Say Cheeeese...

Growing up with bull-mastiffs, I can attest to their love for and protectiveness towards their "charges". Both mastiffs (pictured here) and their smaller cousins, the bull-mastiff, make great family pets in my opinion.

With Glasses Raised

Today is Veterans Day in the US, a day when we honor those who served or are serving in the military. It was initiated after the cessation of the Great War, the "war to end all wars" but which turned out to be only the First World War. The fact that we humans haven't evolved enough yet to solve our differences peacefully doesn't lessen the dedication of our veterans or dilute their courage, and honor them we should. And let's also use the day to remember all those, whether in uniform or not, who serve or served in war-torn parts of the world to strive to make a better place for all of us: rescue workers, medical personnel, negotiators. On a personal note I remember my mother, a WW II Army nurse, and my uncle who died rescuing soldiers from the beach at Dunkirk. There are many more who work tirelessly to improve the lot of others, often at great cost to themselves. You have your own list - don't forget them.

17th Century Nun's Prayer

Lord, thou knowest better than I know myself that I am growing older and will some day be old.

Keep me from the fatal habit of thinking I must say something on every subject and on every occasion.

Release me from craving to straighten out everybody's affairs.

Make me thoughtful, but not moody; helpful, but not bossy.

With my vast store of wisdom, it seems a pity not to use it all,

but thou knowest, Lord, that I want a few friends at the end.

Keep my mind free from the recital of endless details; give me wings to get to the point.

Seal my lips on my aches and pains.

They are increasing, and love of rehearsing them becomes sweeter as the years go by.

I dare not ask for grace enough to enjoy the tales of others' pains, but help me to endure them with patience.

I dare not ask for improved memory, but for a growing humility

and a lessening cocksuredness when my memory seems to clash with the memory of others.

Teach me the glorious lesson that occasionally I may be mistaken.

Keep me reasonably sweet; I do not want to be a saint - some of them are so hard to live with -

but a sour old person is one of the crowning works of the Devil.

Give me the ability to see good things in unexpected places and talents in unexpected people;

and give me, O Lord, the grace to tell them what I see.

Amen.

I'm Sorry

          These two little words - well, three if you want to be precise - are the ones I miss most in the American culture. It's not that Americans don't apologize but it's certainly a more rare event than in Britain, where people say "Sorry" a lot. (Yes, contracting it even more as Brits do!)
          Didn't hear what someone said? "Sorry" with a questioning inflection will have them repeating it. Someone misdials and reaches you rather than the intended person? "Sorry" from both parties means, "I apologize" and "No problem." The store is out of an advertized item? "Sorry" means, "We apologize for the inconvenience". Your friend is down with the flu? "Sorry" means, "Sorry to hear that you're sick." Had an argument with a friend or colleague? "Sorry" means "Although I haven't changed my position, I apologize for the way in which I stated it."
        Does using it often dilute it? I don't think so. It gives one  a sense of empathy or at least sympathy. It says, "I've been there and done that (or had it done unto me) and I understand." Saying "I'm sorry" shouldn't make us legally libel for anything. Could it be that very fear, in our litigious society, causes us to hear it rarely in the business world and and even infrequently in our personal lives? If that's the case, I'm REALLY sorry!

Bless me, Father!

In my enthusiasm to dig out from the mountain of paper in my house, this nearly ended up in the shredder. It's really not a blessing I'd like to toss away so lightly: Peace.

Even in times of outer conflict, may we all experience that deep calm that grounds us and sees us through.

(Thanks, Sis, for sending this to me.)

Upon waking...

Why do people say, "The world is her oyster" when they want to imply the "her" can have anything she wants? Would anyone ever want an irritant perpetually rubbing her the wrong way even it did result in a small shiny object that when matched with another equally small and shiny object would make a great pair of ear-bobs?

Just a random thought upon waking.

Tea and ... another ritual

"To awaken, sit calmly, letting each breath clear your mind and open your heart." Oh, and one more thing: don't listen to the morning news - the reported mayhem, violence and pestilence can have an adverse affect. At least wait until you've had a cup of tea.