My Version of the Truth...

The Water (....a continuing metaphorical journey of a man we all know)

The water is cold it has been awaiting my arrival from just off "The Plank". They, the wood and ocean are complicit in my ultimate discomfort. The lath and sea desire my acceptance; but I hesitate to capitulate. As I struggle to gain my bearings, as I struggle to learn to stay afloat…no, learning to just stay alive is today's struggle. The first inclination is to reach for that damned boat. At least I wasn’t alone, with all its doomed passengers, I thought sometimes I was in pure bliss, until the sun rose in the morning and I realized I was not a part of the world that loved me and wanted me to succeed, I was in a mere fantasy land. Where is the mermaid to lead me to Shangri-La? Where is the “guard of the coast” to throw me a lifeline, a dingy, anything to fight this wet, cold and lonely place that I find in myself?

The Water

They say it is cleansing, I remember the last time I sought the water on my own. How it felt so good, how I was so willing; but this is a new baptism, a new cleansing, a new death, a new birth, another second chance…how many chances is one afforded? How long will I drift like a buoy, as a signal for other sojourners, a sign for one who has had to “walk the plank”; AT YOUR OWN RISK the metaphorical message that beacons from my presence in these waters. I am so empty, maybe that’s why I float so well (I would hate to think I’m full of any other substance that floats). It’s my time to fill my essence with all that is good; it is my turn to learn to swim again.

Here I am today, remember me and don’t follow me (unless you are on that frigate) let me show you the beauty of the human spirit, the determination of “I”, the power of will and why it was me that was chosen today for this task and not you…

 

The Plank (...a metaphorical essay of a point in the life of a man we know all to well)

Life has afforded me one of its cruel and unusual punishments. Not by choosing me for hardship or heartache, I have done that to myself; but by making me the victim of consequence and circumstance.  It is only now, that after my offense to the ones I love and love me that I have to “walk the plank”. I realize much too late that I have not yet learned to swim in this vast ocean.

Walk the Plank

I have attempted to resign from my occupation for the last decade of a quarter century as Hell-raiser and Co-conspirator of this frail, pitiful and penniless craft only to be finally forced overboard (for there is no room for “good” men on this frigate built for pirating, pilfering and plunder). Contrary to the many mates, masters and prisoners of this journey, I will not begin to drown in the blackness of the abyss and scurry for refuge on-board this Hades bound vessel. I shall be better apt alone against the currents and waves of the sea than with the mass of bedeviled brethren that occupied the “hell of a ride” with me. I bid you all farewell and good riddance as I get on with my liberty, my freedom and prepare for due justice meted out by those who deal in the laws of reality.

I will conform to the ebb and flow of what is good, wholesome and all consuming. I will learn to wade, and then soon swim like a shark, a predator of the sea with no natural enemy; but man, the man of my reflection cast upon the glassy waters that have pooled beneath my own eyes. He will no longer be a nemesis but an advocate, for the beast shall learn to live inside the man and not the man consumed by the beast.

So I wish death to all who want my company for mere amusement, torment and benefit of selfish pleasures. For I am not the one being led to the end of the lath; but it is you that have seen your last days of me. It is you that will find yourselves tethered to the wreckage of this ill-fated craft at the bottom of a dark, cold, unforgiving pit within the sea we so loathed, it is you that occupy the wrong side of the board; it is you that are on the deserved end of the plank.

A short story of pain, patience, love and redemption (The torture of hope...)

In a far corner of heaven reign the children not born to the world yet. It is a very special place with lots of anxious kids waiting to bring smiles and joy to loving parents. Sometimes the children are so rambunctious, loud and preoccupied with games and toys they don’t even hear their names called when it is time for them to be born. Well in the land of the living there was a man and woman in desperate need of one more chance. This man and woman had lost both their children in a very tragic incident. This mother and father had been the best parents that they knew how despite the book on how to raise children had yet to be written.

.

The Mother was a beautiful woman who loved to be among the flowers and trees; but she felt an unbearable pain in her heart because of losing her only two children, that she had become very bitter and afraid to ever really love again. She had poured all of her hopes, dreams and aspirations into their future. The Father was a very strong and honorable man, a born leader who would do anything for her love; but he too felt her sorrow and rejection as though she had shut her pain in and shut him out of her heart never allowing anyone to reach that place again. He always knew they were made for each other, but he had not learned how to help her cope with the grief of their loss.

