Health update

Today I had my blood counts done at Sloan Kettering in Sleepy Hollow (as per the plan to monitor them) and they were a bit better. At least to the point where Dr Chia decided my red count was good enough to not need the scheduled shot of Darbepoetin, the red blood cell booster, that … Read more

Latest Read: He Leadeth Me

This is written by a Jesuit Polish-American priest, the late Walter J. Ciszek, and I have been meaning to read it for quite a number of years. Father was imprisoned by the Soviet Union while carrying on a priestly mission ministry in Russia. They claimed he was a spy.  Fr. Ciszek spent 23 years (1940-1963) … Read more

Mennonites, Amish and Phones

Here is a feature article in the Washington Post that some might find fiddly and boring, but I found fascinating. It gives a great insight into Mennonite and Amish thinking. These groups continue to prosper as they stick with their traditional ways. Still Called by Faith To the Phone Booth It used to be that … Read more

Update on NY City Darfur Rally on Sunday, September 17th

My friend John Lally sent me the following email, which I have slightly edited. Anyone  interested, note the phone number and email address at the end. UPDATE: Things are not looking good in Darfur! Shaky Darfur Peace at Risk as New Fighting Looms – New York Times John ***************************************************************************************************************** September 17th – Rally to "SAVE … Read more

Neurological study of Carmelite nuns and mysticism

Here’s a really interesting study of neural activity in Carmelite sisters. Very intereesting, even if it doesn’t prove much. Telegraph | News | Nuns prove God is not figment of the mind In other words, mystical experiences are mediated by several brain regions and systems normally implicated in functions such as self-consciousness, emotion and body … Read more

Joan of Arc must wonder about this

Here’s an interesting online Catholic Church bulletin I came across It wsa linked to on Amy Welborn’s website. The Church is out in Minnesota.  St. Joan of Arc Catholic Church, Mpls., MN., USA "The Pastors 2 cents…" column has what I would consider a "colorfully" worded column. Along with lots of other eccentric stuff.

Death of a marine

My friend Theresa Bonopartis has a son, Mike, in the marines. Very sadly, a marine friend of his, Mike Glover, was recently killed by a sniper in Iraq. As was Glover’s unit commanding officer, Capt. John McKenna IV, shot when he went to his aid. They are both New Yorkers. Here is the story from … Read more

Darfur update

The Washington Post has an editorial this morning: Genocide, Continued The resolution is said to have the support of most members of the Security Council. It was developed in consultation with France, which initially tried to minimize the proposed number of troops but then accepted the Anglo-American position. China, which bends over backward not to … Read more