bosalisbury.com Posts

Published August 13, 2014 by

I Got Religion: I’m a Baha’i!

GreatestName-Chicago“You’ll be happy to know I got religion: I’m a Baha’i!” My guitar teacher’s enthusiastic annunciation, during another failed attempt to learn that instrument in the mid-80s, launched me on a quest that would change or affect me in ways that I could never imagine. But, more about that later. Under the Interests drop down menu, you will find what represents the fruit of my intense six-year research and immersion into the Baha’i community 30 years ago.

Over time, I hope to reenter the world of Baha’i and will be posting anecdotes and updates to the blog, as well as other pages.… Read the rest

Baha'i

Baha'i

Published August 8, 2014 by

I Just Can’t Seem To Get Out Of Debt

For the sake of each of us he laid down his life – worth no less than the universe. He demands of us in return our lives for the sake of each other.

Clement of Alexandria

What follows is our text from men’s Bible study today, from the pen of Paul (keep in mind that the debt and obligation in these verses come from the same word group – in all cases, something is owed by one to another):

Owe no one anything, except to love each other, for the one who loves another has fulfilled the law. For the commandments, “You shall not commit adultery, You shall not murder, You shall not steal, You shall not covet,” and any other commandment, are summed up in this word: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.”

… Read the rest

Christianity • Religion Gospel-Centered Quotes

cross debt Gospel Jesus Christ love

Published August 7, 2014 by

Being Human

The Lordship of Christ over the whole of life means that there are no Platonic areas in Christianity, no dichotomy or hierarchy between the body and the soul. God made the body as well as the soul, and redemption is for the whole man.

Francis Schaeffer
I tend to do things backwards. I suppose that’s part of the process in being redeemed. I finally poured the content into the pages that define what this site is about. You can read them here at Passion, which is singular, and over here, at Interests. I have one Passion, but many Interests and this site will explore the interplay between them in the life of a human being, who is being redeemed: me.
… Read the rest

Quotes

Christianity • Religion creation human image of God

Published August 6, 2014 by

A Little More Writer Stifling, Please

In an earlier post, I mentioned Flannery O’Connor and I have to admit I haven’t read nearly enough of her work! What she has to say here stings just a little bit:

Everywhere I go, I’m asked if I think the universities stifle writers. My opinion is that they don’t stifle enough of them. There’s many a best seller that could have been prevented by a good teacher.

Flannery O’Connor
I say a little bit, because I make no pretense of being a writer or best selling author. But, I am putting myself out there and here’s what you can expect to see beyond the quotes.
… Read the rest

Quotes

Baha'i books Flannery O'Connor Richard Baxter

Published August 5, 2014 by

Sentimental Jesus

The death of the Lord Jesus Christ on the Cross on Calvary was not an accident; it was God’s work. It was God who ‘set him forth’ there. How often is the whole glory of the Cross missed when men sentimentalize it away and say, ‘Ah, He was too good for the world, He was too pure. His teaching was too wonderful; and cruel men crucified Him’! The result is that we begin to feel sorry for Him, forgetting that He Himself turned on those ‘daughters of Jerusalem’ that were beginning to feel sorry for Him, and said, ‘Weep not for me but weep for yourselves’.

… Read the rest

Quotes

cross Jesus

Published August 4, 2014 by

Quotes: Lots of Quotes

Have you ever wondered why people who always seem to be involved in conflicts or controversy are the first to cry foul? Richard Baxter made this observation of human nature over 300 years ago and it’s as timely now, as it was during those factious days of the English Civil War:

He that will blow the Coals must not wonder if some Sparks do fly in his face…

Richard Baxter

I have hundreds and hundreds of pithy quotes (and, some longer), which I have collected over the years. I brought them together as a collection in a Hypercard stack, back in the early ’90s.… Read the rest

Quotes

conflict controversy quotes Richard Baxter

Published August 3, 2014 by

Welcome to bosalisbury.com!

