grafted in and on the journey

Hello Grafted In Reader, Today is Wednesday, December 13, 2023 in my corner of blog-land. Winter temps are mild here, snowfall minimal thus far. This is OK with me! First to all of you: If you would like a free gift, please respond not to me, but by going online to the #eoy, #SmashWords, sale where you will find the -ebook version of my current title. Note the sale starts December 15, 2023, ending on December 31, 2023. Here is the book blurb below: Human Being Human Doing by David C. Russell The four building blocks of the human body are cells, tissues, organs, and body systems. Experience includes observing, encountering, or undergoing things as they occur in time. The stories herein are about specific life experiences. These experiences are likely repeated with some variance down through history. The unique reactions are what contribute to this title.  As the Festival of Hanukkah or Feast of Lights, is in its waning period, I wish all those whom observe this occasion much happine...

Hello Grafted In Readers, Today is Thursday, December 7, 2023 in my corner of blog land. The sun will soon be setting in the nation of Israel at the time of this post. Here is an interesting, intriguing, life paradox: Chanukah (Hanukkah) 2023 starts at nightfall on December 7, 2023 and ends with nightfall on December 15, 2023. Most of us are aware that the nation of Israel, is about the size of the United States state of New Jersey; Unfortunately, deep stress, turmoil, and war have been the major facet of its daily life starting on Sabbath -  October 7, 2023. The word "Hanukah" in Hebrew is translated as feast of dedication in English.  It appears the nation is dedicated in securing safety for its citizens and visitors by continuing to engage in this conflict with an extremist Hamas. Is it fair to use that adjective to describe this group's intent? As believers in Messiah Yeshua, what are we dedicating our days, our time, ourselves, to? May HaShem (G-d) grant another mira...

Hello Grafted In Readers, Today is Monday, November 27 in my corner of blog land and also known as Cyber Monday in the consumer world. I will help a family member do some Cyber Monday shopping later today! Besides, our outdoor weather is frigid, a bit windy, and at about the freezing mark. This post, I am going to share an excerpt from my current work in progress. Its title, Moments With David, is going to be comprised of several general and faith-based vignettes for personal ponder. Here is the one for this time of year: Everyone Likes A Discount David C. Russell I was a youngster during the 1960s when American television offered more daytime movie options than at present. Commercials during these flicks included technical training programs, bartending courses, truck driver entities in search of new employees, and discount chainstores. Perhaps the viewership were considered unemployed, under-employed, middle-aged career changers, modest income earners. Two phenomena in American ...

Hello Grafted In Readers, Today is Monday, November 6, 2023, in my corner of blog land. The one key event recalled from this date occurred in 1990 in my life. A relationship of five years ended. I moved out. At the time, I was living in another part of the U.S. Now, I find myself: - playing a piano gig four evenings a week; - Married to a wonderful woman for the past 27 years; - Have two adult children and four grandchildren; - Published three books, and several random short stories since 2014; - Enjoy reading and reasonably good health at age 71. I hope to return to giving these blog posts music titles. Is your heart opened today? Regardless the answer, each of our hearts goes through changes during life. That November 6 in 1990 was sad, yet posed new challenge. Our momentous and small changes contribute to who we are and who we show the world that we are like it or not. In conclusion, may the presence of Yehovah comfort you and be with you now and tomorrow. I appreciate you stopping ...

Hello Grafted In Readers, Today is Monday, October 23, 2023 in my corner of BlogLand. It is also the six-month birthday for my current creative nonfiction title, Human Being Human Doing. UBL URL: books2read.com/u/mlqXG9 A universal book link, offers readers the opportunity to shop for a book at one of their possible favorite on line vendors, acronym, UBL. The code here, six digits, is posted above. BOOK BLURB Cells, tissues, organs, and body systems are the four building blocks of the human body. Experiences include observing, encountering, or undergoing things as they occur in time. The stories herein are about specific life experiences. These are likely repeated with time with variation throughout history. The unique actions are what contribute to "Human Being Human Doing." May the presence of HaShem guide our choices daily. Thank you, Mellow Rock David C. Russell, Author  

Hello Grafted In Reader, Today is Wednesday, October 18 in my corner of BlogLand. I title this post visit, Did You Ever Wonder? Of course, you ask, "Wonder about what?" Historic structures such as Synagogues in the time of Yeshua (Christ Jesus). Is there a connection in the descriptive below with where you gather to practice your faith in a community, congregation, collective of others? As this blog's purpose includes exploring the roots of Christianity, this post observes that in the following excerpt. Jordan Ryan, authors an article describing the synagogue in its place in history within the pages of the Summer issue, Biblical Archaeology Review. I invite you to consider the following: Synagogue buildings in the early Roman period featured a main assembly hall, which was quadrilateral in shape. Stepped benches typically lined the walls, meaning that the attendees sat facing the center of the room, and people seated along opposite walls would have faced one another. The ...

Hello Grafted In Reader, Today is Monday, October 9 in my corner of BlogLand. The tone of this post is somber and solemn. I will thank you at the outset for your visit and your thoughts as we pause a few minutes from our busy life. It has been quite an eventful week for those in Israel and the Middle East, especially. The International Feast of Tabernacles concluded on October 6, 2023. This feast recalls G-d protecting the Exodus as they wandered in the wilderness four decades and provided direction and food for them. This is observed not only in Israel but across the globe.  Just hours later, Israel would experience a full-blown terrorist incident that still is persisting as I write and looks like a war will be inevitable. Six months ago this October 23rd, will be an anniversary of my latest title, "Human Being Human Doing". Below, I am pasting an excerpt of a book review, offered on Reader's Favorite by one Courtnee Turner/Hoyle that was published this past July. I invi...

