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Clara Mae Gregory
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Music Time
Written 2026-07-13"Old Enough"
The Raconteurs featuring
Ricky Skaggs and Ashley Monroe
https://youtu.be/1qahZ-whM6o?is=f5SId8RhlhhKuRh8
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"Remember Walking in the Sand"
"Mr. Jailor"
Jeff Beck and Imelda May
https://youtu.be/xu1ZaXB2SMA?is=V1poICYhpjSqtX0j
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"Mad As A Hatter"
Larkin Poe
https://youtu.be/dGEjbJkxFhs?is=qQOuB4NaMaHScnVs
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"All Along The Watchtower"
Jay Howie
https://youtu.be/MhTesTSJbsg?is=1VV3Jj3S1PRZIHro
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Cover of Grateful Dead classic: "Birdsong"
Keller Williams
https://youtu.be/imxpF_JWjkU?is=AevoCvsHeeOfMLA5
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"Rhiannon" (cover)
Brothers Comatos
https://youtu.be/d4KV6zlD4gs?is=7F9QlLDUNbEEoMu-
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"Catfish Blues"
Evan Nicole Bell
https://youtu.be/JO9G47mPEtA?is=LXx4HaCol6hA4ohn
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Miscellaneous covers by
Bob Weir and Wolf Brothers featuring Susan Tedeschi and Michaela Davis
https://www.youtube.com/live/kcbb86Zv_kM?is=bREHssdraoFa_9ta
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"Freeborn Man" (cover)
Bela Fleck and Tony Rice
All Star Jam (Sam Bush and others)
https://youtu.be/RyCPwqRujd4?is=p5AQA8W1Px3yvN0O
Save as a bookmark (requires login) Write a comment (requires login) Send as email Print textStudy focus on context clues and translated influenced interpretations. The exile did indeed corrupt Judaism [within it's developmental transformation].
Exile and Judaism
Written 2026-07-13*Ironically, it had already been corrupted-- it was made worse in the "salvaging" of Yahweh worship under Nehemiah.
John the Revelator wrote this:
Revelation 13:18 -
"Here is wisdom. Let him that hath understanding count the number of the beast: for it is the number of a man; and his number is Six hundred threescore and six."
Consider that this clue may be a census reference that links what the "Beast" is with its foundation from which it was spawned. In my humble opinion the word translated "count" is a significant clue and after careful study, I do not believe it refers to Gematria.
This interpretation aligns well with the literary and historical context of ancient biblical census-taking. In the Hebrew Bible, counting people was rarely an abstract exercise; it was almost always tied to tribal identity, military readiness, or ancestral heritage.
Historical Context of the Numbers
Ezra and Nehemiah:
The books of Ezra (Chapter 2) and Nehemiah (Chapter 7) contain extensive lists tracking the returning exiles from Babylon.
Identification by Number:
In these lists, people are explicitly categorized and counted by their "father’s house" (family lineage) or their town of origin.
The "Number of the Men":
The text frequently uses phrases like "the number of the men of the people of Israel" followed by a specific tally for each family or location.
Cultural Significance
Inheritance Rights:
Being counted within a specific family number proved a person's claim to ancestral land in Judea.
Priesthood Verification:
Accurate genealogical counts were mandatory for those claiming priestly status; without it, they were barred from service.
Community Rebuilding: The total numbers served to re-establish the social structure of the post-exilic community.
EXILE and JUDAISM:
During the Babylonian Exile (6th century BCE), religious reformers concluded that national calamities were the result of disobedience. This led to a profound shift in Yahwism toward the strict monotheism, adherence to the Torah, and traditions we recognize today as Judaism.
THE UNITED KINGDOM OF ISRAEL SPLIT INTO TWO SEPARATE NATIONS around 931 BCE, shortly AFTER the DEATH of KING SOLOMON. The northern region formed the Kingdom of Israel (consisting of 10 tribes), and the southern region became the Kingdom of Judah (consisting of 2 tribes).
