Friday, December 30, 2016
Oh Little Town of Bethlehem: revisited
I'm doing this respectfully in the Spirit of Christmas and the good Spirit of those who are of different religions .
Never forget or deny that we all are the children of God.
Heed these words: Do not take God in vain and don't dismiss that it is within God to be able to reveal himself in more than one way
First posted on Sunday, December 29, 2013
The point is to instill peace and end war regardless of how naive my effort may be.
Media outside the USA sure as hell did aside from independent media such as Democracy Now.
Never forget or deny that we all are the children of God.
Heed these words: Do not take God in vain and don't dismiss that it is within God to be able to reveal himself in more than one way
First posted on Sunday, December 29, 2013
I'm sure there will be a ton of counter points to be made. The essence of my view is that things are so out of control and bounds that the worst may yet to come.
The War on Christmas!
Blah! We hear this battle cry each and every year from Fox News. They assault our sensibility because there are plenty of misinformed Americans who bought into their motto of being "Fair and Balanced." It's worst than that. Fox News especially doesn't report on what has happened to Bethlehem in the West Bank. The alleged main stream media doesn't do much better.
Alright, I can't swear to it but I can be certain that most Americans are unaware that Bethlehem is the new Berlin.
American's remember President Kennedy's famous words when he visited Berlin: "ich bin ein Berliner." This translates too "I am a Berliner." Who on the world stage has the courage to say, "I am a voice of Bethlehem."
American's remember President Kennedy's famous words when he visited Berlin: "ich bin ein Berliner." This translates too "I am a Berliner." Who on the world stage has the courage to say, "I am a voice of Bethlehem."
The demigod of Fox News, President Regan, famous words when he visited Berlin were "Mr. Gorbachev tear down this wall." Who on the world stage has the courage to say "Mr. Netanyahu tear down this wall."
Will the voice of Pope Francis grow stronger or will Mr. Putin, the game changer, take charge? I find it impossible for American leadership to stand up to a not so easy task.
I'm sure there will be a ton of counter points to be made. The essence of my view is that things are so out of control and bounds that the worst may yet to come.
Main checkpoint for entry
Church of the Nativity Church of the Nativity
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Historical site of the birth of Jesus
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I can only wish that there was something funny
point of view by roman blazic_photo credit unknown sourced from internet
Sunday, December 18, 2016
A Christmas Gif(t)
Tis' the season to be jolly
Here's some of my photos that were found on the internet. Twinkle and snow effects were created by unknown people.
Here's some of my photos that were found on the internet. Twinkle and snow effects were created by unknown people.
words and picture by roman blazic_all rights reserved
Friday, December 16, 2016
A Christmas Story
by Donald Trump
The snow softly fell in the still of Christmas Eve. Santa and his sleigh effortlessly made it's way from house to house to bring gifts for the deserving child.
Down through the chimney Santa brought his bag of toys that the elves prepared all through the past year. A welcomed cup of warm cider and some cookies and fruit gave pause for Santa to catch his breath.
A child awoke from a restless night's sleep full of excitement and anticipation of Santa's arrival. The slight creaking sound of a sturdy wooden chair, that Santa sat on as he enjoyed a time of rest, alerted the child to his presences.
Out from the bed on the tips of his toes the child made his way down the stairway. The child's eyes were as wide as walnuts and his heart beat zoomed like a drum roll upon seeing Santa. Even the family pet cat couldn't walk as quiet as the child made his approach.
Within a moment Santa saw the child from the corner of his eye. He turned towards the child with a bright broad smile and a finger to his lips with a wisp of shhhhh. The child's footsteps froze in place but Santa beckoned the child to come closer with a wave of his hand.
Together they sat side by side to the amazement of the child as they shared the last two cookies. The warmth of the moment was a moment of wonderment but the child could not contain his excitement any longer. He just had to ask Santa a host of questions.
"Santa, just what country is the North Pole?" "Is your bag full of foreign made toys?" "Did you buy American or hire Americans to make them?"
Santa's face turned as red as Rudolph's red nose as he became more annoyed with each passing question. It took all of Santa's strength to quietly tell the child to return to his bed. The child dashed off up the stairs and snuggled into the warm blankets of his bed knowing that, yes, there is a Santa Clause.
Santa, with deliberate movement, scooped up all the child's gifts and placed them back into his bag. He returned to his sleigh and then returned with a bag of coal for this annoying child.
Unbeknownst to Santa, the child was most happy to find the bag of coal left for him. For you see, this child lived in West Virginia.
Down through the chimney Santa brought his bag of toys that the elves prepared all through the past year. A welcomed cup of warm cider and some cookies and fruit gave pause for Santa to catch his breath.
A child awoke from a restless night's sleep full of excitement and anticipation of Santa's arrival. The slight creaking sound of a sturdy wooden chair, that Santa sat on as he enjoyed a time of rest, alerted the child to his presences.
Out from the bed on the tips of his toes the child made his way down the stairway. The child's eyes were as wide as walnuts and his heart beat zoomed like a drum roll upon seeing Santa. Even the family pet cat couldn't walk as quiet as the child made his approach.
Within a moment Santa saw the child from the corner of his eye. He turned towards the child with a bright broad smile and a finger to his lips with a wisp of shhhhh. The child's footsteps froze in place but Santa beckoned the child to come closer with a wave of his hand.
Together they sat side by side to the amazement of the child as they shared the last two cookies. The warmth of the moment was a moment of wonderment but the child could not contain his excitement any longer. He just had to ask Santa a host of questions.
"Santa, just what country is the North Pole?" "Is your bag full of foreign made toys?" "Did you buy American or hire Americans to make them?"
Santa's face turned as red as Rudolph's red nose as he became more annoyed with each passing question. It took all of Santa's strength to quietly tell the child to return to his bed. The child dashed off up the stairs and snuggled into the warm blankets of his bed knowing that, yes, there is a Santa Clause.
Santa, with deliberate movement, scooped up all the child's gifts and placed them back into his bag. He returned to his sleigh and then returned with a bag of coal for this annoying child.
Unbeknownst to Santa, the child was most happy to find the bag of coal left for him. For you see, this child lived in West Virginia.
The End
lampoon by roman blazic_all rights reserved
Friday, December 9, 2016
The Village of Fishtown Heights
Andy's Christmas Tradition
Andy Kroyos is in his 86th year. He has lived in Fishtown for a very long time. I'm sure that many of you have seen him in the neighborhood walking his dog along Palmer Cemetery and beyond.
Andy has worked on his Christmas village platform over most of his life. Last year the Spirit Newspaper (page 9) did a feature article. The Star Newspaper will present him again this year in an up coming edition of the paper: Star News
I was happy to accept Andy's invitation to see the family tradition and photograph his life long work. There is so much to see. The opening picture is where I got the title for this post. Also look for a loving note to his wife.
I'll be home for Christmas
Upwards to the mountains
Here's Andy
Joy to the World and Peace on Earth
words and pictures by roman blazic_all rights reserved
Andy Kroyos is in his 86th year. He has lived in Fishtown for a very long time. I'm sure that many of you have seen him in the neighborhood walking his dog along Palmer Cemetery and beyond.
Andy has worked on his Christmas village platform over most of his life. Last year the Spirit Newspaper (page 9) did a feature article. The Star Newspaper will present him again this year in an up coming edition of the paper: Star News
I was happy to accept Andy's invitation to see the family tradition and photograph his life long work. There is so much to see. The opening picture is where I got the title for this post. Also look for a loving note to his wife.
(click picture for slideshow)
We wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year
words and pictures by roman blazic_all rights reserved
Wednesday, December 7, 2016
Fishtown: A Conflict of Interest
New construction destruction
pov words and pictures by roman blazic_all rights reserved
Thursday, November 24, 2016
Thanksgiving
Thirty-three years and counting
My children. From then to now.
Thanksgiving, we still love each other, We still like each other. We still share a meal with each other whether together but always in the heart.
words and pictures by roman blazic_all rights reserved
Monday, November 21, 2016
The 334th Anniversary of William Penn's Treaty with the Nanticoke Lenni-Lenape People
"by deeds of peace"
The Friends of Penn Treaty Park celebrated the 334th anniversary of the of the signing of the unbroken peace treaty. A small group gather around the great-great grandchild of the original Peace Elm under which the peace treaty was made in 1682.
