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Friday, 21 March 2014

Box Canyon, Mecca, California.

Driving thru Mecca, California..the various orchards and ranches growing almost any and every thing.

Box canyon...just east of Mecca...a road thru connects with Joshua National Park. I have driven in it a couple of times but never stopped to look....golly, there is a 'bunch' of great camping and hiking to be found in here.

It's a clay and sand area so if you leave the blacktop, a 4 wheel drive is pretty much mandatory.

Box Canyon

California > Box Canyon

There are probably dozens of Box Canyons in California; this one is a colorful ravine through the Mecca Hills at the east end of the Coachella Valley in the southeast of the state, 40 miles from Palm Springs. The sides are formed by upturned strata - twisted, buckled and eroded, they stretch for about 8 miles along the canyon, which is part of a metamorphic zone associated with the nearby San Andreas Fault. This runs through the Coachella Valley then southeast past the Salton Sea, and affects the geology of a wide strip of land at either side.

The Canyon

A scenic road (CA 195) runs through the ravine, linking CA 111 with I-10 and continuing on into Joshua Tree National Park. Plant life is limited to scattered bushes and palo verde trees along the sandy floor - the jagged rock walls are completely bare. The surrounding hills contain other narrow ravines, some of which become authentic slot canyons, plus springs, oases and a large area of vividly colored badlands; one other famous location is Painted Canyon, reached by a 4 mile gravel track leading off Box Canyon road, which has impressive rock formations in shades of pink, orange and red and grey. This particular ravine leads into the heart of the Mecca Hills Wilderness Area, a 24,000 acre preserve created by the 1994 California Desert protection act.

The Drive

It only takes about 15 minutes to drive through the interesting part, after which the road crosses the much more open Shavers Valley, and although there are no official trails, several days could be spent investigating the surrounding country. There are various places for camping by the roadside - good locations to stay but often with quite a lot of litter.

I did a bit of Google research on the area and it is pretty serious business. Do yours before just setting out.

Orocopia Mountains

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Orocopia Mountains
Orocopia Mountains.JPG
Orocopia Mountains
Highest point
Elevation 1,117 m (3,665 ft)
Orocopia Mountains is located in California
Orocopia Mountains
location of Orocopia Mountains in California[1]
Country United States
State California
District Riverside County
Range coordinates 33°34′00″N 115°46′33″WCoordinates: 33°34′00″N 115°46′33″W
Topo map USGS Orocopia Canyon
The Orocopia Mountains are located in Riverside County in southern California, USA, east of the Coachella Valley, west of the Chuckwalla Mountains, and south of Interstate 10 in the Colorado Desert. The range lies in an east-west direction, and is approximately 18 miles long. The Orocopia Mountains are north of and overlooking the Salton Sea and south of Joshua Tree National Park, with the Chocolate Mountains to the southeast and the scenic Mecca Hills just northwest.

Orocopia Mountains Wilderness Area

Location of the Orocopia Mountains
The area is the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) designated and managed Orocopia Mountains Wilderness Area.[2] The Orocopia Mountains are in the Colorado Desert section of the Sonoran Desert, adjacent to the Lower Colorado River Valley region. Just to the north is the Mecca Hills Wilderness Area.

Flora and fauna

The Wilderness Area includes some remnant natural spring fed oasis with the only California native palm, Washingtonia filifera or the California Fan Palm.

The Bradshaw Trail passed through the mountains, the first recorded route to the Colorado River from Riverside, California.

The dramatic and variable terrain was shaped primarily by movements of the adjacent San Andreas Fault over millennia. Most notably, the Orocopia schist, a blueschist assemblage found in the range, matches the Pelona schist found over 250 km away in the San Gabriel Mountains along the San Andreas fault. Hill and Dibblee (1953) first noted this similarity (a piercing point), and used it to construct the first estimates of the offset on the fault.[3]

Astronaut training

The Orocopia Mountains offer considerable geologic variety and was one of the areas used for geologic field training by Caltech Professor of Geology, Leon T. Silver, for astronauts in preparation for the NASA Project Apollo Moon landing missions. This training included:[4]
  • Apollo 13 Crew Training: September 1969: Astronauts Lovell, Haise and Swigert
  • Apollo 14 Crew Training: February 1971: Astronauts Shepard, Roosa and Mitchell
  • Apollo 15 Crew Training: June 1970: Astronauts Scott, Irwin and Worden
  • Apollo 16 Crew Training: April 1972: Astronauts Young, Mattingly and Duke
  • Apollo 17 Crew Training: December 1972: Astronauts Cernan, Evans and Schmitt

See also

External links


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Monday, 3 March 2014

Scenes from a wanderers soul

Into Nevada..and it's a big place. Looks so very empty to most of us but it's home to lots.

I was going to go to the Sheldon Wildlife Refuge and soak in a hot pool but a guy that was at Field General store told me that it wasn't really a hot pool..more like a luke warm one and this time of year...would be cold. Then..he gave me a couple 3 alternatives and I chose the one that seemed the most convenient to my drive. Called Bog Hot, for heavens sake...

It's a funny place to be...in my head, I mean. Because being out here alone...it is scary. I have no idea if it is dangerous or not. In all the times I have been in alone places, I have been bothered 3 times and all were in BC and all with stupid people. My sister...she would rather I don't do this stuff, but...that just doesn't cut it either. I think that I like to hold that idea..that I will do things like this because others don't or won't. I don't like being worried but I dislike not doing things because of that.

Then, on the way out, I stopped at old abandoned ranch.

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Friday, June 13, 2008

Shibaura Institute of Technology Listening Comprehension Mid-term Exam

The Midterm Exam is next Tuesday. You can prepare by watching and listening to some videos. Click this link to watch the videos:
You can get more practice by listening to these podcasts:
You can find links to many other podcasts by clicking this link:

Happy listening and good luck on the exam!

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Sunday, April 26, 2009

When in Rome (Poo as the Romans Poo)

I need to talk a little about Indonesian bathrooms. Most bathrooms here have a little hose with a squirt nozzle right next to the toilet so you can hose yourself and everything else down when you are done. What not all bathrooms have is toilet paper. Sometimes it is available out by the sinks, sometimes it is in the stall, and sometimes it is not there at all. This is where the hose comes in. This is also why the right hand is for eating, greeting, etc and the left is for doing other things. There is also plenty of water and usually soap for washing hands. The system seems to work pretty well.

Now about the toilets. Most of the toilets I used were western style, but I did encounter a few squat toilets. Of course I am quite comfortable going to the bathroom in the wild, but when faced with the task of squatting over a hole on slippery tile and actually being expected to aim I was a little intimidated. Of course it wasn't a big deal, and the aiming thing is probably half the reason they provide the hoses. It is the little cultural adventures that make travel fun.

The best part of the Indonesian bathroom is the mandi. I'm not sure if I'm spelling that right. Anyway, a mandi is a little bathtub sort of thing that you fill up with water. But you NEVER get IN the mandi. You scoop water out of it and pour it over yourself. There is always a drain in the bathroom floor, so you just stand there and dump water on the floor. It is very satisfying for anyone who ever wanted to splash water all over the bathroom as a little kid. Most places don't have hot water. That's ok though because it is so hot that the cold water is quite refreshing.

The hotel where stayed in Ubud had a waterfall/fish pond thing right outside our room. The sound of flowing water was so loud that the first night I had a dream that I was relaxing in an overflowing mandi with flowers floating around me. It was delightful. Then I woke up and realized I needed to go to the bathroom.

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Thursday, June 4, 2015

No parking

My school is on a busy street, so parking is difficult. Up until a few months ago we could park in our parking lot which was great if you got there early enough to get one of the spots. The later you came to school, the less of a chance you would get one. Some people took that to mean the later you come the more creative you should get with parking in the lot. The intercom would announce throughout the day that a car needs to be moved because it's blocking someone. Leaving on time was out of the question because your car was buried behind four cars blocking you in. It was frustrating and the principal tried to fix it, but nothing worked.
Finally the fire department came in and saw how we were violating the building codes, so they fined the principal and declared the parking lot off-limits. So now no one can park there anymore. Another case of a handful of people ruining it for everyone.
It reminds me of the dynamic in my classroom. I sometimes punish the whole class because of the behavior of a few people. I feel bad about it, but at that moment I feel it's my only choice. My principal couldn't find a good solution in that situation and sometimes I can't either.
So now when I'm walking three blocks from school to where I'm parked, I try to focus on all the great exercise I'm getting.


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Home > Sad and Happy

Sad and Happy

June 23rd, 2009 at 06:33 am

I am experiencing lots of mood swings this summer. One minute I am basking in the relaxing hum of summer and the next I am ready to cry.

Is it my hormones?

My girls are growing up but I think it is more than that. On July 2nd they get their genetic tests drawn and a few months from then we will find out if they have what their dad does. MEN type 1.

Now, there are far worse genetic diseases to have but this is no piece of cake. My husband has half a pancreas, no parathyroid glands, 1/4 of a thryoid gland and he is 32 years old!

I am mostly worried about C. because she is the one with lupus...what will her body do if it has to deal with MEN too?

I know this is not money related but these worries have consumed me lately.

