I would say that I don’t know how we got through that first shaky week of this third pandemic-impacted school year, hugging our kids and checking to make sure their masks were secure before they left each morning, except that I do know: We had no choice. We still don’t. Though we’re grateful to their teachers and glad that our kids are once again learning alongside their peers, the worry persists, an undercurrent to which we’ve been forced to adapt as we settle into routines both familiar and new. | |
Each week brings more pediatric infections, more student quarantines. Each day, I’m conscious of the fact that I’m allowing my children to assume a risk from which I, working at home, am protected, and this feels hopelessly backward. I read every update to the school COVID-19 guidelines so I know what to expect after the inevitable exposure, but I can’t tell my kids what they have long wanted to know: When will things go back to the way they remember? | |
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Over the past 18 months, a common refrain has been that this pandemic should compel all of us to recognize our interdependence, the inescapable fact that we will not address this or any of the other grave threats we’re facing without collective action. This is a lesson that I expect many of our children are also learning, though the cost and the danger to them feels too high. I know I don’t want my kids to conclude that they are or forever will be powerless, or that there is no one who will fight with and for them. There are many things I still have to hope for to get through each day, and while our children’s survival and health top the list, I also want them to retain their faith in themselves and in their ability to look forward to something better than this — to find, as they so often do, their own reasons to hope. | |
— Nicole Chung | |
From: “The View Essay: Parenting – Did I point my kids to the wrong North Star?” Appearing in: Time Magazine; 11/18 Oct 2021 |
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Also online at: https://time.com/6102019/covid-19-hope-for-kids/ | |
The online version appears as: “There’s No End in Sight for COVID-19. What Do We Tell Our Kids Now?“ | |
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On This Day In: | |
2021 | The Rush Is On |
Another Rerun | |
2020 | It Is Still About Sharing And Cheering |
2019 | Sounds Like #LyingDonald |
2018 | Start Building |
2017 | Woof! Woof! |
2016 | Cast Out |
2015 | Small Pieces |
Happy Father’s Day! | |
2014 | Uncertain Work |
2013 | Unpatriotic And Servile |
2012 | What Price Freedom? |
2011 | Particular Importance |
Three From Bette… | |
Posts Tagged ‘Faith’
Is Normal Just Routine?
Posted in Health, Philosophy, Quotes, tagged Choice, COVID-19, Did I Point My Kids To The Wrong North Star?, Faith, Health, Hope, Nicole Chung, Parenting, Philosophy, Quarantines, Quotes, The New Normal, The View Essay, Time Magazine on June 21, 2022| Leave a Comment »
Do Good Works
Posted in Faith, Faith Family and Friends, Philosophy, Quotes, tagged Briers, Christian, Dietrich Bonhoeffer, Faith, Figs, God, Good News Translation, Grapes, Matthew 7:16, Philosophy, Quotes, The Bible, Thorn Bushes on May 7, 2022| Leave a Comment »
Your life as a Christian should make non believers question their disbelief in God. | |
— Dietrich Bonhoeffer | |
You will know them by what they do. Thorn bushes do not bear grapes, and briers do not bear figs. | |
— Matthew 7:16 | |
From: “The Bible” (Good News Translation) | |
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On This Day In: | |
2021 | We Like To Believe So, Anyway |
More SoCal Sounds | |
2020 | I’m Older Now |
2019 | Why #45 (#LazyDonald) Was Destined To Be A Failed Presidency |
2018 | Easter In Liverpool |
Star Guides To Destiny | |
Growl | |
2017 | Decisions |
2016 | Along The Path |
2015 | Make Mine Rare, Please |
2014 | Passion Flooding |
2013 | On Purpose |
2012 | Sans Gall Bladder, Day 4 |
How Did You Spend Your Day? | |
2011 | It’s Hammerin’ Time!! |
Convenient Auxiliaries | |
Just The Same
Posted in Faith, Philosophy, Quotes, tagged Beliefs, E. B. White, Faith, Love, Meaning, Philosophy, Quotes on April 8, 2022| Leave a Comment »
I have no faith, only a suitcaseful of beliefs that sustain me. Life’s meaning has always eluded me and I guess always will. But I love it just the same. | |
