tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2927470504305032102024-03-19T06:02:12.859-07:00MUSINGS (our blog)To return to Quon Stothers homepage close window.
Or paste the address into your browser: http://quonstothers.comWard and Marda Stothershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12534571135321367984noreply@blogger.comBlogger70125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-292747050430503210.post-28567327084694869832014-06-27T17:13:00.000-07:002014-06-27T17:13:18.323-07:00First Sunday Evening on the Nomadic - Our last one for a while<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
This post got lost in the DRAFTS box from 6 April 2014.<br />
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We said our farewell on the SS Nomadic. Ward recited the Call To Worship from the beginning of his book, <i>Plain Drink Tea</i>. Marda thanked Chris and Susan, and said our goodbyes to all those who welcomed us and provided a Spirit filled prayer walking venue for Sunday afternoons.<br />
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<a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=292747050430503210" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a>This "fresh expression of church" needs support from the traditional denominations as well as from those who seek true spirituality without the trappings of institutional religion. Patronize the Dock Cafe and pay forward. Support Chris Bennett as a chaplain to the Titanic Quarter and give generously. This is Christ's body and the church in action.</div>
Ward and Marda Stothershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12534571135321367984noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-292747050430503210.post-40298767045057710322014-04-02T03:28:00.002-07:002014-04-02T03:28:51.723-07:00April is here<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQTkONXz2Y3iiweCPrykJnjLehQT0zdLPNq6oJoaCWK7EoN5SmYdH6ztMwUZu9p7i90NMw8uINHmZff2IeOlVAmwaIrEZVeLXLDNreUSwvLXrDuyEcSZI57OyxLL6XaoM4cSIqTJlnc64/s1600/CoverFront300-2x3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQTkONXz2Y3iiweCPrykJnjLehQT0zdLPNq6oJoaCWK7EoN5SmYdH6ztMwUZu9p7i90NMw8uINHmZff2IeOlVAmwaIrEZVeLXLDNreUSwvLXrDuyEcSZI57OyxLL6XaoM4cSIqTJlnc64/s1600/CoverFront300-2x3.jpg" height="320" width="204" /></a>This Friday, Ward Stothers, with author Bill McKnight to moderate, Rev Jack lamb to bless us and the librarian Mark Knowles to host us; Ward will officially launch his book. <i><b> </b></i><br />
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<i><b>Plain Drink Tea</b></i> is available on <a href="http://amazon.com/">Amazon.com</a> and <a href="http://amazon.co.uk/">Amazon.co.uk</a>. The book can also be downloaded from Kindle.<br />
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With three sections, peace, prayers, and a cuppa, there is diversity you can use to warm your soul and encourage your actions. An introduction and a postscript completes the story. We do make a difference each one of us. <br />
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Our Irish journey is taking a turn and we return home to California in two weeks for at least six months. At this point it seems our base will return to Berkeley. Forays back to Northern Ireland will happen as projects warrant. We are already talking about next year's Passion Walk in Belfast. Ward and Bill have a concept for another book and some friends never made the pilgrimage to Ireland.</div>
Ward and Marda Stothershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12534571135321367984noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-292747050430503210.post-11544025736509330332014-03-12T16:24:00.003-07:002014-03-12T16:26:08.594-07:00Blame it on the ipad<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga9i4Z0oYgvXKMADBl-n1nFu93t7icT7HhtdrTFLBygy4uP3OLrECEP0-r04ABJuXlWNyulhebMDwPyh3BHlMayKRKF3ZXHT4OtdEz-CDM0Ib8XAyo7wmhbWYSTyhlvR9lDi1odcH-Q9g/s1600/DSC05446.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga9i4Z0oYgvXKMADBl-n1nFu93t7icT7HhtdrTFLBygy4uP3OLrECEP0-r04ABJuXlWNyulhebMDwPyh3BHlMayKRKF3ZXHT4OtdEz-CDM0Ib8XAyo7wmhbWYSTyhlvR9lDi1odcH-Q9g/s1600/DSC05446.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a>I had resolved to post monthly but since buying an ipad the use of my computer has diminished and posting a blog requires photos to keep it interesting and I don't often take photos with the ipad.<br />
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However this is a season of change and I want to post the observations. This photo is of the snowdrops on Lime Tree Walk at The Argory. Ethel called for us on a Saturday and we rode down to this National Trust property to observe the first flowers of Spring, much like crocuses I suppose but what do I know about flowers?<br />