It's funny though. When my girls were younger (and me too) I never would have thought I would have any kind of strength to deal with minor tragedies. But when you are living with these chronic illnesses in your family you get used to it. But sometimes something inside me cracks open and I just lose it. Is that normal?

I was thinking the other day that as a mother I am becoming my daughters past. They are moving forward so quickly and I am watching them leave and it is the most painful thing ever. Loving your children hurts. It is the best thing in my life but at times the most angst filled.

Well, those are my ramblings for the day.

2 Responses to “Sad and Happy”

  1. momcents Says:

    Hugs through cyber-space to you. Sounds like a lot is going on right now. I will say a prayer for your daughters' test results. I think it hits us all at some point that our kids are growing up and our identity as primary caregiver isn't as critical as when they're newborns. I hope this passes quickly for you and you enjoy your days this summer before they go back to school.

  2. ceejay74 Says:

    Maybe hormones, but you've certainly got enough on your mind to justify a few mood swings! I hope the test results go your way, and either way it sounds like you will find the strength inside you to take care of your family no matter what.

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About Us

CourseMosaic is a product of CourseMaven, an educational technology software company located in the Washington, DC suburbs.

CourseMaven was founded in 2009 by a team of software industry veterans with extensive experience in higher education. Our CEO, Janet Van Pelt, previously founded Echo360, the leading provider of enterprise lecture capture in higher education.

Based on our understanding of the college environment, we recognized that legacy student systems are poorly suited to meet the needs of programs serving non-degree-seeking students. Our cloud-based platform combines is an intuitive user interface with a highly configurable workflow engine that seamlessly exchanges data with students systems as necessary. This allows colleges to create an efficient and intuitive user experience for students, partners and internal staff while maintaining the integrity of the student system as the system of record as required.

We released our first solution built on this platform, DualEnroll.com, in 2012. DualEnroll.com has been adopted by colleges including Lake Michigan College, Wichita Area Technical College, LaRoche College and the College of Western Idaho and is under evaluation at dozens more institutions.

CourseMosaic.com combines seasoned DualEnroll.com functionality with additional tools to support the unique requirements of continuing education and workforce development programs.


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Solo this year

I'm three-peating this year and walking in Michigan.

Be sure to click on the walk summaries to read about Chicago & San Fran.

Tuesday, June 1, 2010

Just Walking In The Rain

I visited my very wonderful friends, Mike and Debbie in Seattle this past Memorial Day Weekend (Hey Guys!!) and while there, Debbie and I walked around Green Lake twice. (Once around is 2.8 miles.) And since we were in Seattle, of course it rained on the walk. I am conflicted about walking in the rain during training. One, I don't want to get sick and possibly derail further training and two, wet feet and socks are not good for keeping blisters away. I may have to find an indoor track that I can use (for free) but not the mall since I don't want the temptation (possibly not free). Lucky for me it typically does not rain much in Spokane (she says while typing this during a typhoon). Ideas??

  1. I didn't train in the rain last year. I walked on the treadmill.

    Course than it rained on me in Chicago last year. LOL

  2. Rain during the event I can tolerate but not during training. I don't have a treadmill.

  3. go to the Spokane arena. they must have free events once in a while


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Friday, June 5, 2009

June Giveaway Winner

Good morning. Here at my house, we are currently preparing for a wonderful week long vacation to St Augustine Beach, but first before I hit the sand, let me announce the winner of my June Giveaway.

Congratulations to Tina, the former owner of a milking cow.

Because I shall not be leaving my chair by the seashore for the next 7 days, I will be shipping out your prize to you on June 15th. I so hope to be going to the post office a slightly tanner version of myself. The monkeys are so excited to meet you and your family.

Have a great week everyone!

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add a Touch of rustic flair to your backyard

pergola is a garden structure that forms a shaded walkway or a sitting area of vertical posts or pillars that usually support cross-beams and open lattice, often upon which woody vines are grown. Pergolas were first mentioned in an Italian writing in 1645. Pergolas may connect pavilions or extend from a building. Free standing pergolas provide a sitting area that allows for breeze and sunlight but offers protection from the harsh glare of direct sunlight.

Pergolas can be made to any size or height. Mount Hope Fence offers two types of materials for your pergolas...

Cedar pergolas add a rustic flair to your backyard with a pergola made from solid cedar. Cedar has a pleasing aroma to humans but this same aroma deters bugs. Cedar also will not warp or crack when exposed to rain, sun, or snow.


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My Uninteresting Day

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August 24th, 2007, 3:21 pm

OKay p7,8 and 9

Alright chapter 1 is now finished, chapter 2 will start soon. So click the archive button and go back to p7. thats where the new pages are that i just posted. And for those of you who dont get what the heck is going on, the blond dude we beat up who ran away transformed into the dude with the red and black hair who says "Five more for the list, this is just too easy"...^^!

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Thursday, March 5, 2015

"YOUTH FOR MORALITY" a campaign was driven by SIO Mumbai Division to 'uphold morality and save humanity and to bring the moral revolution' in the Society. For this the organization conducted 'campus squad work' in various colleges of South Mumbai and also in one of the prominent university i.e Mumbai university. This squad work was done to create awareness amongst the teenagers about the harmful effects of immortality and moral degradation on them their families and society.

This campaign lasted for one week from 9th Feb to 16th Feb. It was the Boon to the youths. The youths also gave their feedback on 'moral book'.
Youth for Morality campaign was also covered by the newspaper 'Inquilab'.

Our Journey

Your Pearls of Wisdom

Success breeds success

There was a farmer who grew superior quality, award-winning corn in his farm. Each year, he entered his corn in the state fair where it won honors & prizes.

One year a newspaper reporter interviewed him and learned something interesting about how he grew his corn. The reporter discovered that the farmer shared his seed corn with his neighbors.

"How can you afford to share your best seed corn with your neighbors when they are entering corn in competition with
yours each year?" The reporter asked. "Why brother"

'' The farmer replied, "Didn't you know? The wind picks up pollen grains from the ripening corn and swirls it from field to field.

If my neighbors grow inferior, sub-standard & poor quality corn, cross-pollination will steadily degrade the quality of my corn. If I have to grow good corn, I must help my neighbors to grow good corns."

The farmer gave a superb insight into the connectedness of life. His corn cannot improve unless his neighbors' corn also improves. So it is in the other dimensions and areas of life!
Those who choose to be in harmony must help their neighbors and colleagues to be at peace.

Those who choose to live well must help others live well. The value of a life is measured by the lives it touches...

Success does not happen in isolation; it is most often a participatory and collective process. So share the good practices, ideas and new knowledge with your family, friends, team members and neighbors & all.

(sent by Ab.waheed)


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Sunday, December 26, 2010

White Christmas! (Well, Day After Christmas!)

Scenes from a Christmas Snow! It started snowing last night ... and it's still snowing today, December 26!

Wednesday, December 8, 2010

I Miss My MOM!

I switched out the fall decorations on my Mom's grave and put some winter/Christmas ones in the vase. I really don't visit the cemetery very much because I've never felt my Mom is there ... I know her body may be there, but she's safely in heaven ... and her presence is with me all the time. And this is a good thing because I can't help but think about her all the time, anyhow ...and talk to her all the time ... as she was such a huge part of my life ... but right now, during this season of Christmas, I miss her SO much that it hurts.
Today is December 8 ... a Holy Day ... the Feast of the Immaculate Conception. Every year, we would go to Mass and then go out Christmas shopping on this day. It was like the official start of the season. Well, at least the official start of our Christmas shopping! While I was at Mass this morning, it was all I could do to hold back my tears. I really hate crying in church, but that's one of the places I always feel like crying these days! I so wish my Mom could be here.
Last year, we went to Macy's for our Christmas shopping ... a few days after December 8, in fact! I remember there was a lot going on last December. Anyhow, we had a really good day, even though it was cold and drizzly and my Dad wasn't doing that well. Mom wanted to make sure she had presents for everyone. She gave my sister and me cozy, flannel pajamas ... a wallet for Kent (something he always wanted and it still looks pretty good a year later!), those super-soft warm blankets with sleeves for Colette and Amelia and a pair of warm-up pants with pockets for Randy ... she got boxes for every gift, too. She sped around Macy's with her walker, looking so cute in her white wool coat and little red gloves. Gosh, I had no idea last year, as we did such a simple thing as head to the mall, that that would be the last Christmas shopping I'd ever do with my Mom.
One day last week, I was out driving past my parents' old neighborhood, and "We Need A Little Christmas" played on the radio. That became my Mom's favorite Christmas song over the years. It seemed to sum everything up so perfectly, especially the line, "For I've grown a little leaner; grown a little colder; grown a little sadder; grown a little older ... And I need a little angel, sitting on my shoulder ..."

Saturday, December 4, 2010


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In this space, we invite you to share your experiences and build this website with us. We all journey together with God and with one another. We live through constant change: internal and external and as mothers, we understand change to a heightened degree. We are life-givers. The triune God is our life-giver. In this space, we will seek to learn how to integrate each part of our life so that what we might offer up is every aspect of ourselves as prayer.

