Sometimes I Tremble

The Incredible Internet that I’ve Known!
by Charlie Leck

“Sometimes it causes me to tremble, tremble, tremble.” That's part of the lyrics of an old, old African-American spiritual that I loved to hear as a child. I remember how I shook when Mrs. Beiser stood there in the choir loft of our old First Congregational Church and sang it so sincerely, as Miss Howell played the old, pipe organ for her. I think at least half the congregation trembled with me. Remembering that moment this afternoon, I clanked into my Internet search engine the words: “Tremble, tremble, tremble!” And up came a page with video and audio that allowed a pianist to play the old, old tune and a choir to moan out the words of the spiritual to me.

The thought I had as I typed out those words was not about religion, faith or the death of Jesus, however. I was thinking more about the Internet and how it sometimes so amazes me that I can actually feel myself trembling from the awesomeness of what I find when I go there.

Here’s my thesis for today: The Internet has given freedom to the world and its peoples in such a way that no one preceding the Internet ever experienced such freedom or ever dreamed they would!

Look! Here’s a specific example.

I am, at this time in my life, taking a course at Yale University – well, not exactly at Yale University, but certainly from Yale University. Now if you think that I ever dreamed twenty years ago that this would be possible for me, you are smoking something illegal. But, yes, I am really doing it.

And, it isn’t costing me a dime.

I’m taking History 119: The Civil War and Reconstruction. It’s taught by Professor David Blight. I’ve got the printed syllabus and I’ve order the books that are required reading. I just finished listening to and watching the first lecture, “Why Does the Civil War Era Have a Hold on American Historical Studies?”

There are 27 lectures in this course, each lasting about 50 minutes. After the series of lectures, there will be a final examination.

After listening to the first lecture today, I am as jacked up as I can be. Think of it! Damn it, just think of it. I learn from the best! I can listen to the same lecturer those lucky kids at Yale get to listen to. I can take my own notes and I can read along with them as they work through their syllabus.

If this doesn’t make you tremble, you are some young person who takes too many things for granted. I wish my extraordinary old history professor from college was still alive, so I could call him and tell him about this.

“Doctor Savage, you wouldn’t believe what I did today and how excited and happy it made me!”

No, certainly, Harry Savage, in his time, would never have believed such a thing could ever happen.

Here’s how it happened!
I was playing around on my new iPhone today, downloading a few iApps. This is all “in” lingo that some of you old folks out there might not get. Anyway, I happened on an app called Open Culture and began reading about it. It immediately seemed to me that this idea might work better on a computer than on an iPhone, so I went to OpenCulture.com. That was the start of something big. On this web site you can download free audio books and podcasts, take free courses from universities all across America, take foreign language lessons and take business, science and law classes --- and just dozens and dozens of other wonderful things that boggle an old man’s mind.

There’s more to do on OpenCulture.com than even a young man could take advantage of in a life time.

I’m telling you – and I ain’t just a’ kiddin’ – that the whole world of studies and learning is open to us today and the wonder of it just makes me tremble, tremble, tremble.

If you want to see my class sessions at Yale (History 119) you can see the list here and watch any of them you’d like to.

If you want to see the Syllabus for the class, just click here.

Farmers Markets Like Theatre

Keeping your eyes open at the Farmers Markets
by Charlie Leck

I'm pretty familiar with a number of the Farmers Markets in our area...

St Paul Farmers Market
Minneapolis Farmers Market
Midtown Farmers Market (Minneapolis)
Mill City Farmers Market (Minneapolis)
Excelsior Farmers Market (Excelsior)

The markets listed above vary in size and style a great deal. The first two are more serious about matters, much the larger, and very businesslike in character. The Midtown Market is very neighborhood conscious and designed in character to appeal to the people who live in south Minneapolis and the Corcoran neighborhood. The Mill City Market, tucked in between the Mill City Museum and the Guthrie Theater is more artful and yuppie than the others (you'll find lots of chocolate, jams, life-elongating ingestants and short cake, along with the fresh produce of the moment). The Excelsior Farmers Market is a good example of a suburban approach to this whole business. It has an easier pace and there's lots of chatting that often extends across the street to the Latte shop. You'll meet some pretty impressive dogs as well.

There's so much going on at these markets that it's just a joy to be an observer, watching the comings and goings of both the vendors and the buyers. And, at a number of the markets there are also entertainers.

