Richard_D Blog Comments (476)

Spring Colors

ajkaorjun -

You have extra seasons! :)

Monsoon ... um ... that's okay ... not sure I want that season to visit us here ... We get heavy rain sometimes ... for hours but not for days ... some of the Spring storms have caused flooding near here.

Pre-Winter ... It seems that it's simply a cultural difference ... to consider the year in 6 parts rather than just the 4 we use ... Thank you for teaching me about this!

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Lukeon - Is there freshwater fishing or only ocean/salt-water? We're on a big (freshwater) lake ... there is good fishing on Lake Erie as well as in many of the streams that lead to it.

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Ekself -

Hot and dry... I experienced some of that in California (Sacramento) ... It was nice that rain never affected outdoor plans, but the air seemed to always be hazy and the countryside was mostly just brown grass. I would have liked to see more rain.

Spring Colors

Hi Everyone! I want to spend time here... busy working still... always like to say hello to each visitor.

Calleis - My new pic ... "a bit very honest" ... yes I took a few pictures before the last gig ... and tried one of myself ... I look old some days ... and I need to loose some weight from Wintertime ... but it is authentic ... (and some incentive to take a new one soon! )

Spring Colors

Today is grey and gloomy... rain, sun, thunder storms, humidity ... this is our Spring :)

Spring Colors

Some unpleasantness... back in January...

RE: Is Vietnam the Next Most Likely Hot Spot for Inter

There are many problems... always.

International law ... boundaries that have not been firmly established ... government-owned business (really- should any business also have an army!?) ... international treaties- those that exist and those that should.

Autocrats are opportunists ... "looks good to me" is usually enough for them to convince themselves they are right ... so authoritarian governments have the same manner of ethics.

I think this is a deliberate plan by China ... if they "live on the land" and protests fade away, they will show this as being proof that they own it.

So ... we protest ... we show that we cannot trust them ... and, over time ... our will is going to fade and we'll try to trust them again ... and then they'll move their next chess piece ... and we do this again.

Note: This is why the US embargo of Cuba remains... we haven't allowed the 'lack of trust' to fade.

Decisions - What to Choose

Jim - We should all be so lucky :)

And we make our own luck, don't we? Find our own happiness...

It sounds like you've figured it out. Awesome.

p.s. I tried to make the blog very neutral... not positive or negative... to ask about the style of fellow bloggers ... how they do their thinking. This is part of the joy of blogging... gaining ideas and wisdom from others ... thank you for sharing yours.

Decisions - What to Choose

Hello woodenjc

It sounds like you have a special relationship with your mother ... that's wonderful!

I have a sister who understands this... to value stability but also to know that change can be smart... not to be reckless and unthinking ... but careful while we think about the direction we are going and the goals we are pursuing.

Decisions - What to Choose

Hello, Mr. ajkaorjun

Mid-life ... yeah ... crisis? ... hmm ... perhaps not ... perhaps mid-life freedom? ... perhaps it's simply time to live inside a new set of walls ...

There does come a time when we feel like we're stuck... same job, same place, same headaches and same routine. I won't deny that this is some of it.

There also comes a time when we see the world differently ... we realize what builds us up and what tears us down ... and once we know this, it seems wise to make some changes.

Have you experienced one of those times? A time when what was right before isn't right anymore?

(No need to answer... but it is a question I ask myself... is this one of those times?)

Decisions - What to Choose

Hi Jim!

Down? Nope... that's not it.

I'm a huge fan of opportunity ... think everyone should have some

Do you know the expression "The world is my oyster"? I don't know where it came from... but it's about having unlimited opportunities.

I don't have that... but I see opportunities... and am becoming able to pursue them... and this is good.

But... how to look at this? ... talk, think, be careful and cautious, or perhaps impulsive...

What is your approach, when opportunity comes to your door?

Decisions - What to Choose

Thank you for sharing your wisdom, Usha!