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yahwism
https://www.history.com/articles/judaism
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kingdom_of_Israel_(united_monarchy)
https://www.jewishhistory.org/the-divided-kingdom/
Stages in the Development of Judaism:
A Historical Perspective
👇
https://www.edu.gov.mb.ca/k12/docs/support/world_religions/judaism/change-evolution.pdf?fbclid=IwY2xjawTAjZ5leHRuA2FlbQIxMQBzcnRjBmFwcF9pZAwzNTA2ODU1MzE3MjgAAR5moq3G5MC3_Vuk13trMasuaz-WjiEFZDA4NiND1IWoRQ1qUBuhOd094kRL-A_aem_G31ZnBjgmg-pDBoy79dvhw
[AI Overview]
Save as a bookmark (requires login) Write a comment (requires login) Send as email Print textIn depth Bible Study
Facts from Fairytales: An Exercise in Discernment
Written 2026-07-13Revelation, from the outset, tells us that it's written in symbols. The angel "signified" to John the things that were to happen. "Signify" is to tell by way of signs. Except where it says otherwise, virtually everything in the book is to be understood in the context of symbolism and apocalyptic language. But there are a few places where this is suspended:
Rev. 13:18 — Here is wisdom. Let him that hath understanding COUNT the number of the beast: for it is the number of a man; and his number is Six hundred threescore and six.
Rev. 17:7 — And the angel said unto me, Wherefore didst thou marvel? I will tell thee the mystery of the woman, and of the beast that carrieth her, which hath the seven heads and ten horns....
Rev. 17:9 And here is the mind which hath wisdom. The seven heads are seven mountains, on which the woman sitteth.
In the verse Revelation 13:18 is a pause in the symbolic language to impart an interpretive truth. If you have the understanding to COUNT it, the beast has a number, and it is the number of a man.
What does this mean? Is the translation correct?
[Insights and Notes for consideration:
(1) The second beast wanted the people to worship the first beast (Caesar divinity claim?)
(2) the first beast had many heads and horns, denoting several kings or line of rulers (several Caesars, not one antichrist?)
(3) most of all, THERE IS NO GREEK ARTICLE IN FRONT OF THE WORD, MAN, so it is not referring to one man, but a race of mankind of sorts (Latin empire?)]
Since the Book of Revelation is of the genre,"apocalypse," it's a mosaic pattern of Old Testament quotations, hidden symbolism, cryptic metaphors, and mysterious figures of speech throughout. So it is not wise to be dogmatic about any interpretation.
Keep an open mind.
It is helpful to read Matthew through Jude first before delving into the reading of Revelation.
Any possible interpretation of Revelation cannot contradict the Gospel of the Kingdom declared and instituted by Christ. Understanding the history, the symbolism and figures of speech used in the Tanakh (Old Testament) should be a prerequisite.
Many overlook and never consider this:
[re: Rev. 13:18 — Here is wisdom. Let him that hath understanding COUNT the number of the beast: for it is the number of a man; and his number is Six hundred threescore and six.]
Could the solution to this question be found in the text itself? How does one "number a man"? A census? God numbered the children of Israel
Numbers 1:2 Take ye the sum of all the congregation of the children of Israel, after their families, by the house of their fathers, with the number of their names, every male by their polls;
The interpretation of 666, often referred to as the "number of the Beast" in the Bible, has been the subject of much speculation, and different cultures, scholars, and religious traditions have offered a range of theories. Many of these interpretations are speculative. But it is clear that the beast represents not just one individual but a system of governance or a collective embodiment of human rebellion against God.
The number 666 appears in only two specific contexts within the Hebrew Bible (Old Testament), both heavily intertwined with the concept of the Temple:
The Return from Exile (Ezra 2:13):
As the Jewish people returned to rebuild the temple after the Babylonian captivity, the lineage of Adonikam (meaning "the Lord has risen" or "lord of enemies") brought exactly 666 people back to Jerusalem.
The Wealth of Solomon (1 Kings 10:14 / 2 Chronicles 9:13):
King Solomon received exactly 666 talents of gold in a single year. This gold was heavily utilized to glorify his kingdom and maintain the grandeur of the First Temple.
The Prophetic Connection in Revelation
When the Apostle John wrote in Revelation 13:18 to "calculate the number of the beast, for it is the number of a man; and his number is 666," he was drawing on these deep Old Testament roots. Scholars who look at these historical links point out two major symbolic meanings:
The Apostasy of the Temple:
Solomon’s 666 talents marked the exact moment he began to fall into greed, idolatry, and reliance on worldly wealth instead of God. The number represents a corrupt human system attempting to substitute itself for divine perfection (symbolized by the number 7).
The "Man" of the Rebuilt Temple:
In end-times theology, this historical link is used to highlight how a future ruler (the Antichrist) will repeat this pattern. He will play a pivotal role in a heavily anticipated Third Temple built in Jerusalem, ultimately hijacking it to demand worship for himself.
Notes for clarity:
The Torah is only the first five books of the Bible (Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy). The Old Testament is a larger collection containing those five books plus many others, including history, prophecy, and poetry.
