Life after the close risk that I could be dead

On a beautiful winter morning I walked down the slope from my home with my dog Ginger. I found a pile of black trash in the middle of the slope road. Since I had the habit to clear it away to keep our environment clean, I bent down to pick it up. But there are more than two items so I managed to take out my glove and put the trash into the plastic bag. In this about 3 more seconds, I just heard a car running down the slope. I know there is no time for me to escape while my head was down yet facing uproad. It is just a second before the car may crash into my head and I heard the sudden braking noise.



That is the noise that keep my life going intact. Without it, I could be a victim of accident, whether in perfect coma or simply pass away...I just feel I am through with a unexpected but ridiculous risk. If I was hit with bad luck by this reckless speeding driver in a private street, my life will be truncated. Should I thank the driver for successful braking, or blame him for driving fast? I don't recognize him and I didn't see him when he moved on and leave. That is no important to me, I feel. What is important is that I survive this risk and I am thankful for God. I have even more reasons to pay back the society with what I have right now.

Small performance in Taiwan

Early November 2009, I visited a good friend Robert's beach side village to watch thousands of migranting birds. In the evening, he invited his brother in law to demonstrate his calligraphy whle I also make a small performance. I feel good to see my experience accumuated with skill improving by seeing more talented people. This trip to Southern Taiwan was specially arranged in my busy trip itinerary, and I think it is well worth it, and I have to thank Robert for the arrangement .

This hobby of calligraphy will be my main way to fill (not kill, I think) time at night for the simple life pattern in the United States. I am glad I pick this rather than Majoon which requires more partners to play. All I need is just the brush pen, black inn, paper for tools, and a mood for doing so. The good part of it is that when I feel my product is good enough, I can show off and give friends as an elegant gift that virtually cost me nothing.

Contents of the writing material makes me to know more of the literal artist of anicent Chinese. This again is another touch of the rich culture of Chinese ancestors. I just feel I can be part of the cuture after all.

Felling Hell in this paradise country

I have never been so desperate, so mad and so helpless, and it is just about a telephone company's new service....

I changed telephone service on 10/01, they said new service will take effect on 15 days. On 10/19, the old carrier terminated our lines at night. On 10/20 all our lines are shut down. No telephone service. Obviously, there was no proper follow up of the sales person to prepare for the transition. Desperately called for service, the sales person told us to contact their concerned departments. The next day their technician came and hook up at end of day. The following day, only one line working. Other 7 lines were ended up in fax tone. Customers cannot reach us in by phone when the first one is occupied. Called for service again, their 2nd technician visited, detecting that the sales order was written wrong by putting all the hunt lines in the fax line. Then I need days of trial to reach a order desk to rewrite it, promising it be fixed by Friday night. Monday the phone is still down. Call again, they said they can't guarantee any earlier promise. Schedule is by Wednesday, 10/28.

Making calls to the sales person, I got consistently a voice mail. Sometimes his colleague replied, saying he is busy in meeting, and refer me a repair number. I call that number, after couple forwarding to other departments, it ends up a message that I have to hang up and call again. I try to find a supervisor to complain. It is a luxurious idea because you can't find a really responsible worker to handle your problem for so many days, how can you get a supervisor?

If a big telephone company allows such poor thing to happen in their system, it can be everywhere in this country, and this will a tragedy from poor efficiency and ignorance of customers' feeling. If this situation prolongs in the U.S.A. I can judge that over 5-10 years this country will be falling rapidly to the third world country.

With such efficiency in this decent high tech industry, how can I trust the Public Health Insurance System to succeed? How can I expect so many government supported programs to work for the country? I am very pessimistic about this country, because I have already been put in hell in this particular case.

母校校慶感言

The principal of my elementary school at Puli asked me to write an article for the publishing in the event of 50th anniversary. I obliged and finished it in about a week. This article almost described my growth path of more than half of my life.

母校校慶感言

長住美國加州已廿五年, 此刻已是華髮斑斑,即將邁入六十大壽的祖父級的人物了. 近日郭校長邀請為母校五十週年作感言之文. 想到能以文章恭逢盛會並分享心得, 並鼓勵小學弟學妹們, 我當下覺得義不容辭,欣然應之.只怕我的中文或巳生疏鏽澀,辭不達意.

我是第二屆的學生. 在此之前我是在埔里國小讀一年級. 中峰成立後即”回來”讀二年級, 算是中峰元老級的學生了. 當時印象最深的是學校一切簡陋,百事待興 ,所以上課以外,勞動服務自然成為常事.最令我難忘的兩件事,一是在學校初期,由街上(好像是工廠的地方)搬課桌椅回到學校, 累上一天. 另一是推板車從眉溪搬石頭到學校,用來鋪路. 至於種樹種花則屬常事.至今還記得林瓊玖校長在大太陽下制作台灣地圖模形, 汗流夾背的瘦削身影. 我的恩師由六年級往下算是陳明乾老師, 陳景棠老師各兩年, 至於二年級老師可能是陳金燦老師.對這位老師的印象主要是笑臉迎人如彌勒佛與他的好歌喉. 至今他的” 杯底莫當養金魚” 仍縈繞耳中, 數十年不去.

當時初中尚未改為義務教育, 正是人生”長考” 系列中的第一道窄門, 尤其對我們窮鄉附近的新小學更是一大挑戰. 陳明乾老師時任六年級導師,為了推我們升上初中,循循教導之外也不忘藤條相伴. 後來我幸運地與其他(好像三位)同學金榜題名. 記得當時有一道數學題我放棄未做答,因為題目是說一副牌什麼的. 我傻住了,因為在田裡長大整日與青蛙蝴蝶為伴的我怎知什麼是撲克牌? 更不會知道多少張一副了.

其後我有幸繼續升學一直到大學. 當年大學放榜時我還得騎腳踏車到北門里親戚處看報紙才知考上台大. 當時在全埔里區域考入台大的有四位. 听說市區鄉親們在清點誰家子弟時,只認識其中三位, 因為他們多為街市附近的士紳子弟. 很少人知道那第四個就是出自虎仔耳的農家窮小子, 記得校長與老師們都很高興的來家裡放鞭炮. 去報到上學那一趟的出門是我第一次上台北, 真如劉姥姥進大觀園,既興奮又害怕. 第一次班會,聽了我的談話口音,老師就”一口咬定”我是中央山脈出來的鄉下學生,印証是埔里後,引起哄堂大笑. 但是第一堂英文作文,老師唸的模範文章也是我的”大作.” 當時同學們都是一大片的小綠綠,或建中雄中附中等名校, 所以兩件事” 扯平” 了.

古賢不以成敗論英雄, 同理而言,今之能者也不以存款金額或官階大小論成就. 迄至今日, 本人大概算是中峰國小校友中升學就業較順利且足跡踏到海外的少數校友之一. 我與許多小學弟小學妹一樣出身於窮鄉僻壤, 家境清寒, 父母忙於農事只求溫飽. 到底我是如何走出去的呢? 在此我願以鼓勵與期許的立場分享我的經驗與感受如下:

當時埔中畢業我考入台中二中, 開始負笈在外鄉. 這三年中我寄宿於民宅, 與其他同學共住同食. 當時大學聯考, 競爭激烈, 多數考生都上補習班求名師協助. 我因為沒有補習的經費(家裡窮,我根本未敢啟口), 除了深耕教科書以外, 也在參加補習的同學們的對談切磋中听進了補習班的養份. 由於有了課本中的基礎, 補習班多作強調, 所以只要听到一句口訣或一個觀念就可以發揮相當的效果. 例如他們在啃英文文法, 听他們在覆頌”介詞後面是名詞”, 那麼動詞就要變名詞, 那就是加 ing 才行. 這就是免費養份. 當年勉強考入台大, 英文得到高分也是主要強項. 因此我們体會到面臨再大的挑戰,不必害怕膽卻. 事在人為 總有各種克服的方便法門可用的.

當年入學就讀政治系, 那是選校不選系的產物. 後來考慮個人性向志趣與自身的孤寒背景, 加上急於擺脫窮困, 決定轉系到較” 實際”而有出路的科系. 由於自已不太喜歡數學, 就折衷選擇了經濟系.大學畢, 我選擇就業一途. 當時台大有此口頭禪 “來來來,來台大. 去去去,去美國”. 留學是大多數台大人要走的, 或是他們家人要他們走的陽關大道. 可我不曾想過. 我不忍父兄為了籌措我的留學費用而去變賣好不容易才購置的田產. 不過十年過後, 我還是與多位留學的同學們隔海在對岸加卅相聚了.當年就業時我選擇了一家大型家族公司, 拿出鄉下人憨直忠實的幹勁, 一待就是十年. 1985 年,當時公司在美國加州洛杉磯需要設立分公司, 就派我去了, 成了該公司派在歐美第一位非家族的負責人. 回想起來, 為何多名主管人選中為何特別選我? 主要是忠實與資深. 相對其他人跳槽多次, 我就顯得可靠. 這也是洋人所謂 :Rolling stone gets no moss” (滾動的石頭不生苔) 的另一個硬道理.

