Insane Earthlings

“The only thing we have to fear is fear itself” Franklin D. Roosevelt We have all heard this famous quote. We were raised in a world that has the capacity to destroy itself in an instant. I never really understood the words uttered by FDR at his first inauguration. It has been re-quoted over and over by people of every political viewpoint. It has been used by both well intentioned people and those who seek to do evil.   These words feel powerful and reassuring, but in such a way that they can be easily manipulated by anyone for any cause of action. We were taught these words, but rarely were made aware of the context in which they were used. In my life, I do not recall ever having an in-depth conversation about what having only fear itself to fear means. But the world is once again at a key juncture in which we must choose between fear and hope. So, as I read an article by David Brooks in the New York Times just now, I realized that the meaning of Roosevelt’s words should ha...

“In the shuffling madness Of the locomotive breath, Runs the all, time loser, Headlong to his death.” Jethro Tull If I had a flute, I would be wailing away on it right now. Ian Anderson style. Blasting it with no regard for how the instrument was intended to be played. I feel like we are all inside that song right now. Locomotive Breath. The song begins with a foreboding piano solo in which the dark ride about to begin could easily be overlooked. The piano piece is pretty and sounds a lot like complacency. It’s not going anywhere, but there are sad undertones in the notes. But then the piano marches into an unmistakable train cadence. The passengers are probably feeling pretty comfortable and confident at this point. Just a normal train ride with a competent Conductor. But then the band kicks in you know that we are on a runaway train. You can feel it in the guitar and the rhythm. Ian Anderson uses his flute to scream out a warning. The flute pleads for us to notice that t...

The Snow Toe Alarm But everyone had been in such a hurry Milk and bread to beat the flurry. It feels so cold and the air seems right There has to fall some snow tonight. How could I ever fall asleep? Not knowing will the snow be deep? Now it’s late and the truth is cruel. Tomorrow will come and we may have school. Please dear snow, start to fall So that they can make the call, And declare tomorrow a special day When kids can slip and sled and play. It’s time for bed and the air is clear I close my eyes and face my fear That I will wake having missed it all The beauty held in the snowflakes fall My brother feels the same way too And so he says, “I know what to do. I‘ll tie a long string upon my toe and run it out our upstairs window.” He will hang a bucket on that string And it will work like an alarm clock ring The bucket weighted down with snow will yank upon his little toe. He will be wakened by this action Giving...