Welcome to Saturday ...

Submitted by smiley7 on Sat, 10/05/2019 - 7:27am

“The truth knocks on the door and you say, "Go away, I'm looking for the truth," and so it goes away. Puzzling.”
~ Robert M. Pirsig, Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance:

“But to tear down a factory or to revolt against a government or to avoid repair of a motorcycle because it is a system is to attack effects rather than causes; and as long as the attack is upon effects only, no change is possible. The true system, the real system, is our present construction of systematic thought itself, rationality itself, and if a factory is torn down but the rationality which produced it is left standing, then that rationality will simply produce another factory. If a revolution destroys a systematic government, but the systematic patterns of thought that produced that government are left intact, then those patterns will repeat themselves in the succeeding government. There’s so much talk about the system. And so little understanding.”

The weight of the world
is love.
Under the burden
of solitude,
under the burden
of dissatisfaction

the weight,
the weight we carry
is love.

Who can deny?
In dreams
it touches
the body,
in thought
constructs
a miracle,
in imagination
anguishes
till born
in human—
looks out of the heart
burning with purity—
for the burden of life
is love,

but we carry the weight
wearily,
and so must rest
in the arms of love
at last,
must rest in the arms
of love.

No rest
without love,
no sleep
without dreams
of love—
be mad or chill
obsessed with angels
or machines,
the final wish
is love
—cannot be bitter,
cannot deny,
cannot withhold
if denied:

the weight is too heavy

—must give
for no return
as thought
is given
in solitude
in all the excellence
of its excess.

The warm bodies
shine together
in the darkness,
the hand moves
to the center
of the flesh,
the skin trembles
in happiness
and the soul comes
joyful to the eye—

yes, yes,
that's what
I wanted,
I always wanted,
I always wanted,
to return
to the body
where I was born.

~ Alen Ginsberg

“The law of gravity and gravity itself did not exist before Isaac Newton." ...and what that means is that that law of gravity exists nowhere except in people's heads! It 's a ghost!"
Mind has no matter or energy but they can't escape its predominance over everything they do. Logic exists in the mind. numbers exist only in the mind. I don't get upset when scientists say that ghosts exist in the mind. it's that only that gets me. science is only in your mind too, it's just that that doesn't make it bad. or ghosts either."
Laws of nature are human inventions, like ghosts. Law of logic, of mathematics are also human inventions, like ghosts."
...we see what we see because these ghosts show it to us, ghosts of Moses and Christ and the Buddha, and Plato, and Descartes, and Rousseau and Jefferson and Lincoln, on and on and on. Isaac Newton is a very good ghost. One of the best. Your common sense is nothing more than the voices of thousands and thousands of these ghosts from the past.”

~~~

OPOL

a gem of understanding
wrought from a road of heavy experience
gathering souls along the way
promoting goodness

my, oh my
why now,
you, not me,

selfish, you were, never
destined, painting,
loving
caring

“He’s not heavy, he’s my brother”

peace

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Submitted by smiley7 on Sat, 10/05/2019 - 7:31am

Quotes today by Robert Pirsig;

Image: The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy

Submitted by Raggedy Ann on Sat, 10/05/2019 - 8:05am

Good morning, smiley ~~

It is difficult, indeed
to remain behind
when that friend
has passed from this earth.

Everything has an
expiration date.
I didn't know yours
was coming
so soon.

—

"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

Submitted by smiley7 on Sat, 10/05/2019 - 8:29am

Good morning, RA, OPOL, friend to all, sits

on our hearts this week. Thank you.

el has a wonderful tribute here on the DFH group: https://www.dailykos.com/stories/2019/10/4/1890182/-RIP-OPOL#comment_751...

i've taken the liberty in copying the words of Randy's brother Ron Stonebear Shields

"We buried my amazing brother, Randy yesterday in accordance with his wishes. He lived a purposeful and passionate life and he stayed true to his principles even in death.

His son, Daniel flew in from Romania, and he and Randy had discussed his father's wishes for how he wanted to be buried, and Daniel had promised him he would do everything in his power to honor his father's last wish for his earthly remains.

