Ruminations from the Temple

Think you can just delete your account from Facebook and escape data collection? Think again. I deleted my FB account quite a while ago. It was not easy, and took a couple of sessions of attempts prior to actually 'deleting,' including a waiting period (cooling off period?). When, in the course of my Masters study I was alerted to a private student group, I saw a definite need to jump back on Facebook. Yes, I have benefited from the group, but I also learned that Facebook had retained all my information. More than that, it reminds me regularly that I was another 'identity' at one time, and that I may want to meld the two. But wait...I thought I deleted. Think again. Take a look at this from the NYT - I think you would need to have a post-grad degree in comp-sci to actually accomplish what so many think they are doing by deleting their account: How disheartening. This is where we are now, watched and milked for demographic data like a herd of cows, but wher...

happily RESISTing! I am ashamed to say that I am responsible, at least in part, for the mess our country is now in. Yes, it is true that I am not in politics, nor do I have a weighty voice of authority. But I still have to take some of the responsibility for where we find ourselves. I am sure we could, without reservation, call the present political situation a dumpster fire. My family was and is blue - forever blue. And so was I until I entered religious life. As a Christian, and then as a Messianic Jew, I was compelled to vote red. Why, you ask? Because Family Values . Because conservatism . Because all my friends did. I am ashamed to say that I voted red usually, but I didn't always vote red, I did vote for Obama's second term...but I didn't tell anyone. Still, those red votes gave place and validity to some of the politicians that are in office presently. I am chagrined to think that I was pushed along with the peer tide of religious conservatism. I have alwa...

is this the definition of what it means to be masculine? I will assume that you may not have heard this song before, but it is worthy of a listen. When I heard it on satellite radio, it was intro'd by the artist saying that he was so excited to perform it in concert. Well, hell yeah...doesn't it have all the markings of a perfect party-concert song? Let's take a peek at the lyrics and see what the song is really saying, shall we? "That's My Kind Of Night" sung by Luke Bryan I got that real good feel good stuff Up under the seat of my big black jacked up truck Rollin' on 35s Pretty girl by my side You got that sun tan skirt and boots Waiting on you to look my way and scoot Your little hot self over here Girl hand me another beer, yeah! All them other boys wanna wind you up and take you downtown But y ou look like the kind that likes to take it way out Out where the corn rows grow, row, row my boat Floatin’ down the Flint River, cat...

Well, I'm positive that the writer of this pithy thought didn't have politicians in mind, but it sure fits. For me, just one appearance on David Letterman can blow a candidate in my mind, regardless of party affiliation. Come on...everyone knows they are only on the show for publicity and to win votes. Trying to come across that they are just the same as the average-joe-voter livin' large in the vinyl recliner with a beer in his hand and his dog snorin' in his lap is irksome, to say the least. As my son and I walked into the doctor's waiting room this morning, I was immediately assaulted with the mid-day talk show called The View. You may be familiar with it. Personally, I could care less about the show, their political agenda or the going hairstyle of the day. However, what caught my attention was their guest - none other than the President of the United States. I was so disgusted that I turned to my son and acidly asked, "doesn't the President have a...

Everyone knows that relationships take work, right? Lots of hard work. But, in many cases, relationships can be sustained effectively by simply not offending the other party. Plodding along without real growth or deepening of intimacy is acceptable, even if not optimal. At the very least, both parties can count the relationship as a success merely by the fact that it has not ended on a bad note. In contrast, there are those that are hell-bent to commit relational suicide. Just as there are many unthinkable ways to end one's life, there are definitely bloody, painful and tragic ways to end friendship as well. In an effort to bring public awareness to an infrequently discussed and unnecessary tragedy, I have listed below some of the glaring symptoms of impending relational suicide. Hopefully, you don't recognize any of these tell-tale signs: Putting unrealistic expectations upon others or placing them on a pedestal. Twisting or taking pleasure in using the words of o...

Pet Peeve # 523 : 'that moment' when you realize the one speaking hasn't a clue about grammar, let alone simple sentence structure, while making the assumption everyone else has had the same experience and frustration. Ugh!  Alright, it's my problem. I'll admit it. What is it about these sentence fragments that really gets me? Irritatingly, it is like stepping into the middle of a conversation. It's a rather bold assumption that I, or anyone else, has had the same experience (even if we probably have). How frustrating it is to have the scene described but have no action, no direction, no...anything! The listener/reader is just left hanging, flapping in the breeze, riding an ellipsis and abandoned to experience the frustration and apparent lack of general language skills. Now, I'm all about using sentence fragments to make a point, or to facilitate a better flow of thoughts into the written word. But really...this pushes the bounds for this writer a...

