Did you paint some Easter Eggs ?

Easter is upon us. 

A festival which takes its name from the Teutonic Goddess „Estre“.

In one week, on Sunday the 5^th day of April, 2015, the movable feast of Easter will be celebrated.

On the preceding Friday, Good Friday, all Christians will commemorate Christ's death on the cross, and three days later it will be a celebration of Christ's resurrection from the dead.

Easter is, by all accounts, the most important date on the christian calender. It has even been said, that Christmas, celebrating Christ's birth, is but a preparation for Easter.

Or, one could debate, that the fact of his resurrection is more important than the fact of his birth.

According to christian teaching Jesus Christ had to die on the cross in order that the sins of mankind might be forgiven.

If you now shake your head and ask:

„How's that again ? Where is the connection ?“ 

you are not alone. Even learned clergy struggle with an answer to this conundrum.

Ask your priest, your clergy man, your theologian this simple question:

„Why did Jesus, the Man, have to die on the cross and how does his death free us from sin,“ and the answers you receive will be so convoluted and nonsensical that you wonder how such utter non-sequiturs could remain a pillar of a faith for so long.

Fourty days after his resurrection comes Christ's ascension into heaven: „So then, after the Lord Jesus had spoken to them ( the disciples ) he was received up into heaven and sat down at the right hand of God.“

Let me take you back to 'John 3:16'

„For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life.“

What or Who did the Lord sacrifice?

Not much, because his son rose from the dead, three days after his death and 40 days later returned, apparently none the worse for wear, to heaven, where he sat down in the place of honour, on the right side of God.

In any event, it seems to me that we anthropomorphize God to a ridiculous degree. We ascribe to him the human emotions of „love, hate, sorrow, regret,“ and who knows what else, when, if he exists at all, he knows only justice: „When we cut ourselves, we bleed.“

Now it seems certain that God knew well that he would get his son back after three days absence and would welcome him home after 40 days. So what's the big sacrifice ?

If I have something which I really love and I lend it to you with the absolute certain knowledge to get it back after 3 days or, at the latest, after 40 days, what's the big sacrifice ?

So, it seems truly wonderful and marvellous that many people celebrate and are happy about the alleged resurrection, and ascension. 

Believing it in all its unbelievability, however, is more than I can do.

Bertstravels, however

handpainted a lot of easter eggs.

The red  eggs are, of course, store-bought. 

The others are my works of art

Conrad Black speaks out.

The most erudite of all former press barons, Mr. Conrad Black, wrote an opinion piece in the „National Post“, under the heading: „The shabby, shallow world of the militant atheist.“

In this discourse he informs us that during a conversation with Dr. John Lennox, professor of mathematics at Oxford University, and a most rational and persuasive advocate of a „Christian theistic view of the world“, it had come back to him what a „shabby level of mockery“ and sophistical evasion many of the militant atheists are reduced to.

At once I must marvel at the clever presentation and selective use of expressions Mr. Black utilizes:

He tells us, that all this re-enlightenment happened during an „enjoyable conversation“ with one of the „most rational“ professors of mathematics.

By having such an enjoyable conversation, Conrad puts himself on the highest level of rationality, right alongside the professor of mathematics.

How could they possibly be wrong ? After all, mathematics is the ultimate exercise of logic and this alone places both participants to this conversation on a level far above that of the average doubter. 
If a rational professor of mathematics espouses Christianity, then, Conrad does not say, but certainly suggests, his ( and Conrad's ) view of the christian world must be correct.

Again, as if to fortify his own view and beliefs, Mr. Black reminds us later in this dissertation, that „Dr. Lennox is one of the world's most eminent mathematicians.“

Does Conrad think his readers have such limited capacity to recall the written word so that it becomes necessary to present Dr. Lennox's credentials as a mathematician again and again, or is it that Conrad himself does not have sufficient strength of his own ideas in the realm of religion and/or philosophy ?

It seems to me that one could easily draw the conclusion that mastery of mathematics does not, per se, assure mastery of religious beliefs or non-beliefs.

Mathematics is a matter of knowledge and logical deductions, while religion is none of those.

Religion is a matter of belief, and has nothing whatever to do with „knowledge or logical deductions“.

