THE TREACHERY OF IMAGES

René Magritte

Image from Wikipedia.

NO WORDS

Until I see the possibility of the enactment of sensible laws to regulate ownership of guns in the United States, I have no words. I am silenced by the insanity of acceptance of a culture of frequent mass shootings with no will to change.

"A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed."

Surely, when the framers of the Second Amendment to the US Constitution included the words "A well regulated Militia", they did not intend the amendment to give free rein to the carnage we see happening all too frequently today.  Why do we continue to ignore the words "well-regulated" in the amendment?  That is all. 

COMMENT MODERATION IS ENABLED

Wounded Bird receives fewer comments now than ever before in the six years of its existence.  I'm not complaining, simply stating a fact.  Except for the most popular blogs, those with thousands of readers, commentary has moved from blogging to other social networks, such as Facebook, etc.  When I disallowed anonymous comments earlier, due to the overwhelming numbers of spam comments coming through, mostly in the name of "anonymous", some regulars here were unable to comment because they were not registered with Blogger, Google, or one of the other blogging formats.  Now, perhaps too late, I invite those readers back to the comments, because with comment moderation enabled,  anonymous comments are permitted.  I ask those who comment as "anonymous" to sign a name, any name, make up a name, when you leave a comment, so we can distinguish one anonymous from another. 

My wish has always been to keep the comment function open and free, and, for many years it was possible, but no longer.  Wounded Bird must change with the times.  Thank you for your cooperation.

R. I. P. LAPTOP - THE CANTERBURY CATHEDRAL CAT

We are sad to report the death of Laptop, the Cathedral cat. The friendly feline had lived at the Cathedral for many years and it was estimated that he was over 18 years old.

Laptop was a free spirit and the exact story of how he came to live at the Cathedral is somewhat of a mystery. It is believed he started his life here visiting the choir boys at Choir House, and this is how we think he got his name, as he was forever trying to jump on people’s lap when they stroked him.

See the cathedral website for more adorable pictures of Laptop.  Surely after 18 years at Canterbury, Laptop ought to have a title, if only honorary.

IN HONOR OF FATS DOMINO

Irvin Mayfield, Fats Domino, Davell Crawford

Rock ’n’ roll pioneer Fats Domino, 85, was honored Wednesday at his home by New Orleans Jazz Orchestra founder Irvin Mayfield and keyboardist Davell Crawford.
....

Domino’s ascendancy began in 1949 with his million-selling recording of “The Fat Man.” By the early 1960s, he had racked up 35 Top 40 records including the No. 1 hits “Ain’t That a Shame,” “Blueberry Hill” and “Blue Monday.”

My relationship with Fats goes back a long time, to the early 1950s, when we jitterbugged or slow danced to his music.  Fats' recordings remain in my music collection today, and I listen fairly often.  Congratulations, Fats.  The gold records, No. 1 hits, and honors are well-earned and well-deserved.

Here's Fats with "Blue Monday".

A SUPERMARKET ENCOUNTER

A man came up to this gorgeous woman who was shopping in a large supermarket and asked her, "Excuse me, but I seem to have lost my wife here in the supermarket.  Can you talk to me for a couple of minutes?"

Surprised, she responded "Why, what good would that do?"

"Well," he responded, "every time I talk to a beautiful woman, my wife appears out of nowhere."


Cheers,

Paul (A.)

SENATOR VITTER (R-LA) AND REPRESENTATIVE BILL CASSIDY (R-LA), PLEASE STOP

[Sen.] Reid, D-Nev., said Vitter and other Republicans must stop trying to prevent the Affordable Care Act from being implemented and that they need to “grow up” and “stop denying reality.”

Dear Sen. Vitter (R):

Please stop playing the fool in the US Senate. You are an embarrassment.

Sincerely,

Disloyal Constituent

U.S. Rep. Bill Cassidy, R-Baton Rouge, also announced that he will support a House version of Vitter’s Obamacare proposal.

Dear Rep: Cassidy (R):

Do not make the mistake of asking me for a contribution to your campaign for the US Senate. One Louisiana senator acting the fool is one too many.

Sincerely,

Disloyal Constituent

DAYLIGHT MOON

The photo above, which I snapped around 6:35pm yesterday, is of the moon in the eastern sky in full daylight.

The photo below is of a not-very-spectacular sunset in the western sky, taken a few minutes after the moon picture.

I am moonstruck in the sense that I am infatuated with the moon, but it is Grandpère who is my true love.  When I step outside at night, the first thing I do is look for the moon. I have to walk my old dog Diana at night so she doesn't wet her bed, and she and the moon are my favorite companions.  When there's no visible moon, something seems missing.  Last night, the moon was so bright when it was high in the sky that it cast dark shadows on the ground.  Diana, me, and our shadows made for a comfortable walking group.

OBSERVATIONS OF THE DAY

1. One tissue in the wash makes much lint.

2. Water in a kettle set to boil will boil away if left unattended.

3. The cleaning lady does more work than I realized.

FEAST OF HILDEGARD OF BINGEN

Hildegard of Bingen — visionary, poet, artist, musician, and tough as nails in fighting for what she believed.
A quick icon 9/16/13, with Barbara Sukowa as the model, from the fine film, Vision

Beautiful icon written by Tobias Haller.

The earth is at the same time mother,
she is mother of all that is natural,
mother of all that is human.
She is the mother of all,
for contained in her are the seeds of all.
The earth of humankind contains all moisture,
all verdancy, all germinating power.
It is in so many ways fruitful.
All creation comes from it.
Yet it forms not only the basic raw materials
for humankind, but also
the substance of Incarnation.

Hildegard of Bingen - April 2008 (Vol. XXI, No. 4)

Prayer

O God, by whose grace your servant Hildegard, kindled with the fire of your love, became a burning and shining light in your Church: Grant that we also may be aflame with the spirit of love and discipline, and walk before you as children of light; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever.  Amen.