makes nose muscles move and that is unpleasant. Washing my face is a challenge. (Just try it without moving a nose muscle.) I began the day in a foul, miserable mood. [I never promised to be a patient, happy convalescent.]

Still, each day I breathe a bit more easily. Dennis came by to visit which was very nice. Tomorrow I am going to venture forth and take a walk to the pharmacy and back. It is a mile each way, so should not be difficult. This will be nice exercise and that walk has nice views across the Rio Grande Valley since I am on the high part of the west side and there are fields not yet turned into housing tracts. Bill will bring nice leftovers from the meal he is cooking tonight, so I will have something lovely and different to eat.

The long rest period is making more sense on an experiential level now. Serious stuff was done to straighten out my septum and it needs to heal properly. It is incredibly easy to do something to one's nose that will undermine that. My face is vulnerable and sore. One thoughtless moment could undo a lot. And my body needs more rest than usual (and has actually gotten much less in the first few days). So: patience, Mr. Bear. Chill and let it happen. Be gentle to yourself. Your breathing-improved nose needs time to stabilize.

There. Pep talk given and received. So now to bed.

Sweet dreams, poppets!
--the BB

Heart thread - Epiphany 2011

A call to prayer from David:

beloved Giants
I've just had news that Paul has brought Mark home from the hospital after early morning surgery on the damaged eye. (retina torn twice since Christmas Eve and immobility of the head since then). Mark as you might remember is one of America's finest poets with what's got to be close to a dozen books published. Paul, his spouse is a excellent writer with two volumes (one novel, the other essays) published, and the two of them are both gifted, generous teachers and beautifully thoughtful men. I'd ask your prayers for both men please. Mark is in quite a bit of pain this evening, and it will be sometime before the outcome of the surgery is known.

Prayers for Frank and Carol as they continue their daily treck to and from the hospital to beat what for Frank is a life-threatening fungus in his lungs.

Prayers or healing, strength and energetic restoration for dear Paul the BB, who underwent serious sinus surgery at the beginning of the week. Thankfully Paul is at home recovering; but here too the outcome of the surgery is still to be determined.

Prayers for the people of Haiti, as they continue to suffer while waiting for their government to 'get real' ( please see today's Oxfam report on the Hatian government inactivity http://oxfam.qc.ca/sites/oxfam.qc.ca/files/Haiti%20Briefing%20Paper%204%201%2011_FINAL.pdf )

thank-you Beloved Giants

love always-always Love

David@Montreal

Thank you, David, for keeping us updated and inviting us into deeper connectedness.

I think my sinus surgery is actually deemed routine rather than serious, though when one signs consents the risk list is always scary. I believe #14 or 15 was "death." Well, yes. One of my aunts never emerged from an operating table conscious. But we assumed this would be reasonably simple and except for some heavy, but not too threatening, bleeding it was straightforward.

This morning I shaved for the first time since Saturday. That felt good. I have managed to remove the "nose bag" as blood has mostly stopped draining. I am taking pain pills but I am not hurting. I breathe more easily each day. Kathy and Bill both came by to see me. I watered my back yard (some of the bulbs are sticking up their little noses already). Bill helped me do some January organizing, since I am not allowed to lift or bend over. I got about seven hours of decent sleep last night (interrupted by three hours of wakefulness in the wee hours). This is huge progress and gives me hope for catching up on rest. Michal Anne and Gail sent me a cookie basket (can't eat flowers, ya know) and the palliative and restorative effects of therapeutic cookies is well known. Tonight I will finish up the lovely chicken soup Bruce made.

And every day I get so many lovely notes here and on Facebook and in private e-mails. I could not feel more supported. My love and gratitude to y'all.

--the BB

I have not really scanned news yet today; is this getting coverage in the U.S.?

From the Scotsman:

World News: BP spill disaster 'down to bad management decisions'

Published Date: 06 January 2011
Decisions intended to save time and money created an unreasonable risk that triggered the largest offshore oil spill in US history, which could happen again without significant reforms, reported the top-level panel probing the BP blowout.

The commission findings - the result of a probe requested by President Obama after the April 20 Deepwater Horizon rig explosion - described systemic problems within the offshore energy industry and government regulators who oversaw it.

...

BP, Halliburton and Transocean, the three key companies involved with the well and the rig that exploded, each made decisions that increased risks of a blowout, but saved significant time or money.

