Our Christmas tree, with its star of Bethlehem at the top and the stars of the universe dancing upon it, not only speaks of that oh so holy night, it speaks of our personal communion of saints – all those we love and have loved, through a rich and complex family history.
Archives for December 2014
Walking It Off – Strolling to Feel Better
The next time you feel stressed, tired or in need of a mental boost, consider going for a walk. It can have an amazing impact on your physical and mental well-being, and it feels good!
Africa
I’d been interested in the carvings from the Dogon people in Mali for quite some time. I had also sponsored a girl for several years that lived in a village in Senegal, through Plan International. After deciding to take a trip to visit the girl and bring my 13 yr old daughter with me, why […]
Still Life Is Not So Still
My explorations as an Artist have lead me to determine that style is a trap of limitations. Change & reinvention lead to resolution. The path of human life does not have to be limited by external expectations but can be as self determined, and varied as any individual wants it to be, and still maintain, focus and purpose.
Dog Training Mechanics
Dog training is simple. Anyone can do it, right? Well, maybe. Dog training involves a lot of mechanical skills that we can practise. The more we practise, the better we get. The better we get, the faster our dog learns. Maybe we should focus on doing the basics well instead of looking for some new-fangled clever techniques!
Our Lives in Ralph Baer’s World: Reflections on Video Games as the Founder Passes On
Ralph Baer lived almost a century. As a child, he witnessed the downfall of phonographs, as they were replaced with more modern record players. Along with that, the rise of radio, with its amazing ability to spread news and stories across space and time.
How One Man Changed a Centuries-Old Game
Poker has long been one of the most popular card games in the world. An estimated 50 million Americans play the game regularly and it has been a popular pastime of soldiers dating back to the Civil War. Even though the game has a long history, future historians will single out one poker player from Tennessee as the catalyst for changing the game of poker forever.
Silent Night With Mom and Dad
I start singing Silent Night and my parents listen politely. I am not the best singer in the house but I have heart. As I am singing my father gets up and goes into the kitchen to get himself and my mother a drink.
Fear: Friend or Foe?
Fear had always been a limiting factor in my life. Over time, the limitation gave way to a strange form of bravery and a whole new way of living.
The Death of Photography As We Knew It
I am a photographer. You are a photographer. We are all photographers. These days it’s easy to call yourself that, so congratulations are in order, if I may say so myself. I say this tongue-in-cheek because it is fashionable nowadays to say that everyone is a photographer.