Whether you seek Spiritual Rehabilitation or just a little Spiritual Replenishment, we hope that this site might be a place where we can feed you and you can feed us as we seek to develop a series of workshops that the church might use to meet women as they 'become' mothers: a time of such rapid transformation.

Our materials can be developed in response to what we discover here and most important of all, our stories can be told.

Theological rationale for Fuel Women's Course

Matrescence is a term that was coined by anthropologist Dana Raphael in the early 1970s1 to describe the process of becoming a mother. Her consideration of this rite of passage, in which one life is created and another transformed, influenced research into motherhood as spiritual formation. Thomas (2001, 90) describes how, 'matrescence is a time of power, a time when a woman encounters new dimensions of self, relation, and God.' However, in a multi-million pound industry of books, programs and self-help guides for the new mother, the Church of England has done little to specifically facilitate a new mother's spiritual reorientation. Thomas (2001, 91) describes how 'the rite associated with birth is infant baptism or blessing, where the focus is upon infant, not the mother.' The Book of Common Prayer is perhaps fruitful where it offers a liturgical response of 'Thanksgiving of Women after Child-birth , commonly called Churching of Women'.2 However, whilst it seeks to affirm a woman for having 'putteth her trust in thee (God)' and recognises her need, with the plea, 'Be thou to her a strong tower,' it does little to nurture specifically her spiritual development after such a profound life-changing experience. The 5 week course 'Fuel' was written in response to this need.

Women's faith development
Human development theorists seek to grapple with our rites of passage and our discoveries and resistance to change. Piaget and Fowler articulate stages of development. Change is often linear and progress is to spiritual maturity. There is often a sense of evolution rather than progress and its arrest. From the outset, FUEL's investigating group, in their quest to facilitate the change that occurs in new mothers, sought out theories that considered the fluid and the transitional, the place 'between'. It was decided that stages are better plotted on a spiral because people will move in and out of stages. The place of liminality is the most rich for its growth and the questions it raises. Streib (2003, 27) explains how researchers into women's faith formation discover that women experience 'a whirlpool experience of faith.'

Rationale for the course's approach
Baumohl describes the need 'to help adults to see that discipleship is not just about understanding the faith but about learning how to live it...' (my italics). He describes how this 'learning is concerned with change,'(1986:10). Facilitating response to times of change in the human life cycle is a responsibility of the church if we are serious about the Missio Dei and our own story as the people of God to which the biblical narrative bears witness. Brueggemann's articulation of disorientation and reorientation helps women understand their feelings against the biblical backdrop:

The faith of Israel, like all human experience, moved back and forth between the polar moods of... deep anguish and misery and...profound joy and celebration. In this back and forth movement the people of Israel worked out the power and limits of their faith... and brought it to expression (Brueggemann and Miller, 1995, 67).
The 'Fuel' course assumes that each woman is seeking reorientation and has already developed a spiritual discipline prior to becoming a mother. Encountering a kind of dissonance now that life has changed, previous rules of life for quiet time or a sacred space need to be reformulated around the demands of motherhood. It was decided that this dissonance should be explored together so that collectively and individually, women might bring 'to expression' their faith as it is now. Baumohl (1986, 90) describes how,

The strength of the small group is that everybody can be involved. Each person’s experience and resources can be at the disposal of others in the group, and the ‘intimacy’ generated can encourage honest exchange.

Over five weeks women are supported as they revisit scripture from their new point of view, engage in creative prayer and discuss their experiences together.3 Fowler identifies this need for community with the third stage of faith development: Synthetic-conventional faith, but where for many people honest communication is restrained by a desire for conformity and difference is often silenced, FUEL anticipates that matrescent women might be more naturally open. Nicola Slee (2004, 32) describes how 'women's distinctive patterns of faith may not adequately be accounted for by [Fowler's] stages' and FUEL acknowledges with Streib (2003, 26) that 'studies in faith development in women present a strong proposal for revising the definition of faith to include a relational perspective....' This relational orientation is promoted by the course's preference for a kind of heuristic exploration over didactic teaching so that women wrestling with issues of power and self-reformulation can be given opportunities to discover their voice and 'make meaning' together. The name of the course corroborates this. Fuel is an acronym for 'Fellowship and Understanding as we Engage with Life as it is now.' The idea of the present moment and the very 'nowness' of life, as it is experienced with children, is emphasised so that whilst the course facilitates space to lament what once was, and is now lost, it might also engage practically with spiritual needs arising out of the new situation and be a place where women can forge out new spiritual disciplines. These disciplines might include means for resourcing each other through group get-togethers once the course has finished. Creating sustaining fellowship is one of the course's core aims.

Choosing activities for the course
In formulating activities, Fowler's categories of faith development proved interesting. It was decided that matrescent women might tend towards exhibiting Fowler's stage 4 and stage 5 tendencies both because of the actual changes they are experiencing and because the course itself facilitates a level of self-consciousness through reflection and open questions. Fowler explores transition from Stage 4 and individuative-reflective faith to Stage 5's Conjunctive faith and the course seeks to accompany women as they demythologise societal, traditional, religious and historical myths which construct the symbol of ideal mother. Women will have already begun to do this as they have explored a dissonance between the image of motherhood they carried during pregnancy and the reality of mothering in practice. Fowler explains how:

The person of Stage 5 makes her or his own experience of truth the principle by which other claims to truth are tested. But he or she assumes that each genuine perspective will augment and correct aspects of the other, in a mutual movement toward the real and the true. (Fowler J 1981:185).

FUEL aims to facilitate women in a journey towards self-acceptance where identity is understood in terms of its value in God rather than against any system of artificial ideal. Booklets take the women through each week of the course and include space for their own commentary and journalling to reinforce their sense of their ownership of the course.4

Facilitators of the course
Laurie Green calls us to act, reflect and act again so that 'through analysis' an assessment can be made about 'how the Christian faith relates' to experience. The spiral begins again on the implementation of new ways of thinking. (Green, 1990, 24-32) The approach taken by the facilitators of the course must be dialogical, conversational and creative.

Arbuckle (1996, 199) describes how the task of a formator is to lead others on a journey. Formators are to learn from Moses, who allowed people to express their loss and re-articulate a vision, which was for Moses of the promised land, but for new mothers might be transformed relationship with God. FUEL's aim is never to provide answers or create dependency. FUEL's aim is to model ways in which intimacy with God might be rediscovered so that practises might be taken into life beyond the course. Women are encouraged by any participating church to recall original attendees to future planning meetings. In this way as Arbuckle (1996, 199) advocates, 'initiates...train to become refounders'.5 Women can reshape future courses evolving out of their experiences and are encouraged to share with new participants ways in which they benefited from the course. There is also a way to keep constantly in communication with others facilitating and participating in the course, through a blog that should become a community forum as the course grows.6

During FUEL's development, important insights were gained into women's faith development so that the creation of the course itself facilitated my own growth. During the module, I had sensed my own dis-ease with some of Fowler's faith stages. Whilst many of his ideas seemed reasonable, his proposal that with faith development there is also a rise in independence and autonomy did not accord with my experience of the interdependent relationships I share with children and husband. In constructing the course, my colleagues and I came to affirm God's multiple callings on our lives as wives, mothers, priests and friends and appreciate our relational orientation. As we discussed the course together, we discovered how similar our journeys were: three young women, mothers and future priests. We found times together life-giving and painful as we shared openly our struggles and joys. We were amused by Maslow's hierarchy of need and reflected on how motherhood can place you right back at the bottom of the triangle again.7 We were spurred on to respond to experiences like Thomas' who describes how as a new mother she 'stopped attending church services for three years...my church had no "cry room,"(2001, 96).Where Thomas uses “cry-room” to communicate the cries of her off-spring, we envisaged a time in church for the release of our own tears! FUEL suggests the course runs parallel with the main worship service for five weeks with attendees rejoining the church family for refreshments afterwards. In turn, FUEL returns refreshed (refuelled!) and reorientated women to a church that might have started to grow pastorally through its attention to her needs. The church itself can gain from the ways in which women experiencing such transition can teach it about how to journey together to the heart of God.

List of References

Arbuckle, G.A., (1996) From chaos to mission: refounding religious life formation. London: Redwood Books

Baumohl, A., (1986). Making Adult Disciples: Learning and teaching in the local church. London: Scripture Union.

Brueggemann, W. and Miller, P.D. (ed.) (1995). The Psalms and the life of faith, Minneapolis: Fortress Press.

Fowler, J.W. (1981). Stages of faith : the psychology of human development and the quest for meaning. San Francisco: Harper & Row.

Green, L., (1990). Let’s Do Theology: A Pastoral Cycle Resource Book, England: Mowbray.

Raphael, D., (1976), The Tender Gift, USA:Schocken Books.

Slee, N. (2004). Women's faith development : patterns and processes. Aldershot: Ashgate Publishing.

