It can do truth no service to blink the fact, known to all who have the most ordinary acquaintance with literary history, that a large portion of the noblest and most valuable moral teaching has been the work, not only of men who did not know, but of men who knew and rejected, the Christian faith. | |
— John Stuart Mill | |
From: “On Liberty“ | |
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On This Day In: | |
2022 | The Fight Continues… |
2021 | Short, Swift, Haste |
Another Friend’s Passing | |
2020 | Can We At Least Set The Bar Higher Than An Incompetent Liar In The Oval Office? |
2019 | Uncertain Times |
And Government Shutdowns, Too | |
2018 | Satisfied |
2017 | In The Mind |
2016 | Dreaming |
2015 | The Best Medicine Is Also Contagious |
2014 | Eyes Off |
2013 | The More Things Change… |
2012 | The Delicate Moment Of Giving |
2011 | Ready, Shoot, Aim!! |
Archive for the ‘Faith Family and Friends’ Category
Don’t Blink
Posted in Faith, Philosophy, Quotes, tagged Christianity, Faith, John Stuart Mill, On Liberty, Philosophy, Quotes, Truth on January 25, 2023| Leave a Comment »
Share Love
Posted in Faith, Philosophy, Quotes, tagged Commands, Compassion, Dr. Leo F. Buscaglia, Encouragement, Giving, Happiness, John 15:17, King James Bible, KJV, Love, Philosophy, Quotes, Sharing, Talents, Time on January 20, 2023| 6 Comments »
These things I command you, that ye love one another. | |
John 15:17 | |
King James Version (KJV) | |
There are scores of people waiting for someone just like us to come along; people who will appreciate our compassion, our encouragement, who will need our unique talents. Someone who will live a happier life merely because we took the time to share what we had to give. | |
― Dr. Leo F. Buscaglia | |
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On This Day In: | |
2022 | Biden Starts His Second Year |
2021 | DIY: Outdoor Gym Modifications (2) |
Inauguration Day 2021 | |
(Hopefully) Good-Bye To The Trump Dark Ages | |
2020 | Posting As A Continual Exercise |
2019 | Border Security – Yes, Border Wall – No |
2018 | Supporting Survival Values |
2017 | Inauguration Day 2017 [Sometimes, I hate it when I’m right! — kmab] |
2016 | Or A Pot Of Gold After The Storm |
2015 | One, Two, Three… |
2014 | Lend Your Hand |
2013 | Amnesty, n. |
2012 | Best Resolv’d |
The Clock Is Running | |
2011 | Magic |
Just Perspective
Posted in Faith, Philosophy, Quotes, tagged Butterfly, Caterpillar, End Of The World, Faith, Perspective, Philosophy, Quotes on January 18, 2023| Leave a Comment »
What the caterpillar calls the end of the world the master calls a butterfly. | |
— Richard Bach | |
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On This Day In: | |
2022 | Do It |
2021 | The Honor Is To Serve… |
I Don’t Know That I Will | |
Only So Long | |
2020 | Each Meaning |
2019 | The Deep End |
Is Anyone ELSE Out There Listening? | |
2018 | Defining Characteristic |
2017 | Just Asking |
2016 | Still A Burden |
15 And Counting | |
2015 | All A Game |
2014 | Two Thoughts |
2013 | RIP – Dear Abby |
Half-Life Problems | |
2012 | To The Soul… |
2011 | Reverted!! |
2022 Tree And Ornament
Posted in Family History, Pictures, tagged 2022 Christmas Ornament, 2022 Christmas Tree, Family History, Pictures on January 3, 2023| 4 Comments »
Each Christmas season, our tradition is to get our Christmas tree the first full weekend of December and to take it down the first full weekend after January 6th (aka: the “Feast of the Three Kings” or “Epiphany” or “Little Christmas”). We have a secondary tradition of purchasing a representative decoration for each year. Sometimes they are religious (angels, stars, etc.), sometimes they are Christmas but humorous and sometimes they are topical (StarTrek, StarWars, Harry Potter, Dr. Who, etc). This year’s ornament was a Santa riding a red fire engine. Anyway, we are getting ready to take the tree down the weekend after this, so I thought I’d post a few pictures of this year’s tree and ornament… (You can click on the image to see a larger version.) | |
