Hi all...
Until I was 10, I lived on the North Shore of Eastern Long Island. We were there until April, 1980. The North Shore was hilly and forested. In my youth, I never recall once seeing a bird of prey.
We took the kids camping in the Blue Ridge Mountains last week. Birds were everywhere. We saw hawks and vultures. We even got to see a barred owl, which we named 'Shakespeare.'
In the United States, the bird population suffered greatly from DDT. I have clear memories of many a failed attempt to get a nesting pair of bald eagles to lay and hatch a healthy egg. Thankfully, their numbers are back up. They are not at all endangered. They were removed from the endangered species list in 2007. It is wonderful to know that we can bring a proud animal back from the brink of extinction.
On the other hand, the bug population of the world has also rebounded quite robustly. This is not as good. You are all also aware that the bat population in the US is dying off in droves right now due to a fungal virus that scientists cannot control. The gnats were simply awful.
This presents a quandary. I understand that "they" are starting to experiment with DDT again in limited amounts. I do hope that some balance can be found, either with DDT or with something else. Birds are wonderful. Gnats...not so much.
Good night folks.
R/SCG
Tuesday, July 12, 2011
How the Mighty Hath Fallen...
I have any number of books that I have considered writing. Amongst them would be a thesis on the structure and writing of a Sefer Torah or a thesis on the polemic of the person/people who divided the parshiyot and the aliyot. Another one on my mind for a couple of years now is entitled "Eikh Naflu Giburim." We know this phrase. It is David's lament upon hearing of the death of Saul and of Jonathan. It is usually translated the way I have it in the title.
One of the reasons I have not written this book is that I do not know why I want to write it. Let me tell you about a few 'colleagues.' One is in jail for being a pedophile. Another is in jail for life after contracting a hit on his wife. Still another died in jail. He had broken the terms of his parole. This one ended up in jail for pilfering $85,000 from his discretionary fund. He used the money to move his mistress from Memphis to the Mississippi coast, and then to move a family facing difficult times up to New Jersey so that the family (his mistress) could have a fresh start after Katrina. He also purchased a $5000 rock for her finger. Yet another was videotaped with a prostitute.
The three mentioned received their ordinations from schools in every denomination. This type of behaviour is not restricted to one movement. As well, they are only the tip of the iceberg.
The concept of the book is intriguing. The reasons to write it are elusive. If it just turns out to be another expose of tawdry behaviour, to write such a book is unjustifiable. I often wonder though what keeps most of us from making such egregious decisions with our lives. I would like to figure that one out.
All of that being said, the crimes listed above are more than just crimes in the eyes of the law. They are a betrayal to the people these 'rabbis' are supposed to serve. It is not just short-term. "Okay..we fired the Rabbi, burned his files, and moved his furniture out of the house. No one with that Hebrew name will ever be allowed to receive an aliyah again." That does not make it go away. It requires a new Rabbi with a gentle demeanour and a kind heart. It will take time for the congregation to learn to trust that person. Building trust is difficult enough. Rebuilding it is nearly impossible.
The translation of our verse can also be rendered "how did the mighty fall?" It is a question with which I have wrestled for years. The answer is elusive. The inability to find an answer is frightening.
One of the reasons I have not written this book is that I do not know why I want to write it. Let me tell you about a few 'colleagues.' One is in jail for being a pedophile. Another is in jail for life after contracting a hit on his wife. Still another died in jail. He had broken the terms of his parole. This one ended up in jail for pilfering $85,000 from his discretionary fund. He used the money to move his mistress from Memphis to the Mississippi coast, and then to move a family facing difficult times up to New Jersey so that the family (his mistress) could have a fresh start after Katrina. He also purchased a $5000 rock for her finger. Yet another was videotaped with a prostitute.
The three mentioned received their ordinations from schools in every denomination. This type of behaviour is not restricted to one movement. As well, they are only the tip of the iceberg.
The concept of the book is intriguing. The reasons to write it are elusive. If it just turns out to be another expose of tawdry behaviour, to write such a book is unjustifiable. I often wonder though what keeps most of us from making such egregious decisions with our lives. I would like to figure that one out.