Randy was a passionate advocate for living in harmony with nature. He wanted a "green funeral." He didn't want to be embalmed or buried with pomp or great expense. None of us had any experience with a green funeral and some of us had some doubts as we began the process.

Randy was buried in a hand-dug grave in a hardwood forest. He was wrapped in a shroud made of natural materials. There was a preacher but he was a childhood friend of my brother and he shared the same mindset of my brother. My brother was not a church Christian...he was a Jesus Christian. The preacher opened with a passage from Ecclesiastes which was turned into a song by the 60s band...The Byrds titled "Turn Turn Turn." Ironically, I had posted the very song the day before. Some knew it was in honor of my brother. Most did not.

I have been unsteady on my feet as of late and they had a chair they placed by the open grave for me to sit. As soon as I sat I saw a small bird feather at my feet. Randy and I shared an admiration for Native American culture and their reverence for nature. I saw it as a sign and I picked it up and held it throughout the words spoken by family.

Daniel spoke eloquently of his father and the tears flowed. Daniel and his father were incredibly close and Randy was enormously proud of the man Daniel had become. As brilliant as my brother was, Daniel, is even more so.

My sister Barbie is an amazing singer and she wrote a song for Randy the night before. She performed it unaccompanied and it was a beautiful tribute to Randy.

Randy was hand lowered into the grave by family and friends. His body was covered in branches from a Magnolia tree and wildflowers picked from an adjacent meadow as we walked to the gravesite. I dropped the bird feather and it spiraled down slowly "flying" to rest with my brother.

Our doubts about a green funeral were groundless. It was the most beautiful and touching ceremony I have ever attended. Randy's spirit is still beside me and I will follow his example to live a purposeful life. I shall miss his wise spoken counsel but he marked a trail for us to follow to speak up for the powerless and the forgotten. Having Randy for a friend was a gift. Having him for a brother was a gift from God."

Submitted by Raggedy Ann on Sat, 10/05/2019 - 8:59am

What a beautiful

@smiley7
and well deserved tribute to this wonderful man. He was one of my heroes.

on our hearts this week. Thank you. el has a wonderful tribute here on the DFH group: https://www.dailykos.com/stories/2019/10/4/1890182/-RIP-OPOL#comment_751... i've taken the liberty in copying the words of Randy's brother Ron Stonebear Shields "We buried my amazing brother, Randy yesterday in accordance with his wishes. He lived a purposeful and passionate life and he stayed true to his principles even in death. His son, Daniel flew in from Romania, and he and Randy had discussed his father's wishes for how he wanted to be buried, and Daniel had promised him he would do everything in his power to honor his father's last wish for his earthly remains. Randy was a passionate advocate for living in harmony with nature. He wanted a "green funeral." He didn't want to be embalmed or buried with pomp or great expense. None of us had any experience with a green funeral and some of us had some doubts as we began the process. Randy was buried in a hand-dug grave in a hardwood forest. He was wrapped in a shroud made of natural materials. There was a preacher but he was a childhood friend of my brother and he shared the same mindset of my brother. My brother was not a church Christian...he was a Jesus Christian. The preacher opened with a passage from Ecclesiastes which was turned into a song by the 60s band...The Byrds titled "Turn Turn Turn." Ironically, I had posted the very song the day before. Some knew it was in honor of my brother. Most did not. I have been unsteady on my feet as of late and they had a chair they placed by the open grave for me to sit. As soon as I sat I saw a small bird feather at my feet. Randy and I shared an admiration for Native American culture and their reverence for nature. I saw it as a sign and I picked it up and held it throughout the words spoken by family. Daniel spoke eloquently of his father and the tears flowed. Daniel and his father were incredibly close and Randy was enormously proud of the man Daniel had become. As brilliant as my brother was, Daniel, is even more so. My sister Barbie is an amazing singer and she wrote a song for Randy the night before. She performed it unaccompanied and it was a beautiful tribute to Randy. Randy was hand lowered into the grave by family and friends. His body was covered in branches from a Magnolia tree and wildflowers picked from an adjacent meadow as we walked to the gravesite. I dropped the bird feather and it spiraled down slowly "flying" to rest with my brother. Our doubts about a green funeral were groundless. It was the most beautiful and touching ceremony I have ever attended. Randy's spirit is still beside me and I will follow his example to live a purposeful life. I shall miss his wise spoken counsel but he marked a trail for us to follow to speak up for the powerless and the forgotten. Having Randy for a friend was a gift. Having him for a brother was a gift from God."

