tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2611890019247407732024-02-07T22:35:00.127-08:00Poetry & IdeasPresentation of ideas in either poetry or prose, comments on the world we live in.Troy Parker Farrhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15760737003730344118noreply@blogger.comBlogger55125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-261189001924740773.post-75814388820424016252009-08-06T22:25:00.001-07:002009-08-06T22:25:01.036-07:00Nuttall's-woodpecker-family_K<div style="float: right; margin-left: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/mikebaird/512736861/" title="photo sharing"><img src="http://farm1.static.flickr.com/222/512736861_769f2bbcc1_m.jpg" alt="" style="border: solid 2px #000000;" /></a><br /><span style="font-size: 0.9em; margin-top: 0px;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/mikebaird/512736861/">Nuttall's-woodpecker-family_K</a><br />Originally uploaded by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/people/mikebaird/">mikebaird</a></span></div>I love this family picture by Mike Baird. How often do we get to see something like this brought in so close, and lighted well enough so we see it as if we were right there? Congratulations to MIke Baird.<br clear="all" />Troy Parker Farrhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15760737003730344118noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-261189001924740773.post-44874817749576681882009-07-13T22:20:00.001-07:002009-07-13T22:20:08.965-07:00Watching Me<div style="float: right; margin-left: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/kclama/507029466/" title="photo sharing"><img src="http://farm1.static.flickr.com/191/507029466_8a9780be1c_m.jpg" alt="" style="border: solid 2px #000000;" /></a><br /><span style="font-size: 0.9em; margin-top: 0px;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/kclama/507029466/">Watching Me</a><br />Originally uploaded by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/people/kclama/">CharlesLam</a></span></div>I'm not familiar with a "saw." But what a cute bird! It was uploaded to Flickr by Charles Lam. Nice.<br clear="all" />Troy Parker Farrhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15760737003730344118noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-261189001924740773.post-81861531625066021502009-06-23T22:29:00.001-07:002009-06-23T22:29:42.563-07:00eagle<div style="float: right; margin-left: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/jpockele/527955596/" title="photo sharing"><img src="http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1186/527955596_f274b37df5_m.jpg" alt="" style="border: solid 2px #000000;" /></a><br /><span style="font-size: 0.9em; margin-top: 0px;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/jpockele/527955596/">eagle</a><br />Originally uploaded by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/people/jpockele/">jpockele</a></span></div>I presume this is a golden eagle. Isn't it beautiful? What a majestic look! I don't know how jpockele, the photographer, got so close. Wonderful.<br clear="all" />Troy Parker Farrhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15760737003730344118noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-261189001924740773.post-31498975169770054052009-06-11T22:20:00.000-07:002009-06-11T23:24:43.975-07:00Reacting to HatredI am thinking about the shooting at the Holocaust Museum, and the hatred expressed by the shooter, not only in his action, but also in some of the documents investigators found among his things. How sad. I am also pondering the reactions to that act, some of which were reasoned, and some of which were also hateful. And that, too, is sad, because if we respond with hate to a hateful act, then aren't we descending to the level of the original hater?<br /><br />It's hard not to feel anger towards people who put their hate into action by harming others, and yet, someone has to be able to rise above the tit for tat mentality, and to resist returning hate for hate. If I deplore acts of hate, then isn't it my responsibility to find another better, wiser way to react to wrong-doing? This must be what Ghandi was about, or Martin Luther King. It takes great courage to resist what is wrong without hatred or violence.<br /><br />I couldn't fault the other guard, the one who shot Van Brunn--he was doing his job, doing what he had been taught to do. But for the rest of us, could we find another way? We can look at the world of the past and the world of today and see that violent action, whether by a person or state, seldom settles anything permanently, or improves the world in any lasting way. Violence creates more violence, and more Von Brunns full of hate. Every battle won sows seeds of hatred to engender battles for the next generation.