Wednesday, July 2, 2014
Travels - Going to Anne's
Here are pictures from the trip - Ferney, NV to Yreka, CA
Margaret and Melanie at the Gap Creek overlook - with Mt. Shasta in the background.
Larry at Burney Falls in the Cascades.
Burney Falls - 129 Feet
Mt Shasta
Thursday, March 6, 2014
Reading List
February 17, 2014
Tolkien in Pawneeland
by Roger Echo-Hawk
Here's the story. Charles, our neighbor across the back fence, was talking to me one evening. He is an avid Tolkienite - a member of The Grey Haven group. Also a member is Roger Echo-Hawk. Charles knows I like the major books by Tolkien and so he asked if I would like to read this book - Tolkien in Pawneeland. I said yes, so he gave me a copy for Christmas (well - he said it was a Christmas present - but he really just gave it to me.) So I read it.
The premise - While Tolkien was at Oxford there was a book in their library about the traditions of the Pawnee Indians in America in the Oxford library. This book presents evidence that Tolkien probably read those traditions and used concepts in his legendarium. Interesting though, especially since Tolkien said he was writing a European/English mythology and didn't want to use other non-European primitive traditions. The book makes some interesting arguments to establish the basis that Pawnee legends might have influenced some of Tolkien's work. Some arguments are stronger than others. Does he make a good case. Perhaps he does.
The best case he makes is that in many of the stories where Tolkien might have used Pawnee traditions, Tolkien actually says he can not say where that part came from - or is it he will not say.
We must keep an open mind. But this premise can never be proved - or disproved.
Not an easy book to read - but for an open minded Tolkienite, it is interesting to ponder.
Tolkien in Pawneeland
by Roger Echo-Hawk
Here's the story. Charles, our neighbor across the back fence, was talking to me one evening. He is an avid Tolkienite - a member of The Grey Haven group. Also a member is Roger Echo-Hawk. Charles knows I like the major books by Tolkien and so he asked if I would like to read this book - Tolkien in Pawneeland. I said yes, so he gave me a copy for Christmas (well - he said it was a Christmas present - but he really just gave it to me.) So I read it.
The premise - While Tolkien was at Oxford there was a book in their library about the traditions of the Pawnee Indians in America in the Oxford library. This book presents evidence that Tolkien probably read those traditions and used concepts in his legendarium. Interesting though, especially since Tolkien said he was writing a European/English mythology and didn't want to use other non-European primitive traditions. The book makes some interesting arguments to establish the basis that Pawnee legends might have influenced some of Tolkien's work. Some arguments are stronger than others. Does he make a good case. Perhaps he does.
The best case he makes is that in many of the stories where Tolkien might have used Pawnee traditions, Tolkien actually says he can not say where that part came from - or is it he will not say.
We must keep an open mind. But this premise can never be proved - or disproved.
Not an easy book to read - but for an open minded Tolkienite, it is interesting to ponder.
Reading List
February 7, 2014
5 Minute Mysteries
by Ken Weber
Okay - not great - just barely okay.
It was a book on my bookshelf. I took it on a trip just to have something in case I finished the other book I was reading. It is the kind of book that you can put down because it is a collection of short mysteries - problems with the answers in the back. I didn't try hard to figure them out before I went to the answer pages, yet some of them I did get solved.
It is not great literature. But . . . how do I say this - it captured me enough so that I finished it.
But no one HAAS to read this book. Maybe it would be good in a bathroom. Each story is only five pages at the most.
5 Minute Mysteries
by Ken Weber
Okay - not great - just barely okay.
It was a book on my bookshelf. I took it on a trip just to have something in case I finished the other book I was reading. It is the kind of book that you can put down because it is a collection of short mysteries - problems with the answers in the back. I didn't try hard to figure them out before I went to the answer pages, yet some of them I did get solved.
It is not great literature. But . . . how do I say this - it captured me enough so that I finished it.
But no one HAAS to read this book. Maybe it would be good in a bathroom. Each story is only five pages at the most.
Thursday, February 6, 2014
Where in the world is . . .
February 2 - 8, 2014
Greenville, Texas
This is a smaller community a little bit east of the greater Dallas metropolitan area. I didn't get to see much of it because of the lousy weather - cold, rain, wind and snow - yes, snow in Texas. There is at least one major industry in Greenville - L3 Communications which is a military contractor. That is where I came to teach for a week. The employ about 3000 in the Greenville area. And they have high security. I couldn't take in any portable media or my cell phone because it has a camera. I had to be escorted everywhere.
This was a custom class - actually three custom classes. It went quite well. The people were very nice and accommodating.
Most of the days were really pretty boring after work. It was just too miserable outside to do anything. However on Tuesday I drove back into Dallas and went to the temple. It was worth the hour drive.
Motel - Holiday In Express
Car - Chevy Impala with Neverlost - Gray
Flights went well.
Greenville, Texas
This is a smaller community a little bit east of the greater Dallas metropolitan area. I didn't get to see much of it because of the lousy weather - cold, rain, wind and snow - yes, snow in Texas. There is at least one major industry in Greenville - L3 Communications which is a military contractor. That is where I came to teach for a week. The employ about 3000 in the Greenville area. And they have high security. I couldn't take in any portable media or my cell phone because it has a camera. I had to be escorted everywhere.
This was a custom class - actually three custom classes. It went quite well. The people were very nice and accommodating.
Most of the days were really pretty boring after work. It was just too miserable outside to do anything. However on Tuesday I drove back into Dallas and went to the temple. It was worth the hour drive.
Car - Chevy Impala with Neverlost - Gray
Flights went well.
Monday, February 3, 2014
Reading List
February 2, 2014
Life Styles of the Large and Spacious
John Bytheway
I have to confess, I gave this book to myself for Christmas. The title intrigued me. But I am proud to say that I did not read it first - or people's gifts came first.
This is just good John Bytheway writing. Even though he is now married and a bishop, he still writes in a way that is simple and inspiring. He explores the concepts of Lehi's Dream in The Book of Mormon, and then explains how it all applies to us. For me at least, there was not a lot of new information, but he expresses things so well. I love to read his work.
It is easy to read. I read it on one airline rip from Denver to Dallas. It would be worth your while.
Life Styles of the Large and Spacious
John Bytheway
I have to confess, I gave this book to myself for Christmas. The title intrigued me. But I am proud to say that I did not read it first - or people's gifts came first.
This is just good John Bytheway writing. Even though he is now married and a bishop, he still writes in a way that is simple and inspiring. He explores the concepts of Lehi's Dream in The Book of Mormon, and then explains how it all applies to us. For me at least, there was not a lot of new information, but he expresses things so well. I love to read his work.
It is easy to read. I read it on one airline rip from Denver to Dallas. It would be worth your while.
Reading List
February 1, 2014
Sacred Places of the Bible
The American Bible Society
I liked this. It simply talked about some of the important places in Christian history and included some of the things that happened at those places. It wasn't totally in sync with my own beliefs. In fact the biblical quotes were from a modern translation of the Bible, which does make it lose much of its charm. The Pictures were great and it is nice to see how the places fit the stories.
You don't need to rush right out an buy this book. But if you drop buy, I will let you read it.
Sacred Places of the Bible
The American Bible Society
I liked this. It simply talked about some of the important places in Christian history and included some of the things that happened at those places. It wasn't totally in sync with my own beliefs. In fact the biblical quotes were from a modern translation of the Bible, which does make it lose much of its charm. The Pictures were great and it is nice to see how the places fit the stories.
You don't need to rush right out an buy this book. But if you drop buy, I will let you read it.
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