2014.12.10 _ 12

I am very grateful that tests showed that my son's disease hasn't affected his heart yet.

(((Wester and Family)))) Indeed, thankful.

A theme popping up in random readings:

*For years I have admired the Language of Birds as a valiant attempt to place before the reader a clear and comprehensive description of the magic of the Aureate magicians, but upon closer examination I find his writing is tainted with their worst characteristics... He is mystical, my lord! He is mystical!*
(Jonathan Strange and Mr Norrell)


20. Barrier of mysticism 悬虚关
The insufficient understanding and practice create mystique. The beginners in the study of Dao tend to feel overly fascinated and look for mystic occurrences, which may sometimes hinder the cultivation.
(http://anniepecheva.blogspot.com/2014/11/50-barriers-in-way-of-daoist.html)

Had to come back and make a note of thanks for the lovely couple that happened to sit next to me in the bookstore. We chatted for a while about my computer, and my son, who was wandering the store in search of 'the perfect book' for the winter holidays (he chose The Picture of Dorian Gray). Story shortened, when he came to show me what he had chosen, the lady of the couple slipped some money in his hand, saying she would like to buy him the book.

Kindnesses abound. edited 20:57, 10 Dec 2014

I am SO GRATEFUL that Sen. Diane Feinstein was successful in having the U.S. Senate report on CIA torture released to the world yesterday. Had it not been released, in three weeks' time, much of that unlawful, unethical, inexcusable behavior would have been redacted from history - - since it is most unlikely that a Republican Congress (taking over in January) would release it. I have been ashamed of my country for over a decade because it used torture; it also LIED about using torture... and now that the report is out, some people in the government are trying to JUSTIFY the use of torture. Oh, excuse ME! I should have said, justify the use of "enhanced interrogation techniques." Calling arson "an enhanced ignition technique" does not justify arson. Calling murder "an enhanced elimination technique" does not justify murder. Here's what I did with my shame:
http://www.hermitdog.com/JFK/Bush_library.htm

Talking on the phone this afternoon with my brother who lives near Ottawa, I marvel at his joy when telling me how his 2 years old adored grandson figured out by himself how to Skype his other grandad in Nova-Scotia with the remote on the family TV which is connected to the computer or something. Can't wait to see the wonder boy during the holidays!

Grateful for those of us who share, usually so I can listen. Tonight Luci shared this wonderful discussion of nothing:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1OLz6uUuMp8#t=856
enjoy

The layers of lineages of ancestors, of human beings over the centuries and millennia, who have built this edifice of our world, our culture, our perceptions, the details of our survival and thrival - this little bump thanks all our mothers and fathers...

grateful for seeing humor...