—

"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

Submitted by janis b on Sat, 10/05/2019 - 10:00am

What a beautiful tribute from OPOL's brother.

@smiley7

Thank you for including it here.

on our hearts this week. Thank you. el has a wonderful tribute here on the DFH group: https://www.dailykos.com/stories/2019/10/4/1890182/-RIP-OPOL#comment_751... i've taken the liberty in copying the words of Randy's brother Ron Stonebear Shields "We buried my amazing brother, Randy yesterday in accordance with his wishes. He lived a purposeful and passionate life and he stayed true to his principles even in death. His son, Daniel flew in from Romania, and he and Randy had discussed his father's wishes for how he wanted to be buried, and Daniel had promised him he would do everything in his power to honor his father's last wish for his earthly remains. Randy was a passionate advocate for living in harmony with nature. He wanted a "green funeral." He didn't want to be embalmed or buried with pomp or great expense. None of us had any experience with a green funeral and some of us had some doubts as we began the process. Randy was buried in a hand-dug grave in a hardwood forest. He was wrapped in a shroud made of natural materials. There was a preacher but he was a childhood friend of my brother and he shared the same mindset of my brother. My brother was not a church Christian...he was a Jesus Christian. The preacher opened with a passage from Ecclesiastes which was turned into a song by the 60s band...The Byrds titled "Turn Turn Turn." Ironically, I had posted the very song the day before. Some knew it was in honor of my brother. Most did not. I have been unsteady on my feet as of late and they had a chair they placed by the open grave for me to sit. As soon as I sat I saw a small bird feather at my feet. Randy and I shared an admiration for Native American culture and their reverence for nature. I saw it as a sign and I picked it up and held it throughout the words spoken by family. Daniel spoke eloquently of his father and the tears flowed. Daniel and his father were incredibly close and Randy was enormously proud of the man Daniel had become. As brilliant as my brother was, Daniel, is even more so. My sister Barbie is an amazing singer and she wrote a song for Randy the night before. She performed it unaccompanied and it was a beautiful tribute to Randy. Randy was hand lowered into the grave by family and friends. His body was covered in branches from a Magnolia tree and wildflowers picked from an adjacent meadow as we walked to the gravesite. I dropped the bird feather and it spiraled down slowly "flying" to rest with my brother. Our doubts about a green funeral were groundless. It was the most beautiful and touching ceremony I have ever attended. Randy's spirit is still beside me and I will follow his example to live a purposeful life. I shall miss his wise spoken counsel but he marked a trail for us to follow to speak up for the powerless and the forgotten. Having Randy for a friend was a gift. Having him for a brother was a gift from God."

Submitted by Anja Geitz on Sat, 10/05/2019 - 10:19am

Thank you Smiley

@smiley7

For including the details of what sounded like an extraordinary service for an extraordinary soul. Sad and sweet, saying goodbye to the ones we love changes us in ways we never anticipate. As it should be. We travel this earth together with a circle of friends and family surrounding us. It was an honor to take a peek inside Randy's circle, and to honor his life and those he left behind.