BoDeniseBlogWelcome to bosalisbury.com. Today, I’m launching my new site and, so, I did what just about every failed writer or blogger out there does: I reorganized my office and physical files, went through my inspiration files in Evernote, searched my pockets for hastily scribbled notes and quotes, embarked on an archaeological dig through my inbox, took a nap and, finally, checked my email and social media accounts for any breaking news or urgent correspondence that came in over the past couple of hours. In short, I did whatever I could to avoid actually working on content for the site!… Read the rest

Uncategorized

Published June 5, 2014 by

4 Questions to Ask Before Joining a Church

Uncategorized

Published May 23, 2012 by

Surviving A Flesh-eating Disease – CNN.com

There are many strains of bacteria that cause the flesh-eating disease necrotizing fasciitis. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that there are about 9,000 to 11,500 cases of group A streptococcus bacteria, one cause of necrotizing fasciitis, each year. Of them, only 6% to 7% are invasive. More commonly, the bacteria results in infections such as strep throat or a skin infection called impetigo.

The CDC says that about 25% of patients who have necrotizing fasciitis die. Canada has 90 to 200 cases per year, with a fatality rate of 20% to 30%, according to the Public Health Agency of Canada.

… Read the rest

Media Coverage

Published November 9, 2008 by

Obummer

ObamaIt looks as if a new president of the United States was elected, while Denise and I were taking care of business. It wasn’t much of a surprise. The Republicans fielded a weak candidate in McCain, Obama raised and spent more money than any other contender in history and no one in the watchdog press was interested in vetting the Democrat candidate. Oh well, this should all make for plenty of opinion and wonderful satire as we embark upon the birthing of a progressive utopia here in the US.… Read the rest

Politics

liar utopia

Published October 21, 2008 by

Football Players Are Dumb?

Yeah, I played some football when I was a kid and really enjoyed it — linebacker, mostly. As I tell my kids, I loved gliding over the bodies, moving down the line and BAM!!! — hitting the runner emerging out of the line. Or, careening into the tight end on a slant: BAM!!! FUMBLE!!!

Anyways, I’ve never been much of a football fan — it’s way more fun to play than watch. I also remember people saying that football players are dumb, but that was never my experience. One of my teammates went on to West Point: There’s a nurse practitioner, a surgeon, one was an officer in the Marine Corps, another the head of the psychiatry department at a major university and one actually became a Postmaster!!!… Read the rest

Humor

Published October 18, 2008 by

Calendar Design • Bauhaus

Reliable CalendarDenise is collecting unique calendars… I get to use this one on my desk. It’s made of brass, it’s heavy-duty and it’s awesome. Every time you turn it over, the next day falls down into place. After the 31st, it reminds to you to change month… then, instructs you to turn slowly and, finally, informs you that this cool calendar is covered by Patent # 241137, 1925.… Read the rest

Art • Design • Culture Vintage • Retro • Kitsch

calendar invention

Published October 9, 2008 by

Change Has Come

From USA Today:

Obama Shifts Stance On Environmental Issues

WASHINGTON — In May 1998, at the urging of the state’s coal industry, the Illinois Legislature passed a bill condemning the Kyoto global warming treaty and forbidding state efforts to regulate greenhouse gases.
Barack Obama voted “aye.”

The presumptive Democratic presidential nominee now calls climate change “one of the greatest moral challenges of our generation”…

The Obama campaign did not respond to questions about his support for the coal industry, except to address his 1998 Kyoto vote. The campaign said in a statement that the Kyoto treaty did not have “meaningful and achievable emissions targets,” and that Obama “did not believe that state agencies in Illinois should unilaterally take steps to implement a global policy on their own …” The statement said Obama supports investing in technology to reduce carbon dioxide emissions from coal burning… Obama also drew criticism for sponsoring a bill in January 2007 to devote $8 billion in subsidies to a technology to convert coal to liquid fuel.

… Read the rest

Politics The Environment

Published October 8, 2008 by

A Different Take On Palin

People are clamoring for change. Here are some fresh perspectives on Sarah Palin for a change.

