TIGblogs - Malcolm Lawrence

The journey to Copenhagen started more than a century ago like a fairy tale but the unfolding climate change “drama” is by far more interesting, captivating and exciting than the plot of “Final Destination”-one of the best thriller movies I have ever seen. The cast for this thriller of a ‘Climate Reality Show” cuts across Scientists, ordinary citizens, government bureaucrats, industrialists, politicians, journalists and various interest groups-both amorphous & crystalline. The climate debate has assumed some kind of effervescence in the last decade when it dawned on the whole wide world that it was not the fate of some fictional Dramatis Personae ; but that of ourselves, children and planet earth , that hangs in some kind of a dicey balance. Carbon, the very great carbon mystery was unfolding at some supersonic speed and the consequences of inaction were catastrophic! The carbon/climate mystery & the quest to crack it represented an epic struggle of the efforts of thousands of men and women who over the course of the last century gambled on the chance of a useful discovery, putting their reputations on stake as to what they claimed to have found and not a few of these analytical minds took their findings to the public arena and this was where the battle line was drawn. Sometime in the late 1890s, a Swedish scientist named Svante Arrhenius first muted the idea that as humanity burned fossil fuels such as coal and petroleum, more and more carbon dioxide gas are added to the Earth’s atmosphere, leading to increasing planet Earth’s average temperatures. This “greenhouse effect” was only one of many speculations about climate, and not the most plausible at that time. It was thought that for whatever reasons, major changes in the earth’s temperature seemed impossible except over hundreds of thousands of years to come but there was just one lonely voice “crying in the wilderness” of speculations and counter-speculations that insisted that Climate Change or global warming as it were, was even coming to knock on our doors sooner than expected. That lonely voice turned out to be that of a certain G.S. Callendar and through out the 1950s, his claims provoked not a few scientists to take another hard look at his “rantings” with more scientific dispatch. The new studies showed that, contrary to earlier rough estimates, carbon dioxide was indeed building up in the atmosphere and would bring with it some kind of warming. More detailed painstaking measurements and calculations drove home the point in the 1960’s by revealing that the level of Carbon dioxide was in fact rising; year-in year-out and so it appeared that something as serious as climate change could happen, or in the past had happened, within a few centuries back. By early 1980s, more detailed scientific estimations & calculations re-emphasized that average temperatures could indeed rise up to a few degrees within the next century. That “next century” seemed very far off and the calculations seemed merely speculative and suggestive. However, some scientists who belonged to an opposing school of thought that believed human activity was saturating dust and smog particles in the atmosphere, whicht they said could block sunlight and cool the world. The only convergence point for most scientists on both sides of the divide was that they scarcely understood the largely complex climate system, and much more research was needed to fully explore same. The mass media became confused, sometimes predicting global warming with coastal areas flooded as the ice caps melted and at other times warning of the prospect of a catastrophic new ice age. Some groups of scientists that reviewed the issues saw very little need for any major policy actions, although they did draw the attention of political authorities to the need for a greater research effort. However all that apathy changed in the early 1970s when the rise of environmental activism raised public awareness about the dangerous effects of human activities on planet earth. Curiosity about the environment and climate turned into concrete concerns for various actors led by the ubiquitous scientists whose activities then drew the ire of politicians and journalists alike as they were bashed, battered & even dubbed alarmists for not allowing ‘’sleeping dogs’ to rest peacefully but in the end, they achieved their number one objective-knowledge. Knowledge is power and so today we have been empowered by information disseminated by these courageous heroes who ventured into the absurdity of the ultimate search for the unknown and so today we can all talk about ozone layer depletion, global warming, climate change, renewable energy, energy efficiency, Montreal accord, Kyoto Protocol, Bali and now ladies/gentle men: welcome to Copenhagen!
The journey to Copenhagen has been long and tortuous for both the “Cast & Crew”. The Vienna Convention for the Protection of the Ozone Layer in 1985 provided the initial platform and framework under which the Montreal accord was to be negotiated by attempting to define Countries’ responsibilities for simultaneously protecting human health and the environment against the adverse effects of ozone depletion. Enter the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer which represented a landmark international agreement designed to protect our cherished ozone layer. The Montreal Protocol stipulates that the production and consumption of compounds that deplete ozone namely; Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), Halons, Carbon Tetrachloride, Hydro Chlorofluorocarbon (HCFC) etc, were to be phased out by the dawn of the Millennium year 2000. Scientific theories and reports were replete with evidences suggesting that once emitted into the atmosphere, these ODS could significantly deplete the ozone layer that shields the planet from damaging radiations from the Sun. The Montreal Protocol was first signed in 1987 and had been substantially amended in 1990 and 1992. As the whole world continues to feel the heat of global warming and glaring warning signals stare us in the face, the “Montreal deal” seemed too little an effort, too late in the day and as such a more global and synergized approach was needed to form a “resistance army” to frontally deal with the extant reality of Climate Change and Global warming.
The United Nations quickly set up the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) — to begin to explore what could be done to mitigate global warming and to adapt to whatever inevitable temperature increases we are stuck with. The UNFCCC was adopted on 9 May 1992 and opened for signatures a month later at the UN Conference on Environment and Development in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil and it entered into force on 21 March 1994, after receiving the requisite 50 ratifications. Presently the Convention now has almost secured universal membership. Since the adoption of the Convention, the Conference of Parties (COP) has continued to negotiate in order to fine tune decisions and conclusions that would advance its execution & these negotiations resulted in the adoption of the Kyoto Protocol at COP 3 (Kyoto, December 1997) which left many of its operational details unresolved. Efforts to define these unresolved operational details had seen the COP hop from COP 4 (Buenos Aires, November 1998), COP 5 (Bonn, October/November 1999) to COP 6 (The Hague, November 2000). Several couple of cities had played host to the “Cast and Crew” of the “Climate Drama” and the next show would be staged in Copenhagen, Denmark in December 2009 and this explains why Copenhagen has been trying to outdo Obama as the buzzword in the last 6-months and the name Copenhagen will continue to echo and re-echo even in the next decade or two because any framework or protocol agreed and signed in Copenhagen would most likely direct the course of global development and industrial production in the next one or two decades. The UNFCCC gave birth to the Inter Governmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCCC) whose main activity is to provide at regular intervals, Assessment Reports of the state of knowledge on climate change globally by their various Working Groups peopled by hundreds of climate experts and officials. By 2001 the IPCC made a head way by unanimously arriving at a consensus: although the climate system was so complex that scientists would never reach complete certainty, it was much more likely than not that our civilization faced severe global warming. This conclusion of the IPCC marked the acceptance of global warming and Climate change as extant realities of our time because Scientists had come to understand the most detailed things about how the climate could change during the next centuries and that these anticipated changes would depend mainly on what policies the global community would choose for its greenhouse gas emissions. Since then the IPCC, representing the conscience of the international community on the subject matter had passed a verdict that the world should as a matter of urgency & necessity take very pro-active steps to cut greenhouse gas emissions. The Clean Development Mechanism CDM, as the key ingredient of the Kyoto Accord, sought to allow massive investments in clean-energy projects such as wind farms and solar power stations in developing countries and earn carbon offsets in return which could be sold to help buyers in rich western nations meet mandatory emissions targets. But the CDM had been hampered by bureaucracy & avoidable red-tape which could take up to 24 months to get approvals. A modified version of the CDM called Programme of Activities (PoA) had been test run by the United Nations and the PoA scheme sought to allow the simultaneous launch of identical emissions-reduction projects across a much wider user base in a single programme thereby lowering overall costs and easing the roll-out process. The PoA offered the promise of improving livelihoods and greatly expanding the reach and potential investment returns of the U.N.’s existing Clean Development Mechanism which would expire by 2012 and Copenhagen seemed pregnant with a legally binding treaty that would commit individual countries to making even more ambitious effort to cut greenhouse emissions post 2012.
By the dawn of the millennium, improved technology and abundance of data of many kinds had strengthened the conclusion that emissions arising from human activities were very likely to cause serious climate damage. The IPCC reaffirmed in their report published in 2007 that depending on what steps the global community took to restrict emissions, by the end of the century we could expect the planet’s average temperature to rise anywhere between about 1.4-6°C, although only a small fraction of this warming had happened so far with long predicted effects already becoming visible the world over – more deadly heat waves, rising sea level, stronger floods and droughts, the spread of tropical diseases and the decline of sensitive species, change in ocean circulation, disintegrating ice sheets. Emerging evidences showed that the warming was itself starting to cause changes that would generate still more warming. Politicians were beginning to pay greater attention and the gentlemen of the press and other elites began to trust the scientists who had predicted back in the years that by the end of the century, the world would be warmer. Some segment of the public did continue to doubt, supported by a few scientists and policy makers who still hold tenaciously to contrary views fueled by a combination of ideological conviction or sheer stubbornness like United States Republican Senator James Inhofe who has been a most vocal opponent of any legislation to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by clinging on to the outdated theory of no “sound scientific” evidence that the world is suffering due to carbon emissions resulting from human activities. This tiny minority of Climate Change opposition had not deterred an ever increasing number of individuals, government, and corporate entities from realizing that something had to be done by taking some proactive effective steps at surprisingly little cost compared to the monumental cost of inaction!
Talking about action, European Union leaders seemed to have agreed an offer to put on the table during the much hyped global climate talks in Copenhagen this December after successfully managing an initial disagreement over how to split the huge “climate Debt” bill knowing that developing countries would need about 100 billion Euros a year by 2020 to battle climate change and It was calculated that the EU’s portion of that amount to be somewhere between 40 percent. An excited British Prime Minister Gordon Brown said “I think this will be seen as one of the major breakthroughs that is necessary for us to get a Copenhagen agreement,” after the EU came up with their Copenhagen Financial Obligation position at a summit in Brussels recently. Already, anti-poverty campaigners led by Oxfam suspected the western countries’ “Climate compensation Money” would simply be drawn from existing aid commitments and they feared if rich countries stole from aid budgets to pay their climate debt, the fight against poverty would go into reverse gear. In June 2009, the United States House of Representatives painstakingly passed a bill to reduce U.S. emissions of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases blamed for global warming but their Senators appeared more ambitious with a pending bill that required U.S. manufacturers, utilities and refineries to reduce their carbon pollution output by 20% by 2020, from 2005 levels but opposition to such ambitious plans led by Republicans said the proposed climate-change bill would cause significant job losses by encouraging manufacturers to relocate their plants outside of the U.S , in countries that do not have strict carbon controls. Nevertheless, the Obama administration is hoping for more progress by Congress before the Copenhagen summit gets underway.
Developing countries had already made it clear they would not sign up to tackling climate change without enough funds from rich nations who should bear most of the responsibility for causing global warming by powering their industries with fossil fuel. Developing countries would have to use such funds to adapt their agriculture and explore new sources of water in drought prone belts. For Africa, this is the time to wake up from slumber and show the world that we remain a vital factor in the climate negotiations and there were signs that is already happening because something unusual happened at the recently concluded United Nations climate talks in Barcelona. A delegate from the Gambia, speaking on behalf of all African countries, signified with a walk out threat that Africa will not negotiate until rich, western countries make concrete commitments on carbon emissions targets. Africa’s attempt to steal the show at the Barcelona UN Climate talks was considered a small revolution because usually delegates from African countries don’t speak up forcefully, even if they disagree with what’s being said. Ethiopian Prime Minister Meles Zenawi rightly deserves to lead the African negotiators when the Copenhagen talks gets underway because his voice has been most vocal of all the African Heads of State and he seems to understand the dynamics and politics of the climate debacle, often launching series of offensive at the western economies for causing the deadly famine that plagued his country men and women in the not too distant past. This time, Africa seemed to have shown the world that she won’t be left out of a climate treaty in Copenhagen this December.
The much hyped and anticipated Copenhagen Protocol (COP-15) will outline stricter global emission standards, which would be binding on all signatory countries. So far, Nigeria is signatory to the Kyoto Protocol and those preceding it. Changes to the Earth’s land cover, climate, and ecosystems are endangering the health of hundreds of millions, possibly billions, of people worldwide and now represent the greatest public health challenge of the 21st century due to food and water scarcity, altered distribution of infectious diseases, increased air pollution, natural disasters, and population displacement–that collectively threaten large segments of the human population and Copenhagen might just hold the key to reverse these dangerous trends. Nigeria seems to be nervous, with good reasons, about the future of its vast oil & gas deposits as the global economy tilts towards low carbon but the good news is that oil & gas resources would continue to play vital roles in providing the energy needed to power the global economy in the foreseeable future according to reports. Nevertheless, this writer believes that an Off-Grid Alternative Green Electricity Generation (OAGEG) approach can strike the “Triple E” delicate balance between Economic Empowerment, Energy Security, & Environmental Protection and is the first step towards setting Nigeria irreversibly on the path of sustainable development. Highly unexplored in this clime, this means that opportunities exist to positively impact our Economy, Public Health, and Environment.

Stanley Ijeoma is an Abuja based Enviropreneur & CEO Schrodinger Nigeria Limited.
Email: schrodinger.limited@gmail.com
Tel: +234-806-2344-178.
Skype: schrodingerr

This story landed in my in box this morning: a story of NASA’s plans to experimentally bomb a crater on the moon along with an empassioned call to action for healers everwhere to send protective energy the moon’s way. It may be haunting me all day.

The vision of the moon being intentionally bombed for science sake, illicits a feeling of what it could feel like to be assaulted. I like so many have a deep attachment to the moon as far more than the celestial body that reflects the light of the Sun and waxes and wanes from view. It reflects my inner landscape.

As I walked outside last evening to take in the waxing crescent moon that will appear full by October 3rd, I found myself wondering is there no place man will not go, if he can? Is there no territory man as a species will not attempt to dominate and control?

Water is a precious commodity. At a most basic level daily living depends on it. We cannot survive without it. We harness it on Earth to create power and produce sustenance. And now NASA seeks to determine if ever we can harness the water on the moon for our own purposes as well.

To envision the moon as a “rest stop” for future NASA missions is a notion I resist wrapping my head around. Is being able to first bomb the moon for the sake of then using it to support further space travel, deeper into space, really a sign of progress?

I for one am marking my calendar to participate in sending “LIGHT” the moon’s way on this date.

THIS IS *NOT* AN EVENT TO ATTEND. IT’S A VIRTUAL OPPORTUNITY.

Starting Thursday, October 8, 2009 at 10:00pm

Ending Friday, October 9th at 7:00am

CALLING ALL SPIRITUAL PEOPLE ACROSS THE EARTH: NASA plans to bomb the moon on October 9th… For the Shamans and Dreamers, Astral Travelers, Remote viewers, Medicine People of all Cultures and Colors: Set your intention to do some shape-shifting and focus in our dreams, dreaming, dreamtime walking, to work on the deflection of such destruction of Grandmother moon who guides our ocean tides and have been linked with mother and grandmother stories for thousands of years, and our menses cycles were once aligned to the moon at its full stage meaning women were in harmony with each other. To the Light Workers, Prayer Workers, Energy Healers, Reiki Masters etc: Help us do our unseen work and doing what your gifts are, by sending love and light, image and visualization and prayers to keep the moon safe with a white light shield…. call in all your spirit guides, spirit teachers, god, goddess, ancestral spirits, and your higher self to send the highest good for humanity in relationship to this selfish act. NASA Selects Target Crater for Lunar Impact

PRESS RELEASE 09.11.2009: NASA’s Lunar Crater Observation and Sensing Satellite (LCROSS) is racing toward a double-impact on the moon at 7:30 am EDT on Oct. 9th. Today NASA announced exactly where the crash will take place. The target crater is Cabeus A. It was selected after an extensive review of the best places to excavate frozen water at the lunar south pole.

“The selection of Cabeus A was a result of a vigorous debate within the lunar science community. We reviewed the latest data from Earth-based observatories and our fellow lunar missions Kaguya, Chandrayaan-1, and the Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter,” says Anthony Colaprete, LCROSS project scientist and principle investigator at NASA’s Ames Research Center.

“The team is looking forward to wealth of information this unique mission will produce.” LCROSS will search for ice by plunging its spent upper-stage Centaur rocket into the permanent shadows of Cabeus A, where water might be trapped in frozen form. The LCROSS satellite will then fly into the plume of debris kicked up by the impact and measure the properties of the plume before it also collides with the lunar surface.

The LCROSS team selected Cabeus A based on a set of conditions that includes favorable illumination of the debris plume for visibility from Earth, where astronomers will be watching closely. Cabeus A also has a high concentration of hydrogen (a constituent of water, H2O) and favorable terrain such as a flat floor, gentle slopes and the absence of large boulders.

Professional astronomers will use many of Earth’s most capable observatories to monitor the impacts. These observatories include the Infrared Telescope Facility and Keck telescope in Hawaii; the Magdalena Ridge and Apache Ridge Observatories in New Mexico and the MMT Observatory in Arizona; the newly refurbished Hubble Space Telescope; and the Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter, among others.

Amateur astronomers can monitor the impact, too. Observing tips may be found here. “Telescopes participating in the LCROSS Observation Campaign will provide observations from different vantage points using different types of measurement techniques,” says Jennifer Heldmann, lead for the LCROSS Observation Campaign at Ames. “These multiple observations will complement the LCROSS spacecraft data to help determine whether or not water ice exists in Cabeus A.”

During a media briefing Sept. 11, Daniel Andrews, LCROSS project manager at Ames, provided a mission status update: The spacecraft is healthy and has enough fuel to successfully accomplish all mission objectives. Andrews also announced the dedication of the LCROSS mission to the memory of legendary news anchor, Walter Cronkite, who provided coverage of NASA’s missions from the beginning of America’s manned space program to the age of the space shuttle.

The LCROSS mission has been dedicated to the memory of Walter Cronkite, who covered NASA missions from Mercury through the space shuttle. ”Dad would sure be proud to be part, if just in name, of getting humans back up to the moon and beyond,” says Chip Cronkite, son of the famed news anchor. “We’re looking forward to October 9th,” Andrews says. “The next 28 days will undoubtedly be very exciting.” Cabeus A, here we come!

I wouldn’t exactly call myself an environmentalist but when some hotshot private corporation or any government entitites try to manipulate any food supply in liue of higher monetary gain, then I have a problem with that. I previously blogged about the “adding” of the chemical “melamine” in milk in China in my blog entitled “The Food Crisis: Adding Insult to Injury.” Now here comes another one - it’s in rice. I have encountered the term GMO (Genetically-Modified Organism) used in corn after a rough campaign by the school where I used to teach. The provincial government in Negros Occidental, Philippines, assured the public back in 2006 that no GM corn are shipped in the province. But last year, I read a news about it that some GM corn were said to have been found in one warehouse. It’s not hard to believe how something like that can pass through the government’s lenses, especially when graft and corruption is a major trade in some parts of the world. Really sad. Money over conviction. Money over Public Good.