Like, we haven't known this all along?

--the BB

2 girls undermine entire US border strategy in under 18 seconds

Personal update - updated

A huge thank you to all whose prayers support me. I am truly grateful.

Today's surgery appears to have gone well. There was a lot done and I bled more than expected. That has calmed down, though. The doctor was able to access and treat all sinuses. My deviated septum has been fixed.

Friend Bruce made a delicious chicken soup and we dined on that this evening, along with a slice of Bill's fruitcake and some therapeutic port.

Bill drove and has stayed with me throughout the day and tonight. Tomorrow he will drive me to the doctor's office to remove packing in the right nostril. The regular followup visit to remove plastic stents supporting my realigned septum will be removed then. This surgery needs to heal before we can tell whether any second operation will be required to get it all. I am hoping they got it all this time around.

I am quite unattractive now. My nose is swollen, though there is no bruising of nose or eyes (it was not a "nose job"). Because of the normal bleeding that can last for a few days, I have a "nose bag" but it is not full of oats. It holds gauze changed frequently. Additionally, in order not to have any nicks that might be points of entry for infections, I have not shaved since Saturday.

I will have friends check in on me daily for a while. I hope that by the weekend I can drive to the gym and ride the bike (reduced resistance) just to keep the legs active. Walking would also work but it has been a tad nippy for that of late.

Had an analgesic and am now going to crawl in bed, propped up on four pillows. Lying down is a sure way to get a killer headache, I am told. No intention of risking that.

And that's the news.

Thanks again for loving support from so many folks all around the world. You're the best.

UPDATE (1/5 - 4:20 PM):

Saw the doctor in his office this afternoon to remove the packing on both sides of my nose. Not usual to pack but I was bleeding heavily during surgery (not anywhere near needing a transfusion but way above average). He was concerned enough to call and check in on me last evening, which I greatly appreciated. Bleeding had eased and I had no fever.

Anyway, today he removed the packing (ouch) and after a brief stuck pig moment, things should be calming down even more. Better yet, I can, at least minimally, now breathe through my nose. Hooray. This may mean I can sleep tonight.

The doctor thinks things went well and are looking good.

We shopped on the way back and I now have food and drink, medical supplies and medications all at hand. I also have plenty of books and movies. Now if I can get caught up on sleep. I may even shave in a day or two. (My mother had a rather unpleasant expression for men who look the way I do today and I am not sharing it here.) Visiting friends are lined up.

Again, thanks to you all.
--the BB

Unilaterally bipartisan

Click on graphic for article.

To paraphrase a song from my youth: "Oh, when will Dems ever learn? When will they ever learn?"

--the BB

Christmas 2010 (with intercessions)

My photos are tardy because I left my camera at Bill's on Christmas Day and only retrieved it amid last night's festivities.

Here is my tree with all my wonderful children gathered around it.


Blogs are almost as notorious as Facebook for having way too much information on them but if anyone is so vulgar as to wonder with whom I've been sleeping for the past several years it's the larger furry fellow in the lower right corner: His Orthodox Majesty Maximiliano Cuauhtémoc Juárez Primo, Emperor of El Cerrito, Archduke of Hercules, and Margrave of the Great River. You have to hand it to him for claiming territories wherever he goes. He is known as Cocoa to his friends.

Christmas Morning from Bill's living room

Cranes viewed from Bob and Janet's dining room

The portal at Bill's house with the luminarias lit*

* Yes, in Santa Fe these are farolitos and luminarias are the small bonfires; in Albuquerque these are called luminarias (and the candles for them are so labeled in the store). I report and natives debate.

Men in and around the kitchen just before Christmas dinner
(the slender young ones are our nephews and godsons)

I have not posted much for numerous unrelated reasons. I cannot blame the business of the holidays. While I get fired up over politics I have not had the emotional energy to compose my usual rants. I have alternately been battling tooth problems and a persistent sinus infection for three months now. I have thus often been in pain or drugged or anxious. It is to be hoped this will soon be resolved. I have also been pursuing a private life for a change.

I have had three root canals in as many months. This Tuesday I will have sinus surgery to drain all the infection and repair a deviated septum at the same time. They will be working in three sinuses on my right side. It is day surgery and Bill will be with me that day and night. The doctor will remove plastic stents when I see him ten days later. So I will be out of commission for the next two weeks. Your prayers are requested and appreciated.

