Monthly Archives: August 2008

I challenge you..

Posted on August 30, 2008 by Don Watkins

A couple of weeks ago following my nephew’s graduation from Recruit Training at Great Lakes Naval Station I approached my nephew and told him I thought that national service would be a good thing for most Americans. I thought we’d … Continue reading →

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Buchanan loved the speech too!

Posted on August 30, 2008 by Don Watkins

I would have thought hell had frozen over before I’d hear these words from Pat Buchanan. That is the measure of the power of Senator Obama’s acceptance speech.

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It’s about US

Posted on August 30, 2008 by Don Watkins

Today I got some emails about Senator Obama and about why I shouldn’t vote for him and it propelled me to write back and to assert that Senator McCain is not a bad person or a bad American either, but … Continue reading →

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Squirrels in our midst

Posted on August 30, 2008 by Don Watkins

I drove to Olean, New York tonight for a dinner with my wife at the Beef & Barrel Restaraunt in downtown Olean. It’s one of our favorite stop and perhaps the best beef house in all of New York State. … Continue reading →

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Waiting to hear

Posted on August 25, 2008 by Don Watkins

This is another good thought from Thomas Merton. Contemplation is essentially a listening in silence, an expectancy… In other words, the true contemplative is not the one who prepares his mind for a particular message that he wants or expects … Continue reading →

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Bill Cosby

Posted on August 24, 2008 by Don Watkins

Last night my wife and I drove west the sixty-seven or so miles that it is from our home in Franklinville, New York to Chautauqua Institution. Chautauqua is one of those lovely contemplative venues that I love. Diane loves Bill … Continue reading →

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Three generations

Posted on August 23, 2008 by Don Watkins

I put together a short video of pictures of my uncle, my Dad, myself and my nephew in uniform. That’s three generations serving the United States of America in uniform. My uncle was the lone Army veteran. Dad, Tom and … Continue reading →

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Rewarding

Posted on August 22, 2008 by Don Watkins

At 0730 last Friday morning I found myself riding with my brother and his family through the Illinois Street Gate at United States Navy Recruit Training Command. That morning was filled with excitement for all on board. It was homecoming … Continue reading →

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Grateful living

Posted on August 22, 2008 by Don Watkins

I got the following in the mail today from Brother David Steindl-Rast, OSB and it arrives at a time of transition for me. Summer is turning to autumn. My daughter has returned to college. I’ve returned from a journey that … Continue reading →

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Paradox of peace

Posted on August 19, 2008 by Don Watkins

I got this quote in today’s mail from the Merton Institute and it really resonated for me. The second sentence here is right on target. Paradoxically, I have found peace because I have always been dissatisfied. My moments of depression … Continue reading →

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