crates | July 11, 2009
When mankind contemplates the infinite, and ponders upon origins, he is often led to the conclusion, or hope, that there is meaning in the interplay of the natural forces that he sees about himself. And the concept of a Creator of everything, while uplifting, can be intimidating also. To whom does one direct [...]
crates | April 8, 2009
I was holding a great golden leaf that had fallen from a Big Leaf Maple last autumn. It was much bigger than my hand, and it had fallen onto a wide carpet of these leaves that lay over my usual walking path. I was admiring the pattern of veins that was revealed, marveling at the [...]
crates | March 31, 2009
I was reading this incredible book (God’s Demon by Wayne Barlowe) about the demons of hell and the story of one demon who attempted to regain Heaven and I came across this character called Lilith. I had heard of Lilith before, of course, but I really knew nothing about her. Much has been written about Lilith. There [...]
crates | March 28, 2009
Long ago I read an early English comparison of a man’s life to that of a sparrow, who flies through a mead hall out of a stormy winter’s night. The sparrow is briefly exposed to the light, warmth and safety of the hall before it vanishes back into the night and storm. I have always remembered this and [...]
crates | March 19, 2009
We are self-aware entities cursed, or blessed, with the foreknowledge of our personal extinction. We realize that our passage through this amazing universe is a short, fleeting journey. And as we pass along, our journey seems to accelerate, and with growing apprehension, we watch the wonders flash by us as we approach the inevitable. [...]
crates | January 28, 2009
Sometimes I get irritated…irritated at the shifting nature of reality. Change, always change, like quicksilver…when I think I have it, it morphs, chameleon-like into something else. People I knew in my youth have grown grey, wrinkled. I expect people to act the same, but they don’t. Why do I have to constantly readjust my way [...]
crates | December 24, 2008
As I have said many times before, I often use this forum to explore certain subjects about which I am totally ignorant. I recently became curious about justice and mercy. Below is the definition of both from the free online dictionary: Justice: 1. The quality of being just; fairness. 2. a. The principle [...]
crates | December 21, 2008
It was with sorrow that I recently read of Tony Hillerman’s death. Mr. Hillerman was of course the author of many fine books, with perhaps the series about the Navajo policemen, Joe Leaphorn and Jim Chee, being his most famous. Hillerman presented these mystery stories in the context of the Navajo culture, showing the difficulties that [...]
crates | July 14, 2008
The idea of simplicity in our lives seems to be growing in our awareness. We find that in an increasingly complex existence, simplification has an immense appeal. We seem to have too many things, and our lives become filled with clutter, both physically and mentally. Sometimes we yearn for simpler times when the world [...]
crates | July 12, 2008
I thought that I might put some of my poems in some of my posts. This is one: Reflection When you ponder the Calendar of your days, Do you recall the times Of strife, of betrayal, Of heartbreak? Or…do you recall the Quiet calm times filled With beauty and tranquility? Basho (Matsuo Kinsaku–ca. 1644-1694) was [...]