my doctor

Today (April 27) at 9:00 is my first visit as a patient of Dr. Reisner (of Urgent Care) after a streuous visit to our state park and a pretty bad night (help me, God).

Ellie and I are still studying the kendle cloud.

thanatopsis

   So live, that when thy summons comes to join  

The innumerable caravan, which moves   

To that mysterious realm, where each shall take   

His chamber in the silent halls of death,   

Thou go not, like the quarry-slave at night,   

Scourged to his dungeon, but, sustained and soothed   

By an unfaltering trust, approach thy grave,   

Like one who wraps the drapery of his couch   

About him, and lies down to pleasant dreams.

WHERE WE LIVED

New Orleans, LA

Kenilworth Street, Lakeview

Marrero, LA
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marrero,_Louisiana

Larry was pastor of St. James United Methodist Church.
Paul was born on Oct. 9, 1958 at Touro Infirmary in New Orleans.

Angie, LA

Larry was pastor of Angie United Methodist Church and Varnado United Methodist Church.
Mark was born on Sept. 13, 1960 at Touro Infirmary in New Orleans. 

Millers Creek, NC

Larry had a circuit of four churches:
Millers Creek UMC
Union UMC
Arbor Grove UMC
Charity UMC 

Rob was born on May 31, 1965 at the Wilkes County General Hospital.

Winton Salem, NC.

We rented for less than a year a house on Sunset Drive.
We purchased the first home we owned at 529 Jersey Avenue.

Larry was employed by the Probation Department of North Carolina as a Probation Officer for Alcoholic Offenders. 

Transition to Washington, DC

the Ritz
Servant Community/Friends House on Adams Mill Road 

Arlington, VA
5012 N 24TH ST

Falls Church, VA
6701 Hallwood AV

Retired

Salem, SC
Jocassee Lake RD  

Ocala, FL
Breton Woods

Ocala, FL
1906 SE 8TH ST

Gainesville People

Tim and Connie Ray

Tim Fogarty

Jean Larson and Bill Mitchell

Sandy Lyon

Dick and Gene Beardsley

David and Jean Chalmers

Roland Fisch

Josh (bible) 

Gary Arthur

Bud and Sybil Brennan

 Annie McPherson

Walt and Mona Morris

Betty Odum

Don Smith

Mary Joseph

WE STUDY BLAKE

Larry was looking for stuff on Jung, and came up with a book from the Arlington County Public Library which associated Jung’s four functions with Blake’s four Zoas. His interest in Jung subsided somewhat because he focused so strongly on Blake. After he had done a lot of studies, he wrote his book, called A Primer:The Spiritual Autobiography of William Blake. When the internet had matured enough that people were building up interest groups to focus on things, he joined a Blake Study Group. Some of the participants were scholars, some of them were just enthusiasts, and it was quite a good group to be with for a while, but then these people became very contentious. They had no respect for each other. They just criticized one another and actually I felt that sometimes they were attacking Larry. I wasn’t really involved in this, but I got it second hand. So I thought, “Well I’m gonna get into this and see what’s goin’ on!” And I had started to do some reading so that I would be able to jump in and make some statements. When we decided that that group was dead, that there wasn’t any use in trying to continue there, I said, well, I’ll work on the blog with you.

To me, this is the significant thing about it. The more I read Blake and wrote about Blake, the more I saw that he encapsulated all of these ideas that I had assimilated throughout the years. It’s not an alien thing at all. Blake has a way of presenting these esoteric ideas that are the perennial philosophy.

Jessica 1

How Do Volunteers Learn

1. What is a hospice?

(brief history of Ocala hospice)

2. What can volunteers do?

In hospice;

Outside

3. How to set a common time for Instructer  and Student 

  Contact Larry Clayton:
369 6032
lclay34@gmail.com 

size release

2016.04
When I brought up the screen it took the whole thing, but Ellie pulled it down from the top.

A Day at the Beach

Monday April 18 we set out early in the morning, heading for Ormond Beach.

It was dark of course so Ellie drove.  I had filled up on a good bit of food. I promptly went to sleep and woke up as we were close to the beach.  It was high tide with close packed sand, very easy to walk on. I was very hungry.

A good sign for the possibility of gaining weight!.

Northly we went and in due course we arrived at St. Augustine. The beach was entirely different. We slogged along until we came to the 'gorge' with easier walking; with some trouble I got down and we walked around for a bit.

