October 3, 2025 · 8:13 pm

Say no to violence

From the United Nations:

The International Day of Non-Violence is observed on 2 October, the birthday of Mahatma Gandhi, leader of the Indian independence movement and pioneer of the philosophy and strategy of non-violence.

According to General Assembly resolution A/RES/61/271 of 15 June 2007, which established the commemoration, the International Day is an occasion to “disseminate the message of non-violence, including through education and public awareness”. The resolution reaffirms “the universal relevance of the principle of non-violence” and the desire “to secure a culture of peace, tolerance, understanding and non-violence”.

Introducing the resolution in the General Assembly on behalf of 140 co-sponsors, India’s Minister of State for External Affairs, Mr. Anand Sharma, said that the wide and diverse sponsorship of the resolution was a reflection of the universal respect for Mahatma Gandhi and of the enduring relevance of his philosophy. Quoting the late leader’s own words, he said: “Non-violence is the greatest force at the disposal of mankind. It is mightier than the mightiest weapon of destruction devised by the ingenuity of man”.

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October 3, 2025 · 7:33 pm

Purple flowers, Rio Grande Nature Center 3

Rio Grande Nature Center
Albuquerque, New Mexico
13 September 2025

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September 30, 2025 · 3:51 pm

30 September 2025

30 September is observed in Canada as The National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, colloquially known as Orange Shirt Day. It is a day of memorial to recognize the atrocities and generational impact committed on First Nations peoples by the Canadian Indian residential school system. It has expanded in the United State as a day to remember the atrocities and generational impact inflicted by the U.S. boarding school system on Indigenous peoples. The Indigenous peoples of Australia had a similar experience.

Lost Souls – Tom Jackson Lost Souls
Residential School Song (Indian Boarding School Song) – Cheryl Bear
Child of the Government – Jayli Wolf
BEFORE – A Tribe Called Red, feat. Joseph Boyden
Apatapasiq – Mike Bern
Battlefields – Twin Flames
Savage Mob – Snotty Nose Rez Kids, feat. Nooky & Birdz
open window – nêhiyawak
Took the Children Away – Archie Roach, Australian Art Orchestra, Paul Grabowsky & Ruby Hunter (the Australian Indigenous experience)
Take Me Home – Indian City
Spirit Horses – Annie Humphrey
The Land of the Blind – Ira Provost
Why Us – N’we Jinan Artists
500 Years – Rhonda Head
Residential School – Jerry Alfred & The Medicine Beat
Cut My Hair – Digging Roots
Residential School – Chris Pierce
For Our Children – Bryan Akipa

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September 17, 2025 · 10:08 pm

16 September 2025

Mexican Independence; Death of Victor Jara; B.B. King Birthday;
Himno Nacional Mexicano – Banda de Genaro Nuñez & Banda Estudiantil del Estado de Jalisco
Me Gustan los Estudiantes – Tita Parra
El Pueblo Unido Jamàs Serà Vencido – Inti-Illimani
México Lindo – Vicente Fernández
Viva Mexico – Mariachi Veracruz
Mi Ciudad – Lola Beltrán
Pisagua 1973 – Los Miserables
Victor Jara’s Hands – Calexico
Victor Jara – Arlo Guthrie
15 de Septiembre – José Alfredo Jiménez
Estadio Chile – Pete Seeger
Manifiesto – Victor Jara
Juan Sin Tierra – Ska-P
Back Against the Wall – Hogni
It Could Have Been Me – Holly Near
Washington Bullets – The Clash
On My Word Of Honor – B.B. King
You’ve Been An Angel – B.B. King
Blind Love – B.B. King

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September 16, 2025 · 6:03 pm

On the Feast of San Augustinito at the Pueblo of Isleta, September 3, 2025

The drums beat,
the people continue.

The rattles shake,
the people continue.

The bells jingle,
the people continue.

The dancers move,
the people continue.

The singers chant,
the people continue.

Out of the past,
the people continue.

In the present,
the people continue.

Into the future,
the people continue.

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September 14, 2025 · 11:20 pm

Gaza 5K walk/run – Virtually

I’m fundraising for UNRWA USA by participating in the Gaza 5K walk/run VIRTUALLY on or about Sunday, October 12th, 2025. I’d like to walk in person in New York, but I will be in Albuquerque.

