tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-202177512024-03-16T15:18:23.048-07:00A Biting Chance Drneilmcleod.com dentistry that lasts- quality that countsThere will be weeping and gnashing of teeth...<br>
-Luke 13:28 - The Blog for drneilmcleod.comNeil McLeodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05408940986944512656noreply@blogger.comBlogger223125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20217751.post-45995501934920667722024-03-16T15:17:00.000-07:002024-03-16T15:17:30.877-07:00<p> I strongly recommend this book. It makes the case clearly that our society is corrupting at a remarkable rate and that the primary victims are our children.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhntRitdbTLknYHV5lCwNMd8dhFLPrz1YSbr2cIMfO3NgqDXgBTr6yxn7SCk0QRtYf6goVWw3cHOqcNJaN0saXzmpUT19VIg3KxnGVG2ZbqRDNhu8oW87Few9667iAd2xvK6E5dglkHCTAqZlK_OIL6ll9MulIaOEkdovX5o6WItL9XfM1q-02EVg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="263" height="395" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhntRitdbTLknYHV5lCwNMd8dhFLPrz1YSbr2cIMfO3NgqDXgBTr6yxn7SCk0QRtYf6goVWw3cHOqcNJaN0saXzmpUT19VIg3KxnGVG2ZbqRDNhu8oW87Few9667iAd2xvK6E5dglkHCTAqZlK_OIL6ll9MulIaOEkdovX5o6WItL9XfM1q-02EVg=w260-h395" width="260" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>The Publishers have written the following:<br /><p></p><p><span style="background-color: black; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px;"><span style="color: white;">This world has declared war on our children. Every day, on a multitude of battlefronts, Satan is deploying weapons of mass corruption against our children. Modern culture has been systematically designed with an agenda that is aggressively anti-God, anti-Christ, and anti-Scripture, intended to corrupt and consume young, impressionable hearts and minds. As God’s people, we need to teach our children God’s Word; train them in righteousness; and above all, give them our extravagant love.</span></span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px;">About the Author:</span></p><p><span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px;">John MacArthur is pastor-teacher of Grace Community Church in Los Angeles, California, Chancellor of The Master’s University and Seminary, teacher and voice heard globally through his media ministry Grace to You, and author of numerous best-selling books, including his New Testament commentary series and The MacArthur Study Bible. He has spent over 50 years preaching through every verse of the New Testament and much of the Old Testament while being a featured speaker at conferences around the world. John and his wife Patricia have been married for over sixty years and have four children, fifteen grandchildren, and five great-grandchildren.</span></p><p><span style="background-color: black; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px;"><br /></span></p><p><br /></p>Neil McLeodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05408940986944512656noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20217751.post-4173583733738943142024-02-23T09:39:00.000-08:002024-02-23T09:39:26.536-08:00The Seventh Slam - A new collection of poems<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/s?k=Neil+Stewart+McLeod&i=stripbooks&crid=2QH7UHXV0AJI3&sprefix=neil+stewart+mcleod%2Cstripbooks%2C138&ref=nb_sb_noss_1https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvUI1Hc_lZBfmTJi7mjuaEP3Pwuke_Zpe8N1AhZ7R7GRG5BDi_PJI3PuFSpbKFkWazKHY4DC1MnvWovErGNrMezHKjsDUIANRJ9Ld081h6OuOt-f4xOB52Lbg4lxnf8N-ReOVVQiqv08dPpf0p1VJEftNQ8IjGFEHCep3aHoe6Wp1dGhb8tPYiig/s783/Cover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="783" data-original-width="553" height="452" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvUI1Hc_lZBfmTJi7mjuaEP3Pwuke_Zpe8N1AhZ7R7GRG5BDi_PJI3PuFSpbKFkWazKHY4DC1MnvWovErGNrMezHKjsDUIANRJ9Ld081h6OuOt-f4xOB52Lbg4lxnf8N-ReOVVQiqv08dPpf0p1VJEftNQ8IjGFEHCep3aHoe6Wp1dGhb8tPYiig/w319-h452/Cover.jpg" width="319" /></a></div><br /> In November of 2023 eighteen young poets, students at The Masters University, took part in the seventh annual Charles Miller poetry slam. The evening was hosted at the Powell Library and the master of ceremonies was Bob Dickson. As curator I collected the nearly fifty submitted poems in this anthology, which cover a broad range of topics and will serve as an encouragement to other budding authors.<p></p><p>The book is available on Amazon here: <a href="https://www.amazon.com/s?k=Neil+Stewart+McLeod&i=stripbooks&crid=2QH7UHXV0AJI3&sprefix=neil+stewart+mcleod%2Cstripbooks%2C138&ref=nb_sb_noss_1" target="_blank">The Seventh Slam</a></p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVshv08h8qSqY_5O9Cca69MWXu3mcsNyvdp85eIg6HlIT8nC3LlFDKVGpwnOAXrzHipw31G89RGzpOpnpOyxi0XyqflpiE3He5U7vxOPdmWbmpa68yVCTUP6Y6NSF4QkJ0Lo_Z3Qv8w5-e5F6ZZhuG2lZWsnWS6buiE9HbhLJqHY2cFnwakFhTTg/s3156/1st%20Picture.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1728" data-original-width="3156" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVshv08h8qSqY_5O9Cca69MWXu3mcsNyvdp85eIg6HlIT8nC3LlFDKVGpwnOAXrzHipw31G89RGzpOpnpOyxi0XyqflpiE3He5U7vxOPdmWbmpa68yVCTUP6Y6NSF4QkJ0Lo_Z3Qv8w5-e5F6ZZhuG2lZWsnWS6buiE9HbhLJqHY2cFnwakFhTTg/w488-h267/1st%20Picture.jpg" width="488" /></a></div><br /><p>It will be interesting to see what these young poets accomplish in the years ahead!</p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR22T471oxhI7VJrE877h-zfI_DQIJTtdnkaG_OySUfV0YG6DD_aireiwRCFRCs1SKobgwO1TBRIkpW02sXT_dfgUomEPSUroD7Aa74UY1crZ6d0t7huteo2WHkN0jx1XbKHt-QQ8cLpd7TIlsFLp55tNapyU3ZNyfAsWaY7x0j_tupFRaGJScbw/s283/TMU%20crest.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="70" data-original-width="283" height="70" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR22T471oxhI7VJrE877h-zfI_DQIJTtdnkaG_OySUfV0YG6DD_aireiwRCFRCs1SKobgwO1TBRIkpW02sXT_dfgUomEPSUroD7Aa74UY1crZ6d0t7huteo2WHkN0jx1XbKHt-QQ8cLpd7TIlsFLp55tNapyU3ZNyfAsWaY7x0j_tupFRaGJScbw/s1600/TMU%20crest.png" width="283" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p>Neil McLeodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05408940986944512656noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20217751.post-40033211377303655012024-02-21T17:14:00.000-08:002024-02-21T17:14:05.437-08:00Will Alister Begg Recant?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9jy7e0UfZjshttps://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqTing5RUHofRxQE4j8sek1b2U9Q9MkiHuFsRWu2NrrnQGUOrjisR4OTulQwSVpKmZ9aRyep2pmc4GJP6YGnGnvOV71LlpGpSpAXC30PT8r1yGsnYbGmLw5Mct6BoRMXw2VYMUvsdD6ZqPs2mPvbK9eVthDEpnfzcWyEzkeSZ_Fysqce1q7hzjQQ/s1401/Beck3.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="717" data-original-width="1401" height="261" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqTing5RUHofRxQE4j8sek1b2U9Q9MkiHuFsRWu2NrrnQGUOrjisR4OTulQwSVpKmZ9aRyep2pmc4GJP6YGnGnvOV71LlpGpSpAXC30PT8r1yGsnYbGmLw5Mct6BoRMXw2VYMUvsdD6ZqPs2mPvbK9eVthDEpnfzcWyEzkeSZ_Fysqce1q7hzjQQ/w509-h261/Beck3.png" width="509" /></a><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Neil asking John MacArthur the critical question at a Q and A with John MacAthur </i></div><p></p><p></p><div style="text-align: center;"><i>- What would you advise your flock John</i></div> <p></p><p>I was saddened recently to hear that a much loved and respected Scottish preacher, Alister Begg, had driven off the road, had given some contraversial and mistaken advice to a lady who had a thorny question about whether she should attend her granddaughter's wedding to a transgender partner.</p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwrOY1QG_4xjGlhaSQO7y2Hr0dFxtUnRTlyUrxONqaeI0LHhqnhabejRa0fVrj1JF-Ct4FX4ZLoqRaUjPJPi2-i-WObgqK4-9T_BKZUTxK2Vyc2At26DLcH4_MXfmEFKbxapP2t2Gk3l3apUbrdpYxzk6ZivOJ1n8si_jjTnqkxiU65Kk9-eyYBA/s848/John%20reply.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="468" data-original-width="848" height="237" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwrOY1QG_4xjGlhaSQO7y2Hr0dFxtUnRTlyUrxONqaeI0LHhqnhabejRa0fVrj1JF-Ct4FX4ZLoqRaUjPJPi2-i-WObgqK4-9T_BKZUTxK2Vyc2At26DLcH4_MXfmEFKbxapP2t2Gk3l3apUbrdpYxzk6ZivOJ1n8si_jjTnqkxiU65Kk9-eyYBA/w429-h237/John%20reply.png" width="429" /></a></div><p></p><p>John MacArthur has finally weighed in on the Alistair Begg Controversy with his first public statements. He was asked by me about it during a Question and Answer session at Grace Community Church. MacArthur was gracious in what he said regarding Alistair Begg and his ministry but made his position known boldly and clearly. John MacArthur differs strongly with Alistair Begg …</p><p>John's loving answer pointed out that we should not judge anyone by there weakest moment, he has been a good friend to Alister for forty five years.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrh9lgG_3dSJuSWG9_iY6fNw30RUFrWeIwhI5FbLB88fA3rhetbgvJbv2oZmpmhXVbSlh5UOHCcv-oBYRTSjyQQ2gvF43St8O8QEquCFqd2dUrLmE8eFHzB5OrzMlkVLQlDCOdADYEl1NJTObjsoQnuzSASYIKXBk24XTaBjyBbqjm4dDBFIRWUA/s1007/Alister%20Begg.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="567" data-original-width="1007" height="258" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrh9lgG_3dSJuSWG9_iY6fNw30RUFrWeIwhI5FbLB88fA3rhetbgvJbv2oZmpmhXVbSlh5UOHCcv-oBYRTSjyQQ2gvF43St8O8QEquCFqd2dUrLmE8eFHzB5OrzMlkVLQlDCOdADYEl1NJTObjsoQnuzSASYIKXBk24XTaBjyBbqjm4dDBFIRWUA/w458-h258/Alister%20Begg.png" width="458" /></a></div><br /><p>We therefore ask you to pray for Alister recant.</p><p><br /></p><p>See the video here: <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9jy7e0UfZjs">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9jy7e0UfZjs</a></p>Neil McLeodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05408940986944512656noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20217751.post-27408456481171935522023-09-22T11:49:00.000-07:002023-09-22T11:49:15.569-07:00Reflecting On Time<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_jXBvNDLSGSw7ohh-K8h2btvn9iN6EjqKVsJVYXPo67TtLVuh74aykmanyVZJigRCTBvdTPgXyzrUZOFT8sER5nJ56Wg6D8uKttA2ry-wQ0xiikzSdCHGRaMgSlLW7VxTpF-_4Omq4Iv8jtO5TRWlSWm370b5aZgPOq0TEKuNdUOx-Oe4vI6PXA/s4608/With%20Dwight%20Yoakham%20at%20La%20Brea.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4608" data-original-width="3456" height="543" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_jXBvNDLSGSw7ohh-K8h2btvn9iN6EjqKVsJVYXPo67TtLVuh74aykmanyVZJigRCTBvdTPgXyzrUZOFT8sER5nJ56Wg6D8uKttA2ry-wQ0xiikzSdCHGRaMgSlLW7VxTpF-_4Omq4Iv8jtO5TRWlSWm370b5aZgPOq0TEKuNdUOx-Oe4vI6PXA/w407-h543/With%20Dwight%20Yoakham%20at%20La%20Brea.jpg" width="407" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>With Dwight Yoakam at the Jim Henson Recording Studios</i></div><p>It has been an interesting week that has given me pause to reflect on how best to use every minute of each day. On Monday evening I was practicing my harmonica with the Cross Eyed Boys, the band who play for Men Of The Word, Brad Klassen's Bible study that meets on Wednesday evenings at Grace Community Church. On Tuesday I was out at The Masters University in the laboratory as an Adjunct Professor teaching anatomy to a score of Biology students. We were focusing on the axial skeleton, one of my favourite subjects, and especially the skull. I took the oportunity to bring is a brilliant dissection so that they could all see the teeth and the ossicles. At luncheon in the Mustang Grill I met Ken Mays again who kindly gave me his new CD of his collection of his jazzy arrangements of Christmas music. Ken has retired and the collection represents a life of devotion to music and teaching it.