Will's World 02 16 2010

Walking on the natural side of life.

Light snow was predicted for the Boston area, but local folks know that weather predictions in New England are just a guess. So, I stayed close to home for this blog, going the end of our neighborhood in Squantum to visit Moswetuset Hummock. A few definitions: Moswetuset is Algonquin and is often translated to mean a “hill shaped like an arrowhead”; and Hummock is a geological term which means “small knoll” or “mound”, which this land is, a mound of solid earth in a marsh area.


Located on Quincy Bay, and just 15 minutes from downtown Boston, Moswetuset Hummock is approximately an acre-and-a-half of land that residents visit for fishing, bird-watching, walking a dog, or just taking a few minutes of solitude. Historically, it was the seat of the Indian chief Chickatawbut, who was visited by Plymouth Colony commander Myles Standish and Squanto, a native guide, in 1621.

According to Wikapedia: “In his 1747 volume ‘A History of New-England’ historian Daniel Neal described Moswetuset Hummock as the origin of the name of the indigenous Massachusett tribe, and thus the name of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.”

Well, call it what you want, I enjoy it because it offers me a quiet time to contemplate life, God, and just what my place is in this whole scheme of things. We need many more hummocks in our lives.

 

 

 

Will's World 02 15 2010

The Old House, constructed in 1731, was purchased by John Adams

in 1787. The Adams family moved in the next year and occupied

it until 1927,when it was sold to the Adams Memorial Society.

Being Presidents Day, I decided to visit the Adams National Historic Site near downtown Quincy. Although closed for the winter, the buildings at Peacefield --- home, library and carriage house --- still held their charm despite the frigid winds and frozen earth. Peacefield, also called Old House, with its 40 acres of farmland and orchids, was the home of two presidents: John Adams (1735-1826) and John Quincy Adams (1767-1848).


It was also in this house that Abigail Smith Adams (1744-1818) corresponded with her husband John when he was attending the Continental Congress in Philadelphia.

Reflecting on, and comparing our country’s first six presidents, and the most recent six presidents, I have the opinion that something has gone terribly wrong. It seems that the first six were driven by a desire to build a nation that would benefit all citizens, however limited they considered the term “citizen.” But the most recent presidents seem to be driven by mere politics and power.

I’m much more inspired by the earlier presidents than any current politician.

Field and orchard behind main house and library.

The Adams library contains over 14,000 books that belonged to the

Adams family. In his will, John Quincy Adams requested

that the library be built out of stone so that it would be fireproof.

The building was completed in 1870. Compare this library to

the ones built by our more recent presidents.

Corner of library.

Vines clinging to side of library.

The carriage house.

John Adams, son of a farmer, was a revolutionary

who enthusiastically pushed for the Declaration of Independence

in 1776. He was the second president of our country

the father of the sixth president.

Will's World 02 14 2010

King's Chapel is an independent congregation affiliated

 with the Unitarian Universalist Association.

King’s Chapel, at the corner of School and Tremont streets in downtown Boston, may not leap to mind as a place to be on Valentine’s Day, but the warmth of the congregation, and the words of the minister made us feel we were in a room full of love. Established in 1686, King’s Chapel, according to the Common Prayerbook, “is unique: unitarian Christian in theology, anglican in worship, and congregational in government.”


Today, the Rev. Dianne E. Arakawa preached to an audience of less than 100 about being transformed by love and service. She encouraged the congregation to quash the winter doldrums by seeking “a vision of what is possible” and then putting into action the insights we gain through spirituality.

The present church, made of Quincy granite, was opened in 1754. After the church bell cracked in 1814 it was recast by Paul Revere. It now rings every Sunday morning to summon people to service.

In 1776 the church was closed for a brief period, but was reopened for the funeral of patriot General Joseph Warren, who was killed at the Battle of Bunker Hill.

Across the street from King’s Chapel is The Parker House where we had lunch. Again, the warmth of the dining room’s décor and the thoughtful words of our waiter Alier, made us feel we were in a room full of love. The food and service, as it has been for decades, was excellent.

