Fernando Botero

Today we will go to the New Orleans Museum of Art to see the "The Baroque World of Fernando Botero Exhibit."

Fernando Botero (born 1932) is a painter, sculptor, and draftsman who highlights the comedy of human life-moving or wry, baroque in expression, sometimes with a mocking observation, sometimes with a deep, elementary emotion. Working in a broad range of media, Botero has created a world of his own, at once accessible and enigmatic, with a particular blend of violence and beauty. Fernando Botero has spent most of his years as an artist away from his native country, Colombia, but his art has maintained an uninterrupted link to Latin America.

In the afternoon at the museum, a Panamanian dance group will perform traditional dances. As I enjoy the dancers, I'll be thinking of Padre Mickey and the Lovely Mona.


Panama Without Borders Folkloric Dance Group, comprised of Panamanians residing on the Mississippi Gulf Coast, is dedicated to preserving, presenting, and promoting Panamanian culture through traditions, music and dances.

Hasta luego!

A Stunning Senior Moment

Apparently, a self-important college freshman attending a recent football game took it upon himself to explain to a senior citizen sitting next to him why it was impossible for the older generation to understand his generation.

'You grew up in a different world, actually an almost primitive one' the student said, loud enough for many of those nearby to hear. 'The young people of today grew up with television, jet planes, space travel, man walking on the moon. Our space probes have visited Mars. We have nuclear energy, ships and electric and hydrogen cars, cell phones. Computers with light-speed processing... And more.'

After a brief silence the senior citizen responded as follows:

'You're right, son. We didn't have those things when we were young ... so we invented them. Now, you arrogant little twit, what are you doing for the next
generation?'

The applause was amazing.

Don't blame me, blame Susan S.

Cardinal In Cappa Magna

I don't think the train is quite long enough, but chacun à son goût.

Thanks to Lapin, my liturgical vestment consultant.

This Is Delicious!

Please watch the video of the foolishness spouted by our Louisiana gal, Cokie Roberts, on Obama's "vacation" in Hawaii at Crooks and Liars.

And the smackdown by Rep. Abercrombie from Hawaii:

"She's a bit of a fool that's the only thing you can say," said Rep. Neil Abercrombie. " Don't forget Cokie Roberts and the whole Washington crowd live in a kind of an incestuous relationship to one another, they talk to one another, they see one another, they know nothing about ordinary people."

Ouch! Oh, that she'd do our state prouder from her prominent position as an insider Washington, DC, pundit. Watch the video of the smackdown from Abercrombie and Senator Daniel Akaka of Hawaii at KGBM.

Withholding The Good News - The Letters

From the Times, concerning the recently published letters written by the Archbishop of Canterbury some years ago:

As Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Williams recommitted the Anglican Communion to its orthodox position that homosexual practice is incompatible with Scripture at the Lambeth Conference, which closed on Sunday.

However, in an exchange of letters with an evangelical Christian, written eight years ago when he was Archbishop of Wales, he described his belief that biblical passages criticising homosexual sex were not aimed at people who were gay by nature.

He argued that scriptural prohibitions were addressed to heterosexuals looking for sexual variety. He wrote: “I concluded that an active sexual relationship between two people of the same sex might therefore reflect the love of God in a way comparable to marriage, if and only if it had about it the same character of absolute covenanted faithfulness.” Dr Williams described his view as his “definitive conclusion” reached after 20 years of study and prayer. He drew a distinction between his own beliefs as a theologian and his position as a church leader, for which he had to take account of the traditionalist view.

The statement in the letters includes the GOOD NEWS of the archbishop's view that same-sex sexuality in faithful, committed relationships "reflect[s] the love of God in a way comparable to marriage". The archbishop has labeled this view as his "definitive conclusion". How, in the name of Christ, can the Archbishop of Canterbury refrain from shouting this good news from the housetops? Not only gay and lesbian folks, but the entire world needs to hear this message from the leader of the Anglican Communion. He believes this good news, but he will not proclaim it. He repeatedly scolds those churches in the communion which have, to a degree, attempted to act on this good news, because others in the Anglican Communion take offense at the proclamation of this good news.

