Category: Uncategorized (Page 14 of 23)

Holy Week

April 15, 2022 / willishmoore

In case you just tuned in, this is Holy Week; it began last Sunday, Palm Sunday, and ends this coming Sunday, Easter. This year the Eastern Orthodox Church recognises Easter on April 24. Throughout Holy Week Christian churches observe a variety of worship services, spiritual pilgrimages, or vigils. The most prominent, between the two Sundays are Maundy Thursday; Maundy comes from the Latin word mandatum, which means Commandment. Jesus gave the commandment, “Love one another as I have loved you!” Good Friday; the day of Jesus’ crucifixion. Holy Saturday, (often called Easter Vigil); and Easter Sunrise Service, concluding the week with a high and holy worship service on Easter Sunday. (Easter Egg hunts are thrown in the mix to thrill the children)

Tradition has it that the earliest use of the term Holy Week was by St. Athanasius, bishop of Alexandria, and St. Epiphanius of Constantia in the 4th century. Over time, Holy Week observances varied. Palm Sunday, Holy Tuesday , in the Eastern Orthodox and Oriental Orthodox Churches refers to the moveable feast, starting with Palm Sunday; the tenebrae service on Holy Wednesday; Maundy Thursday, the occasion of The Last Supper; Good Friday Vigil; The week ends with magnificent worship services. A more recent times, added to Easter celebration is “The Flowering of the Cross:” Usually, it is a large cross on the front lawn of the church. As worshipers arrive, they tuck fresh blossoms into holes or mesh netting on the cross. In full Flower, it serves as the ultimate symbol of new life found in Christ Jesus.

Celebrations of Holy Week vary, according to the homeland traditions of the community. Catholic congregations tend to hold more closely to services all week, while Protestant congregations tend to vary widely in their celebrations—some only observe Palm Sunday and Easter Sunday. Easter Egg Hunts, which have almost nothing to do with the liturgy of the week, have crossed all kinds of traditions. In case you are wondering why the date for Easter changes (un like Christmas, which is always December 25), it is set by celestial precision; here it is—- Easter is always the first Sunday after the full Moon that occurs on or after the spring equinox.

All kinds of hardening of the attitudes tend to mull around in recognition of Holy Week. Generally, the points on which most Christians agree and/or observe, are these: Jesus entered Jerusalem with great fanfare. He held his Last Supper with his disciples, He was crucified, and died on the cross. On the third day he arose from the grave, and is in heaven, the “right hand” of God. The Gospel of John offers the essence of Holy Week.

In a measure, the observance of some type of fasting, spiritual discipline, or devotional vigil, is something of a gestation of an emerging cleansed soul; Spring cleaning comes to mind. As does the chrysalis developing and emerging as a beautiful butterfly. The greening and blossoming of Spring is the crown of the season. It is as if the whole world is new, in all its freshness. Hope is born again.

non sequitur

April 8, 2022 / willishmoore

During my college years had a friend, Mercer, who loved a non sequitur. One of his favorites went like this:

You:”Do you have a pencil?”

Mercer: “No. but I have a shoulder blade.”

You never knew how he might respond to any question, and he always did so with a serious, straight face. His friends knew how to take him. Strangers were flummoxed, or thought he was loony.

Merriam-Webster’s definition of a non sequitur: a statement (such as a response) that does not follow logically from or is not clearly related to anything previously said. Uses of non sequiturs vairy;

1) Humorous;

Sam: I have a new wristwatch.

Sol: What kind is it?

Sam: 2:15.

2) Avoidance;

Sally: I went to the Zoo yesterday with our friend Paul we and saw the baby Panda.

Sue: I’m wondering if it will rain a lot tomorrow.

Sally: There is a new overlook for seeing the penguins.

3) The unintentional disconnect (wasn’t paying attention) or intentional (need to change the subject) ;

Alfred:I bought that new sketchbook yesterday.

Patrick: There is a new neighbor moving in down the street.

And then, there is my favorite; Doubletalk: (not the kind where the purpose is deceit). When I was Director of Wesley Foundation and Methodist Campus Minister at Georgia Southern University, one of our students was Durwood Fincher; he kept everyone in stitches at the student Center. Although Durwood was related to the famous Fincher’s Barbecue restaurant chain in Macon, GA, it was not his claim to fame; it was his hilarious sense of humor.