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip1bagplNuEaU3w8YyLqgZe0TrC8sjth7a6MC4Y5e9K8ZccYOBycZ529KzD77OcQ33MRMwQL9I70wLuam5-M0Rm0yONWFeg2Kfkt0jLunZxpIT7Wz4HA4e0s3tyd2-scqi4BIpuMoM51YJzVkl6dgUvS8eCqcvTOZZVws_mSYrP3pIVi4ZmhHCnw/s1080/claude.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="810" data-original-width="1080" height="339" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip1bagplNuEaU3w8YyLqgZe0TrC8sjth7a6MC4Y5e9K8ZccYOBycZ529KzD77OcQ33MRMwQL9I70wLuam5-M0Rm0yONWFeg2Kfkt0jLunZxpIT7Wz4HA4e0s3tyd2-scqi4BIpuMoM51YJzVkl6dgUvS8eCqcvTOZZVws_mSYrP3pIVi4ZmhHCnw/w452-h339/claude.jpg" width="452" /></a></div><i><div style="text-align: center;"><i>See Below - Death's Castle</i></div></i><p>Now on Wednesday I was in Practice at my new professional home with Dr Eric Donaty DMD on Wilshire Boulevard in Beverly Hills. What a joy to interact and work with this Tufts-trained master of his craft. I have occasion to reflect on my first landing in America at Logan Airport on an exchange scholarship to Tufts in 1972. </p><p>On Wendesday evening I played with the band, and before the formal instruction on Ecclesiastes, "Life Outside The Garden", Dr. Klassen brought Brian Jolley up and asked us to pray for him as he has been diagnosed with stage four liver cancer. Perhaps you will also offer up a prayer. None of know when we will be called, and how quickly our pursuits will be forgotten.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUHll6YjNHuX72P-jPk81XUar0q8-OAyHqnPe9uV_nQO1DEOniHYVupebz1-dzogBnKF3JNgOfslaMtVZOcGvHd5foUaHuoZ_4ke1KJXmqg9P9TiXiOYEWJ5C1VQ-SoqoFIIfDzyWfcg_QqFDIWoXPRv4P-ZjP7CddyEf9GMEObg5YFudV7-i0JA/s1076/Brad%20and%20Brian%20Folley.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1066" data-original-width="1076" height="317" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUHll6YjNHuX72P-jPk81XUar0q8-OAyHqnPe9uV_nQO1DEOniHYVupebz1-dzogBnKF3JNgOfslaMtVZOcGvHd5foUaHuoZ_4ke1KJXmqg9P9TiXiOYEWJ5C1VQ-SoqoFIIfDzyWfcg_QqFDIWoXPRv4P-ZjP7CddyEf9GMEObg5YFudV7-i0JA/s320/Brad%20and%20Brian%20Folley.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><i><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Dr Brad prays for Brian</i></div></i><p>Now on Thursday I was back in practice and received an invitation to watch an album being recorded. After many month of concerts and recordings Dwight Yoakam is putting the finishing touches to his new Country album, and I was able to actually enter the lot that I have known only to drive by for many years as "A and M Records" which then still bore the statue of Charlie Chaplin the studio's founder, but now has Kermit the Frog as an effigy of Chaplin. The studios are amazing, and we were in the same space where the Carpenters and Carole King had made their recordings, as back up vocals were being laid down for what promises to be a hit album. Dwight is having his dreams come true as he polishes up his gifts with this blessed comeback. I pray I can use my time as well.</p><p><br /></p><p>Here is a reflection you may enjoy:</p><p><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;"> Death’s Castle</span></b></p><p>I had this architectural evaluation of the skull published in the Guy's Hospital Gazette. Poets abounded at Guy's. After all, Keats was a medical student there.</p><p><br /></p><p>Dusty chinks, caverns and pale walls,</p><p>Life once enclosed has gone from your halls,</p><p>And now below parapets pitted and brown</p><p>Hollow blank crypts are staring down.</p><p>By flying buttresses they are shored</p><p>Their socketed senses now are flawed.</p><p><br /></p><p>Unsealed vault and arching dome</p><p>Where frail haunting spirits roam,</p><p>Thy bleached facade's a reminder grim</p><p>Death's mask to our kith and kin.</p><p>Cold afront horrid to behold,</p><p>Yet no horror in the thin walls old,</p><p>For silence lurks behind the pall</p><p>The mark of time now past recall.</p><p><br /></p><p>Men shelter their brows at your ghastly sight,</p><p>Their eyes are sightless, blind, not bright,</p><p>They see not the words by the temple light.</p><p><br /></p><p>And speaking not of their chiefest dread,</p><p>Their tongues are lost in a damp, mute bed,</p><p>By the falsehood of unspoken words they're led.</p><p><br /></p><p>Turning their heads they hear not the song,</p><p>Their muffled ears deaf to the gong,</p><p>Unhearing their pitiful state they prolong.</p><p><br /></p><p>Their chosen deception filtering out,</p><p>The musk of spoor-odor you leave about,</p><p>And all life's sweet perfumes they know not to doubt.</p><p><br /></p><p>I have it now, sight, sound and all,</p><p>Dull smell of relapse in the room where you fall.</p><p>Now halted life's kernel, a once bitter taste,</p><p>No longer strikes chords of fear and waste.</p><p><br /></p><p>My eyes, not blind, have shown me the path,</p><p>A new mind accepting your wrath.</p><p>Low barred dungeon whose stone is rolled,</p><p>The secrets of wisdom for us now unfold.</p><p>Soft whispers of truth which fill the air</p><p>Mask the trumpeter sounding there.</p><p>The crunch of the marching step is dull,</p><p>All is seen, I gaze on the skull. </p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>Neil McLeodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05408940986944512656noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20217751.post-57290858938538741022023-04-05T20:05:00.000-07:002023-04-05T20:05:55.757-07:00Live Not By Lies<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizFLH7EO8DWuchgMBcPDuv9iGgy6OEHrz_2ZGbxu15PVu4KSejIA_7E_4JXQxa2mqeIoKpsJjBJcZZhlrowS_kBuF8s044XQUrhcTrVn3gM6z6mZm-OnZHnDoiPHRk2BgjpcXucHWivFb0e6yxyXTY98P_gZKmJbcubgOipCX3V8Mz9qkr8I8/s803/LIve%20not%20by%20lies.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="803" data-original-width="538" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizFLH7EO8DWuchgMBcPDuv9iGgy6OEHrz_2ZGbxu15PVu4KSejIA_7E_4JXQxa2mqeIoKpsJjBJcZZhlrowS_kBuF8s044XQUrhcTrVn3gM6z6mZm-OnZHnDoiPHRk2BgjpcXucHWivFb0e6yxyXTY98P_gZKmJbcubgOipCX3V8Mz9qkr8I8/s320/LIve%20not%20by%20lies.jpg" width="214" /></a></div><br /> We all know, we can all see that our country and our culture is falling apart. The fulfilment of the biblical prophetic predictions are occuring before our eyes and tragically the vast majority of the population are either silent or do not care to question what is happening. They are decieved into accepting or thinking that it is all a part of progress; that it is all for the good, for the benefit of all and they are wrong, dead wrong.<p></p><p>If you have been shocked by the wokeness that we are seeing transition into an accepted way of life, if you have found a favorite book that has been rewritten with wording the the author never wrote, if you feel that you are being taxed to pay for causes that you do not believe in you are not alone, but you may be a part of a small but important significant minority - and your voice is not being heard unlike eveyone elses.</p><p>Then you must read this book <a href="https://www.google.com/books/edition/Live_Not_by_Lies/JqfiDwAAQBAJ?hl=en&gbpv=0" target="_blank">"Live Not By Lies"</a> by Rod Dreher</p><p><br /></p>Neil McLeodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05408940986944512656noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20217751.post-1195952330562424012023-02-14T18:11:00.000-08:002023-02-14T18:11:47.367-08:00Lala Salama<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Ravelled-Sleeve-Lala-Salama/dp/B0BQ9GG835?ref_=ast_sto_dp" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2330" data-original-width="1631" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9PS3GMBJeJ526sN2-5iqa0JRB-sQY6mxVmuFV56ci3zglFxBqz09BtnZwBV70F--HQOXSbFTebCi3saSe4XQ1OulSVkdknyIPjrf54rd1w9aJxgi_FSaIgV14YRhr678NKP2ypkgwqhXZhpK0T4e-_gDysX6UGqiZJCPMBlMtX8D9P2HSNKg/s320/Lula%20Salama%20kindle%20cover.jpg" width="224" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p>I was born in Oxford. From the age of four, until eleven, I grew up in Kenya, East Africa. My father had been recruited by his former commanding officer to come and work in the colony, and my mother followed him out with us children, my brother and sisters. We did not really know what our Dad was doing in Kenya, but we certainly had an interesting life. We hunted for the pot and lived up country where there was no electricity or refrigeration.</p><p>It was not until I was sitting in the hot tub in Laurel Canyon, Los Angeles, with my father, and when I had asked him, "Do you remember the first time I saw a dead body?" That started a conversation that would begin to reveal what my father was really doing in the colony in the 1950's.</p><p>The title Lala Salama mean "sleep peacefully", a Swahili blessing. As children we slept in many places and so the words are chosen to refer to the many changes that occured in our lives. </p><p>My mother worked at many jobs to support us after she and our father seperated. One of them was as corresponding secretary for Carr Hartley, the white hunter and international game exporter. The cover shows our mother holding the cheetah Rita.</p><p>As this book unfolds it reveals the nature of our lives in a British colony at the zenith and end of the colonial era, it answers the question of what my father was really doing in Kenya. It also explains why we had such interesting pets.</p><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWJP3nRZpMyo7coZvF9crts8LqrJCtzeK3TV8AtJwqEQt1kLEVn6uXIIE79k0_PoBCDV8AteiyRQkDKGCLqLMyhuJDZxJshPWdElz4vRSVTU6_Br2I506hiz-4SJaA1ffd8pEXZtrDe57biFUGcggrvxrasyPFAzG8mq6txif16n_mxOML7SI/s1290/sp03$0025.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1290" data-original-width="874" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWJP3nRZpMyo7coZvF9crts8LqrJCtzeK3TV8AtJwqEQt1kLEVn6uXIIE79k0_PoBCDV8AteiyRQkDKGCLqLMyhuJDZxJshPWdElz4vRSVTU6_Br2I506hiz-4SJaA1ffd8pEXZtrDe57biFUGcggrvxrasyPFAzG8mq6txif16n_mxOML7SI/s320/sp03$0025.jpg" width="217" /></a></div>Neil with a lion cub in Rumuruti.<br /><p>You can see a list of my book titles on the website <a href="https://neilmcleodbooks.com/">https://neilmcleodbooks.com/</a></p>Neil McLeodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05408940986944512656noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20217751.post-9126544300807538572023-01-31T21:49:00.001-08:002023-01-31T21:49:28.053-08:00My Wife's Dog and Other Stories<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-OU4FuMLlgpV3iypAqWPi3J1ME-bSpKVhSmxkBflTV6r_oLqPazHTUmk44UsbL0hvHbwU9d16nS-63X_ftrecstTDPMzHqZvG0w2KPswHMp2rl7X0Xenh8UVQyWW6t4Rj1mUHgqru4xUyvD0y_FtdrtZe7sQo3idpOK5Y2GvEfFWi9k2S3ig/s1000/My%20Wifes%20Dog%20Front%20Cover.