First day of summer

Two photos from my office: the moon at dusk on Sunday





Morning pages


I finally made more elderberry jelly Monday evening to make room in the freezer for strawberries, which I anticipate picking next week. I only made a dint in one container; still have at least four quarts of frozen berries. Dreamt I came into the kitchen next morning to find all five jars opened and consumed to varying degrees. I thought djjo, detailbear and my daughters were responsible. It was a relief to actually find the sealed jars still standing by the sink. My subconscious says the frozen berries are too good to throw out.

The dentist office called from Toronto this morning, postponing this afternoon's appointment until July. That's perfect, really. I would have had to come home from Toronto tomorrow to attend anxiety group. Then I have to turn around and drive five more hours to pick up the girls and reach the cottage tomorrow night. I will do the bird count Thursday or Friday morning. Friday afternoon we'll return to Toronto for Pride weekend.

So I have another day at home. Much needed, because my apartment isn't satisfactorily in order for the summer yet. Housework this afternoon; if I get it done, I can make elderberry syrup tonight.

Wayne Besen

A few people on my friends list will be interested in the most recent post on Wayne Besen's blog:

The New Fighters of Faith and Reason

It often seems like the religious left won't realize it has a dog in the fight against fanaticism until the right's pit bulls are lunging at its timid throat. For too long, Christian moderates have been invisible, submissively surrendering and allowing the most destructive elements in America to claim the mantle of God. Fortunately, it appears that people of faith and reason are finally awakening from their long scriptural slumber.

Besen won notoriety several years ago for photographing ex-gay poster boy John Paulk crusing a gay bar in Washington DC. He's author of Anything But Straight: Unmasking the Scandals and Lies Behind the Ex-Gay Myth. I've been following his blog for several months, primarily because of his interest in the ex-gay movement. But his column also critically addresses the religious right on a much broader set of issues. It's well worth following. His site doesn't seem to offer an RSS feed, but I subscribe to his column by email.