<br /><br />We now have such ridiculously deadly weapons at our disposal that if we continue these endless cycles of wars and hatred, we'll destroy both ourselves and our planet. It seems so stupid. Surely we can think of a better way to settle differences, both small and large. If we are ingenious enough to dream up and develop these awful weapons, can't we use our intelligence to find ways for the world to agree with itself?Troy Parker Farrhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15760737003730344118noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-261189001924740773.post-63479187373558301172009-06-07T22:23:00.000-07:002009-06-07T22:25:35.920-07:00About SanteetlahAfter I got the picture of the sunset below, I did some checking and found out Santeetlah is in North Carolina.Troy Parker Farrhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15760737003730344118noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-261189001924740773.post-27333060055695992762009-06-06T22:11:00.001-07:002015-01-12T16:53:02.431-08:00santeetlah sunset<div style="float: right; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 10px;">
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Troy Parker Farrhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15760737003730344118noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-261189001924740773.post-50691599409746935052009-04-26T16:19:00.000-07:002009-04-26T16:32:58.153-07:00I'm Painting AgainAfter not having painted for quite a while, I am painting again. I have started a new blog, "Unblocked Artist." I have posted three paintings there and will be posting more. There is a link on this page to the new art blog.<br /><br />My son, Bill Jameson, is very ill in the hospital with pneumonia. Please pray for him if you are inclined to pray. Thank you.Troy Parker Farrhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15760737003730344118noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-261189001924740773.post-3257064126883195302009-02-03T22:08:00.001-08:002009-08-04T11:29:47.150-07:00Blue Jay from Flickr<div style="float: right; margin-left: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/wjklos/512893774/" title="photo sharing"><img src="http://farm1.static.flickr.com/217/512893774_8731c04c5f_m.jpg" alt="" style="border: solid 2px #000000;" /></a><br /><span style="font-size: 0.9em; margin-top: 0px;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/wjklos/512893774/">Blue Jay Set #3</a><br />Originally uploaded by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/people/wjklos/">wjklos</a></span></div>Here in California, our Blue Jays don't look like this, as to color and markings, but they look exactly like this, as to body language, when they are being sassy. They make me laugh all the time. If you give them peanuts in a shell, they shake it to find out if it's good. If it's not, they drop it, and wait for another. If you don't give them one, you're likely to get a loud protesting squawk. They look just like this Blue Jay. How they decide if the peanuts in the shell are good, I have no idea, but they know, and they can't be fooled with an old musty peanut.<br clear="all" />Troy Parker Farrhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15760737003730344118noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-261189001924740773.post-86304125879534574452009-01-06T20:56:00.000-08:002009-01-06T22:00:51.943-08:00Getting Old--It Can Be FunToday, I am 90! I remember when I was young, wondering how long I would live and what it would be like. The thought of being in my seventies seemed beyond the pale. As for 90, I never thought I would make it. But here I am, healthy, and much happier than I was in younger years. Now I know who I am and like it. I write every day, paint every day, and walk every day.<br /><br />So this seems like the time to reassure those who fear getting old that it can be the best time of your life. The competition of youth is gone; people's expectations become more benign and generous; and you have time to pay attention to all the interesting and beautiful things you previously ignored. You can think about things that have always eluded you. You can be nicer to people. You can look at oddities of other people with an understanding heart.<br /><br />I encourage anyone who is beginning to panic at signs of aging and at the thought of getting old, to take a different look. You have had the experience of being young. Now you are gradually moving toward experiences that are different, but not necessarily any less enjoyable. You don't have to deteriorate or fall apart. You can find new things to be interested in and do. You can make new friends. There are so many possibilities! You can have fun for the rest of your life, if you choose to. Then, whatever the quantity of life you have, the quality of it will be good.<br /><br />I had a time when I wasn't walking and had a problem with weight. I was out of energy, and life seemed frustrating. Not being able to get into my largest pants was finally a wake-up call. In some of my future blogs, I will tell you what I did to change things, stabilize my weight, and get my energy and my joy in life back again.