Brief Moments

     Remember growing up and hearing "Sticks and stones may break my bones but names can never hurt me?"  It's a lie. No time today to look up the research on that, but even in our hearts and souls we know the truth. Which is why in particular I'm  astounded that so many supposed leaders are willing to say things about their opponents, let alone some TV news channels and talk radio hosts who just completely make up stories and say the most offensive lies possible to meet their personal agendas.  What's worse is folks who believe falsehoods as fact off :10 sound bytes.     Knowing directly how much impact words have I'd rather find a way to collaborate and plant seeds of hope that build a better future than destroy or cause damage.  I'm not naive: hypocrits, greed, and self-interest are pervasive and dominant in American society but doesn't have to be and isn't everywhere.  ...

     If we read a biography of Friedrich Nietzsche we find a difficult life where inspiration came from spending time in nature.  As Nietzsche wrote in The Wanderer and His Shadow : In many places in nature we discover ourselves again... How fortunate the one who can have the experience right here , in this constantly sunlit October air, in this happy and mischievous play of the breezes from morning till night, in this purest daylight and temperate coolness, in the totally graceful and genuine character of the hills, lakes, and forests of this high plateau... how fortunate the one who can say: There is surely much that is grander and more beautiful in nature, but this is intimately familiar to me, related by blood, and even more.       We were incredibly blessed to live for five years in a home with a three tiered landscaped garden that we helped restore.   The peace of the space, resting with the lively discussions of t...