Streib, H., (2003). 'Faith development research at twenty years'. Developing a public faith: New directions in practical theology, essays in honour of James. W. Fowler, ed. R. R. Osmer, St. Louis: Chalice Press, pp. 15-42

Thomas T., 'Becoming a Mother: Matrescence as Spiritual Formation' Religious Education, Volume 96, Number 1, 1 January 2001 , pp. 88-105(18)

1D., Raphael, (1976), The Tender Gift, USA:Schocken Books. Raphael considers post-partum care from the perspective of various cultures. British individualism does little to embrace the idea that it takes an entire village to raise a child.
2See Book of Common Prayer and 'THE THANKSGIVING OF WOMEN AFTER CHILD-BIRTH COMMONLY CALLED CHURCHING OF WOMEN. ' Available online at http://www.vulcanhammer.org/anglican/bcp-1662.pdf
3A description of the course's aims and the program of sessions with one presented in full is included in the Appendix, section A.
4Booklets for each week are included in the Appendix, section B
5Arbuckle's chapter 8 'Formators: Ritual elders of a rite of passage' has been useful background reading supporting our aim to explore rather than teach.
6See BLOG built for the course: http://mumsthe-word.blogspot.com/
7We discovered that whilst we were functioning near to the bottom in terms of our basic needs, our quest for meaning and relationship with God meant that according to Maslow, we were operating at the top of the triangle.

Life before...

This is a piece of writing by Katie Tupling which I thought was rather beautiful.

There are few things that make you live quite so much in the present moment, as when your life is captivated by your baby son or daughter in their dependence upon you. It can be as challenging as it can be beautiful. Katie captures her experiences here of her son at twenty weeks old.

Picture by imagebank

I can't remember my life clearly before Sam arrived - I sort of remember parts of it, as I remember events from my life when other people reminisce or I look at photographs.

But the reality is, there is only today. I look at photos of when Sam was born, nearly 20 weeks ago, and it feels like a lifetime ago. I don't remember him being that tiny, I struggle to recall the reality of the early days in hospital, and have hazy memories of the difficult first weeks and the tough decisions to first switch to bottle feeding and then onto formula.

There is only today. He is asleep in his pram at the end of the sofa, and soon he'll wake up with a full nappy and an empty tummy. We'll listen to the radio as I feed him baby porridge, scrape most of it off his face as he gives me that huge, accepting, toothless grin, and then we'll smile and laugh and play until he's tired and needs to sleep again. I'll hold him for a moment, looking for the cues that he's ready for a nap - him burying his head into my neck, making small cries, and trying to pull my face off - and I'll kiss him softly on his cheek, whisper that I love him very much, and lay him down gently. He'll grumble for a moment, suck his thumb, and fall asleep with his thumb just resting at the edge of his mouth.

My beautiful son, my treasure, my beloved.

  • What have your experiences as a parent done to your sense of time?
  • How might God be reaching you in the everyday moments?
  • Where do you see him, hear him as you orientate yourself around your little one?

How to juggle career with children

Marry someone fabulous
Develop a robust personality not easily prone to guilt
Tell your children that having lots of strings to your bow is something you're encouraging in them
Hang up your clothes in the steam of the bathroom, saves ironing
Always cook too much and freeze the rest
Smile a lot, even if through gritted teeth

Any other suggestions?

Just discovered a course that exists

No doubt, we are not the first to realise that there is little out there for mums who are sensing the transformative effects of that new role. We are encouraged to frequently think through and adjust our 'rule of life', how we make time for God, but having children forces this upon you: you have to make adjustments.

Here is a course I have just come across, which will be packed full of ideas if you want to equip yourself spiritually for the journey ahead. At some point in my future ministry I hope to run a course for new mums, so far in my ministry my focus has been very much on the under 5s and ministry to the mums involved has been implicit. At some point I will purchase this resource and feedback here.
Here's the link

How to Feel Good Naked by Sheila Bridge

Here's a link to Sheila's facebook page

Really happy to promote this book written by a friend at college. Body image is such a big deal and we can not deny this. No matter how secure we are that our status is in Christ and we are loved by God and perfect in his sight because of what Jesus has done for us, we would not be human if we didn't have hang-ups, even if they are slight, about what we look like. In the five week course that I designed with friends for mothers assessing their spirituality and finding God in their new life pattern, one session was about body image. We would have liked to have read Sheila's book before that session got planned, but we will not have to wait too much longer. It is out soon and you can order it here.

If you're curious about her message and can not wait until the book comes out, you can hear one of her talks here

Another book worth looking at

Product Description

What does Jesus know about the peanut-butter-and-jelly life of a mom? Plenty! Jill Savage, founder and director of Hearts at Home, introduces the real Jesus to real moms. In chapters that examine key behaviors and decisions Jesus made during His life on earth, Jill brings those lessons right down to the laundry-filled, sticky-fingered days every mother knows.

Between the chapters are interactive vignettes that turn the concept of the book back around. If the meat of the content is looking at Jesus’ life on earth and understanding how to apply that in our everyday lives, these perspective vignettes are brief, refreshing glimpses starting with our own messy, busy lives. Jill continually reminds the reader that Jesus is not an unattainable deity, but a Friend who understands.

About the Author

Jill Savage is the founder and executive director of Hearts at Home, an organization committed to helping moms love their life. She and her husband, Mark, a senior pastor, have been married for over two decades and have five children, one of whom is married.


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Munchkins and Mayhem

Munchkins & Mayhem

A Kids Crafts Blog

Thursday, June 5, 2014

Tie Wreath

Find a bunch of old ties and repurpose them into a cute wreath to celebrate Father's Day.  Get the full details at good housekeeping.

Good for ages 10 and up.

Get the instructions here:

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Confirmation of Enochrus affinis in Turkey, some notes on the Enochrus politus (K�ster, 1849) (Coleoptera: Hydrophilidae)

Abstract :

This article is intented to present both to confirm of Enochrus affinis Thunberg 1794 (Hydrophilidae: Cleoptera) and to inform more about distirbution of Enochrus politus K�ster 1849 (Hydrophilidae: Cleoptera) in Turkey. Specimens of Enochrus were collected from seven provinces of Turkey (Adana, Gaziantep, Hatay, Kahramanmaraş, Kilis, Mersin and Osmaniye) in different survey between 2012 and 2013 years (May-October) through in shallow areas of various lakes, rivers, watercourses, spring and ponds. Also, it has been added the examples which had been collected same places in 2011 year. Enochrus affinis Thunberg 1794 and Enochrus politus K�ster 1849 are recorded from research area for first time

Keyword :

Coleoptera, aquatic beetles, Enochrus, Turkey

Author(s) : , M. Bektaş, A. Polat, Ü. İncekara, G. E. Taşar
Downloads : 1007

Download View 2014 Vol.9 Number 2


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Tuesday, 13 April 2010

The Four Noble Truths

1. Life means suffering.

2. The origin of suffering is attachment.

3. The cessation of suffering is attainable.

4. The path to the cessation of suffering.

1. Life means suffering.

To live means to suffer, because the human nature is not perfect and neither is the world we live in. During our lifetime, we inevitably have to endure physical suffering such as pain, sickness, injury, tiredness, old age, and eventually death; and we have to endure psychological suffering like sadness, fear, frustration, disappointment, and depression. Although there are different degrees of suffering and there are also positive experiences in life that we perceive as the opposite of suffering, such as ease, comfort and happiness, life in its totality is imperfect and incomplete, because our world is subject to impermanence. This means we are never able to keep permanently what we strive for, and just as happy moments pass by, we ourselves and our loved ones will pass away one day, too.

2. The origin of suffering is attachment.

The origin of suffering is attachment to transient things and the ignorance thereof. Transient things do not only include the physical objects that surround us, but also ideas, and -in a greater sense- all objects of our perception. Ignorance is the lack of understanding of how our mind is attached to impermanent things. The reasons for suffering are desire, passion, ardour, pursuit of wealth and prestige, striving for fame and popularity, or in short: craving and clinging. Because the objects of our attachment are transient, their loss is inevitable, thus suffering will necessarily follow. Objects of attachment also include the idea of a "self" which is a delusion, because there is no abiding self. What we call "self" is just an imagined entity, and we are merely a part of the ceaseless becoming of the universe.

3. The cessation of suffering is attainable.

The cessation of suffering can be attained through nirodha. Nirodha means the unmaking of sensual craving and conceptual attachment. The third noble truth expresses the idea that suffering can be ended by attaining dispassion. Nirodha extinguishes all forms of clinging and attachment. This means that suffering can be overcome through human activity, simply by removing the cause of suffering. Attaining and perfecting dispassion is a process of many levels that ultimately results in the state of Nirvana. Nirvana means freedom from all worries, troubles, complexes, fabrications and ideas. Nirvana is not comprehensible for those who have not attained it.

4. The path to the cessation of suffering.

There is a path to the end of suffering - a gradual path of self-improvement, which is described more detailed in the Eightfold Path. It is the middle way between the two extremes of excessive self-indulgence (hedonism) and excessive self-mortification (asceticism); and it leads to the end of the cycle of rebirth. The latter quality discerns it from other paths which are merely "wandering on the wheel of becoming", because these do not have a final object. The path to the end of suffering can extend over many lifetimes, throughout which every individual rebirth is subject to karmic conditioning. Craving, ignorance, delusions, and its effects will disappear gradually, as progress is made on the path.

