I noticed that there is a different car in the Chancellor’s parking space that is next to Anthony Hall.

I think that I must be a simple man…but when I see the New Chancellor’s Vehicle in his parking space…I am reminded of some of the great Chancellors that I have known and worked with over the past, almost forty years.

As I walk our beautiful Campus…I can feel the electric expectancy of the renewal and revival of SIU Carbondale!

I have been following the Tweets of New Chancellor Montemagno.  His excitement about joining the SIU Community…is palpable!

Let me tell you of my experience at SIU.

I began working in Building Services as  BSW I in 1978…still 20 years old…for three more weeks.

I knew no one at the University and had no college education.

Immediately, I was welcomed into the department and encouraged to seek promotion and to begin taking University Courses.

I was mentored by some outstanding Professors, such as Dr. Carol Burns and Dr. Jo Ann  Agersinger.

Dr. Burns told me that I had the ability to study for and become anything that I desired.  Such words…had never been spoken to me in my life!

For many years, in Building Services, we had an annual Thanksgiving Dinner for our over two hundred student workers, the feeling…was of close family.

Chancellor Argersinger, wrote a letter of recommendation for me once…where she said that I…’Had built a house for all people.’  I was humbled and honored by her kind words…and thought…that this was indeed what I was attempting to do…because SIU had been so welcoming to me!

SIU is much more than bricks and mortar…it is friends for a lifetime…it is love…it is family!

A Place where if you have the will…SIU has the way to success!

I was reared in a small Southern Illinois Community…that had little diversity.  When I came to Southern…I learned of the richness and intricate beauty of people from all over the world.

A student employee from Africa told me, in my early days, that the international students loved to work with me…because that I had no prejudice.  SIU opened those doors to the experience of international fellowship and understanding…this is probably the greatest gift I received during my time with the University!

When the African student gave me this lovely compliment…I was honored that he would call me…his friend.

There is a Great Banner that is prominently displayed over every entrance to Southern Illinois University…that you may not see with your eyes…but will immediately feel with your heart…OPPORTUNITY!

When we drove through Santa Fe, three years ago for Mechem and Carson’s Wedding, Ira Kaye pointed out the Santa Fe Outdoor Opera Amphitheater.  I thought, then, if I ever returned…I hoped to be able to see a performance in the venue.

We were privileged to do so a week ago Tuesday.

This is an extraordinary Venue…with not a bad seat in the house!

The Operetta that we saw was Die Fledermaus or sometimes called The Revenge of the Bat.  It is composed by Johann Strauss II.

The performance was done in english with close captions on a screen in front of every seat.

During Act II or a Masquerade Ball…Ira Kaye had brought masks for the four of us to wear.

Prior to the performance we enjoyed wine and cheese and savory meats…outside the Theatre…in the midst of the magnificent splendor of New Mexico!

Ira Kaye…even brought along a white table cloth and wine glasses…to make our Opera Experience Complete!

The Santa Fe Opera Experience was thrilling and one that requires another visit!

When the opening score began…I was amazed that I had heard it many times before…on Looney Toons Cartoons.

During our visit to New Mexico we were privileged to visit a Wildlife Refuge that Ira Kaye’s friend, Ann, volunteered at.

I was impressed with Ann’s dedication and passion for the animals, many who had been wounded, and sent to the Refuge for healing and for education for children visiting the safe and caring facility.

It was thrilling to see a Bald Eagle…so close!

A different Bald Eagle.

I noticed that Ann spoke with each animal with such love and concern…that I was touched with the mission of this small rescue and refuge and educational facility.

The Bobcat seemed keenly aware of his surroundings…restless…hungry!

Owls are fascinating!

I, being an animal lover…throughly enjoyed not only our visit to the Wildlife Refuge…but also it’s profound and meaningful mission to save and protect the beautiful and diverse animals that were native to the New Mexico and southwest region.

There was a Grand Tortoise…that I did not snap a photo of…he was majestic!

Our visit to Ann’s Wildlife Refuge was a wonderful experience!  Also, we had a lovely lunch with her at a great New Mexico restaurant, that was nearby.  She also suggested that we might like to visit Chimayo, New Mexico…that was known for it’s weaving prowess.

Our subsequent visit to Chimayo turned out to be one of our most enjoyable days…and I was able to find an authentic New Mexico Ring!

New Mexico…has an allure that is ancient and compelling!

On our trip to New Mexico. last week, we visited Los Alamos, where the Manhattan Project was headquartered.