on our hearts this week. Thank you. el has a wonderful tribute here on the DFH group: https://www.dailykos.com/stories/2019/10/4/1890182/-RIP-OPOL#comment_751... i've taken the liberty in copying the words of Randy's brother Ron Stonebear Shields "We buried my amazing brother, Randy yesterday in accordance with his wishes. He lived a purposeful and passionate life and he stayed true to his principles even in death. His son, Daniel flew in from Romania, and he and Randy had discussed his father's wishes for how he wanted to be buried, and Daniel had promised him he would do everything in his power to honor his father's last wish for his earthly remains. Randy was a passionate advocate for living in harmony with nature. He wanted a "green funeral." He didn't want to be embalmed or buried with pomp or great expense. None of us had any experience with a green funeral and some of us had some doubts as we began the process. Randy was buried in a hand-dug grave in a hardwood forest. He was wrapped in a shroud made of natural materials. There was a preacher but he was a childhood friend of my brother and he shared the same mindset of my brother. My brother was not a church Christian...he was a Jesus Christian. The preacher opened with a passage from Ecclesiastes which was turned into a song by the 60s band...The Byrds titled "Turn Turn Turn." Ironically, I had posted the very song the day before. Some knew it was in honor of my brother. Most did not. I have been unsteady on my feet as of late and they had a chair they placed by the open grave for me to sit. As soon as I sat I saw a small bird feather at my feet. Randy and I shared an admiration for Native American culture and their reverence for nature. I saw it as a sign and I picked it up and held it throughout the words spoken by family. Daniel spoke eloquently of his father and the tears flowed. Daniel and his father were incredibly close and Randy was enormously proud of the man Daniel had become. As brilliant as my brother was, Daniel, is even more so. My sister Barbie is an amazing singer and she wrote a song for Randy the night before. She performed it unaccompanied and it was a beautiful tribute to Randy. Randy was hand lowered into the grave by family and friends. His body was covered in branches from a Magnolia tree and wildflowers picked from an adjacent meadow as we walked to the gravesite. I dropped the bird feather and it spiraled down slowly "flying" to rest with my brother. Our doubts about a green funeral were groundless. It was the most beautiful and touching ceremony I have ever attended. Randy's spirit is still beside me and I will follow his example to live a purposeful life. I shall miss his wise spoken counsel but he marked a trail for us to follow to speak up for the powerless and the forgotten. Having Randy for a friend was a gift. Having him for a brother was a gift from God."

—

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

Submitted by smiley7 on Sat, 10/05/2019 - 10:31am

Mornin' Anja,

@Anja Geitz

Your words give comfort to all this morning, thank you.

A belated congratulations, hope you've treated yourself to a splurge. Been dealing with severe headaches this week which seems to have melted away this morning, hoping it stays that way.

OPOL'S readership was wide and it's been wonderful to read so many of the tributes to him on the internet.

Submitted by Anja Geitz on Sat, 10/05/2019 - 11:24am

Glad to hear you're feeling better

@smiley7

I am a headache sufferer too. Used to get migraines years ago, but curiously, they went away. These days I suffer from sinus headaches when the weather changes. I find putting an ice pack on my head helps relieve the pressure when they are very painful. Apparently the cold constricts blood vessels and helps reduce the neurotransmission of pain to the brain. A piece of advice I got from a doctor many years ago that has become my go-to remedy for headaches.

Yes, I did splurge, but not with food. Got a wonderful massage yesterday, and boy did I need it! I'll tell you, if I had the money, I'd get one every week! Wonderful way to pamper oneself!

—

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

Submitted by snoopydawg on Sat, 10/05/2019 - 1:53pm

This was also posted there

@smiley7

OPOL Obituary

Elena posted a video of some kossaks at one of their gatherings too with lots of old folks gone but not forgotten.

It was a great essay by EL

on our hearts this week. Thank you. el has a wonderful tribute here on the DFH group: https://www.dailykos.com/stories/2019/10/4/1890182/-RIP-OPOL#comment_751... i've taken the liberty in copying the words of Randy's brother Ron Stonebear Shields "We buried my amazing brother, Randy yesterday in accordance with his wishes. He lived a purposeful and passionate life and he stayed true to his principles even in death. His son, Daniel flew in from Romania, and he and Randy had discussed his father's wishes for how he wanted to be buried, and Daniel had promised him he would do everything in his power to honor his father's last wish for his earthly remains. Randy was a passionate advocate for living in harmony with nature. He wanted a "green funeral." He didn't want to be embalmed or buried with pomp or great expense. None of us had any experience with a green funeral and some of us had some doubts as we began the process. Randy was buried in a hand-dug grave in a hardwood forest. He was wrapped in a shroud made of natural materials. There was a preacher but he was a childhood friend of my brother and he shared the same mindset of my brother. My brother was not a church Christian...he was a Jesus Christian. The preacher opened with a passage from Ecclesiastes which was turned into a song by the 60s band...The Byrds titled "Turn Turn Turn." Ironically, I had posted the very song the day before. Some knew it was in honor of my brother. Most did not. I have been unsteady on my feet as of late and they had a chair they placed by the open grave for me to sit. As soon as I sat I saw a small bird feather at my feet. Randy and I shared an admiration for Native American culture and their reverence for nature. I saw it as a sign and I picked it up and held it throughout the words spoken by family. Daniel spoke eloquently of his father and the tears flowed. Daniel and his father were incredibly close and Randy was enormously proud of the man Daniel had become. As brilliant as my brother was, Daniel, is even more so. My sister Barbie is an amazing singer and she wrote a song for Randy the night before. She performed it unaccompanied and it was a beautiful tribute to Randy. Randy was hand lowered into the grave by family and friends. His body was covered in branches from a Magnolia tree and wildflowers picked from an adjacent meadow as we walked to the gravesite. I dropped the bird feather and it spiraled down slowly "flying" to rest with my brother. Our doubts about a green funeral were groundless. It was the most beautiful and touching ceremony I have ever attended. Randy's spirit is still beside me and I will follow his example to live a purposeful life. I shall miss his wise spoken counsel but he marked a trail for us to follow to speak up for the powerless and the forgotten. Having Randy for a friend was a gift. Having him for a brother was a gift from God."

—

The ideal subject of totalitarian rule is not the convinced Nazi or the dedicated communist, but people for whom the distinction between fact and fiction, true and false, no longer exists.
~Hannah Arendt

Submitted by smiley7 on Sat, 10/05/2019 - 3:59pm

Thank you, snoopy,

@snoopydawg

for posting the news, too. Been fighting headaches and not commenting much. Lots of old-timers returned to kos to share their respects.

Submitted by snoopydawg on Sat, 10/05/2019 - 4:21pm

Yes it was great to see lots of old timers again

@smiley7

come to pay their respects to OPOL. I have been reading his essays over there. He wrote with so much passion and brilliance.

Here is the video Elena posted.

[video:https://vimeo.com/4944309]

Sorry to hear about your headaches. Have you tried a warm towel at the base of your neck? This seems to help me with mine. Feel better smiley.

—

Submitted by Cassiodorus on Sat, 10/05/2019 - 6:16pm

Blessings to all in attendance.

@smiley7 (nmi)

on our hearts this week. Thank you. el has a wonderful tribute here on the DFH group: https://www.dailykos.com/stories/2019/10/4/1890182/-RIP-OPOL#comment_751... i've taken the liberty in copying the words of Randy's brother Ron Stonebear Shields "We buried my amazing brother, Randy yesterday in accordance with his wishes. He lived a purposeful and passionate life and he stayed true to his principles even in death. His son, Daniel flew in from Romania, and he and Randy had discussed his father's wishes for how he wanted to be buried, and Daniel had promised him he would do everything in his power to honor his father's last wish for his earthly remains. Randy was a passionate advocate for living in harmony with nature. He wanted a "green funeral." He didn't want to be embalmed or buried with pomp or great expense. None of us had any experience with a green funeral and some of us had some doubts as we began the process. Randy was buried in a hand-dug grave in a hardwood forest. He was wrapped in a shroud made of natural materials. There was a preacher but he was a childhood friend of my brother and he shared the same mindset of my brother. My brother was not a church Christian...he was a Jesus Christian. The preacher opened with a passage from Ecclesiastes which was turned into a song by the 60s band...The Byrds titled "Turn Turn Turn." Ironically, I had posted the very song the day before. Some knew it was in honor of my brother. Most did not. I have been unsteady on my feet as of late and they had a chair they placed by the open grave for me to sit. As soon as I sat I saw a small bird feather at my feet. Randy and I shared an admiration for Native American culture and their reverence for nature. I saw it as a sign and I picked it up and held it throughout the words spoken by family. Daniel spoke eloquently of his father and the tears flowed. Daniel and his father were incredibly close and Randy was enormously proud of the man Daniel had become. As brilliant as my brother was, Daniel, is even more so. My sister Barbie is an amazing singer and she wrote a song for Randy the night before. She performed it unaccompanied and it was a beautiful tribute to Randy. Randy was hand lowered into the grave by family and friends. His body was covered in branches from a Magnolia tree and wildflowers picked from an adjacent meadow as we walked to the gravesite. I dropped the bird feather and it spiraled down slowly "flying" to rest with my brother. Our doubts about a green funeral were groundless. It was the most beautiful and touching ceremony I have ever attended. Randy's spirit is still beside me and I will follow his example to live a purposeful life. I shall miss his wise spoken counsel but he marked a trail for us to follow to speak up for the powerless and the forgotten. Having Randy for a friend was a gift. Having him for a brother was a gift from God."

