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Showing posts from February 13, 2022

The Wisdom of Rebbe Nachman of Breslov (Bratislava)

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r Rebbe Nachman of Breslov 1772- 1810. I am learning about Rebbe Nachman from a Zoom/Facebook "meeting" led by my good friend Rabbi Michael Shefrin of Sarasota's Temple Emman-uel. Nachman was an early proponent  of Hassidic Judaism. Roughly speaking Haddism stresses the experience personal relationship with G-d;  as a necessary partner of Torah Study. The teachings of Rebbe Nachman are remarkably wonderful in their anticipation of modern theology/psychology.  Here are three passages which I lifted from Rabbi Shefrin's  presentation  OUTPOURING OF THE SOUL Sichot HaRan 7 It is very good to pour out your thoughts before God like a child pleading before his father. God calls us His children, as it is written, "You are children to the Lord your God" (Deut. 14:1). Therefore it is good to express your thoughts and troubles to God, like a child complaining and pestering his father. How very good it is when you can awaken your heart and plead until tears stream from

Fierce Storms in Bristol, U.K. Where is Leonard Bernstein When He is Needed?

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  Storm Eunice moved through parts of the U.K. on Friday 18th. It was fierce in many places. Ne'er mind.  The news source Bristol Live  (or the Bristol Post)  had sound advice for the citizens of my native City. They were asked to Baton Down the Hatches.

Gullible?

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Our Words. by Patrick O'Connor

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  Patrick O'Connor is a Facebook friend.   I have never met him (more's the pity).  We are Facebook friends via his wife Lisa Smith O'Connor.  I know Lisa, her parents and her sister from my Pittsfield, MA  days when they were members of the parish I served. Patrick's poem speaks deeply to me. our words my words approach yours in this room they loop knot and slip loose, having travelled far through their own silencings and retreats their preemptive triumphs and garbled misunderstandings they’ve been forming since we formed and they seem to know as they mingle and flirt in the space between us an intimacy that we sometimes forget

Bragging Time. My Hidden and Amazing Skills.

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  I, being shy and retiring, have been loathe to publicise my heretofore unknown skills. I'll tell you about them, but let this be our secret. I can do two things at the same time, and have often so done . I can conduct Beethoven's Ninth Symphony and knit a Sweater at the same time. If you do not believe me please check Sadly my skill set was inadequate when I ordered a Bread Box from Wayfair. It came with those words of doom and gloom  "some assembly required". Some assembly? You must be joking.   It came with seven main pieces, four hinges, two door knobs, and five hundred tiny Phillip's screws. You already know the score.  The assembly instructions had no words.  They were drawn in untranslatable hieroglyphics. "If at first you don't succeed, call a neighbour". That's what I did.  Mr. Cheney Green lives just across the street.  He's a splendid fellow with many skills.  He agreed to take on my Bread Box assembly.  He did so with care - mak

My Dermatological Doctor's Staff Liked it.

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  See this post https://jmichaelpovey-retiredpoveinsarasota.blogspot.com/2022/02/neither-wine-nor-roses.html They were pleased.  

February 14th 2017

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  Goodbye to my dear Penne. Five Years Ago Today. I wept for three days, Here she is, at the home of my friends Charlotte and Ron in Gulf Gate, Sarasota. Penne often boarded there when I was away. At those times Penne became Charlotte's shadow. She was a great companion for me. I often tell my beloved Zion that I wish he had known Penne.  They would have liked each other. One's love for partner # 2 in no way diminishes love for partner #1. In truth, love for #1 prepared that way for the love of #2.

Neither Wine, Nor Roses.

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  Or my Dentist St. Valentine's Day 2022.  8:50 a.m.   Appointment with my Dermatologist. It's always a pleasure to be in the office of Dr. Jennifer Stroble. I like her, and her work with my melanin deprived skin.  Her staff are the tops. I will offer them a wee token of appreciation today.  Not wine.  No roses. But One pack for each staff member.  These are the special? spherical type, with tasty fillings.  If the staff members choose not to eat them their children surely will. I would not make wee gifts such as these at my Dentist's Office.

Super What?

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  Millions of Americans are already eating disgustingly unhealthy food,  and downing too many cold ones to "celebrate" a sport which is utterly corrupted by Racism, Faux Patriotism,  and Money.