Author Archives: Don Watkins

About Don Watkins

I'm a FOSS advocate, writer, educator, Python coder, Linux user, US Navy Veteran, Secular Franciscan, husband,father and grandfather. I blog about my life and experiences that give it meaning.

Mom is happy

Posted on November 7, 2020

I celebrated Mom’s birthday yesterday. She’s been gone fifteen months. Yesterday marked the 94th anniversary of her birth. I can only imagine what heaven is like but if she’s aware in any way what happened today in the United States … Continue reading →

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Joe Biden wins Pennsylvania, and with it, the presidency

Posted on November 7, 2020

That’s the ballgame, folks. Joe Biden’s projected win in Pennsylvania puts him over 270 electoral votes. There are still potential state wins on the table, but he does not need them. … — Read on m.dailykos.com/stories/2020/11/7/1990093/-Joe-Biden-wins-Pennsylvania-and-with-it-the-presidency

Posted in Gratitude, Spiritual | Tagged , | Leave a comment

All inclusive

Posted on November 3, 2020

The word catholic is defined as all embracing. However there are some Roman Catholics who are single issue voters. The paradigm is changing. Fr. Dan Horan OFM who represents the emerging millennial Catholic conscience is one of the reasons I … Continue reading →

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Catholics for Biden

Posted on November 2, 2020

Just last week I learned of Catholics for Biden. Actually the group is part of a larger “Believers for Biden.” I was happy to learn during the campaign that Joe Biden carries a rosary with him everyday. I do too … Continue reading →

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Donate to FAN

Posted on November 1, 2020

I learned this week that the Secular Franciscan Order in the United States is no longer officially supporting the Franciscan Action Network. I was very saddened to learn this. Franciscan Action Network(FAN) actively engages in peace making, care for creation, … Continue reading →

Posted in Catholic, Franciscan, racism | Tagged , | 2 Comments

Man of the Year

Posted on October 24, 2020

American Crisis: Leadership Lessons from the COVID-19 Pandemic by Andrew M. Cuomo My rating: 5 of 5 stars Well written. As I read the text I could hear the familiar voice of Governor Andrew Cuomo that pulled back the curtain … Continue reading →

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Wrong man for the job

Posted on September 23, 2020

Rage by Bob Woodward My rating: 5 of 5 stars This is a page turner. Woodward does a great job of reporting on the Trump presidency with extensive interviews with the principals in the story. It’s one of the best … Continue reading →

Posted in Books | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment

Radical Equality

Posted on September 20, 2020

Today’s Gospel in Catholic churches everywhere is drawn from the Matthew 20: 1-16. It’s a familiar parable of the landowner who is hiring people to work in his vineyard. You’ve heard it many times I’m sure. The landowner goes out … Continue reading →

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Call to conversion

Posted on September 4, 2020

Waging Peace: One Soldier’s Story of Putting Love First by Diana Oestreich I’ve read so many good books this summer that i didn’t think it was possible to read one more. This invitation to read this book from a class … Continue reading →

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Those who have eyes to see

Posted on August 28, 2020

I’ve come to believe that white supremacy is so embedded in Eurocentric American Christianity that most folks can’t believe that Jesus and the early church were not white. That they were in fact brown and/or black. Look at the statues … Continue reading →

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