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| Billie Silvey |
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Comments are welcome. Email me at b.silvey@sbcglobal.net. Feel free to use any material you find useful. I’d appreciate a line stating that you got it from www.billiesilvey.com. "It was a good connection you made to past hard times -- I hope many younger people read it. We are not alone in the difficulties -- either in community (as Frank's grandmother showed) or in time (since we can learn from and be inspired by past times). "The 1930s was prepared by the growing inequality and financial raiding of the future done in the 1920s. Same of the last couple of decades preparing for the current round. This suggests that living with more joy even in the non-hard times might help at least some people ease back on their greed and not act so destructively, and therefore not make the society as a whole as vulnerable to a repeat of the hard times. As for the military spending (someone, to Keynes' dislike, called the military spending of the 1940s "military Keyesianism" referencing Keynes' advocacy of wisely done civilian spending as a countermeasure to economic doldrums), we are not free of that albatross yet, and its spending continues to give jobs, but not the jobs doing the work our society and the world's really need. "Too many of my workplace crisis counseling jobs have to do with big layoffs and even closures, and those reinforce my doubts about runaway globalism." --Joe Maizlish "I just received your blog. Unfortunately, my computer is 'acting up'; it allows me to see the opening page, but it won't open up on the links. . . . I will check your recent edition on another computer. I am interested in the topic of the Depression, etc. "Also, last month I was especially interested in the story of the schizophrenic street musician. I must buy that book!" --Harris Ives "Very good, Billie! The Great Depression was a defining element in the lives of my parents. They referred to it constantly during my childhood and viewed it as a profound character-molding period." --Tom G. Bost ". . .what a lovely story about Frank's grandmother Mattox." --Anita Johnson "Billie, this month's Web site is wonderful! I loved your article on music from the church and your memories of that. Our son Elliott is at the New Orleans Jazz Festival this week, and has wangled VIP passes to be at luncheons and dinners with jazz greats - what a fabulous experience for him! He had invited Ken to go with him for the conference, which is officially business for Elliott, but Ken is still conducting "Peter Pan" at a small local theater (hence the tie with your granddaughter's birthday party)! Keep up the great work!" --Lindy Adams "Liked this month's website. Especially of course the jazz. . . ." --Gail Brisco "I remember your ukelele, the church singing, your dad leading, Vernon Harman and the rest of the men singing bass and you, with your beautiful voice." --Wayne Cole "Thanks for the response. We do appreciate it. No one but us will notice, but we have FOUR grandchildren. --Jackie and Arthur "Thanks, Billie. This is lovely!" --Dee Olomajeye "I enjoyed reading both of the websites--very informative. I might use a quote some time from the Elder in Space." --Bob Blair [author of the new book The Great Omission.] "Thank you for doing this Web site. I enjoy reading your messages." --George Garrigues "One of your best! Beautiful and profound." --Tom Bost "Around 8 a.m (10/6) this morning I ventured into your website for the first time. I was curious to see what your website would be like. "I liked the simplicity of the site. I felt a freedom whilst exploring it because I knew that there were no hidden agendas except that it be discovered and enjoyed. I particularly liked the part entitled 'Good and bad.' Specifically this: "'People in the 40s felt very strongly that some things were right and others wrong, while at the same time seeming blind to other moral issues. Such a realization should be humbling to us as Christians. We should wonder just how many of our own moral judgments are true and which might be a matter of prejudices and cultural preconceptions. We should think deeply and honestly evaluate our own beliefs and behavior. And we should have the humility to admit our errors and make needed adjustments.' "My thoughts on this: I agree with the above. We are always growing, learning and growing some more. We never quite have complete understanding in any areas, though we may feel that we do at certain times in our lives. As such, humility is always a useful quality to immerse myself in! I lead a community of people, mainly Christians and have been doing so for almost 10 years! "Your statement hits close to home. "You're doing a great job!" --Biola Shofu "I haven't the time to go deeper into reading your October presentation than to have looked at the headlines page. What a creative job! "One headline comment: The founding of the United Nations would have been good to include for 1945 along with the death of FDR and the droping of the bombs. There was a lot of idealism and energy put into that event and that institution, and whatever people say and think about the noisy political side of the institution, it serves very well in many of its less famous functions. "One example of the interest and enthusiasm many "regular folks" had about that event was that the radio station manager of a Los Angeles station convinced the corporate owners to permit him to arrange to broadcast the founding conference (June, 1945). Since the event took place in San Francisco, such broadcasting was no simple feat in 1945. My father, who was that manager, took me to San Francisco with him, but since I was three years old at the time, all I recall is playing with a kitten." --Joe Maizlish "You didn't mention your father's experience in the war, did you. I must have missed it? "Very thoughtful piece on "Right and Wrong." Thank you for that. "Ken Burns's recent PBS film 'The War' helped me to relive that time. I was 3-7 years old during the war years and remember patriotism, rationing, dimmed streetlights, an uncle in the navy, a mother who worked in defense and earned good money, a father who prospered in his police patrol business during and after the war as So Calif grew and grew and grew. "But seeing it all put together from the viewpoint of those who actually fought and lived the horror of war, I was very very moved--nearly to the point of nausea and upset--to think that it could happen all over again because human beings still