The Torah (or Pentateuch) is the foundational text of Judaism.
The Old Testament is the Christian term for the entire first section of the Christian Bible, which includes the Torah along with dozens of additional books.
The Tanakh (Hebrew Bible) combines the Torah with the Prophets (Nevi'im) and Writings (Ketuvim).
In Judaism, the complete sacred text—which includes the Torah plus the Prophets and the Writings—is called the Tanakh (or the Hebrew Bible). It is worth noting that Jewish people do not use the term "Old Testament," as it implies a newer covenant has replaced the original text.
Is "Adonikam" the same as "Adonijah"?
Possibly. It is a debated topic.
In the context of biblical genealogy, Adonikam and Adonijah are widely considered to be the same person.The variation stems from how different biblical scribes recorded the names of the heads of families returning from the Babylonian exile:
Adonikam:
This spelling is found in Ezra 2:13 and Nehemiah 7:18, referring to his clan and ITS DESCENDANTS.
Adonijah:
This spelling is used in Nehemiah 10:16 when listing the "heads of the people" who sealed the covenant.
Historically, some academic theologians insist that Adonijah/Adonikam (post-exilic figure) should not be confused with Prince Adonijah, the ambitious fourth son of King David).
Are they the same person? Or not.
Approximately 430 to 450 years separate Solomon’s assassination order of Adonijah (circa 970 BC) and the return of the clan of Adonikam (666 individuals) from Babylonian exile under Zerubbabel (circa 536–520 BC). The duration depends slightly on the exact biblical chronology used.
However, does this negate the existence of his future descendants, which may have included a great grandson named after Adonijah (the prince) ? I have no concrete answer. This does highlight the confusion caused by duplicity of Biblical names found in the texts.
The Assassination: Ordered by King Solomon at the start of his reign, ending the rebellion.
The Return: Recorded as an exact count of 666 descendants of Adonikam returning to Jerusalem with Zerubbabel.
Lexicon :: Strong's H138 - 'ăḏōnîyâ
Strong's
Red Letter
אֲדֹנִיָּה
Transliteration
'ăḏōnîyâ
Pronunciation
ad-o-nee-yaw'
Part of Speech
proper masculine noun
Root Word (Etymology)
From אָדוֹן (H113) and יָהּ (H3050)
KJV Translation Count — Total: 26x
The KJV translates Strong's H138 in the following manner: Adonijah (26x).
Outline of Biblical Usage
Adonijah = "my lord is Jehovah"
Strong’s Definitions [?](Strong’s Definitions Legend)
אֲדֹנִיָּה ʼĂdônîyâh, ad-o-nee-yaw'; original (prolonged) אֲדֹנִיָּהוּ ʼĂdônîyâhûw ; from H113 and H3050; lord (i.e. worshipper) of Jah; Adonijah, the name of
three Israelites:—Adonijah
Adonijah (Hebrew meaning "my lord is Jehovah") refers to three distinct biblical figures. In addition to King David's fourth son, it refers to a Levite teacher sent out by King Jehoshaphat and a chief of the people who sealed the covenant with Nehemiah.
The Adonijah described in the first description relates to the Levite and the chief of the people, as detailed in two different eras of the Old Testament:
1. The Levite Sent by Jehoshaphat
Role:
A Levite sent by King Jehoshaphat alongside princes and priests to educate the people in the Law of the Lord.
Historical Context:
Jehoshaphat implemented extensive educational reforms across Judah. This specific group traveled through all the cities of Judah carrying a copy of the Book of the Law to teach the people.
Scriptural Reference: Recorded in 2 Chronicles 17:7-9.
2. The Chief Who Co-operated with Nehemiah
Role: A chief (or head) of the people who set his seal on the covenant following the Babylonian exile, pledging the community's obedience to God's law.
Historical Context:
This occurs during the national and spiritual reforms overseen by the governor Nehemiah and the scribe Ezra. Scriptural Reference: Recorded in Nehemiah 10:14-16.
King Jehoshaphat was the great-great-grandson of King Solomon, descending from Solomon's son, King Rehoboam. In biblical history, the name "Jehoshaphat" also refers to two of Solomon's government officials: a royal recorder and a district deputy who supplied food to the king's household.
1. The Royal Lineage (King Jehoshaphat of Judah)King Jehoshaphat was one of the most prominent and pious kings of the southern Kingdom of Judah.Ancestry: He was the son of King Asa, the great-great-grandson of King Solomon, and the great-great-great-grandson of King David.