Before tragedy had clouded their dreams and hope they fawned over their eldest child day and night giving it all the attention only two proud parents could provide, teaching their offspring good, bad, respect and obedience. Upon the birth of their second child they instilled patience, tolerance, love and forgiveness, for that child had a way with animals and possessed a special gift. The husband and wife were finally feeling like a complete and prosperous family. Mommy couldn’t believe the precious seeds she had sown and was so grateful for motherhood. Daddy was a proud papa too; for he knew he would be the patriarch of many generations to come. He would teach them how to carefully tend to the world that they would inherit. Their modest family was growing and they were very proud.

Meanwhile back in that far corner of heaven a group of children were huddled just off a field of rainbows. There stood Supplanter, Beloved, Savior and the eldest of the four children called Appointed. They were dreaming about what their lives would be like in the land among the living. The child called Supplanter, who always loved to wrestle, spoke of having a dozen great sons.  The one named Beloved who was the most accurate with a sling shot dreamed of ruling many nations and building a great house. The ambitious youngster called Savior said he would be “the light of the world,” he was a great storyteller and always seemed to have a special place in this far corner of heaven; but the one called Appointed only dreamed of being part of a loving family with lots of brothers and sisters; and it seemed to him he would never be called to birth. Until one night that man lay with his wife again; the burden of the woman’s heart had been lifted and her love began to flow again and a child was called from that spontaneous meeting just off the field of rainbows to be born and the mother named him Seth, for she said, “God has appointed me another child in place of Abel since Cain slew him.” The loving parents rejoiced once again, their story would start anew and their pain would be erased.

Now it is written in the book of generations “² He created them male and female and He blessed them and named them Man in the day they were created. ³ When Adam had lived to one hundred and thirty years, he became a father of a son in his own likeness according to his image and named him Seth. ⁴ Then the days of Adam after he became the father of Seth were eight hundred years, and he had other sons and daughters.” (Genesis 5:2-4)   And thus began the “new” story of Adam an Eve, only God can erase the pain and heartache of a family, renew the history of a couple and redeem our souls; but our admission to this fete is faith and patients.

German Chocolate Cheesecake for my Sweetheart

German Chocolate Cheesecake

My Sweetheart loves three things, German’s chocolate, cheesecake and me. I will share two of those three with you. No one can resist a classic New York Style cheesecake and I’m not talking about one of those air-filled-fluffy-whipped-cream-like imitation cheesecakes. I’m speaking of a rich, dense (make you wanna slap somebody), classic cheesecake like you get at ‘Junior’s ‘in Brooklyn, NY. Yes a real cheesecake drizzled with sweet German’s chocolate (created by Samuel German in 1852 for Baker's Chocolate hence the name), gooey caramel and topped with sliced almonds …or pecans, or walnuts or whatever you like!  

This is an easy recipe with baking tips (from yours truly) to help you get it right the first time. Cheesecake can be very temperamental (it’s prone to crack; it can be dry caused by over baking or too airy from whipping with an electric mixer). First of all cheesecake is not a cake, it is a custard (an egg and milk mixture), which means you must handle it with care, this recipe can be made a day or two in advance (it only gets better with time). You will need a non-stick nine-inch spring form pan they are essential (YOU CANNOT MAKE A CLASSIC CHEESECAKE WITHOUT ONE) and relatively inexpensive; I purchased one at Wal-Mart for $11.00 and you will use it again and again after this recipe…because you will love this cheesecake. You will also need 2 large heavy duty Ziploc bags and a hand mixer to use sparingly (optional).

INGREDIENTS

For the crust:

2 cups of chocolate graham cracker crumbs (about two inner packages of graham crackers)

Chocolate cookie crumbs (Oreo) or traditional graham crackers may be substituted

6 tablespoons butter (melted)

For the filling:

2 ½ eight-ounce packages of Philadelphia cream cheese (don’t be cheap get the good stuff)

1 cup of granulated sugar

2 tablespoons of all-purpose flour

¼ teaspoon of salt

3 large eggs

1 teaspoon of ‘real’ vanilla extract

2 tablespoons of milk

1 tablespoon of cornstarch

 

For the toppings:

1 cup of sliced almonds or chopped pecans (or walnuts, whatever you like)

1 package (4oz) of Baker's sweet German’s chocolate

2 tablespoons of heavy whipping cream

1 tablespoon of butter

1 bottle of Caramel sundae syrup

DIRECTIONS

Set out the Philadelphia cream cheese (it’s easier to work with when it’s soft) and eggs; allow these ingredients to get room temperature before you start (about 30-45minutes).