I never thought I would, once again, hear this announcement. "Please, ladies...no leggings. They are quite, well, quite skin-tight, and reveal a little too much while we are singing before the congregation." Y'think? Alright, I know the fad. Leggings with some very cool tall boots, paired with a long shirt-dress, sweater dress or mini-skirt. Everything's covered, right? Wrong! No, everything is not covered. Well, it may be in theory, but not in the hearts and minds of all who see them being worn. No, nothing is hidden from view. That's right...just let that sink in for a minute. So, without further ranting, here are my 5 Reasons to Forego the Leggings Reason #1 - Let's talk age for a moment and consider who this style was intended, shall we? I'm really gonna go out on a limb here and say that if you remember leggings in your laundry basket when you were much younger, like when you were done killing yourself with the 20 Minute Workout ...

Do you feel disheartened? If you don't right now, just wait because we all end up there at one point or another, I can assure you. And when you get there, how in the world do you keep putting one foot in front of the other? Sometimes it is just downright impossible not to be disheartened. You don't get the job you really wanted because someone else is more qualified, or the project you have been working on for what seems like an eternity just completely fell apart. Or despite your working your tail off, there is just never enough money to quite pay all the bills even as the medical statements keep arriving in your mailbox. No one knows, but your marriage is beyond struggling, your teens are testing beyond your capacity and you awake in a panic more often then you would like to admit. Or the one thing you held most dear was ripped from your desperate grasp through no fault of your own, never to be recovered. Any of these things are a recipe for feeling disheartened, to be ...

Does this happen to you, too? You follow the link to register for this fabulous web-group-forum-whatever only to have the inevitable happen - you get stuck in a vicious circle of errors, an infinite loop, if you will, of email confirmations, re-registering, re-login, duplicate registrations, the giving of your first-born, bloodletting, yada-yada, infinitum ad nauseum. All you were trying to do was become a member of Train Whistle Lovers.org. Really? Ugh. Can't remember your password?  No worries, just request it, and prove you are not the serial-killer-hacker lurking to get into your audio book club.  Just can't manage to pull out that cutesy username that you made up that one night while laughing on the phone with your girlfriend?  No sweat, just request it to be emailed to you...except that they can't email it to you because that email address is registered to another user.  Oh yeah, that other user is YOU!   Oy! Now, I can't believe that I'm the o...

There seems to be two kind of people; those who read, enjoy and write blogs (as well as other print media such as newspapers and magazines), and those who don't.  I, obviously, am in the first camp, but am a little confused about the other. I have always staunchly asserted that a good way to learn about someone is through their online presence, if they have one, that is. But, there is more than just learning about some one ; I have found you can actually learn some thing from reading blogs.  Well-constructed blogs which feature good writing, interesting photos and solid information or opinions that cause the reader to think are a goldmine of brain activity in whatever subject trips your trigger. Being a rather active blogger myself, I've taken my share of heat.  Not only have I been labeled a 'master wordsmith' (not in a nice way, by the way), but I have been called not-so-nice names due to my blog activities.  And not a week goes by that someone doesn't, in...

This existence of ours is as transient as autumn clouds. To watch the birth and death of beings is like looking at the movements of a dance. A lifetime is a flash of lightning in the sky. Rushing by, like a torrent down a steep mountain... Change. No one likes it.  Everyone has to face it. I can see Mt. Rainier from my kitchen window.  I am ever-aware of the constant presence of this monster of a mountain just as everyone is around these parts. However, it wasn't until moving into our present home that I realized how the mountain changed daily. I can honestly say that I have never seen the mountain look exactly the same two days in a row. Ever. The beach is the same.  As I spent so much of my childhood with sand between my toes and wind in my hair, I quickly learned of the constant change that is the seashore.  Powerful, constant and persistent.  You can't stop it, for it comes in with the tide.  It takes...and it leaves. Change. I've been t...

Well, for some, it may be. judg·ment noun 1.  an act or instance of judging. 2.  the ability to judge, make a decision, or form an opinion objectively , authoritatively , and wisely , especially in matters affecting action; good sense; discretion: a man of sound judgment. I have come to the conclusion that everyone, at some point, considers themselves a judge - myself included.  We all make daily judgments on situations, decisions and on the actions of others.  We absolutely must determine, especially if we are believers in the Most High G-d, if what is presented to us either by others, the media or from our own minds is good and right.  However, a problem arises when we make judgments that are harsh or unfair that cause hurt to others due to our self-righteousness.  We put ourselves in the place of the Almighty, passing judgment as if we were appointed to do so...making ourselves feel superior in the process.  Things only become more entangled a...

In the end, no one can make another into someone or something else without their consent. No one can force anyone to be someone they are not, or to act in ways that go against what they believe or think without their permission. No one can change another's personality, their physical features, or what makes them laugh or cry. No one has the right to tell anyone their feelings or emotions are wrong.  How they feel and react belongs to them, and them alone. No one has the right to request or demand anyone to act disingenuous for their own purposes. And, only the Ruach HaKodesh has the right to admonish us for our G-d given personality, flaws and all.  He is rather good at this, actually.   And, in all truth, He is the only one that can facilitate changes within us; this works best when we are willing and open to His leading. None of this, however, gives anyone the right to act poorly...ever. Serve G-d.   Live righteous.   Speak honest.   ...