The Archbishop of Canterbury is a leader. Why does he take the "traditionalist view", which is no longer his own "definitive conclusion", as his guiding light for moving the Anglican Communion forward? Why doesn't he lead? What kind of leadership is this? He has come to a vital and important conclusion about the love of God that could serve to heal, comfort, and console many within and without the church community. Proclaiming this good news could even save lives. Surely, his ministry includes teaching and enlightening the flock, doing his best to lead them to a deeper knowledge and appreciation of the message of love that Jesus proclaimed. Why keep this treasure, this golden nugget of wisdom, buried in the field?

Jesus caused great offense with his message of God's all-embracing love. A good many of his own followers left, walked away. In the end, he was killed because he threatened the order of the day with his teachings, too many of which departed from traditionalist views of his day.

Rest In Peace, Lillian

 

Lillian, the rust-colored hen on the left, passed away yesterday. She belonged to my daughter's family. She lived a good life and produced her share of tasty eggs. Their two older hens have not been laying for the past couple of years, due to aging, but three new hens are coming up. From her appearance and the fact that she laid green eggs, I believe that Lillian was an Araucana chicken. My three grandsons had green eggs and ham whenever they liked.

Psalm 138 - The Inescapable God

O Lord, you have searched me and known me.
You know when I sit down and when I rise up;
you discern my thoughts from far away.
You search out my path and my lying down,
and are acquainted with all my ways.
Even before a word is on my tongue,
O Lord, you know it completely.
You hem me in, behind and before,
and lay your hand upon me.
Such knowledge is too wonderful for me;
it is so high that I cannot attain it.

Where can I go from your spirit?
Or where can I flee from your presence?
If I ascend to heaven, you are there;
if I make my bed in Sheol, you are there.
If I take the wings of the morning
and settle at the farthest limits of the sea,
even there your hand shall lead me,
and your right hand shall hold me fast.
If I say, ‘Surely the darkness shall cover me,
and the light around me become night’,
even the darkness is not dark to you;
the night is as bright as the day,
for darkness is as light to you.

Why I Was Fired....

For the last company picnic, management decided that, due to liability issues, we could have alcohol, but only one (1) drink per person.

I was fired for ordering the cups.

I told another one of my stringers that I wasn't going to post jokes for a while, but some things are irresistible. Doug is irresistible.

What's Happening In Fort Worth?

From Katie Sherrod at Desert's Child via Elizabeth Kaeton at Telling Secrets.

Is Bishop Jack Iker attempting to move the Episcopal Diocese of Fort Worth to the Roman Catholic Church? Four Episcopal priests from the Episcopal Diocese of Fort Worth, named below, made a presentation to Roman Catholic Bishop Kevin W. Vann, of Fort Worth, earlier this year. Below is a summary of the presentation. Katie Sherrod has the full text at her blog.

EIGHT CRUCIAL FINDINGS

1. We believe the See of Peter is essential not optional - Fr. Stainbrook
2. We believe a magisterium is needed desperately - Fr. Crary
3. We believe the Catholic Faith is true - Fr. Stainbrook
4. We believe the Anglican Communion shares the fatal flaws of TEC- Fr. Tobola
5. We believe our polity is in error-Fr. Crary
6. We believe we are not the only ones in our diocese - Canon Hough
7. We believe Pope Benedict XVI understands our plight - Fr. Tobola
8. We believe there is a charism which Anglican ethos has to offer to the Universal Church-Fr. Stainbrook
....

PROPOSAL

We request that the Catholic Diocese of Fort Worth provide the guidance necessary so that we might "make a proposal" that would lead our Diocese into full communion with the See of Peter.

We believe this guidance is necessary for the following reasons:

1. We cannot adequately prepare such a proposal without input from those to whom the proposal is to be made.

2. Such guidance would help us through the complicated aspects of this proposal.

3. With this guidance, the Holy Spirit could affect more quickly the healing of this portion of the broken Body of Christ.

Should you consent, we gladly offer ourselves for this important work and stand ready to work with those you might designate.
-------------------------

A Presentation to
The Most Reverend Keven W. Vann
Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Fort Worth
Given by
Members of the Clergy of
The Episcopal Diocese of Fort Worth

Below is the statement by Bishop Iker on the presentation by the four Episcopal priests to Bishop Vann.

A STATEMENT BY BISHOP IKER
ON ROMAN CATHOLIC DIALOGUES

I am aware of a meeting that four priests of the Episcopal Diocese of Fort Worth have had with Bishop Kevin Vann of the Catholic Diocese of Fort Worth on June 16, 2008. After a year of studying various agreed statements that have come out of ecumenical dialogues between Anglicans and Roman Catholics on the national and international level, these clergy expressed an interest in having a dialogue on the local level and asked my permission to make an appointment to talk with Bishop Vann. The stated goal of these official Anglican/Roman Catholic dialogues (which have been going on for over 40 years) has been full, visible unity between the two communions.