Between this and holidays and too many doctor appointments paychecks have been slim and medical expenses high. I give thanks that I am insured and still employed and think of those who lack work and seek it, those without insurance, those who are homeless. Let us hold them in our hearts also and seek to make our social systems better.

David@Montreal has called for our prayers once again:

I've just had a call from Carol, the heroic wife of my very dear cousin Frank who, as you'll remember has been putting up a heroic fight against lukemia and the compications it brings.
unfortunately Frank and Carol have had a pretty horrendous holiday season. the original plan to admit him before Christmas was abandoned when the hospital found themselves with some pretty serious viral outbreaks and Frank was sent home for his own protection. since then, they've been treating him daily as an outpatient with Carol having to drive to and from Whitrock BC to Vancouver each day and eight hours in the hospital, seven on seven.
in addition to the rapidly depleting white blood cell/platlets, the primary foe of the moment is an aspergillis fungal infection in his lungs.
with no spleen and a non-existent immuse system as his body still recovers from his second genetic transplant on Sept 22, the hospital is throwing everything they have at the fungus without success so far.

David follows that with a second request for some others very dear to him:

I've just had news that the situation with the poet Mark Doty's eye has deteriorated. on Christmas night, the torn retina detached for a second time within a number of weeks, and he and Paul are going to have to wait at least a week or more before the NYC medical system can accomidate the rather long operation.
i don't know if you know Mark's poetry, but he is one of the most light-filled poets alive today in your country, and his memoir 'Heaven's Coast' was one of the most powerful books to come out of the first decade of AIDS. I cherish both Mark and Paul and would ask your prayers for them, they're a wonderful couple, both of them generous teachers and wonderful writers.

There are prayer requests at OCICBW: here and here (poor Mrs. Mad Priest, putting up with Mad Priest and us lot plus having migraines).

We ate well, drank plenty, and made noise last night (not on the Eve) but you are spared photos; I took none.

A blessed 2011 to you all. May it, and perhaps we, be kinder than 2010.

--the BB

Buon Natale!

From Desert Farne go wishes to old friends and new, to all visitors here: May peace and joy and hope touch your hearts this season of the Incarnation.

I have not been posting much. My life updates and rantlets have mostly been on Facebook (that evil device which serves those with little time and helps waste what time we have). I'll be offline later today and tomorrow, for the most part.

Yes, the teddy bear angel on top of the tree appears a bit tipsy this year. I told him to stay out of the egg nog, but who am I to give orders to angels?

Now off to do some baking.

--the BB

Heart thread - 12/21/2010

A request from David:

Beloved Giants of prayer & practice
It turns out my cherished cousin Frank is not to see Christmas at home.
They discovered a serious growth on one of his lungs, and he's been hospitalized, with the doctors unable to give any idea [how] long the treatments will take- especially with holiday scheduling.
They're going to be removing the mass and giving him treatment. The news comes via my Mam who received the call who was quite shaked by this news of her Godson, so she doesn't remember all that Frank shared with her, but she reports that his morale was good- as always- but he specificially asked that I share this news with you, the Giants and ask for your prayers for himself and for Carol.

thank-you

love-always-always Love

David.

Friday morning in Albuquerque

Two blocks from my house, looking toward the southeast (yes, I am waiting at a light, not driving while taking pictures).


The sidewalk at work: enough snow to be beautiful without making life too difficult. Well, I suppose that depends on perspective. There were many accidents this morning and I-40 was closed entirely at Edgewood.

--the BB

Heart thread - 12/16/2010

David offers many for us to remember in prayer.

Just a quick note to let you know that dear Rosemary entered eternal life last evening.
As tiny as she was physically, dear Rosemary was a giant in her passionate determination to beat her cancer so as to see her two sons make it to adulthood.
I ask your prayers for Rosemary's husband David, their two sons, Rosemary's mother, two brothers and her sister.
I would also ask your prayers for my baby sister Jenny, who for close to two years was Rosemary's chief ally in keeping things as normal as possible and getting her to treatments and appointments.
The last time I saw Rosemary we spoke of the prayers which were accompanying her, and she asked about each of you- it was important to know each of you by name,

Jacques continues to be palliative, though there has been some slight rallying, just in time for my neice Marion and her daughter to make it back from the Gaspe

the latest from our Margaret is that Joel has been allowed home from hospital, though he is having real issues breathing

dear, dear Paul needs prayers for operable health challenges on two fronts please

and I'd ask your prayers this evening for a young girl of only six years old, flown down south after being gravely attacked by four sled dog in her settlement- the dear child is litterally fighting for her life

Frank & Carol send their thanks and love- and he wants you all to know he is very much aware of the role you all played with your love and the support of your prayers in the fact that he will be here again this Chirstmas

Thank-you my cherished giants

love always-always Love

David

I ask your prayers for David who holds so many in his heart before God.


