…that sounds so mysterious, doesn’t it? Well, it is in fact mysterious. Recently I was listening to a podcast where a physicist was interviewed about his ideas of the “consciousness of contemplation” – or something like that!! He kept referring to “dark energy.” “What...

This is our last full day in Rome and I am almost certain my last blog entry from Rome. We decided to make it more or less a full day in the city, squeezing in a rest time in the afternoon. Speaking of rest, I look forward to sleeping in my own bed in our happily...

Saturday was my first and last Saturday that was completely unscheduled so I did what I usually do when faced with the "oppression" of an open schedule - I scheduled something! Actually I had help from Amy. The other day we read an advertisement in the subway that...

Today was my first day on sabbatical leave that was not in one way or another dedicated to my intended studies. For 17 straight days I have been walking, talking, listening, and taking in the sights, sounds, and conversations related to sacred art. If I have counted...

Even though my more or less formal study of sacred art in Rome under the tutelage of Michael Schwartz concluded on Wednesday, I still had a couple of more commitments today. Just after lunch I left my family to meet with the president of the Union of Evangelical...

Today marks the "official" last day of class, although there are some extra excursions planned before the weekend. Before meeting up with the class this afternoon I took some time to go on a "hike" on the Appian Way. As you recall from an earlier post, we walked a...

After a rather restless night of sleep - I think I am past jet lag and simply over-caffeinated coupled with mental overload - I caught the bus at 7 AM for the city center. From there I hiked another mile or so to meet up with Dr. Schwartz, Dr. Shotwell and the art...

We learned of some sad news regarding one of the ASU students. She received a call last night by cell phone that her father died in a car accident. For privacy sake I will not share her name but I do ask you to remember her and her family in your prayers at this time....

This morning marked our second Sunday in Rome and I was determined to go to Rome Baptist Church. This church was founded by Doug and Helen Ruchti in 1962. I came to know the Rutchis when they retired in, ironically, in Rome, GA when I was a student at Shorter College....

Last night before bedtime I had one final chore which was to secure some drinking water. Yes, we have indoor plumbing but the water coming out of our faucets tastes, well, a bit flat and a bit off. Rome is known for its water, having long ago secured fresh water for...