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Re: [Dialogue] [Oe List ...] A New Song
by Ellie Stock 22 Feb '25

22 Feb '25

Way to go, Milan! Thanks for sending your song. Now to get it out into the public. Yes, the arts have played powerful roles in movements and can continue to do so. I see this as an invitation for folks to share their creativity--songs, poems, art, etc. that speaks to these times. Ellie elliestock(a)aol.com On Friday, February 21, 2025 at 10:47:08 PM EST, Milan Hamilton via OE <oe(a)lists.wedgeblade.net> wrote: I wrote these lyrics in response to what we are seeing with our eyes these days. I am figuring that more political commentary is not going to get much of a hearing from those who have already dug in their respective trenches. But I remembered the power of our singing and the power of the arts and of poetry to reach the deeps of the human experience where the common parlance of discourse failed. I searched extensively in my meagre AI song creation resources for just the right genre for these lyrics, Country didn't quite do it. Folk came closer. R&B and Soul maybe. Celtic? not quite. Certainly not Pop. I finally settled on Blues. But any of them worked a little bit. So I have copies of them all to trot out for covers as the mood may require.Anyway, here is "A Country Song" -- Mellow Milan Hamilton80 North Center StreetRedlands, CA 92373Phone: (909) 943-1667email: melloForwmilan2(a)gmail.com_______________________________________________ OE mailing list OE(a)lists.wedgeblade.net http://lists.wedgeblade.net/listinfo.cgi/oe-wedgeblade.net

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HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY
by Ellie Stock 14 Feb '25

14 Feb '25

Hi Folks, Below are the words and a link to a beautiful choral arrangement of the traditional Shaker song, "Love Is Little." We thought it was a poignant, affirming, and calming song for living in these turbulent times. Happy Valentine's Day! Carleton and Ellie elliestock(a)aol.com Love Is Little | | | | | | | | | | | Love Is Little | | | LOVE IS LITTLE Love is little, love is low, Love will make our spirits grow,Grow in peace, grow in light,Love will do the thing that’s right. Love is gentle, love is small,Love will find the best of all,Find the peace, find the light,Love will do the thing that’s right. Love is silent, love is strong,Love will sing a quiet song,Sing of peace, sing of light,Love will do the thing that’s right. Love is wonder, love is grace,Love will bind all in its place,Bind the peace, bind the light,Love will do the thing that’s right. ~traditionalShaker hymn BE GENTLE, BE STRONG, BE PEACE, BE GRACE, BE LIGHT, AND BE LOVE TO THOSE AROUND YOU, TO EARTH AND ALL THAT IS IN IT. HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY!

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Masha Gessen article on the dangers of "anticipatory obedience"
by Ellie Stock 08 Feb '25

08 Feb '25

Hi Folks,Masha Gessen article on the dangers of "anticipatory obedience". . .Ellie elliestock(a)aol.com This op-ed in The NY Times calls on us not to obey in advance: https://www.nytimes.com/2025/02/08/opinion/trump-power-surrender.html?unloc…

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Surgeon Generals Parting remarks
by Karen Snyder Troxel 11 Jan '25

11 Jan '25

Dr. Vivek Hallegere Murthy’s tenure as US Surgeon General (since 2021, although he was also Surgeon General from 2013-2017) on January 7, 2025, wrote: “My Parting Prescription for America” which is “Community as the Formula for Fulfillment”. His description of the importance of community speaks to my heart. I wonder how his message can make an impact on the problems he identifies. The link is: https://www.hhs.gov/sites/default/files/my-parting-prescription-for-america…. I would love to hear your responses. Peace and love, Karen Snyder Troxel

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Obituary, Suzanne Parker, and service info
by Terry Bergdall 10 Jan '25