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On This Day In: | |
2022 | 2021 Tree And Ornaments |
2021 | 2020 Tree And Ornaments |
My Bag | |
2020 | Still Looking |
2019 | Too True |
2018 | Simon Says |
2017 | Next Cell |
2016 | Important Knowledge |
2015 | Are You Still The Exception? |
2014 | In Answer |
Days Are Passing | |
2013 | Opportunity |
2012 | Appropriate Qualities |
2011 | A Place To Hang My Hat |
Christmas Wishes For 2022
Posted in Faith, Faith Family and Friends, Family and Friends, Other Blogs, tagged Blessings, Faith and Family, https://pacificparatrooper.wordpress.com/, Images, Merry Christmas -- 2022, Other Blogs, Pacific Paratrooper, X-mas 2022 on December 25, 2022| 4 Comments »
First off: Merry Christmas to all… !! | |
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Second: Hug everyone at your table and say a prayer of blessings for absent friends and family. | |
Third: Please remember in your thoughts all of the first responders and essential workers who are working each day to maintain the health and the safety of our families. The “COVID pandemic” may be over, but they remain on the job where we need them. Police, firefighters, EMTs, health workers, PPE and vaccine manufacturers, supermarket / food-store / essential services staff, transportation (truck drivers and delivery) staff, our military defending us around the world and our civilian government employees working to keep our water, food and air clean. | |
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Finally: Please, please, please… | |
Keep current on your vaccine(s) / booster shot(s). | |
And, to those of you traveling: drive safely (to and from wherever you roam)… | |
[A big shout-out to http://pacificparatrooper.wordpress.com/ for providing today’s two images. Please visit the site if you have a chance. — kmab] | |
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On This Day In: | |
2021 | Christmas Wishes For 2021 |
This Simple Phrase | |
2020 | Christmas Wishes For 2020 |
Best Wishes For All | |
2019 | My Thoughts About The X-mas Turkey… |
2018 | Merry X-mas – 2018 |
2017 | Focus On Christmas — 2017 |
2016 | Merry X-mas – 2016 |
2015 | Merry X-mas – 2015 |
2014 | Merry X-mas – 2014 |
2013 | Merry X-mas – 2013 |
2012 | Merry Christmas – 2012 |
2011 | I Have Seen |
Looking Forward To Christmas
Posted in Faith, Philosophy, Quotes, tagged Faith, John Greenleaf Whittier, My Psalm, Philosophy, Quotes, Soul, Sun, Window on December 12, 2022| Leave a Comment »
The window of my soul I throw open to the sun. | |
— John Greenleaf Whittier | |
From: “My Psalm“ | |
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On This Day In: | |
2021 | What Should Be Universal Exercise |
I’m So Glad | |
2020 | Trying To Keep On Keeping On |
Bending | |
2019 | Ooops (Again) |
2018 | Two Start Up Front |
2017 | I Love America Because… |
An Act Of God | |
And So It Came To Pass (Act Of God part 2) | |
2016 | As Far From |
2015 | Rocky 7 |
Just Like Politics | |
2014 | Game And Legend |
“Scientific” Pride In Humanity | |
2013 | Real Honor |
Catching Up | |
2012 | Thoughts And Communications |
2011 | But How Does Peter Feel? |
2010 | Name That Regret |
Be Glorious
Posted in Faith, Philosophy, Quotes, tagged Alive, Faith, Glory, God, Philosophy, Quotes, St. Irenaeus on December 10, 2022| Leave a Comment »
The glory of God is a human being fully alive. | |
— St. Irenaeus | |
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On This Day In: | |
2021 | Our Common Humanity |
A History Story | |
2020 | At The Very Least Smile More |
Your Touch | |
2019 | Still Working On Both |
2018 | Two Jordans To Heaven |
Speaking Of #45 | |
2017 | All Greek To Me |
2016 | Judgment |
2015 | I Love Bacon, Too |
2014 | The Wee Bit |
2013 | Reading Rules |
2012 | Cadet Prayer |
2011 | Easy To Tell |
2010 | A NEW Lion In The Senate (Channeling Mr. Smith) |
Inception Redux | |
A Quick Hit Of Stats | |
Happy 38th Anniversary, Hil!!