1994年, 在新成立的分公司經營九年後, 我離職創業. 由於長年靠薪水與獎金收入維生, 積蓄有限,資本非常短缺. 所幸我在二十年的忠實工作,各方廠商與我相熟多年, 信賴有加, 都願意在我創業之初鼎力相助. 他們同意先出貨給我, 等到兩個月後才付現. 在此優渥的信用條件下, 我的公司立足了, 也茁壯了. 目前年營收約一千萬美元, 員工十數名. 在朋友與商界伙伴眼中, 我是個” 條直” 的人. 工作付出無所保留, 個性好惡也無所掩藏. 我相信這是各方好友願意冒險相挺的原因之一.

創業初始, 以夷制夷, 我找的工作伙伴有位是美籍墨西哥人. 雖是雄兵, 卻因年齡, 文化, 思想各方面與我的東方理念有甚大差異, 而至時有衝突. 他年輕氣盛, 既目無尊長亦不知應對進退之節制. 論事議題單刀直入, 不留情面. 不過, 在業務拓展方面他的表現卻十分出色, 宛如千里馬一般. 經過一段天人交戰的磨合期, 我決定期許自已成為伯樂. 為了隨時惕勵自己, 我用毛筆寫下”忍讓擔當, 隨緣自在” 的八字座佑銘, 並加框掛在辦公桌前. 其後數年, 人事漸穩,公司業務也順利開展, 以至今日. 在此我得到的經驗是老闆出頭不如讓有能力的人出頭. 在上位的主管應該有包容能人的氣度. 知人善任,永遠要有比自已強的下屬,才有進步.

如今, 歲近花甲,年華漸逝. 奮鬥過程己漸完結, 生意已到能力之頂. 以人父而言也可放下責任了. 五歲隨我來美的大女兒也從柏克來大學畢業,成了家也給了我一個可愛伶俐的小孫女. 三歲來的小女兒也自UCLA畢業, 現在矽谷的 Google上班, 明年中結婚成家. 以農人的立場說, 這是黃昏收工的時候了. 我幾經思考,深覺人生過了五十以後, 是該緩下腳步並且回頭做收尾的工作了. 說收尾或顯消極, 但在個人角度看卻是積極的人格”整裝”, 經過前大半生的反省與往後的修行, 可以建立自身人格與氣節, 作為年輕後進的表率.

那回,母校遭逢921世紀大震後,面目全非. 幸賴慈濟功德加被,得以重建. 身為校友,亦感恩戴德. 我個人與家人多年來也是佛教徒, 更是慈濟的追隨者. 想借此因緣, 聊作一詩, 做為勉勵學弟妹並祝福母校人才輩出.校運昌隆


慈悲喜捨遍法界
濟世送暖滿人間
中脈靈地建校園
峰高學盛慶連綿


校友 施永池 寫於美國加州核桃市

P.S. 個人布落格綢址如下, 歡迎指教
http://broomourworld.blogspot.com/

祖先所屬的國家不叫祖國, 叫啿?

祖先所屬的國家不叫祖國, 叫啿?

日前中國慶十一的大典, 軍容壯盛, 男兵壯碩女兵健美, 加上各種武器導彈, 真是” 耀武揚威” 空前絕後. 衡諸我族百年來備受列強侵略, 文物被擄掠, 百姓遭凌辱, 記憶中盡是一味殂上弱肉的景象. 如今彼岸在六十年後有此富強康樂的宣示, 姑不論是否完全真實或是勉強粉飾, 中國成為世界強權之一二已是不爭之實. 身為中華民族的一份子, 我也與有榮焉.
既沾此喜氣, 也能出口怨氣. 我也想說那句話” 偉大祖國, 妳好”

多人談及"祖國", 即受攻訐為向中共示好, 真乃小鼻小眼的政治動物. 祖先所來自的國家不叫祖國, 叫啿? 難道我們台灣人的祖先不是來自大陸? (喔,當然, 原住民或許.) 我以為台灣是我故鄉, 中國是我祖國,雖然我不一定認同她的一切,但事實就是如此.

Loose subject, just one stone to hit many birds

Today I found I almost lost my credit in my weekend tennis court.

While I was one of the three doing warm up and wait for the 4th person to play double, the anticipated fourth person was still watching the game under progress in the first court. When we were almost worn out, he still sit in there without joining in. Then the "lady Caroline" came, as always on this timing, filling in the 4 spot for warming up. With her in, the other two are not interested in playing game because of different level of game. Actually, she is fine in stroking, but people just teasing her and avoid teaming up with her. I really don't mind and suggest for a game, the other two kept silent, and the warming up become wearing out. I was getting mad and almost to that guy to tell him "if you don't want to play, why you come, and ruin the game?" I didn't, at the last minutes.

Then when we are all resting up, I saw him walking across our center court with a very stiff back, and slow speed. And I realized he was injured with spine. He was actually young and strong in serve, from my experience partnering up with him. I almost did a stupid thing if I let my temper erupt.

Then I played with Eddie, a familiar Philipino, a younger brother of Bob, another "persistent
guy " in this court for decades. We were playing well, and he made a good passing shot that I complimented. Later I also made one shot that caught my opponent unable to return back. He made a bigger compliment. I responded and said to him "I learn from you". It seems be be a courtesy back to him that put him in a mixed emotion for a while. I figure he might wonder how nice this guy is to make two persons happy with one comment, or how humble this Chinese guy is. Yes, it is our Chinese culture made us quite complicated for foreigners to figure out. At end, I served for a 6-4 win. He asked for another match, I had to excuse out since it is getting late and I was guilty of having my own fun and ingore my wife's health concern. She will always blame me for not taking her to a walk. I have to explain that I do not know if you are able to get up to walk, or just keep sleeping. ha ha, a routine argument that is her way to cover her weakness to sleep, I guesss.

We are mostly humble in individual level, but in a group, we may be totally different. Just yesterday our motherland China was doing different kind of huge event on the 60th anniversary of National Anniversary. The unprecedented scale of parade with army has delivered to the world this country is no more the one that was attacked under united front of eight invading countries. They are not hesitent in showing their richness in wealth, and strength in national defence.

On the other side of the trait, Taiwan, my home town country is very humble because its prosperity rely on China on a daily basis. It is also under two possible Typhoon on the eve of Moon Festival after a "human typhoon" attacked by Rebiya Kadeer, leader of Uighur association of Xinjiang providence. DPP, the political-minded only party ushered in such controversial figure into this island just in order to embarrass the ruling party and gain some votes in the coming election. They are really the minority group of people making Taiwan so humble, and their most popular icon is the prisoned ex-President, S.B. Chen.

God bless Taiwan. Be it free of nature disaster and self-destruction of their own people.

Estonia, what a strange country to me

Tallinn, Estonia Sunday, August 30, 2009



Estonia is known as one of the three little countries, along with Lithuania and Latvia. Long learned from georgrphic book in high school, I was exctited to put my feet on this tiny land. Being neighbored with the powerful and hostile Russia, this country has been long governed by Russia, in succeeding to Denmark occupation. It territory is 50% covered by forest, with not too much resource to enjoy. However, this country has been famous recently in internet technology. Skype is headquartered here, and those cruise tourists long limited in internet excess find it very convenient to use their device here to reach out the rest of the world. I feel this is another good example that Taiwan can stand out in similar patten, or even better because we have even richer resources.


Here we stopped over about one hour, in which my brain start to work for a pair of new friend who asked me to make a poem with their names. The husband is 張榮, the wife is named 素容.
Since I know them little, except that they are in babacco and liquor business, I later come up with this:


張口閉口皆生意欣欣向榮
素顏紅顏都自在翩翩雍容.
They seem to love it and said will calligraphy it and hang in office.


I was quite satisfied with this piece with a sense of humor too. I really appreciate that they like it. At least they give me a good echo. I has other experience to a more familiar friend, and they reacted without much excitement, and I also forget quickly what I wrote for them. You can't win all the time. Sometimes you lose even you have good card, ha ha.

Poland, a well remembered name in this region

G'dansk, Poland August 31, 2009

We visited the Labor camp in Gdansk as first stop today. The local guide Barbara is a teacher, who takes summer vacation to work as guide for extra side job income. The whole group of our tourists was about 22. After taking off the bus, some of them rushing for rest rooms, as always. Then we saw the mountian of shoe sols in the room, and the poor living place, eating facility and hospital. People getting less and less, I noticed. When we approached the gas chamber, a big empty room for a more economical way of killing, there was not too many friends around. When we turned into the cremation site, in which the cold air and a row of flags make me feel chilly from the spine, I found I was the only audience to the confusing guide.

