AI = Seeds

 Can you explain how a seed germinates?  I don't mean adding water and sunlight.  I mean what is inside the seed that makes it start to grow into an entity.  No one can.  No one completely understands how and why.  The same is true of AI.

I never thought about that until reading Magnifica Humanitas.  The terminology used in paragraph 98, is cultivated.  AI is not built; it is more like a seed that has been watered and put in the sun. The computer designers and software and hardware designers create a framework within which the intelligence works.  It is like the sun and water on the seed.  The seed blossoms into something.  The designers try this and that until the right combination gels, and it blossoms into something.  How and why?  Presently, no one knows.  

Hold on!

Exactly.  More research, more understanding needs to be done, before full permission is given to just plunge forward.  Remember the movie, Hal 9000. The problem is that the humans trust, depend, and follow the computer HAL.  HAL is the authority over the humans.  The movie is a cautionary story.

HAL 9000 at a Glance#

Designation	Detail
Full name	HAL 9000: Heuristically programmed ALgorithmic computer
First appearance	2001: A Space Odyssey (1968), film and novel developed in parallel by Stanley Kubrick and Arthur C. Clarke
Activation	12 January 1992 at the HAL plant in Urbana, Illinois (the film’s date; the novel says 1997)
Function	Governing intelligence of Discovery One: navigation, communications, diagnostics, life support
Voice	Douglas Rain, who returned for 2010: The Year We Make Contact (1984)
Confirmed kills	Frank Poole and the three hibernating crew members of Discovery One
Cultural standing	Ranked the 13th greatest film villain of all time by the American Film Institute, the highest placed non-human on the list

#

Battle of the Bulge

The Second Objective by Mark Frost was written for readers interested in military history.  The setting is Europe, WWII.  The Nazis are losing and they make a last ditch effort to take control.  We encounter the Battle of the Bulge and a counter plan to assassinate the commander of the allies.  

The characterization was good.  Heroes and villains depicted humanity's best and worst.  The pace could have belonged to a "thriller."  I learned a little history even though I thought I knew it.

 

Everybody Suspect

 This is my first PD James book.  I read Death in Holy Orders.  The detective is Adam Dalgliesh and I understand he is in PD James' other books.  I did not guess "who done it?"  It seemed like everybody had a motive.  Also, many had shaky alibis.  

This is what happened.  The setting is on the coast of northern England, where it is harsh, cold, and storm ridden.  The place is a seminary.  They call their seminarians--ordinands.  They wear cassocks and clocks.  This is high church Anglican.  The place is St. Anselm's Theological College.  Dalgliesh's father was a minister and the family often vacation and /or had retreats there.  Dalgliesh in particular had fond memories or summer spent there.  That is why he is assigned to investigate the death of an ordinand.

The death could have been an accident or suicide.  While Dalgliesh is investigating, there at the college, the Archdeacon is murdered.  There are a couple of other deaths, also; if not murder, then suspicious. 

Not only is the mysteries interesting, but the characters and their psyches are interesting.  I found the novel rich in setting, plot, dialogue, suspense, and characterization.  This will not be my last PD James mystery.  

A Chaplain

 Did you know where the noun "chaplain" comes from.  According to Dale K. Pace, in A Christian's Guide to Effective Jail and Prison Ministries, "chaplain" comes from "cape."  The story is told that St. Martin of Tours tore his cape in half and gave it to a beggar.  Chaplains care and serve others.  

God is In Fashion

 News reports are commenting that there is renewed interest in God.  Maybe it's an American pope, but that doesn't explain the interest in Spain and France.  I think the interest stems from so many years of no spirituality.  Suddenly people notice--an American pope, Christian singers, Religious tattoos, etc.  

Sacrifice

This poster appeared in my feed just when my friend was complaining that she didn't understand why God, who controls everything, couldn't think of another way to redeem us, rather than crucifying Jesus. 

 The words, "Biblical worship," made me think.  At Jesus time, especially before, worship consisted of sacrificing.  Not only did people sacrifice goats, lambs, but even people!!!!!  So, Jesus dying as a sacrifice to redeem mankind would not seem so horrific to the people of the times.  He is even called Lamb of God.

