I am Returning to Blogging

For the past nine years I have been a blogger. Since my movement has been restricted by my need for oxygen and my bum leg, most of my time is spent sitting or sleeping. For quite a while, most of that sitting was done in front of my computer writing blog posts; I suppose one could have said that blogging had become my media of ministry. However, with FaceBook and Twitter I have found that I have been doing much less blogging. And, I believe, that I have spread my thoughts and ministry much too thin. 

A couple of days ago I was attacked on FaceBook by a right-wing troll ("a person who sows discord on the Internet by starting arguments or upsetting people," ~ Wikipedia), flaming ("Flaming usually occurs in the social context,,, frequently the result of the discussion of heated real-world issues such as politics, religion, and philosophy... Deliberate flaming, as opposed to flaming as a result of emotional discussions, is carried out by individuals known as flamers, who are specifically motivated to incite flaming. These users specialize in flaming and target specific aspects of a controversial conversation. Some websites even cater to flamers and trolls, by allowing them a free environment, such as Flame-Wars forum." ~ Wikipedia) me over and over to the point that I finally had to block him.

I admit that the experience seriously troubled me—I have not encountered such a sadistic troll since my first years on the internet. His attacks revolved around personal incidents I was relating, stories about my life, pain, suffering, love, compassion, peace, justice, etc.—as I have been doing in my sermons for thirty years and blogs for nine years— so I have begun to mull over whether or not FaceBook is the place to publically share my personal stories, even my ministry.

I have decided that FaceBook is not the place to share my personal stories, my ministry, primarily because my FaceBook posts are viewed by people who do not know me, my stories, or ministries. Folks who read my blogs (at the moment about 500 a day) come to them intentionally because they want to read what I’m sharing. Those who stumble onto Nick’s Bytes don’t have to stay or return. This is the difference between FaceBooking and Blogging. 

Therefore, I am returning to full-time blogging and shall be spending much less time on FaceBook and Twitter. I will not promise a new blog post every day; my goal is a minimum of four a week. I hope you'll be back to see what I'm doing and spread the word that Nick's Bytes is again an active blog not limited to jokes and humor (although Too Bad It's Monday Humor with KATZ and Friday Funnies will both continue).

Shalom, my friends!

While I Was Offline: 400,000th Visitor to Nick's Bytes

While I was forced offline by Ma Bell, the 400,000th visitor came to Nick's Bytes. As of today, my blog has had 401,053 visitors from 191 nations.

Thanks to all of my readers!

BTW, Alex made a new blog post today, the first in a very long time:

Alex's blog: Alexicon

Christmas Eve Mishmash

Christmas Memories

When I was a kid, Christmas was like Chanukah: 8 days (almost) of presents. My mother had seven siblings, so we had Christmas celebrations at least at three homes:

• Aunt Alma (Mom's sister) & Uncle Frank
• Aunt Lill (Mom's sister) & Uncle Otto
• Mom's family's traditional Christmas Eve gathering.

Then, after Christmas at one of Mom's sibling's homes on Christmas Eve, we'd return to my family's home and celebrate Christmas there on Christmas Day.

Later on Christmas Day, we'd go to one of my father's two siblings home to celebrate Christmas again.

Of course, there were times when the extended family celebration took place at my house, which was OK but as a kid it didn't seem as much fun to me.

Let's see: that's 5 Christmas celebrations and five meals and five sets of presents to open. Maybe not as many gift openings as Chanukah, but many more than most kids had. My childhood Christmases were blessed by family and love and joy.

Speaking of Chanukah

I realize that, except for the mention in Monday's Jokes post, I've not posted anything about Chanukah this year. So:

 BTW, I gave my caregiver a grocery shopping list today and had her do shopping. On the list was Christmas cookies, just in case I have some visitors at my home. When she returned she told me that the grocery had no Christmas cookies but she purchased these that "look like Christmas cookies." These are fine--excellent--so far as I'm concerned, Chanukah cookies taste as good as Christmas cookies:

NEW BLOG POSTS

Alexicon: Alex shares his excitement about his Kwistmaz Sockin:

Nick's Pics: Christmas photos from Christmasses Past:

Graphic Commentaries

Graphics that say more than words:

I Did It!

I've been threatening to begin an all-graphics blog for a couple of years. Well, it is up! May I introduce Nick's Pics!

I was able to create the blog primarily because my mobility has been hampered due to the swelling of my left leg. It seems to be getting better since I've spent the last 16 hours with my leg elevated as well as following my doc's instrustions to increase the dosage of the medication I have for congestive heart failure.