We'll sit down ... me, myself and I ... perhaps me will offer some wine to myself and I ... and we'll get to business ... and I will have a 2nd glass ... okay... ... perhaps wine is not a good idea ...

Hmm ... sure seemed like a good idea ... like the right people to talk with ...

Perhaps we'll try again... in the morning...

Decisions - What to Choose

Thondae! -

When the going gets tough... the tough sit down for some ice cream.

I like this... Does a cold brain think more clearly? I may need to test this theory.....

Decisions - What to Choose

twazzle ...

"i would be sticking the car in gear and going for it.....we only get one pop at life my friend."

Sound advice.

RE: Blogs

Controversial topics get more action too.

I think V is right... people tend to look for blogs from their friends first... and if they have time, they may look at other blogs.

Decisions - What to Choose

Twazzle <<< what a terrific name!

No worries << that's smart.

"I would think it through on my own" ... I tend to do this too.

I'm always interested in what other people do. I've known some who seem to talk through all of their choices with other people... what are they seeking? ... perhaps advice, perhaps approval ?? ... I'm not sure.

I find it difficult to explain something well enough... with someone patient enough to listen... but getting their opinion is good... and having to turn my thoughts into words also helps.

Decisions - What to Choose

Hi Cmiyer!

What comes next in life? That is the question... There have been times when I didn't think about this... too busy... tied down and committed to a time and place... but ties are looser now... so what/where comes next?

Change is good... sometimes...

RE: Quite a changed

Hi Tatami

In the bigger cities, I see this ... lined up on the right so allow those who want to go faster to walk/run up the left side.

In Boston and Washington, DC ... (I don't get to big cities very often ) ... I don't remember signs though ... it seems like people just knew what to do... and those who stood on the left anyways were the tourists (like me, the first time).

Locally ... like Virgo ... not as many people ... they go where they want.

Leader, Boss, Guru

Hi Ed!

Quite an example there... the life and teachings of Jesus.

There's a bit of all of this here, isn't there? I was thinking about that as I wrote this blog... sometimes it comes all together... leader, boss and guru... the 'boss' parts are there too... not always a light burden and some humble pie needed...

I don't have trouble accepting orders or handling authority... when I have confidence in the authority...

Leader, Boss, Guru

Mr B - Hello!

Melody, harmony, counterpoint - Which to you follow?

I like a good bass-line myself... steady... leading the way through the chords... and back to the base before the song ends.

RE: Just you and me

"I want you to be happy always..."

What a wonderful thought.

I'm an idealist ... but perhaps I'll get better ..

Hi Jim

"He Thinks He's Ray Stevens"
"Boogity, Boogity"

I have 2 of his records... still :)

Once in a while I'll have a YouTube night... and spend a few hours listening to music... sometimes classical or instrumental jazz... and last night was mostly country music of a sort... songs about CB radios and trucking :) ... even watched a clip from a gear-head TV show about the "Bandit" Trans Am... eventually I made it to novelty songs, which had to include Ray Stevens.

Thank you for sharing some memories with me!

I'm an idealist ... but perhaps I'll get better ..

This is one of those songs about love and happiness and feeling like we all belong here.

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cmiyer - Hello, my friend. (I think it's sometime tomorrow morning for you... no coffee for me, thanks. )

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Hi Loulou - Old songs... simple, uncomplicated and enjoyable.

RE: long distance love.......is this possible?????

Hi cmiyer

Apartment or house? Big city, small city, or rural community? Near (his) relatives? Does he work near his home? Does he travel for his job? (each of these brings some positive things and some potential challenges)

Do you have the financial ability to stay in a hotel for the first week? I've heard a few stories of people who made plans to stay with someone on their first visit and regretted not having an alternative.

"one of the big states" ... I'll guess California ... you may not need to worry about being cold

Generally, the US is safe and people are kind and welcoming. Of course, this is probably true of every country.

Let me know if I can assist further ... I hope everything goes well for you/her.

RE: Love and Capital Punishment

Hi Serendipity

A well-researched blog ... thank you for your hard work!