Hello Grafted In Reader, Today is Wednesday, October 27 in my corner of blog land. Change is coming about is probably a phrase we hear occasionally throughout life. Spiritually, this week our High Holiday focus is moving from a season of penitence, solemn and yet joyful, to an eight-day feast celebrating time in the wilderness historically and presently. This period is called, Feast of Tabernacles or Feast of Booths. You may learn about this time period by searching the topic online, and maybe viewing present or past videos of Feast celebration. I recommend three resources in particular for the curious: - Feast of Tabernacles, ICEJ, International Christian Embassy; - United Church Of God, Feast of Tabernacles; - Videos by John Hagee on Feast Of Tabernacles. These particular resources have been around for several years and survive the test of time as it were. I mentioned change is coming about. As this relates to my craft of writing, in the near future, this blog will feature postings a...

Hello Grafted In Reader, Today is September 20 in my corner of blog land, Wednesday. The Jewish faith celebrates Rosh HaShanah (the new year) during this period of time. This includes a ten-day period prior to the Day Of Atonement, Yom Kippur, which is to be Sunday in our current year, 2023. This solemn day is for individual and individual reflection over the sins, iniquities, and transgressions of the past year. Sounds pretty serious doesn't it? Rather than mire oneself in incapability, here is some wisdom from the website, aish.com, to help us all make amends to ourselves and to the others in our respective lives. Following this day of return, begins a joyous feast called Feast of Booths, or feast of Tabernacles. After Monday, read about this festival at the online site of your choosing or perhaps encyclopedia.com. In the past, online videos of this festival have been recorded by the International Embassy for Christians and Jews, which is festive, celebrative, about an hour in le...

 Hello Grafted In Reader, Today is August 28 in my corner of blog land. For those who observe an ancient faith practice known as Judaism, it is the month of Elul, which is the final month on the Jewish calendar. It is a time when many take stock and decide in what ways they will improve themselves. I like observing this month since Fall seems to usher in new starts in western culture for North America. I was curious as I take stock of myself, are there synonyms that can become effective expletives to speak when we find ourselves totally tick offed at someone or something? We often use expletives known culturally to express our disgust at something or someone's behavior. I do, and you probably do also. Let's dive in and look at two key samples. Suggested alternatives are from Thesaurus.com. Asshole Ass, bastard,  jackass, dickhead, mother-f...er, shit, SOB, asshat,  asswipe,  idiot,  jerk,  schmuck F..K bang,  bonk,  copulate,  fornicate,...

Hello Grafted In Reader, For those who have followed this blog for some time, in earlier days focus was given to elements of the Christian faith that are known to be inherited from the Jewish faith. One such is upcoming, the month of Elul on the Jewish calendar. In 2023, this 30-day period of self examination and returning to G-d, begins the evening of August 16. Below, I am pasting an article from August 2021 by Jewish Voice Ministries, that gives and overview of Elul, and recommendations for one to utilize if choosing to observe this month. Or, you may search for information on your own regarding the month of Elul. Please share this with someone who may be interested.  Elul: Preparing Your Heart for the Fall Feasts August 03, 2021 '' What is Elul? Elul is a month on the Jewish calendar preceding the High Holy Days of Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur. These holidays are about repentance and right standing with the Holy God of Israel, and one doesn’t enter such a season lightly. En...

Hello Grafted In Readers, Today Is August 1, 2023 in my corner of blog land. Thank you for checking up on me occasionally to see if and when I reappear. I hope to renew our visits at least once monthly. Let me know if interested by liking this post please. Since May 23rd this year, I have been busy with writing projects.  I published "Human Being Human Doing" in May to most of the major online vendors. Here is a link to get you started on searching out the ins and outs of this title that took about one year to produce: Human Being Human Doing by David C. Russell Goodreads https://www.goodreads.com/human-being-human-doing https://www.goodreads.com ›  If this did not show as a link, I suggest you google the following: "book human being human doing david c. russell goodreads" and that will take you to some basic info and a review or two. Also, over Spring and most of summer, a co-writer and I entered a contest to produce a 50-paragraph story where the contest provides ...

Hello Grafted In Reader, Today is April 19, Wednesday, in my corner of blog land. To begin, did you recall that thirty years ago this date was a sorrowful day in American History? The setting, Waco, Texas. A cult leader convinced his followers that their lives were over.  Also on this date, 1995, was the tragic bombing of a Government building in Okalahoma City, Oklahoma. Today, 2023, I found some words of wisdom commenting on the book in the Hebrew Bible known as Kohelit, or Ecclesiastes to many others. Writer Amy Cooper Robinson offers some insight into the overall theme of this book that includes:  You have been granted this day, and the people you will encounter in it, and its questions and puzzles and (of course) its food and creature comforts. You can enjoy it or not, you can engage with it or not, you can love it or not, but you can’t trade it in for something better in the future. So, he advises, honor the portion you have.  I conclude most days end in the middle ...

Hello Grafted In Reader, Today is March 9 in my corner of blog land, 2023. I am thinking of time today in relation to my developed to-do list. - Joining and online sport book program comes with needed learning; - Preparing my forthcoming title, Human Being, Human Doing, has some pre-publication issues to resolve; - Urging a family member to keep moving forward in life takes minutes but adds up; - My four-evening per week piano gig is semi-retirement income; - Being a voracious reader takes 6-7 hours each week; - Monitoring comments from a recent story having appeared at Https://www.spillwords.com/author/davidcrussell is pleasurable and happy to see nearly 20 persons read "Puddles and S..t". Given all the above, and your list too,  time keeps going by or slipping into the future as Steve Miller Band sang about 47 years ago. A lot of time slipped since that date! For cooler conversation, I found this in a recent newsletter by the Grammar Girl. It's to those of us who either...