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Piparskeggrsbok
Jun. 27th, 2009
03:46 pm - Post to another forum...Right to healthcare debate
Good afternoon;
Bear with me, please, I tend to long answers in this sort of discussion.
My understanding is that a Right preexists any government, as a gift of Nature's God under Nature's Laws; our Constitution acknowledges this part of our human condition, it does not grant these Rights.
From your words, which seem thoughtful to me, I believe you are familiar with this point of view. I am stating this position for our mutual audience.
However, the acknowledgment of the universality of Rights, and protection thereof by those we put in authority over us as citizens, has evolved over time, especially for those amongst us who have a "lesser voice" (so to speak). Also, the idea of who is a Citizen has broadened over man's development; ancient Rome's concept thereof and the changes therein are a good case to study, especially as it developed from kingdom to republic to principiate.
The idea of Human Rights being a separate category from Civil Rights is also a fairly recent philosophical development in the history of mankind in my view. For me, Rights are Rights; what come into play in the Civic arena are virtues, morals and ethics.
The ethics of my worldview are fairly simple. I strive to do that which is right for family, friends and community, with wisdom, generosity and personal honor. Admittedly, helping strangers outside of my community does not enter into this, as to do so would slight my ability to help those to whom I am most fully obligated. And yes, my military service would be an aberration under this ethos as it involves helping (in a way) millions of strangers.
Government will restrict our liberty, sometimes for good reason, to exercise our rights as freeborn men and women. These areas, which are licensed or regulated, then become privileges.
Constitutions and laws are set up by us (or our trusted representatives) as a communal set of strictures upon government, and upon ourselves.
Governments are also instituted to do things that smaller subdivisions of society cannot do for themselves.
My hometown could not have pulled off a project in the scale of Boulder dam; a much larger pool of resources is needed.
I am well aware of poor houses, my father's uncle Jack died in one back in the 1930's, along with his wife. It was a time when the family was unable to afford to help them. It was a hard time for everyone. But, it was still the family's responsibility to try and help them, something in which we did fail. The poorhouse was supposed to be a drastic measure of last resort supplied by the community at large (or, in this case, by the Church), which it was.
Much of my suspicion of government claiming that they are here to help is colored by a few pieces of family history: I had ancestors on Daniel Shays side of that fracas, ancestors coming to America due to help by the British during the Potato Famine years, my maternal grandfather having witnessed Fascism in Italy and my mother-in-law's family having seen Communism, both in Russia and in Greece.
I am at heart, an Anglo-Saxon freeholder, who looks upon family and community as the largest, workable, social units. Larger entities are needy, and get greedy; for money, power...look at how the Church and State grew bloated with both over the history of Europe.
I also grew up under the New England Town Meeting form of local government, a very democratic form of republicanism. =)
Any bureaucracy, no matter how benign in original intent, will tend towards consolidating its control over its sector of policy and polity; mission creep also tends to move in...justifying the bureau's existence by claiming more and more areas of responsibility, building new agencies where none need to exist at a federal level, keeping their "clients" in a sort of bondage to the conditions that bring them to the "helpers" in the first place.
Health care reform is needed, but I think any fixes need to come from the bottom up, not the top down.
Be well - Pip
May. 3rd, 2009
11:49 am - Asatru Militay Family Support - Hammer Project
I am at heart a soldier still
I hear the Call across the years
It stirs my soul and thoughts well up
Of duty done, and friendships made
Stave 209: Ye Piparskeggrsmal
Hail all;
As a veteran, albeit peacetime Guard and Reserve duty, I look upon those days with fondness and realism.
The Hammer Project, which is supported by the Asatru Folk Assembly, is an outreach project to support service members and their families.
One aspect, which is of growing importance. . .getting recognition that a symbol for Asatruars who have died as active warriors, or as veterans back home in the community they defended, deserve to have the choice of a symbol of Faith on their gravestone just as much as any other man or woman of Faith who has carried the Burden of Warding he Commonweal.
