PRAYERS FOR SOL

"When you come to the edge of All that you Know,
you must Believe in one of two things:
There will be earth upon which to stand,
or you will be given wings."
author unknown.

I am writing this post as an Apology and an Explanation, I am sure that many of you are wondering where the Enigma has wandered off to, neglecting her scribe duties in the midst of such Hectic Times. I also realize that in many ways this little blog is a Haven, a Refuge, a Comfort, indeed a Spiritual Coffee Shop. Please know I will be back soon with pithy ( cough, ahem insightful thoughtpieces). But I wish to explain my absence.

I believe that in Times of Trouble people come together to take of each other, tending each other like a Storm Battered Garden.
Souls need tending especially when someone is sick in Body and Spirit....And yes I as a nurse and a healer have been tending a friend.

I have a dear old friend, he is an old soul, full of Wisdom and Courage. He has Spirit and Heart of ten men, but he is very sick right now. So I have been caring for him as a nurse and as a friend. He is the type person that just Shows Up when times are Troubled, and he always Sees Things Through. There are not many people in this world that teach and live that kind of Courage.

He is a spiritual man of great faith, and old Jewish soul, but he appreciates all faiths. His name is Sol.

I am asking that you send Prayers, and Light to Sol. Let him feel the Power of the Circle of Life.
namaste.

THE KING AND HIS DELUSIONAL SINKHOLE

'SOMETIMES YOUR WORLD GETS SHAKEN UP. SOME FORCE FAR GREATER THAN YOU COULD IMAGINE AND TOTALLY OUT OF
YOUR CONTROL CHANGES EVERYTHING YOU KNEW TO BE TRUE."
David LaChapelle.


3-28-06
So the White Castle has been having a rough few weeks, let's Hope that the King's World is getting Shook Up. Sinking Poll Numbers and Sinking Support for the King and his ( ahem) "War on Terra". The Numbers are so bad that they can not and have not even been released in recent weeks. Even a trip to the Heartland did not shore up Invisible Propagandized Support. The King and his Henchmen propose new regulations to Improve "Protection" by laying out Some Severe Illogical Dranconian Measures that would turn 11.3 Immigrants into Felons merely because they are trying to Work in this Country. The New Laws would also Penalize, Punish, all those that "associate" with the "Felons". Even people that offer Shelter,Employment, Health Care, Pastoral Care, and Counseling, and Support face being charged as a Criminal, A Felon, and 6 monthes to a year in Prison.

Over the past week Thousands poured into streets around the Country to Oppose these Orwellian Measures. We should remember to use our Fingers, not just our feet, to let our Lawmakers that we do not support this UnAmerican Path.Think about WHAT these Laws will do to America- this is NOT Our America that would enact Such Laws.

This Country was made of Immigrants. And today Immigrants are a part of Our Country. We The People also means them, not just Men in Suits making Irresponsible Bad Decisions.Call and Write and Raise Hell. Our Country Needs Saving. And please remind MrBush that this is Still Written on the Placard, a Poem by Emma Lazurus on Ellis Island that 13 Million people read as they arrived to these shores.To this day when we look at Lady Liberty, the Beautiful Statue that she is, these are the Words we All hear.

"Give us your Tired,
Your Poor, Huddled masses,
Yearning to breathe free.
The Wretched refuse teaming to your shore,
Send these the Homeless, The Tempest-tossed
to me.
I lift my Lamp beside the Golden Door."

There is Nothing about the Door Being Locked by a Greedy King and People treated as Criminals.
Have we returned to a pre 1890's Era, where people are to be treated as Dogs, Baggage and Slaves ????

*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*
This is Enigma Cafe Blog Round Up.....of March 27th, 2006.
These are all Blogs over on the Enigma Cafe Coffee Counter that need Visits this week.

[1] CRITICAL: PLEASE HELP RUSS FEINGOLD THIS WEEK: MORNING MARTINI , FUZZY & BLUE and KATHLEEN all need a visit- they ALL have posts that explain that Russ needs our help, this week by the 31st in his Efforts to Censure Our Criminal President.

[2] SKEPTICAL OBSERVER : NEWSGUY has some amazing posts there. Great thinker by a Longtime Journalist with
skills and style that MSM has abandoned. ( When I hit LOTTO I am going to give NEWSGUY a Newspaper so he Can Do IT right).