Posted in Faith Family and Friends, Family and Friends, Family History, Pictures, tagged Family, Happy 38th Anniversary, Picture of Hil and Me, Pictures, SF City Hall, Wedding Anniversary, Wedding Photo on December 3, 2022| 4 Comments »
When I wake up to you every day, I’m reminded that saying ‘I do’ was the best answer of my life. After all these years, I’m still happy that you said it too! | |
Happy 38th Anniversary, Hil! | |
Love Always, Your Kev XXX 00 X |
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— kmab] | |
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On This Day In: | |
2021 | Happy 37th Anniversary, Hil!! |
2020 | Happy 36th Anniversary, Hil!! |
2019 | Sampling 3:16 |
Happy 35th Anniversary, Hil!! | |
2018 | Happy 34th Anniversary, Hil!! |
2017 | Happy 33rd Anniversary, Hil!! |
2016 | Happy 32nd Anniversary, Hil!! |
2015 | Happy Anniversary Hil!! |
2014 | 30th Wedding Anniversary |
2013 | Number 29 (And Counting) |
2012 | Hammer ‘N Roses |
Happy Anniversary | |
2011 | I Can Hear It Now |
Or At Least Nod In That Direction
Posted in Faith, Humor, Philosophy, Quotes, tagged Atheism, Faith, George Bernard Shaw, God, Humor, Philosophy, Quotes, Thankfulness on November 1, 2022| 2 Comments »
I’m an atheist and I thank God for it. | |
― George Bernard Shaw | |
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On This Day In: | |
2021 | Learning And Teaching |
Two Loves | |
2020 | Does Anyone Else Look Forward To The Last Lawn Mowing ‘Til Spring? |
Only For You | |
2019 | 10,000 Tries |
2018 | Keep America Great – Vote This Tuesday |
2017 | Old Style Ear Candy |
2016 | Next Tuesday |
2015 | Wanna Trade? |
2014 | Brothers And Friends |
2013 | So Suddenly |
2012 | At The Center |
2011 | Live Long And Thinner |
Got Health? | |
2010 | SF Giants – 2010 World Series Champions!!! |
52 – 54 – 56 – 58 | |
2009 | Diet Update |
Pictures from Chicago Trip… | |
To My Wife, My Love, My Friend
Posted in Faith Family and Friends, Family and Friends, Philosophy, Quotes, tagged Friendship, Happy Birthday Hil, Inspiration, Philosophy, Quotes, Ralph Waldo Emerson, Trust on October 29, 2022| 2 Comments »
The glory of friendship is not the outstretched hand, not the kindly smile, nor the joy of companionship; it is the spiritual inspiration that comes to one when you discover that someone else believes in you and is willing to trust you with a friendship. | |
― Ralph Waldo Emerson | |
Happy Birthday, Hil!! May we forever hold hands on our walks… | |
All my love, | |
Always! | |
Your Kev | |
XXX | |
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On This Day In: | |
2021 | It Also Helps To Marry Well |
Holding Hands And Thinking | |
2020 | A Mandelbrot Set |
I Still Can’t… | |
2019 | Proposing A Happy Birthday |
35 Years Later | |
2018 | Forever |
2017 | Too Good To Be True |
Plain Speaking | |
2016 | She Is Still Singing |
2015 | Don’t Complain |
2014 | Nothing Is The Same |
Orange October (XII) – Giants Win Game 7 (3 To 2) And World Series (4 To 3) | |
2013 | Hours, Days, And Years |
2012 | In Kev Are In Hil |
2011 | No Game, Didn’t Really Happen |
A Good Post | |
Seeking The Same Thing
Posted in Faith, Philosophy, Quotes, tagged Conscience, Faith, God, Inner Voice, Leo Tolstoy, Mahatma Gandhi, Philosophy, Quotes, Truth, Voice of God on September 28, 2022| Leave a Comment »
For me the Voice of God, of Conscience, of Truth, or the Inner Voice or “the Still Small Voice” mean one and the same thing. | |
— Mahatma Gandhi | |
Live seeking God, then you will not live without God. | |
— Leo Tolstoy | |
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On This Day In: | |
2021 | Climate Change Deniers |
We Don’t Listen Anyway | |
2020 | Nothing New Here |
Talk To Me | |
Register And Vote | |
2019 | Love And Leave |
2018 | Smiling If Not Laughing |
2017 | Chilled And Smooth |
2016 | But Sometimes You Have To Stand In Front |
2015 | The Key Shift |
2014 | Remember ISIS / ISIL? |
2013 | What Have You Done Lately? |
2012 | B8 |
2011 | I’m Definitely Not In Control |
A Life Well Lived, A Story Well Told
Posted in 2022 Book Review, Book Review, Disclaimer, Family and Friends, Reviews, tagged 2022 Book Review, Craig J. Carrozzi, Dancing With Wolves, Disclaimer, Friends, Grizzly Bear, Hetch-Hetchy Valley, Highly Recommended Book, Ireland, Jeremiah Ignatius McElroy, Northern California, Oakland, San Francisco, SF Giants, The Curse Of Chief Tenaya -- book review, The Deer Hunter, The Last Of The Mohicans, The Peace Corps, Yosemite on September 25, 2022| Leave a Comment »