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="717" height="372" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-OU4FuMLlgpV3iypAqWPi3J1ME-bSpKVhSmxkBflTV6r_oLqPazHTUmk44UsbL0hvHbwU9d16nS-63X_ftrecstTDPMzHqZvG0w2KPswHMp2rl7X0Xenh8UVQyWW6t4Rj1mUHgqru4xUyvD0y_FtdrtZe7sQo3idpOK5Y2GvEfFWi9k2S3ig/w266-h372/My%20Wifes%20Dog%20Front%20Cover.jpg" width="266" /></a></div><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p>Many years ago, after my father passed away, I received a sheaf of carbon copied typed stories which he had written in the 1950's after he was posted to Kenya. He had nearly finished his degree at Merton, Oxford and was honing his skills under the tutelage of the London School of Journalism. Well I have finally transcribed them, and had some help editing them and here they are. If you get a chance to read them do let me know what you think. Here with thanks to Philip Watt for his editorial eye are thirty nine new stories and impressions each with its own twist at the end, and I hope you enjoy them.</p><p>The book is available on Amazon in digital and hard or soft copy:<a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BQ9J8F5D/ref=tmm_hrd_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=&sr=" target="_blank"> https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BQ9J8F5D/ref=tmm_hrd_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=&sr=</a></p><p>Do take a look at my book website:<a href="https://neilmcleodbooks.com/">https://neilmcleodbooks.com/</a></p><p><br /></p>Neil McLeodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05408940986944512656noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20217751.post-59488950351840724312022-12-19T16:16:00.003-08:002023-01-31T21:43:01.057-08:00Daniel's Blessing<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3c7KiCV1E8t3CLU4i3w-rA1lQJK47-JUvLaywwXzQEqmCtZ1f3HJc0_c5ciaDhxZP-m2j4QNMDHOJrJKF8-fpm_erfEcQnPep9nB--frpFzyIuxnpMgyY8ro1s5301YkQZrZrDiLlpIxBy7wVqK5rG6G_BCjDWi0GvY3OLFmArOkkTb7vXD0/s306/wise%20men.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="164" data-original-width="306" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3c7KiCV1E8t3CLU4i3w-rA1lQJK47-JUvLaywwXzQEqmCtZ1f3HJc0_c5ciaDhxZP-m2j4QNMDHOJrJKF8-fpm_erfEcQnPep9nB--frpFzyIuxnpMgyY8ro1s5301YkQZrZrDiLlpIxBy7wVqK5rG6G_BCjDWi0GvY3OLFmArOkkTb7vXD0/s320/wise%20men.jpg" width="320" /></a>
</div>
A New Christmas Poem <div><br /></div><div>Here is a wrinkle on the Christmas message that you may
not have yet tied together, the part played by the prophet Daniel in securing
the safety of the Holy Family, and ensurung that the prophesies were all
fulfilled. It is in my <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Christmas-Poems-Neil-Stewart-McLeod/dp/1981471855/ref=sr_1_4?qid=1671503976&refinements=p_27%3ANeil+McLeod&s=books&sr=1-4">Christmas Poems</a> book<div><br /></div><div><div>Daniel’s Blessing</div><div>A Christmas Story</div><div><br /></div><div>Daniel was a wise man, he lived in Babylon city</div><div>Watered by the Euphrates with hanging gardens pretty.</div><div>And ruled by the most powerful kings, whom God had raised to show</div><div>His chosen people, Israel, what they should do and know.</div><div><br /></div><div>Those kings within their royal courts had councilors who knew<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span></div><div>The meaning of the heavenly lights and ancient writings too.<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span></div><div>And it was Daniel who was saved by God in the lions’ den</div><div>Who rose to be the leader of all the king’s wise men.</div><div><br /></div><div>He added to their catalogue the Jewish Scriptural lore</div><div>So they could see the proof in the prophesies before.</div><div>Subsequent generations of scholars would retain</div><div>An expectation of fulfilment of predictions that remain</div><div><br /></div><div>Now, they had known for many years a new King would arise,</div><div>They knew that there would be a sign before He lived and died.</div><div>Jeremiah prophesied that seventy years would pass </div><div>Before the exiles could return back to Judea at last.</div><div><br /></div><div>From those ranks of scholars we were marked to bring</div><div>Royal gifts and homage to God’s incarnate King,</div><div>And we remained in readiness to reach across the sand</div><div>Bringing praise to the arrival in that far off land.</div><div><br /></div><div>People call me Gaspar tradition lends this name</div><div>Same for Melchior and Balthazar but these we do not claim,</div><div>We traveled all together from what was Babylon,</div><div>And it was to Judea that we had come and gone. </div><div><br /></div><div>It was by Daniel’s haptids that we could tell the date,</div><div>And so we crossed seven hundred miles to reach Jerusalem’s gate.</div><div>The Angel Gabriel brought the message that gave that prophet his ken,</div><div>Sent by the God of Jacob above all gods of men.</div><div><br /></div><div>So when we saw the heavenly sign shine brightly in the sky</div><div>We prepared to journey forth my Magi brothers and I.</div><div>From our mountain sanctuary where books and treasure were stored</div><div>We gathered up the gifts to take as homage to the Lord.</div><div><br /></div><div>Our road was clear before us although we traveled far</div><div>For constantly above us we saw the guiding star.</div><div>And after many weeks of trials from whence we sallied forth</div><div>We passed through the Damascus gate, entering from the north.</div><div><br /></div><div>There we enquired of all we met “Where is the new born king?”</div><div>And we were quite astonished none could tell us a thing.</div><div>So we went to Herod’s palace envisioning he would know,</div><div>But our questions caused great anguish and pacing to and fro.</div><div><span style="white-space: pre;"> </span></div><div>Herod summoned up his own wise men and asked them to explain,</div><div>Then they remembered Micah quoting Bethlehem by name.</div><div>Before we ventured on our way Herod asked us privately,</div><div>“To go and find the child and then bring back the news to me!”</div><div><br /></div><div>Going on we saw the star that drew us, and as we went</div><div>In a dream God warned us of King Herod’s fell intent.</div><div>We traveled with great haste and joy and gratitude untold,</div><div>Bearing presents fit for a king, myrrh, frankincense and gold.</div><div><br /></div><div>It seemed as if the heavenly light drew us to the site</div><div>Hovering just above their home guiding us that night.</div><div>Humbly and with wonder we bowed on entering </div><div>Reverently we stooped in worship to the new born King.</div><div><br /></div><div>Finally after centuries the prophesies were fulfilled</div><div>With all the signs and wonders just as God had willed</div><div>With their Davidic heritage and here the virgin birth</div><div>We had the confirmation that Messiah had come to earth</div><div><br /></div><div>Carefully we each untied the packages we bore</div><div>Preparing to surrender the treasures in our store,</div><div>Before the holy infant we each knelt and gave a gift,</div><div>Then we left another way leaving Herod short shrift.</div><div><br /></div><div>Daniel’s prophetic blessing informed us when to ride,</div><div>To come and pay our homage and for their needs provide,</div><div>And guided by an angel they packed and fled that night,</div><div>We too departed breaking ranks, slipping off and out of sight.</div><div><br /></div><div>To the south went Joseph with Mary and the babe</div><div>Crossing through the desert, thus King Herod’s plan evade.</div><div>So the prophesy was fulfilled “Out of Egypt I call my son”,</div><div>The humble family was preserved, our blessed work was done.</div><div><span style="white-space: pre;"> </span></div><div>Amen</div></div></div><div><br /></div><div>Other books by Neil Stewart McLeod</div><div><a href="https://www.amazon.com/stores/author/B099D9Q2Z6/allbooks?ingress=0&visitId=1365b0eb-42fb-4f98-b15b-ed87d95e40d9&store_ref=ap_rdr&ref_=ap_rdr">https://www.amazon.com/stores/author/B099D9Q2Z6/allbooks?ingress=0&visitId=1365b0eb-42fb-4f98-b15b-ed87d95e40d9&store_ref=ap_rdr&ref_=ap_rdr</a></div>Neil McLeodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05408940986944512656noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20217751.post-80892152631460989092022-09-10T15:09:00.003-07:002022-09-10T15:17:46.576-07:00Eric and the Wolves<p> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRlMralvXoo5M-7Gml80fQyWvtkBoTyhoBn4Q4XrEKIcDhryl0JAOA8-MDxbZK7dH3ZSslp2e4ViIviYcoOuuvFaOL1Jv6kBMIgoHPqqzZQ7zkxjngYlJDLNa7l72AkTi8poRxxjrP1dAbEzMuLBOQawcrI_Ow3i3W4e7mNqhyV2NMLnYYEbk/s902/Troika%20and%20Wolves%20in%20Pursuit.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="902" data-original-width="784" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRlMralvXoo5M-7Gml80fQyWvtkBoTyhoBn4Q4XrEKIcDhryl0JAOA8-MDxbZK7dH3ZSslp2e4ViIviYcoOuuvFaOL1Jv6kBMIgoHPqqzZQ7zkxjngYlJDLNa7l72AkTi8poRxxjrP1dAbEzMuLBOQawcrI_Ow3i3W4e7mNqhyV2NMLnYYEbk/s320/Troika%20and%20Wolves%20in%20Pursuit.jpg" width="278" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wolves Attack by Afanasij Sheloumoff with permission</td></tr></tbody></table><br /></p><p>This wonderful old story was told to me when I was a small boy by my great aunt "Kitty", the daughter of <a href="https://abitingchance.blogspot.com/search?q=Clutton" target="_blank">Henry Clutton</a> the architect. She would read to us from a lovely collection of books seeding at an early age in all of us children and appreciation for good stories. The poem is published in the book "<a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08HP6VVQ9?ref_=pe_3052080_397514860#customerReviews" target="_blank">A Shell In My Pocket</a>"</p><p><br /></p><p>There are many tales of valor</p><p>That fill out history’s pages,</p><p>They touch our hearts when they are told</p><p>And ring down through the ages.</p><p>The Russian snows have many woes</p><p>That only courage resolves,</p><p>Not least the tale that will not pale</p><p>Of Eric and the wolves.</p><p><br /></p><p>Eric was a Cossack lad</p><p>Who loved his master dearly.</p><p>He loved his mistress and their children</p><p>One could see that clearly.</p><p>At their lovely country manse</p><p>Through summer and the fall</p><p>Eric did the chores and errands</p><p>At their beck and call.</p><p>And should the day be fair and dry</p><p>He might take the children riding,</p><p>Down to the river’s shaded rills</p><p>Where sturgeon might be hiding.