Here comes another one - GM rice. I love rice and even my husband loved it. We have it in every meal. Heck, we even got ourselves a rice cooker here! Back home, “rice” was regular white long grained rice that was Php24.00 per kilo. Here, we get a 5 lb Jasmine rice called “Mahatma Jasmine” (Thai rice) at Food Lion for less than $7 and the 25 lb at Sam’s Club for like $17. The first few attempts we had of getting affordable rice was a disaster- low grade rice that never seemed to grow soft after 10 minutes of boiling. Now that we found the kind of rice we wanted (and smells good, too!), we are sticking to a kind we want. So basically, everybody can assume that I am very particular about my rice.

Greenpeace has been in the forefront about campaigning against GM (um..not General Motors). According to a Greenpeace report, Bayer (try to remember bug spray), a German company, has genetically-manipulated rice in order to withstand toxic doses of a pesticide called glufosinate. Well it’s toxic so it means that it’s harmful to living organisms. Since Bayer is based in Germany, naturally the European Union has a say whether they would agree to the import of GM rice. If they import GM rice, then farmers will plant GM rice. This means, in the near future, we would be eating GM rice, as they would now be available for sale in supermarkets everywhere.

So now you know why it’s very frustrating to make people understand that “better invention” doesn’t necessarily mean “better for humankind.” Okay, so Bible classes would tell us “go feed the poor” and the next thing we know we are doign a lot worse by feeding them GM rice. What is safe to eat then? And heck! What’s next?!?

You may go to this link for more information from Greenpeace: http://www.greenpeace.org/international/campaigns/genetic-engineering/hands-off-our-rice/hands-off-our-rice

Below is a concrete explanation of GM rice:

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dsxFZ0rUCoM[/youtube]

© rustan108 for Babel: The multilingual, multicultural online journal and community of arts and ideas, 2009. | Permalink | No comment | Add to del.icio.us
Post tags: genetically modified, genetically modified rice, GM Rice, greenpeace, rice

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I wouldn’t exactly call myself an environmentalist but when some hotshot private corporation or any government entitites try to manipulate any food supply in liue of higher monetary gain, then I have a problem with that. I previously blogged about the “adding” of the chemical “melamine” in milk in China in my blog entitled “The Food Crisis: Adding Insult to Injury.” Now here comes another one – it’s in rice. I have encountered the term GMO (Genetically-Modified Organism) used in corn after a rough campaign by the school where I used to teach. The provincial government in Negros Occidental, Philippines, assured the public back in 2006 that no GM corn are shipped in the province. But last year, I read a news about it that some GM corn were said to have been found in one warehouse. It’s not hard to believe how something like that can pass through the government’s lenses, especially when graft and corruption is a major trade in some parts of the world. Really sad. Money over conviction. Money over Public Good.

Here comes another one – GM rice. I love rice and even my husband loved it. We have it in every meal. Heck, we even got ourselves a rice cooker here! Back home, “rice” was regular white long grained rice that was Php24.00 per kilo. Here, we get a 5 lb Jasmine rice called “Mahatma Jasmine” (Thai rice) at Food Lion for less than $7 and the 25 lb at Sam’s Club for like $17. The first few attempts we had of getting affordable rice was a disaster- low grade rice that never seemed to grow soft after 10 minutes of boiling. Now that we found the kind of rice we wanted (and smells good, too!), we are sticking to a kind we want. So basically, everybody can assume that I am very particular about my rice.

You may go to this link for more information from Greenpeace: http://www.greenpeace.org/international/campaigns/genetic-engineering/hands-off-our-rice/hands-off-our-rice

Below is a concrete explanation of GM rice:

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dsxFZ0rUCoM[/youtube]

© rustan108 for Babel: The multilingual, multicultural online journal and community of arts and ideas, 2009. | Permalink | One comment | Add to del.icio.us
Post tags: genetically modified, genetically modified rice, GM Rice, greenpeace, rice

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My favorite part in the “Sound of Music” has always been “How do you solve the problem like Maria?” It’s a part of a song that seems to have buried itself in memory. Two years ago, I met this wonderful friend named Maria from Romania. So that sort of triggered a memory of that song and I eventually told Maria about this. Even when I was in high school, Music class started with “doe a deer a female deer...” or “when you know the notes to sing…” I actually could hum the latter and play the piano (without learning it) by just listening to myself hum. Then during a trip to North Carolina with my husband to meet some wonderful folks, we got into this topic about Sound of Music and Julie Andrews‘ career - from Mary Poppins to Sound of Music. We were basically talking about Julie Andrews‘ accent and how prim and proper she was when she talks. But when the guys blurted out that she has a “potty-mouth” I was like “what?!?” I don’t exactly know how that topic came up but that was coming from a Scottish friend. Between grasping that tidbit and the guffaw after that, I forgot to ask how our friend knew.

Anyhow, I am mentioning Sound of Music because I got this email from my friend Maria and she sent me a video of how 200 dancers went to the train station in Antwerp, Belgium and basically “rocked the house” with the tunes in “Sound of Music.” Thought I’d share these little “coincidences” and it might just trigger some good ole memory (and why I am blogging about it now). I wonder how many out there have watched the Sound of Music over and over again? Well here I am - guilty!
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7EYAUazLI9k[/youtube]

You can also watch it from this link: http://www.flixxy.com/antwerp-central-station-sound-of-music.htm

© rustan108 for Babel: The multilingual, multicultural online journal and community of arts and ideas, 2009. | Permalink | One comment | Add to del.icio.us
Post tags: julie andrews, sound of music

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I have heard about this rendition that Jon Schmidt did with Taylor Swift’s “Love Story” from the movie “Romeo + Juliet” (well starring Clare Danes and Leonardo di Caprio) and “Viva La Vida” by Coldplay. It was a superb rendition! It relaxes you - sort of calming. I remembered attending my nephew’s piano recital last May 2 at Texas Tech University and remembering how I learned to play the piano by myself years back- learning to read notes from Music class at school and then listening to the rhythm of a song intently. I would always combine one piece with another and just be silly and play it. So listening to Jon Schmidt rendition made me thoughtful as it is a unique ability to combine two pieces and make it sound so fun. Well, I’m a fan now!
I actually wanted to download the music format of this and hoping to upload in my ipod (without resorting to P2P sites). It seems like the free download was temporarily postponed due to some legal matters, according to the site. Copyright issues, I assume. The rendition/combination of two songs can be genuinely unique for the artist as the artist who combined and created something new. But the other means to come up with that genuine, artistic piece was not wholly owned by the artist. I think obviously that is where the legal aspect come in. I’d say personally, both Taylor Swift and Coldplay may even get more recognition for their songs due to this special rendition. Wouldn’t this rendition by Jon Schmidt then be categorized as a “remake” - where some artist would sing an old song and record it again under a new label/artist?

I await the mp3 download. So watch out at http://www.jonschmidt.com/catalog/index.php

The YouTube video is below. You may also watch it at Tangle: http://www.tangle.com/view_video.php?viewkey=4c06065c76d3284dc3dc

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0v3d6SFcDys[/youtube]

© rustan108 for Babel: The multilingual, multicultural online journal and community of arts and ideas, 2009. | Permalink | No comment | Add to del.icio.us
Post tags: Coldplay, Jon Schmidt, Love Story, Romeo+Juliet, Taylor Swift

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I actually wanted to download the music format of this and hoping to upload in my ipod (without resorting to P2P sites). It seems like the free download was temporarily postponed due to some legal matters, according to the site. Copyright issues, I assume. The rendition/combination of two songs can be genuinely unique for the artist as the artist who combined and created something new. But the other means to come up with that genuine, artistic piece was not wholly owned by the artist. I think obviously that is where the legal aspect come in. I’d say personally, both Taylor Swift and Coldplay may even get more recognition for their songs due to this special rendition. Wouldn’t this rendition by Jon Schmidt then be categorized as a “remake” – where some artist would sing an old song and record it again under a new label/artist?

I await the mp3 download. So watch out at http://www.jonschmidt.com/catalog/index.php

The YouTube video is below. You may also watch it at Tangle: http://www.tangle.com/view_video.php?viewkey=4c06065c76d3284dc3dc

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0v3d6SFcDys[/youtube]

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I sent a posting recently to the ISOC PH mailing list - just sort of an observation I had while trying out Wolfram Alpha.I tried it and just spontaneously typed weather information in my city. To my surprise, it gave me a “Wolfram|Alpha isn’t sure what to do with your input..“ According to the BBC article I read about Wolfram, it should return annotated pages rather than list of sites. Instead I got a “…isn’t-sure-what-to-do-with-your-input.”

So I did another search and key in “value of pi,” after Gonz, an ISOC PH member, told me that Wolfram is quite good with computational information. I actually got the answers to my query and not just links to sites. I got the value of “pi” in decimal, fraction and in other representations. That was cool for me since I didn’t have to browse through several sites just to find answers. I was even thinking that if only we had Wolfram during college days, I wouldn’t have to dig into my notes, decipher my handwriting (and get some answer or formula wrong with my own handwriting that I couldn’t understand!) and just use the Internet instead.

My husband told me that if we need some information, we can “wolf” it now instead of “google” it.

Here’s the BBC article: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/technology/8052798.stm
Wolfram Alpha: http://www.wolframalpha.com/

© rustan108 for Babel: The multilingual, multicultural online journal and community of arts and ideas, 2009. | Permalink | No comment | Add to del.icio.us
Post tags: wolfram alpha

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As a busy traveler and a history and culture buff, I’ve prided myself on making deep preparations for trips overseas, and it has paid handsome dividends. Zach Dunkin at Indystar.com writes on how one can avoid some of the faux-pauses that less-experiences travelers endure.

© racarrera for Babel: The multilingual, multicultural online journal and community of arts and ideas, 2009. | Permalink | No comment | Add to del.icio.us
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My dear blogging compatriots, this news comes as a treat! Kindle will be opening up their machines to instantly download RSS feeds from your favorite blogs, so it may behoove you to submit your links (or just do what I do and read it for vanity’s sake!). HT: MediaBistro.

© racarrera for Babel: The multilingual, multicultural online journal and community of arts and ideas, 2009. | Permalink | No comment | Add to del.icio.us
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by James Schwartz

Ahoy! I’ve been called a loose cannon.

TKO! Yet here I am standing.

Through our carnage and through our calm.

I hear one voice in storm and Psalm.

Sacred scrolls of henna fonts.

A Global Era Renaissance.

Connected consciousness. WE ARE ONE!

Longfellow in Levis: the day is done.

Of queer quills and pink ink.

A pretty boy poet to make you think.

Of equality. Diversity.

And what he really means to me.

March with PRIDE. Love awaits.

Open your mind. Stop the hate.

Free your foes. Remove your muzzle.

We are all a piece in the puzzle.

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Mt. Redoubt (March 2009) photo by Brentwood Higman

‘Angel of Change’ is my name for this spectacular photograph of Mount Redoubt, Alaska exploding awake again with fire and lightening early morning March 28, 2009. Awesome!!! Can you see the angel, heart and angel fish? Beloved Creator gives us more messages and indicators.

The angel is a messenger heralding change through the fire of transformation and transmutation who says, ‘It moves, ALL IS WELL, you are a Divine Child of God.’ The lightening heart emerging from smoke says, ‘FEAR NOT beloved… you are Loved, always taken care of and eternal’. It reminds us to Love all and do all through and with Love.’ The angel fish says, ‘HAVE FAITH things are not what they appear. Fish show us Independence, Potential and Adaptation. When swimming upwards fish indicates Spiritual evolution. The angelfish tells us angels are always around. It guides us to assist others in need… by helping others we help ourselves. The explosion of Redoubt indicates there will be doubts projected and doubt will intensify. The mountain says, ‘HAVE NO DOUBT, hold the visions of the future you wish to collectively create… they are made manifest! The message: fear nothing, have faith, hold your visions without doubt, love self, others and the process itself, help each other, all is well and in transformation. In the end all will be new, fresh an unlike anything seen to date. Whoo Hoo… might as well let go and enjoy the ride!

Weather.com featured the photo above with the caption:

1:43 pm ET Incredible volcano lightning photos: These are pictures taken on March 28 of Alaska’s Mount Redoubt volcanic eruption. The volcano has been erupting for several days now but has recently evolved into a different eruption pattern.

~Bonnee Klein Gilligan

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The Humble Telescope is designed as an interactive civic sculpture that brings the wonders of space down to earth and into our cities, to encourage us learn more about the universe and perhaps appreciate our own world a little more.

Inside the telescope exists a 3D simulation of our entire known universe. Pointing the telescope in any direction immediately shows us what exists in that area of space, so now we can get a greater understanding of where the planets are and where we live in the Milky Way.

- Link.

Via FreshMoCo: Link.

~ Karl Jones

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Compelling, beautiful, idiosyncratic:

“A collection of accidents that happened while working on maps and other graphics.” Posted by Matthew Bloch, graphics editor for the New York Times. Link.

Shown above: “1917 map of Beijing (after trying to use spline-based georeferencing in ArcGIS).”

Via Dinosaurs and Robots: Link.

~ Karl Jones

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‘1st January’ photograph by Shugaley Pavel

A Vision for A New Earth

An Earth where chaos matures into growth and reality is a soul harmony vibrating to Love in synchronicity.
Knowing through radical trust, silence and stillness that the dark is pierced by the Light, and fear and ignorance transformed into insight, love and wisdom.
New leaders with spiritual vision unashamedly inspired by a loving connection to all life and a passionate caring for self, humanity and the environment lead the world to an unanimously agreed upon charter of peace.
Religion is no longer fought over, but honored as expressions of divinity.
Borders vanish to form one Circle of Light one earth – one vision - one garden – one economy – one humanity.
Diversity is celebrated within the uniqueness of each individual’s culture, race and heart.
Generosity and gratitude replace greed, and the desire to accumulate out of fear of scarcity, is replaced by knowing that all is provided for.
Spirit is acknowledged in the radiance of each person’s being beyond all illusions.
The creative potential of each person’s abilities unfold into expressions of joyous creations.
All learning celebrates soul development, character, creativity and imagination.
Sound, thought, light, feeling and color are understood as
palettes of creation to manifest reality.
Love is fostered as the elixir of life and Joy the blueprint for achievement.
Beauty, compassion and forgiveness weave perception and create connection.
Infinity is grasped as an awakening into the ever evolving mystery of the Now moment.
Time is seen as a fractal of Infinity where the Now locates,
attention focuses and intention directs.
Nature is Light. Light is the interplay of the dance of particles in the known cosmos of Love. Light is the breath of The Divine.
In Light, are the codes of all life playing a symphony of Love.
Love is all there is. As you are in your heart. In Peace. In Love. Know that you are loved beyond measure.
Know that we are in a New Earth where we all celebrate our magnificence.
Dream it and it will Be.

~Author Unknown

Amazing photograph and wisdom… thanks for the visions!!!

~Bonnee Klein Gilligan

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dan-ayido-houedo by Romuald Hazoumé

Xeni Jardin writes:

While I was in Benin over the last couple of weeks, a local BB reader pointed me to some interesting contemporary artists from this region. Probably the most well-known of these, internationally, is a man named Romuald Hazoumé who transforms salvaged materials into symbols of spiritual power.

Hazoumé has residences in the capital city of Cotonou, and in nearby Porto Novo near the Nigerian border. He is of Yoruba ancestry (which means his grand-folks were from Nigeria, I presume), and grew up in a Catholic family, but like many Beninois, also lives in touch with his voudun roots.

Starting in the mid-1980s, Hazoumé began creating works made from a locally ubiquitous type of plastic container — I’ve heard them referred to as “jerry cans?” Basically, you see them everywhere in Benin, used and reused and reused to store everything from palm oil to water to gasoline.

- Xeni Jardin @ Boing Boing: Link.

See Also …

Liden, Lars. “Artificial Stupidity: The Art of Intentional Mistakes,” in AI Game Programming Wisdom 2, Charles River Media, 2004.
http://lars.liden.cc/Publications/Download/2003_AIWisdom.pdf

Lopez, Steven. “Intelligent Mistakes,” Chessbase News, 2005.
http://www.chessbase.com/newsdetail.asp?newsid=2579

~ Karl Jones

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‘Galactic Love’ photo by NASA’s Telescopes

‘Galactic Love’ is my name for this spectacular capture of two merging galaxies called NGC 6240. It’s a great flying heart! What beautiful colors, blues, pink and purple with a core of golden white… painted with streaks of infrared light. WOW awe inspiring! Thank you beloved Creator. Love is everywhere and ever expanding.

March 16, 2009: A new image from NASA’s Spitzer Space Telescope offers a rare view of an imminent collision between the cores of two merging galaxies, each powered by a black hole with millions of times the mass of the sun. The spectacular image combines visible light from NASA’s Hubble Space Telescope and infrared light from Spitzer. It catches the two galaxies during a rare, short-lived phase of their evolution, when both cores of the interacting galaxies are still visible but closing in on each other fast. Read more at NASA Newsroom.

~Bonnee

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Wayraman by Manatial

Beautiful panpipes and flute telling a story of love. Sweet!

Manatial, The Mystic Sound from the Andes, Song: Wayraman, Album: The Secret of the Dancing Spirits DVD, Video produced by: AylluRecords. Recorded in Salasaca, Ecuador. Official website: manantial-productions.com.

Manantial are Indigenous musicians from the Kichwa-Salasaka community in Ecuador. They present a magical connection between ancient and present cultures through song and dance. Members include Alberto Jerez, Kjulliar Jerez and Carlos Jerez from Salasaka-Ecuador.

~Bonnee Klein Gilligan

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Maya Lin has a new exhibit at Washington’s Corcoran Gallery of Art.

It grew out of a desire to take what I do outside and bring it inside …. I thought, what if I could bring a hill inside - take it up to the ceiling, maybe even let people walk on it. … These works are asking us to pay close attention to the world around us.”

- Maya Lin, via The Baltimore Sun.

Maya Lin @ Wikipedia.

~ Karl Jones

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Amy: “We’ve got Jeremy Melcamp from Borders here today — and he’s got something really special for us. Now, what am I holding here?

Jeremy: We call it Book. Now Amy, try to find the plug on there.

Amy: I don’t see one!

Jeremy: That’s because Book is the new wireless platform that never needs to be charged. Now, go ahead and turn a page.

Amy: The pages are really turning! And … there’s different words on each one!

Jeremy: It’s got an intuitive, touch-based interface that we’re very proud of.

Amy: This could be huge, but … where are people going to keep all their Book?

Jeremy: That’s the best part, Amy. Book works with the shelves you have at home.

- Link to Penny Arcade.

~ Karl Jones

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Zen Meditation video by TheWisdomWarrior.com

When life has over taken and is controlling you, step back… breathe… watch, listen and allow this lovely quieting video to bring a space of quiet respite. A place to regroup, center, quiet and empty the mind. Enjoy the peace.

~Bonnee Klein Gilligan

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Return of the Ancestors, Wisdom Gathering, Sedona, AZ April 18^th - 28, 2009

An important gathering is about to occur. I thought you might find it of interest. ‘Return of the Ancestors’ is happening April in Northern Arizona. Here is information about the gathering:

500 years ago the Mayan Ancestors wrote out on stone prophesies for the upcoming years creating the Mayan Calendar. With only four years left of the Mayan Calendar, many people fear the end of the world, but it is not predicting the end of the world in 2012, but the start of a new era. To usher in this new era The Institute for Cultural Awareness is holding a sacred pilgrimage in Northern Arizona beginning Earth Day Weekend, April 18^th – 28, 2009.

