My lovely wife and I had just enjoyed a lovely breakfast with a dear friend and were heading out to the rest of our day.
Tammi has always had tummy trouble and this day was no different – we stopped so she could avail herself of a restroom.
She opened her car door, stood, took two steps – turned to me trying to speak – and collapsed.
All I could I hear was the rustle of wings and the world shrank down to Tammi’s face – her eyes rolled back, breathing shallow.
EMS arrived in minutes and as they were checking her vitals, she regained consciousness. She struggled to speak, words not forming and I watched her eyes grow wild with fear. All I could do was hold her eye and talk to her comfortingly. She regrouped and EMS got her loaded up and off we sped to Longs Peak Hospital just a short distance away.
Praying that she hadn’t had a stroke or coronary issue, we waited after she was put through a series of diagnostics, each one coming back, happily, negative. Eventually, we were left with fatigue, blood pressure medication, and dehydration. The inability to speak was due to a concussion she’d sustained during the fall, the aphasia has improved steadily and looks to completely clear.
Two nights in the hospital and a lot of fear, otherwise we’re unharmed.
Once again I’m grateful that Tammi has not been taken from me.
I’m glad I was able to be strong for her.
Her time in the ER was, obviously, the scariest thing she’s been through yet – including the car accident five years ago.
After many, many years with Indra’s Net hosting in Boulder, CO, I have decided to host MacWebGuru.com at LaughingSquid.net using their Managed WordPress hosting service, run by Pressable.com.
Free migration, free SSL certificate and automated backups, great bandwidth and storage for $12/mo. Worth every penny. Just couldn’t say no.
Definitely not a knock on Indra’s Net – they hosted me for free for years and I appreciate it immensely. Just need more services than they’re offering, I’m a strange duck (but you knew that!).
Best wishes to John Green, Spike, Matt and the rest of the team.
For the 11 killed in hate, let love of them live on.
From Kaddish Yatom – Mourner’s Kaddish
When I die give what’s left of me away to children and old men that wait to die. And if you need to cry cry for your brother walking the streeet beside you. And when you need me, put your arms around anyone and give them what you need to give me.
I want to leave you something, something better than words or sounds. Look for me in the people I’ve known or loved, and if you cannot give me away, at least let me live in your eyes and not in your mind.
You can love me best by letting hands touch hands, and by letting go of children that need to be free. Love doesn’t die, people do. So when all that’s left of me is love, give me away.
According to a 19th century legend, the Truth and the Lie meet one day. The Lie says to the Truth: “It’s a marvellous day today”! The Truth looks up to the skies and sighs, for the day was really beautiful. They spend a lot of time together, ultimately arriving beside a well. The Lie tells the Truth: “The water is very nice, let’s take a bath together!” The Truth, once again suspicious, tests the water and discovers that it indeed is very nice. They undress and start bathing. Suddenly, the Lie comes out of the water, puts on the clothes of the Truth and runs away. The furious Truth comes out of the well and runs everywhere to find the Lie and to get her clothes back. The World, seeing the Truth naked, turns its gaze away, with contempt and rage. The poor Truth returns to the well and disappears forever, hiding therein, its shame. Since then, the Lie travels around the world, dressed as the Truth, satisfying the needs of society, because, the World, in any case, harbours no wish at all to meet the naked Truth.
The world famous painting- “The Truth coming out of the well” Jean-Léon Gérôme, 1896.
Ok, so I’ve actually sat down and read the entire 29 page Mueller indictment against the 12 Russian intelligence officers, and it is totally insane. I literally can’t believe the scope of this thing. I’m making this status public (i.e., shareable), because people need to know about this shit. There is no way you can read the actual indictment and not conclude that 1) there WAS a RUSSIAN conspiracy, 2) that the scope of that conspiracy was GARGANTUAN, 3) that it was organized BY THE RUSSIAN GOVERNMENT [i.e., there’s no way Putin didn’t know about this], 4) That people connected to the Trump campaign [and, shockingly, other U.S. Gov’t officials] WERE INVOLVED, and 5) this is just the beginning. If Mueller has already uncovered this amount of information with such specificity regarding the goings-on in far-away Russia, there’s NO WAY some serious shit isn’t going to hit the fan going forward right here in the U.S.
So, without further ado, here are the highlights:
Article 1 of the indictment states that the Russian government actively set up multiple intelligence units (known as the GRU) with the sole aim of interfering with the 2016 election. Two of these units, 26165, and 74455, were specifically tasked with acquiring and releasing stolen documents via hacking.
Article 2 specifically calls this a “conspiracy” and states that the 12 indicted Russians had contacts with “persons known and unknown to the Grand Jury.”
Article 3: The aforementioned Russian intelligence units deliberately targeted the Clinton campaign.
Article 4: They deliberately targeted the DNC as a whole.
Article 6: In June of 2016, they released TENS OF THOUSANDS of hacked documents using fictitious online personas.
Article 10: One of the intelligence officers, Boris Antonov, oversaw a department within 26165 tasked with hacking the U.S. military, governmental (i.e., political) and non-governmental organizations. [i.e., they were spying on every level of our gov’t].
Articles 12-18: The Russian hackers often used various online aliases, both male and female, such as (but not limited to) “Kate Milton,” “James McMorgans,” and “Karen Millen.” Sergey Morgachev, another Russian hacker, was a Lt. Colonel in the Russian military. He created the hacking malware used by dept. 26165, known as “X-Agent.” Another hacker named in the indictment, Nikolay Kozachek, was a Lt. Captain in the Russian military. Artem Malyshev (also named in the indictment) was a Second Lieutenant in the Russian military. Aleksandr Osadchuk (also named in the indictment) is a Colonel in the Russian Military. He oversaw the creation and dissemination of anti-Clinton material online.
Article 19: Russian Military Officer Aleksey Potemkin, assigned to 74455, supervised the creation of fake social media accounts used (among other things) in the release of DNC documents.
Article 21: Over 300 individuals affiliated with the DNC were SUCCESSFULLY targeted. (Article 21 is lengthy, and includes a detailed, play-by-play account of how 26165 and 74455 achieved their aims. Spoiler alert: It’s crazy).
Article 24, subsection B: The Russian’s hacking of the DNC was so advanced that they were able to monitor individual computers in real time. Subsection C states that their malware sent actual screenshots of DNC computer activity to a server in Arizona that the Russians had access to. They were also able to capture keystrokes entered by DCCC employees.
Article 24, subsection D: They monitored individual DNC / DCCC employees for hours on end, and obtained information about DNC fundraising plans and even banking information (as well as other personal information).
Article 26 subsection A: By June 2016 the Russians had complete access to 33 DNC computers, totally and completely.
Article 27: The GRU gained access to information regarding DNC opposition research, field operation plans, and the Benghazi operation.
Article 28, subsection B: Aside from the server in Arizona, the GRU also stored data to a server in Illinois, to which they filtered large gigabytes of stolen information via a program they developed known as “X-Tunnel.”
Article 32: The DNC became aware of Russian attempts to hack their servers and hired a security firm to identify the extent of the intrusions. The security firm (identified in the indictment only as “company 1”) also put in place measures to halt GRU access to DNC computers, but, despite this, the GRU was so efficient that they continued to maintain access via “X-Agent” well through October of 2016.
Article 33: The GRU immediately became aware of “company 1’s” (referring here to the security firm that the DNC hired) efforts, and took countermeasures in response. This included investigating / hacking “company 1” itself, and later, apparently as a retaliatory measure against the DNC, setting up a wesbsite that redirected from a DNC online political donations website, to another website set up by the GRU (in other words, the GRU took funds from DNC donors, using the pretext of a false DNC donations website).
Articles 35-36: The GRU set up another website, the sole purpose of which was to release stolen DNC documents. They created fake social media accounts that falsely attributed this website’s creation to a group of “American hacktivists.” It received over 1 million hits.
Article 37: The GRU has also released stolen documents dating back to 2015 (i.e., they’ve been up to this for quite a while).
Article 40: The notion of a “lone Romanian hacker” being responsible for the DNC leaks was a fiction deliberately created by the GRU and disseminated via fake social media accounts.
Article 42: Using a popular blogging site, the GRU set up a blog that used the most “searched for” keywords by conspiracy theorists, (e.g., “Illuminati,” “Worldwide,” “Conspiracy,” et. al.), -and used this website to further disseminate the “lone Romanian hacker” conspiracy theory. (Article 46 of the indictment further states that later entries on this blog site posted articles positing that the released, stolen documents had “nothing to do with Russia.”)
Article 43, Subsection A: An individual the indictment identifies only as “a known member of congress” contacted an online GRU dummy persona, (“Guccifer 2.0”) and requested stolen documents related to their political opponent, and the GRU / “Guccifer” responded by giving said member of congress access to the stolen data they were requesting.
Article 43, Subsection B: The GRU released stolen documents to what the indictment identifies as “a lobbyist and online source of political news.”
Subsection C: “Guccifer” / The GRU sent stolen documents pertaining to the “Black Lives Matter” movement to a reporter (unidentified in the indictment), to which the reporter not only responded, but offered to write an article using said information.
Article 44: The GRU, posing as “Guccifer 2.0” wrote to a person who was in regular contact with SENIOR MEMBERS OF THE TRUMP CAMPAIGN. (The indictment includes direct quotes of their online conversation, and this is CLEARLY referring to Roger Stone).
Article 45, subsection B: The GRU, using an alias, contacted a U.S. reporter (unnamed in the indictment) and ultimately gave them access to stolen DNC data.
Articles 47-49: Here the indictment refers to an organization, identified only as “Organization 1,” [I’m thinking, Wikileaks] -which actually reached out to the GRU aliases seeking the stolen emails / data. “Organization 1” is directly quoted by the indictment as having communicated to “Guccifer,” that they should “send [Organization 1] any new material [i.e., stolen data] here for us to review and it will have a much higher impact than what you are doing.” Organization 1 was given, and later released, said data, approximately 3 days before the Democratic National Convention. In total, between October and November of 2016, over 50,000 stolen documents were released.
Articles 50-79 : Lists the counts against the 11 Russian Military Personnel, which include charges of 1) Conspiracy to Commit Offenses Against The United States, 2) Aggravated Identity Theft, 3) Conspiracy to Launder Money [according to the indictment, over 95,000 USD$ was laundered], i.e. using cryptocurrency, that was then use to register domain names, set up websites, create server infrastructure, et. al.,3) The Use of Transferred Money To Commit Crimes Against The United States, 4) General Unlawful Conspiracy [It should be noted that many of these counts have sub-crimes attached to them, such as unlawful hacking, etc.].
So, there it is folks. This WAS A RUSSIAN CONSPIRACY, massive in scope, directly linked to the Trump campaign, the sole aim of which was to subvert Democracy. There is no way around it.
My Girl Scouts and I wanted to express our gratitude by writing a little thank you note. Your page, http://www.macwebguru.com/links/typography-links/ has been extremely useful and informative in helping my Senior Scouts earn their ‘Website Designer’ badge.
If you decided to add it to your resources, I’d love to show my troop that their suggestion was up and running to help others. We do our absolute best to follow the Girl Scout slogan of “Do a good turn daily.” :)
Please let us know what you think and thank you again!
Warmest Regards,
Cindy Powell
Ms Powell, Scouts,
Thank you so much for your kind words and the link! I have added it to my typography references – excellent resource!
Seth Abramson, a journalist, lawyer and prolific Twitter user, has a recent thread discussing what he says is the most important aspect of the Trump/Russia collusion investigation, that no one is discussing.
After you take time to read through the thread, you will not only see that Abramson is right, but you will also see why it’s taking Robert Mueller longer than most people would like to get through his investigation. He has to put hundreds of pieces of the puzzle together and only has one shot to get it right.