Ex Machina

 Book of Souls by Glenn Cooper is the second in the series featuring Will Piper.  I highly recommend reading the first in the series, Library of the Dead, otherwise I don't think you will understand the story.  I did read Library of the Dead and was glad to connect the dots.

In the Book of Souls, Will get caught up in finding a missing book, that was one of the ones written in Library of the Dead.  He was trying to help a couple of FBI colleagues.  They were retired, as he was.  But one of them, made a deal with Will that involved too much money--a deal he couldn't refuse.

In getting the book back and solving the mystery the book led Will to, he encounters medieval letters from Shakespeare, John Calvin, and Nostradamus.  Of course, this is all a violation of the agreement Will made with the government.  Will almost gets killed.  But his wife, Nancy, saves him.  

Good, because there's a sequel.  Stay tuned.  

Murder for Dessert

 Death Sits Down to Dinner by Tessa Arlen is a turn of the twentieth century mystery novel.  It begins with an invitation to a birthday dinner for Winston Churchill's 39th birthday.  I'll start off with a bit of a spoiler.  This was a botched assassination attempt on Winston Churchill.  Unfraternally, another guest, from an important family, and who looks like Winston Churchill from behind, is murdered. Lady Montfort is a guest and an amateur detective.

Lady Montfort and Mrs. Jackson, the housekeeper, solve the mystery.  Lady Montfort would not presume to poke her nose downstairs, at the gossip and goings-on, of the help, but Mrs. Jackson can and does.  That's how the two ladies put two and two together to solve the problem.  

If you enjoy historical settings, you will enjoy the Edwardian setting and mores.  It took me awhile to get everyone straight.  I had to put a bookmark on the list of characters, so I could refer back. Whenever I read about families with servants, I always think the servants are more interesting.  They also had more fun. The upstairs/downstairs focus was certainly intriguing.

Bingo Skit

 Narrator Pete:                                            The Day Bingo was Gone!

When the key in the lock, opened the Franklin Senior Center, who knew what the day

would bring.  The cafe opened with the alluring smell of coffee. The Sunshine Club 

participants started arriving.  The yoga mats soon spread out.  The Senior Van arrived  

and dropped off passengers. All seemed normal, until the Director of the Senior Center

made an announcement over the intercom for everyone to gather in the cafe.

Listen to what the Director said.

Director Steve: I’m afraid I have some alarming news.  This morning all the equipment

for Bingo is gone.  It’s missing.  Someone took it.  

Everyone:  No/what happened/how/who cares/now what….Angry Ad Libs!

Director Steve: Quiet down and listen.  I know this impacts some of you, but we still 

have other activities–cribbage, mah jong, bridge, scrabble, puzzles and

Everyone: What?  What else?  What now? How?

Helen: Someone stole Bingo?  Who?

Everyone: Yeah, Who?

Alice: That’s not right.  I miss Bingo.

Everyone: Yeah.  Get a life.

Bill: How can we play with no cards?  Can we buy more?

Everyone: Yes.  Buy more.  We pay taxes, buy more Bingo cards!

Director Steve:  Order!!  Keep it down.  This isn’t murder.  Someone, we don’t know who, 

or why, or how, but the Bingo board, cage, numbered balls, and cards

are all gone.

Faith: Maybe the school department borrowed it, or some other town department.

Helen: Maybe another town took it.

Director Steve:  If anyone borrowed the Bingo equipment, they would have asked permission

first.  Everything is gone.

Bill: Call the police.

Alice: Yes, file a missing Bingo game report.

Director Steve:  Wait/wait/wait/  Don’t get carried away.  It’s only a game, and an old, kind of 

decrepit one, at that.  I’d feel foolish calling in the police over a silly old game.

Bill: I just called the police.

Director Steve:  (panicked voice)  You did??  Who gave you authority?  What if it’s just missing?

Faith:  Where would anyone put a Bingo Board, cage, and other stuff?  No it’s gone.

Police Chief Pete: Hello!  Good morning.  Quiet down.  Listen up!

Good morning.  For those of you who don’t know me, I’m the police chief.

I understand your Bingo equipment is missing.

Helen: Yes!  There’s been a theft of a vital component in the Senior Center operation.

Alice: Of course!  Bingo is vital.  What are we to do?

