That's when it seems like nothing is possible and so we do nothing because, well, nothing is possible. That's the nature of feeling overwhelmed until eventually we just stop. The solution? Do something. When so much needs doing it doesn't really matter where we begin. The important thing is to come unstuck and do something. So that's what I'm doing right now. Something.
In a word, it was fun. It was particularly fun moderating a panel discussion of six fiction authors. The folks who organize the festival treat the authors to a great day with free lunch, table coverage so the authors can spend some time visiting other authors, and snacks and water.If you didn't visit it this year, put it on your calendar for next year. It's a great way to spend part of a Saturday afternoon. Mary Walker Baron (left) moderates a panel of six fiction authors at the Duarte Festival of Aut...
On the Shabbat which falls in the holiday of Sukkot, we read the book of Ecclesiastes during the morning service. The opening words of the book state that these are "The words of Koheleth, son of David, king in Jerusalem", and legend has it that it was written by King Solomon, the epitome of wisdom, at the end of his life, looking back on what he has learned. It was an appropriate reading for our agricultural ancestors, as they reaped the harvest and awaited the coming winter.It's also surprisingly appro...
I must tell my brain that I'm sorry. I realize that my addiction to the television Grey's Anatomy is the brain food equivalent of eating MMs. Fortunately for my body I can resist the candies. Unfortunately for my brain I cannot or I choose to not resist Grey's Anatomy. Having said that I have no idea how I might explain to my brain my excitement felt when I learned that there is a Die Hard 5 movie and a new James Bond movie.To which my brain replied, "Yippie Kay Yo Ayyyy......"Life is complicated.
Kol Nidre sermon written by me and delivered by MWB on September 25 at Congregation Etz Chaim in Ramona CA: 800x600 Normal 0 false false false EN-US X-NONE X-NONE MicrosoftInternetExplorer4 A Hasidic rabbi asked a member of his congregation: “If you are going east and suddenly you want to travel west, how far do you have to go?” The m...
Time on your hands this Saturday? Come on out to Duarte and it's festival of Authors. Steel Cut Press will have a table there and I will moderate a panel on pure fiction. DUARTE, CA, September 10, 2012 – Best-selling crime writer, T. Jefferson Parker, award-winning novelist Susan Straight, and celebrated poet, novelist, performer and activist, Juan Felipe Herrera, will headline the 10th annual Duarte Festival of Authors on Saturday, Oct. 6. The festival will take place from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Westminst...
I delivered this sermon to Congregation Atz Chaim in Ramona, California, on Yom Kippur morning, 10 Tishrei 5773 (26 September 2012) I absolutely, categorically, and without exception reject reality. Well, perhaps there are a few exceptions but for the most part I do, in fact, reject reality most of the time. Here are some exceptions to my reality rejection rule. The earth is round. That appears to be an irrefutable reality that I do not reject. We’ve seen the pictures from satellites and space shuttle...
The sermon which I wrote and which MWB delivered at Congregation Etz Chaim in Ramona CA on Rosh Hashanah: 800x600 Normal 0 false false false EN-US X-NONE X-NONE MicrosoftInternetExplorer4 “Testing” The word “test” causes a visceral reaction in us. Are we prepared? Will we pass or fail? How well will we do? So we can expect to ha...
AT THIS NARROW BRIDGE AGAIN @MaryWalkerBaron 2012 Here we are again at this narrow bridge Ready to begin our annual crossing -- Returned to this moment by ancient migratory Patterns mapped in stone. For a month we’ve wondered What to bring – how best to pack and what to wear -- . Difficult preparations even though We try to make them every year. I always over pack and now at this Pre-crossing liminal moment I wonder – Will I really need a flashlight? If I haven’t yet read that issue of ‘S...