Indigenous Elders and Future Wisdom Keepers are coming from every corner of the world to share their wisdom and prophesies. Will help us heal and follow in their ancestors footsteps as prophesied, creating new guide stone tablets of prophesy for the upcoming 500 years…the world has awaited a renewed life’s plan.

This gathering is fulfilling a great Mayan prophecy, When the Eagle once again flies with the Condor, a lasting peace will reign in the Americas and will spread throughout the world to unite humanity.

To find out more visit ICA website. A Ho!

~Bonnee

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‘Rare pink dolphin’ photo by Capt. Erik Rue

When I lived on Kauai I often would sit alone and watch the dolphins playing just off shore. One day while pondering a particularly difficult life situation a dolphin caught my attention. He jumped out of the water and spun in circles then dove out of sight. He repeated this again and again while making joyful noise. When we touched consciousness I was showered with Love and happiness and received the message ‘There is only Love, play dear one, nothing is of import which leaden the heart.”

A pink albino dolphin! What a glorious gift from Creator. Dolphins represent manna, breath, play and Oneness. Manna is energy… the essence of Creator which is present in all Creation. Breath is life, taking in and renewing Manna which sustains body; keeps it alive. Through the rhythm of breath we may begin to sense energy and intensify our connection to God. Oneness is our Divine connection with everything… ‘all that is’. Pink is the color of Universal Love, love of self and others, harmony and inner peace; and a developed heart chakra (Anahata). Our pink dolphin gives us indicators (a road map) to guide us as we expand spiritually. Indicators… link with Creator for answers, commune with nature, remember Love and Oneness, be mindful of bodily energies and breath and spread waves of laughter, joy and love into the world. Thank you for your glorious indicators beloved Creator. A pink dolphin… indeed!

Pink dolphin photograph taken by Captain Eric Rue on Calcasieu Lake in Louisiana. You can see more of Erik’s photos of the pink dolphin at Calcasieu Charter Service.

Kari Pugh, Mad Mariner daily boating magazine writes, “Albino dolphins are rare. Only three have been spotted in the Gulf of Mexico since 1994 and there have only been 14 sightings around the world since 1963. But albino dolphins that appear to be pink are unheard of, says Patricia Rosel, a NOAA marine biologist who studies the genetic glitches found in bottlenose dolphins.” You can read the whole article at Mad Mariner.

~Bonnee Klein Gilligan

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Mo Ghruagach Dhonn sung by Julie Fowlis

Lovely, clear and sweet, Julie’s voice is just beautiful. I enjoy listening to her sing this ancient Gaelic love song about a man’s search.

Julie says of the song,

“This is a North Uist love song which I heard for the first time in the house of Kate-Ann MacLellan in Hùna, North Uist (Scotland).”

Julie Fowlis, Song: Mo Ghruagach Dhonn , Album: Cuilidh (2007), Label: SPIT & POLISH Official website: www.juliefowlis.com

Mo Ghruagach Dhonn (My Brown-haired Lass) Gaelic lyrics in English:

Hi ho ro, my brown-haired lass,
whose beauty becomes more beguiling.
The deep love I have for you
has left me sorely wounded.

Your letter arrived on Tuesday
Telling of what was to be.
It told that your ship would arrive
in Glasgow without delay.
When I read this,
I immediately headed for the Broomielaw.
I saw the ship carrying the jewel,
the maiden, approach.

When I held out my hand
you turned with a slight smile and
uttered a couple of words
which left me sleepless many nights

You have the loveliest hair,
neither black, nor red nor fair,
but the colour of the most beautiful gold,
yellow, braided and curled.

I would write for you with a pen.
I would cultivate for you with a plough.
I would captain a ship for you,
brown haired lass of the deceiving eyes.

You are skilled at working wool
and at writing on blank paper.
But if you have gone overseas, to Australia,
goodbye to you.

I will no longer be in despair.
I’ll grab a new one by the hand.
Solomon, the wisest man who lived,
had many sweethearts

Julie Fowlis born 1979 in North Uist, an island in the Outer Hebrides Scotland is a folk singer instrumentalist who sings primarily in Gaelic. She won the Horizon award at the 2006 BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards and Folk Singer of The Year at the 2008 awards.

~Bonnee Klein Gilligan

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Artful and practical at the same time: I like it a lot.

From Instructables.

Via Apartment Therapy.

Via Boing Boing.

~ Karl Jones

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‘Regresa a mi’ sung by Il Divo

A beautiful, sad, moving love song, passionately sung by Il Divo. Longing for love lost. The line, ‘My life turns off without you by my side’ touches me. We often merge our lives so completely with another that when other is gone we turn off or shut down. Sometimes it takes years to come alive again… to become some semblance of what we were before the relationship… forever changed, altered. We may review… as a result grow and become more through love. Life is meant to be poignant… Love is always a Divine gift.

A dear friend once said to me, ‘I would rather be without love than to accept something ordinary.’ I believe, Love is never ordinary when it comes, treasure it in all its’ forms. No one… nothing is ordinary, nor is anyone or anything special. Everything is sacred and Divine… everyone Perfect as they are… nothing better, nor worse.. just is. Accept what is given and be filled with joy… a choice. The dance of life and love is full of experiences and choices… a smorgasbord of sensations and feelings. Flow with life… appreciate, accept what is and be grateful for breath. We are given what we need in every moment… relationships, family, friends or sacred time to ourselves… discerning what enhances. Searching leads to more searching, an endless quest… a good game like every undertaking. Fun. Play well. What seems mystical to one is simply life unfolding for another. Everything is a blessing from God… life, love, body, home, family, friends, animals, food, nature, breath… everything! Thank you, thank you, thank you for Love, beloved Creator!

Il Divo, Song: Regresa a Mi, Album: Il Divo - Il Divo (2004), Label: Sony BMG, Music video: 2006 Sony BMG Music Entertainment. Sony BMG Music UK (c) 2004 Simco Limited exclusively licensed to Sony BMG Music Entertainment (UK) Limited. Official website: www.ildivo.com

Regresa a mi (Return to me) lyrics (Spanish) in English (translated by elmarto-ga):

Don’t leave me like this
Speaking only of you
Come and give the smile that went away back to me
One more time to touch your skin and deep to sigh
Let’s recover what has been lost
Return to me

Love me once again
Erase the grief I experienced when you left
when you parted from me
Tell me yes
I don’t want to cry
Return to me

I miss the love that went away
I miss the happiness as well
I want you to come to me and love me again
I can’t go on if you’re not here; you have to arrive
My life turns off without you by my side
Return to me, Return to me

Il Divo (Italian for ’star or or celebrity’) was created by music manager Simon Cowell. They are a multinational operatic pop vocal group. Members of Il Divo are singers: Carlos Marín (born October 13, 1968 in Rüsselsheim, Germany, raised in Madrid, Spain), Urs Bühler (born July 19, 1971 in Willisau, Lucerne, Switzerland), David Miller (born April 14, 1973 in San Diego, California but grew up in Littleton, Colorado), and Sébastien Izambard (born March 7, 1973 in Paris, France). They sing in English, Italian, Spanish, French and Latin. Il Divo was named the Most Multinational UK No.1 Album Group in the 2006 edition of the Guinness Book of World Records.

~Bonnee Klein Gilligan

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‘Three Little Birds’ sung by Connie Talbot

Sweet, fun and happy, makes me smile. I love the lines, ‘Don’t worry about a thing, cause every little thing is gonna be alright.’ How true! Worry stems from thinking about past/future, usually something which has not yet manifest. Worry is fear-based (FEAR = False Evidence Appearing Real or Future Expectations Appearing Real). It’s not yet become reality, so is assumed or expected. With our powerful thoughts backed with by feelings we make what we dwell on real. So remembering, ‘Don’t worry cause everything’s gonna be alright’ helps us take a deep breath, step back from ‘whatever’ and know we are ok. Right now we are ok! Thanks for the happy reminder. I just found Connie today on youtube, what talent!

Connie Talbot, Song: Three Little Birds, Album: Over the rainbow (2008), Label: AAO Rainbow Recording , Official website: www.connietalbot.com. ‘Three Little Birds’ originally made popular by Bob Marley.

‘Three Little Birds’ lyrics:

Dont worry about a thing,
cause every little thing gonna be all right.
Singin: dont worry about a thing,
cause every little thing gonna be all right!

Rise up this mornin,
Smiled with the risin sun,
Three little birds
Pitch by my doorstep
Singin sweet songs
Of melodies pure and true,
Sayin, (this is my message to you-ou-ou:)

Singin: dont worry bout a thing,
cause every little thing gonna be all right.
Singin: dont worry (dont worry) bout a thing,
cause every little thing gonna be all right!

Rise up this mornin,
Smiled with the risin sun,
Three little birds
Pitch by my doorstep
Singin sweet songs
Of melodies pure and true,
Sayin, this is my message to you-ou-ou:

Singin: dont worry about a thing, worry about a thing, oh!
Every little thing gonna be all right. dont worry!
Singin: dont worry about a thing - I wont worry!
cause every little thing gonna be all right.

Connie Talbot born November 20, 2000 in Streetly, West Midlands, England is a child singer. She began singing at age 2 and rose to fame in 2007 after her appearance on Britain’s Got Talent. She’s also in the newest Guinness Book of Records as the youngest artist to ever be in the UK Charts.

~Bonnee Klein Gilligan

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Glorious Indicators… we move!

Beautiful green comet Lulin is currently located in the night sky between Saturn and Regulus and is moving backwards (never observed in a comet before). Photo taken by astrophotographer John Nassr in the Philippines.

Astrologically… Comets are usually seen as signs of things to come… predictors. On February 23, 2009 Lulin was at its’ closest position to earth, on the 24th it made it’s first naked eye appearance during New Moon (time for creation) in Pisces (seeing beyond material to other realms). Significance: Lulin is an awakener… moving backward suggests turning within. The timing suggests motivation to awaken, seeking answers beyond tactile senses. Inner creation, beyond material to other realms. As well on the 24th Lulin conjoins Saturn (time and material reality) which is in opposition to Uranus (technological innovation, energy and radical change). Significance: Lulin’s alignment suggests an awakening…. reexamining our beliefs about time and material reality and urging radical change. The green color of Lulin suggests healing in areas it impacts. Lulin helps us to collectively recognize our material and energetic impact on all that is… then heal, lessen or eliminate that impact. ‘The current green movement?’ As well it urges us to look at our beliefs and stretch beyond. Lulin was discovered because of a collaboration between Taiwanese and Chinese astronomers. So it carries the energy of working together. Perhaps it offers a solution to current world crises - heal our differences, turn within for answers and collaborate.

~Bonnee Klein Gilligan

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‘Furniture’ sung by Amy Studt, music video

Haunting, fragile and intense… touches me to the bone! Makes me wonder… why we cause harm to each other, the earth and all life? Why don’t we love each other or ourselves? Will we be able to collectively move beyond these destructive patterns? I know we can! I really like the lines, ‘behind the skin, my divinity, behind the skin, my only sanctuary.’ The skin, the bone… a vehicle… a temple. Behind the skin… Soul… our Divinity, our sanctuary… who ‘we truly are’. We move toward the ultimate… conscious merging of skin and Soul… self actualization… enlightenment or Divine Union. Works like this song help us see, understand, know… remember right action… awake our compassionate nature. Thanks Amy for creating a wonderful song and for the reminder.

Amy Studt, Song: Furniture (digital single December 2007), Album: My Paper Made Men (digital May 2008, CD March 2009), Label: 19 Entertainment, Video produced by: Lee Lennox, Official website: www.amystudt.com.

‘Furniture’ lyrics:

I am only flesh and bones, Splintered glass and tattered clothes,
behind the skin, my fragility, behind the skin, a skeletal impracticality,
I am only pieces of you, held together with paper glue,
behind the skin, my divinity, behind the skin, my only sanctuary.
You can lean on me, have a drink on me, leave your mark all over me, paint the outside ’till it smiles, you can eat off me, rest your head on me, press yourself on top of me, kick the back until its quiet.
All in all I’m just furniture, Just another piece taking you one step further from the perfect living room set,
All in all I’m just furniture, In these 4 walls that hold me, keep me safe under sound and bare within its grip.
My wooden heart it sings no more, This dress I wear becomes the floor, behind the skin, a living, breathing thing, behind the skin, a place you’ve never been.
You can lean on me, have a drink on me, leave your mark all over me, paint the outside ’till it smiles, you can eat off me, rest your head on me, press yourself on top of me, kick the back until its quiet.
All in all I’m just furniture, Just another piece taking you one step further from the perfect living room set,
All in all I’m just furniture, In these 4 walls that hold me, keep me safe under sound and bare within its grip.
I am only flesh and bones, Splintered glass and tattered clothes

Amy Studt (Amy Jane Studt) born March 22, 1986 in Bournemouth, England is a singer, songwriter and musician. She made her first music demo at 14 which resulted in a contract with Polydor. Her first single ‘Just a Little Girl’ released in 2002 was an international success. Amy’s Myspace page is amystudtofficial.

~Bonnee Klein Gilligan

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‘Tibetan Plateau’ sung by Vitas

Spectacular! Glorious journey through the mountains and minds of Tibet. Beautifully sung by Vitas.

Vitas, Song: Tibetan Plateau (2008 Just released.), Video created by: Dieforsing (China), Song written by: Qianyi Zhang. Official website: www.vitas.com.ru. Tibetan Plateau is a folk song made popular by Li Na (李娜).

Vitas (Vitaliy Vladasovich Grachyov) born February 19, 1981 in Daugavpils, Latvia is a Russian singer, composer, actor and fashion designer. Vitas, or Витас in Russian is how he is most well known. He was the only foreign artist to sing at the Olympic starting concert July 2008.

~Bonnee Klein Gilligan

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'Night Streaker' photo by Howard Edin September 30, 2008

‘Night Streaker’ photo by Howard Edin. Captured from the Okie-Tex Star Party, September 30, 2008

‘Night Streaker’ is my name for this beautiful… awe filled sight. A fireball streaks by Orion through the night sky. Glorious displays lighting up the skies all over the world. Thank you Beloved Creator, thank you!

The American Meteor Society says it has had 45 separate fireballs reported to them so far in 2009. There were 40 fireballs reported during the month of January in 2008. In the last 90 days there have been sightings in: California, Sweden, New Zealand, Middle East, Canada, Africa, Argentina, Vancouver B.C., Colorado, West Virginia, Washington, Oregon, Arizona, Ireland, Brazil, China… more.

January 19 - Fireball in Southern California
January 19, 2009 5:33pm PST a brilliant fireball was reported by over 24 people from California, Nevada and Arizona. It was reported to be as bright as the full moon magnitude -13.

January 17 - Fireball in Sweden

January 17, 2009 19:09 UT, a beautiful brilliant blue sky was Creator’s gift as a fireball lit the night in Scandinavia. It exploded with a rumbling boom. The photo is from a video. You can see videos, read reports and articles at TV2 ØST or SpaceWeather.com Scandinavian Fireball.

My thoughts…

Are there more fireballs? It seems like there are more sightings… but maybe we are just gazing at the sky more… aware… looking… waiting for something. When we see something we gasp in wonder, point and say, ‘oh ah… amazing, glorious!’ or ‘ah oh… doom and gloom!’ Are these sightings apocalyptic? Are they signs of the end?

I see them a signs… wonderful signs of change. More of Creator’s gifts and blessings. Messages to get our attention… they say, ‘Stop for a moment, watch… pause… breathe… Be’. When we are awe filled, in appreciation and wonder we are One… and in that moment we begin to feel and recognize our Oneness.

All of the glorious blessings Creator showers upon us daily are signs of change. Signs of the ending of old ways which no longer work. Like the snake sloughing off of old skin to be renewed or the phoenix being consumed by fire then reborn from its’ own ash. Not end as in death or cataclysm… but end of a cycle. Now we are reborn into our full glory and majesty… as we were originally intended to be.

Now is the cycle or yuga of Light… 2,000 years of Peace. Christ has come… Buddha is here… it is Us… we are That! The waiting is over… today is 2012… the time we’ve been waiting for is NOW. It is not about a timeline or calendar date… it is about raising and changing consciousness. We have fully embraced ourselves, climbed the mountain and are standing on the peak saying, ‘Who am I? Where am I? What am I?’.

Now we remake ourselves. From this moment… do all with joy. Remake yourself into what you have always dreamed. Create! This is the Grace of NOW!

Be the glorious greatness that you are my friend. Love from the depths of your being … everything… all. Rejoice!

~Bonnee

‘Light beam’ photo by Thomas O’Brien

‘Light beam’ is my name for these amazing photographs. A second sun floats just above the tree tops beaming Light to earth. It looks like a being of light floating above and behind the trees. An amazing gift and wonderful display. Images taken in Aspen, Colorado January 3, 2009 by Thomas O’Brien.

Thomas says about the images,

‘I had been seeing small sun reflections in the ground all day when riding the lifts last Sunday so i decided to hike around on the backside of the mountain to see if i could find a brighter one. it was incredibly hard to photograph, it was like i was shooting directly into 2 suns at once. getting a shot without lens flare was nearly impossible. I had seen much dimmer ones before but this one was incredible. ‘

Atmospheric Optics expert Les Cowley reports, “It is exactly like shooting into two suns at once because it is a subsun, a direct reflection of the sun by millions of ice crystals acting as mirrors. The crystals are flat plates drifting in the cold air. Subsuns can be blindingly bright, look for them while skiing or when flying.”

Photo was featured on SpaceWeather.com January 11, 2009.

~Bonnee Klein Gilligan

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by James Schwartz

O Muse! I no longer mourn morning’s death.

The hour grows late, no reason for leaving.

The air growing thick with throat and breath.

In state of undress, foggier breathing.

Only one moon for so many poets.

Do I dare ask for more? You shut the door.

Stealing my senses and taking my coat.

Making up miles and days away we bore.

Moonlight white the night. Moonlight white the gloom.

Midnight vespers, jasmine, sodomy.

Poetry conceived as fruit in my womb.

My moonlit ghost you are a god to me.

Mists and mornings melt into our pale tomb.

The black of day glittering in your room.

‘Ice Flowers’ photo by Chyenne Morning Star

On January 16, 2009 Chyenne went outside her home in Edgemont, Arkansas and was greeted by these lovely ribbons of luminous ice. One is a heart. Everywhere… reminders of Creator’s Love. Mother and Father Creators showering blessings upon us. It is glorious. Thanks so much Chyenne for sharing this wonderful photo with us.