‘Los Alamos is a town in Los Alamos County, New Mexico, United States that is recognized as the birthplace of the first atomic bomb-the primary objective of the Manhattan Project by Los Alamos National Laboratory during World War II.   Wikipedia

Mary Jane and I, and a very young Aaron and Jonathon, had visited Los Alamos over thirty years ago, with Uncle Merle and Aunt Loretta…Jonathon cried the entire way to Los Alamos from El Paso, Texas…due to being in a car seat.

It was interesting to return to the birthplace of the Atomic Bomb and notice what a lovely community Los Alamos is.  As we toured the Bradbury Science Museum, I noticed many of the same exhibits that I had seen many years ago.

The exhibits and films focused on the history of Los Alamos and Robert Oppenheimer and Albert Einstein’s, letter of warning, to President Franklin D. Roosevelt.

Also, the exhibits illustrated the mission of the the Los Alamos Laboratories to ensure that the current nuclear arsenal is kept safe and up to date and ready…should it be needed…and that the purpose of the tremendous amount of nuclear bombs…was to create a deterrent that no country would dare ‘throw the dice’ to challenge.

‘Julius Robert Oppenheimer was an American theoretical physicist and professor of physics at the University of California, Berkley.’   Wikipedia

After the dropping of ‘Fat Man’ and ‘Little Boy’ on the Japanese cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki…Dr. Oppenheimer quoted from the Bhagavad Gita: ‘Now I am become Death, the destroyer of worlds.’

I watched a thought provoking documentary on Netflix, last evening.  It was entitled The Bomb.

The program began by showing several countries militaries…marching in lock step and in a very similar fashion to their enemies.

”The Bomb places the viewer in the middle of the story of nuclear weapons – the most dangerous machines ever built – from the Trinity Test in 1945 to the current state of nuclear weapons in 2016.  It will explore the culture surrounding nuclear weapons, the fascination that they inspire and the perverse appeal they still exert.  It will convey the impossibility of controlling this technology.  The Bomb is about the immense power of nuclear weapons, their dark allure and ingenious technology.  The computer systems invented to control them, the missiles and bombers built to carry them, the practice of denial and secrecy that perpetuates them, the societal and cultural influences of them, and the profound death wish at the very heart of them.’   Rotten Tomatoes Movie Info.

‘North Korea best not make any more threats to the United States.  They will be met with fire and fury like the world has never seen. [Kim Jong Un] has been very threatening beyond a normal state and as I said, they will be met with fire and fury and frankly power the likes of which this world has never seen before.’   President Donald J. Trump

I have often heard the rationale that, ‘we must strike them…before they strike us’ has it not occurred to the powerful of the world…that to strike them…is to strike us as well?

When we cheapen human life to the extent that we love our powerful nuclear bombs and what they can do to our enemies…we have lost sight of the fact that our enemies have more similarities to us…than differences…and to obliterate them is to obliterate us…we are all one human family!

Leaders are often governed by their damaged psyche.  Their need to constantly prove their narcissistic worth…at the expense of those that they lead…is frightening.

‘And I saw when the Lamb opened one of the seals, and I heard, as it were the noise of thunder, one of the four beasts saying, Come and see.

And I saw, and behold a white horse: and he that sat on him had a bow; and a crown was given unto him: and he went forth conquering, and to conquer.

And when he had opened the second seal, I heard the second beast say, Come and see.

And there went out another horse [that was] red: and [power] was given to him that sat thereon to take peace from the earth, and that they should kill one another: and there was given unto him a great sword.

And he opened the third seal, I heard the third beast say, Come and see.  And   And I beheld, and lo a black horse; and he that sat on him had a pair of balances in his hand.

And I heard a voice in the midst of the beasts say, A measure of wheat for a penny, and three measures of barley for a penny; and [see] thou hurt not the oil and the wine.

And when he had opened the fourth seal, I heard the voice of the fourth beast say, Come and see.

And I looked and behold a pale horse: and his name that sat on him was Death, and Hell followed with him.  And power was given unto them over the fourth part of the earth, to kill with sword, and with hunger. and with death. and with the beasts of the earth.

And when he had opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of them that were slain for the word of God, and for the testimony which they held:

And they cried with a loud voice, saying, How long, O Lord, holy and true, dost thou not judge and avenge our blood on them that dwell on the earth?

And white robes were given unto every one of them; and it was said unto them, that they should rest yet for a little season, until their fellowservwnts also and their brethren, that should be killed as they [were], should be fulfilled.