[3] YEP, JUST ANOTHER BLOG By JurrsicPork has a weekly Round Up of AssClowns , how he narrows it down week by week as the List grows and explodes is beyond me, If you enjoy Rodney Damgerfield Edginess with a Boston Smirk. you are in for a treat....

[4]HOW THIS OLD BRIT SEES IT: Written by a wonderful Brit that has Worldly Compassion and Perspective. A Wise Soul to be sure....Cheers.

[5] WEAPONS OF MASS DESTRACTION: Written be a talented fellow in Ohio, who has incredible insight and journalistic clarity.

[6] GRAEME: HOLDING NORTH DAKOTA'S BREATH: Ever wonder what the Heck do people think about in the Dakotas- here is your chance to find out. Graeme is a thoughtful reflective writer.....

[7] NEIL SHAKESPEARE: The great artist contiues his scathing writing and beautiful [ahem] tale of woe sacrificing young starletts with gleeful abandon and caustic Commentary by the Crowds...

[8} LEFT OF CENTER: Truly an Oassis, Beautiful Blog with thoughtful provoking posts. Please give him some Love , as he helped save the Enigma Cafe last week when he contributed ( and created the new Banner).

[9] KVATCH: Thoughful Frog that he is will keep you laughing and also thinking on so many issues, he also should get some hugs as he helped the Enigma with her Tangled Template....

[10] PEACECHICK MARY: Here it is Humor, perspective and wisdom, eat up .....

[11] BONUS ROUNDS: GO PAY A VISIT TO RORY SHOCK OR PT CRUISER.... why? because they are two great blogs that are never the same twice....Enjoy...

HAVE A GOOD WEEK, PASS THE JAM, SHARE THE SUGAR AND DON'T HOG THE CREAM CHEESE AND BE NICE TO THE OTHERS AT THE COUNTER. more later...enigma.

ONE WAY OR ANOTHER

Okay Enigma Cafe here it is Sunday Afternoon March 26th, the coffee will be cold, scones burnt, and bagels maybe even stale.But please do talk amoung yourselves,even while the distracted Barista spills and dawdles. I am totally absorbed by March Madness. For years I have rooted for smaller Unknown Hardly Noticed Teams, and Finally they are Kicking Bigger Teams ass...Which means for the first time in Years I have teams to root for in the Elite Eight and the Final Four. I am totally heartbroken that two of my Favorites are playing each other LSU vs UCLA...Ouch.

(SUNDAY BLOG ROUND UP later tonight.)

Well, atleast I have teams to root for for, One Way or Another.

ANGELS AMOUNG US

Dear Mr.Bush,
You came to Cleveland this week to give a speech at the City Club to the Elite and Wellheeled. No GOP Dignataries arrived at the airport , or even introduced you at your Luncheon. You proceeded to drive the podium once again intoxicated with yourself. But you took a Intricate Route to your event so you would not have to see the Shredded Streets or the People of the Broken Hearted Inner City.You didn't take the time to see the Real People of Cleveland. The Real People were not standing with your handful of supporters. The Homeless and Disenfranchised of this City should not be blurred as you speed by in your motorcade. They have names and faces and stories. And your "Leadership" is killing them. In my mind they are not Invisible, they are Angels amoung us, teaching us what we need to Embrace and Remember, and hold dear as part of We the People.

*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*
IRIS:
I live in the heart of Downtown Cleveland. My Son wanted Urban, he wanted Gritty, he wanted to live in the Old Section of the City. We have lived here almost a year it as comfortable as old shoes now. Yet there are parts of it that still tug at my heart. Last summer I decided that I wanted to make a documentary about the Homeless Here. Susposedly there are 10,000 that live in downtown Cleveland, and maybe as many as 3000 of that Downtown Number are Homeless. Last summer I met a fair number of Homeless because I walk my dog 5 times a day. ( Earlier I wrote a post about Robert a homeless VET). But over time I have realized not all of them want to be filmed, if I can get them to talk and make eye contact, it is a gift. Over time I take the time to learn their stories. Last summer I gave out Water and Sandwichs, and I know this summer I will do the same.