I also ask your prayers for my sister Shirley, pictured above in an earlier era, who battles infections and celebrates her 79th birthday tomorrow. Also for her husband Jack.

I give thanks that my nephew Jay has managed to get off diabetes meds.

O merciful Father, who hast taught us in thy holy Word that thou dost not willingly afflict or grieve thy children: Look with pity upon the sorrows of thy servants for whom our prayers are offered. Remember them, O Lord, in mercy, nourish their soul with patience, comfort them with a sense of thy goodness, lift up thy countenance upon them, and give them peace; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

--the BB

Heart thread - 12/12/2010

I ask your prayers for Jake, grandfather of my friends Nick and Alex.

For my friend Ryan's grandfather.

For Aileen and her husband Mike.

For Mark in his long journey of healing.

For the repose of Alice's mother and for Alice who has lost both her parents within a few months.

For all who mourn.

For David and David, for very different reasons.

For Doug's mother. For Doug and James and all my friends who are under the weather these days.

For all who seek work and are having trouble finding it.

For the people of Haiti.

For myself as I get a CT scan this morning to help diagnose and treat my persistent sinus infection.

For all who lack shelter, food, and loving words.


--the BB

Rest in peace, Elizabeth Edwards

Thank you for all you did. Thank you for all you are. Rest in peace and rise in glory.

h/t to Watertiger for the photo

--the BB

My letter to the White House

Dear Mr. President:

I urge you, I beg you not to water down your original, reasonable position on taxes, namely: extend cuts for the working class and let the cuts for income above $250,000 expire. This is the overwhelmingly popular position with the American People. It makes sense.

Compromising with the Republicans, however, will not entice them to compromise with you. It will not encourage them to work with you. It will not foster bipartisanship. It will only encourage their endless threats to hold their breaths until they get their way and to treat you like a pushover. You will gain zero respect from Republicans and zero respect from Democrats. I doubt you will win many moderates either.

Please, please, please stand up to the GOP. Don't damage our economy for the benefit of the very few, who do not need such a benefit.

I cannot express this more strongly and remain civil. Your standing with the Democratic base is already shaky and my hope in change wanes with every unreasonable compromise.

Please step out of the bubble and hear what the American People are saying.

Thank you.

[I requested a response and will add it in an update.]

--the BB

Heart thread - 12/05/2010 - updated

My friend Steve's niece Katie is scheduled for very delicate brain surgery to remove a bone spur on Wednesday morning at the Mayo Clinics. This is critical for her future health. Please keep her in your prayers.

Prayers for Aileen, a young mother who suffered a heart attack and numerous strokes. You may read about her chez Mimi, here and here.

UPDATE ON AILEEN (via Mimi):

Tis' the season for miracles, tonight after not being awake and not responding for four days Aileen squeezed my hand with BOTH of hers and was able to move her right hand from the pillow next to her over to her tummy. Then she was able to track me with her eyes. Thats my fighter!!---Mike

It is the season of the tooth (in a bad way). Mad Priest and I have had tooth problems and now David (Dah-veed) has an impacted molar and abscess. My friend Kathy has had multiple tooth problems. I have my root canal (second in three months) tomorrow. Mercifully the swelling has gone down over the last week and the endodontist's recommendation of ibuprofen and acetaminophen has kept me out of pain so well I have felt wonderfully alive for several days now. I will probably be rather tender for the next few days though. Prayers for all of us to have happy, healthy mouths again.

There are many prayer requests over at OCICBW and I urge you to add your prayers for all mentioned there.

The woes of the world are many and the temptation to despair is great (certainly for those of us following national politics in the US). Let us not forget the larger struggles.