I have also made some changes in Alex's blog, Alexicon, and I have plans for rejuvinating Nick's Bytes.

I am glad that my creative muse awakened just when my mobility became hampered. However, I am not happy that it took all of the leg pain to awken my mischievous muse.

Messing Around With Graphics

Last night, while awaiting my 4-pawed feline buddy to decide to come home from catting around outside, I played with a couple of graphics programs in an attempt to create a new header for Nick's Bytes. The result is now the header above.

This morning I played with Corel Paint, the program that created the pic of me in the header. (The final version with the title I created with Print Master). I have never really messed around with Paint, so I did some experimenting. The results are below.

Soooooo, give me your opinion: which do you like or dislike. Should I create a header using any of these to replace the graphic? Should I scrap the new header and start over?

OK, art critics, do your thing!

Modern Oil on Canvas

Acrylic

Impressionist Oil

In the style of Seurat

Water Color on Paper

Classical Oil on Canvus

Blogblast for Peace 2009

The other night I had a deram that was filled with one song. I think that I was singing it with Pete Seeger's voice. I did nor know what the song in the dream was telling me, until I felt inspired to use it in this 2009 Blogblast ofr Peace post:

Turn, Turn, Turn

Words-adapted from The Bible, the book of Ecclesiastes 3:1-8
Music-Pete Seeger

To Everything (Turn, Turn, Turn)
There is a season (Turn, Turn, Turn)
And a time to every purpose, under Heaven

A time to be born, a time to die
A time to plant, a time to reap
A time to kill, a time to heal
A time to laugh, a time to weep

To Everything (Turn, Turn, Turn)
There is a season (Turn, Turn, Turn)
And a time to every purpose, under Heaven

A time to build up, a time to break down
A time to dance, a time to mourn
A time to cast away stones, a time to gather stones together

To Everything (Turn, Turn, Turn)
There is a season (Turn, Turn, Turn)
And a time to every purpose, under Heaven

A time of love, a time of hate
A time of war, a time of peace
A time you may embrace, a time to refrain from embracing

To Everything (Turn, Turn, Turn)
There is a season (Turn, Turn, Turn)
And a time to every purpose, under Heaven

A time to gain, a time to lose
A time to rend, a time to sew
A time for love, a time for hate
A time for peace, I swear it's not too late

Less than 24 hours until Blogbast for Peace

Are ya ready for some Peace bloggin'?
Tomorrow's the day!

More Mishmash

Play is the work of children. It's very serious stuff. ~ Bob Keeshan

ALEX

Alex again has allergic dermatitis, this time the hair on his tail and kitty cat butt have fallen out. No, I did not take any pictures of his tail and butt to share: that would be an embarassment for Alex.

We went to the vet yesterday (Friday). She diagnosed the hair loss as allergic dermatitis. Alex was not happy about the trip or the two shots he received. Dr. Caryl said that if Alex has not improved in a week, to bring him back. I pray the little fellow heals fast.



Alex has found a new nesting/napping spot: the bottom shelf of our kitchen cupboard. The first time I discovered that he was there, my caregiver had shut (and locked ) the door. I look all over the house for the furball! Then I opened the cupboard doors and there he was--napping. He wasn't the least concerned about being locked in. (Of course, when he decided he wanted a meal, that would have changed.

I wondered why my feline friend selected that new spot. Then I realized that the cupboard is dark, quiet, and warm (it's right next to the furnace floor register). It seems that Alex has a knack for finding the warmest places in this house.


BLOGS

I have been considering adding another blog to my publishing portfolio, a blog composed of old and new photos plus graphics that I have created through the years.





What do you think of the idea?


I also am thinking about deleting Nick's Splendid Blog Roll, the blog that I set up just to list my favorite blogs when I couldn't get Nick's Bytes' Excellent Blogs list to function. I've not posted to it in more than two years.


As much as I dislike doing it, I believe that it is time to remove the 23 blogs on my list of Excellent Blogs on Nick's Bytes sidebar that have not published in a year or so. To do so is like saying good-bye to very good friends.


FRIENDSHIP
This is a fabulous video on friendship:

Blog Action Day 2009: Climate Change

Blog Action Day is an annual event that unites the world's bloggers in posting about the same issue on the same day. Our aim is to raise awareness and trigger a global discussion.

From the smallest online journals to huge online magazines, Blog Action Day is about mass participation. Anyone is free to join in on Blog Action Day and there is no limit on the number of posts, the type of posts or the direction of thoughts and opinions.