1.       Preheat the oven to 450 degrees with the oven rack placed directly in the center of the oven, crush the graham crackers in a Ziploc bag; you can use a rolling pin for this. In the nine-inch spring-form pan (I lightly coated it with Pam cooking spray prior to this), mix the cracker crumbs and the melted butter. Press the crumb mixture into a crust across the bottom and about one inch up the sides. Bake the crust for 6-7mintues.  Don’t let the butter burn so pay attention!

2.       In a large bowl, cream the cream cheese with the sugar (I used the hand mixer on slow to just slightly mix the cheese, about 10 seconds DO NOT over mix, you don't want to incorporate air into the filling). Then add flour, cornstarch and salt, stir a few times with a wooden spoon or spatula.  In a separate bowl combine eggs, vanilla and milk, add to cream cheese mixture and stir until just combined (be careful not to over mix) scraping down the sides into the bowl.  Pour the filling mix into the crust.

3.       Bake for 10 minutes at 450 degrees. Lower the temperature to 200 degrees and bake for an additional 30 to 35 minutes or until the cheesecake filing is set.  You can use the jiggle test by shaking the cake it should “jiggle” slightly in the center or look wet and translucent in the center (don't use the toothpick/knife-in-the-center test you will mess up the surface of the cake). If your cheesecake is browning on top it is over done (so watch it as you approach the thirty-minute mark). It will completely solidify as it cools.

4.       After the cheesecake has cooled for 10 minutes, with a sharp knife, loosen the edges of the cheese cake from the pan so that the cake will pull away from the pan as it cools. Place the cheesecake on a cooling rack away from any draft (DO NOT sit cheesecake on top of the stove, the pilot lights or residual heat from the oven will dry it out). Remove the rim of the pan after it has cooled for about 45 minutes.

5.       For the topping combine the German's chocolate, heavy whipping cream and 1 tablespoon of butter, melt over very low heat stirring until completely combined. Remove from heat and spoon into the corner of the other Ziploc bag. Gently squeeze all the chocolate to one corner of the bag, cut a very small piece of the corner off (this will make it an inexpensive piping bag), drizzle the cheesecake with caramel first then chocolate. Sprinkle nuts on the cake. Refrigerate until completely cool before serving. Enjoy!!!

 

 

 

The Story of A Simple Prayer

Many centuries ago towns and provinces’ were ruled by kings, queens, priests and gods. Entertainment for many was watching the punishment of others and the folly of sinners. But ever so often the public would be part of great events and this is a story of such a great event. On this day the people clamored around the scribes, those who were responsible for reading and writing in the town of Judah. For today was the one day that the ‘Chronicles’ were to be written in “The Book”, the descendants of the patriarchs, from Israel to David, the families of Benjamin, Simeon, Aaron, Reuben, Issachar, the royal line after the exile and even the temple musicians’ were to be recorded in the ‘Chronicles’; but on this crowded day just the families of Judah were to be documented. This was so important because it was believed that you would live forever if you were extraordinary enough to make “The Book” it was so distinctive that the Sanhedrin held an unusual lottery for a person not of “unique descendants” to be included in this chapter of the ‘Chronicles’.

Tickets were distributed all throughout the land of Judah to young, old, women and men all in good standing with the Sanhedrin, for a chance to be immortalized forever in “The Book”. This day found a woman who had three boys and she wanted so much for one of them to be honored and carry the family name into the history pages of “The Book.” This mothers dilemma was that her eldest son had been caught stealing and as punishment his hands were cut off, there for he was not worthy to represent the family; the middle son, the people knew loved to sleep with the strumpet’s on the edge of town and he lacked the integrity to represent the family; and her baby, the most honorable son was a momma’s boy and he never left her side, he caused her so much pain in birth she named him “the sorrow maker” in Hebrew. But none-the-less she had a ticket anyway with a real hope of winning and just the intoxication of the excitement was good enough for her to smile from ear to ear.