Investigators are now trying to determine *exactly* when every member of the Trump campaign found out Russia was working to elect Trump.
These dates are of legal importance because they establish a “mens rea” (mental state) for possible crimes committed by Trump and others.
Once Trump, his family, and/or his campaign aides knew Russia was committing crimes to assist Trump, certain actions became *prohibited*.
For instance, once Trump had this knowledge, he could not publicly deny it without running afoul of federal Aiding and Abetting statutes.
For instance, once Don Jr. had this knowledge he couldn’t take any action in furtherance of a plan to benefit from Russia’s illegal acts.
Knowledge of Russian illegalities – even broadly – is a necessary precursor to what we colloquially call “collusion” (not a legal term here).
This is why *all* of Trump’s most audacious lies – and his family’s, and his aides’ – center on their *knowledge* of what Russia was doing.
Paul Manafort’s excuse for not knowing Russia was working to elect Trump? (a) he didn’t check his email; (b) he was looking at his phone.
Jared Kushner’s excuse for not knowing Russia was working to elect Trump? (a) he left a big meeting early; (b) he didn’t check his email.
What do the Trump aides who changed the GOP platform last July say in response to charges they were executing a quid pro quo for Russia.
They say (a) they were executing orders Trump gave March 31, 2016; (b) but don’t blame Trump, because he didn’t know what we were doing.
What’s *Trump’s* excuse as to Russia working to elect him – after *admitting* he knew and then *getting briefed on it* on August 17, 2016.
Why, he just didn’t *believe* what U.S. intel agencies said, of course! He just didn’t *believe* the mountains of evidence we all saw.
Now ask yourself: does Bob Mueller believe any of these lies? Does the FBI? Does the DOJ? Do American voters? Would a duly-seated jury.
FACT: Don was directly told by a trusted friend that Putin was working to elect his dad. He knew this as of the first week of June 2016.
Now consider: despite the way the Russia issue blew up after June 2016, Don says he *never told his dad* Putin was working to elect him.
Don, Jared, and Manafort say they *never* discussed the issue again – with *anyone* – and deliberately plotted to keep this info from Trump.
Do *you* believe that? Do you think Mueller does? Or the FBI? The DOJ? Most American voters? Most American Congressmen? Future jurors.
You think Don sat there watching Russia news every single day for *months*, yet never told daddy Putin was confirmed as “in his corner”.
Do you believe that – once the Russia news broke shortly after June 2016 – Kushner and Manafort *never went back to look at their emails*.
Do you think Kushner and Manafort were – start to finish – in the dark about who Veselnitskaya was, who she worked for, and what she wanted.
Do you believe *none* of the Russia news between June 2016 and this summer caused Kushner *or* Manafort to reflect back on that meeting.
Why did Trump witness-tamper with his son – exposing himself/Don to *prison* – with false statements on the meeting? Why? Knowledge matters.
This explains fantastical tales of phone-checking/email-ignoring at the *exact* moments knowledge – legally speaking – could be established.
This explains Trump’s increasingly grotesque and deranged denials of reality on Russian interference: if he says otherwise, *knowledge*.
This is why the news that Don and Ivanka were about to be charged with felony fraud matters. It goes to their honesty – which is now key.
Don/Ivanka *repeatedly lied to consumers* about how many Trump SoHo units had sold. So do you think they’d lie to save dad’s presidency.
And this is why every single lie Trump tells is legally relevant on the question of his reputation/propensity for honesty versus deceit.
Trump admitted Russia was helping – then was briefed on it – then reversed course and said otherwise when he saw the danger of an admission.
But his reputation for deceit – it’s legendary – would prompt an investigator or juror to presume his initial briefing sealed his knowledge.
The danger *now* is non-attorney journalists confusing evidence of Aiding and Abetting with “evidence of a cover-up.” They’re different.
There’s evidence of a cover-up – Mueller could get Trump on Obstruction with a jury right now – but also Aiding and Abetting a Russian plot.
The evidence of a cover-up overlaps in many particulars with the evidence Trump and his team knew Russia was interfering, then aided it.
For instance, it *isn’t* legal for Trump to learn on August 17th, 2016 that Russia was committing crimes against the U.S., and *then*…
…send his chief foreign policy aide – Sessions – to negotiate *unilateral sanctions-lifting* with Russia’s ambassador three weeks later.
So let’s stop talking collusion – a vague and meaningless term in this legal scenario – and instead discuss “knowledge of illegal activity..
Don, Jared, and Manafort were on *legal notice* that Russia was illegally stealing information from June 9, 2016 onward – at the *latest*
So no, Don wasn’t entitled to take that meeting – given what he’d been told. And Manafort couldn’t push a GOP platform change weeks later.
Indeed, arguably, the *entire campaign* was on notice Russia aimed to secretly negotiate with and aid Trump from March 24, 2016 onward.
On that date, Papadopoulos told seven senior Trump staffers that Putin wanted to meet with Trump – and felt Trump could improve relations.
On that basis, *any* subsequent revelation that Russia was committing crimes should’ve been read by the campaign as a pro-Trump proffer.
Note that, in this analysis, I’m approaching this as a former criminal attorney and former criminal investigator – we *do* think this way.
The media can’t – it feels – call Trump a liar when he lies to (dis)establish his legal knowledge. But as an attorney, I see it differently.
But as we enter the intermediate stages of the Mueller probe, we *all* must be thinking in legal terms – as we’re in the legal sphere now.
So if you want to talk Russia on social media, I’d suggest focusing on the date each actor had knowledge of Russia’s illegal acts.
If Abramson is right, it’s more bad news for Trump and company. Trump’s knowledge about the whole situation is going to implicate him deeply in the crimes committed here.
Photo by George SeatonUte Prayer for Earth’s Teachings
Earth teach me stillness as the grasses are stilled with light. Earth teach me suffering as old stones suffer with memory. Earth teach me humility as blossoms are humble with beginning. Earth teach me caring as the mother who secures her young. Earth teach me courage as the tree which stands all alone. Earth teach me limitation as the ant which crawls on the ground. Earth teach me freedom as the eagle which soars in the sky. Earth teach me resignation as the leaves which die in the fall. Earth teach me regeneration as the seed which rises in the spring. Earth teach me to forget myself as melted snow forgets its life. Earth teach me to remember kindness as dry fields weep with rain.
We met in 2008, while doing volunteer work. I knew right away she was a warrior – she had the Look and the Light. Faithful friend and indefatigable foe of Darkness. She was there for me through my joys and tragedies as I was for hers.
The proof that she was Good was obvious by how the forces of love prevailed when she was present. Our world is lessened by her loss – but I know she would exhort us to ‘work harder!’ and not to mourn her too long.
She is NOT gone – you need only look around and see our beautiful town, free of theocracy, safe from exploitation and unified for the future.
Thank you Kaye – as always, you’ve gone on ahead to prepare the way for us. We’ll see you at the ocean.
My litany of Comcast’s misdeeds starts with their idiotic harrassment of people trying to cancel their service. This was just one of probably THOUSANDS of users they needlessly abused and then gave the usual corporate non-apology.
If Dante’s Inferno had been written today, an extra circle of hell would be dedicated to dealings with cable providers.
Former tech editor Ryan Block posted a maddening 8-minute portion of his phone call with a Comcast “customer retention” specialist desperately (and aggressively) trying to stop Block from canceling his service.
Not taking no for an answer, the rep peppered Block with questions: “You don’t want something that works?”; “So you’re not interested in the fastest internet in the country?”; “I’m really ashamed to see you go to something that can’t give you what we can!”; “What is it about this other internet provider???”
But Comcast wasn’t a spurned lover deserving of an explanation. It is a cable provider.
Block maintained an impressive state of calm, cooly repeating “I’m declining to state, can you please go to the next question” so many times that if this were a drinking game, players might not survive the length of the call.
Block writes: “This recording picks up roughly 10 minutes into the call, whereby she and I have already played along and given a myriad of reasons and explanations as to why we are canceling (which is why I simply stopped answering the rep’s repeated question — it was clear the only sufficient answer was “Okay, please don’t disconnect our service after all.”).”
Block said that his Comcast was successfully disconnected at the end of the call.
Comcast senior vice president of customer experience Tom Karinshak released the following statement Tuesday regarding the now-viral recording:
We are very embarrassed by the way our employee spoke with Mr. Block and are contacting him to personally apologize. The way in which our representative communicated with him is unacceptable and not consistent with how we train our customer service representatives. We are investigating this situation and will take quick action. While the overwhelming majority of our employees work very hard to do the right thing every day, we are using this very unfortunate experience to reinforce how important it is to always treat our customers with the utmost respect.
Political Thuggery
From Community Networks (copied in case the article is removed later) – here’s a detailed article about Comcast’s political machinations that included over half a million dollars to deny Longmont voters access to their own fiber optic network:
Longmont Votes Again, Comcast Breaks Spending Record Opposing Referendum
It looks like Comcast will break the $300,000 mark, funneling the money through the Colorado Cable Telecommunications Association. Two years ago, it spent over $245,000 in a similar effort — setting the record for most amount spent on a local election in Longmont. Comcast and its anti-competition allies will spend approximately 10x as much as the total amount spent on the entire mayoral campaign. All to stop the city from having an alternative to the cable/DSL duopoly.
“It doesn’t really matter at this stage of the game,” Baum said. “It’s going to the electorate. The electorate will vote. And we will know on Tuesday how they voted – if they believe a $300,000 ad campaign, or if they believe the people they’ve entrusted their votes to.”
Both incumbents and challengers in the City Council race have unanimously endorsed 2A over the course of the campaign.
In 2009, a similar campaign called “No Blank Check” was bankrolled to the tune of nearly $250,000, primarily by the telecommunications industry. That campaign, which was successful in defeating the measure, was labeled as misleading by city officials because it claimed money would be taken from police and firefighters to fund city telecommunications services.
“It was actually just the opposite of what No Blank Check was saying,” Tom Roiniotis, director of Longmont Power and Communications, told Boulder Weekly this summer. “They were saying we were going to have to lay off police and firefighters. Nothing could be further from the truth. … In fact, telecommunications would actually generate money for those departments. But they had models dressed up as firefighters, looking very sad.”
When we say that this campaign is orchestrated by Comcast, we should be clear — virtually no one in Longmont opposes the 2A ballot initiative. And no one running for office opposes it! See the Boulder Weekly discussion about their support for 2A:
But we — along with every Longmont City Council member and candidate who responded to a Boulder Weekly questionnaire — agree that the city should be able to use its own network, despite the corporate powers’ concerns about losing market share to a new competitor. Taxpayers have already invested in this network and should benefit from it. We strongly urge a YES vote on Longmont Ballot Question 2A.
The Times-Call also supports the measure. Just how unanimous is the support? Consider this report from Longmont’s Future:
At an event at Silver Creek High School last night, according to the Times-Call,
“Carroll and Levison were joined onstage by Mayor Bryan Baum and his challenger Dennis Coombs, at-large candidate Ron Gallegos, Ward 1 candidate Suzzanne Painter and Ward 3 Councilman Sean McCoy.
One question, on Ballot Question 2A, drew immediate solidarity from the panel.
“Everyone, on three, say yes or no on 2A,” Baum told the other candidates with a grin. “One, two, three …”
“YES!” they all echoed.
“That is the one thing we all agree on,” Baum said.”
Comcast’s campaign of lies has gone so far as to take out a full-page ad inventing a story of impropriety, accusing the City of somehow colluded with Alcatel-Lucent to scam the public.
The Times-Call looked into the allegations and found nothing but smoke and mirrors — exactly the tactics of bait-and-switch you would expect from an out-of-town astroturf campaign:
A group against Longmont Ballot Question 2A claims city officials coordinated a push for the issue with telecom company Alcatel-Lucent, a claim the city denied, saying that early email contacts with the company were taken far out of context.