Reign: He ruled Judah for 25 years (around 873–848 BCE), overseeing a period of immense stability, military strength, and economic prosperity.
Connection to Solomon's Legacy: Like Solomon, Jehoshaphat sought international trade and built a maritime fleet at Ezion-Geber to mirror Solomon's ventures to Ophir. He is also noted for reforming the judicial system in Judah, further building upon the administrative foundation established by Solomon.
2. The Officials (During Solomon's Reign)In the administrative records of 1 Kings, two men named Jehoshaphat worked directly under King Solomon:
The Recorder: A son of Ahilud who served as the chief recorder/annalist, retaining his position from the reign of King David.
The Deputy: A son of Paruah who served as one of Solomon's 12 district governors, responsible for supplying the royal household with food for one month of the year.
The last king of the northern Kingdom of Israel after the split was Hoshea (son of Elah). He ruled from approximately 732 to 723 BCE. His reign ended when the Assyrian Empire conquered the kingdom and destroyed the capital city of Samaria, sending the population into exile. The last king of the southern Kingdom of Judah (after both kingdoms were eventually conquered) was Zedekiah, whose reign ended in 586 BCE with the Babylonian exile.
Want to know more about King Hoshea's alliance with Egypt, the details of the Assyrian siege of Samaria, or the history of the "Ten Lost Tribes of Israel"? Research and diligent constant study is necessary for anyone to truly achieve an accurate understanding of what many have dismissed as "fairytales".
King Hoshea’s decision to withhold tribute and forge a secret alliance with Egypt triggered the catastrophic Assyrian siege of Samaria by Shalmaneser V in 722 BCE. This three-year siege decimated the Northern Kingdom of Israel, leading to the deportation of the populace and the origin of the "Ten Lost Tribes".
King Hoshea's Alliance with Egypt
The Political Gamble:
King Hoshea, the final king of the Northern Kingdom, sought to break the heavy tribute payments to the Neo-Assyrian Empire. He secretly sent envoys to Pharaoh "So" of Egypt (likely Osorkon IV) in an attempt to form a military alliance against Assyria.
The Aftermath:
This rebellion failed. The Assyrian king discovered the conspiracy, arrested Hoshea, and stripped Israel of its independence.
The Assyrian Siege of SamariaThe Assault (722 BCE):
Assyrian forces under King Shalmaneser V marched on Samaria, the capital city, after Hoshea stopped paying tribute. The heavily fortified city managed to hold out for roughly three years.
Conquest and Deportation:
After the city fell, the Assyrians (later under Sargon II) exiled a massive portion of the Israelite population to distant regions within the empire. The displaced peoples were resettled in Halah, Gozan, and the cities of the Medes.
Resettlement:
According to biblical and historical accounts, the Assyrians then imported foreigners from their other conquered territories to repopulate the land, creating the basis for the Samaritan population.
The "Ten Lost Tribes of Israel"
The Exiled Tribes:
The ten tribes that constituted the Northern Kingdom—Reuben, Simeon, Dan, Naphtali, Gad, Asher, Issachar, Zebulun, Ephraim, and Manasseh—were lost to the historical and biblical record as a distinct, unified entity following the Assyrian deportation.
Historical Theories:
While the prevailing historical opinion is that the exiled populations gradually assimilated into the local cultures of Mesopotamia and the Median Empire, many cultural groups claim descent from them.
Cultural Claims:
Various communities worldwide, including the Bene Israel of India, the Beta Israel of Ethiopia, and the Lemba people in Southern Africa, have traditions, genetic markers, or historical narratives tracing back to the ancient Israelites.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ten_Lost_Tribes
Save as a bookmark (requires login) Write a comment (requires login) Send as email Print textGood Ole Tim Carbone --- A great Americana Fiddler of many talents
No Simple Road
Written 2026-07-11I came across this interview while reminiscing our own experiences with Tim. We were privileged to get to know him a little bit during our time as Hobos fans. We had the honor to take him to lunch and party with him New Year's Eve at The A Loft in Asheville North Carolina. He is an extremely talented musician, producer from Pennsylvania who has played for the Dali Lama and practices Buddhism.
https://www.osirispod.com/episode/no-simple-road-tim-carbone-of-railroad-earth-livin-life/
Save as a bookmark (requires login) Write a comment (requires login) Send as email Print text.....are cunningly deceptive. But they don't fool me. The games they play do not impress me. The aim of the attempted poetry pot shots missed the intended mark, bouncing right off into the mud swamp.
Masters of Malevolence
Written 2026-07-11So Yeah, Mick and others....I think "ALL HELL IS BLOOMING NOW" for many in this world.
