Author: RJ Walters
I am an Independent thinking, highly functional person who is deaf and has some unique views and challenges in life.
Like all of us, I am a person who is composed of all my life experiences and that is what I write about here.
Indiana History Fest 2002
One of my favorite things to do is to go to events with reenactors. They bring the history to life. This and the next few posts will be from the Indiana History Fest in 2002. It was the last one … Continue reading Indiana History Fest 2002
I Am Ashamed Of My Native State…
I am ashamed of the State of my birth and where I have lived most of my life. But, this isn’t the first time. Indiana for most of my life has been a very conservative red State who embarrasses me on a regular basis. The Republicans now have total power and they are wielding it. The latest “religious freedom” law is just one example. It sounds like we are now going to have placards placed on business doors saying which potential customers are not allowed to enter their business. It reminds me kind of like my youth when I saw … Continue reading I Am Ashamed Of My Native State…
We All Need A Creative Boost Once In A While…
I admit that I struggle with my creativity from time to time. Sometimes it comes in quick spirts and sometimes I hit long dry spells. I, like most of you I imagine need a creative boost once in a while. To accomplish that I have numerous books on the shelves behind me and in my Kindle to give me some encouragement. The Creative Photographer by Catherine Anderson is one I frequently pull off the bookshelf. It isn’t about the technical aspects of photography but totally focuses on the creative side. I find it fascinating that Catherine started out as a … Continue reading We All Need A Creative Boost Once In A While…
Christmas Light Art…
Every city seems to have them but the most impressive display of Christmas light art I have ever found is in the Peoria Illinois “Festival of Art”. The creativity found there is awesome! There are literally hundreds of different mammoth size display. The one shown above is a whale with Jonas’ boat inside. It is probably 100 feet long. If you live in the Midwest and need something to get you into the Christmas spirit plan a visit to Peoria this December. Continue reading Christmas Light Art…
And It Begins…A China Power Play….
In quick succession, the U.K., France, Italy, and Germany all agreed to become founding shareholders of the AIIB, a sign that they are eager to cozy up to Beijing and its $4 trillion in foreign reserves. Once upon a time, “the world was said to bow down before the mighty dollar. These days, even many of America’s closest allies have renminbi signs in their eyes.” This is an impressive “soft-power victory for China,” said the editors at Bloomberg View, and “Washington largely has itself to blame.” The U.S. has long called on China to take more of a role in … Continue reading And It Begins…A China Power Play….
I Think, Therefore I Am…
In the 17th century, the French philosopher René Descartes came up with the “explanation for it all”: I think, therefore I am. Descartes is considered the Father of Modern Day philosophy but being a relative novice in this area I kind of put that label on Plato or Socrates. Philosophy is something that I have always been peripherally interested in but never delved much into. I have to put that on my bucket list I guess. I bet very few people have it there. :) But this is not the real topic of this post. It is more about the phrase … Continue reading I Think, Therefore I Am…
Virginia City..
Virginia City, NV – I have been to many “old west” towns in my day but Virginia City Nevada is perhaps the most unusual. It is primarily a tourist town but that doesn’t take away from its authenticity. They take … Continue reading Virginia City..
My Alter Ego
This post is kind of like an April Fools joke on myself. I think all of us have to one degree or another an alter ego. That is a second self who is distinctively different from who we presently are day-to-day. Many of my personal journal posts are to my alter ego “Joe”. He is my younger much more timid and less sure self. It took me many years to move out of that mode and to a degree I am still sometimes stuck there. Before I go any further lets look at the “official” definition of alter ego. Alter ego … Continue reading My Alter Ego
Something About Domes…
I don’t think I am the only one but I am one who is fascinated by capital dome art. Almost every State capital has a dome on its top. This one came from the Capital of Wisconsin in Madison. I wonder how many hours were spent by someone in a Micheal Angelo position painting these guys. One of my long-term projects over at InSearchOfAmerica is to do a catalog of all the capitals we have visited. Continue reading Something About Domes…
From The Redwood Forests…
According to the info found near the base of this beauty the redwood forests of California would be pretty much just some stumps if we had left it to the industrialists. Thank heavens people fought that from happening. Woody Guthrie … Continue reading From The Redwood Forests…
On The Backs Of The Poor….