I met Iris last summer. I met her because she was taping her glasses together. She is Jamacian and in her 50's. She has training as a nursing assistant. She is a mother and a grandmother. She has been on the streets since last June. She left an abusive drinking husband, " Very bad Man". She talks about him quietly, and with such dignity. She had to leave, she said he would kill her if she stayed. I have hardly seen her during the winter. But I saw her about a week ago, as the crocuses appeared. She sits on a bench in front of the University in the evenings. We spoke and she admitted that she is going to take the bus and go find her sister in Florida.. ( Since I have been here I have ended up giving money to people to leave, take a Bus Somewhere, Anywhere.)

I asked her is she had a place to go at nights. " I go where I can be safe. One of these nights I may join the Angels".
She states it so factually, there is not emotion , no tears.

So Mr.Bush I have to ask, why should this fine woman be on the Streets? Why should she suffer? Do you care that she is one of the Grate People that might freeze to death? When you left downtown Cleveland did you see people staking out the Grates downtown with their blankets and bags?

METAL MEN:
Mr.Bush,Did you see the Metal Men with their grocery carts driving about the city, peeling copper plating and spouts off buildings? Did you see their clothes, rags held together with rope and duct tape? Did you see their raw hands and bloody knuckles. Do you understand the desperation that makes them search dumpsters for Metal ?

JAMES & DENISE:

The Night you came I saw James and Denise in Front of the closest Pizza parlor. I have given them money , when I have it.
I feel guilty getting my small pizza on Fridays in front of them. I always feel guilty getting such a luxorious item in front of them. So I give them some dollars and I always get them muffins and drinks if I see them on my way in to pick up the Pizza.
They have been together for a long time. Denise has MS, and James is a VET with PTSD. I give them some money, but I can't give them a Home, or Shelter, and I can't get them off the Street. And it tugs at my heart that my street is FULL of Empty Buildings and yet people are sleeping on benches and under bushes and on the Grates.

So Mr.Bush, do you have a conscience? Because you gave your delusional speech, but I know that you don't Know We The People.And I know that they are the Invisible and I worry that they are as Iris said Merely Angels Amoung us.

UNDER CONSTRUCTION

It is Tuesday March 21st eve and I am trying to fix my blog....so bear with me while I work on this . Blogger is giving me a hard time as well...

THE RISING

I live in an old office building that is now loft apartments. Behind my building is a large auditoreum that is named after the couple that built it and their names are in lights on the building. So we call it "The Bert & Iris" . The best thing about this building is that it has sand and gravel roof. Yet to the Gulls in the area it is a Beach....an urban oasis, the Bert&Iris; Beach.They flock there by the hundred.

About a week ago early in the morning I watched them, and they did something entirely different. They all went silent and were motionless for a moment. And then with some unknown hidden signal they all rose up at the same moment, hundreds of them. ALL of them.The synchronicity of that very moment took my breath away.
The Rising.

IT IS ALL RELATIVE

We are living in Uncertain Stormy Times.A King that rules with Imperial Arrogance and pawns on the board that sometimes seem less than willing to Brave Fierce Storms. It is up to all of us to take care of the Serfs of this Kingdome. That means educating ourselves and advocating for the needs of all. Here at the Enigma Cafe, We The People is proudly carved into the counter. So Here are some blogs that you need to wander and wonder, they will make you think and grow. I also had to repair my blogroll this week you will notice that you are sitting at the Counter with new Friends.You might not know this, but Albert spent alot of his learning years meandering through coffee houses, he viewed them as part of his education. Have some Coffee, share a scone.

{{{If you are new to the Enigma Cafe of Watergate Summer, Please also the Post down on the page Called SPEAKING TRUTH TO POWER....it is a piece that will speak to you heart in these Troubled Times }}}

+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*

Einstein witnessed the Purges of Europe and even became part of the Exiled Community of Writers, Scientists, Activists, Lawyers that had to leave the 1930s' Germany. It left him hungering for Peace and Justice. It also left him a man of the World, and a man without a country. It was a World that he embraced with protective wisdom.

**+++***+++***+++***+++***+++***+++***+++***+++***+++

" The Special Relativity Theory had Consequences that reached Beyond Itself."
A.Einstein 1919 Letter.