I choose to show my solidarity with Palestine refugees by committing myself to raising money for UNRWA mental health services. The trauma of the crisis and the stress of living under blockade, unable to leave the Gaza Strip, has left thousands of refugees, particularly children, in need of psychosocial support.

The situation may seem hopeless, but by providing counseling through UNRWA, we can support their mental health, help them cope with their traumas, and improve their quality of life even slightly during this assault on their homes and lives.

Though I know I can’t change the world for every refugee, with your support, I intend to reach as many children as possible.

If you share my commitment to bettering the mental health of Palestine refugee children, please donate to my Gaza 5K walk.

Proceeds will go directly to UNRWA mental health services and counselors–refugees themselves–in the Gaza Strip. NOTE – this fundraiser does not raise funds for immediate food needs. There are other ways to do this. This fundraiser helps to provide mental health services.

Thank you for supporting me to show Palestine refugees that Americans care and for giving what you can!

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September 14, 2025 · 9:28 am

A prayer in a world where children know hunger

God who makes and loves each child,

forgive me for wasting food

in a world where children starve,

where children experience malnutrition,

where children go hungry,

in too many places,

including places near my home.

Forgive me, God.

Help me do better

by making wiser choices

about what I eat,

how much I eat,

where my food is produced.

Help me do better

by supporting organizations

that share food with children (and adults) in need,

that address root causes of hunger,

that work to end conflict,

that enable people to feed themselves,

that challenge our impact upon creation

which affect food production.

Help me do better

by demanding action

from individuals and organizations

that shape policies

which result in hunger

and which work to end hunger.

Forgive me, God.

Help me do better.

In the name of Jesus

who fed the hungry and welcomed children.

Amen.

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September 13, 2025 · 8:54 pm

A prayer for water

We went down to the river, Creator,
and no river flowed.
Dried sands,
muddy puddles,
cracked earth.
A bed.
No water. No river.
We walked across
and did not get wet.
Even as we suffer from too little water,
we know there are people and places
with too much water that results
in floods and mudslides,
destruction and death.
We pray for water, Creator,
for water is life.
Send rain to places in need of water.
Hold rain from places with too much water.
Help us all to learn and implement
ways to conserve the water we have.
Lead those who make decisions about
water allocation and sharing
to do so wisely.
Guide us to make responsible decisions
about uses of water
so that this precious resource
sustains life for all your children and this world.
We pray in the name of Jesus,
baptized in the Jordan.
Amen.

Despite its name, the Rio Grande is not that impressive in most parts of Albuquerque. It should look better than it did today.

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September 13, 2025 · 9:18 am

A prayer to keep on going

Gracious God,
As we live,
help us keep on going.
As we pursue our life goals,
whatever those goals may be,
help us keep on going.
When our progress slows or stalls,
help us keep on going.
When disappointments arise,
help us keep on going.
When we need to change our plans,
help us keep on going.
When life happens and brings change,
help us keep on going.
When challenges appear,
help us keep on going.
When directions become unanticipated
and our way is unforeseen,
help us keep on going.
In all times and every circumstance,
help us keep on going.
And when we can’t,
grant us the grace and strength
to be gentle with ourselves,
take the rest we need,
and try again.
We pray in Jesus’ name.
Amen.

inspired by the Rev. Jerrod Lowry

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September 12, 2025 · 9:17 pm

12 September 2025 – Death of Steve Biko

Death of Steve Biko.
Steve Biko – Beenie Man
Biko – Peter Gabriel
Steve Biko (Stir It Up) – A Tribe Called Quest
Biko’s Kindred Lament – Steel Pulse
Prisoner – Lucky Dube
Kazet – Mahlathini & Mahotella Queens
Not Yet Uhuru – Letta Mbulu
Tomorrow Nation – O’ Yaba
Hellfire – African Jazz Pioneers
Unfinished Story – Stimela
Biko Drum – Christy Moore
Asimbonanga / Biko – Wouter Kellerman & Soweto Gospel Choir Symphonic, feat. KwaZulu-Natal Philharmonic & Angélique Kidjo
The Death Of Stephen Biko – Tom Paxton
Tribute to Steve Biko – Tappa Zukie
Nkosi Sikelel ‘IAfrica – Ladysmith Black Mambazo

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