Danny released and Mothers

Danny Fenster, native to Huntington Woods and a Berkley High graduate was freed earlier today from a prison in Myanmar where he has been held for some time for speaking the truth about the country's government.  We salute him and offer congratulations to his family for the return of their cherished son.

My good friend Tom Cameron lost his mom this week.  She had been declining both mentally and physically in recent years. The wake was too far away but we attended the lovely memorial service at St. Andrews Presbyterian in Dearborn Heights.  I'm glad we went to support my friend.  It is important that to have the solace of male friends, brothers and cousins during these times. Many men including me had strong bond with their mothers  They listen aways to you.  My mom was one of the few people that really understood me with her powerful gift to empathy.

The hymns sang much like Onward Christian Soldiers and the Pastor did his best to deliver the scriptural text, but these ancient words do not ring true to me.  It seems that the only time I end up in church is for funerals, not many weddings left.  I couldn't believe I remembered the Apostles Creed word for word.  The prayer had a familiarity to it.  I don't know where I fit in with the religious milieu.  Raised Roman Catholic but left because I was put off with all the ritual and the gold chalice's.  

Finished "Maid" on Netflix.  The series of 10 episodes had some really good points with Andie MacDowell playing the screwy mother of the protagonist, a single mom trying to make things work cleaning houses.  All the characters make a pile of bad decisions that follow them around.  The main player Margaret Qually  is actually the daughter of MacDowell.  Worth a look.

Went to dentist this morning for cleaning and teeth got a clean bill of health.  

Saw a PBS program called "the Windermere Children" This is a true life story during WWII.  They provided this synopsis:

A coachload of children arrive at the Calgarth Estate by Lake Windermere. They are child survivors of the Nazi Holocaust that has devastated Europe's Jewish population. Carrying only the clothes they wear and a few meagre possessions, they bear the emotional and physical scars of all they have suffered.

I am sure some license was taken but largely factual accounting of these kids and their time in this estate in Britain where they were kept safe from harm.  They totaled 763 children.  At the end some were interviewed as senior citizens.  This was an example of kindness extended to strangers and another worth seeing.  Again, something I knew nothing about. 

Cold and breezy today in Berkley as winter approaches, not ready for it yet.

all for now

stay safe