Later she asked why people spent money for the trip, but they disappeared from this important historical site. My answer is not quite easy and clear to make. I remember I told her my people were too overwhelmed by the massacre, and, and, and, they do not like to be in anything about dead. Is that true, my friends from Walnut/Diamond BAr/Hacienda Heights area?

Through the whole process, I murmured a few times of 往生咒 for the victims. I do not know if this good will from a Buddist helps those victims who were in totally different religion? At least I hope they understand my sincerity in mourning them in the 70 years anniversay of their sacrifice.

This city is the igniting place that led to World War II when the German makde hte first attack at 4:45 in the morning. Today they happen to prepare to celebrate their 70 year anniversary of the event. We saw a lot of flags hung along the main streets in the city. The two "land" countries were separately the invading target of two negihboring powers. Finland was aimed by Russian while Poland was embraced by Germany. However, they all emerged as independent countries now after the WWII. Patiences works even for a country, I believe.

窮山惡水夠嗆,潑婦刁民更傷

日前八八浩劫,除了救災十萬火急, 指責與謾罵也此起彼落. 主事者動輒得咎,不動更會獲罪. 只是身為國家的負責單位,任勞任怨本是份內的事. 可是昨日看到少數災民不分青紅皂白,見人就嗆作秀,當頭棒喝,不留情面, 對於身為殘障卻有心去安慰鼓勱廣大災民的胡志強夫人而言,又情可以堪? 若其他有心前往安慰鼓勱災民的人為免受辱而因此裹足不前, 對於其他需要安慰鼓勱的人是否太不公平?對促進社會祥和的努力是否遭到無端的戕害?

天地相應,表現在水火無情. 大自然此刻大開殺戒,傷人無數, 人若再彼此相殘,就會天誅地滅,再無生路, 真的應驗了"天作孽猶可為,自作孽不可活"的絕讖. 我們的社會必需更懂得分辨是非,並兼具慈悲與寬容,才能相互扶持,共同療傷止痛. 否則再多的捐獻與救濟也只事倍功半,更有損於人性的光輝.

八八浩劫

為此八八水災引來的浩劫國際注目. 今天晚上也失眠了. 看到友人伝送來的金帥飯店原先照片,對照那頹然倒入溪中的那一冪,加上災民受難,殊屬可憐,但仍捨近求遠,罵求總統的政治異象,真是百感交集. 剛好深圳方面生意上的友人來信關怀打氣, 就順便回覆:

应兄,

收到來函,正是我清晨難眠之際. 您的關心與打氯令我感動,可是這山崩地裂,家破人亡, 滿目蒼痍的景象仍是在心中割痛,難以平復. 十年前921大地震,我家鄉南投埔里受創頗重,親人遭難. 此刻雖無此直接沖擊,對於故國鄉親的傷痛卻有相同的不捨/ 聊作拙詩以敘此際之吾情:

國在山河破, 天怒水土崩
餐飯須臾間, 家破人失魂
回顧昔日村, 活埋多少人
淚眼望家國, 何日再生春?

相信如您所說,921,汶川等浩劫皆可彌平修復, 此劫也非末日.但仍願災難遠離,團圓可期.


永池

Two world, two sentiment, one sinking heart

On August 8, I witnessed two worlds with totally different sentiment, and my heart covers two layers of impact, joy and sadness.

Here in the U.S. my 1st grandchild Avery was having her 1 year birthday party at a beautiful local park in Chino Hill in a picture-perfect weather. About 70 friends/realatives with their kids enjoyed a great event that celebrates Avery's arrival to our family for one year. She is really adorable in her cuteness, healthiness and a little cunningness. She is bringing the whole big family total excitement through her daily development of skills.

In the same time in our homeland Taiwan, our folks there were under a century-scale attack by floods that were formed by typhoon Morakot. They said the rainfall of the whole year was pouered down in just three days. Without much outlet the vicious torrents ran wild. The rivers were burdened with 80 times of water than normal. Tens of bridges broken, hundreds of houses toppled and swallowed by the torrent, and most shockingly was many villagers were buried alivemudslide that consists of stone, debris and water. This is a natural disaster that severely damaged Taiwan just like the 921 earthquake that shook the same island and kill thousands of civilians 10 years ago.

On the same day I have given out two kinds of money:
One for my grandchild as gift for her birthday. Another one as charity to suffering folks at the homeland. Both are my beloved objects to the most.

I believe Mother Nature is making her voice sound. Our environment is sick, and the weather is the messenger to give us a warning. We have to do something to fix our earth in order to keep the mother nature behave as nicely as what it has been before.

Stop wasting, BlackRock

I finally took action, as a small shrimp, to challenge the big whale against wasting
paper, printing and all resources. I hope the letter goes to the right person. Anyone who are responsible for not getting it to the right person should be condemn as an enemy to our effort to stop poluting our world.


August 10, 2009

BLACK ROCK
P.O. Box 9819
Providence, RI 02940-8019

To the management of BlackRock

I am writing this letter to you just to show my concern that Black Rock has been sending me statements that are not at all giving us any information. (enclosed you can get one for your reference). I checked my agent and she also suggest that we ignore it.

However, such statement has been periodically sent to me in other forms in even bigger volumes, often in stacks of larger size of paper. I have to send it right into the trash can. I have been wondering why in the world that you have to print such trash and mail to our trash can? For legal protection? If so, this legal system is just not helping anybody, but making a huge waste . In fact, the whole thing is just a ridiculous waste of resource and great jeopardy of our globe.

Our Earth is suffering the unprecedented environmental crisis, and I believe every human being has to do their share to help. As a small person, I am doing my tiny effort to contribute in salvaging our earth, I feel it is a shame that BlackRock as a big organization is ignoring it.

Your attention in this matter is highly appreciated. If granted your compliance, I believe the whole globe will appreciate your great contribution in saving our earth.

Thank you very much.

Sincerely yours,

Walter Shih

Dona Dona for the Dexter steer

I borrow a letter from my classmate who is living in New Zealand. Her descripition of "disposing" a "surplus" steer is quite touching. This little short lived creature has exactly the same destiny of Dona which we were very familiar at the college by then. The Song "Dona Dona" has been so familiar even by now we can sing without missing a word.
The calligraphy shown in the blogs was actually written for them to bring to New Zealand home. With this letter from her, one classmate asked for the skin for shoes, and I asked for the male part for male nutrition. ha ha.

As a Buddhist, I have refrained from killing since mercy is one major character in the Buddism doctrines. However, in reality, as part of food chain, it is inevitable for lives of domestic nature, such as steer, ducks, chicken, geese etc, to become food for human being. How to convert life into food? Not me, but I guess there should be some balance in the mankind so that every job can be executed by certain people. With the balance reached in job and distribution, people in all kinds of religion can ejoy their peace of mind as part of the big world community.

******


Dear 老潘和阿妙；

--------

按理6、7、8月才是這兒的冬季，但今年氣候特異，5月20幾號就開始有寒流，晚上達零下2度下霜，所以今年的奇異果還沒有完全成熟就被凍啞了，無法熟甜，據新聞報導，果農損失慘重。前幾星期又有強烈寒流來襲，凌晨達到-7度，草上結了一層厚厚的霜一直到10點才退去。今天早上9點時雖然有大太陽但陽台上的溫度計顯示-2度，屋內10度；現在是下午一點，屋裡屋外一致是15度。羊毛拖鞋/手套、羊毛內衣、羊毛被，都是禦寒必備，棉被已不能夠保暖，果然是要適地、適所、適材、適料。

早到的冬季也使我們(EKO)農場的草生長遲緩，不夠牛吃；EKO農場約3英畝(Acre)，依紐西蘭的養殖慣例只能養三頭牛，但因為牳媽去年12月又生了一頭小公牛所以我們有四頭牛；不得已，只好決定把3歲大的閹牛給處理了。紐西蘭的農家"Home Kill"自家牛，是相當普遍的，他們認為自己養的牛的生產履歷自己最清楚，也最安心(尤其狂牛症出現後)；而且依據當地的動物保護法"Home Kill"牛必須由有執照的專業人士，在牛安心吃草、毫無防備下、一槍斃命，不可以讓它痛苦、緊張，因為緊張和痛苦會讓它的腎上腺素激增，肉的PH值異常，造成毒素。

我們家也是經過激辯；因為我不想在家園中有血腥，要求把閹牛載出去處理或賣掉；但是老K及兒子一致認為只有在自家的園子裡它才不會因環境變遷而驚慌；隔壁鄰居及獸醫也一直規勸我們，閹牛三歲是太老、油也太多了，一般閹牛過了18個月後就只長油不長肉了。