I lost track of Durwood after he was graduated and became a teacher. A few years ago we met again in Atlanta. He was visiting a friend at a facility I was visiting also. We got reacquainted, and I learned that he was on an entirely different vocational track from teaching; Entertainment: I was not surprised. Doug is called “Mr. Doubletalk.” The late Alan Funt, of the erstwhile “Candid Camera” discovered Durwood, named him “Mr Doubletalk,” launching him into the entertainment circuit.

Durwood’s entertainment repertoire is interviewing people, and through a volley of non sequitur conversation and confusing questions; sometimes annoying his subject much to the entertainment of the audience. He always ends each interview explaining that he is “Mr Doubletalk,” with no intent of making sense (as in a Candid Camera reveal). Durwood entertains at conventions and corporation galas —-often under the pretense of being the new hire for Corporate Communication—which adds humor to the occasion. He is a master of the non sequitur, as you will see.

After our reconnection, I was able to get him hooked with First Baptist Church, Tucker, GA for an evening of entertainment. My disappointment was that the evening he was scheduled to entertain, was a one for which I had an ironclad appointment myself. The good news is that he did a great job for that audience, as I expected,

Here is a link to one of his hilarious episodes on YouTube; Enjoy!

April Fool’s Day

April 1, 2022 / willishmoore

Not a prank’! Today IS April Fools’ (or Fool’s) day–it depends. Just so you will know, today I’m not “pulling your leg”. Oh, yes, I know. As Paige often said, “Everything doesn’t have to be a joke.” I guess I do like the humorous side of life. But I can be serious. We may have a little fun in this today, but no pranks from me. Today I am straightforward, which means— according to Merriam-Webster: free from evasiveness or obscurity : EXACT, CANDID a straightforward account.

Let us begin with the “When” of April Fools Day: Apparently there is a long history of setting aside a special day to play innocent pranks on friends and neighbors. There are numerous historic inferences to when April Fools Day, or a reasonable facsimile thereof, started; (There are even inferences that Chaucer, in The Canterbury Tales, seemed to acknowledge it). April, 1, 1683 is likely the first official recognition of April Fools day. That is when France followed the lead from Council of Trent (1563 ) which called for the switch from the Julian calendar to the Gregorian calendar.

The first April Fools Day prank that I bit for—hook, line, and sailboat—was in college. A friend rushed into my dormitory room pleading, “Come help us with Ralph!” We rushed upstairs and there sat Ralph, all bandaged up with (apparently) blood oozing through bandages on his head. He looked terrible and was lightly groaning. A friend said, “I think this is all we can do till we get him to the hospital. I’ll get my car. Joe and I will take him.” We all breathed a sigh of relief, asked to be kept posted, and went back to our rooms. At breakfast the next morning, there sat Ralph, clean, neat, among friends, and being his jolly old self. April Fool!

Maybe today would be a good day for friends to gather and laugh at the superb and the sorry April Fools’ Day pranks that have been played on us—or that were the fruit of our balmy brains. There is nothing like a harmless prank played on someone—or have—played upon yourself. The best ones do no harm to the mark—physically, mentally, nor financially. It should not embarrass anyone. It should be fun, something all could laugh about, now and later. And, should never degrade anyone—especially a person with special needs.

April Fools’ Day is apparently universal, but only Ukraine celebrates it as an official holiday. Citizens, when after playing a prank say, “Первое Апреля, никому не верю” (“Pervoye Aprelya, nikomu ne veryu“) – which means ‘On April the First, I trust nobody’ ” thus revealing the prank. This year it might not be much fun, but Ukraine citizens have a way of taking a positive attitude; we are seeing much of that in the midst of this horrible war. “Gallows Humor” often provides levity in horrible situations, even in war, or weather tragedies.

Humor often provides a balm for the the “…slings and arrows of outrageous fortune.” It provides comic relief and levity in life. The Psalmist said humor is good medicine. And the teachings of Jesus are fraught with delightful situations of his humor, He often used Eastern hyperbole to make a point. On one occasion he used a twisted family situation, which probably brought a giggle of understanding to his teaching of love.

Enjoy the innocent pranks of today. I hope you have a howling success playing April Fool! today. Have marvelous but mollifying April Fools Day—with lots of fun; be safe.

