Wednesday, August 12, 2020

Americans and Their Abusive Relationship

I know, I know, I know ... it's very bad form to post political opinions on an arts and travel and unique special interests blog like this one. And I haven't in over a decade, so I am pretty good. But, we are in a most unusual time in our nation - in the world! - and I read this very short essay by the marvelous John Pavlovitz today. It articulates exactly how I feel about this issue right down to the last comma and period. So, I'm going to post it in its entirety here. I hope you read it, and take from it what you will

Americans Need To Get Out of This Abusive Relationship

 

 

 

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(¸.•´ (¸.•´) Tristan


John Pavlovitz is a writer, pastor, and activist from Wake Forest, North Carolina. In the past four years his blog Stuff That Needs To Be Said has reached a diverse worldwide audience. A 20-year veteran in the trenches of local church ministry, John is committed to equality, diversity, and justice—both inside and outside faith communities. In 2017 he released his first book, A Bigger Table. His new book, Hope and Other Superpowers, arrived on November 6th.

Press

Chicago Tribune
Anti-Trump pastor John Pavlovitz doesn’t want thoughts and prayers; he wants hope and action

Billings Gazette
Former megachurch pastor visits Billings, makes appeal for more kindness amid disagreements

Chicago Tribune
Just in time for Thanksgiving, instructions on building a bigger, more inclusive table

Indy Week
How Raleigh’s John Pavlovitz Went from Fired Megachurch Pastor to Rising Star of the Religious Left

Religion News Service
John Pavlovitz, digital pastor of the resistance, pitches a bigger Christian tent

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Saturday, August 8, 2020

Birds of a Glorious (Pink) Feather ...

As I was surfing and browing around the internet, I stumbled upon this image of a bird family that intrigued me. The vibrant shocking pink color of the feathers was the first thing that caught my attention, but then I noticed the unusual shaped beak, and that the male and female of this species looked remarkably similar (unusual for 'show-y' birds!), not forgetting that the beaks on the babies were obviously going to grow into that strange platypus-shape - but start out more like little duck beaks. I did a little searching and discovered that this is the Roseate Spoonbill from South America.
 
Well, of course I realized how fun it would be for a Pink Saturday post to search out other pink and fabulous birds, both exotic and domestic. And, to my surprise, there were no small supply of them! From parrots and pigeons (yes! pigeons!), to canaries, a rare cardinal species, not to mention the gorgeous Flaring Pink Gorget!
 
I've assembled a Pink Saturday dozen for you to enjoy! I hope you find them as enchanting and almost magical as I do!
 

 


... and of course, I couldn't complete the dozen without a photo of stunning pink flamingo!
 

As always, thanks to Beverly for hosting Pink Saturday blog hop - be sure to check out the other offerings at the link here.

... now go and make something beautiful!
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(¸.•´ (¸.•´) Tristan

 ... and just one little addition - with the dozens of books read during the shelter-in-place order for the pandemic, I have just read my absolute favorite book of the year.

 
Becoming Duchess Goldblatt...A Memoir by Anonymous 
 
My Goodreads review of Becoming Duchess Goldblatt:
 
I opened this book with no expectations. As I am a fairly fast reader, I was halfway through it when I realized: whoa! This is something special. Something not to be glossed over. This is something to be savored. So I started over, and read slowly, relishing every delicious word combination and whimsical improbable possibility.

I only wish I had discovered Duchess long before the book was written and I was made aware of her. She is a magical, enchanting, and devilishly clever wordsmith who has the ability to envelope her reader in genuine love and compassion and the care that would come if the reader were one instead of one of thousands.

I can't even begin to say what this book is. It's not a novel. It's not a biography. It's not a roman à clef. It's not a book of humor. It's not a self-help book. It's not a celebrity expose. It's not the story of survival and emotional courage. However, it's all of those things.

If treasures like "Sometimes I tie your words in linen with a little lavender and mint and use them as a poultice for my weary old heart" and "If you find yourself feeling embittered, roll around in a barrel of kosher salt until encrusted, and then set yourself in a collander to drain" or "A lot of people go very Martha Graham when dancing on their enemies' graves. Me, I like flamenco. I want the souls of the dead to feel it" excite and thrill you and make you smile, rush out and get this book!

It's less than 200 pages...you can easily read it twice in once sitting. And, when you read it, you will want to read it again!