<br /><br />I wish everyone an active, creative, and happy life in their sixties, seventies, and beyond.Troy Parker Farrhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15760737003730344118noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-261189001924740773.post-18592775500235921902009-01-04T12:54:00.001-08:002009-01-04T12:54:29.931-08:00Gray Catbird<div style="float: right; margin-left: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/kubina/524809187/" title="photo sharing"><img src="http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1001/524809187_242b242453_m.jpg" alt="" style="border: solid 2px #000000;" /></a><br /><span style="font-size: 0.9em; margin-top: 0px;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/kubina/524809187/">Gray Catbird</a><br />Originally uploaded by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/people/kubina/">Jeff Kubina</a></span></div>I don't know anything about catbirds, but saw this on Flickr and couldn't resist it.. I'll have to find out more about these birds--don't think I've ever seen one. Or maybe I have and didn't know what it was. Anyway, it's cute!<br clear="all" />Troy Parker Farrhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15760737003730344118noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-261189001924740773.post-16805280264986363702009-01-02T11:49:00.000-08:002009-04-26T16:44:44.954-07:00Autumn in December<span style="font-size:100%;">This year the trees are wild with color<br />Trees that go from green to tan each year<br />Drop their dull dead leaves and stand bare<br />This year are brilliant reds and yellows<br />Explosions of color all over town<br /><br />But this is California in winter<br />Not New England in the fall<br />What brought this opulent display?<br /><br />The early frost perhaps<br />Conferred this gift of color<br />A gift not likely to come again<br />Until some other year of early frost<br />Brings autumn in December<br /></span>Troy Parker Farrhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15760737003730344118noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-261189001924740773.post-29141666137364427062008-12-28T15:36:00.001-08:002015-01-26T17:35:52.443-08:00Barred Owl<div style="float: right; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 10px;">
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Wish I could be as wise as this little guy looks.<br />
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Troy Parker Farrhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15760737003730344118noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-261189001924740773.post-24531018801683219612008-12-21T15:36:00.000-08:002009-04-26T16:36:09.978-07:00My Christmases Have ChangedI didn't send cards this year<br /> Or last year<br /> Or the year before<br /> I used to send them faithfully <br /> To everyone I knew and cared about<br /> It seemed important<br /> To remember them all each year<br /><br />This year, I remember them all<br /> And I miss them<br /> Whose cards were returned in other years<br /> Telling me they had moved<br /> Not to a new address on this planet<br /> But to the mystery<br /> That lies beyond human life<br /><br /> This is the dilemma<br /> That comes with living long<br /><br /> But the good part is<br /> There are new friends<br /> To appreciate and love<br /> New ideas<br /> To make life interesting<br /> And music<br /> To lift the soulTroy Parker Farrhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15760737003730344118noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-261189001924740773.post-58744846088979259052008-12-20T21:57:00.000-08:002008-12-20T22:27:44.224-08:00Where Have I Been?No poems, no posts--shame on me! But I am getting in gear again, and will soon post the rest of the story of Nellie the Night Heron, who made friends with some people in Shell Beach, California.<br /><br />Also, in addition to the rest of the saga of Nellie, I will be back with some pictures and poems and other things. I've been watching Turkey Vultures when I walk on Bob Jones trail, just south of San Luis Obispo. They roost in tall trees at the end of the day, and sometimes, before that, play in the wind currents, soaring for ever so long without even flapping their wings. I used to shudder at the thought of a vulture, but now I see them in a different way. For one thing, they keep the earth clean, and we shouldn't look down on them just because of the unattractiveness of the important niche they fill. Oddly enough, they have mild dispositions, and never kill anything. They just eat things that are already dead. In situations where they have to be under the care of people, they can become very fond of them, and follow them around like a dog.Troy Parker Farrhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15760737003730344118noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-261189001924740773.post-9344748602526066912008-11-21T22:24:00.001-08:002008-11-21T22:24:36.455-08:00Great Blue Heron in flight<div style="float: right; margin-left: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/erica_marshall/584068745/" title="photo sharing"><img src="http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1275/584068745_cc06193dd0_m.jpg" alt="" style="border: solid 2px #000000;" /></a><br /><span style="font-size: 0.9em; margin-top: 0px;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/erica_marshall/584068745/">Great Blue Heron in flight</a><br />Originally uploaded by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/people/erica_marshall/">Erica_Marshall</a></span></div>Isn't this a beautiful sight? I've seen Great Blue Herons often near Laguna Lake in San Luis Obispo, but have never had a chance to get pbotograph, so when I saw this shot by Erica Marshall on Flickr I had to grab it.