Hennen's Observer

by Brandon Hennen

 Pittsburgh Pennsylvania - “They’re all over the place and they’ve all been pretty friendly ” said the woman at the bar. She spoke to the bartender and anyone else listening about half a dozen patrons. She was referencing the “furries ” as they’ve come to be called. The furries had come to downtown Pittsburgh for the largest gathering of its kind in the world, a convention known as Anthrocon. There actually is no unified definition of what constitutes a furry. Indeed, even the furries themselves cannot agree upon one, as I would soon discover.

by Joshua Hennen

"First you will experience progressive relaxation " the past life regression therapist explained to our small group. Her tone was calming as she described what our bodily responses would likely be to hypnosis. She continued "There will be changes in your breathing it will become more shallow. You may have dryness of mouth and your lips and eyes will have a tendency to quiver." Her maternal instincts and assurances that she would guarantee our safety while in the hypnotic state were most comforting.

by Joshua Hennen

PRINCEVILLE North Carolina - Main Street in this small town of about 2 000 people is paved but resembles a quiltwork of patches and potholes. That’s just fine with residents, however. The road is in the process of being widened and the bridge over the Tar River (which river forms the town’s northern boundary) is being replaced. Main street will be repaved soon enough.

During my recent visit there, I had the opportunity to speak with Enoch Armfield and his mother, Annie Armfield, both long time residents. As Enoch surveyed Main Street from his porch he said, “That flood was the best thing that ever happened to this town.” And indeed, many townsfolk would tend to agree with him.

by Joshua Hennen

NEW ORLEANS Louisiana -  One of the many traditions of Louisiana is the “spiritual churches” of New Orleans.  While I’ve heard of these folks worshipping in their own way I have never actually seen them in action until recently.  I soon discovered that their worship consisted of a mixture of Protestantism, Catholicism, African folk traditions, and Spiritism.  In other words, it is truly unique.

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As I stood at my pew in anxious confusion, I wondered whether I would be expected to take part in the odd ceremony unfolding before me.  The parishioners had proceeded to crowd into the center aisle of the small church, forming a disorderly line from the lectern at the front all the way to the exit doors in the back.