Please go to the site, http://www.hammerproject.org/ and read it over.
Also, there is a link to follow on the site for the purpose of signing an online petition in support of the Hammer Project's goal of gaining the aforementioned recognition.
Thanks in advance - Pip
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optimisticApr. 5th, 2009
11:05 am - My Favorite Swing Tune
"Sing, Sing, Sing" by the Benny Goodman Orchestra, featuring Gene Krupa on drums. This is the extended version played in concert.
Enjoy - Pip
cheerfulApr. 4th, 2009
10:17 am - A song still relevant. . .
. . .today as it was in 1971, I think.
Monster (a suite in 3 parts) - Steppenwolf
"Monster" (John Kay and Dennis Edmonton)
"Suicide" (Kay, Nick St.Nicholas, Larry Byrom, Edmonton)
"America" (Kay and Edmonton)
- Monster -
Once the religious, the hunted and weary
Chasing the promise of freedom and hope
Came to this country to build a new vision
Far from the reaches of kingdom and pope
Like good Christians, some would burn the witches
Later some got slaves to gather riches
But still from near and far to seek America
They came by thousands to court the wild
And she just patiently smiled and bore a child
To be their spirit and guiding light
And once the ties with the crown had been broken
Westward in saddle and wagon it went
And 'til the railroad linked ocean to ocean
Many the lives which had come to an end
While we bullied, stole and bought our a homeland
We began the slaughter of the red man
But still from near and far to seek America
They came by thousands to court the wild
And she just patiently smiled and bore a child
To be their spirit and guiding light
The blue and grey they stomped it
They kicked it just like a dog
And when the war over
They stuffed it just like a hog
And though the past has it's share of injustice
Kind was the spirit in many a way
But it's protectors and friends have been sleeping
Now it's a monster and will not obey
- Suicide -
The spirit was freedom and justice
And it's keepers seem generous and kind
It's leaders were supposed to serve the country
But now they won't pay it no mind
'Cause the people grew fat and got lazy
And now their vote is a meaningless joke
They babble about law and order
But it's all just an echo of what they've been told
Yeah, there's a monster on the loose
It's got our heads into a noose
And it just sits there watchin'
Our cities have turned into jungles
And corruption is stranglin' the land
The police force is watching the people
And the people just can't understand
We don't know how to mind our own business
'Cause the whole worlds got to be just like us
Now we are fighting a war over there
No matter who's the winner
We can't pay the cost
'Cause there's a monster on the loose
It's got our heads into a noose
And it just sits there watching
- America -
America where are you now?
Don't you care about your sons and daughters?
Don't you know we need you now
We can't fight alone against the monster
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thoughtfulFeb. 2nd, 2009
07:08 pm - Some of my Look at Life...
Faith is Truth without need of Proof.
Belief is Truth without Proof.
Knowledge is Truth with Proof.
Wisdom is Truth beyond Proof.
That which is Right, abides in one's heart, mind, words and deeds.
Feeling Right is in the grasp of everyone.
Thinking Right is the fruit of learning that which builds the commonweal.
Speaking Right helps to show others goodness and wisdom.
Doing Right is beyond price, as it is the Worth of our lives.
I am the Maker of Rightness within my Life, no one else suffices.
That Which I Hold Holy, my Kin, my Kith, my Community; they will tally my worth and measure what I did Right.
thoughtfulJan. 26th, 2009
08:04 pm - Fibber McGee's workshop
Hey all;
I am starting to clean up the shop a bit and looked over the tools...
Planning: drafting table, 1/4" grid desk blotter pad (22"; x 17";), T-square, #2 pencils, dressmaker's tape measure, engineer's and architect scales, protractor, set of triangles, templates of various shapes (oval, circle, square, rectangle and so forth), set of French curves, contour gauge, lead curve, set of drawing compasses, steel rulers (6", 1", 18", 48")...CAD programs work wonders, but I ain't got the knack.
