Humor-science, math, spiritual

Quick note and update:

I've been considering this topic, because I get joy from little silly things in life. I've researched comedy, and engaged in my own pranks/hijinxs.

Now, I explore the nature of humor at the place where I engage life as I perceive it as it really IS.

Life As Prayer.

Read and respond. I LOVE that.

3 more weeks of school this semester. AHHH!

Bird Calls Getting me Out of Bed

A strange and beautiful thing has been happening to me, a consummate night owl. Birds are singing me awake in the a.m.. One day it was a turtle dove saying what sounded like, "Come one, Come one!" and I was beckoned to get up for my morning walk. This walk is wonderful. I examine my dreams, I pray (thanking God, praise him for his world, and lifting up others on my mind). I really have never been a morning person, and I still don't think I am, but this new habit is very refreshing. 

I'm starting to really be captivated by the calls of the birds I hear as I walk. They are so busy in the morning. I heard a woodpecker this week as he was getting breakfast out of a tree. I may have to start studying the bird calls of local birds. I think they might be talking about me, or maybe they have important things to say that I should know. : )

Morning Fog Rising

Today I took an early morning walk. I'm not a morning person. I've been trying to get out for exercise.

Today was particularly cold, but beautiful with an encompassing fog hovering over the path I walked. I could hear many birds busy singing in their day, which I haven't been nearly well-enough aware of, though spring is fully here.

I thought about the beauty of the morning that I'm too cooped up in my home to witness most days, because I am too tired, and feel too busy to join in. And I walk the around the forgiving gravel of the nearby cemetery, which is easier on my joints than pavement. This course choice pulls into perspective the brevity of existence, and hones my priorities, just before my hectic day begins. It all helps lift me from my fog.

new gnome site

I'll broken off the random escapade gnome adventuring enterprise "Into the Great Un-gnome" to a new site dedicated to that purpose. Hope you check out the fun. Keep those cards, and gnomes coming! Thanks for the support.

"Into the Great Un-Gnome Enterprises" answers FAQ

What is "INTO the GREAT UN-GNOME ENTERPRISES" ?

q: Is this some kind of a joke, or will you seriously travel around with statues, and take pictures? 

a: Into the Great Un-Gnome Enterprises provides a way for people to experience the pleasure of a vicarious adventure by sending a garden gnome friend to us for a unique experience we will capture on camera and chronicle on Facebook and this blog.

q: Why did you start this?

a: The short answer is to have some fun. But, this idea, in general, is not new. Wikipedia details this movement in this article. The award-winning French film Amélie featured this idea also. Travel service Travelocity uses a gnome as its mascot. Apparently, gnomes, once free from forced labor gardening, enjoy adventures and world travel.

q: What does it cost to send a gnome on an adventure with you?

a: It costs nothing, but really the fun and enjoyment you'll have is priceless. 

q: Can I choose the adventure, trip, or activity for my gnome?

a: Our modest financial abilities do not allow this possibility at present. Gnomes arriving  without financial wherewithal are surprised with the next available adventure, be it a modest or extravagant one.

q: If I want to see a gnome I send you go on an adventure, what should I do?

a: You should carefully pack your gnome, and mail him to Gnome Handlers Services c/o Ovation Enterprises 49 S. 2nd St. Cressona, Pa 17929.

q: Will my gnome be returned?

a: No.

q: Do you accept trolls, elves, pixies, fairies, dwarfs, and the like?

a: Not at this time. However, special exceptions may accepted upon request.

q: If I find a gnome, can I send it?

a: Not, if it doesn't belong to you. That's what is typically referred to as stealing, and we do not condone that. 

q: What if I don't have a gnome, but I want to send one?

a: See if the owner of a nearby gnome is agreeable to the adventure, or purchase one of your own. mastergardening.com is where we got our first gnome Trevor (seen in photo) for only about 12$. 

q: Will this make me famous or make my gnome famous?

a: Maybe. We will only use your first name when referencing your gnome story, unless you specify otherwise. We will reveal whatever details you give us about your gnome that we feel are appropriate, and details about his adventure.

q: You keep saying "him", don't you accept female gnomes?

a: Not at this time. Our gnome told us they are all male, and reproduce by magic. He said any known female gnomes are a farce. (He may have told us a fib to get away with something!)