The hackneyed and tired argument for the existence of a „Creator“ , a „devine intelligence“ being absolutely essential to explain the intricate and complex mechanisms of the universe is exactly what it is: Hackneyed and tired.

Conrad Black uses in his headline the words „militant atheist“, with the probably intended emphasis on the word „militant“.

Webster's Dictionary defines the word „militant“ as „having or showing a desire or willingness to use strong, extreme and sometimes forceful methods to achieve something.“

I have never heard of a group of Atheists, lead by Richard Dawkins or Christopher Hitchens, storming a Cathedral and killing all praying therein. I have heard, however, of believers engaging in holy wars and killing so-called non-believers by the bushel. 
I have also heard of the Inquisition, which, I venture to say, was quite militant.
So which one is „militant?“ Theists or Atheists ?

Must I remind you of the militancy of Moses, as ordered by God himself ? ( Or so Moe told his followers to keep them do his bidding ), or of the Christian Crusades between the 11^th and 13^th century? Talk about „militant“. That's militant.

If Mr. Black simply meant that some atheists present their views in a loud and forceful manner, then all of them are a long way behind ancient and/or modern preachers of Christianity and several other religions. Abraham a Santa Clara (1644 – 1709 ) was no slouch in matters of militancy, neither was the Southern Baptist, Billy Graham. Both, very militant in their presentations of their beliefs

I do not even want to mention some mullahs preaching their hate filled version of religion in their Mosques.

So, dear Mr. Black, don't try to misdirect us with your clever use of terminology. We're onto you.

I find it most interesting, that Conrad Black and Dr. John Lennox so firmly believe and pillory those who disbelieve.

When actually, this much praised Faith in a Creator, takes the same amount of „believing“ as does the denial of the existence of a Creator.

He, who believes in God, has no „evidence“ with which he may buttress his belief. And He, who does not believe in God, also has no evidence with which to buttress his disbelief.

Where then, does this leave those of us who do not wish to be bamboozled by Conrad, but also will not buy into the denial of Dawkins, Hitchens etc etc. because neither has and therefore cannot present any evidence.

The position of the Agnostic is the narrow shelf left to us.

We are sometimes accused of being non-committed fence sitters.

I, for one, prefer this position to simply accepting a set of beliefs without a shred of supporting evidence.

What was it, Epicurus, the Greek Philosopher (341 -270 BC) said among so many ideas worthy of study and knowing:

„ Nothing should be believed, except that which was tested through direct observation and logical deduction.“

So there you have it: Theism, Atheism, Agnosticism...

Take your pick.

Bertstravels

knows which one he wants.

Springtime

IT'S  SPRINGTIME AGAIN

Now I can see you

Now, that the gutters weep with molten snow

And grey grey pavement lies in blotches

Now I can see you.

Now, that you’ve lost the mantle

Which you bore

So destitute and cold

It covered you

And smothered you

And brought not comfort

And brought not pity

Now that the sun rides higher in the sky

And conquers the low roof lines

Which you once called your own

Your house

Your home

Your very own

Now I can see you

Now that the sun, the ultimately conquering,

Sheds golden light upon your broken wing

Across the gables of weather-beaten roof lines

Over the dark-red dilapidated,

Miserable houses

Which are but once removed

From Cabbage town

Now I can see you once again.

Where have you been?

This winter was so long

And I was certain that you’d gone South

And I was with you

In the land

Of warmth and gentleness;

And all the time

Unknowing

I walked on you with rubber boots and treaded you

And all your dreams

Into the newly fallen snow.

Now I can see you

Re-dream your dreams

Which surely you have dreamed

Re-dream my dreams

Which I have dreamed

Where have you been?

Freezing

Rain

Falling

Monotonously

Soaking into your feathered dress

Chilling your hollow bones

And stilling your fast beating

Heart

Snowflakes

Mixing with

Black soot 

of this Giant city

No longer white

Even before they come to rest upon

Grey grey asphalt

Just yards

From where I park my heavy car.

Why did you stay?

What kept you here?

Amongst those old

Not ancient

Just old and weary houses?

What beauty did you find

‘Midst these drab old houses ?