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It was a typical Northern Ireland winter into spring day with storm showers making you wonder what you were doing trying to take a walk in a park? The property is built on a river and the water was quite high. The house itself was closed so the visitors are there only to walk and enjoy the grounds of this old estate now maintained and managed by the National Trust.<br />
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The difference between days with temperatures between 0 and 5 C and 5 to 9 C is tremendous. We have smiles again as the weather is warming up. It looks like we have escaped a winter of snow and ice. This winter was cold for a long time but no snow nor ice to worry about and we also escaped the flooding that England suffered.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiw42QE8LBA_lMbfsZqBONebc5Pg4TG7Q95sYQ2iZDJ4eOiMkqedn9nBjzXrGQPTZ4E-v3J6W4rpG2jsDSuuop5ADioVqlQexWxEacwDuGIg9tXwJL2UhW3BGZXEZkuI1yboA632uuy1Y/s1600/DSC05420.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiw42QE8LBA_lMbfsZqBONebc5Pg4TG7Q95sYQ2iZDJ4eOiMkqedn9nBjzXrGQPTZ4E-v3J6W4rpG2jsDSuuop5ADioVqlQexWxEacwDuGIg9tXwJL2UhW3BGZXEZkuI1yboA632uuy1Y/s1600/DSC05420.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a>On another topic we have marveled at the quality and increase of art in many places from the cartoonist at the networking gathering that the Mayor hosted for the 4CornersFestival to the Peace Paper making event this week.<br />
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This is the finished art of our friend Helen Sanlon commissioned for the Drumalis Retreat Centre. It's inspiration is an aerial view of the property and it is very beautiful.<br />
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Next month I will be able to share my delight at discovering this completed work (I saw it in Helen's studio in bits) with my other artist friend, McCall Gilfillan, as we participate in a Tres Dias weekend cloistered at Drumalis Retreat Centre. McCall will bring her sketchbook. Me I want to bring my Bible, listen and hear God.</div>
Ward and Marda Stothershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12534571135321367984noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-292747050430503210.post-80207412666503159482014-01-18T14:03:00.000-08:002014-01-18T14:03:52.004-08:00THIS PEACE STUFF IS SO MUCH FUN<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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This is a drawing that was done at the Mayor's Reception in the Belfast City Hall for faith based groups working for peace in North and West Belfast. This drawing was made in response to my introduction of our house being called The Loom where relationships are woven.<br />
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The event was held as part of the Four Corners Project which was initiated last year by Fr Martin Magill and Rev Steve Stockman to bring the four corners of Belfast together in faith.<br />
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It was a year ago that Profs Vicki and Jennifer came to check out whether a Spring Break Study Trip was feasible and they participated in the last event of the Four Corner Project. They brought students in April 2013.<br />
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This year in the first week of March they will return with 12 students for eight days who will put their young minds to observe new and old activities and weave their own thoughts into the peace and reconciliation mix.</div>
Ward and Marda Stothershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12534571135321367984noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-292747050430503210.post-33611082047912515512013-12-31T09:45:00.001-08:002013-12-31T09:46:30.297-08:00Last of 2013<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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After the party tonight I will cook and I will eat only healthy, fresh, green, locally grown food.<br />
I promise. We have been eating a lot of kale, really we have.<br />
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This is the last day of 2013. I hope everything that was suppose to get done got done, because the hours are going. It doesn't help that it gets dark just after 4 pm and it is very cold, down around freezing.<br />
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We have had a great year with many visitors. Jerem and Conor came in January along with Jennifer and Vicki.
