Today's MOMENT OF ZEN 2/14/2013

Words by F LoBuono

They say that a picture is worth a thousand words. Well, if that's the case, normally, when it comes to Valentine's Day, the one I posted above of The Incredible Hulk, would speak volumes for how I feel about this so-called holiday. Bah, humbug, also come to mind. And, considering the year that I've had romantically . . . well . . . But I'm not going there this year. No, sir, not this time. While scanning through the Facebook News Feed, there were MANY Valentine greetings and messages and, I'm VERY pleased to say that virtually all of them where poignant, dear, and truly heartfelt. They conveyed messages of peace, love, joy, and happiness. And, THIS, my friends, can NEVER be a bad thing.

So, it is with an open heart and a sincere desire for a better future for all, I wish everyone (god help me!) A HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY!

Photo Gallery of the Day: FOGGY NIGHTS OVER THE TZ

Photo Gallery of the Day. 2/10/13

Who can possible say they didn't experience the pure JOY of sledding after a big snow storm? Imagine if you did it in a setting like the incredible Palisades and Hook Mountain. Special.

Photo Gallery of the Day 2/9/13

There are few places, if any, that can match the striking beauty of New York's Central Park after a snowstorm.

Photo Gallery of the Day 2/7/13 BARE TREES

Photo Gallery of the Day: From An Office Window.

Today's MOMENT OF ZEN 2/5/13

Words by F LoBuono

When I was a boy, some, but not many, of my friends were members of the Boy Scouts. Although we now lived in the suburbs, most of us were "city kids" and the Boy Scouts were not part of our reality. We played stick ball, wiffle ball, and other street games. But, still, we were out of the City and some boys were learning about a different lifestyle that included more outdoor activities like hiking and camping. A few were already living this way and seemed to enjoy it greatly. And these kids belonged to the Boy Scouts. Scouting, as it is called, gives young men an opportunity to learn more about, and connect with, nature. That was a routine that was becoming more and more appealing to me. Plus, they got to wear these cool uniforms and win awards known as merit badges displayed on a bright green sash! Many of my other friends felt the uniforms, which included shorts and a neckerchief, made them look like sissies. I did not agree. I thought that, when worn well, that uniform made a Scout look like a boy in charge. And I wanted to belong.

Although I liked the uniforms, in seriousness, overall, I really gravitated to what I knew of their message at the time: good, clean, discipline, as found in nature, created a good, clean, happy life. But I was to find out that there were issues beyond that positive message. As the child of both parents, I found myself conflicted. Allow me to explain. My father was an army combat veteran who found strength in the discipline forged in such a crucible - teamwork keeps you alive. I'm like that. My mother is FIERCELY independent whose strength lies in her family and few others. She's a pull yourself up by the boot straps and your family will do the rest kind of person. Stella NEVER saw any need to join ANYTHING - including the Boy Scouts. I am like that, too. But the one thing both of them shared, was the most important thing. A group, ANY group, even those with what may appear to be with the best intentions, share a common Point of View (POV), and they expect you to share it, as well. By joining to be accepted, you must then accept their full and true message.

And so it was (is) with the Boy Scouts of America (BSA). There was always something about that squeaky clean, Christian image that ultimately rubbed me the wrong way. Stella, as well as many others, felt it, too. There was something elitist and phony about many of them. Certainly, not all Scouts that I knew behaved liked that. In fact, some of my best friends were Scouts! LOL And many of them did good things for the community. However, there was enough of that attitude to make it palpable to me. Of course, at that time, I could not attach that message to their anti-gay stance that exists even to this day. I don't think that the word gay even existed then (the mid 60's)! However, it was real and I felt it. Perhaps, that's why I never joined! I am not gay but I never really had a problem with those who are. Besides, I suppose that Groucho Marx probably summed up my attitude best when he said, I wouldn't want to belong to any club that would have me as a member anyway.

Through the many years since, the BSA has had to answer many questions about that stance. And they have been defiant. Their moral code, Christian based, frowns, to say the least, on homosexual behavior. In fact, no openly gay person is allowed a position with the BSA.  For a defense, the BSA had said that it has a moral imperative to protect boys against marauding, raging gay, Scout Masters. The have also claimed that, as a private organization, it is their right to dictate their own moral code.

Most of the claims made by the BSA, however, I find either baseless or outdated. First, many, impartial studies have shown that their is absolutely NO evidence to support the claim the gay men are any more likely to be sexual predators than heterosexual ones. Then, there is the Christian based "morality vs. legality"of a private organizations and their ability to make policy for themselves issue. Well, legally, they may find support. However, morally they may be wrong. I have always been fascinated by the incongruity of a Christian-themed organization, i.e. one based on the teachings of the Christ, discriminating against ANYONE. When I studied Christianity, I learned of a faith based on LOVE above all else - to accept ALL with open arms, to turn the other cheek. This has always been obvious to me. How could one even call himself a Christian and not live like Christ? Isn't that the point of being a Christian?

Be that as it may, there is also a fairness issue here. In today's society, we've actually grown accustomed to some things that were frowned upon just a few years ago. In fact, I heard this morning that the city of Paris has finally abolished a centuries old law that banned women from wearing pants within the city limits! My, how times have changed. And it's time for the Boy Scouts of America to change - to get better. And they CAN get better by allowing gays to serve within their organization. Inclusion can NEVER be a bad thing. It certainly is the FAIR thing.

