Tuesday Open Thread ~ 13 NOV 18


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2-autumn-still-life-nailia-schwarz_2.jpg


Don't let 'em bring you down.

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Try to be kind to those you meet, for everyone is bearing a burden of their own.  Don't take people for granted, but thank them for the little things that they do.  I have never seen people acting with such aggressive foolishness and petty bullying in a very long time.  What are they thinking?
This is not us.  This is no way to live.  Don't let the increase in wickedness, and gross disregard for the truth and other people by some, harden and embitter your hearts.  Don't sell your soul so cheaply.
From Jesse's Cafe Americain
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Working on a conceptual process to battle the harmful effects of pervasive media fear tactics. Scaring the masses into submissive thinking has gotten quite old. Keep hearing the same memes being replayed by the those around me. Fear, confusion and lacking in any countering strategies. Figure if we can put the purpose of fear tactics into perspective, it may not have as much traction in the worrying minds. Free thinking seems to be discouraged, as is independent critical analysis. Shielding sensibilities helps some, deflecting with humor or tuning out are other reactions. None of this actually solves the issues, but does allow us to maintain a bit of sanity in an otherwise crazy world.

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How to maintain a healthy empathy without being bombarded with negativity is a challenge. On a personal level, we can somewhat control the flow of good vs. evil in our lives. As the issues expand in scope, our powers seem to diminish. What starts as a positive reaction can soon be turned around out in the larger sphere. I try not to take it personally. The good and rationally healthy thoughts may not get out in the wider world, but the contrary evil stays outside the door. Like a semi-permeable membrane or something. Ha, well anyway, try to keep the spirits up!

~ Credits: Picture "Autumn Still Life' Nailia Schwarz

~ This essay is open to any and all, so share what you will. Cheerios!

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Will be attending a loved one in surgery today, so attendance may be spotty. Life happens.

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enhydra lutris's picture

@QMS
as well.
Have a great day.

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That, in its essence, is fascism--ownership of government by an individual, by a group, or by any other controlling private power. -- Franklin D. Roosevelt --

@QMS

be in my thoughts today. On Wednesday's open thread, please let us know how it went.

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mhagle's picture

@HenryAWallace

Also hoping the surgery goes well.

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Marilyn

"Make dirt, not war." eyo

lotlizard's picture

http://jewishinsider.com/14786/eliot-engel-pledges-israel-support-dems-w...

What do you call it when policy remains the same regardless of who wins elections?

Never change, Democratic Party, never change!

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@lotlizard

regardless of who wins elections?"

The United States of America.

or

An inordinately expensive dictatorship of 536 likeminded members--545 if you count the Supremes.

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gm and thx QMS, here's hoping the surgery is quick and painless, and you all are out of the horsepistol soon enough. Healing thoughts.
Virtually all Sonoma County public schools remain closed today

“I appreciate the efforts to keep our children safe from these conditions. I am concerned, however, that schools may reopen too soon based on air quality alone, without consideration for cleaning up the toxic conditions left by the ash that has fallen on school grounds,” she wrote in an email to West County Superintendent Toni Beal.

Beal said custodial staff will focus on vacuuming, sweeping, mopping, cleaning desks and interior and exterior surfaces.

Grounds and maintenance staff will clear leaves and power-wash benches and tables. Air filters will be replaced across the district.

Don't think about our homeless, the ones around here are sick already, and old. Newsom don't care. I wonder how much water, how much wet gets shipped out of California every day? Perhaps we should think about keeping more at home, perhaps that would help our local climate. I think so.

Steve Winwood // Blind Faith - "Can't Find My Way Home"
https://youtu.be/eoSn2Y-b6wI

peace
good luck

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snoopydawg's picture

@eyo

Doubt that she took the time to mention it because another episode of Russia Gate couldn't wait. Right?
But whatever you do vote blue

Nope! Never again.

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Which AIPAC/MIC/pharma/bank bought politician are you going to vote for? Don’t be surprised when nothing changes.

mhagle's picture

A conservative church in town is doing an open free for all Thanksgiving dinner this year. Hopefully nothing will get in my way, but it is my intention to bake a bunch of bread on Wednesday and donate to the meal. It's a recipe I found that is still really tasty the next day. Easy to do using the bread machine. Clearly, these people all voted against their own best interests after being brain washed. But, it seems like bread is a good bridge. And the most beautiful thing any of us can do is to look for bridges, anywhere we can find them.

Happy Tuesday everyone!

Edit to add: My view of my "conservative" voting friends and neighbors is that they are truly good hearted souls. Like noted below, reaching out in the community and paying sincere complements . . . extending a hand. Beautiful. Thanks, rand & henry.