The opposition group Look Before We Leap said the charge would be part of their advertising against 2A as the election campaign enters its final week. The group spent about $2,800 to look through city emails related to the ballot question, which, if passed, would lift state restrictions on how Longmont can use a fiber-optic loop it built in 1997.
The group’s findings included three messages from an Alcatel-Lucent representative offering information and suggestions for a supportive campaign to Mayor Bryan Baum and Longmont Power & Communications director Tom Roiniotis. All three were sent before Aug. 23, the date the City Council put the question on the ballot, after which city staff could not be involved for or against the issue, though elected officials could.
…
Roiniotis called the charges ridiculous and said there was no relationship. He said he had received many “sales calls” from telecommunications companies interested in Longmont’s fiber system; the main difference here, he said, was the offer of help.
“I made it perfectly clear to them that they could do anything they wanted to do, but that the city could not be involved in advocating for it,” he said. He also noted that the city had been aware of much of the information sent by Alcatel-Lucent since 2009, the last time Longmont tried a ballot issue to lift the restrictions.
….
In the email messages, Jennie Burgoz of Alcatel-Lucent offered contacts and information related to successful municipal telecommunications campaigns in Chattanooga and Bristol, Tenn. She also suggested ideas such as “tricking out” Baum’s campaign vehicle as a mobile fiber vehicle and working with attorney and advocate Jim Baller, who was familiar with a similar campaign in Illinois.
Comcast’s “Look Before We Leap” group has even attacked the actual grassroots pro-2A groups for how little they have spent!: [from the same article as above]
Merritt said he also had concerns that there had been no reporting by Longmont’s Future, a pro-2A website. That amused its proprietor, Jonathan Rice, who is the only person operating the site.
“It’s not really so much a group as it is ‘me,'” Rice said. Between a couple of Times-Call ads and the website, he said, he had spent $353.
“I don’t have $300,000 to work with ,” he said. “So I’ll do my $300 and see how that goes.”
Rice has invested in an online pro-2A ad on the local newspaper’s website.
Some of the pro-2A folks have responded to these trumped-up charges with the following press release:
$297,000 On A Local Election? Isn’t That A Little Crazy?
Look Before We Leap – a front group for the Colorado Cable Telecommunications Association – continues to block Longmont’s efforts to partner with private industry.
In a new twist on the saga of Ballot Question 2A, which would re-establish Longmont’s right to partner with private industry to use its fiber-optic ring, Comcast-sponsored group ‘Look Before We Leap’ has now spent over $297,000 (http://www.ci.longmont.co.us/city_clerk/election/candidates/documents/LB…) on robo-calls, door-knockers, and most recently a full-page ad in the local Daily Times-Call to mock the city’s efforts to partner with private employers.
The city of Longmont, which attempted to win the valuable gigabit network from Google last year, is prevented by state law from using its fiber-optic network without a voter referendum. That is what is on the ballot this November 1st – with Comcast’s monopoly over telecommunications at risk.
In recent public comments by Google VP of Access Services Milo Medin, he specifically identified political hurdles such as these as a cause for automatically removing cities from consideration. As Google reviews additional cities to partner with, Longmont will continue to be disqualified if Question 2A does not pass.
Question 2A specifically supports the City working “either directly or indirectly with public or private sector partners.”
“Look Before We Leap have tried to pretend that this is a grassroots effort,” said Jonathan Rice, editor of the pro-2A website longmontsfuture.com
“But the truth is that not one single donation over $50 has been declared by the front group… other than those of the Colorado Cable Telecommunications Association.”
The organization has spent more than ten times what the rest of Longmont’s elections put together will spend, and flies in the face of elected public officials’ opinion.
“Every single candidate for office and every incumbent, in every race, supports this measure,” continued Rice. “But Comcast and its friends are more interested in profit than progress, and continue to run a smear campaign to spread misinformation and outright lies – they recently posted Mayor Baum’s name as an opponent of 2A when he is actually a vociferous supporter.”
With Longmont reeling from the loss of hundreds of local jobs over the last few months, it could badly use a shot in the arm from a major employer – but without 2A passing, that won’t be Google.
“We tried our darnedest to get them to come here,” said Rice. “But without access to the fiber optic ring, they just couldn’t quite bring themselves to be part of Longmont’s future.”
Question 2A is a battle between the rights of citizens and local businesses versus the desire of out-of-town corporate interests to maximize profits at their expense.
Gouging
Literally the day that NextLight announced that their installation schedule was being accelerated, Comcast began implementing data caps on their customers – our monthly bill nearly doubled! I heard the same complaint from neighbors. The city was told, nothing was done. I let it slide because I KNEW Comcast’s days were numbered.
Flat-Out Lying
Less than a week after we made the switch to NextLight, two very nice young gentlemen wearing XFinity-logo shirts and tasteful khaki pants showed up in our neighborhood and tried to push Comcast’s service.
Among the bald-faced lies they told me were:
“NextLight is already having trouble maintaining their network”
“Fiber optic isn’t as reliable”
“We have our own fiber optic”
“The fiber optic service is interfering with other city services”
“Fort Collins had a disaster with it”
and more.
This is sad and shameful and I reminded the nice young men of Comcast’s political adventurism and how angry it had made me at the time. The older of the two immediately tried to mollify me by saying: “Don’t get heated” – and at that point I politely asked them to move along.
To the shiny-suited shits at the top of the Comcast foodchain:
Goodbye assholes, your days are numbered. You are officially Persona Non Grata in our home.
Go placidly amid the noise and haste,
and remember what peace there may be in silence.
As far as possible without surrender
be on good terms with all persons.
Speak your truth quietly and clearly;
and listen to others,
even the dull and the ignorant;
they too have their story.
Avoid loud and aggressive persons,
they are vexations to the spirit.
If you compare yourself with others,
you may become vain and bitter;
for always there will be greater and lesser persons than yourself.
Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans.
Keep interested in your own career, however humble;
it is a real possession in the changing fortunes of time.
Exercise caution in your business affairs;
for the world is full of trickery.
But let this not blind you to what virtue there is;
many persons strive for high ideals;
and everywhere life is full of heroism.
Be yourself.
Especially, do not feign affection.
Neither be cynical about love;
for in the face of all aridity and disenchantment
it is as perennial as the grass.
Take kindly the counsel of the years,
gracefully surrendering the things of youth.
Nurture strength of spirit to shield you in sudden misfortune.
But do not distress yourself with dark imaginings.
Many fears are born of fatigue and loneliness.
Beyond a wholesome discipline,
be gentle with yourself.
You are a child of the universe,
no less than the trees and the stars;
you have a right to be here.
And whether or not it is clear to you,
no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should.
Therefore be at peace with God,
whatever you conceive Him to be,
and whatever your labors and aspirations,
in the noisy confusion of life keep peace with your soul.
With all its sham, drudgery, and broken dreams,
it is still a beautiful world.
Be cheerful.
Strive to be happy.
(Thanks to Bill Lenox, our erstwhile Dungeon Master for this list)
Here’s most of ‘Deathspite‘ our gaming group.
Left to Right Back Row: Doug Wray, Bill Lenox, Kirk Sarell, Martin Beier Front Row: Nick Beier, Janet Thomas, Tony Green
Not shown: Kathy Argenta
Here’s another group shot – we’ve been playing for decades and our roster changes slightly. Left-to-right: Janet Thomas, Doug Wray, Bill Lenox, Marty Beier, Lemuel Smith, Tony Green, Nick Beier and Kathy Argenta.
Tony was very musical – played and wrote music, was a DJ and guitar teacher. Here he is at our friend Marty’s 50th birthday party, belting out his rendition of The Man They Call Jayne from Firefly.
It freakin KILLED. He was in very rare form and it was most memorable.
He really loved the song and did it perfectly.
Opening presents on Christmas – checking for safety before opening?
Always detail-oriented! He and our referee Bill routinely discussed crucial minutiae that success hinged on. Brilliant player.
Also a hilarious role-player. I’ve seen screen performers that didn’t work as hard. I can’t count the hours of sidesplitting laughter at his silliness.
Watching him laying on the couch where we had spent so many happy hours gaming, I realized the game had become real. This time the brave warrior would not be resurrected by miraculous magic or a generous Deity. This was the end of the road.
I sat vigil with him as his Light began to flicker and was witness to his iron will slowly being crushed by the agony of cancer. His children Daniel, Elizabeth, Victoria and Michelle came to him, bade him their farewells and he departed at 3:30 am on Sunday October 9th.
We’ve walked a lot of roads together my friend, wherever you walk now, I hope you are free of pain and care. You are sorely missed.
From Bill Lenox: “I think this was Tony’s favorite picture of himself…well, not exactly Tony, but he modeled for it.” – the illustration, After is by our mutual friend, Todd Lockwood.
From Kathy Argenta:
Dear Friends,
Monday morning I went to the site where Bradfield Lumber use to be, on the corner of Pearl and Folsom in Boulder which is now a Park. I met Todd and Tony there when I was hired to work in the office in 1976, so many years ago. I sat in the park awhile, texted Todd and told him where I was, and thought about our time together there and the fact that our connection has lasted all these many years, as it has with all of you.
Todd called me one day and asked if I would be interested in playing Dungeons and Dragons which of course he had to explain to me. Even then I had no idea, really, what was in store.
That began many years of the most fun I have ever had with one group of people.
Most important to me at that time was the fact that these sessions offered food for my mind heart and soul.
At the time I was a single parent raising two children ages 8 and 4.
Playing D&D with all of you was my escape and saving grace. I had so much fun and looked forward to each session. We laughed, we argued, we pigged out, we became one as a team against whatever forces were thrown at us and in the short and long run we became family. Each one of you brought your own uniqueness to every game and you were missed when you didn’t show up. Each one of you still bring your own special self and are so dear to me.
Time passes but when we are all together again it’s as if I’ve never left. Tony would have liked it that we all came together and especially that you Todd came to join us. How special is that? And Marty, even though you weren’t there in form I know you were in spirit. As I looked around the table at Janet’s that Saturday it was just a given that you and Nick were there.
I’ve come and gone over the years and no matter how long I was absent I always felt when I returned that I had never left. How special is that?
Tony you will always be with us. “Black bird singing in the dead of night”……………, fly your way home my friend, fly free.
Love Kathy
Tony Green with Tommy Emmanuel, July 2016 – Photo by Martin Beier
A eulogy from Tony’s friend Marisa:
My Friend, Tony …
I used to tease Tony that he had ODD (oppositional defiant disorder). He would usually agree. But what made him difficult to be around sometimes also made him an original…In retrospect, I think Tony was actually a perfectionist–he liked things done right, he liked things done well, and he didn’t tolerate fools well. Tony was also a pretty private person and didn’t let many people into his inner circle. He could be the life of a party, but it was about the party, not him.
Here are some things he told me about himself over the five years I knew him:
He was born and raised in Kansas and grew up on a farm, loving the fireflies that lit up the summer nights. When he was five years old, he knocked out both front teeth when he slipped on some soap bubbles. During his elementary years, Tony went to Sacred Heart Catholic School. Believe it or not, he was also an altar boy for many years too! His favorite horse was named Topsy and he raised a cow named Babe, who was unfortunately struck by lightning and killed right after winning the regional4H competition. Some of his favorite memories were the summers spent at 4H Camp. He also fondly remembered playing Zarro on horseback with his siblings. His brothers shared how they all owned bb guns and used to pad themselves with their shirts and pants and shoot at each other. They had a “secret pact” that if any of them got killed, they would all kill themselves so no one got the blame. I bet their mom didn’t know about that one! He developed his interest in vampires when he read the book “Dracula” at age 15 and went on to write a full-length vampire novel in 1996 called “Blood of Time”.