O merciful Father, who hast taught us in thy holy Word that thou dost not willingly afflict or grieve thy children: Look with pity upon the sorrows of thy servants for whom our prayers are offered. Remember them, O Lord, in mercy, nourish their soul with patience, comfort them with a sense of thy goodness, lift up thy countenance upon them, and give them peace; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Almighty God, you proclaim your truth in every age by many voices: Direct, in our time, we pray, those who speak where many listen and write what many read; that they may do their part in making the heart of this people wise, its mind sound, and its will righteous; to the honor of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

O Lord our Governor, bless the leaders of our land, that we may be a people at peace among ourselves and a blessing to other nations of the earth.
Lord, keep this nation under your care.

To the President and members of the Cabinet, to Governors of States, Mayors of Cities, and to all in administrative authority, grant wisdom and grace in the exercise of their duties.
Give grace to your servants, O Lord.

To Senators and Representatives, and those who make our laws in States, Cities, and Towns, give courage, wisdom, and foresight to provide for the needs of all our people, and to fulfill our obligations in the community of nations.
Give grace to your servants, O Lord.



To the Judges and officers of our Courts give understanding and integrity, that human rights may be safeguarded and justice served.

Give grace to your servants, O Lord.

And finally, teach our people to rely on your strength and to accept their responsibilities to their fellow citizens, that they may elect trustworthy leaders and make wise decisions for the well-being of our society; that we may serve you faithfully in our generation and honor your holy Name. For yours is the kingdom, O Lord, and you are exalted as head above all. Amen.

--the BB

Heart thread - 12/04/2010

Susan S. asks for our prayers:

For David who just died at 45 years of age in Oregon, his mother Hildred, a member of our choir and a dear friend, and his "good brother" Carl.

I remember Hildred from the choir at St Mark's, Berkeley, when I was a member there in the early 80s.

For Tim, husband of Vicar Rhonda, who had a double knee replacement on Tuesday and now struggles through pain management and physical therapy so he can heal and begin enjoying new knees.

For Doug's mother.

Some days, she seems to be aware of her surroundings and to know who people are. Other days, she seems not to recognize anyone or anything. We don't know yet if this is temporary or permanent.

Jack M. Lynn, 2001

For the repose of the soul of Jack McGregor Lynn, my father-in-law. For my in-laws as they work through their grief.

For the unemployed, about whom the Republicans in Congress do not give a damn.

Keep watch, dear Lord, with those who work, or watch, or weep this night, and give your angels charge over those who sleep. Tend the sick, Lord Christ; give rest to the weary, bless the dying, soothe the suffering, pity the afflicted, shield the joyous; and all for your love's sake. Amen.

--the BB

Economic policy

I don't remember who wrote this or where I got it but, amid the current discussions of our baleful economy, I thought it needed to be put out there again.

Obama Promised

Looking back

From November 2004:

Halliburton has lost 1/3 of government property in Iraq
by Plutonium Page
Sat Nov 27th, 2004 at 00:31:10 PST

Halliburton says they're doing a great job tracking their inventory in Iraq.
However, an external audit shows that they're embellishing on the truth... big time.
What the audit showed:

A third or more of the government property Halliburton Co. was paid to manage for the U.S.-led Coalition Provisional Authority in Iraq could not be located by auditors, investigative reports to Congress show.
Halliburton's KBR subsidiary ''did not effectively manage government property'' and auditors could not locate hundreds of CPA items worth millions of dollars in Iraq and Kuwait this summer and fall, Inspector General Stuart W. Bowen reported to Congress in two reports.
Not good news for Cheney's former company.

To see what Halliburton says, look below the fold. [Click link above.]


Laurence Lewis reports today:

Earlier this month, it was reported that one of the largest U.S. government contractors in Afghanistan was being fined nearly $70 million for having "knowingly and systematically overcharged the U.S. government." But just two months after a whistleblower revealed the Louis Berger Group's deliberate and systematic overcharging, the U.S. Agency for International Development awarded the company a new joint contract worth $1.4 billion. That seemingly large fine turned out to be but a minor business expense.

Once again we must ask:

What would "victory" in Afghanistan look like?

Is that even remotely achievable?

What the fuck are we doing there?

I know, we're enriching the military-industrial complex that Eisenhower warned us about in his farewell speech. But other than that?

--the BB

Family Research Council a hate group?

You betcha.

Well, the Southern Poverty Law Center declared them to be such and they took umbrage. Must have hurt their little feelings to think all they do for Jay-zuz could ever be characterized as hate speech. As one link at TMC says: "FRC's Tony Perkins Rips SPLC ... For 'Slanderous Attack And Attempted Character Assassination'."

