''About 92 percent of the people who take the citizenship test pass on their first try, according to immigration service data. However, Oklahoma students did not fare as well. Only about 3 percent of the students surveyed would have passed the citizenship test. Oklahoma was not the only state.
"Jefferson said that a nation can't expect to be ignorant and free." It points to a real serious problem. We're not going to remain ignorant and free.
The other night on T.V., Frank Schaeffer author of CRAZY FOR GOD was on and he said that the religious right were like the 'village idiot'. I was shocked, as he went on to say that the creationists have been brainwashed by their mother's to hate people of other religions and they are very poorly educated. They have no art, no science, no sense of American history and no study of great literature. These people, Schaeffer continued, have no reasoning ability. Forget about them in your discussion about this country, they have to be left behind.
I was very surprised to hear a former Evangelist talk so bluntly about a movement that he was involved in. Treat them like village idiots, Schaeffer said. The words were ringing in my ears.
Think for a moment about science. How is it that these people are not conscious of the anthropology, geology, biology, archeology, chemistry? These are tools to understand our living space and our bodies.
Art is an expression of our intellect and our spirit. The early signs of humans are marked by cave drawings, art objects in China, Africa and North America. The link of humanity, history of our specie is there for us to learn from. Carbon dating is proof used to date these items.
To believe that the earth is only 10,000 years old is to ignore all science.
At less on this front the Amish are honest, they don't cherry pick. They don't use the combustible engine, the modern medicine or high tech toys. All of which are the fruits of science.
These people shouting about wanting their country back are the parents to the 3% of students that can not pass a simple history quiz. Only 10% could name the first president.
There is a new name for the group.
Friday, September 18, 2009
Thursday, September 17, 2009
Hazel and Henry
Since I lost Natalia as my cleaning lady months ago I have relied on Hazel and Henry. I know them, their price is right and they are available.
Today they showed up about two o'clock. Henry started in one of the bathrooms and was to follow though with that bedroom. Hazel started at the side door and into the kitchen, dining room and living room.
Henry always has lots of questions. How do I get under this bed, this is very dusty? What is best to use? I can't reach it with that? Henry tends to use the Windex on the window sill instead of the furniture polish and the foot of all furniture is too low to shine. He forgets that the bathroom wastebasket needs to be emptied as part of the plan. His effort is beyond his ability is the easiest way to explain it.
In the meantime, Hazel has put on her energizing music of guitar and 70's to set the pace for the moment. Her knowledge and standard is high but I sense her energy may not be up to speed. Oh, she starts out strong and moves, throws all those rugs out to the patio for a good shaking and she is sweeping, mopping and dusting at good rate but the sweat is showing. The CD is new, the energy is new. The dust rag is moving across the top shelve of the bookcase, the bottom of the foot stools. Piles magazines and things has been moved out of sight, a future decision.
Henry need a new job. Hazel suggests doing the panes on the French Doors to the study. Well, the right size sitting stool for the project was brought in and the spray bottle, the paper towels and the right procedure is all explained before this task is to beginning.
Daisy during all of this activity is careful to move out of the way of Hazel and Henry. She knows that most of that dog hair is hers and she is conscious of the fact that she creates an amazing amount of the dust pile.
Fortunately, Hazel and Henry can call their own quitting time and at five they served themselves a glass of wine and put up their feet.
Today they showed up about two o'clock. Henry started in one of the bathrooms and was to follow though with that bedroom. Hazel started at the side door and into the kitchen, dining room and living room.
Henry always has lots of questions. How do I get under this bed, this is very dusty? What is best to use? I can't reach it with that? Henry tends to use the Windex on the window sill instead of the furniture polish and the foot of all furniture is too low to shine. He forgets that the bathroom wastebasket needs to be emptied as part of the plan. His effort is beyond his ability is the easiest way to explain it.
In the meantime, Hazel has put on her energizing music of guitar and 70's to set the pace for the moment. Her knowledge and standard is high but I sense her energy may not be up to speed. Oh, she starts out strong and moves, throws all those rugs out to the patio for a good shaking and she is sweeping, mopping and dusting at good rate but the sweat is showing. The CD is new, the energy is new. The dust rag is moving across the top shelve of the bookcase, the bottom of the foot stools. Piles magazines and things has been moved out of sight, a future decision.