have a need to see things in black and white, and we allow our consciousness to be dominated by our fears. "Is there a solution? A resolution? Only individually, as people wake up one by one to our interdependence, our fragile earth, our basic humanity and our oneness in the Spirit of God." --Doris "My father was in World War II. Your website reflects a lot of the history of some of this life. "I really enjoy how you put the message along side of the pictures. "Easy to read, yet memorable." --Linda Ramirez "Hi, Billie! I was struck by the family resemblance between you and your youthful mother! (I don't believe I ever met her.) Pax et bonum," --Marilyn "I love the story and photos of little Billie!" --Sheila "I so enjoy your Newsletters!! What a fabulous life you had growing up with such gifted Christian parents. Those gifts just flowed right on down to you girls, I just know. David took me to see Winged Migration. It was truly amazing. Thanks so much for sending all your great knowledge my way! I know so many of us are benfiting from your Talent. --Debbie Shapiro "Especially loved your account of your relationship with your dad. (My dad was a pilot, too.) And the references in scripture." --Doris "Very interesting reading. I enjoyed it." --Keith Brisco "Hey, Billie. I have a story, too. When my older children, who are now 25 and 23, were each 3-6 months old, my husband threw them in the pool, and guess what? They did not sink. Maybe at four you were just too darn old (smile). When Chloe was that same age, I would not let him throw her in. To this day, Chloe can neither swim nor stand to get sand on her body. Does it have anything to do with that, or is it mere coincidence? I am from Pennsylvania, so I literally did not see the beach until I moved to Los Angeles in 1976." --Barbara Fontenot "I love your site! I'm not one for reading a lot, but your site grabs me and has me reading 'til it's done. Then I want more. Great job. I will pass the site along to my friends and you can inspire them, too." --Andy "I really enjoyed the August website. Thank you for sharing." --Alice Bassal "Billie, this is very good! Thanks for including me in your mailing list." --Tom Bost "Billie--You do a masterful job putting together an interesting presentation every month! No matter what topic you choose to highlight, I enjoy reading and pondering the thoughts and ideas you share. We have beautiful trees here in Oregon. I love the mystery of a grove of trees. What lies beyond those trees? What animals find rest within that grove of trees? And in our fast-developing area, I am always saddened when I see a wide-open area that was previously tree-covered. We have found that we need a balance between the shade of the trees and the warmth of the sunshine--the two balance each other and thus provide a comfortable environment for us. And, so it is with God--we enjoy the shelter we find in Him and also bask in the sunshine of His love. Keep up the good work--and keep sharing glimpses of your beautiful little granddaughter with us!" --Carolyn Green Tucker "Billie, your granddaughter is so precious! Keep up your web site. I love it!" --Lindy Adams "Excellent work on the industrial revolution. It is interesting to see corporations today almost competing to sponsor events and charities in the name of public consciousness. Although I am grateful for every penny that finds its way to good use for the poor, hungry, and/or oppressed, I believe the corporate effort to be far too little, far too late, and far too adrift from sound motivation." --Rusty Ladd "I just had a moment to glance at your website for April. JMW Turner is one of my favorite artists." --Nancy Dodd "Here are a few of my favorite artists & paintings. I recommend your own fun research googling these names Ilya Repin (1844-1930), Russian Naturalist. Have you ever seen 'The Boatmen of the Volga' or 'A Religious Procession in Kursk Province'? Very powerful social commentary. Henry Oswa Tanner, late 19th century American painter (African-American) is my favorite painter of biblical subjects (and Rembrandt is great on this too). Isaak Levitan (1860-1900), Russian Impressionist. Great outdoor painter of light. Look for 'Birch Woods' (I think that is the title) or most any of his works. Edwin Austin Abbey (American painter, turn of the century), greatest painter of Shakespeare themes ever, by far! Tim Solliday, my brother. If you google his name and surf around, he may become your favorite painter too! Did you know that Oprah Winfrey purchased about six of my brother's paintings? Thanks again for sharing your websites and your thoughts." --Joel Solliday "I thought you would want to know Joe Friday s wife passed away." --Fred Ricker "Another interesting website! One thing to note, however, is that the polar bear shot in the Gore movie is an animation, intended to show what might happen if temperatures continue to rise." --Tom Bost "I like the website. I think you've got a good thing going there. "I just wanted to make one comment about the interview that concerned me. I did not attend Pepperdine--for whoever's sake who needs the truth. As I wrote to you--(sorry for my long-windedness; I'm sure it threw you off) I moved to LA with my mom when she made a career change and got a job at PU. "Anyway, thanks again for featuring me. I am honored and pleased that we have such common interests." --Mary Archer "Thank you for highlighting Mary Archer and all of her somewhat hidden (at least to me) talents and impressive accomplishments. It is a great source of encouragement to the church to hear about another member's gifts and works and service in this world because of her love of God. As usual, your great writing skills were displayed as well. Keep up the good work." --Vicenta Jacobs "Very good! I really enjoyed the interview with Mary Archer. Cheers!" --Tom Bost "I haven't been able to stop reading your newsletter. But I've spent 1-1/2 hours, and now I am stopping. As you know I never had children. But really I have had 5 children -- of the four legged kind: 4 cats and 1 dog. I love all my children. I actually think at all animals now instead of talking. They get it." --Terry Robinson "I love cats and your website is wonderful. Thank you for keeping me abreast!" --Glynis Brooks "Great site, but I could have sworn that was me with Marlowe when he tried to attack Gigi." --Kathy Hall "Well, obviously I'm a cat person . . . . . it got my attention this month . . . 18 years, wow . . . that's a long living cat you had there . . . do you have a new cat now?" --Gail Brisco |