Be the Ball

Composed and posted on April 8, 2016

Yesterday evening, after work, I went home and played nine holes of golf.  It was one of those rare days when I and the ball seemed to have an understanding with each other.  Except for one hole, the ball and I seemed to both want to go to the same place.  As a result, I think we both had an enjoyable experience and I had my lowest total in two years.  I shot a 50 for the nine holes.

Now granted 50 is not a terribly impressive score for nine holes.  But for those who know my golf game, 50 is pretty impressive especially in light of my tendency to let the ball be "free" ...  to let the ball go wherever it chooses to go.  Now, for my good friend Dave, this drives him nuts.  After all, he is in the golf course business and for him the main purpose of the game is to master the ball and have it go where you want it to go.  However, I suppose it is because of my Left Coast upbringing that I tend to think a bit differently about the game.  And lo and behold, this morning, in another of those coincidences that I do love, I learned about a forthcoming documentary that just may shed some light on whether it is my philosophy or Dave's philosophy that should prevail.  The movie is entitled "Be the Ball" and you can view a preview of it at

http://www.betheballmovie.com/

Now I know that some of you may not be persuaded about the metaphysics involved with the game.  However, for those doubters please watch the following from another serendipitous moment from yesterday and tell me once again that the ball does not have a mind of its own 

http://www.al.com/sports/index.ssf/2016/04/watch_ernie_els_7-putt_for_sex.html

Peace,

Everett "Bagger Vance" Jenkins

The Story of God with Morgan Freeman

Composed and posted on April 6, 2016

This past Sunday the first episode of a six episode show aired on the National Geographic channel, The show is entitled "The Story of God with Morgan Freeman", and as a cursory course in comparative religions, I highly recommend it.  I also commend Morgan Freeman, the man whose voice seems almost "God"-like, for his curiosity.  Like Mr. Freeman, I too have a rather extensive library on the various religious traditions of the world and wandering through some of the texts of those various faiths have left me humbled and no longer able to claim one faith as being greater than another.  Indeed, I have found beauty in so many different religious expressions, that I long ago decided to somehow enjoy and to learn from them all. In any event, if your curiosity is so inclined you can view the show at 9pm on Sunday on the National Geographic channel and you can read an interview of Morgan Freeman at

http://news.nationalgeographic.com/2016/03/160329-morgan-freeman-interview-story-of-god/

Also, I find it interesting that this show follows in the footsteps of another episodic presentation made by a being whose presence has been as profound as that of Mr. Freeman.  You may have missed it, but Oprah Winfrey's "Belief" also explored various religious traditions.

http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/tv/showtracker/la-et-st-oprah-winfrey-belief-series-new-own-20151015-story.html

For those who have seen both shows, I wonder which one does one prefer?  Also, does anyone find it striking that these two African Americans have invested their time and resources investigating these matters?  What is it about them that compels them to ask these questions and to take us on these rather public portrayals of their spiritual journeys? 

Peace,

Everett "Skip" Jenkins

Jenkins at the Buzzer!

Composed and posted on April 4, 2016

Don't know if he is related, but a certain Jenkins made a shot tonight that will keep the name alive for as long as college basketball is played..

Congratulations, Villanova!

And way to go, Kris Jenkins, I think I will claim you as a relative regardless of whether you are or not.

Your "Cousin",

Everett "Skip" Jenkins

Michelle Kwan

Composed and posted on March 31, 2016

I am informed that there is an international skating competition being staged in Boston this weekend.  It is officially titled the 2016 ISU World Figure Skating Championships and Americans are looking forward to it because it just may be that an American woman will win a medal at this competition ... these days, a rare feat  indeed.

However, not so long ago an American dominated such competitions.  Her name is Michelle Kwan and, for many, myself included, she is the most stylish skater of all-time.   Michelle won the World Figure Skating Championships a remarkable five times and won two Olympic medals but neither one of them was gold.  There was great disappointment associated with not winning an Olympic Gold Medal, but in a strange way it made for one of the most poignant and beautiful moments in Olympic history.  Please see

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wazOhkRuySI

and enjoy.