Communicate

March 25, 2022 / willishmoore

Communication is a skill often mangled—not necessarily due to complex, confusing use of the English language. Many factors encroach upon it making effective communication difficult; ego, haste, mispronunciation, as well as missing information, often cloud clarity.

A near disastrous example of mangled communication occurred June 1815. British armed forces faced the unconquered Napoleon in the apocalyptic battle of Waterloo. The British waited with bated breath to learn of the battle’s outcome. Their only means of communication was with distant lanterns in a church steeple, using the Morse Code. Finally, the flashing message began; “Wellington defeated…” immediately a fog closed in on the lantern in the church steeple. The British panicked, losing hope. The British Board of Trade swooned in fear. Then as if by magic, the fog lifted, allowing the lantern to send again, this time, the full message; Wellington defeated Napoleon at Waterloo.

Likely one of the most famous comments about mcommunication are the words from the evil Strother Martin in the movie, Cool Hand Luke: while knocking Cool Hand Luke brutally into the pit, said, “What we’ve got here is failure to communicate!” The one sided conversation is, of course, as convoluted as it is cruelly comical. A lot of human conversation turns out to focus on one side only.

An excellent point of imprecise communication is made in the humorous old story of the village blacksmith and his apprentice: The Blacksmith tells his apprentice; “I will take this red hot horseshoe out of the charcoal and put it on the anvil. Take this hammer and when I nod my head, hit it with the hammer.” He did, and now the apprentice is the village blacksmith. Clear communication is crucial.

Rich Sloan, director of community relations for the University of Central Florida’s College of Education and Human Performance, wrote the following about communication; What I’ve noticed of late is that as a people, Americans are experiencing a heinous failure to communicate, to the detriment of our society and quality of life. Sloan attributes this failure in communication mostly to technology.

He believes technology gives rise to such gibberish (my word not his) as in, OMG, FYI, IDK, BTW, posing as actual conversation between human beings. While it is the “in” thing for the younger generation to think this way of communication “is Fire!”, it actually communicates very little. Too many people elude direct, clear, communication, such as that of masters of language.

Sloan’s prescription for improving communication is this: Put down that mouse, get out of that chair and walk over to the next office. Put away that electronic gadget, get in the car and go see that client face to face. Just think how much more pleasant is a greeting of “Good morning,” than opening a conversation with BTW or FYI. Some of the top rated communicators (in no particular order) are: Winston Churchill, Oprah Winfrey, Howard Schultz, Lady Gaga, Steve Jobs, Chris Anderson, and Warren Buffett. This is a sample of excellent communicators who clearly use our marvelous, vibrant, language for concise clarity.

Shakespeare, in Love’s Labor Lost, uses economy of words in Holofernes’ speech, spurning elaborate, useless verbiage: He draweth out the thread of his verbosity finer than the staple of his argument. Or, as a friend of mine once said, less eloquently, of an acquaintance, “He uses twelve words, when two will do,”

The master communicator, Jesus, taught his followers to make the message clear, not cluttered with elaborate words. Often ego gets in the way of communication; the author’s self aggrandizement gets in the way of clarity of the main message. My high school English teacher often said, “Say what you mean and mean what you say.” The three most eloquent, efficient, and effective messages I think of were uttered by Jesus, The Apostle Paul, and Abraham Lincoln—in that order. They communicate. And they stand the tests of time.

Rx for Regrets

March 18, 2022 / willishmoore

Elvis sang, “I Did It My Way,” (by French songwriters Claude François and Jacques Revaux:)

Regrets, I’ve had a few
But then again, too few to mention
I did what I had to do
And saw it through without exemption
I planned each charted course
Each careful step along the byway
Oh, and more, much more than this
I did it my way.

That is one way of looking at life. We are offered a similar take on regrets by “theologian,” Marilyn Monroe (yes, THAT Marilyn); she was asked, “If you could live your life again, would you change any part of it?” She pondered for a few moments, and in almost a biblical sense, said “No. I wouldn’t change a thing.”

Think about it. What a waste of time and energy to look back and regret anything: 1) We cannot change the past. 2) We cannot change other people. 3) We are very much like what Thomas a’ Kempis described in The imitation of Christ: Be not angry that you cannot make others as you wish them to be, since you cannot make your self as you wish to be. Regretting tends to be debilitating. Positive results can come by moving on into improvement.