Chyenne says of the image,

Every now and then in the midst of Winter when the ground is of one color and the trees are bare, She, Mother Winter will gift us with little luminous beings of ice called Ice Flowers. And particularly when one is shaped as a heart, it is a message. A message from our Mother, the Earth and our Nature sisters and brothers telling us they love us. When I went out to get wood on this January 16, 2009 morning, I noticed these beautiful beings. I have never seen them before - or in our area. They are called Ice Flowers and only form in perfect conditions. It is rare to see them here. They were scattered over the yard. It is one of those gifts in the middle of Winter that really surprises us with another beautiful life form being. These Ice Flowers are sometimes called Rabbit Frost and are formed when the sap freezes and expands in the stem, causing long thin cracks to form along the stem. The water that is drawn through these cracks freezes immediately upon contact with the air. Thin layers of ice are pushed from the stems,causing the formation of ribbons or ‘petals.

The photo was featured on the home page of SpaceWeather.com on January 18. They say of the image:

Scientists have been studying the ice flower phenomenon for almost two hundred years. Botanists, physicists, geologists–all have puzzled over the fragile ribbons of ice that wrap themselves around the stems of some plants during winter. Over time, the following consensus has emerged: Liquid water from deep soil flows up into the stems. Linear cracks in the stems expose the water to freezing air. Water turns to ice, and the ice extrudes from the cracks in thin sheets.

There is also a wonderful video of ice flowers at youtube. So amazing… another wonderful display. Thank you beloved Creator, thank you.

~Bonnee Klein Gilligan

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I cannot seem to get enough of this story. Now, the Commission of Human Rights (CHR) is urging the suspended bloggers to file a complaint before the CHR against the repression of free speech. It seems the CHR is presupposing that the repression of the freedom of speech and expression lacks due process which is a clear indication that freedom was hindered.

One more thing, the suspension of the high school bloggers from Quezon City Science High School violated Republic Act 7610 which is the Special Protection of Children Against Abuse, Exploitation and Discrimination Act. Let me just back track here a bit – four high school students blogged their complaints against their principal in http://www.multiply.com. The principal suspended the four students stating the complaints were acts of personal insult to her character. But parents of the suspended students went to the Department of Education, lodged a complaint and the DepEd halted the suspension pending investigation.

What I find rather confusing is whether administrators of Multiply are taking a stand on this matter. I believe in self-policing so the complainant (the person being referred to in the blog) can always report the blog as abuse. There has been so many issues regarding censorship and no clear cut stand against abusive comments posted in public weblogs other than self-policing or reporting such abuse to the site administrators for evaluation so that proper actions can be undertaken.

There is a massive reaction about the deed itself and the steps undertaken to rectify the deed. People are so quick to put labels on the issue that they forgot the simplest action of self-policing or reporting the blog as simply abusive. Then if Multiply considers the posted blog as abusive content in accordance with the rules and regulations they present to their subscribers, then the victim (the principal in this case) can take the necessary steps to discipline the students without resorting to outright suspension. I am familiar with disciplinary actions in a school setting and there are degrees of offenses (or how many times the offender has violated school rules) before a suspension can be meted.

Did these people ever bother to ask Multiply’s opinion?

‘Frozen wave’ by Tony Travouillon, Anarctica

‘Frozen wave’ is my name for this amazing photo taken by scientist Tony Travouillon in Antarctica. That little dark speck is a person… what an awesome sight. Thank you again beloved Creator for this awe inspiring sight. Many other images can be seen in a gallery on Travouillon’s website.

The weather certainly has been erratic lately. Has it seemed strange to you too?

Here is what the Weather Channel reports:

January 16, 2009 - record low temperatures were set in 13 states. Plus there’s a new record low for the state of Maine - Big Black River -50 degrees F. The old record low is -48 degrees at Van Buren, Maine, January 19, 1925. For more on this see weather.com.

January 16, 2009 - Jeff Mielcarz, Road Crew Host weather blog… “Talk about a roller coaster ride! On Thursday January 15th, the low in Bismarck, ND was minus -44 degrees, while the high in Los Angeles, CA was 85. THAT’S A 129 DEGREE DIFFERENCE over 1,600 miles by car! At 10am eastern on Friday January 16th the temperature in Pensacola, FL is the same as it is in Fairbanks, AK at 31 degrees. Here’s the key though, when you factor in the wind … it FEELS ten degrees colder in Florida this morning. …In Alaska low temperature LAST Wednesday (January 7) was -46, while their high this PAST Wednesday (January 14) was 44. That’s a 90 degree swing in one week!

January 8, 2009 - Dr. Greg Forbes, Severe Weather Expert weather blog reports “heavy rains have ended in Western Washington, but massive river flooding continues…”

January 6, 2009 - Stu Ostro, Senior Meteorologist weather blog records broken, “From white to wet - The 61.5″ total snow accumulation in Spokane in December was a record for any month, and there has been another 16.6″ during the first week of January; Seattle had ~14″ in December compared with an average of 2.5″; and 22″ fell in Portland where the average annual snowfall is 5.2″.

This is just in the USA. Weather worldwide is strange too.

My thoughts…

Weather can’t make up it’s mind… cold - warm - cold - frigid… humm is this a message? A sign? It is global warming? Or perhaps the next ice age?

Maybe it is about consciousness… what we focus on becomes our reality. Some folks believe one thing… some another. Now more then ever large groups of people are focusing their thoughts on global warming… or the other extreme massive cooling. Many people are fearful. Fear is simply an emotion… but a powerful one. Take an idea, internalize it and back it by strong emotion… and it manifests.

The Law of Manifestation states, “Suggestion is the generator behind all operations and manifestations in the material world, and these manifestations cannot happen until suggestion hits the subconscious mind and is ‘taken in’ by the subconscious mind. An act, objector event, begins with a mental impression of suggestion in the mind, impregnated by emotions until it is exteriorized; a normal function law is used in hypnotherapy, mental telepathic healing, destructive brainwashing cults and visualization.~’The Donning International Encyclopedic Psychic Dictionary’ by June G. Bletzer, Ph.D.

We are manifesting our beliefs… thoughts… desires… collectively. So a tug of war of sorts is occurring… as one group manifests global warming and another global cooling.

Imagine what our world could be like with a collective vision… peace, balance, health, happiness, equality, and prosperity for everyone… all life. Amazing Indeed!

~Bonnee Klein Gilligan

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‘Frozen wave’ by Tony Travouillon, Anarctica

The weather certainly has been erratic lately. Has it seemed strange to you too?

Here is what the Weather Channel reports:

January 16, 2009 - Jeff Mielcarz, Road Crew Host weather blog… "Talk about a roller coaster ride! On Thursday January 15th, the low in Bismarck, ND was minus -44 degrees, while the high in Los Angeles, CA was 85. THAT’S A 129 DEGREE DIFFERENCE over 1,600 miles by car! At 10am eastern on Friday January 16th the temperature in Pensacola, FL is the same as it is in Fairbanks, AK at 31 degrees. Here’s the key though, when you factor in the wind … it FEELS ten degrees colder in Florida this morning. …In Alaska low temperature LAST Wednesday (January 7) was -46, while their high this PAST Wednesday (January 14) was 44. That’s a 90 degree swing in one week!

January 8, 2009 - Dr. Greg Forbes, Severe Weather Expert weather blog reports "heavy rains have ended in Western Washington, but massive river flooding continues…"

January 6, 2009 - Stu Ostro, Senior Meteorologist weather blog records broken, "From white to wet - The 61.5" total snow accumulation in Spokane in December was a record for any month, and there has been another 16.6" during the first week of January; Seattle had ~14" in December compared with an average of 2.5"; and 22" fell in Portland where the average annual snowfall is 5.2".

This is just in the USA. Weather worldwide is strange too.

My thoughts…

Weather can’t make up it’s mind… cold - warm - cold - frigid… humm is this a message? A sign? It is global warming? Or perhaps the next ice age?

The Law of Manifestation states, "Suggestion is the generator behind all operations and manifestations in the material world, and these manifestations cannot happen until suggestion hits the subconscious mind and is ‘taken in’ by the subconscious mind. An act, objector event, begins with a mental impression of suggestion in the mind, impregnated by emotions until it is exteriorized; a normal function law is used in hypnotherapy, mental telepathic healing, destructive brainwashing cults and visualization.~’The Donning International Encyclopedic Psychic Dictionary’ by June G. Bletzer, Ph.D.

We are manifesting our beliefs… thoughts… desires… collectively. So a tug of war of sorts is occurring… as one group manifests global warming and another global cooling.

Imagine what our world could be like with a collective vision… peace, balance, health, happiness, equality, and prosperity for everyone… all life. Amazing Indeed!

~Bonnee

by James Schwartz

“Dear” said Mrs. Bennett to her husband one evening, “a letter arrived from Ronald today.”
“Your brother?” said Mr. Bennett from behind his newspaper, “What does he want?”
“He’s coming for a visit” said his wife nervously, “a short stay…you know how sensitive he is…he needs to get away from the city for awhile.”
“Just how long is this visit, Mary?” Mr. Bennett banged his newspaper noisily.
“Oh my” Mrs. Bennet fluttered “perhaps a week or so.”
“Get me a cocktail Mary and make yourself one too.” Mr. Bennett frowned.
“It’s rather early” Mrs. Bennett hesitated who would have said the exact same thing if someone suggested a drink at mignight.
Nevertheless she busied herself at the wet bar in the sitting room.
As she brought a drink to her husband she smiled shyly. Mr. Bennett grinned suddenly and kissed her.
“It’s not that I don’t like Ronald, I do. It’s just his visits drain you so. He is a selfish man.”
“Yes” Mrs. Bennett said softly for she was savoring the moment. Mr. Bennett’s kisses were a rarity.
Her heart flooded with joy and she kissed him back.
Sipping his cocktail, Mr. Bennett returned to his waiting newspaper.
“You had better get the guest room ready then. When is he due?”
“Tomorrow sometime” Mrs. Bennett answered serenly.
In the morning she whipped the guest room in apple pie order: clean linens for the bed,
the bureau polished, carpets swept and fresh flowers were ordered.
Ronald arrived soon after Mr. Bennett’s return from work in the evening.
“Sister” Ronald screeched, throwing out his arms.
“Oh Ronald, oh Ronnie” Mrs. Bennett cried, her eyes wet with emotion.
She embraced him, taking care not to wrinkle his dress, kissed him being careful not to
smudge his face and smoothed his wig, taking care not to upset it.
“Now, let’s see about your bags.”
“Oh those can wait” Ronald said cheerfully “how about a cocktail?”
“I suppose” Mrs. Bennett frowned “although it’s rather early.”

On January 16, 2009 MacGyver took this interesting photo of sundogs in Chicago, IL. What is that pink ball and arc near the sun? It looks 3 dimensional. Is it a camera flare? Some other mechanical anomaly? Or maybe it’s an energy orb? WOW! You can see a larger version at Weather.com.

So many wonderful gifts from Creator. Space Weather has photos of diamond dust ice halos and/or sundogs from 6 different photographers today (January 17, 2009). Plus the Weather Channel featured one on it’s home page. Baby it’s cold outside!

Chris Haws from Faribault, MN captured another Creator’s Wheel (ice halo and sundogs) January 13, 2009. He says, “It was a very cold morning, -20 degrees F, with a fine mist of ice crystals floating in the air,” he says. “The sundogs were magnificent, truly almost false suns.” Awesome!

Mark D. Marquette from Boones Creek, TN took the photo left of ‘Frozen Flora’ on January 13, 2009. He says, “A Tuesday morning fog and 21 degree temperatures caused some of the atmosphere to freeze out, as water vapor took icy form in East Tennessee. The Sun burned off the beautiful scene by 11 am–and I sure am grateful I can set my own work hours! I enjoyed capturing this rare sight in Dixie.” How beautiful! I’ve never seen frozen fog before.

~Bonnee Klein Gilligan

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I came across this story about how four young high school students from a Philippine Science High School were suspended after they wrote their complaints at their blog in “multiply.” It seemed the principal found out and had the four suspended. But because one student’s parent went to the Department of Education, the suspension was not enforced pending investigation. Naturally, the principal had to comply because the department will have to check if the suspension order was done in due process.

The blog contained complaints about how the principal ran the school, like cutting lunch hours. When the news broke about about this story, there were numerous reactions such as how the students merely expressed themselves. On the principal’s side, she was furious because it dented her reputation.

When I read about this, I couldn’t put myself in either situation since I respect people’s freedom of expression. Blogs are means for people to express their thoughts. The Internet give way for people to have this freedom is initiated. But then again (and not wanting to sound like a broken record) such freedom entails greater responsibility. That responsibility means that we cannot step on other people’s dignity to attain that freedom.

I think the principal should assess herself in her position as the “head” of the school. It might be that she might have overlooked some channels where her people can be open to their gripes. At the same time, meting outright suspension is an usurpation of power. These students have to understand that they are free to express themselves and at the same time know the responsibility for their actions. As this gets blown into proportion, people would define it as “censorship” when it could be just a simple case presenting a complaint. There is a lesson to be learned here, too - don’t just use the Internet to hide behind your gripes and claim no responsibility when you are in trouble. Learn “responsibility” to face your problems.

‘Hanalei Mist’ photo by Patrick Smith (Nov. 2008)

Wow words cannot describe how this photo impacts me. I lived on the North Shore of Kauai, gazed at Hanalei Bay often when I walked. The colors, golden clouds, mists, light sparking on sand and crystal blue ocean take my breath away! Thank you beloved Creator for the enchantment of Kauai… I AM in awe. And thanks to Patrick for sharing this magical capture.

The picture evokes images of Puff the Magic Dragon frolicking in the mists…

“Puff the magic dragon lives by the sea and frolics in the autumn mists in a land called Hanalee.” ~From the song ‘Puff the Magic Dragon’ sung by Peter, Paul and Mary

Patrick says about ‘Hanalei Mist’:

Clear skies would have been nice to walk under, but the mood would have been gone and the light would have been harsh. Hanalei Bay is a 3-mile long perfect crescent of sand surrounded by the world’s rainiest mountains. Over 500 inches of rain drench nearby Mt. Waialeale every year and about 100 inches fall on this beach. 5 of the 7 famous waterfalls can be seen here.

You can see more of Patricks beautiful images at his website patricksmithphotography.com or flickr.

~Bonnee Klein Gilligan

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‘Regal Bow’ Double Rainbow photograph by Dan Bush

‘Regal Bow’ is my name for this sublime double rainbow which appeared February 2, 2006 in Elam Bend. Dan Bush of McFall, Missouri took this perfect shot of it. You can see more of his photos and read his photo essay of the event at missouriskies.org

Regal Bow

cloudy gray

drenching cold

mists abound

breaking cloud

light rays peek

drops burst

light struck

sparkling colors

become bows

arching sky

magic sparkles

colors sing

blessing… all

regal bow

~Inspired by the photo above.

We are being blessed with so many rainbows. Left is a double that formed after winter storms in Lexington, NC taken by Rick Kilian January 7, 2009. You can see more rainbows at weather.com. More blessings from Creator. Thank you, thank you.

~Bonnee Klein Gilligan

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‘Regal Bow’ Double Rainbow photograph by Dan Bush

Regal Bow

cloudy gray

drenching cold

mists abound

breaking cloud

light rays peek

drops burst

light struck

sparkling colors

become bows

arching sky

magic sparkles

colors sing

blessing… all

regal bow

~Inspired by the photo above.

~Bonnee

The Coming Balkan Caliphate: The Threat of Radical Islam to Europe and the West is one of these books that every human being should read before she or he votes or before she of he enlists to fight in a foreign country. For certain, it should be taught in all US Universities in the class “How to create flexible, well organized and well financed terrorism cells worldwide and pay for the pleasure with US taxpayers’ money”.

“The Coming Balkan Caliphate” is the most comprehensive book for people to understand not only the recent past of the Balkans, but also to try to avoid future mistakes, which can tragically affect the future of all nations. Unfortunately, as always, the information about the mistakes made by Western politicians and political groups comes too late to be rectified.

Chris Deliso made a very detail research and miraculously accessed classified files from several 3-letters agencies. The result: astonishing truths not only about the Bosnian, Kosovo, and Albanian politicians and terrorists, but also about the hidden (from the American and Western taxpayer) political games of the USA and EU, which resulted in several catastrophic events for entire nations.

Smoothly narrated, lavishly illustrated with facts and figures, the book is real pleasure to read and to keep for reference.

‘Creator’s Majesty’ photo by Ryan Ridge

‘Creator’s Majesty’ is my name for this amazing image. Ryan Ridge added this photograph to flickr January 7, 2009. A rainbow from his front porch near Homer, Alaska. Wow!

Creator’s Majesty

Snow covered mountains peek through mists.

Light plays on drifting clouds.

Still waters shimmer, cold.

While dark pines guard lakes edge.

Rainbow streaks across the sky

The scene so full of wonder

Body shudders, mind expands

Tears fall on wetted cheek

Creator’s Majesty!

Words do no justice here

Simply awe…

~Inspired by the photo above.

You can read about Ryan’s life in the big woods of Alaska on his blog or see more of his amazing photos at flickr.com.

~Bonnee Klein Gilligan

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‘Creator’s Majesty’ photo by Ryan Ridge

‘Creator’s Majesty’ is my name for this amazing image. Ryan Ridge added this photograph to flickr January 7, 2009. A rainbow from his front porch near Homer, Alaska. Wow!

Creator’s Majesty

Snow covered mountains peek through mists.

Light plays on drifting clouds.

Still waters shimmer, cold.

While dark pines guard lakes edge.

Rainbow streaks across the sky

The scene so full of wonder

Body shudders, mind expands

Tears fall on wetted cheek

Creator’s Majesty!

Words do no justice here

Simply awe…

~Inspired by the photo above.

You can read about Ryan’s life in the big woods of Alaska on his blog or see more of his amazing photos at flickr.com.

~Bonnee

‘Heart on Fire’ photograph by Carlos Gutierrez

‘Heart on Fire’ is my name for this unbelievable photo. One of the series taken May 2, 2008 when Chile’s Chaiten volcano awakened after 9,000 years of slumber. The ash cloud looks like a heart on fire, pierced by light and exploding with love.

The earth… everything, is getting more spectacular, more awesome and more majestic. I don’t remember ever seeing so much awe, color, depth or events which WOW. 2008 was truly a year of movement.

Heart on fire

Earth trembles

Groans, rumbles

Mountain shakes

Bursting crust

Exploding gasses

Steam and ashes

Fire… lightening

Mother stirs

She awakens

From long slumber

And remembers

Glory bright

Patterns shatter

Heart on fire

Pierced by Light

Love pours forth

From crackling Earth

Mother wakes

with great Delight

~Inspired by the awesome images on this page.

Here are two more incredible photographs taken during the eruption by Carlos Gutierrez for UPI. The photo below right is the most famous. It has appeared in National Geographic Magazine and on many webpages. It is considered one of the best photographs taken in 2008. Trying to understand the lightening, the experts say, ‘The mingling of lightning and ash as seen above may be a ‘dirty thunderstorm’. The little-understood storms may be sparked when rock fragments, ash and ice particles in the plume collide to produce static charges just as ice particles collide to create charge in regular thunderstorms.” You can read the full story at National Geographic or see more photographs at UniverSOUL Productions’ Weblog. I couldn’t find any more information about Carlos.