Police Chief Pete: Well, I know this is disruptive.  I’ve never played Bingo, myself, but I

do recognize the seriousness of the situation.

Everyone: Yes!  Help us!  Please help.

Police Chief Pete:    I will find it and I promise I will find the guilty person who stole it.  Any 

Questions?

Alice: Stop talking and start looking.

Director Steve:  Look, I know this is a hardship but we will get through it.  Stay strong.

Everyone: Yeah!  Boston strong.  Franklin strong.  Senior Center strong!

Faith: Don’t take too long, or I’m going to a different Senior Center.

Police Chief Pete:  So what is exactly missing?

Everyone: Bingo Board–big board/cage/cards/number balls…

Police Chief Pete:  ALL that?!?

Deputy Director Bob:  What do we do meanwhile?

Director Steve:  I will order new Bingo equipment/ new bingo software/automated balls/ virtual 

Bingo show that is much better than the old Bingo Board.

Everyone: Yay!  

Director Steve:  It will come tomorrow.  See, you won’t be without Bingo for long–one day.

Police Chief Pete:  That was fast.  Too fast.  So fast, it’s suspicious, like it was pre-meditated.

Director Steve, you keep stressing that the stolen Bingo equipment was old?

Outdated?  

Director Steve:  Yes, actually, the thief did us a favor because now we have an excuse to 

purchase new Bingo equipment.

Deputy Director Bob: Yes, it actually was so worn, it was embarrassing.

Police Chief Pete:  Mmmm.  You know, I’m going to get search warrants to search the premises

of the Senior Center, Director Steve, and Deputy Director Bob’s homes.

Director Steve AND Deputy Director Bob:   WHAT!!!  Wait!  What, why?

Police Chief Pete:  I think this theft was an inside job.  It looks like a scheme to get new Bingo

Stuff, especially since the Director and Deputy Director already ordered new 

Bingo Equipment before the old Bingo stuff was even missing.

Director Steve AND Deputy Director Bob: Er. We give up.  

Deputy Director Bob:  We did it for the Senior Center.

Director Steve:  We didn’t think the police would get involved over an old Bingo Game.

Everyone:   Don’t arrest them.  They did it for us.

Police Chief Pete: Still.  A crime has been committed.

Everyone: NO!

Helen: We’ll say it was all a joke.

Bill: I called the police.  I’ll say it was a mistake.  I didn’t know it was a joke.

Faith: We will all stick together.  It was a joke, a mistake.  It will be our word–all of

us, against you, Chief.

Police Chief Pete: Ah.  I see how it is.  I guess there’s nothing I can do.

Director Steve: You got that right.

Everyone: BINGO!

Tehillim 71:9

 Tehillim is a book in the Torah.  We Christians call the book Psalms. Psalm 71:9 is about feeling vulnerable in old age.  "Do not cast me away when I am old; do not forsake me when my strength is gone."

I am approaching 80.  Since I recently traveled across country, to go to a wedding, I often felt age related vulnerability.  I found the parking garage, the shuttles, the airports, overwhelming.  

However, I don't feel cast off.  The opposite, people defer to me.  I find it embarrassing.  I think, "Do I look the decrepit?"  But I know it's kindness.  Too bad King David didn't feel that way.  He worried about his age-related weaknesses.  

One thing King David and I have in common, though.  We have always love and trusted God's grace and know that God won't abandon us.

Historical Conspiracy

 The Lost Pope by Glenn Cooper doesn't have any sex in it.  I make that statement because the hero, Cal Donovan, is always jumping into bed with women.  The author doesn't make it necessary for the story, but still.  And I do get it, I really do, but this book proves that it's not necessary.  It's a good story.

What if I told you that Mary Magadalene wrote a Gospel?  Mmmm.  You've heard that, already.

What if I told you that she wasn't a prostitute?   Mmmmm.  You know that.

Well, I bet you didn't know that she was married to Peter.  That when Peter knew he was going to be killed, he passed the papal ring to her.  

Got ya!

That's the story and the papapari to prove it, is what this story is about.  The author tweaks the noses of rich conservative Catholics.  They want to suppress the idea of a woman pope, never mind discredit Cal's dream woman, Sister Elisabetta. As usual, the setting is Cambridge, MA, and Rome, there are libraries in Harvard and the Vatican, and the chase.  It has everything.  I think you'll like it.

