Reflections By The Bay

Friday, May 4, 2018

May 4, 2018

GRACE

On this day, May 4, 1916,

Joseph Mary Plunkett was

executed for being part of

the Irish Uprising and the

cry for freedom in Ireland.

He was 28 years old, revolutionary,

poet, planner, student. Thanks

Everyone in the Republic

of Ireland knows that he

was married to Grace Gifford -
just 7 hours earlier at the altar

in the chapel at Kilmainham Gaol

in Dublin, Ireland and all know

the Irish folk song, called, "Grace."

Here are several renditions of the
song as well as the story. Joseph
Plunkett was doing what has
happened in so many similar stories
in so many different places around
the world including the USA and I'm
sure will continue till all are free.

May 4, 2018

Thought for today:

“This is the final test of a gentleman:

his respect for those

who can be of no possible service to him.”

William Lyon Phelps [1865-1943]

And gentlewomen as well.....

Thursday, May 3, 2018

LISTEN TO A NEW
OR AN OLD SONG TODAY

GRADUATION

ADDRESSES 2018

Dear Commencement Speakers for this Spring,

Tell the graduates that we need people to open up their eyes and see what’s really happening in this world - in this country - and take the blinders off [knowing that each person sees the way they see - and they can learn to see better].

Tell them we need many a new Edward R. Murrow - Grandma Moses - Mr. Rogers - Roberto Clemente - Dorothy Day - and two and three and hundreds more stars and people of diverse and caring attitudes.

Tell them to challenge Hannity and Carson, Maddow, O’Donnell and Cooper, CNBC, CNN and Fox - and every other form of public communications to speak the truth - not for ratings - not for money - not for a job - not for politics - but for the common good.

Read the prophets. Speak the truth. Get the facts - and keep following the trails. Investigate the investigators not for self-promotion - but for the betterment of all.

Tell them we need people to grasp and then practice the great values and the great truths: honesty [no lies], fairness [justice], it’s make the world better today [not make America great again], stop the name calling [respect each person’s name and character].

Call out people to become statesmen not elected officials - servants not the served - flying regular class - and rubbing shoulders with the common woman and man.

Challenge all to take the bus, hold the door, chat a moment with those waiting for the elevator or with those who take the stairs or sit with those on the park bench - or to say to the mom and dad with a baby, “Nice job, beautiful baby!”

Tell everyone, "Every day is earth day." Toast it, don't roast it. Pick up 5 pieces of liter each day - and make your street the neatest, cleanest street in town.

Say to the old folks, “Hi mom!” “Hi pop!” “Can I treat you to an ice cream. Here’s a Rita’s.”