The way up the 'gorge' led to a fall. There we were, two old people having trouble. Immediately several young 'mermaids' appeared at our side, and two of them got me up; we expressed our appreciation.

A thing to remember!

Problem 1

It seems I can't stay awake viewing a tennis match this morning; in addition while driving home from St Augustine it appeared that I immediately became sleepy trying to drive.

In consequence it seemed that my over the road driving is a thing of the past.

quaker Meeting 4-17-4

3 present with Mary, interrupted by the final of Laval and Monpier.
It was very active: I made it clear that the 'morose' Frank is very close
to the morose Larry.
I made it clear the I would like to compute standing up and determined
to work on that.
Much pleasant conversation.
I am working on standing up and listen to music which helps.

Doors

Yesterday was 'First Day', with 3 Friends, and we spent several hours enjoying the company of 'my daughter', Mary Joseph.

Among other things I inquired about the perenially absent Frank Joseph; it seems that he usually spends several hour every day computing in a standing position; I resolved to learn how to spend several hour each day in a standing position.

Hurah; we're so thankful!

hymns

1. Standup, Standup for Jesus (224)
......Lift high his royal banner; it must not suffer loss

2. Rise up ye men of God (147).
Have done with lesser things.

CLAYTON GATHERING

I've finally gotten around to writing about our family gathering for Larry's 90th birthday.

We had the house full for a few days in mid-March to recognize the the milestone Larry has achieved. I'm sure I enjoyed the event more than anyone else but everyone seemed to enjoy being together. It is hard for me to settle on what meant the most to me. Was it playing tennis with 2 sons and 2 grandchildren? Or was it enjoying a few games of noncompetitive Scrabble with anyone who would play? Was it appreciating the attention that each family member showered on the birthday boy. Also we did one art project involving Rennie, Ryan, Julie and me which was fun. But I think the top of the list would have to be listening our three middle-aged sons contributing their expertise to trying to solve the world's problems. Although everyone was able to express his/her individuality, we did so without conflict or selfishness.

Rennie had suggested ahead of time that we duplicate the family photograph that hangs on the wall in the living room. So Paul set it up, we all posed, and we now have a record of the Clayton clan in Dec 2006 compared to us in March 2016.

Rob wrote a booklet in appreciation of his dad from which I will give a short quote:
"All of these qualities: your profound spirituality; your passion for justice; your identification with the oppressed; your compassionate service to others; your commitment to interpersonal engagement; and your commitment to following your own path; all of these qualities have been passed on to me. I find myself proud to feel that, in many ways, I am carrying on your works."

Altogether it was a fitting celebration.

gutenburg books

use guten... for titles for kindle cloud.

kindle cloud

go to amazon bookmark
search for kindle store.
select advanced search
select free
give author or book.

kindle cloud 2

When you ask for the cloud, you get the first 3.
click on the 'magnify' button and get the whole deal.

ROB'S TRIBUTE

THE SPIRIT OF MY FATHER

Dear Dad,

As you turn ninety, I wanted to write for you about you, especially about the qualities that connect us. These are the qualities that I see in you, that I am proud to see also in myself - your gifts to me. This is my way of thanking you and celebrating those gifts.  

SPIRITUALITY

Spirituality is the foundation, the theme that runs through your life and binds together my story of you. I learned from you to to regard the spiritual life as the true life, the material life as merely the scenery. Your dedication to Christ, your study of Jung, your obsession with Blake - all of these model for me the commitment to and fascination with, the inward journey and your spiritual path.

I've always admired your courage in moving us all to Washington so that we could be part of the Church of the Savior. You saw that spirituality could be deeper and pervade life more thoroughly - you heard a spiritual call, dropped everything, and followed. You showed me that spiritual impulse takes us where we belong.

I have not followed the same path that you have, but I am not sure they are so different ... both are paths of love, paths of compassion, paths of responsibility. You set my feet on this path many years ago, and I thank you.

JUSTICE

I have always felt a profound passion for justice, and I have always traced that passion back to you. You always taught me that Jehovah was the God of the oppressed and that Jesus was the champion of the downtrodden. You taught me that all people are children of God have inherent dignity and worth.

