My last word on Keillor

I'm going to be a bit of a contrarian for a moment, if I may. Now that I have had time to consider it more, I've come to a conclusion regarding Garrison Keillor's recent controversial essay on Silent Night: He's kidding.

Had we heard this essay read in his usual dry and droll manner, I think the satire would have been more readily apparent. I don't think it is good satire or it wouldn't have been so easy to take seriously. Everything I have read and heard from Keillor leads me to believe that he is not an anti-Semite who hates "White Christmas" and is totally ignorant of the pagan origins of many Christmas traditions. That seemed strange to me the first time I read his article and it makes less and less sense the more I think about it. Does anyone really think he is that stupid?

Keillor and I disagree on gay marriage and probably other things as well, but I have never believed he was so ill-informed. The next thing you know he will probably be quoted as saying Unitarians can't take a joke.

One question

Why is it that when President Obama apologizes for for American arrogance overseas he is a traitor who does not love his country and is not fit to hold public office, but when Minnesota Congresswoman Michelle Bachman prays on a live "prayer cast" that our country deserves the Wrath of God she is a true patriot who stands up for values and who is trying to save America?

Can someone explain this to me?

Keillor in a Teapot

I was going to post on Garrison Keillor's recent article, but I find that plenty has already been published. Paul Oakley's take on the subject is well worth reading.

Keillor should focus on his own church rather than worrying about what other people sing in theirs, but I still like him. I loved his book Homegrown Democrat. Right now, I am way too mad at members of the religious right for using the name of God to host a "prayer cast" against health care and taxes to get to riled up about Keillor. I didn't care for his article, but it is a pretty minor deal compared to people preaching that God Allmightly is calling on us to resist health care reform. I guess all those Christians in every other developed country in the world must feel pretty stupid now. Now we've shown them that the free health care they enjoy is the work of Satan.

Such a digusting and blatant abuse of religion is such a disgrace that I can't get worked up about the words to "Silent Night". I'm just going to continue to pay outrageous health premiums and sign Christmas carols however I please.

Satisfied With Here and Now

I went for another beautiful wintry walk this evening, this time after dark. I am trying to learn to enjoy winter this year and the current scenery and relative warmth are helping with that quite a bit. Things kind of clicked in my head tonight while sweeping snow off the deck. This winter appreciation effort is part of learning to not only be happy, but to be satisfied with where I am.

Much of my life has been spent wishing I lived in a better place or a better time or a better lifestyle. Part of that is an overactive imagination, but only a part. If only I were... then my life would really be the way I want it to be. But my time and place to be is here. My energy is better spent making this the here and now I want instead of pining for what isn't.

Please someone remind me of this in a few months when it is bitter cold and dark, and I want to be anywhere in the world other than here. That is why hot baths were invented.

Winter Wonderland

I am not well know for loving winter. Our summers are spectacular, but I generally see winter as something to be endured. While our friends on the east coast have been getting all of the snow, Anchorage has had an unusual week of ice fog. Now I have something to celebrate.

There are trees all over Anchorage and now they are all coated with the most amazing looking hoar frost. The whole world looks like one big Ansel Adams photo. The bike path to the nearby lake reminds me of a faery land and some Narnia jokes were made. I know it will just be a matter of days before wind or snow changes it all so I am savoring every drive and walk of every day while it is here.

These photos were taken with my phone and they don't do the scenery justice, but I wanted to share some of this beauty with you. They were all taken in color by the way. I am grateful to have something to appreciate about winter since one of my goals is to find the good in what I have instead of wishing for something else. I reserve the right to change my mind by February, but right now I am loving winter in Anchorage.

War on Christmas and Colleagues

It must finally be the holiday season. I just had my first "War on Christmas" conversation with a co-worker. Sigh. I'm not sure which of us walked away more frustrated. How do you argue with someone who actually believes it when they say, "Christians don't have any rights anymore, we are not valued."? She claims the ACLU isn't going to let her say Merry Christmas anymore. I mean, where do you even start with that?

Also, the ACLU apparently NEVER represents Christians according to this dubious source. If anymore knows of a case where they have, please let me know as I'm sure I will get hit with this topic again.