Jon Kennedy moved into The Loom in March. We went home and renewed
visas in April. We've been to Northumbria in June with Lane, and
deepened the relationships with the local Belfast based Northumbria
Community by regular meetings and going on retreat to Kilbrony Centre
Rostrevor. Then six sets of visitors came in September and October.
We've deepened the relationships with the North Belfast clergy through
the 174 Trust clergy forum. I learned a few words of Irish. We sang in
the Together Stronger community choir. We lost Jeff and Kenny. We met challenges with grace and we prayed together most every day. Praise God at all times.</div>
Ward and Marda Stothershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12534571135321367984noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-292747050430503210.post-24980774212375016542013-12-31T08:41:00.003-08:002013-12-31T10:01:48.990-08:00It feels like months<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">I posted in October, a visit to Patrick's grave made in September. </span>After the Nielsen's visit, Suzan and Eric Miller came to tour Northern Ireland. We four then went on a big
trip and joined 20 other Organization of Women Architects friends and
family. We first went to London for a day, to Venice for three days and
then onto a big boat for a cruise of the Mediterranean. <br />
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">In this photo in front of the Basilica in the Piazza San Marco, Darlene and Bruce were not ready and four hadn't </span><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">yet come. </span><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">We had a meal together and the next day boarded the MSC Divina which seemed like a floating Las Vegas hotel. The highlight was being with old friends, getting to know many better and meeting new friends. </span><br />
<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">The ports were good too: Venice, Bari, Katalon near Olympia, Izmir near Ephesus, Istanbul, and Dubrovnik. </span><br />
<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">This was a test of Ward's mobility. He fared well and especially enjoyed the warmer weather.</span><br />
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Ward and Marda Stothershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12534571135321367984noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-292747050430503210.post-32650426864445185442013-10-24T09:52:00.000-07:002013-10-24T09:52:18.896-07:00Patrick's Grave<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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I took Garald and Carol Lynn to Downpatrick to see the Patrick Center built to educate visitors on the life of Patrick (387 - 460 AD) We parked above the center at the Down Cathedral and wandered into the graveyard where there was a small wooden sign that said 'St Patrick's Grave.' <br />
Remembering that Randy Lee ran up on a rainy day, I wondered if he got to see this. The rock has a very old inscription of a cross and the word 'Patri' with the rest worn away. The plaque says the remains of St Patrick, St Brigid and St Columba, are reputed to be re-interred here in the 12th Century.</div>
Ward and Marda Stothershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12534571135321367984noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-292747050430503210.post-69167403768076864352013-08-14T08:59:00.000-07:002013-10-24T09:53:13.799-07:00The John Hewitt Int'l Summer School<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="http://www.ulstertatler.com/2013/07/26th-john-hewitt-international-summer-school-kicks-off/" style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);" target="_blank"><span style="color: black;">http://www.ulstertatler.com/2013/07/26th-john-hewitt-international-summer-school-kicks-off/</span></a><br />
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">The ultimate in some circles is to appear in the Ulster Tatler. It is the magazine that you find in upscale dental offices. Huge glossy format with lots of photos of people dressed up and having fun. Marda made it to their website and remains to be seen whether she will make it in print.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Ward and Jon attended the whole Summer School. Ward read his poem "<a href="http://www.quonstothers.com/traveler.html" target="_blank">Traveler</a>" on the last day and got good feedback from many. Marda ran around Armagh pursuing genealogy and discovered a Tom Stothers, a man who had done lots of work on the family tree had died last March. We thought he lived in England but he was nearby in Loughgall.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">One nice happenstance was Marda went into the First Presbyterian church in Armagh to find a near copy of Townsend Street Presbyterian designed by Young and McKensie and built the year following 1878. The minister, Rev Tony Davidson, is also a poet and published his poetry as a fundraiser for the church. This provides a nice encouragement that there is some precedent for publishing poems and prayers. There are no Stothers in their 1840-1850 records.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Nose to the grindstone. Lets get the manuscript put together. </span></div>