Clutch the pearls, Tony. (And I would not be surprised if Mr. Perkins has some pearls to clutch.)

John Aravosis has a lengthy list of comments from them over the years that pretty well demonstrates what I consider hate speech against gays. If all you knew of homosexual persons came from the FRC you'd assume we all hate children (when we're not molesting them), family, and Jesus and are bent on destroying society. You would be convinced, despite all logic, that equal rights are "special rights."

Of course, if gays disappeared from the planet tomorrow FRC would go broke, losing the bogeyman they use to raise money. They need us like lung cancer needs a lung.

If you're one of the folks being talked about by the Family Research Council, you know hate when you hear it. Mr. Perkins can shove his indignation and his pearls somewhere quivering with guilty desire. And yes, that's hate speech. I am not about to play nice with those vile people.

--the BB

The aftermath

So, for the first time in my life I hosted Thanksgiving dinner. It was collaborative. Guests brought the turkey and the pumpkin pie. I provided all the side dishes: mashed potatoes, stuffing, creamed spinach, apples and yams in butter and brown sugar, cranberry sauce, cranberry-orange relish, gravy, and whipped cream for the pie. Huge thanks to Bill for helping me cook and generally get ready.

I kept a little for myself (all I really wanted) and sent guests home with lots of leftovers. Between tryptophan, wine, and the painkiller I'm taking for trauma after drilling and filling a huge cavity in a tooth two days before Thanksgiving I almost went to bed at 6:30. Two hours later I am still something less than alert.

Many thanks for all who have held the family in prayer during my father-in-law's final illness and death and through yesterday's memorial service. You are all appreciated.

Anticipating a slow day at work tomorrow and a matinee at the cinema with Kathy on Saturday. Time to chill.

--the BB

The REAL Thanksgiving Story!

"It Gets Better" — Love, Pixar

Fauré Requiem In Paradisum

For those whose time has come to enter larger life....

The bulbs are in

I worked in the yard last Sunday, bought more materials on Thursday, and worked off an on most of yesterday. I have planted something in the neighborhood (I lost count) of 600-700 bulbs, about 20 bearded iris, eight small mums, and over fifty pansies and violas. Four bags of detritus has been sent to the trash, filled with dead annuals, tree and rose prunings, and empty bulb bags. Numerous bags of compost, planting soil, and mulch have been added to the yard.

I still have lots of yanking and pruning to do but it is a goodly start.



There is a honeysuckle on the left. The green plants are snapdragons that has perdured until now. You can see bearded iris plantings sticking their little noses up. This is the south border.


You have seen the low retaining wall on the north half of the yard. All kinds of bulbs are planted beneath the pansies and chrysanthemums.


There is now a second retaining wall on the south side. Here are pansies planted over more bulbs, all in the neighborhood of the Methley plum tree (which put out a few blooms the week before last; go figure). The mulched area between the plum tree and the French lavender is planted with daffodils and freesias.


The north border has some new bearded iris and white and pink daffodils. Also ranunculus. The area circling the rose bush has pastel tulips.

And that's the excitement on the gardening front.

I treated myself to a massage on Thursday. I could have used it more yesterday or today but I'm still glad I did it. It relaxed me so much I went to bed that night at 8 and slept until 6 the next morning.

--the BB

Republicans win office, kill jobs immediately

Republicans win office, kill jobs immediately

Yo! If you voted Republican you should have anticipated this because there is a demonstrable track record that the GOP does not give a shit about American workers. If you thought they would help the jobs situation you have paid no attention to our history or their track record. Wake up and start paying attention now because those who put them in power are culpable not for what they surprisingly do but for what they predictably do.

--the BB

Impunity

R. Jeffrey Smith writes in the Washington Post:

Human rights experts have long pressed the administration of former president George W. Bush for details of who bore ultimate responsibility for approving the simulated drownings of CIA detainees, a practice that many international legal experts say was illicit torture.

In a memoir due out Tuesday, Bush makes clear that he personally approved the use of that coercive technique against alleged Sept. 11 plotter Khalid Sheik Mohammed, an admission the human rights experts say could one day have legal consequences for him.

...

Georgetown University law professor David Cole, a long-standing critic of Bush's interrogation and detention policies, called prosecution unlikely. "The fact that he did admit it suggests he believes he is politically immune from being held accountable. . . . But politics can change."

