Photo Essay: Saying Goodbye to Daisy.

This is my youngest child, Daisy Torkildson. She is named after my maternal grandmother, Daisy Gagne. After struggling with finances and physical challenges for several years, she finally received her mission call from President Thomas S. Monson several weeks ago to serve for 18 months as an LDS missionary in Irvine, California.

Daisy and her niece Brooke have a very close relationship -- especially after several ice cream cones at Chuck-A-Rama.

Daisy with her sister Sarah; catching them in repose is like trying to catch a Golden Snitch.

Grand daughter Cici asks "Why can't I be in this photo essay, too? Ain't I just as cute?"

President Rahlf, Second Counselor in the MTC Presidency, set Daisy apart this morning. He graciously allowed me to participate in the ordinance. He lived in eastern Montana and knows some of the same people Daisy knows in Willison, ND.

There have now been 3 missionaries in the Torkildson family; me in Thailand, son Adam in Sacramento, and Daisy in Irvine. Soon it will be time for the grand kids to decide if they are going to step up and serve the Lord in the same way. I hope I am still around to see at least some of them get their calling and go into the MTC.

An LDS Mission is like no other education or vocation. Sometimes it can melt your bones, Daisy.

********************************************************************

Here is Daisy's first email from the MTC, written this afternoon:

Hello Family!

Uff da. Times a million. But it's a good Uff da, because I feel the spirit so strongly right now, that I could probably lift a car. At the same time, I'm so tired, I could literally fall asleep on this concrete floor. Anyway, the reason I am able to write so soon is because it's part of our first day activities, which is nice! I'm so happy right now, it's unbelievable. And I know I said goodbye to almost all of you literally hours ago, but I miss you all already. My companion's name is Sister Stout and she's great! She loves to sing, which is a plus for me, and she's from Northern Virginia (I told her about you, Madel) and she's serving in the Reno, Nevada mission. My official P-day is Saturday, so that's when I'll be writing to you from now on. I've met so many people today, that I hardly remember my own name or where I'm going, but it makes me so happy to meet so many people who are here for the same thing as I am: to share the gospel, and serve the Lord. We had a huge meeting with all the new missionaries where the MTC presidency spoke( Presidents Martino, ?, and Ralph) and it was super powerful. We talked about how important it is to have a good relationship with our companion and how we need to become as the Lord is. I was very uplifted at the end. Okay, I don't have much time left because I'm supposed to go to another class, but I love you all so much!  Until next time,

Sister Torkildson

Free Money

The idea is gaining traction in many countries as a proposal to soften the edges of capitalism. Though the details and philosophies vary from place to place, the general notion is that the government hands out regular checks to everyone, regardless of income or whether people are working. The money ensures food and shelter for all, while removing the stigma of public support.

From the NYTimes.

Inadequate wages have spurred the debate:

Should countries free income for people create?

It might be a blessing, or terrible jinx.

A riddle, indeed, worthy of the keen sphinx!

They’ve tried it in Kenya, in Finland, in Canada too.

The city of Oakland might also come through.

Conservatives, though, are not beating a path

To give it a whirl -- they are swooning with wrath.

“There is no free lunch” has been thousands of years

Dinned into peasants and pauper’s sore ears.

But maybe it’s time for all those who won’t spread

humane economics on crow to be fed.  

The Great Italian Clown Illustrator: Roberto Formigoni

The great Italian circus clown illustrator Roberto Formigoni is from Bescia, in northern Italy. His father worked as a political cartoonist in Rome, until Mussolini forced him to flee the city or face a long jail sentence.

Roberto loves all clowns. He calls Chaplin "the Mime King" and considers Laurel and Hard to be "the Maestros of Mayhem." He is especially drawn to circus clowns in his native country, drawing them frequently for newspapers, magazines, and for sale at art galleries.

Formigoni calls Italian circus clowns "the only people on the Earth today who can save us from the Void." His illustrations on this blog show some of his work illustrating circus programs for Il Circa del Mosca and for the academy La Scuola Del Circo.

 Formigoni once tried his hand at being a circus buffoon. He said that the audience knew he was not in love with them the moment he walked into the ring, and so they wouldn't believe his clowning and refused to applaud him.

He admires the work of American clown artist Jim Howle, calling him "the Norman Rockwell of the big top circus -- he's a worshipper first, and a painter second."

Formigoni says that the Italian Circus is not under any cloud or pressure to change their traditional animal acts.
"All this false publicity about our circuses going under is a black falsehood. Only a sick person would want the Italian circus to fail. Only a sour soul wants to end something that is so fun and beautiful!"

The Street Performer. Dedicated to Johan Figueroa-Gonzalez

Remarked upon, then left behind, small change tossed in a jar;

The street performer follows a peculiar canny star.

Competing with reality, he aims beyond the crowd

For something quiet and sincere that comes off very loud.

Roasted by the sun or dampened by the sullen rain,

She counts donations carefully -- until she’s robbed again.

Hoping for reporters to give her publicity

So she can get the tourists to pay for photography.

You don’t find many seniors on the street as mimes or wits;

The hours are too long and then the money often quits.

But young and reckless buskers are a salt to savor oft --

They make the dark streets brighter and hard avenues quite soft.

Read about Johan Figueroa-Gonzalez at https://www.nytimes.com/2017/11/14/nyregion/a-wall-hanging-stirs-to-life-in-washington-square-park.html

There's a Special Prosecutor Just For You!

