OK - he was waving at thousands of other people as well but smiling at me! Well - perhaps not just me. They do love him and my - they can shout and scream and wave and sing and dance and cheer. And at 81 what a star - dont you think? The sun has come out for him and Washingt
Blog: Pictures-Books-Reflections
Learning what is important as we age ?
Posted on by James Woodward
There are some great liberations that surround old age. Abraham Maslow once suggested that wisdom was the accumulation of knowledge and experience and then living long enough to reflect on it, make sense of it, and apply it to oneself and others. Well not all older people a
Creative Ageing and learning new tricks!!
Posted on by James Woodward
Be careful - learners around here!
They are a hospitable, open, positive and friendly lot the Americans that I have had the joy of meeting so far. On Tuesday (yesterday!) I took the Metro train out towards the National Cathedral to meet Dr Gay Hanna. She is the Director of t
What is the future for religion?
Posted on by James Woodward
RELIGIOUS SYMBOLS OF THE WORLD
I watched the CNN programme which was entitled Faith and Politcs : The Compassion Forum - a head to head between Obama and Clinton. I have also been interested to read of Tony Blair's Faith Foundation over here - there is much excitement abo
In Praise of
Posted on by James Woodward
the notebook
Well it might be a sign of old age - but I couldn't survive without one of these. It is a notebook - moleskin is the trade name. Unlined and small enough to drop into a pocket. Unlined with a band that keeps it together. It also has a useful pocket in the back for b
The Edwardians
Posted on by James Woodward
A good book is necessary for coping with a long flight - and this is the volume that caught my attention at Heathrow. Cheap and long and interesting but not too high brow! Hattersley is a skilled writer - don't you admire the way these people can master a huge subject? Carefull
Visitors in Town
Posted on by James Woodward
We have some important visitors in town next week - present company excepted - of course! The Pope and The Prime Minister...... There is some excitement mixed with a certain element of concern about what the fuss of these important people with their motorcades will do to t
Native Americans?
Posted on by James Woodward
All language has its dangers! Who is an American? Who does this huge land belong to? Even on a short Metro train ride into Washington DC one is aware of the sheer diversity of people - it really is the land of many races and languages. I sit behind a couple who speak Chinese and
The Way we Age?
Posted on by James Woodward
Do you ever wonder what old age has in store for you? How old do you feel inside? Where would you like to age? The way we answer these questions - our perspectives on age and growing older are shaped by our life story. Our parents and grandparents will have shaped our views. Tho
In praise of Google Earth
Posted on by James Woodward
Well - picture the scene - I have a very profitable morning - a brisk walk around the campus followed by morning prayers in the chapel. I still don't know any of the hymns! Some good coffee and then I ring home to find out about my mothers 70th birthday celebrations. My card ar
Washington National Cathedral
Posted on by James Woodward
This building took nearly ninety years to construct - and the picture hardly does justice to the experience of its vast sense of space and beauty. The energy and craftsmanship that created such splendour are testimony to faith. It is all on such a scale that I will need anot
In Praise of
Posted on by James Woodward
Courtesy. I realise that there is some anbivalence amongst the British about America and its people! I share the same prejudices about Knowle (sorry I had to get that in at some stage) but I do think that we have a great deal to learn about manners from these good people.
I we
The Audacity of Hope
Posted on by James Woodward
The weekend brings a different kind of pattern here. Some of the students are in parishes learning the trick of the trade and some seem to be away. I have just had some lunch following a Eucharist at Immanuel Church. Rite I ( prayer book) which I haven't experienced for some ti
Snow in Temple Balsall – Awesome!!
Posted on by James Woodward
Wow - snow at this time of year ! We must begin an immediate theological exploration of issues surrounding the environment! This is the view from my study window ( thanks Jen). As they say in these parts - Awesome!!
In Praise of
Posted on by James Woodward
Art. Knowledge of the world is derived by observation, experimentation and rational analysis. Science, for many, is the best methodology for determining this knowledge. While acknowledging that we should recognize the value of art as a source of knowledge.
Art mirrors reality. I
Blue Grass
Posted on by James Woodward
I travel down to Old Town Alexandria To Tiffanys Tavern - that's the closest to a pub that they get here - to sample the beer and listen to some Blue Grass music. Its a cross between Country and Folk - with a fiddle, tall double bass, steel guitar and vocals. There is a different
Not at my Age?
Posted on by James Woodward
Those who know me will recognize this phrase probably used so often that its originial intention to amuse has worn off a little! I have had a rather mixed day not helped by very heavy rain all night which kept me awake - my room is at the top of the building so it felt that I cou
I have a dream
Posted on by James Woodward
Today marks the 40th anniversary of the death of Martin Luther King and it is being marked across this country with a number of events. The Washington Post reflects with its readers about how far American society has travelled over these past years. Here at VTS there is an ambiva
Freedom?
Posted on by James Woodward
If I were more creative then I should be able to find and upload pictures to accompany these wanderings. I'll get back to you on that one! In conversation with some of my newly made American friends I ask about the values that shape this large, diverse and contradictory country.
In praise of …..
Posted on by James Woodward
the boiled sweet!
One of my earliest memories of my childhood was the village sweetshop ran (I think) by two old ladies ! Well they looked old from the perspective of an eight year old. I remember that there was a large heavy set of brown shelves filled with jars and jars of swe