John Greenleaf Whittier’s poem (very long poem!) Maud Muller is a sad commentary on regrets. It’s a story of two young people, a plain farm maiden, and a handsome town judge; he stops beside the hayfield where she is working. They chat briefly, each rather on the verge of flirting. As he departs, she daydreams of a life she might have with him. He daydreams of a life he might have with her. But, they go their separate ways—and over the years, in vastly different lives, they dream dreams of regret for what never happened.

At the end of the poem (—it does end—) Whittier writes;

Alas for maiden, alas for Judge,
For rich repiner and household drudge!

God pity them both! and pity us all,
Who vainly the dreams of youth recall;

For of all sad words of tongue or pen,
The saddest are these: “It might have been!“(emphasis added)

Ah, well! for us all some sweet hope lies
Deeply buried from human eyes;

And, in the hereafter, angels may
Roll the stone from its grave away!

Regrets are emotions, of course; there are healthy ways of managing them. Writing in Psychology Today, Alice Boyes Ph.D., said, (Emotions are) designed to come on and then go away. When emotions become sticky, it’s usually because we’re feeding them in some way, through rumination, harsh self-criticism, or avoidance…allow your emotions to naturally work themselves out. Regrets are something like a weed from your past infesting your garden of the present.

The Apostle Paul, writing to the church at Philippi, urged them to put the past behind and press on to the higher calling. Regrets can become a distraction from the present; they can weight a person down—and often do—by what I call “The drearies.” The writer of the book of Hebrews cautioned that it is easy to get weighted down by many things—strip off everything that hinders us, we are told. That is dramatic! Some would call it “Cold Turkey.”

I am reminded of the popular children’s book, Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day; despite its glum, yet catchy title, it points to the positive. We all have bad days at one time or another, and this story leaves its readers with the hopeful message that all bad days do end, eventually. The Psalmist acknowledges that life has its tough times; they do not last forever. As the poet, Alexander Pope posited, Hope springs Eternal in the human breast! (Emphasis mine). Alexander, of the children’s book, ends by saying, I think I’ll go to Australia! The morning brings hope!

Hugs

March 11, 2022 / willishmoore

Abishag (Ab-uh-shag) was King David’s “Hot Water Bottle.” I will get back to that later, dear Reader. Nearly everyone needs human warmth at one time or another (like a hug). When times get tough, it matters even more so. Two years ago the Pandemic mutilated the world; suddenly a hug could become lethal. Right away most everyone discovered how much a hug meant. Usually we thought a hug was something of a friendship gesture. A good, long, hug underscored the great need for that hug, as well as the closeness of the friendship.

As the Pandemic hung on, we discovered that the lack of hugs sucked the oxygen out of our souls. We couldn’t go into a hospital or other healthcare facilities to visit family or friends; much less hug them. I remember scenes of friends who visited parents or relatives in facilities that had ground level windows. Double pane windows limited sound, increasing the feeling of isolation. Family and friends could only exchange hand-waves; some of the more creative visitors made large posters with love and care messages to show to their loved ones encased inside.

When Paige started teaching Early Elementary school students, most teachers freely gave hugs to the hurting or the happy, and all children in between. Often a child would simply walk up to the teacher and reach for a hug. Sometimes a child would inadvertently say, “Mommy,…” usually not noticing they had called the teacher “Mommy;” revealing the intrinsic value of that coveted hug.

I think one of the most heart-rending discoveries during the Pandemic—related to hugs—was how needy elderly folks were (and are) for a hug. Part of that need is the ubiquitous, unrelenting isolation brought on by the aging process. As one grows older, friends move away (or vice-versa) to live with or near relatives, or into Senior living facilities. Death contracts the circle of friends. Families grow in distance, albeit in number—and in both instances, social ties tend to thin. The world changes dramatically; new and additional ways to care for one another need to be discovered, at a time when mobility, social and otherwise, is lessened.

All this can tend to bring a chill to an elderly person’s life; Unless. Unless— Intentional measures are taken to ameliorate and redirect such emotional downturns. Many people are discovering life-long learning opportunities, new uses for latent talents, or taking up new, exciting interests; enriching the lives of the elderly. Fortunately there are new discoveries daily that turn a growing chill into a glowing hope, a blossoming, growing edge.