Sunday, 11 April 2010

The Journey of the Soul – III

Continued from the Journey of the Soul – II A satsang by Gururaj Ananda Yogi

by Ramon Leonato

If the mind is empowered by what we are calling the right hemisphere, the intuitional level which has its roots in the core’s of one personality, which we also call the heart, then “me” and “mine” disappears and it is “thee” and “thine.” For the core of the human personality, though outwardly seeming individualized, also exists in its universalized form. So what happens to a person is this: He can exist as an individual and yet at the same time be universal, for he has now realized, through his spiritual sadhana , how vast he is. When this happens, a person, being divine, recognizes and experiences this Divinity.

If anybody tells you this comes overnight, forget it. It takes time.

You’ve got this big load you are carrying, this load of samskaras- all the experiences that you have been gathering up, gathering up, and gathering up in this journey. This bag of imprints through which you cognize existence form the bundle that you are carrying.

That is why Christianity says we are born in sin. There is great truth in that. We have brought with us all those samskaras which form our tendencies in life. Essentially the human being is divine; but he does come with this burden.

By doing meditation and spiritual practices, properly assigned by a spiritual teacher you draw upon the superconscious energies, the subtlest energies within the relative sphere of life, which flood the dirt away in the subconscious.

Modern psychology tries to probe and find causes for things, and they have their interpretations. Why analyze causes? There is a way whereby those subtle energies can be brought forth to clear away the dirt and muck. In this room, if there is a lot of dirt lying around, are you going to analyze the dirt? Or are you going to bring the broom? Which is better? What is the sense of saying this is sawdust, and this is what the wind blew in, and the baby made a wee there!

Bring the broom and sweep it out! That is why we say. Take the direct line. And a human being has this ability.

God becomes a Living Reality

That is the journey of which we speak. Man is eternally immortal. He is eternal, and only mind comes in between. Yet the mind can be so beautified that everything in life can be enjoyed.

Mira a great poetess of India, wrote a beautiful poem. In it she says: “Oh Lord, I do not want salvation. I do not want to merge away in Thee. But let me be born again and again, and enjoy the joy of worshipping at Thy feet.” How beautiful! The process of life will eventually lead a person to this oneness, this unity consciousness. Brahman consciousness. It is inevitable. Everyone has to reach there. Every atom that has been propelled through so-called space, since the time of the “big bang” will have to dissipate its energy, and this very dissipation is the returning back to Silence.

Yet, even in duality, there is so much fun. Life is so filled with joy all the time, and what greater joy can there be than the experience of love? To love and be loved: That is the activation of what we call God. Here God does not remain an abstract quality, but becomes a living reality. That is what we want. The lover must truly love the beloved, and not have an assumed love created by dependence.

The Bhagavad Gita says to be so established in yourself that no insult can deflate you and no praise can inflate you. You need not go on living at the ends of the polarities of the mind but be centered in the center. Then nothing can affect you; then you experience the joy. Now that is the journey.

In this whole flux of life, this contraction-expansion, the element of joy is always there. It is this very element of the Manifestor contained within all manifestation which is bliss and joy.

This flower that gives fragrance is giving off particles of itself. When you inhale the fragrance of the flower, you are actually taking within yourself particles of this flower. And like this the Manifestor exists in all its manifestation, for, to use theological terms, the Creator and the creation are but one. One cannot exist without the other. Illusion starts when we put emphasis on the wrong thing- when we do not put emphasis on reality, which is the Manifestor, but we put it on the manifestation.

That is the illusion. When people say, “Oh, everything is just a dream,” know that the dream, too, is real, while you are dreaming. Why call it unreal?

As you are dreaming you are activating subtler energies. A dream is totally real. So many factors, through various experiences in this life or in other lifetimes, come together to create a story in the mind, and that is real. Every thought you think, every word you say, is real. What we need to be concerned about is, how is it going to rebound on us? That should be our concern. In simple words, you will reap what you sow. Do you see the deeper meaning behind these simple sayings?

If you throw a ball against an electronic wall, it will bounce back so hard that you won’t have a chance to shift away. It will knock you out. But throw a ball against a cardboard wall and it will bounce back slowly. Like that, may we direct all our actions and all our thoughts, so that they do not bounce back upon us negatively, but positively.

Whenever I pass a park and have some time, I stop, sit down, and watch the children play. It is so beautiful. There is even beauty in the child’s crying as well as in the laughter. All is beauty. For without the child experiencing the pain of falling down and bruising its knee, how is it ever going to experience the value of that which is opposite?

So here we are enmeshed in all these opposites, and again that is the journey. When the realization dawns that I have come from nowhere and I am going nowhere, now here: then we begin to live. Ah!. Not the living dead- We live!

Monday, 5 April 2010

The Jesus Bug

Captain Hook: Help me! Help me!

Peter Pan: You know the rules, Hook. A good captain always goes down with his ship.

Captain Hook: I dont want to be a good captain!

~~Return to Never Land (2002)

A smoke ring is a great example of a vortex ring. If you were to slice a smoke ring down the middle, it would leave you with something that looks like half a bundt cake - a u-shape. Each end of the "u" would appear to you as a vortex, giving you two vortices. The two vortices rotate in different directions, one clockwise and the other counter-clockwise. As we are in the Northern hemisphere, bias dictates that clockwise is anticyclonic. Thereby, the vortex moving in the counter-clockwise direction is cyclonic. As part of a closed system, the two vortices are known as dipolar vortices. With the dipolar vortices working together like this in a closed loop system, you get a vortex ring, a ring donut.

According to Bernoulli's Principle, the density of a fluid increases with pressure. The density increases as pressure increases. A slower moving fluid exerts a higher pressure than fast moving fluids. An anticyclone is a high pressure system, meaning that pressure increases as you move from the periphery to the centre, because the fluid is moving more slowly at the centre. Certain weather conditions are associated with high and low pressure systems. The dynamics of a high pressure system is that fluid moves downward vertically, as opposed to a cyclonic, low pressure system where fluid moves vertically upward.

High pressure areas, or highs, are shown by "H" symbols. In a high pressure system, air pressure is greater than the surrounding areas. This difference in air pressure results in wind, or moving air. In a high pressure area, air is more dense than in areas of lower pressure. The result is that air will move from the high pressure area to an area of less density, or lower pressure. Winds blow away from high pressure areas toward areas having lower air pressure. http://www.ussartf.org/predicting_weather.htm

It is possible to find examples of the vortex ring where it has been "halved" in such a way to expose the dipolar vortices, and is commonly referred to as a U-vortex, or horseshoe vortex. The horseshoe vortex is well-known in aviation, where they are produced by the wings of a plane as it moves through the fluid of the air. The horseshoe vortex is responsible for the trailing vortices that you might see leaving the wing tips of aircraft. The vortices are only visible because the lower pressure in the region lowers the temperature, and if it drops below the local dew-point, we see the condensed water vapor. In fluid dynamics it is accepted that the horseshoe vortex is not open as such, but is in reality part of a closed vortex loop.

A C-17 Globemaster III from the 14th Airlift Squadron, Charleston Air Force Base, South Carolina. flies off after releasing flares over the Atlantic Ocean near Charleston, South Carolina, during a training mission on Tuesday, May 16, 2006. The "smoke angel" is caused by wing vortices at the plane's wingtips.

Another place where the horseshoe vortex appears, somewhat surprisingly, is beneath the feet of the humble water-strider. The dipolar vortices appear on the surface of the water either side of the water-strider's leg - one rotating clockwise and the other anticlockwise. The vortices are joined beneath the water in a U-shape. These vortices carry sufficient backwards momentum to propel the animal forwards. Thanks to the Nature journal, I found an excellent illustration of how these horseshoe vortices appear beneath the feet of the water-strider:

Vortices carry the momentum to move animals forwards in both air and water, but their pattern varies with the style and speed of locomotion.

"In a series of experiments, mathematician David L. Hu and coworkers showed that during the rowing stroke, water striders drive their middle legs backwards without penetrating the surface, and can attain speeds of up to 1.5 m/s.

Water striders can stand effortlessly on water due to their non-wetting legs. Writing in Nature, biophysicists Xuefeng Gao and Lei Jiang show that the water resistance of the legs is due to the "special hierarchical structure of the legs, which are covered by large numbers of oriented tiny hairs (microsetae) with fine nanogrooves". They go on to demonstrate that this physical structure is more important than the chemical properties of the wax coating of the legs.

Gao and Jiang used Cassie's law to show that air is trapped in spaces in the microsetae and nanogrooves, forming a cushion at the leg–water interface. This cushion prevents the legs from being wetted."

"The strider looks as if he has only four legs, forming a giant X pattern on the water. But all insects have six legs and the water strider has two shorter additional legs that are folded up front for grabbing prey. The insect's claws or feet are not at the ends of its legs, but are located farther back so as not to interfere with its delicately balanced water ballet.

The ends of the legs that touch the water are covered with tiny hairs that increase the surface area of contact but are small enough not to break the surface tension of the water. So, in reality, the waft is in the hair! Shaving the legs of a water strider would be a disaster of titanic proportions. The gentle pressure of the hairy legs creates a dimple in the water surface. If seen in direct sunlight, these four dimples cast an enlarged, rounded shadow onto the river bottom if the river is shallow. To the observer, each rounded shadow may appear as a foot pad."