</p><p><br /></p><p>Towards the end of autumn</p><p>When leaves come flittering down,</p><p>They start to think of closing up</p><p>And driving back to town.</p><p>Their route was through the forest</p><p>Then across the barren waste</p><p>To reach the gates of Rostock,</p><p>For safety they made haste.</p><p>That year the snows came early,</p><p>So Eric went out to the barn</p><p>To prepare the troika sled</p><p>For their safe return.</p><p><br /></p><p>The family’s trunks and travel chests</p><p>Were tied to the luggage rack,</p><p>The lunch boxes and comfy throws</p><p>Stowed neatly in the back.</p><p>The horses had been watered,</p><p>Hitched up with buckle and lash,</p><p>And the whip and trusty Mosin</p><p>Were set beside the dash.</p><p>With doors and windows bolted</p><p>And house closed for the freeze,</p><p>They climbed up on the well stuffed seat</p><p>With blankets on their knees.</p><p><br /></p><p>Eric was the driver,</p><p>At the reins he took his seat</p><p>With “walk on” the dunga bells</p><p>Went chinging to the beat</p><p>As off they go a trotting,</p><p>Trot trot trotting through the snow,</p><p>Each horse with a breast collar</p><p>And one with shafts and bow.</p><p>The side steeds at the canter</p><p>As they slip down the lane,</p><p>Past the fields to the forest</p><p>Heading back to town again.</p><p><br /></p><p>Morning still was early,</p><p>The sun was on the rise,</p><p>On the ridge as they go trotting on</p><p>A group of wolves he spies.</p><p>With a “Trot Hup” Eric was singing</p><p>And the donga bells were chinging</p><p>“Troika here, troika there, </p><p>To the town and to the fair,</p><p>Troika here, troika there </p><p>Leather stuffed with horses hair,</p><p>Troika here , troika there, </p><p>Omsk is just a bit too far.</p><p>Troika here, Troika there, </p><p>Long live our beloved Tzar.”</p><p><br /></p><p>As he sang they gained the forest</p><p>Slipping down the narrow lane</p><p>Past the naked stands of trees</p><p>Heading back to town again.</p><p>But still he saw them prowling,</p><p>And then they started howling</p><p>Howling and a prowling </p><p>Keeping pace upon the brow.</p><p>The family members feared </p><p>As the growing danger neared,</p><p>And the father armed the Mosin</p><p>As he could see them now.</p><p>“Trot hup” demanded Eric </p><p>As he slapped upon the reins</p><p>And the horses strode on faster</p><p>And the blood pulsed in their veins.</p><p>Running then and galloping </p><p>They’d picked up the pace,</p><p>The yapping wolves in a pack</p><p>Started to give chase.</p><p>On they came and closer</p><p>And the master took his time,</p><p>Barrel on the seat back</p><p>He waited for a line.</p><p>Finally the lead dog </p><p>Was nearly on the sleigh</p><p>Then crack the forest rattled </p><p>The wolf yelped in dismay.</p><p><br /></p><p>The pack paused in their gambit,</p><p>They broke to make review</p><p>But in a trice a second beast</p><p>Took up pursuit anew.</p><p>On they came and quickly</p><p>The horses were at risk,</p><p>A second shot rang out but oh!</p><p>Misfortune, for it missed.</p><p>The third round hit the target</p><p>At which the whole pack reared,</p><p>They had now learned that gun shots</p><p>Were something to be feared.</p><p><br /></p><p>But though they faltered and held back,</p><p>Some others on the hill</p><p>Were calling to each other</p><p>And chasing with a will.</p><p>Down they leapt together</p><p>Attacking from the side,</p><p>Eric snapped his whip</p><p>And it became a wild ride.</p><p>The horses now were frantic</p><p>Their breath steamed in the air,</p><p>The first wolf leapt, the rifle cracked </p><p>And stopped it then and there.</p><p>The rest dropped back sniff him, </p><p>For a moment there was doubt,</p><p>There were only two rounds left</p><p>In magazine and spout.</p><p><br /></p><p>The team kept charging forwards</p><p>In fear they made haste,</p><p>Before them was the forest edge</p><p>And then the barren waste.</p><p>Faintly in the distance</p><p>Could be seen the Rostock walls</p><p>With its gaudy mechet steeples</p><p>And the safety of its halls.</p><p>Onward ever onward</p><p>They surge across the plain</p><p>But leaping on relentlessly</p><p>The wolves catch up again.</p><p><br /></p><p>“Here take the reins.” cried Eric</p><p>To his master in the back</p><p>“Let me try to fend them off</p><p>When they next attack.”</p><p>So switching their positions</p><p>Eric manned the rear</p><p>Waiting till the lead was close</p><p>And the shot was clear.</p><p>Then crack the rifle echoed</p><p>The target fell away</p><p>Slowing the accomplices</p><p>Faltering in dismay.</p><p><br /></p><p>In a trice they rallied</p><p>As fervent as before,</p><p>Leaping forwards through the snow</p><p>Gaining more and more.</p><p>Once close enough and sighted</p><p>The rifle gave its crack</p><p>But that demise did not deter</p><p>The others in attack.</p><p>Reaching for reinforcements</p><p>Eric seized the whip</p><p>Lashing out repeatedly</p><p>He made them feel its tip.</p><p><br /></p><p>Each snap sent one yelping</p><p>As its snout was slashed,</p><p>But threats did not diminish </p><p>For on the others dashed.</p><p>The horses were the target</p><p>As wolves came from the rear,</p><p>So Eric clambered up to</p><p>Ride postilion without fear,</p><p>Thrashing to the left and right</p><p>He kept the beasts at bay,</p><p>But some thing different must be done</p><p>If he’s to save the day.</p><p><br /></p><p>Now half way across the plain</p><p>Eric knew what it would take,</p><p>The foes would need distracting</p><p>If they were to reach the gate.</p><p>Should a horse be taken down</p><p>It can’t be cut away,</p><p>The sleigh would stop and nothing</p><p>Could keep the wolves at bay.</p><p><br /></p><p>So Eric jumped and ran off</p><p>With the whip in hand</p><p>Instantly the pack gave chase</p><p>Just the way he planned. </p><p>He turned on them to stand his ground</p><p>The wolves leapt on to him.</p><p>While the troika got away</p><p>They tore him limb from limb.</p><p><br /></p><p>The watchers on the Rostock gate</p><p>Could hear the dunga ching,</p><p>They gave the signal of alarm </p><p>To let the travelers in.</p><p>The moment that they entered</p><p>The gates were then secured</p><p>Saving horses and the troika</p><p>And the family Eric adored.</p><p><br /></p><p>There are many tales of valor</p><p>That fill out history’s pages,</p><p>They touch our hearts when they are told</p><p>And ring down through the ages.</p><p>The Russian snows have many woes</p><p>That only courage resolves,</p><p>Not least the tale that will not pale</p><p>Of Eric and the wolves.</p>Neil McLeodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05408940986944512656noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20217751.post-50623154058148678402022-01-28T16:30:00.004-08:002022-01-29T22:26:46.497-08:00Continuing the tradition - Burns Night<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj9hxP7odJaYSyJ6vCeahXZ9JAAS9_3kyUzbaate2QXxtZox5U1t_jakH6kjahwpwAIAZpAjqN85yQDAZ9ZV1EMMJvSQI1vbgPwx6n1GouuAb7vmFY8_5XdxzuuetIuGiMLGP_x70Vucf-j1VcM26sFiaSLZ0TEZZzh1rKRPuZAcFoHm0Q28cM=s518" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="518" data-original-width="366" height="464" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj9hxP7odJaYSyJ6vCeahXZ9JAAS9_3kyUzbaate2QXxtZox5U1t_jakH6kjahwpwAIAZpAjqN85yQDAZ9ZV1EMMJvSQI1vbgPwx6n1GouuAb7vmFY8_5XdxzuuetIuGiMLGP_x70Vucf-j1VcM26sFiaSLZ0TEZZzh1rKRPuZAcFoHm0Q28cM=w328-h464" width="328" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p>The Tam O'Shanter Restaurant in Los Angeles has been serving wonderful meals for their patrons for one hundred years. For the last forty two of them Dr. Neil McLeod has been "Slaying the Haggis" in style with a blade named Haggis Slayer, that must have slain more Haggis than any other blade in Chistendom, although the Guiness Book of World Records declined to print it. With pipes and drum and a dancer the the diners are regaled with Robert Burns' Address To A Haggis in taditional Scots style. The proof of it is here in the video so click away.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="480" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Tf2scIUBH1g" width="578" youtube-src-id="Tf2scIUBH1g"></iframe></div><br /><p>Earlier slayings can be evidenced here:<a href="https://www.losfelizledger.com/article/a-good-auld-time-burns-night-at-the-tam-oshanter/" target="_blank"> https://www.losfelizledger.com/article/a-good-auld-time-burns-night-at-the-tam-oshanter/ </a></p><p>and here: <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wCWY33-trEY" target="_blank">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wCWY33-trEY</a></p><p>and here: <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pX3Z09bcluw">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pX3Z09bcluw</a></p><p>Los Angeles Daily News: <a href="https://www.dailynews.com/2018/01/24/why-the-hottest-party-in-l-a-celebrated-a-long-gone-scottish-poet/" target="_blank">https://www.dailynews.com/2018/01/24/why-the-hottest-party-in-l-a-celebrated-a-long-gone-scottish-poet/</a></p><p>La Weekly : <a href="https://www.laweekly.com/burns-supper-celebrating-a-scottish-poetry-legend-with-whisky-and-sheep-innards/" target="_blank">https://www.laweekly.com/burns-supper-celebrating-a-scottish-poetry-legend-with-whisky-and-sheep-innards/</a></p>Neil McLeodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05408940986944512656noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20217751.post-15174811300489006572021-12-18T12:05:00.002-08:002021-12-18T12:07:48.569-08:00Ngong the Giant<p> The best news this Christmas season is from my dear friend Jim Covell who has been working on the soundtrack for our latest collaboration "The Legend of the Giant Ngong". He has finished the album and it is being released on cdbaby and will be on iTunes and Amazon. The book that accompanies is beautifully illustrated by Sue Hooper-Laurie and is available on Amazon and elsewhere.</p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGGwOu9Z1r9jFjWv9-r2aneyLakL5u2wPpdyNK2xV3H43jbQFahVWIiQ67edQItLlsmWmDTp7Yy8F4N-BZbGPMUh-LN4LhZGMnbeyUOVcf-mnPX8W5dpYuS4EnyVPWwWLC-7YBmQ/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2048" height="473" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGGwOu9Z1r9jFjWv9-r2aneyLakL5u2wPpdyNK2xV3H43jbQFahVWIiQ67edQItLlsmWmDTp7Yy8F4N-BZbGPMUh-LN4LhZGMnbeyUOVcf-mnPX8W5dpYuS4EnyVPWwWLC-7YBmQ/w473-h473/CD+Cover.jpg" width="473" /></a></div><br /><p></p><div><a href="https://open.spotify.com/album/0icnuiMDXExpj4Zb2sMx8P?si=Qa3dMGZ_QEiak8zNlgCXHA&nd=1">https://open.spotify.com/album/0icnuiMDXExpj4Zb2sMx8P?si=Qa3dMGZ_QEiak8zNlgCXHA&nd=1</a></div><div><br /></div><div>The book is available on Amazon:<a href="https://www.amazon.com/Legend-Ngong-Giant-Maasai-Tale/dp/1500737615?" target="_blank"> https://www.amazon.com/Legend-Ngong-Giant-Maasai-Tale/dp/1500737615?