Tony had a close call when the draft came. His number was 193 and they stopped drafting at 189. Instead, he went to college at KU and majored in theater. Even though he didn’t get his degree, he always liked the spotlight. He eschewed politics until Daniel came of age to be drafted–he didn’t want that to happen to his only son! Recently he was quite a fan of Bernie Sanders though.
His family moved to California when he was a young adult and Tony got to rub elbows with some of the rich and famous there. He was fond of telling how he used to jam with Mama Cass’s brother. In the 70s, he came through Colorado several times on road trips, fell in love with Boulder, and finally decided to move here. Some of the jobs he held during his adult life were editing, doing handyman work, and he even had a short-lived stint on the radio with a handyman call-in show. He had a great gift of gab and a keen sense of humor that kept us entertained and amused much of the time. And who could forget his spot-on imitations of Bob Dylan singing?
Obviously the love of his life was music. I wouldn’t even venture to guess how many albums he owned! He learned to play the guitar in his teens and in his early 20s he belonged to the band “Midnight Sun”, where he wrote and recorded several original compositions. His last public stage performance was an impromptu session when we went to Jake’s Roadhouse to support our friend Jay’s group this past summer and I badgered him to get up onstage to sing a song. He reluctantly complied and a half hour and SEVERAL songs later, just as reluctantly returned to his seat!
You may not know he was a DJ in Boulder for several years, under the name Brian Summers. I met him in the Not Ready For Primetime guitar group in January 2012. After the first time he came to my house for a meetup, he messaged me later to ask if I had found his favorite yellow pick. At the time I suspected he was trying to “pick” me up, but I looked anyway and couldn’t find it. I later found out he actually was particular about his picks and it was his favorite! He also told me he had met all of his serious relationship in bars, so I didn’t have to worry. Whew!
Tony became known in the music group for his general dislike of CCR-Creedence Clearwater Revival. It wasn’t that he disliked the music, but he had gotten to hear it played too much one summer and never got over it. Sometimes people would specifically request a CCR song just to get him going! As much as he “hated” CCR, he had a love affair with the Beatles that never waned and he could rattle off minutiae about each and every song they recorded effortlessly. His two favorite Beatles songs were “Day in the Life” and “Michelle” (after which he named his oldest daughter). It was all too fitting that Tony left us on John Lennon’s birthday–his hero probably wanted to jam …. He and I went to see the Fab Four in concert downtown last Spring and when we got there, found there was gum on one of our seats. He talked to an usher and got us moved from the 24th row to the 4th! Afterward we went to the Hard Rock Cafe, where he had never been before, and he spent almost two hours walking around to look (and comment) on all of the memorabilia.
He was also a big Who/Pete Townsend fan. But he often said his favorite song of all time was “Story in Your Eyes” by the Moody Blues. He even had a favorite chord (Am) and he loved the major 7th chords, which was why his final (and favorite) composition, “Sunfall”, was all done in all maj7 chords.
Although he always loved to teach new things in the meetup group, Tony became my “official” guitar teacher in the Spring of 2015 when I would go over for weekly lessons. He loved to push my learning and was willing to put up with many a clunker as I struggled to master barred chords. He would purposely pick songs that I liked and then write them out in an impossibly hard key to play just to watch me squirm. I usually stopped at his house before I continued to my salsa dancing for the evening and he used to say I was the most overdressed student he had ever taught. I figured if you can’t sound good, you may as well look good!
Tony had many other interests too. He collected perpetual calendars, he was an avid Broncos fan, and he played with a Dungeons and Dragons roleplaying group for decades. He was a rabid collector of family history and genealogy, and felt one of his greatest achievements was getting his parents and grandparents finally buried in the same place. He also collected wooden coins and artichokes. A born storyteller, he could tell you tales behind every knick-knack in his apartment (and there were many!). And I personally never saw anyone so enamoured by words–crossword puzzles, poetry, songs, stories. He loved finding just the “write” word to express himself. His tv was often on some “how it’s made/done” show or Jeopardy. He was a knowledge HOUND. He also was fond of carousels–who knew? And although he didn’t go in much for athletics, he liked to swim.
However, above all else, Tony’s greatest love was his family. I can’t tell you how many times he talked about his kids. He used to call them his “heart” and said without them, life would have no meaning. His apartment was filled with their pictures, their gifts, their accomplishments. He even wrote stories for them when they were younger. He spent a lot of time driving them to school or work or taking them out to eat. He was so proud of all of their achievements and most of all, their individuality. I remember him telling me how smart and good looking they all were–a father’s pride and joy! He always kept his phone nearby in case one of them needed something and was calling him. With Elizabeth, he shared his love of classic rock music. He was thrilled when Michelle got to follow her dream and be part of the Disney cast of”Frozen”, even if it was in faraway California. He often said Victoria was the most like him and he was pleased when she went off to college this year to study drama like he had. And Daniel allowed him to relive some of his own youth. I remember him telling me about how powerful his birth was to him and how proud he was when Daniel got his photo in the Broomfield newspaper and his Eagle Scout designation. And although we never talked about what had happened in his marriage, he told me several times he still loved Laura and I think he hoped for a reconciliation someday. One memory he shared was of an unusual lilac bush that they got on one of their anniversaries that actually bloomed twice a year. He greatly appreciated how she helped him in the months after his cancer was diagnosed, as he had to depend heavily on her to get him to and from the doctors and hospital.
One of his food loves was soft-shell crab and I think in some ways it described his personality as well–crabby on the outside but soft inside. Once he told me about an elderly neighbor who he helped with trash weekly and did handyman work for free and I asked why he often put on the curmudgeon mask so people thought he was so rough and gnarly. He said it was his I ittle secret–he didn’t want people to know he was actually a nice guy. But with all the sweets he liked to eat, they couldn’t help influence his personality, and like the conversation hearts he so enjoyed, he really did have a good heart. He gave me guitar lessons free when I was on sabbatical from my job and couldn’t afford to pay for them. He did many handyman jobs around my house and charged me half of what a regular repairman would. When I look around my house, his handiwork is everywhere–from the compost pallets we scrounged one cold winter night to my rain barrels to my bathroom fixtures to my dance mirror to my greenhouse glass to my walls and outlets. When I went through a rough patch in my own life, he let me come over and play music or go out to eat or watch some “must see” movie whenever I wanted just so I had some company. And what a movie buff he was! We watched everything from Doctor Strangelove to the Sherlock series to Cat Ballou. Quite a mix! Tony once confided his favorite musical was (much to my surprise) “My Fair Lady”. What a romantic softie!
In short, although he had his flaws and never seemed to have a dime to his name, Tony was a good guy who tried to do the best he knew how. He battled his cancer with tenacity and grace, always with an eye to the legacy he was leaving his kids on how to deal with adversity. I really thought he would beat the odds and overcome this horrible disease due to his sheer orneriness, but I admire how he handled the toughest challenge of his life. I still can’t believe he’s gone. I will miss his music at the meetups and I will miss him as the good friend he was, but I know his song will live on in my heart and in all of yours as well. When he came up to my mountain place to work on some plumbing, he signed my guest book with, “I’ll be back!” I’m holding him to that!
From Lemuel Smith:
I am at the library (which is a ways from home to be sure) but wanted to have a chance to speak to Tony’s passing.
When Tony and I talked I told him that for all the places I had been since I left Denver nowhere had I done anything I have enjoyed as much nor met people who have meant more to me than you guys. I know very well that my contact has been sporadic at best but that has taken nothing away from the depth of the feeling I have for all of you. And sporadic as it may be it is more contact than I have kept up with almost anyone from any of the places I have been since.
I will miss knowing Tony is there in Denver but in truth I miss all of you as well. All those Saturdays from before noon until the wee hours. How I looked forward with eager anticipation to playing with all of you each and every session.
You are often in my thoughts and always in my heart. I only wish I had gotten to know Marty and Nick better.
Joshua and Sherri Zander, of Fort Collins, stepped into the presence of Jesus on Sunday, August 21st in a motorcycle accident on Highway 34 coming home from a sunshine bright, Sunday ride to Estes Park. They were both 55 years old. Joshua was preceded in death by his father, Warren Zander, his mother, Joanne Zander, his brother Michael Zander. He is survived by his sister Mardie (Jay), sister Kris, brother David (Trish), sister Lisa and brother Carl (Chris). Sherri was preceded in death by her brother Jeff Thicksten and brother Mark Thicksten. Sherri is survived by her mother Nancy (Charlie), father Darrell (Deb), sister Tammi (Doug), sister Niqie (Kevin), sister Darlene, and sister Tammy. They both are preceded in death by their son Tyler. They both are survived by four children: Jeremy (Jen), Charlie (Jamie), Katie (Kevin) and Colby (Ruben). They are also survived by six grandchildren affectionately called “grandcuties”: Jackson, Avery, Logan, Braxton, Mason, and Lilly. Joshua was born in Chicago, Illinois, September 8, 1960. Sherri was born in Whiteside County, Illinois, October 28, 1960. Both families moved to Fort Collins when Joshua and Sherri were young. They met at Blevins Junior High in Fort Collins. Both graduated from Rocky Mountain High School in 1978. They began dating shortly after high school graduation, fell in love and married September 27, 1980. Josh worked for Larimer County as a Facilities Manager for ten years. He then became the Facilities Manager at Timberline Church where he served faithfully for six years, seeing the church through a relocation to Timberline Road. In 2004 he took a job at Platte River Power Authority in Site Facilities, became a Plant Operator and then a Laboratory Technician. Sherri launched and managed the coffee shop at Timberline Church, worked for Axa Advisors as an Administrative Assistant, then went back to work at Timberline Church as an Administrative Assistant and was quickly promoted to Office Manager. They had five children, each one loved for who they were. Those children were their whole world. On May 11, 2001 their son Tyler passed from this life as a result of neurofibromatosis. Josh and Sherri modeled what faith and strength looked like while living day to day through difficult times. In any conversation with Josh and Sherri, it was clear that family and faith were everything to them. They loved each other with an almost magical kind of love. They did almost everything together. They were filled to the brim with happiness when they were with their kids and their grandchildren. You could see the joy in their eyes and hear it in their laughter. These were parents who were delighted and energized by their strong family bond. Josh and Sherri had hearts that held plenty of room for loving and caring for their friends too. So many friends . . . so many stories shared of them showing up to help a friend in need. Woodworking projects, party planning, recipe sharing, thoughtful, handwritten notes. Both freely offering hands on help and words of consolation and encouragement, bringing light and hope to those going through rough times. It was easy to have fun with them too. A party at their place was quite an event. Everything a guest might need was thought about and planned for. Everything was just right, when they threw a party. Laughter and love shared in abundance, made being with them a time that would be remembered. Josh loved woodworking and cigars, Sherri loved crafting and decorating – especially for the holidays. They both had the wonderful gift of hospitality. They had a way of making everyone they met feel special. And they both loved to ride their motorcycle together every chance they could. They loved God, their family and their friends. They cared deeply about their work and those they worked with. They were dedicated and honorable people. The kind of people this world could use more of. We loved them. Our hearts are broken because they are gone from us for now . . . but we will see them again, and all will be right and whole once more. For that assurance, we give thanks to our God. Please visit Josh & Sherri’s online memorial tribute at www.allnutt.com.
Published in The Coloradoan from Aug. 27 to Aug. 31, 2016
This a selection of images – some mine, others from Tammi’s personal photos. I knew Josh and Sherry for roughly six years and knew they were incredible people. Sherry was a wonderful sister to Tammi and Josh was the perfect brother in law. I know they’re riding down the highway together still, just in a better place.
Smooth riding kids, see you at the big truck stop in the sky.