Layout and patterning: permanent marker, poster cardstock (22" x 28"), scissors, carbon & tracing paper, china marker, metal scribe...
Metal cutting: aviation shears, tin snips, cold chisel, hacksaw, sabresaw, power shears...
Leather/cloth cutting: razor knives, heavy shears, hole punch, skive, lacing punch, strap cutter
Metal pounding: Hammers! - A claw hammer can do in a pinch, but much better are the following which have snuck into my tool chest over the years. Ballpeens - 4, 8, 12, 16, 20 and 32 ounce -- Crosspeens - 16 and 32 ounce -- Sledges/Engineer hammers - 32, 48 and 64 ounce -- Autobody and Sheet metal forming hammers - 12 different head shapes -- Farrier's hammer - 16 and 20 ounce -- Mallets - rawhide, hardwood, plastic and brass -- Homemade - various different head shapes (trailer hitch ball - 2 sizes, chasing hammers from big bolts - 3 sizes) -- And So Forth.
You can NEVER have too many hammers!
Anvils: Wright Pattern single horn - mine weighs 87 pounds, which is 3/4 hundredweight plus 3 pounds (one hundredweight is 8 stone, AKA 112 pounds), homemade traveling anvil made of an 18" long piece of heavy train track, 2 small cast steel jeweler's anvils, 2 heavy machinist vices, 2 heavy duty woodworker's vices, a B&D "Workmate" with benchdogs
Welding: MIG setup (aka "Wire" welder). -- But, with the pacemaker I now have, I can no longer arc weld with any sort of equipment. This spring I'm going to get an oxy-acetylene outfit and teach myself how to gas weld.
More power equipment: drill press, bench grinder (2), power buffer (2), sander, bandsaw, miter saw, table saw - hand (corded and battery): drills, sanders grinders, circular saws, reciprocating saws...
Non powered hand tools of most every description...
3 sewing machines...(down cellar)
We have a 3 car garage and 2 bays are full of tools, tool boxes, chests and benches, plus the work areas in the cellar...
Down cellar is the library; my wife and I have around 9 -10 thousand books, magazines, saved articles, booklets...
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crankyDec. 7th, 2008
11:30 am - US Govt - Regulation site
Hey all;
Prompted by a post on a list to which I subscribe, I looked up the Federal website for reading and commenting upon proposed regulations:
http://www.regulations.gov/search/i
This is the catch basin for all that flows out of Washington DC.
Other useful links to keep an eye on them are:
http://www.usa.gov/ (the general Federal site)
http://www.loc.gov/index.html (the Library of Congress home site)
http://www.loc.gov/law/index.php (Law library at the LOC)
http://thomas.loc.gov/ (the Thomas search engine to the LOC)
Keep an eye on the local and state creatures, too. Sometimes they can do worse damage than the Federales.
be well, be wary - Pip
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awakeNov. 21st, 2008
07:44 pm - The Viking Kitten Video
A change of pace from my songs ,-)
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sillyNov. 16th, 2008
11:27 am - New Place for Pip Songs
Here it is:
http://piparskeggrskald.podbean.com/
And here's the headline:
Welcome to Piparskeggrskald, the new home for the poems and songs of Stefn Ullarsson Piparskeggr.
For several years I've had a Yahoo! list, which I basically used as a
warehouse for online storage of some of my work.
Now that I've figured out mp3 conversion, I am switching the storage to
Podbean, which has the benefit of being accessible to everyone, not
just folks who've decided to join the Yahoo! list.
The first one I've uploaded is the oldest Uller song, "A Visit," which
I wrote for Uller Blot in the Fall of 2000 and performed in public for
the first time at Moot in March, 2001. Song quality will improve as I
get comfortable with the new medium. I'll be adding one a week, after the initial burst of activity.
I'm looking at this as a new start in my efforts for the Asatru community.
