The Vegetable Medley

On By scottpetersenIn Renaissance Hombre, The Vegetable MedleyLeave a comment

As Boy Scouts on campouts – dinner was often a slice of Spam, half an onion and a piece of potato. Plus a chunk of butter. All was wrapped in tin foil and tossed into a campfire. Within ten or fifteen minutes, we’d unwrap the tinfoil and we were ready for a gourmet repast. Ahhhh memories. . . .

I have thankfully advanced several levels from that fine outdoor dining experience. Chapter 7 of Renaissance Hombre – features an abbondanza of my recipes and food-related posts. One that is not included is my favorite – healthy – “vegetable medley.” The ingredients are simple: sweet potato; butternut squash; and a sweet (or yellow) onion. I chop the onion fine and cube (less than one inch) the butternut squash and sweet potato. I heat up a little cooking olive oil and saute the mix until the cubes are cooked through. I will sometimes cover the pan and keep on low heat depending on what else is on the menu. As the cooking progresses, I add pepper, garlic powder and some Italian seasoning. For an extra bounce, you can add a teaspoon or two of maple syrup. Depending on your guests, chopped up garlic cloves add zing.

This is a dish where you get your carbs, your veggies, good fiber and a dash of protein. I always make enough for leftovers and I have it cold – for breakfast. Nuthin’ better. . . . .

Free at Last

On By scottpetersenIn Martin Luther King, St. Mark Lutheran ChurchLeave a comment

[A timely repeat from February 12, 2022] I was there – live and in person – when Martin Luther King delivered his speech which ended with the words “free at last, free at last, thank God a’mighty we are free at last.” It was an amazing day – but it was not at the Lincoln Memorial in August 1963. It was in Miami Beach in 1961.

When I was 14 years old, the American Lutheran Church Luther League Convention was held in Miami Beach, Florida, August 15-20, 1961. St. Mark Lutheran Church in Mt. Prospect sent a contingent of “Hi Leaguers” to this august August event. And I was one of them. Dr. King was the keynote speaker.

Dr. King’s speech was recorded – and transcribed – and can be found at https://soundcloud.com/user-238560644/dr-martin-luther-king-jr-speaking-at-the-alc-luther-league-convention-in-1961  Over the last few days, I revisited the transcription of that speech 61 years ago. “Powerful” is an understatement. They are words that we would be well advised to remember. And incorporate into our lives. A few examples which apply today. . . .

“The world in which we live is a neighborhood, and we face the moral responsibility of making it a brotherhood. We must learn to live together as brothers or we will all perish together as fools.”

“All life is inter-related and we are all caught in an inescapable network of mutuality, tied in a single garment of destiny so that whatever affects one directly affects all indirectly.”

” . . . there is a voice crying through the vista of time saying to every potential Peter ‘put down your sword.’ History is replete with the bleached bones of nations. History is cluttered with the wreckage of communities that fail to follow this command.”

And he quotes John Donne – “No man is an island entirely of itself — every man is a piece of the continent – a part of the main.”

The words of Dr. King are worth reading. And re-reading. Perhaps one day, “all of God’s children” can join hands – and be “free at last.”

An Idea from the Chicago Fire

On By scottpetersenIn California wildfires, Great Chicago FireLeave a comment

From October 8th to 10th in the year 1871, the City of Chicago was devastated by a massive conflagration of fire. Roughly three and a half miles of the City was destroyed, approximately 300 people died and more than 100,000 residents were left homeless. You can read a summary of the event at https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Great_Chicago_Fire Several stone structures survived – like the the famed Chicago Water Tower on Michigan Avenue. These structures still stand today as a legacy to that horrific fire that rampaged through the City. Everything else was consumed. Yet. . . . .

There were perhaps half a dozen wooden-structured homes that survived in the middle of the raging inferno of flames. A few homes left standing amidst the charred neighborhoods (the Ogden House; Bellinger Cottage; the Lind Block). How in the world did they survive? Fasten your seat belts. . . . .

When the fire began, the owners of the homes that endured promptly covered their dwellings with burlap, blankets and clothing – with the cloth hanging over the roofs and sometimes down to the ground. And then . . . . they began soaking the fabric with water. They continued to soak – as the flaming embers flew, settled and fizzled out. This lesson of 150 years ago might be of value. Perhaps providing rolled up – fire-retardant – fabric for the roof with an irrigation system. Fire approaches? Roll down the fabric, turn on the water for constant soaking and make your escape. And hope for the best.

