"The Kings's Gold -The Adventures of Captain Alatriste" series is set in the port city of Sevilla. The story finds us in Spain's self-absorbed decadent Gold Age. Literally when Spain is harvesting gold from Mexico & Peru, lavishly indulging their every whim and desire, developing no infrastructure except for that to be found in Germany, England and the Netherlands. I enjoy the unbridled contempt of all things British and their self-proclaimed grandness; and i sorrow for the demise of the grandeur of Spain. I enjoy the way Arturo Perez- Reverte spins a tale, marvel at his language and am intrigued by the depth of bi-lingualness of those who translate such works from one language to another.

Some interesting passages include:

"It is said, and it is very true, that the moment when vice becomes the custom marks the death of a republic, for the dissolute person ceases to be considered loathsome, and all baseness becomes normal."

"It would doubtless have been more bearable if, instead of the bitter clarity that filled his every act and thought, Captain Alatriste had enjoyed the magnificent gifts of stupidity, fanaticism, or malice, because only the stupid, the fanatical and the malicious live lives free from ghost or from remorse."

and one of the many instructive couplets, this one speaks to me of whited sepulchres:
"see them all decked out in purple
Hands beringed with glittering gems?
Inside, they're naught but putrefaction,
Made of mud and earth and worms."

Things I value

There are many things I truly value and cherish:

An engaging book.

A national geographic moment.

A gained insight.

Solving a problem.

An evening walk

An engaging debate.

Being guided.

But that which also delights me most is being with my Rindy, my kids, and now my grandchildren. Family and its eternal prospects is a supernal blessing

The Blindside

a little slow to popular culture we just watched The Blindside. and found it delightful. I appreciate films that challenge how you think and how you live.

The mom Oher was consistent in her daily actions with what she professed as her life style. She wasn't a Sunday christian, she wasn't a take my tithing and do it on my behalf christian she was a role up your sleeves, a throw me in the lion's den and emerge the victor christian. She was bold and daring, consistent and loving. She did not go into it for what the world would say or do; she chose to make a difference with one person because she could.

I loved the part when they asked Michael if he wanted to become part of the family and his response was I already thought I was. Do all our family members feel part of the family, do they feel unqualified love and acceptance?

A funny movie, a thoughtful movie a reflective movie.Definitely worth watching

Success

To laugh often and love much;
To win the respect of intelligent persons and the affection of children;
To earn the approbation of honest critics and to endure the betrayal of
false friends;
To appreciate beauty;
To find the best in others;
To give of one's self;
To leave the world a bit better, whether by healthy child, a garden patch or
a redeemed social condition;
To have played and laughed with enthusiasm and sung with exultation;
To know that even one life has breathed easier because you have lived --
This is to have succeeded.
Ralph Waldo Emerson

Spring

Spring is wonderful it brings the sunshine, green grass, robins, choir trips and gatherings. We had a 70 degree day Friday followed by snow on Saturday and day cool Sunday. Saturday also brought the Armstrong choir on tour back to Illinois. Parker was able to join them down at Northwestern for part of the day - seeing friends, learning a bit more music theory and Gino's east - what more can a guy ask for. Sunday AHS choir sang at a local Naperville church - short clip here.

The evening followed with the Spring Dance at Naperville North with a group of guys and girls from the Ward. Dinner - Dance - Laser Tag it sounds like the teen trifecta.

How to Track a Crisis

A real-time identifier of trends, of history as it happens.
As time compression continues to occur; its interesting to try and see what happens next. History use to be written well after an event, then embedded journalist – still recording after it happened, then Vietnam in the nightly news, move forward to the cameras following OJ Simpson's chase and recording it live; to today with Ushahadi.

The source of information is everyone from everywhere with accuracy not assured except by the public nature of it The warning of trusting only Wikipedia content that comes from frequently traveled areas also guides the use of Ushahidi.

The NYTimes introduced me to the concept of Ushahidi. a small Kenyan-born organization. This kind of everyone-as-informant mapping is shaking up the world, bringing the Wikipedia revolution to the work of humanitarians and soldiers who parachute into places with little good information.

The site collected user-generated cellphone reports of riots, stranded refugees, rapes and deaths and plotted them on a map, using the locations given by informants. It collected more testimony — which is what ushahidi means in Swahili — with greater rapidity than any reporter or election monitor.
Join history, be part of the conversation, or let it pass you by.

Milestones

Wednesday night found me sitting in Wentz Auditorium, North Central College downtown Naperville waiting and reflecting. I've sat in many a high school auditorium, attended many a concert and performance but none quite like this - the last high school performance.

I loved high school choir in my own day and time. I've delighted in attending choir, band and orchestra performances of our children and this one did not disappoint. the logistics and transitions between groups was rough but the acoustics made one appreciate being in a wonderful facility and not the high school. The groups ranged in their performance from good to very good with a couple of memorable numbers.

It just seemed odd to think of this as the last. Parker graduates this spring and Mackey has chosen other paths; and so this part of the journey ends. No fanfare, no heralds, just ends as life evolves and moves forward. I guess the next round will be Eden singing in a primary program and that will be wonderful.

Moral Courage

Parker and I just returned from home teaching two of our families and enjoyed rich discussions regarding the need and the ability to have moral courage in the face of the sincere challenges that life and the world send us these days. The economy, politics, environment, earthquakes and natural disasters, family and health can all engender fear, can all cause us to compromise.

Things that give rise to moral courage include: preparation, positive peers, daily prayer, daily scripture reading, fasting and priesthood blessings. The world, our ward is full of delightful examples of people who embrace and demonstrate each of these. People who live with moral courage help inspire me to have more courage, I recommend this Ensign article by Eyring to you.

Additionally, I find Rindy a great example of moral courage; whether that has been dealing with living away from her family, living near mine, raising our family or dealing with our economic, health and social issues. She is a great one to associate with, be influenced and nudged onward by. Great examples are wonderful to live with and have as friends.

Pretty In Pink

Though its not her favorite color
she is our favorite of that color
we love our Mac