At the risk of a reach too far, I found an amusing but practical example of caretaking for someone whose life was developing a physical chilling; The old King David, in his final years, felt cold (as in temperature, cold) all the time. None of his staff could find a way to keep him warm. Too many blankets would be too heavy, or possibly suffocate the frail king. The King’s handlers decided to solve the problem and keep him warm; they searched the kingdom over and found just what they needed to keep King David warm; her name was Abishag. (a friend of mine described her; “King David’s Hot Water Bottle;”) You can click on the link above and get the details, but suffice to say, Abishag solved the problem. (See—the Bible really isn’t a dusty, dull, anachronism).

The Blessing

March 4, 2022 / willishmoore

Is there a Hole in your Heart? Many people have that heart-hole. No, it is not an actual hole in the human heart; even surgery cannot repair this hole. This hole is a metaphor for a significant absence of appreciation, love, or acceptance, The biblical image of that hole is the missing “Blessing,” —as in Esau. The missed Blessing may be caused by one or both parents. It could be that the parent may not realize they withheld the Blessing. We will get to that later.

A college classmate of Paige’s missed out on copious benefits during her four years of college. I believe that her native microenvironment gives a significant clue; she never received “The Blessing” from her parents. She attended all her classes and made superb grades. She never went out on a date, or out with her friends for a treat—or attended campus or any other entertainment. When invited out she always refused, saying “No. I can’t do that. My parents are making great sacrifices so I can get a good education. I have to stay here and study.” Classes, meals, library, and dormitory, comprised her world for four years. She was graduated with accolades. I do not know how her life turned out. But I am 99.44% sure that however it turned out, she still had that hole in her heart —that absence of “The Blessing” from her parents.

Maybe you know someone like that—maybe a friend; someone driven to succeed far beyond anyone’s expectations; yet living with that hole-in-the-heart —longing for ‘The Blessing’ that never comes. Success, fame, financial security, none of which satisfies or fills that hole. There is a term sociologists use that comes pretty close to describing what the withheld Blessing does to a person’s soul. The term, microaggression; it means a comment or action that subtly and often unconsciously—even unintentionally—expresses a prejudiced attitude toward a member (oranyone) of a marginalized group (Merriam-Webster). In the case of Paige’s (or your) friend—however it came to pass—that person grows up feeling diminished, or worse, unwanted.

Unfortunately, a person with that “hole-in-the-heart” may not recognize it, or may not recognize what it is doing to their soul; mabe feeling too threatened by it to reach out to find suitable sublimations. The first step in dealing with a problem is to recognize the problem. The next step is to find healthy means—in this case, to heal the hurt. Of course if your friend is so afflicted, it is likely a blind spot—unable to see; encouragement alone won’t solve that. As Ray Stevens sang, “…there is none so blind as he who will not see…”

Now, back to Esau; The Old Testament patriarch Isaac, had twin sons Jacob and Esau. As the story goes, even while they were being carried in their mother’s womb they started fighting. As they grew up, it got worse. Esau was supposed to get his Blessing from his father, Isaac. But through a contrived, conniving, subterfuge, initiated by their mother Rebekah, it was hijacked. Remarkably, Rebekah’s flim flam worked like a charm. Jacob got the Blessing instead. Esau was furious. For years his life, though successful in worldly goods, was hollow and desolate. The good news is that both brothers, being quite successful —having come to terms with their past had—eventually—a congenial reconciliation.

This hole in your heart can heal. Sometimes it takes time. It always takes a willingness to face and deal with it. Successful healing brings with it, well, significant Blessings.

Pancake Day

February 25, 2022 / willishmoore

Next Tuesday is “Pancake Day,” or as some would have it, “National Pancake Day”—which is what pancake houses everywhere would like to call it. If you’re wondering why it is Tuesday March 2, 2022 and not March 16, as it was in 2021–if you keep up with that sort of thing, there is a reason; Pancake Tuesday originated as Shrove Tuesday, the day before Ash Wednesday. Merriam-Webster describes Shrove; to administer the sacrament of reconciliation. Christians the world over observe Ash Wednesday as the first day of Lent, 40 days (Sundays excluded) of penitence, fasting, or spiritual preparation before Easter —renewing— Christian disciplines of prayer, meditation, worship etc.

