thelifesimple

Metaphorical Theology

Unfathomable
Universal
Unexplainable

Thoughts of God are only as deep as we are.
Images of God are imprinted on our cultures.
God as king is a metaphor.

Theology is like a stick horse.
Faith is daily brewed by blending fear with hope.
God as judge is a metaphor.

Science finds no end and no beginning.
Crusaders find God and change ritual.
God as light is a metaphor.

If god can be named, god is not God.
Ritual becomes a god.
God the Father is a metaphor. (as is God the Mother)

Knowledge of God is a speck of dust in the universe.
Anger is the universal response to new ideas of God.
God as love is a metaphor.

Unfathomable, except in our arrogance.
Universal, except in our culture.
Unexplainable, except by metaphor.

God is like a path. My favorite one, though like all the others, just a metaphor.

simply,

tim

(with a metaphorical nod to Sallie McFague)

Killer Fungus

So, our poor cat Oliver passed away from a disease called Sporotrichosis or "Rose Growers Disease". It's caused by a fungus that lives in the soil, Sporothrix schenckii. It's pretty rare on the West Coast because it's so dry here, but apparently we have it. It's also transferable from animals to people. I also have contracted Sporotrichosis, but the medication seems to be killing it off. The fungus enters at the site of an injury and gets into your system causing lesions that erupt on the skin. Even though we treated Oliver with medication, it still took him.

I seriously doubt this came from our native soil and there are only a couple soils I introduced to our garden during the time we both contracted the disease. I bought A bunch of Kellogg Garden Soil to amend my garden soil and did a bunch of work on my garden this year which always cases a few scrapes and scratches. One on my right leg turned into Sporotrichosis. The same thing must have happened to Oliver.

I'm posting this just to warn people to wear gloves when working with soil that you buy and also to make sure you clean up any scrapes and treat them with a topical fungicide as a precaution. I'm not saying to not buy Kellogg soil products, but you should be careful or buy soil that is from our area which is less likely to have this fungus present.

For me, I'll not be buying any soil at Home Depot or any Kellogg product in the future just as a precaution. One more reason to buy local learned at a pretty high price.

simply,

Tim

Reminders While Riding

As I was riding to work this morning I was a car with two bumper stickers.  I’ve seen this before and end up repeating them as I finish my ride, but this morning, this time of the year, this season they struck me as profound.  On the left side of the back bumper was this one:

Yep. it's that simple.  The more you can live in peace, with yourself and with others, the better life is.  And I can say for my life, I gratefully live in peace.  

With myself; I'm happy where I'm at and who I am.  It's not a pride thing, but rather contentment.

With others; I'm at peace as far as I can control. There may be ill will out there toward me, but I don't know of it.  Time passes and peace comes.  

I'm pretty sure I'll remain at peace as long as I accept that I don't exist because of me or for my benefit. Also that others don't exist because of me or for my benefit.  Remembering these simple truths will help me stay in a peaceful, anti-center of the universe, state.

(By the way, did you know that the "Peace Symbol" was created as a representation of the semaphore flags for "N" and "D" which represent "Nuclear Disarmament" a movement for which is was designed in the 50's. That whole urban legend of this being a devilish or communist symbol is horse pucky.)

The bumper sticker on the right side of the car was this:

Certainly a great time of year to read this with all the opposite messages bombarding us every day.

These two mental gifts I received this morning from some commuting philosopher were much appreciated. The reminders to me, to peacefully live and to be aware of what is most important to me, will hopefully outlast my morning ride and perhaps me altogether through what I teach the next generation.

simply,

Tim

 

Occupy Thanksgiving

Take a good look around the world and you'll see that we are the 1%. With 1.2 Billion people living on around a dollar a day, very few in this country have reason to complain. 

The map shows the percentage of people per country that live below the poverty line. I don't know about you, but I'm very grateful and feel compelled to do my part to share my wealth and time to help the worldwide 99% and the 1% in this country living at the poverty level. 

Occupy Thanksgiving, every day.

simply,

Tim

Marketing Coordinator at Native Trails in San Luis Obispo, California Area - Job | LinkedIn

Here’s an opportunity to live your passion.

Native Trails, an international manufacturer of handcrafted and sustainably made kitchen and bath products, located in San Luis Obispo, California, is looking for an energetic and eco-conscious person to join our family as our Marketing Coordinator. If you can write best-selling copy and juggle the many details in our marketing world, you may be the one. We’re obsessive about eco-social issues in our neighborhood and around the world and we are looking for someone with the same obsessions that would like to be a part of an established and growing company.

via lnkd.in

Rainforest Alliance Week | Rainforest Alliance

via www.rainforest-alliance.org

Action Against Hunger: Email - Famine Declared In Southern Somalia: Immediate, Lifesaving Intervention Necessary

Dear Supporter,

Life-threatening conditions have reached catastrophic levels in parts of Eastern Africa and the UN has declared famine in parts of Somalia. We need your help to reinforce our ongoing relief efforts, and to also institute programs addressing the famine’s underlying causes and mitigating its long-term impacts.

Please make a donation today.

via support.actionagainsthunger.org

MODERN LIVING by ecofabulous featuring pieceHomes: Green Showhouse at Dwell | ecofabulous

MODERN LIVING by ecofabulous has been the premiere experience at Dwell on Design for the last two years. Last year’s showhouse saw approximately 18,000 visitors at the three-day conference and received media spots in over 30 outlets including NBC LA, E! Entertainment, Treehugger, Apartment Therapy, and Triple Pundit. Additionally, a 5-part web documentary series was published on the project in collaboration with eHow Home spotlighting the innovative companies and products in the house.

Due to overwhelming response, ecofabulous has again been asked to showcase the exhibit in 2011. This year, founder Zem Joaquin has teamed up with leading architect Jonathan Davis of pieceHomes, and sustainable prefab builder, OneBuild, to create a modern dweller’s 550 sq. ft. eco-friendly dream home. This year’s MODERN LIVING Showhouse by ecofabulous, featuring pieceHomes will again be auctioned via eBay Giving Works with proceeds benefitting Global Green USA.

Stay tuned as we continue to update our list of partners and house features, as well as share the latest renderings, construction photos, and more! And in the meantime, take a peek at the video below of last year’s house to get an idea of what’s in store:

via www.ecofabulous.com

SLO Green Build -- Learn - Build - Save Workshop

Austin Energy - A Model For Success
 

Austin Energy began its Green Building Program over 15 years ago and has become one of the most successful programs in the country in reducing energy use for new and existing buildings by focusing on the benefits of green building: better health, greater comfort, lower utility bills, less maintenance, and

lasting value.

Presentation details:

• Thursday, March 25th, 6:00 – 7:30 PM

• Meadow Park - 2333 Meadow Street, San Luis Obispo

(near the big park on South Street)

• Presentation by Richard Morgan, Austin Energy Green Building Program manager

More Info Here

We Are All One - Beautiful video about our future

No better way to begin 2010 than with the message that we are all one.

If you'd like to help this cause, the website is here.

Thanks to my friend @Marcome for showing me this.

Simply,

Tim