</a></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg82jOIpDeNayjd8EfrwvzqzGcHnxUNVLhsc9uRdBpYpN5G_QzM0oq_bJC70ZCyLaNQR3RlAFDk6ZunlEi3rYBrvAgr10R7wcDRJB_vUS0Afck39F5UfoKoLFbhlt_VptnfnGn7xpoJ55N1UjSXAvt4wVXsmfgBGssNKhadhq35xLn6pIT5phc=s2358" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1584" data-original-width="2358" height="372" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg82jOIpDeNayjd8EfrwvzqzGcHnxUNVLhsc9uRdBpYpN5G_QzM0oq_bJC70ZCyLaNQR3RlAFDk6ZunlEi3rYBrvAgr10R7wcDRJB_vUS0Afck39F5UfoKoLFbhlt_VptnfnGn7xpoJ55N1UjSXAvt4wVXsmfgBGssNKhadhq35xLn6pIT5phc=w553-h372" width="553" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div>Neil McLeodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05408940986944512656noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20217751.post-30133018043437997652021-06-07T09:05:00.001-07:002021-06-18T09:03:38.467-07:00L.A. Blue - new poems<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitC3zkynRPrq6InmHixStXsIZHpdiJnrBgrbQZazNUwM1YpFrgGQ769fTN8K4yQSf6ggrVRRrtGfM37yclUt1Mf88LCoNoIMyu1KIoDa1p2x4W6dyoxzV_bLUTBjGEdulcDzBPIQ/s752/LA+Blue+Cover.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="752" data-original-width="503" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitC3zkynRPrq6InmHixStXsIZHpdiJnrBgrbQZazNUwM1YpFrgGQ769fTN8K4yQSf6ggrVRRrtGfM37yclUt1Mf88LCoNoIMyu1KIoDa1p2x4W6dyoxzV_bLUTBjGEdulcDzBPIQ/s320/LA+Blue+Cover.jpg" /></a></div><br />Nothing to do with Covid, this new book of poems is all about Los Angeles as it was, and hopefully will be again. Filled with little nuances which you may not have known about or even thought about, these poems tell little secrects about the city of angles. Los Angeles will change you forever, you may not notice it at first, but one's perspective is altered. Here are some things to think about!<p></p><p>If you want to know how Farmers Market got started, or what the Hollywood sign used to say then you should take a peek inside. There is even an explanatin of how Forest Lawn became a funeral park.</p><p>It was a busy year trying to make use of the openings in my practice schedule which seemed like Swiss cheese. But working with Sue Hooper Lawrie really moved the writing schedule forwards. The idea of a book of poems just about LA began a long time ago, but finally there was enough material to pull together so here it is:</p><p><a href="https://www.amazon.com/s?k=LA+Blue+poems+by+Neil+Stewart+McLeod&ref=nb_sb_noss">https://www.amazon.com/s?k=LA+Blue+poems+by+Neil+Stewart+McLeod&ref=nb_sb_noss</a> </p><p><br /></p><p>Blue sky every day</p><p>In sunny Los Angeles</p><p>An endless summer</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1OGDmACDfTcWSyjUGU4ZAQpPlDYuadfhpx31wptA4Sa3AhVU_2245TYw0HMQ8A_irJjeCIKDo3RoMBEh4wNlTF8u0HbLI5I6h4INC7AClBTMyf6idx-yxOpYd7G7y-vZ_itiv-Q/s500/Blue+Skye+Huntington.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="375" data-original-width="500" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1OGDmACDfTcWSyjUGU4ZAQpPlDYuadfhpx31wptA4Sa3AhVU_2245TYw0HMQ8A_irJjeCIKDo3RoMBEh4wNlTF8u0HbLI5I6h4INC7AClBTMyf6idx-yxOpYd7G7y-vZ_itiv-Q/w400-h300/Blue+Skye+Huntington.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><i>At the Huntington Library</i><br /> <p></p>Neil McLeodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05408940986944512656noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20217751.post-21358118692587604602021-04-22T12:41:00.000-07:002021-04-22T12:41:21.708-07:00Paul Washer and Men Of The Word<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD-VNypkKR27XLXMEcNMqIzDkiK88fz4dN7mMHcbohlZtfQRvEvSzueWse5HG8MVS5L9Y1Mfn2Waxys97TwDC2VQdaYtH4F5ZCAJOg8MQtppL_YLy9jlos5oE9QEsCp7h6qkjiTQ/s2048/Brad+and+Paul.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="340" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD-VNypkKR27XLXMEcNMqIzDkiK88fz4dN7mMHcbohlZtfQRvEvSzueWse5HG8MVS5L9Y1Mfn2Waxys97TwDC2VQdaYtH4F5ZCAJOg8MQtppL_YLy9jlos5oE9QEsCp7h6qkjiTQ/w452-h340/Brad+and+Paul.jpg" width="452" /></a></div><p><br /></p>Last night, April 21st, at Grace Community Church, 815 men sat under the instruction of our guest speaker, Paul Washer when he taught from 1st Corrinthians. His subject was God's call to young men, who need to "act like Men". The discussion afterwards with Dr Brad Klassen (left) and Paul Washer (right) was moderated by Josh Petras(our high school pastor).<p></p><p>Men from seven to ninty four attended and were exaulted to take the lead and follow their God given responsibility to lead heir families inspite of fear.</p><p>The discussion will be continued when at the men's event this coming Saturday morning, April 24th, we expect 2000 men to attend when our subject will be "Not of This World"</p><p>The event is free, is at 8:00 a.m. and we invite all men to join us for a time of exhortaion, admonition and encouragement.</p><p>You can reserve a space here <a href="https://www.gracechurch.org/forms/829">https://www.gracechurch.org/forms/829</a></p><p><br /></p><h1 style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #4d7e9a; font-size: 39px; line-height: 1.1; margin: 0px 0px 8px;"><span style="font-family: times;">Not of This World</span></h1><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #4a4a4a; font-size: 15px; margin: 0px 0px 10.5px;"><span style="font-family: times;">When challenged about the world’s influence in our lives, most of us respond dismissively. We are quick to denounce the perverted trends of the culture and highlight our participation in the church. We may even sport a bumper sticker that declares, “not of this world.”</span></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #4a4a4a; font-size: 15px; margin: 0px 0px 10.5px;"><span style="font-family: times;">Yet worldliness is far more subtle than we often recognize, and this is precisely what makes it so dangerous. It thrives among those ignorant of its threats and naïve about its schemes, who think worldliness can be identified merely by sight, or mortified by a simple list of “dos and don'ts"—or the display of a bumper sticker.</span></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #4a4a4a; font-size: 15px; margin: 0px 0px 10.5px;"><span style="font-family: times;">The gravity of this problem is illustrated in the commands given by the writers of the New Testament. The Apostle Paul had to urge the believers in Rome to “not be conformed to this world” (<a class="rtBibleRef" data-purpose="bible-reference" data-reference="Rom 12.2" data-version="nasb95" href="https://biblia.com/bible/nasb95/Rom%2012.2" style="background: 0px 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #4d7e9a; transition-duration: 0.2s;" target="_blank">Romans 12:2</a>). He exhorted the Colossian church to set their minds “on the things above, not on the things that are on earth” (<a class="rtBibleRef" data-purpose="bible-reference" data-reference="Col 3.2" data-version="nasb95" href="https://biblia.com/bible/nasb95/Col%203.2" style="background: 0px 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #4d7e9a; transition-duration: 0.2s;" target="_blank">Colossians 3:2</a>) and reminded the Philippian believers that “our citizenship is in heaven” (<a class="rtBibleRef" data-purpose="bible-reference" data-reference="Phil 3.20" data-version="nasb95" href="https://biblia.com/bible/nasb95/Phil%203.20" style="background: 0px 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #4d7e9a; transition-duration: 0.2s;" target="_blank">Philippians 3:20</a>). John stated it bluntly, “Do not love the world nor the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him” (<a class="rtBibleRef" data-purpose="bible-reference" data-reference="1 John 2.15" data-version="nasb95" href="https://biblia.com/bible/nasb95/1%20John%202.15" style="background: 0px 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #4d7e9a; transition-duration: 0.2s;" target="_blank">1 John 2:15</a>).</span></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #4a4a4a; font-size: 15px; margin: 0px 0px 10.5px;"><span style="font-family: times;">The very fact that the writers of the New Testament address the topic of worldliness with reminders and warnings illustrates that even saints are prone to love the world. If this was a problem in their day, it is no less a problem in ours. As much as ever, we are in need of biblical reminders and warnings. We cannot afford to be ignorant. Therefore, this year’s Men of the Word event will focus on the problem of worldliness: how to identify its subtle features, how to mortify it, and how to cultivate tis antithesis—a life resolutely focused on Christ.</span></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #4a4a4a; font-size: 15px; margin: 0px 0px 10.5px;"><span style="font-family: times;">We invite all men to recognize the clear and present danger and join us on Saturday morning, April 24, for a time of exhortation, admonition, and encouragement.</span></p><p style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #4a4a4a; font-size: 15px; margin: 0px 0px 10.5px;"><span style="font-family: times;">Livestream of the event will be available at <a href="https://www.gracechurch.org/live" style="background: 0px 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #4d7e9a; transition-duration: 0.2s;">gracechurch.org/live</a>.</span></p>Neil McLeodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05408940986944512656noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20217751.post-24906860092571643332021-03-27T20:13:00.007-07:002023-04-05T15:01:57.771-07:00An Easter Poem - The triumphal Entry<br /><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEia-Uog3RddDWD2SI0mjqU0vvbqjO8E3-DrIxtq6dBcVUA4tJgzcqoXpZ1DMmd0yjGPpBNRzita251AWREzTfnDXzIlLO203vVUcuMUL5O00JeeD5V-oq6qsLaneNtat7SjEDHqPQ/s934/Palm+Sunday.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="622" data-original-width="934" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEia-Uog3RddDWD2SI0mjqU0vvbqjO8E3-DrIxtq6dBcVUA4tJgzcqoXpZ1DMmd0yjGPpBNRzita251AWREzTfnDXzIlLO203vVUcuMUL5O00JeeD5V-oq6qsLaneNtat7SjEDHqPQ/s320/Palm+Sunday.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p><br /></p><p><b><span style="font-size: medium;">The Folded Palm</span></b></p><p><b><span style="font-size: medium;">from the book <a href="https://neilmcleodbooks.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">"When The Spirit Moves"</a></span></b></p><p>John 12 ,“Fear not, daughter of Zion; behold, your King is coming sitting on a donkey’s colt.” Dr. William Varner who teaches at The master's University contends that it was on a Monday that the Lord entered into Jerusalem, not a Sunday</p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p>I keep a palm leaf in my bible</p><p>It’s folded and plaited and dry,</p><p>It reminds me of when the palm fronds waved</p><p>In profusion as Jesus rode by.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6MO3l3rL3rWYmjVHkj9mc-JCQfpx-vZzmD5gH4zj0agLBpDoRQJ15y7X1KauDbVSQFPchMOOuwoFR4fhmkKvFz6E-VKGLUaL4Ldx_JHFPYU-aGODTTZKPZG2pu4qFndhjCxVPOA/s320/Palm+leaf.