Not even graceful in their age

Just old and weary.

Why did you stay? What kept you here?

What beauty did you find?

And in your otherness

You were alone

In this Metropolis of Millions

You were alone

When all the others left

You dared

To stay behind

Alone.

You may have brought

A quick sharp stab of life

To those, inhabiting the houses,

As old and weather-beaten as the roof lines

Over which the sun now rises.

A quick sharp stab of life

And silence then again

I ask you now:

Was it worthwhile?

Was not the price too high

To stay behind 

Alone

And fly alone

And sing alone

And perch on roof tops

All alone?

The Price was You

Now that the gutters weep with molten snow

And grey grey pavement lies in blotches,

Now I can see you once again.

***********                                                                                                         ehr in Toronto

Bertstravels

Alpine Skiing...

Who are the Best of the Best ?
I'll tell you in two words: "The Austrians"
Let me give you a few facts and some statistics:
This year's competition was finalized yesterday with the last races of the 2014/2015 Season:
In the Men's final Slalom yesterday, in Meribel, France, the Austrian ace, Marcel Hirscher completed the course 0.83  seconds faster than the second placed Italian, Giuliano Razzoli.
Also in Meribel, amongst the women's world's best in Giant Slalom, the Austrian champion Anna Fenninger, distanced her Austrian teammate Eva-Maria Brem by 0.38 seconds.
Needless to state that other countries also have top performers, men and women, who won many a race...  Let me just mention Kjetl Jansrud of Norway, Alexis Pinterault, of France, Stefano Gross of Italy and amongst the women: Tina Maze of Slovenia, Lindsey Vonn and Michaela Shiffrin (both USA).
and I could go on and on with names of male and female competitors for a long long list, all of whom gave us enthusiastic "couch potatoes" so many hours of exciting TV watching.

Just for clarification: Each of the first 15 finishers in a race gets a certain number of points which finally decide his or her placing in the total roster.

In order to determine the placing of competing countries, all these points are added together and it is this number which establishes each country's position in the race for glory.

This is also, what so clearly tells of Austria's supremacy in the world of Skiing.

Country:                                         Total World Cup points

1.) AUSTRIA                                       11,617
2.) ITALY                                               6,145
3.) SWITZERLAND                               5,362     
4.) USA                                                    5,069                                              
There are, of course, many more countries which could be added to this list, but the above are the Leaders.

So therefore: Congratulations to the Austrian Ski-team and congratulation to all those individuals, men and women, who hurl themselves down a sometimes 80 degree decline at speeds of up to 130 km per hour. ( I hardly ever go this fast in my car along the Autobahn - 401 -)

Bertstravels
doffs his hat to them all.

LARGEST FORMAT

The following pictures of Grand Canyon MUST be viewed in the largest possible format.
Just click on the first and off you go to Arizona.

Bertstravels
viewing advisory buro

GRAND CANYON

A 446 km long scar edged into Arizona by the Colorado River.
The distance between the North Rim and the South Rim ranges between 6 to 29 km.
At least 17 million years ago, the Colorado River started its inexorable work, and, so it is estimated
ads 1.5 cm each year to the 1,800 meter depth of the canyon.
The Hualapai Nation, the Havasupai Tribe and the Navajo Nation, all First Nations of America take part in the administration of this natural wonder.
For thousands of years the entire area has been inhabited by Native Americans who considered the Canyon a holy site and made pilgrimages to it.

A lone visitor stands in utter awe, speechlessly admiring this spectacle of Nature 

Down along the "Bright Angel Trail" to the bottom of the Canyon,

it's like climbing an inverted mountain.

First, about 1800 meters down and then, when your knees have just about had it,

1800 meters back up to the starting point at the South Rim.

This Miracle of Nature, 

also called

The Corridor of Time.

Depending on the angle in which the sun hits the rock

the colours change from pink to brilliant red.

Hurray, Dustin Cook !

Congratulations to Dustin Cook.
Yesterday, in a Super G competition in Meribel, Dustin won the Gold Medal.
You just must know how to ski this disciplin, if you want to beat Greats like the Norwegian Ace Kjetil Jansrud, and in the same race, the Austrian giants like Marcel Hirscher, Max Franz and Hannes Reichelt.
The Canadian beat the Norwegian bei 5 one hundrest of a second (0.05 sec.). 
That's how these races are won and lost.
In the over-all standings, however, Cook, in 5th place trails Jansrud by 317 points  ( 556 :239).