WASHINGTON (AP) — Republicans now in charge of Congress offer their budget blueprint this week with the pledge to balance the nation’s budget within a decade and rein in major programs such as food stamps and Medicare. More pressing for many Republicans, however, is easing automatic budget cuts set to slam the military. SOURCE:GOP to offer budget blueprint with Medicare, food stamp cuts – Yahoo Finance. It is not accident that the GOP wants to take money away from helping the poor and give it to our already super extravagant military budgets to the tune of exactly $50 billion on … Continue reading On The Backs Of The Poor….
From My Youth…
This is a digital reproduction of a picture I took almost forty years ago. I had a lot of energy in my youth and it took it all to hike up to the 12,000 feet level on top the Rocky Mountains in Colorado to the campsite. It was well worth the trip just to take this picture and include it in my life’s memories. And the view of the night sky was awesome, I have never seen it so full before or after. Continue reading From My Youth…
How Did The Bible Get So Filled….
I am bringing over a series of posts for my Sunday entries from my now inactive blog over at RedLetterLiving. This is the third of a six-part series from about a year ago about the importance of the Bible in my spiritual life. After a ten-year study I finally understand what millions of other have discovered before me…. It’s about Jesus, not the Bible… How Did The Bible Get So Filled… How did the Bible get so filled with things that have nothing to do with the messages of Jesus? That is one of many questions I have pondered over the last decade. … Continue reading How Did The Bible Get So Filled….
Peoria…
Peoria Illinois is a small city in the Midwest where I spent a long weekend a few Decembers ago. They have a December event called “The Festival of Lights”. It is well worth the visit. Continue reading Peoria…
Washington Slept Here…
I have lost track of exactly where this house was located but I’m pretty sure it was around Gettysburg PA. According to the mural found at the site as shown here is was the command headquarters for George Washington at … Continue reading Washington Slept Here…
Ouray Colorado – The Rocky Mountains
I am gathering some pretty impressive apps for making Doodles & Abstracts pictures. Here is the Rocky Mountains near Ouray Colorado just as I imagined it would look like… Continue reading Ouray Colorado – The Rocky Mountains
And Justice For All – Marijuana…
Sen. Rand Paul slammed former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush for hypocrisy on marijuana in an interview Wednesday with Yahoo Global News Anchor Katie Couric. Responding to recent revelations that Gov. Bush smoked pot during his teen years at Phillips Academy, Paul pointed out the flaws in Bush’s opposition to medical marijuana in his home state. Sen. Paul, who has hinted about his own wild college days, was quick to clarify that he did not fault Bush for having “made mistakes growing up.” Instead, he took issue with Bush’s inconsistent views on the drug. “If you’ve got MS in Florida, Jeb … Continue reading And Justice For All – Marijuana…
Child Sex Abuse in the Church, Again….
As the years go by I am convinced that the most abused thing in this world is the name of God. Everyday it seems that there is another person, group, religious sect that take God’s name in vain. The story below is about Jehovah’s Witnesses sect hiding, even from their own congregations, the child abusers among them. Here are some of the words from the PBS Newshour report on this subject. If you want to see the entire interview click on the source below: Believers are taught to renounce secular society because it’s controlled by Satan, and not to socialize … Continue reading Child Sex Abuse in the Church, Again….
Flatiron Building
The Flatiron Building in NYC is one of the most unique buildings around and is very much part of the heart of America. This picture was taken last year while I was sitting on the upper level of a Greylines … Continue reading Flatiron Building
Walking The Plank…
I dread to think about how our totally politicized Supreme Court is going to rule on the latest attack on affordable healthcare for almost ten million of us. Will they essentially make those folks walk the plank as Steve Sack shows in this editorial cartoon. It is widely known that most of the yahoos on the court vote primarily on their political alignment. The law and original intent just doesn’t seem to mean much to them. I also see where the Republicans have recently come out with their budget proposals for the coming year. Take a look at that … Continue reading Walking The Plank…
RJ's Corner - Having My Say 