Bored in the USA?

I just finished a book called I Am Malala. It was written by Malala Yousafzai, a devout Muslim girl who was recently awarded the Nobel Peace Prize. When she was a young teenager, she lived in Pakistan and became a public defender of education for girls. The Taliban didn't like that. They shot her in the head, but she survived. She suffered some permanent injuries from which she'll probably never recover, but she continues to work for education for all young people from her new home in England.

Malala's account made me realize that universal education of young people is precious and rare. With her struggle and suffering still fresh in my mind, I encountered Josh Tillman's song "Bored in the USA," posted on Facebook by a young friend of mine.

Why Visit the Sick?

When I was younger, I didn't understand the phrase "Judeo-Christian tradition." Now I understand a little better. Both Jews and Christians have some common directives, like visiting the sick. (Other religions that trace their common origin to Abraham, including Islam and the Baha’i faith, also tell their people to visit the sick.)

 

This past Monday, Sept. 29, in the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, there was a beautiful, beautiful article on visiting the sick. The article explained how this tradition is a holy mitzvah (good deed/duty/ commandment) of the Jewish faith. 

Two Weeks Alone at the Lake

 

It's become a tradition for me to spend as long as I can during the month of August at our house trailer on Little Green Lake, writing, writing, writing...with a little biking, walking, swimming and paddling thrown in.

This year, I had only two weeks for my annual writing retreat, but  it was long enough for me to learn some stuff.

Police Beat - Markesan, Wisconsin

More notes from summer police calls in a small city, courtesy of Markesan Regional Reporter...

Friday, August 1 - Parking problem - Police were notified by a local gas station that a vehicle would be parked in the parking lot overnight because the owner was unable to get it started. The owner of the vehicle stated they would get the vehicle removed as soon as possible the following day.

Fourteen Things I Learned Painting at Splash Studio

I made a picture at Splash Studio last evening. In three hours there, I learned more about painting and art than I had learned in my whole life. I guess it proves that we learn best by doing.

I learned:

Police Beat - Markesan, Wisconsin

It was a bad week for street poles and signs, but a good week for some clever detective work in the small city of Markesan, Wisconsin...(Thanks for reprinting from the Markesan Regional Reporter)....

Thank you Google Doodle: Mandela and making peace in our lives

A friend alerted me to the Google Doodle from July 18, which I had not seen.

This is what she wrote in the email that she sent to me and a few other friends: