|
Post by windtimber on Nov 25, 2006 14:54:12 GMT
A couple small points - it's Sioux not Souix. "Wakon Tonka" is the "great mysterious one" in Lakota. The Great Spirit encompassing all things. John G. Neihardt learned Nicholas Black Elk's story through a series of interviews begun in 1930 at Manderson, South Dakota, on the Pine Ridge Reservation.
|
|
|
Post by windtimber on Jan 13, 2006 18:05:49 GMT
During the fall blaze orange is acceptable even at Lodge meetings!
|
|
|
Post by windtimber on May 16, 2007 18:24:49 GMT
I recently switched to being a vegetarian...is that something that would be awkward in Masonry? Nah. We've got several brothers who have unique dietary preferences. One guy likes food so bland that white latex paint would be tastier. There's another guy who categorically refuses to eat any vegetables at all. They just scoop stuff to the side of the plate or have dinner someplace else - but still join us for fellowship and conversation. Just don't make a big deal out of it. As Mark Twain wrote, "Few things are harder to put up with than the annoyance of a good example." In Masonry it's the inner, not the outer, man that is important...not what we put in to the man! Sorry, couldn't resist that.
|
|
|
Post by windtimber on Jun 8, 2006 15:01:01 GMT
Just curious...how'd things go on Monday the 5th? Any luck with the lodge down the street?
|
|
|
Post by windtimber on Jun 1, 2006 15:52:11 GMT
I live in Hamilton, NJ right next to Trenton there is a local lodge within a few blocks of my home. Thanks for the advice on the letter is there someone or a certain title I should addresss it to? If Hamilton, NJ, is the same as Hamilton Square, NJ, here's the lodge to contact - Gothic Fraternal Lodge #270, 3682 Nottingham Way, Hamilton Square, NJ. They meet the 1st and 3rd Monday of each month. The lodge's phone number is 609-587-5057. Call this coming Monday evening when they are having lodge and tell them you are interested in becoming a Mason. I'm sure you'll get a very welcoming response! By the way, this information comes from njfreemasonry.org/finder.htm which lets you find a lodge by name, city, or county in New Jersey.
|
|
|
Post by windtimber on Jul 19, 2006 18:37:48 GMT
You tell me Mr. Windtimber if that sounds like a secret society to you? Nope. There are lots of things we each choose not to share with others. That's the hallmark of a free society, not a secret society.
|
|
|
Post by windtimber on Jun 26, 2006 18:19:59 GMT
Pardon me, but does anyone really believe Freemasonry is a "secret society"?
Recognizing things may be different elsewhere in the world, in the U.S.A. our buildings have signs announcing its a Masonic Temple [Or "Masonic Center" in U.S. p.c. language.]; generally meeting dates and times are posted on the bulletin board outside the door and on the internet and in the newspaper; many of us wear Masonic jewelry, lapel pins, or slap insignia on the backs of our automobiles; we hold "Enquirer's Nights" inviting interested members of the public to come in and visit; we rent our lodge halls out for receptions, meetings, dinners, and amateur theatricals; and all the ritual is readily available on-line or from various religious broadcasters.
Heck of a way to run a secret society seeking to engage in "nefarious skullduggery" isn't it?
Reminds me of a cable television show I saw a few years ago dealing with Bigfoot [aka Sasquatch]. The researcher, with a straight face, carefully explained that Bigfeet apparently use leafy branches to sweep away their footprints when they cross areas where they might leave tracks. The absence of tracks, therefore, was clear evidence that Bigfeet existed in the area because they covered up their tracks.........HUH?
|
|
|
Post by windtimber on Feb 7, 2006 15:36:08 GMT
Last time I listened to this bunch was about 7 or 8 months ago driving home from southern Kansas late into a dark summer Saturday night. It was great company on scratchy AM radio, no moon, deserted country roads, and small sleepy towns at 2:30 a.m.
It was amazing what I learned of alien incidents, conspiracies to suppress nuclear fusion technology, warehouses full of interstellar spacecraft, cabals intent on world domination, and the number of odd fellows with no last name who have been deeply involved with so many covert government agencies!
I suppose, relative to the link in the message starting this thread, that the fact that Kenneth Kleinknecht was long involved with NASA and with Martin-Marietta, he donated his collection of space memorabilia to the Scottish Rite S.J., and Fred Kleinknecht worked his way to the top of the Scottish Rite S.J., all makes for fine conspiracy fodder. The beauty of all of it is that, in true conspiracy fashion, if you can't really prove anything at all, it has to be true - because the truth is, obviously, being suppressed!
Ain't it grand to be paranoid? Or are these guys just plain nuts?
|
|
|
Post by windtimber on Feb 7, 2006 15:46:33 GMT
1. It's the local Masonic Lodge - right there in broad daylight across the street from a bank and the County Courthouse and just up the way from my own office. 2. I knew any number of people who where members. 3. Several fellows suggested Masonry might be of interest to me. 3. After a couple very general conversations, someone suggested we talk in more detail over dinner. 4. We went to dinner, I asked questions, they answered, and I petitioned. 5. 16 or 17 years later I'm still very glad they took the time to plant the seed!
|
|
|
Post by windtimber on May 5, 2006 14:25:24 GMT
I did a little conversion from US $ which may or may not be right. Annual dues for Blue Lodge + Royal Arch Chapter + Council of the Cryptic Rite + Commandery + Scottish Rite + Eastern Star + York Rite Sovereign College + Shrine is about 210 USD or 113 GBP in our local jurisdiction. Add to that some mileage costs - though often times I combine family vacations, long weekends, and business travel with jaunts to Masonic activities so this is just for "strictly Masonic" travel - and a few books, subscriptions, contributions to worthy fraternal causes, the odd piece of jewelry or some other knick knack, and it gets up to maybe 400 USD or 215 GBP. I don't count any costs for meals, banquets, festive boards, or "liquid spirits" as I'd be taking those whether I was a Freemason or not!