Be well - Pip
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determinedSep. 11th, 2008
05:39 pm - Coming out of a phaze
Well, I think I have had a mid-life crisis; it's like coming out of a long, dark, smothering dream.
I've written about the ordeals of Kin, Kith and self over the first half (well, 1st seven months, really) of this year.
I have come out of a period where I could function just fine at work; all those people around me distracting me from myself. At home, though: I found myself weeping at little or no stimulus, fell back on my old crutch of whiskey for a few weeks, let the bills pile up, dishes in the sink, not calling kin or kith...I know, I'm married.
Anita helps as she can, but her mobility was limited for almost 2 1/2 months due to a broken foot. Plus, she is a disabled vet, which further limits her in some ways. I accept that and love her.
Last week of August, I started to pull things together again. I brewed an ale (for the first time in several years), went to a concert and saw Blue Oyster Cult for the 20th time (7th for Anita), am getting good feedback from my new department manager and other store management. I have a new job at the store, product service instead of customer service, steady hours Mon - Fri, plus, I am writing again for the first time since early spring (save for the eulogy to my uncle).
Things are looking up, and even the IRS seems to be satisfied with my answers to the audit, thus far.
Be well y'all, I'm relearning that skill ,-)
Aug. 30th, 2008
11:50 pm - An old reply...
Good Morning Brian;
I take it from your message (which I have deleted from my reply) that you live in the Rockford, IL area, which is close to where I reside.
Read what I have set forth here, think about it and write again if you believe conversation could be worthwhile.
Let me explain a bit about my personal approach to the Holy and the Worldview I follow therefrom. It may be that conversation between us could be of use. It could be otherwise.
The religious practices within which I give worship is known variously as Germanic Paganism, Odinism, Heathenry, Theodism and so forth. I use Asatru.
Within Asatru, I have plighted my Troth to the Holy Aesir and Vanir; the Gods and Goddesses of the Elder Germanic and Scandinavian tribal peoples. It was the native spirituality of much of my ancestry. It is polytheistic in nature, following, I believe, man's perception of the world around us as being very complex.
Asatru is a modern reconstruction and reinvention from the available stories, historical documents and archaeological evidences.
My screen name reflects the fact that I feel closest to the Norse god known as Uller. Uller is most commonly known as the Bow Lord, being an unerring archer and consummate huntsman. He also is called upon as a witness to and judge of oaths, amongst other "attributes."
Being close to one god does not exclude my giving worship to Others of the Holy Powers.
I believe the Holy Powers are much more than what we humans see them as. One can find out more about Them by reading the "mythology," by discussing the stories with others, by meditation and from inspiration. I am known in my faith community as a skald (poet). I look upon Uller as an inspirer of this ability in me.
My view of the Asatru ethic for living is quite simple, I believe.
Give Worship to the Holy Æsir and Vanir. Respect and Honor the Disr, the Alfar and other Wealful Wights. Honor and Love your Kin, Kith, Friends and Forebears. Give heed to the Lore (Story and History), and to your own thoughts. Attempt to do That Which is Right for family and community; with Wisdom, Open Handedness and Steadfastness of Truth in Word and Deed. Read, Write, Love, Laugh, Hate, Cry, Cook, Build, Sit quietly with family enjoying the birds flying by... Be the best of that for which you are capable as a Man. Remember that everything you do adds Layers in the Well of Wyrd, for Good or Ill.
Some concepts that we as Asatruars look at with "older eyes" than is current.
Worship is an Anglo-Saxon term stemming from the perception of gaining Worth as a tangible exercise. In giving Worship to the Holy Powers, one is showing that you look on the Bond between Them and you as fully Worthwhile. Worship is given under the concept of Gift for Gift. The Holy Powers have Gifted us with Life, Mind and Will. We send Them the Gift of our love and trust; shown by sharing (most often) Words and Drink - things from the intent and effort of our hearts and hands.
