Paul Luvera Journal

We just returned from Scottsdale. Unfortunately, we were only there a very short time. Not enough time to make contact with friends. The trip was primarily one for completing needed projects. Our first project was bringing the house "up to speed" because everything seems to need something done  when we are away from the house for a couple of months. Our projects included a meeting with our realtors since the house on the market to be sold. In the meantime…

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If you haven't seen the documentary Won’t You Be My Neighbor? which traces the life of  TV host Fred Rogers and his television program of that title I recommend it to you. The documentary was directed by Oscar-winning Morgan Melville.There were 1765 episodes of the program from 1968 two 2001. Rogers died of cancer at the age of 74 in 2003. He was a graduate of the Pittsburgh theological seminary and an ordained minister. He was married to his wife…

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The concept of karma teaches a cause and effect function in life. Good intent and good deeds contribute to good karma and future happiness, while bad intent and bad deeds contribute to bad karma and future suffering. The same idea is found in Ralph Walter Emerson's famous essay "Compensation" where he argued life has a cause and effect rule. He wrote:  "Every act rewards itself, or, in other words, integrates itself, in a twofold manner; first, in the thing, or…

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Abortion, gun control, climate change and terrorism are all red flag issues which are certain to cause controversy and dispute in conversations. The most recent issue that has been covered in the media is that of immigration. President Trump has famously said: "I going to build a great border wall to stop illegal immigration, to stop the gangs and the violence and to stop the drugs from pouring into our communities." As to the "caravan, he has gone so far as to…

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  We have had a recent history of tragic mass shootings. Here are a few of the more deadly attacks.  December 2, 2015      14 killed, 22 injured San Bernardino, CA  June 12, 2016            49 killed, 58 injured in Orlando FL nightclub shooting September 23, 2016    5 killed Burlington, WA October 1, 2017        59 Killed, more than 500 injured Las Vegas February 15, 2018    17 killed 14 wounded in Parkland FL Before the recent Florida school killing,…

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It is not an exaggeration to point out that the president, his staff, Congressional leaders and appointed agency heads are continually exposed for their lies, political hypocrisy and evasion of truth. Concealment and attempted cover up is regularly exposed. Appointed agency heads are grossly unqualified for their job or just plain incompetent. Worse, they have an open agenda of undermining the purpose for the agency as a regulatory body. Personal financial or political interests are too often the motive for…

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Lewis Carroll Alice in Wonderland wrote:  “But I don’t want to go among mad people," Alice remarked. "Oh, you can’t help that," said the Cat: "we’re all mad here. I’m mad. You’re mad." "How do you know I’m mad?" said Alice. "You must be," said the Cat, "or you wouldn’t have come here.”  All of us are, like Alice, caught up in a world made up insane people when it comes to this administration's policies. Why? Well because of the latest…

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Happy Thanksgiving. There is much to be grateful for in each of our lives. I'm thankful for this Thanksgiving. We arrived in Scottsdale six days ago. Diane and her husband Tim, along with Diane's son Alex and his fiance arrived Wednesday and left Friday. We enjoyed a wonderful Thanksgiving dinner at the Desert Highlands club house where our AZ home is located. It was enjoyable having family here with us and the weather cooperated as well. It was a great Thanksgiving …

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You've read about Diogenes, the Greek philosopher, also known as Diogenes the cynic." He wondered around ancient Greece carrying a lantern searching for an honest man because he believed there was no such person. Current history, especially political history, makes me worry that Diogenes could be right. We expect honesty and truth from others, but especially our leaders, both political and religious.We read in the Bible: "But, that your yes be yes and you're no, no. For whatever is more…

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In early September 1814, Francis Scott Key, an American lawyer and amateur poet, accompanied Col. John Skinner to negotiate a prisoner release with several officers of the British Navy. During the negotiations, he and Skinner were informed the British intended to attack the city of Baltimore and Fort McHenry. They were not permitted to leave until the attack was over. They watched the bombardment with apprehension. Inspired by seeing the American flag flying in the morning, after the attack, Key…

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