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Marilyn

"Make dirt, not war." eyo

@mhagle hi, here's hoping every loaf turns out great. I like my slicer that says Our Daily Bread, even though I'm not religious.

I don't know if you saw this site, USDA tax dollars at work:
https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/wps/portal/nrcs/detail/national/soils/health/
Of course I downloaded the PDF that says "I dig healthy soil", because you know I love dirt.

It is also No Till November, so don't dig it literally, just care for it? Smile.

peace

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mhagle's picture

@eyo

I signed up for a newsletter thingie. Cool.

Have a great day!

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Marilyn

"Make dirt, not war." eyo

Anja Geitz's picture

@mhagle

Sharing a loaf of bread..

“Peace goes into the making of a poem as flour goes into the making of bread.” – Pablo Neruda

Marvelous idea.

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There is always Music amongst the trees in the Garden, but our hearts must be very quiet to hear it. ~ Minnie Aumonier

mhagle's picture

@Anja Geitz

Smile

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Marilyn

"Make dirt, not war." eyo

enhydra lutris's picture

Pretty cold nonetheless. How can one bird turn the whole sky grey? A falcon stoops on a huge flock of shorebirds. Wink

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That, in its essence, is fascism--ownership of government by an individual, by a group, or by any other controlling private power. -- Franklin D. Roosevelt --

@enhydra lutris from way up on Hawk Hill. It was a tiny dot in the sky, must have seen something interesting near the shore, tucked its wings and shot straight down like a rocket to just over the water, and then pulled up. Wow they can go fast and stop short. http://www.parksconservancy.org/visit/park-sites/hawk-hill.html

It is the best place to witness the fall raptor migration and provides habitat for the mission blue butterfly. You can also visit Battery 129, a historic World War II military installation.

Thanks el, I like reading about your adventures, brings me good memories and vicarious happiness inside. It clangs around in my head with all the other stuff, away from my current hellscape.

Stoop or swoop? Say it three times fast. I can't without laughing. Thanks.

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Lookout's picture

Good luck with the surgery episode QMS - keeping spirits up improves health and aids in healing - so in the theme of your OT - keep a good thought!

Came across this yesterday while clean up my picture files. seems appropriate a week after the election...
poem of democracy.jpg

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“Until justice rolls down like water and righteousness like a mighty stream.”

in the community in ways that hopefully help a bit is my solution. Ironically that for me is more difficult in my own extended family since the nastiness bares itself more blatantly and readily there. Sigh.

Hope things go well today for your friend in the hospital.

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Whenever I see someone I know or meet someone new, I seem to find something I like, so I compliment people. A nice hairstyle, a new haircut, a new outfit, a great purse or backpack, a new pair of shoes, dressing with a flair, great posture, fun tie, wonderful smile, warm eyes, sweet disposition, kindness, generosity, thoughtfulness, nice hands. pretty handkerchief--something.

For me, it's authentic and spontaneous. I don't bs anyone. I wouldn't know how without getting caught and I don't want to learn. I honestly see something I like whenever I look at someone. If not, I just tell the poor soul that I am happy to see him or her, if true. If not, I smile and ask "And how are you today?" Train yourself to see something that enables you to brighten someone else's moment.

It gives me a great feeling and people respond so positively. Costs nothing. No bad side effects. I recommend it highly.

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Granma's picture

Who lives in Woolsey evacuation zone?

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@Granma
but even in the best of circumstances Knuck is sporadic with his emailing, so it may be a long wait.

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Granma's picture

@JtC maybe he will feel the vibes and check in when he is able to. He has posted some magnificent photos at times.

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magiamma's picture

q, may your loved one be surrounded with light. thanks for the ot. grey here. the Canadian sparrows have returned and the feeders are emptying rapidly.

It is still smokey here but mild comparatively. both fires continue to rage as people struggle to cope. People here are sending vans full of basics northwards. May they heal.

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Stop Climate Change Silence - Start the Conversation

Hot Air Website, Twitter, Facebook

@magiamma for the fires and smoke in CA. The destruction caused by the fires is painfully obvious but we tend to forget about the damage the smoke causes until you experience it. I think you posted an article about how smoke from wildfires is being recognized as a problem for newborns, infants, and young children. If I remember, the research is showing that it can cause neurological damage especially in the young.

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magiamma's picture

@randtntx
but much much worse closer to the fires. Yet, even people here who have health problems are complaining and we are so far away.