A footnote on this topic – I learned as a Boy Scout that you can fill a paper cup with water and put it on the burner on your stove – and boil the water without the paper burning. Yep. Maybe there’s another way to protect a home – from the inside out. Who knows. . . . .

Tai Chi – Qi Gong

On By scottpetersenIn Qi gong, Tai chiLeave a comment

Around 60 years ago, I studied karate (gung mao gung fu) at the old Duncan YMCA on Chicago’s West Side under the tutelage of 7th degree master – Walter Borkowski. After pushing myself (and being pushed) I attained a green belt. I bordered on brown but I quit.

Fast forward some 30 years. I signed up for classes in tai chi and qi gong. I did this for about a year. These gentler disciplines were much easier to handle. We have probably all seen the gatherings in Chinese gardens of (often older) adults moving slowly from side to side – in synchrony – moving out and moving in. Tai chi is considered a form of “moving meditation.” Slow breaths and gentle movements that are arguably patterned after movements found in nature. Tai chi can be practiced by anyone – even those with disabilities. There are health benefits – for mind, body and spirit. Tai chi helps with balance as well.

Qi gong (pronounced chee-gong) is more of a mental exercise that does not require a lot of movement but does require a lot of concentration. Qi gong involves a repetition of movement – usually (in my experience) hand movements which capture energy, visualizes strength and enhances breathing, calm and relaxation.

These days, when I go to the local fitness center, I sometimes practice a few – very rudimentary – blocks and hand movements (my legs ain’t what they used to be) and then some gentle qi gong breathing. I do this at home as well. It helps with balance – though each day is a new day. Since there’s a lot of “aging” going around, there may be benefit for those reading this to check out these disciplines — tai chi and qi gong. There’s literally no downside. . . . .

Edward Everett Hale

On By scottpetersenIn Edward Everett HaleLeave a comment

[A repeat from June 3, 2018] Edward Everett Hale (1822-1909) was a prominent Boston theologian and author.  He penned the classic narrative – The Man Without a Country (1868) — the story of an American Army Lieutenant who renounces his country during a trial for treason.  The lieutenant is sentenced to life at sea — never again to hear news about or the word “America.”  The story was designed as an allegory about the pains of the Civil War. 

From 1901 to 1909, Hale was the Chaplain of the United States Senate.   While Reverend Hale was serving as chaplain, he was asked if he prayed for the Senators.  “No,” he said. “I look at the Senators and I pray for the country.”  Given the current chaos, perhaps we might all profit by extending similar petitions. . . .

As a collector and dealer of historic autograph material, Edward Everett Hale was long a focus of my collecting.  Over the years, I acquired nearly 400 of Hale’s original letters and signed first editions.    How I started collecting Hale’s original letters is a story in itself.  Among the letters were perhaps a dozen small cards – each carefully handwritten – with Hale’s favorite advice – “Look up and not down. Look forward and not back.  Look out and not in.  Lend a hand.”  Good counsel for each one of us . . . . . 

The Lottery of Birth

On By scottpetersenIn Gabriel, Lottery of birthLeave a comment

[While we’re on the subject of faith, an oldie from April 9, 2015] I’m fortunate.  You who read this post are probably fortunate as well.  We were born into a relatively stable environment. Decent parents. An education.  Job.  Family.   Friends.  A religious tradition.  We can travel. And if we get sick, there are doctors to take care of us. The twinkling spark that suddenly became YOU arrived just in the right place.  At the right time.  It was a lottery.  Of birth. 

What if that spark had come to life a hundred years ago. A thousand. For many in those times, they just endured.  Day by arduous day.  Struggling with the things we take for granted today.  Yet even now there are those who are born into a life of abysmal poverty, suffocating hunger and crippling disease.  Raised in countries ravaged by violence, hatred and injustice.  Where every single day may be a strenuous, painful and frightening saga.   Do you ever think — that could’ve been me.  Do we have a duty to help resolve issues like poverty? World hunger?  

And what about faith traditions that deny salvation to those not exactly like them.  Can a little boy help if he is born in Totonicapan, Guatemala?  Or to a Hindu family in Rajahmundry, India?  Can we help that we are born Lutheran? Episcopal? Catholic, Jewish?  Buddhist?  Moroccan? Pakistani? Chinese? And if the little girl in Zimbabwe never hears the message of [pick your faith tradition] what does that mean for her eternity?  Her hope of salvation? Is it a closed door?   I wonder how the Archangel Gabriel might answer that question (please see post of 1/30/12).

