Jun 13, 2022 | Pondering and Kindling
Facebook can be a bane or a blessing. I could say that differently: Facebook can be a blessing or a curse. Without getting into details about why bane rather than blessing, I think it sounds better, and curse sounds so harsh, I received an email a few days ago that...
Jun 8, 2022 | Pondering and Kindling
Two news items today, June 8th, got my immediate attention. Former Kansas resident Allison Ficke-Ekren pleaded guilty to leading an ISIS women’s battalion. A former teacher, she converted to Islam and left the U.S. She has been training women and girls (including her...
Jun 4, 2022 | Pondering and Kindling
Far be it for me to say or write anything that would glorify war. I’m not a pacifist, but probably an “almost one.” I regularly read the newspaper and listen to the news find out what is going on in Ukraine. The war there has the attention of the world. Most everyone...
May 29, 2022 | Pondering and Kindling
Some time ago Life magazine carried an essay and picture series entitled “Strange Birds That Cannot Fly.” The article tells the fascinating story of a group of strange-looking birds, with curious names like kiwi and cassowary and emu, which constitute one of the...
May 23, 2022 | Pondering and Kindling
In The Old Man and the Sea Hemingway tells one of the most captivating sea adventure stories ever written. It’s the tale of an old man’s ordeal with a big fish far out at sea. In one dramatic moment the huge fish jumps out of the water to show his gigantic self to the...
May 15, 2022 | Pondering and Kindling
“Free speech” is one of the “hallowed” hallmarks of our political system. It is the basis upon which open debate rests and wrestles. Language matters. The Pro-Choice Caucus knows this. They recently sent out to Democratic Congress members messaging materials on the...