Ward and Marda Stothershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12534571135321367984noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-292747050430503210.post-79460210074464925452013-07-21T07:00:00.003-07:002013-12-31T10:05:21.624-08:00The Fourth of July came and went<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxa0pJ-JeS_sjCyXYw9DrnhXee72QlRme-lba9amg_zj2d4QZyLI3hUYFa2UyV-ccSdtJgcugYPYBKg9CtRo9zwsPD_RZEc3D8xmFcgqbum49ylpM9j_jGAXGj0a9KOD9i5XAvj9Niph0/s1600/DSC04501.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxa0pJ-JeS_sjCyXYw9DrnhXee72QlRme-lba9amg_zj2d4QZyLI3hUYFa2UyV-ccSdtJgcugYPYBKg9CtRo9zwsPD_RZEc3D8xmFcgqbum49ylpM9j_jGAXGj0a9KOD9i5XAvj9Niph0/s320/DSC04501.JPG" width="320" /></a>Some ask us if we celebrate the fourth of July. I don't know if they know what the fourth of July means and I don't know if they consider themselves the British that we won our independence from. Some think they too are still fighting the British occupation. Americans who fought were former British too.<br />
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The weather is BBQ weather! This photo is from our week in Donegal.<br />
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The 12th of July also came and went. Unfortunately with riots this year. Just up about six blocks above us they were so they were. Nonsense even to the local folks. We hope they will resume dialogue soon. One step forward and often two steps back. We keep hoping.</div>
Ward and Marda Stothershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12534571135321367984noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-292747050430503210.post-53944405535164707912013-06-22T14:17:00.001-07:002013-12-31T09:54:05.286-08:00Long Days of Summer<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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As we leave the longest day we appreciate every bit of sunshine. We
don't get it often. Despite the cloudy weather and sometimes rain it is
daylight for quite a while from 4:45 am until 10 pm with light in the sky before and after this sunrise and sunset.</div>
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We celebrate
the success of Ward's good friend Bill McKnight's book <i>Loud Silence</i> with a final slot in a
reading of 13 writers at the MAC. He was brilliant, as they say here, and the writer in residence who pulled the reading together was very complimentary to Bill. Congrats. To buy his book go to Amazon or <a href="http://www.loudsilence2012.wordpress.com/">www.loudsilence2012.wordpress.com</a> </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bill McKnight reading at the MAC</td></tr>
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Ward and Marda Stothershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12534571135321367984noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-292747050430503210.post-28689319459251065732013-05-27T00:49:00.000-07:002013-05-27T01:02:13.246-07:00Bill has a video!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Take a look at this video which was made of Bill McKnight, Ward's good friend here in Belfast.<br />
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<a href="http://youtu.be/UdgWx0nmMbM">http://youtu.be/UdgWx0nmMbM</a><br />
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Ward and Marda Stothershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12534571135321367984noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-292747050430503210.post-42305913710262013982013-05-09T15:06:00.000-07:002013-05-27T01:01:53.142-07:00More About April<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Our trip home to Berkeley to renew our Visas coincided with Marda's nephew Daniel and Julie's wedding. The wedding was planned to take place at the Faculty Club on the UC Berkeley campus. Coincidentally the 40th Anniversary Celebration Symposium was also being held at the UC Berkeley campus at Wurster Hall, the School for Environmental Design. </div>
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This is a photo of the book table hosted by the OWA Book Club. My good friend Wendy Bertrand, on the left, published her memoir <i>Enamored With Place</i> to add to the growing collection of books about women architects. </div>
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The Symposium was planned by another good friend, retired lecturer Mui Ho, and featured several women academics discussing topics around the theme, "Gender Matters." Gender certainly matters in regards the practice of architecture where perspective is everything.</div>
