tao1776

I climbed the hill managing to avoid the hidden patches of ice. I listened to the wind call out my name and the names of anyone with the ability to listen. The black winged sentries repeatedly cawed at my approach until I finally got the joke and laughed right along with them. The straight and high pines that stab with green at the sky appear happy but much of their happiness is overshadowed by the loneliness that comes in missing old friends. The strong Elms are now but a memory. Wizened Oak grew old and died, never to re root or be replanted. Neighboring Apple trees were neglected and were cut down for romantic and aromatic fires. The stone walls told stories of those men that pulled them from the ground and lined them up endlessly through hill and wood. They have seen them all come and go. At the far end of the road you will find the old cemetery dating back to the American revolution and before. The most well preserved stone is thus so because it is facing opposite its neighbors; ...

Everyone likes to hear a few words from the audience. Like any other side show, I have experienced the coming and going of many bloggers. I have seen many frequent commentators that are now a distant memory. There was a time when I had a great give and take with some bloggers from PA and GA and a few x-military types. Then the war was thrown in our laps. Then there were the Taoists with a few Buddhists thrown in for good measure. When you talk of the stink of religion existing even within the halls of monasteries, you sound more like a curmudgeon than someone who warns you to not step in shit. But these relationships come and go. It's said that in order to have a blog that generates interest with a high hit count, it is important to stick to a topic that everyone can relate to. It is also recommended that you tag your posts so that search engines can pick you out of the crowd. I don't. I believe that in This Being Human..... I reflect the multi faceted and fractured construct...

I am a pretty good cook. My father, who retired from his job at the State Hospital as the dietitian, often held a second job as a chef. Mind you, the chef of those days specialized in Baked Stuffed Lobster and Shrimp. He had spectacular corn fritters. He pushed through whatever the menu called for. He worked for restaurants such as, "The Oasis, The Four Winds, The Chetwood." I really don't know how he did it. My oldest son also likes to cook. There's something about the process of creating and the result of someone being delighted by your accomplishment. This is my Lamb Stew. Everyone went, "ewwwww" at the idea of it. Everyone went "Mmmmmm" at the eating of it and had several bowls.

I was going to post about the Easter holiday and how it pertains to the Christans and Easter's relationship to the Tribes of Judah, and how it also fits into the religious traditions of various cultures around the world. Then I thought....well, the only thing that really matters to me is, that you all have a great day. Be it your religious holiday, a day off, or day where you get together with family..... I just want to say, "Happy Easter" regardless of how you or I may view it. "Happy Easter"

The traditional pathway that we once counted on, March - In like a Lion, out like a Lamb. April showers bring May flowers, etc... has not been followed by Mother Nature for more than a decade. Sure, you would always have those extended periods of cold weather or showers that extended into the month of June. But the axiom was nevertheless a given. This Winter in New England did appear more traditional with snow early and many substantial storms. More like those that I experienced as a small boy growing up in a small New England town. So, it is with great hope that we will have a long missed traditional Spring. You know the kind. After a hard winter, you are blessed with the gift of bright sunshine, mud, melting snow and birds of all kinds singing in unison. As I walked this afternoon, the melting snow that formed little streams upon the side of the road brought back memories of my childhood. We lived on the top of a small hill. The melting snows would accumulate and roll towards the bot...

A married Irishman went into the confessional and said to his priest 'I almost had an affair with another woman.' The priest said, 'What do you mean, almost?' The Irishman said, 'Well, we got undressed and rubbed together, but then I stopped.' The priest said, 'Rubbing together is the same as putting it in. You're not to see that woman again. For your penance, say five Hail Mary's and put $50 in the poor box . The Irishman left the confessional, said his prayers, and then walked over to the poor box. He paused for a moment and then started to leave. The priest, who was watching, quickly ran over to him saying, 'I saw that. You didn't put any money in the poor box! The Irishman replied, 'Yeah , but I rubbed the $50 on the box, and according to you, that's the same as putting it in!'

Talking bout politics...Again! First of all, I don't know how anyone with any level of intelligence can justify our involvement in Iraq. Just because McCain wants to "stay the course" and because he is a Vietnam POW doesn't make it the right path. Do your homework. There have been many well educated and/or military personnel that have spoken up against our involvement from the start. But in true patriotic fashion, they have been black balled and silenced. Regardless, in true Taoist fashion, I believe that change starts with you and me. It starts within the community. Think globally: Act locally. We really need to begin at home. Democracy abroad is a failure when things are so bad at home. We spoke about Social Security and a few other domestic issues. Remember? Well, on a more local basis, I would enact a few other ideas. Public Schools: You and I. WE pay for public education. For the public good. You see the state that it is in. I would propose (read force) the follo...

Your warm, loving, romantic nature is being noticed whether you realize it or not, dear Leo. Perhaps you feel sometimes that there is not enough excitement in your life - especially your love life. Don't think that this means you need to change yourself in order to be more pleasing to others. The truth is that your stability and your quiet, loving nature are extremely nurturing and comforting to those who understand and appreciate such qualities. The last thing you want to do today is put up a facade of being someone you are not. - horoscope for today I've been such a baby lately. Last night, I could have easily cried. I hate that about myself. I don't like it when relationships fall apart. I don't like to see anyone suffer. I don't like conflict. But.....I won't let some one's boot be placed upon my neck. I won't tolerate outright bad behavior. I will, however painfully, be true to myself and do what I believe is right. But, as in all things, there mus...