On this day of giving thanks I thank the earth and the natural universe.
Thank you for the sunrise, for the morning breeze, for the cry of the crows, for howl of the cyotes, for the rain, for the lightning and thunder, for the critters crawling in the fallen leaves, for the skeletons of the trees on winter horizon, for clear blue sky on cool winter days, for the sunset, for the moonlight, for the night sky with stars sparkling bringht. Thank you the few that care to protect and preserve what is so fragile. Thank you.
Thursday, November 25, 2004
Sunday, November 21, 2004
A well planned war.............
From the NT Times on 11/16/04
- QUOTATION OF THE DAY -
"I've done my time. I've got a brand new baby and a wife, and I haven't touched the controls of an aircraft in seven years. I'm 47 years old. How could they be calling me? How could they even want me?"
- RICK HOWELL, former Army helicopter pilot.
Well this sounds like a well planned war. We are running out of young soldiers to kill in a pointless, needless and unjustified war. Now more people will die for a cause that no one understands, except now they will be men and women in their mid forties that have families and often business dependent on them. So we will destroy not just the best of a young generation, but a mid generation that is building the future. I hope everybody who voted for Dubja is seeing the consequences of their actions. Thank you very much. Four more years of misery being inflicted on our nation. Just what we needed.
- QUOTATION OF THE DAY -
"I've done my time. I've got a brand new baby and a wife, and I haven't touched the controls of an aircraft in seven years. I'm 47 years old. How could they be calling me? How could they even want me?"
- RICK HOWELL, former Army helicopter pilot.
Well this sounds like a well planned war. We are running out of young soldiers to kill in a pointless, needless and unjustified war. Now more people will die for a cause that no one understands, except now they will be men and women in their mid forties that have families and often business dependent on them. So we will destroy not just the best of a young generation, but a mid generation that is building the future. I hope everybody who voted for Dubja is seeing the consequences of their actions. Thank you very much. Four more years of misery being inflicted on our nation. Just what we needed.
Sunny Sunday morning
I walked Dakota this morning, like I do most days. It was beautiful outside. Cool with a light breeze occasionally. It was foggy and grey. It was wet. Very wet. It has been raining for days. The creek that runs through the golf course has aspirations of being a river. You can hear it from a distance. Talking loudly about it's new found vigor and size. Rushing over the rocks. It must enjoy itself because it will not last. Soon it will be a trickling creek again.
Texans amaze me. When it is outrageously hot in summer they are all outside, getting sun burnt and suffering in the heat. Then, at the first sign of cooler, wet weather they hide indoors by a fire. This is a great time to be outside and enjoying the cool soft fall day. There is one lonely golfer on the golf course. One guy enjoying being outside. Feeling the easy grey fog on his skin. His hair getting damp as he walks the course. No one to slow him down except himself. If this was somewhere in Europe, England specifically there would be masses of people about enjoying the day. Some would be having picnics. Others walking about in a garden somewhere. Many would be playing football or golf.
The squirrels are bounding around finding the last scraps of food to hide away for the winter that never really comes in Texas, but instinct will prevail.
It is a sunny day in my mind. Every day is to be enjoyed. It is in your mind that you choose to enjoy it or not. The earth is always beautiful, you just have to see it. Go out and look for it, you will find it.
Texans amaze me. When it is outrageously hot in summer they are all outside, getting sun burnt and suffering in the heat. Then, at the first sign of cooler, wet weather they hide indoors by a fire. This is a great time to be outside and enjoying the cool soft fall day. There is one lonely golfer on the golf course. One guy enjoying being outside. Feeling the easy grey fog on his skin. His hair getting damp as he walks the course. No one to slow him down except himself. If this was somewhere in Europe, England specifically there would be masses of people about enjoying the day. Some would be having picnics. Others walking about in a garden somewhere. Many would be playing football or golf.
The squirrels are bounding around finding the last scraps of food to hide away for the winter that never really comes in Texas, but instinct will prevail.