I'm fascinated by the shadows that are cast by the water-strider - that looks like a human skull grinning back from the river-bed, doesn't it? I realise that these shadows are produced by the dimples on the surface of the water, and that they are not made by the dipolar vortices of the horseshoe vortex, as such. However, looking at the shadows we can see they are very dark - it's as if they convey something which is almost material, something which has DENSITY. It's hard to believe that these shadows are made by dimples on the surface of the water and not by something solid like an object. Is the shadow being produced because the dimple has greater density than the surrounding body of water?

This photograph was taken on April, 29, 2000 At Montcalm Community College with a Sony FD-91 Digital Camera.~~ Published by the... Physics and Chemistry Departments
Carson City-Crystal High School

The dimples are being produced on the surface of the water by the gentle pressure of the water-strider's leg, and a very simple comparison to make is that it's something like pushing your finger down into the centre of a marshmallow. The marshmallow, or the molecules that make it up, are going to be squished together underneath your finger. In the same way, is it possible that the water-strider's leg is squashing molecules together on the surface of the water? If this was the case, then the dimple would be an area of increasing density, essentially making it a high pressure area.

At the moment, I don't have a confident model for the way that water looks atomically, but I do have some my ideas which differ from mainstream convention (who'd have guessed?). Modern science tends to think of water molecules as constantly vibrating, and running around bouncing off one another - here's an example of the typical explanation:

The molecules of a liquid move around a lot. They bounce off each other and spin around, and slide around from one side of the container to the other. They're always moving relative to each other.

However, I don't really envision it this way. I think water molecules are made up by donutoms of some description, and that these donutoms are pretty much stationary, except for the spin of their dipolar vortices, and are immersed in the fluid of the aether like cheerios in a bowl of milk; that is, until they are induced to flow from areas of high pressure to areas of low pressure - and for all I know, the molecules in an ordinary glass of water could be stagnant, or in a constant state of flux.

If we return to our dimple, then we have water molecules that are being condensed into a high pressure area. If you look round the periphery of the shadows made by the dimple, you can see that they are surrounded by a rim of bright light. This bright rim surrounds the shadow like a wall, and it appears to have a property that is the exact opposite to the darkness of the dimple's interior - the rim allows light to pass through, and even seems to enhance it. What is the rim of bright light describing in terms of density? One might make the assumption that the rim represents the exact opposite to the increased density that we see inside the dimple, and is thereby an area of low density - an area of low pressure.

Thus, we have an area of high pressure surrounded by a wall of low pressure. We've seen this somewhere before, right? Quite dramatically, the dimple beneath the water-strider's leg seems to echo one of the most famous anticyclone's in the solar system - Jupiter's Great Red Spot. I wonder if the GRS could be used to describe what's happening in the dimple? Another post, perhaps.

Observing the shadows also seems to reveal something interesting about surface tension. Having seen the darkness produced by the interior of the dimple, and the light produced by the rim, then it might be supposed that the surrounding surface water has a density that is somewhere between the two. What we appear to be witnessing is the fabric of the water being stretched like it's made of spandex or something. Assuming that it's not the molecules of water that are being stretched (I know, I know, I'm supposed to hate assumptions!), but the spaces between them, then it stands to reason that we are not only seeing pressure changes in terms of molecular density, but also pressure changes in the aether field.

All fluids are compressible - even water - their density will change as pressure changes, their density increases under increasing pressure. Throughout physics, it is always found that an increase in pressure will increase the density of a material. However, the fluid of the aether is a perfect fluid, and is notoriously incompressible, so any changes in its density must arise from changes in pressure as it passes through the atomic landscape. In much the same way that the diameter of a pipeline affects the pressure experienced by the water. If the diameter of a pipeline is reduced then the velocity of the water in the line must increase to allow the same amount of water to pass through.

As fluid moves from a wider pipe to a narrower one, the volume of that fluid that moves a given distance in a given time period does not change. But since the width of the narrower pipe is smaller, the fluid must move faster (that is, with greater dynamic pressure) in order to move the same amount of fluid the same distance in the same amount of time. One way to illustrate this is to observe the behavior of a river: in a wide, unconstricted region, it flows slowly, but if its flow is narrowed by canyon walls, then it speeds up dramatically.

If we have molecules tightened together in a high pressure area, then the fluid of the aether shall have less space to move, as it were. Under the constant applied pressure of the Universe, the same volume of aether fluid needs to pass between the molecules, and now that the gaps are smaller, the aether has to speed it up a bit. This is similar to what happens to water coming out of the end of a hose-pipe; if you put your finger over the end you get a jet of water - it's the same volume of water that you had previous to your finger being there, but now in order to get past you, it has to come out faster.

According to Bernoulli's Principle, a fast-moving fluid exerts less static pressure than a slow-moving fluid. The flow between narrow canyon walls is faster moving, and has a greater velocity than the water flowing in the wide river. The faster a fluid moves, the greater its velocity pressure, or dynamic pressure, then the smaller the static pressure it exerts on the sides. The pressure in a static fluid arises from the weight of the fluid. A fast moving fluid exerts less pressure than a slower moving fluid.

Total pressure is the sum of dynamic and static pressures. A fluid at rest in a pipe exerts static pressure on the walls. The pressure in a static fluid arises from the weight of the fluid. Dynamic pressure arises from the motion of the fluid, and is not really a pressure at all, but merely represents the decrease in pressure due to the velocity of the fluid. The faster a fluid moves, the greater its dynamic pressure and the smaller the static pressure it exerts on the sides.

Thus, the fluid of the aether in the dimple's interior is moving under high dynamic pressure, and thereby imparts less static pressure. However, in the rim surrounding the dimple, there are fewer molecules present, meaning that this area has less density, giving the aether fluid plenty more room to manoeuvre, and we now see courses which are wide and shallow, where the aether exerts less dynamic pressure, and greater static pressure. If the aether fluid has a greater static pressure, it then has greater density, and shall act upon the molecules by pushing them apart (just think of Chewbacca holding out his arms and pushing against the sides of the compactor). I think that is this "push" which could prove to be highly relevant to surface tension.

The density of water increases with depth. For example, if we look at a glass of water - the molecules on the surface of the water are not as squished as the molecules of water at the bottom of the glass. With increasing density the molecules are getting squeezed tighter together, while those on the water's surface are enjoying relatively greater freedom - they are not packed so closely together. This means that the fluid of the aether is under greater static pressure on the surface of the water. I wonder if this increased static pressure in the aether field is revealing something about the tension described by the water's surface?

Many thanks:

http://www.centennialofflight.gov/essay/Theories_of_Flight/Real_Fluid_Flow/TH9.htm http://www.funsci.com/fun3_en/exper2/exper2.htm
http://www.sciencenews.org/view/generic/id/56546/title/FOR_KIDS_Cold,_colder_and_coldest_ice http://www.inkyfingers.com/pyrates/flags/


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POWr Media Gallery

Tuesday, April 02, 2013

Jane Nebel Henson Passes away at 78

Jane Henson
 June 16, 1934 - April 2, 2013
Muppet Fans, Very Sad News To Report:

Jane Nebel Henson, co-creator of The Muppets, founder of the Jim Henson Legacy, widow of Jim Henson and Mother to John, Brian, Lisa, Cheryl and Heather Henson passed away this morning at the age of 78.

After a three-year struggle with cancer, Jane passed away in her home in Greenwich, CT surrounded by family. Thoughts and prayers are with the Henson family at this time of great loss. A memorial mass is planned for next week.

The Jim Henson Company has a
Celebrate the Life of Jane Nebel Henson page up now.

CLICK HERE to see it

Donations may be sent in memory of Jane Henson to the following:
* Center for Puppetry Arts
* The Jim Henson Foundation for the support of puppetry
* The Puppetry Conference at the

   Eugene O'Neill Memorial Theatre Centre

CLICK HERE to visit the
Jane Henson Appreciation Page on Facebook
From by Mike Fleming Jr
Jane met Jim Henson in a puppetry class at the University of Maryland and soon after became an integral creative and business partner with him to form the Muppets. They began performing together on NBC’s D.C. affiliate station WRC-TV while she was an undergraduate. Their show, Sam And Friends, took off and soon they were doing guest spots on Steve Allen’s Tonight Show. They were married in 1959, and she gave birth to Lisa Henson, Cheryl Henson, Brian Henson, John Henson and Heather Henson. Brian is currently chairman and Lisa is CEO of The Jim Henson Company.

Jane continued to contribute to what became The Jim Henson Company empire, collaborating with her husband on a traveling museum exhibit The Art Of The Muppets, and The Muppet Show On Tour and Sesame Street Live arena stage shows. She also launched the careers of many puppeteers who joined the company and served on the board of The Jim Henson Foundation, which he started in 1982 and which is now run by Cheryl Henson. The mission is to promote and develop the art of puppetry. Later, she funded and founded The Jim Henson Legacy to conserve, preserve and present the artistic contribution of Jim Henson.

In 2001, she created the Jane Henson Foundation, a philanthropic enterprise.