I'll never forget the story of your telling your parishioner about the big black woman who would be singing in the heavenly choir right next to her. It's a funny story, but it was a courageous thing to say, and I bet those courageous stands cost you.

I learned from you to stand up for justice, to stand shoulder to shoulder with my peers for fairness, and most of all to identify with the interest of all who are oppressed. I will be thinking of you when I'm on the picket lines next month.

You taught me to take my spirituality into the world and let it animate a vision of the just society, and I thank you for this wonderful gift.

COMPASSIONATE ACTION

You taught me, too, that vision and abstract justice are not enough, but that we must personally help those who are struggling. When I was a child, I knew that you walked with men who were struggling to escape addiction, and I was proud. When I was older, you humbled yourself and dedicated your time to housing the poor, and I watched with pride. Even now I see you ministering to the sick.

I see my work as a therapist as a direct continuation of your ministry, beloved Dad. I have a client now whom I see three days each week for no fee, and I often imagine him as a new incarnation of one of your old probationers. He has endured forty years of alcoholism and is wracked by terror, and terrible feelings of aloneness. Yet he also shows profound compassion and beauty of spirit, and writes the most beautiful poems. I dedicate my work with him to you, my father, in loving gratefulness for your compassionate example.   

PERSONAL CONNECTION     

Always, I have see you relating to others, connecting spiritually, building community. I remember the meetings you used to have at our house on Jersey Avenue with Miriam, Bob & Olga, Carla & many others, and I learned that all of these passions aren not mere private introspections of abstract musings and commitments, but experiences to be shared with others. I have seen this again and again in your life as you engaged with others through Gateway, Second Step, coffee hour at the C of S, and you own Quaker gatherings. I see the very personal relationships, too, like the one you have built with Paul and Judith. 

I feel a deep kinship with you in this profound valuing of interpersonal connection. My work as a therapist manifests this valuing, as I strive to bring healing through the process of connection, and I have learned from you to strive to deepen connection with those I meet on the path.  
 
THE HERO'S JOURNEY

As long as I have been alive, Dad, I have seen you following your own path. You never made the conventional choice, but always the courageous one, when it was important. Letting spirit be your guide, rather than the values of those surrounding you, has been one of your greatest gifts to me.

Here I return to your decision to follow your calling to move to Washington and become part of the Church of the Savior. I don't think I knew at the time what an unconventional decision that was, but as I grew I began to realize the courage, the commitment and the fierce autonomy from mainstream expectations that decision required.

Your very commitment to spirituality reflects to me this constant choosing of the "road less traveled by." While others might have taken refuge from life's suffering, and the pains of aging, in even more comfort or mild addictions, you have gone for refuge to your old friend William.

As you have faced fearlessly this hero's journey, you have helped build in me my own courage to face that journey. When I faced the dead-end of my career in law and politics, instead of resigning myself to a life of quiet desperation, I followed your example and turned inward to find my true path. When a strange to whom I reached out suggested I get the help of a Jungian, it was like the ringing of a bell deep in my soul - a bell that you planted there. Because of your example, I was able to see that I did not have to follow the conventional path, that I could discard my conventional achievements and position and walk into the wilderness.

Now, having silenced the voices urging me to conventional successes, I have been able to hear the inner voice summoning me to my truer calling. Thank you for showing your son that, in fact one's own path is the only path.   

YOUR SPIRIT IN ME

All of these qualities: your profound spirituality; your passion for justice; your identification with the oppressed; your compassionate service to others; your commitment to interpersonal engagement; and your commitment to following your own path; all of these qualities have been passed on to me. I find myself proud to feel that, in many ways, I am carrying on your works.  

As we celebrate your 90TH birthday, as you draw ever closer to becoming, in Henry James' term, "all spirit," I hope that you can feel that, in the deepest way possible, I am truly your son, and that it brings you satisfaction and pleasure. I know that it brings me profound comfort, pride and delight to feel that I am, in the deepest way possible, your son and that you are, in the deepest way possible truly my father.

                                                                                                                                                                  Robert Edwin Clayton, Psy.D.
                                                                                                                                                                  15 March 2016 

kindle cloud

Trying to remember how to get the kindle cloud:

1. go to firefox.

2. Search for amazon account (Ellie’s).

3. Search for kindle cloud reader library.

april 2

Got involved with free ebooks.  Ellie seemed to get some sort of thing, but I seemed to have lost it.