However: For today we celebrate the 5/100th of a second.

Hurray for Canada.

and greetings from
Bertstravels

Hallstatt

In the "Salzkammergut" in Upper Austria, directly on the shore of the 'Hallstättersee' ( Lake Hallstatt) lies the miniature town of Hallstatt.
I say 'miniature' since the little town is perched on a narrow sliver of shore line, between the lake shore and a mountain.
The commercial success of Hallstatt was, of course, based on the mining of salt, dating back to the Celtic, Proto-Celtic and pre-Illyrian time. It is estimated that a settlement existed there between 800 to 450 B.C.
This little town gave its name to the early Iron Age 'Hallstatt culture'
The area was economically well situated due to the high value of Salt.
In the early days the settlement could only be reached by boat, or via a narrow foot path above the town.
Since 1595 the brine had been routed via the world's oldest pipeline, which originally consisted of 13,000 hollowed out trees.

Cemetery ? There is so little space available that bodies used to be exhumed every ten years and the skulls, with the name of the deceased carefully and artfully printed thereon stored in an ossuary.

Earliest archaeological finds date back to about 5,500 BC.

No description will suffice to give you the feel of a visit to Hallstatt.
A few pictures may help, though.

View of Hallstatt from the South.

The Main Square with the fountain and the Column 

thanking God that he stopped the Black Plague..

(It's strange: He does not get the blame for sending it, 

but He gets the credit for ending it.)

When visiting this smallest of small towns

one gets the feeling to be in "Gulliver's Lilliput"

Right behind the church the mountain rises.

Buildings compete for every square inch.

A home built right up against and into the rockface.

You live up there ?

You had better get used to climbing steps.

A Replica ?

On the 2nd June 2012, it was reported that the Chinese Mining company, "China Minmetals Corp". had built a full scale replica of the entire town in Huizhou, Guangdong province.

Mountains and Mountains and Mountains

I have been chastised: "You show more North American than Austrian pictures ! Don't you think", my friend said, "that your Canadian readers would like to see some parts of our, also beautiful country ?"
I was not aware that I had shown more of one than the other. 
If, however, this is so, then, please have a look at today's entry.
It's "Hintertux"!
The mountains around it, the famous Hintertux glazier, where, in the days of "The Crazy Canucks", the Canadian Alpine Ski Team engaged in its Summer training.

The Alps in all their glory:

One of the very rare pictures of your photographer.

(could stand to loose a few pounds! couln't he ?)

Intrepid skiers on the Glazier

The gondula, looking precarious, snakes around this peak.

Crocus

Along with the planted Snowbells, there are not-planted, wild growing Crocuses ( Croci ? Croca?)
anyway, there are more than one of those flowers.
So take a gander:

above: The very rare Pixilated Crocus

below: The Non-Pixilated, original Crocus flower.

Is this another of these strange flowers ?

or am I just having fun with my computer ?

although it's quite cold outside today

these Crocuses are blooming proof that Spring is just around the corner.

Montezuma's Castle

Near the town of Camp Verde in Arizona, USA, there are some well preserved cliff dwellings, built by the Sinagua People, a pre-columbian culture, sometime between approximately 1100 and 1425 AD.
Although it is now called "Montezuma's Castle", it really has neither any connection with Montezuma, the famous Aztec emperor,  nor is it a castle.
It is, in fact, and was used very much like an early High Rise apartment building.
It was built into the vertical rock face, 27 meters up a sheer lime stone cliff.
Was this elevation used for defence purposes, or, more likely, to protect themselves from the annual flooding of the nearby "Beaver Creek"?

Whatever the facts about this amazing structure may be, here are some pictures, taken several years ago on one of my many trips through the United States of America.

AROWHON PINES

250 km North/East of Toronto is the place you must not, and I mean NOT miss to visit.