Emotional Triggers

 There was something that happened at the wedding rehearsal, that still bothers me. I'm sure no one noticed or if they did, would remember it.  It amazes me how fast something hurtful, even if not intentional can deflate one's confidence.

Before I left for the wedding, I posted the reading Christina chose. At the wedding rehearsal, I started reading it.  It's from Song of Songs, about a lover waiting for his beloved.  Song of Songs is poetry. It begins with "Hark."  The minute I said "Hark," someone giggled. As I continued about "peeking through the latices," there was more giggling. I was not reading it dramatically, either.  After all, this was only a rehearsal.  I read it matter of fact.

It unsettled me.  Instantly, insecurities enveloped me.  I remembered my Boston accent was strong.  I remembered a speech teacher telling me that I had, "an annoying Merrimac Valley nasal twang." I remembered all the criticisms I received in Toast Masters.  I remembered when I quit being a Lector in church, no one tried to talk me out of it.

Well, it's over with, what's done is done.  However it came across, no one will remember.  It was the wedding that was important.

Christina & Ian's Wedding

Celebrating

 Christina's wedding was fabulous!  It lasted five days!!!!!  The first day was a dinner to meet everyone.  After all, people came from across the globe. The wedding was in California.  The groom and myself live in Massachusetts.  The bride's mother was Austrian.  So, everyone got together for appetifs at a restaurant, then to the bride's father's house for food and snaps.  The next day was the wedding rehearsal, followed by dinner at a Middle Eastern restaurant.  Finally--the big day.  The wedding was a nuptial Mass.  It was beautiful.  After the Mass, Christina took a bouquet and placed it at the foot of a statue of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel.  They said it was an old Catholic custom.

Following the wedding was a reception on a cruise ship.  While the revelry went on, the ship cruised Newport Harbor.  What a fantastic experience!

My!  I know I'm using a lot of exclamatory statements, but how else to describe this event?  Lastly, the next morning was a brunch, at a restaurant.  

May God bless this marriage of Christina & Ian.

Apocalypse

 Here's another Book Review.  This time it's Wild Fire by Nelson DeMille.  John Corey is the detective with his long suffering wife.  He's a smart mouth investigator.  His friend was murdered in an assignment that was meant for him. Corey's partner is his wife.  Both are investigating this crime, in the Adirondacks.  

The bad guys are out to blame Islamis.  This takes place right after 9/11 They hope to accomplish revenge by nuclear bombing American cities, which will force our government to think Islamic terrorists were responsible and go to war.

This is a fast-paced political thriller.  I see that it is part of a series and John Corey is featured in all of them.  If you like sarcastic, sexy heroes.  This is a book for you.

Sancta Indifferentia

 This book is so timely, I don't know why it's not more popular.  Reading the Times: A Literary and Theological Inquiry into the News by Jeffrey Bilbro is a guide to keeping your sanity while being bombarded by TV, radio, video clips, podcasts, newspapers, magazines, blogs, tweets, Facebook, etc. vying to get your attention.  Bilbro describes how all this attention-getting information affects us.  It's too much, too loud. and all-together too mis-leading, making us judge--too fast.

Bilbro recommends that we approach everything with "sancta indifferentia."  IOW, "holy indifference."  In thinking about this, I think "sancta indifferentia," is how I approach my favorite mysteries.  I love reading Louise Penny mysteries.  I am interested, very interested in the crime.  But I'm not intensely upset by the crime because, well, I know it's fiction, besides Inspector Armand Gamache will solve the mystery.  The same with Agatha Christie's Hercule Poirot.  That's how to approach the news.  Distance yourself; you can't do anything about it; it's part of God's plan; it's karma; it's kismet, it's cosmic justice, ca sera sera.

Another recommendation is to balance what you read with the opposite view.    Watch liberal and conservative news.  M er Iran, I wondered how come they're still shooting at our planes and ships. So, I turned the channel to Al Jazeera.  Al Jazeera was claiming victory over America.  Finally, I turned to BBC and got the "bare-boned" news.  The conflict was still on-going.  The USA was bombing all the military targets it could, and Iran had mined and closed the Strait of Hormuz.  So, who's winning? Well, let's call it a draw.  It's stalemated.  