*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+

BLOGS BELOW REACH BEYOND:
( all are over on the side at the Enigma Cafe Coffee Counter )

BAJA CANADA SEATTLE: This Blog has a wonderful roundup of Common Sense Problems we face , written with wry wisdom and humor and a Flannery O'Connor Flair and Soul Food.

IMMORAL MINORITY: Anyone ever wonder how does a smart person brave Alaska winters and Ted Stevens. Ask No More. This fellow serves up a daily Bounty of news and Norhern Tundra Soul Food.

POETIC JUSTICE: Poetry written in our times by an sage of no compare.

EDUCATIONAL WHISPER: A windblown California perspective that will have you sharper than late night cutlery.

BLOG WITH A VIEW: Artist, poet, and visual soulfood and mindfood, all there by Cruel Animal.

RORY SHOCK: Artist, storyteller, mindbending heaven.

ORWELLS GRAVE: Wise soul from Vermont that has informational issues covering a vast range.

LEFT OF CENTER: Beautiful new design, layout and interesting pieces.

GRUMPY OLD MAN: This week he takes on a Photo Essay to a land far away, A Restive Retreat.

BLUE LOTUS: A wonderful photoblog that is currenty on a Tour of Japan, written by a Canadian living in Japan.

MORNING MARTINI: Wonderful young blog covering a wide variety of subjects and issues written with sensitive wisdom.

BUSHWHACKED LEAGUE:This blog has a unique perspective and great roundups by two fine gents.

RECOVERING LIBERAL: Another post by two fine gents, East Meets West, but better summaries and editorials than the LA Times.

FUZZY&BLUE;:Thoughful and intelligent wisdom humorously penned from Middle Red America.

FAT LADY SINGS: An yes while we all wait for that moment, take a gander at this woman's fine writings.

DADA'S DAILY: Written from a fine man in the South, he takes the Daily and weaves a tale with piss&vinegar.;

BEST LAUGH: Go to Necromerica, it is next to Left of Center, and it has a Story in the Explanation Section called "The Coolest thing I ever found at a garage Sale". One of the funniest stories I have ever seen. ( Left of Center actually found this intersting location).

NO BRAVERY: (bottem of Blog roll)This fine vidoe with James Blunt's song No Bravery is beautiful and haunting. It features photos and graphic footage. It is Not for the faint of heart, but it will give you a perspective of the Devastation of the Damage to the Iraqis and the Soldiers that is Needed. It is also linked at Huffingtons.

At the Bottem of the Blogroll is Your Zen Moment. There you will find Peace and Serenity.

SPEAKING TRUTH TO POWER

Are we looking for Heros ? Are we looking for Voices that speak the Truth? Are we looking for Someone to Speak up Against the Criminal Administration ? I watched the Harpers Magazine Impeachment Panel on March 2,2006 ( it is being aired on C-Span this week). The Panel was made up of some very well respected folks speaking very honestly about Impeachment and Options.They also pointed out that Speaking up to this Administration is Intimidating for All, even our elected Representitives. They also pointed out that The People need Someone to educate them regarding High Crimes and Abuse of Power. John Dean explained that the Watergate Impeachment Process actually took time, but it also was aided by the People, the Public Demanding the Truth.

********++++++++*********++++++********

In Spring 2004 I found a book about Robert F. Kennedy that spoke about this issue. This Book spoke to me at a time when I was disillusioned and sad about leaving my home due to circumstances beyond my control. I had driven over 1500 miles hoping to find a safe home for my son and pets after too much harrassment due to my Whistleblower situation had escalated. I had lost faith in My Government. This one book gave me Hope. The book is called The Spiritual Biography of Robert F.Kennedy, written by Konstantin Sidorenko.I sat in an old dilapitated Victorian Rooming House on the California Coast. It was very stormy that spring and the power would go out, and I would sit in the Dark and read this book while the Sea raged, seals bellowed and gulls squawked. This Book made me realize that the Truth needs to be Sought, but it needs a Leader. A Leader that has Courage and Heart , and is willing to take on a Journey fighting a larger darker Evil. I sat in the Dark and realized that we are in the Dark waiting for that Leader to come to the Helm of the People and Speak Truth to Power.