所以6月3日那天，專業屠宰公司的貨櫃車開進我們農場，老K最愛、也最乖巧、貪吃的閹牛就在30分鐘內被完全支解；我不敢去看，但有聽到參訪的好友Steven 余及廖醫師說明經過(因為老K其實也是很shock的)；當天，老K自己在院子裡清洗內臟到半夜，天寒地凍的洗，應該是有帶贖罪的心情吧! 畢竟那是他最疼愛的一頭牛(當天上午我遠遠的看到老K用手一把一把的
餵牠吃乾草，那是牠最後的早餐)。寫著寫著，我不禁場起了"Dona Dona"那首歌詞 :"Who told you a calf to be"，牛的命運注定是到屠宰場滿足人類口腹之慾的，在這兒還沒看到過有壽終正寢的老牛(可能只有印度及泰國的聖牛有此好命)。 一個星期後，屠宰公司送來分割好的牛肉，有香腸、絞肉、牛排、漢堡肉、醃腿肉及薄片肉等等完全和超市一樣的包裝；我雖然負責烹煮牛肉，前幾星期我一口都不敢嘗試，但據吃過的朋友及家人反應都說"讚"。某天，應兒子要求烹煮肉燥，乾鍋炒牛絞肉居然很香、毫無腥味，比超市買的牛肉，品質優良許多；從此以後，我也不排斥食用自家牛了，只是每次烹煮時，我都向閹牛致恩。

雖然"Home Kill"自家牛，很衛生、很新鮮、很安心，而且每個吃過的朋友都上癮了，但我不能保證明年你們來旅遊時能不能吃到我家的牛肉，因為我真的不願意再看到"Home Kill"自家牛的場面了，寧願把它們賣掉就好了，但兒子說"那樣只是掩耳盜鈴，對他們是更殘忍；牛的命運註定是如此，在自家風和日麗的環境中安樂終了，是它最好的結果"。 所以呢?! 最好的結論就是不要養動物，而且吃素；其實，吃素是吃植物，植物也是有生命的，如果它會說話的話，應該也會叫痛吧?! 所以呢!? 真正的結論是，一切順應自然即可。

trash man? I am

Walking Ginger down the hill in my routine morning walk, I saw a crushed PP cup. I picked it up as my habit, and carry it to the nearby trash can. I started doing my stretches, when I saw a jogging lady coming closer to me.

I ordered Ginger to jump up the cement table so she won't scare the lady. I happened to see some ladies are scare of dogs, especially those in large size like Ginger. To me it is funny considering Ginger's nice temper, but they are just scared by nature. The lady come up and talked to me and said:

"You are the first guy I saw who will pick up the trashes".

Wow! She is also the first person giving me the echo for doing this! I love my community, and I love it to be clean. Picking up a trash helps its look and it is not a burden to me at all. Why not do it? I saw it from my classmate Lau K, when I was in Taiwan. It is just a habit.

This is just a very first small step toward my dream-size commitment, also my blog name:"Broom Our World"

However, it is not a dream, if everybody applies this hablit.

I can't hide even from my dog?

The temperature is shooting up to tell what summer means in Southern California. After an afternoon walk with our pet Ginger for a round in horse trail around the Creek Side Park, I decided to dip myself in the pool while I reject Ginger to join with me because she seems to have ear infection.

I know this cunning creature is suspecting me for something against her when I tried to handle her. I have to take a pipece of treat to lure her in. I called her to come so I can leash her. She stand still, and when I wag the treat to her, what she actually responded was walk away instead of coming closer. Eventually I had to pull her in by force and leash her to an anchor so she can watch me swim without joining.

I mentioned to Grace about this cunning pet. Her comment is quick and sort of a matter of nature: " I know you can't do any hiding, even from a dog". True and thanks God, I am not in the profession of secret service or spy, where diguse and witness is the name of game, exactly like the drama we are watching now, which is called "潛伏". Straight Honesty has to be my only policy to handle things. Sigh.

頂天立地

"頂天立地" 在不同的時空階段下我有不一樣的体會與覺悟.

小時候家窮, 母愛雖不缺但零用金永遠談不上,在羨慕同伴之餘常希望自已早些長大成人, 才能"頂天立地"隨心所欲的花錢, 做自己愛做的事情.

長大後買房時,不喜歡公寓式的住屋, 因為上頂不到天,下觸不著地.對出身鄉下晨昏踩土的我很不習慣. 但是理想雖高,以己身財力所及, 只能生活在蜂巢式的公寓中做一個不是頂天立地的人.

其後年紀又長了許多, 出門己常被稱"阿伯". 當時結交了許多各方年青朋友,也常倚老賣老,鼓勵後進. 我記得告訴大陸耒美創業的好友, 美國這裡生活雖辛苦些,但是你自已是為自己打拼.一天不工作可能就一天沒飯吃,不像大陸還可混著吃大鍋飯. 但是你是有你自已的空間與自由,可謂"頂著自己的一片天, 站著自已的一塊地",不再是社會大机器下的小螺絲. 沒有人干涉你. 你是徹徹底底的頂天立地的男子漢.他們似乎頗受鼓舞.

有時候也覺得在商場打拼,在社會打滾, 遇人不淑或受人坑害,所在多有. 若有人能完全承受而不改變自已原有的慈悲心態, 繼續發出光熱給他人,就好像一個人頭腳穩立在天地間,坏事到他身上不會像常人一樣隨波傷及其他人以求自保或報復發洩. 相反的,他吸收並消化了坏的衝力, 同時繼續發出他一貫的善力對待他的一切. 這種修為,應該也算是很頂天立地的人了吧!

我也堅信一個頂天立地的人必須仰不愧於天,俯不怍於地,尊不虧於父母,卑不疏於子孫. 噫,微斯人,吾誰與歸?

European trip 2009 concluded in Paris

Photo taken in Paris on end of May, 2009, article drafted on June 28, 2009

On last day of the trip, we had a farewell party at Paris to put a half-month European trip to an end. Today, we renite together two families at Tony Yang's house at W. Covina. We have been living in neighboring cities, but our past world are so different that we can never be friends until we met in this European tour. They came from China, and live long time in Hong Kong. His youngest son kai was also our tourmate, and I can see he is well educated and elegant. I feel this is just a lucky encounter by chance, or in typipcal Chinese term as 緣份.

They have a cool and very delicate dinner arranged for me and Grace. The soup was peronally made by the host, Tony, and it was really wonderful. It is typical Fuzhou fish ball soup with albolone slices. We also finished one bottle of red wine. After dinner, we went to my house to complete the mutual acquaintance of each other's home. They got the pleasnt meeting with our pet Ginger and recognized her as well behaved dog. They also like our tree garden, and fish pond etc. With this reunion, we feel like making a family of new friends, which is also one more harvest of the European trip.

Their house is not as new, and not built as 豪宅. However, it was smartly decorated to be very elegant and comfortable. The yard is not as big, but it has so many fruit tree with abundant havest of peaches, lemons, pumpkin and the 玉蘭花. A fish pond with clean walterfall. Basically a good taste of hobby symbolize the good life of the host.

NOw Grace will be burdened with a return favor. THe real issue for her is what elegant dinner she can find to treat them back? It is fun of socializing, and the cost of it. As for me, I do not care too much about it, I am in charge of talking and eating. Maybe that's why I like making friends while Greace is quite skeptical and selective. ha ha.

母愛何辜?

母親的慈愛乃上天所賜,造物所賦, 但若扯入爭議卻又何辜?近日電視數度播報扁媽在高雄挺扁聚會時在台上聲淚俱下,聲援愛兒無罪何辜,卻被關到"瘦枝落肉" 体衰人萎. 天下慈母心,支援兒女真是沒有條件. 只是在這樣高度爭議性的政治埸合,令我不得不細思慢深嚼這代表著什麼人性意涵.

剛好下午看了一部電影, Public Enemy. 主角 John Depp 演活了1933 年代的銀行大盜. 他殺人搶劫,進出監獄如家常便飯, 全國出名,卻仍有美女委身追隨,不畏"我倆沒有明天"一再重演的險境. 我細思女人愛情的深淺似與對方在其子宮內的時間長短成正比. 如果男歡女愛時論秒論分的接触就足以令女友以身相許,不計福禍, 那麼接連十月的同体感情,如何構成絕對的愛護與支持,不計榮辱或其他是非對錯,就自然不言可喻了.(當然, 本人黑桃這個不太正經的比喻不入大雅之堂,只是想用比較科學的計量方式來凸顯其深淺區別而已.哈哈!)

所以母親是榮是辱,為賢為愧,絕對性的責任就落在兒女身上. 精忠報國的岳飛, 慈母為他刺字在背而名垂千古. 亞聖孟子取義,自成一家之言,其母為其三遷而居更傳為美談. 就屬現世的達官貴人也多積福慧以彰顯其母之德, 既使無能力做到的,也都能消極的少做令母親煩勞或擔憂的事. 至於令母親蒙羞痛心的事更絕對避免. 本人黑桃一介平民,更是”飯飯之輩”也知道一些. 當年服兵役時抽中傘兵,听說訓練嚴格,、如入魔鬼營, 尤其跳傘訓練更吉凶難卜,所以一直隱瞞實情一直到傘訓結束,手腳無缺,才敢稟告,就是要免去慈毋幾個月的憂心.

