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.

When all you have is a hammer…

Posted on April 13, 2021 by Don Watkins

There’s an old expression, “when all you have is a hammer, everything looks like a nail.” That seems to be the case in the spate of police killings of black men and women in the United States of America. There … Continue reading →

Posted in prayer | Leave a comment

ACLU-MN RESPONDS TO POLICE KILLING OF DAUNTE WRIGHT | ACLU of Minnesota

Posted on April 13, 2021 by Don Watkins

Police killed Daunte Wright, 20, during a traffic stop in Brooklyn Center Sunday afternoon. Yet another Black life was taken by those sworn to protect, and we join the community in mourning Wright’s loss. — Read on http://www.aclu-mn.org/en/press-releases/aclu-mn-responds-police-killing-daunte-wright

Posted in local | Leave a comment

‘We Need Police-Free Schools’: Survey Finds 2/3 of US Students Want Cops Removed From Campus

Posted on April 6, 2021 by Don Watkins

Keeping police in schools doesn’t prepare students nor does it necessarily protect teachers. Schools need to be sanctuaries for the students who come there. There must be better ways to protect students and staff than stationing armed police in school … Continue reading →

Posted in local | Leave a comment

Celebrating libraries

Posted on April 6, 2021 by Don Watkins

This week is National Library Week in the United States. Yesterday I visited one of our local public libraries and borrowed a book. Visiting libraries has always been a religious experience for me. I grew up next to the Arcade … Continue reading →

Posted in Books, local | Tagged , , , , | 2 Comments

Rethinking religion

Posted on April 5, 2021 by Don Watkins

Today’s edition of The Guardian had a lead article about how the religious right is fueling the decline of religion in America. I think that’s true but it goes deeper than that. While observing the Easter Vigil on Saturday night … Continue reading →

Posted in Franciscan, Spiritual | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment

This light that has overcome the darkness

Posted on April 4, 2021 by Don Watkins

I’m a fan of Matthew Fox. He and other theologians like Ilia Delio and John Duns Scotus have influenced my thinking too. Today is Easter for many in the world and the familiar greeting among many of the world’s Christians … Continue reading →

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

There is a middle way

Posted on April 3, 2021 by Don Watkins

This Is How It Always Is by Laurie Frankel My rating: 5 of 5 stars This is a wonderful book about a subject that I know very little about. Now, having read the book I know a bit more. It’s … Continue reading →

Posted in Books | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Celebrating the Passion

Posted on March 28, 2021 by Don Watkins

Today is the first day of Holy Week in the Catholic Church and other Christian churches as well. Today at Mass they Passion of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ will be read. We will remember how he rode triumphantly … Continue reading →

Posted in Catholic, Franciscan | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Be a neighbor not a nut

Posted on March 24, 2021 by Don Watkins

Most of the pro-gun folks have serious insecurity issues that need to be addressed. Phobic fear of your neighbors and “the government” is what fuels most of these kooks. Just today while waiting to purchase a coffee and sandwich in … Continue reading →

Posted in veterans | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Who am I to judge?

Posted on March 19, 2021 by Don Watkins

Pope Francis got some flack when he first came to the papacy in 2013 when he said he was not in a position to judge gay clergy. I don’t think he’s changed his view but it certainly seems that the … Continue reading →

Posted in Catholic, Franciscan | Tagged , , | 1 Comment