“The Curse Of Chief Tenaya” (2002©) — book review | |
Today’s book review is for a historic fiction novel set in 1800’s. The author is Craig J. Carrozzi. It is about an Irish immigrant coming to the United States and making his life through the pre-, actual and post- “Gold Rush” in Northern / Central California. | |
Full disclosure: Craig (the author) was a member of the football teams I played on while in high school in San Francisco. After high school graduation, Craig joined the Peace Corps, returned to San Francisco to get his BA and then subsequently lived a good deal of his life in South America. Like me, Craig was raised in San Francisco. He is the author of five published books and numerous articles. Of his five published books – one is about attending a SF Giants baseball game as a youth; three are semi-autobiographical fictionalized stories about his time in South America; and, this book (being reviewed) is about earlier days in Northern California. | |
The book’s main character is Jeremiah Ignatius McElroy. He is born in Ireland, starts off as a hard life (potato famine and Yellow Fever), moves to the US (via Canada), travels across the country / continent and ultimately becomes a hunter and tour guide in the Sierra Nevada mountains. His main geographic expertise is the high-country of Yosemite Valley and it’s “cousin”, the Hetch-Hetchy Valley. He spends the winters in Oakland, CA with his widowed younger sister and her family. Jeremiah is hired by a wealthy landowner to track down and destroy a Grizzly bear. | |
This is basically a “man’s” action book with a couple of interesting twists (interesting to me, anyway). First, the current day action is interspersed with the growing-up portion of Jeremiah’s life. The author / publisher uses the “trick” of italicizing the historical narration so the reader can clearly “see” when the author is talking about the past. The second interesting aspect of the book is an obvious attempt to include “real” famous / historic literary figures in the story. Hence, Jeremiah reads Ambrose Bierce columns in the daily newspaper; drinks with Jack London in a bar; and, meets John Muir while up in the hills. | |
The “action” portion is the life of the growing up, becoming a man and then aging and preparing for old age; but within the specific confines of the plot, it is the pursuit of a giant Grizzly which has been terrorizing cattle ranches in and around the Hetch-Hetchy area. | |
So, is this book any good? Is it realistic in it’s character(s) and / or historic depictions? Is it entertaining and / or interesting? And, finally, do I recommend this book? | |
In short – the answer is YES, to all of these questions. The book is relatively short (225 pages) and the story is a fast and well paced read. I read it completely in one sitting and found it hard to put down for my own meals. (This despite a good deal of delicious sounding meals through-out the book.) | |
In general, the book seems pretty accurate to very accurate in describing both people and locations. I must admit, I felt the author let a bit of his own “politics” come into the attitudes and language used in some of the conversations. One example is when Jeremiah uses the word “deforestation” in an extended dialogue. I looked the word up. The word is cited as first used around 1870, so it is possible Jeremiah might know it, but it seems to me, unlikely a hunter / trapper / outdoorsman / tour guide would know the word, let alone use the word. But, these are very minor flaws in an otherwise well written work. A brief clarification: I haven’t spoken with the author in over 50 years, so I really have no idea about his “politics” or if they are reflected in the writing. It’s just how I felt while reading the book. | |
