Pope Benedict gave his two weeks notice. He going to resign. The first pope to do so in some six hundred years. I admit I was never a fan of the present pope and even less of the previous one. In fact, the only pope in my life time I thought was extraordinary and who should be declared a saint was John 23rd. In my view, Benedict and his predecessor John Paul II were arch conservatives who caused much pain and damage…
There is a Washington State history site, www.historylink.org which is a wonderful source of interesting stories of history. One of articles is about talks by the famous William Jennings Bryan in Seattle. http://www.historylink.org/index.cfm?DisplayPage=output.cfm&file_id=8663 So, who was Bryan? William Jennings Bryan was a prominent American politician from the 1890's until his death in 1925. This is a man who ran three times, unsuccessfully, as the Democratic candidate for presidency of the United States and who prosecuted John Scopes in the famous "Scopes trial of the century." …
I lost two friends in February. Dr. Dexter Johnson was an internationally recognized radiologist was born December 6, 1931 and died at his home in California February 4, 2003. He graduated from the University of Washington medical school and was in general practice in Lynden as well as having spent some time on the medical staff at the old Sedro Woolley mental hospital. He went on to Rochester and completed his residency in radiology at Mayo's. For a kid from Bellingham he came a long way. Dexter…
We represent a client who was involved in a very terrifying experience while operating heavy equipment. The experience profoundly changed his mental status and his life. He has what has been diagnosed as PTSD or post traumatic stress disorder. As a result of his mental injury his life has been turned up side down. That's why I read with interest a Time Magazine http://www.time.com/time/magazine article at a doctor's office. It was about a psychologist Dr. Peter J.N. Linnerooth. Dr. Linnerooth spent five…
Fr. Anthony DeMello was jesuit priest who wrote a lot of spiritual books before his unexpected death at an early age. Most of his spiritual insights were focused on the mystical traditions of the East. One of his books is entitled "One Minute Wisdom" which he wrote back in 1985. Here are a few excerpts that are thought provoking. Destiny: To a woman who complained about her destiny as a woman, the master said, "It is you who make your destiny. " But…
Today, January 24th, is the annversary of the death of a great coach and mentor to me, William Taylor. I've published a full account of my high school relationship to this great coach and his profound influence in my life: https://paulluverajournalonline.com/weblog/2012/01/william-taylor-1922-2002-coach-and-mentor.html Many of us can point to one person or perhaps several people who played significant roles in our life. People who made the difference at a tipping point in our lives. Someone whose words or actions changed our attitude…
The memorial for my sister Phyllis was held on Saturday January 19th at 6:30 pm at the Anacortes Public Library. Lita and I drove from Gig Harbor to Anacortes to attend 5:00 pm Mass at St Mary's parish for Phyllis. I had also arranged for a previous Mass to be said as well. I don't know what reaction Phyllis would have had if she knew my plans for having Mass said for her, but it was something I needed to do for…
On Friday I was scheduled to have lunch with Mount Vernon attorney friends at the Chucknut Manor in Bow. It's a long drive so I wanted to start out early to be on time. However, I managed to run against a curb while at the ATM in Gig Harbor before I got on the freeway. I had a flat tire. I drove across he street to the Chevron service station at 7102 Stinson Avenue (Maritime Mart) in Gig Harbor where I buy all my gasoline,…
My sister Phyllis died at her daughter Mary Davis's house in Bellingham on January 7, 2013. She was a retired school teacher, but was a great deal more than that suggests. I have previously written about Phyllis and my sister Anita and how extraordinary they both were. https://paulluverajournalonline.com/weblog/2008/07/phyllis-ennes-2008-anacortes-patron-of-the-arts.html She was born in Anacortes January 29, 1928 where she graduated from high school with honors. She attended the University of Washington,Western Washington University and Montana State University where she obtained a…
I have often expressed my objection and concern about the involvement of religion in our political American system. I have been vocal about my objection to the American bishops attempt to dictate political outcomes in America by religious influence and intimidation. I have suggested that those bishops and other Christian religions who fail to observe separation of church and state should have their tax exemption removed. See for example, https://paulluverajournalonline.com/weblog/2012/10/more-un-christ-like-bishops.html.html Columnist Leonard Pitts has expressed his viewpoint on this general subject…