Tammi’s wedding to Scott Hofferber
Charlie’s Graduation
At the Sweet Shoppe
At the Breen / Deines Dutch Hop
Sherry and Josh dancing with Tammi and I at the Dutch Hop
Telling stories at their anniversary party
More stories from the anniversary
Josh and Sherry clowing around at their anniversary
Here we are in mid-summer, poised at the swing of the seasons and the pendulum of life is picking up speed after grinding to a halt on it’s swing and reversing – finally!
I wanted to say thank you formally to everyone that has helped my family and I over the past three years. God bless you all. It was one of the worst tunnels I’ve been through since Marilyn’s death.
We’re making changes and improvements – hoping for new adventures and great joy in the remainder of ’16 and more and better in ’17 and beyond!
To all of you on the team, thanks.
You are my family, by blood, tears or laughter and I cherish you all.
On this seventh anniversary of Marilyn’s death I reflected on how our pets become bridges to the past.
When I met Marilyn she simply hated cats. So my dear cat Fran had to be rehomed to Albuquerque with my first wife. It was years later and an answered prayer when Marilyn finally decided she wanted cats in our home.
No dogs. But cats were now ok. It was a quantum leap in our relationship and her spiritual life.
After her death Kink helped keep my heart alive and then Tammi joined me. With Tammi came dogs (Kona and Sugar and eventually Dozer) and one of our cats simply couldn’t adapt (Chloe) and was rehomed. Kink hung in there and now is on a equals basis with the dogs. She’s also bonded to Tammi and there are now nights when my bed is filled with my lovely wife, my cat AND my dogs.
Blessings come wrapped in tragedies. I thank God for my blessings and give honor to those gone beyond who await me now.
God bless you all.
Marilyn Bonita Wray cuddles with one of our new kittens, Kinky, soon to be renamed Kinkles. It was a wondrous moment to see her child heart take flame again. I will never forget it.
My third (!) wife Tammi Jean Hofferber-Wray cuddles with Miss Kinkles surrounded by white. To see this sweet creature ever so wisely bridging the gap between my mates is deeply touching. People ask ‘why cats’ – this should help answer that somewhat.
Buy the historical novel ‘Riding Freedom,’ based on the life of Charley Parkhurst, written by Pam Munoz Ryan and illustrated by Brian Selznick.
TRUCKEE, Calif. — Western stagecoach companies were big business in the latter half of the 19th century. In addition to passengers and freight, stages hauled gold and silver bullion as well as mining company payrolls.
Stage robbery was a constant danger and bandits employed many strategies to ambush a stagecoach. Thieves rarely met with much resistance from stage drivers, since they had passenger safety foremost in mind. The gang was usually after the Wells Fargo money box with its valuable contents. Passengers were seldom hurt, but they were certainly relieved of their cash, watches and jewelry. Before the completion of the transcontinental railroad over Donner Pass in 1868, the only transportation through the Sierra was by stage. Rugged teamsters held rein over six wild-eyed horses as they tore along the precipitous mountain trails. The stagecoaches were driven by skilled and fearless men who pushed themselves and their spirited horses to the limit.
One of the most famous drivers was Charles Darkey Parkhurst, who had come west from New England in 1852 seeking his fortune in the Gold Rush. He spent 15 years running stages, sometimes partnering with Hank Monk, the celebrated driver from Carson City. Over the years, Pankhurst’s reputation as an expert whip grew.
From 20 feet away he could slice open the end of an envelope or cut a cigar out of a man’s mouth. Parkhurst smoked cigars, chewed wads of tobacco, drank with the best of them, and exuded supreme confidence behind the reins. His judgment was sound and pleasant manners won him many friends.
One afternoon as Charley drove down from Carson Pass the lead horses veered off the road and a wrenching jolt threw him from the rig. He hung on to the reins as the horses dragged him along on his stomach. Amazingly, Parkhurst managed to steer the frightened horses back onto the road and save all his grateful passengers.
During the 1850s, bands of surly highwaymen stalked the roads. These outlaws would level their shotguns at stage drivers and shout, “Throw down the gold box!” Charley Parkhurst had no patience for the crooks despite their demands and threatening gestures.
The most notorious road agent was nicknamed “Sugarfoot.” When he and his gang accosted Charley’s stage, it was the last robbery the thief ever attempted.
Charley cracked his whip defiantly, and when his horses bolted, he turned around and fired his revolver at the crooks. Sugarfoot was later found dead with a fatal bullet wound in his stomach.
In appreciation of his bravery, Wells Fargo presented Parkhurst with a large watch and chain made of solid gold. In 1865, Parkhurst grew tired of the demanding job of driving and he opened his own stage station. He later sold the business and retired to a ranch near Soquel, Calif. The years slipped by and Charley died on Dec. 29, 1879, at the age of 67.
A few days later, the Sacramento Daily Bee published his obituary. It read;
“On Sunday last, there died a person known as Charley Parkhurst, aged 67, who was well-known to old residents as a stage driver. He was in early days accounted one of the most expert manipulators of the reins who ever sat on the box of a coach. It was discovered when friendly hands were preparing him for his final rest, that Charley Parkhurst was unmistakably a well-developed woman!”
Once it was discovered that Charley was a woman, there were plenty of people to say they had always thought he wasn’t like other men. Even though he wore leather gloves summer and winter, many noticed that his hands were small and smooth. He slept in the stables with his beloved horses and was never known to have had a girlfriend.
Charley never volunteered clues to her past. Loose fitting clothing hid her femininity and after a horse kicked her, an eye patch over one eye helped conceal her face. She weighed 175 pounds, could handle herself in a fistfight and drank whiskey like one of the boys.
It turns out that Charley’s real name was Charlotte Parkhurst. Abandoned as a child, she was raised in a New Hampshire orphanage unloved and surrounded by poverty. Charlotte ran away when she was 15 years old and soon discovered that life in the working world was easier for men. So she decided to masquerade as one for the rest of her life.
The rest is history.
Well, almost. There is one last thing. On November 3, 1868, Charlotte Parkhurst cast her vote in the national election, dressed as a man. She became the first woman to vote in the United States, 52 years before Congress passed the 19th amendment giving American women the right to vote!
Simply outstanding work from Kurdish artist Yilmaz Askan living in Istanbul. You can contact him via his Facebook page. His business is called “Anatolian Leatherworks” and there will be a website eventually. These are only a few images of his incredible work.
Basimanyana, Basimanyana, Basimanyana ba llela boroko (x2)
Be re bolaisa go disa
Rena re thuswa le ke bo nimadikepu
(chorus)
sebaka sena se a thosa, se thotse, se a makatsa
ha ke seba sithaba
di kwahetswe ke mohudi kahohle
(chorus)
tlong, tlong badisa, tlong re be mmoho
bokellang makgomo
Basimanyana, Basimanyana, Basimanyana ba llela boroko (repeat)
(chorus)
tlong, tlong badisa, tlong re be mmoho
bokellang makgomo (x2)
ka re thabantana tsosa thabo
ha la ka la memella ntate moholo
ha a re le se ke la thusa makgomo, tulong ena
Basimanyana, Basimanyana, Basimanyana ba llela boroko (repeat)
(chorus)
–
Vusi Sidney Mahlasela Ka Zwane (born 1965 in Pretoria) is a Sotho South African singer-songwriter.
His music is generally described as ”African folk”. Vusi Mahlasela, is simply known as ‘The Voice’ in his home-country, South Africa, celebrated for his distinct, powerful voice and his poetic, optimistic lyrics. http://vusimahlasela.com/bio/
I wait quietly, but you do not see me
hidden among the volumes on the shelf.
I am touched by age, tattered with use,
but a book worthy to be read,
filled with tales of love and sorrow,
of days gone by and hopes still to be realized.
Yet you do not look beyond my cover.
My edges may be yellowed and frayed
but my words are strong and true.
So my pages will sing out my words for you
and tell of the marvelous things written within,
etched by time, engraved by experience,
and worthy to be told.
For too long I lingered on the shelf, dusty and muted,
lost between stories that were not my own.
But I have been touched by rays of sun
peeking through heavy curtains
dancing with motes that fall through time and space.
The dust that once buried me, dulled my vision,
now sparkles like so much glitter in the shards of light.
The same sun that once burned, yellowed, faded me
is now my beacon, calling me on through the darkness.
I will not be shut up, shut down or shut in.
Every year we lose up to 10% of our electricity purely due to resistance during transmission. If you’ve ever wondered why a room-temperature superconductor is sought after, this is why. Thinking about superconductivity reminded me of the problem I have with companies who don’t allow telecommuting. The way I see it, remote-workers are like work-place superconductivity: Brain power and productivity arrive instantly where they’re needed with zero transmission cost.
I decided to do the math on what the health and environmental costs are related to commuting to work every year.
Moving people from home to work is surprisingly expensive in many ways. The average commute time by car in the United States is about 25 minutes each way. The average commute time by other means is also just over 25 minutes each way. [Source: US Census Bureau and wnyc.org data from census.gov] The average number of work days per year is 261. [Source: OPM.gov]
This gives us a total time spent commuting by car (or other means) per year of 217.5 hours, or 9 days. That’s 9 days (without sleeping) per year of your life you spend in a car, train, bus or other means of getting to work. That assumes you’re the average and not stuck on the I405 in California for 4 hours per day. I worked with a friend who had that commute.
If “sitting is the new smoking” [Source: Mayo Clinic and Dr James Levine], a phrase coined by Dr James Levine which has gained a groundswell of support of late, spending 9 waking days sitting in a car and pushing pedals, or on a bus or train per year has a profoundly detrimental impact on our health.
The original Constitution of the United States that was ratified in 1789 had only one reference to religion: [Article 6] No religious Test shall ever be required as a Qualification to any Office or public Trust under the United States.
The de factomotto of the United States, adopted as part of the Great Seal of the U.S. by an Act of Congress in 1782, was E. Pluribus Unum(Out of Many,One). Congress changed it 174 years later(1956) to “In God We Trust.”
The original‘Pledge of Allegiance’ was written in 1892 by Baptist Minister Francis Bellamy who DID NOT INCLUDE the words “Under God.” Those were added by Congress 62 years later (1954).
The U.S. didn’t issue Paper Currency until 1861, and ‘In God We Trust’ didn’t appear on it for 96 years (1957).
Just after the Red Scare in the 1950’s, CONGRESSCHANGED the Pledge of Allegiance and our Nation’s Motto over the FEAR of COMMUNISM.
In a time when fear is traded like a commodity, and the word SOCIALISM is being used to create the same fear as the old word COMMUNISM, let’s REMEMBER that our country was NOTfounded on fear. NO, OUR NATION was founded out of HOPE for a better world where all people were EQUAL – that we were ONE from MANY.
Let’s not let fear change our nation’s great tradition and direction again.
My uncle Mickey was one of the first men I met who was truly *gentle* with me and playful as I was. His hugs were so encompassing, like no danger or harm could reach me in his arms. All my childhood cares were swept away when I was with him and he made my soul rise up and catch fire. I thank God for his love, it was a wonderful gift to me and transformed my heart.
He was SO silly. I had not known adults were allowed to BE silly ( I did not know my Uncle Bob very well at this point, rest his soul! ) but oh my God he WAS. I remember on at least one occasion laughing so hard I peed my pants. And it was even FUNNIER. Mickey always gave you a warm feeling – sometimes in ways you didn’t expect – or know that you needed.
At my mother’s funeral his words of comfort were like a stone wall holding me up. Even at that dark moment his blazing soul was hard at work and his humor helped me cheer my sister Paula who was dealing with losing her avatar. With one short conversation he helped us both. That’s a moment I remember so clearly.
He was more than my uncle, he was my childhood friend and as I grew, he remained a friend of my heart. He knew well how much I loved him. His Light lives on in me and I give Thanks to God for it.
This poem is my final homage to him.