Today Nick's Bytes is participating in Blog Action Day because I regard climate change as one of the greatest threats to planet earth, second only to nuclear war.

This December world leaders will gather in Copenhagen to negotiate a global response to climate change. As a world leader in greenhouse gas pollution as well as clean energy technology, the United States needs to take bold and urgent action by implementing comprehensive clean energy policies to curb emissions.

Nobel Peace Prize Winner and President Barack Obama has said that climate change is an urgent threat, and now is the time for him to lead the United States in confronting climate crisis.

This is a chance for people around the world and in the United States to join together in telling President Obama that we want him to lead the United States in taking bold and significant action to reduce greenhouse gasses.

Earth Portal: Year of Science

Blog Action Day 2009: Climate Change Partners

RESOURCES FOR ACTION:

• Sign the Tck Tck Tck campaign's "I am ready" pledge supporting an ambitious, fair and binding climate agreement in Copenhagen this fall: tcktcktck.org/people/i-am-ready
• Register for the 350.org International Day of Climate Action October 24: www.350.org
• Join the UK Government's "Act on Copenhagen" effort to promote a global deal on climate change: www.actoncopenhagen.decc.gov.uk/en
• Learn and act with The Nature Conservancy's Planet Change site:change.nature.org
• Watch and help promote Current TV's green-themed video journalism at:current.com/green
• Support strong climate legislation in the US by making calls to your Senators with 1Sky: tools.advomatic.com/13/calls
• Put yourself on the Vote Earth map and upload your photos, pictures and weblinks to show the world future you want to see: www.earthhour.org/home
• Join the Greenpeace cool IT challenge campaign to turn IT industry leaders into climate advocates and solution providers: www.greenpeace.org/international/campaigns/climate-change/cool-it-challenge
• Add your personal story and tell the world what you will miss the most when you lose it to climate change with the United Nations Foundation Climate Board: www.unfoundation.org/global-issues/climate-and-energy/its-getting-personal
• Find the latest and most popular climate change actions online at globalwarming.change.org
• Join the Causecast community and find new ways to get involved with organizations working to end climate change. Watch videos, read news and support one of the many environmental nonprofits on Causcast.www.causecast.org/environment

On Being an Activist

You can kill a man but you can't kill an idea. ~ Medgar Evers

I have been a social and political activist since I was 17 years old. My activism began on the evening of June 12, 1963, while I was at a church camp at Lincoln State Park in Indiana. I can be specific about the date because it was the day that civil rights activist Medgar Evers was assassinated.

That evening we built a large bonfire around which all of the campers and staff sat in a circle. A couple of the staff had gone to a local town to buy marshmellows for toasting. While they were away from the camp (which had no radios or TVs), they learned of the murder of Mr. Evers, who was shot down in the driveway of his home in Mississippi. They announced the news to all of us who were sitting around the camp fire.

I did not know anything about Medgar Evers. All I knew of the Civil Rights movement came from watching TV and reading newspapers. At the church camp, however, several of the staff had been directly involved in the Civil Rights movement. They were all seminary students. Two of the staff knew, and had worked with, Medgar Evers.They shared their memories of him along with stories of their involvement in the Civil Rights movement. Other seminary students also shared the stories of their work for civil rights. I soon found that I had tears in my eyes and a commitment in my heart.

I became a social activist that night as we all held hands around that fire and sang Go Down Moses and We Shall Overcome.

Through the years I have marched with other activists, spoken words of justice and peace, organized and chaired organizations, written letters and articles, and made telephone calls. Today my health prevents me from doing much that I did in the past. However, I can still write letters and articles and make phone calls to Congress. And, I can blog.

In the next two months there are two opportunities for activist bloggers to join together regarding (1) climate change and (2) world peace. I invite you to follow the links below and join me in taking action.

October 15, 2009
Blog Action Day 2009: Registration & Information

November 5, 2009
The Peace Globe Gallery

My 2009 Peace Globe

I am...

(you may click on any graphic for a much larger view)

amazed how easily one can forget.



amazed how cat-like I have become regarding naps.


amazed that I did not realize this years ago:


amazed that people from so many countries have visited Nick's Bytes.


not amazed by day of the week that brings the most visitors to Nick's Bytes.


amazed by how much I love the city of Louisville


amazed how much I allow this ball of fur to control my actions.


amazed how addicted I have become to this game!


not amazed (YAWN) at this: