While we’re talking of things inaugural, I found this interesting from the Pew Forum on Religion and Public Life: the religious affiliations of all 44 presidents of the United States.

The list is dominated by Protestants, and of those, Episcopalians and Presbyterians claim the highest numbers. President Obama is listed as a member of the United Church of Christ, but, as we all know, he’s actually currently in between churches.

So, we could put him on a list that includes a whole lot of us, religiously affiliated or not: seeker.

A bagpipe in Jewish culture credit: www.hotpipes.com

Tyree is a Scottish name, one I married into, and also Scottish is the maiden name of my paternal grandmother, MacLean.

The windy Isle of Tiree, the outermost of Scotland’s Inner Hebrides, is mighty close to the Isle of Mull, the seat of the MacLean Clan.

I questioned MacLean Clan historian Detta MacLean when I took on the Tyree name and she said my new husband was probably a MacLean. “I grew up on Mull and knew everyone on Tiree. They are all MacLeans!”

Detta MacLean’s point might be a stretch, but it’s very Scottish thinking. Very clannish.

As it happens, the Scots have a good deal in common with the Jews, according to Duncan A. Bruce, author of the 1996 history, The Mark of the Scots. And the parallels, taken together, have landed these two groups a good deal of trouble throughout the ages. Take a look at…