<br clear="all" />Troy Parker Farrhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15760737003730344118noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-261189001924740773.post-89675556338815191362008-10-02T11:37:00.001-07:002008-10-02T11:37:23.797-07:00I just liked the way it looks<div style="float: right; margin-left: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/davidskitten/537848151/" title="photo sharing"><img src="http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1198/537848151_244c532d42_m.jpg" alt="" style="border: solid 2px #000000;" /></a><br /><span style="font-size: 0.9em; margin-top: 0px;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/davidskitten/537848151/">I just liked the way it looks</a><br />Originally uploaded by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/people/davidskitten/">Catnip Intoxicating</a></span></div>I used to live in Geneva, Illinois, near the Fox River. This is the way the trees looked then from our house. This picture brought it all back to my mind, and caused me to wonder if those magnificent trees could still be there, or has the push of development caused them to be cut down and replaced with houses or condos? As my life unfolded, and I lived in many different places doing different things, the one thing that was always missing was the beauty of those huge elms, and the river in the distance. Part of me is still there.<br clear="all" />Troy Parker Farrhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15760737003730344118noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-261189001924740773.post-59856408623691504322008-08-19T22:42:00.001-07:002008-08-19T22:42:37.146-07:001608c-night-heron-black-crowned-bairdphotos.com<div style="float: right; margin-left: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/mikebaird/223107486/" title="photo sharing"><img src="http://farm1.static.flickr.com/59/223107486_8e0ea60063_m.jpg" alt="" style="border: solid 2px #000000;" /></a><br /><span style="font-size: 0.9em; margin-top: 0px;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/mikebaird/223107486/">1608c-night-heron-black-crowned-bairdphotos.com</a><br />Originally uploaded by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/people/mikebaird/">mikebaird</a></span></div>I've been looking for a good photo of a night heron, and found this on flickr at Mike Baird's site. Perfect view. Mike is such a wonderful photographer. I think I'll paint this. I love it!<br clear="all" />Troy Parker Farrhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15760737003730344118noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-261189001924740773.post-65796139242397635932008-07-19T22:04:00.001-07:002008-07-19T22:04:07.762-07:00a room with a view<div style="float: right; margin-left: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/frank-wouters/540525917/" title="photo sharing"><img src="http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1324/540525917_140456e0fe_m.jpg" alt="" style="border: solid 2px #000000;" /></a><br /><span style="font-size: 0.9em; margin-top: 0px;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/frank-wouters/540525917/">a room with a view</a><br />Originally uploaded by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/people/frank-wouters/">belgianchocolate</a></span></div>I love tigers. They are magnificent. I traveled with a smell circus 2 months out of each year for four years, but it was quite a while ago. In the second year we had wonderful lions and tigers. The woman who had that act was from Poland. Her name was Olga. I asked her how she happened to become an animal trainer. Her face lit up, and she said she knew from the time she was a little girl that that's what she wanted to do.<br /><br />Since she lived in Poland in communist times, she had to go to a state school to learn her life work. Her parents thought she was studying ballet! By the time they found out the truth, it was too late to change. She was very good at her job, and a nice, interesting person. I feel privileged to have known her, as well as her seven lions and six tigers.<br clear="all" />Troy Parker Farrhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15760737003730344118noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-261189001924740773.post-4903825654983969482008-05-25T13:46:00.001-07:002008-05-27T23:04:04.900-07:00Sparrow<div style="float: right; margin-left: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/izzie_whizzie/526565140/" title="photo sharing"><img src="http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1101/526565140_1d66b11419_m.jpg" alt="" style="border: 2px solid rgb(0, 0, 0);" /></a><br /><span style="margin-top: 0px;font-size:0;" ><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/izzie_whizzie/526565140/">Sparrow</a><br />Originally uploaded by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/people/izzie_whizzie/">izzie_whizzie</a></span></div>Just a sparrow, but such a cute one. Back to write tomorrow.