如今扁媽如此高齡, 卻被扶到台上作呼冤喊弊的哭訴. 尤其鏡頭上還有人為她繫上黃色頭巾, 與其他台上的政治人物完全沒兩樣, 確確實實成為政治舞台的一個籌碼,交由全國司法與老百姓評判是非對錯. 這是把人性中高貴的母性用在骯髒污穢的政治砧板上作賭注. 阿扁啊, 我為你難過,我為你不齒啊! 昔日在台大宿舍我們同舍不同系. 至少也是熟識. 我在美國期間你居然在政途上如明星一般竄起,竟至坐上大位. 本以為你會以布衣之姿平民之忱給台灣帶來祥和富庶的美夢, 沒想到八年來經濟上卻由四龍之首掉到最末, 社會上更見種族撕裂,藍綠痴仇... 治國需能力也很靠運氣, 國家退步也就算了,最令你校友黑桃我不堪的是你的操守. 你與你的妻子家人連同部屬竟多有手腳不乾淨的官司, 牽連之廣,訴訟之長,金額之鉅,竟至你下台一年多還沒能結案. 試問你一生為人到此,有何堪可告慰之事?

阿扁校友, 因為你,我曾經拒看母校台大寄來的刊物 “台大校友,以表達對台大品德教育失敗的不滿. 今天我送你前幾句文天祥的正氣歌, 請你細思,姑不談浩然正氣, 你起碼是否對得起老母,家人,朋友,乃至於你曾經統治過的全國同胞:

天地有正氣，雜然賦流形。下則為河岳，上則為日星。於人曰浩然，沛乎塞蒼冥。 皇路當清夷，含和吐明庭。時窮節乃見，一一垂丹青。

Poem of the past

I have made some poem or articles on different occasions. Here are some of them that I kept records.

思母吟
(Thinking of my aged mother living in nursing home in Taichung till she dies on August 3, 2008)


是傘需有把 再言質良窳
孝親若不勞 遑論心多絞
老母今寓市 晨昏看外僗
兒孫偶來望 喧多問心少

昔年雙親勞 頂燈夜除草
夏季賣土豆 冬日賣豬玀
諸子得教育 貧農漸溫飽
護子不顧後 家產盡分消

如今諸子老 各自愛家小
長子嫌事勞 次子爭名好
三子傷身早 四子求事寥
悔允五子遨 海外歸鄉少

常念逝父勞 忘思母寂熬
今己住市牢 回家機更少
勸念天下叟 防老財固牢
手中有財寶 晚年才熱鬧



贈聯予陶智國陳觀惠夫婦

智慮大千有情喜生佛國
觀照娑婆眾生悅沐法惠


贈李樹根胡玉琴夫婦

樹人立業喜見一代築根
玉絃送韻樂聞千秋揚琴


贈中新新董上任

中新磐石乾坤穩
承重接艱更逢春
量宏含虛舟能容
才廣陣致萬事成

贈中新新廈落成

中新磐石根基深
新廈落成再逢春
新鑽始耀中工城
精品無瑕暢乾坤
孝悌仁義領群倫
富國裕民代代新

贈青島惠運新廈落成

惠國裕民終需市暢澤延
運籌帷幄自是道豐業偉

Or

惠國裕民而今拓基啟運
延承良統自是道豐業偉


贈徐州柳家

柳林掩雲龍
飛影映湖中
振毫漢學揚
君立書法風

贈法老王KTV

晚得酒中趣 三杯時暢然
難忘是花下 何物勝樽前
世事多千變 人生少百年
妙哉法老王 揚諸在彭間


贈 Otto Chang to be dean of Purdue University

錫知益友家鄉遙 峰峰相連步步高
淑世育才今易處 華風輕拂普渡橋

July, 2008

贈好友吳明泉 July 2008/

明經熟脈善引泉 塑市立業腳步先
科技精用遊四方 享生樂命造悠閒
心留香身隨緣
林梢水邊尋鶯燕
倩影入簾爽心間
焉知今夕是何年

(If you are also bird lover like him, visit his blog at
http://northdoor.myweb.hinet.net/)

妻生日 September 1, 2008

三十寒暑結夫妻
如今孫女己承膝
若問此心多惜妳
乳水砂泥永相依

親家張順堯六十大壽及孫滿月September 6. 2008

順天應人兩岸三地一片天
堯聖舜賢三代一堂花甲年

勉中峰戰鼓隊 9/5/08

戰志高昂術業鼎
鼓韻激盪淨身心



Article for Mom’s funeral (哀送慈母出殯)

母親出生與中華民國同年，從年輕到老，辛苦耕耘，默默奉獻，多的是對子女毫無條件的關懷與照顧，少的是為自己切身舒適的計較。母親是一個平凡的鄉間婦女，但是在我們子女心目中卻是勤奮睿智輔佐丈夫白手起家的典範。

早年父親貧困，窮到沒有立錐之地，大部份時間在外地打工，養家教子的大事全落在母親身上。在窮困之中母親仍然任勞任怨獨力照顧祖母一直到祖母百年，以身體力行的孝道作我們的榜樣。民國六十四年，榮膺南投縣模範母親，可謂實至名歸。

母親樂於助人，鄰里有事，她都及早趕至，伸出援手，她有精緻的手藝可以剪出相當複雜的大紅春，囍等字，也可以裁製應景的孝服，頗受鄰里親友的愛戴與敬重；母親釀的米酒香醇，溫補了她生了小孩的媳婦們，母親養的肥鵝與大豬，養大了我們一家大小。

可是母親一項美德卻是一輩子不曾妥協的，那就是節儉。除了對自己節約到苛的程度，對於子女與丈夫也是堅持‘能不花就不花“的原則。也因此我小時候的遠足，袋子裡有的是現成的便當，就是沒有買冰水的錢。身為么子，我從小到大一直像跟屁蟲一樣跟在母親身邊。回娘家或上街拜拜必經埔里市區的長路，常感口乾舌燥，但未曾敢要買一口冰吃，因為她每次都說“快到家了”。父親也難倖免；有一次老父親想參加鄰里赴日旅遊團，旅費也由我們子女認捐湊足了，母親卻堅持不去，後來父親當然不會獨自去。當鄰里回國時，母親還沾沾自喜的說這筆錢不是省下來了嗎？

1985父親過世那年，公司打算派我赴美就職，我向母親請示時深怕她尚在悲痛之餘不肯讓最會“撒驕”的么子就此遠走高飛；不料她卻爽快答應，事後她表示她不再為了一念之差而再斷送兒子的前途。她說當年二哥有意離開鄉里出外發展，就是母親怕他出外受挫才反對的。迄今她老人家仍不忘記這個遺憾，因為二哥有意願又有能力，尤其外出打拼的村人好像沒有不衣錦還鄉的。數年後，我首次接母親赴美小住，到家時，母親在讚賞新環境之餘，竟然流淚了。依她解釋“一嘆父親無福來美共享，二悔當年為了省錢，讓父親一生沒有出國旅遊的機會”。

2006冬，由於客觀條件的限制與對於醫療設備的需求，母親就一直住在大里市老人中心，多半時間與院中老友共度晨昏，一直到與世長辭的此刻。對於慈母，我心中充滿“父母在不遠遊”的愧咎，真是：

秋風蕭蕭落葉飄
慈母音容今已杳
遊子海外侈言孝
常揪心肝於中宵

9７年了，您也累了，您的子女在您含辛茹苦的養育下也都枝榮葉茂了。母親，請安息吧，我們永遠感念您。在這山城小鎮中您以孩兒為榮，可是在此浩翰人世間，孩兒以您為傲。在此容我最後一次用屬於我們母子的稱呼喚您， “意呀” 安息吧！

么兒
永池　叩拜



改編詩嘆台灣政党惡斗

一片殘陽柳萬絲，冰封海上掛帆時；藍綠痴仇無限恨，紅樹青山豈不知!

贈畫家趙以夫兄

以匠心住形
用丹青賦魂
畫者鮮若此
是乃真功夫

我愛珠寶

珠寶光芒閃燿, 晶瑩剔透, 不止扁家垂青, 我也很愛.

我家的珠寶盤也很大. 晚上有閒瑕時我喜歡看它們. 那些大珠小珠落玉盤的璀璨景象看似雜亂, 卻隱約感到有些同類排在一線的次序. 大珠有強些的白光, 配上各種各樣大小不一的珠光, 真是心曠神貽. 把酒臨觀, 可以不必憂讒畏譏,更能寵辱皆忘. 如此滿足心態自然可以引我 悠然入眠, 一覺到天亮. 如若半夜醒來如廁, 亦可觀之而後快, 再繼續成眠. 如此珠寶, 夜夜陪我, 怎能不覺幸福?