First, this editorial from the UK:

In short, far from being a small-town mayor concerned with little more than traffic signs, she has been a major player in state politics for a decade, one who formulated an ambitious agenda and deftly implemented it against great odds.

Her sudden elevation to the vice-presidential slot on the Republican ticket shocked no one more than her enemies in Alaska, who have broken out into a cold sweat at the thought of Palin in Washington, guiding the Justice Department’s anti-corruption teams through the labyrinths of Alaska’s old-boy network.

… Read the rest

Uncategorized

Sarah Palin

Published September 21, 2008 by

Please Allow Me to Spin a Tale

This post will take some twists and turns, but hopefully we’ll pass some points of interest for each reader along the way (all 3 of you).

We visited our friend, Joan, who was our next-door neighbor when we lived in the village of Sedgwick way back in ’93. She owns one of the oldest, if not the oldest, homes in town. She was getting her wheel all ready for a spinning demonstration at the Blue Hill Fair. It seemed very appropriate to watch her at work in the parlor of the home, near the great brick fireplace and original paneling.… Read the rest

Art • Design • Culture Family • Friends Film Travel

Blue Hill Fair Brooklin Charlotte's Web Maine Sedgwick

Published September 15, 2008 by

Krazy Kitsch

Denise may be an efficient office manager at LRR, but she’s also a stylish and sassy one! Just check out all the latest gizmos in her home workstation and you’ll know what I’m talkin’ ’bout. If it’s any indication of what she’s got going on at her pro gig… well, then it’s no wonder that she has proven indispensable to her employer.

Let’s see; we have a bill holder, an address/phone contraption, a stand for her eyeglasses, a pen/pencil holder, battery charger, field guides for bird watching, binoculars and, of course, her name plaque from her former employer, AAA.

You may have noticed that I haven’t blogged about Maine for about a week.… Read the rest

Art • Design • Culture Family • Friends Just Plain Fun Technology

bird wathcing Denise kitsch workstation

Published September 5, 2008 by

Blueberries

Blueberries are native only to North America. Wild Maine blueberries, like Maine lobster, are the best — finest kind. They are small and full of flavor, unlike the larger ones that grow higher off the ground in places like New Jersey, Oregon and Washington. Our friends in Maine will sometimes eat the larger, inferior blueberries from away but that’s an anomaly.

Blueberries are raked and it is difficult and back-breaking work. If you are good at it, you can make a big wad of cash during the season, typically the month of August. In the 90’s, that’s how teenagers in our town earned money to buy a car.… Read the rest

Food Maine: The Vista From Away Travel

blueberries Maine

Published September 5, 2008 by

Confession

I coveted. This watercolor was hanging in our motel room in Wolfeboro and I wanted it. I wanted it so badly. I was pleading with Denise to offer the owner 10 bucks for it. I even thought we might be able to trade Emma for it.

Now, I’ll need some help from all of you art afficianados. It is signed by one, Marty. It reminds me of a Maxfield Parrish, but I’m not sure why. I don’t think it’s his style, but I believe it may reflect his palette.… Read the rest

Art • Design • Culture

Marty Maxfield Parrish watercolor

Published September 4, 2008 by

Glen Cove Is Real Maine

Before I begin on this post, I have to make an acerbic comment. I just looked at my blog in Explorer and it doesn’t render properly. This is WordPress, for crying out loud. Why doesn’t Explorer play by the rules? I’m actually glad Google has come out with Chrome to compete with Microsoft in the browser battles. I prefer Safari now or Camino, the Mac version of Firefox. There, I said it and I feel much better now.

As we moved south toward Portland, we found this wonderful place in Glen Cove Maine, the Oakland Seashore Motel. The cottages were cute, but we stayed in the motel.… Read the rest

Maine: The Vista From Away Travel

Glen Cove lobster boat Maine quahog sternman Torrey Island

Published September 4, 2008 by

Lobster

What trip to Maine would be complete without a lobster bake? And, why do they call it a bake, when you boil or steam everything? Well, that and other weighty questions of eternal consequence will have to wait until later. Right now, we’re talking about downeast cuisine.