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Ward and Marda Stothershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12534571135321367984noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-292747050430503210.post-47874098270087339882013-05-05T06:56:00.001-07:002013-05-27T01:13:08.570-07:00April Came and Went<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Suffice to say the weather was terrific in California and we were very busy. I'll post a photo soon to keep this Blog going. We are back in Belfast and have overcome our jet lag.<br />
Take a look at Jon Kennedy's Blog which he has faithfully updated some of which is our news too.<br />
<a href="http://www.nantyglo.com/2013JK/jon.htm" target="_blank">Jon Kennedy, C.S. Lewis Writer-in-Residence, The Loom</a><br />
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Ward and Marda Stothershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12534571135321367984noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-292747050430503210.post-82207425139949815472013-03-20T14:35:00.000-07:002013-05-09T15:07:09.496-07:00Paper Shamrock<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinvdq8mlMTe_sc4DYaRmDITvJe9NTSK4YS9fecEAEGUsANCDIXorZ5QfmRWM4-5gWYITZ0xFE8Dl5wl7PRyU16_LLFg34Leq4tQ5ohn4m26IqNFB-_V7HaJy645zWC-Oh3r1RyHz2Zi_g/s1600/shamrock.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinvdq8mlMTe_sc4DYaRmDITvJe9NTSK4YS9fecEAEGUsANCDIXorZ5QfmRWM4-5gWYITZ0xFE8Dl5wl7PRyU16_LLFg34Leq4tQ5ohn4m26IqNFB-_V7HaJy645zWC-Oh3r1RyHz2Zi_g/s320/shamrock.jpg" width="320" /></a>We went to a party at the end of the day on March 17th. The party host asked us to bring something to share in regards St Patrick's Day. Kate McAllister, Marda's roommate from the last China trip, whipped out a wooden box. Inside she had strips of green paper and glue sticks and she taught us all how to make these shamrocks. We are happy to be living in the land of Saints and Scholars. We are happy to be returning home to Berkeley for a wee while and hope the weather in Northern Ireland thaws before we return. </div>
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Ward and Marda Stothershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12534571135321367984noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-292747050430503210.post-14917321273607344072013-02-09T11:20:00.002-08:002013-02-11T08:18:14.068-08:00Chinese New Year's Eve<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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We went to a poetry reading today at the Ulster Museum sponsored by the wonderful John Hewitt Society and featuring Emma Must a new emerging poet and Michael Longley a world renown poet. Ward's writing teacher Lynda Tavakoli was there and the program was chaired by our friend Bill Jeffrey.<br />
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Afterwards we took our friend New Zealander John Grant to Sun Kee restaurant for "Yim Cha" to celebrate the end of the old year and the beginning of a new one. John has been doing a marvelous job of pastoral care within our neighborhood including calling in on us on most days. He gets a hot cup of tea and a respite.<br />
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Rev Jack Lamb is away in Turkey this week visiting ancient holy sites which we know nothing about. We press on building relationships and carrying on the work as it presents itself to us. Tomorrow is Sunday and the beginning of a new week and a New Year of the Snake on the Chinese lunar calendar. Prosperity and blessings to all.</div>
Ward and Marda Stothershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12534571135321367984noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-292747050430503210.post-1074163888508055212013-01-02T14:07:00.002-08:002013-02-09T11:21:42.062-08:00New Year 2013<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">I have to embed this Video. The London fireworks was THE BEST show. Enjoy and happy new year.</span></span> <iframe allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen" frameborder="0" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/4e8vfRTsFU4?rel=0" width="560"></iframe></div>
Ward and Marda Stothershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12534571135321367984noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-292747050430503210.post-65991804337519348942012-12-25T04:52:00.000-08:002013-02-17T14:26:15.518-08:00Joyous Christmas<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">We discovered this poem and poet this year. Today is the day we celebrate Christ is born!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Love to all,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Marda and Ward</span></div>
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<span style="color: green; font-family: Comic Sans MS;">Advent 1955</span><br />
