laughingwolf_qh33q8 – Page 8 – The Laughing Wolf

Heads On Swivels

Following up on this post, this last week has been horrible in many respects. You not only had Bondi Beach, but what increasingly appears to have been a targeted assassination at Brown (which increasingly it appears the leadership there is all-in on the side of the assassin). Nor is this alone. Are you aware of the machete attack in Pennsylvania? The acid attack in Savannah? There appear to be multiple attacks against Jews in New York. You also have lunatics assaulting those who oppose males in women’s sports (again, seem to think more than one such). Loons having vile meltdowns against ICE, National Guard, etc. Oh, and don’t forget the mom stabbed in a Macy’s bathroom while changing her child.

For my Jewish friends in New York, be extra careful right now. For Jews in England and Australia, I’m going to tell you what I recommended to the Jews in France months ago: get out. It’s not going to get better. For anyone who believes in the ideals of Western Civilization, individual freedom and liberty, get out of the Commonwealth.

Be careful out there my friends, and let’s see a New Year in together.

Getting hit by lightning is not fun! If you would like to help me in my recovery efforts, and to start a truly new life, feel free to hit the fundraiser at A New Life on GiveSendGo, use the options in the Tip Jar in the upper right, or drop me a line to discuss other methods. If you want to know some of what it is going for, read here. There is also the Amazon Wish List in the Bard’s Jar. It is thanks to your gifts and prayers that I am still going. Thank you.

A Fun Seminary Class

I can’t remember if I mentioned this before (and am too lazy to look), but I’m taking an online class called “Cosmic Nativity.” I was tipped to it by my Priest, and while not in the budget am very much enjoying it.

It’s just a fun class, and not from the Seminary where I will be studying online next year. It looks at this time of year, the Nativity, and more through the lens of C.S. Lewis’s A Christmas Sermon For Pagans and Tolkien’s The Father Christmas Letters, with some Chesterton and others thrown in. Nevermind that it is a delight to read, or reread-for-the-first-time (stupid lightning), excellent writings by some of my favorite authors, it also helps put a different focus and perspective on the season.

Among some of the fun discussions are those on the date for Christmas and how the early Church made the choice it did. Hate to bust any bubbles, but it had nothing to do with pagan traditions far north that the Disciples and Apostolic Fathers may never have heard of. A lot of it boils down to debates on when Jesus was conceived within Mary, with the date of birth being either December 25 or January 7 depending on which day (and calendar) you choose.

If you are traditional Orthodox, you pretty well have the spread covered. Most of the world celebrates December 25, while if you follow the old calendar it puts the date on January 7 according to the current calendar. I see it as an opportunity to spend the 25th on some of the secular things and family/friends, while the 7th is the day we celebrate the spiritual. I’m sure there are those who will quibble with that, but it works for myself and a number of others.

I disliked (a lot) having to add Zoom to my computer, but it has been worth it. I’ve got some backgrounds from my Church in place, along with one from Babylon 5 as one of the other participants uses the Bridge of TNG Star Trek as his background (challenge accepted!).

Hope to share more from the course here soon. For all that it is lighthearted in some respects, there is a LOT of good food for thought in the mix. For all that Lewis’s Sermon is short, it is dense with information and thought. Seems to be true for all the things we are reading and discussing. More on this soon I hope.

Into The Light: Rob Reiner

Rob Reiner and his wife Michele passed into the light yesterday, apparently the result of being stabbed to death. Even more tragic, a family member appears to be the prime suspect at this time. I’m being cautious as this is LA, and the current LAPD, we are talking about and getting information from, which warrants a good deal of caution. Especially since the initial press conference wouldn’t even discuss who had been killed or how and was blindsided to find out Mayor Security Threat (not just because of her loose lips) had already blabbed details ahead of their conference.

Politically, we were worlds apart and I didn’t care for his online persona (and it was a persona). His work, however, was quite often genius and he had a special gift for making us laugh at the absurdities in life. From the extremes of A Few Good Men on one hand to The Princess Bride on the other, he handled generes and topics with a masterful touch. For The Princess Bride alone I would have been willing to put up with much more from him as it is one of my favorite movies of all time. He leaves behind an impressive and enjoyable body of work.