— E. B. White | |
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On This Day In: | |
2021 | Starting Young |
I Hear It, Too | |
2020 | My Thoughts On #LyingDonald’s Corona Briefings |
2019 | As I Recall |
2018 | Effective Violence And A Government At Risk |
2017 | Playing The Same Music |
2016 | Survival Instinct |
2015 | Tears |
2014 | Bourne Again (4) |
2013 | God’s Protection |
2012 | Happy Easter!! |
Edge, Class, Clash, And Flight | |
The Value Of Bureaucracies | |
2011 | Logic Cuts |
If That’s What You Mean
Posted in Faith, Philosophy, Quotes, tagged Albert Einstein, Albert Schweitzer, Bertrand Russell, Faith, Frank Sinatra, God, Inshallah, Life, Nature, No Comfort, Philosophy, Quotes, Roll The Dice on April 4, 2022| 2 Comments »
I believe in you and me. I’m like Albert Schweitzer and Bertrand Russell and Albert Einstein in that I have a respect for life – in any form. I believe in nature, in the birds, the sea, the sky, in everything I can see or that there is real evidence for. If these things are what you mean by God, then I believe in God. But I don’t believe in a personal God to whom I look for comfort or for a natural on the next roll of the dice. | |
–– Frank Sinatra | |
[Can one draw comfort from believing in “God” without looking directly for it (God’s comfort)? I seem to be able to. Inshallah… — KMAB] | |
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On This Day In: | |
2021 | Awakening The Glow |
I Remember | |
2020 | Golden Eagle |
Like #45: Incompetent Donald | |
2019 | #45: Who Lost By Three Million Votes |
2018 | Torn Between Two Loves |
A Girl And A Boy | |
2017 | I Think They Are Starting To… |
2016 | Living There |
2015 | Bookin’ West |
Beyond My Reach | |
You Never Call Anymore… | |
2014 | Winning? |
2013 | Still Inventing |
2012 | Motivated |
2011 | Waiting In Line At Starbuck’s |
Prayers For Ukraine
Posted in Faith, Philosophy, Quotes, tagged Faith, Great Works, Perseverance, Philosophy, Prayers, Quotes, Samuel Johnson, Strength, Ukraine on March 11, 2022| 2 Comments »
Great works are performed not by strength, but by perseverance. | |
— Samuel Johnson | |
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On This Day In: | |
2021 | Be Your Own Hero |
Another Frog King | |
2020 | Still Trying To… |
2019 | Press Freedom |
2018 | Or Loyalty To An Unqualified And Incompetent President |
2017 | A Bad Sale |
2016 | Be Happy! |
2015 | Are You Feeling Cold? |
2014 | Never Asked |
2013 | In Praise Of Change |
2012 | John Carter Of Mars |
Circular | |
2011 | How Much And When |
True Measures
Posted in Faith, Philosophy, Quotes, tagged Church, Faith, Kindness, Philosophy, Quotes, Robert Lewis on February 17, 2022| Leave a Comment »
The true measures of a church are not “how many” but “how loving,” not “how relevant” but “how real”. | |
— Robert Lewis | |
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On This Day In: | |
2021 | Moments With You |
I Remember I Told My Sorrow | |
2020 | A Post-Valentine Thought |
2019 | A Little Magic |
‘Cause It Makes Me Feel Happy | |
The Mark Against Your Name | |
2018 | Nice To Meet You |
2017 | All Nations & Religions |
2016 | Given The Choice |
Why Is He Wearing Red? | |
2015 | Within The System |
2014 | None But… |
2013 | Obviously Longer |
2012 | A Childhood Poem |
Who Are You Callin’ Leather-Faced? | |
2011 | In No Particular Order |
The Need For Proof | |
A Happy Realization
Posted in Education, Philosophy, Quotes, Science and Learning, tagged Chief White Eagle, Faith, God, Happiness, Philosophy, Quotes, Thanksgiving on January 28, 2022| Leave a Comment »
Happiness is the realization of God in the heart. Happiness is the result of praise and thanksgiving, of faith and acceptance; a quiet, tranquil realization of the love of God. | |
— Chief White Eagle | |
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On This Day In: | |
2021 | Is Science Cumulative? |
We’re Aging With Time | |
2020 | Where #45 Is Leading The Republican Party |
2019 | Your Own Blog Posts |
The Man With A Code | |
2018 | Choose Goodness |
2017 | Developing Translations |
2016 | Think Like A Hero |
2015 | Reductionism |
2014 | Gravitation, n. |
2013 | Ups And Downs |
2012 | Nerd Heard – And Good-Bye |
Your Continuum | |
2011 | Career Tips (Part 2) |
Are You Confused?