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="320" data-original-width="64" height="736" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6MO3l3rL3rWYmjVHkj9mc-JCQfpx-vZzmD5gH4zj0agLBpDoRQJ15y7X1KauDbVSQFPchMOOuwoFR4fhmkKvFz6E-VKGLUaL4Ldx_JHFPYU-aGODTTZKPZG2pu4qFndhjCxVPOA/w147-h736/Palm+leaf.jpg" width="147" /></a></div><p>It reminds me of that fateful day</p><p></p><p>When the fickle crowd faltered and failed</p><p>Turning from frantic welcomes</p><p>To denials, in the court where they railed.</p><p><br /></p><p>“Hosanna”, they called as He rode in</p><p>“Hosanna” they cried out with zeal,</p><p>“Blessed is He that comes in the name</p><p>Of the Lord, King of Israel”.</p><p>How quickly their attitude altered,</p><p>As the Pharisees looked on with scorn.</p><p>How deep and complete their denials</p><p>When the trials were done with the dawn.</p><p><br /></p><p>The Pharisees saw as He rode in</p><p>On a donkey, the Scripture fulfilled,</p><p>And they plotted within their jealous hearts</p><p>How the Son of Man would be killed.</p><p>How sad Jesus was when He saw them,</p><p>For He knew every thought, every plan.</p><p>He could see how the crowd would reject Him,</p><p>And desert Him to a man.</p><p><br /></p><p>I ask myself if I’d deny Him</p><p>Had I been in the crowd long ago.</p><p>For even Peter who loved Him,</p><p>Denied Him, three times in a row.</p><p>He rode through the crowds on a donkey,</p><p></p><p>Anointed, the Paschal Lamb</p><p>He gave His life so that I might live</p><p> - Sinner that I am.</p><p><br /></p><p>So I keep a palm leaf in my bible.</p><p>It’s folded and plaited and dry.</p><p>It reminds me of when the palm fronds waved</p><p>In profusion as Jesus rode by.</p><p>It reminds me that He died for me</p><p>That He came to atone for our sin,</p><p>So that my poor soul might be saved</p><p>And on the last day welcomed in. </p><p> </p><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>A recording of this poem with music by James Covell is available on Spotify and iTunes<div><a href="https://music.apple.com/us/album/when-the-spirit-moves/1411054434">https://music.apple.com/us/album/when-the-spirit-moves/1411054434</a></div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><br /></div>Neil McLeodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05408940986944512656noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20217751.post-33569059527238754532020-10-02T20:50:00.001-07:002022-01-29T17:51:12.786-08:00Out On A Limb: Building a Tree House<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxouqScmzGZ49aQySGjZCdO4BBEicu_ZQbBpfHLzk8eogJbGPnWoXVOn8EEMzsdM_NNc2_ID3tHSu27KY_KPNUZQhj-_OthVFBTxLFdLOZLmjTV4HM_nzSs5qt5d_56U2FsYG7MQ/s2048/Front.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2033" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxouqScmzGZ49aQySGjZCdO4BBEicu_ZQbBpfHLzk8eogJbGPnWoXVOn8EEMzsdM_NNc2_ID3tHSu27KY_KPNUZQhj-_OthVFBTxLFdLOZLmjTV4HM_nzSs5qt5d_56U2FsYG7MQ/s320/Front.jpg" /></a></div><br /> In 2003 a start was made finding a way build a tree house in the stone pine on the hill in our garden. It took eleven months. It is hard to imagine that anyone would not want to have a tree house in their back yard if they had the chance. It would be a place for children to get out of the house, a quiet hideaway to sit and write a poem, or extra sleeping quarters for stay-over guests who want to try hammocks. Perhaps even a sweet heart get away where you could tell someone you love them.<p></p><p>Here with sequential photographs is a record of how our tree house was built, set out in a way that is instructive and easy to understand. After sixteen years the structure has stood the test of time.</p><p>The book is available on Amazon: <a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/1496158814?ref_=pe_3052080_397514860" target="_blank">https://www.amazon.com/dp/1496158814?ref_=pe_3052080_397514860</a></p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil7dUcyLd90Egy1fwQSeoShKccouxorku9kYLUN_5CLVBybssK3vo7cjXbzbpwwDJ9oMkcqF6PPS8Ittn4tr7DcTLB3HT7C4AVt-ubkhU5_yiDRVQ2ExfkisJ_zHbVh2LDqCENkA/s1600/Neil+first+beam.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil7dUcyLd90Egy1fwQSeoShKccouxorku9kYLUN_5CLVBybssK3vo7cjXbzbpwwDJ9oMkcqF6PPS8Ittn4tr7DcTLB3HT7C4AVt-ubkhU5_yiDRVQ2ExfkisJ_zHbVh2LDqCENkA/s320/Neil+first+beam.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPTSUU5mrC_Q7QlwL9mX58ETFwFb-76ucdkF7Qly7lICv3vmPi1yZBFAUT-BD_-0somhtozLuNwroLXBCYPpSWQ31y_5Jxe8hrwLOtyGDCW5AiXlDdRPAKrhaDC-1a9bPszLQEgQ/s1600/DSCN0069.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPTSUU5mrC_Q7QlwL9mX58ETFwFb-76ucdkF7Qly7lICv3vmPi1yZBFAUT-BD_-0somhtozLuNwroLXBCYPpSWQ31y_5Jxe8hrwLOtyGDCW5AiXlDdRPAKrhaDC-1a9bPszLQEgQ/s320/DSCN0069.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEA4POnEs2rweL17rkCsDVtO2hWQl2rydgKS33u4giDY4Cs9Ten9kM8M-6DTZW-9QyXbAaNOKfG9NkBKN2_HGDraAv6Ee6mvvYmt4gCsDd2V387oyrgbs3qr7q-cmYEE8MvSu4MQ/s1600/DSCN2352.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEA4POnEs2rweL17rkCsDVtO2hWQl2rydgKS33u4giDY4Cs9Ten9kM8M-6DTZW-9QyXbAaNOKfG9NkBKN2_HGDraAv6Ee6mvvYmt4gCsDd2V387oyrgbs3qr7q-cmYEE8MvSu4MQ/s320/DSCN2352.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgj70WYmLbcw21ZFGJuD4YT_96SYKL2sw67XMxOwmcsnwRUfpr9nlfrrPxsoqx_bkfzGxVrDGoKMyH5Gyt0okmJg_HSSFSUyk98gLgKjZuHF3Bn3zS_wxeQLleNutUFlXF7ZsD7hA/s1600/DSCN2358.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgj70WYmLbcw21ZFGJuD4YT_96SYKL2sw67XMxOwmcsnwRUfpr9nlfrrPxsoqx_bkfzGxVrDGoKMyH5Gyt0okmJg_HSSFSUyk98gLgKjZuHF3Bn3zS_wxeQLleNutUFlXF7ZsD7hA/s320/DSCN2358.JPG" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg26nInsumxSWP8-cn1X36v826sn4X3e8K3zLh4OK8Y4ExTtyc0gkqMjsb17jR9aR1v6oF7Lt7WtJX4FOLDL3Pl-jiGaO5NA6lWo7xfoYeQxJT0OqHD-NtySq41Qb2f0CRSydxmqA/s1600/DSCN2363.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg26nInsumxSWP8-cn1X36v826sn4X3e8K3zLh4OK8Y4ExTtyc0gkqMjsb17jR9aR1v6oF7Lt7WtJX4FOLDL3Pl-jiGaO5NA6lWo7xfoYeQxJT0OqHD-NtySq41Qb2f0CRSydxmqA/s320/DSCN2363.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p>Neil McLeodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05408940986944512656noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20217751.post-17590563581749792412020-09-09T06:52:00.000-07:002020-09-09T06:52:37.999-07:00A Traditional American Thanksgiving Poem<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJWFaw1bK8ytKqZCAZZxoqNGDZPBWeYHJDX2HyKjCm7xFX1HBMcbYDbGJ9z5-YeN8zl_Lc-cqiQJ-wkCy1LzkYtio-QvZnGT6q3QLx6wyXnnD4GJEeJJbIvtjZVT32fCqDBF2U0w/s2048/Front+cover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2043" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJWFaw1bK8ytKqZCAZZxoqNGDZPBWeYHJDX2HyKjCm7xFX1HBMcbYDbGJ9z5-YeN8zl_Lc-cqiQJ-wkCy1LzkYtio-QvZnGT6q3QLx6wyXnnD4GJEeJJbIvtjZVT32fCqDBF2U0w/s320/Front+cover.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>It is with great joy that I write to tell you that the Thanksgiving poem have been illustrated by Sue Hooper-Lawrie and is now available in the stores in time for the holiday.<p></p><p><a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08HQ6DX7B?ref_=pe_3052080_397514860">https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08HQ6DX7B?ref_=pe_3052080_397514860</a></p><p>Please write a review!</p><p>Take a look at a few of her wonderfully colorful drawings, and share them with the family and your friends.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1lPPUw534clwxBZ33m3L6iOSOHYfaGQrHKIxmae7swjapS0mGX9fsTnONkZAMO_Mm4Cuea9hd1V7ZXBJelayJo69b_rR3g9MoM3hVn1cisc8lS-iDixPs_INcMA6CgE6FEgG_sg/s2048/Thanksgiving07.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2041" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1lPPUw534clwxBZ33m3L6iOSOHYfaGQrHKIxmae7swjapS0mGX9fsTnONkZAMO_Mm4Cuea9hd1V7ZXBJelayJo69b_rR3g9MoM3hVn1cisc8lS-iDixPs_INcMA6CgE6FEgG_sg/s320/Thanksgiving07.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p>Giving Thanks!</p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqkK8lx8sl2RhWSKIl7mo2uoucxBh3SM4F_w9YZnQnEWWuluWm3Tn3OKblZGS6NI16B07HJvPjNY-I7md9Cju2J7N4veE8qBc374QNpQW1R8uoydgf9hQBKGm-_NN_l9X-SnbUxw/s2048/Thanksgiving37.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2003" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqkK8lx8sl2RhWSKIl7mo2uoucxBh3SM4F_w9YZnQnEWWuluWm3Tn3OKblZGS6NI16B07HJvPjNY-I7md9Cju2J7N4veE8qBc374QNpQW1R8uoydgf9hQBKGm-_NN_l9X-SnbUxw/s320/Thanksgiving37.jpg" /></a></div><br /><p>Welcoming the Wampanoags!</p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvSNq4fuku9noXwnmb77BQiQhyphenhyphenlxaYJPSxh5KkPBkmIf3-GNxdfl5XMC8a0zV8tjTQbF00TPvyPLuomoosAjC3r7xRQTrXpCUUD5N68XvMVY741Ur3VIxyqLr3qFXBVAiBMcr6DQ/s2048/Thanksgiving+01a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1974" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvSNq4fuku9noXwnmb77BQiQhyphenhyphenlxaYJPSxh5KkPBkmIf3-GNxdfl5XMC8a0zV8tjTQbF00TPvyPLuomoosAjC3r7xRQTrXpCUUD5N68XvMVY741Ur3VIxyqLr3qFXBVAiBMcr6DQ/s320/Thanksgiving+01a.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p>Saying farewell to the "Mayflower"</p>Neil McLeodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05408940986944512656noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20217751.post-66970634353987672382020-09-08T15:52:00.003-07:002020-09-08T15:52:55.769-07:00A Shell In My Pocket<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA2EMfNkx-llOvrFTtWBVIO4XZTky7y-lcf-abvSHRB5lHuzHf4EuZb1bZ4mQA_s7pIJqVoxOq2qgnOqEPXJ8EDmKDIL1mjOtDF36dFuYJ21fFTtH9nI7OWI0XwNbJjGCFTlJGFw/s659/Front+Cover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="659" data-original-width="441" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA2EMfNkx-llOvrFTtWBVIO4XZTky7y-lcf-abvSHRB5lHuzHf4EuZb1bZ4mQA_s7pIJqVoxOq2qgnOqEPXJ8EDmKDIL1mjOtDF36dFuYJ21fFTtH9nI7OWI0XwNbJjGCFTlJGFw/s320/Front+Cover.jpg" /></a></div><br /> People tell me stories, I like that! Every now and then I am so struck by the tale that I have to write it down and take, you might even say steal, the idea and after juggling with the notions a poem appears. “The Licorice Store”, “Maddie’s Ring” and “The Stamp On The Cow” are good examples. None of us write in isolation, we are dependent upon others, so many others. This anthology of new poems is dedicated to all those people whose stories are captured on these pages. It contains stories that I struggled to write over many years but lacked the inspiration. The longer poems like “Eric and The Wolves” , “After The Storm” and the “Saga of Harald Hardrada” fall into this category.<p></p><p>The book is available on Amazon, and I hope to make an album with James Covell.</p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p>Take a look on Amazon:<a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08HP6VVQ9?ref_=pe_3052080_397514860">https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08HP6VVQ9?ref_=pe_3052080_397514860 </a></p><p><br /></p><p>Here is the cover title:</p><p><br /></p><p><b>A Shell In My Pocket</b></p><p>I went down to the sea today</p><p>To the ceaseless sea and the sand,</p><p>Where waves churned out across the shore</p><p>And its breath poured out on the land.