No Turning Back

November 11, 2009 by pcadams

Today provides us with irrevokable proof that Autumn is winding down.  The oak leaves have begun to fall.

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What do we do with such evidence?

Today a student of mine learned a lesson today in inference and proof.

“Well, in the end, we just don’t know, do we?”

Is there anything else to say?

Rascal Flatts Why

Be well, and at peace,

Phil

Endings and Beginnings

November 10, 2009 by pcadams

Perhaps it has become an annual tradition now…

last rose

Elizabeth Parcells sings Last Rose of Summer

When does one thing end, and another begin, anyway?  Today, it’s difficult to see the possibility of that.

It’s not an easy feeling to admit the construct of beginning and end.

Be well, and at peace,

Phil


Putting In Your Two Cents

November 9, 2009 by pcadams

two coins

There was something about that story that really reached me today.

In the course of his teaching Jesus said to the crowds,
“Beware of the scribes, who like to go around in long robes
and accept greetings in the marketplaces,
seats of honor in synagogues,
and places of honor at banquets.
They devour the houses of widows and, as a pretext
recite lengthy prayers.
They will receive a very severe condemnation.”

He sat down opposite the treasury
and observed how the crowd put money into the treasury.
Many rich people put in large sums.
A poor widow also came and put in two small coins worth a few cents.
Calling his disciples to himself, he said to them,
“Amen, I say to you, this poor widow put in more
than all the other contributors to the treasury.
For they have all contributed from their surplus wealth,
but she, from her poverty, has contributed all she had,
her whole livelihood.”

(NAB, Mark 12:38-44)

And something happened when those two coins finally fell out of her hand, and amazingly, she was at peace.

Perhaps we’re not talking about widows and money here, are we?

Maybe you can just reflect on that for a while.

my two cents

Be well, and at peace,

Phil

Losing a Sense of Self

November 7, 2009 by pcadams

self portrait

Can we ever really have a self-portrait, anyway?

What does that show us?

What happens when we fear losing our sense of self in…

…a relationship

an interaction

our work

can that really happen?  Or what if you were to just sit, and breathe for a moment, and then realize…that the losing and gaining all is, and when all is said and done, nothing can really be taken away or given.

I don’t know.  I’m still thinking on that.

[Les Miserables] 10th anniversary – WHO AM I?

Be well, and at peace,

 

Completion?

November 5, 2009 by pcadams

The kitchen is finally done.

kitchen

kitchen2

So what do we do with that?

Or maybe there are some things that are yet left to do with it…

That’s it.

Rattle those pots and pans

Be well, and at peace,

Phil

The Numbers Game

November 3, 2009 by pcadams

Ever think about that?

counting

still counting...

It’s amazing how much our life is all tied up in this construct.  Something a colleague said not long ago has stuck…

“All measurement is just an approximation.  How close do you want to estimate?”

There’s at least a couple of ways to look at that. You may either choose to throw up your hands in futility, and say, “why bother,” or simply be satisfied with being where you are now.  After all, when all is said and done, where does this need for knowing where we fit in the lineup get us anyway?

(running scenarios now…)

Derren Brown – Numbers game

Thievery Corporation – The Numbers Game

Be well, and at peace,

Phil

Autumn Serenade

November 2, 2009 by pcadams

Today was another one of those days with amazing light.  I am grateful for them, because I know what winter can be like in Ohio.

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tell me, oh blue, blue sky

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sharp shadows

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pumpkin pair

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beck st. window box

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evil eyes

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warts and all

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happy couple

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the other side of the stoop

IMG_5894s sweet gum sunshine
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last blaze of glory

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tulip poplar

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confused...pumpkin or apple?

Autumn Serenade

Get the Spookies Out of Your System!

November 1, 2009 by pcadams

Here.  See if this helps.

sunset

sunset2

sunset3

pumpkin alien

moon

moon2

Today has been a day from the…

Twilight Zone

Hope you had a happy Halloween!

Bobby Pickett – Monster Mash

Be well, and at peace,

Phil

The Missing Piece

October 31, 2009 by pcadams

missing piece

Not really looking for…

The Missing Piece – Shel Silverstein

…but thinking that maybe just beacause something appears to have part of it removed, does not mean that it is not whole.

Is it?
Maybe it’s better to just keep rolling sometimes!

Shel Silverstein – You’re Always Welcome at Our House

Be well, and at peace,

Phil

mmm…Pie.

October 30, 2009 by pcadams

Title of this post?  Julia, who was simply repeating a mantra often spoken in their house.

Photo?  A favor for Jay, who is not sure he has ever really seen a proper traditional American pie.

Occasion?  Anthony’s birthday.

All of this coming together for maybe not the absolutely perfect American apple pie, but close enough that anyone would come back for seconds.

Flaky crust?  Check.

Tasty filling? Check.

Beautiful presentation?  Check.

Happy Birthday!

pie

Hot Apple Pie – Hillbillies

Be well, and at peace,

Phil