Moment of Zen: Pietro Boselli

Good Friday

Today is Good Friday. Nearly 2000 years ago, Jesus was crucified. It was the darkest day for his followers. They did not understand that on the third day he would rise again and bring hope to the world. I wish people could actually see and understand the loving nature of Christ. He wanted us to live in a world without prejudices or greed, a world with hope and inspiration. I honestly think that Christ weeps at the site of the world today. I believe that Jesus is saddened by the state of what many call Christianity today. Today, it is a religion of prejudice, hatred, and greed, when it should be a religion of hope, faith, inspiration, and charity.

Remember that Good Friday is a day to contemplate the suffering that Jesus endured for our salvation.  John 3:16 says, "For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal life."

The Last Snow?

Last night, it was supposed to snow. We are getting close to the end of the snow season. I’ve been told we can get snow as late as May, but I think it’s winding down for the year. So one more night of snow, or at the very least ice, which is much more tricky. The news says that it will be a slick commute this morning. Luckily, I’m going in at 9 am, so maybe it won’t be as bad. I’m staying today until at least 5 pm to do some extra work on a special project. Hopefully, things will go smoothly with our special project.

UPDATE: If there was any ice or snow last night, I missed it. Everything was dry (relatively for mud season) and it was above freezing.

Homosexuality

Homosexuality

Henri Cole, 1956

 First I saw the round bill, like a bud;

then the sooty crested head, with avernal eyes

flickering, distressed, then the peculiar

long neck wrapping and unwrapping itself,

like pity or love, when I removed the stovepipe

cover of the bedroom chimney to free

what was there and a duck crashed into the room

(I am here in this fallen state), hitting her face,

bending her throat back (my love, my inborn

turbid wanting, at large all night), backing away,

gnawing at her own wing linings (the poison of my life,

the beast, the wolf), leaping out the window,

which I held open (now clear, sane, serene),

before climbing back naked into bed with you.

Dolly on God

I love Dolly Parton. She’s so talented, funny, and sweet. She’s all around a good person, never wanting to offend anyone. AL.com recently interviewed Dolly and asked her about her faith. She summed up my beliefs about Christianity in one brief paragraph. Here is what she said:

I just believe that there's a God. I believe that God helps me, leads me. I talk to Him everyday. I'd prefer to believe in God if there wasn't one, I'd still believe in God, because I believe we need to believe in something bigger and better than ourselves. It gives us hope. It gives us strength. I know it does me. My faith is very important. I do believe that through God all things are possible. I do believe that Jesus loves me. And I just use that. I'm never ashamed of my family. I'm never ashamed of my religion. I'm not trying to cram it down anyone else's throat. I just think that everybody's got to have something to believe in.

Speaking of country music, my all time favorite will always be Holly Dunn. Holly was born into a Church of Christ family and remained in the church her whole life. A few years ago, she was diagnosed with an aggressive form of ovarian cancer. During her fight with cancer, she said:

My faith is my rock. But I also draw tremendous strength from my family and my family of friends who have gathered around me in total support. Being a Christian, I know that no matter how this chapter ends, I will be OK. Either upright walking on this earth or safe in my Savior's arms.

Sadly, she lost her battle with cancer and is in the arms of her Savior.

Both women dealt with LGBT issues very differently. Holly quietly kept her sexuality to herself. It was only confirmed after her death that she was survived by her wife. Holly could have done great things in country music if she’d come out, but country music wasn’t ready for t at the time, so she left country music and instead devoted herself to a different art form, painting. Dolly, on the other hand, has always been outspoken about the love she has for her gay fans. Dolly is nothing if not outspoken about all things. I don’t think it matters whether you are out and proud, if you proudly love the out and proud, or if you prefer your privacy, both women kept their faith, and that is a beautiful thing.

Moment of Zen: Breakfast

Especially when it comes with a kiss.

Headache

Yesterday, I had another one of my headaches. It lasted all day long and into the night. I just hope I wake up this morning without it.

UPDATE: I’m feeling better today. The headache is still there but not as bad as yesterday.

Deception and Instinct

ABC premiered a new show a week and a half ago: Deception. It’s about an illusionist Cameron Black (above) who gets into solving crimes. I love the illusions and the guy who plays Cameron is quite good looking. Here is a good synopsis of the show:

Superstar Las Vegas magician Cameron Black's career may have been ruined by scandal, but he's found another place to put his skills of deception, influence and illusion to use: the Federal Bureau of Investigation. As a consulting illusionist, Cameron uses every trick at his disposal -- inventing new ones as necessary -- to help the government catch the world's most elusive criminals and solve crimes that seem to defy all explanation. In doing so, he while feeds his ego by staging the biggest illusions of his career.

Deception airs Sunday nights on ABC at 10 pm Eastern.

Talking about new shows, there is another new show on Sunday nights at 8 pm Eastern on CBS called Instinct. This show stars out actor Alan Cumming who plays the first leading gay man in a network drama.  Here is a synopsis of Instinct:

Dr. Dylan Reinhart is a former CIA operative who's created a quieter life for himself as a professor and author of a best-selling book on abnormal behavior. When tenacious and resourceful NYPD detective Lizzie Needham approaches him to help her solve a serial killer case, he taps into his old skill set and reaches out to a CIA friend who has access to invaluable top-secret intelligence. As Dylan gets lured back into the adrenaline filled world of law enforcement, he and Lizzie realize that, together, they make the perfect team.

Both shows are well worth checking out. They are currently my favorite shows.

Vernal Equinox

Vernal Equinox
Amy Lowell, 1874 - 1925

The scent of hyacinths, like a pale mist, lies

between me and my book;
And the South Wind, washing through the room,
Makes the candles quiver.
My nerves sting at a spatter of rain on the shutter,
And I am uneasy with the thrusting of green shoots
Outside, in the night.

Why are you not here to overpower me with your

tense and urgent love?

Happy Vernal Equinox! (March 20th 12:15pm)

Cars!

Yesterday, I got in my car to go buy groceries, tried to start my car, and all I got was a clicking noise. I don’t know much about cars, so I called my dad. He said it was likely the battery. Luckily, my neighbor had jumper cables. This I know how to do. So I hooked the jumper cables up, she started her car, and then I tried to start mine. More clicking noises ensued. I also tried my little jump starter, but that didn’t work either. I finally broke down and called a coworker, who I know works on cars and asked for help. He agreed that it sounded like the battery, so he came over and we took the battery out. He took me to the only parts place open on a Sunday in this area, and I bought a new battery, the last and only one the parts place had that would fit my car. So we went back and put in the battery, I said a little prayer, and my car started up. Once it started I needed to drive it a little bit so, I went and did my grocery shopping.

By the way, I just paid off my car this month. Something was bound to happen.

P.S. Neither the neighbor or coworker comes close to resembling the guy above.