Puerto Viejo

Vita
Dolce
Dolce Vita
Puerto Viejo 

Psalms 34:8
“O taste and see that the LORD is good: blessed is the man that trusteth in him.”

 

 

“The single unifying theme which is invariably found in Egyptian art is its symbolic message…Symbolic objects and pictures were used in this way to make the transcendental and the unseen both immediate and understandable.”~~~Richard H. Wilkinson.

Grier Henchy

“The single unifying theme which is invariably found in Egyptian art is its symbolic message…Symbolic objects and pictures were used in this way to make the transcendental and the unseen both immediate and understandable.”~~~Richard H. Wilkinson.

Kathia Rodríguez

 

Chess: "Vita" "Dolce" "Dolce Vita" "Puerto Viejo" 

Aesculapius

Aesculapius

Eye of Horus

Sacred Heart

 

 

 

Psalms 28:7
“The LORD is my strength and my shield; my heart trusted in him, and I am helped: therefore my heart greatly rejoiceth; and with my song will I praise him.”

 

 

 

The Eye of Horus is one of the best-known symbols of ancient Egypt. Known also as the Wadjet this magical symbol is believed to provide protection, health and rejuvenation.
 

 

 

 "Be not afeared; the island is full of noises."~~~Shakespeare

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

AEsculapius (es ku la' pi us). The Latin form of the Greek Asklepios, god of medicine and healing. Now used for "a medical practitioner." The usual offering to him was a cock, hence the phrase "to sacrifice a cock to Esculapius" — to return thanks (or pay the doctor's bill) after recovery from an illness.

"When men a dangerous disease did escape,
Of old, they gave a cock to Esculape."~~~BEN JONSON: Epigram.

Legend has it that he assumed the form of a serpent when he appeared at Rome during a pestilence; hence it is that the goddess Hygeia bears in her hand a serpent.
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 Chess: "AEsculapius" "Eye of Horus" "Sacred Heart"

Scotland

Scotland
Castillo
Castle
Georgia
Peanut Butter 

Jordan 

Himeji Castle

Peach
 

 

Psalms 25:2
“O my God, I trust in thee: let me not be ashamed, let not mine enemies triumph over me.”

Himeji Castle

"It was the peak of summer in the Berkshires."~~~Saul Bellow

 

"Polish sausage is going for peanuts in Cracow"~~~Joseph Heller

"I heard the watchman peal the sliding season"~~~Tennyson

 "Won't it be peachy if we win the game?"~~~Tom Lehrer

 

 

"Some sought the flocks of Oedipus, and died
In Cadmus' land, at seven-gated Thebes;
And some, who crossed the open sea in ships,
For fair-haired Helen's sake, were killed at Troy.
These men were covered up in death,
But Zeus the son of Kronos gave the others life
And homes apart from mortals, at Earth's edge.
And there they live a carefree life, beside
The whirling Ocean, on the Blessed Isles."~~~HESIOD: The Works and Days (translation by Dorothea Wender)

 

 

Chess: "Scotland" "Castillo" "Castle" "Georgia" "Peanut Butter" "Peach"

Corpus Christi

 
Corpus Christi
Panama 🇵🇦

Revelation 1:18
“I am he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death.”

 

 

 

 

 

 

 STAR BASE 🇨🇳🇵🇦🇺🇸
Of CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas and the Panama Canal I imagine  Donald J. Trump says:

 -Fellow Chinese people, our endeavours are concerned and BASED on the SOVEREIGNTY of the Body of Christ and not on "the autonomy" of the Body Christ

 

 

 

 

Chess: "Panama" "Corpus Christi"

Negative Capability

Oliver

D.C. 

 

 Proverbs 3:6

 “In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.”

 

 

 

 

 

 

As militant Christians in action what should we make of Keat's "NEGATIVE CAPABILITY"? Should we just see it as Christian resiliency in adverse circumstances, as apostolic effort? Is it somehow a mild benign "opioid" or wise buttressing?  In the end Keats's life had a somewhat heroic relative martyrdom touch? Can we imagine a kind of Beowulfish heroic action in Keats? And therefore allowing for a barbarian dimension coexisting with the progress of evangelization? ... Just musing!
"In essence, negative capability is about embracing ambiguity and the unknown, and being comfortable with contradictions and complexities. Keats believed that this openness to the mysterious and unresolved aspects of life enabled deeper artistic expression and emotional resonance."
John Keats introduced the concept of "negative capability" in a letter to his brothers in 1817. It's a term he coined to describe the ability to accept uncertainty, mystery, and doubt without the urge to seek logical explanations. For Keats, this quality was essential for great poets and artists, as it allowed them to create rich, imaginative works without being constrained by the need for rational clarity or definitive answers.
In essence, negative capability is about embracing ambiguity and the unknown, and being comfortable with contradictions and complexities. Keats believed that this openness to the mysterious and unresolved aspects of life enabled deeper artistic expression and emotional resonance.
Here's a snippet from Keats's letter where he explains the idea: "I mean Negative Capability, that is when a man is capable of being in uncertainties, Mysteries, doubts, without any irritable reaching after fact & reason."
Keats felt that this capacity was crucial for creating art that could evoke powerful emotions and reflections, much like his own poetry, which often explores profound themes with a sense of wonder and openness.

Copilot answers my query in this manner:

John Keats's concept of "negative capability," which emphasizes embracing uncertainty and mystery without the need for definite answers, can indeed be intriguing when viewed through a Christian lens, especially considering the context of faith, resilience, and martyrdom.