10 Jan '25

Below is Suzanne's obituary. A service celebrating her life will be held at Wesley United Methodist Church in Oklahoma City at 1pm CDT on Saturday, January 25, 2025. It will also be streamed live on Facebook at "weselychurchokc". Terry Bergdall for Bill Parker ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Suzanne Sachse Wallace Parker was born on February 13, 1943, in Chickasha, OK to Garnet Evelyn (Hill) Wallace and the late James Sachse Wallace, who passed away while serving in WWII just three short months before Suzanne's birth. Her mother then re-married John T. (Jake) Cobble and Suzanne was blessed with younger brother Tom and little sister Mary Jane. The family settled in Minco, OK where Suzanne attended school and graduated in 1961. She continued her education at Oklahoma City University where she earned her Master's degree in Early Childhood Education. While at OCU, she stumbled upon a young man named Billy G. Parker and before they finished school, they were united in marriage on January 25, 1963 at the First United Methodist Church in Minco; what would be the beginning of a beautiful 61year life together. Suzanne & Bill immediately knew they shared a driving passion for the human community and this motivated them to join the faculty of the Ecumenical Institute and the Institute of Cultural Affairs, working in human development at every level of society from Oklahoma City to Dallas, Miami, Chicago, Indianapolis, then to Paris, France and finally to Abidjan, Cote d'Ivoire before returning to Oklahoma City in 1985. Throughout the years of that journey Suzanne taught elementary school, and used all of her earnings to provide funding for a local staff to get running water and other basic essentials to areas in need in local communities. While serving, they were blessed with two children, Andrew Kennedy Parker and Angela Marie Parker, into their family. As the years passed, the young family decided to relocate back to the states and settled in Oklahoma City where Suzanne then began a rewarding 21year teaching career at Westminster School. Suzanne had such a deep appreciation for education and inclusion, resulting in many of her students forming a lifelong connection with "Mrs. Parker." Following her retirement in 2010, Suzanne and Bill enjoyed traveling to Gander, Newfoundland in exploration of answers regarding her father's MIA WWII death and returning to Paris, relishing in the changes since they'd lived there. They spent years cultivating a butterfly garden in their yard and Suzanne found great joy and solace in admiring the multitude of wildlife that creation offered. She spent hours knitting afghan blankets & scarves, winning 1st place and Best of Show in the Oklahoma State Fair in 2023 for one of her beloved pieces; which will be forever cherished. Suzanne and others helped found the non-profit organization PambeGhana in Oklahoma City, which is a partnership for bi-lingual, Montessori-based education for children in remote communities in Northeastern Ghana. She was a volunteer for Pambe Ghana’s fair- trade Global Market, open in November and December in Oklahoma City, in which all earnings funds about 1/3 of the budget of the model school in Ghana. She was continuing her life's work to help provide aide for those children until her passing. She was a member of the Wesley United Methodist Church and supported the Wesley Montessori School for neighborhood children. Suzanne would often be found enjoying her books, classic music, a cup of tea or good glass of wine and good conversation. No one however, received more love and generosity from her than her family. She would do anything for her family. The legacy of her life will carry on to future generations. Suzanne passed away unexpectedly after a brief illness on Friday, December 27, 2024 at the age of 81; just days after hosting a wonderful family Christmas. Survivors include her husband, Bill Parker of Oklahoma City, OK; son, Andrew Parker; daughter, Angela Parker, all of Oklahoma City, OK; two grandchildren, Kennedy Parker of Oxford, MS and Greyson Parker of Edmond, OK; brother, Tom Cobble & wife Lela of the Oklahoma City area; brother-in-law, Gary Crosby of Newcastle, OK; sister-in-law, Charlotte Betche of Cordell, OK; as well as numerous nieces, nephews, other relatives and an abundant amount of friends, past students, colleagues in the Oklahoma City Metropolitan Library Sort Site, the Library for the Blind, and many other people and places. She was preceded in death by her parents, Sachse Wallace, Jake & Garnet Cobble; sister, Mary Jane Crosby; and brother & sister-in-law, Dewayne and Maxine Parker. Services will be at the Wesley United Methodist Church, 1401 NW 25th and Classen Saturday at 1:00pm with reception following to celebrate the wonder of her life. The celebration will be streamed on Facebook at wesleychurchokc. We ask that those who wish to make donations in Suzanne’s memory can give to: Pambe Ghana, PO Box 18813, Oklahoma City OK 73154-88103, or to the Wesley Montessori Preschool at Wesley United Methodist Church. The family appreciates the many prayers, gestures and kind words offered during this difficult time. Bill Parker

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Re: [Dialogue] Surgeon Generals Parting remarks
by Vera M Barber 09 Jan '25

09 Jan '25

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Octavia Butler's "Earthseed" series, "Parable of the Sower, and "Parable of the Talents".
by James Wiegel 09 Jan '25

09 Jan '25

Are those the ones where mean people are in charge?? I dont like scary books Jim Wiegel “…the long work of turning their lives into a celebration is not easy. Come and let us talk“. The Sunflowers. Mary Oliver > On Jan 8, 2025, at 3:11 PM, Doug Druckenmiller <ddrucken(a)gmail.com> wrote: > > Octavia Butler's "Earthseed" series, "Parable of the Sower, and "Parable of the Talents".

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California fires
by Sunny Walker 08 Jan '25

08 Jan '25

Are any we know affected? Butchers? Blessings and prayers for all. Sunny

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You will enjoy reading Playground by Richard Powers
by James Wiegel 07 Jan '25

07 Jan '25

I did. Oceans, islands, artificial intelligence, the last 50 years, Sheridan Road is mentioned, also East Garfield, children voting (what about the manta rays and corals??), lawyers, chess, Go, cleaning stations, a 92 year old Quebequise, …. One line I recall: “ there are 2 types of games: finite games and infinite games — in finite games, the aim is to win; in infinite games, the aim is to keep playing” Doug, I especially sense you would like this Jim Wiegel “…the long work of turning their lives into a celebration is not easy. Come and let us talk“. The Sunflowers. Mary Oliver

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A poem for you all
by James Wiegel 06 Jan '25

06 Jan '25

With best wishes Da Capo By Jane Hirshfield Take the used-up heart like a pebble and throw it far out. Soon there is nothing left. Soon the last ripple exhausts itself in the weeds. Returning home, slice carrots, onions, celery. Glaze them in oil before adding the lentils, water, and herbs. Then the roasted chestnuts, a little pepper, the salt. Finish with goat cheese and parsley. Eat. You may do this, I tell you, it is permitted. Begin again the story of your life. Da Capo By Jane Hirshfield Take the used-up heart like a pebble and throw it far out. Soon there is nothing left. Soon the last ripple exhausts itself in the weeds. Returning home, slice carrots, onions, celery. Glaze them in oil before adding the lentils, water, and herbs. Then the roasted chestnuts, a little pepper, the salt. Finish with goat cheese and parsley. Eat. You may do this, I tell you, it is permitted. Begin again the story of your life. Jim Wiegel “…the long work of turning their lives into a celebration is not easy. Come and let us talk“. The Sunflowers. Mary Oliver

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