—

“The loyal Left cannot act decisively. Their devotion to the system is a built-in kill switch limiting dissent.” - Richard Moser

Submitted by Wally on Sat, 10/05/2019 - 8:51am

We're All Feelin' Our Mortality This Week

It's been a tough past few days. Peace to all especially all OPOL's family, freinds and admirers.

Life goes on.

Hello everybody! We’re in Las Vegas. I’m feeling so much better.

Thank you for all of the love and warm wishes that you sent me.

See you soon on the campaign trail. pic.twitter.com/nk3wWIAuE7

— Bernie Sanders (@BernieSanders) October 5, 2019

Submitted by smiley7 on Sat, 10/05/2019 - 8:54am

Mornin' Wally, :)

@Wally

Submitted by smiley7 on Sat, 10/05/2019 - 8:57am

PS, Wally,

@smiley7
Yes, Sanders knows.

Submitted by irishking on Sun, 10/06/2019 - 11:57am

I had just one contact with OPOL

He had asked us to help a friend of his, John Pine.
He took the time to write me, and I am grateful to have met him that way.

OPOL 10/24/18

Thank you very much for helping and for the book order. Yes, back in the day we called each other freaks. I remember it well. I hope all is well with you and thanks again from me and Gene (John).

edit-removed my unnecesary words

Submitted by smiley7 on Sat, 10/05/2019 - 9:01am

Mornin' and thank you, irishking,

@irishking
for the beautiful Art Pepper.

Submitted by Lookout on Sat, 10/05/2019 - 9:48am

Good morning all

Finally a little break in the heat today. And at last they are calling for rain on Monday.

Ran into the judge at Trade Day. He told me he has been thinking about me the last couple of weeks. Several years ago I had suggested to him that worrying about politics was moot compared to the coming disaster of climate collapse. He told me today those words had been echoing in his mind this week of almost 100 degree temps so late into the year. Hottest September on record.

Thanks for the OT smiley. I loved OPOL's brothers story of his funeral. I find myself singing at more and more of them. You really have to stiffen your spine to sing for those your are close to without tearing up and choking down. I have to put my mind in a different place to make it through some of them. One thing to realize is you're sad because of YOUR loss not the person who has moved on to wherever who has now lost their pain and laid down their struggles.

I once knew Jessica Mitford (Decca). She wrote an interesting book, "An American Way of Death". OPOL was wise to create his green funeral. I've been to a couple of them, but they used a home made pine box rather than the shroud.

I leave you with one of my favorite OPOL pictures ...

[video:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_7xMfIp-irg]

—

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

Submitted by smiley7 on Sat, 10/05/2019 - 10:03am

Mornin' Lookout,

@Lookout
Rain on the way, Monday, will be a relief from the heat.

So many friends have walked on, gives one pause at times.

Still in Knoxville, until mid-week, most likely, son and me plan to go fishing on Monday, but the rain may be too heavy.

Sure you need the rain, hoping it's a saturating one for your mountain.