隨著景氣拓展, 民宅建物日增, 我的珠寶盤也越多越充實.只是我不能出售任何一顆. 它們是整体的,無法觸摸的,也是屬於同住在高處的鄰里大家的.

所以我該說--- 我更愛夜景.

A relationship of significance

When cleaning the messy drawers in my office, I saw a small note written on a notepad. It was an interesting contract between me and my then-top-sales and share holder Hugo. On it I wrote in Chinese "我帶 Grace 去歐洲兩週 ASAP" with my signature. He then wrote "I will work overtime to help and if necessary I will bring my wife to help" with his signature. We have a witness, which I don't recall exactly who he was, but from the signature, I think he is Robert Wu, then visitor from Taiwan, who is also our VIP vendor, ex-colleague and life time friend.

This child-like commitment was made on 1998 on my wife's cry of hunger for visiting Eurpe, as she has never been there before.

Right now after 10 years, the European trip was finished last month (a little bit too late for my promise! sorry Grace). Hugo has finished his mission by pushing our business to prosperity for years before he decided to work part time. He is now spending more time in his building business. He just sold his house at 1.8 million while the construction cost is far less than one million. This earning is just a fraction of what he earned. I would say his career earning is more than twice, or even three times of mine. He is talented with figures, and his devotion in construction met with the best boom in real estate, even though he may work it during the full employement, which I don't care much. I would say that he is just a dragon out of the ocean. He can't be in a small pond that I have here.

Sometimes I feel a little sourness of jealousy for his greater success than me. However, thinking back, he can be my pride as well. When he was hired by me on 1992, he was a salesman in swap meet, a new immigrant from Mexico. With time of training on job, with his gifted foundation as a salesman, he made good busienss. As the owner, I got the lift and increased my income level too. From time to time, I still have to make some demand, or discipline since he is still an employee of part time while I have the duty as the CEO, however, I still consider such relationship valuable and significant that will be well remembered for life.

I have made a very hearty mourning peom for my employer Mr. Hu early this month when he passed away, I don't know how he look at me when I die... This is something I am curious, but I cannot expect much because he is a younger generation which certainly less sensitive than us, besides he is a Westerner whois not influenced by our Chinese culture about eatign fruit while thanking the tree.

In life, I consider it is better be appreciated than be complained or hated. I think this is one of some chapters I can keep for myself as a person.

最近如廁不甚便利,想必是中老年人常有的前列腺肥大作祟. 昨夜二更起來更覺涓滴細流,既小又弱, 且偶有中斷...突然莫名其妙的連想並思念已逝的慈母, 因為她在窮苦的日子裡持家,給我們用錢,就是如此 能少給就少給,能省(斷)就省(斷). 長大後,我偶而還听過某位哥哥還在抱怨母親苛刻於他. 不知是作勢撒嬌或是真的不懂為娘的苦心.

身為家中老么,我與母親的親近, 因為沒有更小的弟妹"介入"所以一直維繫到與母親見面的最後一刻. 可是在用錢方面母親可是堅持原則我仍沾不了當老么的好處. 所以我小時的記憶裡,拿零用金買玩具是沒有存在的奢侈, 但我也未曾要求過,因為田野中,稻田裡,或是近郊的虎頭山上都是我的樂園, 蝴蝶,青蛙,麻雀,泥鰍等是我的玩伴. 若真要有玩的器具,也是隨手取得的免費物資: 例如彈弓來自番石榴的 Y 型枝幹,配以輪胎(內胎作兩條彈絃,外胎了作夾石頭的皮) 用鐵絲綁往即成. 因為玩彈弓久了,我練就了打蠅神功. 有一次在坐在我四哥後座車內, 十几隻蒼蠅我就用橡皮筋三兩下就解決了. 事後我妻奉我為"打蠅英雄"直到今天. 那陀螺更簡單, 找個圓木段, 削尖上面, 下方修圓再釘上一根鐵作腳就可以行走江湖找人對抗了. 若真要玩牌,我們就將鐵瓶蓋外緣敲平,當作牌玩遊戲,總之,不必花錢又好玩就是了. 後來小學畢業,考初中時,有一題數學我就傻住了. 那題問到一副撲克牌, 我那知一副有幾張, 因為從未玩過呢!

母親,我還真想您念您. 希望您在那邊一切都好,也知道我在想您, 雖然觸動的誘因不太高雅. 您知道么兒在您面前一向頑皮又不正經.不過這也是真實的. 您的么兒也老了,也成"公"了, 昨天才與孫女過第一個父親節呢!..

Iran unrest

Iran has trouble after election result challenged by the opposition. The protesters were later dealt with another blow by the highest commander, the Muslim cleric. I thought the game should be over because it is the last authority's clear decision.

It was not over. The world news keeps reporting the protest is being kept. This is something I feel promising. This country may be in for a revolution, the same revolution in Europe that change the system of Religion mixed with Politics. This is another way out for human being, just like water can not be kept unflowing forever. It has to come into the lower places. I am eager to see any open hope on such another kind of iron curtain. I believe Iranians in the Western world are also expect to see it happen.

Freedom and democracy is the way to go like water find the way to go down, and only down.
Only with such foundation, the world can be dialogued into real peace.

為岳母代筆的生平感言--

感言

我不會說話, 更不會寫文章來表達. 只有經由情如母子, 卻常常調侃我來取樂的女婿代為轉述.

我是台南人, 先生是高雄人. 因為我先生從事土木建築業, 收入不薄且穩定, 所以我的前半生在台灣算是幸福而平靜的. 我有四個女兒加上最後掙到的小兒子, 上天對我不可謂不厚.

大約 1980 年除了老大老二兩女兒之外我們舉家遷來美國. 當時我先生在 Palm Spring 買了一間 Motel 做為全家落戶之地及收入來源. 第一次抵美, 在要” 回家” 的路上’ 只見沙漠連綿, 路頭接天, 即使村落有人也是荒地一片, 與綠意盎然生氧勃勃的台灣恍若不同世界. 當時我滿腹心酸, 滿怀擔憂, 生怕就此進入不幸的悲慘世界.

其實現在想來, 當時所看所感是自然而正常的, 因為洛杉機本就山草不生, 黃土遍地. 而且從LA到 Palm Spring的 10號公路在三十年前也是人煙稀少, 沙地到處的景象. 真是名符其實的少見多怪. 許多富庶美麗的別墅區只是還未看到而己. 可是, 可說造化弄人, 這個感受卻不幸成了真實的遭遇.

我先生在此人生地不熟, 本業建築也無從發揮. 無所事事之下, 他在台灣所沾有的坏習慣全都”諸惡現前”. 首先他利用我們母子” 作暝作日” 在旅舍工作, 沒有薪水, 也不給零用金. 有一次三女兒在炎夏還穿冬季毛衣, 要求買夏衣還被他毒打一頓. 我雖為主婦, 卻因一直沒給掌錢, 所以也是無奈的無償勞動者. 這也罷了, 全家一起打拼也算幸福. 要命的是他的賭癖. 在台灣就听說他涉賭, 只是在工作之餘從事, 只要沒事發生就當是消遣吧.. 此刻的他變本加厲, 毫無節制, 最後終於把 Motel輸掉了. 失去了家也丟了工作, 我們只好搬到 LA找屋租下並設法找工作謀生. 沒想到他還劣性不改, 繼續沈淪, 終於把僅賸的安家本錢輸光, 他本人跑路到大陸去, 不留一房一舍, 一分一毫給我們母子. 真是是把我們全家的命運打入”沒有明天” 的悲恐世界中.

當時舉目無親坐困愁城之際, 有位善心友人接濟三千元供我們搬家, 做臨時的安頓. 至今我還十分感恩他的善心善行. 但是小兒子高中剛畢業, 上大學的費用如何籌措? 所幸天無絕人之路. 二女婿因公司調派來洛杉機, 全家搬遷定居下來, 正好給我一個棲身之處. 從此以後, 我替他們管家接送兩個女孩上學, 他們也可專心事業. 就這樣生活穩定下來. 小兒子的大學費用也因此得以解決, 順利完成學業並獨立成家了. 如今轉眼二十年過了, 兩個孫女都長大成人也受了很好的大學教育. 大的還在去年把我推到” 曾祖母” 的寶座上呢!

在顛沛流離的日子裡, 我必須靠信仰支持自已. 那時我常去廟宇拜拜尋求庇佑. 果不其然, 在那裡我認識了我命中的另一貴人-- 慈濟的慈喜蔡師姊. 在她的引進及日後繼續支持之下我漸漸認識並進入慈濟這個大家庭. 如今回想,一路走來, 我內心十分充足, 可謂法喜充滿. 因無罣礙, 也就日日好眠.. 我很慶幸擁有這麼圓滿的一切.