<span style="color: maroon; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS'; font-size: x-small;">by </span><span style="color: maroon; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS'; font-size: x-small;">John Betjeman</span></div>
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<span style="color: maroon; font-family: Comic Sans MS; font-size: x-small;">The Advent wind begins to stir<br />
With sea-like sounds in our Scotch fir,<br />
It's dark at breakfast, dark at tea,<br />
And in between we only see<br />
Clouds hurrying across the sky<br />
And rain-wet roads the wind blows dry<br />
And branches bending to the gale<br />
Against great skies all silver pale<br />
The world seems travelling into space,<br />
And travelling at a faster pace<br />
Than in the leisured summer weather<br />
When we and it sit out together,<br />
For now we feel the world spin round<br />
On some momentous journey bound -<br />
Journey to what? to whom? to where?<br />
The Advent bells call out 'Prepare,<br />
Your world is journeying to the birth<br />
Of God made Man for us on earth.'<br />
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And how, in fact, do we prepare<br />
The great day that waits us there -<br />
For the twenty-fifth day of December,<br />
The birth of Christ? For some it means<br />
An interchange of hunting scenes<br />
On coloured cards, And I remember<br />
Last year I sent out twenty yards,<br />
Laid end to end, of Christmas cards<br />
To people that I scarcely know -<br />
They'd sent a card to me, and so<br />
I had to send one back. Oh dear!<br />
Is this a form of Christmas cheer?<br />
Or is it, which is less surprising,<br />
My pride gone in for advertising?<br />
The only cards that really count<br />
Are that extremely small amount<br />
From real friends who keep in touch<br />
And are not rich but love us much<br />
Some ways indeed are very odd<br />
By which we hail the birth of God.<br />
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We raise the price of things in shops,<br />
We give plain boxes fancy tops<br />
And lines which traders cannot sell<br />
Thus parcell'd go extremely well<br />
We dole out bribes we call a present<br />
To those to whom we must be pleasant<br />
For business reasons. Our defence is<br />
These bribes are charged against expenses<br />
And bring relief in Income Tax<br />
Enough of these unworthy cracks!<br />
'The time draws near the birth of Christ'.<br />
A present that cannot be priced<br />
Given two thousand years ago<br />
Yet if God had not given so<br />
He still would be a distant stranger<br />
And not the Baby in the manger.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Comic Sans MS;"><b></b></span></span></div>
Ward and Marda Stothershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12534571135321367984noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-292747050430503210.post-83204820149286816032012-11-30T08:36:00.001-08:002012-11-30T08:47:41.544-08:00A remarkable month<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
We are thank full. Our month has been very full of serendipity and fun. Last night we greeted Os Guinness at The Hub, a gathering place near Queen's University, where he delivered a public lecture and said this was his first visit to Northern Ireland since 1981. We last saw him in St Louis when he said we were crazy to move to Ireland but provided a nice contact.<br />
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The day before we addressed 35 social workers on how the disease affects the person and the carer. Next week Ward will be part of the Parkinson's UK media campaign.<br />
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Several weeks ago the highlight posted on our Facebook page. We met the Republic of Ireland President Michael Higgins, himself a poet. Our minister Jack Lamb called Marda the night before and asked do you know who the president of Ireland is? A person named Higgins? Yes and do you know what he did before he became president? I have no clue. He was a poet and you and Ward are going to meet him as my representative. Oh happy day! Make sure we don't get turned away at the door. (this isn't China where we had equal access to the Chan Family Academy along with Bertie Ahern then Prime Minister of Ireland). Ward intended to give him the poem he wrote entitled Armagh and Mr. Higgins asked him to read it, and when he couldn't because he couldn't properly see it in 12 pt type, the President offered to finish it for him. Such grace! You can see the video on Youtube. Ward's recitation is 10 minutes in. <iframe allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen" frameborder="0" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/EoX7E5P7RCA" width="420"></iframe></div>
