Day After

Candied sweetness in a sunset.
20 November 2017

The Rosiness of a Late Autumn Sunrise

Good morning to all of the sweetness out there.

The Gathering

Unbeknownst to me at the time, the entire colony had gathered here to remain safe from the tomcat, who was lying in wait not far away. Images: Kitten with Mother  Nov 2017. White adult cat with grey tabby spots rests with dauther, a white kitten with calico spots.

Kitten in a Bush

Survival tactic.

Autumn Colours 2017

I might add more photos; I might not.

14 Oct 2017

Whispy Sunset Sky 07 November 2017.

Frosted Autumn Leaves 08 November 2017

Yellow Sunset the Day after Storms

08 October 2017

No Mixing at the Library?

I speak up against gender segregation at the mosque, but at the library, I am like...

(Image: robe draped over chair in computer corner of library with bookshelf visible in the background.)

So yeah, if you are a cishet male, best to keep your distance. 

Autumn Leaves 21 September 2017

Beautiful. Love.

Waxing Ramadan Moon, 08 June 2017

A tablet can only capture glimpses of lunar beauty.

Hope Blooms Eternal, 06 June 2017

I took this photo in the wake of a series of Ramadan bombings.
2016.06.06.
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Bill Maher is a Bigoted Little Fuck, and It Is (Way Past) Time to Turn Him Off and Shut Him Down

* http://www.salon.com/2015/04/18/7_times_bill_maher_was_a_straight_up_bigot

* http://www.salon.com/2017/02/23/bill-maher-bigtime-bigot-his-outrageous-statements-about-islam-and-muslims-are-beyond-the-pale_partner

* http://www.nydailynews.com/opinion/reasons-liberals-boycott-bill-maher-article-1.2981756

* http://www.mediaite.com/tv/maher-democrats-get-too-worked-up-about-bullshit-issues-like-oreillys-maxine-waters-joke

* http://www.thedailybeast.com/bill-mahers-transphobia-problem

* http://flavorwire.com/586570/bill-maher-on-trans-rights-exemplifies-the-flawed-defensiveness-of-the-mainstream-left

* http://www.patheos.com/blogs/nonprophetstatus/2015/04/25/bill-maher-reaches-peak-bill-maher

* http://www.nytimes.com/2012/03/24/opinion/bill-mahers-attacks-on-women.html

Day Among Trees, with Friend

Two Fridays ago (a and also the following Sunday), a dear friend of mine took me to the forest. Forests are magickal, mystical places of healing for me. I live with PTSD; and I come out of a day spend in the woods feeling refreshed  and less wounded. Being able to share these rich experiences with someone close to me so such a blessing. Gratitude.

Bad Chamber, Bad Bad

We all know from experience (*cough* Sanctuary City *cough*) that the Michigan Chamber of Commerce is racist. We are now faced with the reality that the same Chamber is also anti-public education. Here, for example, is a post of theirs advocating against Michigan State Senate Bill 271, which would have allowed schools to expand the school year. Their reason? The travel industry. Putting money over children's educations. That's our "Pure Michigan" Chamber.

Stynt Ðy Novelri!

"Stynt ðy clappe! Beoð ðo writerris be wetleas knafen. Ðy langag o engelond diffoulened be, ille usenid bi sclaundrous novelri." (from https://lethargic-man.dreamwidth.org/510688.html)

"Stunt thy clapper! (1) The writers are witless knaves (2). The language of England is ---befouled (3)--- besmirched (3a), ill used by scandalous (4) innovation (5)." (Translation based on content at above link, using Middle English Dictionary at https://quod.lib.umich.edu/cgi/m/mec/med-idx?type=id&id=MED10867.)

1. A "clappe" is a noise. This phrase approximates our own "Shut your mouth!"

2. A reference to the low status of sl*v*s. A knave was a servant; the word also had uses as referenced just previously.

3. I based this on a seeming connection between the Middle English word and the modern English word "foul."

3a. So close. Middle English Dictionary led me to "besmirch" based on the meaning "stain." The Etymology Online Dictionary is really cool.

4. Gratitude to the University of Michigan Library for hosting the Middle English Dictionary on its website.

5. Novelty.
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The Kalash: A Reader

Kalash Solstice: Winter Feasts of the Kalash of North Pakistan
Alaudin (Progressive Publishers) - 1992
https://books.google.com/books?id=m_1tAAAAMAAJ

Kalash Solstice: Winter Feasts of the Kalash of North Pakistan
Jean Yves Loude, Viviane Lièvre (Lok Virsa) - 1988
https://books.google.com/books?id=8f8LAAAAIAAJ

An Annotated Bibliography of Nuristan (Kafiristan) and the Kalash Kafirs of Chitral
Schuyler Jones (Munksgaard) - 1966

Indigenous Peoples and Ethnic Minorities of Pakistan: Constitutional and Legal Perspectives
Shaheen Sardar Ali, Javaid Rehman (Routledge) - 2013
https://books.google.com/books?id=60VAsoo-huYC

Kafiristan
Ross Howard (Glass House Books) - 2014
https://books.google.com/books?id=lh_sBAAAQBAJ

Reuters: "Conversions to Islam threaten Pakistan’s "Macedonian" tribe" October 20, 2011
http://in.reuters.com/article/idINIndia-60007720111020

Taliban threat closes in on isolated Kalash tribe
The Guardian, 17 October 2011
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2011/oct/17/taliban-kalash-pakistan-afghanistan

SC takes notice of TTP threats to Kalash, Ismaili communities
Express Tribune
20 February 2014
https://tribune.com.pk/story/674126/sc-takes-notice-of-ttp-threats-to-kalash-ismali-communities

Easter 2017

When Gramma's hyacinth bloomed really beautifully and I got to listen to the best pipe organist ever via a livestreamed service.

How NOT to Interview a Muslim Academic

Grow Old Together

Loves.
I would grow old with you, if you let me. Here with you until the end of all things.

Excitement is fine but temporal. Setting out on adventures is wonderful fun, for now.

What about the morrow, when such frivolity becomes impossible? Whatever else fails you, I hope to be there with you, for you. Each of you.