It is the only lodge situated almost in the middle of this fabulous Nature Reserve and it offers you a holiday of your dreams. Nature in the raw surrounds you, while the greatest staff tries to pamper you with incredible food and comfortable lodgings.

Let me show you a few pictures:

It is early Fall and this visitor to Arowhon Pines, 

marvels at the deep blue waters of Little Joe Lake,

on whose shores this fabulous Lodge is situated.

The Rondo of the dining room.

Sit down and let expert staff serve you

the best food, this side of your mother's kitchen.

.

Early morning and the easy chairs are still empty

and a hint of fog still lies between the azzure sky 

and the deep blue waters of Little Joe.

The Dining Room

in which "Delectable" is spelled with a capital "D"

A young ( this year's ) Loon 

prepares for its flight South

Two Canoeists in heavy morning fog depart for a day's outing.

Some of the extremely friendly and well schooled staff,

headed by Theresa Pupulin ( fourth from left.)

If you want to experience a truly memorable holiday:

Stay at Arowhon Pines, in Algonquin Park.

Go on ! What's keeping you ?

Bertstravels 

has gone there again and again and again.

Kahlil Gibran - On Children

ON CHILDREN

Your children are not your children.
They are the sons and daughters of Life's longing for itself.
They come through you, but not from you.
And though they are with you yet they belong not to you.

You may give them your love but not your thoughts,
for they have their own thoughts.
You may house their bodies but not their souls,
for their souls dwell in the house of tomorrow, 
which you cannot visit, not even in your dreams.
You may strive to be like them,
but seek not to make them like you.,
for life goes not backward nor tarries with yesterday.

You are the bows from which your children
as living arrows are sent forth.
The archer sees the mark upon the path of the infinite,
and He bends you with his might
that His arrow may go swift and far.
Let your bending in the archer's hand be for gladness;
For even as He loves the arrow that flies,
so He loves also the bow that is stable.

                              *******************

Bertstravels 
likes the first two stanzas, but is not sure of the last eight lines.

THE P E A C O C K

A Milkweed plant breaking open and just before

the wind could distribute the seeds in every direction

I tripped the shutter.

One hundred and fifty ? or One ? or None ?

The Mayan civilization, has an astonishing, over 2,500 year history.

They were a highly civilized and clever people. They built large cities, containing some of the finest temple-pyramids and other ceremonial sites. They perfected a manner of written communication as well as a long range calender which expired only recently ( 2011 ).

Archaeologists have identified over 4000 sites of remnants of this grandiose culture.

Super smart people, one and all.

The Aztecs, a much later culture, also existing in the Mesoamerican regions between the 14^th and 16^th century AD also are known as highly cultured, and builders of great cities.

Super smart people, one and all.

The Greeks and the Romans: Not much needs be detailed about their cultural acumen.

We know about their philosophers, to name only the Greek triumvirate of Aristotle, Plato and Socrates.

We know about their buildings in Athens, in Rome and many other gigantic accomplishments in architecture, sculpture, painting, mosaic, creation of a highway system including viaducts and aqueducts. Accomplishments too many to list here.

Super smart people, one and all.

What about all these „super smart people“ and their religious believes ?

The Mayans adored over 150 Gods in their very complex and convoluted religion.

There was „Itzam“ ( Top cooky, Lord of Heavens, Night and Day) and „Chac“ (God of rain and the weather ) and „Ah Mun“ and „Ah Puch“ and so on, right up to about 150 of them.

The Aztecs had „Tlaloc“, Quetzalcoatl“ as well as „Tezcatlipoca“ and many, many more. They sacrificed thousands of their own and many more thousands of their conquered, to their Gods.

The Greeks had more Gods than you can shake a stick at. 

Starting with „Chaos (the Void)“ via many such divine creatures, right down to Cronos, who fathered Zeus and his brothers Poseidon and Hades- and then on and on .. as I said.. more of them than you can shake the proverbial stick at.

The Romans also have more Gods, almost too many to count: Right from Janus to Vesta and so many in between.

Given that we have clearly shown the intelligence and learning, the astonishing accomplishments of all of the above people ( and in number we have not even begun to scratch the surface) why would we assume that in matters of religion they were less intelligent, less smart, less sophisticated, in fact, downright „stupid“ ?

