What made Joe the best boss ever, he didn’t insist on you always agreeing with him. He once said to me, “Kenne, you know what your problem is, you’re too damn argumentative.” A characteristic that may have created some enemies, but not with Joe. He was one of the most self-assured, understanding people I’ve ever known. We both continued to work together after retirement — a true friend.
“Gila monsters have beaded scales in colorful patterns. Gila monsters are the largest lizards native to the United States. They get their name from Arizona’s Gila River basin, where they were first discovered. Gila monsters are also one of only two venomous lizards in the world.”
Ken Nordine Album Cover: “How Are Things In Your Town?” 1972
Growing up in the Chicago area as a teen and young adult, I often would listen to a late night jazz on the radio. One of the shows was that of Ken Nordine reading his poetry while playing jazz. He has one of the best radio voices anywhere. You may have heard his voice and didn’t know who it was, since, over the years, he has done a lot of voice-over TV commercials. Since his radio show in the sixties, he has done several Word Jazz albums. One of his albums is “How Are Things In Your Town,” which includes “What Time Is It?”
I have always been preoccupied with time even though I know the concept of time is something created by humans. Time does not exist. Let, without it what would we do.
“The Earth, our home, is beginning to look more and more like an immense pile of filth. In many parts of the planet, the elderly lament that once beautiful landscapes are now covered with rubbish.”
“The environment is a common patrimony of all humanity and is everyone’s responsibility. Whoever possesses a part of it should merely administer it for the common good. If we do not do this, our conscience is burdened with the weight of denying the existence of others.”
A two-tailed swallowtail butterfly seemed to be intrigued with my lemon tree long enough for me to get my camera (September 26, 2014)
— In flight images by kenne (f/5.3, S 1/2000, ISO 1100-1600)
CLICK ON ANY OF THE IMAGES TO SEE LARGER VIEW IN A SLIDESHOW FORMAT.
VAN MORRISON, 1972 – Another outtake from the Saint Dominic’s Preview album cover session. Source: http://www.michaelmagic.com/
Van Morrison’s “Listen to the Lion” captures his unique style taking you from a smooth, soulful sound to suddenly lifting you above the moment, then softly bringing you back down.
“Compassion is an unstable emotion. It needs to be translated into action, or it withers. The question of what to do with the feelings that have been aroused, the knowledge that has been communicated. If one feels that there is nothing ‘we’ can do — but who is that ‘we’? — and nothing ‘they’ can do either — and who are ‘they’ — then one starts to get bored, cynical, apathetic.”
― from Regarding the Pain of Others by Susan Sontag
A short time after posting “Standing at the Altar of Nature,” I received an email from Sabino Canyon Volunteer Naturalists (SCVN) member, Walt Tornow, saying that my poem “. . . captures my feelings about being in the mountains beautifully.” Walt and I understand how really rich we are, being able to embrace the great American treasure possessed by every citizen of our country. Walt represents people who love nature, want to experience as much of it as possible, and want to preserve and share it. His feelings are expressed in the following, which he shared in his email and gave permission to post.
GOD, GRACE, AND GRATITUDE
Finding God in the wilderness …
The majesty of our mountains, the magnificence of views/ vistas they afford, and the splendor and munificence of the many gifts that nature has to offer
For 16 years, I was a member of the Rotary Club of Conroe. Rotary is one of the best international service organization. Before joining in 1993, I had been asked several times to become a member. I had a lot of respect for Rotary International; especially it’s 4-Way Test:
1. Is it the TRUTH?
2. Is it FAIR to All Concerned?
3. Will it Build GOODWILL and Better Friendships?
4. Will it Be BENEFICIAL to All Concerned?
However, I declined each invitation because I was not interested in belonging to an organization that did not allow women to become members. That all changed in 1989, so the next time I was asked, I became a Rotarian.
Even though I’m no longer a member, I continue to live each day following the 4-Way Test. — kenne
In the fall of 1993, PDG John Germany sponsored me into the Rotary Club of Conroe, and what an experience these last sixteen years have been. Today, I am an immensely better person because of Rotary.
But like all experiences, events offer occasions to move on. Sometimes we recognize them, but choose to ignore them. For some time now, I have been trying to look the other way as I move into another phase of life. However, the reality is I must move on without Rotary. I do so with regret, knowing that I have not given Rotary as much as I have received.
To those in the Rotary Club of Conroe, the district and Rotarians I have met around the globe, especially those with which I have worked closely, I resign from Rotary knowing I have helped transition people into the tasks in which I have participated over the…
This post from ten years ago tracked online purchase. The package took 7 days. To give you an idea of how delivery speed has changed in ten years, yesterday I place an order around noon, and it was delivered at about 7:00 am. Obviously, a lot has changed in ten years. — kenne
Sabino Creek — Ash From The Bighorn Fire — Image by kenne
It happens that I get tired of revolutionary cafes and peacock poets of narcissistic reflexives and the songs of the deaf.
It happens that I am terrified by this hardened generation that rushes out in search of absolutes fashions names and blasphemies, doctrinizes on the pros and cons of armed struggle, and meditates, with a beer in its hand and a sour cry on its lips on the cadavers of others
Who are we? Those same parishioners perhaps who come and go indifferent along the streets on the Day of the Dead with our hands full of death’s-head cakes and our hearts in ashes.
New Orleans Street Band at Toulouse & Royale (03/10/04) — Photos by kenne
Climate Change — Computer Painting by kenne