The priests who participated in this meeting with Bishop Vann have my trust and pastoral support. However, in their written and verbal reports, they have spoken only on their own behalf and out of their own concerns and perspective. They have not claimed to act or speak, nor have they been authorized to do so, either on behalf of the Episcopal Diocese of Fort Worth or on my own behalf as their Bishop.

Their discussion with Bishop Vann has no bearing upon matters coming before our Diocesan Convention in November, where a second vote will be taken on constitutional changes concerning our relationship with the General Convention of the Episcopal Church. There is no proposal under consideration, either publicly or privately, for the Episcopal Diocese of Fort Worth to become part of the Roman Catholic Church. Our only plan of action remains as it has been for the past year, as affirmed by our Diocesan Convention in November 2007. The Episcopal Diocese of Fort Worth intends to realign with an orthodox Province as a constituent member of the worldwide Anglican Communion.

By God’s grace, we will continue to work and pray for the unity of the one holy catholic and apostolic church.

The Rt. Rev. Jack Leo Iker
Bishop of Fort Worth
August 12, 2008

What am I missing? The priests have Bp. Iker's "trust and pastoral support", BUT they speak "only on their own behalf and out of their own concerns and perspective." Hmmm. I'm confused. Is this about having a foot in Rome's door to have a place to go, just in case the realignment with "an orthodox Province as a constituent member of the worldwide Anglican Communion" doesn't work out?

If the four priests want to become members of the RCC, then I wish them Godspeed. If Episcopal church members want to affiliate with Rome, then I wish them the very same Godspeed. Bishop Iker, if you desire to be part of the RCC, then go with God.

Beyond that, what is this maneuvering about? I wonder if they know what they themselves are about, or is it that they don't want to say what they are about?

Here is the article in today's issue of the Dallas Morning News. Do I detect a bit of wanting to have their cake and eat it, too?

The document states that the overwhelming majority of Episcopal clergy in the Fort Worth diocese favor pursuing an "active plan" to bring the diocese into full communion with the Catholic Church.

While declining to specify what that might mean, Mr. Crary said it likely would not mean "absorption" by the Catholic Church.

Mr. Crary should think again. Does he truly believe that his group will be in communion with the Roman Catholic Church and not be absorbed by the RCC? In my ever so humble opinion, Fr. Crary is not thinking; he's fantasizing.

Katie Sherrod has a picture of the Brooklyn bridge at the head of her post. I wonder why.

Senior Moments Evening Merriment

OLD FRIENDS:

Two elderly ladies had been friends for many decades. Over the years, they had shared all kinds of activities and adventures. Lately, their activities had been limited to meeting a few times a week to play cards. One day, they were playing cards when one looked at the other and said, 'Now don't get mad at me .. I know we've been friends for a long time, but I just can't think of your name! I've thought and thought, but I can't remember it. Please tell me what your name is.'
Her friend glared at her. For at least three minutes she just stared and glared at her. Finally she said, 'How soon do you need to know?'

_______________________________________________________________________

SENIOR DRIVING

As a senior citizen was driving down the freeway, his car phone rang. Answering, he heard his wife's voice urgently warning him, 'Herman, I just heard on the news that there's a car going the wrong way on Interstate 77. Please be careful!'
'Heck,' said Herman, 'It's not just one car. It's hundreds of them!'

_______________________________________________________________________

DRIVING

Two elderly women were out driving in a large car - both could barely see over the dashboard. As they were cruising along, they came to an intersection. The stoplight was red, but they just went on through. The woman in the passenger seat thought to herself 'I must be losing it. I could have sworn we just went through a red light.' After a few more minutes, they came to another intersection and the light was red again. Again, they went right through. The woman in the passenger seat was almost sure that the light had been red but was really concerned that she was losing it. She was getting nervous. At the next intersection, sure enough, the light was red and they went on through. So, she turned to the other woman and said, 'Mildred, did you know that we just ran through three red lights in a row? You could have killed us both!'
Mildred turned to her and said, 'Oh, crap, am I driving ?'

From that flippant youngster named Doug.