It is a sunny day in my mind. Every day is to be enjoyed. It is in your mind that you choose to enjoy it or not. The earth is always beautiful, you just have to see it. Go out and look for it, you will find it.
Sunday, November 14, 2004
A gay irony
In the recent weeks there have been several reports about the polar ice cap melting due to the greenhouse effect and the consequential global warming. Also reported was the sharp decrease in numbers of male species of fish in rivers and the increased presence of female hormones in the male fish as a consequence of the many different pollutants we dump into the rivers. Both these effects are a direct consequence of our incessant consumption and mindless dumping of pollutants into the air and the water. Man is truly a mindless beast when taken a group. Small pockets try to do the right thing, but they are but a small squeak in the roar of disregard and arrogant selfish action by the masses in search of riches and personal wealth.
The beautiful irony of this is that the some of the centers of pollution and heartland of resistance to anti-pollution action like Florida and Texas may suffer the most from the global warming. As the oceans rise 3 feet over the next 10 years many coastal cities in these states will find themselves under threat. They will no doubt demand that the government magically fix it. Probably still unwilling to accept or recognize the consequences of their own greed and mindless actions. One forecast has Austin Texas becoming a sea front city. That would mean that Houston, the center of oil greed will be under the ocean. What a wonderful consequence.
The second irony may be a little harder to fathom for the bible bashing heartland in these states. It would appear that the long term use of detergents and many other pollutants we are pumping into our rivers is effectively creating a massive population of hormone unbalanced animals, i.e. making a gay world. I know this is a stretch, but it is very amusing that the same people that demand we all be Christians and believe what they believe, and condemn people for being born gay, are also the same people that don't think pollution is a problem. Would it not be wonderful if we can prove that the increasing gay population is directly correlated to the increased pollution of the water and air and hence the entire food chain! It would be the ultimate comeuppance for these mindless morons.
The beautiful irony of this is that the some of the centers of pollution and heartland of resistance to anti-pollution action like Florida and Texas may suffer the most from the global warming. As the oceans rise 3 feet over the next 10 years many coastal cities in these states will find themselves under threat. They will no doubt demand that the government magically fix it. Probably still unwilling to accept or recognize the consequences of their own greed and mindless actions. One forecast has Austin Texas becoming a sea front city. That would mean that Houston, the center of oil greed will be under the ocean. What a wonderful consequence.
The second irony may be a little harder to fathom for the bible bashing heartland in these states. It would appear that the long term use of detergents and many other pollutants we are pumping into our rivers is effectively creating a massive population of hormone unbalanced animals, i.e. making a gay world. I know this is a stretch, but it is very amusing that the same people that demand we all be Christians and believe what they believe, and condemn people for being born gay, are also the same people that don't think pollution is a problem. Would it not be wonderful if we can prove that the increasing gay population is directly correlated to the increased pollution of the water and air and hence the entire food chain! It would be the ultimate comeuppance for these mindless morons.
Sunday, November 07, 2004
Remember Remember
Remember Remember
“Remember Remember the 5th of November”. This is the opening line of a children’s rhyme in Great Britain. It recalls the occasion of thwarting an attempted assassination of the entire British Parliament by Guy Fawkes. Fortunately for all someone gave authorities a tip and he was caught red-handed and the attempt stopped. Guy Fawkes day is not commemorated by fireworks displays on November 5th each year.
This year I had my own fireworks. We finally managed to make a trip back to our beloved Colorado. More specifically, our ranch in southern Colorado in the foothills of Rockies, near Spanish Peaks. We were rewarded by a stunning sunset over Spanish Peaks on Friday evening. We watched for an hour as the sun slowly crept behind the horizon and the light played on the clouds. Each beam of light adding color to the clouds, constantly changing hues and intensity. Turning the clouds the richest pink as the hovered over the peaks. It looked like colored cotton wool stuck to the blue sky above the majestic mountain.