This hotel and restaurant was the meeting place of The Saturday Club, which included many notable Bostonian writers and intellectuals. Some of those who gathered the fourth Saturday of each month were: Ralph Waldo Emerson, Louis Agassiz, Oliver Wendell Holmes, Nathaniel Hawthorne, Henry Wadsworth Longfellow and John Greenleaf Whittier.

Looking toward the rear of the main hall.

Worshippers enjoy comfortable cubicles.

Next to King's Chapel, the burial ground, (viewed from the balcony

of the church), has the graves of William Dawes and

the state's first governor, John Winthrop.

The Rev. Dianne E. Arakawa giving the sermon

from the raised pulpit. 

 The Parker House dining room.

Lobby of The Parker House.

Mildred and Kathy, along with Will, await dessert.

Will's World 02 13 2010

Daniel Ellsberg and Will at the Kendall Square, Cambridge, theater.

“The Most Dangerous Man in America” is how Secretary of State Henry Kissinger described Daniel Ellsberg, who had passed on the Pentagon Papers to the New York Times. The quote is also the title of a recently released documentary about Ellsberg, his life before and after the release of the documents, and the effect it had on President Richard M. Nixon and the war in Vietnam.


The film emphasizes how one person’s actions can cause ripples that may turn into tsunamis. And we often do not know who will be supported by our deeds, and who will be foundered.

Immediately following the movie, Ellsberg, 78, spoke to the audience at Landmark’s Kendall Square Cinema in Cambridge. He was thoughtful and articulate as he described his life which is still centered on social activism and encouraged others to also get involve with forcing needed changes in society. His enthusiasm was contagious.

I, and probably many others, left the theater knowing that I had been in the presence of a very exceptional and honorable man. Ellsberg is still causing ripples that are shaking others awake, to think and to act for the betterment of all humanity.

Out in the cold, in hopes of a ticket to a "dangerous" place.

Ellsberg answered questions for approximately

thirty minutes after each of the two late shows.

The 7 p.m. show as sold out hours before it began.

The 9:30 show had many admirers seeking advice,

signatures, and a close up look at Ellsberg.

Ellsberg seems much more thoughtful than dangerous.

Although now 78, Ellsberg still has the enthusiasm

he had when opposing the war in Vietnam.

Will's World 02 12 2010

Skaters enjoy a sunny but cold day on the Frog Pond in the

Boston Commons, with Beacon Hill in the background.

Roaming through downtown Boston, I am constantly amazed at the amount of beautiful, historical sites that one encounters on most every block. A physical reminder of some of the many things others have contributed to our society. I wonder what the philosophers, patriots and political thinkers of the 1700s would think of the state of the union today.


Do our present politicians follow the same course set by our forefathers? Can they see their way clearly, or are they ignorant about history? And if they are ignorant, should we still be following them? Again, to quote from Lin Yutang’s writings: “You don’t ask a blind man’s opinion of beautiful designs, nor do you invite a deaf man to a concert. And blindness and deafness are not physical only. There is blindness and deafness of the mind.”

Boston is a beautiful city.

Traveling by subway, or the "T", is the fastest

way to get from Quincy to downtown Boston.

The Old South Meeting House, now dwarfed by high-rise

buildings, was built in 1729 by Puritans. Benjamin Franklin

and Samuel Adams were members of this church.

Benjamin Franklin was born in Boston

and began his printing career here.

King's Chapel: the first permanently established Anglican Church

in New England (1686). William Dawes, known for his horse ride to

 warn patriots of the British arrival on the same night as

 Paul Revere's ride, is buried in this graveyard.

Lobby of The Parker House. Some facts according to the hotel

officials: John F. Kennedy proposed to Jacqueline Bouvier in Parker's

 restaurant; Malcolm X was a busboy in the restaurant; Ho Chi Minh

worked in the kitchen (1911- 1913); Boston Cream Pie was invented

here; The Saturday Club made this place its home; it was here that

Longfellow drafted "Paul Revere's Ride."