Legally separated in 1986, Jim and Jane Henson continued to share their love for the Muppets. After he died suddenly in 1990, she would often speak to the public about her late husband’s body of work and how “Jim wanted to leave the world a better place.” According to Arthur Novell, the trustee of The Jim Henson Legacy, “most would agree they both did.”

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Some of my Closet Classics are there mainly on musical merit, some mainly on the strength of memories they evoke, but this earns its place on both counts.  I first heard the songs on this EP during my Freshers’ Week at the University of Dundee and I still say that “September”, featured on this EP, is one of the finest pieces of guitar-playing I’ve ever heard live.

Cado Belle was one of 3 bands I saw in a hectic week (the other 2 were Frankie Miller’s Full House and Skeets Boliver, if you must know) that set the scene for 4 years of watching great bands, DJing and generally having a good time.  I did a bit of studying as well, when I had to.  I went along to the gig with my new mate Steve J (still my mate now and a bloody good bloke) in his yellow ex-GPO Morris van, which was great if you were in the passenger seat, but a bit agricultural otherwise.  It had the added advantage of being absolutely impossible to lose in a car park.

We knew nothing about the band, but it was Freshers’ Week and we were determined to do everything that was on offer, especially if it also involved having a few beers.  We discovered that Cado Belle, fronted by singer Maggie Reilly, was a great Scottish soul band with a line-up of drums, bass, keyboards, guitar and sax.  Blue-eyed soul was huge in Scotland in the mid-70s; it was actually a criminal offence to have a band in Scotland without at least 1 sax player at that time.

It’s fair to say that it wasn’t a capacity audience, but we were enthusiastic and the band was exceptional, playing material from their first (and only) album and the eponymous EP.  The set was packed with superb playing and singing from a very accomplished band (we all said “tight” in those days) and we were all having a great time.  And then the band started to play “September”.

Anyone in the audience who had ever picked up a guitar was absolutely speechless as Alan Darby’s guitar gently wept its way through the beautiful extended intro using perfectly controlled feedback over a wash of electric piano to lead the song into Maggie Reilly’s ethereal vocal.  You expected recordings of guitarists to be this good, but it was incredible to see it live.  I won’t say that it changed my life, but it was one of the events that made me realise guitar-playing was only ever going to be a hobby.  When you analyse it, it’s not really much of song because it’s only really one verse but it’s an incredibly evocative piece of music; if you were pretentious, you might even call it a tone poem.

Obviously, I bought the EP as soon as I could get my hands on it and it’s a perfect little mini album.  The other 3 songs are “It’s Over” (a Boz Scaggs classic), “Play it Once for Me” (written by Stuart MacKillop, the band’s keyboard player) and “Gimme Little Sign” (as made famous by Brenton Wood and covered by many others since, including Peter Andre).  All 4 tracks on this EP stand up on their own merits and my vinyl 12” copy has been played to death since I bought it.  I’ve played it to many people including some very gifted musicians and it always gets the same response; stunned silence followed by queries about the band and then the inevitable “Why haven’t I heard this before?”

The band split up in 1979, but maintained loose ties and worked together occasionally.  Colin Tully (saxophone and woodwind) composed the music for the Bill Forsyth film “Gregory’s Girl”, Stuart MacKillop worked with ABBA and continues to work regularly with Maggie Reilly, along with bass player Gavin Hodgson.  Maggie Reilly went on to have hits with Mike Oldfield (including “Moonlight Shadow”) and is still recording and performing.

As for Alan Darby, he’s currently working on the Queen musical “We Will Rock You” in London, but if you run a quick search, you’ll be amazed at what he’s done and the artists he’s worked with.  Strangely enough, Alan Darby’s name has cropped up in conversations decades apart with various people.  In the early 80s, a friend of mine managed a cocktail bar in Covent Garden and told me that Alan worked there as a doorman for a while, which may or may not be true.  Twenty years later, in the early Noughties, during one of many late-night chats with the late Allan Mawn, the subject of Cado Belle came up again.  Allan (who genuinely seemed to know every musician in Scotland) told me that he’d recently spoken to Alan Darby just after his return from a tour in Japan with the Bay City Rollers and that he was currently working with Lulu’s band.  It’s a long way from playing to 150 students at Dundee University Students’ Association and, no doubt, a fascinating journey.  Normally, I would fill a piece like this with links to the music but, unfortunately it just isn’t out there.  If you want to hear a little more Cado Belle, try their MySpace page.

These 4 tracks, and “September” in particular, have been favourites of mine for over 30 years.  They still sound fresh even now and they’ve created a whole set of memories and associations years after they were initially released.  Great songs and playing never get old.


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Does Christianity Have A Place In Professional Football?

It’s another Sunday in the National Football League. With just over a minute left in the game, the home team is down by three points. The ball is on the 20-yard line. 60 feet from the goal line. 60 feet from victory and glory. At this point, most coaches wouldn’t call for the quarterback to take off running with the football. Quarterbacks, after all, are hired to throw the football, not scramble around with it. Then again, most quarterbacks don’t have the ability to weave through an entire defense and cross the goal line almost untouched to score the winning touchdown.

But that’s exactly what this quarterback does.

So how does this quarterback celebrate his game-winning scamper? We might assume that he, like many NFL players, would do some ridiculous dance, thump his chest, or yell obscenities at the defenders he just ran around.

But most NFL players aren’t this quarterback. This quarterback, after being mobbed by his teammates, points two fingers to the sky and drops to one knee to say a prayer. In a league filled with egotism and celebrations of selfish pride, this man credits all of his abilities to God.

Tim Tebow of the Denver Broncos is often criticized and rarely praised. Is it because of his unorthodox throwing motion? Because he runs too much and throws too little? No, it is none of those things.

Tim Tebow is criticized because he is a born-again Christian and not afraid to talk about it. People are quick to say that Christianity doesn’t belong in the NFL. People are quick to say that his faith flows out of his football, and the two should be separated. People say God doesn’t care about sports, and to believe that He does is ludicrous.

I believe that people are wrong on all these points. To me, Tebow’s faith doesn’t flow out of his football. It is precisely the other way around. His football flows out of his faith. Tim Tebow is a Christian first and a football player second (or maybe even third). The two cannot–and should not–be separated. Christians aren’t called to only talk about God or “act” like Christians within the four walls of a church on Sunday. Christians are called to take their faith wherever they go, because it is who they are. Notice I didn’t say “a part of” who they are. There is no “part” about it, it is everything.

Do I believe that God cares about sports? Yes, I believe that God cares about everything that His children do, especially when they use what they do to show Him to other people. If God wants Tebow to have a good game, he will have a good game. If God decides Tebow will have a bad game, then he will. And unfortunately, that’s when we start hearing the “Where is your Savior, now?” crowd. Well, He is right where He has always been. Everywhere. Including right there with Tebow. The fact that people would use a loss or a bad game as “evidence” that God doesn’t exist, or that God doesn’t care about Tebow anymore, speaks volumes about us as a society.

The Bible points to the fact that God promises adversity in our lives. It is through the toughest times that we learn to listen more intently to Him. He uses those times in our lives to show Himself to us, and uses us to show Him to others. If you believe the words in the Bible, you believe that God will never leave you nor forsake you. Even if Tebow goes 0-for-50, gets intercepted 10 times, and loses 70-to-0, God is with him. After a performance like that, Tebow will still credit his Savior, because Tebow understands how God works. It is not always sunshine, puppy dogs, and touchdowns. Sometimes there are clouds, monsters, and interceptions. Which means more? When Tebow praises God after a stellar performance and a win, or after a horrific game and a loss? We cannot expect Tebow to flourish all the time. In fact, God’s words and actions will speak louder when he doesn’t.

Some non-believers may wonder why God would choose such a seemingly inept football player to use for His glory. He brings the ball too low and takes too long to release his throws. He abandons pass plays too quickly in favor of the run. His accuracy has issues. Wouldn’t it be better to use a prototypical quarterback? Someone with perfect footwork, a great throwing motion, and tight spirals?

Not necessarily. Consider those God has historically used to lead people. He uses the weak to lead the strong. He uses the humble to lead the proud. When God called Moses to lead His people, Moses basically responded with, “I don’t think that’s such a good idea. I’m not a very good public speaker. Maybe you should use my brother. He is a much better choice.”

Too bad, because God still used Moses. The Lord chose a lowly fisherman and a tax collector to be by His side. Why, then, can’t He use a quarterback with a jacked-up throwing motion to represent Him in professional football? God does not call the qualified, He qualifies the called.

C.S. Lewis wrote, “One must keep on pointing out that Christianity is a statement which, if false, is of no importance, and, if true, of infinite importance. The one thing it cannot be is moderately important.” That is why Tebow cannot “tone it down,” as other players (including fellow Christians) would have him do.

No matter how you slice it, given his media attention, Tim Tebow is pretty darn important right now. Everyone has an opinion on Tebow. Countless articles have been written, interviews conducted, and things said. Our words about Tim Tebow say far more about us than they do about him. Some people want to see Tebow fail simply because he is a Christian. Because he makes them uncomfortable. Because he makes them think about God and a Savior and Heaven and a multitude of other things that they want to ignore.