Everyone gets a turn at a whiff of it. Some "weather" it better than others and... peeps like you I see right through.
Diary Diarrhea, let me put my mask on and join in the Poetbay Charades?
Oh, but I can't, this pickled poo is too deep for my short stature, a poetess of nobody-ness.
I do know the appropriate relevance though, of use of Incognito and blocking tactics. which many primarily use because of perceived threat to employment and careers and protect from biases.. Yes, the past may come back to haunt you. But these tactics are not magic shields. Unlike a tattoo, a trail left on the internet is not as easy as it seems to get rid of when no longer wanted. And human nature tends to remember the one bad thing, forgetting or forgoing the wellspring of good things. But, unfortunately, they are often used as defenses both legitimate and as a psychological, weaponized aberration. It does not effect me, though. These are folks that lack communication skills and have a suppressed low self-esteem that they override with a good dose of unhealthy narcissism. These types are obsessed with this need.There are some individuals I hope to never talk to again and want nothing to do with, short of an apology. I feel it is due but know it will never come, their pride is too great. This site tolerates ad hominems, apparently, depending on who you are and what power of control they weild here. My vent is finished. And it matters not if anyone reads this--
I will walk my path until the clock time is finished--
God will determine when that is....
My soul is telling me not yet-- because I know HIS PURPOSE for me HAS NOT YET BEEN FULLFILLED because I did not have God's Compass in my Hand previously. I had been living in deception. I just want the TRUTH, if I can find it. I'm not giving up.
PS- Rich people are just as responsible in providing food for the poor, as rich people are responsible for causing their starvation. The truth, though, is much more complicated than these simplistic statements, a post for another time.
Life is wondrously shaped. It is amazing that my youngest son is still friends with Elvis.
Not the famous Elvis, but our next door neighbor whose parents immigrated to the United States from South Africa. A beautiful family and I still remain connected. I talked with now grown up Elvis on the phone when he had recently reconnected with Robbie. You know what he said? "I will always remember you, Mrs. Arnold, with great respect and fondness, but what I remember the most is "you always fed us good food and treats!" Some of those biblical words translated "love" actually mean "generosity" and "charity". It is what our Lord wants us to do-- and practice with a cheerful heart. It is what authentic Christians are supposed to do and without bragging about it. Revelation of my own memories past......is for: should I forget. It's not bragging. What I believe, I practice and it is manifest in visual evidence that strengthens the confidence of those beliefs.
I love everyone. Your religion, if different, does not cause me to dislike or hate anyone that believes differently. And more than anything, men have no right to destroy other men--
Especially over "religion".
Save as a bookmark (requires login) Write a comment (requires login) Send as email Print textThe war and more....crazy world
When Pinball was banned
Written 2026-07-11https://youtu.be/q4k8bF7cQn4?is=Gk6JrDblg-QgrMZe
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I am NOT Old and in the way.....but I am on my way....I feel renewed for this year 72
OnThe Way
Written 2026-07-10And that is why we are off to a new adventure. RJ's basketball camp and tournament finished up today. It makes my heart glow that he was chosen [again] as MVP and his team also won the conference. I'm currently traveling from Kerr Lake back to Goldsboro where we will celebrate tonight.
Save as a bookmark (requires login) Write a comment (requires login) Send as email Print textI recently had a dream of my mother who passed in 2012. She seemed so real until I tried to hug her. She disintegrated just like the images in this video. Our oldest was a punk rocker for awhile.
"Fear Inoculum"
Written 2026-07-10Tool "Fear Inoculum"
https://youtu.be/vhQ2g2mEtMI?is=rRUgGry8x4lyof6j
Save as a bookmark (requires login) Write a comment (requires login) Send as email Print textI lived on The Outer Banks in 1978 at Kitty Hawk Beach. Sea Level is one of my favorite bands.
Living In A Dream Sea Level 1978
Written 2026-07-10Living In A Dream Sea Level 1978
https://youtu.be/bWbmlQIfuDg?is=XmI0un1_oRL7a1SO
Save as a bookmark (requires login) Write a comment (requires login) Send as email Print textNeil Young Cortez The Killer
https://youtu.be/uX9k9aoX6gk?is=oRYKjmREY_07RYsY
Cortez the Killer
Written 2026-07-09Pardon My Heart
https://youtu.be/R8EvfNeSpJU?is=OR68obrSlm5bhVNH
Danger Bird
https://youtu.be/zqkXt1R8c6c?is=pWrOqqEezTXyKfZJ
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