Now,mind you, Blue Lodge is only about 40 USD or 22 GBP and that is all that's required to be a Master Mason. The rest is wholly optional for further edification and fellowship.
As for time - I never count it. I choose what to do, prioritize my activities, and take as much or as little time as I can or want. That's the beauty of our fraternity - YOU make if it what YOU want!
|
|
|
Post by windtimber on Jul 19, 2006 18:56:07 GMT
Sorry Mr. Windtimber, but you wrote what you wrote and the context lies there. It's probably pointless to respond, but sometimes a joust with a windmill is entertaining. Here, in it's entirety, is what I wrote about Art Bell et. al., and to which Grimaldy refers in his earlier post on this thread: Last time I listened to this bunch was about 7 or 8 months ago driving home from southern Kansas late into a dark summer Saturday night. It was great company on scratchy AM radio, no moon, deserted country roads, and small sleepy towns at 2:30 a.m.
It was amazing what I learned of alien incidents, conspiracies to suppress nuclear fusion technology, warehouses full of interstellar spacecraft, cabals intent on world domination, and the number of odd fellows with no last name who have been deeply involved with so many covert government agencies!
I suppose, relative to the link in the message starting this thread, that the fact that Kenneth Kleinknecht was long involved with NASA and with Martin-Marietta, he donated his collection of space memorabilia to the Scottish Rite S.J., and Fred Kleinknecht worked his way to the top of the Scottish Rite S.J., all makes for fine conspiracy fodder. The beauty of all of it is that, in true conspiracy fashion, if you can't really prove anything at all, it has to be true - because the truth is, obviously, being suppressed!
Ain't it grand to be paranoid? Or are these guys just plain nuts? How those comments can be extrapolated into an observation on my part "that rural America seems to be unduly fixated on conspiracies, occult happenings, paranormal occurances, etc." is beyond my comprehension. Apparently Grimaldy uses language somewhat differently than I do and could not grasp my sardonic tone.
|
|
|
Post by windtimber on Jul 8, 2006 0:51:50 GMT
Mr. JMD; It is not my intention to suggest that Freemasonry has anything to do with the problems that beset America at the present time. I was responding to a posting by Mr Windtimber about his observation that rural America seems to be unduly fixated on conspiracies, occult happenings, paranormal occurances, etc. That observation is probably quite valid, but has a kernel of reason behind it. As you are probably aware Freemasonry for many years also carried the brunt of much criticism and opprobrium simply because it was a closed or secret society, By adopting a policy of public good works, and opening its rituals to public view and comment, much of that criticism has been defused. My suggestion is that the obvious cure for paranoia is sunshine. Grimaldy Holy Crap - I just saw this post from a few weeks ago! To clarify, which shouldn't be necessary at all if someone actually READS the post to which he refers, I was commenting on the wackiness of the conspiracy buffs appearing on late night talk radio. Yes, I do live in the heart of rural America. However, my neighbors and I ARE NOT "unduly fixated on conspiracies, occult happenings, paranormal occurances, etc." I made no such "observation" and, the reality is, the average folks know what most of this talk radio really is - over the top hyperbole and "infotainment" masquerading as something serious. Geez...talk about taking things out of context!
|
|
|
Post by windtimber on Mar 16, 2008 2:43:40 GMT
Twins 11- Phillies 2, Saturday afternoon, 3-15-08, Preseason at Clearwater FL.
|
|
|
Post by windtimber on Feb 15, 2008 15:34:18 GMT
Leo - You and me both, brother!
|
|
|
Post by windtimber on Feb 13, 2008 21:44:09 GMT
"The longer I live the more I see that I am never wrong about anything, and that all the pains that I have so humbly taken to verify my notions have only wasted my time." George Bernard Shaw
|
|
|
Post by windtimber on Jan 24, 2008 15:36:43 GMT
-18 F [-27.8 C] this morning when I got to work at 8:30 a.m. With the breeze - slight at 5 mph from the SE - the "wind chill" is -31 F [-35 C]. It finally turned into real winter! You should see the exhaust gas plume from the boiler at the Masonic Temple across the street!
|
|
|
Post by windtimber on Dec 18, 2007 4:12:03 GMT
I don't know about the UK but in the USA and Australia they have passed laws that will gaol journalists if they write about certain things. How free is that? Maat I can't comment on Australia, but I'm pretty sure a law such as you describe is unconstitutional in the USA. There are civil remedies for libel, but I'm not familiar with any criminal offense - excluding, perhaps, extremely virulent hate speech. But that is usually resolved through civil actions as well. Can you give me a US "for instance" please?
|
|
|
Post by windtimber on Apr 22, 2007 2:07:50 GMT
Unless other things intervene - a few days in the Chequamagon National Forest in NW Wisconsin, hiking, kayaking, swimming, and generally loafing about. Add a few more days on the Minnesota north shore of Lake Superior, and we'll be ready to come back to the prairie heat and humidity.
|
|
|
Post by windtimber on Apr 10, 2007 18:22:43 GMT
From the noted philosopher Hoyt Axton:
When I die don't cry for me Don't bury me at all Place my livin', laughin', lovin' bones In a jar of alcohol Hundred proof alcohol.
Lightning Bar Blues, (c) 1970, Lady Jane Music (BMI)
|
|
|
Post by windtimber on Dec 10, 2006 14:27:34 GMT
I wonder how these would work in deep snow, soft dirt, or mud...
|
|