The Brattle Bookstore, is well-known for having

hard-to-find books at reasonable prices.

Downtown Crossing: Heading back to Quincy on the subway.

Will's World 02 11 2010

At Long Beach, passengers walk across tarmac to the boarding ramp.

Leaving the warm air and sun light of Seal Beach behind, I headed Northeast yet again to the frigid air and neon lights of Boston’s Logan Airport. And although it may be understandable to some folks, I enjoy the people, activities and environments of both locations. I have a home on the Atlantic and the Pacific oceans.


Thus every one of these coast-to-coast trips is exciting --- both ways. When I land in Boston, I’m anticipating the exciting activities I’ll have. And when I’m descending into Long Beach, California, I am equally eager to get involved with the life that continues to unfold.

We all need to appreciate each moment. “For we are of the earth, earth-born and earth-bound. There is nothing to be unhappy about the fact that we are, as it were, delivered upon this beautiful earth as its transient guests. Even if it were a dark dungeon, we still would have to make the best of it; it would be ungrateful of us not to do so when we have, instead of a dungeon, such a beautiful earth to live on for a good part of a century,” states author/philosopher Lin Yutang.

Airline personnel were stretched to the limit because of

scheduling problems caused by snow on the East Coast.

Model airplane hanging from terminal ceiling.

My last view of Long Beach Airport, just before I boarded plane.

My first view after leaving the baggage claim area at Logan Airport.

After a meatloaf sandwich in The Junction bar and

restaurant in South Boston, I felt at home again.

Will's World 02 10 2010

 Roy of Hollywood (Roy Tuchman) has been a host/producer/editor/fixture

 at KPFK for over 30 years, mainly on his the midnight to 6 a.m.

program "Something's Happening." 

Freedom of speech is essential for anyone attempting to find the truth of any situation.


But how many of us actually work to ensure freedom of speech? Too many of us proclaim that we want this freedom, but many of us are too willing to let others do the work to ensure that this will happen.

Unfortunately there is no one source we can use to find all the facts, all the time, without any bias. We must use as many sources as possible in an attempt to put the pieces of together and come close to knowing the truth. But again, this is only possible if we have freedom of speech.

At the listener-sponsored, non-commercial radio station KPFK, the quest for freedom of speech is paramount. KPFK is a member of Pacifica Radio, which according to the KPFK website: “Pacifica was born in the late 1940s out of the (now nearly forgotten) peace movement surrounding World War Two. Lewis Hill, a conscientious objector and Washington, D.C. newsman, was fired from his mainstream reporting job when he refused to misrepresent the facts.” Hill went on to found Pacifica.

In 1959, KPFK, in Los Angeles, became the second Pacifica station, following KPFA in Berkeley, Calif., which began broadcasting in 1949. There are now five Pacifica stations, of which KPFK is now the most powerful.

Since this is pledge week, from midnight until 5 a.m., I, along with three other volunteers answered phones, collecting donations to keep KPFK alive. And because it was a slow night, not many listeners calling in with donations, I was able to talk more with the volunteers. A woman from Santa Barbara, Joan told me that her family owns the oldest wooden structure in the United States. When I asked about it she told me, “It’s the Fairbanks House in Dedham, Mass.” At which point I nearly fell off my chair. My first newspaper job was at The Transcript in Dedham and I know all about the historical significance of the Fairbanks House, which was built in the 1630s or early 1640s. Yet another example of why we should talk more and listen even more to our brothers and sisters. We never know what amazing things we’ll learn.

Roy on the air as seen through the window into his studio. 

KPFK personell make their feelings known. 

 As the sign on the wall states:

KPFK is powered by the people.

 Joan has a deep appreciation for both art

and the right for everyone to have free speech.

 

Bill practicing his phone skills while waiting for callers.