All of that being said, the crimes listed above are more than just crimes in the eyes of the law. They are a betrayal to the people these 'rabbis' are supposed to serve. It is not just short-term. "Okay..we fired the Rabbi, burned his files, and moved his furniture out of the house. No one with that Hebrew name will ever be allowed to receive an aliyah again." That does not make it go away. It requires a new Rabbi with a gentle demeanour and a kind heart. It will take time for the congregation to learn to trust that person. Building trust is difficult enough. Rebuilding it is nearly impossible.
The translation of our verse can also be rendered "how did the mighty fall?" It is a question with which I have wrestled for years. The answer is elusive. The inability to find an answer is frightening.
Monday, June 27, 2011
I Like to Ride My Bicycle
Top of the evening everyone.
You may remember when I identified the differences between brave and foolish. If not, go back and reread this entry: http://seabeechaplain.blogspot.com/2011/01/more-musings-and-amusings.html. I would like to add one other difference. 'Brave' has a much better writer than 'foolish.'
With those differences in mind, I would like to tell everyone that I was brave again. Every year, I ride a charity bicycle ride for the Zareinu school in Toronto. It is a 50-kilometre ride around the Niagara Escarpment. It was quite lovely. This year was my fifth ride. Over the years, I have seen many of the same people. We have a loose hevre. One of them is a guy named Mark. Mark had also signed up for the 50k, though he usually rides the 100k. At the very last minute, he convinced me to do the 1000-kilometre ride. Mark is most certainly not going on my Christmas list. That does not matter so much. I do not have one.
Somehow, I made it. I must tell you though that it hurt in places I did not know existed. For example, there is a town called 'Limehouse.' It hurt there. It also hurt in Halton Hills.
The good news is that I will only do the 50k next year, as I am also announcing the formation of 'Team Gorman.' Team Gorman will consist of me and the teenager.
Speaking of the teenager, you are all familiar with the song "Sunrise, Sunset." One of the verses has the following lyric: "When did she get to be a beauty? When did he grow to be so tall?" I can answer that question. He got to be so tall in the last 10 or so days. Using a level, we determined that Jesse was not taller than Jennifer about 10 days ago. As of Shabbat, he was. Jesse got to be this tall in June 2011.
Have a good night all.
You may remember when I identified the differences between brave and foolish. If not, go back and reread this entry: http://seabeechaplain.blogspot.com/2011/01/more-musings-and-amusings.html. I would like to add one other difference. 'Brave' has a much better writer than 'foolish.'
With those differences in mind, I would like to tell everyone that I was brave again. Every year, I ride a charity bicycle ride for the Zareinu school in Toronto. It is a 50-kilometre ride around the Niagara Escarpment. It was quite lovely. This year was my fifth ride. Over the years, I have seen many of the same people. We have a loose hevre. One of them is a guy named Mark. Mark had also signed up for the 50k, though he usually rides the 100k. At the very last minute, he convinced me to do the 1000-kilometre ride. Mark is most certainly not going on my Christmas list. That does not matter so much. I do not have one.
Somehow, I made it. I must tell you though that it hurt in places I did not know existed. For example, there is a town called 'Limehouse.' It hurt there. It also hurt in Halton Hills.
The good news is that I will only do the 50k next year, as I am also announcing the formation of 'Team Gorman.' Team Gorman will consist of me and the teenager.
Speaking of the teenager, you are all familiar with the song "Sunrise, Sunset." One of the verses has the following lyric: "When did she get to be a beauty? When did he grow to be so tall?" I can answer that question. He got to be so tall in the last 10 or so days. Using a level, we determined that Jesse was not taller than Jennifer about 10 days ago. As of Shabbat, he was. Jesse got to be this tall in June 2011.
Have a good night all.
Sunday, June 12, 2011
I Would Love to Say It's Been Quiet, But....
Hi all.
I have no clue what happened to the last month. The repairs we have needed on the outside of the house are in progress, but not yet complete. The kids are in the final weeks of school. That means multiple parties, early dismissals, exams, constant running around back and forth, and a general lack of time. Did I mention the short-fuse trip to Norfolk?