These markets, all of them in their own way, are a photographer's delight. The range of color one see is sometimes boggling, especially as the season moves along. At mid-summer, every produce stand offers a study in mother nature's beauty. In the city, the people are variegated as well, presenting a sampling of all the colors of the world's inhabitants.

You can also learn a great deal if you wish. Perpend upon it! Ask a young lady how she makes her maple syrup and you are in for a delightful tour through the process. The same is true for the fellow who sells his honey and so too the the lady offering organic bison meat. Just ask the lovely creatures from Two Pony Farms, down at the Midtown Market, how many heirloom tomato varieties there are, and you're in for another lesson in history and agronomy.

One sees many unique and creative ways of carrying children
about; and little ones don't get much more beautiful than this one.

Entertainers come in all sorts and varieties (and assorted quality,
too).


Faithful customers reappear after a long winter's hibernation.
They're glad to see us and we're glad to see them. It will take lots
of conversation to catch up.

The range of sight and sound at a Farmers Market is pretty spectacular -- even empyrean. The process has become an important institution in Minnesota and just about every community across the state now offers a Farmers Market of some type and size during the growing months.

Regard the peppers!

A day out at the Farmers Market!

A serious shopper in the suburbs!

We shop at our Farmers Markets so we can get good, wholesome,
locally grown and healthy foods!

THE END (Curtain please!)

Old Leviticus and Homosexuality

Mary, my dear friend, it is okay to own a slave – as long as said slave in not a Canadian?
by Charlie Leck

When it comes to the Bible, I guess we can take it or leave it! I think even by friend Mary, the Biblical literalist, would agree with that.

It’s all based on scripture, you know. That’s what my friend Mary tells me all the time. This matter of homosexuality, for example, is settled by what it says in Leviticus (which, I know, we all read all the time). The following is really ABSOLUTELY WONDERFUL. You may have seen it elsewhere, but, in case you haven’t, here it is for your enjoyment. Thanks so much to University of Virginia Professor James M. Kauffman for writing it. Thanks to Andy Driscoll for passing it on to me.

Doctor Kauffman wrote the letter in response to Doctor Laura Schlesinger, who, on her radio show, said that, as an observant Orthodox Jew, homosexuality is an abomination according to Leviticus 18:22, and cannot be condoned under any circumstances.

Dear Dr. Laura:

Thank you for doing so much to educate people regarding God's Law. I have learned a great deal from your show, and try to share that knowledge with as many people as I can. When someone tries to defend the homosexual lifestyle, for example, I simply remind them that Leviticus 18:22 clearly states it to be an abomination...End of debate.

I do need some advice from you, however, regarding some other elements of God's Laws and how to follow them.

1. Leviticus 25:44 states that I may possess slaves, both male and female, provided they are purchased from neighboring nations. A friend of mine claims that this applies to Mexicans, but not Canadians. Can you clarify? Why can't I own Canadians?

2. I would like to sell my daughter into slavery, as sanctioned in Exodus 21:7. In this day and age, what do you think would be a fair price for her?

3. I know that I am allowed no contact with a woman while she is in her period of Menstrual uncleanliness - Lev.15: 19-24. The problem is how do I tell? I have tried asking, but most women take offense.

4. When I burn a bull on the altar as a sacrifice, I know it creates a pleasing odor for the Lord - Lev.1:9. The problem is my neighbors. They claim the odor is not pleasing to them. Should I smite them?

5. I have a neighbor who insists on working on the Sabbath. Exodus 35:2 clearly states he should be put to death. Am I morally obligated to kill him myself, or should I ask the police to do it?

6. A friend of mine feels that even though eating shellfish is an abomination, Lev. 11:10, it is a lesser abomination than homosexuality. I don't agree. Can you settle this? Are there 'degrees' of abomination?

7. Lev. 21:20 states that I may not approach the altar of God if I have a defect in my sight. I have to admit that I wear reading glasses. Does my vision have to be 20/20, or is there some wiggle-room here?

8. Most of my male friends get their hair trimmed, including the hair around their temples, even though this is expressly forbidden by Lev. 19:27.
How should they die?

9. I know from Lev. 11:6-8 that touching the skin of a dead pig makes me unclean, but may I still play football if I wear gloves?

