RICK PERRY IN NEW ORLEANS (LOUISIANA)

Rick Perry: “Now there are many other states that embrace those conservative values, the approach that we’ve taken over the years. I’m in one today – in Florida.  Look at South Carolina; you look at Florida.”

From the audience: “We’re in Louisiana!”

Rick Perry: "I know; I said that.  I'm in one of those states that reflect those today - in Louisiana.  Yes, I got that."

Run, Rick, run.  Oooh, I hope Perry runs. He will not be the candidate unless the death wish in the GOP is far stronger than even I can imagine, but it will be such fun if Perry runs. The video is priceless. Graceful recovery - NOT.

H/T to Daily Kos and a Facebook friend.

JESUS ON TOAST

As they say on Facebook: Like.

Thanks to Penelopepiscopal.

ALICE WALKER READS SOJOURNER TRUTH - "AIN'T I A WOMAN?"

Sojourner Truth (1797-1883): Ain't I A Woman?
Delivered 1851
Women's Convention, Akron, Ohio

Well, children, where there is so much racket there must be something out of kilter. I think that 'twixt the negroes of the South and the women at the North, all talking about rights, the white men will be in a fix pretty soon. But what's all this here talking about?

That man over there says that women need to be helped into carriages, and lifted over ditches, and to have the best place everywhere. Nobody ever helps me into carriages, or over mud-puddles, or gives me any best place! And ain't I a woman? Look at me! Look at my arm! I have ploughed and planted, and gathered into barns, and no man could head me! And ain't I a woman? I could work as much and eat as much as a man - when I could get it - and bear the lash as well! And ain't I a woman? I have borne thirteen children, and seen most all sold off to slavery, and when I cried out with my mother's grief, none but Jesus heard me! And ain't I a woman?

Then they talk about this thing in the head; what's this they call it? [member of audience whispers, "intellect"] That's it, honey. What's that got to do with women's rights or negroes' rights? If my cup won't hold but a pint, and yours holds a quart, wouldn't you be mean not to let me have my little half measure full?

Then that little man in black there, he says women can't have as much rights as men, 'cause Christ wasn't a woman! Where did your Christ come from? Where did your Christ come from? From God and a woman! Man had nothing to do with Him.

If the first woman God ever made was strong enough to turn the world upside down all alone, these women together ought to be able to turn it back , and get it right side up again! And now they is asking to do it, the men better let them.

Obliged to you for hearing me, and now old Sojourner ain't got nothing more to say.

 Stolen shamelessly and with gratitude from my dear friend margaret who blogs at "leave it lay where Jesus flang it".

Collect of the Day: Elizabeth Cady Stanton, Amelia Bloomer, Sojourner Truth and Harriet Ross Tubman, Liberators and Prophets, 1902, 1894, 1883, 1913

O God, whose Spirit guides us into all truth and makes us free: Strengthen and sustain us as you did your servants Elizabeth, Amelia, Sojourner, and Harriet. Give us vision and courage to stand against oppression and injustice and all that works against the glorious liberty to which you call all your children; through Jesus Christ our Savior, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

IT GETS BETTER - DAN PARENT, ARTIST AND WRITER FOR ARCHIE COMICS

Working at Archie Comics is the fulfillment of a dream for me. I grew up loving the Riverdale High characters, and followed my love of drawing to art school. For over 25 years I’ve been able to write and draw many of the characters in the Archie Comics world. 

As a comic book artist and writer, I often use real life experiences in my work. Recently, I thought about the many conversations I’ve had with my kids and their friends about school, friends, sexual orientation, gender identity, and gender expression. In doing so I realized that something was missing in the Archie world. There were no LGBT characters.
....

Kevin is a new student at Riverdale leading life as an out, proud high school student. Despite the fact that Kevin comes from a supportive family, growing up is not easy.

We saw a huge response when we introduced Kevin to our Archie readers. Issues featuring Kevin are the first ones to sell out in Archie’s 70-year history and Kevin’s characters received many accolades, including a GLAAD Media Award.

I loved the Archie Comics as I grew up and into my teen years and after.  Though I have not kept up  with Archie lately, I have fond memories of all the characters.   How lovely that Kevin Keller's introduction as a member of Archie's crowd went smoothly and well.