I invite you to join me in saying a prayer for God’s Mercy on their souls; for God’s Mercy and Illumination on their killer (son or other); and for God’s Mercy, Illumination, and Comfort to all those they leave behind.

The Fall Of The Commonwealth Continues

Welcome Instapundit Readers! If you get the chance, please check out this post and this post as well, and feel free to hit the tip jar in the upper right.

In response to this post by Physics Geek on X, I made this reply that I will share here as well. It ties into my previous posts about England, and the need to begin quiet planning now to deal with the nuke question and more that are likely headed our way. I will simply note that such planning is very much needed for Australia as it can do a lot of damage in the Far East if it so chooses. Given the leadership and what they are doing, I certainly do hope those contingencies are being quietly and professionally prepared for. You might should add Canada to the list as well.

I must disagree with my friend @physicsgeek: while I don’t think they are bright, they are very much acting in accordance with their politics. Like Starmer in England (and I think Carney in Canada is of the same mold), both are authoritarians of the godless-authority stripe who will miss no chance to help destroy the country they have in order to build the country and political system they desire. Nor do I think it coincidence that Albanese (any relation to the sanctioned UN person???) and Starmer both find themselves as figurehead leaders at this time. Both are doubling down on muslim immigration; both are ignoring the will of the people of the countries they are supposed to be serving; both are pushing draconian speech and content laws; both seek to change the judiciary to do away with historical due process and procedures; and, both seem to be dancing a tune called by a conductor semi-behind the scenes. Albanese sees this as a chance to further disarm the populace (putting it more on par with England), and to advance other totalitarian aims in regards controlling if not subjugating the “normal” citizenry of Australia who — like England and Canada — are well on the way to being second (servant) class paying the tax simply to be allowed to live. Keep in mind that all three leaders seem to see Jews as both a convenient tool for various efforts via antisemitism and as real enemy to their long-term plans (along with any form of traditional Christianity, which is next to be targeted). Unlike England, I think Australia still has peaceful options to change course, but those windows are rapidly closing and Albanese is going to do all he can to nail them shut. He’s going to go all out on removing any threat of non-peaceful resistance — and the move for more gun control and simply a part of that. So, I think he and his party are more opportunistic in this case rather than unthinking. He’s thinking he has a chance to eliminate a long-term threat, and like a certain former leader here, he’s simply not going to let the crisis he helped manufacture go to waste.

Be Careful Out There, Take ???

This post was shared at Instapundit a few days ago, and it made me rethink some decisions I made a couple of weeks ago. The important part of that decision was that I wasn’t planning on making yet another ‘be vigilant’ post here. Frankly, most of you who are regular readers live that already; quite a few of those who come in here from various Instapundit and other links also tend to be in that category; there are a few out there who want to or do live so far in the red it’s scary; and, there are a very small number who are so far on the other extreme that reality can’t even be piped in.

To be honest, I’m not worried about most of you being prepared (you are) and being aware of your surroundings (you live it). What I am worried about are those for whom the regular alerts and notices are a great excuse to clock out.

Let’s face it: one of the things various enemies (esp. terrorists) have done for a long time is ramp up chatter and such before various holidays. The fact is, we do have to pay attention, bring up plans and preparedness, and otherwise raise the alert even when not officially doing so. Each time there is a price, not just money but in individual alertness. The first times you get an alert (drill or things otherwise don’t happen) you are all-in. You are bright-eyed, bushy tailed, and probably (especially if young) pretty much wanting something to happen. By the twentieth time, this is no longer true and you want something to happen just enough to keep you awake.

So, the enemy ups the chatter and runs probes and such (such as what James Woods noticed pre-9/11) and do nothing. Soon, there is almost no response to the chatter or other, and that’s when you do act. You wait until it is dawn and you know the adversary is asleep, then you act.

For all that I am amazed (and delighted to be honest) that more hasn’t happened (yet) is that we have some pretty good ideas of what we face. It’s not just numbers (I still go with about 4 bat.) but we’ve even got some pretty good ideas of what countries and/or organizations are represented. Even if you don’t go with my estimate, consider that in testimony before Congress it’s been discussed that more than 18,000 known terrorists came in under the Biden Regency. That’s what we know, do you think they are all? Pick your number, make your plans.