What Mr. Smith does not say, and should have been said, is that the United States declared waterboarding to be torture in WWII and prosecuted enemies for doing it.

That war criminals like George W. Bush and Richard B. Cheney can make admissions like this with no apparent fear of consequences speaks volumes about the lawlessness of their regime and of this nation.

--the BB

End douchebaggery

h/t to watertiger

--the BB

No Anglican Covenant

On this feast of Richard Hooker I offer the following news release:

No Anglican Covenant Coalition
Anglicans for Comprehensive Unity
noanglicancovenant.org


NEWS RELEASE
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 3, 2010
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE



INTERNATIONAL CAMPAIGN SEEKS TO STOP ANGLICAN COVENANT

LONDON – An international coalition of Anglicans has been created to campaign against the proposed Anglican Covenant. Campaigners believe the proposed Covenant constitutes unwarranted interference in the internal life of the member churches of the Anglican Communion, would narrow the acceptable range of belief and practice within Anglicanism, and would prevent further development of Anglican thought. The Coalition’s website (noanglicancovenant.org) will provide resources for Anglicans around the world to learn about the potential risks of the proposed Anglican Covenant.

“We believe that the majority of the clergy and laity in the Anglican Communion would not wish to endorse this document,” according to the Coalition’s Moderator, the Revd. Dr. Lesley Fellows, who is also the Coalition’s Convenor for the Church of England. “Apart from church insiders, very few people are aware of the Covenant. We want to encourage a wider discussion and to highlight the problems the Covenant will cause.”

The idea of an Anglican Covenant was first proposed in 2004 as a means to address divisions among the member churches of the Anglican Communion on matters ranging from human sexuality to the role of women. The current draft of the Covenant, which has been unilaterally designated as the “final” draft, has been referred to the member churches of the Communion. The proposed Covenant establishes mechanisms which would have the effect of forcing member churches to conform to the demands and expectations of other churches or risk exclusion from the Communion.

Critics of the proposed Anglican Covenant, including members of the new Coalition, believe that it will fundamentally alter the nature of historic Anglicanism in several ways, including the narrowing of theological views deemed acceptable, the erosion of the freedom of the member churches to govern themselves, and the concentration of authority in the hands of a small number of bishops. Two English groups, Inclusive Church and Modern Church, ran anti-Covenant advertisements in last week’s Church Times and the Church of England Newspaper aiming to make more members of the Church of England aware of the dangers of the proposed Anglican Covenant.

"If the Anglican Communion has a problem, this is not the solution,” according to former Bishop of Worcester Peter Selby. “Whether those who originated the Covenant intended it or not, it is already, and will become even more, a basis for a litigious Communion from which some will seek to exclude others."

The launch of the No Anglican Covenant Coalition website coincides with the commemoration of the sixteenth-century theologian Richard Hooker. “Hooker taught us that God’s gifts of scripture, tradition, and reason will guide us to new insights in every age,” according to the Canadian priest and canon law expert, the Revd. Canon Alan Perry. “The proposed Anglican Covenant would freeze Anglican theology and Anglican polity at a particular moment. Anglican polity rejected control by foreign bishops nearly 500 years ago. The proposed Anglican Covenant reinstates it.”

The No Anglican Covenant Coalition began in late October with a series of informal email conversations among several international Anglican bloggers concerned that the Covenant was being rushed through the approval process before most Anglicans had any opportunity to learn how the proposed new structures would affect them.

noanglicancovenant.org

Revd. Dr Lesley Fellows (England) +44 1844 239268
Dr. Lionel Deimel (USA) +1-412-512-9087
Revd. Malcolm French (Canada) +1-306-550-2277
Revd. Lawrence Kimberley (New Zealand) +64 3 981 7384

The Collect for Hooker's feast, November 3:

O God of truth and peace,

you raised up your servant Richard Hooker

in a day of bitter controversy

to defend with sound reasoning and great charity

the catholic and reformed religion:

Grant that we may maintain the middle way,

not as a compromise for the sake of peace,

but as a comprehension for the sake of truth;

through Jesus Christ our Lord,

who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,

one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

--the BB

Go Giants!

Bay Area folks and former Bay Area folks are pretty excited about the San Francisco Giants winning the World Series (and beating the boys from W's team to boot).