Well of Wyrd is a concept both complicated and plain. The plain answer is, all that we say and do adds up to our past. The Well is a repository of this past. The significance of these words and deeds vary. Those with the most significance sink deep into this well, building up layers (the Orlay or personal Law of our life). The Weight of this Past is in many ways, one's Wyrd. The past shapes what happens now, which in turn shapes that which may become. The future is not set. Only the past is known. We have only now to act and speak.
Within Asatru, one boast of one's deeds and makes carefully considered oaths of future deeds. One owns up to mistakes one makes, taking responsibility therefore.
There is no concept of sin as in the Abrahamic tradition. Many Asafolk think it's quite presumptuous to believe we are powerful enough to actually offend the Gods.
One's misdeeds are against one's Kin, Kith, Community and Self.
In Elder Times, the concept of Schild did exist, and is being recovered by modern Asafolk. Schild, also called Wergild, is the payment one makes to right wrongs one has done, if such is possible. Schild can be in service or wealth, and is set either by community custom or by the offended party. One can also set Schild by approaching the offended party and making an offer.
If one's misdeeds are severe enough, one is cast out of community and declared outlaw. It is still possible to recover from this condition, so long as one can find a go-between and the schild is severe enough.
A long-winded way of saying: there is no confessional in my faithway, no absolution, as there was in the Roman-Catholic religion in which I was raised as a child and young man.
Sidebar: I left the Church in the spring of 1975 and severed my belief in Christianity later that year. It was a journey of 14 years until I rediscovered for myself the beliefs and worldview I came to know as Asatru. It still took a few years after that until I found others who believed and gave worship as did I.
In some ways, a Thew (a custom or tradition, which binds folk together) in some Asatru communities is, do not bring shame upon your Name. One's Name (reputation) is very important in Asatru. For one thing, without a Name, one is not taken seriously. A Good Name brings one respect, something which HAS to be earned.
One can regain an Honorable name by taking (as I wrote above) responsibility for one's own words and deeds.
It is not the easy path for life, but it is worthwhile.
It it a course of honor, and duty, to Kin, Kith, Community and Self.
It is one, which has caused my parents to think I have become a better man thereby.
A website, which will give more information on Asatru is: http://www.runestone.org
This is the Asatru Folk Assembly, the main organization to which I give my support.
Again, I ask that you think upon what I have written. Do some other reading and afterwards, if you think conversation would be of use, write again. We can meet for coffee at a neutral location.
in regards - Steven "Piparskeggr" Robinson, Minister ULC, Asatru Elder and Skald
[I did not hear back from Brian]
awakeAug. 17th, 2008
04:31 pm - Matorhead and Hayseed Dixie
What more to say?
"Ace of Spades" written by Motorhead, performed by Hayseed Dixie, Speed Bluegrass at its finest!
mischievousJul. 14th, 2008
08:20 pm - For my Uncle Michael
Here's what I wrote for Uncle Michael's eulogy, it is accurate to when I first wrote it, but was edited in the evening just before bed for spelling and grammar. Read it slowly and do pause slightly between the halves of the poetry lines, at the "..."s, spaces and commas. It is only about 4 1/2 to 5
minutes long, but I think that to write more would not say more.
I have written a lot over the years, but this has been one of the
hardest things to get down.
----------------------------------------
To those you love give words of thanks
When living ears can drink them in
Regretful tears may water weeds
But Kinfolk dead find them no use
My mom asked me to write a eulogy in honor of my Uncle Michael...
How do I begin?
As I write, night time is giving way to the grey light of early morning.
Wispy clouds are painted reddish-gold by an as yet unseen sun.
Another new day is upon us...another new beginning...reminding us that death, too, is a beginning of sorts.
How do I begin?
How do I, truly, boil down what my Uncle meant to me into a few minutes worth of words?
Do I try and answer the unasked questions?
Do I try and address the lost opportunities?
NO!
I will and shall, share a few fond memories.
