From ancient byways to modern highways, glimpses of faith are everywhere...

Sunday, May 31, 2020

Lighting a Candle

(Photo by LA2)
Eleanor Roosevelt once said, “It’s better to light a candle than to curse the darkness.”

In outer space, as on Earth, there seems to be a whole lot of darkness.  As above, so below.  Yet just yesterday, a candle was lit when Space X launched the “slick" Dragon craft.

So far, so great.  This historic event doesn’t only represent a technological advance.  It also represents the human Spirit, with its unquenchable urge to investigate Universal mysteries.

Einstein called this “holy curiosity.”  It’s where science and religion meet - on sacred ground, and in sacred space. 

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Copyright May 31, 2020 by Linda Van Slyke   All Rights Reserved


Tuesday, May 26, 2020

For the Birds and Then Some

Mr. Sage Grouse   (Public Domain)    
In certain circles, “for the birds” has derogatory connotations - but in other circles, it prevails.

The latter rang true when a federal judge ruled in favor of the greater sage grouse’s natural habitat.  Gas and oil “leases on more than 470 square miles” of such land were subsequently canceled.

This victory opens the door to challenging many a national environmental policy.  Over a million additional acres might then also be protected.

This isn’t just for the birds, in any sense of the phrase.  It concerns an entire web of precious interconnected life.   

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Copyright May 26, 2020 by Linda Van Slyke   All Rights Reserved



Icky is as Icky Does


Run, Crane, run!     (Public Domain)
Here on this side of the pond, we quake in our boots at the exploits of Washington Irving’s Ichabod Crane.

The name “Ichabod” actually means “without glory,” and Crane certainly had his share of inglorious moments.  But a character from the other side of the pond even out-ickys
Ichabod, and that be The Ickabog.

The Icka-what?  The Ickabog: J. K. Rowling’s latest public revelation.  Having played second fiddle to Harry Potter all these decades, The Ickabog is beside himself with rage.  This might mean that he eats more “children and sheep” than usual.

So look out world!  Rowling’s best kept secret is about to
emerge upon unsuspecting victims everywhere.

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Copyright May 26, 2020 by Linda Van Slyke   All Rights Reserved

Monday, May 25, 2020

Valuable Play


Yipee!!!     (Sculpture by Paul Manship)















Children instinctively know what adults seem to forget: that play is a valuable activity.  In more ways than one.

Two youngsters recently found out just how valuable play can be.  They were bored during the lockdown and “decided to build a fort.”  Bedsheets would be just the thing to get this project rolling.

When the kids grabbed some old sheets that were lying “around the house,” they were in for a huge surprise.  Hidden within were two gold bars, estimated to be worth more than $100,000.

So if you too are sick and tired of lockdown, indulge in some household play.  It might just change your life for the better, even without the 100 grand.  

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Copyright May 25, 2020 by Linda Van Slyke   All Rights Reserved