Now as the High Priest, assisted by the a scribe began to call out the winning ticket the crowd went silent, it was so quiet you could hear the pen quill score the papyrus as the scribes prepared to record this history making event. The mother listened intently; the lips of the High Priest came to a still and his voice echoed throughout the valley but she had not won. There was no winner present in the crowd of hundreds and at that very moment the woman’s youngest  son ¹⁰Jabez cried out to the God of Israel, saying “oh that you would bless me and enlarge my border, and that Your hand might be with me, and You would keep me from evil so it might not hurt me!” And God granted him that which he requested (1Chronicles 4:10)… and so it was written in “The Book”.

"Another Very Short Story"

…beep…beep…beep…I can never tell if I have crossed over into the after-life until my conscience

.

mind starts to hear the trace of the electrocardiograph machine and then I realize that I am still among the living lying here with tubes in every part of my body and I mean every orifice of my poor old body. “How are you feeling this morning?” The question of the day asked by the attending nurse on duty, “Will you turn on the television please?” I mumbled, still groggy from the previous night’s medication. “Here you go, the cable network news” the nurse quipped. We’ve been going through this routine for the past eight months while I’ve been waiting for a new heart from some unfortunate soul whose life has ended so that I may continue mine. I don’t know if it’s morbid or predatory or hopeful; but I watch the news for fatalities; accidental, homicidal, suicidal, whatever, hoping that someone’s tragedy will be my blessing. I’m not wishing for someone to die but I understand that it is part of living except if it’s preventable and in my case it is. I just need a healthy heart from a type “O” person to continue my journey here on earth.

“OH MY GOD!” The nurse shrieked as we both gazed at the image projected by the cathode-ray tube not believing what we were witnessing; a building was on fire, a very tall building was on fire, because it was in a collision, a collision with a large passenger jet-liner. Huh? I quickly glanced at the calendar on the wall to make a mental note of the day, Tuesday the 11^th.  As we both were glued to the TV a second plane hit another building identical to the first. Buy now the entire hospital seemed to be in one synchronous state of shock as if this were more than just two mere accidents caused by human error. As the saga unfolded it was evident that the U.S. was under attack with numerous casualties of war. I couldn’t help but think of my condition and the prospect of a type “O” organ donor with a healthy heart, a victim of this attack, collateral damage as defined by the administrators of warfare. 

(Three days later)…beep…beep…beep…”I’ve got good news for you!” My ears heard a shrill voice by the side of my bed as the thin framed doctor and the dutiful nurse slowly came into focus. “We have a heart for you!” she said with reserved enthusiasm. I’ve always dreamed of this day. I wanted more than anything to hear those words, the only thing I would not give was my first born even though he caused me so much pain at birth and in rearing; but because of his untimely death I had the will to live to see after his daughter my only grandchild and his brother my youngest son. I was determined not to leave before my time, even if just for the good of the kids. Alas God had answered my prayers His divine providence has shined on me once again despite the challenges of my own sins; but first I feel I must pray for the previous soul of my new heart.

“Oh lord I thank you for this opportunity at renewed life. I thank you for this gift that only you could see fit to provide. I pray that I continue to live a right life for you and the one who had this gift of life taken away. I pray that we can share in spirit your blessing”

“Ms. Wright…Ms. Wright…” as she broke me from my spiritual moment, “Ms. Wright I will need to have you sign these documents.” The doctor went on with her garish smile starting to wane. “You see there is a very special case with this particular heart.” But of course, I thought to myself. “This heart is from the recent accident on the 11^th" she continued, “Apparently another flight aimed at the White House was diverted and crashed into an open field in Stony Creek Township near Shanksville and a heart survived.” “Oh how terrible!” I remarked somewhat disingenuous.” I will honor the life of that person and would like if at all possible to send my condolences to their family.” I said with as much sincerity as I could muster. “Well, Ms. Wright none of the passengers survived with any usable organs or any of the flight crew or the pilots...” the doctor said with a strange tone. So my mind went racing, if all the passengers died with no usable organs and all the flight attendants and even the pilots too… who was left? Was this truly a miracle of biblical proportion? “Excuse me Ms. Wright…” as the doctor broke me from my dream state again, “I will need your signature here to accept the heart from the hijacker of United Airlines flight 93.”

 

Note from the Author: The title was inspired by one of my favorite authors Ernest Hemingway. The story was inspired by a report that Israel had been harvesting organs of captured dead Palestinians (without the families consent) for its own citizens. The report raises so many questions, not just ethical questions but also motive and legal queries too. Is Israel’s choice to remove organs and then send the deficient bodies back to Palestine the ultimate shame of war or is the “ultimate shame” to allow preventable deaths of a nation’s citizenry to take place?