Alongside all of the above we have a number of religious movements, which insist that there is only one God. Among these Monotheistic movements count: Zoroastrianism, Sikhism, Judaism, Christianity, Islam, Babism, the Baha'i Faith and undoubtedly several more.

Who now is right ?

Are there many Gods ? Is there but One God ?

Those who believed in 150 Gods or more, could not really substantiate their claim of even one of them.

Those who believe in one God cannot provide anything but a blind, unquestioning „Belief“.

Why then do we assume that the Mayans, the Greeks, the Romans, all people of superior intelligence were wrong and those who „believe“ in One God, also people of superior intellect, are right ?

When the kids misbehaved, many mothers would threaten them by saying: „Wait till daddy comes home from work. He will hear about you having been a bad child and he will be very unhappy and angry and maybe he will spank you. So you had better be good, clear your toys away, go wash your hands, sit down and eat your mashed potatoes and peas.“

Well, father was a formidable figure. Tall, black curly hair and a mustache drooping from both sides of his down curved mouth. His hands were strong and there were veins bulging on his forehead, particularly when he was angry.

The unspoken message of course was: „Fear your father“.

Not only mothers used this open threat, but leaders of people used similar fear figures most effectively.

Moses of the O.T., of course, was the past master of this intimidation, so undoubtedly were some of the leaders of the Mayans, the Aztecs, Jesus of Nazareth, ( of the N.T.) also was no slouch in this department, and so many more.

If you misbehave, if you don't eat your mashed potatoes and peas, if you don't pray to Him, don't obey His commandments, you shall end up in „Hades“, or, if you were a Mayan, in „Hunhau“ or even in „Hell“.

Intimidation was a finely honed skill amongst most, if not all founders of religions.

Let me ask again: Who is right and who is wrong ?

Why couldn't there be 150 Gods or more ?

What is there which speaks against a multitude of Gods and in favour of just one God?

Nobody truly knows.

Nobody knows, but many pretend to know and mistakenly, or in a deliberate effort to deceive, present their "belief" as "knowledge". 

These are the priests of all religions, these are the so-called „theologians“ who are the pretenders.

We do not know if there are 150 Gods and we do not know if there is even one God.

But, and this is the crux of it, we also do not know that there are not 150 Gods nor do we know that there is not one God.

What position is left for someone who, for lack of evidence, has allowed his intellect to put both positions in question ?

This person is truly cornered into the position of the Agnostic.

That's what

Bertstravels thinks, anyway.

Kahlil Gibran - The Prophet -

And a Poet said: "speak to us of Beauty."

Where shall you seek beauty and how shall you find her
unless she herself be your way and your guide ?
And how shall you speak of her
except she be the weaver of your speech ?

..... ( and they all spoke of Beauty.. )

All these things have you said of Beauty.
Yet, in truth, you spoke not of her but of needs unsatisfied,
and Beauty is not a need but an ecstasy.
It is not a mouth thirsting  nor an empty hand stretched forth
but rather a heart inflamed and a soul enchanted.
It is not an image you would see nor the song you would hear,
But rather an image you see though you close your eyes 
and a song you hear though you shut your ears.

It is not the sap within the furrowed bark, 
nor a wing attached to a claw
but rather a garden for ever in bloom
and a flock of angels forever in flight

People of Orphalese, beauty is life when life unveils her holy face.
But you are the life and you are the veil.
Beauty is eternity gazing at itself in a mirror
But you are eternity
and you are the mirror.

**********************************

This part  of Kahlil Gibran's "Prophet" 

I quoted in one of my first slide shows about Algonquin Park.

Bertstravels

It happened some time ago

About 210 Million years ago, in other words, some time prior to my visit to Arizona's Petrified Forest, coniferous trees fell, likely due to some natural disaster.
They were burried in an air tight,  mineral bearing layer of mud, containing mostly Silica, with minor amounts of Iron, Manganese and Carbon giving the end product the rainbow colours.
Every cell of the tree or fern was slowly replaced by the cristaline minerals, all of which gives us today the "Petrified Forest."

What's the Truth ?

The Truth does not necessarily lie between two differing opinions.

So thinks
Bertstravels