~Bonnee Klein Gilligan

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‘Smiling Moon, Sparkling Light’ photograph by Peter Paul Hattinga Verschure

‘Smiling Moon, Sparkling Light’ is my name for this gorgeous photograph. The night sky looks like it is smiling, it’s cold and crisp with warming light. Another magical gift from Creator. This beautiful photo was taken January 8 in Deventer, The Netherlands by Peter Paul Hattinga Verschure. You can see more of his work at pphv.eu.

January 10 was full moon 10:27pm EST. Space Weather reported that this is the biggest moon of the year about 14% wider and 30% brighter.

Went out side at 3:30am 1-11-2009, it was cold 38° F and clear. I was greeted by a fabulous full moon with a corona around it. Photo above left is my shaky capture, the colors are wonderful, soft and sweet. It is 1-11-11 a day of Opening and Becoming.

An amazing walk…

On Friday January 9, I walked. It was magical. So much depth, color and texture. The clear blue sky was never ending, the sun warm, breeze cool and it was about 60F degrees. Perfect! The sunlight played through branches. Pine needles literally sparkled, as if laughing with joy.

Stopped to look at a tall juniper, the top covered the sun… to my amazement a rainbow ring appeared closely encircling it. When I moved and looked again it was gone. A flock of ducks flew over head talking… talking… it seemed of the glorious day unfolding. Gathered near a pond on the fairway, 100s in number, were Canadian geese eating, talking and playing. Was it tag? I watched a while. One would run up and tap another on back or side and run away. Seeming to say, “Your it!” Then they’d tag another and another… all the while honking cacophonously. Love was pouring from everything, everywhere. Tears began streaming down my face.

I walked on. Heard the cawing of ravens. Looked up, 3 were circling. No 4! But there are flashes of white on one. That’s not a raven, it’s too big. I looked closer. Oh, oh it is an eagle, a bald eagle! First one I’ve seen here in about 10 years. More tears flowed. Such a blessing and message from Creator. “Spirit moves. The time of initiation is complete. Change occurs… will be seen soon. Trust the process and know all is well.”

The eagle flew above me for about a mile, circling, drifting higher… lower… then winked out. Couldn’t spot him again. Wet cheeks, shuttering in awe I lift my arms to the sky and say a prayer of thanks to Creator for all the many blessings in my life. What a magical day.

~Bonnee

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Light Pillars moon halo Peter Paul Hattinga Verschure 1-10--09

‘Smiling Moon, Sparkling Light’ photo by Peter Paul Hattinga Verschure

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA January 10 was full moon 10:27pm EST. Space Weather reported that this is the biggest moon of the year about 14% wider and 30% brighter.

An amazing walk…

On Friday January 9, I walked. It was magical. So much depth, color and texture. The clear blue sky was never ending, the sun warm, breeze cool and it was about 60F degrees. Perfect! The sunlight played through branches. Pine needles literally sparkled, as if laughing with joy.

Stopped to look at a tall juniper, the top covered the sun… to my amazement a rainbow ring appeared closely encircling it. When I moved and looked again it was gone. A flock of ducks flew over head talking… talking… it seemed of the glorious day unfolding. Gathered near a pond on the fairway, 100s in number, were Canadian geese eating, talking and playing. Was it tag? I watched a while. One would run up and tap another on back or side and run away. Seeming to say, “Your it!” Then they’d tag another and another… all the while honking cacophonously. Love was pouring from everything, everywhere. Tears began streaming down my face.

I walked on. Heard the cawing of ravens. Looked up, 3 were circling. No 4! But there are flashes of white on one. That’s not a raven, it’s too big. I looked closer. Oh, oh it is an eagle, a bald eagle! First one I’ve seen here in about 10 years. More tears flowed. Such a blessing and message from Creator. “Spirit moves. The time of initiation is complete. Change occurs… will be seen soon. Trust the process and know all is well.”

The eagle flew above me for about a mile, circling, drifting higher… lower… then winked out. Couldn’t spot him again. Wet cheeks, shuttering in awe I lift my arms to the sky and say a prayer of thanks to Creator for all the many blessings in my life. What a magical day.

~Bonnee

by James Schwartz

NIGHT VIOLENCE

Once upon a night.

Fubar fable syrup.

February theatre.

Bed of midnight.

Exhaling.

Egg nog snow.

Blanketed breakers crash.

Seascapes. Ripped lace.

Capsize baptize sonnetize.

Rave soundscapes.

Literary clubbers.

Star cold eyes.

Impale commands.

Masculine gravel.

Thirsting.

Riding unparted, unquenched.

Javelin takes all.

Out of bounds.

Out of blue.

Lunar sanctum.

Submission.

Sweet violence.

Night violence.

REMIXED EMOTIONS

Black ink.

Black ice.

Reflection pools.

Remixed emotions.

On the rocks.

Disco nights, sleeping.

Tropical fruit.

Black ice symphonies.

Last call.

Jungle trance.

Deep freeze.

Thank you, sequins.

‘Fire and Ice’ photo by Ryan Ridge

‘Fire and Ice’ is my name for this magnificent photograph taken in Homer, Alaska. Another magical display… unbelievable beauty and majesty. Thank you beloved Creator… I remain in awe! Beautiful capture Ryan.

Fire and Ice

Cold black grays

with colorless colors

the night fades

to in between.

Bursting light

pierces clouds

and sweeping rays

brush waters bright.

Dark turns light

with fire and ice

and golden dawn

sets sky alight.

Morning comes

with glory bright

Creator’s gift

is our delight.

~Inspired by the beautiful image above.

Photo originally called ‘Morning Glory’ uploaded to flickr October 2008. You can read about Ryan’s life in the big woods of Alaska on his blog or see more of his amazing photos at flickr.com.

~Bonnee Klein Gilligan

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‘Dancing Glory’ photograph by Ryan Ridge

‘Dancing Glory’ is my name for this amazing capture. On January 2, 2009 Ryan photographed a beautiful aurora near Homer, Alaska.

Dancing Glory

Dancing glory in the sky

Aurora undulates.

Alive!

It dances.

Sparkles… shimmers

With delight of being.

As it touches all.

It whispers,

‘Remember… magnificence’.

~Inspired by the photo above.

Several of Ryan’s photos of this display were featured in the January 2009 Aurora gallery at Space Weather.com. You can read about Ryan’s life in the big woods of Alaska on his blog or see more of his amazing photos at flickr.com.

~Bonnee Klein Gilligan

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e-burol is a Filipino term which translates to electronic “burol.” The word “burol” is a Tagalog word which means “wake” as in a “funeral wake.” I came across this term when I heard it from the news here. I immediately confirmed it with my father’s wife who worked for that company. It was amusing actually.

e-burol works as a 24 hour online viewing facility (being offered by St. Peter Life Plan) during funeral wakes that would allow relatives or friends who cannot attend to log on to a website and watch the video streaming of the wake. Now why is it that it is so important?

In the Philippines, “wakes” last for 3 days or a week or even several weeks! It is believed that during funeral wakes, there should be someone who should not sleep. That is why there are so many people during the wakes and the mourning family makes sure that there is plenty of coffee and food and invite people to come to the place to play cards or Chinese mahjong - all these to keep the day alive in that sense. Next thing you know, it’s morning. Then those who were up the whole night get to sleep. So it’s like people work on shifts. I have been through these events since I could recall so it’s a big thing for us Filipinos. Sometimes, it’s also the time we get to see our relatives, gossip and enjoy snacks.

In the years before where funeral homes were not erected yet in commercial places around the city, most wakes were held in the family house. My grandmother’s house in the province had so many wakes held there that we get scared being alone in the living room. When I was a little girl, my grandmother told me that somebody should be up during “wakes” because if everyone is asleep, the dead in the coffin would wake up and roam around. This eventually scared me and everytime there are wakes, I was too scared to sleep.

So now that technology has made wakes more “distant” in some sense, the cost of holding wakes are being reduced due to the massive expenses in food being served to all guests every day. But what’s so amusing is the fact that technology is stepping in to a custom that has had generations following it. Most immediate relatives who are not around are usually forced to come home. But because of this technology, it’s like the sense of being with family has lost its touch. It seems so impersonal. Plus, it would make family members think of not just going home instead because they can view it online anyway.

I wonder what technology would be up to next?

‘Magic Moon’ photograph by Jonathon Stone

‘Magic Moon’ is my name for this mystical image. On the night of January 7, 2009 a rainbow appeared around the moon (lunar corona) in Auburn, Alabama. Jonathon Stone photographed it for us all to enjoy.

We continue to be given beautiful displays which awe and amaze. Reminders of the sacredness of All That Is! Thank you Beloved Creator, thank you.

Magic Moon

Spectral colors encircle Light

With sparkling sisters at upper right

A sight inspired to delight

And trigger memories of our flight

The journey back to Self and Might

By gazing on this awesome sight

This Magic Moon in dark of night

We remember our own Light!

~Inspired by the photo above.

Jonathon Stone says,

“It was pretty cool a bright lunar corona appeared as these clouds drifted in front of the Moon. I didn’t know the Moon would be so close to the Pleiades–but there they were.”

The photograph was featured on the homepage of Space Weather.com on January 8. I was unable to find more information about Jonathon Stone.

~Bonnee Klein Gilligan

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‘Iridescent clouds’ photograph by wilco1900

Spectacular display! Iridescent, opalescent colors above the clouds. A glimpse beyond… to the new spectrum of Light. Colors unseen… displaying pearlized opals in the sky. Shimmering pink orange of love, sparkling gold-ish of Spirit. We are given many signs and wonders. Visions of our progress… we move… expand… become. Thank you beloved Creator, thank you, I remain in awe!

Signs and Wonders

Pearlescent… opalesce… exotic

Colors shimmer in the sky

We stretch… we move…

Beyond what was.

Expanded… broadened

We see what is

All around, everywhere

Creator’s signs and wonders.

~Inspired by the beautiful photos on this page.

Atmospheric Optics explains, “When parts of clouds are thin and have similar size droplets, diffraction can make them shine with colors like a corona. In fact, the colors are essentially corona fragments. The effect is called cloud iridescence or irisation, terms derived from Iris the Greek personification of the rainbow. The usually delicate colors can be in almost random patches or bands at cloud edges. They are only organized into coronal rings when the droplet size is uniform right across the cloud. The bands and colors change or come and go as the cloud evolves. They occur most often in altocumulus, cirrocumulus and especially in lenticular clouds. Iridescence is seen mostly when part of a cloud is forming because then all the droplets have a similar history and consequently have a similar size.

The lovely photo above taken August 1, 2008 in Round Rock, Texas by wilco1900 is displayed on flickr.com. I couldn’t find any more information.

Daily it seems we are given new spectacular displays. The photo left of another Creator’s Wheel (a.k.a. diamond dust sun halo) was taken January 3, 2009 by Mila Zinkova in San Francisco, CA. The photo was featured this morning 1-7-09 on the home page of SpaceWeather. Gorgeous display and photo of it.

On December 24, 2008 a beautiful rainbow sun dog appeared. Andrea Tolman of Basin, WY capture it saying, “On the morning of Christmas Eve we stepped outside from the hospital/clinic to view two very bright sundogs.”

Wow amazing! Signs and Wonders everywhere. You can see more of the recent displays at SpaceWeather.com.

~Bonnee Klein Gilligan

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I was amazed by what I read in the Philippine Star two days ago. The article talked about the 40% drop in monetary offerings in masses during offertory. The article further presented the increase in church-goers in these hard times but it seems the increase in church goers does not mean an increase in monetary offerings.

The Philippine national hero, Jose Rizal, was very critical about this practice introduced by the Spaniards. Rizal made his distaste known in one of his novels against the Spanish tyranny in the 19th century. It seems that the money offered during the masses go to the Spanish friars for their food and other “expenditures.”

I myself have witnessed, while working in a Catholic school, the grandeur taste of priests for expensive things. They have credit cards of their own, go malling and have the latest gadgets. So many people bring them food in their quarters. It made me think where the vow of poverty was in this particular case?

I think what is needed here is a lot of transparency and understanding. If Catholics, for that matter, stop giving money during offertory, would the priests lambast the people into reconsidering their actions? Can they make church-goers feel guilty into submission? In a country where religion is important, the church is where people turn to in times of difficulties. So there goes the power of the Church.

by James Schwartz

I cannot rewrite Religion.

Yet I do believe.

Arcing as a fountain.

After hours sacrament to recieve.

I cannot monger War.

My creed is of peace.

After hours in his arms.

Two fountains spurt release.

I cannot turn the Tide.

Droplets dripping from my lip.

A wrestling angel after hours.

Bound by his iron grip.

I cannot deny Decadence.

Drunkenly we do feed.

Arcing as a fountain.

Spilling sacaramental seed.

I am re-posting here a blog I posted in the Diplo Internet Governance Community dated December 28, 2008. I am still on the “holiday” mode so my writing took a break, too. Since I got back from India last December, I have been sick with the flu plus the tropical depression in the Philippines is not helping with my allergies. Anyhow, this is my first post for Babel for 2009. I have ideas here in my head for more articles/blogs to write, but I will post them one at at time.

I was browsing through some Hollywood gossip (by sheer boredom while my I’m waiting for my meat to simmer - cooking, obviously) and came across this music blog in Yahoo! In the middle of the blog entry, I found this piece of interesting news with regards to music-sharing online. Let me post here the excerpt of this news:

“…the Recording Industry Association of America announced this week that it will abandon its policy of suing music fans for sharing songs protected by copyright. Since 2003, the RIAA has filed suit against roughly 35,000 people for swapping songs online–sometimes seeking up to $1 million in damages for just seven illegal downloads (or $150,000 per song) under the Digital Theft Deterrence and Copyright Damages Improvement Act of 1999. In most cases the targeted defendants did not have the means to hire a lawyer to fight the RIAA, so they had to settle out of court…..”

“…With the RIAA’s anti-piracy lawsuit campaign suspended, that doesn’t mean kids are free to illegally download willy-nilly; the RIAA will still work with Internet service providers to put the kibosh on file-sharing. But as RIAA Chairman and Chief Executive Mitch Bainwol stated this week: [The RIAA is] at a point where there’s a sense of comfort that we can replace one form of deterrent with another form of deterrent. Filing lawsuits as a strategy to deal with a big problem was not our first choice five years ago. It’s much easier to send notices than it is to file lawsuits…”

“…’I think it’s a good thing that they’ve ended this campaign of going after people,’ declared attorney Brian Toder, who once represented single mom Jammie Thomas in a landmark $222,000 copyright lawsuit filed by the RIAA. “But they need to change how people spend money on records. People like to share music. The Internet makes it so easy. They have to do something to change this business model of theirs…”

SOURCE: Parker, Lyndsey. December 22-29: Blue Christmas. Yahoo! Music Blogs [online]. 26 December 2008. Available at [http://new.music.yahoo.com/blogs/thatsreallyweek/32079/december-22-29-blue-christmas].

I wrote a blog about “New Business Models” in Babel and this is an innovative way of legally sharing music online. Take the case of Radiohead, Girl Talk and Nine-Inch Nails. Here is the blog I wrote last September 2008 in Babel:

[http://charity.towerofbabel.com/2008/09/08/new-business-models-as-innovation/]

I don’t know about some of you, but as opinionated as I am, the RIAA is simply losing its battle against file sharing. Instead of cracking down on people who illegally download music, they should start listening to people and come up with better strategies to accommodate people instead of going against them. There’s always a thing or two to be learned here. Times have changed and so does economies - people want what’s easy and schemes that are easy-to-get. My niece has been nagging me to get her a “Paramore” original Audio CD. That will cost me $10 and $10 is $10 to an economy whose gas prices are not going down on 30 pesos. I right away think of what is practical and come up with the suggestion of getting those songs online through file sharing or get a pirated copy in the black market/underground economy. But at the same time, I get guilt-stricken for doing something that is not right. It is a dilemma and the record industry can simply put people like me out of my misery.

Plus, let me just add here that I am not being cheap just because I refuse to shell out $10 for an original cd. I am just being practical nowadays. With $10, that’s food on the table for at least three days and it’s not a joke in this economy now.

I think this piece of information will interest those of you who love music. I myself like uploading all genre of music in my ipod and it’s a great effort for me to rip cds and upload them in iTunes. I do hope for the day that music can be shared legally without so much restraint on copyright. Cease the moment, I guess!

Happy New Year! (”,)(”,)(”,)(”,)(”,)(”,)(”,)(”,)(”,)(”,)(”,)(”,)(”,)(”,)(”,)(”,)(”,)(”,)(”,)(”,)(”,)(”,)(”,)(”,)(”,)(”,)(”,)(”,)(”,)(”,)(”,)(”,)(”,)

‘Spring Maiden’ performed by Eric Tingstad and Nancy Rumbel

Lovely, soft and sweet. Beautiful performance of a traditional Korean folk song. Mmmm… nice!

Tingstad and Rumbel, Song: Spring Maiden performed on ocarina, English horn and guitar, Album: Leap of Faith (2008), Label: Cheshire Records, Video production: Aaron Rabin.

Spring dawns

Grass dances as breeze passes

Flowers stretch to warming sun

Mist puddles refracting rainbows

Bird sings of season come

Earthy musty fairy’s yawn

Winter’s long sleep finally done

Joyfully greeted warming sun

Life’s elated… a new spring dawns.

~Inspired by ‘Spring Maiden’

Eric Tingstad and Nancy Rumbel are good friends who have been performing together since 1985. They have recorded 19 albums. Their album American Acoustic was recognized as Acoustic Instrumental Album of the Year in 1998. Acoustic Garden won the New Age Music GRAMMY Award in 2003. You can listen to more music, watch videos, read the latest news and purchase music at their website: tingstadrumbel.com.

~Bonnee

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‘Light Portal’ photograph by Aigar Truhin (Dec. 2008)

‘Light Portal’ is my name for this amazing photograph taken December 28. A visible portal or columned pathway of White Light in the night sky above Latvia. And between the columns at the end of the path can you see the face? Is it Christ? Or Buddha? Or God blessing our return? I am in awe… thank you beloved Creator, thank you for this amazing blessing!

Pathways of Light

Pillars of Light

arched walkways

the path is formed

beckoning, remember…

come… come, walk… fly

we await you… come.

Inspired by the amazing photo above.

The wonderful photo above was taken by Aigar Truhin in Sigulda, Latvia on Dec. 28, 2008. You can see more of his photos at flickr.com.

Aigar says of the image:

Last night air in the Sigulda was very cold and filled with small ice crystals, when we see bright Light Pillars in the sky. My son say: I know, The Aliens are coming!

Space Weather featured one of Truhin’s photos on their home page January 2 & 3, 2009. With the following explanation…

MYSTERY PILLARS: “Truhin’s pillars, however, are not the ordinary kind. Even two leading experts in atmospheric optics can’t quite figure them out: “These pillars are mysterious,” say Les Cowley and Marko Riikonen. “They have unexplained curved tops and even curved arcs coming from their base. Arcs in rare displays like these could be from column crystals to give parts of tangent arcs, others could be the enigmatic Moilanan arc or even the recently discovered reflected Parry arc. We do not know – so take more photos on cold nights!”