The Four Chaplains – A Commentary

On By scottpetersenIn Gabriel, The Four ChaplainsLeave a comment

[A follow up from November 10, 2021] I am touched by the story of The Four Chaplains. By the heroism, the sacrifice and the amazing constellation of circumstance that brought these four men together. At that hour. At that place. What are the odds that four friends – clergy of four different faiths — would be together on that dark night, when a torpedo changed their world.

Question. Do you think the fellow who got the priest’s life jacket was first asked “are you Catholic?”  Do you think the rabbi inquired – “are you Jewish?” Or the Methodist or Reformed Church pastors asked- “are you Methodist? Reformed?” I suspect not. Four men died so that four men could live. John 15:13 states “Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.”

Could it be that there is a higher message? When these four heroes died, what was important was saving the life of a fellow human being. Yet knowing that they were sacrificing their own. Might God’s benevolence be similarly ecumenical? Is the criteria for salvation that one be Methodist? Lutheran? Catholic? Jewish? Episcopalian? Or another faith? I’m just askin’. . . .

The Four Chaplains

On By scottpetersenIn The Four ChaplainsLeave a comment

[A repeat from November 6, 2021] On January 23, 1943, the SS Dorchester set sail from New York en route to Greenland. The Dorchester carried 900 civilian and military personnel as part of a convoy of three ships. During the early morning hours of February 3, 1943, the ship was torpedoed by the German submarine U-223 off the coast of Newfoundland. Four chaplains were on board: George L. Fox (Methodist minister); Alexander D. Goode (Jewish Rabbi); John P. Washington (Catholic Priest); and Clark V. Poling (Reformed Church Minister). The four had met at the Army Chaplains School at Harvard University. All had served as leaders of the Boy Scouts of America.

As the ship began to sink, the Chaplains helped organize the evacuation of the ship, they hurried men into the lifeboats and when the supply of life jackets ran out, the Four Chaplains each gave theirs – to another. As the bow began to raise, the Four Chaplains linked arms and began praying and singing hymms. A survivor – Grady Clark – said “As I swam away from the ship, I looked back. . . The last thing I saw – the Four Chaplains were up there praying for the safety of the men. They had done everything they could. I did not see them again. They themselves did not have a chance without their life jackets.”

The story was received back in America with considerable emotion. Each of the Four Chaplains was posthumously awarded the Distinguished Service Cross and the Purple Heart. They were nominated for the Medal of Honor but were found technically ineligible as their deaths did not occur in combat.

On May 28, 1948, a stamp was issued to honor the legacy of the Four Chaplains. I still have my stamp collection and my examples of this iconic stamp.

The Jack Horner Pie

On By scottpetersenIn Jack Horner pieLeave a comment

I suspect that most folks have some family tradition(s) at Christmas. It may be where you go, what you do, who you see, what’s for dinner, and so on. For the Petersens, the Machcinskis (Donna’s family), the Bluethners (her mother’s family), it was always the Jack Horner Pie.

The Jack Horner pie idea originated with Little Jack Horner – the nursery character – who put in his thumb and pulled out a plum. Started in generations past – for us – the Jack Horner pie is a small box in the center of the dining room table. The box has open sides and is covered with a small tablecloth or Christmas napkins – with decorations on top (Donna’s grandmother with a skating scene; Donna’s mother with plants and foliage; and our tradition of small wooden Swedish figures). Hidden inside the box is a small wrapped gift for each person at the table topped by a single one dollar scratch off lottery ticket. It is the last gift of Christmas Day. The gift is tied to a long red ribbon that snakes across the table to a small sparkly nutcracker place card holder for each person at the table. When dinner is finished – it is TIME!! The ribbons are pulled – starting with the oldest person at the table down to the youngest (who must wait with patience).

Inserting the gifts so that they come out in the appropriate order (without toppling the box) requires a degree in engineering. And the Jack Horner pie becomes an integral part of the magic of Christmas.

Christmas 2024

On By scottpetersenIn Christmas, Isaiah 9, Luke 21 Comment

For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given . . . . and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, the mighty God, the everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace.   Isaiah 9:6

And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem (because he was of the house and lineage of David). To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child. And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered. And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.   Luke 2:4-7

Here we are again! Christmas 2024!   There is an old expression that the days are often long but the years go quickly. How true. . . . .

Best wishes to everyone for a Happy and Blessed Christmas, New Year and Holiday Season!!