I remember looking out beyond the glittering lights of Las Vegas to the desert mountains beyond and thinking “This would be a good place for a monastery.” And I can understand how people in days gone by, full up of all the lights and attractions of their time but empty of soul, would choose the desert to find God. The harsh, clean, absence of the extraneous world that clogged their spirit must have had an attraction to souls weary of everything and seeking emptiness as an antidote.

I can’t tell you how much I enjoy the blog “Word from the Desert”. I’m not sure who the author is but I’ve always been blessed by reading short quotes from the fathers and mothers of the desert and the Church and this web site is a banquet of them ready for use.In my quest to stop filling my mind with all the cares of the world and replace that with holy things such sites are a welcome relief from the endless screaming voices and indicative of what the www can be for the discerning Christian.

Here’s a commercial for the Smart Car that apparently was banned in some markets…

I configured my Smart Car yesterday pending possible delivery in September. I thought this would be the perfect package for the snow and hills around LaCrosse.

Baby born alive in an attempted abortion is killed. What have we become?

On the last days of his life we met the charismatic Elder Simeon (on Mt. Athos), who had been under obedience to Father Savvas prior to that well-known elder’s repose. Father Simeon told us many things about this virtuous and discerning man and also advised us: “Be afraid of sinning, not of the Devil, for he has no power.”

Google is offering software that can track you via your cellphone.

Why would a sane and free person want to live under 24 hour surveillance? I understand why Google would want to do this, information is power and money, but it astounds me that people would voluntarily sign up to be tracked like animals. What kind of fools are we becoming?

8 below tonight but heading for 40 in a couple of days. I’m feeling better and learning again about how to take better care of myself. Walking 3-5 miles 3 times per week, eating a lot less in smaller meals, and trying to let the important things matter and everything else fade away; it’s all part of the package.

I’ve got a ways to go but it’s a start.

Was to see the Bellagio Hotel fountains and this song…

on abortion and his change of conscience.