I love you Uncle Mickey.
M. Douglas Wray and William D. “Mickey” Rowe – Oct. 30, 2010 – Family reunion
Friend of My Heart
Through wind and fire
you have come –
done the things
that must be done.
Worked the Steel
that built our dreams,
fought the fight
and heard the screams.
Built a family
shared his joys –
his lovely girl
his two fine boys.
Gentle heart
devoted soul –
perfect for
a father’s role.
Always humble,
God’s own tool
he shared his gifts –
obeyed the Rule.
Consoled the hearts
of those in pain
and raised them up
to Light again.
Made laughter ring out
clear and sweet –
wit so clever!
mind so fleet!
Time has taken
my favorite clown.
Friend of my heart!!!
My Friend is gone!
William D. “Mickey” Rowe, 83, of Vandergrift passed away peacefully surrounded by his family on Friday, May 29, 2015 in his home.
Born July 14, 1931 in Vandergrift he was a son of the late William John and Lillian Emily (Barber) Rowe. Mr. Rowe lived in Vandergrift all of his life and was a graduate of Vandergrift High School class of 1950. He was employed as Utilities Dispatcher for U.S. Steel in Vandergrift where he was Past President of Local Union U.S.W.A. 1346 retiring after 38 years.
After retirement Bill worked for Walter Optical in Vandergrift and the Vandergrift Beer Distributor.
An Air Force veteran, Bill served during the Korean Conflict in the 43rd Bomb Wing of the Strategic Air Command (S.A.C.). He was honorably discharged in 1956 after four years of service.
Mr. Rowe was a member of St. Gertrude Church, Vandergrift where he was a charter member of the Men’s Club, and former member of St. Vincent DePaul Society and the Bingo committee. He also served his church as an alter server for funerals and as a Minister of Consolation. He was an Honorary Member and Past Grand Knight of the Kiski Valley Knights of Columbus, Council #3174, the Alle-Kiski Assembly Knights of Columbus #0928 and a member of the Assembly Color Corp. Bill was also a member of the Vandergrift American Legion Post 0114 and life member of the Leechburg Elks B.P.O.E Lodge 377.
Mr. Rowe volunteered for the Vandergrift Meals on Wheels for more than 25 years and enjoyed working at his church’s spaghetti dinners and at all of the Men’s Club activities. He was also a member of the PA Adopt-A-Highway.
He was the proud recipient of Citations from the State House of Representatives, Westmoreland County Commissioners and the Vandergrift Borough along with a plaque from Vandergrift #2 Fire Department for rescuing a 74 year old woman from a fire in her home in 1983.
Bill enjoyed traveling, working in his yard, but most of all loved spending time with his family. Although he was a lifelong resident of Vandergrift he was an avid Dallas Cowboys football fan.
Besides his parents, Mr. Rowe was preceded in death by two sisters, Shirley Wray and Mary Barbara Walsh.
He is survived by his wife of 61 years, Lois Jean (Kane) Rowe of Vandergrift; daughter, Debra Jean Julian and her husband, Joseph of Pittsburgh; two sons, William D. Rowe and his wife, Jennifer of Broadview Heights, OH and Michael E. Rowe and his wife Beth of Leechburg; 3 grandchildren, Matthew R. and Angela J. Julian both of Pittsburgh and Edward J. Rowe of Leechburg; a sister, Guinivere Fleissner of Pittsburgh as well as many nieces and nephews. He also leaves behind his special friends, Wilmer and Raffelina Shaner.
Visitation will on Monday, June 1st from 2-4 & 6-8 pm in the Brady-Curran Funeral Home & Cremation Services, Inc., 429 Franklin Avenue, Vandergrift. Parting prayers of transfer will be recited at the funeral home on Tuesday, June 2nd at 11 am followed by Mass of Christian Burial at 11:30 am in St. Gertrude Roman Catholic Church, Vandergrift with Father James Loew OSB celebrant. Entombment will follow in Greenwood Memorial Park Mausoleum, Lower Burrell where full military honors will be accorded by the Vandergrift Veterans Honor Guard, Inc.
The family suggest memorial contributions in Bill’s memory be made to Heritage Hospice, 356 Freeport Street, Suite 200, New Kensington PA 15068.
I’ve lived in Longmont for well over ten years now and I’m still surprised sometimes at how virulently hateful people can be.
My wife Marilyn Bonita Wray moved to Colorado after we were married and really enjoyed living in Longmont. When she was diagnosed with cancer there was a huge outpouring of love and support from all our friends. Unfortunately there was also an outpouring of a less-palatable kind: politically-motivated hate.
Just a few days after she died an anonymous account appeared in the comments on the local newspaper website (the Times-Call) “NotSoBonita”. I was sickened that some twisted blackheart felt the need to insult my wife’s memory so soon after her death. I contacted the paper and got no help. Personally I think the owners aided and abetted it.
But the surprises didn’t stop there.
The wife of once-mayor Bryan Baum, Stephanie (Seale) Baum, despite being blacklisted on my email account and blocked on Facebook figured out that she could leave anonymous comments on my videos. She tried to (I believe) bribe me into not writing about LongmontReport.com – a hate/smear site which she point-blank admitted knowing the operator.
The site’s domain name has expired but all the content is still on the web here. I’ve contacted TypePad more than once trying to identify the operator but they’re not helpful. I did discover that the domain name that was attached to the site LongmontReport.com was registered by Scott Shires – a political operative associated with Western Tradition Partners, essentially a far-far-right anti-environmental money laundering source for the GOP.
Hm. No wonder Ms. Baum was so eager to ‘make a substantial contribution’ to a charity of my choice in Marilyn’s name. A connection between her and Scott Shires could raise the subject of illegal coordination in a campaign – serious stuff. I demurred and declined her offer. She kept offering.
There was obvious desperation in the tone of her messages via the clandestine Facebook-video-comments – I think she was getting pressure from someone in the GOP. I was willing to stop writing about LongmontReport if she’d tell me who was behind it – and she simply refused to say.
There’s a coverup there that I believe will send someone to prison and I still intend to find out who it is.
More recently she’s taken to the web and currently has a smear site up and running using a picture stolen from my Facebook page:
Photo by M. Douglas Wray
I made this image* to poke fun at Ms. Baum for her abortive attempt to have me arrested for remarks my stepson** made on Facebook – no charges were filed.
I hope Ms. Baum gets help soon. I think she’s in a great deal of distress and the attack site underlines that very clearly in my opinion.
Update: the smear site is still up and Ms. Baum is trying to make the (faintingly weak) case that she’s being ‘stalked’. LOL. I’ve rarely seen a woman in more desperate need of an enema. Get help soon kid.
Update: more and more I’m convinced that LongmontResponds is Stephanie Baum. No proof yet but I’m collating data.
** a two-tour Iraq war veteran who’s won the Purple Heart. His remark? “I know lots of people with guns.” Boulder County DA Stan Garnett declared it ‘not a credible threat’ – ie Ms. Baum is full of crap.
*** what a full circle we’ve come – her husband Bryan is now battling recurring cancer. Good luck Bryan. Oh, and Longmont’s Worst Hate Blogger, Chris Rodriguez has finally left town.
May 14 is my darkest day and the ones following are a slow climb back up to the Light.
Each year my soul remembers this ordeal, but from a farther vantage, the pain reduced by distance. No longer a searing white spear through my burning heart but a still-sharp red-hot lancet that leaves a small smoking brand on that worst of scars. A cold rushes over me as I remember Marilyn’s last breath. That awful moment of realization that it was her last and the sun in my world literally winking out and the stars shrinking back from my grief. I can hold this awful memory in my hands now, my heart absorbs the blow without flinching. The Darkness no longer frightens me now that I know my beloved Wife is there and surely kicking it’s ASS, waiting for me and reinforcements to arrive. Probably planting a garden and flowers too.
Thank you Didibear for being my wife and my lover. I miss you. There is still a void in the World that you once filled. SO many people miss you.
Thank you for the lessons you taught me – most of all I will drink deep until my cup is stricken down as well.
God bless you Wife.
I come in my own time.
There is still Work to do.
M. Douglas Wray and Marilyn Lawrence at Hoverhome in Longmont, CO – June 28, 1998
An Anatolian Shepherd dog displaying the breed’s awesome speed. Photo by Mary Harmon on Facebook
Like a hot wind you move across the earth
all sinuous power and stunning speed
eyes ablaze and mouth agape with the joy of it
as we stand transfixed by the magic of the dog.
When I look in your eyes
I sense the corridors of time
that your ancestors have trod.
For endless years
you’ve stood at man’s side
and faced danger with him.
The wheel of time has brought you here
to the warm soft bed
of your human companions.
I know the bitter winds of the steppes
still whistle through your soul
and the howls of the wolves as well.
But for now we are safe – together
in this quiet place in life’s River
no wolves at the door to fight.
When your days grow short
and the Earth calls for you
I will make easy your way.
Into the Great Darkness you will go
to clear the way for my arrival
and to make joyous our reunion.
MDWray 2015
for my beloved dog Dozer, an Anatolian Shepherd dog.
Nota bene: this is not an epitaph (yet), just an sincere homage to an incredible dog. I fully intend to read it at his funeral and will wait impatiently to rejoin him.
Our dog Dozer Anatolian Shepherd/English Shepherd Fantastic dog!
These dogs were originally bred for their physical strength and tenacity and remain some of the strongest dog breeds recognized by the American Kennel Club today.
Bull Mastiff Originally bred in England to pin and hold poachers without attacking.
Cane Corso Mastiff Originally bred in Italy, its name means Guardian and Protector and was bred to be a watch dog and hunt wild boar.
Neapolitan Mastiff These dogs can be traced back to use by the Roman Army. They were originally bred to be defenders of property.
Tibetan Mastiff Early records find these dogs in China, they remained isolated in the Himalayan mountains to develop into the dog we know today. Highly protective, they were bred to be a family and property guardian.
Bull Terrier A small, friendly, muscular dog that packs a lot of strength and excels at sporting.
Great Dane Originally bred to hunt wild boar in Germany is an excellent guard dog.
Doberman Pinschers Originated in Germany around 1900 and was bred to be a guard dog.
Rottweiler The Rottweiler’s ancestors protected the herds the Romans brought with them when invading Europe. Bred for the herding and guarding instincts.
Irish Wolfhound Dates back to 391 A.D, these huge dogs were bred to hunt wolves and oversized Irish Elk.
Boerboel Bred to be the first line of defense against predators and were used in tracking and holding down wounded game.
Great Pyrenees Named after a mountain range in southwestern Europe, these territorial dogs were bred to guard livestock.
Newfoundland The original ancestry is a bit controversial but these dogs were used to assist fishermen drag heavy nets, to haul wood from the forest, and perform heavy labor.
Dogo Argentino Originally from Argentina, this highly active dog was bred to be a courageous hunter and protector of people.
Anatolian Shepherd Dog Originating in Turkey, these independent thinking dogs were originally bred as a guard dog to be the frontline of defense against predators.
St. Bernard Bred to help travelers cross the harsh terrain and passes in Italy and Switzerland, utilized as a cart dog, guard dog and in avalanche rescue.
Swiss Mountain Dog Originally from remote areas of Switzerland, this dog was originally used for draft work, herding, guarding, and as a farm sentinel.
By Tom Karinshak, Senior Vice President, Customer Experience, Comcast Cable
We are very embarrassed by the way our employee spoke with Mr. Block and Ms. Belmont and are contacting them to personally apologize. The way in which our representative communicated with them is unacceptable and not consistent with how we train our customer service representatives. We are investigating this situation and will take quick action. While the overwhelming majority of our employees work very hard to do the right thing every day, we are using this very unfortunate experience to reinforce how important it is to always treat our customers with the utmost respect.