We followed this up in the morning on Saturday with a rich roar of color as the sun rose across the eastern plains of Colorado bringing fresh life to all around us. The eastern sky was warm and intense. The first light on Spanish Peaks was soft and warm, with hints of pink. A rich glow bathed the mountain peaks. The grey clouds offering a perfect backdrop to the pink light on the snow capped peaks. As we watched, the light played on the contours of the mountains. The shadows moving quietly as the morning light chased them around valleys and outcrops on the side of the mountains. The nooks and crannies of the mountain being exposed and hidden in a matter of minutes as the light changed with the rising sun.
It was 31 degrees outside as we took photographs. We did not feel the cold. We were warmed by the show nature was putting on for us. We were alone on a hilltop in the foothills. No one else stirred. We could hear deer breaking branches of trees as the moved around nearby. We had watched them for a while on Friday evening. Curious guys, they were. They slowly moved toward us coming with 30 feet or so, before deciding that was close enough. They moved away again, disappearing into the trees and shrub. A rabbit ran across the road ahead of us, disappearing as quickly as he had appeared in the first place. He did not hang around for friendly chat.
As we hiked around the hills and creeks we could see the tracks of the many animals that we share our land with. Deer and Elk. We also saw the tracks of a medium sized cat. We did not see the cat, but his tracks were clear in the snow and mud. He was tracking the deer. Maybe he caught his quarry. We did not see if he did. He is welcome to share of piece of serenity. Our serenity in Colorado. In the foothills of the majestic Rockies.
We drove back to Texas later on Saturday. We briefly passed through the north eastern tip of New Mexico. The colors of the grasslands and rock outcrops, while muted, showed a wide variety of color from a soft yellow to deep reddish brown. Unfortunately we were back in Texas before we knew what hit us. It is amazing how drab Texas looks compared to Colorado and New Mexico. It is truly flat and featureless, both in terrain and color. The only relief is spotting a red tailed hawk swooping in for a snack. Texas has been said to belong to the devil. Well if anybody actually wants it, he is welcome to it, should he exist. I suspect however, that our imagined nemesis does not want it either. What would he do there with all those Bible toting zealots? They do belong here. They once again made sure that our dear friend Dubja got re-elected and since they live in this barren wasteland I now understand why. What is there to protect. It is covered in oil wells and rigs where ever you go. They do not understand what he is doing to our earth. Causing irreparable harm that may never be repaired. At least not in my lifetime.
Well we are home again now. We yearn for Colorado and the mountains. At least we have our memories and photographs to look back on in moments of quiet desperation. This is what we dream of and live for.
Remember Remember the 5th of November. Yes I will, everyday, walking on the clays of Colorado, skirting through the brush on the hills, breathing the cool brisk clean air. Watching the light play hide and seek with the mountains. Happy and serene.
“Remember Remember the 5th of November”. This is the opening line of a children’s rhyme in Great Britain. It recalls the occasion of thwarting an attempted assassination of the entire British Parliament by Guy Fawkes. Fortunately for all someone gave authorities a tip and he was caught red-handed and the attempt stopped. Guy Fawkes day is not commemorated by fireworks displays on November 5th each year.
This year I had my own fireworks. We finally managed to make a trip back to our beloved Colorado. More specifically, our ranch in southern Colorado in the foothills of Rockies, near Spanish Peaks. We were rewarded by a stunning sunset over Spanish Peaks on Friday evening. We watched for an hour as the sun slowly crept behind the horizon and the light played on the clouds. Each beam of light adding color to the clouds, constantly changing hues and intensity. Turning the clouds the richest pink as the hovered over the peaks. It looked like colored cotton wool stuck to the blue sky above the majestic mountain.
We followed this up in the morning on Saturday with a rich roar of color as the sun rose across the eastern plains of Colorado bringing fresh life to all around us. The eastern sky was warm and intense. The first light on Spanish Peaks was soft and warm, with hints of pink. A rich glow bathed the mountain peaks. The grey clouds offering a perfect backdrop to the pink light on the snow capped peaks. As we watched, the light played on the contours of the mountains. The shadows moving quietly as the morning light chased them around valleys and outcrops on the side of the mountains. The nooks and crannies of the mountain being exposed and hidden in a matter of minutes as the light changed with the rising sun.
