To thine own self be true

Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg and John Lewis.

Reflecting the major social changes brought about by women and blacks within the U.S. and elsewhere.

Loitering with intent these daze.

that “Love is just a man and woman in bed.”

A narrow definition, to put it mildly, methinks still, after all these years.

Kenney trying to destroy AISH and the Canada Pension Plan in Alberta. Conspiracy theorists trying to destroy truth and facts about Oregon’s fires. In Edmonton, vandals targeting 80 bus shelters for mass destruction.

I figure North American societies have not spent enough time teaching and encouraging creativity and the creative impulses from a young age, in homes and schools for starters. If people learn the joys of making things and developing aesthetic potential and sensibilities, then there will be less of this destructive mindset, motivation, and crazy enthusiasm to destroy.

For this reason, over time, good teachers, mentors, and sensitive parenting are needed and required to reduce destructive choices made by destructors, both online and physically. Without minds capable of conceiving of and fathoming creative choices, there will only be more senseless, mindless, stupid, ignorant destruction and deaths. More Trumps and wanna-be Hitlers than new Michelangelos, Beethovens, Shakespeares, and Frank Lloyd Wrights.

Widening the topic/a strong, thoughtful response from a close friend:

A Viola, stimulated by fall cold, to arise, gloriously, by itself in an empty flower barrel.

A reminder of William Blake’s “To see a World in a grain of sand,/And a heaven in a wild flower,/Hold Infinity in the palm of your hand,/And Eternity in an hour.”–“Auguries of Innocence”

One of the great deep voices I used to like around 1960: Brook Benton’s. On tunes like “Shadrach”, “Boo Weevil”, “Hit Record”, “Rainy Night in Georgia”, “A Rockin’ Good Way”, “Baby (You’ve Got What It Takes)”, “Kiddio”, “It’s Just a Matter of Time”, “The Same One”, “Fools Rush In”, and many others.

My parents, Winnipeg, circa 1948.

Just a matter of time, given 9 years of blogging, over 50 books published, and my ongoing ruling passion for ideas, thinking, and consciousness. I enjoyed the Rodin exhibition at the Winnipeg Art Gallery several years ago; he is still considered by many to be the supreme sculptor of the 20th century. This  unexpected gift has given me much to think about with an automatic return to my Rodin books and videos. A very appropriate, significant, relevant, and defining gift, but that tells you everything you need to know about my incredible, empathetic, intelligent, talented, and fully-actualized daughter. To know me is to automatically know her. My wife and I are both very lucky and proud of her.