Poetry & Ideas

Nuttall's-woodpecker-family_K

2009-08-06T22:25:00.001-07:00

Nuttall's-woodpecker-family_K
Originally uploaded by mikebaird

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.

Watching Me

2009-07-13T22:20:00.001-07:00

Watching Me
Originally uploaded by CharlesLam

I'm not familiar with a "saw." But what a cute bird! It was uploaded to Flickr by Charles Lam. Nice.

eagle

2009-06-23T22:29:00.001-07:00

eagle
Originally uploaded by jpockele

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.

Reacting to Hatred

2009-06-11T22:20:00.000-07:00

I 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?

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.

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.

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?

About Santeetlah

2009-06-07T22:23:00.000-07:00

After I got the picture of the sunset below, I did some checking and found out Santeetlah is in North Carolina.

santeetlah sunset

2009-06-06T22:11:00.001-07:00

santeetlah sunset
Originally uploaded by lecates

I don't know what or where santeetlah is, but I would love to paint this sunset when I get through with the painting I am working on now--the oaks near where I live.

I'm Painting Again

2009-04-26T16:19:00.000-07:00

After 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.

My son, Bill Jameson, is very ill in the hospital with pneumonia. Please pray for him if you are inclined to pray. Thank you.

Blue Jay from Flickr

2009-02-03T22:08:00.001-08:00

Blue Jay Set #3
Originally uploaded by wjklos

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.

Getting Old--It Can Be Fun

2009-01-06T20:56:00.000-08:00

Today, 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.

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.

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.

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.

I wish everyone an active, creative, and happy life in their sixties, seventies, and beyond.

Gray Catbird

2009-01-04T12:54:00.001-08:00

Gray Catbird
Originally uploaded by Jeff Kubina

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!

Autumn in December

2009-01-02T11:49:00.000-08:00

This year the trees are wild with color
Trees that go from green to tan each year
Drop their dull dead leaves and stand bare
This year are brilliant reds and yellows
Explosions of color all over town

But this is California in winter
Not New England in the fall
What brought this opulent display?

The early frost perhaps
Conferred this gift of color
A gift not likely to come again
Until some other year of early frost
Brings autumn in December

Barred Owl

2008-12-28T15:36:00.001-08:00

Barred Owl
Originally uploaded by Ted Ardley

Wish I could be as wise as this little guy looks. Wonderful shot by Ted Ardley on Flickr.

My Christmases Have Changed

2008-12-21T15:36:00.000-08:00

I didn't send cards this year
Or last year
Or the year before
I used to send them faithfully
To everyone I knew and cared about
It seemed important
To remember them all each year

This year, I remember them all
And I miss them
Whose cards were returned in other years
Telling me they had moved
Not to a new address on this planet
But to the mystery
That lies beyond human life

This is the dilemma
That comes with living long

But the good part is
There are new friends
To appreciate and love
New ideas
To make life interesting
And music
To lift the soul

Where Have I Been?

2008-12-20T21:57:00.000-08:00

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.

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.

Great Blue Heron in flight

2008-11-21T22:24:00.001-08:00

Great Blue Heron in flight
Originally uploaded by Erica_Marshall

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.

I just liked the way it looks

2008-10-02T11:37:00.001-07:00

I just liked the way it looks
Originally uploaded by Catnip Intoxicating

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.

1608c-night-heron-black-crowned-bairdphotos.com

2008-08-19T22:42:00.001-07:00

1608c-night-heron-black-crowned-bairdphotos.com
Originally uploaded by mikebaird

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!

a room with a view

2008-07-19T22:04:00.001-07:00

a room with a view
Originally uploaded by belgianchocolate

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.

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.

Sparrow

2008-05-25T13:46:00.001-07:00

Sparrow
Originally uploaded by izzie_whizzie

Just a sparrow, but such a cute one. Back to write tomorrow.

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.

Troy Parker Farr

The Story of Nellie the Night-Heron

2008-05-21T12:34:00.001-07:00

Black-crowned Night-Heron
Originally uploaded by Sylpi

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.

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.

I
These difficulties resulted in the eventual death of all of the 15 fledglings that left the rookery on Morro Street that year, except Nellie.

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".

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

(To be continued.)

Chirping Carol

2008-05-19T13:10:00.001-07:00

Chirping Carol
Originally uploaded by bogenfreund

I couldn't resist this. I will add comments later. No time now.

Does God Go to War?

2008-05-09T21:54:00.000-07:00

How can a leader believe God works through him
When he takes his country to war?
Does God need wars?
Is war God's way of solving problems?
Really?

War is immoral
Preemptive war unthinkable
What is it that's unclear to this leader
About "Thou shalt not kill"?

My Friendly Neighborhood Falcon

2008-05-09T21:48:00.001-07:00

My Friendly Neighborhood Falcon
Originally uploaded by Space Ritual

What an interesting shot! Also by Space Ritual. I think he's located in Canada, maybe Saskatchewan.

What manner of bird is this?Asks Herr Ritual

2008-05-09T21:44:00.001-07:00

What manner of bird is this?Asks Herr Ritual
Originally uploaded by Space Ritual

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.

