Garrison Keillor featured almost two hours of songs on the radio last night. The show "Prairie Home Companion" was heard from Tanglewood, New York. and will be his last one. It will be rebroadcast on July 30th from California prairiehome.org
For me, the songs which Keillor sang were a large part of my summer memories.
It matter little where we were, in the mountains, or on the country, or by a lake or the shore,
summer came and we sat around a bonfire at night.
The nights were dark with stars overhead and the fire chased the evening chill as we sang.
This memory and music gave me a sense of being sure of where we were, and what we meant when we celebrated the 4th of July.
I know that my children and grandchildren have summertime memories of their own.
Their music may be different, and the traditional American holiday fare may include foreign dishes and a greater diversity of friends and family than before, but they along with us recognize the changes that will take place in the next few years.
So this July 4th, enjoy the fireworks, sing the songs that are most pleasing to you, bring the holiday dishes and let the sky be filled with stars.
Let us have the courage to continue with the hard work of maintaining and building the equitable future upon which this Nation is and was founded.
SEE YOU AT THE POLLS!
Sunday, June 26, 2016
Sunday, June 19, 2016
FRIDAY NIGHT IS SPECIAL!
It was my parents' custom to celebrate the Jewish Sabbath on Friday nights. Mother and Dad worked together in their hardware store but came Friday, they both managed to get home in time to greet family, friends and other guests some of whom had never attended such a dinner before.
As tired as they may have been, and no mater how many unexpected people turned up, there was always room at the table for another person. The house was filled with much warmth and joy.
Mom set a table and a meal fit for royalty. Dad, who was musically inclined, had a beautiful voice and sang the prayer which gave thanks for the past week and for the privilege of life itself.
Just before we had dessert, some kind of discussion ensued usually about current events, philosophy, politics or about raising children and family relationships, sometimes with less than quiet voices but always with respect for each other.
All of this came to my mind at my son and daughter-in-law's home recently where 14 young men and women had been invited to Friday night Sabbath dinner.
Some of the guests knew each other while others did not but all quickly warmed to the stimulation of thoughtful conversation, laughter and the sharing of different points of view.
The tradition of coming together during a busy time to appreciate and respect life and other points of view is still needed today in light of our disquieting times.
SEE YOU AT THE POLLS!
As tired as they may have been, and no mater how many unexpected people turned up, there was always room at the table for another person. The house was filled with much warmth and joy.
Mom set a table and a meal fit for royalty. Dad, who was musically inclined, had a beautiful voice and sang the prayer which gave thanks for the past week and for the privilege of life itself.
Just before we had dessert, some kind of discussion ensued usually about current events, philosophy, politics or about raising children and family relationships, sometimes with less than quiet voices but always with respect for each other.
All of this came to my mind at my son and daughter-in-law's home recently where 14 young men and women had been invited to Friday night Sabbath dinner.
Some of the guests knew each other while others did not but all quickly warmed to the stimulation of thoughtful conversation, laughter and the sharing of different points of view.
The tradition of coming together during a busy time to appreciate and respect life and other points of view is still needed today in light of our disquieting times.
SEE YOU AT THE POLLS!
Monday, June 13, 2016
AN OPEN LETTER TO THE PLANET
Dear Mr. Sun:
We know that you are preparing for the Solstice in just a few days. We know too that you are calling up everything you have to meet your big day!
We know too that from your vantage point there in the sky you are able to call upon your colleagues to control much of what happens.
As such, we know that you and they are able to observe and react to words and deeds by Earthlings that so easily destroy life and so much of what you have created.
But I write in the hope that you will accept my explanation for both.
The unjust acts of terror, like those conducted just a few days ago, or sometimes daily, are not condoned by me or my colleagues much less others who live on this Planet Earth.
We know that we, by words and deeds, are responsible for the use and abuse of this Planet's environment, its people and all other creatures but we do try to ameliorate those abuses.
Yet in all deference to your importance Mr. Sun could you give us a hand by influencing others in your realm?
Could you have much needed rain come to us gently not in torrents?
Could you order some clouds and a soft calming breeze to pass over us when it is very hot?
Could you turn the heat down just a bit until the Solstice has passed?
Thank you for for your consideration and keep well as you ensure our own good health.