The Reverend John Norwood, the founding Pastor of Ujima Village Christian Church, is a Nanticoke Lenni-Lenape Tribal Councilman and Judge and also serves as the government liaison for the Confederation of Sovereign Nanticoke-Lenape Tribes, which is a union of the three interrelated tribal nations of Nanticoke and Lenape people remaining in the area of the Delaware Bay.
Reverend Norwood delivered a heart felt speech of the meaning of the oneness of all people and the Earth. He lead all in attendance in a blessing of this noble truth "by deeds of peace."
This blessing comes through prayer and the sacred use of tobacco. Tobacco, a herb, has the quality of being able to absorb. When made into a poultice, it can absorb toxins out of a rash or bug bite. When you pray with it, it absorbs your prayers. And when smoked, the smoke carries your prayers up to the Creator.
Hold a pinch of tobacco between the first three fingers of your hand, say your prayer, then open your fingers and let the tobacco fall to the ground. Don’t toss it, let it fall. The nature spirits will then work on fulfilling that prayer.
“White people misused tobacco, the sacred medicine of the native people, and it made them sick. When native people misused white peoples’ medicine, the sacred wine of the mass, it became their undoing.”
We must respect one another’s medicines.
We must respect our different worldly cultures.
The Friends of Penn Treaty Park celebrated the 334th anniversary of the of the signing of the unbroken peace treaty. A small group gather around the great-great grandchild of the original Peace Elm under which the peace treaty was made in 1682.
The Reverend John Norwood, the founding Pastor of Ujima Village Christian Church, is a Nanticoke Lenni-Lenape Tribal Councilman and Judge and also serves as the government liaison for the Confederation of Sovereign Nanticoke-Lenape Tribes, which is a union of the three interrelated tribal nations of Nanticoke and Lenape people remaining in the area of the Delaware Bay.
Reverend Norwood delivered a heart felt speech of the meaning of the oneness of all people and the Earth. He lead all in attendance in a blessing of this noble truth "by deeds of peace."
This blessing comes through prayer and the sacred use of tobacco. Tobacco, a herb, has the quality of being able to absorb. When made into a poultice, it can absorb toxins out of a rash or bug bite. When you pray with it, it absorbs your prayers. And when smoked, the smoke carries your prayers up to the Creator.
Hold a pinch of tobacco between the first three fingers of your hand, say your prayer, then open your fingers and let the tobacco fall to the ground. Don’t toss it, let it fall. The nature spirits will then work on fulfilling that prayer.
“White people misused tobacco, the sacred medicine of the native people, and it made them sick. When native people misused white peoples’ medicine, the sacred wine of the mass, it became their undoing.”
We must respect one another’s medicines.
We must respect our different worldly cultures.
The sharing of the sacred tobacco
The blessing and prayer
Barbara Morehead founder of the Friends of Penn Treaty Park along with Reverend John Norwood standing at the site of great-great grandchild of the original Peace Elm
Children enjoyed coloring nature's related picture of this event and made a necklace of the Turtle Symbol
Reading for an in-depth history introduction to the Lenni Lenape or Delaware Indians courtesy of the Penn Treaty Museum.
words and pictures by roman blazic_all rights reserved
sacred tobacco sourced from Molly Larkin
Monday, November 14, 2016
Are you Roman?
A funny thing happened
I was approached by a person today who has been reading my blog. This person commented that my Veteran's Day post was very thought provoking and had much depth of feeling. They also said that hearing the actual song surprised them because it was well composed. They strongly advised me that I should have someone who could properly perform it.
I replied that I did the best that I can and that next time maybe I shouldn't produce a video in high-defamation.