WHO ARE WE HELPING?

2008-05-07T22:39:00.000-07:00

If we are all connected
Part of the same
Then what is war but self-sabotage?
What I do to my enemy I do to myself
There is no reason big enough
To make a war right
To ask the young to do things and see things
No one should have to do or see

How will those who come back be whole again
After they have been taught to kill
To kill or be killed
To accept it as all in a day's work?

Today's wars kill more than soldiers
Kill the armed and the unarmed
Families at meals
Teenagers on bikes
Vendors in the markets
Mothers nursing babies
Children at play

Think of those faces
Looking at you
Asking you why

What good have we done?

War destroys people in more ways
Than by bullets or bombs
If we who are safe at home
Had to spend one day with our soldiers
Had to see what they see
See what they do
We would say stop!
Nothing is worth this devastation
This savagery
This blood.

Stop!
Just stop

King of the Beach

2008-05-06T21:33:00.001-07:00

King of the Beach
Originally uploaded by brunkfordbraun

I am so sad to report that three elephant seals on the beach at San Simeon were shot and killed this last weekend. I can't imagine why anyone would want to kill such an animal. They don't bother anyone, and are so interesting to watch that people come from all over the world to see them.

These animals used to be hunted for their blubber, and in the early 1900s were thought to be extinct, but there were a few left on an island off Baja California. Present day elephant seals are descended from that group. They began to appear on the beaches in the San Simeon area in the late 1990s. The growing rookery was visible from Highway 1, and began to attract the attention of passersby, sometimes even causing traffic jams as people stopped to look.

Now California State Parks owns the land, and wardens and rangers patrol there regularly. Docents provide information to visitors. There are barriers there to keep people from bothering the elephant seals, or vice versa, and a parking lot has been created for interested travelers in order to prevent traffic jams.

A friend and I went up to San Simeon a couple of months ago on a cold, windy, wet day. We were shivering as we approached the fence and saw hundreds of big blubbery bodies laid out on the beach basking in the horrible weather. Only an elephant seal could have enjoyed it.

As we were leaving, we saw a seal out of the enclosure and in the ditch along Highway 1. We wondered about it, and two or three days later we heard on the news that an elephant seal had crossed the road and ventured onto Hearst ranch. A day or two after that there were pictures in the paper of the seal enjoying himself in a little pool. All the powers that be were trying to figure out how to coax him back across the road, and back to the rookery. It took several more days for them to finally succeed in getting the runaway, well, the flopaway, back home safely.

There were no quotes from the miscreant seal, so there was no way to know how he felt about his experience, and whether or not he was glad to get back home. But I do know he looked awfully happy taking his ease in that private pool.

Unknown Beautiful Flowers

2008-04-30T22:02:00.001-07:00

Originally uploaded by Luke Brown

These lovely blooms were photographed and uploaded to Flickr by Luke Brown, who is located in England, and who also is responsible for the "robins" on one of my recent blogs which I did not believe were robins. Well, they are robins--European robins, which is why they are so different from American robins. It's never too late to learn, and learning is something I love to do.

I would like to learn what these beautiful flowers are. I hope someone will enlighten me by leaving a comment.

brant-geese-estero-bluffs

2008-04-22T22:06:00.001-07:00

brant-geese-estero-bluffs
Originally uploaded by mikebaird

This simple and perfect picture of geese just being geese caught my eye, and I had to add it to the birds I have been intrigued by lately. It was uploaded to Flickr by Mike Baird, whose photos can be seen at http://bairdphotos.com, and who is one of my favorite photographers of bird life and other things in nature.

Watching Me

2008-04-11T14:18:00.001-07:00

Watching Me
Originally uploaded by CharlesLam

Another little bird person. They turn their heads to look at us. I love this one. More later.

Sparrow

2008-04-07T21:21:00.001-07:00

Sparrow
Originally uploaded by izzie_whizzie

Here's another bird I couldn't resist. I will soon be writing a blog about birds, and will make an attempt to tie together all my miscellaneous bird pictures.
I find birds endlessly fascinating. Even the Turkey Vulture, whom I used to dislike, now entrances me. He has such an interesting personality. Turkey Vultures are not aggressive, they are generous to each other, they like to play together in the wind currents, and often, when rescued by humans, they bond to them and will follow them around like a dog. One in California that was rescued when it was tiny, bonded with people even though its rescuers tried to prevent that. It was released it into the wild, but ended up in a parking lot following people around, so its rescuers had to take it back, concluding that it didn't qualify for release. In my mind's eye I could see this poor bird trying unsuccessfully to find a buddy in the parking lot.
Turkey Vultures are ugly, its true, but beautiful in other ways. They are beautiful when they fly, floating on the air currents without flapping their wings. Plus, they do a clean up job that none of the rest of us would want to do, a job that benefits us all.

For President: What I Think Now

2008-03-25T11:38:00.000-07:00

Now that I have only Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton to choose between, I have given a great deal of thought to what the differences between them are. There are good things about both of them, and on many issues they seem to agree with each other--in fact, it's not so much on issues that they differ, but character and personality.