The Book spoke about taking a Stand on Controversial Issues in a Time of Social And Concience Unrest, because it would bring Change. Bobby Kennedy took a stand on an Unpopular War and also took a stand against a Sitting President. He reached out to The People, but he didn't just Reach to the people, he Listened to them and their pain. There were many that needed to be heard, college students, coal miners and impoverished in Appalachia, Watts, migrant workers, women,minorities, and more. He remembered the Real People , and he came to Them, he hit the Streets. He was fearless, but not reckless. He was compassionate but fierce in seeking Justice and Change. He remembered We the People had built this Country, Our Country.

It is now March 2006, we now Know Some of the High Crimes and Abuse of Powers, and we know that our Country has suffered, and Our Constitution is Suffering. And now Millions of Americans are as disillusioned as I was in Spring 2004. I am not alone in the Dark anymore. We are waiting For a Voice to arrive on the Scene. Someone who remembers We The People and how Important Our Constitution really is to Our Country.

We Need Someone to Speak Truth to Power.
Now is the Time.

UGLY TRUTH GREETS THE KING ON THE TARMAC

This week March 20th , 2006 Mr. Bush came to my town on the Third Anniversary of the War. He arrived at the Airport, no GOP Dignataries arrived to greet him or shake his hand. And Ohio is full of such GOP Strong Men, Mr Noe, Mr .Voinovich, Mr. DeWine.It was a striking moment watching him come down the stairs of the plane and search the empty tarmack with his eyes. It was a telling moment of the State That Susposedly Gave him this Presidency of 2004, now the Touchdown of a Failed Presidency.

The Protestors showed up by the 100 in the town center, and only a handful of his supporters showed up across the street dressed in Red, White and Blue and carrying small feeble signs. They huddled like lost soccer moms, and only held their signs waiste high, before they left quietly.

He gave a speech at the City Club to a echoey chamber of the Elite, another belly up to the Podium Moment.He rambled, he cajoled, he snickered and made strange inappropriate jokes. He seemed out of touch, like the Drunk Uncle at the Thanksgiving Dinner that no one wants to sit next to, much less get into a sparring match. The applause was tenative and polite like what you would hear at a Golf Tournament when an Old Timer makes a safe shot, but needs a Mulligan.

His speech was susposed to reassure and impress, but the problem is that the carnage from Iraq and the Katrina Zone outweigh his words and render him impotent. His poll numbers continue to sag like an old woman's dress drying in the breeze on a stormbent clothesline. His Blunders are now measured daily in dead bodies, and the whole world is watching.

He can't Drive the Podium, so the bigger question is should he be driving the Country ?

WOMEN'S VOICES

Today we are to Celebrate the Strength and Courage of Women.

May the Voices of the Women below Inspire us to reach for More....
or atleast think twice about it....

" I stand at the alter of the murdered men and while I live I fight their cause."
Florence Nightingale

" When you get into a tight place, and everything goes against you, till it seems as though you cannot hang on for another minute, Never Give Up then, for that is just the place and time the tide will turn."
Harriet Beecher Stowe

"Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed people can change the World. Indeed it is the only thing that ever has."
Margaret Mead

" Don't give or sell your soul away. Hunger for the taste of Justice. Hunger for the taste of Freedom. All that you've got is your soul."
Tracy Chapman

" I always wanted to be Somebody, but I should have been more specific."
Lilly Tomlin

"Everybody talks about people, but nobody does anything about them ".
Fran Lebowitz

"The basic teaching of Buddhism is the teaching of transciency, or change. That Everything changes is the basic truth for each exsistance"
Shunryu Susuki

" Be patient toward all that is unsolved in your heart and try to love the questions themselves.Do not seek the answers, which cannot be given you because you would not be able to live them. And the point is to live Everything.Live the questions now. Perhaps you will then gradually, without noticing it, live along some distant day into the answers."
Ranier Maria Rilke , Letter to a Young Poet

[[[ and just to make you smile : guess Who said the following: "It's not true I had nothing on. I had the radio on".]]]

*****************************************************************************

For those who arrived late to dinner...yes, it was Marilyn Monroe....of course. (But the guesses were wonderful...)

Now for Number II: Let's see who gets the Brass Ring this time...

THE QUOTE FOR FRIDAY MARCH 10TH;
"Life is about not knowing,
Having to change,
Taking the moment,
and making the most of it,
Without knowing what is going to happen next."