Thoughts on the world of open source
From the Corner of the Oval by Beck Dorey-Stein
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
I loved the book. Beck Dorey-Stein is a great writer and I look forward to more of her work. This is a very interesting book and story of the Obama administration from an unlikely perspective.
It’s been five years since I left public education and in that time I’ve realized how much I like my life as a part time writer in an open source community. I had been looking for a research job in my final years in public education. When it all ended I thought I’d never get a chance to do that. Now, however I get ample chances to research and write. I’m learning how to be a better writer and I’m surrounded by amazing people.
Besides writing I’ve been volunteering a lot in public libraries. Locally at Blount Library and regionally with the Chautauqua-Cattaraugus Library System. I grew up next to a public library and in those pre-Internet days spent my free time there reading books and learning. Now, over fifty years later I have returned to those roots.
In addition to writing and volunteering at the library I still get chances to teach. Next month I’m going to be teaching adult students how to setup and use Raspberry Pi computers. I haven’t finished planning what I’m going to teach yet but I’m excited nonetheless for the opportunity.
I’m trying to decide if I’m going to upgrade to Apple’s latest version of MacOS. Everything that I normally use is working probably most of the applications I use will work. One of my favorite applications is GnuCash. It’s been a great replacement to Quicken. Does anyone out there in the blogosphere have any experience with upgrading to Mojave? Comments are welcome.
Educated: A Memoir by Tara Westover
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
A very engaging read from the beginning. It’s a great story of the power of education to transform the life of young woman who grew up in a fundamentalist family that disdained education and saw treachery and evil in government, medicine and much of what our society takes for granted.
The Promise of Paradox: A Celebration of Contradictions in the Christian Life by Parker J. Palmer
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
This is a great read and a must read if you’re a person who is not content with simplistic understandings of holiness. Parker Palmer is a master at unmasking truth. I loved this book from the outset. Like all of his books this one will have you questioning and reflecting on what you have experienced and what you believe about yourself and others.
Roll Me Up and Smoke Me When I Die: Musings from the Road by Willie Nelson
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
I learned a lot about Willie Nelson that I never knew. I gained a lot of respect for him and for his work. He is now my favorite country artist. We need more Willie Nelson’s in this world.
Fear: Trump in the White House by Bob Woodward
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
A very well written book. This is the 4th book I’ve read about the Trump administration. I think Bob Woodward has done a great service in writing the book. It’s well researched and I recommend it to anyone who wants to get a look at the dysfunction at the top.
I spent the last several days here at St. Francis University in Loretto, PA with nearly forty Secular Franciscan sisters and brothers. We learned a great deal about multiculturalism and diversity. It was a great conference in a wonderful setting. What does it mean to do penance in today’s world? What are worthy fruits of penance? Is penance merely a word or a pious act? I believe that penance is a call to conversion. It’s not turning a blind eye to injustice. Worthy fruits of penance are helping immigrant families, helping the poor and marginalized, reaching out to the LGBTQ community and making them welcome. Being Franciscan in the twenty-first century means caring for all creation both animate and inanimate. It’s making sure that all are welcome in this place. It’s more than saying peace and wishing for peace, it’s about living peace.
This is a great book. I loved it from beginning to end. Jean Vanier possesses great insights on living, acceptance and forgiveness. Because of this book I not only see myself differently but I also see other differently especially those who are disabled in any way.
I came across this wonderful story and video of a dear friend who told me 4 years ago following the Easter Vigil at Mt. Irenaeus that he would be leaving. Fr. Bob left the Mountain in May of 2013 and died in December of that same year. I always enjoyed my talks with Fr. Bob. He was an inspiration to me and to many others.
Source: Fr. Robert Struzynski, OFM