I remember that article. I think it was about the air quality in China and how it affected the brains of young children. We, as a whole, are totally unprepared for these events, which, when happen, surprise everyone. None of this should be happening, let alone be surprising. The good news is that people up north are getting things sorted out for people quickly, at least for now (from what I can dig up from afar). I hope they are taking air quality into consideration for the elderly and the young. Like eyo said, what about those older folks in Sonoma? Huge infrastructure problems to deal with. Unreal.

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Stop Climate Change Silence - Start the Conversation

Hot Air Website, Twitter, Facebook

Raggedy Ann's picture

Hope your friend recovers well from the surgery. Going under is risky - no matter what.

How do I deal with the reality that is the US of A? The universe is in charge of everything, I am in charge of nothing, so, I just let it play out and hope for the best outcome.

In the meantime, I try to be the best person I can be to everyone I encounter. I give what I want to receive in nearly every instance (I am human, however, so fallible). I believe, even if the universe is in charge, I can somehow make a positive difference in the world and with those I encounter.

I cannot change the world. I yearn for revolution, which would institute change.
Mantra - The universe is in charge.

Hello - universe - putting in a request for revolution in the US. We'd like to see a positive outcome where wars are over and we have peace and love on earth from now to end times.

Have a beautiful day, folks! Pleasantry

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"The “jumpers” reminded us that one day we will all face only one choice and that is how we will die, not how we will live." Chris Hedges on 9/11

Anja Geitz's picture

Yesterday I started up a conversation with one of my customers who was wearing a t-shirt with the words

In a world where you can be anything. Be Kind.

A concept that until a decade ago, seemed well and good in theory but had escaped me in practice.

I'm not saying I was a big meanie who pulled the wings off butterflies, but I was consistently careless with people's feelings while navel gazing in my self involved bubble.

Ironically, a few years before I was introduced to the practice of Buddhism, I contemplated on the place compassion had in my life. Having relegated it most of my life to the inner sanctum of sainthood, I essentially viewed it as an esoteric practice that had very little currency in the "real" world.

But what if I was wrong about that? What if including the practice of compassion in my everyday life, with everyday people, was not only supposed to be the main ingredient in my life, but an integral component in the character of my humanity?

I shook off the question in the moment, but it kept coming back, again and again. It was only until, in a very serendipitous way, that I was introduced to the practice of Buddhism where the puzzle pieces began to fit.

Kindness can feel like a candle in a dark world to someone who really needs it. Since most of us wear a mask as we go about our day, we don't ever know who really needs it, so I try to remedy that by being kind to everyone I meet.

The dividends on kindness are usually better than navel gazing anyway.

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There is always Music amongst the trees in the Garden, but our hearts must be very quiet to hear it. ~ Minnie Aumonier

@Anja Geitz
Sounds like something once heard at a human be in. I like it! Wink
Thanks everyone for your kindness. Really helps!!

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CS in AZ's picture

@QMS

Your comments made me think about a nonprofit organization called Ben’s Bells, which I believe started here in Tucson. They are expanding elsewhere. Their mission statement:

The mission of Ben's Bells is to teach individuals and communities about the positive impacts of intentional kindness and to inspire people to practice kindness as a way of life.

See more about what they do...

https://bensbells.org/kindness-education

My team at work periodically does a volunteer day, and we’ve chosen this group a few times. You can go and help paint and assemble the Kindness bells, which they leave randomly around town for people to take.

https://bensbells.org/make-bens-bells

What is a Ben's Bell?

Ben’s Bells are beautiful, ceramic wind chimes, handmade by the community. By the time one Ben’s Bell is complete, at least 10 people have been involved in its creation. Ben’s Bells are hung randomly throughout the community, in public spaces, for people to find and take home as a reminder to practice intentional kindness.

It’s fun and uplifting to participate in this effort. Excellent reminder today. Thank you.

Sending good vibes for health and a speedy recovery to your loved one QMS.

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mhagle's picture

@CS in AZ

Intentional kindness. What a lovely concept - hanging bells around town that people can take home. Wow. Thanks for sharing this.

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Marilyn

"Make dirt, not war." eyo

mhagle's picture

@CS in AZ

Wonder what Ben's Bells would do to a small Texas town?

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Marilyn

"Make dirt, not war." eyo

Anja Geitz's picture

@CS in AZ @CS in AZ

About organizations like this. Thanks for sharing Smile

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There is always Music amongst the trees in the Garden, but our hearts must be very quiet to hear it. ~ Minnie Aumonier

mhagle's picture

@Anja Geitz

I appreciate it. Cool.

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Marilyn

"Make dirt, not war." eyo

janis b's picture

@janis b So far, so good.

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