If you have any questions about this venture, please leave your comments.

Thanks for your support. 

Keep those cards, letters, and gnomes coming.

Agape Love: a choice of the mind not the heart

To first understand this concept, it helps to know a little background of Hebrew language. In Hebrew, the "heart" is associated with not feelings and emotions, by with choice and the mind. The guts (innards or bowels) are associated with the feelings and emotions. This is a formidable difference in language, and therefore translation and meaning.

While it may seem like too much to ask to feel loving toward someone who has hurt your feelings, wronged you, be it an enemy, or a person who really bothers you, understanding the nature of choice in agape love helps take the burden off what may seem insurmountable. We may never be able to emotionally reconcile with someone else in those cases. We may even hate them, but we may be able to truly treat them lovingly and respectfully, why? Because the highest form of love "agape love," truly self-sacrificing love is conceptualized as cool and calculated, a decision of the mind. One need only to *decide* to not collect on the debt owed, and operate in great benevolence toward the other. In this way one wants good for them. Not because they deserve it, mind you, but because the choice is on the decider's part as one of the will (not the heart/emotions).

Eros love, is another subcategory of love in general, (of which agape in also a subcategory). This form of love has to do with feeling love, desire, passions, affections. We cannot feel Eros love for those we do not enjoy being around.

To move into true forgiveness agape love, grace is called for. Thankfully, our feelings need not play into the goodness of it, if they aren't there yet.

YOUR Gnome– on a Travel Adventure

Important Announcement:
Into the Great Un-Gnome Enterprises is now accepting new applications for Gnome Participants. Do you believe in Gnome Liberation? We realize launching a vision to the world on April Fool's Day carries some risk. We assure you, our enterprise is no joke. You see, many gnomes long to journey beyond the forced labor of gardening, and decorative posing for the open road adventures that lie beyond the garden fence. But how can they be free? Into the Great Un-Gnome Enterprises is the answer. Free your gnome from a garden near you, or the confines of a shop, and send him on a travel adventure of a lifetime. Trevor, pictured here at the beach on his travel adventure, was redeemed from the slavery trade at Mastergardening.com

Your gnome will be featured in the next available travel adventure, along with photos and descriptions of his activities along the way. No spending money or travel costs are required, because Into the Great Un-Gnome Enterprises covers all gnome related travel and activity expenses. Facebook and blog updates will capture the adventure, and the release of your gnome, back into the wild for you and the world to see. The first five rescuers to free a gnome will receive trip souvenirs, and a personalized photo album of the trip as a keepsake to treasure forever.

Simply ship the gnome you wish to liberate to our Travel Gnome Handlers Service, c/o Ovation Enterprises, 49 S. 2nd St Cressona, PA 17292, with his name, and any vital information necessary, such as age, nationality, allergies, previous work and medical history (if known), travel experience, and tastes, etc.

What kind of an adventure can your rescued gnome expect? We prefer to keep the actual trip a surprise for each gnome, but gnomes may experience a wide variety of adventures, such as white water rafting, caber tossing, swimming with shrieking eels, mountain climbing and orienteering, beach volleyball, wilderness campouts, amusements parks, late night cheesecake outings incognito, jig festivals, and so much more. In the end, we free each gnome back into the woods, or a safe environment, to live the rest of his days in serenity–leaving the haunting memories of grueling gardening servitude far behind him.

Won’t you please make a wish come true for a gnome and free one from oppression today? We can make a difference for justice, one gnome at a time.

T-shirts to support gnome liberation are available at another gnome-friendly site.

Donations in any amount for the care of gnomes are greatly appreciated, but are not tax-deductible.

Please spread the word, and thank you for your support.