</p><p>My mind was filled with the thrill of the call</p><p>Of memories endless rhyme,</p><p>And all I need is the song on the air</p><p>And a shell in my pocket and time.</p><p><br /></p><p>The sound of each wave pouring in</p><p>As the last wave whispers away,</p><p>Produces the music on the air</p><p>An unending sibilant sway,</p><p>And the smell and the sound and the sight of the sea</p><p>Stretching out to the edge of the sky,</p><p>And its breath on my skin is all I need</p><p>As time goes silently by.</p><p><br /></p><p>The shell in my pocket reminds me when</p><p>I stooped on the shore and the sand,</p><p>Of a time gone by like an ebbing tide</p><p>When I plucked it up with my hand,</p><p>And the sun in the sky when its arc was high</p><p>Before tumbling down to the west,</p><p>And the hours that have flown like the life I’ve known</p><p>When the shell in my pocket is pressed.</p><div><br /></div>Neil McLeodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05408940986944512656noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20217751.post-4582782694878624192020-08-02T17:47:00.002-07:002020-08-02T17:47:48.918-07:00The Names of the Days<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBKisx5nW_2BsboYWizABGG0SnjxyGpMo2djtZrrweUiLzaL1_GY_L9bRclUPRpZfuoipjEGO47ta7jAkrU98f9xJLN9RZ7WzxinE6t3TNLSHFnrzx3P5NgC_dzkSD04-uKmKMog/s1600/Front+Cover+with+title.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="614" data-original-width="634" height="309" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBKisx5nW_2BsboYWizABGG0SnjxyGpMo2djtZrrweUiLzaL1_GY_L9bRclUPRpZfuoipjEGO47ta7jAkrU98f9xJLN9RZ7WzxinE6t3TNLSHFnrzx3P5NgC_dzkSD04-uKmKMog/s320/Front+Cover+with+title.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
Sue Hooper Lawrie and I have been busy, and here is our new collaboration. Available on Amazon our book about how the names for the weekdays got the names we call them is out for you to enjoy. Take a look and if you like what you se please go to the link and write us a nice review, please!<br />
<a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/1511593970?ref_=pe_3052080_397514860">https://www.amazon.com/dp/1511593970?ref_=pe_3052080_397514860</a><br />
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The drawings are delightful and have a memorable quality which will help us to recall the story behind each name. The sorrowful Friyja seen here gives her name to Friday.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiT0u0UFdaFdvXQ0tFG_lEifPlmypp9aSAI77qemaCuGG-q5AJoJVjWXk6u6X45Wy-Gbb5lTI6P2fwMVhyBp2tAX7wKAsZ6WuXpeV9AYeJMOmeAjlsijrDISj9pJqpVNFOJwwafLw/s1600/Page+Fourteen+Friday.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1534" data-original-width="1600" height="306" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiT0u0UFdaFdvXQ0tFG_lEifPlmypp9aSAI77qemaCuGG-q5AJoJVjWXk6u6X45Wy-Gbb5lTI6P2fwMVhyBp2tAX7wKAsZ6WuXpeV9AYeJMOmeAjlsijrDISj9pJqpVNFOJwwafLw/s320/Page+Fourteen+Friday.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
As do a number of Norse deities for Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday. Only Saturday retains the original Latin name.Neil McLeodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05408940986944512656noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20217751.post-80820183133013205732020-04-19T18:00:00.002-07:002020-04-19T18:00:33.534-07:00The Legend of The Giant Ngong<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCFMx9SWTb7Nx2NyLafnh6stGcP_EcNVy-2bcihIAKo0_eSb5b_xYnVBfcnXLkHT91yv3o8T5diBbPkNRz1Bqed4VpvHNC2gXk0PKe4cuTO12Gsp1BNQHnZAcdvXbBUuo5cg1mQQ/s1600/Front.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="630" data-original-width="631" height="319" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCFMx9SWTb7Nx2NyLafnh6stGcP_EcNVy-2bcihIAKo0_eSb5b_xYnVBfcnXLkHT91yv3o8T5diBbPkNRz1Bqed4VpvHNC2gXk0PKe4cuTO12Gsp1BNQHnZAcdvXbBUuo5cg1mQQ/s320/Front.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
At last this story which was started when we were camping with our children in Yosemite has been completed, and with the help of Sue Hooper-Lawrie whose exquisite illustrations really bring the tale to life, the book is now available on <a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/1500737615?ref_=pe_3052080_397514860" target="_blank">Amazon</a>.<br />
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Here is an East African tale in the traditional style which explains the appearance of Lake Victoria, the Rift Valley, and how the Ngong Hills were thrown up to contour the landscape when a giant fell to earth.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqjDxM69qyFX6EXs8aEFQWl1GSoEbIGwUhd9e8V_G1Hpx0D_BnApZU7kEVkClQzW-P1m_B7J2xJCDkL7nTfvz1WKJbzmtGM1lip7CwrHwMBUH6SmOgWD3b6azSnNcAIAKyPcHwtA/s1600/Animals+gather+p28+small.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1054" data-original-width="1600" height="262" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqjDxM69qyFX6EXs8aEFQWl1GSoEbIGwUhd9e8V_G1Hpx0D_BnApZU7kEVkClQzW-P1m_B7J2xJCDkL7nTfvz1WKJbzmtGM1lip7CwrHwMBUH6SmOgWD3b6azSnNcAIAKyPcHwtA/s400/Animals+gather+p28+small.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJQVlS9U-eSMc7lMVJKCXRufQLJMO0cMrsviEKv1vIaJivXlHpyM67iU1oqGHjFoEdL5k9C1eLEw3ZyCUAAAzB_eU9HbobRPGlkgLxhT6nYCmBsdlfa4b3uOPjoDs8lQ7KthUEgA/s1600/The+tribe+meets+page+18+small.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1069" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJQVlS9U-eSMc7lMVJKCXRufQLJMO0cMrsviEKv1vIaJivXlHpyM67iU1oqGHjFoEdL5k9C1eLEw3ZyCUAAAzB_eU9HbobRPGlkgLxhT6nYCmBsdlfa4b3uOPjoDs8lQ7KthUEgA/s400/The+tribe+meets+page+18+small.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Just take a look at Sue's drawingsNeil McLeodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05408940986944512656noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20217751.post-78774933303363161742019-08-11T16:48:00.000-07:002019-08-11T16:48:01.498-07:00Making Professional PresentationsIf you want to make more interesting PowerPoint presentations take a look at the video:<br />
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0V49VxSflCo">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0V49VxSflCo</a>Neil McLeodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05408940986944512656noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20217751.post-3694046832128674002018-06-10T13:35:00.000-07:002018-06-10T13:37:25.019-07:00New Christmas Poetry<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<img border="0" data-original-height="1176" data-original-width="1600" height="293" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVJSOz_gxZuggTYHAuOiIRXhxKMzYsf_0C57FIU0zrkwe_ptFnrm0fYm5hT8ymH9n4NGC6Q6Ev9mlLGRQSGy7tczDYl54rnk3L9YM_EnAns0Jx9XPOQ0GZMSCfgvEfGsJwvQZGcg/s400/Christmas+Poems.jpg" width="400" /></div>
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Of Christmas and the winter festivals it was Sir Walter Scott who famously wrote:</div>
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'Twas Christmas told the merriest tale;</div>
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A Christmas gambol oft would cheer</div>
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A poor man's heart through half the year.</div>
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It is as true today as it was then and in the olden times which he described. There is no doubt that a good winter tale steals the attention and the hearts of its audience. Every writer has to at some point envy the work of their preceding contemporaries and wish that a favorite winter story had flowed from the nib of their pen. Should they live and compose long enough they might eventually have a Christmas tale to their credit.</div>
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The story at the center of all these tales is the greatest ever told. It is the fulfillment of the most complex prophecy, and we are all here because of it, and share in the celebration as Christians have world wide since Christ’s birth.</div>
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From Koru on the west facing slope of the Rift Valley in Kenya, to Oxford with its colleges in the center of England, to the United States with its cold northern lake side cities and on to California with its endless summer, and far off in Australia where the seasons are reversed, Christmas is kept and stories are told. From all of them inspiration has been gathered to fill out these pages and help us to see the reason for the poems.</div>
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Available on <a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/1981471855/ref=sr_1_2?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1528662227&sr=1-2&refinements=p_27%3ANeil+Stewart+McLeod" target="_blank">Amazon</a> here is my latest collection ready for the coming winter season!<br />
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https://www.amazon.com/dp/1981471855/ref=sr_1_2?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1528662227&sr=1-2&refinements=p_27%3ANeil+Stewart+McLeod</div>
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<br />Neil McLeodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05408940986944512656noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20217751.post-85620496991239501512018-06-09T14:21:00.002-07:002022-08-10T12:10:53.053-07:00An Editor's Corner<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUUdaoes8G7rOMOuq_CRPLd4cUb3Cz-IEtQVPDvxwHrr63NMnyHxv2YHd3qWxUzNpivohQ-LMF7QdVJt6nUtGf4TMnkIKwlwJsWRRuAnJSaMM3F6IFTJ3ga2MavlNYVuIr4kC4Yg/s1600/Editor+Cover.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1177" data-original-width="1600" height="293" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUUdaoes8G7rOMOuq_CRPLd4cUb3Cz-IEtQVPDvxwHrr63NMnyHxv2YHd3qWxUzNpivohQ-LMF7QdVJt6nUtGf4TMnkIKwlwJsWRRuAnJSaMM3F6IFTJ3ga2MavlNYVuIr4kC4Yg/s400/Editor+Cover.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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For two years, from 2015 - 2017, I have had the privilege of serving as “editor” of Explorer, the newsletter for the Los Angeles Dental Society. I put the word editor it in quotation marks because the real work of overseeing the production and conning through the content fell on the shoulders of Teresa Chien, the Executive Director, and her staff. My task was to come up with something interesting and pithy that was topical that might catch the reader’s attention, and try to do as good a job as my predecessors like Dr. Kenneth Jacobs. Running through these short articles is an appeal to our profession to keep up to date and yet exercise caution as we do so. We have an amazing history being responsible for the introduction of fine miniaturized drills, anesthesia implantology and exquisite ceramic prosthetic replacements. Here then are the eleven articles that were published as the Editor’s Corner. The opportunity to expand content and add a poem was irresistible.</div>