Henry need a new job. Hazel suggests doing the panes on the French Doors to the study. Well, the right size sitting stool for the project was brought in and the spray bottle, the paper towels and the right procedure is all explained before this task is to beginning.
Daisy during all of this activity is careful to move out of the way of Hazel and Henry. She knows that most of that dog hair is hers and she is conscious of the fact that she creates an amazing amount of the dust pile.
Fortunately, Hazel and Henry can call their own quitting time and at five they served themselves a glass of wine and put up their feet.
Wednesday, September 16, 2009
The Bible and the Bedouins
THE SISTERS OF SINAI interested me as a book because of two things I encountered years ago.
John Singer Sargent paintings the Bedouins, the nomads that live on the edge of the desert. Those pictures are exotic and wonderful to me.
The other reason I picked up this book is that some 35 years ago I purchased a page of the Koran that dates back to the 14th century. The thought of holding something that old with all the humanity that has seen it and all the mystery of the person that transcribed it and the people that treasured it for six centuries, I like to pander all those thoughts.
THE SISTERS OF SINAI is an adventure tale of two Scottish women, Agnes and Margaret Smith, that were biblical treasure hunters. But at the core of the story are the new discoveries that they made concerning the bible. Spirited, gifted with languages skills unparalleled and fortified by the belief that their death date was already set and there was nothing to fear, they traveled and continued their search.
It is written like a novel. Many insights into the writing of the old and new testament, all religious documents for that nature. The shifting importance of political power after the of the opening of the Suez Canal and the historical importance of St. Catherine's monastery at Mount Sinai are detailed in this book. Their ability to grow intellectually though out their life as new materials coming to them is remarkable in a time when degrees were not granted to women from universities.
On all the crossing of the desert to St. Catherine's the Bedouins were the guides and the camel drivers. The relationship between the Bedouins and the monks over centuries is explored in the book and I saw Sargent's paintings as I read these pages of the book.
Since I have know so little about this part of the world and have only briefly travel there, I totally found this book gripping.
John Singer Sargent paintings the Bedouins, the nomads that live on the edge of the desert. Those pictures are exotic and wonderful to me.
The other reason I picked up this book is that some 35 years ago I purchased a page of the Koran that dates back to the 14th century. The thought of holding something that old with all the humanity that has seen it and all the mystery of the person that transcribed it and the people that treasured it for six centuries, I like to pander all those thoughts.
THE SISTERS OF SINAI is an adventure tale of two Scottish women, Agnes and Margaret Smith, that were biblical treasure hunters. But at the core of the story are the new discoveries that they made concerning the bible. Spirited, gifted with languages skills unparalleled and fortified by the belief that their death date was already set and there was nothing to fear, they traveled and continued their search.
It is written like a novel. Many insights into the writing of the old and new testament, all religious documents for that nature. The shifting importance of political power after the of the opening of the Suez Canal and the historical importance of St. Catherine's monastery at Mount Sinai are detailed in this book. Their ability to grow intellectually though out their life as new materials coming to them is remarkable in a time when degrees were not granted to women from universities.
On all the crossing of the desert to St. Catherine's the Bedouins were the guides and the camel drivers. The relationship between the Bedouins and the monks over centuries is explored in the book and I saw Sargent's paintings as I read these pages of the book.
Since I have know so little about this part of the world and have only briefly travel there, I totally found this book gripping.
Sunday, September 13, 2009
being ageless
I drove a little over 400 miles yesterday to meet her.
Maxine has a young sounding voice, white soft curling hair, clear eyes and a somewhat stooped body. The conversation floats quickly, the questions answered with gentleness and patience, always as if it was the first time she heard it asked of her.
She offered to send me the 16 plants but I wanted to see her and how she grows them. I wanted to experience how a woman lives agelessly.
Maxine's country property has been home for over forty years and it has become probably, the location of her last great passion of plant propagation. After a life of traveling the world for plants, teaching at the university level and raising a family she is devoting her curiosity to finding the best variety of the Haskap berry to grow in the United States.
The Ainu, the indigenous people of Hokkaido, a northern island of Japan has always valued the berry for medicinal use. Dr. Maxine Thompson accidentally tasted one on a trip and that was the beginning of the long journey to carrying back seeds and the beginning of a new life project.