<br /><br />Rather than write about this bird, cute as it is, I want to write about the adventures of a truly unusual night heron, named Nellie. So please look below for that post. Thanks.<br /><br />Troy Parker FarrTroy Parker Farrhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15760737003730344118noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-261189001924740773.post-87586530090932498832008-05-21T12:34:00.001-07:002008-05-27T22:58:31.341-07:00The Story of Nellie the Night-Heron<div style="float: right; margin-left: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/sylpics/166228140/" title="photo sharing"><img src="http://farm1.static.flickr.com/64/166228140_bd910d976e_m.jpg" alt="" style="border: 2px solid rgb(0, 0, 0);" /></a><br /><span style="margin-top: 0px;font-size:0;" ><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/sylpics/166228140/">Black-crowned Night-Heron</a><br />Originally uploaded by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/people/sylpics/">Sylpi</a></span></div>I want to tell the story of Nellie the Night Heron. Night Herons are nocturnal birds, active evening, night, and early morning, and seldom seen during the day when they rest in trees.<br /><br />In 2005, in Shell Beach, California (part of Pismo Beach), there were five nesting trees, and several trees occupied by fledglings after they have left the nest and start to fend for themselves. From trees near the bluffs overlooking the ocean, they can survey the tidepools and look for food. It was a difficult year for the fledglings due to unusually high waves and tides, and they had a hard time finding food on the reefs where they normally feed on small tidepool creatures at low tide. At high tide they feed along the high bluffs for rodents, bugs, and frogs, but development along the bluffs has shrunk their feeding places considerably.<br /><br />I<br />These difficulties resulted in the eventual death of all of the 15 fledglings that left the rookery on Morro Street that year, except Nellie.<br /><br />In November, 2005, a resident of Shell Beach, Terry Lilley, a biologist, and his research partner and neighbor, Sue Sloan, observed one of the still remaining night heron fledglings feeding on snails and worms in a neighbor's yard. This was unusual behavior for a night heron, and none of the other fledglings dared to do it, but would watch from nearby rooftops. For a month they watched this behavior, and finally realized the little heron was starving, so they decided to supplement its diet to help keep it alive. They bought night crawlers and threw some out to her every morning as they went on their usual walk with coffee to the beach. They named the heron "Nellie".<br /><br />After a few weeks of morning feedings, they graduated from night crawlers to fish. They gave her one each morning, and she ate it with gusto. They made it a practice to feed her only a small amount in order not to interfere with her normal feeding.<br /><br />Ever since first meeting Nellie three years ago, Terry and Sue have seen her almost every day. Although still a wild bird, she has become their friend in the sense that she interacts freely, and comes very close, sometimes even sitting on them. But she is still living a normal bird life, and in the spring of 2007, had her own three chicks. Interestingly, the chicks don't come close, even when their mother is sitting on a human lap getting a treat. This year, she is again showing her mating colors, and, chances are, will be a mother again in 2008.<br /><br />Nellie was the only fledgling night heron to come down on the ground, the only one to eat worms, and the only one to survive.<br /><br />In the summer of 2006, Andrews Real Estate hired Bunyon Brothers Tree Trimmers to cut down a mature healthy Monterey Pine at the end of Morro Street, the tree used by Nellie and other herons as their nesting and resting place during the day. Both were informed about the nests and the importance of the tree for all the resident herons, and that taking it down would be a violation of the federal Migratory Bird Act. A film crew came and filmed the realtor promising he wouldn't take down the tree, and aired it on KSBY TV News. In spite of his promise, the realtor had the tree trimming company go ahead, and the tree no longer exists. Nellie and all the other herons were dispossessed.