It was 31 degrees outside as we took photographs. We did not feel the cold. We were warmed by the show nature was putting on for us. We were alone on a hilltop in the foothills. No one else stirred. We could hear deer breaking branches of trees as the moved around nearby. We had watched them for a while on Friday evening. Curious guys, they were. They slowly moved toward us coming with 30 feet or so, before deciding that was close enough. They moved away again, disappearing into the trees and shrub. A rabbit ran across the road ahead of us, disappearing as quickly as he had appeared in the first place. He did not hang around for friendly chat.
As we hiked around the hills and creeks we could see the tracks of the many animals that we share our land with. Deer and Elk. We also saw the tracks of a medium sized cat. We did not see the cat, but his tracks were clear in the snow and mud. He was tracking the deer. Maybe he caught his quarry. We did not see if he did. He is welcome to share of piece of serenity. Our serenity in Colorado. In the foothills of the majestic Rockies.
We drove back to Texas later on Saturday. We briefly passed through the north eastern tip of New Mexico. The colors of the grasslands and rock outcrops, while muted, showed a wide variety of color from a soft yellow to deep reddish brown. Unfortunately we were back in Texas before we knew what hit us. It is amazing how drab Texas looks compared to Colorado and New Mexico. It is truly flat and featureless, both in terrain and color. The only relief is spotting a red tailed hawk swooping in for a snack. Texas has been said to belong to the devil. Well if anybody actually wants it, he is welcome to it, should he exist. I suspect however, that our imagined nemesis does not want it either. What would he do there with all those Bible toting zealots? They do belong here. They once again made sure that our dear friend Dubja got re-elected and since they live in this barren wasteland I now understand why. What is there to protect. It is covered in oil wells and rigs where ever you go. They do not understand what he is doing to our earth. Causing irreparable harm that may never be repaired. At least not in my lifetime.
Well we are home again now. We yearn for Colorado and the mountains. At least we have our memories and photographs to look back on in moments of quiet desperation. This is what we dream of and live for.
Remember Remember the 5th of November. Yes I will, everyday, walking on the clays of Colorado, skirting through the brush on the hills, breathing the cool brisk clean air. Watching the light play hide and seek with the mountains. Happy and serene.
Thursday, November 04, 2004
Jesus is the answer?
I saw a bumper sticker yesterday that got me thinking, on what was my day of mourning for my country. It said "Jesus is the answer". My immediate thought "was "what is the question?". Since it is stated so boldly, that Jesus is the answer, one must presume that Jesus is the answer to all questions, regardless of subject.
Well this is really cool, a single amswer to all possible questions in the world. That is rather simplistic and naive to say the least. All I can say that folks who go through the world with such a simplistic and brainless attitude are in trouble. I will state categorically that Jesus is not the answer. He is not fixing world hunger, creating world peace (which is an idle dream of course), he is not stopping our bible punching president from destroying out environment, he is not stopping people from robbing, raping, killing and generally behaving in unsocial ways.
The issues are much greater than such a simple minded view. The more I see what many people view as their philosophy and world view, the more I understand why we are in so much trouble around the world. So many people now have this religious based simplistic answer to all their issues, so that do not actually give real thought to the issues, they just slap a slogan on the question and ignore it.
Yes, my friends, Jesus is not the answer to all question, not by a long shot.
Well this is really cool, a single amswer to all possible questions in the world. That is rather simplistic and naive to say the least. All I can say that folks who go through the world with such a simplistic and brainless attitude are in trouble. I will state categorically that Jesus is not the answer. He is not fixing world hunger, creating world peace (which is an idle dream of course), he is not stopping our bible punching president from destroying out environment, he is not stopping people from robbing, raping, killing and generally behaving in unsocial ways.
The issues are much greater than such a simple minded view. The more I see what many people view as their philosophy and world view, the more I understand why we are in so much trouble around the world. So many people now have this religious based simplistic answer to all their issues, so that do not actually give real thought to the issues, they just slap a slogan on the question and ignore it.
Yes, my friends, Jesus is not the answer to all question, not by a long shot.
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