And, “the Curse” itself? Well, it created a “hook” and theme for the book, but I felt it could have been better fleshed out. I’m not sure why I feel that way or how I might have advised the author to improve the story during development, but it (the “hook”, not the book as a whole) made me feel like I was reading a poor mix of “Dancing With Wolves“, “The Last of the Mohicans” and “The Deer Hunter“. Very much like those movies, the ending is thought provoking rather than PollyAnn-ish uplifting. A “Good” or “Bad” ending will then depend on the reader’s individual reaction to the ending. The “curse” was from the last Native American Chief of the tribe (Chief Tenaya, a non-literary, but “real person” from the period) which lived in the Hetch-Hetchy Valley. He pledged to haunt those who would despoil the tribes sacred lands (the Valley). | |
I found the book to be between “hard to put down” and “can’t put down”. That’s quite a statement from this reviewer. The descriptions of the skies, mountains, valleys, flowers and animals filled my imagination and reminded me of earlier outdoor travels and adventures from my own youth. | |
Final recommendation: Very highly recommended if you are into “masculine” adventure type action stories with a historical setting. Given I was raised in Northern California, I particularly enjoyed the descriptions of “old world” San Francisco, Oakland and the towns from the Bay Area to Hetch-Hetchy. If you are prudish, be advised there is some minor sexual content, but I felt it was well within the boundary of character and story development. | |
Disclaimer: I purchased this book at normal / sale price (for an old / used book) and no compensation has been provided to me by anyone for my opinions in this review. | |
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On This Day In: | |
2021 | MAGA Choice: Reality Or Lies |
You Seem To Be | |
2020 | A Good Reason To Blog |
Finally Enjoying The View | |
2019 | Living Free |
2018 | Relative Imagination |
2017 | Thank You, Senator McCain (So Far Anyway) |
2016 | What About Friends? |
2015 | It Tastes Good To Me |
2014 | Others’ Footsteps |
The Not-So-Modern Samurai | |
2013 | Doin’ |
2012 | A Lover |
2011 | What Have We Found Here |
Words | |
Moments Make A Lifetime
Posted in Faith Family and Friends, Family and Friends, Philosophy, Quotes, tagged Family, Happiness, Happy Birthday Rebecca, Life, Omar Khayyam, Philosophy, Quotes on September 23, 2022| Leave a Comment »
Happy Birthday, Bec! | |
Be happy for this moment. This moment is your life. | |
— Omar Khayyam | |
And congratulations (again) on starting the new job and being unopposed for re-election to the College Board! | |
We love you always, | |
Mum and Dad | |
XXX |
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On This Day In: | |
2021 | Strong Women Make Them Too |
Gather Moments | |
2020 | Another Opportunity |
Stand Up, Shout Out | |
2019 | Birthday Gifts For Our Daughter |
Feeling Age | |
2018 | Seeking To Make A Difference |
2017 | Happy BD, Bec! |
2016 | BD Quotes |
2015 | Princess |
2014 | Optional |
2013 | Happy Birthday, Rebecca |
2012 | Be Not Old |
2012 National League Western Division Champions!!! | |
2011 | What Kind Of Work Do You Do? |
2010 | Another Loser… And Come November |
And Counting…
Posted in Faith Family and Friends, Family History, Philosophy, Quotes, tagged Family History, Philosophy, Quotes, Robert M. Pirsig, Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance on August 28, 2022| 2 Comments »
You look at where you’re going and where you are and it never makes sense, but then you look back at where you’ve been and a pattern seems to emerge. | |
— Robert M. Pirsig | |
From his book: “Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance: An Inquiry Into Values“ | |
[Thirty-eight years ago my Hil came back to me!! I still fall asleep – “Counting my blessings…” — kmab] | |
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On This Day In: | |
2021 | Or The Person You Love |
Still Beating For You | |
2020 | The Chain Must Be Broken |
Back To Me… | |
2019 | Love Like This… |
2018 | Open Hearts Find Strength |
Day 32: Planning The Future | |
2017 | Thinking Out Loud |
2016 | Fighting Change |
2015 | Get Change |
2014 | Trapped (Again) |
2013 | Someone Else Believes |
2012 | The Practical Value of Science |
2011 | Seize Gladly The Difficult Task |
A Constitutional Conversation | |
2010 | The Fierce Urgency Of Now… |
Salaam Alaikum, Pakistan
Posted in Environment, Faith, General Comments, tagged Environment, Faith, Floods, Mississippi, Pakistan, Salaam, Thoughts And Prayers, Weather on August 30, 2022| 1 Comment »
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