Monthly Archives: July 2012

July 31, 2012 · 11:41 pm

Why I like New York 9 – fearless pigeons

I never dreamed I would say anything good about pigeons.

In the long ago days of my childhood, I remember my father going to great lengths to chase pigeons from the home they had made in our attic. They have never had a good rep with me since.

But today, while at the Church of the Covenant, I met the Stephanie or Steve, I couldn’t get close enough to determine that nor would I have known how to determine that if I had got close enough to do so) McQueen of pigeons – one cool customer who fearlessly gave me the eye as we shared the space.

I have not become a lover of pigeons, but I have a new-found respect.

 

See you along the Trail.

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July 30, 2012 · 6:39 pm

Purple flowers, Rocky Mountain National Park 2

Rocky Mountain National Park
9 June 2011

As in other places,
bees enjoy purple flowers in
Rocky Mountain National Park.

See you along the Trail.

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July 29, 2012 · 10:08 pm

2012 Summer Olympics I

As always, I find myself attracted to the Olympics for reasons that I cannot always articulate. I recognize the shortcomings and at least some of the issues – perhaps it would be more accurate to say I recognize shortcomings and issues exist. NBC’s coverage leaves much to be desired. Still I watch every moment I can.

As always, during those moments, I struggle to understand gymnastics. It happens every year. I just can’t seem to grasp the scoring.

I realize that landing on one’s feet is preferable, far preferable, to landing on one’s butt. That’s where I would spend most of my time. I concede the skill and athleticism of the gymnasts.

After watching for a while, I can distinguish between the superb gymnasts and the absolute elite. But I find myself baffled by what makes the difference between the top athletes. Baffled I watch, unable to explain who wins and why, oblivious to disputes. But watch I do.

See you along the Trail.

 

 

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July 26, 2012 · 10:55 pm

Never grow old

My spirit soared and my heart broke at the same time today.

Songs by Tommy Sands have a way of doing that to me. 

Sands wrote “You Will Never Grow Old” for his brother Eugene (“Dino”) who died young, way too young, in a 1975 car accident. 

Lines from the chorus spoke to me of members of my family and of friends:

You will never grow old
But you’ll always be growing
In our hearts, in our minds
In the home you left behind

Amen.

See you along the Trail.

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July 26, 2012 · 10:30 pm

Unsheltered

The lightning’s reflection
danced across the East River
as I looked from my office window.

Shadows, caused by lightning,
played across the uptown skyline
as I departed the 1 Train.

I smiled at the sky-show’s beauty
until I remembered
those whose work takes
them into the elements;
those with no home, no place, no shelter:
sisters and brothers
who ride out the storm
unsheltered.

26 July 2012
Shire on the Hudson
Manhattan

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July 25, 2012 · 4:15 pm

End violence against women, says Orange Day

I originally posted a version of this on my work blog.

Today was the first Orange Day.

The UNiTE campaign has proclaimed every 25th of the month as Orange Day, to raise awareness about the issue of violence against women and girls, not only once a year on 25 November (the International Day to End Violence against Women), but every month!

United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon’s UNiTE to End Violence against Women campaign aims to prevent and eliminate violence against women and girls in all parts of the world.

UNiTE brings together a host of UN agencies and offices to galvanize action across the UN system to prevent and punish violence against women.

Through UNiTE, the UN is joining forces with individuals, civil society and governments to put an end to violence against women in all its forms.

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July 23, 2012 · 11:43 pm

Courtney

I recently attended the 2012 Churchwide Gathering of Presbyterian Women – a great event filled with the opportunity to meet new folks and to hang out with long-time friends. For me, that included Courtney Payne – who is recovering from an auto accident. Thanks to Stephanie Quintana for the photo.

See you – and Courtney – along the Trail.

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July 23, 2012 · 5:55 pm

Purple flowers, Rocky Mountain National Park 1

Rocky Mountain National Park
9 July 2011

During the summer of 2011,
I spent a couple of days in Rocky Mountain National Park
where I found many purple flowers –
even if I don’t know their names.

Several photos from that trip will follow over the next couple weeks.

See you along the Trail.

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July 22, 2012 · 11:41 pm

Why I like New York 8 – view from above

Watching first-time visitors to the city see New York from the air, as the plane makes its approach, fills me with delight and leads me to smile.

Seeing New York from the air, as the plane makes its approach, fills me with delight and leads me to smile.

See you along the Trail.

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July 22, 2012 · 11:36 pm

Silent witness

Faced with horror
beyond my reckoning,
yet possible within
the imagination and execution
of others, I stand
silent.

Easy words and quick answers
do not pass my lips;
no facile explanations offered;
yet never do I turn
away.

With battered heart and tear-filled eyes,
with bruised soul and deep sighs,
I watch and listen
as I grieve and ache – I bear
witness.

22 July 2012
DL 1776
MCO – LGA

 

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