I have shed tears for him.
I have felt great grief on behalf of his loss.
His memory deserves better.
Michael was not just my mother's youngest brother, nor merely my grandfather's baby boy (always); he was my older brother.
I could rail against the universe being unfair.
I could rant about how he did not deserve such a dire passing.
I could revile all that is Holy for taking him too soon.
I will not, for he deserves better of me.
Michael was my older brother; as boy, youth and man.
I needed him to be that.
48 Hill Street...
Mom, dad, me, and later Leonard and Anne Marie, lived on the first floor. Nonnie and Papa lived on the second. Uncle Anthony and Uncle Michael had their bedroom in the attic. It was a good, happy house, near other family, friends, church, school and work.
An image came to mind as my Mom spoke to me of writing some words in Michael's memory....he and I, sitting on the front steps of the Hill Street house. I had just come from the doctor's, once again getting stitches for one of my innumerable accidents. Michael had his arm around me, as if to say: "Steven, it's ok, I'm here..."
I can still, clearly, hear his voice...Good God, what a clumsy child I was.
How many times did he pick me up?
How many times did he get me to help?
As we grew, Michael and I did have our own friends and differing interests.
In his crowd, he tried to be a tough guy, but I never thought he really was.
He WAS strong and self-assured, always, I thought!
He did have friends who liked and respected him.
He had a bit of a reputation amongst his peers, which protected me as I grew from childhood to near adulthood and came up against some things in life.
We grew apart, as is normal, when two young men set out on different paths in life.
I went away to college; he worked.
We both married; he having children, me - none.
We both had circumstances, which took us far away from the place of our births.
Neither of us were real good at keeping in touch.
However, I like to think that I followed his example in becoming a gentle, friendly and helpful man.
He was a big influence in my life, next to my parents and grandparents.
I do believe that I am a better man for his having been not just my uncle, but, my brother.
I did get to say good bye, but I did not say hello, enough.
I weep as I write these words, and I smile, which is as it should be.
Family and friends are, truly, ALL we've got in this world.
Don't waste time on differences.
Our task is not to mourn the Dead
It is to live to carry on
Recall their Deeds both good and bad
Their Thoughts and Acts which become us
In love, AND, deep affection... always...Steven
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tiredJul. 12th, 2008
08:36 pm - Video of a friend's band
Dies Mali's bass player and his wife are friends of Anita and mine; he's a real cool guy and his wife has a certain elegance, I think. Neither are Heathen, but they are good folk.
The band has a CD coming out soon and if you (as do I) like this musical genre, please support them.
goodJun. 20th, 2008
09:16 pm - My beloved uncle Michael...
I have been distracted lately due to health troubles not my own.
At 8:05 PM EDT last night (06/19/2008) my uncle, Michael Peter D'Orazio set foot
upon the Helroad. He went peacefully and at peace according to my
mom, in the company of Kin and Kith at a hospice.
He was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer 3 1/2 weeks ago. The doctors
said it was one of the most aggressive tumors they'd ever seen. His
condition was aggravated by congenital liver and heart troubles.
His journey on Midgard started on 25 February 1953, as the youngest
child of Antonio and Margherita D'Orazio, born 6 years after his next
oldest sib.
He was a 3 year old ringbearer at my mom's wedding and a 4 year old
uncle at my christening.
As we grew up (from 1957 - 1975), he was my older brother: showing me
how to be a boy, protecting me from bullies, telling me "no" when I
went astray, making sure his friends looked after me, too, wishing me
well as I went away to college, being "buttons-bursting" proud when I
married in 1982...showing me my first "Playboy."
He's had a rough journey the past several years, but made it from
Jacksonville, FL (where he lived) back to W Springfield, MA for my
parents' 50th in 2006 and for my 25th last year.
We did not speak often, but it was always like we picked up a thread
we dropped just a few minutes ago. I did speak to him last week while
he was still strong ehough to have a short conversation.