As unlikely as it seems, I was in a bar when they won the pennant and we knew they were going to the Series. Whole lotta shouting going on and I, a total non-sports-fan, was pretty stoked about it too.

I trust this celebratory post will not be deemed trademark infringement. We're just so damned proud of the boys from Baghdad by the Bay (as Herb Caen used to call it).

Yes, I miss Herb and his column.

All right, San Francisco, first we vote. And Wednesday we party!

--the BB

Heart thread - 11/01/2010

We remember Kirstin in our prayers daily, yes? She has offered some focus for our prayers and I ask you to read her latest post here.

She needs folks to travel with her for treatments and we're trying to get the word out in case someone who can do this will read and say "Yes."

If you can come with me, come with me. If you can’t, pray and let me know that you’re praying. Thank you.

and

Honestly, when you don’t see me is when I most need you. If you think of it, e-mail and say hi.

There was a time when she was in seminary and she and I traded e-mails endlessly. I have failed of late. May God help me to do better. God knows I have not forgotten her but I have not told her often enough.

--the BB

Heart thread - 10/31/2010

My father-in-law, Jack, is declining rapidly. I ask your continued prayers that he may be delivered from anxiety and pain in his last days. Thanks to all who have prayed for him and the family.

My cousin Michael and his wife Danielle are grandparents. Aria Evans has entered the world on October 29, her mother's birthday.

So many of my friends and their families need prayer that I cannot begin to list them (and in some cases it is confidential), so I offer them to God and to your prayers.

I also offer thanksgiving for the SF Giant's victory tonight because I can't help myself.

--the BB

You should be afraid

Paul Krugman points out the destructive path we are on if the fecking Republicans gain power. They only have a very few goals: destroy the President and serve the wealthy and corporate power. That is their entire agenda. They don't give a shit about the common welfare, the health of the economy, true national security, their red herring "values" issues, the working class, the Constitution and the rule of law, or anyone but their cronies. It's sad but true.

The Democrats are flawed humans and I try to hold them accountable but the Republican corporate structure is outright evil. Oppose it at every possible opportunity. And do your best not to be silent when lies or stupidity are uttered.


--the BB

I Remember

Televangelist Oral Roberts' gay grandson says "it gets better"

It Gets Better: Gay Men's Chorus of Los Angeles "True Colors"

The sad truth, bluntly put.

I do love Watertiger, bless her!

And it's the sad truth. The whole Tea Party movement is astroturf, not grassroots, funded and planned by powerful people who are out for their own interests, not the interests of the crowds they foment, stirring up fear and anger.

It's a graphic graphic and I can just imagine the shitstorm if I put it here, so you can click over to it.

--the BB

Whitman: "Why I came to California"

It Gets Better

"Secret Plan"

Heart thread - 10/20/2010 Updated

I ask your prayers for Marsha's brother Scott.

"His heart procedure (cardial ablation where dr. freezes one chamber of his heart to hopefully get it back into rhythm) is tomorrow in Salt Lake. It is about a 5 hour procedure and, as you might imagine, not without risk, plus he has been in arrhythmia intermittently for 5+ years so he is not going into this in the best of health. Our father died of this condition at age 57 so Scott is understandably anxious about it, as are all of us."

UPDATE:
Today (Friday 10/22) I received this e-mail that I pass on to all who have joined in prayer. Thank you so much.

Fthr Paul,

I spoke with my brother last night.....he is recovering very well. His physician was most optimistic that the procedure was successful. While there is no doubt that man is highly skilled, I stand convinced that all the prayers were the primary contributor to this all coming to pass.

Thank you so very much for passing the need onto others.

Marsha

--the BB

Secretary Clinton: "Tomorrow Will Be Better"

Thank you, Madame Secretary.

--the BB

"It Gets Better" (Broadway sings for the Trevor Project)

If you are young (or not so young) and feel alone or are bullied, please hang in there. And no matter who you are, enjoy this song from young folks on Broadway sharing their own experience in song. It gets better.








Broadway stars rock out in a celebration of life, in the wake of LGBT suicides across the nation. Please SHARE this original song and video to help send a message of hope and support. Available October 19th on iTunes, with all download proceeds benefiting The Trevor Project. www.thetrevorprojec.org (c) 2010 Jay Kuo & Blair Shepard. Inquiries: jay@singoutlouiseproductions.com.

h/t to Jon


--the BB