Posted in Faith, Philosophy, Quotes, tagged Confusion, Faith, God, Philosophy, Quotes on January 27, 2022| Leave a Comment »
It is terrible when people do not know God, but it is worse when people confuse God with what is not God. | |
— Leo Tolstoy | |
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On This Day In: | |
2021 | Working On The Ordinary |
Smoothed My Jagged Edges | |
2020 | Republican Senators Should Vote For Conviction Of #45 |
2019 | Carry It |
2018 | Simple |
2017 | Knowledge Pays |
2016 | Brief Glimpses And Full Glances |
2015 | Pursuing Perspective |
2014 | Wearing Down? |
2013 | Labouring Under A Curse |
2012 | Listen To Yourself |
2011 | Career Tips (Part 1) |
No Captain Dunsel | |
And Speak To Me
Posted in Faith, Philosophy, Quotes, Science and Learning, tagged Faith, Learning, Mark Twain, Meaning, Philosophy, Quotes, Scriptural Phrases, Travel on November 3, 2021| Leave a Comment »
One must travel, to learn. Every day, now, old Scriptural phrases that never possessed any significance for me before, take to themselves a meaning. | |
— Mark Twain | |
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On This Day In: | |
2020 | If You Haven’t Done It Yet: VOTE!! |
I Agree | |
2019 | I’m Still Looking |
2018 | I Choose Love |
Courage Can Be Contagious | |
2017 | Scary And Wonderful |
2016 | #AmnestyDon Hears The Polls |
2015 | Dare The Improbable |
2014 | All Together Now! |
2013 | This Road |
2012 | Profit |
2011 | God Is Personal |
2010 | Playoff Fever Gets the Best of Me… |
Current Heroes (II)
Posted in Faith, Faith Family and Friends, Health, History, tagged 9/11 Rememberance, California, COVID-19, Faith, Getting Vaccinated, Health, History, Hurricane Ida on September 11, 2021| Leave a Comment »
Sometimes re-posts are entirely appropriate… This isn’t “exactly” a re-post, but the first three following paragraphs are pretty close… | |
For the last twenty years, on 11 September my thoughts turn to those heroes who quietly serve to protect us: those in the military services, those in law enforcement, and those in health and other protective services. | |
Today (as it was last year), my beloved State of California is under a state of emergency as fires rage up, down and across the the breadth of the State. I would just like any of my readers to share with me a few moments of thought (prayers if you’re that way inclined) for those firefighters who are risking their lives daily (and have been for several weeks now) continuously fighting fires to save lives, pets and property. | |
I, for one, can never express my gratitude enough for what you do. I can only offer you (and your families) my thoughts and prayers. God keep you all safe! | |
This year, we are also engaged in a second wave (and second year) of battle against an indiscriminate virus which is ravaging the nation as well as our state. Last year – at this time, we didn’t have a vaccine to help protect us in this battle. This year we do have an effective vaccine, but it has not been fully distributed. Consequently, the virus is now running rampant among those who are unvaccinated – particularly children under 12 years of age (for whom the vaccines have not yet been proven safe). | |
We do not know how long the vaccines will remain effective. We do not know how severe “long-term” COVID effects will last or even if the effects ease or get worse for those COVID does not kill immediately. What we do know is the vaccines are very effective in reducing the number of folks going to the ER with serious (life-threatening) illness. We know masking, practicing social distancing and washing your hands frequently also reduces the rate of spread of the virus. | |
Unless you have an underlying medical condition which prevents you from getting vaccinated, the best thing you can do to help our doctors, nurses, EMTs and other health professionals is to get your shot(s). The life you save may be your child’s… | |
And finally, my thoughts (and prayers) go out to the people of one third of the country damaged by the winds and rain of the recent hurricane (Ida). With countless individual acts of courage, strength and charity, I believe you will come through these difficult days and be the stronger for it. | |
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On This Day In: | |
2020 | Current Heroes |
I’m Mid-West Born, But California Raised | |
Appropriated To Her Being | |
2019 | All In Good Time |
Day 13: Pause & Resume | |
Ghrelin And Leptin | |
2018 | Gratitude And Warmth |
Remembering Loss, Sacrifice And Service | |
Making Little Ones Out Of Bigger Ones | |
