I’m going to be away from this spot, “It Is What It Is“, for a few days. I won’t have full access to a PC or laptop.
I still have the capacity to keep an eye on what happens in the blogosphere while I’m away.
I’m not able to just disconnect, particularly with what is going on in our world at this time.
There are so many problems, issues, conflicts, injustices, bigotry, destruction, killing, wars ….. We need to stay informed and educated about “happenings“.
I will leave you today with a message.
As noted above, we won’t find peace until we extend our circle of compassion to all living things, as Mr. Sweitzer noted.
‘Tis the season …
We are all in this together. Be kind to on another.
I am a citizen of the world
and my home is my abode:
Rivers, lakes and valleys
are my sources of life;
Trees, birds and mountains
are my pride!
I am a citizen of the world
and my home is my abode:
Seas, fishes and oceans
are my sources of hope;
Shorelines, rocks and beaches
are my cliches!
I am a citizen of the world
and my peace is your company:
My children, relatives and friends
are my sources of strength;
Their love, care and tender touch
are my tabernacles.
I am a citizen of mankind
and the whole world is my abode.
Santa Claus’s reindeer form an imaginary team of flying reindeer traditionally held to pull the sleigh of Santa Claus and help him deliver Christmas gifts.
They are:
Dasher, Dancer, Prancer, Vixen, Comet, Cupid, Donner, and Blitzen.
I’m one of them. Which one do you think I am?
The 1823 poem by Clement C. Moore “A Visit from St. Nicholas” (also known as “The Night Before Christmas” or “‘Twas the Night Before Christmas“) is largely credited for the contemporary Christmas lore that includes the eight flying reindeer and their names.
The relevant segment of the poem reads:
When, what to my wondering eyes should appear,
but a miniature sleigh, and eight tiny rein-deer,
with a little old driver, so lively and quick,
I knew in a moment it must be St. Nick.
More rapid than eagles his coursers they came,
And he whistled, and shouted, and call’d them by name:
“Now, Dasher! Now, Dancer! Now, Prancer, and Vixen!
“On, Comet! On, Cupid! On, Dunder and Blixem!
“To the top of the porch! to the top of the wall!
“Now dash away! dash away! dash away all!”
As dry leaves that before the wild hurricane fly,
When they meet with an obstacle, mount to the sky;
“IOTD” is image of the day, a concept I came up with. I teach visual meditative therapy – or in easy terms – a mini mental holiday. For some people it is very difficult for them to get their image right. I post an image a day for people to use in their mini mental vacay. Some are serious, some are silly, and some are just beautiful!”
“IOTD” is image of the day, a concept I came up with. I teach visual meditative therapy – or in easy terms – a mini mental holiday. For some people it is very difficult for them to get their image right. I post an image a day for people to use in their mini mental vacay. Some are serious, some are silly, and some are just beautiful!”
The 17-year-old daughter of Steve Irwin says show has ‘changed her life’ as she is announced winner of the US reality show with partner Derek Hough. They triumphed in the final of the reality TV show on Tuesday night, November 25, 2015. Clem Bastow
The pair got a perfect score of 30 for their final dance routine and brought audience members to tears.
“Thank you so much for everything.
I can’t believe I’m here.
Thank you for changing my life,” Irwin said.
Irwin, who like her her father Steve Irwin works as a conservationist and a TV presenter, has been impressing audiences with her dancing flair during the past three months.
Steve Irwin died in 2006 after a stingray stuck its barb into his heart, and his daughter’s final Dancing with the Stars performance on Monday, November 23, 2015, was dedicated to him.
First she and Hough danced quickstep to Dr. Bones, by Cherry Poppin’ Daddies, and then moved to a freestyle dance to Footprints in the Sand, by Leona Lewis.
In a video intro to the dance, Hough said: “It reminds me of where you’re from and your dad always being there no matter what.”
Irwin said: “I’ve tried to just remember his strength, knowing that Dad is kind of still with me.”
Just when you think you have heard it all, along comes a story that takes the prize.
I’ve always thought that the actual and ever-increasing commercialization of Christmas is too much and too early.
The ads, the decorations, the conversations and disagreements about Christmas start in early autumn, even before Thanksgiving’s had a chance for glory.
The motto: “The War On Christmas“.
This year is no exception and all the hoopla has appeared over the lunatic actions and crazy rants of an “overzealous pastor” whose past actions have been quite questionable.
Here’s a gist of this story. I personally think I wouldn’t want this “pastor guy” representing me in any way.
‘War On Christmas’ Apparently Now Being Fought With Coffee Cups
The 2015 holiday season has barely begun and the first shots in the War On Christmas have already been fired in the form of Starbucks coffee cups:
Some people are angry about Starbucks’ new holiday cups. Really angry.
What is the issue, exactly?
In previous years, Starbucks’ iconic holiday cups, which the chain uses in lieu of white cups in November and December, featured wintry or Christmas-themed designs like snowflakes, ornaments and nature scenes. This year, the cups are more minimalist – a red ombre design that Jeffrey Fields, Starbucks’ vice president of design, said was meant to embrace “the simplicity and the quietness” of the holiday season.
This is a huge problem for some people, who feel that the plain red cups are oppressing Christians by insulting Christmas.
“This is a denial of historical reality and the great Christian heritage behind the American Dream that has so benefited Starbucks,” Andrea Williams of the U.K.-based organization Christian Concern told Breitbart. “This also denies the hope of Jesus Christ and His story so powerfully at this time of year.”
To clarify, it’s not like the previous cups were decked out in crosses and mangers. It’s unclear why a drawing of a winking snowman or a dog sledding, for instance, is more “Christian” than a plain red and green (you know, Christmas colors) cup.
But either way, angry Starbucks patrons have a solution.
Former pastor Joshua Feuerstein claimed in a viral Facebook video that he had “pranked” Starbucks by simply telling them his name was “Merry Christmas” — thus forcing the surely unimpressed barista to write the words “Merry Christmas” on the cup.
Feuerstein also noted that he brought a gun into the coffee shop, in spite of Starbucks CEO Howard Schultz’ request that patrons leave their firearms at home. Ho ho, good one!
In the video, Feuerstein encouraged people to similarly claim that their names are “Merry Christmas” and to use the hashtag #MerryChristmasStarbucks. Social media users have been expressing their support for the “prank.”
While this entire “War On Christmas” meme is obviously ridiculous, especially since if there is a “war” on Christmas it’s obvious that Christmas has one judging by the fact that the “holiday” season seems to start earlier and earlier every year, it is part of a larger phenomenon on the right that plays itself out on the political stage.
Did Starbucks Just Declare A ‘War On Christmas’ With Red Cups?
~Published on Nov 9, 2015~
Is Starbucks declaring a war on Christmas?
A guy on the internet named Joshua Feuerstein seems to think so. Conservatives coined the “War on Christmas” about a decade ago, claiming religious persecution when, for example, someone opts to use the all-inclusive phrase ‘Happy Holidays’ instead of ‘Merry Christmas.’
It Is What It Is 