That said, I do think we may be approaching a Schwerpunkt on more than one level. I do believe that a color revolution is being attempted here, and that the Seditious Six is but one part of it. Pay attention to Data Republican and Mike Benz, as they and their friends have been unmasking a lot. Keep in mind that it is not just here, but there are things coming to a head in Europe as well. It’s not just the EU autocrats facing challenges, but there is significant pushback to a lot of domestic polices pushed by the EU (even in England, which while out of the EU is still all-in on immigration and more).

I will say that I think Europe is mostly lost, and that absent a very unexpected successful revolt by the people of England, France, and Germany, those countries are toast. There is pushback, but I very much fear it is too late. See my previous writings on this for more. I also am seeing a bulwark rising along an Eastern axis via Poland, Hungary, and portions of the Balkans. Again, see previous as I think that offers the best hope of ever bringing Europe back.

When you have a lot of desperate political types, especially of the godless authority type, you also get a lot a lot of gotterdammerung types who are quite willing to take the world down with them. Thankfully they rarely do, but they can and have done a lot of damage on the way out. Which does raise the stakes on people setting off stupid things here.

So, be prepared. Me, I’m helping harden a couple of potential targets here effectively on the QT. A lot of that is not on active defense but on dealing with the aftermath so as to save as many as possible. In terms of active, I may or may not be encouraging multiple layers of defense (and if some have the idea that they are the only or key layer of defense rather than one of several, well, that can be a good thing). When dealing with politics and those who think active defense is bad, it can be a good thing to have the full number and layers underappreciated.

Where I am acting more openly is on disaster response. If I can push good emergency and medical response, all the better. Being sure there are AEDs, trauma materials, and even upgraded “ouch” (standard first aid) kits is a very, very good thing. If a disaster strikes, and it doesn’t matter if natural or unnatural, it is rare to say that you had too many tourniquets, pressure bandages, airways, etc. From my point of view, you can never have enough of those, Quick Clot, etc.

I am worried that a lot of politicians and the general public are now hearing increased chatter and movement as “wolf, wolf!” and responding (not) accordingly. So, I decided to not say anything. I’ve rethought that a bit, and decided on this.

All I’m going to say for now is “Be careful out there” and keep being your good selves. If you are a new or not-regular reader, pay attention to those who are as most of them have seen the elephant. You would be wise to listen to them. Go back and read the comments on preparedness and terrorism posts as they are a trove of good information.

I’m going to wish all a healthy, happy, and wonderful Christmas and New Year (and for those of you Orthodox like me, a Happy New Year and a Merry Christmas!). May it be a bright and blessed time; may we as a civilization continue to walk the knife edge and avoid the stumbling blocks and snares of the enemies of civilization and Faith. Meantime, keep your friends and family close, and your things where you can find them in the dark.

I Survived, Sorta

Well, the annual Old World Christmas Village was a success and I mostly survived it. Had some issues yesterday that I suspect were a result of only eating one real meal a day for several days and then eating some very rich food. Bouncing back, though tired from a week plus of long days helping get ready for the event. Totally worth it. Just sorry I missed meeting one person who came by.

That out of the way, I want to thank everyone who has donated towards my seminary course(s) including covering my deposit! I can’t tell you how much I do appreciate that. I’ve spent part of this morning working on getting set-up via the online system and think I’ve got the important things done. I need to go back and take care of some minor things, but there is no rush on some of those. Almost wish I was an in-person student as they are doing some cooking lessons on campus that sound wonderful.

There is more to come this week. I am behind on posts, but will get caught up — one day. It’s going to be a busy week, as it also appears that I will be switching gyms. Have the chance to join a much nicer facility courtesy of silver sneakers, which will give me a lot more workout options over winter. More on that soon. We also have some extra services this week, so that is also a factor. Even with all that is going on, hope to get some things done here.

More soon, very soon, I hope!