在慈濟這個大家庭裡, 眾多師兄師姊有太多貢獻與布施方式. 我個人因為沒有受到高等教育,能力十分有限, 很多事想去做都多是心有餘而力不足,只能盡我的棉薄來表達, 希望在菩薩道上我不致落後太多. 因為我會開車, 所以協助一些老人行的問題. 其他能做的也就是盡我心力去做布施. 記得曾在蔡師姐的引導協助下將所有的金飾投入台東慈濟醫院, 大林醫院等病床設施上. 最近我更將所有積蓄包括現金與存款悉數奉獻, 這金額對一般有錢人來說應該是微不足道, 可是對我這個長久沒有工作收入的老太婆而言可是”傾其所有” 若問我為什麼要這樣”挺而走險”呢? 這的確曾經是一個天人交戰, 也是執著與覺悟之間的大問題. 可我還是選擇了布施這條路. 我的心路歷程可以從遠覺與近悟來分析:

遠覺指的是很早就听上人開釋過, “行善要及早”, 深有感觸. 自從加入慈濟這個大家庭以來, 所碰見的師兄師姊都是日日行善時時修行的活菩薩, 所看見的都是加慧增德的好事.除了日常服務與助念之餘我常常思考如何做些對我個人而言更有意義的更”大” 的事情.

所說的近悟, 嚴格來說應該只能說是因為体會無常的逼近, 而深深感到有些事今天不做, 可能就不再有機會了. 那是大概四月的一個晚上, 我突然感到頭暈目眩, 天旋地轉. 上吐下瀉, 彷若大限即至. 那時雖然駑慌痛苦, 卻也不想打 911去急診, 心想該走就走了吧! 事後診斷是中耳發炎, 雖算是一般急來快去的病症, 那個感覺好像冥冥中佛菩薩在暗示, 玉姬啊, 想做的事快去做吧!

另外最近的景氣蕭條也是有力的助緣. 由於經濟海嘯, 造成國內百業凋蔽, 失業的人一直在增加. 也見到慈濟平時所收的捐獻善款也明顯的減少. 這個情況對於我們慈悲濟世的志業, 必然受到很大的影響.也更加深我”多做些事情” 的覺悟.

現在心願已了, 口袋也空空了, 想來這個感覺在以前我一定會惶惶不可終日, 耽心沒錢以後要怎麼辦. 可是現在卻完全不同, 我覺得有布施後的法喜, 也有進一步追隨上人的快樂. 至於將來生活所需, 我十分相信依靠兒女與孫輩們應該是足夠的. 至少現在更加体現了 “色(錢)即是空” 與” 無住(錢)生心” 的禪味了, 即使我可能誤解它真正的意思.

此刻感受可用四句俗偈概括, 請指教但不要見笑:

功德千百種
我會沒幾宗
所有皆布施
有禪心不空

其實, 我這一生也算起伏很大, 在困難時只能感謝好的緣份即時出現, 也就是感謝佛菩薩的庇佑. 能在困頓流離的時候進入佛門, 走菩薩道也算是”失之東隅收之桑榆” 何況此桑榆是百千萬劫難遭遇的佛法, 足可供我往後精神靈魂安身立命之所, 我的所得何其多呀! 所以此刻說出我的心願

此生起伏已黃昏
只求精進利乾坤
但願福慧能兼修
生生世世慈濟人

Solar system in my house

For almost a week, my house has been "under attack" from the roof by those solar Max workes. Basically they are installing the solar modules on the Westen side roof. Since the structure of the roof only allow limited quantity of moudules to be used, the output of the solar power is said to be limited.

I don't know if the investment is smart enough, or if the mathmetic is correct about the money saving versus power generated from it, but I feel this is a right thing to do to minimize the use of regular power. This is a step to protect our globe, a way to keep our environment clean, and one of the ways to Broom our world.

----

This system was put in operation on June 23, 2009. Now I am eager to see how it generate the power, and how fast the output can cover my investment..

Wild pigeon's home

I gladly welcome the wild pigeon to take my home as hers! It is a pleasant surprise!

This weekend I noticed there was a bird nest on a tree on the corner of my house. And when I took a closer look, there is a pigeon sitting still there, staring at me seemingly with concern about my attitude. I made slow move to leave the site, signaling that I care about her feeling. I just want to tell her to make herself at home. I won't interrupt your hatching.

Wild animals were welcome in my home, except some poisonous creatures. The other day I saw a small rattle snake in the drive way. I do not want to have any accident to us, or my pet Ginger, so I caught it in the net and send it to the bush about two hundred yards away from my home. I wish her luck in the new place, but do not come back. Now I am aware there is a family of poisonous snake in my yard, and I just hope we get along all the time.

Last year we had a coyote living in the hill which always had encounter with Ginger at night. This kind of big wild animal is the reason why I raise big dogs. For some reason, I didn't see it this year. I hope it just moved to other places rather than starved. It appeared very skinny when I last saw it.

Every day I can hear the baby voices of the eagle. I noticed on the top of eucaliptus tree on the down hill from my home they had a home for years. I even nursed one baby eagle for two days before I have human society people to take over. This baby eagle was found by Ginger when we walked down the hill after dinner. It obviously was injured falling down from the nest before it could fly. I hope it grow well into adult eagle by now.

Those cotton tail rabbits are everywhere in the bush area in down hill from my back yard, besides those in the plain area before our entrance up into the hilly home. They, along with those squarrels are just a member here, but quite difficult to take a closer look.

The only wild animal that bothers me are those gofers. I have been figuring out how to keep them away from my plants without killing them. This is a challenge for life saving principle I have. I hope someone can teach me some tip.

My small hometown is famous into Vancouver??

I sent a letter to my college classmate Esther to verify if she find more Puli immigrants in her new residential country. She immigrated with son to Vancouver couple years ago mainly because she hated the corruptive regime of DPP. (I hope my requote of the article get the permission of the writer, Ms. Lin, who is my "fellow villager")

From a mountain village of Puli, I am surely pleased if she can verify that Puli has a lot of immigrants in Vancouver, (and) who are rich. ha ha.


Dear Esther,

I happened to read this article this morning about my home town. I am curious if you ran into some immigrants who are from Puli as well?
I like to know if there are so many rather than if they are pretty. Because I know very well, on the looking, at least you are better than majority of Puli ladies. I even didn't marry one from my hometown, ha ha.

Walter
講義
2009-06-04
第9806期
埔里之美
林琇琬
一個地方的美，只有親身體驗才能夠了解從我有記憶以來，都是生活在台中清水，一直不覺得自己和埔里有任何關係，直到即將入小學，才知道我的學籍在埔里的忠孝國小，必須先去忠孝國小辦轉學手續，才能在清水念書。
求學的過程中，只要說我是埔里人，師長和同學都會看我一眼，頗有深意地說：「聽說埔里出美女，我來看一下美女長怎樣……」所以對長相沒自信的我，一直很怕告訴別人我是埔里人，更怕那些人的眼神。有一回，一個住彰化的女同學告訴我：「你該慶幸自己是埔里人，至少埔里出美女。每次別人都對我說：『彰化出肉圓，你果然和肉圓長得很像。』女生被說像肉圓，真是讓人難以接受，被說成美女，就讓人舒服多了。」同學這樣說，確實讓我安慰不少，但我對埔里的印象仍是模糊的。我未曾吃過那塊土地的奶水，從小就插枝於清水，日復一日地成長著。父親對埔里是魂牽夢縈的，每每提及故鄉，都帶著思慕：「埔里的天氣很好，溫度永遠很適中，連冬天都不必穿大外套，一年四季都有不同的花朵盛開，風很舒服，到處都有綠意環繞。」但每次他說起埔里，我都感到害怕，因為在清水已經有朋友，很怕失去他們。真正搬回埔里時，我已經讀完大學了，很不能適應埔里當地的生活，由於那時沒有電影院，每次有好看的電影，我都得到台中去看。埔里終於有電影院時，我的兒子也出生了；然而現在為了帶孩子，反而沒有時間在埔里優閒地看電影了。有次到加拿大溫哥華，在路上遇到好奇的華人，問我是從哪裏來的？我一說起埔里，他們便說：「你一定很習慣看美景，那就不會驚訝溫哥華的美了。」原來在很多人的眼中，埔里的美，和溫哥華不相上下。我也在卡加立遇到一戶移民加拿大快三十年的人家，他們的小女兒一聽說我是埔里人，馬上說：「那你的經濟環境一定特別好，就算移民也不必受苦。當時我們剛移民過來的時候很苦，現在好一些了。」我問她是哪裏人？她說：「天母，我們很窮的，有些機會就出來試試看，於是移民過來。」「天母？在你眼中，埔里人比天母人有錢？」我有些訝異地問她。「當然，埔里有錢人很多，他們都住在溫哥華，那裏的房子非常貴，都可以在卡加立買五間房子了，」她理所當然地說。我在溫哥華確實常遇到埔里人，無論在公園、超市、銀行，或健行時都曾遇到埔里人。沒想到我跑到加拿大，才重新認識了埔里。搬回埔里也十多年了，其原因是為了我的寶貝兒子。結婚時，嫁到了台北淡水，兒子出生後就患有嚴重過敏，醫師隨口一問：「你娘家在哪裏？」我回答埔里時，醫師眼露歆羨說：「那真是個好地方，有那樣的好環境，應該讓孩子在那裏長大。」最後是兩個醫師和兩個藥師，向我先生及婆婆說，應該讓孩子在埔里生活，等孩子大一些再搬回淡水居住，這樣對孩子的健康比較好。於是，幾經考量，我們決定搬回埔里。當兒子還住淡水時，長期感冒、咳嗽，甚至嚴重到鼻管和喉管都發生積血，腸過敏到會排血便。但回到埔里居住後，這些症狀竟然消失了，且成長得更加健康、順利，現在即使到田裏玩耍、翻滾，也不再發生過敏的問題。埔里這塊土地，餵養了我的兒子，使他健康成長而無憂。因為兒子，我得到了在埔里居住的機會。雖然我的童年記憶裏少了埔里，但這幾年也慢慢地填補了空白。現在，我可以自信地說：「我是埔里人。」再也不害怕別人的眼光。有一回大學男同學失戀，騎摩托車到埔里酒廠想看美女療傷，結果打電話告訴我：「埔里哪裏有美女？原本想療傷，現在卻更內傷。」我笑著跟他說：「酒廠大多是觀光客，不是本地人，難怪你看不到美女。埔里確實出美女，我就經常看到美女……」埔里的美，不是一天就可以看得出來的，只有親身在這裏居住一段時間，才能細細品嘗到她的美麗。（祖華繪圖）