We both had a good laugh.
such is life by roman blazic_all rights reserved
Thursday, November 10, 2016
Veteran's Day
Coming home is not so easy for some
"Finding the Place of the Heart"
Deep into the heart
Deep into the part
I'm falling away from love
Day into the night
night into the day
I'm calling to you, my heart
When you're near I feel your warmth
I can feel you breathe
Don't ask why I need to know I'm alive
Tether me I'm blind but see
I'm falling as I fly
Finding the place of the heart
Finding the place of the heart
words and music by roman blazic_all rights reserved
i did the best i can to honor a request
i did the best i can to honor a request
Monday, October 31, 2016
Fishtown Church For Sale
Church of the Living Word
The Church of the Living Word, 2345 E Susquehanna Ave near the fork, first sale list date was 2016-06-26 and updated on 2016-10-30. A very reliable source told me in early October that it's hoped the sale of the church would result in a conversion into apartments. The missing piece of information is the status of the the application for historic designation. The application filed on July 9, 2016 identifies the Fifth Reformed Dutch Church, Kensington. Period of Significance (from year to year): from 1863 to 1968 Date(s) of construction and/or alteration: 1863 and 1886. The corner stone bare these dates. The application is well researched and provides clear history of this now Fishtown neighborhood.
The Fifth Dutch Reformed Church, constructed in 1863, survived in the same location until its dissolution in 1968. The Fifth Dutch Reformed Church on Susquehanna Avenue represents a longtime German stronghold in Kensington, exemplifying the economic and cultural characteristics of that section of Philadelphia.* St Michael's Luthern church at Cumberland and Trenton Ave also served the German Community.
The Rev. Charles F. C. Suckow (1840- aft 1922) was a long time pastor of Fifth Reformed, serving for over forty years (from at least 1879 to after 1922).* He is seen here in the original configuration of the church which marks fifty years with the dates of 1861-1911.
The church organ pipes now stand covering the projecting bay that first served as the pulpit. It also had two stain glass windows that have since been covered outside with siding material. The interior of the church has strong wood wall paneling with a beautiful wooden balcony. Massive wooden ceiling cross beams are visible. The entire ceiling that arches above the beams is paneled in wood.
The church property was sold by the Classis of Philadelphia of the RCA (Reformed Church of America) to a local Philadelphia church called The Church of the Living Word on February 15,1968 for $15,000.00. It is this church, The Church of the Living Word of Philadelphia, which appears to be the current owner, or at least, the last owner of record. (Deed: The Classis of Philadelphia of the Reformed Church of America, to The Church of the Living Word, 15 February 1968, No. JRS059_472* (The listing is an interesting read.)
The Church of the Living Word, 2345 E Susquehanna Ave near the fork, first sale list date was 2016-06-26 and updated on 2016-10-30. A very reliable source told me in early October that it's hoped the sale of the church would result in a conversion into apartments. The missing piece of information is the status of the the application for historic designation. The application filed on July 9, 2016 identifies the Fifth Reformed Dutch Church, Kensington. Period of Significance (from year to year): from 1863 to 1968 Date(s) of construction and/or alteration: 1863 and 1886. The corner stone bare these dates. The application is well researched and provides clear history of this now Fishtown neighborhood.
The Fifth Dutch Reformed Church, constructed in 1863, survived in the same location until its dissolution in 1968. The Fifth Dutch Reformed Church on Susquehanna Avenue represents a longtime German stronghold in Kensington, exemplifying the economic and cultural characteristics of that section of Philadelphia.* St Michael's Luthern church at Cumberland and Trenton Ave also served the German Community.
The Rev. Charles F. C. Suckow (1840- aft 1922) was a long time pastor of Fifth Reformed, serving for over forty years (from at least 1879 to after 1922).* He is seen here in the original configuration of the church which marks fifty years with the dates of 1861-1911.
The church property was sold by the Classis of Philadelphia of the RCA (Reformed Church of America) to a local Philadelphia church called The Church of the Living Word on February 15,1968 for $15,000.00. It is this church, The Church of the Living Word of Philadelphia, which appears to be the current owner, or at least, the last owner of record. (Deed: The Classis of Philadelphia of the Reformed Church of America, to The Church of the Living Word, 15 February 1968, No. JRS059_472* (The listing is an interesting read.)
(click picture for slideshow)
Chronicles 19:13
* historic nomination application
words and pictures by roman blazic_all rights reserved
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