Peace,

Everett "Skip" Jenkins

P.S. Those of you pay attention just might recognize the music.  And those of you who are in Rhode Island just may see Michelle Kwan on another stage someday. 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Michelle_Kwan

Patty Duke and My Sweet Charlie

Composed and posted on March 29, 2016

In what appears to be a rash of such occurrences, I note that Patty Duke passed away today.  Many of us remember her from her remarkable role as Helen Keller in the movie The Miracle Worker.  She won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress in that role.

Others will remember her television show, The Patty Duke Show, wherein she played twin cousins.  Others will be grateful for her for being the mother of Sean Astin, the inspirational Rudy from the movie Rudy, and the sturdy and stalwart Sam from The Lord of the Rings trilogy. And still others will remember her as the second woman president of the Screen Actors Guild (SAG).  You can read about her achievements at

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Patty_Duke

However, what I will remember her for was her rather brave stand on mental health awareness.  She was candid about her own battles with depression and encouraged others to seek treatment and therapy for their own battles. As such, I recommend the following as the obituary that everyone should read

http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/tv/showtracker/la-et-mn-patty-duke-mental-health-20160329-story.html

And, for me, I will always remember the impact that one of her greatest acting triumphs had on me as a teenager.  Her touching performance in the made for television movie My Sweet Charlie earned Duke her first Emmy Award and the images from that movie still resonate some 46 years later.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/My_Sweet_Charlie

Rest in 

Peace,

Everett "Skip" Jenkins

A Criticism of Paying Felons to Reduce Gun Violence

Composed and posted on March 28, 2016

In response to my recent email regarding the Richmond program that involves paying felons to reduce gun violence, my neo-conservative daughter sent this response.  I wonder where might the rest of you come out on this debate.

Peace,

Everett "Skip" Jenkins

________________________________________________________________________________________

Successful program or not the premise of rewarding those who are known to be predisposed to criminal activity,  in particular violent criminal activity, just seems to yet again be a slap in the face to the law abiding citizens who work hard to get what they have and try to live in a peace; avoiding violence. 

It seems as this program just sets up a government sponsored mob system where instead of the business owners paying mobsters/crime bosses for protection or to be left alone, now the city is doing it.

And people comment about why society is the way it is with no value system. 

________________________________________________________________________________________

Chris,

Thanks for alerting me to the Washington Post article.  I found it at

http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/washingtonpost/doc/1775903653.html?FMT=FT&FMTS=ABS:FT&date=Mar+27%2C+2016&author=Davis%2C+Aaron+C&desc=To+curb+gun+crimes%2C+D.C.+may+pay+off+felons&free=1

Also, interesting enough there is a segment on NPR's All Things Considered today about Richmond's program.  See

http://www.npr.org/2016/03/28/472138377/to-reduce-gun-violence-potential-offenders-offered-support-and-cash

As mentioned in the article, the program was a success here in Richmond, but there has been a recent uptick in the violence here and two of the prime movers around the suppression of violence, the police chief and the director of the office of neighborhood safety, have recently left.  So we shall soon see whether the program continues to be successful here ... as well as seeing if the program can be successful elsewhere.  My prayers are that both programs be as successful as they can be.

Peace,

Everett "Skip" Jenkins

Washington Post Article on Paying Felons to Reduce Gun Violence

Composed and posted on March 28, 2016

Chris,

Thanks for alerting me to the Washington Post article.  I found it at

http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/washingtonpost/doc/1775903653.html?FMT=FT&FMTS=ABS:FT&date=Mar+27%2C+2016&author=Davis%2C+Aaron+C&desc=To+curb+gun+crimes%2C+D.C.+may+pay+off+felons&free=1

Also, interesting enough there is a segment on NPR's All Things Considered today about Richmond's program.  See

http://www.npr.org/2016/03/28/472138377/to-reduce-gun-violence-potential-offenders-offered-support-and-cash

As mentioned in the article, the program was a success here in Richmond, but there has been a recent uptick in the violence here and two of the prime movers around the suppression of violence, the police chief and the director of the office of neighborhood safety, have recently left.  So we shall soon see whether the program continues to be successful here ... as well as seeing if the program can be successful elsewhere.  My prayers are that both programs be as successful as they can be.

Peace,

Everett "Skip" Jenkins