New finding

After living here for 6 years until today I didn't know there are more beautiful horse trail near my home. Today Grace and I prepared to walk our dog Ginger for a longer time, and we were kind of ready to exercise more and adventure the surrounding environment. It took us 3 hours to finish the exercise, and we found two trails. One is a new one to go the top of hill Easten part of Lorenzo Church. The other, in our way home, was just next to the horse training facility right on other side of Lemon Avenue across the Lorenzo Church.

People tend to follow the similar path in their daily life, and I am so much among these people. From now on, I am so happy I have more choice to walk on this trail that is along the Snow Creek with a deep smell of wild forest. Kind of feel lucky to be living in this place that is in the city that has the atmosphere of being in the wild forest. City of Walnut is such a beautiful city with so many country style trails.

How can we accept the NFL stadium to be here that will contain 75,000 people coming in and out for the noisy game? It is just like driving a noisy truck directly into a library, a brutal destruction of a quiet and elegant community.

I also had a small interesting encounter. During the walking, we found a mother bird taking about a dozen baby birds running across the Walnut Canyon Avenue. At first I only see small dots passing fast in front of me without knowing they are baby birds that can't fly. When they tried to get into the bushes on the other side of street, they have to jump over the curb. Only 1/3 of the chicks jumped over to join the mother. The rest were trying so hard to jump but fell back down. The mother bird was so nervous that she jump down and up the curb in panic, but had no idea to help her children. I imminent danger of the chicks as some run back on to the street, so I ran over to guide them to the end of the curb and use the drive way of a house. Most of them then found their way to join their mother. There is the last one running up along the drive way which is isolated from the bush area. I had to race and catch it and put it back into the bush. It was so tiny like a small mouse, and cute. When I left, I feel the whole family of that bird saying thank you to me. Ha ha.

Cockroach

I don't know why so many young people hate it, or fear it so much. In my office, I found employees screamed at seeing one show up, and they killed it with so much insect killer that I think it died from drowning instead of poisoning.

To me, it is just a regular small animal that unfortunately has to live under the wet and dirty environment. I have sympathy on such insect because I feel my childhood life was not too far from it. Each time it shows up in office, and if I happen to be present, I will waste no time to grab it and send it outdoor before any pesticide or broom flying in to kill it from my employees.

All life are equal, why kill them for just being fear of them, or prejudice against them?

Some small new perception about Calligraphy

I feel there is no perfection in art. The sky is high, there is space that is beyond it...

I got this feeling from my calligraphy class this Wednesday night. After years' basic drilling, and sometimes moving upward to other higher forms, I got criticized from my teacher when going back to basics. At first I feel he may be too picky. But the more I look at my words comparing with what he wrote in my face, I did see there is still some difference, even though the total appearance looks quite the same. The difference is in very small detail that novices won't notice well. Yet, it is in detail that shows the real expertise. Now I am getting more interested in some basics, happy to "downgrade" my level for a more solid foundation.

I don't know if I fully understand what my master said. But my perception may be good enough. He said in writing a good word in calligraphy, you have to have a good rhythm. I tried to follow it by pointting the next starting point after finising one stroke. In such exercise, I found myself totally melted in the chemistry among brushpen's tip point, ink and the paper. Maybe this is why some expert consider calligraphy work is like meditation. However, I feel there is difference between them. In meditation, you try to put yourself into nothing, and in calligraphy, you put yourself calmly busy with these quiet factors.

I hope my perception is not wild enough to draw me into evil, so called 走火入魔. Ha ha.

sincere condolence

I heard that my ex-boss Mr. C.H. Hu dies yesterday, June 2, 2009. It was sad even though he is already high age like 90+. I feel obliged to show my last respect to this great enterpreneur who founded Tah Hsin, and brought rainwear and a lot of plastic gears to Taiwan, and the world. His life story, along with that of his boss, Mr. Y.C. Wang of Formosa Plastic Group, can represent the most of, if not whole, recent history of Taiwan Economic evolution. My wang took one day to persuade him, who then was the only expert in plastic industry in Taiwan, to go with him to Taipei to handle the Hsin Tung factory, and the whole plastic industry just boomed to support the economic miracle of Taiwan...
It is him that I could be recruited, right from my graduation from NTU and finished my military service, and educated to where I am today. About 10 years latter I was sent to U.S. 10 years later, I had enough hard time before I had to leave Tamerica Products in end of 1994. I had a supporting and communication problem from the then general manager, a son-in-law to the Vice Chairman, who is younger brother of Mr. Hu. So far I tried to heal the wound which was incurred through misunderstanding. I even sent a greeting letter last year to Mr. Hu, but no response. I guess he was too old to read himself, and no one ever paid attention to handle this "small case".
Anyway, I took a whole morniong to compose a poem style mourning letter to Mr. Hu. See attached below.

亦主亦師亦父兮哀胡公, 高壽以歸兮同哀慟!
眼光銳利兮若神隼, 一日之詢兮定業宗.
追隨王董兮展新東, 再創達新兮箭離弓.
識廣魄強兮如漢武, 兩弟補弼兮版圖充.
首產雨衣帆布兮百姓瘋, 晒穀不畏兮雨與風
高瞻遠囑兮眼獨具, 海外立基兮訂單豐
美東美西兮歐陸動, 產品擴充兮五洲通
職乃農子兮非親侗, 不吝拔擢兮美西送
肝腦塗地兮二十載, 人事變遷兮難上通
孤臣孳子兮無所告, 就地求生兮別胡公.
心繫達新兮不稍戢, 今再失父兮永悲恐

嗟呼,
胡公功業振家國, 徒子徒孫產業多
帶動經濟功垂史, 宿昔典範罩四周.
於今闔眼入佛國, 思念感恩代代同.
惟祈長眠凡事休, 長佑達新萬代榮

嗚呼哀哉! 尚饗

前TPI總裁

施永池 泣拜

GM filed bankruptcy today. Finally the injuried lion in auto industry fell down for good. This is a very big surprise in our era. However, I feel the cause of its fall includes two things:
one is Greed, the other is Ignorance.
Greed from the not-ever-stop worker's union for benefits and securities that are more than twice of the other country in same sector. Also greed from the CEOs that enjoy the fat checks and bonus, plus private jet etc. It is also such CEOs playing good men to the demanding unions. Over generations, the burden just piles up enough to kill them.
Ignorance is about their inability to learn that new trend in compact cars and in oil saving device are the key buying factors in the new era. When the oil peaks over $147 per barrel, the lion suddenly found that it can't get enough food from its territory.

Chinese has a saying 富不過三代 (richness can go over 3rd generations), I think a big company, or even a nation cannot exceed 10 generation, if they do not cultivate the new revenue while continue the consumption of their assets.
We can see more examples if we open our eyes now.

6.1.09