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This book is available on Amazon: </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/1720369291/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1528578728&sr=1-1&refinements=p_27%3ANeil+Stewart+McLeod" target="_blank">
https://www.amazon.com/dp/1720369291/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1528578728&sr=1-1&refinements=p_27%3ANeil+Stewart+McLeod </a></div>
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Should you get a chance to read it please write a review for me.</div>
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Thank you!</div>
Neil McLeodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05408940986944512656noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20217751.post-38805023567680058692018-02-01T20:58:00.000-08:002018-02-01T20:58:40.361-08:00Upon Reflection now in printThe selected poems has now gone to press. It has taken twenty readers twenty months to get the project completed and we are pleased with the result. There is a budget edition out for $15 which can't be beaten. Should you have the chance to read it please write a review on Amazon <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Upon-Reflection-Selected-Stewart-McLeod/dp/1984392859/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1517547136&sr=1-1&refinements=p_27%3ANeil+Stewart+McLeod" target="_blank">:https://www.amazon.com/Upon-Reflection-Selected-Stewart-McLeod/dp/1984392859/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1517547136&sr=1-1&refinements=p_27%3ANeil+Stewart+McLeod</a><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZFruPJ6IRiSCkJmi6QOyhT4aqsaTmbL85miWAZWXsSZp60TA1gi84OpzO0feG8-s32fxbJAIn5rxcFmFRDkzLZa8kjM7-VOxDwPOK1eeX1dpChHXdy34Uq6zHgW0KgEv01K8pgg/s1600/Cover-Upon+Reflection+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1155" data-original-width="1600" height="231" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZFruPJ6IRiSCkJmi6QOyhT4aqsaTmbL85miWAZWXsSZp60TA1gi84OpzO0feG8-s32fxbJAIn5rxcFmFRDkzLZa8kjM7-VOxDwPOK1eeX1dpChHXdy34Uq6zHgW0KgEv01K8pgg/s320/Cover-Upon+Reflection+3.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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This book contains all the favorite classics, <i>The First Thanksgiving, The Wristwatch... , The Silver Box</i> and <i>Come Uppance. </i>Get a copy for yourself and write a review on line.Neil McLeodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05408940986944512656noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20217751.post-3909671621422497382017-10-16T16:12:00.000-07:002017-11-13T06:50:49.022-08:00<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhs7i_6zy0bPd21TzsNMBp9hm4nv4-uIzkW2rajcDGO-YMdnBF8YLhqmacrqcK4uf85omsJ9tce7VF65FOitG45FD3B8tdVbNWqKpiuh6kNTxxxdFSAI-gdq8qymFVqP79hHEotYw/s1600/Nearly+Jewish.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1176" data-original-width="1600" height="292" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhs7i_6zy0bPd21TzsNMBp9hm4nv4-uIzkW2rajcDGO-YMdnBF8YLhqmacrqcK4uf85omsJ9tce7VF65FOitG45FD3B8tdVbNWqKpiuh6kNTxxxdFSAI-gdq8qymFVqP79hHEotYw/s400/Nearly+Jewish.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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My new book "Nearly Jewish" is out today on <a href="https://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=Neil+Stewart+McLeod+Nearly+Jewish&rh=i%3Aaps%2Ck%3ANeil+Stewart+McLeod+Nearly+Jewish" target="_blank">Amazon</a>:</div>
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I don’t know who said it, but you can go to the four corners of the earth and you will find four things, fleas, cockroaches Jews and Scotsman, and they are running everything. In today’s emancipated society such a characterization might be considered and exaggeration, and politically if not factually incorrect. But it is funny, and I, a Scott, surely have been blessed to meet wonderful Jewish people where ever I have been, particularly in London and Los Angeles. They have influenced my life and guided and supported me, and I love them. <br />
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Talk with Jewish people for long enough and they will fill your ears with stories, with sorrows and with humor. I have been writing down stories for a long time now, and dotting the pages are references to that influence. It could not be helped. Now it is time to acknowledge how strong that effect has been. So here with out apology for my Goyisha ignorance and errors are my Jewish poems. Oy vey!</div>
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With an introduction by Dr. William Varner this is good quick read for Jew and gentile alike. He wrote:</div>
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<i> "I hope and pray also that this little treasure will find its way into the hands of many Gentiles, who will gain a new appreciation of “Yiddishkeit” that wonderful Yiddish word that means something like “Jewishness.” I count it a privilege to commend it to readers of all religious persuasions. Be prepared to laugh and to cry – and to come away enriched."</i><br />
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I hope you will take his advice and have a look.Neil McLeodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05408940986944512656noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20217751.post-76550857418456586832017-10-04T08:30:00.002-07:002017-10-04T16:11:41.232-07:00The Last Post<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX2HTwhX5yfEVLdJ_W3bY2i4HzFkfTAHHRfwQUH6Trvo-B6qC_u8LmgKd7dT5gjjhmzo_9oZDTPqQ1TNO0e65WWg-bN6gK3ttVIvEkC6sdd7xVIM1qBzdLHX6ZzSvVlhv9251ICw/s1600/explorer+summer+2017+cover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1237" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX2HTwhX5yfEVLdJ_W3bY2i4HzFkfTAHHRfwQUH6Trvo-B6qC_u8LmgKd7dT5gjjhmzo_9oZDTPqQ1TNO0e65WWg-bN6gK3ttVIvEkC6sdd7xVIM1qBzdLHX6ZzSvVlhv9251ICw/s200/explorer+summer+2017+cover.jpg" width="154" /></a>For two years and ten editions I have had the privilege to write the
commenting editor's corner for the Los Angeles Dental Society newsletter
the "Explorer". It has been a lot of fun! Now I am moving into the Web presence and marketing side of the Dental Society's administration.<br />
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Spots were written about the significance of the dental profession, caution in embracing new technology, how important it is to keep up to date yet being aware of marketing pressures, and reviewing the digital changes that are affecting dentistry. When new technical advice revealed that we should not brush immediately after meals, an expos<span style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="me" data-syllable="ex·po·sé">é </span></span>was made, and when public broad casters drew into question the value of flossing a condemnation was launched criticizing their foolishness. The importance of oral health in maintaining a healthy brain and heart rounded out the physiology, and a final slam was made against the sadness of consumer demands causing favorite treatment adjuncts to disappear from the market-place, and simply no longer be available. That "End of An Era" is copied below.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtHbKCOvjuHQvYKXnMD6hxeku7yOVdoH6wUYloJeAVzCnM9oeSNALfRIS7gGmI3vcGmYiOvpcRZDmFqrpNTTIOLclg-delA_B1bBatu3yjxZUKIVqDIAEBqUVuoJFcMC1R-oG0NA/s1600/Header+.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="766" data-original-width="1600" height="190" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtHbKCOvjuHQvYKXnMD6hxeku7yOVdoH6wUYloJeAVzCnM9oeSNALfRIS7gGmI3vcGmYiOvpcRZDmFqrpNTTIOLclg-delA_B1bBatu3yjxZUKIVqDIAEBqUVuoJFcMC1R-oG0NA/s400/Header+.png" width="400" /></a></div>
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“Sorry we don’t carry that any more!” said our representative at <a href="https://www.pattersondental.com/" target="_blank">Patterson Dental</a>. That was the answer that really got my attention. Suddenly I was rummaging around in the jumble of files which so untidily fill up my mind remembering Tempak, the best temporary filling material ever, and the daisy cup for Vacu Rinse which replaced my cuspidor in 1976. “We don’t have hydrocolloid impression material any more, we can’t get it.” What they meant was, “nobody orders that any more Doctor McLeod, you are an old dinosaur!” I called Dux and was informed that they had four boxes of heavy bodied tubes and a few hundred cartriloids left, and would I like them. After that it would be over.</div>
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<a href="http://www.dentistrytoday.com/restorative-134/275-utilizing-reversible-irreversible-hydrocolloid-impressions-for-composite-onlays" target="_blank">Hydrocolloid impression material</a> has been the gold standard for restorative dentistry since Morris Thompson consolidated the technique in the 1950's. By 1974 when I entered <a href="http://dentistry.usc.edu/" target="_blank">USC dental school</a> it was the material of choice for anyone wanting to get really accurate impressions for fine restorations, particularly in gold. Subsequently we as a profession embraced rubber-base and then the new poly vinyl siloxane materials which moved forward in preeminence and slowly superceded the use of hydrocolloid by all but a small cadre of enthusiasts. Now the demand for the seaweed agar is so small that it is being dropped from the catalogues. <br />
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Overshadowing all of this is the pressure to use digital light impression technology. Even the bite registration can now be indexed using an algorithm that manipulates the data from the light impression files. Today nearly every porcelain or zirconium crown has a base that is carved by a CADCAM system which means that even if you are taking a physical impression it is at least one step removed from the original. So we are actually being forced to change yet again. This discontinuation of agar comes hand in hand with the introduction of optical impressions. One might compare this with the introduction of digital photography and x-ray imaging. How many of us now still use photographic emulsion for pictures or x-rays? The answer will be the same about impression materials all too soon. My question is are we exchanging quality for convenience?<br />
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For answers to these and other conundrums remember we are here for you at the <a href="http://www.ladental.com/" target="_blank">Los Angeles Dental Society.</a><br />
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<br />Neil McLeodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05408940986944512656noreply@blogger.com0