~Bonnee Klein Gilligan

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Nocturne performed by Secret Garden, music video

A lovely song and music video filled with magic, love and longing. Simply beautiful! Wonderful music, haunting song, perfect vocals. Fabulous!

Band: Secret Garden, Song: Nocturne, Album: Songs From Secret Garden (1995). Nocturne won the 1995 Eurovision Song Contest. Lyrics in Norwegian by Petter Skavlan.

Secret Garden was formed when Rolf Løvland and Fionnuala Sherry met at the 1994 Eurovision Song Contest in Dublin. Their mostly instrumental music is a combination of Celtic and Norwegian impressions. The vocals in ‘Nocturne’ are sung by Gunnhild Tvinnereim.

Sherry says, “The secret garden refers to a personal intimate musical idea and something natural and organic, something that comes from the heart. It’s a place within all of us where we need to go to find balance and peace of mind and listen to the inner voice of our hearts.”

God’s Lovers

Standing, ever embracing

The lovers watch as sun sets.

Seasons pass… years… millennia…

And yet, there’s only Now

For the lovers love, eternal.

~Inspired by this beautiful image

The lovely photo above of Lover’s Rock Sunset, Sedona, AZ was taken by Light. As we drove down the mountain from Flagstaff on I-17 I would always comment about the lovers watching the setting sun. One day he pulled over and took this amazing photo for me. Thanks Light!

Happy New Year, may all good things come to you!

Secret Garden - Rolf Løvland composer, producer, keyboardist was born April 19, 1955 in Kristiansand, Norway. He studied at the Music Conservatory in Kristiansand and at the Norwegian Institute of Music in Oslo. Fionnuala Sherry violinist, born in Naas, County Kildare, Republic of Ireland. She graduated with honors from Trinity College in Dublin, and the College of Music. You can read news, listen to more music and buy CDs at their website www.secretgarden.no.

Light Traveler (August 1946 - July 2003) photographer, Reiki Master/Teacher, spiritual seeker and beautiful loving Spirit. You can see more and purchase his beautiful photography at Light Traveler’s gallery.

~Bonnee Klein Gilligan

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Dark matter.

Very cool! What you see above are galaxies colliding, creating dark matter. ZDNet has more on this amazing shot here.

‘Happy New Year’ sung by ABBA

Ringing in the New Year! May we hold thoughts of Peace, Love, Happiness and Prosperity for all in 2009 and always. We are One… one family, one society, one world… beloved Humanity. Beautiful diversity… perfect symmetry!

ABBA, Song: Happy New Year, Album: Super Trouper (1980) Label: Epic, TV performance: Stockholm, Sweden 31st December 1980 and every year at midnight in Sweden.

Sparkling rays

The sky’s alight.

With dancing colors to delight.

And sparkling rays in dark of night.

Thank you God for this awesome sight.

A gift of magic for new years bright…

~ inspired by this beautiful image. I am in awe!!!

The beautiful photo above I call, ‘Sparkling Rays’ is by Sauli Koski from Kittila, Finland. You can see more of his wonderful photos at studiotunturi-lappi.fi.

Have a delightful, safe and joyous New Year’s eve!

ABBA a Swedish band formed in 1971 and officially named in1973. ABBA is an acronym for the given names of the band members - Agnetha, Björn, Benny, Anni-Frid. The band members were Benny Andersson (born December 16, 1946 in Stockholm, Sweden), Björn Ulvaeus (born April 25, 1945 in Gothenburg, Sweden), Anni-Frid Lyngstad (born November 15, 1945 in Ballangen, Norway), Agnetha Fältskog (born April 5, 1950 in Jönköping, Sweden). From 1976 - 1981 they achieved superstardom. ABBA’s last public performance together was December 11, 1982 on the TV show The Late, Late Breakfast Show (live from Stockholm). The official website for ABBA owned by Universal is abbasite.com.

~Bonnee Klein Gilligan

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Indian mustaches.

Oh, this is sad! Thankfully, Richard McCallum is documenting the hirsuite men in a new book, “Hair India - A Guide to the Bizarre Beards and Magnificent Moustaches of Hindustan“. As a fan of my own beards and mustaches that I’ve grown over the years, I can appreciate this dying art. It’s a shame some women hate ’staches!

By the by, you may want to check out the author’s blog. The facial hair here is amazing!

by James Schwartz

The poet searches for Love, Truth, Beauty.

In the garden of winter snowscapes.

These matters of the heart are new to me.

January aire, Christmas cityscapes.

Though I walk in the gardens of winter.

Heart entranced by eternal summer aire.

Though my iced path may collapse or splinter.

I walk on warm til I see your face fair.

I have found Truth in Beauty and in Love.

No winter storm could measure my passion.

The heights of love scale alpine peaks above.

Soaring dreams that no poet can ration.

The poet’s quest ends with hearth, heart and home.

His blazing being no longer alone.

‘You are Loved’ performed live by Josh Groban

Lovely song of hope. I posted this today for all of those who are struggling. The Holidays often are a stretch, this year perhaps more. Know ‘you are loved’.

Josh Groban, Song: You are Loved (Don’t Give Up), Album: Awake (2006), Label: Reprise / WEA.

Love, love… loved!

Heart… again. There it is.

Reminders everywhere. Stones, trees, lakes, forests, clouds… Everywhere… God’s gift of love.

Remember.

You are Loved beloved… deeply, fully… always!

The wonderful photo above of a naturally occurring heart in a mangrove swamp is called ‘Heart in Voh’. It was taken by Yann Athus-Bertrand as he flew over Voh, New Caledoniea. You can see more of his amazing work at yannarthusbertrand2.org.

May the New Year bring you Love, Hope, Faith and Happiness on the wings of angels.

Josh Groban singer/songwriter was born February 27, 1981 in Los Angeles, California. In 1997 and 1998 he attended Interlochen Arts Camp, majoring in musical theater and voice. He graduated in 1999 with a major in theater from Los Angeles County High School for the Arts. Soon after graduation he was offered a recording contract at Warner Brothers Records. His recording debut was singing “For Always” with Lara Fabian on the soundtrack to A.I.: Artificial Intelligence (2001). Read news, listen his wonderful music, watch videos, see photos and read his blog at www.joshgroban.com.

~Bonnee Klein Gilligan

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‘You are Loved’ performed live by Josh Groban

Lovely song of hope. I posted this today for all of those who are struggling. The Holidays often are a stretch, this year perhaps more. Know ‘you are loved’.

Josh Groban, Song: You are Loved (Don’t Give Up), Album: Awake (2006), Label: Reprise / WEA.

Love, love… loved!

Heart… again. There it is.

Reminders everywhere. Stones, trees, lakes, forests, clouds… Everywhere… God’s gift of love.

Remember.

You are Loved beloved… deeply, fully… always!

May the New Year bring you Love, Hope, Faith and Happiness on the wings of angels.

~Bonnee

When I finally embraced being an-almost-40-year-old divorcee, my main concern was how I could possibly find anyone I would find interesting intellectually, sexually, and emotionally. My marriage had been such that I was shut down both emotionally and sexually–my friends couldn’t understand why I no longer even felt comfortable hugging them–I, who had been the most affectionate, the most demonstrative friend. I couldn’t face them, knowing I was keeping the truth bout my marriage from them: we rarely had any kind of physical or emotional intimacy. I ended up cutting myself off from most of my closest friends. I could not watch a movie that had kissing in it without crying, because I no longer felt such tenderness or intimacy in my own life.

How to open up again? How to find my way back from the dull, gray land in which I found myself wandering?

How to avoid dating people from work or my own community?

Aha! online dating.

So, of course I signed up for Match. com, because that is what people do, right? But, there was a small glitch–as a Bi woman, I had to sign up for two profiles–one for women, and one for men. The site wouldn’t allow me to identify as Bi and search for both.That was the first Wrong Thing.

Oh–it was depressing. Seeing how many people had viewed my profile and not responded, or getting messages from men who were looking for their "special lady" –I couldn’t bear it. I won’t go into all the various debacles that ensued, including dating a woman and finding out she was a co-worker, then dating another woman and finding out she was the very recent ex-girlfriend of the first woman. Eventually, someone I met through Match suggested I try OK Cupid instead–and I was captivated.

The site looks and feels completely different–it has a kind of visual energy missing from Match. More than that, it allows a much greater flexibility in how one constructs one’s profile, so I found myself being more open. And I quickly found a bevy of interesting men, and a few women (always the scarcer ) with whom to connect.

I still find the eerie coincidence thing happening too much (someone was the college roommate of a boy I grew up next door to, another was in the same boyscout troop as the other boy I grew up next door to, another guy I met was the former band-mate of a guy I’d had a date with that same week, etc.), but where I live, San Francisco, is essentially a a small town.

It is an adventure, this online dating, and so far it has been a good one. I have actually found both lovers and friends, and very few mean or small-hearted people.

For about a year I had been worrying that maybe I have never really been in love. As a woman 6 months shy of 40, this is saying something.

And then recently I realized that the feeling a friend was describing to me about falling in love with his partner was the same feeling I am having about my whole life: Chest filled with joy! Heart asking, “How did I get so damned lucky?”

I am having this feeling about myself, about my life, rather than about any particular person, and yet I am finding myself surrounded by love—all different kinds of it—a kind of love continuum. Friends, lovers–all wonderful people who enrich my life.

And I have also allowed myself–finally–to fall in love with other people.

I think what it means to me now is, “I feel all this love in my life, and [the person I'm saying it to] is a focus for this love.” I think what must have kept me from really feeling free to love others was a fear that they would not return the love, or that they would leave and take their love away–it has certainly happenned like that in the past.

Now, I don’t fear that their leaving would take the love away because I am not getting love from others so much as I am giving it to myself through them.

It is not the other person who gives us love

It is we who love ourselves though this other person; thus, when they go away, they don’t take the love with them because it was never theirs to give us, it is only ours to give ourselves through them.

Thus, we can hope that our lovers are loving themselves through us, as we are loving ourselves through them, but we are also not going to take their self-love away by no longer being in their lives.

Love Corollary: This kind of love never has to be selfish or jealous, because there is no fear of losing it–so it does not need to be restrictive.

My Lesson: To be in love, first find yourself and love yourself.

Go easy on yourself, be gentle; don’t be afraid and never abandon yourself (to love with wild abandon need not mean abandoning yourself or your heart’s well-being).

~Wei Ming Dariotis

‘Allah Knows’ by Zain Bhikha with Dawud Wharnsby

Beautiful, sweet and heartfelt. Brought tears, I feel a reaching out and God moving through words, voices, music and harmony… wow! Lovely!

Zain Bhikha with Dawud Wharnsby, Song: Allah Knows, Album: Allah Knows (2006), Label: Jamal Records, Video: Jamal Records.

Today is Al-Hijra, Islamic New Year the first day of Muharram.

What is… is not?

Imagine, create, stretch… become! What is… is not?

The eye fooled, the mind awed. Sweet believing. Breathless becoming. Why not?

Let’s fly…

~ inspired by this beautiful image.

The image above is a digital compilation of an existing volcanic crescent moon islet called Molokini off the coast of Maui, HI and a star island which was created. The moon alone is amazing, the star adds another dimension which stretches beyond. Awesome… I love it. It is not known who created this image you can find out more about it at Neddy’s Palaver.

May your Holidays be filled with Awe and Wonder!

Zain Bhikha born August 9, 1974 in Pretoria, South Africa is a singer/songwriter. At a young age he often would entertain his family and friends with songs. In 1994 he won a singing competition sponsored by the local station Radio 702. He recorded his first album called ‘A Way of Life’ in 1994. You can find out more, read news, watch videos and listen to and buy music at Zain’s official website zainbhikha.com.

~Bonnee Klein Gilligan

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by James Schwartz

Start / January / 1 / 2009.

Age of Aquarius / Happy New Year!

By poetic design or by Divine.

The winter ice cold yet you are still here.

Reflections of 2008 / Prop H8.

GLBTQ EQUALITY NOW!

Wherever hate chooses to relocate.

GLBTQ EQUALITY NOW!

Reflections on 2009 / our fight.

Equality our heritage / birth right.

Our love and our liberties we must right.

I will hold you / every night / every night.

New Years resolution: stay here with me.

Old school revolution: we shall be free.

‘Ave Maria’ Caccini sung by Sumi Jo

Sweet, clear, magnificent performance. I can feel her heart as she sings praise and worship to Divine Mother - Mary… Ave Maria. Glorious!

Sumi Jo, Song: Ave Maria, Album: Prayers (2001), Label: Erato (Warner Classic), Video: Warner. Composed by: Giulio Caccini. Giulio Caccini born Oct 8, 1551 in Tivoli, Italy died Dec 10, 1618 in Florence, Italy composed the music for Ave Maria around the end of the 16th century. You can read more about him at allmusic.com.

Today is the Feast of the Holy Family, a Roman Catholic celebration dedicated to the family of Jesus Christ and love they had for one another.

A Gift…

God painted pearlized rainbows in the sky. They danced with fire and with light. And although dark, they lit the night with this beautiful delight.

thank you Beloved God!

The stunning photo above of nacreous clouds was taken by James Guy, Oslo, Norway in Vigelands park (January 2008). You can see more of his beautiful photos at flickr.com.

Have a delightful day and a great New Year!

Sumi Jo born November 22, 1962 in Seoul, Korea is a lyric coloratura soprano. She started her studies of music at the age of 4 with piano lessons; adding voice at 6. Often she would spend eight hours a day practicing. In 1971 she enrolled at Sun Hwa Arts School majoring in piano and voice. Upon graduation she continued her musical studies at Seoul National University. While attending SNU she made her professional debut in several concerts at Korean Broadcasting System. Sumi Jo has 42 albums and many awards you can learn more at her official website josumi.com.

~Bonnee Klein Gilligan

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‘Ding Dong Merrily On High’ performed by Celtic Woman

Happy, joyous and celebratory. A wonderful rendition with a Celtic feel. Glorious!

Celtic Woman, Song: Ding Dong Merrily On High, Album: A Christmas Celebration (2006), Label: Manhattan Records. Performed live at A Christmas Celebration 2007 in Helix Center in Dublin, Ireland aired on PBS. Words: George Ratcliffe Woodward, 1848-1934, Music: Brane de l’Official, from Thoinot Arbeau’s Orchesographie, (1588).

Today at 7:23 am EST is New Moon

Ding Dong Merrily On High was originally a dance tune that evolved to a carol. The the sixteenth century music was found in Piae Cantiones a collection of Finnish tunes. Woodward rehabilitated the tune with ‘Victorian era’ words in Latin and English. You can read more at Hymns and Carols of Christmas.

The photo above right I call ‘God’s Holiday Decorations’.

The cold night sky, dotted with stars… snow covered evergreen… illuminated.

Majestic. Thank you again beloved Creator for your beauty… de-light-full. The photograph was taken by Ragnar & Einar Johnskås. You can see more of their great work at auroraborealis.vika.no.

Have a delightful Holiday. May you ring in the New Year with Joy, Peace and Wonder.

Celtic Woman was created by David Downes and Dave Kavanagh in 2004 and is composed of vocalists Chloë Agnew, Lynn Hilary, Lisa Kelly, Alex Sharpe and fiddler Máiréad Nesbitt. Since their formation the group has enjoyed overwhelming success. They have released 4 albums to date, toured worldwide and done numerous TV specials. Their CD ‘A New Journey’ was number 1 on the world Music Charts for 95 consecutive weeks. You can read more about them at their official website celticwoman.com.

~Bonnee

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‘Yamoré’ - Salif Keita with Cesária Évora, music video

Powerful, moving, sultry and poignant. Song about love and life by two African greats… wow… I love it. Magic!

Salif Keita with Cesária Évora, Song: Yamoré, Album: Moffou (2002), Recorded at Les Studios De La Seine, Paris, France between July 15 & December 14, 2001. Label: Decca. ‘Moffou’ was nominated for the 2003 Grammy Awards for Best World Music Album.

Kwanzaa, founded in 1966 by Dr Maulana Karenga is held December 26th thru January 1st. It is an African American celebration of family, community, commerce, responsibility, and self-improvement. Kwanzaa is not religious or political, nor a replacement for Christmas; rather it honors roots and culture. It is celebrated by more then 18 million people worldwide.

The word Kwanzaa means, ‘first fruits of the harvest’ in Kiswahili (an African language). The celebration is based on Nguzo Saba (seven guiding principles) which are: Umoja (Unity), Kujichagulia (Self-Determination), Ujima (Collective Work and Responsibility), Ujamaa (Cooperative Economics), Nia (Purpose), Kuumba (Creativity) and Imani (Faith). On December 31st the community cooporative Kwanzaa Karamu or Feast is held. To learn more visit tike.com

‘The Black Candle’ is a movie about Kwanzaa. In the movie it says,

Kwanzaa means access to your soul, to your people.

The beautiful, striking image above right of the Kwanzaa candles is a quilt by Kit Tossmann of Louisville, KY. It is featured in the 2007 Sacred Threads Gallery.

Happy Kwanzaa! Have a wonderful celebration.

Salif Keita born August 25, 1949 in Djoliba, Mali, Africa is a singer and songwriter. He is considered the Golden voice of Africa. He began his career in 1967 in the government sponsored Super Rail Band de Bamako. Then joined the group, Les Ambassadeurs in 1973 and fled Mali in the mid 70s because of political unrest. The name was changed to Les Ambassadeurs Internationales and they gained international acclaim. In 1977 Keita received a National Order award. He moved to Paris for a while then back to Mali in 2000 where he was inspired to create Moffou. You can learn more about Salif Keita at his official site at universalmusic.fr.

Cesária Évora born August 27, 1941 in Mindelo, São Vicente Island, Cape Verde is a singer. Her nickname is the ‘barefoot diva’ because she prefers performing without shoes. She is known internationally for morna (music and dance from Cape Verde) songs of sadness, sorrow and yearning. She met Eduardo (a sailor) at 16, who taught her the traditional Cape Verdean music coladeiras and mornas. She recorded her first album in Paris called La Diva Aux Pieds Nus (The Barefoot Diva) (1988). ‘Sodade‘ was her first international hit single. At age 47 she became an international star with the release of her album Perfumado. You can read more about her at cesaria-evora.com.

~Bonnee Klein Gilligan

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Ross Douthat of the Atlantic cuts through the heretical babbling Christopher Hitchens makes us endure every Christmas.

And on that note, dear friends, a wonderful, happy, Merry Christmas, Prosperoud Eid and Happy Hanukkah to all of you.

‘God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen’ sung by Libera

Wonderful, sweet and full of light. Loved hearing these singing angels. Beautiful!

Libera, song: ‘God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen’, album: Angel Voices 3 (1997), label: Music Club, distributor: Sony, video: TV morning show (I could find nothing else about the source of the video). Words and music: Traditional English, 18^th Century carol. More about the carol at Hymns and Carols of Christmas.