Shrove Tuesday is the first step toward preparing for Lent; confession of sin. For many it is Mardi Gras. New Orleans is widely known for its Mardi Gras parades and celebrations. While celebration of Mardi Gras is over 300 years old, the tossing of favors only started about 150 years ago. Then, about 100 years later, tossing beads to the crowds by women, tantalizing the crowds with full display of their mammary glands, began to be common in NOLA. But I digress.

Pancakes became the most likely last meal before Lent for a practical reason—no fat or lard could be eaten during Lent; therefore to use up those products before observing Lent, Those products were the most useful ingredients to be used in pancakes. Cooks looking for a way, not only to use up those products, but also a tasty meal. A custom for pancakes latched onto Shrove Tuesday, the night before Ash Wednesday. Although not as popular as Christmas, National Pancake Day always comes on Shrove Tuesday. Now who could have thought of that!?

Christians often follow a 40-day pattern of spiritual preparation during Lent. Before Jesus launched his earthly mission, after being baptized by John, entered the Wilderness for 40 days to prepare. Now-a-days, a plethora of churches, individuals, and books take very seriously the 40 day pattern of spiritual growth, leading up to Easter.

Here in Atlanta, we are blessed with an array of excellent sources for pancakes on Shrove Tuesday; only a few of them have “Pancake” in their name. After Paige became unable to cook, I learned to cook excellent pancakes. She sat in her wheelchair with her Good Housekeeping Cookbook in hand and read the directions to me—guaranteeing my precise measure of each ingredient—-and reminding me to “sift the flour first.” We had them every Saturday morning, (in addition to Shrove Tuesday); Blueberry pancakes, Pecan pancakes, and, of course, buttermilk pancakes.

While it is easy to go overboard with it, good food with good friends gathered in preparation for almost any adventure magnifies the importance of the camaraderie. Almost all houses of worship include space for such gatherings, emphasizing the importance of gathering with friends, food, and faith. There are several references to banquets and eating together in the Bible. Jesus even likened preparation for heaven to a banquet given by a king. Enjoy your pancakes as you launch into a new adventure in Lent.,

The Duke

February 18, 2022 / willishmoore

It is very likely Dear Reader, that you have heard, played, or otherwise enjoyed the music of Edward Kennedy Ellington. Using the name more readily recognized, “Duke” Ellington, gives you an “Ah-ha” moment. The Duke spurned categorizing his music; he preferred the limitless category— “American Music.” Most people tend to think of Duke Ellington as a Jazz musician; and he was, of course, one of those; also— IMHO—The best of that genre. His music cosmos was vast, deep, and encompassing.

Just to tease your mind, please turn to Number 728 in THE UNITED METHODIST HYMNAL (©1989); there you will find the hymn, “Come Sunday,” by The Duke himself. Bet you didn’t expect that, did you!? For over fifty years Duke Ellington graced the ears of, well, the world, with his music. Some believe that Ellington’s orchestra was at its peak during Billy Strayhorn’s tenure there–think “Take the A Train”. Strayhorn was a brilliant, gifted, composer, but was better when teamed with Duke Ellington. In the opinion of Gunther Schuller and Barry Kernfeld, Duke Ellington was “the most significant composer of the genre.”

Duke Ellington composed music. He played musical instruments. He had his own orchestra. He was in movies. Sadly, the Duke died on May 24, 1974. He was 75 years old. Six generations enjoyed The Duke, up close and personal. We were fortunate in those years. Unfortunately, a fire broke out in Universal Studios in California on June 1, 2008, where thousands of digital, and other musical treasures were stored. Much of Ellington’s—and many other artists’ work was lost in that fire.