10. My uncle has a farm. He violates Lev.19:19 by planting two different crops in the same field, as does his wife by wearing garments made of two different kinds of thread (cotton/polyester blend). He also tends to curse and blaspheme a lot. Is it really necessary that we go to all the trouble of getting the whole town together to stone them? Lev.24:10-16. Couldn't we just burn them to death at a private family affair, like we do with people who sleep with their in-laws? (Lev. 20:14)

I know you have studied these things extensively and thus enjoy considerable expertise in such matters, so I'm confident you can help.

Thank you again for reminding us that God's word is eternal and unchanging.

Your adoring fan.

James M. Kauffman, Ed.D. Professor Emeritus, Dept. Of Curriculum, Instruction, and Special Education University of Virginia.

There you go, Mary! You can have a slave if you’d like, but no Canadians. In addition, dear, you are always so critical that I don’t approach the altar of God as I should. Leviticus 21:20 explains my hesitancy; however, now that I have had my cataract surgery, I wonder if I may, even though my eye sight is still only 25-20. What’s your opinion about that Mary?

Free Twins Memorabilia

We're Gonna Win Twins! We're Gonna Win!
by Charlie Leck

I recently attended a fund raising auction for a worthy cause and purchased some super tickets to an upcoming Minnesota Twins game. Included with the tickets were a number of memorabilia (souvenir) items that are supposed to be pretty neat. I don't really know, because I'm not into that stuff. Frankly, I don't have room around the house for the stuff.

So, I'm going to give it all away to the first of my readers who ask for it (including shipping). If you're a collector, you might be interested.

Just send me an email (chasleck@gmail.com), or phone me if you know how, and I'll mail item one off to the first person who calls me. Item two will go to the next person... and so on down the line of the following.

1. Official 1987 Championship Drive Beer Mug [claimed]
2. Official 1987 Championship Drive Home Hanky
3. Official 1987 Championship Drive Homer Hanky [claimed]
4. Official 1991 Championship Drive Homer Hanky
5. Official 1991 Championship Drive Homer Hanky [claimed]
6. Official 1987 Championship Drive T-Shirt
7. Official 1987 Championship Drive Coffee Mug [claimed]
8. Photo (8x10) singed by Paul Molitor (3000th Hit) [claimed]

Coffee Mug

Beer Mug

How's that? They're yours just for the asking. If no one contacts me, I'll give the items to some charity to auction off.

Modern Café, Minneapolis

Thoroughly modern munching in the Northeast part of Town!
by Charlie Leck

My friends do not accuse me of being acutely aware of the dining scene in Minneapolis or the Twin Cities. One of those friends took me to the Modern Café yesterday for lunch. I had never been there before. My dining companion shook his head about that, in rather utter disbelief, and was a touch embarrassed when I went on and on about how fabulous it was. Those in the know are, I gathered, already aware of all this and, although new to me, the wonders of the little café are well known to most civilized people in this area.

“The Modern,” as I understand the folks who love it call the place, looks, at first glance, like your neighborhood burger joint, originally laid out in the 40s or early 50s. It takes a few moments to allow your eyes to adjust and then you discover the entire establishment was done-up with a sense of humor and a flair for the unusual. What might be an ordinary diner’s fountain or dining counter is here a very neat, Deco wine bar. Photographs and art work hanging on the walls are tastefully and appropriately hung.

Then the menu arrives and you realize that a better than average experience lies ahead. Sure, right there are your normal, corner café options – a grilled hamburger or a hunk of meat-loaf. When I watched the two items served at a nearby table, however, I realized they were far from ordinary. This is no haphazard, short-order cook working the kitchen.

After carefully looking over the entire menu, I chose the Asparagus Risotto and ordered a glass of ice tea for a beverage. I’m off bread these days, so I couldn’t dabble in the fantastic looking plate of bread they put in the center of our small table. It was accompanied by a cup of fresh and appropriately soft butter. Yum! My friend dug in with a vengeance. I sipped on the spectacular ice tea while he munched.

Believe me, it was worth saving my appetite for the entré and it arrived with a very attractive presentation. I dug in and found the flavors to be yummy-tum-yummy and tantalizing. You could taste the earthy freshness of the green asparagus and the risotto and its sauce were flavored by a culinary artist. I just kept saying to my friend across the table that I couldn’t believe this meal came out of that kitchen – thinking, even yet, that it was just a little café’s short-order, greasy grilling room.