Ward and Marda Stothershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12534571135321367984noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-292747050430503210.post-62350127595756400432012-10-07T10:06:00.001-07:002012-10-07T10:20:21.684-07:00Autumn Flowers<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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We were in the Royal Botanical Gardens in Dublin last Saturday and the Dalias are blooming. This emerald island has flowers all year round.<br />
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We have had a marvelous week. Connecting with people all around town and some far away. Around town many are recognizing us and greeting us. Vicki is coming at the end of the month to discuss a home stay project with her students. Roger and Inge are coming in a few weeks with Sabina and Rose. This week we are going to Portrush with Pat and Daphne for three days at the Ramada Hotel discussing Parkinson's Disease and relaxing. </div>
Ward and Marda Stothershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12534571135321367984noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-292747050430503210.post-74165351356640309872012-09-27T07:18:00.002-07:002012-09-27T07:19:35.643-07:00September all systems go<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Ward, Marda and Bill McKnight displayed their work in the Cathedral Quarter for Belfast Culture Night the evening of September 21st. It was a clear day and the buzz and attendance was good.<br />
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Most of the Faith and Arts Group are painters. There was a lot of fine work displayed. The Calvary Centre is a wee church in a wee street next to the University of Ulster Art College. It use to be a Salvation Army centre so you can imagine what it looked like. However it was transformed for the evening as you can see below.<br />
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Other churches have asked about sponsoring a show for the group. As we continue to show perhaps we will also sell. We were in a lecture <br />
in the Centre for Psychotherapy at Knockbraken and the room had a large three paneled
painting which made the space quite arty and warm. This inspired Marda
to think about space planning and decor.<br />
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At this point she is contemplating seeking funding for a vision and change management project so first things first.</div>
Ward and Marda Stothershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12534571135321367984noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-292747050430503210.post-5507893529022543312012-08-25T05:59:00.002-07:002012-08-25T05:59:34.319-07:00End of Summer<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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We retired this photo of Ward at Mt Stewart from the home page of our website. I shows that he has been wearing his Irish cap for a long time and that he has had tip toes as a gait for a long time. <br />
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This photo was taken in February 2006 in the gardens of Mt Stewart, a National Trust property on the Ards Peninsula east of Belfast. We stayed with a family in the Schoolhouse compliments of the head Gardener.<br />
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We were again on the Ards Peninsula last night for a dinner with Ethel and her friends at<a href="http://www.harrisonsofgreyabbey.co.uk/" target="_blank"> Harrison's</a> a restaurant on a farm just south of Greyabbey with a beautiful view of the Strangford Lough. A more beautiful evening we couldn't have imagined. One farmer diversifying his economy and believing in the growing economy here in Northern Ireland. Praise God for the beauty He created.</div>
Ward and Marda Stothershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12534571135321367984noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-292747050430503210.post-27308134628036202572012-07-14T02:47:00.000-07:002012-07-14T02:47:03.493-07:00Twelfth Survived<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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The good news is there were no fatalities or serious injuries during the protests on the twelfth. <br />
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This is taken from our third floor dormer in the front of our house. Up the street is Crumlin Road Presbyterian church and the Edenderry Mill which was converted to condos. Up beyond that about two blocks is Holy Cross Catholic church and beyond it 100 feet is the Ardoyne roundabout and then the Ardoyne shops, all less than a half mile away.<br />