As of this posting, a petition claiming to have over one million signatures on it, asking for the BSA to allow gays within its ranks, is adding some muscle to that request. The petition was presented today at BSA Headquarters in Texas. It is hoped that it will persuade the BSA leadership, scheduled to meet tomorrow (2/6/13), to change their charter and join the 21st Century by allowing gay men and boys in their ranks. For me, it's just so simple; if a person is qualified, then they are qualified. Their sexual preference makes absolutely no difference to me - and it never has - or SHOULD. I suppose that a gay man can teach a young man how to make a fire out of kindling just as well as a straight one.  As I never actually DID join the Scouts, I supposed I had to learn that on my own. And that's OK, too. But now, the Scouts have an opportunity to learn - and to teach - about fairness and inclusion. Perhaps they can create a Merit Badge given for TOLERANCE. Boys Scouts of America,  LIVE your slogan. DO the HONORABLE thing. Make inclusion a TIMELESS value.

Today's MOMENT OF ZEN 2/2/13

Photo and words (bold faced) by F LoBuono

The world is what you make it, baby! On the coldest nights, the moon often shines the brightest.

When You Think About It 2/1/2013

When You Think About It, nothing is for nothing; except, perhaps, nothing. A friend posted an article from thedailybeast.com by Eli Lake titled My (Electronic) Cigarette Addiction. In an article that is witty and well written, Mr. Lake describes how a doctor's stern warning that Lake's life-long addiction to cigarettes was certainly, and literally, killing him, gave him the impetus to finally quit for good. He goes on to describe how the addiction is not only physical, but psychological, as well. As is the case with most smokers, the act of smoking was a multi-layered affair. And most of that layering ain't good! For example, studies show that smoking tends to increase the use of alcohol and vice-versa. So, Mr. Lake set out on a journey to reduce and then eliminate his dependency on tobacco. That quest eventually led him to the latest alternative to tobacco - electronic or so-called smokeless cigarettes.

I must confess, I don't know much about these "gadgets". I am not a cigarette smoker and never have been. Never. Just never liked it. But I have had roommates, including my wife, who were smokers, at least for a time. I have some friends who still smoke. Virtually all of them wish that they could simply quit. So, in other words, I've been around it know that it just ain't that easy!! So, I applaud every effort to help people to quit. Short of heroin, it's probably the single worse thing you can do to your body. I've seen ads for nicotine patches that are supposed to reduce the craving for cigarettes. I've seen them for various psychological programs that will train your mind to reduce the craving for cigarettes. Well, know I've seen the ones for these electronic cigarettes. I've not seen one up-close but I gather that they use cartridges of fluid that are "smoked" without fire, but, rather, with vapor.

According to the article, the fact that it is not "smoked" is, indeed a good thing. It does eliminate the harmful effects that smoke does causes. However, it does not totally eliminate the nicotine (a carcinogenic chemical) that is also found in smoked cigarettes. Plus, there are OTHER chemicals within the vapor that have not been properly tested and, therefore, the effects of which are little known. Throw in the fact that the cartridges are made in China and, (you'll forgive the pun, but) you're playing with fire. In a sense, you are just trading one dangerous habit for, at least potentially, another one. I won't go into all the data that is featured in this excellent article (you should read for yourself), but, rather say, when you think about it, nothing is for nothing.

I feel the same way about these so-called Quick Energy Drinks that have invaded the market. All you have to do is drink this tiny, little bottle, and for 5 hours or so, you can make Superman look like a pussy and Einstein feel like a dummy! Really? All I have to do is buy your product, drink it, and my life will be so much better? But, when you think about it, could it REALLY be that easy? And if it were, wouldn't ALL of us be doing it all of the time? Do the research. You'll find that in this case, as is the case with so many quick fixes to important issues in our life, you may be just robbing Peter to pay Paul.

I remember as a child, one of Stella's first life lessons to me was when she said, Frankie, when you feel in your heart that something is too good to be true, that's because it isn't true! There are no easy answers to the important questions in life. NOTHING is for nothing. Well, when you think about it, that's so true about everything in life. Nothing is truly free  - not even the wind, or the sun, or the rain. Too much wind causes damage. Too much sun can burn. Too much rain can flood. This is the "price" we pay to have them. There is a cause and effect for everything in life. The sooner that, as the Buddha teaches, we find balance, the middle path, the better, happier, and healthier our lives will be.

Nothing is for nothing, except, perhaps, nothing.

Today's MOMENT OF ZEN 1/30/2013

The "real" Cyrano de Bergerac

Often, for me, a writer strikes a cord in my soul and, despite my rather large ego, I have to acknowledge that, no matter how hard I may try, I'm just not going to find a way to say it better. I hope that, someday, someone may find something in my writing that affects them in the same way. Until then, let me share something from another author whose work has reached into my soul with searing clarity:

To sing, to laugh, to dream, to walk in my own way and be alone, free, with an eye to see things as they are, a voice that means manhood - to cock my hat where I choose -

At a word, a Yes, a No, to fight - or write. To travel any road under the sun, under the stars, nor doubt if fame or fortune lie beyond the bourne.

Never to make a line I have not heard in my own heart: yet with all modesty to say; "My soul, be satisfied with flowers, with fruit, with weeds even: but gather them in one garden you may call your own".
                                                           Edmond Rostand, Cyrano de Bergerac