<br /><br />Shortly after this, Forister Tree Service cut ten long-term night heron nests out of another tree on Morro Street. Such colony nests are also protected under the Migratory Bird Act even if there are no eggs in them, but that was not enough to stop the destruction. The breeding night herons had to leave the tree when the trimmers showed up, and fled down the street to one of the last remaining trees with heron nests. The tree was on city property, but the home owner living near it squirted the herons and some of the nests out of the tree. <br /><br /><br /> (To be continued.)Troy Parker Farrhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15760737003730344118noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-261189001924740773.post-40998306925374236382008-05-19T13:10:00.001-07:002008-05-19T13:10:05.451-07:00Chirping Carol<div style="float: right; margin-left: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/bogenfreund/526221178/" title="photo sharing"><img src="http://farm1.static.flickr.com/194/526221178_a235e9af4c_m.jpg" alt="" style="border: solid 2px #000000;" /></a><br /><span style="font-size: 0.9em; margin-top: 0px;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/bogenfreund/526221178/">Chirping Carol</a><br />Originally uploaded by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/people/bogenfreund/">bogenfreund</a></span></div>I couldn't resist this. I will add comments later. No time now.<br clear="all" />Troy Parker Farrhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15760737003730344118noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-261189001924740773.post-10442384893022569422008-05-09T21:54:00.000-07:002008-05-09T22:05:30.286-07:00Does God Go to War?<span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family: arial;">How can a leader believe God works through him<br />When he takes his country to war?<br />Does God need wars?<br />Is war God's way of solving problems?<br />Really?<br /><br />War is immoral<br />Preemptive war unthinkable<br />What is it that's unclear to this leader<br />About "Thou shalt not kill"?<br /><br /></span></span>Troy Parker Farrhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15760737003730344118noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-261189001924740773.post-13940884924005005262008-05-09T21:48:00.001-07:002008-05-09T21:48:40.076-07:00My Friendly Neighborhood Falcon<div style="float: right; margin-left: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/spaceritual/607581670/" title="photo sharing"><img src="http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1151/607581670_7c61f9713a_m.jpg" alt="" style="border: solid 2px #000000;" /></a><br /><span style="font-size: 0.9em; margin-top: 0px;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/spaceritual/607581670/">My Friendly Neighborhood Falcon</a><br />Originally uploaded by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/people/spaceritual/">Space Ritual</a></span></div>What an interesting shot! Also by Space Ritual. I think he's located in Canada, maybe Saskatchewan.<br clear="all" />Troy Parker Farrhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15760737003730344118noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-261189001924740773.post-54474959284860843502008-05-09T21:44:00.001-07:002008-05-09T21:44:17.568-07:00What manner of bird is this?Asks Herr Ritual<div style="float: right; margin-left: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/spaceritual/532768327/" title="photo sharing"><img src="http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1260/532768327_bf52490935_m.jpg" alt="" style="border: solid 2px #000000;" /></a><br /><span style="font-size: 0.9em; margin-top: 0px;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/spaceritual/532768327/">What manner of bird is this?Asks Herr Ritual</a><br />Originally uploaded by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/people/spaceritual/">Space Ritual</a></span></div>I'm not sure what this bird is, but he obviously has something to say. This was taken by Space Ritual and uploaded to Flickr. So cute.<br clear="all" />Troy Parker Farrhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15760737003730344118noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-261189001924740773.post-91798370638467535872008-05-07T22:39:00.000-07:002008-05-09T21:38:41.724-07:00WHO ARE WE HELPING?<span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:arial;">If we are all connected<br />Part of the same<br />Then what is war but self-sabotage?<br />What I do to my enemy I do to myself<br />There is no reason big enough<br />To make a war right<br />To ask the young to do things and see things<br />No one should have to do or see<br /><br />How will those who come back be whole again<br />After they have been taught to kill<br />To kill or be killed<br />To accept it as all in a day's work?<br /><br />Today's wars kill more than soldiers<br />Kill the armed and the unarmed<br />Families at meals<br />Teenagers on bikes<br />Vendors in the markets<br />Mothers nursing babies<br />Children at play<br /><br />Think of those faces<br />Looking at you<br />Asking you why<br /><br />What good have we done?<br /><br />War destroys people in more ways<br />Than by bullets or bombs<br />If we who are safe at home<br />Had to spend one day with our soldiers<br />Had to see what they see<br />See what they do<br />We would say stop!<br />Nothing is worth this devastation<br />This savagery<br />This blood.<br /><br />Stop!<br />Just stop<br /></span></span>Troy Parker Farrhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15760737003730344118noreply@blogger.com0