What the media wants to hear from Tiger (…“mea maxima culpa” -my greatest fault)

Hi, my name is Tiger Woods and I am powerless over pretty white women and my life has become unmanageable. I have learned that I do not have the power and the control I once thought I had. I have learned that each one of these women wants something and most often it’s my money.

I've been brought to my knees

But I have also learned I am not powerless over my attitude. I am not powerless over assuming responsibility for my own actions and reactions. I know that I am not alone; I’ll always have my caddy to carry my heavy load. I look to those who have been on this path before me (Kobe, Jordan, Clinton and Letterman) and carefully watch the steps they have taken and lawyers they have retained (Johnny Cochran where are you now!) I have destroyed the trust within my marriage and I fear my wife’s vengeance when she reaches for my 9 Iron.  I have come to believe in a power greater than myself…the tabloid media and they have contributed to my insanity. I am on the cover of every gossip magazine on earth and have even made it to this obscure blog post. All in all I had a lot of fun ruining my image and my marriage; the suites were plush, the wine was fine and the sex was expensive.  My kids will know that “papa was a rolling stone” and my friends will know that my wife got the Escalade, my Masters coat and a vacation home. I’ve heard some of my African-American friends say “pimpin’ aint easy…” and my Caucasian friends would always reply “…but trickin’ is twice as hard!”  I didn’t really understand all that slick talk then but hind sight is 20/20, I was just looking for a good time. Maybe I should have hired an exclusive call girl service like Governor Spitzer… it would have been cheaper. By the way did I mention my name is Tiger Woods and I am powerless over pretty white women and that is my greatest fault?

The battle between God and God’s devil (…was Satan an angel in Heaven?)

The victor is contained within the essay’s title but the fight is for the conscience souls of the world. The author suggests that the Creator has ultimate authority over His minion and He does, that is what the world needs to be reminded of. The only power that is greater than them is the power to choose. It is a fight between good and evil; God and devil for the power of your choice, which will ultimately lead to who will reclaim or claim your soul. You see, you were redeemed by the “lamb of God” but to lay person, what does that mean? Well, there was a time when sacrifices were the way to show reverence, obedience and worship to God. There is a humbleness in giving something in your possession away. But as the world grew and prospered there became an abundance of things; animals, harvests and material goods. God needed more of you not what you possessed; and so did the devil.

So God provided one last and final sacrifice. And the blood of that sacrifice was to wash away ALL sins, for ALL people, for ALL times but His requirement for this gift would cost you a fee that would render your soul; your life; your love and obedience to Him. The devil wants to take your will to do this from you. He wants you to choose what feels good to you or better put, what “tickles the flesh” because the body and the soul are fighting too. So you may ask did God create the devil?

 

 

Ezekiel 28:12-18

Satan thrown to the Earth

You were the model of perfection,

full of wisdom and perfect in beauty.

You were in Eden, the garden of God;

every precious stone adorned you:

ruby, topaz, and emerald, chrysolite,

onyx and jasper, sapphire, turquoise,

and beryl. Your setting and mountings were

made of gold; on the day you were created

they were prepared. You were anointed as a

guardian cherub, for so I ordained you.

You were on the holy mount of God;

you walked among the fiery stones.

You were blameless in your ways from

the day you were created till wickedness

was found in you. Through your widespread trade

You were filled with violence and you sinned…

Your heart became proud on account of

your beauty, and you corrupted wisdom because

of your splendor. So I threw you to the earth;

Just like you, God also gave Cherubs the power of choice and His most beautiful Angel became too prideful, corrupt with wisdom, lawless and violent. So God kicked Satan out of heaven. The cunning, clever, strong and beautiful Satan is still powerless over your will, your ability to choose between good and evil; your choice to accept God’s gift. He will never defeat God but he can defeat you by tempting you with the desires of your flesh. You don’t have to face him alone, God has provided you with an army and a battle plan; but He cannot make you choose. This is an epic conflict with everyone being accounted for, everyone will be tempted, no one will be spared; no one can abandon the power of choice, no one can resist the power of good and evil, no one escapes the field of combat. Your body will become a casualty of this spiritual warfare; but your soul will rise or descend with your choice between God and Satan.

