50 States of Pray

I'm one of four Californians participating in Mark Koopmans' bloghop, 50 States of Pray. If you don't already know this, Mr. Koopmans is a warm and friendly resident of Hawaii. So I call him "Mr. Roarke." (Fantasy Island reference.) Mr. Roarke's bloghop offers a beautiful way to mark Xmas Eve in blogland, and I'm lending my Jewish voice.

Judaism emphasizes a concept called "Tikkun Olam" (pronounced tea-koon oh-lomm). This means a healed world. We not only pray for this, but each of us is obligated do our part to bring about peace on earth. 

Love and blessings for a very Merry Xmas (as relevant) and holiday season.
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Together: A Prayer for the World
 
Blessings for healing
Of body and mind
Freedom from hurdles 
That stall and confine

The urge to laugh
A surge of will
To savor breath 
in moments still

May bursts of hope
Feed hardened souls
And broken bits
Grow into wholes

Violence quelled by rising care
A shift towards what's just and fair

May dreams be held and given birth
That none shall doubt their precious worth.

May love pervade
All life, renew
Wounds be sealed
and scars be few.

The world so huge
My role so small


Together, may we do it all.

Seasonal Hypocrisy

I'm not feeling particularly cheery this holiday season. I'm not depressed either, just in a somber, existential kinda place. Thus, the deep darkness to follow. Sorry if you dropped by for cheer. I'll bring it back real soon.
moon over Chico, 12.13

'Tis the season
Gone all reason.

Hastened waste through untamed giving
Homeless thrown in jail for living.

Chestnuts roasting
Champagne toasting
Filthy rich, effusive coasting.
 

Selfishness seems never-ending.
Blindness of a world pretending.

Silent night, Holy night.
All is calm. All is bright.

Kids brutalized.
Tuned-out their cries.

Jingle bell time and
Jingle bell rhyme.

Cancer strikes
With shameless might.
 

A beautiful sight
So happy tonight.  

Rape the poor.
Scold the old.
Contagious hatred.
Violence bold.

Betwixt the refuge
Love is glistening.

Sleigh bells ring,
but
Are you listening?

Reasons for Celibacy #277-285 and MARRY CHRISTMAS!

It's been a long dry spell, lasting through most of 2013. I've expelled more reasons for this below. As always, the ads (in bold) are lifted from men's actual attempts to attract women on-line.

Enjoy, and keep a smile.
We're almost through the holiday madness. Right?

REASON #277:
Well well well what have we here?

Another question it's That I feared
I have no hobbies. What are goals?
I raked all my woman over the coals
It wasn't something that I'd planned
They had it coming you ladies understand?
Messing around don't get mad

Well, aren’t you funny?

Quite the card.

I bet your man-card’s big and hard.

Don’t mind my rhyme; it’s on-the-spot.

And big, hard man-cards make me hot.

Don’t take it out, though

You can’t come in.

Your card’s expired.

My patience thin.

I’m going now, but don’t feel bad.

I prefer men who can rhyme with “mad.”

REASON #278:

Marry Christmas! 

Dude, I don’t like it that much.. I’m Jewish. I don’t even eat ham.

 REASON #279:

Ok I'm here now, what're yout next 2 wishes?  
 1) A nice luscious piece of chocolate cheesecake for me.

        2) Hooked on Phonics for you.

     

      REASON #280:

      Time is non-existent

      In that case, I have loads of time for you, Einstein.

REASON #281:

LIVE LIFE LIKE IT WAS YOUR LAST 

Do you know something that I don’t?

REASON #282:

Looking for a european super model:) 

Have you checked out the Lamborghini dealer on the north side of town?

REASON #283:

Things that go clunk in the night.

Hint, honey: That might be the reason your women never spend the night.

Oh, the irony in these two, REASONS #284-285:

Headline: Live in the now    

Bio: I'll do this later...

Headline: Not ready to commit to an essay at this time

Looking for: Actively seeking a relationship