Christmas day is a great day to feature this spectacular painting of Jesus Christ called ‘El Sagrado Corazón de Jesús‘ by Salvador Dalí (1962), Oil on canvas 86.5 x 61 cm, Private collection. El Sagrado Corazón de Jesús means The Sacred Heart of Jesus. I feel power and passion emanating from this exquisite painting. It communicates ethereal yet tangible, ascending and transcending, compassion and light. Dali has always been one of my favorite painters. But I wasn’t aware of this beautiful work. Wow!

Merry Christmas! May this Holy day bless you with abundant Hope, Joy and Faith. All is well, God’s Divine Plan unfolds with perfection.

Libera is a group of boys directed by Robert Prizeman who sing like angels and often appear in white robes. They have been on TV, radio and in films. There are about 30 boys from South London, England aged seven to sixteen who make up the group. They think of themselves as an alternative boy band rather then a boy’s choir. You can read more about them see photos and video at their official website libera.org.uk or visit this site with everything Libera boysoloist.com.

Dali’s full name is Salvador Domingo Felipe Jacinto Dalí i Domènech 1st Marquis of Púbol (May 11, 1904 – January 23, 1989), born in Figueres, Catalonia, Spain was a surrealist painter. He attended drawing school in 1916 and 3 years later had his first exhibition. His extensive artistic endeavors include painting, film, sculpture, and photography. You can find out more and see many of Dali’s wonderful works at virtualdali.com.

~Bonnee Klein Gilligan

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‘O Holy Night’ sung by Mariah Carey

Amazing, inspired, WOW! I can feel Spirit moving through Mariah and all her back up singers and the room. Whew! I love this rendition… it gives me chills and brings tears.

Mariah Carey, Song: O Holy Night, album: Merry Christmas (1994), label: Sony, Official Music Video by: Columbia/Sony (2008). Words: Placide Cappeau (1847), music:Adolphe-Charles Adam (1847)

‘O Holy Night’ was written in 1847 by Placide Cappeau (1808-1877) as “Cantique de Noel’. He was a wine merchant in Roquemaure, France who wrote poetry for enjoyment. The music was written by his friend Adolphe-Charles Adam (1803-1856) who is best known for the ballet Giselle (1841).

‘Cantique de Noel’ premiered Christmas Eve 1847 at the midnight mass in Roquemaure. It wasn’t popular, in fact one bishop said it had a “lack of musical taste and total absence of the spirit of religion’. Here is an English translation of the first verse of the original Cantique de Noël (Minuit Chrétiens). You can read more about the song here.

Midnight, Christians, it is the solemn hour
When God as man descended among us
To expunge the stain of original sin
And to put an end to the wrath of his father.
The entire world thrills with hope
On this night which gives us a savior.
People, on your knees, attend your deliverance.
Christmas! Christmas! Here is the Redeemer!
Christmas! Christmas! Here is the Redeemer!

Cantique de Noël was first translated to English as ‘O Holy Night’ in 1855 by John Sullivan Dwight (1813-1893) a Unitarian minister and music critic from Brook Farm, MA. ‘O Holy Night’ has been said to be one of the most beautiful Christmas carols of all time. The first verse of ‘O Holy Night’ as translated by John Dwight follows… you can read more about it here.

O holy night, the stars are brightly shining,
It is the night of the dear Savior’s birth;
Long lay the world in sin and error pining,
Till He appeared and the soul felt its worth.
A thrill of hope the weary world¹ rejoices,
For yonder breaks a new and glorious morn;

Chorus
Fall on your knees, Oh hear the angel voices!
O night divine, O night when Christ was born!
O night, O holy night, O night divine.

The beautiful photo above left I call, ‘Christmas Aurora’ is by Sauli Koski from Kittila, Finland. You can see more of his beautiful photographs at studiotunturi-lappi.fi.

Another beautiful gift from Creator. Thank you, thank you, thank you Beloved God for all of your Glory and Wonders.

Have a wonderful, inspired and happy Christmas Eve.

Mariah Carey born March 27, 1970 Long Island, NY is a singer and actress. She moved to the City one day after high school graduation in 1987. In 1990 Columbia Records executive Tommy Mottola took her under his wing and the rest is history. Mariah married Tommey in 1993. In 2000 she was named the best-selling female pop artist of the millennium at the World Music Awards. You can read her bio at myplay.com or see the latest news and more at her website mariahcarey.com.

~Bonnee

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‘Winter Wonderland’ performed by Andy Williams and his brothers

Wonderful, happy and joyful. I remember watching Andy William’s Christmas Shows when I was a child. It was part of our Christmas tradition for years. Loved finding and sharing this jewel with you.

Andy Williams and the Williams’ Brothers, Song: Winter Wonderland, DVD TV Special re-release: Happy Holidays: The Best of The Andy Williams Christmas Shows. Recently aired November 28 - December 13, 2008 on PBS. The quartet performs holiday classics including, ‘Winter Wonderland’, ‘Jingle Bells’ and ‘I’ll Be Home for Christmas’ as well as many other songs. A DVD of the show is available at andywilliams.com. ‘Winter Wonderland’ words and music by Dick Smith & Felix Bernard, copyright 1934.

‘Winter Wonderland’ lyrics by Richard B. Smith (1901-1935) born in Pennsylvania. Music composed by Felix Bernard (1897-1944) born in Brooklyn, NY. The song first sung by Guy Lombardo and the Royal Canadians (1934) was an instant success. The song has become a Holiday tradition. You can read more about the it at Hymns and Carols.

London, England is having a ‘Winter Wonderland’ event in Hyde Park, November 22, 2008 through January 4, 2009. A festive celebration of the Holidays you can find out more at Hyde Park Winter Wonderland.

Have a wonderful winter and a joyous Holiday!

Andy Williams given name, Howard Andrew “Andy” Williams, born December 3, 1927, in Wall Lake, Iowa is a music icon. His first singing performance was in a children’s choir at the local Presbyterian Church. In the late 1930’s he formed a quartet with his three older brothers Bob, Don and Dick. They sang together until Andy went solo in 1952. The rest is history. You can read more at andywilliams.com or wikipedia.

Photo of the ornament is from Hyde Park Winter Wonderland.

~Bonnee

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Ha Nerot sung by Chava Rachel Saban

Happy and filled with Light, a wonderful tribute to Hannukah. Enjoy the Holy Lights of the menhora dancing to this joyful song!

Chava Rachel Saban, Song: Ha Nerot, album: Don’t Give Up (2008), video by: Daniel Jacob Pearson

Ha-nerot hallalu is an ancient chant mentioned in the Talmud (Soferim 20:6), which is a reminder of the sacred nature of the Hannukah lights. It is said after the candles are lit. Photo from history.com.

Hannukah (Heb. Judaism, Dedication) is the Jewish Festival of Lights. It honors the victory of Judah the Maccabee, religious freedom and the ‘miracle of holy oil’ and celebrates the power of God. Hannukah begins at sundown the previous day and lasts for 8 days. This year it is celebrated 12/22 to 12/29.

Happy Hannukah! May your life be filled with miracles everyday.

Chava Rachel Saban says about herself,

“I was a junior in Yale college, pursuing a literature degree along with a musical career as a classical violinist, when a wheel flew off the car i was driving. the car flipped, i was knocked unconscious, and had my first spiritual awakening. i clearly experienced the next world, and felt the presence of a friend who had passed away. i heard a heavenly sound; the sound of myself playing the violin. it was the sweetest sound in the world. i began to realize that this sound was inside of me, the song of my soul. i began to realize that i had a soul. I began to sing in order to heal myself.”

I wasn’t able to find much about Chava Rachel Saban. Her webpage wasn’t loading this morning 12/22. I linked her name to it in hopes it works again soon.

~Bonnee Klein Gilligan

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‘The Light’, Winter Solstice at New Grange, County Meath, Ireland photograph by Alan Betson

Only on Winter Solstice each year will the sunrise create this beautiful warm glow in the depths of the chamber at New Grange. In complete darkness (the womb or void) one sits in quiet contemplation until the sun’s first rays bring the renewal of sweet light and life. A reminder of the all the blessing it brings for another season. The photo looks a bit like ‘light at the end of a tunnel’, or ‘a star at the top of an evergreen tree’. Spectacular!

Message… the Light increases multifold this day. Open to receive the blessings which are pouring forth. Come to me I await you. Let us dance in joy and celebrate the Glory and Majesty of God. Be of good cheer for it comes. Rejoice!

Celebration abounds…

12/21 - Winter begins, the shortest day and longest night of the year. Winter Solstice (12:04 am UTC).

Yule, Pagan and Wiccan holiday which ushers in the return of Light. It celebrates the return of the Sun God. It is a time of enlightenment, when light is reborn in the womb of darkness to begin another cycle.

The lighting of the Yule log (usually oak or pine), is a traditional custom for the Holiday. It symbolizes and honors the Sun God. Some of the log is kept to begin next years yule fire.
During Yule homes are decorated with fresh evergreens, holly, ivy and mistletoe commemorating the coming of light and life. Fresh greenery in winter is seen as a magical tool of growth. Yule is a reminder that the ultimate product of death is rebirth. The celebrations include much laughter, singing, dancing and feasting.

The painting above left is called ‘Winter Solstice Fire Lord’ by Steven Lucas (2008). Amazing, powerful image. I hear him say “Come within, warm self and dance with me… renew.” Magnificent! You can read Steven’s blog or see more of his works at fineartamerica.com.

12/21 to 12/25 - Pancha Ganapati, Hindu festival celebrating Lord Ganesha the Five-Faced Maha Ganapati - Lord of Categories. The celebration is five days of festivities, feasts charity and gift-giving. Daily chants, songs and bhajanas are sung and trays of sweets, fruits and incense are offered. After the daily puja, sweets are shared. Gifts are given to the children each day, who put them before Pancha Ganapati, all are saved to open on the the last day. The festival is centered on restoring peace, love, harmony and bringing joy and happiness. Image is Lord Ganesha. More at hinduismtoday.com.

12/21 to 12/29 - Chanukah the Festival of Lights, eight-day Jewish festival that begins on the eve of Kislev 25, celebrates the triumph of light over darkness, of purity over adulteration, of spirituality over materiality. The menorha (a nine-branched candelabra) is lit nightly, starting with a single flame plus the shamash on the first night. Two on the second and so on until all eight lights plus the shamash are kindled. The holiday traditions include eating foods fried in oil, such as latkes (potato pancakes), dreidel games and “gelt,” gifts of money. Image is a menorha. More at chabad.org.

12/21 to 1/9 - Soyala New Year Festival, Hopi, Pueblo and Zuni American Indian tribes consider this a time of purification and renewal. The Soyala symbolizes the second phase of Creation at the dawn of life. One of the most sacred celebrations which honors the beginning of a new cycle. Activities take place in the kiva and include reverent silence, fasting, humility and eating of sacred foods to achieve spiritual focus. Prayer feathers are prepared and placed in homes, villages and in shrine sites around the ancestral homeland. Picture is of the Hopi Soyal Kachina who comes in December. More brownielocks.com.

May the Light renew you and yours on this sacred day. Happy Holidays!

The photo of the 2003 Winter Solstice sunrise at New Grange, Ireland is by Alan Betson, from Dunboyne, Co. Meath, Ireland. The photo was printed on the front page of The Irish Times newspaper on the 22nd December 2003. You can find out more about Alan at gaelicweb.com.

There is a webcast of the 2007 Winter Solstice sunrise at New Grange, Ireland available at newgrange.com.

~Bonnee Klein Gilligan

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‘The Light’, Winter Solstice at New Grange, County Meath, Ireland photograph by Alan Betson

Celebration abounds…

12/21 - Winter begins, the shortest day and longest night of the year. Winter Solstice (12:04 am UTC).

Yule, Pagan and Wiccan holiday which ushers in the return of Light. It celebrates the return of the Sun God. It is a time of enlightenment, when light is reborn in the womb of darkness to begin another cycle.

The painting above left is called ‘Winter Solstice Fire Lord’ by Steven Lucas (2008). Amazing, powerful image. I hear him say "Come within, warm self and dance with me… renew." Magnificent! You can read Steven’s blog or see more of his works at fineartamerica.com.

12/21 to 12/29 - Chanukah the Festival of Lights, eight-day Jewish festival that begins on the eve of Kislev 25, celebrates the triumph of light over darkness, of purity over adulteration, of spirituality over materiality. The menorha (a nine-branched candelabra) is lit nightly, starting with a single flame plus the shamash on the first night. Two on the second and so on until all eight lights plus the shamash are kindled. The holiday traditions include eating foods fried in oil, such as latkes (potato pancakes), dreidel games and "gelt," gifts of money. Image is a menorha. More at chabad.org.

May the Light renew you and yours on this sacred day. Happy Holidays!

There is a webcast of the 2007 Winter Solstice sunrise at New Grange, Ireland available at newgrange.com.

~Bonnee

by James Schwartz

Saturday night / tsunami / winter.

Top hat / tails / fine ales / hot dish.

Thank you for the shots / dinner.

Extra tiramisu / No fish.

I bask in your fine dining.

The votives / vox burn slow.

When I’m boozing and your wining.

And both in the mood for a public show.

After hours / Bistro / Kalamazoo.

Ravish upper / Lavish lower / Octaves of your voice.

While I devour your tiramisu.

With Cavafy / Poet of choice.

You keep me at your table.

The light / music gone.

You kiss me when you’re able.

As we talk on / on / on.

‘Let it Snow’ performed by Emilie-Claire Barlow

Jazzy, swinging and fun. Wonderful! Found this jewel yesterday on Youtube. Right now many places are covered in snow, ice or cold rain… the weather outside is indeed frightful. So let’s stay inside… happy, warm and dry. Make some hot chocolate or mulled cider, wrap up in a blanket, surrounded by family and friends or alone with a wonderful book. Or even better, in quiet communion with God… giving thanks for all the blessings showered upon us in every moment. Thank you beloved Creator for your blessing of snow. It’s sooooo beautiful!!!!!

Emilie-Claire Barlow, song: Let it Snow, Album: Winter Wonderland (2006), Label: Empress Music Group Inc, Video: Clip from Canada AM (CTV).

‘Let it Snow’ also known as ‘Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow!‘ was written by Sammy Cahn and composed by Jule Styne in 1945. It is one of the most popular songs of all-time . Was first recorded by Vaughn Monroe in 1946 and went to number one the following year.

12/17/08 Let it Snow… in Las Vegas, Nevada? The Luxor is covered with snow in a rare storm which blanketed the city with 3.6″. Photo by Ethan Miller/ Getty Images North America. You can see more photos of the Vegas snow by Ethan at zimbo.com. A lovely gift for the Holidays.

Have a warm, dry, happy day and a Blessed Holiday!

Emilie-Claire Barlow born June 6, 1976 in Canada is a jazz singer and actress. She began singing at age seven, spent 5 years at Etobicoke School of the Arts, then continued her studies at Humber College. While at Humber she formed a jazz quartet and performed around Toronto. In 1998 she released her first CD: Emilie-Claire Barlow - SINGS. You can read her blog or learn more at emilieclairebarlow.com or myspace emilieclairebarlow.

~Bonnee Klein Gilligan

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‘Forest Illumination’ photo by T. Credner & S. Kohle

Forest Illumination is my name for this incredible photo of a being of light illuminating the forest. A bright aura and halo surround the head with light radiating from the crown. A masterful being indeed. Is this a fairy, elf, angel or other being of light? Or perhaps it’s Creator’s way of displaying the light of one’s own energy field? What ever it is… it is amazing and magical!

Enjoy the Glory and Wonder of the Holidays all year!

‘Glory and Specter of the Brocken’ is the name Credner and Kohle called this photo. They say about it:

“The above image was taken in a foggy forest on Tenerife island, May 2000. With the sun in the back the own shadow could be seen in the fog, the so called Specter of the Brocken. The surrounding bright ring is a Glory, an effect of back scattered light from small water droplets. You can see more of their wonderful photos at allthesky.com.

Atmospheric Optics gives this scientific explanation: “The Brocken Spectre appears when a low sun is behind a climber who is looking downwards into mist from a ridge or peak. The “spectre” is the shadowy figure - the glow and rings are a glory centered directly opposite the sun at the antisolar point. The “Spectre of the Brocken” is named because of sightings on the Brocken, the highest peak of Germany’s Harz Mountains. The spectre sometimes appears to be huge. This is probably caused by the presence of the glory and the mist obscuring more familiar reference points with which to judge its size. Forest glory can appear provided there is a mist of fairly uniform sized droplets, glories can be found in many places.

Photo above left is a Brocken Spectre and Glory taken by Vincent Lowe at Hopegill Head, Lake District National Park, England.

~Bonnee Klein Gilligan

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‘The 12 Days Of Christmas’ John Denver & The Muppets

Wonderful, happy and fun! I love this clever rendition, makes me laugh and smile. Used to watch the Muppets’ Christmas specials every year, so is a walk down memory lane for me. Hope you enjoy it.

John Denver, Song: The 12 Days of Christmas, TV special: A Christmas Together with John Denver and The Muppets (1979). Nominated for an Emmy and winner of the Director’s Guild Award for Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Musical Variety. If you’d like to own a copy on DVD you can buy it at missedmovies.com. Words: vary widely, Music: Traditional English, 18th Century carol.

‘The 12 Days of Christmas’ is traditionally attributed to England but may have a French origin. Date of first performance is unknown, however it was sung as early as 16th century in Europe and Scandinavia. The chant may have had it’s origins as a ‘memory and forfeits’ game where the person who forgets the verse has to pay penalty of a kiss or sweet.

The actual 12 days of Christmas are usually December 26 through January 6 in England. Sometimes Christmas Day is included as one of the 12 days, sometimes not. Most often the 12 days are attributed to the twelve days from the birth of Christ (Christmas, December 25) to the coming of the Magi (Epiphany, January 6, or the Twelfth Day). You can learn more about the song at Hymns and Carols of Christmas or wikipedia.

My 12 Days of Christmas - This year the Holidays are very tight financially so I decided to make all my gifts and pamper myself while I’m at it. Went to a local art gallery, saw a lovely leather bag I would have loved to buy. Its’ cost $1,500. Rather then grumbling about the price, it inspired me to create my own and one for a friend too. Mine is still in the works, photo right is the other one.