The Modern Café is the biggest dining surprise I have ever encountered – ever! I couldn’t wait to get home to tell my wife about it and I sent off text messages on my new iPhone to a number of people, raving about it. “Aren’t such surprises wonderful?” I asked friends in my message. Of course, they all texted me back, wondering where the heck I’ve been. They were all aware of the wonders of the Modern Café. As you read this, if a local, you are probably saying the same thing about me.

Phillip Becht is in charge of the kitchen at The Modern. He’s established an extraordinary reputation for himself in the time he’s been there. He talks about preparing food with which we are all familiar with a “funky twist.”

Watch this excellent video about The Modern. It's a really good clip and it will make y'all want to go there if you haven't already. I'm betting y'all will make immediate plans to do so.

You can take a look at a menu, too.

Myths about Immigration

Read Doris Meissner’s column about immigration. It’s important.
by Charlie Leck

This morning’s local paper carried a column on the opinion pages about the myths of immigration, originally written by Doris Meissner for the Washington Post. [5 Myths about Immigration]

I won’t regurgitate the entire thesis here, but I think it is a really important statement for you to read by someone who understands the situation in great depth. Meissner, now a senior fellow at Migration Policy Institute, served as commissioner of the U.S. Immigration and Naturalization Service for seven years up to 2000.

Read what she has to say about:

1. Immigrants taking jobs from American workers.
2. Immigration being at an all time high and about most immigrants coming here illegally.
3. Today’s immigrants not integrating into society as they did in the past.
4. Cracking down on illegal border crossings making us safer.
5. Passing immigration reform in an election year.

The NY Times also carried a tough column by Ross Douthat calling for the federal government to do its job in this era of immigration problems. It’s a good contrasting column to read after going through Doris Meissner’s thoughts.

More Photos by Demand

Because so many asked, I present more of my photographic portfolio!

by Charlie Leck

More than a dozen emails came in from regular readers and friends who occasionally visit my blog, asking me to post more of my portfolio of photographs. So, I shall -- with the promise that this shall be the final time I do this. I am trying to develop a web site that will allow me to post my entire portfolio and to offer them as public domain photographs that others may use for purposes not too commercial. I'll let readers know if I ever get that web site up and running.

One friend responded to the gallery by asking: "Don't you find that focusing on something makes you a better observer?" I hadn't thought about that. Would it sound like boasting if I said yes? It probably does, but I think it is a point well made.

Another friend asked what my photographic specialty is. "My," I thought, "I don't know. I haven't the slightest idea."

I love to photograph people, but only if I can get really candid shots when they have no suspicion they are being photographed, like "Cut Rock Road." Among the photographs presented here, my favorites are "Long Love" and "Professor Knecht" and "Bud Chapman" and "Happy Face in the Crowd."

I take enormous pleasure in getting a shot like "Lower Sioux Agency."

I take my photographs digitally these days (though a few in my portfolio are old, film shots). For those of you who understand, I shoot each digital photograph in two formats -- both JPEG and Camera Raw (or DNG). Most often I end up adjusting the Camera Raw shots and using those as my finished product. It is a thrill to open a photograph like "Lower Sioux Agency" and feel such satisfaction in the way that it was captured.

There are enormous numbers of resources on-line that teach digital photography. I've learned so much in the last five years and I work a little at learning more each and every day. One of my all-time favorite photography books is Within the Frame by David duChemin, about which I have written here before. One of duChemin's insightful comments in the book is: "Great photography happens where craft and vision meet." Such a book can be helpful when we want to move beyond the "Program" or "Auto" mode on our camera and experiment with shutter speeds and exposure settings.

Photography doesn't consume me. I have too many other hobbies to which I devote myself, but I like to dabble and improve with each photographic shoot I do. I could never stand the pressure of doing a professional shoot as my friend and reader, Sam Stern, does. I've made too many mistakes during one of my very amateur and personal shoots and wouldn't want to disappoint anyone by making serious mistakes at their wedding or special event.

I won't babble on further; rather, I'll let your eyes be the judge of the worth of these presentations.

Thanks so much for your very generous responses to my photographs and thanks for asking to see more.

END