THANK YOU, WHOEVER RECOMMENDED "THE BEST OF YOUTH"

"The Best of Youth" was originally conceived as a four-part Italian miniseries.  When the series was shown at Cannes, it won an Un Certain Regard award.  How French.

The format on Netflix consisted of two three-hour videos, which I enjoyed very much.  The first episode was a bit slow, but, after about half an hour, I was caught up in the story and fond of the characters.  I must have ordered the videos upon the recommendation of someone or other, because I can't think how I would have chosen the set all on my own.  Whoever it was, I thank you, for I spent a pleasurable six hours with the Caratis family. Though I loved all the characters, I especially loved la Mamma, Adriana.

HAPPY CANADA DAY! - BONNE FÊTE CANADA!

May God bless all my dear Canadian friends. Have a lovely day!

THE CIVIL WARS - "BILLIE JEAN"

Joy Williams and John Paul White sing Michael Jackson's "Billie Jean."

LARYNGOSPASMS - "ANOTHER CASE YOU WANT TO DO"

Out(sic) latest video will resonate with anyone who has ever worked in an operating room. It's well into the night, you've already done a boatload of cases and you just want to get done and go home. And then the surgeon tells you he's found another one...

Doctor, doctor, say it's not true
You've gotta, 'nother case you wanna do
Already worked halfway through the night
You've gotta, 'nother case you wanna do

Never have I worked in an operating room, but I have been a patient in the operating room. For more reasons than one, I guess it's a good thing we patients are mostly knocked out during the procedures. :-)

CAROLINA CHOCOLATE DROPS - "I AM A COUNTRY GIRL"

Ive become quite fond of the music of the Carolina Chocolate Drops since I bought their album "Leaving Eden". In the video, I especially like the recovery from the false start, which I'm pleased was not edited out.

GILDA RADNER AS FRED ASTAIRE

What a treasure we lost with Gilda's untimely death.

JOYFUL REUNION IN THE MIDST OF THE DEVASTATION

THE LONE BELLOW - "TEACH ME TO KNOW"

Intense. Nice harmony

LITTLE RICHARD - "TUTTI FRUTTI"

Friday night with Little Richard.

LITTLE RICHARD - "LONG TALL SALLY"

Friday night with Little Richard.

DEMOCRACY IS COMING TO THE USA - LEONARD COHEN

I wish. I hope.

PEZ DISPENSER EUCHARIST

Purity Features 

Germ Free Distribution 

Re-loadable Tubes - 125 Hosts 

Silver & Gold Finishes 

East (sic) To Use Feather Light Design

Also incredible.

NASA: THREE YEARS OF SUN IN THREE MINUTES

In the three years since it first provided images of the sun in the spring of 2010, NASA's Solar Dynamics Observatory (SDO) has had virtually unbroken coverage of the sun's rise toward solar maximum, the peak of solar activity in its regular 11-year cycle. This video shows those three years of the sun at a pace of two images per day.

Amazing and beautiful.  The musical accompaniment is "A Lady's Errand of Love" by Martin Lass.

Thanks to Paul (A.).

NEW ZEALAND PARLIAMENT PASSES GAY MARRIAGE BILL

Watch the video and listen to the love song.

H/T to Kelvin Holdsworth.

TALKING TO FACEBOOK

Facebook asks, What's on your mind?"

What's on my mind? I've been reflecting on my Lent that was pretty much non-Lent, followed by a good Holy Week, which I've not yet got together in my head enough to write about.  For Lent, I did not give up anything, nor did I do anything positive that was any different from my daily life. Daily life seems to keep me pretty much occupied and out of trouble - most of the time.  During Holy Week, I attended services on Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, and Easter Sunday, and it was all good.  We had a nice, quiet Easter Day, which was good, too.

And then there's the ongoing puzzle of prayers I say and hymns I sing, even as I don't really believe all that I pray and sing. What's even odder is that some of my favorite hymns include theology to which I do not subscribe.

That's what is on my mind, Facebook, as though you cared.

THE MORNING OF THE ROLLING STONE

Delightful.

Thanks to Fr Kirstin via Kelvin Holdsworth.