This year my Christmas will be filled with wonderful treats, songs, love and things which make me smile. Just for fun, wrote about my inexpensive indulgences to the tune of the 12 Days of Christmas. It goes something like this…

On the first day of Christmas, I made this gift for me, a handmade leather satchel
On the second day of Christmas, I whipped this up for me, two pecan pies and a handmade leather satchel
On the third day of Christmas, I’ll do this just for me, three pedicures, two pecan pies and a handmade leather satchel
On the fourth day of Christmas, I’ll do this just for me, four manicures, three pedicures, two pecan pies and a handmade leather satchel
On the fifth day of Christmas, I bought a gift for me, five chocolate bars, four manicures, three pedicures, two pecan pies and a handmade leather satchel
On the sixth day of Christmas, I’ll make this just for me, six gourmet dinners, five chocolate bars, four manicures, three pedicures, two pecan pies and a handmade leather satchel
On the seventh day of Christmas, I gave this gift to me, seven candles burning, six gourmet dinners, five chocolate bars, four manicures, three pedicures, two pecan pies and a handmade leather satchel
On the eighth day of Christmas, I promised this to me, eight fragrant baths, seven candles burning, six gourmet dinners, five chocolate bars, four manicures, three pedicures, two pecan pies and a handmade leather satchel
On the ninth day of Christmas I made a treat for me, nine hot spiced ciders, eight fragrant baths, seven candles burning, six gourmet dinners, five chocolate bars, four manicures, three pedicures, two pecan pies and a handmade leather satchel
On the tenth day of Christmas, I whipped this up for me, ten oatmeal cookies, nine hot spiced ciders, eight fragrant baths, seven candles burning, six gourmet dinners, five chocolate bars, four manicures, three pedicures, two pecan pies and a handmade leather satchel
On the eleventh day of Christmas, I promised this to me, eleven crackling fires, ten oatmeal cookies, nine hot spiced ciders, eight fragrant baths, seven candles burning, six gourmet dinners, five chocolate bars, four manicures, three pedicures, two pecan pies and a handmade leather satchel
On the twelfth day of Christmas, I bought a gift for me, twelve lovely flowers, eleven crackling fires, ten oatmeal cookies, nine hot spiced ciders, eight fragrant baths, seven candles burning, six gourmet dinners, five chocolate bars, four manicures, three pedicures, two pecan pies and a handmade leather satchel

Have a wonderful Holiday! May your days be filled with treasures!

John Denver given name Henry John Deutschendorf, Jr. (December 31, 1943 – October 12, 1997), born in Roswell, New Mexico was a singer, songwriter, performer, actor, environmentalist and humanitarian. At eleven he was given his grandmother’s guitar, took guitar lessons and joined the boy’s choir. At twenty he pursued his dream career and the rest is history. You can read more about him at: johndenver.com or wikipedia.

The photo above left of Christmas Bling is by Light. Light Traveler (August 1946 - July 2003) photographer, Reiki Master/Teacher, spiritual seeker and beautiful loving Spirit. You can see more and purchase his beautiful photography at Light Traveler’s gallery.

~Bonnee Klein Gilligan

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Creator’s Wheel photograph by Steinar Midtskogen

Creator’s Wheel is my name for the beautiful display of Light in this photo. The scientific name is Moilanen arc, diamond dust ice crystals refract light into a wheel around the sun. Magnificent winter display of Light dancing through Creation. A magical gift, thank you beloved Creator!

Creator’s Wheel is seen as a written symbol in many ancient traditions and known by many names. The image of a circle with a cross may be called a sunwheel, solar cross, ring cross, Celtic cross, Nordic cross, Odin’s cross, medicine wheel or something other. By what ever name, I believe it was originally inspired by a similar glorious display… a Solar Cross indeed.

In the American Indian tradition the Medicine Wheel is the wheel of life, it represents harmony and connection. It is a symbol of peaceful interaction between all living beings. When the four directions are in balance all is well with the world.

Symbolically the equal armed cross represents the physical realm or Earth. It also represents masculine. The four arms of the cross are sometimes said to represent the elements (earth, air, fire and water) or the directions (north, south, east and west). The circle represents the ethers or Heaven, the moon and feminine. So when drawn together the circle and cross represents the Union of Heaven and Earth or the Divine Marriage.

On 12/15/08 Creator gave us another display of a beautiful sun wheel in Faribault, MN. The photo left was taken by Chris Haws.

Chris says… “This was the longest lasting sun halo/sundogs I have ever seen. Started in the early morning and continued until early afternoon. Air temp was down to -8 at one point with wind chills ranging from -20 to -30. I couldn’t help myself to stand outside (and from inside) and take in the glory of the sun halo, sundogs and the circumzenithal arc. Cold days like these manage to sneak in a reward here and there.”

Thank you beloved Creator so many wonders!

Creator’s Wheel is a reminder of the Sacredness of all… every breath, every word, every step, every feeling, every thought… everything is Sacred.

Happy Holy-day!

Photograph by Steinar Midtskogen Oslo, Norway December 2007. You can learn more about the Moilanen arc at Atmospheric Optics.

~Bonnee Klein Gilligan

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Creator’s Wheel photograph by Steinar Midtskogen

In the American Indian tradition the Medicine Wheel is the wheel of life, it represents harmony and connection. It is a symbol of peaceful interaction between all living beings. When the four directions are in balance all is well with the world.

Chris-Haws sundog halo and circumzenithal arc 12-15-08 On 12/15/08 Creator gave us another display of a beautiful sun wheel in Faribault, MN. The photo left was taken by Chris Haws.

Chris says… "This was the longest lasting sun halo/sundogs I have ever seen. Started in the early morning and continued until early afternoon. Air temp was down to -8 at one point with wind chills ranging from -20 to -30. I couldn’t help myself to stand outside (and from inside) and take in the glory of the sun halo, sundogs and the circumzenithal arc. Cold days like these manage to sneak in a reward here and there."

Thank you beloved Creator so many wonders!

Creator’s Wheel is a reminder of the Sacredness of all… every breath, every word, every step, every feeling, every thought… everything is Sacred.

Happy Holy-day!

Photograph by Steinar Midtskogen Oslo, Norway December 2007. You can learn more about the Moilanen arc at Atmospheric Optics.

~Bonnee

‘Joy to the World’ preformed by John Tesh

Upbeat, rockin’ and fun Christmas song. Brings more joy to the world. Great instrumental performance!

John Tesh, song: ‘Joy to the World’, album: Christmas Worship (2003), label: Garden City Music. Video: 2005 PBS TV special Christmas in Positano, Italy.

The original ‘Joy to the World’ hymn was written in 1692 by Isaac Watts at age 18. He wanted to add some depth to the Anglican hymns of the day. The hymn was published in 1719. One hundred years later in 1848 the words were set to music by Lowell Mason. He called the song ‘Antioch’ after Antioch, Syria the first place the term Christian was utilized. It is said he was inspired by Handel’s ‘Messiah’. You can find out more about ‘Joy to the World’ at: Hymns and Carols of Christmas.

Have a Happy Joy Filled day and Holiday Season.

John Frank Tesh born July 9, 1952 in Garden City, New York. At age 6 he began playing piano and trumpet and studied with teachers from the Juilliard School of music. He was named to the New York State Symphonic Orchestra in high school. In 1970 he graduated from North Carolina State University where he studied communications and music. John is a pianist, composer and national radio and television personality. He was a long time host of Entertainment Tonight. He also plays guitar, sax, keyboard and sings. You can read more at his websites: www.tesh.com, www.myspace.com/thejohnteshradioshow and www.myspace.com/johnteshalive.

I found the spectacular image called ‘Joy to the World’ at: Central Coast Conservatorium there are no credits given.

~Bonnee Klein Gilligan

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‘Deck the Halls’ sung by SHeDAISY, music video

A Christmas video filled with fun, sparkles and magic. Country singers SHeDAISY give decking your halls a new flavor.

SHeDAISY, song: Deck the Halls, album: Brand New Year (2000), label: Lyric Street Records, music video producer: David Hogan. Featured in the 2003 movie: Disney’s Mickey’s Once Upon a Christmas. Video includes scenes from the movie. Single released November 1999. Original words: Unknown, 19th century American, original music: Old Welsh Air.

The song “Deck the Halls” (original title: “Deck The Hall With Holly“) is a very old traditional Yuletide carol. It is very likely that the ‘fa la la la la’ was played on the harp. Mozart utilized the tune to ‘Deck the Halls’ for a duet with violin and piano.

The custom of ‘decking the halls with holly‘ is very old and may date back several thousand years. It is known that ancient Romans, Greeks and Druids utilized sacred evergreen holly to decorate their homes during mid-winter. You can read more about this custom in the article by Dr. Leonard Perry Decking the Halls with Holly.

Have a glorious, magical Holiday!

SHeDAISY is a female vocal trio founded in the late 1990’s. Originally known as the Osborn Sisters, it is comprised of sisters Kristyn (b. 8/24/70), Kelsi (b. 11/21/74) and Kassidy (b. 10/30/76) from Magna, Utah. The word SHeDAISY is Navajo for my little sister. Kristyn Osborn writes or co-writes the groups songs. They are a multi-platinum Country group who have sold over 3 million albums. You can read more about them at SHeDaisy, Wikipedia or visit their Myspace page shedaisy.

~Bonnee Klein Gilligan

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This is a stunning find! A brain of an ancient Briton has been found well-preserved in England, though the story isn’t terribly clear as to where exactly. It is thought the body can be dated to the time of the Roman Invasion of Britain.

‘Orion Moonbow’ photograph by Jimmy Westlake

Was looking at pictures of the full moon at SpaceWeather.com and came across an image of a moon halo taken 12/11/08 by Jimmy Westlake, Stagecoach, Colorado. As I was gazing at it I noticed not only a beautiful rainbow halo and Orion, but also a faint red cross. How cool! Wanted to see what was there so saturated it in Photoshop. The image above is the result. Wow, wow, wow! Thank you beloved Creator for your beauty and magnificence. I am humbly in awe.

The night this photo was shot was the beginning of the celebration of the Mother, Virgin Guadalupe in Mexico.

A message… all is perfect, balanced and complete. Divine Union is now… embrace… oneness. A cycle has ended, renewal begun. Goddess and God embrace, merge. Love pours forth with great abundance. Open heart and receive.

As I write Raven called 3 times 3, flying by the window. Raven is the sacred bringer of magic who ushers in consciousness change. 9 is completion. Has been a day of much communication.

Jimmy Westlake says about his photo,

“Wow! This was one of the most vivid lunar halos I’ve ever seen! Seeing Orion with a colorful rainbow arching through him was surreal.”

Surreal indeed! You can see the original photo and a couple more at SpaceWeather.com.

The scientific explanation from Curious About Astronomy:

Halos are caused by the light of the sun or moon passing through a very thin layer of cirruform (ice-crystal) clouds in the upper atmosphere. The ice crystals refract the light of the moon, similar to the way water droplets in the lower atmosphere can refract sunlight to produce a rainbow. Just like a rainbow, strong halos can have bands of color in them, due to slightly different refractive properties of the ice crystals for different colors. Essentially, halos ARE rainbows caused by primary refraction in ice crystals.

Symbolism contained in the photo - (from An Illustrated Encyclopedia of Traditional Symbols by J.C. Cooper):

A circle with a dot - in the center depicts a complete cycle and cyclic perfection. The resolution of all possibilities in existence. In Astrology it portrays the sun. In Alchemy it is the sun and gold. It is also a symbol of all sun gods. In Taoism A circle with a point at the center represents the supreme power, the Tao.
A circle enclosing a cross - is the Cosmic Solar Wheel ‘the vivifying principle that animates the universe’. The solar wheel is always a symbol of good fortune and of change. Cross in a circle - Solar mobility, the wheel of change. The wheel of fortune.
Equal arm cross - a universal symbol, the cosmic symbol par excellence. It is a world center and therefor a point of communication between heaven and earth, a cosmic axis. It is dualism in nature and the union of opposites. It represents Spiritual Union and the integration of man’s soul in all aspects necessary to full life.
Color - Symbolizes the differentiated, the manifest. Diversity. The affirmation of Light. Light and dark colors used in contrast symbolize the materialization of light. God, as light, is the source of color. Color Red - The zenith of color. Represents the sun and all war gods. It is the masculine, active principle, fire, the sun, royalty, love, joy festivity, passion, energy, health, strength. Red denotes supernatural powers, sacredness or solar power. Rainbow - Transfiguration. Heavenly glory. Different states of consciousness. The meeting of Heaven and Earth. Paradise.
Moon - Usually represents the feminine power, the Mother Goddess, Queen of Heaven. Symbolic of the rhythm of cyclic time, universal becoming. Full moon is enlightenment. Light in darkness. Inner Knowledge. The moon is the abode of Archangel Gabriel.

Hope your day is amazing and awe filled. Happy Holidays!

Jimmy Westlake, M.S. Astronomy, Louisiana State University; B.S., Astronomy and Physics, Valdosta State University; BS, Psychology, University of Alaska Anchorage; 15 years instructor and director of Rollins Planetarium at Young Harris College; award winning astro-photographer.You can see more of J.R. Westlake’s Astrophotos at jrwestlake.com.

~Bonnee Klein Gilligan

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‘White Christmas’ Bing Crosby and Marjorie Reynolds

Lovely, sweet and beautiful song. A walk down memory lane, when winter included horse-drawn sleigh rides and Christmas Holidays were filled with singing carols by the fire.

Artists: Bing Crosby and Marjorie Reynolds, song:’ White Christmas’, movie: Holiday Inn (1942) Paramount Pictures, Songwriter: Irving Berlin.

Saint Lucia or Saint Lucy of Syracuse, (Spanish: Santa Lucia) was a young Roman Christian woman who refused to marry because she wanted to dedicate her life to God. Her rejected bridegroom betrayed her and she was put to death by the Roman Emperor, Diocletian. She is the patron saint of the blind. The root of Lucia is luc or lux, Latin for light. You can find out more about Saint Lucy at Saints & Angels.

Christian Missionaries traveled to Scandinavia telling stories of Saint Lucy’s courage; she became known as Lucia Bride. The elders often tell stories of how Lucia Bride, dressed in white with a crown of ‘light’ ,would bring food and drink to the poor. She is seen as the ‘Light bearer’ in times of darkness.

Santa Lucia Day or Luciadagen is celebrated December 13 in Scandinavia. The story of Saint Lucia is reenacted in many Swedish homes with the eldest daughter becoming Lucia Bride dressing in white with a crown of candles. Early in the morning she will bring her parents sweet saffron buns and coffee. Lucia celebrations are often held at the workplace and school. They have a procession with a Lucia, attendants, and starmen with pointed hats, caroling and sharing of saffron cake, ginger biscuits and drinks. One of the popular carols sung is ‘White Christmas’.

Saint Lucia is also honored in Italy where many Christians celebrate with bonfires and torchlight parades.

Happy Santa Lucia Day! Have a wonderful day filled with Light.

The lovely painting above left is called The Martyrdom of St. Lucy by Domenico Veneziano (circa 1445-48). It is one of the predelas (side panels) of Santa Lucia del Magnoli Altarpiece in Berlin, Germany that was split into separate panels. Domenico, de Bartolomeo di Venezia (c. 1405/10 – 1461) born in Venice, lived most of his life in Florence, Italy. An early Renaissance painter who studied with Gentile da Fabriano in 1422-23. He was one of the founders of the 15th-century Florentine school of painting.

The photo above right ‘a young girl dressed as Saint Lucia’ is from the short film ‘Santa Lucia’ by Elsa Entertainment. You can see more at elsaentertainment.com.

~Bonnee Klein Gilligan

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Though it is wonderful and convenient to shop from Amazon from time to time, it would behoove readers to support their local indie record shops with your business. One of the happiest days of my life was working for my local shop in my youth. Aron’s Records was one of the best places to work during my 20s, and the people I met and the knowledge I gleaned were priceless to me.

Support the Coalition of Independent Music Stores and check out their website here.

Ave Maria païen, Notre Dame de Paris

What a moving song! I feel her plea, her heart and her Soul reaching out to Mother Mary and Spirit moves. Wow! Brought tears and chills. Incredibly touching… Ave Maria indeed.

The musical Notre Dame de Paris debuted September 1998 in Paris. Song: Ave Maria païen (the 21st song). Musical: based on Notre Dame de Paris by Victor Hugo. Music: Riccardo Cocciante, Lyrics: Luc Plamondon. Has played worldwide, been translated to many languages and had the most successful first year of any musical. As of 2007 the score has been recorded 7 times .

It’s Full Moon today (Snow Moon 11:37am EST, 4:37pm GMT) and a Grand Mutable Cross is in the heavens ushering in a time of choices and changes. There are many new possibilities, forks in the road with lots of potential for positive change. We are being guided to strive for our highest ideals, spiritual Truths and wisdom. To find out more about the Grand Mutable Cross see The Aquarius Papers.

It’s also Guadalupe Day Mexico’s most important religious holiday. Today people from all over Mexico travel to the chapel on Tepayac Hill in Mexico City to worship and celebrate. In 1531 at the the former shrine of the Aztec Mother Goddess Coatlicue on Tepayac Hill, the Virgin Guadalupe (mother of Jesus) appeared to Juan Diego. She asked him to build a chapel on this sacred ground.

Large fiestas are held in Mexico and Central America honoring Our Lady of Guadalupe. All day people visit the church and pray. As an offering of thanks, some people pin small objects shaped like hearts, arms, or legs (milagros) on or near the statue of the Virgin of Guadalupe.

May your holidays be blessed and safe. Happy Guadalupe Day!

The incredible painting above left is called La Virgen de Guadalupe by Salvador Dali (1959). Dali’s full name is Salvador Domingo Felipe Jacinto Dalí i Domènech 1st Marquis of Púbol (May 11, 1904 – January 23, 1989), born in Figueres, Catalonia, Spain was a surrealist painter. He attended drawing school in 1916 and 3 years later had his first exhibition. His extensive artistic endeavors include painting, film, sculpture, and photography. You can find out more and see many of Dali’s wonderful works at virtualdali.com.

~Bonnee Klein Gilligan

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‘O Little Town Of Bethlehem’ sung by Sarah McLachlan

A truly beautiful rendition of the song. Sweet, soft and loving. I could feel Spirit moving through Sarah as she sang. Ahhh, nice!

Artist: Sarah McLachlan, Song: O Little Town of Bethlehem, Album: Wintersong (2006), Arista Records, LLC, a unit of Sony BMG Music Entertainment, Words: Bishop Phillips Brooks, Music: Lewis Henry Redner.

After a pilgrimage to Bethlehem in 1868 Bishop Phillips Brooks (1835-1893) wrote O Little Town of Bethlehem. The beautiful evening view of the Holy city from the hills of Palestine inspired him. Lewis Redner (1831-1908) Brooks’ church organist set the words to music for the children’s choir. You can find out more about this Christmas classic at: hymnsandcarolsofchristmas.com.

The photograph right called ‘The Christmas Star’ by Debbie Yarra is a wonderful compliment to the song. It was taken 3 days before Christmas 1999 in The Garden of the Gods, Colorado. Spectacular!

May your Holidays be filled with inspiration and love.

Sarah McLachlan singer/songwriter was born January 28, 1968 in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada. Growing up she took voice lessons, and studied classical piano and guitar. At 17 she fronted for the band The October Game, following their first concert she was offered a recording contract by Nettwerk. She is a 3-time Grammy and 8-time Juno Award-winning multi-platinum recording artist. Listen to her amazing music, read news, buy CDs and learn more at www.sarahmclachlan.com.

Debbie Yarra is a self-taught photographer who took her first photograph in 1980. She lives in Colorado Springs, Colorado. Debbie says, “I want to capture the beauty and emotion of light, for that is the essence of God.”You can see more of Debbie’s beautiful images at www.yarraimages.com.

~Bonnee Klein Gilligan

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