Before museums and internet, who could affort it collected objects of interest often related to natural history, art, antiquities and/or religious relics. This kind of collection is known as a Cabinet of Curiosity. “Bebina Bunny and Her Cabinet of Curiosities” is the story of Bebina who, while sunbathing on Paros, finds a message in a bottle that makes her reflect on how little she actually observes the world around her. Bebina resolves to change her approach to every day life and does so by collecting “curiosities”. These curiosities are not objects but ideas and information that Bebina collects, writes down and then puts into empty bottles. Continue reading…
Bebina Bunny’s Cabinet of Curiosities
Mick the Martian
This morning I woke up determined to be faithful to my general fitness program which includes raising my vibratory level. So, like an amateur Dervish dancer, I did the twirling around as describe in the Five Tibetan Rites of Rejuvenation before going for my daily walk towards Krios.
Once near the promontory, I took out a pair of nail clippers to cut off some helichrysum. While I was bent over clipping away, I got the impression that someone was watching me. Fearful that maybe cutting plants was not permitted, I jerked myself up and saw a strange creature staring at me. Even though I was startled, I noticed something familiar about this strange being. He could see that I was afraid and said not to worry, that he was just a tourist curious about local customs. Was cutting helichrysum a typical Parian activity he asked? I explained that helichrysum was a medicinal plant with beneficial anti-inflammatory properties and cutting it was an activity typical of me and not of Parians.
Seeing that I had relaxed and now felt comfortable with his presence (what woman isn’t happy when listened to?), he introduced himself. He said his name was Mick the Martian and, being so far away from home, he felt lonely and in need of a friend. So I gave him my phone number and told him maybe we could get together sometime for a cup of coffee.
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The Pope and Kim
This past year, Pope Francis has pleasantly surprised many of us. I was especially pleased with this year’s encyclical as it focused on the environment (see my related post HERE). And on the Pope’s recent trip to the U.S., he won the respect of many by the position he’d taken on climate change, capitalism, fundamentalism and sexual abuse. And because he preferred eating with the homeless instead of with members of Congress.
However, delight turned to depression when it was announced that the Pope had met with Kim Davis and, according to her, supported her decision to refuse issuing marriage licenses to same-sex couples. Davis said “It was really humbling to think he would want to meet or know me.” Furthermore, she said, “Just knowing the Pope is on track with what we’re doing and agreeing, you know, kind of validates everything.”
However, this morning I read that the Pope is highly irritated by how Davis and her lawyer have blatantly manipulated what actually happened.
The Vatican has now responded with this statement coming from the Vatican itself: “Pope Francis met with several dozen persons who had been invited by the Nunciature to greet him as he prepared to leave Washington for New York City. Such brief greetings occur on all papal visits and are due to the Pope’s characteristic kindness and availability. The only real audience granted by the Pope at the Nunciature was with one of his former students and his family.”
The former student referred to is Yayo Grassi, an openly gay man (he’s also an atheist). Grassi arrived with his companion and both were warmly welcomed by the Pope. In essence, the Pope preferred a gay to Kim.
So Kim, what do you have to say for yourself now?
Nebulous needs
The night of the Super Moon, I was out on my balcony waiting for the show to start. But clouds obliterated my view. They slowly glided across the sky prohibiting me from seeing that much talked about Super Moon. It was irritating.
Finally the clouds began to thin out. Visible once more, the moon looked me in the face and said: What did you think—that the sky existed only for you?
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The Overview Effect
Stephen Hawking believes, based on simple mathematical deductions, that aliens exist. But, hopefully, he says, they won’t be showing up too soon. Just think of what happened to the Native Americans after Christopher Columbus landed in America.
But before being afraid of aliens, we should be afraid of certain humans. Especially those who fail to see others as their equals. Because who alienates his fellow man is the real outsider, the real alien.
When the astronaut Sultan bin Salman Al Saud returned from his 1984 flight into space, he said: On the first day we all pointed to our countries. On the third day we pointed to our continents. By the fifth day, we were aware of only one Earth.
Seeing the Earth from space provokes a cognitive shift in awareness known as the Overview Effect. When you see how tiny the Earth is just hanging in infinite space shielded only by a paper-thin atmosphere, you recognize its fragility. Boundaries disappear and, as most astronauts have said, seeing The Big Picture makes you understand that everything on Earth is interconnected. Thus humanity needs unity and not a hate provoked separatism for its survival.
So why don’t we send the racists to the moon?
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