So I left a comment that Comcast keeps refusing to publish:
“Very embarrassed”? Seriously? Funny but I don’t think you or your ‘superiors’ were even slightly embarrassed when you spent $300K to try and deny the people of Longmont, CO the right to use their own fiber optic network. Luckily you failed. However, I think now you’re desperately trying to make that money back by chiselling on rates and making it hard for people to leave your service. As soon as Greenspeed or any other provider can get me access via fiber, ‘Comcast’ will become persona non grata in my house permanently. This just underlines how right that decision is. If you had one scrap of decency or ethics you’d have started with “this employee has been dismissed” – the fact you DIDN’T tells me this knucklehead was likely the spawn of one of your shiny-suited pinhead bosses. Fire the moron and give this customer ALL of his fees for the last year back, then I’ll start believing you’re ’embarrassed’ – not just chagrined like a streetwalker caught soliciting a teenager.
I’ve tried reposting a couple of times and Scumcast keeps sweeping it under the rug.
Sorry old boys, you can’t bury things forever. Word’s out, you’re a predator and it’s time you were put down.
Entrance requires introduction, inspection and approval by ME. I am an Anatolian Shepherd dog. My bloodlines have guarded human homes for millenia. It is what we are.
There may be minor disputes about whom I allow. My Masters will generally default in my favor, we have an understanding of who has better instincts. If you take offense at this you are welcome not to visit again (I won’t forget in any event).
You will get from me what you bring; if you are fearful I will be suspicious, if you are angry I will be hostile, but if you are confident I will be an ally, if you are happy and boisterous I will be your eager playmate. Be warned, I can (and will) jump into your arms from a sitting pose if invited. I assume all the Masters in my home are aware of my strength and speed. Beware. I weigh over one hundred pounds and my standing embrace can be startling to a large man, let alone one of lesser stature. Call me up with care. No other dog will show you affection like me. Again, beware, it is addictive. It is why my breed has endured and flourished. If you are Approved I will lavish the same greeting on you that I do my Masters. And I will lay down my life to protect you.
No matter what, my Family is foremost. If you are violent to one of them, even in play, I may… intervene. Suddenly. Make sure my Family Member makes it clear to ME that it’s a game. Rough play is fine but if I barely know you, I won’t know HOW you play and I don’t second-guess. A play-bow never goes amiss with me. Even a few.
I have huge claws and razor-sharp teeth, so even playing I may hurt you a little. Not my fault you don’t have fur. I also have a double coat and shed – deal with it. Watch out, I will routinely tread on your feet trying to stay in reach. Being big and heavy I can be an oaf. You may stumble over me if you surprise me but I will always let you step over me without rising. For such a big dog I’m good at staying out of the way.
Once you’ve gotten to know me, you’ll see I am a Noble dog. Even when I’m sitting cross-legged at my Master’s side you can see the centuries of partnership in my breed. Shepherds of antiquity prized my uncanny senses, bear-like strength and terrifying speed. No predators survived entry to our camps. Humans feel safer around me for a reason. When I am defending my Family I have no fear and give no quarter.
The Anatolian shepherds made sure I could survive on just about anything – like them. I love to eat and I love it especially when you leave delicious treats out on the counter for me. I will always show my gratitude by eating every bite and begging for more later. I love the couch… and the bed. My favorite place is laying beside you or at your feet with my nose touching you. At the least I will take a position between you and the doorway. If there’s a high spot or stairway I will use that as a lookout. You’ll sleep in safety, as will your children. When you’re awake and the house is quiet I will sleep heavily unless you have work (or play!) for me.
I’m smarter than you think, faster than you would believe and often three steps ahead of you. When I bark at night it’s because I think there’s a threat. I will always obey a signal to be quiet, shepherds appreciated stealth but they wanted me to bark if there was real danger.
The modern world can be confusing to me sometimes…
For example, the sweeper? I’m gonna KILL that damn thing.
Leonard Cohen Hallelujah .. Lyrics: “Now I’ve heard there was a secret chord That David played, and it pleased the Lord But you don’t really care for music, do you? It goes like this The fourth, the fifth The minor fall, the major lift The baffled king composing Hallelujah
Hallelujah, Hallelujah Hallelujah, Hallelujah
Your faith was strong but you needed proof You saw her bathing on the roof Her beauty and the moonlight overthrew you She tied you To a kitchen chair She broke your throne, and she cut your hair And from your lips she drew the Hallelujah
Hallelujah, Hallelujah Hallelujah, Hallelujah
You say I took the name in vain I don’t even know the name But if I did, well really, what’s it to you? There’s a blaze of light In every word It doesn’t matter which you heard The holy or the broken Hallelujah
Hallelujah, Hallelujah Hallelujah, Hallelujah
I did my best, it wasn’t much I couldn’t feel, so I tried to touch I’ve told the truth, I didn’t come to fool you And even though It all went wrong I’ll stand before the Lord of Song With nothing on my tongue but Hallelujah
Note: all images click to enlarge – click ‘x’ in top right corner to close. Major Lee and his human Anthony Lee
May 1998 –– 17 August 2013
Memorial service: 2:00, Sunday 6 October 2013
Chapel of the Holy Family, St John’s Episcopal Church
1419 Pine Street, Boulder, Colorado
Major Lee
When I started working on this service, I was using as a guide the service I put together for Rumple in November 2003, which had been compiled mostly from resources furnished by the Franciscans because at that time the Episcopalians were somewhat slow in their development of such resources. In the intervening ten years, I am pleased to say, the Episcopalians have caught up with and in some sense passed the Franciscans in this regard; some of the Franciscan material is now devoted rather specifically to St Francis himself and not to animals as such. Thus, this service is a patchwork of quotes or ideas borrowed from the Franciscans, from a liturgy created by an Episcopal priest in Georgia, from an “authorized rite” from the Standing Commission on Liturgy and Music, and from the BCP. I will preface it with an observation from the Franciscans which is not quite a prayer and is therefore rather difficult to fit into the liturgy:
The animals of God’s creation inhabit the skies, the earth, and the sea. They share in the fortunes of human existence and have a part in human life. God, who confers his gifts on all living things, has often used the service of animals or made them symbolic reminders of the gifts of salvation. Animals were saved from the Flood and afterwards made a part of the covenant with Noah. The Paschal Lamb brings to mind the Passover sacrifice and the deliverance from the bondage of Egypt; a giant fish saved Noah, and ravens brought bread to Elijah. Animals were included in the repentance enjoined on humans, and animals share in Christ’s redemption of all God’s creation.
We therefore thank God for blessing us with the companionship of animals in this life, and trust that in his mercy and wisdom he will bring them as well as us to that place where we may together praise and glorify him throughout all ages.
Memorial service for Major Lee
Officiant
None of us has life in himself, and none of us becomes his own master when he dies. For if we have life, we are alive in the Lord, and if we die, we die in the Lord. So, then, whether we live or die, We are the Lord’s possession.
Book of Common Prayer 491
Hymn #645 St Columba
The King of love my shepherd is, whose goodness faileth never; I nothing lack if I am his, and he is mine for ever.
Where streams of living water flow, my ransomed soul he leadeth. And where the verdant pastures grow, with food celestial feedeth.
Perverse and foolish oft I strayed, but yet in love he sought me, And on his shoulder gently laid, and home, rejoicing, brought me.
In death’s dark vale I fear no ill with thee, dear Lord, beside me; Thy rod and staff my comfort still, thy cross before to guide me.
Thou spread’st a table in my sight; thy unction grace bestoweth; And oh, what transport of delight from thy pure chalice floweth.
And so, through all the length of days, thy goodness faileth never; Good Shepherd, may I sing thy praise within the house for ever,
Paraphrase of Psalm 23 by Henry Williams Baker (1821-1877)
Collect for the Feast of St Francis
Major Lee
Most high, omnipotent, good Lord: Grant unto your people grace to renounce gladly the vanities of the world; that, following the example of blessed Francis, we may for love of you delight in your whole creation with perfectness of joy; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit. one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
Reader A reading from the twelfth chapter of the Book of Job.
7 Ask of the animals, and they will teach you;
the birds of the air, and they will tell you.
Ask the plants of the earth. and they will teach you;
and the fish of the sea will declare to you.
Who amongst all these does not know
that the hand of the LORD has done this?
In his hand is the life if every living thing
and the breath of every human being.
The word of the Lord.
People Thanks be to God.
Canticle 12 – A Song of Creation (Benedicite, omnia opera Domini) Book of Common Prayer 89, alt.
Let the earth glorify the Lord, *
praise him and highly exalt him for ever.
Glorify the Lord, O mountains and hills, and all that grows upon the earth, *
praise him and highly exalt him for ever.
Glorify the Lord, O springs of water, seas and streams, *
O whales and all that move in the waters,
All birds of the air, glorify the Lord, *
praise him and highly exalt him for ever.
Glorify the Lord, O beasts of the wild, *
and all you flocks and herds [and all you dogs and cats],
O men and women everywhere, glorify the Lord, *
praise him and highly exalt him for ever.
Reader A reading from Paul’s letter to the Christians in Rome, in the eighth chapter.
19 The creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the children of God; for the creation was subjected to futility, not of its own will but by the will of the one who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to decay and will obtain the freedom of the glory of the children of God. We know that the whole creation has been groaning in labor pains until now; and not only the creation, but we ourselves, who have the first fruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly while we wait for adoption, the redemption of our bodies.
The word of the Lord.
People Thanks be to God.
Prayer of St Francis (“Make me a channel of your peace”)
Celebrant The Holy Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to John.
People Glory to you, Lord Christ.
14:1 Jesus said: “Do not let your hearts be troubled. In my Father’s house there are many dwelling places. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and take you to myself, so that where I am, there you may be also.”
The Gospel of the Lord.
People Praise to you, Lord Christ.
Homily – Rev. Susan Springer
Offertory – “To Canaan’s land I’m on my way” – Cara McMillan & Tony Lee
“What wondrous love is this” (v. 2 by McMillan; congregation join in on #439, v. 3)
Prayers of the People Standing Commission on Liturgy & Music
O God, your blessed Son, Jesus, told us that not even one tiny sparrow is forgotten in your sight. Strengthen our confidence in your love for all your creatures; in your goodness,
Blessed Creator, hear our prayer.
Loving God, you brought this beloved animal into the life of Tony and all his friends, to share kindness, joy, and faithful companionship. Receive our thanks and praise for the community between your animals and your people, and all the ways in which we bless each other’s lives; in your goodness,
Blessed Creator, hear our prayer.
Gracious God, you have given us the blessing and responsibility of caring for animals. If in any way we have failed in that responsibility, we ask for your pardon and trust in your mercy; in your goodness,
Blessed Creator, hear our prayer.
Various readers
Most high, omnipotent, good Lord, we remember before you today our brother Major. We thank you for giving him to us, his family and friends, to know and to love as a companion on our earthly pilgrimage.
May the love and faith and loyalty and trust he showed for us in his life be to us an example of the love and faith and loyalty and trust that we may show for you. In your compassion, console us who mourn. Give us faith to see in death the gate of eternal life, so that in quiet confidence we may continue our course on earth, until, by your call, we are united with those of all species who have gone before; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.BCP 493, alt.
Almighty God, with whom live the spirits of your creatures who die innocent of sin as well as those who die in the Lord: We give you hearty thanks for the good example of your servant Major, who, having finished his life in peace, now finds rest and refreshment. May we, with all who have died in harmony with your ways, have perfect fulfillment and bliss in your eternal glory; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.BCP 503, alt.