"You must be guilty of something . . . "

WASHINGTON — The Justice Department said Monday that prosecutors were looking into whether a special counsel should be appointed to investigate political rivals President Trump has singled out for scrutiny, including Hillary Clinton.

From the NYTimes.

There’s a special prosecutor for the Clinton campaign staff;

They are going to investigate with writs and polygraph.

And then there is Obama -- he will not get off scot-free;

His uranium shenanigans will get the third degree.

There are special prosecutors for the Congress and what’s more

They will multiply like fruit flies to help even up the score

With anyone who trifles with the current status quo --

They will soon invade each condo and each liberal chateau.

They’re swarming o’er the countryside, a legal locust tide

Inspecting ev’ry folly with a mandate blunt and wide.

Whether in the office or while driving your own car

A special prosecutor can bring you before the bar.

The job requires nothing but a nose that is voracious

For information scandalous, embarrassing, salacious.

A smattering of Latin and a dogged loyalty

Will set you up in office to start spying instantly.

Unemployment disappears as prosecutors breed

From the ranks of ward heelers like some dark noxious weed.

So watch your P’s and Q’s, my friend, or they will prosecute

You for next to nothing -- and your future will be moot.

Just Sayin'

In Heaven do they say “Have a nice day”?

Can a zombie roll over and play dead?  

Instead of license plates why don’t cars have barcodes?

At my last job I went postal -- I didn’t arrive until two weeks later.

I work as a freelance politician -- I’ll cheat anybody.

Birds don’t find anything funny -- not even their own feathers tickle them.

I never go fishing for compliments -- I’d rather shoot ‘em in a barrel.

Why do they call her the “First Lady”? Were all the previous ones tramps?

If the universe is expanding why aren’t airline seats?

I’ve believed in reincarnation ever since I had to repeat the second grade.

When I make a picnic the ants hitchhike to the nearest McDonalds.

Ever get the feeling your life is an extended Candid Camera episode?

Why do people look for closure before they find an opening?

It snows here in the winter, but I never have to shovel my driveway -- I moved it to Florida.

I have a friend who can’t eat alphabet soup -- he’s illiterate.

I bought a marionette, but I had to return it -- there were no strings attached.

You wanna live dangerously?  Try stir frying popcorn.  

PETA wants to give flying squirrels parachutes.

A waffle is just a pancake with a skin problem

I know a lot of Catholics who take Mass Transportation

The NSA Has Been Hacked -- So What Else is New?

Current and former agency officials say the Shadow Brokers disclosures, which began in August 2016, have been catastrophic for the N.S.A., calling into question its ability to protect potent cyberweapons and its very value to national security. The agency regarded as the world’s leader in breaking into adversaries’ computer networks failed to protect its own.

From the NYTimes.

When the doughty government of Uncle Sam decides

It will deal with scoundrels with effective pesticides,

Agents with rare training and deep cunning are employed

To keep the villains running and to make them paranoid.

And so the NSA was formed to decimate the ranks

Of those who lurked in cyberspace attacking on our flanks.

They gathered so much data and intelligence for war

That no one cloud could hold it, so it lay upon the floor.

And so those nasty hackers who delight to thumb their nose

At our lovely government swept intel up in rows.

Now it is residing god knows where in cyberspace --

And NSA admits it may have lost a little face.

But some new agency will rise to carry on the fight,

With taxpayer-fueled funding that will bankrupt left and right.

So terrorists, just watch your step -- we’ve got your number now.

You cannot sink our Ship of State (though it might be a scow.)

The Age of Faith -- in Social Media

Joseph Zwilling, a spokesman for the Archdiocese of New York, said that some churches already offer apps, a trend he does not approve. “There are enough occasions for our mind to wander during Mass; we shouldn’t be using these artificial things that take us away,” he said.  From the NYTimes.

In this age of text and tweet, when hope is on the brink,

Parishioners first cross themselves, then search for shopping link.

The priest may give a homily that makes the stained glass glitter,

But those who bow their heads below are actually on Twitter.

In congregations near and far, the faithful appear drugged

On Facebook and on Reddit, and refuse to be unplugged.

The miracle of Instagram replaces Lourdes and Mecca --

The golden calf that’s worshipped now is certainly high techa.

We play with little pinwheels while the Master of us all

Shakes His head at all the trinkets holding us in thrall.

When He deigns to speak to us, no smartphone will be needed;

All cyberspace will hold its tongue, while YouTube goes unheeded . . .

Tribute to Dorothy Parker

Mrs. Parker and Those Girls Who Wear Glasses Dorothy Parker was a New York wit & writer who penned these immortal lines back in 1924: Men seldom make passes at girls who wear glasses. In honor of its 83-year anniversary, I offer some variations on that theme. To wit: Men seldom leave traces on girls who wear braces. Men seldom want babies from girls who have rabies. Men seldom write lyrics for girls in hysterics. Men seldom stop winking at girls who are drinking. Men seldom sincerely like girls who think clearly. Men seldom wear clothing that girls are not loathing. Men seldom take breath mints for girls who make death hints. And in the spirit of the times, let us update Ms Parker's lines: Girls seldom make passes at men with fat *****

What is Modar?

The study concludes that Mormons and non-Mormons subtly differ in their facial appearance, and perceivers are able to perceive these differences in a way that allows for accurate categorization. The two groups are distinguished by differences in apparent health, which appears to be expressed in facial cues signaling skin quality.  

From RNS (Religion News Service)

All Mormons alike look to me.

They have that ‘frightful symmetry.’

Their sainthood assured,

They cannot be lured

With pricey immorality.