Honk for Peace?

March 30, 2011 at the Corner of Broadway and Providence

 

Honk for Peace?

I’m absolutely against any type of preemptive war. As a young child my most vivid dreams involved birds and war--not together! Now, remembering a dream even 15 minutes out of bed is unusual. But the bird and war dreams were lifelike, sleepwalking dreams. 

But back to the honking.

If one ever passes the corner of Broadway and Providence late Wednesday afternoon, every Wednesday for the past ten years (actually 9 1/2), you know the folks bearing anti-war, honk for peace signs. Twice in recent months the honkers have jarred me. Normally, I come south on Providence from Stephens College and they are in plain sight but driving north on Providence toward Walnut Street offers a different perspective. If not stopped at the traffic light, one enters an unexpected and startling honking zone. 

I’ve slammed on my brakes before. Really. Once, I thought someone was honking to get my attention; the other because I was flat out startled by the chorus of honks. My first thought, "Is an ambulance or fire truck headed this way?”

Is Honking for Peace a waste of time? I don't know. On one hand, there is way too much silence about the warS in the general public. The honking is not meant to influence politicians but rather to get the attention of people like you and me. Grassroot efforts can make a real difference and effect change.

For 9 1/2 years a dedicated but small group has used this tactic to no avail (need I remind you of Afghanistan, Iraq, and now Libya). Perhaps it may be the time for Peaceworks to evaluate the value of continued honking.

As a pacifist, the honks just don't do it for me.
 

Mama Cats Rock

Possum snuggling with her new kittens 45 minutes after birth.

The story of two kittens born, which happens entirely too often, has captured my imagination and heart. Critter and Sir J are my niece and nephew kittens born to my dearest friend's (also Ann/ie) formerly feral cat. When Possum arrived at her house, Ann fell for the sweet cat, but within a few weeks, discovered she was pregnant. Possum hit the jackpot--a loving home, a BARF (bones and raw foods) diet, and someone I consider a dog whisperer to welcome the cat to the menagerie of dogs and cats living under Ann's roof.

It may not be the Grand Canyon or Stonehenge but for me it is truly a wonder of nature. Following birth, Mama Cat chewed the umbilical cord off the kittens and quickly ate the placenta. Then, Possum licked and licked and licked until her babies were dry balls of fur. Within 45 minutes, the kittens were embraced in Possum's arms, suckling their first meal.

Side Note: Ann, Mama Cat, Sir J, and Critter are happy and healthy. All three will be spayed/neutered--no Toms or Queens will be perpeutating the epidemic of cat overpopulation. Afterall, very few cats would be as lucky as Possum. She showed up at the right door in northern Florida.

Sir James the Duke of Old Town moments after birth

Critter the Calico still in the birth process

IT TAKES SO LONG

Jim Rogers (1976-2010)



The biggest challenge for me in recovering from grief is that it takes so long. And, frankly, I get discouraged, not only because of its continuing presence but also because I think I should handle it better. Just when I think I’m making progress, boom, it sweeps over me and feels new and fresh again.

Anything can unpredictably set me off—the news of rapper Nate Dogg’s death last week; a story I can’t tell Jim but need to tell Jim; his stuff boxed in my basement; the sight of a person that for a split second looks and feels like my brother. Just when I think I’m feeling better, gaining some perspective, something comes from nowhere to set me back in the throes of raw, painful missing and unending sadness.

This weekend, as many know, was the Rogers Family Lecture series, a memorial to the lives of Dad and Jim. Despite my family and so much joy surrounding the weekend, I had several instances where my eyes became damp and if alone, the tears would have flowed.  It feels very important to be patient with myself right now, and not be weighed down by the discouragements or perceived setbacks. I’ve learned that these emotions come without warning or reason but the realization that the only way out of consuming grief is through reminds me how imperative it is to be both patient and gentle with my family, and myself.

But Jim was supposed to be there this weekend celebrating our father’s life damn it. He was part of the early planning process to bring Dr. Borg to Columbia for the weekend.

Baby brother, you were missed.

Rogers Family Lecture Series Tonight: Progressive Views, Historical Analysis to be Explored



Dr. Marcus Borg



It’s rainy, cold, and even a bit snowy today….what better excuse to attend a provocative lecture tonight? I’ve seen many presentations and lectures in my day (one of my favorite things about living in a vibrant college town) and when I unwittingly went to see “some guy named Marcus Borg” with a friend 15 years ago, I saw simply the BEST lecture speaker I’ve ever seen on any topic. Just the fact that I remember his message, specific phrases, and the difference it made in my ability and desire to explore the Divine is noteworthy.

I hope to see friends and community members tonight, especially, or any of the other lectures this weekend.  A Wine and Cheese reception will follow Dr. Borg’s message tonight. The schedule of events for the weekend is listed in my profile picture on FB and the image below on this blog entry.

This article was published on page A7 of the Saturday, March 19, 2011 edition of The Columbia Daily Tribune.