Submitted by UntimelyRippd on Sat, 10/05/2019 - 12:42pm

meanwhile, we're drowning here in the upper midwest,

@Lookout
and i just flipped on the furnace for the first time since april.

—

The earth is a multibillion-year-old sphere.
The Nazis killed millions of Jews.
On 9/11/01 a Boeing 757 (AA77) flew into the Pentagon.
AGCC is happening.
If you cannot accept these facts, I cannot fake an interest in any of your opinions.

Submitted by UntimelyRippd on Sat, 10/05/2019 - 1:08pm

6.5 inches in the last 2 weeks,

@Lookout @Lookout
and it just started pouring an hour ago, we'll get at least a half an inch today, and probably another half later in the week.

Nothing like last year, when we got 8 inches in one day, but still a lot of water, following up on a very wet spring and summer. Normally, we'd get about 20 inches from April through September, this year it was about 30 -- and due to a 3-inch rainfall earlier this week, we exceeded our October average 3 days into the month.

—

Submitted by Lookout on Sun, 10/06/2019 - 9:08am

That's our winter experience in 2019

@UntimelyRippd

We started summer in surplus. We've lost much of the temperature differential between the arctic and equator and the jet stream has lost its strength. So plan on more cycles of drought and flood. We've baked it into the cake so to speak.

—

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

Submitted by janis b on Sat, 10/05/2019 - 9:54am

Good Morning

Thank you smiley, for this extraordinarily moving tribute to OPOL, and to the spirit that grows strong with love and benevolence.

The words, the thoughts expressed, the music and the images are a work of art and love. Thank you again.

Love and respect to you.

Submitted by smiley7 on Sat, 10/05/2019 - 10:13am

Mornin' janis,

@janis b

Your kindness radiates across this globe like rays of sunshine greeting the morning; so fortunate to have you here in friendship.

Submitted by janis b on Sat, 10/05/2019 - 10:24am

; )

@smiley7

Submitted by enhydra lutris on Sat, 10/05/2019 - 10:50am

Good morning smiley. Thanks for this great and timely

column. There's a ghost of OPOL roaming the twisted halls of TOP, but it is not the ghost of the OPOL who posted there, the one they drove out, willingly and with malice aforethought for contesting the mandated narrative and candidate support manufacturing algorithm that was placed in force. That period of time and that activity is now retroactively erased from memory except among the more self aware.

It's time to head out to ur farmers' market, thanks again and have a great one.

—

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 --

Submitted by smiley7 on Sat, 10/05/2019 - 11:00am

Mornin' el,

@enhydra lutris

Thank you for the wonderful DFH group tribute.

By my math, about a thousand folks recommended tributes to OPOL on TOP; that's poetic justice.

A belated thank you for the sourdough recipe, as soon as i get a starter going, i'm going to follow it.

Submitted by mhagle on Sat, 10/05/2019 - 11:50am

I thank you as well, Smiley . . .

For the OPOL tribute. He will be missed. A kind soul who responded graciously to pretty much every comment posted to his essays. One of those authors you felt you were inside his writings.

—

Marilyn

"Make dirt, not war." eyo

Submitted by smiley7 on Sat, 10/05/2019 - 12:34pm

Good day, Marilyn

@mhagle

The best in many ways, may peace be with us all.

Submitted by lotlizard on Sat, 10/05/2019 - 12:53pm

Always took the time to say “’preciate it” to folk who commented

@mhagle
That was OPOL.

Submitted by UntimelyRippd on Sat, 10/05/2019 - 1:16pm

I just can't do the zen thing.

Gravity existed before any of us were here to name it, and if it hadn't, none of us would ever have been here to name anything at all. I believe in the manifestness of physical reality entirely outside of human -- or any other -- consciousness.

—

Submitted by smiley7 on Sat, 10/05/2019 - 4:09pm

Afternoon UR,

@UntimelyRippd

Hoping the rain relents for you folks, weird weather patterns impacting us all, it appears.

