Ale for the Soul

The first full month of 2017 was very good to me.  First, I spent part of a day in Dallas.  This was badly needed in order to restore emotional health.  Doesn't everyone need some time away from the daily grind and the reality that is too often mundane?  Then I spent a few days enjoying the sites and sounds of Fort Worth: the Amon Carter Museum and the beautiful TCU campus.  At both places, I could take a stroll, enjoy the offerings of the locale, and not give a damn about what others think.  (This is my life, and I can become exuberant about art and scenery.  Yes, this sometimes includes looking like a fool over the beauty of what God has created.)  The cherry on the cake was finally filing my taxes for last year.  I was so concerned the government would give such a stiff penalty for not having insurance all last year.  (Thank you President Obama.  I am so thankful you are out of office.  Term-limits are a blessing from God.) ...

1  The  Lord  is my light  and my salvation —      whom shall I fear? The  Lord  is the stronghold  of my life—      of whom shall I be afraid? 2  When the wicked advance against me      to devour [ a ]  me, it is my enemies and my foes      who will stumble and fall. 3  Though an army besiege me,      my heart will not fear; though war break out against me,      even then I will be confident. 4  One thing  I ask from the  Lord ,      this only do I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the  Lord      all the days of my life, to gaze on the beauty of the  Lord      and to seek him in his temple. 5  For in the day of trouble      he will keep me safe  in his dwelling; he will hide me  in the ...

Today marks a beautiful end to another weekend off from work.  I'm really getting the hang of heading out on adventures by myself.  Of course a companion to share the experience would be nice, but I can't keeping waiting for this to happen or I'll never get out to enjoy life.  After church, I took a leisurely stroll through part of the Texas Christian University campus.  Even though I don't have a high opinion of the quality and cost of their education, at least they have a beautiful campus.  In the midst of my walk, I discovered a sundial, a monument I had not seen before on the TCU campus.  The set-up was remarkable, and I took several pictures.  Hmm, I wonder what else I'm missing?  Whatever it may be, I'll have to save it for another day.  The outdoor walk performed wonders on my psyche as I contemplate the future, hopefully a future that doesn't contain living as an exile in Fort Worth.  (Think of Moses shepherding sheep for his ...

The Amon Carter Museum is open six days a week and never charges admission.  It is entirely free to the public.  Of course it does cost money to run the museum, and the Amon Carter readily accepts donations and grants from both businesses and private individuals.  Last Monday I had such a wonderful time in my outing to Dallas, I wanted to experience another adventure but closer to home.  In seeing a billboard advertising their new exhibit a few days ago, I knew immediately a trip to the museum was in order.  Overall, I think there were two new exhibits, but the one I really wanted to see was Photography as Art from 1845 to the Present.  Since it is a special exhibit, I was not allowed to take any pictures; however, I did take a few photos of the permanent exhibit, which I am permitted to do.  If you have never been to the Amon Carter, or to a museum ever, this is the time to immerse yourself in the arts.  Please take the time to enjoy the cultu...

Nobody needs to tell African-Americans in this country that the old new deal from the Democratic Party isn’t working for them. In election after election, Democratic party leaders take African-American voters for granted and year after year the condition of Black America gets worse. The conditions in our inner cities today are unacceptable. Too many African-Americans have been left behind. African-Americans need a new deal from their next president. Donald Trump is proposing just that. The following are ten promises announced by Donald Trump on October 26, 2016 in Charlotte, NC that will define a new deal for Black America: 1. Great Education Through School Choice.  We will allow every disadvantaged child in America to attend the public, private, charter, magnet, religious or home school of their choice. School choice is the great civil rights issue of our time, and Donald Trump will be the nation’s biggest cheerleader for school choice in all 50 states. We will also ensure fu...

The earth is the  Lord ’s,  and everything in it,      the world, and all who live in it; 2  for he founded it on the seas      and established it on the waters. 3  Who may ascend the mountain  of the  Lord ?      Who may stand in his holy place? 4  The one who has clean hands  and a pure heart,      who does not trust in an idol      or swear by a false god. 5  They will receive blessing  from the  Lord      and vindication  from God their Savior. 6  Such is the generation of those who seek him,      who seek your face,  God of Jacob. 7  Lift up your heads, you gates;      be lifted up, you ancient doors,      that the King  of glory  may come in. 8  Who is this King of glory?      The...

Who gave thee, O Beauty! The keys of this breast, Too credulous lover Of blest and unblest? Say when in lapsed ages Thee knew I of old; Or what was the service For which I was sold? When first my eyes saw thee, I found me thy thrall, By magical drawings, Sweet tyrant of all! I drank at thy fountain False waters of thirst; Thou intimate stranger, Thou latest and first! Thy dangerous glances Make women of men; New-born we are melting Into nature again. Lavish, lavish promiser, Nigh persuading gods to err, Guest of million painted forms Which in turn thy glory warms, The frailest leaf, the mossy bark, The acorn's cup, the raindrop's arc, The swinging spider's silver line, The ruby of the drop of wine, The shining pebble of the pond, Thou inscribest with a bond In thy momentary play Would bankrupt Nature to repay. Ah! what avails it To hide or to shun Whom the Infinite One Hath granted his throne? The heaven high over Is the deep's lover, The sun and sea Informed by thee, B...

Yesterday morning at roughly 9 a.m., I set my mind to visit Dallas for the morning and part of the afternoon.  I had enough of Fort Worth, and I simply needed to get away for any length of time to restore and maintain my sanity.  First on the agenda was the Holocaust Museum on the city's Historic West End.  The tour was self-guided, which was great because I could take my time in setting the pace.  I very easily could have spent more than the two hours I did in the museum, but I was on information overload.  Even for a history buff like myself, I can only take in so much information before my brain starts spitting it back out.  I highly recommend visiting the Holocaust Museum; in fact, it is only a few blocks from Dealey Plaza and all the JFK stuff.  Coupling the two themes would make for a full day of exploring and education.  However, I must warn finding the Holocaust Museum is somewhat difficult as it is not well-marked.  To be hones...

The king rejoices in your strength,  Lord .      How great is his joy in the victories you give! 2  You have granted him his heart’s desire      and have not withheld the request of his lips. 3  You came to greet him with rich blessings      and placed a crown of pure gold  on his head. 4  He asked you for life, and you gave it to him—      length of days, for ever and ever. 5  Through the victories  you gave, his glory is great;      you have bestowed on him splendor and majesty. 6  Surely you have granted him unending blessings      and made him glad with the joy  of your presence. 7  For the king trusts in the  Lord ;      through the unfailing love  of the Most High      he will not be shaken. 8  Your hand will lay hold  on all your enemies; ...