Scholar to lecture on Jesus

Progressive views, historical analysis will be explored.

By Jill Renae Hicks Columbia Daily Tribune

Deemed one of the more fascinating and thought-provoking theologians of our time, Marcus Borg is winging his way to Columbia on Friday to give a series of Lenten lectures at First Christian Church.

Borg is a widely known scholar and spokesman for progressive Christianity. A fellow of the widely publicized, sometimes criticized Jesus Seminar, he has published several books about who Jesus was and how Christianity has changed over the ages.

Borg attended college in chilly Moorhead, Minn., and eventually went on to obtain his doctorate in philosophy from Oxford University in England. He was installed as the first canon theologian for his Episcopal congregation in Portland, Ore., after teaching philosophy for many years at Oregon State University. One of Borg’s current roles, after retirement, is to travel and lecture throughout the United States, sharing progressive perspectives and historical analysis on Jesus and broader Christianity.

The author and lecturer has published 18 books surrounding portraits of Jesus’ character and reflections on the meanings of the Bible. He is set to publish another title in April, “Speaking Christian.” In the book, Borg explores how Christian language has been adapted to mean very particular things, saying the vocabulary many American Christians use can become insular and even meaningless at times.

Borg’s other recent book is a departure from his traditional nonfiction bestsellers such as “Reading the Bible Again for the First Time” (2001) and “The Heart of Christianity” (2003). Instead, “Putting Away Childish Things” is a novel set on a postmodern-era college campus. The characters — students and faculty alike —– wrestle to reconcile traditional views of Christianity with secular views as well as with emerging perspectives on faith. One of Borg’s purposes behind writing a novel was “people remember stories much better than they remember a straight list of teachings,” he explained in a 2010 interview with ReadTheSpirit.com. “It’s important to show people ways that we can reclaim Christianity from some of the misunderstandings of our time.”

Many in the community and around the globe have expressed that years of Borg’s nonfiction writings have affected and encouraged them. Genie Rogers is the family member and liaison connected with the current Rogers Memorial Lecture Series held by First Christian Church. Borg “had come to Columbia about 11 years ago,” Rogers remembered, and many people in the congregation appreciated his visit: “He was a very popular lecturer and speaker.” Years later, Borg’s popularity here and outside the region apparently hasn’t waned. “We’ve had him on the calendar for over a year,” Rogers said.

John Yonker, minister emeritus at First Christian, first became aware of Borg’s writings in 1994, when he read “Meeting Jesus Again for the First Time.” He was affected by the book, finding it “a fresh approach to understanding the Christian faith,” Yonker said in an email. He mentioned the book in a few of his sermons and said eventually other members of the church “expressed interest and appreciation for his research into the historical Jesus.” After using his books and studying Borg’s teachings in small groups, the congregation eventually welcomed him for his first visit.

The smaller classes have been instrumental, Yonker said, because “many people have come to appreciate his scholarly approach to understanding the Bible while maintaining his commitment to live as a Christian and an active member of the church.” He noted that one woman at First Christian who grew up in a stricter church setting began attending the congregation primarily because of Borg’s works. “Many people have found his work very helpful in maintaining their own faith,” Yonker said.

Borg’s lectures will be held in the sanctuary of First Christian Church, 101 N. Tenth St. The lectures are open to the public and free of charge.

The High Cost of Being Sick

It's more than a can of Chicken Noodle Soup. Even with health insurance--the co-pay on the appointment, the medications prescribed, the lost time from work, not to mention the premium paid each month for the ability to be sick--the price of being sick takes its toll.

Being healthy is work but work with a genuine reward. It starts in my heart and a desire to treat myself with care. The co-pay has already been made on bicycles, tennis gear, and mother nature charges nothing for trails and outdoor air. Good, organic, non-processed food has a price tag similar to carry out, it is just a bit more work to prepare myself. And health allows, even begs for a time-out as meditation, relaxation, or prayer time is a necessary ingredient to good health.

Most everyone has some health challenges, whether they be physical, immunological, emotional, or some of all. But being healthy is about being a first-rate version of ourselves while leaving the comparisons to others behind.

Happy is Healthy and it is a daily adventure.

@: My Pen Name Turns 20!

@nn or more commonly @ has been a good pen name. I started using it in the early 1990s and quickly marked it mine. Despite what the @ sign has come to signify, my use of it had no ties to technology, twitter, or web addresses. @nn was all in simple literary fun. I liked to call it my e. e. cummings move.

My association with @ shows up in the array of gifts that I’ve received over the years that use the sign. A few that come to mind--a mousepad, coffee cup, stationary, a paperweight, even a necklace among others. I’m forever @.

Carved in Stone

Seeing Jim's stone for the first time brought me to my knees.

First Day of Spring

Holiday greens blanketed Jim's grave over this long, cold winter.  A friend of mine told me that he looked like an Angel in these snow pictures and that thought comforted me on many cold, snowy days.

Fresh Grief

Ritual