A Date That Lives

On a sleepy Sunday morning more than 80 years ago (84 I believe), the sounds and sensations of paradise were shattered by those of guns, bombs, and war. The events not only shattered the old world order, but the lives of all Americans. The resulting war took the life of my uncle Foster; was responsible for the later death of my uncle James as the growth that got into his lungs as he floated around the Pacific after having a ship shot out from under him was responsible for his later death; and, altered the lives of my other uncles and my Dad.

FDR decreed it a date that would live in infamy. For a while, that was true. We were vigilant and determined not to sleep again at the dawn. Now, it is dawn again, and again at the dawn I fear we sleep. Just as last time, there are far too many who desire us to be asleep and remain asleep. Well before that dawn some sounded the alarm: among others, look up the name Richardson and what happened to him. Then look to not just current events, but the last four or so years.

Nor is it a single- or double-axis threat. Following the money can be easy in many cases; but, trying to follow the ideologies is much harder. And, yes, there is more than one paymaster and more than one ideology at work today. We face not two major enemies, but several; and, of them all the ideologies are the hardest for most to recognize as they wear masks that appeal to specific groups and demographics. Yet, many mask the same godless authority that even uses religious groups for its ends.

Nor was the enemy truly already within the gates then. Despite the racism and land-grab of FDR, there was no real internal threat (or at least not with the Japanese, arguments can be made in other cases). Today, well, if you’ve been reading me a while I think you can figure out my concerns. Or already share them.

The best we can do is pray, prepare, and continue to push for policy and military reforms. Meantime, Sal has a good thread up at X and there is a lot of other good food for thought going up at different places. As for me, I have done what I can and will spend at least some time today thinking about visiting the Arizona, the Punchbowl, and other places associated with that Day. I will most likely say a prayer for those involved. Take some time today and think and pray. I believe both are very much needed.

Seminary Studies

Well, I think I alluded to it here, but it is now official: I’ve been accepted as a non-degree student (HCHC Open Learning program) at Hellenic College Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology. What this means is that I am going to be taking some online courses from them in the next year plus. During that time, based on discernment and growth, I have the option to apply for degree or certificate programs.

This is a very different path for me, and it is one that has several possible destinations. For me, simply walking the path is a start towards something I feel drawn towards. Ever since I got up after the lightning strike, I’ve felt drawn towards a new path. I’m simply happy to be walking it, and am very happy to leave the destination to the Lord. I know that I will be guided towards that which is right, be it some form of monastic life, academic or administrative work, the Deaconate, or Clergy. I am content to let the destination be revealed in due time.

If anyone cares to hit the tip jar, it would be very much appreciated. Right now, there is not a lot of financial aid available, and I need to start paying fees and such ASAP as I have a $200 payment that has to be made now. My goal is to take at least one course starting in January, preferably two, and each course is $1,500.00. Any and all help is appreciated, especially as I still need (more than ever) to do my pilgrimage next year for spiritual growth and discernment. See the link above for more details.

I’m still going to be here, still offering pithy takes on things of interest, noting the struggle against the godless authority, and more. That said, I also plan to share some of what I learn in the process of walking this new path.

So, please do feel free to hit the tip jar above (upper right corner). Also, please do feel free to offer prayers for me. I need them.

Thank you all, particularly my regular readers. It has been an interesting time these last few years, and it does give an additional twist to my starting a new life. Not at all what I expected when I first thought a new life would be moving out West. The journey now continues but towards a truly new life. I hope you will continue to check in and share a bit of that journey in the days ahead.

A Happy And Blessed Thanksgiving!

As with most years, there is so much for which to be thankful this year. With so much negative, and even evil, tidings going around it is far too easy to get sucked into a negative mindset and viewpoint. I’m sure the evil one delights in it; but, life is much better for us with a positive focus. Rather than looking at the world, take a moment to look at the small picture that is yourself.

For me, I would start with my health. On top of long-term chronic conditions, getting hit by lightning four-plus years ago wasn’t exactly helpful in a number of respects. Heck, between what hit directly and what came in through inductance, I effectively lit up like the element on an electric stove. Seems like it was just a couple of years ago we were looking at yet more heart surgery.