Here are some of his honors and awards: 1960, Hollywood Walk of Fame, contribution to recording industry; 1966, Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award; 1969, the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the highest civilian award in the US; 1971, an Honorary Ph. D. from the Berklee College of Music; 1973; the Legion of Honour by France, its highest civilian honor; 1999, posthumous Special Pulitzer Prize for his lifetime contributions to music and culture. And “if that don’t knock your hat in the creek,” try this; Duke Ellington earned 14 Grammy awards from 1959 to 2000, three of which were posthumous and a total of 24 nominations, as well as a posthumous Pulitzer Prize for his lifetime contributions to music and culture

Music is almost a religion for humanity—and religion is rife with music. Music is, some will say, “In our DNA”. When King Saul was suffering severe depression and needed help, David, the musical shepherd boy, was summoned to come play his harp. It helped the king recover. Years later when David became king and came back from a significant victory there was singing and dancing n the streets. As King David neared the end of his life, he inaugurated his Son, Solomon as king. A great celebration was held. There were thousands of musicians invited, and offering their praise. David also made an important announcement for carrying the Ark of the Covenant. And, music was required at a precarious time in Elisha’s life; musicians were called forth and great blessings came.

So, Duke Ellington not only carried on music, a vital ancient ingredient of life, he also pressed it onward and upward. It is sad to recall that for Ellington’s orchestra, at least three fourths of their playing years Jim Crow laws laid heavy on them; they were either banned from some venues and relegated to second class accommodations in others. Still, his music sings through the years. So, for your delight here is Duke Ellington, his orchestra, and a taste of his offerings; Sophisticated Lady — Who can forget Satin Doll!? …and this Jazz classic, “C Jam Blues,” is an ambrosia of refined jazz sight and sound.

Enjoy!

A Rose

February 11, 2022 / willishmoore

Some say roses are ornamental flowers; which is akin to saying a garden is dirt; less informative and even less esthetic. However, to give or receive a rose—or a dozen—speaks volumes! Paige’s mother loved roses! Especially red roses. She said, “Roses do not last very long, but they say so much while they are here!” The last lines in Bette Midler’s rendition of The Rose echo the enchanting voice of a rose. The message is intense: When the night has been too lonely And the road has been too long. And you think that love is only For the lucky and the strong. Just remember in the winter Far beneath the bitter snows Lies the seed that with the sun’s love In the spring becomes the rose.

This Winter has had its moments; it was ushered in by bitter cold (for our area), and snow—followed by four-seasons-a-week–up till now, anyway. And. The groundhog couldn’t figure out Winter’s conclusion—he was everywhere different. But what a hopeful phrase with which the song ends; Far beneath the bitter snows Lies the seed that with the sun’s love In the spring becomes the rose.

St. Valentine’s Day is February 14, just a few days away. St. Valentine’s Day means—in a manner of speaking—“Roses.” They are used in many ways; most often to represent love. Apparently, roses were the favourite flower, of Venus, the Goddess of Love: She believed that they stood for strong feelings. From this, people started giving roses to those they cared about as an expression of their love.

St. Valentine’s Day is named for a Roman Catholic priest and physician around the second and third century. Some say he suffered martyrdom during persecution of Christians. How he became the symbol of love and sweethearts is a little gauzy. A couple of legends about St. Valentine catch my fancy; So Dear Reader, I pass these two on to you; Legend 1) He healed his jailer’s daughter of blindness, and befriended her. He sent her a letter which he signed, “Your Valentine.” Legend 2) He secretly married young couples so the husbands wouldn’t be forced to go to war. This defied the emperor’s orders. This legend seems to carry more romantic fragrance or amour than the first legend. So I’ll go with number two.

An embarrassing experience taught me the exquisite and significant nuances of roses. I mentioned earlier how my mother-in-law revered red roses. Well. She passed that deep sentiment on to her daughter. At first I only got part of the message; Paige liked red roses. So right away I started sending a bouquet of red roses to her for our anniversary and on St. Valentine’s Day. I soon learned you have to order red roses well ahead of time as Valentine’s Day approaches; That year the florist was out of red roses, so I brought substitute flowers. I immediately saw the disappointment on Paige’s face. I never again missed ordering the red roses in plenty of time.

When you care deeply about someone it shows; a rose, a hug, even tears. There is a poignant mention of Jesus’ tears in the Gospel of John, when he learned about the death of his dear friend. Hallmark’s motto expresses caring well; “When You Care Enough to Send The Very Best!” When planning and preparing a meal for someone special, you choose carefully the ingredients; fresh, delectable components to make the meal savory. You want to offer the very best. Words tend simply to fail at expressing the beauty and sensitivity to some things: A rose is one of those things.