I really enjoyed the observations of C.S. Lewis you included in your comments.

Theist or Atheist. Do you know why?

Hello again, Abagail!

You mentioned something about insufficient evidence... "...a clear lack of evidence to substantiate any argument."

Not enough evidence to support theism...

I think our definitions are a little different... I think of being an atheist as someone with evidence for the non-existence of deity (something like, there is too much suffering, so a caring god must not exist). You didn't talk about this side of the topic, however... so I tried to figure it out... and you were kind enough to add a clarifying comment! Thank you.

Theist or Atheist. Do you know why?

Kitty and Jim -

Jim - You may be blocking Kitty's status ("not looking").

Theist or Atheist. Do you know why?

(taking this out of order)

Gentlejim - Thank you for adding your thoughts.

I've found that people react to things they don't agree with in mostly two ways. Some get upset/angry and try to chase away the object of disagreement. Others may show frustration but mostly want to understand why there is a difference.

I've learned to be polite with the first group. Mostly, they just need to be listened to. Their opinion is completely valid to them, so is worth respecting.

I really appreciate the second group, however. Learning and maturing takes place for all involved when we figure out why our outlooks are different. No one's outlook needs to be fixed/solved ... the value is in the understanding (in my opinion).

Theist or Atheist. Do you know why?

Hello, Mr Catfoot

Fear of death is a difficult topic, isn't it?

For many, it seems this is the primary focus of their theism. The concern is legitimate. When we face our own mortality we ask the tough questions about why we are here and what it's all about.

I wonder if these are questions we should also consider when we're healthy and having a great day?

They are stressful questions though... they strain our mental capacity... so perhaps are best suited to be considered on that 'great day'; when we're up to it. Or perhaps, to be considered briefly each day, and eventually, we might find an answer that works for us.

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Glatlol - History seems to support that Jesus existed... and that he was crucified... the Romans did that to thousands in those days... they didn't run jails, they just got rid of the problems in this way. The debate that remains is mostly about what happened next and what it all means ... which are things that history (physical evidence) isn't as helpful with.

Your daughter's opinion is welcome. This is the tough part though... can't prove the resurrection and can't prove it didn't happen. There is some evidence (personal accounts), but it becomes a matter of believing if the evidence is sufficient.

Theist or Atheist. Do you know why?

Miss Furry - It's nice to be remembered in a good way.

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Hi Glatlol -

Thank you for sharing your outlook! I enjoy meeting people with a different outlook than mine. There is a greater opportunity to learn from each other.

Blind faith is a tough one, isn't it? It can seem right to say and do the things that help us fit into a social group, but if our personal outlook is different, the relationship isn't going to be a good one.

One speaker I've listened to (so many lectures and classes are available on the web now!) ... he was speaking to college students ... and encouraged them to make friends who have a different worldview ... and ask them questions ... and answer their questions ...

I would encourage everyone to develop their viewpoint (worldview) ... to know what they believe and why. Having a mature and developed viewpoint makes someone more interesting to talk with.

Theist or Atheist. Do you know why?

Part of the point of the blog ... with so many religions trying to direct people to some manner of god ... I would think that this is proof that this desire is built into us.

Why would this be built into us?

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Hi Viking! - Blind faith ... yeah, I'm not a fan of this either.

You make an excellent point about a sense of belonging playing a role in religion. I'm not a big fan of religion (by its definition) either.

"It seams like the human nature is to believe in something..."

Thank you for this.

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iotaoo - Thank you for visiting with us.

"Belief is the death of search." An interesting thought.

For me, I know belief will always be incomplete and imperfect... it's my nature to always seek more evidence.

Theist or Atheist. Do you know why?

Welcome to Sunday, everyone

Religion can be a difficult topic.

There are conversation skills needed when opinions differ. One of the skills is to hear/read something we feel is negative and listen without reacting.

Those who remember my blogs will likely remember that this skill is called on rather often.