The Sublime Roundabout

There is a scene in The Empire Strikes Back when Yoda is instructing Luke in some of the more weighty matters of the Force. Luke, ever the impatient one, wants to know everything and NOW. Yoda, perhaps a little exasperated with the constant barrage of questions, interrupts Luke's question and says - No, no. There is no why... I often feel like Luke. I want to know everything. Further, I believe very strongly that things happen for a reason - that there is a purpose behind why things happen. I am willing to accept that some things are just random - like weather, or like weeds growing in a flower patch. There's no real import or meaning behind that. But I also believe that there are things which are significant. I also believe that if I am patient and faithful the pattern, the why? of it all will become clear. Alas, I am NOT always patient and/or as faithful as I should be. While I believe that God has a plan for us, and while I'm willing to accept that His thoughts are...

come watch with me enormous towers of cottony white blazingly, blindingly white blindingly thin wispy clouds high over the sky cerulean blue contrasts darkest gray thundery poufs of ephemeral transition chimeric castles and battlements grand spanish galleons of the heavens chased by fast-moving frigates of light and cloud the clouds seem to boil and roil before your very eyes turning the work of earthly engineers into slow, graceless, and boring monstrosities grand vistas of clouds arching across the sky oh, come to me, my love and let's watch the clouds!

President Thomas S. Monson: “Let us for a moment join Captain Edward Martin and the handcart company he led. While we will not feel the pangs of hunger which he felt or experience the bitter cold that penetrated their weary bodies, we will emerge from our visit with a better appreciation of hardship borne, courage demonstrated, and faith fulfilled. We will witness with tear-filled eyes a dramatic answer to the question ‘Am I my brother’s keeper?’ The handcarts moved on November 3 and reached the [Sweetwater] river, filled with floating ice. To cross would require more courage and fortitude, it seemed, than human nature could muster. Women shrank back and men wept. Some pushed through, but others were unequal to the ordeal. ‘Three eighteen-year-old boys belonging to the relief party came to the rescue; and to the astonishment of all who saw, carried nearly every member of that ill-fated handcart company across the snow-bound stream. The strain was so terrible, and the exposure ...

I've always known I was a bit odd. Those of you who know me well will agree - there's something that's just plain different about me. I spent the last several days of my life in Arizona being tested to see if I was a good match for my sister's kidney needs. While I am in fairly good health, and while I don't have any personal concerns regarding my kidneys, I have multiple arteries that feed each kidney, which means that I'm not a good match for my sister. This was disappointing to say the least. So I guess I get to keep my kidneys. For now. On a positive note, it was nice to spend time with my family. They are good people, and I miss being in the area.

LANCELOT: Camelot! Camelot! In far-off France I heard your call. Camelot! Camelot! And here am I to give my all. I know in my soul what you expect of me, And all that and more I shall be. A knight of the Table Round should be invincible, Suceed where a less fantastic man would fail. Climb a wall no one else can climb, Cleave a dragon in record time, Swim a moat in a coat of heavy iron mail. No matter the pain, he ought to be unwinceable, Impossible deeds should be his daily fare. But where in the world Is there in the world A man so *extraordinaire*? C'est moi! C'est moi, I'm forced to admit. 'Tis I, I humbly reply. That mortal who These marvels can do, C'est moi, c'est moi, 'tis I. I've never lost In battle or game; I'm simply the best by far. When swords are crossed 'Tis always the same: One blow and au revoir! C'est moi! C'est moi! So adm'rably fit! A French Prometheus...

The darkness of night Vanishes before her light There, I live again