The most recent terrorist attack in San Bernadino really shook up Laura and me. Attacking an institute that provides for the developmentally disabled went beyond the pale. I experienced such a wave of moral outrage. To tell the truth, I've really been feeling the weight of the world recently.

 I waited too long. That's how it is sometimes, and the flat beans started to dry out on the vine. Kissed by near frost, their moisture shivered away, leaving occasional brown spots, or darkened lines along the edges. I was holding on too tightly before the harvest.

I am sure many of our hearts are still heavy from last week’s gruesome attacks in Paris, and yesterday’s heartrending attacks in Israel. To be a citizen of the world poses many challenges to us. How do we remain open to horror that occurs halfway around the world when it sometimes seems that this is all the news brings us? How do we place it in some sort of proper perspective? How do we keep ... Read More

I'd like to share two occasions in which I took part this past week. The first was a family outing to the Oregon Historical Society on Veteran's Day. There was a powerful display on World War II and on the American "propaganda" posters of both world wars. I was moved by both, given hope and also saddened.