After walking her property and seeing how her test plots are laid out we sat at the kitchen table drinking haskap juice. She told me how researchers analysis plants and what records they keep. How long it would take to decide which plants get pulled out and which plants would make her proud. She smiled and told me a number that she thinks is a good one. She gave me one of those.
My 16 plants are numbers. After reading, THE PERFECT FRUIT, I know the history of Burbank and other plant propagators. I know that plants are only numbers until they produce something amazing. I know, that some how, these people have the ability to shake off disappointment quickly and let curiosity overcome them, anew.
Maybe it is that curiosity that makes Maxine ageless.
Maxine has a young sounding voice, white soft curling hair, clear eyes and a somewhat stooped body. The conversation floats quickly, the questions answered with gentleness and patience, always as if it was the first time she heard it asked of her.
She offered to send me the 16 plants but I wanted to see her and how she grows them. I wanted to experience how a woman lives agelessly.
Maxine's country property has been home for over forty years and it has become probably, the location of her last great passion of plant propagation. After a life of traveling the world for plants, teaching at the university level and raising a family she is devoting her curiosity to finding the best variety of the Haskap berry to grow in the United States.
The Ainu, the indigenous people of Hokkaido, a northern island of Japan has always valued the berry for medicinal use. Dr. Maxine Thompson accidentally tasted one on a trip and that was the beginning of the long journey to carrying back seeds and the beginning of a new life project.
After walking her property and seeing how her test plots are laid out we sat at the kitchen table drinking haskap juice. She told me how researchers analysis plants and what records they keep. How long it would take to decide which plants get pulled out and which plants would make her proud. She smiled and told me a number that she thinks is a good one. She gave me one of those.
My 16 plants are numbers. After reading, THE PERFECT FRUIT, I know the history of Burbank and other plant propagators. I know that plants are only numbers until they produce something amazing. I know, that some how, these people have the ability to shake off disappointment quickly and let curiosity overcome them, anew.
Maybe it is that curiosity that makes Maxine ageless.
Monday, September 7, 2009
homes and life style
During a gathering of retired people yesterday the subject of second homes in sunny locations was the topic. The discussion continue to point out the advantages of having the over 55 old limit, the pluses and minuses of fees, varieties of activities and the cost, travel and length of time involved. A couple were sharing their winter plans with all of us.
I sat there amazed that I was not interested in any of it. I have had a second home starting in my mid thirties and realize that 'it was the best of times' but want nothing of it at my age or at this time in life. Imagining sitting around my own age and listening to people talk about their last doctor appointment is educational to me, because I know little about illnesses, but in the end it is depressing. Also older people are rarely challenging with new ideas.
It came to me last week, that for years, I saved a house plan that had a walled in center court. That European design of closed in garden area with privacy appealed to me from the first time I saw it while traveling.
Enjoying my gardening last week I realized I have built my plan and did not even realize it. I have the six foot fence, the gardens, the patios, the orchard and the retreat of privacy I have always wanted. All of nature and life have movement and change and of course it is true in my yard. I am always planning how it would be better for me to move plants and create new areas for different things to grow. Now the chickens add a touch of country life to the whole space.
It was beneficial to listen to that discussion yesterday. I know myself better and I realize my blessings. I have no idea if this is my last residence but thanks to my angels and ancestors I will appreciate it more now that they reminded me of my faded house plan of years ago.
I sat there amazed that I was not interested in any of it. I have had a second home starting in my mid thirties and realize that 'it was the best of times' but want nothing of it at my age or at this time in life. Imagining sitting around my own age and listening to people talk about their last doctor appointment is educational to me, because I know little about illnesses, but in the end it is depressing. Also older people are rarely challenging with new ideas.
It came to me last week, that for years, I saved a house plan that had a walled in center court. That European design of closed in garden area with privacy appealed to me from the first time I saw it while traveling.
Enjoying my gardening last week I realized I have built my plan and did not even realize it. I have the six foot fence, the gardens, the patios, the orchard and the retreat of privacy I have always wanted. All of nature and life have movement and change and of course it is true in my yard. I am always planning how it would be better for me to move plants and create new areas for different things to grow. Now the chickens add a touch of country life to the whole space.
It was beneficial to listen to that discussion yesterday. I know myself better and I realize my blessings. I have no idea if this is my last residence but thanks to my angels and ancestors I will appreciate it more now that they reminded me of my faded house plan of years ago.
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