Shavuot went very well this year. We started the learning early, with the idea of being able to teach some of the people who would come with younger kids, but not be able to stay late. With the help of my wife and two friends, we ended up staying up until almost midnight learning at the shul.
Today was the Zareinu move-a-thon for the kids. They rode a great deal to raise money. As always, I am proud of them. It appears though that Gavi's rear brake cable is frayed. Rather than replace the cable (crucial), we will just get rid of the bicycle. I want to promote him to Jesse's bicycle this year anyway.
The cat is loud. She is sitting about seven feet from me. I can hear her purring.
It is 9:50 PM. I do not have much to accomplish this evening. I bid you all good night.
I have no clue what happened to the last month. The repairs we have needed on the outside of the house are in progress, but not yet complete. The kids are in the final weeks of school. That means multiple parties, early dismissals, exams, constant running around back and forth, and a general lack of time. Did I mention the short-fuse trip to Norfolk?
Shavuot went very well this year. We started the learning early, with the idea of being able to teach some of the people who would come with younger kids, but not be able to stay late. With the help of my wife and two friends, we ended up staying up until almost midnight learning at the shul.
Today was the Zareinu move-a-thon for the kids. They rode a great deal to raise money. As always, I am proud of them. It appears though that Gavi's rear brake cable is frayed. Rather than replace the cable (crucial), we will just get rid of the bicycle. I want to promote him to Jesse's bicycle this year anyway.
The cat is loud. She is sitting about seven feet from me. I can hear her purring.
It is 9:50 PM. I do not have much to accomplish this evening. I bid you all good night.
Tuesday, May 24, 2011
Fixing a Hole
With great respect to the Beatles...
Winter was rough. With the amount of precipitation we had, our front porch more or less blew apart. As well, our fence has suffered the slings and arrows of outrageous weather. Please do not sneeze in the backyard. I am not sure that what remains of our fence will withstand the violence.
And so we are having stuff fixed. Despite the expense, I do not mind. In fact, I am sort of enjoying it. The repairs will be long-term. We knew that they were coming at some point, but we will do them once, knowing that we will not have to worry about either one for another 25 years or so.
Note to all: when you fix your house, do it right. If you must do it on a budget, consider that your budget will not like having to make the same repair twice.
Take care.
Winter was rough. With the amount of precipitation we had, our front porch more or less blew apart. As well, our fence has suffered the slings and arrows of outrageous weather. Please do not sneeze in the backyard. I am not sure that what remains of our fence will withstand the violence.
And so we are having stuff fixed. Despite the expense, I do not mind. In fact, I am sort of enjoying it. The repairs will be long-term. We knew that they were coming at some point, but we will do them once, knowing that we will not have to worry about either one for another 25 years or so.
Note to all: when you fix your house, do it right. If you must do it on a budget, consider that your budget will not like having to make the same repair twice.
Take care.
Tuesday, May 10, 2011
Flying Humans
I used to like flying also. I must admit that I thoroughly enjoyed the flights between Tokyo and Chicago. The little "puddle hoppers" - those I do not like as much. I remember trying to land in one of those at Dulles. We had to come in a second time because the wind was so strong.
I must agree with my wife. I am not sure that humans were meant to fly. They were meant to ride bicycles!
I must agree with my wife. I am not sure that humans were meant to fly. They were meant to ride bicycles!
Monday, May 2, 2011
Good Riddance to Bad Rubbish
Embassies at Kenya and Tanzania
USS COLE
World Trade Center
Pentagon
Shanksville, PA
Bali
London
Madrid
It is about time we finally got this piece of garbage. Bravo Zulu to the members of the SEAL team that carried out the operation.
It is my sincere hope that whichever ship got to dump this piece of garbage overboard took the time to have an accidental discharge of the bilge tanks.
USS COLE
World Trade Center
Pentagon
Shanksville, PA
Bali
London
Madrid
It is about time we finally got this piece of garbage. Bravo Zulu to the members of the SEAL team that carried out the operation.
It is my sincere hope that whichever ship got to dump this piece of garbage overboard took the time to have an accidental discharge of the bilge tanks.
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