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Since even the local news seemed to confuse the labels I want to clarify that the nationalists and the unionists are political identities having to do with the border between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland, separated into two countries in 1922. The nationalists and republicans (those wanting to be a part of the Republic of Ireland) and the unionists and loyalists (those wanting to stay with the United Kingdom) are the parallel political identities the latter feel stronger and were willing to take up arms to defend or change the outcomes. The republican paramilitaries were the IRA and the loyalists paramilitaries were the UVF and the UDA. The Orange Order is a fraternal organization and they hold parades from April to August with the biggest ones on the Twelfth of July commemorating King William III of Orange defeat of King James II at the Battle of the Boyne in 1690 becoming King and keeping a protestant rule since James had converted to Catholicism. The vast majority of the people do not want to go back to "the bad old days" of The Troubles but they still hold tight to these identities which separate them.<br />
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We continue to help people embrace identities that cross over these old identities like Artist, Irish, Christian, Celtic, European, Men or Women, Human Being and Friends.<br />
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<br /></div>Ward and Marda Stothershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12534571135321367984noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-292747050430503210.post-29495465139336289422012-07-11T12:52:00.000-07:002012-07-11T12:52:03.923-07:0011 July - Ward's birthday<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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We've had a great month with the visit of Arlene and Larry Hatfield. Marda ran them around as she likes to do but we made time to sit and talk and Larry made a few drawings and painted. This one from the beach at Downhill.<br />
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Today is 11 July and the bonfires are lit tonight as a pre-event for the twelfth of July the big holiday for the 1690 Battle of the Boyne. We normally can't stay awake that long as it is light until 1030 and the bonfires start at midnight, it is raining, or the local party is too drunk to participate but THIS YEAR Ethel emailed and said Philip Orr is going to give a talk for the Irish School of Ecumenics at one of the bonfires so we are going along with her for an educational evening.<br />
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Will report later.</div>Ward and Marda Stothershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12534571135321367984noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-292747050430503210.post-14740011959664104642012-06-27T01:28:00.002-07:002012-06-27T01:33:33.468-07:00Replica Identified<b>A few months ago I posted my photo of the high cross replica in the Ulster Museum, a casting that was made over 100 years ago. Jan and Byron Brown immediately identified the cross as Monasterboice. They had just come from the site the day before. Here are some details: <a href="http://www.bluffton.edu/~sullivanm/muiredach/muiredach.html">www.bluffton.edu/~sullivanm/muiredach/muiredach.html</a><i></i></b>Ward and Marda Stothershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12534571135321367984noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-292747050430503210.post-30912671961190409322012-06-26T09:36:00.000-07:002012-06-26T09:37:20.294-07:00Energized<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Stephen Adams behind Marda's pottery just before the opening</td></tr>
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Last night was so amazing! About 80 to 100 people gathered for the art exhibition of the Art and Faith Group of Contemporary Christianity Ireland. 12 of us exhibited including 3 of Ward's poems framed and hung, a weaving and new porcelain pottery from Marda, and a clay impression from Denise Weyhrich of Seeds Fine Art.<br />
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Yesterday afternoon was amazing. We met with Diane Holt about potential training for facilitators in the church to explore and expand our work on "church and community".<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQPfL67puRBq3tYKkyiBVVB0BNMWGeMEAFfNXuDkNhQoggfkHnC0WC7YG9F6yKbEx0m6UE95uO3POVui0cmhKmBUwh46QepPYvMyvSF-ZqEmwp8HKiFkF-G-BPm1Dp80-zuxlMWrUURq8/s1600/DSC03061.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQPfL67puRBq3tYKkyiBVVB0BNMWGeMEAFfNXuDkNhQoggfkHnC0WC7YG9F6yKbEx0m6UE95uO3POVui0cmhKmBUwh46QepPYvMyvSF-ZqEmwp8HKiFkF-G-BPm1Dp80-zuxlMWrUURq8/s320/DSC03061.JPG" title="New Mural on the Shankill road" width="320" /></a><br />
Yesterday morning was amazing as we watched the unveiling of a new mural on the Shankill Road. Daniella was the artist and she worked with local community groups. Her friend Makiko greeted us. She is a worker at L'Arche from Japan.<br />
The area behind may become allotments for community gardens. Time will tell.</div>Ward and Marda Stothershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12534571135321367984noreply@blogger.com0