Yeah, it's pink.  Pink is not my color, really. Both my boys have the latest, most up-to-date offering of Nano, but Morgan and I chose to get the iTouch.  We both enjoy the iTouch, but it is a little large to stash in your pocket.  Besides, the silly cats knocked mine onto the floor quite some time ago, and it features a lovely (not really) series of cracks on the touch screen.  So, when Alex and I were cruising our local Pawn Exchange, he spotted Pinkie and insisted that I needed to give it a home.  "It fits better in your pocket, Mom, and if something happens to it, you're not out much.  Come on, it's classic - it's the Generation One!"  Sure. So, I gave the orphaned "classic" Nano a new family.  It was lovingly named, by the former owner, Optimus Prime.  Isn't that a transformer?  Somehow, that name didn't really fit (y'think?) , so I changed it's name to the more appropriate "Pinkie-Pod". Life was fine with Pinkie-...

I have never met anyone who enjoyed waiting.  Except for my dad; he would sit in the car while my mom would go into the store to shop and, you guessed it, sleep.  "I'll just be a moment," she would say, but for a young girl sitting in the backseat waiting, it seemed like forever.  I really don't wait well.  My dad would agree, I'm sure. We are forced to wait for so many things.  I really had a tough time waiting to get pregnant after my husband and I got married, then when we did, I had a hard time waiting the 9+ months it takes for the baby to come.  Time just drags when you are waiting.  At least, that's my experience. We wait for dinner, we wait for vacation.  We wait for our paycheck only to wait again for the next.  We wait to be old enough to be considered an adult, then we lament the days of our youth when they are gone.  We wait and wish and hope.  My mom always told me not to wish my life away; I think that was good ad...

In an attempt to organize my thoughts, the title seems most appropriate. Can I order the blur of the last few weeks into three simple categories such as these? Possibly... The Good: The stage production, Passover and two trooping events are over. My laptop didn't get stolen (thank you, LORD!) I managed to not mangle my reputation in one of the circles of people I enjoy being with (don't ask about the others, though.) My husband put in an offer on a piece of property he really likes - I'm happy for him. My children are all mentally and physically well. The relationship with my best friend still exists - she's pretty tough. We didn't get a ticket for parking in a fire lane two days in a row. Quite a few visitors went to visit Rose in the hospital - I know she enjoyed their care and compassion. Sitting talking with Chuck - that was definitely a highlight. Getting to dress, once again, as a Jedi. :-) The Bad: I haven't worked out properl...

Yeah, I knew it would be stormy and rough. When I agreed to extra tasks, I knew it would be busier than usual, this is true. But, I thought I could handle it. I am...sorta. Passover is, surprisingly, the least of my worries. We have hosted a large seder now for a few years and feel pretty confident that most of the kinks are worked out. My house will be chameitz -free when it needs to be, we have a good but low-maintenance menu, loving friends are pitchin' in to help and it's all going to come together beautifully. Yeah, the least of my worries. My little foray back into the church is interesting. They expect so much out of their volunteers. Just slamming through the passion play/production back-to-back left me without a voice and feeling less than valuable. How in the world am I going to do four in a row? I am so spoiled with my own community of loved ones that care and want to hang out together - friendships based in reality and time. The contrast with these that ...

"How feel you?" "Cold, sir." I'm very, very sad about my friend Rose. Her decisions concerning the cancer that is consuming her have brought her to a place I've never seen - it makes my heart hurt. *heavy sigh* I'm tired of political posturing by both those in high office and those that surround me. I have a very low tolerance for rude behavior and injustice and honestly, my frustration level is very high. I'm well pleased with how the trooping went this past weekend, and was thrilled with being able to spend time with people I enjoy in a different venue than the norm. I cannot describe how I feel when I dress as a Jedi - just love it. Parenting and homeschooling three teens is difficult - that's all I'm gonna say about that. Actually, marriage is harder. I'm forty-five, feeling rather dumpy and always cold. Still trying, without much success, to figure out how to age gracefully. Truthfully, I'm tired - but I know...

OK, so I've been under a bit of stress lately. I'm not saying it's not my own doing, but I can readily admit to feeling the affect (or is it effect?) of it. And when enduring the pressure, it just wears me down, making my tolerance diminish - which is such a bummer. Allow me a vent, would you? Got my taxes done today. Not a fun endeavor, and it is not like we owe or anything. But, next year? Watch out anyone who is middle class . My tax preparer was warning me that we are gonna be heavily taxed next year, without a doubt. I guess that remains to be seen, but what really 'chaps my hide' is how I can't even hint a complaint about the current administration even the slightest bit without somebody who is supportive of the president getting a little miffed. Geez, didn't we conservatives endure Bush-bashing for eight years already? No one said 'boo' to them, in my recollection. So, I'm complaining. I think our current president is a joke...

"LORD, is it possible to see some sunshine this morning? It would be so nice, since it's been so gray and dreary the past few days. It would sure help me today, since it's gonna be such a long day with lots of things to accomplish and people to serve..." view out my kitchen window Blessed are You, LORD our G-d, King of the Universe, who sees fit to answer the prayer of your humble servant. Thank you. I cannot ask for more.