He was openhanded to a fault, gentle of heart, cheerful in nature...I
think he did his best to live a worthy and worthwhile life.
I will miss him desperately.
Pip
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sadMay. 24th, 2008
07:39 pm - Of necessecity, does Truth = Belief?
Hail all;
When something, be it deed, happenstance or word, sparks with some aspect of me, heart, mind, or soul, I "process" it in one of three ways; by feeling, thinking or believing.
Some things in which I believe are truthful, some are faithful. One is not necessarily, to my mind, the same as the other.
A third catagory within my beliefs is that some of what I believe is in the realm of supposition, like when I say that I believe I know what someone else is feeling, thinking or believing.
Belief is also the ultimate subjective point of view, for they are held within oneself. Though, can think that one's beliefs are that same as another's...long discussions can show otherwise if both are thinking, aware beings.
The truths within belief for me may not (and may never) be the same for anyone else, yet they are some of my truths. They are what I can know.
There also exist things in which I believe, for which I have gained no truth-findi.ng.
Such an outlook will not suffice for everyone, mayhaps not even a small minority. It does for me and sustains me.
be well - Pip
May. 15th, 2008
03:45 pm - Pasta indulgence
Here's my take on a baked pasta cassarole I learned home to make from Nonnie D'Orazio, my maternal grandmother.
Chronne (sha-doan) - baked pasta casserole.
Ingredients; 1 pound each dry capellini, thick spaghetti and perciatelli - cook al dente per package directions and drain well - keep in pasta pot, 18 lg eggs - beaten, 1 c each Asiago, Romano and Parmesan cheese - fine grat, 1 1/2# pepperoni - diced (abt 1/4" pcs), 1/2 c Mozzarella - medium shred, 1/2 t black pepper - freshly cracked, Olive oil - quant suff
Preheat the oven to 350F. Lightly oil a baking pan of sufficient size (mine is 18" x 14" x 3"). Mix the grated cheeses into the beaten eggs and then add in the pepperoni; do this while the pasta is cooking. In the large boiling pot, mix the egg-cheese-pepperoni into the cooked pasta and then pour the whole mess into the baking pan. Mix the Mozzarella and black pepper ; spread this evenly over the pasta mix. Bake the pasta mix covered for 30 minutes and then uncovered for 10 - 20 minutes (until the top is fully melty and lightly browned).
I like to serve this with a steamed mix of escarole, endive, spinach and leeks - dressed with crushed garlic, olive oil and lemon juice -- lightly boiled mix of onion, turnip and carrot dressed with butter and parsley -- beef meatballs in a light marinara sauce
I like to drink either a good, dry Italian wine or English ESB ale with this.
thankfulMay. 9th, 2008
10:08 pm - A couple of storm poems
Hey all;
This first was inspired by watching thunderheads gathering on the horizon...thinking of how our forebears may have created stories to understand the world around them...and was written a few years ago...
Baleful Skyborne
Low lying clouds, at the world's rim
Driven by wind, block out the sun
Mountains they seem, jagged and dark
Calling to mind, wilderness drear
What fell beasts lurk, harbor within
O'erlook Midgard, with baleful eye
Looking for prey, ready to pounce
Harm-makers hunt, riding the storm
Wings are widespread, cast shadows deep
When from their lair, baneful wights soar
Striking right hard, wrathful, weal-less
Havoc they make, then they move on
Hail their sling stones, lightning their spears
Ransacking all, beneath their path
It matters not, high born, or low
All will suffer, from this ill wind
Ripening fields, of golden wheat
Newly thatched huts, of newlywed
Proud grove of trees, oak, ash and elm
None can withstand, cloud wights' ill will
Deep in our hearts, in back of minds
Feelings and thoughts, may well arise
Giving to that, which is around
Form, face and name, to understand
Why did the hail, beat down my crop
Why did the bolt, fire my home
Why did the wind, slam me to earth
Why is the world, fighting my weal
Low lying clouds, at the world's rim
Driven by wind, block out the sun
Mountains they seem, jagged and dark
Calling to mind, wilderness drear
...and this, which spoke to the ordeal of Hurricane Katrina and the aftermath...