Submitted by randtntx on Sat, 10/05/2019 - 3:13pm

Good afternoon smiley,

thank you for putting this Saturday morning OT together.

Many have had the opportunity to see how beautiful life can be on this planet. Many have not had that opportunity. OPOL saw the injustice in that. The passion, the concern, the sense of justice that it takes to show, in words, a vision of a better world, is a gift to all of us. I have to love people who try and show us a better way, a different path, and try so hard to take us down that path with them.

Hope your fishing trip isn't rained out and that your cool front drops in.

Submitted by smiley7 on Sat, 10/05/2019 - 4:17pm

Afternoon randtntx,

@randtntx

Glad folks here got to read Randy's brother's beautiful words. We all do walk this road together.

Love Aoife O'Donovan's voice and music, thank you.

Submitted by WaterLily on Sat, 10/05/2019 - 7:11pm

Such a beautiful song.

@smiley7 Interpreted for us mortals by masters.

(For those of us here not of Irish descent: Aoife is pronouced "EE-fah.")

OT: I once registered for an Irish language class and gave up after the first one.

Submitted by smiley7 on Sat, 10/05/2019 - 7:42pm

'tangenting' a little,

@WaterLily @WaterLily

but, randntx and QMS got me off to autoplaying from their selections and i've stopped to look for this one in response

More "EE-fah." a favorite.

Submitted by WaterLily on Sat, 10/05/2019 - 7:46pm

<3

@smiley7 Wow - never heard this version. Thank you.

Submitted by WaterLily on Sat, 10/05/2019 - 7:50pm

And ... for those not familiar with John Hiatt

@WaterLily

I've had the pleasure of seeing John live. Goosebumps.

Submitted by WaterLily on Sat, 10/05/2019 - 8:03pm

More 'tangenting'

@smiley7 Caitlin Canty:

Submitted by smiley7 on Sat, 10/05/2019 - 8:25pm

One more for OPOL

@WaterLily

Submitted by WaterLily on Sat, 10/05/2019 - 8:47pm

And for all of us.

@smiley7 Thanks for this.

Submitted by janis b on Sat, 10/05/2019 - 9:44pm

Very sweet, Eagles

@WaterLily

Looks and sounds like a very beautiful group.

Submitted by janis b on Sat, 10/05/2019 - 9:51pm

Wonderful music

@smiley7

Submitted by janis b on Sat, 10/05/2019 - 9:55pm

Don't blame you!

@WaterLily

"I once registered for an Irish language class and gave up after the first one."

Learning a new language is difficult enough, but a new language that is related to your mother tongue and completely unintelligible must be doubly difficult.

Submitted by WaterLily on Sat, 10/05/2019 - 3:36pm

Dropping in late,

But just wanted to add my gratitude for sharing the words of OPOL's brother. He, too, sounds like a remarkable human being and it's clear that Randy will live on in him. A remarkable gift to leave behind.

I loved reading about his service and burial; while I never met OPOL nor knew him beyond his writings, it seems remarkably fitting.

Life, indeed, does march on. For as long as we're here in it, let's carry OPOL's spirit along with us.

Peace out.

Submitted by smiley7 on Sat, 10/05/2019 - 4:20pm

Afternoon Eagles92,

@WaterLily

OPOL, like Frodo, lives, indeed.

Peace.

Submitted by randtntx on Sat, 10/05/2019 - 10:13pm

Such fantastic music

@WaterLily and everyone. Thank you very much. I'm up past my bedtime listening, but will find this thread again on Monday just for another listen.

Submitted by QMS on Sat, 10/05/2019 - 5:00pm

What was that 'come to jesus' drug

OPOL spoke so highly of? Reading a book now that calls it the Leonardo high. Makes one brilliant for a limited duration, but exacts a heavy cost on longevity.

Taking the express train, swiftest way to get outta here.

Thanks Smiley for sharing.

—

question everything

Submitted by smiley7 on Sat, 10/05/2019 - 5:13pm