James Bethel James Bethel

Until we find silence . . .

Wednesday, December 24, 2025. It's Odin's day . . . and the Christmas Eve forecasts indicate a warm windy day for TulseyTown. Gusty Southerlies and near 80º during the afternoon.

Despite Trump, kindness and decency abounds. – Robert Reich, Its A Wonderful Life.

Is Santa a shamanic sun-god?

For one night a year, the hard-edged world of international alliances, intelligence, radar, satellites, and fighter jets turns into a night for adults to create a magical world for children. – Heather Cox Richardson, on a video from Letters From An American, posted for this Christmas Eve.

Prayer is sitting in silence until it silences us, choosing gratitude until we are grateful. – Fr. Richard Rohr

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James Bethel James Bethel

A river runs through the snow . . .

Tuesday, December 23, 2025. It's Tiw's day … Easy Southerlies are forecasted to replace the mild morning fog with sunny skies and mid 70's this afternoon in TulseyTown. And my friend Chris sent me a note that said “The warmth of Christmas week will be physical this year, what with temperatures near 80º!”

Today is the birth date of Norman Maclean. The author (A River Runs Through It) was born in 1902 Clarinda, Iowa and grew up in Montana.

It's the birthday of Robert Bly. The poet in my top five was born in 1926 Lac qui Parle County near Madison, Minnesota. His poems are to be heard by his readings. The difference from the page to the ear is significant.

The hole in the street. – Jeff Krasno, Training the Unconscious. 12.20.25

As I drive my parents home through the snow

their frailty hesitates on the edge of a mountainside.

I call over the cliff

only snow answers.

They talk quietly

of hauling water of eating an orange

of a grandchild's photograph left behind last night.

When they open the door of their house they disappear.

And the oak when it falls in the forest who hears it through miles and miles of silence?

They sit so close to each other as if pressed together by the snow.

– Robert Bly, “As I drive my parents home through the snow,” The Light Around the Body, Harper and Row, 1967.

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James Bethel James Bethel

One fine day none slept . . .

Monday, December 22, 2025. It's the Moon's day . . . Forecasts for TulseyTown indicate gusty Southerlies and a major warming trend. A cloudy morning followed by a sunny afternoon and upper 50's. Near 80º Christmas Eve Wednesday and Christmas day.

The ugly facts. – Robert Reich, Sunday Thought. 12.21.25

[W]ith their disregard for the Epstein Files Transparency Act, they are also treating voters, especially their own MAGA voters who stood behind Trump because he promised to release the Epstein files, with outright contempt. – Heather Cox Richardson, in Letters From An American.

Conductor Michael Tilson Thomas had his 81st birthday yesterday. He was born in 1944 Hollywood.

Ralph Fiennes is 63 today. The multi-award laureate stage and film actor was born in 1962, Ipswich, Suffolk, England)

Today in 1965 the film Doctor Zhivago premiered in theatres. Directed by David Lean, the movie received both mixed reviews and was the biggest box-office holder of its era.

Poet Kenneth Rexroth was born today in 1905 South Bend, Indiana.

It's the birthday of Edwin Arlington Robinson. The prolific poet was born in 1869 Head Tide, Maine.

And, composer Giacomo Puccini was born on this day in 1858 Lucca, Tuscany.

One fine day was followed by a night when none slept.

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