And I beheld when he had opened the sixth seal, and, lo, there was a great earthquake; and the sun became black as sackcloth of hair, and the moon became as blood;

And the stars of heaven fell unto the earth, even as a fig tree casteth her untimely figs, when she is shaken of a mighty wind.  And the heaven departed as a scroll when it is rolled together; and every mountain and island were moved out of their places.

And the kings of the earth, and the great men, and the rich men, and the chief captains, and the mighty men, and every bondman, and every free man, hid themselves in the dens and in the rocks of the mountains;

And said to the mountains and rocks, Fall on us, and hide us from the face of him that sitteth on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb:

For the great day of his wrath is come; and who shall be able to stand?’

Revelation Chapter Six   KJV

Today, August 9, 2016…is the 72nd Anniversary of the bombing of the Japanese city of Nagasaki.

‘The Bomb…nicknamed…Fat Man…was dropped at 11:02 A:M:.  The explosion unleashed the explosive force of 22,000 Tons of TNT.

‘It is estimated that 60 – 80 thousand people were killed.  Exact figures are impossible,  the blast having obliterated bodies and disintegrated records.’   This Day in History.

Note: All Photos are Public Domain.

While visiting with Ira Kaye’s friend, Ann, she told us of a wonderful weaving community that was near Santa Fe.  Chimayo is a meca for natural…old time method…hand weaved products.

‘Chimayo is a census-designated place (CDP) in Rio Arriba and Santa Fe counties in the U.S. state of New Mexico; the name derives form a Tewa name for a local landmark, the hill of Tsi Mayoh.  The town is unincorporated and includes many neighborhoods , called plazas or plactias, each with its own name, including El Potrero de Chimayo (the plaza near Chimayo’s communal pasture) and the Plaza del Cerro (plaza by the hill).  The cluster of plazas called Chimayo lies near Santa Cruz about 25 miles north of Santa Fe.  The population was 3,177 at the 2010 census.   WikipediA

Ever since we had journeyed to New Mexico, for the ‘Adroit and Classy ‘ Carson and the ‘Lovely and Brilliant’ Mechem’s, wedding…three years ago…we had wanted some authentic hand woven…table runners.

‘My days are swifter than a weaver’ shuttle, and are spent without hope.’   Job lamented in Job 7:6   KJV

The calm and peace of the weaving community is pervasive and welcome.  Their ancient art is beautiful and life affirming!

I think, that I often forget, how lovely the old art forms are.  The simplicity of living with the rhythms of the Earth…are truly peaceful and holistic.

The picturesque…compelling…peaceful…beauty… of the finished weaved product…will bring happiness to your soul!

Ervin!

We traveled on higher into the mountains of New Mexico…to a wonderful and sweet weaver…who only saw customers by appointment.  Her pretty granddaughter was with her…and we purchased two of her magnificent works!

When asked of her preferred method of payment…she responded cash or check.  When we attempted to offer identification for our check…she said that she trusted us…now that is a humbling…honor!

While we were there…a cold rainstorm came up…out of nowhere.  The wind began to blow and the temperature dropped over twenty degrees…in a matter of a few minutes.  The feeling of being with such a trusting person…and the sudden change of weather…gave a surreal quality…to our joyful interactions.

Mary Jane and I have just returned from a place that is…dream like…peaceful…and serene.  Santa Fe, New Mexico.

‘Santa Fe, New Mexico’s capital, sits in the Sangre de Cristo foothills.  It’s renowned for its Pueblo-style architecture and as a creative arts hotbed.  Founded as a Spanish colony in 1610, it has at its’ heart the traditional Plaza.  The surrounding historic district’s crooked streets wind past adobe landmarks including the Palace of the Governor’s, now home to the New Mexico History Museum.’   Santa Fe City in New Mexico.

‘Santa Fe is the 10th-highest city US city by altitude at 7198 feet.’   wikipedia.org

Last Sunday, or our first day there, we visited the Spanish Market…that is a annual event in the heart of Santa Fe.

The artisans and, Tin Artists who’s art is known as hojalata, were extraordinary in their complexity and diversity.  Mechem, introduced us to one of her friends who had made some very beautiful pieces of Tin Art.

Santa Fe is surrounded by mountains.

Being with Dear Ron and Ira Kaye, is always a joy and a pleasure!  Also, being able to visit with the wonderful Carson and Mechem and their delightful children was a special treat!

I went on the most pleasurable walk with Ron and Ira Kaye…that was both invigorating and feast for the eyes and senses!

Mountains captivate my imagination!  It appears to me that Santa Fe…could provide an artist…or a dreamer…a lifetime of inspiration!