Instead, after my baptism, the damage done to my heart healed completely. Doesn’t mean I can’t and won’t have future heart problems, just that the damage done by the lightning has healed. Along the way, we may have fixed some other issues that might have been building. Tests this year show things continuing to tick along nicely (all puns intended) and that I’m good to getting back to good workouts at the gym. Need to get my lazy rump back to such…

This year, my mobility has improved rather dramatically. I got around, but my right shoe shows a lot of damage from not being lifted and placed correctly; and, I found it easy to get down but not so easy to get back up. The “new” neurologist worked with me to get the physical therapy I should have had about four years ago (right after I was hit), and despite some payment issues (always appeal claim denials!), the physical therapy got me to the point I can now run with it on my own (figuratively speaking).

On top of that, I was introduced to a wonderful massage therapist by a friend at Church. Before taking me on, she researched lightning strikes and massage/therapy related to same. One of the more interesting things she found is that the fascia (which surrounds muscles, blood vessels, etc.) can and does harden from the shock. While it has not been pleasant, she has broken a lot of that up by her work. Net result is that on top of the physical therapy, I’m moving my legs and feet in ways I’ve not been able to for four years. All of which is helping me start getting back into the shape I want to be in.

There are some digestive issues that have popped up since the lightning strike. Not surprising in many respects, but we’ve been able to dial in some simple changes to my diet and routine that limit the impact. We are working to take my diet a bit more towards Mediterranean now, but this year has seen a good bit of improvement. While the accidental verification this year that I am one of the growing number of people who have problems with garbanzo beans (like trip to the hospital level problems) was not fun, it is good to know and has helped cut down some problems.

While I technically went on disability last December, a lot of things didn’t really kick in until this spring. It is nice to have a steady income and resources, for all that it is not lucrative. It gets me by and with help from you and from friends, I not only get by but also can pursue a few opportunities for growth.

One such is the religious pilgrimage I will be taking next year. This is a trip for spiritual growth and discernment that will take me from our “home” church to Mount Athos in Greece, allowing me to learn more about my faith, experience different and important traditions, and grow both spiritually and as a person. It will build on some of the things I do at my Church, such as being a Chanter and helping with preparations for services.

Another such is the recent opportunity to apply for online learning at a seminary. While that is an ongoing process, if it is approved, I will have the chance to take a course (or courses depending on financial assistance) to verify that I am up to that level of work and learning (the tests say yes, I seek practical validation via real-life data). This not only will apply to those courses, but to any potential formal study at a seminary.

I’ve also been blessed with the gift of a car. It may not be much to look at, but it runs, seems to be mechanically solid, and it has already been a blessing. It lets me get to and from Church much more easily and despite weather; it has let me run errands related to the Church and activities there; and, it has made grocery shopping much, much easier. Even with insurance, fuel, and such, right now it is saving me money as I am not using Lyft to do these things. I’m grateful for Lyft and what it let me do this last year, but I’m also quite grateful not to be dependent upon it.

I also enjoy and appreciate the blessing that is you, my readers. Some of you have been reading me for years, either here or at Blackfive. Some of you are newer. All of you are appreciated, and your comments, suggestions, and critiques help make this blog, and make it a home for rational discourse and discussion. I can’t tell you how much I appreciate that.

On top of that, regular and other readers have hit the tip jar (upper right for those new here) and made gifts, given gifts through the Amazon Wish List, etc. Those, along with the prayers offered, are very much appreciated as well.

There is more, much more, for which I am thankful this year. However, this gives both me, and you my wonderful readers, a place to start for further Thanksgiving. Don’t just take a moment, take time throughout the day to give thanks for the wonder and bounty within it (even for annoying friends and relatives) for it all makes our lives richer and fuller.

For me, I will close with thanks that I am alive and capable of starting to walk a very new path. I know not where it leads, but I am content with that as the preliminary destination is not up to me. That is up to another, and I am thankful to have this opportunity.

Thank you all for making this last year a wonderful and blessed time. We don’t always appreciate it as it is happening, and it can be hard to see at times; but, it all happens for the good.

May your day be Blessed and full of thanks at the bounty in our lives. Remember that while we enjoy the bounty of food and plenty, that the true bounty are the people in our lives and the Grace that surrounds us. May your day be bright and warm with both.

