Colors

Colors
Originally uploaded by gr8what.

If I don't tell you what this is, could you guess?

Balanced rocks

Balanced rocks
Originally uploaded by gr8what.

Occasionally, driving on West Cliff Drive, I'll see a group of rocks balanced precariously on the rip rap. I have no idea who balances them, or when, but I always love to see them. Public art? A gift to the community? A private meditation?

Who knows?

What's wrong with this picture?

Unchanging Word?
Originally uploaded by gr8what.

This is a perfect example of what is wrong with most institutionalized religion these days. God's unchanging word, huh? Why do people today choose to believe in a god that was defined by people who thought the world was flat? Rather than glorifying a god who expands to encompass our own expanding understanding of the grand universe, they have kept him locked inside a knowledge base established 2000 years ago.

They don't treat their medical needs by following the medical practices of 2000 years ago. Why do they treat their spiritual needs by following the spiritual practices of 2000 years ago?

If god's word doesn't change, how can he speak to me in my ever changing world?

UCC

On July 3, 2005, the leaders of the United Church of Christ voted 80% in favor of supporting marriage equality. On July 7, 2005, four bombs went off in London, killing 52 people at last count. On July 9, a fire was started and anti-gay grafitti was found in a Middlebrook, Virginia UCC church.

The two events are not equal in impact or in horror. The fire at the church was quickly extinguished, and no one was killed. But nonetheless, the motives were the same. To terrorize innocent people into not standing up for what they believe in. My heart goes out to the members of the Middlebrook church. I don't know if their church was actively involved in marriage equality, or even how their representatives voted on the issue. But they are suffering on my behalf, and I appreciate it.

A Londoner set up a website called http://www.werenotafraid.com/ as a way to show the world that terrorist would not change the way people lead their lives. It is a very moving site.

I stand with the Londoners and with church in Middlebrook.

We're not afraid.

London

london sign, by wildfalcon
Originally uploaded by Salmonmedia.

As people say, we are all Londoners today. There is something so foundational to me about London. When I stood before the tomb of the first Queen Elizabeth, I don't know why I burst into tears, except that it felt like the beginning place of so much that we love and hold dear.

Two friends from England were visiting us a few years ago, not long after 911, and as we were talking about New York, I just started crying. They were very supportive and sweet; and now I think about them being in the same emotional place.

I found this picture on Flickr, and I think it is so evocative of the Brits. Polite and generous, yet sturdy and brave. The thing that makes my heart swell is the resilience of the Londoners. They are indeed a "plucky lot," and I am proud to count them as part of my ancestral heritage.

There are more photos on Flickr of the bombings in London if you are interested in seeing pictures taken by non-news folks who happened to be there. Just click on "london sign, by wildfalcon," and poke around a little.

Laughing on the 4th

The Laughing Audience
Originally uploaded by gr8what.

We resurrected our Fourth of July party, and we had a blast. It's a great party because we have such wonderful, fun friends, and because they bring such good food, and because they are so talented, and because they are so appreciative of people willing to take a chance of performing in front of the group.

My favorite was Julian, who is just four, and who wanted to jump. And jump he did to thunderous applause.

It was a great day to be with friends.