God of grace and glory, we remember before you today our beloved companion Major. We thank you for giving him to us to be a source of abundant love, affection, and joy. In your compassion, comfort us who grieve. Give us faith to commit this beloved creature of your own making to your care, for you live and reign for ever and ever. Amen.Standing Commission on Liturgy & Music
Almighty God, your Son taught us that though five sparrows could be bought for two pennies, they are not forgotten before you. We thank you for Major, and for the companionship he offered to Tony and many others. And we thank you for all the pets who share our homes and our lives. We ask for comfort for this community in their loss, knowing that you grieve with them, for you care for all of your creation as you care for us. May we live more peacefully because of today, and come at last, in the fellowship of all your people, to the heaven where we long to be; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Rev. Frank Logue, King of Peace Episcopal Church
Eucharistic Prayer C – BCP 369
The Lord’s Prayer – BCP 364
Communion – “Into paradise may the angels lead you” (Hymn #354) – Pick-up choir
Closing prayer Standing Commission on Liturgy & Music
God of creation, through your great mercy you renew us:
Send us now back to the love and labor of this day
with joy and compassion in our hearts;
Through Jesus Christ our Savior. Amen.
Officiant
All life is interwoven.
People All life is a gift from God.
Officiant Let us bless the Lord.
People Thanks be to God.
Hymn #400 Lasst uns erfreuen
1 All creatures of our God and King, lift up your voices, let us sing:
Alleluia, alleluia!
Bright burning sun with golden beams, pale silver moon that gently gleams,
Refrain O praise him, O praise him, Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia!
2 Great rushing winds and breezes soft, you clouds that ride the heavens aloft,
O praise him, Alleluia!
Fair rising morn, with praise rejoice; stars, nightly shining, find a voice: Refrain
3 Swift flowing water, pure and clear, make music for your Lord to hear:
Alleluia, alleluia!
Fire, so intense and fiercely bright, you give to us both warmth and light. Refrain
4 Dear mother Earth, you day by day unfold your blessings on our way;
O praise him, Alleluia!
All flowers and fruits than in you grow, let them his glory also show: Refrain
5 All you with mercy in your heart, forgiving others, take your part;
O sing now: Alleluia!
All you that pain and sorrow bear, praise God, and cast on him your care: Refrain
6 And even you, most gentle death, waiting to hush our final breath,
O praise him, Alleluia!
You lead back home the child of God, for Christ our Lord that way has trod. Refrain
7 Let all things their creator bless, and worship him in humbleness;
O praise him, Alleluia!
Praise God the Father, God the Son, and praise the Spirit, Three in One: Refrain
St Francis of Assisi (1182-1226); tr. William H. Draper, alt.
A wake will follow immediately at the home of Charlie & Kathe Lujan, 1999 Clipper Drive, Lafayette; follow others to get there, or ask them for directions. (Dog-owners, note that they don’t have a fenced yard. Cat-allergists, note that they do have cats.)
Memorial donations may be sent to the Humane Society of Boulder Valley, or to VCA All Pets Animal Hospital, 805 S. Public Road, Lafayette 80026.
If I have any belief about immortality, it is that certain dogs I have known will go to heaven, and very, very few persons.
My aunt Martha Maglocci turned 90 years old this past Sunday – Tammi and I were able to attend. My photos and an audio clip are included. Please leave comments!
Happy Birthday aunt Martha! I love you!
[sc_embed_player fileurl=”http://www.macwebguru.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/AuntMarthaRemembersPreviousBirthdays.mp3″] – Click this button to hear Martha speaking to her friends and family, telling about her previous birthdays. It’s LOUD so beware!
Click the thumbnails to enlarge. Note that these images are scaled down for web viewing. The full-resolution versions are in my Flickr account – you can also order prints online if you set up a free user account. If you have photos you’d like to add to my Flickr set, let me know and I’ll get you credentials so you can upload em! For those that leave comments below – note, they’ll be reviewed before appearing – depends on how busy I am.
I’ve been archiving a complete copy of some of the worst hate-blogging in Longmont – Stephanie Baum’s site ‘By the People and For the People’ for one.
Apparently the ‘has-been mayor‘s wife is trying to clean up her image: I got this today:
Date: April 1, 2013
Indra’s Net, Inc. 5435 Airport Blvd. Suite 100 Boulder, CO 80301
To Whom It May Concern,
This letter is a Notice of Infringement as authorized in 512(c) of the U.S. Copyright Law under the Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA). I wish to report an instance of Copyright Infringement. The infringing material appears on the Service for which you are the designated agent.
1. The copyrighted material, which I contend belongs to me and appears illegally on the Service, is the following: My former blog titled, By The People and For the People written by Stephanie Baum, posted between December 2009 and December 2011 at http://www.takebacklongmont.com/
2. The unauthorized material appears at the website address: http://www.macwebguru.com/blog/Archive_ByThePeopleAndFORThePeople.txt
3. My contact information is as follows: Stephanie Baum 418 Flicker Avenue, Longmont, CO 80501 303-946-9507 skbaum1@comcast.net
4. I have a good faith belief that use of the copyrighted materials as described above is not authorized by the copyright owner, its agent, or the law.
5. I swear, under penalty of perjury, that the information in the notification is accurate and that I am the copyright owner or am authorized to act on behalf of the owner of an exclusive right that is allegedly infringed.
Stephanie K. Baum *****
————————————–
This makes me laugh out loud.
I posted the archive of her nasty little political blog in 2009 – over four years ago – and she’s finally upset about it now? I wonder if it has anything to do with the multiple take-down orders I’ve had to do for things stolen from my personal site, my political blog, my FACEBOOK page…
So, rather than just let this wonderful example of how deep her hate for the Democratic party and anything Progressive goes be forgotten, I’ve made a list of some excerpts from her blog just for the record:
How Hard is it to Fill Out a Mail In Ballot? By the People and FOR the People 12/12/07 10:33 AM Stephanie Baum Sometimes I wonder, considering the election this past November where only 41% of registered voters took the time to fill out a ballot. FORTY ONE PERCENT! I truly don’t get it? It can’t even be the cost of a stamp that kept people from voting because the ballots could be dropped off. So why? Complacency. Or perhaps ignorance? Either way, it is because of people choosing to ignore their right (or as I feel, their duty) to vote that has landed our city where it is right now.
If you are like me, and love this city, and are horrified by the thought of a small, extreme group determining the economic future of our city, I implore you to VOTE in January for Gabe Santos, and send a message to the council that they caught us sleeping one time, but that it won’t ever happen again. —– Oh no, she’s not ‘partisan’ at all. *cough* -MDW
We Have an Ice Rink…and a Freeze on Hiring By the People and FOR the People 12/13/07 7:47 PM Stephanie Baum Last I looked, there were job postings on the City of Longmont website for Seasonal Ice Rink Workers. The city council voted to keep the rink, but in light of budget constraints, enacted a hiring freeze. Wouldn’t that mean that the city infact can’t hire the workers to run the ice rink? Am I missing something here? —- Take away the kids ice rink? I think that’s pretty damn heartless.“One Nation…(pause…pause)…Indivisible, With Libery and Justice for All” By the People and FOR the People 1/11/08 9:43 AM Stephanie Baum
When Richard Juday recites the Pledge of Allegiance, why does he omit the words “under God?” Well, Atheists don’t believe in God so I guess when they pledge allegiance to their flag, they omit those words to be true to their ideals – that’s my best guess anyway. —- Hm. Not very tolerant of others beliefs. Not exactly the attitude one would expect from a ‘First LADY’.
The Final Stretch… By the People and FOR the People 1/22/08 10:03 AM Stephanie Baum …A bloc who, while yes, is all Democrat, they are more than that – they are extreme left-wing, zero-growth, pro-big government group that their more centrist fellow party members have also come to fear. This vote isn’t about Democrat versus Republican, it IS about Radical Left-Wing versus the rest of us. Hopefully our message will be heard loud and clear this time. —- Anyone that opposes the GOP is ‘radical left-wing’ – this is about as hard-core partisan as you can get. Clearly, if you’re a Democrat in Longmont Ms. Baum considers you ‘radical left-wing’ and you don’t deserve representation on council. Again, not very ‘First Lady’-like.
The 4-Way Test By the People and FOR the People 1/27/08 9:52 AM Stephanie Baum
As a former Rotarian, I try and live my life by the 4-Way Test. The 4-Way Test is a way to apply ethics and integrity to everything you think, say and do. It is a measure by which all Rotarians should strive to conduct their lives socially and in business.
Other ares of the 4-Way Test have been a struggle for me this campaign season. Being fair, building goodwill and being beneficial to all have tested me. I feel I’ve tried to be fair, but in an election, shedding light on the shortcomings of one candidate probably wouldn’t be considered being fair and certainly isn’t beneficial to them. But I guess I justify that by needing to help inform the citizens of our town so that they can make an educated decision of who to vote for. I think what I write is beneficial to the masses and I think it’s only fair to everyone to know the facts. —- Which is exactly why this material is being archived, so the people of Longmont can see how Ms. Baum conducts herself during a campaign. Odd that she’d want this removed from the web. Maybe if she really understood transparency and honesty it would be easier for her.
A New Chapter Starts… By the People and FOR the People 1/30/08 1:36 PM Stephanie Baum I’ve learned that anonymity can bring out the best and worst in people. Sometimes people are afraid to speak up and give praise for fear of retribution from employers, friends or family (which is fine, I can totally understand that) and the only way they feel free to express their thanks and support is by remaining anonymous. Yet others are compelled to spew hatred and say things they would never dare say in person but feel free to do so when they can’t be identified (similar to a jihadist executioner wearing a hood?) —- I find this laugh-out-loud funny. Especially since Ms. Baum is still guarding the identity of the person behind LongmontReport, one of the nastiest anonymous smear-blogs (which also supported Gabe Santos) Longmont has ever seen.
Here’s my last thought on this sad little tale: If it was so awful for Richard Juday to remove things from his blog before the election:
Changes to Juday’s Website… By the People and FOR the People 1/10/08 10:46 AM Stephanie Baum I see today that 2 days after I posted my blog regarding Richard Juday’s website, on which he posted his plans for IGAs to fight the “Big Box” retailers, he made changes to his site to remove his strategies for implementing the sales tax redistribution. My only guess is that he (or one of his followers) has been keeping tabs on my blog and after reading how ludicrous his ideas were, he changed his website and removed the specifics of his plans. I love it! Although I kind of wish he left it up there for everyone to see how “insightful” Juday is!
Then why, oh WHY Ms. Baum are you so eager to scrub your own remarks from the web?
Don’t you want people to see how ‘insightful‘ you were?
Or are you just trying to scrub off the image of a harpy in high heels?
You can try to clean up your badly-tarnished public image all you want – there’s not enough soap in the world to make people forget that face.
This is a poetic eulogy for my mother, Shirley Jean Wray (1927-2001). It was printed on the back of the program for my youngest sister Paula’s wedding.
One of the decorative elements of the wedding was violets in many places, a tribute to our mother. I found it tremendously touching.
I miss you mom.
Spirit Abides
Though absent in body,
a spirit abides
we’ve only to summon –
it’s there at our side
Fire and steel
and a vessel of clay
brought forth a family
known proudly as Wray
But furnaces falter
and day turns to night
what once was so brilliant
is now gone from sight
So if there’s no answer
when her name is read,
let blossoms of violet
stand now in her stead
EMS arrived in minutes and as they were checking her vitals, she regained consciousness. She struggled to speak, words not forming and I watched her eyes grow wild with fear. All I could do was hold her eye and talk to her comfortingly. She regrouped and EMS got her loaded up and off we sped to Longs Peak Hospital just a short distance away.
Praying that she hadn’t had a stroke or coronary issue, we waited after she was put through a series of diagnostics, each one coming back, happily, negative. Eventually, we were left with fatigue, blood pressure medication, and dehydration. The inability to speak was due to a concussion she’d sustained during the fall, the aphasia has improved steadily and looks to completely clear.