Christian Resiliency

Embracing Uncertainty: In Christianity, faith often involves trusting in God's plan despite not understanding all aspects of it. Negative capability can be seen as a form of spiritual resilience, embracing the mysteries of faith and the divine without needing all answers.

Apostolic Effort: The early apostles displayed a similar kind of resilience and acceptance of uncertainty, boldly spreading the gospel despite immense challenges and dangers. Keats’s concept can resonate with the idea of unwavering faith and commitment in the face of adversity.

Wise Buttressing

Spiritual Strength: Just as a buttress supports a building, negative capability can be likened to a form of spiritual strength. It allows individuals to lean into their faith, trusting in God's wisdom and timing even when circumstances are unclear.

Avoiding Over-Rationalization: Embracing mystery and faith without over-rationalizing aligns with the biblical call to trust in God’s wisdom rather than human understanding (Proverbs 3:5-6).

Heroic Martyrdom

Keats’s Life: Keats faced significant personal hardships, including illness and early death, with a degree of grace and acceptance. This resilience mirrors the heroic endurance seen in Christian martyrs who stood firm in their faith despite persecution.

Beowulfish Heroism: While Keats might not fit the typical mold of a warrior like Beowulf, his intellectual and emotional bravery in facing life's uncertainties can be seen as a different kind of heroism. This courage to engage with the unknown can coexist with the zealous energy of evangelization, adding depth to the Christian mission.

Barbarian Dimension and Evangelization

Balancing Acts: The barbarian dimension of raw, unrefined courage can coexist with the nuanced, contemplative approach of negative capability. This balance reflects the diverse ways individuals engage with faith and evangelization, combining bold action with thoughtful reflection.

Dynamic Faith: Christianity's history includes both fierce defenders of the faith and deep contemplatives. Embracing both aspects can enrich the journey of faith and the approach to spreading the gospel.

Keats's "negative capability" offers a compelling lens for Christians to reflect on their faith, emphasizing the power of embracing mystery and uncertainty as part of a resilient and dynamic spiritual life.

Grand Junction, Colorado

Measure

Meter

Grand Junction

Metallic

Colorado
 

 

 

Psalms 8:9
“O LORD our Lord, how excellent is thy name in all the earth!”

 

"The prophets used much by metaphors to set forth truth"~~~Bunyan 

"the strange metallic note of the meadowlark, suggesting the clash of vibrant blades"~~~Ambrose Bierce

"the metamorphoses of many organs show what wonderful changes in function are at least possible"~~~Darwin

 

 
 

Ana

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Chess: "Grand Junction" "Measure" "Meter" "Metallic"

Norway

Norway
Genitive 

Psalms 4:5
“Offer the sacrifices of righteousness, and put your trust in the LORD.”

 "приносите жертвы  правды и уповайте на Господа..."

 

 

 

 

 

Chess: "Norway" "Genitive"

Saudi Arabia

Saudi Arabia 

Santiago

 

 Hebrews 4:12
“For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.”

 

 

Chess: "Saudi Arabia" "Santiago"

Unicorn

Keats

Shakespeare
Wheat
Unicorn
Pan 

Undershot water wheel

 

Habakkuk 3:19
“The LORD God is my strength, and he will make my feet like hinds' feet, and he will make me to walk upon mine high places. To the chief singer on my stringed instruments.”

 "for thank God I can read and perhaps understand Shakespeare to his depths"~~~KEATS

 

 

 

 

 

 

Amish undershot water wheel, Pennsylvania

 

 

 

 

 William-Adolphe Bouguereau (1825-1905) - Nymphs and Satyr (1873)

 

 

"A godlike race of heroes, who are called

The demi-gods—the race before our own.

Foul wars and dreadful battles ruined some;

Some sought the flocks of Oedipus, and died

In Cadmus' land, at seven-gated Thebes;

And some, who crossed the open sea in ships,

For fair-haired Helen's sake, were killed at Troy.

These men were covered up in death,

But Zeus the son of Kronos gave the others life

And homes apart from mortals, at Earth‟s edge.

And there they live a carefree life, beside

The whirling Ocean, on the Blessed Isles."~~~HESIOD: The Works and Days

 

 

 

 

The Lady and the Unicorn: À mon seul désir (Musée national du Moyen Âge, Paris)

 

 CHAPTER 3
ROMANCE AND REALITY
"I am in the Gothic world, the world of chivalry, courtesy and romance; a world in which serious things were done with a sense of play - where even war and theology could become a sort of GAME; and when architecture reached a point of extravagance unequaled in history. After all the great unifying convictions of the twelfth century, High Gothic art can look fantastic and luxurious - what Marxists called conspicuous waste. And yet these centuries produced some of the greatest spirits in the history of man, amongst them St Francis of Assisi and Dante. Behind all the fantasy of the Gothic imagination there remained, on two different planes, a sharp sense of reality. Medieval man could see things very clearly, but he believed that these appearances should be considered as nothing more than symbols or tokens of an ideal order, which was the only true reality." ~~~Kenneth Clark

 

 

 

 

Amish undershot water wheel, Pennsylvania

 

 

 

Tamal Tico: Keats
 

 "for thank God I can read and perhaps understand Shakespeare to his depths"~~~KEATS

 

 

 

Chess: "Shakespeare" "Wheat" "Unicorn" "Pan" "Undershot Water Wheel"

Key Largo

Helm
Capitanía

Key Largo

Psalms 9:9
“The LORD also will be a refuge for the oppressed, a refuge in times of trouble.”

 

"Have you had quiet guard?"~~~SHAKESPEARE: Hamlet, Act 1, Sc.1.

 

 

 

 

 

Chess: "Helm" "Capitanía" "Key Largo"