Graffiti on the Wall
I begin this blog with trepidation. I was taught long ago that “fool’s names, like fool’s faces, always appear in public places.” So in the public virtual space between us lies a blank wall on which I will presume to scrawl the graffiti of my thoughts. I can only hope that they are well considered and carefully articulated . . . and of interest to you. But you will decide that.
About this “Fool”
This fool is a physicist–the term reveals as much who I am as what I do. I am also a writer–indeed, one who aspires to communicate effectively and beautifully. As to my credentials? I serve as a Distinguished Teaching Professor at the University of North Texas, an institution that yearns to be a major research university when it grows up. Like an overgrown adolescent it is a Baby Huey with over 36,000 students.
For over twenty years, I have taught a few hundred of them each year topics like Musical Acoustics, Mechanics, Electricity and Magnetism etc. But have no fear, I do not plan to inflict these topics on you unless you choose to go there. On the other hand, a healthy person must be a whole person and thus how I view the world will peak out in what I say; of this I am sure.
A World with a View
Since my worldview, my Weltanschauung, is grounded in a Critical Realist’s perspective, I am persuaded that there is indeed a Reality quite apart from my own wish fulfillment. Moreover, at the same time, I am persuaded that the way of Rab Jeshua, Joshua called the Messiah (for such is his name), a.k.a. Jesus Christ, Jesu Criste, Yasu al-Masih, IHCOYC XPICTOC (Greek for “Iesous Christos”) provides the most satisfying answers to life’s ultimate questions.
By His life, sacrificial death and ratifying return to life, He has made a way for me to know God–actually know God–not just know about Him. This duality of perspectives has, of course, put my mind and spirit into tension for over half a century–for my soul’s good I believe. In these “pages” I will explore what I have observed and will share what I think I have learned in my peregrinacion del mundo.
Thus, in this space I propose to share essays, poems, stories fiction and non, but always true, creative writing exploring the twin realities: external and internal, the physical and the meta-physical.
Welcome, pilgrim!
Sam and Carolyn,
Welcome to Nashvegas and welcome to the family of Jesus Christ at the Eden Gate. We look forward to knowing and growing together and hope that this blog has merely a new physical location. I’ve already enjoyed my reading thus far.
A sister in Christ and lucky to be the wife of Drew,
Sandy Hitt
A picture of Little Buckhead Baptist Church led me to your page. Mills Peel and Levi Peel were my ancestors. I grew up in Green Fork Baptist Church, Perkins, Ga. , the church that was begun when the Peels and other members of LBBC
decided to establish a new church. In the past few years I have begun researching my Peel roots and it is captivating . It is nice to know that you are one of my relatives . Letty Peel Mallard
Letty: Thank you for your fascinating comment. And I apologize for taking so long to reply. Mary Ann Rebecca Peel Moates (wife of Francis Marion Moates) was my 2nd cousin 3x removed. She was born in Burke, Georgia 1842. She was aunt to James Marion Moates my mom’s grandpa. She and “Uncle Frank” endured a devastating tragedy on 29 March 1897 when two of their daughters and four of the grandchildren drowned in the foundering of the Sloop Amelia. I plan very son a post on that tragic episode in the family. So stay tuned. Would love to collaborate. The Moates-Dew-Peel families are deeply connected. All the Best, Sam
Letty: I have expanded your branch of my fammily tree. Now I know we are 4th cousin. So Hi! Cuz. Sa
Thanks for your reply. I am very interested in my family’s history and would like to learn more from you. At present I am immersed in two local cemeteries researching veterans for our Wreaths Across America project. Contact me at your convenience.