Back to "sancta indifferentia."  Does it matter to you?  What can you do about it?   This too shall pass.  Ca sera sera. Don't get your knickers into a knot!

There are some people who are just incapable, unwilling, to read opposing views.  Bilbro said they are too entrenched in their identifying "tribe," "group," "party," "people."  They are incredulous that anybody could possibly disagree with their interpretation of "whatever."  If you showed them facts proving the opposite, they would not believe it.  They think the facts are falsehoods to trick you into thinking the opposite of what they believe. 

God bless them.

Speaking of God, Jeffrey Bilbro is a Senior Elder in his Luteran Church.  So, he recommends aligning oneself with reasonable, good, God-centered people.  They will help you keep your sanity.  Read what they read, listen to, and watch what your "tribe" does.  Start discussion groups.  You don't have to be a church goer.  Join a book club of like-minded, open people.  Read different books to discuss.  Have a Discussion group, like the Franklin Senior Center has. They conduct polite conversations on contemporary issues.  Have each member subscribe to different periodicals and talk about their readings.  Make sure to pass around and leave these magazines on the table, in the Senior Center.  As the author concludes, "...reading the news isn't good in and of itself, but ...it can be an instrumental good to journeying well with our Christian and non-Christian neighbors."

The Power of Love

 This is my niece's pick for a reading for her nuptial Mass.  To better understand and read it, I'm doing a Lection Divina on it.

LECTIO:    Songs of songs   2: 8-10, 14-16: 8: 6-7

STUDIUM:

This is a narrative poem about the love between a young maiden and her lover.  Metaphorically, it can be the love God has for His Church.  

MEDITATIO:

This Reading begins with the lover rushing to find his beloved.  Sometimes, I can't wait to get to my prayer time to be with God.  I do feel like this Lover, rushing like a gazelle.  And God is waiting for me.  I begin with "In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit."  This sign of the Cross is blazed on my body , like a blazing fire and water cannot wash it away.

ORATIO:

Thank you Jesus, for loving me.

CONTEMPLATIO:

Love is stronger than death.  I accept the love of God and strive to make my love for Him a reflection of perfect love.

Senior Citizen Haiku

 Help me up, my friend.

I want up, my bones say no.

Glory Be! Gravity!

Straight Roads Made Crooked

You haven't heard from me in a while because I've been traveling the Lincoln Highway. Yes, I've been reading Amor Towle's The Lincoln Highway.  And loving it.  I love Towle's characterization.  Each one of his characters were endearing, to me.  I wish I knew them.  Their adventures were often "hair raising." The morality was interesting and often thought provoking.  The plot was simple, but convoluted.  It reminded me of the expression, "You can't get there from here."

Keep life simple and true to yourself.  Always be kind.  That's the way to live, just like the best characters in Lincoln Highway.

Redemptive Suffering

 Jesus' suffering on the cross is the epitome of redemptive suffering.  He willing suffered because He loves us.  This came to mind, tonight, as I froze my butt off, watching my granddaughter play softball.  The game didn't get over till 8:30 pm.  The field's lights were on.  It was dark!  I was wrapped in a blanket and couldn't stop shivering.  

Why did I do it?  That's what parents and grandparents do for their loved ones.  They suffer out of love.  This also is redemptive suffering.  

Besides the fact, that even though these girls are sixth graders, I don't see any improvement in their playing, since they played Tee Ball.  When they throw; they overthrow.  They never catch anything.  Their pitchers walk everybody because they can't find the strike zone.  OY.  See, redemptive suffering.  

Stay Above the Fray

 A few days ago I posted the poem I chose for "My Favorite Poem" Event, at the library.  It was "How Can I Keep From Singing."  Yesterday, President Donald Trump was almost assassinated, again.  The war with Iran and Lebanon is still going on.  Never mind, the numerous conflicts in Africa and drug wars in Mexico.  I'm sure there are more situations I haven't named.  Again, "How Can I Keep from Singing," comes back to mind.  

I guess I'll resurrect my mantra, "All is passing.  Only God abiding."