2017 | Never Forget |
2016 | It’s All Greek To Me (Well, Latin Actually) |
2015 | Truism |
2014 | Thank You |
2013 | Really |
2012 | Ordinary Five Minutes Longer |
2011 | The Wealth Of Sons (And Daughters) |
Still Stumbling
Posted in Faith, Philosophy, Quotes, tagged Faith, God, Philosophy, Proverbs, Proverbs 29:18, Quotes, Stumbling on August 9, 2021| Leave a Comment »
When people can’t see what God is up to, they stumble all over themselves. | |
— Proverbs 29:18 | |
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On This Day In: | |
2020 | #45: Diarrhea Of The Mouth, Constipation Of The Brain |
Not As Often As I Used To | |
2019 | Four Buffett’s |
2018 | Change Happens |
Day 13: Ginger / Mint Relief | |
2017 | Still Removing Bricks |
2016 | Namaste |
2015 | Still Learning |
2014 | Dark Processes |
2013 | To The Last Link |
2012 | Slept In Again |
2011 | Home Again, Naturally |
2009 | Thoughts after a long day of OT… |
Revolutionary Protest
Posted in Faith, Philosophy, Quotes, tagged Christianity, Dietrich Bonhoeffer, Faith, Good Intentions, Philosophy, Quotes on August 5, 2021| Leave a Comment »
Christianity stands or falls with its revolutionary protest against violence, arbitrariness and pride of power and with its plea for the weak. Christians are doing too little to make these points clear rather than too much. Christendom adjusts itself far too easily to the worship of power. Christians should give more offense, shock the world far more, than they are doing now. Christians should take a stronger stand in favor of the weak rather than considering first the possible right of the strong. | |
— Dietrich Bonhoeffer | |
[Unfortunately, for most (Christian or otherwise) the road to Hell is paved with good intentions. Just sayin’… — KMAB] | |
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On This Day In: | |
2020 | Too High For #45 |
Talkin’ ‘Bout Her | |
2019 | Little Things… |
2018 | Have Thee Paid Yet? |
Day 9: Fingertips | |
2017 | Hopefully, I’m Good Company |
2016 | Maybe Not Most |
2015 | Differences That Matter |
2014 | But Sometimes It Takes A Village |
2013 | Laughter > Grief |
2012 | Pioneers |
2011 | It Is Free |
Feeling Humble
Posted in Faith, Philosophy, Quotes, Science and Learning, tagged Albert Einstein, Faith, Humility, Laws of the Universe, Philosophy, Quotes, Science on July 11, 2021| Leave a Comment »
Every one who is seriously involved in the pursuit of science becomes convinced that a spirit is manifest in the laws of the Universe – a spirit vastly superior to that of man, and one in the face of which we with our modest powers must feel humble. | |
― Albert Einstein | |
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On This Day In: | |
2020 | Mostly Dry, With A Chance Of Late Rain |
And The Same Goes For Blogs / Posts | |
2019 | Not Enough |
2018 | One Thing We Do Know |
2017 | Preservation |
2016 | Going Back |
2015 | Just For Today |
2014 | Reaching For Destiny |
2013 | Still Just Passing Through |
2012 | Live Or Die |
2011 | On Secession |
2010 | A Rocky Weekend |
Maybe “Creation” Wasn’t That Difficult After All
Posted in Faith, Humor, Philosophy, Quotes, Science and Learning, tagged Carl Sagan, Creation, Exception, Faith, Humor, Nothing, Philosophy, Quotes, Science, Something on June 1, 2021| Leave a Comment »
I stress that the universe is made mostly of nothing, that something is the exception. | |
— Carl Sagan | |
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On This Day In: | |
2020 | #45: Time Is Ticking Away |
#45 Claims COVID-19 Defeated To Open The Economy | |
2019 | Belief Buffet |
2018 | Change Is Law |
2017 | A Dog Day Of Summer |
2016 | Chances Are |
2015 | Truer Spoken |
2014 | Not Quite There Yet (Either) |
Many Colors | |
2013 | Distance, n. |
Less Can Be More | |
2012 | Rise Up! |
The Gift | |
2011 | Artful Courage |
2010 | A Handful of Lessons… |
And Yet I Still Pray
Posted in Faith, Philosophy, Quotes, tagged Faith, God, Jean Ingelow, Philosophy, Prayers, Quotes on May 18, 2021| Leave a Comment »
I have lived to thank God that all my prayers have not been answered. | |
— Jean Ingelow | |
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On This Day In: | |
2020 | What Am I Missing? |
If Only | |
2019 | For Most #IncompetentDonald Followers |
2018 | I Dare You |
2017 | To Republicans Who Choose Party Over Country |
2016 | All About Control |
2015 | Liberty Is Extravagant |
2014 | Always Remember To Reach |
Have You Registered To Vote Yet? | |
2013 | Ripples From The Water’s Edge |
Because I Was Alone | |
2012 | POI vs Reality |
Dear And Sacred | |
2011 | Chilled Again |