Beverly Rehfeld,
Earthling
We know that you are preparing for the Solstice in just a few days. We know too that you are calling up everything you have to meet your big day!
We know too that from your vantage point there in the sky you are able to call upon your colleagues to control much of what happens.
As such, we know that you and they are able to observe and react to words and deeds by Earthlings that so easily destroy life and so much of what you have created.
But I write in the hope that you will accept my explanation for both.
The unjust acts of terror, like those conducted just a few days ago, or sometimes daily, are not condoned by me or my colleagues much less others who live on this Planet Earth.
We know that we, by words and deeds, are responsible for the use and abuse of this Planet's environment, its people and all other creatures but we do try to ameliorate those abuses.
Yet in all deference to your importance Mr. Sun could you give us a hand by influencing others in your realm?
Could you have much needed rain come to us gently not in torrents?
Could you order some clouds and a soft calming breeze to pass over us when it is very hot?
Could you turn the heat down just a bit until the Solstice has passed?
Thank you for for your consideration and keep well as you ensure our own good health.
Beverly Rehfeld,
Earthling
Monday, June 6, 2016
HARAMBE, GUN CONTROL, & COMMON SENSE
In Cincinnati a 3-year old falls into a moat which is in the Zoo's Gorilla World Habitat.
The Gorilla, Harambe a rare, silver-backed wild animal, endeared by people around the world hides, holds and runs with the child through the moat. Crowds gather, watching the scene below, become unruly. Shouts are heard. Zoo officials are called as well as police officers and trainers.
Harambe becomes confused and is shot. The child is unharmed.
Zoo officials explain their action to police, other regulatory agencies, to the press and to Animal Rights protestors who have gathered outside the Zoo.
Are we forgetting our common sense ability to understand the difference between a captured wild animal, shipped from its natural habitat, with animals abused by owners?
Or do we understand what happens to people and wild animals when both encounter each other in unexpected circumstances?
In 1934 the Federal Firearms Act was passed by Congress to enable police in local, county and state communities to identify and register all machine guns, short barreled rifles and other highly dangerous guns and weapons as well as having background checks made by anyone purchasing a gun.
The Act is still in force though circumvented by elected elected officials who continue to dance
to the tune of the powerful NRA.
Yet it is estimated there are 300 million firearms in this
country for which we have no ability to trace ownership, or point of purchase.
Do we not understand that the best way to control the number of lethal weapons
in this country is to enforce the 1934 Federal Firearms Act?
Or do we really think that the best line of defense
for the safety of people, institutions and public spaces is in vigilante type actions?
When advocacy or self interest overtake common sense we weaken our ability to think
and to maintain a fair, equitable society, and we often vote for the wrong people.
SEE YOU AT THE POLLS!
The Gorilla, Harambe a rare, silver-backed wild animal, endeared by people around the world hides, holds and runs with the child through the moat. Crowds gather, watching the scene below, become unruly. Shouts are heard. Zoo officials are called as well as police officers and trainers.
Harambe becomes confused and is shot. The child is unharmed.
Zoo officials explain their action to police, other regulatory agencies, to the press and to Animal Rights protestors who have gathered outside the Zoo.
Are we forgetting our common sense ability to understand the difference between a captured wild animal, shipped from its natural habitat, with animals abused by owners?
Or do we understand what happens to people and wild animals when both encounter each other in unexpected circumstances?
In 1934 the Federal Firearms Act was passed by Congress to enable police in local, county and state communities to identify and register all machine guns, short barreled rifles and other highly dangerous guns and weapons as well as having background checks made by anyone purchasing a gun.
The Act is still in force though circumvented by elected elected officials who continue to dance
to the tune of the powerful NRA.
Yet it is estimated there are 300 million firearms in this
country for which we have no ability to trace ownership, or point of purchase.
Do we not understand that the best way to control the number of lethal weapons
in this country is to enforce the 1934 Federal Firearms Act?
Or do we really think that the best line of defense
for the safety of people, institutions and public spaces is in vigilante type actions?
When advocacy or self interest overtake common sense we weaken our ability to think
and to maintain a fair, equitable society, and we often vote for the wrong people.
SEE YOU AT THE POLLS!
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