But that’s why I want him to win. Why are we so quick to hate a man who is an actual role model? He praises his Savior, family, and teammates. He does not exalt himself. The man is humble in a world where we tell athletes they are the greatest thing since sliced bread. He has done some great things on the football field, yet knows it is not about him. He lives that out on a daily basis. Tim Tebow’s life, on the field and off, is not about Tim Tebow.

He plays the game the way that God has created him to play it, unorthodox as it may be. I sincerely hope he continues to succeed. I hope this is a new era in football and the sporting world in general. I hope the system they have set up in Denver continues to work.

Whether or not you share my beliefs, I hope we all, in one way or another, get Tebowed.

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Jon Shellhammer

Latest posts by Jon Shellhammer (see all)

  • Thanks for posting this, Jon. I have to admit that I’ve used the, “So if he loses, does that mean God wanted him to lose?” argument myself, so I’m glad to have this clarified.

  • Nice post. Although I am a Christian, I have not thought much about Tebow beyond, “that’s cool. I wonder if it’s rough on him [to be such a prominent Christian].” I think your post does a good job of getting to the point without being preachy or blind. What do you our society’s reaction to Tebow says about it? Beyond that we are uncomfortable with faith in the public arena.

  • If God helps Tebow successfully weave through a half dozen defenders to score, fine. Tebow has asked for God’s help, God has chosen to help him, and Tebow is suitably grateful. Okay, I have no issue with Tebow. I’d like to talk about the half dozen defenders.

    We can choose to see this as a story about Tebow’s success, assisted by God. Or we can see this as the failure of the defenders to stop him. Did they forget to ask for God’s help? Is not a single one of them a Christian who prays for strength, for speed, for success before a game? If God has answered Tebow’s prayers, doing so has involved turning a deaf ear to theirs.

    Is there meaning to be found in Tebow’s success? Then surely there is meaning to be found in his opponents’s failure. Does God prefer that prayers be accompanied by a public display, that everyone knows how often, and for how long, a man prays? Perhaps God is offended by the furtive, private prayers that those defensemen offered up. They may well have misunderstood the lesson of Matthew 6:5, (“And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by men. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full.”) which I guess is not about football after all.

    I have to wonder about the judgement of a coach who would let his defensive line just go out and play with no visible demonstration of faith. If the Lord’s help is available to players who ask for it, why would he let them play without praying? Is he trying to lose? Or is he perhaps helping Tebow score, for the greater glory of God? How does an honorable man render unto Caesar in a case like this? If Tebow is “a Christian first and a football player second,” should not the coach cleave to that same high standard?

    How can decent men, coaches and players alike, try to defeat someone who isn’t just playing football to earn a living in the entertainment industry, but is actually witnessing for Christ every time he steps onto the field? Is God sending these guys down to defeat because they are not in fact decent men? Tebow is playing for Christ; are these guys playing against just Tebow, or are they flying in the face of the very Deity himself?

  • I haven’t watched Tebow play, but if his touchdown celebration is kneeling down and saying a quick prayer, I don’t see what’s wrong with that. It seems less annoying than many other touchdown celebrations.

  • Ehhh, it just doesn’t seem that controversial to me. With all the grandstanding most football players do, a quick prayer is almost a welcome relief in comparison. And professional football isn’t something government sponsored (yet) so people aren’t going to get up in arms with someone endorsing their religious opinion. That’s really how all football players make their money anyways- by branding themselves. Whatshisface with the hair does all those Pantene commercials, and everyone knows who he is because of the hair: he’s a brand. Tebow has just branded himself a face of Christianity, and I’m sure he’ll be making money off of that. If anything, it’s a brilliant marketing scheme.

  • I’m not offended because Tebow is Christian, I’m offended because he’s a Gator. I also think most people find it too showy and fake. It’s like Lexington said, a brilliant marketing scheme. The world of professional sports is more grandstanding and testosterone than sensitivity and faith. So for Tebow to maintain his strict Christianity makes him either one of the strongest men in professional sports, or a liar. It’s easier to believe he’s a liar–more people can relate to that.

  • I think a lot of people share your reaction, anonymous, and object, not to Tebow’s Christianity, but to his ostentatious display of it, and/or to the apparent absurdity that I referred to in my first post, i.e. if Tebow’s winning thanks to Jesus, his opponents’ loss must be God’s will as well. Both of these are the target of SNL’s skit, which mocks both Tebow’s theatrical show of piety and the very idea that God might help Christians win football games.
    I think Pat Robertson is being either disingenuous or just obtuse (it’s often hard to tell with him) when he denounces the skit as an example of “anti-Christian bigotry.” Its point is both sharper and better aimed than that, and would have to be. In a country where 77% of the population self-identify as Christians, anti-Christian bigotry could hardly be played for laughs. Pomposity and absurdity, on the other hand, are targets most of SNL’s viewers are quite comfortable laughing at.
    Many people share an idea of Christianity that has to do with the teachings of Christ related in the Gospels. I quoted the Gospel of Matthew earlier on the subject of public displays of piety, which Jesus did not seem to be a big fan of. Gently mocking Tebow for his habit of incessantly “tebowing” in front of millions of sports fans strikes me as more Christlike than anti-Christian.
    The Gospels are strangely silent on the question of Christ’s team preferences for both NCAA and AFL/NFL, so he could be a fan of the Gators, the Broncos, or both. I might have imagined him rooting for Notre Dame and the Saints, but as I am neither a Christian nor a football fan, I certainly wouldn’t argue the point.

  • Hmm, that’s something that I hadn’t considered before: is Tebow doing it to be ostentatious, or is he doing it from a sincere place in his heart? Honestly, I don’t think that’s something we’ll ever be able to answer.

    Personally, I think everyone has self-serving motives for everything they do, so even if it really is a marketing scheme, I don’t have a problem with it.

    Maybe we just have to think of his prayers as the Christian version of jazz hands: Kinda showboaty and even a little obnoxious when you see someone whipping them out all the time. But, they’re not hurting anyone, and they are a pretty good way to hit that high note at the end of a number. 😉

  • My only beef is with article here is the “people say…” line. What people? What exactly did they say? Gimmie some links here, don’t just reference the ever demonized “they” and expect me to go Google it. 🙂

    I have no problem with a guy who wants to demonstrate his faith or pray on the field, as long as he’s not delaying the game. If the NFL all of a sudden imposes a “prayer time out” every time Tebow scores… now you’re going to make the recording go too long for my DVR and I’ll miss the end of the game, and THAT’S BS.

    I really don’t think Tebow is saying “God granted me this win over my heathen opponents” as much as “Thank you for everything in my life.” He seems to be less “Look at what an awesome Christian I am for winning” and more “I don’t care if you judge me for praying in public”. I get the impression he’s the type of guy who would still be openly praying even if he was in a wheelchair or in a hospital bed, but nobody would be making fun of him for it in that arena.

    Either way, I still wouldn’t hold him up as a role model, simply because I don’t think any wildly rich and famous person like a sports figure or celebrity should be looked up to as role models. I’m a bigger fan of just the normal people like police officers, fire fighters, teachers, doctors, parents, grandparents, etc.

    There are very few celebrities (even the “good Christian” ones) who don’t ultimately fail the morality test in the long run.

  • Christians have answers for everything don’t they? Tebow wins, God; Tebow loses, God; Tebow gets hurt, God; Prayer answered, God; Prayer not answered, God; starving kids, God; plenty of food for kids, blessing from God; hurricane, God; volcano, God, and on and on it goes. Christians I know were besides themselves when Tebow was pulling off these last second wins, now I here nothing from them. Yea I agree, God helps Tim Tebow win football games just like he helps starving children around the world dying by the thousands every day. God finds parking spaces close to the store when your sick, or helps you find your keys when there lost. God is very busy taking care of every little need of millions upon millions of Christians around the world every second, busy indeed. Talk about multitasking. Christians make me laugh.

    • ALL Protestants and Catholics are stupid and are headed straight to hell for following men instead of God.

      God does NOT give a fig about stupid football.

      Tebow does NOT love Jesus if he continues to be in the NFL or ESPN. They won’t save him from God’s wrath. Too bad, he seems nice.

  • Christians are NOT supposed to play football on God’s HOLY day. You Sunday “christians” are a real piece of work. The WHOLE DAY IS HOLY not just your church service. Easter is FAKE because Jesus said He would be buried 3DAYS & 3NIGHTS. Good Friday to sunrise Sunday is only 1.5 days NOT 3. You are preaching LIES, sending people to HELL and calling Jesus a LIAR. The SABBATH is GOD’S HOLY DAY always has been and ALWAYS will be.

    • Today’s internet sermon is brought to you by Paul’s letter to the Romans chapter 3, and the book of Matthew chapter 7.

      1 – Everybody is fucked without Jesus, even Tebow fans.
      2 – Don’t go around judging other people and pretending like your shit doesn’t stink.

  • I do thank God for giving me a success and helping me win in all things. This does not mean he made others loose but He will certainly take sides with those who trust in HIM. God has children and as a Father, he honors their prayer. In every thing we do as Christians we make Jesus Known since He is both our Life and the Power that works in us. we have nothing to boast about,

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