tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-42007670519302349232012-02-16T13:54:26.255ZLYhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09618703866093264087noreply@blogger.comBlogger1121100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4200767051930234923.post-34645017505144216322011-06-02T06:16:00.001+01:002011-06-02T06:30:25.922+01:00

The first written mention of whisky production was mentioned in Scotland, on this day, June 1, in 1494. The word ‘whisky’ is an anglicized version of the Scots Gaelic word for the drink, uisge beatha, which means ‘water of life.’ It was also called aqua vitae, which means ‘water of life’ in Latin. Whiskeys are almost always distilled from grains and aged in a wood cask. It is called ‘whisky’ if

LYhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09618703866093264087noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4200767051930234923.post-71230721222764005642011-05-23T19:33:00.002+01:002011-05-23T19:37:17.933+01:00

The Scottish 'pirate,' William Kidd, was executed on this day in 1701, after a famous trial before the Admiralty Court in London. He had been arrested on July 6, 1699 in Boston, under false promises of leniency, by an investor, the Earl of Bellomont. (Bellomont was the governor of New York, Massachusetts, and New Hampshire at the time.) After a year in prison, he was sent before the English

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On this day in 1124, David I (Dabíd mac Maíl Choluim), son of Malcolm III,  became King of Scotland. David had spent some time in London as a dependent of Henry I. Irt was with Henry's help that he became king (following the death of his brother, Alexander I). During his reign, he had many monasteries founded, Normanized the Scottish government to be more similar to England's, and created many

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On this day in 1058, Malcolm III was crowned King of Scotland. Known as "Canmore" (big head), he was the son of Duncan I who was killed by MacBeth. His wife Margaret of England introduced English customs and language into Scottish politics and church. Malcolm and Margaret's son, David I, built a small chapel to her memory. The Celtic Doc and family were fortunate enough to visit St. Margaret's

LYhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09618703866093264087noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4200767051930234923.post-8497317053424106972011-04-24T17:29:00.001+01:002011-04-24T17:29:20.069+01:00

On this day, Mary, Queen of Scots, married François, the Dauphin of France, in Paris at the Notre Dame Cathedral. She had been betrothed to him since she was 5, and had, at that time, gone to live in Amboise for 13 years. Her husband died only a little over a year after their marriage. She would later marry Henry Stuart (Lord Darnley) who was killed in an explosion at Edinburgh, and then James

LYhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09618703866093264087noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4200767051930234923.post-52112567429463506072011-04-23T20:16:00.001+01:002011-04-23T20:16:00.446+01:00

Brian Boru (Brian Bóruma mac Cennétig) was killed on this day in battle in 1014. He is the progenitor of the 'O'Brian clan. Legend has it that he threw off the reign of the Uí Néill, united all the irish tribes, and defeated the Vikings. Much of this is exaggeration (especially the Vikings), but there is not doubt he was a powerful and renowned leader and king of Ireland. How he died is not clear

LYhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09618703866093264087noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4200767051930234923.post-564541860811258782011-04-19T12:00:00.001+01:002011-04-19T12:00:07.329+01:00

On this day in 1316, the future King Robert II was born in Paisley, Renfrewshire. He was the son of Marjorie Bruce, the daughter of Robert  the Bruce (King Robert I), and Walter Stewart, the hereditary High Steward of Scotland. Though Robert the Bruce had made his brother, Edward, his heir, Edward died without a son, leaving Robert II as the heir presumptive.

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The University was founded on this day, from funds left for that purpose by Bishop Robert Reid of St Magnus Cathedral in Orkney. Though most universities were created through a Papal Bull, this one was founded upon a Royal Charter granted by James VI in 1582. It was the fourth to be established in Scotland.  It became a leading center of the Enlightenment, and the city was often known as the

LYhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09618703866093264087noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4200767051930234923.post-87072392373865953642011-04-12T12:09:00.000+01:002011-04-12T12:09:00.182+01:00

The ascension to the crown of King James VI of Scotland (King James I of England) resulted in the union of Scotland, England, and Wales under one monarch. On this date in 1603, the union flag was officially adopted for the kingdom by Royal Decree. The flag was a combination of the English flag withSt. George's Cross...               ...and the flag of Scotland with St. Andrew's cross (aka the

LYhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09618703866093264087noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4200767051930234923.post-36188499454785604072011-04-10T21:05:00.001+01:002011-04-10T21:05:13.725+01:00

Born in Linlithgow palace, he was the son of James IV and Margret Tudor of England. His father died soon thereafter he he was crowned King in 1513 at Stirling Castle. During his reign, he was able to bring the Western Islands into line and take care of the Border rebels. he spent a lot of money on numerous illegitimate sons and expanding castles. He married the king of France's daughter,

LYhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09618703866093264087noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4200767051930234923.post-60199817152338874082011-04-07T12:53:00.000+01:002011-04-07T12:53:00.257+01:00

On this day in 1348, Charles University was founded in the city of Prague. Today it known as the Charles University of Prague. It was the first University in Central Europe. The school was established on the model of the University of Paris with faculties of Law, Theology, Medicine, and Arts. Some of more famous graduates include Jan Hus (1369–1415), a theologian and reformer; Karl I of Austria (

LYhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09618703866093264087noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4200767051930234923.post-85698369522551385902011-04-06T11:20:00.000+01:002011-04-06T11:20:00.519+01:00

On April 6, 1329, Scotland declared its independence from England through a document known as the Declaration of Arbroath, which was sent to Pope XXII. It declared that Scotland had been a nation long before England, and that Edward I ("Longshanks") had unjustly attacked Scotland. It has been understood as one of the first documents (if not the first) to declare sovereignty of a people, rather

LYhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09618703866093264087noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4200767051930234923.post-19239048598982411622011-04-05T11:47:00.000+01:002011-04-05T11:47:00.182+01:00

On this day in 1804, a meteorite slammed into a quarry outside of Glasgow, Scotland. Known as the High Possil Meteorite, it contains mostly minerals which are similar to basalt: orthopyroxene, olivine, plagioclase feldspar and diopside, with traces of nickel-iron alloys and other minerals such as troilite, whitlockite, chromite, and copper.

LYhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09618703866093264087noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4200767051930234923.post-26508469523486575552011-03-30T12:14:00.001+01:002011-03-30T12:14:00.231+01:00

Edward I of England, known as Longshanks, sacked the Scottish city of Berwick-Upon-Tweed on this day in 1296. It was part of a long war between Scotland and England, which England eventually won, though Scottish independence came later at the Battle of Bannockburn. Berwick-upon-Tweed, as a border town, often found itself at the center of such conflicts between England and Scotland. Today it is

LYhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09618703866093264087noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4200767051930234923.post-91712152237179936622011-03-28T17:59:00.001+01:002011-03-28T17:59:00.441+01:00

Many people do not know this, but the city of Paris, France, began as a tribe of celts. They had a small walled fort (called an oppidium) on the Île-de-la-Cité (the isle on the Seine where the Notre Dame cathedral stands today) and the Île St. Louis (right beside Île-de-la-Cité, and one of the favorite places on earth of the Celtic Doc and spouse). The Romans called these Celts the "Parisii," and

LYhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09618703866093264087noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4200767051930234923.post-44086602711700590512011-03-27T05:59:00.000+01:002011-03-27T20:26:37.526+01:00

On this day, Charles I became King of England, Scotland, and Ireland in 1625. He was the son of James I of England (who was also James VI of Scotland, and the "James" of the King James Bible). The England Parliament and Charles did not get along well, mainly over the issues of the Royal Prerogative. This was a time when many countries were moving towards more say in government by the people and

LYhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09618703866093264087noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4200767051930234923.post-189670386853913372011-03-25T17:45:00.000Z2011-03-25T17:45:00.358Z

On this day in 1437, King James II was crowned in Edinburgh. He was only six years old, becoming King because of the assassination of his father, James I, by Walter Stewart. James II was known as "Fiery Face" because of a large red birthmark on his face. he was an active King, both against England and stubborn Scottish nobles. His successes were mixed. He was one of the first to urge and employ

LYhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09618703866093264087noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4200767051930234923.post-62975791299016494642011-03-25T11:30:00.000Z2011-03-25T11:30:00.714Z

On this  day in 1306, Robert the Bruce (King Robert I) was crowned King of Scotland at Scone Abbey. Following the leadership of William Wallace, he led the Scots in the Wars of Independence against England, eventually winning sovereignty for his homeland at the Battle of Bannockburn on 24 June 1314. Robert the Bruce is buried at Dumferline Abbey, but his heart is interred at Melrose Abbey. On his

LYhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09618703866093264087noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4200767051930234923.post-24725766770819204482011-03-24T11:09:00.000Z2011-03-24T11:09:00.521Z

On this day in 1603, James VI of Scotland also became James I of England. He had been crowned King of Scotland in 1567 when he was about one year old when the nobles of Scotland forced Mary Queen of Scots to abdicate  the throne. This is known in history has the Union of the Crowns. The two countries kept separate Parliaments, court systems, money systems: in essence, they were legally separate

LYhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09618703866093264087noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4200767051930234923.post-60578260707032563512011-03-23T11:04:00.000Z2011-03-23T11:04:00.260Z

William Kidd, a Scottish sailor, was born on this day in 1645. Though he was tried and killed for his work as a pirate, some modern historians believe he was merely a privateer, and not a pirate. Most of his pirate-like acts were not all that numerous or lucrative; it was his questioning before the British Parliament which made him famous.

LYhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09618703866093264087noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4200767051930234923.post-27274451527953768172011-03-19T12:30:00.000Z2011-03-19T12:30:00.930Z

King Alexander III of Scotland (b. 1241) died on this day in 1286. He became king at age 8, when his father died on 6 July 1249 (the same day that the Celtic Doc became a Doc, a mere 755 years later). He was married to Princess Mary, one of the daughters of Henry III of England. He had much trouble with in-country strife, but was fairly successful. One of his goals was to consolidate Scotland,

LYhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09618703866093264087noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4200767051930234923.post-90671507397642943392011-03-17T12:07:00.000Z2011-03-17T12:07:00.131Z

In 1328, after 30 years of war between England and Scotland, Scotland won its independence when Robert the Bruce (King Robert I) and Edward III  signed the Treaty of Edinburgh. In 1473, King James IV was born. He became king when he was 15, after his father, James III, died from battle wounds. He built an impressive navy and expanded the influence of Scotland. His marriage to Mary Tudor of

LYhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09618703866093264087noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4200767051930234923.post-70753593550183571672011-03-17T12:01:00.000Z2011-03-17T12:01:00.384Z

This is, of course, the highly commercialized feast day for St. Patrick, the patron saint of Ireland. Though it has become a party day with the wearing of green and the drinking of Guinness, the story of St Patrick is historically significant. It can be argued that he was the most prolific and successful Christian missionary the world has ever known, aside from Paul of Tarsus himself. His amazing

LYhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09618703866093264087noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4200767051930234923.post-54263878736774333292011-03-17T11:17:00.000Z2011-03-17T11:17:00.080Z

In 1058, King Lulach I of Scotland (b. 1030) was murdered on this day. He was the stepson of MacBeth, who ruled before Lulach. The fact that that he was known as Lulach the Simple-Minded indicates his ineffectiveness. He had only reigned a few months before being assassinated by Malcolm III (also known as Canmore, which means "Big Head": the Scots have a way with nicknames, aye?). He is buried on

LYhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09618703866093264087noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4200767051930234923.post-8783771236366991272011-03-16T12:57:00.000Z2011-03-16T12:57:00.985Z

This irish monk was associated with the Wexford area, and he is a minor saint about which little is know. What is interesting is that he has two feast days: this day and also in October 27 in the Félire Óengusso and the Martyrology of Gorman. Most saints only get one.

LYhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09618703866093264087noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4200767051930234923.post-14215411052335432792011-03-16T12:02:00.000Z2011-03-16T12:02:00.570Z

Robert the Bruce (1274-1329) convened his first Parliament, having been crowned king at Scone in 1306.

LYhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09618703866093264087noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4200767051930234923.post-15212217929656657092011-03-15T18:41:00.000Z2011-03-15T18:41:00.950Z

the ides of March. In ancient Rome, this was a festival day to the god of war, Mars. It was also the day that Julius Caesar was stabbed to death in 44 BC in the Theatre of Pompey. The Roman historian, Plutarch, writes that while Caesar was on his way to the Theatre, he passed a seer who told him that he was in no danger after the Ides of March. When Caesar replied that the Ides had come, the seer

LYhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09618703866093264087noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4200767051930234923.post-71201775833503562232011-03-11T18:01:00.000Z2011-03-11T18:01:00.622Z

Today is Óengus of Tallaght Day. Also known as Saint Óengus of Tallaght and Óengus the Culdee, he was a bishop of Ireland in the early 800s. "Culdee" comes from the phrase, Ceile Dé, a gaelicized form of the Latin kele dei) which means "friend of God." He is allegedly  the author of the Feliré, a Festology of the Saints. See this brief encyclopedia article for more.

LYhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09618703866093264087noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4200767051930234923.post-59761107142878129002011-03-09T17:59:00.000Z2011-03-09T17:59:00.677Z

The private secretary, David Rizzio, to Mary, Queen of Scots, was murdered in the Palace at Holyrood in Edinburgh, Scotland. He was an Italian, and Mary's husband (Lord Darnley) and other nobleman were always jealous and suspicious of him (there were rumors that he had made the Queen pregnant, which were most likely false). This was part of a long-standing feud between the Scottish Nobleman and

LYhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09618703866093264087noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4200767051930234923.post-52772630745766570262011-03-08T18:11:00.000Z2011-03-08T18:11:00.758Z

This Irish monk was the founder of many monasteries in the Inner and Outer Hebrides off the coast of the Western Highlands in Scotland during the early 500s. After founding many of the centers for Celtic Christianity, he settled at Inis Cathaig (today, Scattery Island).

LYhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09618703866093264087noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4200767051930234923.post-810153283499041462011-03-07T08:01:00.002Z2011-03-07T08:01:03.750Z

Today is the birthday of the Scottish folk hero, Rob Roy McGregor in 1671 (d. 1734). more commonly known as simply "Rob Roy." He was part of the Jacobite uprising that supported King James over William of Orange. The rebels lost this battle, and Rob Roy became a cattleman. But he had borrowed the money and gave it to his chief herder who made off with it. Rob Roy was branded an outlaw and his

LYhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09618703866093264087noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4200767051930234923.post-50764550251519160532011-03-01T19:59:00.001Z2011-03-01T19:59:16.163Z

Today is St. David's Day, the patron saint of Wales and a great celtic teacher. He was born near the end of the 5th century, and founded a monastery in Glyn Rhosin (The Vale of Roses) , where the St. David's Cathedral is now located. He was also a great symbol for the Welsh during  their resistance to the Norman Invasion. Today, celebrants wear a leek on this day because it was used to tell the

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He was the 9 year old son of Henry VIII and Jane Seymour. He fought a war against Scotland (who didn't?) and was successful at first, but the French came to the aid of Scotland (France and Scotland, that Auld Alliance...) and Edward VI was forced to withdraw. Born on 12 October, 1537,  died on 6 July, 1553 at age 15. Rumours of poisoning Surfaced, but he had been sick for six month. He was

LYhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09618703866093264087noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4200767051930234923.post-78511971522983891542011-02-13T00:31:00.000Z2011-02-13T00:31:26.780Z

A new drawing. It may not be true art, but in my world, it passes adequately. Click for a larger view. Identity Line

LYhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09618703866093264087noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4200767051930234923.post-68953166813634705082011-02-03T21:18:00.002Z2011-02-03T21:37:39.666Z

Today is the birthday of the great Irish poet and novelist, and considered one of the most influential, especially in his development of stream-of-consciousness story-telling. I trudged my way gleefully through Ulysseys a few years ago, and it was one of the most enjoyable and mind-stretching reading experiences I have had. A short time later I was fortunate enough to sit at the shore at Dún

LYhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09618703866093264087noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4200767051930234923.post-67146007587367944022011-01-31T20:13:00.000Z2011-02-01T20:19:43.031Z

Finished only two books this month, though I am currently reading three others. Michael Connelly, The Brass Verdict: A Novel. Interesting idea for a novel, where Connelly takes the character from a previous novel (see this blog post), Mick Haller, and has him work with a character from a series of books, Harry Bosch. Pretty good story, though it parallels The Lincoln Lawyer in plot and outcome

LYhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09618703866093264087noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4200767051930234923.post-39091415431002308302011-01-27T21:37:00.000Z2011-02-03T21:41:24.732Z

Today in 1316, Edward the Bruce, as Earl of Carrick, defeated the army of Edmund Butler at the battle of Ardscull in County Kildare, Ireland. This was part of the First War for Scottish Independence.

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Today is the feast day for the Celtic saint Kentigern (aka Mungo), founder of Glasgow. It is the day he died in 612 AD. The Gaelic form of his name is Cyndeyrn. He was the daughter of a Brythonic (later Scotland) king, who was seduced by a nobleman. Her father threw her from the nearby cliffs into the sea, but she survived by finding an abandoned coracle. She drifted to Culross in Fife, where

LYhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09618703866093264087noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4200767051930234923.post-20704181775692977472011-01-07T21:23:00.003Z2011-02-01T20:18:47.827Z

This one sums up much of my life: To read more of Pearls Before Swine, click here. To visit cartoonist Stephen Pastis'  blog, click here. To follow the Rat's twitter account (yes, Rat does Twitter), click here.

LYhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09618703866093264087noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4200767051930234923.post-22730565725070328022010-12-31T19:29:00.000Z2011-01-01T19:29:27.131Z

Apparently, it was a month of jurisprudential interests: Michael Connelly, The Lincoln Lawyer. Warner Books, 2005.   Best-selling author Michael Connelly, whose character-driven literary mysteries have earned him a wide following, breaks from the gate in the over-crowded field of legal thrillers and leaves every other contender from Grisham to Turow in the dust with this tightly plotted,

LYhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09618703866093264087noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4200767051930234923.post-84853448577081201672010-12-07T19:14:00.000Z2011-01-02T01:39:23.635Z

When you can combine my favorite comic strip, bashing Windows, media-politico, bad english, and bad puns...it's a good day: Pearls Before Swine - December 5, 2010  

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A lot of reading this month, but I only completed one book: Malcolm Gladwell. Outliers: The Story of Success. (Little, Brown and Company, 2008). A lot of interesting statistical data, told through stories, about what kinds of people succeed and what they have in common. But the book seems to lose its way about halfway through, as if Galdwell forgot what he was writing about or the point he was

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Paolo Bacigalupi, The Windup Girl A fascinating speculative novel of the future in which energy is scarce, world economies are based on calories, and multinational corporations seek to discover new food sources through genetic manipulation they can exploit. Joe Haldeman. The Forever War. A classic SF novel I never read before. Richard Stengel, Nelson Mandela. Mandela's Way: Fifteen Lessons on

LYhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09618703866093264087noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4200767051930234923.post-55456315511743356932010-10-23T19:57:00.000+01:002010-10-23T19:57:24.946+01:00

...but have you noticed the number of stories on the news lately about how local and state governments are increasing their enforcement of traffic and other minor violations? One story this week was about how the Washington DC area is doing this with all sort of fees, fines, and personal property taxes. It is pretty clear the new-found interest in enforcing these laws is not driven by righteous

LYhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09618703866093264087noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4200767051930234923.post-84933744999443714312010-10-17T19:32:00.000+01:002010-10-17T19:32:52.527+01:00

One year ago this month I had just begin a certification to become a Microsoft Office Certified Specialist. I did complete the course a few months later and I am now a Microsoft Certified Specialist in Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Access. (The post is here). This month one year ago, I also read the following books: Gardner Dozois, Year's Best Science Fiction: Twenty-Sixth Annual CollectionAdams

LYhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09618703866093264087noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4200767051930234923.post-14045312414750441262010-10-06T18:28:00.001+01:002010-10-06T18:34:15.531+01:00

It is oft-noted that in the British Isles, the game of "football" is what Americans call "soccer." The rest of Europe follows suit: in the Germanic countries the sport is "Fußball," in French-speaking lands it is "le football," in Spain they say "fútbol," and in Portugal. it is "futebol." (Italians call it "calcio," which was the name of a 16th century game similar to modern soccer/football.)

LYhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09618703866093264087noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4200767051930234923.post-78883328117255209682010-10-02T23:33:00.002+01:002010-10-02T23:42:52.851+01:00

 You are watching a show, ensconced in your favorite chair or couch, the volume set perfectly. Then the commercials come on, and the volume is louder. Irritating, right? Fortunately for us, our fine and fearless leaders are doing their best to rescue us from this travesty. California Democratic Congresswoman Anna Eshoo has introduced a bill that, if passed, would require television ads to play

LYhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09618703866093264087noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4200767051930234923.post-83426187918534035902010-09-30T05:51:00.000+01:002010-11-09T05:56:11.903Z

Another slow month for finishing books. I think maybe I am reading too many at once... Hilaire Barnett. Britain Unwrapped: Government and Constitution Explained. A great introduction to the government, elections, and law in England.

LYhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09618703866093264087noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4200767051930234923.post-76716888135427842832010-09-27T02:48:00.001+01:002010-09-27T03:06:04.533+01:00

According to this story in the Sun, a British young man got a bit kippered and emailed President Obama, calling him a rather crude name. The FBI shows up at his house (in England), interviewed him, and now he is banned for life from the US. Now, I couldn't find thestory in the London Times, Times, Telegraph, or Guardian. Maybe it isn't true. Or maybe the teen just reported it to get some

LYhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09618703866093264087noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4200767051930234923.post-26763094729032110642010-09-23T03:12:00.000+01:002010-09-23T03:12:28.792+01:00

I wrote a (somewhat facetious) post a couple of weeks ago (click here) about the two political parties acting like nursery school children. Some chastised me today for saying the Republicans came out now with a plan, a specific set of promises, for what they will do if they achieve a majority in the House. It's actually a good plan, I think, specific but not too specific. Of course, whether they

LYhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09618703866093264087noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4200767051930234923.post-46656684205481687592010-09-21T11:15:00.000+01:002010-09-21T19:48:15.652+01:00

[Fixed a problem with the link to the actual post by Stephan Pastis, the cartoonist] The wit and wisdom of Pearls Before Swine strike again. This time, a topic close to my heart (not arses, but education). He has an interesting story about an encounter in a Starbucks (was that really a guy wearing those sweatpants?) which led to thoughts on fashion, illiteracy, education, and a brilliant idea

LYhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09618703866093264087noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4200767051930234923.post-72133145028095312372010-09-15T05:08:00.000+01:002010-09-15T05:08:50.398+01:00

The Celtic Doc loves technology, though he often laments it as well. After all, what is better than sitting on the shores of a Western Highlands island, listening to the gulls and the slapping of the crystal blue water against old worn wooded gunwales of an old Scottish fisherman's boat? However, needing a new backup solution for my computer, I found the following external hard drive: It's

LYhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09618703866093264087noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4200767051930234923.post-35346271822920486082010-09-12T19:31:00.000+01:002010-09-12T19:31:22.885+01:00

Good article by Camille Paglia in the London Sunday Times. Paglia is an fine, intelligent writer who comments on culture and the arts. Read the article about the phenomenon and impact of Lady Gaga here. Actually, I think Lady Gaga is brilliant. I suspect she knows how culturally and historically bankrupt the public is, so she has carefully constructed a persona that takes advantage of that. She

LYhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09618703866093264087noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4200767051930234923.post-60891368465687076302010-09-05T16:49:00.000+01:002010-09-05T16:49:00.246+01:00

As I see it, here's  what it looks like: Republicans: "No, no, no!"Democrats: "It's your fault!" Sounds more like a nursery school than the collective leadership of a country.

LYhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09618703866093264087noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4200767051930234923.post-52837468010842613002010-09-02T23:58:00.000+01:002010-09-02T23:58:42.281+01:00

Isn't Queen the perfect band for anthems? You listen to these anthem songs, and suddenly you are the hero of the moment—be it a sporting event or love-forlorness: "We Will Rock You" - the anthem for rock bands (morphed into the anthem for fans sitting in sports arenas). "We Are the Champions" - the anthem for winners (usually sports, but not always) "Somebody to Love" - the anthem for lonely

LYhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09618703866093264087noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4200767051930234923.post-53573151533000381602010-08-30T05:47:00.000+01:002010-11-09T05:51:35.331Z

Though I am reading a number of books at the moment, I only finished one this month. A good one, based on a true story. Jonathan Harr, A Civil Action. There was also a movie made of the book, starring John Travolta and Robert Duvall. The DVD is here.

LYhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09618703866093264087noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4200767051930234923.post-48132379820117002082010-08-29T02:06:00.003+01:002010-08-29T02:12:12.896+01:00

I have posted a piece from a book I am in the process of finishing. It is a historical fiction piece, which fits the Celtic theme of the blog. Click here to read it.

LYhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09618703866093264087noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4200767051930234923.post-32040549552746278432010-08-28T17:37:00.000+01:002010-08-28T17:37:12.240+01:00

I love Pigs Before Swine

LYhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09618703866093264087noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4200767051930234923.post-13068664483349096132010-08-26T03:49:00.000+01:002010-08-26T03:49:48.381+01:00

As an Apple user, I've sometimes had trouble finding printer drivers for my Macs, especially so for my HP 2600N. However, with the release of Snow Leopard, Macs now come with the HP driver software. If you don't have Snow Leopard installed, and you need a driver, click here to download it.

LYhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09618703866093264087noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4200767051930234923.post-29671887827125042942010-08-21T22:52:00.001+01:002010-08-29T08:09:59.520+01:00

I ate at McDonald's for lunch today (for the free internet, not the food). As I perused my receipt, I found that, when the cashier asked me "for here or to go," I said to for here, and she charged me 8.25% for the pleasure of sitting on plastic seats and listening to screaming kids. Do a search on the topic and you will find outraged consumers organizing a mob to throw Big Mac's into Boston

LYhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09618703866093264087noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4200767051930234923.post-65481834572893792122010-08-21T17:43:00.001+01:002010-08-21T17:44:17.313+01:00

The Reuters story is here. Should someone really be indicted for lying to Congress? Instead, shouldn't the person be welcomed by Congress as one of their own? They lie to us, we lie to them, and thus, the wonderful circle of life is complete.

LYhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09618703866093264087noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4200767051930234923.post-12527900252075360742010-08-20T05:32:00.001+01:002010-08-20T18:53:46.853+01:00

I learned to love café/Kaffe while living in Europe. Italy is the best, but France and Germany are close behind. In the States, well, they have  some work to do. But some are better than others. Starbucks is okay, though too expensive. I think they used to do a much better job of training their baristas than they do today. Still, you can encounter good ones every once in a while. There are better

LYhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09618703866093264087noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4200767051930234923.post-56762230528193981202010-08-19T06:47:00.000+01:002010-08-19T06:47:38.244+01:00

I continue to be amazed at the progress of technology over the last few years. There are so many amazing electronic devices and software, but what I notice most is how well they all work together. You can buy an iPhone and an iPad from Apple, which are both amazing devices on their own. Then, using the iBooks app, you can buy an electronic book and read it on either device. Not only can you read

LYhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09618703866093264087noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4200767051930234923.post-81145424236917398612010-08-18T06:51:00.000+01:002010-08-19T07:05:19.283+01:00

I love the clothes from English Laundry. Yes, they are expensive, but the are extremely well-made. And you don't have to buy them at Nordstrom's. You can find them at good, sometimes great, discounts at Overstock and Nordstrom Rack. I mostly buy the dress shirts, but I did buy some ties this time. I like the cufflinks, too. I have a number of different colored French knots, but also the Union

LYhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09618703866093264087noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4200767051930234923.post-39551701591167967132010-07-31T05:27:00.001+01:002010-08-17T05:33:08.569+01:00

July was a very eventful month, and so I did not finish many books, though I am was reading the whole month. I completed the Terry Goodkind series, however. Only about three weeks later than my plan I made 18 months ago. The final book, which I just finished, is It was really a wonderful series. I wish it wasn't over. A great ending to a long epic story with hundreds of characters,

LYhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09618703866093264087noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4200767051930234923.post-32135675582263800962010-07-30T17:20:00.002+01:002010-08-16T02:25:45.061+01:00

It would be nice to ride a bike to work. Or, better yet, ride a horse over the highland gorse along a loch. But, alasm that is not where I am. So I need a car. We looked at an Infiniti SUV today. Nice vehicle, great technology inside. Didn't like the outside as much. Then we went to the Audi dealer. I looked at the new A5 Cabriolet. Didn't really like it. So we looked at the TT. I keep being

LYhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09618703866093264087noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4200767051930234923.post-35511468064391074042010-06-29T02:25:00.000+01:002010-08-16T02:29:46.096+01:00

"...you ain't seen nothin' 'til you been in a motel, baby, like the Holiday Inn." --"Holiday Inn" by Elton John & Bernie Taupin From Madman Across the Water (1971) He's right, you know. I get a free breakfast each morning (eggs, some sort of breakfast meat, breads galore, coffee, juice, and the Holiday's Inn's famous Cinnamon Rolls. (I didn't know they had famous cinnamon rolls, but the sigh

LYhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09618703866093264087noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4200767051930234923.post-40353248502295757252010-06-24T02:30:00.000+01:002010-08-16T02:31:58.436+01:00

Today was an eventful day. First, it was on this day in 1314 that Robert the Bruce defeated the English army at Bannockburn, and won the first war of independence for Scotland begun by William Wallace. Second, this was the day that Apple introduced the iPhone 4. Finally, this was the day on which the longest tennis match in history ended: between Nicolas Mahut and John Isner on June 22, 23, and

LYhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09618703866093264087noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4200767051930234923.post-64337165384851460552010-06-23T03:38:00.000+01:002010-08-18T03:38:57.315+01:00

MacMillan and Stone, Elements of Contract Law Study Guide McKendrick, Contract Law Bentson, Anson's Law of Contract Poole, Casebook on Contract Law Contract Law Study Pack Tranter, The Lion's Whelp Haldeman, Camouflage One of my favorite SF Nebula award winners so far!McDevitt, Seeker. Another great SF Nebula winner!Orson Scott Card, Empire. A real pager-turner!Chabon, Yiddish Policeman's Union

LYhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09618703866093264087noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4200767051930234923.post-82979788353278686802010-05-31T03:27:00.000+01:002010-08-18T03:31:38.707+01:00

Terry Goodkind, Phantom Moon, The Speed of Dark Wonderful, creative book about the future and autism.Bujold, Paladin of Souls My least favorite SF so far this go-around, though I see why it won the Nebula.Morris, Taps More wonderful Americana from my cousin in Tennessee 

LYhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09618703866093264087noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4200767051930234923.post-12440527621418008112010-04-30T03:18:00.000+01:002010-08-18T03:26:15.215+01:00

Dale Carnegie: How to Win Friends and Influence People/How to Stop Worrying and Start Living Classic books: still great half a century + later.Steinhauer, First German Reader Applebaum, First French Reader Fitzgerald, Cracks in an Earthen Vessel Nigel Tranter, Courting Favor Alexandre Dumas, Man in the Iron Mask Terry Goodkind, Chainfire Stephanie Myer, Twilight The Celtic Doc's daughter insisted

LYhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09618703866093264087noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4200767051930234923.post-56352959252468619262010-03-31T02:45:00.009+01:002010-08-18T03:27:23.684+01:00

Slapper and Kelly, English Legal System Baird, et al, Criminal Law Subject Guide Ormerod, Smith and Hogan Criminal Law Criminal Law Study Pack Goodkind, Naked Empire Paramananda, Change Your Mind Falla, Be Our Freedom Lord Wonderful devotional book from my dear friend and PhD mentor's wife.McBride, Letters to a Law Student Asaro, The Quantum Rose Back into the SF, starting with this Nebula Award

LYhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09618703866093264087noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4200767051930234923.post-51395452837557977042010-02-28T02:38:00.000Z2010-08-18T03:39:21.682+01:00

Steinbeck, Of Mice and Men Tranter, The Lion Let Loose Common Law Reasoning and Institutions Study Pack Brenner.Van Djik-Howard, On Gendering Texts Gearey, Morrison, Yago, The Politics of the Common Law Marcus Aurelius, Meditations Morrison & Geary, Common Law Reasoning and Institutions Holland and Web, Learning Legal Rules Cownie, Bradney, Burton, English Legal System in Context

LYhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09618703866093264087noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4200767051930234923.post-34242340277289136552010-01-31T02:34:00.001Z2010-08-18T02:38:12.301+01:00

Charriere, Papillon Goodkind, Pillars of Creation Tranter, The End of the Line Slapper & Kelly, The English Legal System Busbaum, 1001 Most Useful French Words Zander, Cases and Materials on the English Law System

LYhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09618703866093264087noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4200767051930234923.post-70538641171514463772009-12-31T02:25:00.009Z2010-08-18T02:34:09.436+01:00

Gaventa, Intepretation: 1 and 2 Thessalonians Steven Saylor, Last Seen in Massilia Nigel Trantor, The Captive Crown Baird, et al, Criminal Law Steven Saylor, Rubicon Richard, Sacra Pagina: 1 & 2 Thessalonians Charles Dickens, A Tale of Two Cities Malleson, The Legal System Senter, Brown, Hanson Learning Skills for Law Collins, The Hunger Games Collins, Catching Fire

LYhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09618703866093264087noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4200767051930234923.post-67097069925769077102009-11-30T18:48:00.002Z2010-08-18T02:25:57.653+01:00

A break for Thanksgiving, time for lots of reading. Barbri, Bar Review-Constitutional LawStillman/Gordon, Ultimate French Verb ReviewTerry Goodkind, Faith of the FallenThorn, Beginner's German ReaderTime to brush up on my German, too. Nigel Tranter, Lords of Misrule Nice to be back in medieval Scotland!Thomas Means, Business Communications BarBri Bar Review-Contracts BarBri Criminal Law Nigel

LYhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09618703866093264087noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4200767051930234923.post-91598829490818730342009-10-31T18:26:00.000Z2010-08-17T18:48:34.265+01:00

Gardner Dozois, Year's Best Science Fiction: Twenty-Sixth Annual Collection Decided to get back into reading SF. This book should give me a list of all the Hugo/Nebula award winners, then I can go back and read the last 8-10 years worth of novels.Adams and Brownwood, Understanding Contract Law Thomas, Personal Village Blah. Gobbledy-gook.Dressler, Understanding Criminal Law Victor Frankl, Man's

LYhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09618703866093264087noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4200767051930234923.post-76052004842843526532009-10-01T18:42:00.000+01:002010-08-17T18:45:35.972+01:00

I am taking a course to become certified as a Microsoft Office Certified Specialist in Word, Excel, Powerpoint, and Access. The first three I have used pretty extensively, this shouldn't be a problem. I have never used Access, however, so this is a great opportunity to learn it.

LYhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09618703866093264087noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4200767051930234923.post-55270233992406389722009-09-30T18:45:00.001+01:002010-08-17T18:57:25.731+01:00

Hamilton, et al, The Federalist Papers Addanizio, Ordinary Genius Diamond, et al, Understanding Torts Ludlow, The Bourne Trilogy 1400 pages of really cool stuff.Redlich, et al, Understanding Constitutional Law Tolle, The Power of Now While reading this, one thinks "hmmm....yeah...cool..." then, after reading it, one thinks "huh?"Datlaw, Nebula Award Showcase '09

LYhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09618703866093264087noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4200767051930234923.post-84207110353148896552009-08-30T18:19:00.000+01:002010-08-17T18:25:27.271+01:00

Terry Goodkind, Blood of the Fold Jonah Goldberg, Liberal Fascism Well-researched. A detailed and unspun take on modern American politics. John Kennedy Toole, Confederacy of Dunces I thought this was about where I live, but it wasn't. Terry Goodkind, Temple of the Winds Thomas Paine, Common Sense Gotta read this if you are studying law and politicsTerry Goodkind, Soul of Fire Gleck Beck, Common

LYhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09618703866093264087noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4200767051930234923.post-40048613907201540242009-07-31T05:02:00.001+01:002010-08-17T05:17:55.946+01:00

Apparently I felt the need to read a lot this month to make up for the last. Actually, it is 115-122 degrees outside, not much else to do but read. Engel, Blessings From the Fall. Sent by the Celtic Doc's spouse. Good stuff.Herodotus, The Histories Watchman Nee, The Release of the Spirit Sent by a friend who is a retired professor. Watchman Nee's Oriental background leads him to  understand

LYhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09618703866093264087noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4200767051930234923.post-57404802485753503132009-06-30T02:14:00.000+01:002010-08-17T05:18:53.154+01:00

Not many books this month, but the Scott and Palliser books were long and detailed. John Grishom, A Painted House. A friend, who is an excellent artist as well, gave me this one to read. I have never read Grishom. I liked it. More Americana.Jon Krakauer, Into the Wild Another good read by Krakauer! My friend the tattoo artist gave me this one, about a smart, educated, well-to-do college kid who

LYhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09618703866093264087noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4200767051930234923.post-63929196230033705502009-05-31T03:58:00.000+01:002010-08-16T04:10:34.957+01:00

Robert Heinlein, Time Enough for Love I was an avid reader of science fiction when I was in high school and college. Have read some, off and on, since then. With so much time on my hands now, I am thinking about catching up. To get me in the mood, I re-read this great classic about Lazarus Long.Melville, Moby Dick I knew that Khan had quoted this book in the Star Trek movie, The Wrath of Khan.

LYhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09618703866093264087noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4200767051930234923.post-56956641654068952852009-04-30T17:36:00.001+01:002010-08-15T18:21:42.839+01:00

Nigel Tranter, The Flower of Chivalry Ken Follet, Pillars of the Earth Great book. This has been made into an iPad book with graphics, video, etc. Nice use of new technology. You can find it here on iTunes.Riebe and Schwartz, Pass the Bar! Nigel Tranter, True Thomas Lamott, Bird by Bird. One of the better books I have read on writing. Inspirations, practical, engaging.Putman, Legal Research,

LYhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09618703866093264087noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4200767051930234923.post-65227052409989859212009-03-31T05:13:00.004+01:002010-08-15T18:21:10.388+01:00

Stevenson, Treasure Island Aye, matey! Nigel Tranter, The Isleman Love them Western Highlanders!F. Scott Fitzgerald, The Great Gatsby Carpe and McKinney, Understanding the Law I am considering getting a law degree, so I think I will take a few months and read a lot of textbooks. I have a number of suggestions from friends who are attorneys.Steven Saylor, Catalina's Riddle Dan Brown, The DaVinci

LYhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09618703866093264087noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4200767051930234923.post-57576962699967063902009-02-28T00:54:00.001Z2010-08-15T18:20:37.199+01:00

Shalton, As the Romans Did Using this nicely done reference book on Roman customs and culture for the novel I am writing.Steven Saylor, A Gladiator Dies Only Once Nouwen, The Wounded Healer Classic book on leadership and serviceAdam, The Open Gate Nice collection of Celtic PrayersWouk, War and Remembrance. The second volume of the WWII epic novel. I read the first one here. It was also a

LYhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09618703866093264087noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4200767051930234923.post-72819899676604924062009-01-31T19:16:00.019Z2010-08-15T18:19:37.684+01:00

Nigel Tranter, Price of the King's Peace Peter Hoeg, The Quiet Girl Sent to me by a good friend and editor who lives in Boston in the States. Very engaging.Steven Saylor, The Arms of Nemesis Brown and King, Self-Editing for Fiction Writers I have been working on a novel the last few months. This has some good, practical help.Wouk, The Winds of War Recommended by a friend who is a professor of

LYhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09618703866093264087noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4200767051930234923.post-70896544002142304162008-12-31T09:16:00.004Z2010-08-15T18:18:53.202+01:00

Winchester. The Professor and the Madman: A tale of Murder, Insanity, and the Making of the Oxford English Dictionary. Fascinating true story of a scholar who wrote thousands of entries for the Oxford English Dictionary...from a prison for the criminally insane.Terry Goodkind. Wizard's First Rule. Came highly recommended to me. The first in a 12-volume series. Well-done fantasy: sort of Lord of

LYhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09618703866093264087noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4200767051930234923.post-51375036484114314042008-11-30T07:24:00.001Z2010-08-15T18:18:33.378+01:00

Anthony Piers. Anthonology George Eliot. MiddlemarchThe Jericho FilesRed Storm Rising Eight hundred pages of World War III, a fun read.Storm Front (The Dresden Files, Book 1)The Motive Well-done crime-drama mysteryLouis L'Amour, The First Fast DrawI can't believe I read this. My literary culture went down 70%. Still, I guess any bibliophile ought to read Louis L'amour (with apologies to LL fans,

LYhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09618703866093264087noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4200767051930234923.post-91365313896812993892008-08-05T10:56:00.001+01:002010-08-15T18:17:59.431+01:00

Upon the recommendation of a number of friends, I read The Shack, a recent book by William P. Young. It has been lauded as "this generation's Pilgrim's Progress." I cannot praise it that highly, for it lacks the literary expertness and theological depth of that classic tome. I do recommend it, though. It raises important questions about evil and suffering in the world, and attempts to give some

LYhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09618703866093264087noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4200767051930234923.post-41264364724092968302008-07-21T20:44:00.001+01:002010-08-15T18:17:32.635+01:00

We ate at a wonderful French restaraunt tonight: Le St. Germain. They were selling their bottles of wine for half price, and since we were celebrating a birthday, we opted for a 2004 Nuits-St.-Georges Les Chenes Carteaux. Tres magnifique! (I am partial to wines from Bourgogne.) It accompanied my escargot and duck perfectly. Finished off with a French soufflé and a café et Godiva liquer et cognac.

LYhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09618703866093264087noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4200767051930234923.post-11708156991380291392008-06-28T19:08:00.001+01:002010-08-15T18:17:09.196+01:00

One of the prayers often used in Celtic devotions begins in this way: Oh Lord, come to our aid. O Lord, make haste to help us. Glory be to the One in Three As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever more shall be. This short introductory and closing phrase for a prayer is an amalgamation of a number of passages from Scripture. This essay focuses in the second like: "make haste to help us." It

LYhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09618703866093264087noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4200767051930234923.post-68897881469349681012008-06-09T20:01:00.001+01:002010-08-15T18:16:47.670+01:00

Today is the anniversary of St. Columba's death (597 CE), on the holy Isle of Iona off the coast of the Western Highlands. Also known as Colum Cille, he founded the monastery on Iona, having come from Ireland in self-exile. (The story is that he was responsible for a great battle, all because of an illuminated manuscript). When he realized how many deaths he was responsible for, he exiled himself

LYhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09618703866093264087noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4200767051930234923.post-74467919076019755492008-05-14T12:48:00.001+01:002010-08-15T18:16:26.718+01:00

Sometimes, we here at Kele-Dei think that finding quality olive oil is more important than most of the social, political, and religious argument and debates we often engage in. We were eating a fine dinner at the Asador Casa Matias in Madrid one evening, and, as is the wont of Continentalists, were fiercely arguing world politics. Someone asked one of the men, a Doctor of Philosophy (who had said

LYhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09618703866093264087noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4200767051930234923.post-32491941951550045872008-04-14T17:43:00.001+01:002010-08-15T18:15:51.850+01:00

It is often said that to live in Christ is to live a cross-centered life. What does that mean? Some believers emphasize that "spirituality" primarily consists of "following God’s path" or "seeking God’s will" for our life. Though there is truth to those ideas, they run the danger of putting us in the driver’s seat, instead of God. If our call to spirituality is simply to "figure out what God

LYhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09618703866093264087noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4200767051930234923.post-51374204347814335472008-04-04T12:39:00.001+01:002010-08-15T18:15:17.330+01:00

We have read about Job suffering greatly. Not only is he suffering because of external circumstances, but he is also struggling with why all this is happening to him. It seems to be a suffering that is way out of proportion from any sin or sins he may have committed. In the book of Ecclesiastes addresses this issue, maybe more than any other book of Scripture. The writer seeks to understand the

LYhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09618703866093264087noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4200767051930234923.post-37480600255761801052008-03-26T13:27:00.001Z2010-08-15T18:14:57.251+01:00

See that you be at peace among yourselves, my children, 
and love one another. 
Follow the example of good men of old, 
and God will comfort you and help you, 
both in this world 
and in the world which is to come. Amen. Attributed to St. Columba, 597 AD; given to his followers on his deathbed

LYhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09618703866093264087noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4200767051930234923.post-80414151840562567232008-03-04T13:30:00.001Z2010-08-15T18:14:36.859+01:00

The New International series of bible commentaries is a pretty good set. While the commentaries are by good scholars, they are readable by the general public and not too technical. The New International Biblical Commentary offers the best of contemporary scholarship in a format that both general readers and serious students can use with profit. Based on the widely used New International Version

LYhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09618703866093264087noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4200767051930234923.post-15130038928134744272008-02-05T21:30:00.001Z2010-08-15T18:14:13.527+01:00

Job’s friend Bildad speaks next. He is not so sure that Job doesn’t deserve this punishment. In fact, Bildad seems to have the actions of God tied up pretty well in a nice, logical box. God doesn’t act unjustly, therefore, Job must have done something wrong—he just hasn’t figured it out yet (Job 8.3-8). Since Job’s children died, they must have deserved it (what comfort this must have been to Job

LYhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09618703866093264087noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4200767051930234923.post-4301246787388235302008-02-01T21:48:00.001Z2010-08-15T18:13:55.260+01:00

Alone with none but Thee, my God, I journey on my way; What need I fear when Thou art near, Oh King of night and day? More safe am I within Thy hand Than if a host did round me stand. (attributed to St. Columba)

LYhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09618703866093264087noreply@blogger.com0