 

 

A matter of appreciation...for the believer. A matter of appreciation...for the enthusiast.

I ran across (no pun intended) this sonnet published in 1630 by Jacobus Revius a Protestant poet and preacher who through a self-accusatory technique which many 17th century artists of the Calvinistic reformist movement employed to examine their relationship to Christ and profess their guilt for his continued suffering. It is in my opinion a reflective and self-depricating view of sin and Jesus' sacrifice. It means nothing if you don't believe. It, the paintings and poems are just that; words on paper, colors on canvas. But for those who do believe it has a chilling affect.

In Rembrandt van Rijns' (1606-69) historic painting "the raising of the cross" c.1633 he has painted himself in the scene as Christ's executioner with his trademark artist beret. Not as a solider following orders from his commanding officer or as a lowly roman subject of Prefect Pontius Pilate assisting in the slow and painful execution called a crucifixion; but as someone in command of his own role literally at the "center" of this epic depiction. 

It is a quiet piece that is voluminous. It tugs at the core of the Christian message. It is a role that one does not view him or herself in. It is for introspective thought, contemplation, reflection and even just mere appreciation of words, color and form...beautiful art...beautiful poetry.





'Tis not the Jews who crucified,

Nor who betrayed you in the judgment place,

Nor who, Lord Jesus, spat into your face,

Nor who with buffets struck you as you died

'Tis not the soldiers who with brutal fists

Raised the hammer and raised the nail

Or the cursed wood on Calvary's hill,

Or drew lots, tossed the dice to win your cloak.

I am the one, oh Lord, who brought you there,

I am the heavy tree, too stout to bear,

I am the rope that reined you in.

The scourge that flayed you, nail and spear,

The blood-soaked crown they made you wear,

'Twas all for me, alas, 'twas for my sin.

Sign of the Times...

Daddy's little girl

"Daddy I don't like to dream anymore..." (My 6yr old daughter's response to my question at bed time)

What a scary thought if she only knew what that meant literally.

'Activists say North Korean woman publicly executed for distributing Bible'

Headlines in the Morning Report July 25, 2009 just above the headline 'Evangelist convicted of sex with girls.'

"If you're going to support it, you should understand it enough to debate for it. It just promotes common sense and competency in the legislature." -Jerrol LeBaron

LeBaron is promoting the "Honor in Office Act" a ballot initiative that requires lawmakers to actually read the laws that they vote for. (They don't read the Laws they pass???)

FREE Gram for 1st Time patients - Wide Selection - High Quality - Discreet Location - Knowledgeable Staff

Advertisement for Marijuana at the Florin Wellness Center.

Happy Problem!!!

"Bay Area Transit riders have been holding their breath for fear of a strike that would cripple the backbone of the area's public transportation system." - Oakland Tribune

As California unemployment rate hits 11.6% with a $26 billion ($26,000,000,000.00) dollar budget deficit and is paying its' workers with State issued IOU's.

"Tell me three things about your significant other two that are true and one that's a lie" - Dr. Ronn Elmore (Psychiatrist, Life Coach, Marriage Therapist)

The first exercise at the "Marriage University" (At a 7- Week Christian Based pre-marital course.)

'Both houses of Congress have now approved a resolution Wednesday urging a presidential pardon for former heavyweight champion boxer Jack Johnson'  -NBC NEWS (100 years later)

Jack Johnson, publicly defiant of the Jim Crow-era laws that ruled the day (1908), was the first person prosecuted under the Mann Act, which banned the transportation of females across state lines "for immoral purposes."  The official offense cited was for consorting and traveling with a white prostitute whom he later married.
 

Some see what they want to see...

"President Obama's handshake is snubbed by Russians" - the Internet

The Youtube video the circulated over the internet like a firestorm purporting that Russian officials refused to shake the Black American President's hand (he was actually introducing the Russian President to other diplomats)

My thoughts...

I see this place (our social world) we call strange, home, heaven and hell all in the same breath. We are just keepers of what we have been entrusted with (this green earth) we govern ourselves with a complex set of laws, rules, beliefs and lies all in the pursuit of happiness, health, wealth, equality or the promise of everlasting life with the creator. When I hold up the mirror of reality this is the reflection I see however skewed, biased, negative or positive; but most importantly I wonder about the world (society) we will leave for our children.

Bycha Buxton