We Yet Live
Ordeals arise, from man and world
Testing the Weal, and Right Good Will
But We win through, Kin, Clan and Garth
By Strength of Hearts, Bodies and Minds
In southern climes, Sunna shines fierce
Gull roads are scorched, heavy clouds rise
O'er the whaleways, winds ever blow
Whipping up storms, great in their wrath
Many a storm, whips up the sea
Never is seen, by eyes of man
Spending fury, o'er the wave tops
Bothering whales, chasing the gulls
Sometimes a gale, will make landfall
Primal powers, carving a path
Air becomes fist, rain becomes flood
Flattening, drowning, wrecking havoc
In aftermath, of such ordeals
Though knocked down hard, mankind stands up,
Sees what was wrought, looks to the tasks
Knows what to do, gets to the work
Neighbors reach out, from near and far
Each to their own, and to others
Helping hands and, healing hands, too
Building new weal, for common good
Ordeals arise, from man and world
Testing the Weal, and Right Good Will
But We win through, Kin, Clan and Garth
By Strength of Hearts, Bodies and Minds
thoughtfulMay. 1st, 2008
06:22 pm - Gettysburg address in Anglo-Saxon
Found this at: http://www.rochester.edu/englisc/
Abraham maþelode:
Hwæt!
Ær þissum dæge seofon wintra and hundeahtig, ure ealdfaederas acennodon on
þissum lande niw rice, geacnod on freodome and gegiefen to þæm geþohte, þæt
ealle menn beoð gelice gesceapen. Nu feohtað we micel gewinn innan urum lande,
to afandianne hwæther þæt rice oþþe ænig oðer rice swa geacnod, swa gegiefen,
lange þolian mæg. Standaþ we on micelre waelstowe þære guþe. Cumene sind we to
giefanne sumne dæl þære stowe to endgereste þame þe her crungon þæt þæt rice
lifige. Swiðe geriht is þæt we swa don, and gemæt.
Ac on widran getacnunge, we giefan ne magon -- we bletsian ne magon -- we
halgian ne magon -- þas hruse. Þa felamodigan menn, cwice and deade, þa þe her
wunnon, þa hie gehalgodon ofergende feor urne unspedigan onwald to giefanne and
to nimanne. Lyt maeg seo woruld oncnawan ne lange gemunan þætte man her
sprecað, ac næfre sceal heo forgietan þætte hie her dydon. We sculon lifgendan
us swiþor to þæm ungefyldan geweorce getreowsian, þe þa menn þe her gefuhton swa
indryhtenlice oð þis gefyrþrodon. We sculon us swiþor to þæm micelan gedeorfe
getreowsian, þe toforan us giet stent: þæt fram þissum gerisenlicum deadum we
nimen geacnode fæst-hydignesse to þæm intingan for þæm hie hiere læst full gemet
fæst-hydignesse geafon; þæt we her aeþillice hycgen, þæt þissa deadra deað ne
sceal unnyt wesan-- þæt þis folc, under Gode, sceal niwe acennednesse freodomes
habban-- and þæt þes þeodscipe, for þæm folce, of þæm folce, and þurh þearfe þæs
folces, ne sceal fram þære eorþan abreoþan.
mischievousApr. 30th, 2008
12:20 pm - Health update
G'day all;
Well, the cardiology folks have cleared me for action.
The pacemaker is doing its job properly: monitoring, activating when needed and keeping the beat going properly (less than 8% of the time).
I am returning to work next Monday with no restrictions, save common sense.
I have colleagues who've offered to help me learn that.
Thanks for all the well-wishes, again!!!
Look out for yourselves and those who matter most to you.
Pip
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