Happy Pre-Turkey Day!

Sorry for the silence, but life has kept me busy. On the plus side, got Mrs. Broughton’s Asparagus Supreme made and ready to go into the oven today. Each year it is a bit different, depending on what cheeses I can find and how much I tweak it. Today was interesting as I couldn’t find my casserole dish from last year, so had to get a new one and wasn’t sure how much it would hold.

Doubled the recipe but ended up only doing two layers of asparagus, white sauce, egg, and almonds. The white sauce was a bit dark as I put in some smoked sweet paprika with the flour, and I found a hickory smoked sharp white cheese that was amazing but added some color. In addition, had some hard goat cheese, extra sharp white cheese, English coastal cheddar, and real Gruyère. Nice mix that tasted amazing. Will bake it tomorrow just before heading out to the dinner to which I’ve been invited.

The last few days have been interesting. I’ve had some minor medical issues that appear to be mostly sinus. That said, lots of fun waking up because you feel like you can’t breathe. Also fun having the first nose bleed I’ve had in decades, had to put a plug up one side to deal with it.

All of this led to my discovering that the 4+-year-old inexpensive chain-grocery BP machine I had appears to have zorched. No way to recalibrate, cheaper and easier to buy new. Even the newer pulse-ox finger monitor was doing funny. Neither were true medical devices (most inexpensive pulse-ox monitors are not medical but rated sports/aviation as they are not accurate enough to be medical devices, same holds true for a lot of inexpensive home BP monitors). So, after doing some research, got a new medical-grade BP monitor and ordered a new medical-grade pulse-ox.

Really wishing I had gotten the BP monitor a long time ago. When I bought my first BP and pulse-ox, it was a bit of a rush and no real time to research. They got me by and I’m frankly amazed the BP machine has lasted this long. The new machine is nearly fool-proof to use (and, yes, being a fool I need that), far more comfortable, easier to use, and far more accurate. It even can detect if I am starting to go back into afib (I’m not). The new pulse-ox is supposed to be better and even give me perfusion readings. Won’t be here for a day or three, but looking forward to it.

I’m also using a nasal spray that was highly recommended to help deal with the bleeding and the congestion. Two versions: one for everyday use and one for “rescue” use if bad things are already underway. Have used both and things are better. More on the sprays later if there is interest. I’ve had to get a humidifier as well, should be here Friday. Not in the budget or what I wanted to spend money on, but all are worth it in the long-run.

On top of that, I’ve been busy in another area. Short version is that, with the blessing of my Priest, I applied to take some online courses from a seminary. After some e-mail exchanges last week, I had a telecon this last Monday with the very nice lady who is the admissions counselor for the online courses. Not long thereafter, I submitted my application to take two courses this spring semester as part of a non-degree program. Acceptance is not guaranteed, but this is a good first step. Also, were I to end up attending this seminary later, these courses should count towards any degrees or certificates being pursued as I understand it.

Because I am a non-traditional student in a non-degree program (for now), conventional financial aid does not apply. That said, they are aware that I am on disability and will be looking for any options that might apply to me. If there are none, I will only take one course as that would be the limit of what I can finance for now. Really hope something can be found as would love to take both. One is on the Liturgy and Liturgics, and the other is on the Book of Matthew. If I am accepted, can take one or both courses, etc., etc., etc., next fall semester I would be looking at taking some courses I need to take as prerequisites for yet more courses that I would need to take.

I’ve also been playing chauffeur to a 40- or 50-year-old meat slicer (that feels like it weighs 50+ lbs) that came to the Church from Brother Juniper’s. Been a while since it was last serviced, so got it in to service so it is ready for use as needed. The service guy was amazed at how good in shape it is given that it is from the late 80s. Some work was needed, but nothing bad and I am warning everyone the blade is now razor sharp. Frankly, if we keep it serviced and clean, wouldn’t be surprised if we got another 40 years out of it. I’m not sure even Hobart builds them like that anymore. It’s not a Hobart, but a rival, and nice to know what it is and a bit more about it. Even know how to sharpen it at need now.

More soon.