We headed down to Brooklin to buy some lobsters from John Candage and found them for just over $5 a pound.

We got together with Bruce and Terri, Paul and Mary, Leah and Emma for some lobster, steamers, fresh corn on the cob and, of course, pie. Mary made the best coconut cream pie, with a great whipped topping.… Read the rest

Food Maine: The Vista From Away Travel

clams lobster Maine

Published September 3, 2008 by

Getting High In Maine

We decided to visit the Penobscot Narrows Bridge near Bucksport and take a trip up to the observatory at the top – 420 feet high, to be exact. Denise and I were vacationing and hunting for investments just about a year ago and happened to visit when the bridge was opened for the first public walk-across and Bridgefest. It was impressive.

While we were waiting, Emma was wishing she had brought her sweater. She did, however, bring a book along. It was one of about 8 she read in our 12 day vacation. Sidebar: Emma has always been a voracious reader.… Read the rest

Family • Friends Maine: The Vista From Away Travel

Bucksport Castine Maine Penobscot Expedition Penobscot Narrows Bridge

Published September 2, 2008 by

Camden ME

One of our favorite places to visit is Camden Maine, which most people know as Peyton Place. We know it as the home of Cappy’s Chowder House and the site of a wonderful webcam.

I love the library there. The town outgrew the old library, so they built a new one under the park out back, down by the harbor, and connected it to the original. Most of the holdings are in the new addition, while the original library provides a wonderful place to relax and read, as well as some wonderful views of town.

The first photo is of Denise and I in the underground addition, under the skylight that sits in the center of the lawn in the park.… Read the rest

Family • Friends Maine: The Vista From Away Travel

Camden Cappy's Chowder House library Maine

Published September 1, 2008 by

Red Hot Dogs, Whoopie Pies and Maine Male Models


When you’re in Maine, there are a number of rare treats you’ll want to track down besides the best lobster in the world. Emma and I love two Maine staples, common to the working class downeast; red hot dogs and whoopie pies. The best place to find them in Hancock County are at the Eggemoggin Country Store or, as the natives call it, B&L’s (it was established years ago by Billy and Lorna… but, that’s another story).

Danny makes the best whoopie pies, bar none, anywhere in New England. He also serves up the most righteous cookies and baked goods.… Read the rest

Family • Friends Food Travel Uncategorized

Eggemoggin Maine red hot dogs whoopie pie

Published August 31, 2008 by

It's A Buoy!

When we moved to Maine in ’93, our first home was down on Naskeag Point, site of the famous Revolutionary War battle. Denise and Emma’s passion for beach glass was born there. We ran straight down to Naskeag, as soon as we arrived on the Blue Hill Peninsula. Emma wanted to bring home a lobster buoy for a souvenir and immediately found a pink girl’s buoy on the shore. Unfortunately, the buoy she found is still an active, licensed color. It’s never a good idea to mess with someone’s lobster gear, so she left it at the shore. She didn’t find much beach glass this time, but plenty of clam shells.… Read the rest

Family • Friends Travel Uncategorized

lobster Maine Naskeag Point

Published August 30, 2008 by

Dairy Bar!


I’m sitting in a very comfortable motel room in Wolfeboro New Hampshire, which I’m sure you know was the first resort town in the United States. We found a wonderful little place on the lake, where Emma and Denise are relaxing in a gazebo, on the lawn, watching some kids being delightedly dragged and tossed about the lake on some big rubber boat by their irresponsible parents.

We finished some takeout for lunch and two pints of hand-packed Morrissey Ice Cream, followed by a nap. Now, I’m ready to get down to some serious Bible study, following this post.

Ever since our first trip to New England, Denise and I have trained our eyes to detect each and every dairy bar along the road, in search of the best soft serve and homemade or local dairy’s hard ice cream.… Read the rest

Food Travel Uncategorized

Gifford's Ice Cream New Hampshire Wolfeboro