Hillary is a person of great accomplishments and is obviously very good at getting things done. She is effective and efficient. But...; I have always had a persistent "but..." in my mind about her, especially when it came time to think about whether or not I would be happy to have her running the country. What was the root of my hesitation? What made me, and some others, get a twinge of uncertainty about her in spite of all she has done?

The fact that she has been able to accomplish so much, and to be so doggedly persistent in the face of difficulties, seems to put her in an almost superhuman category, and out of the realm of being a person who could understand the feelings and problems of ordinary individuals. I have begun to have the uncomfortable feeling that she wants to be at the top so much, she would be willing to do almost anything to get there, and that the desire to excel might lead her to believe that ends justify means.

I first heard of Barack Obama when he gave such an outstanding keynote speech at the Democratic convention. It was beautiful, and many others reacted to it as I did. It was not like the usual political rhetoric, but somehow more reasonable, more adult, more imaginative, and more compelling. I thought at the time, "This is a guy to watch. He has something unusual to give."

Now that I have had many chances to see him and hear him, my initial reaction has been confirmed. It is not just that he is a good orator, it's not just his delivery, but the substance of what he chooses to say and the way he says it. He speaks from an inner calmness and balance that is reassuring. He talks about what "we" can all do together. He includes us in a very fundamental way. On the other hand, Hillary tells us what she has done in the past, and what she can do for us in the future. She doesn't include us. She may care very much about regular people, but she fails to express that, and instead exudes an aura of superiority and emotional coldness. Barack, on the other hand, gives the impression of being human and empathetic, in spite of being an unusually brilliant and capable man. His humanness and his balance are apparent even when he is making points.

A person who believes they must do it all is not likely to be good at delegating. I heard a quote from Hillary on just that subject, saying that a president who delegates power would not be effective. I think Hillary runs the danger of making herself responsible for everything, while Obama strikes me as more likely to recognize his own limitations, to seek information and advice from others, and to have the judgment to be able to use that information well.

His judgment and his ability to think creatively make up for the lack of experience that Hillary so often mentions. Experience isn't everything. I can think of many experienced and knowledgeable people that I wouldn't want for president. I have confidence in Obama because he is so intelligent, so adult in his outlook, and such a creative thinker that he could weather any storm that arises better than most people could, experienced or not. I feel he is a man of principle, and does not believe that ends justify means.

Lastly, it appears that Hillary's campaign is not nearly as organized, nor running as smoothly as Obama's, and that provides an important clue as to which one would be the most effective in the oval office.

Robin with Result of Robins

2008-03-16T22:10:00.001-07:00

Robin with Result of Robins
Originally uploaded by Kirk in Orbit

This is a robin. Still don't know what the previous bird labeled "robin" actually is.

And Again

2008-03-10T13:42:00.001-07:00

Originally uploaded by Luke Brown

Now I must look him up. Or her.

Here He Is Again

2008-03-10T13:39:00.001-07:00

Originally uploaded by Luke Brown

What is It

2008-03-10T13:38:00.001-07:00

Originally uploaded by Luke Brown

Such a cute bird! But I'm not familiar with it so thought I'd put it on my blog to find out.

After looking through my bird books, I have come to the conclusion this must be a house finch, but I'm still not dead sure. If anyone who reads this happens to know, please tell me. Incidentally, the shots were taken in England. Perhaps it's a bird we don't have in the U.S.?

Great Egret (Ardea alba)

2008-02-15T23:27:00.001-08:00

Great Egret (Ardea alba)
Originally uploaded by cosmicsailor

Although this egret was photographed at San Francisco Bay, there are many in the area where I live, San Luis Obispo, in central California, half way between Los Angeles and San Francisco. In face, where I often walk about two miles inland, they have taken to roosting in a large tree near the parking lot for the trail--Bob Jones Trail. It is quite a sight to see them when they all come in at sunset. They look like beautiful white tree ornaments arranged throughout the branches of the tree.

Levitating Peanut

2008-02-15T23:02:00.001-08:00

Levitating Peanut
Originally uploaded by cosmicsailor

I couldn't resist just one more blue jay, because this one has a peanut, and I've seen them look like this so often in my yard.

Western Scrub-Jay (Aphelocoma californica)

2008-02-15T22:54:00.001-08:00

Western Scrub-Jay (Aphelocoma californica)
Originally uploaded by cosmicsailor

Here's another view of the beautiful Western Scrub Jay, looking just the way they look in our yard. They are so beautiful they almost take my breath away. And so much fun I never tire of offering them peanuts, and then watching what they do with them after they take them out of my hand. They are fearless and intelligent. A wonderful bird.

Western Scrub-jay in Tiburon

2008-02-15T22:37:00.001-08:00

Western Scrub-jay in Tiburon
Originally uploaded by little.jafa

We are constantly entertained by the blue jays in our yard who come for peanuts, and also for fellowship. We know they like the peanuts, but they seem to enjoy us too. When my son was feeling very low, there was one blue jay who would come to see him in his shop at the end of the car port. First he would sit on the open door and and look in, and then he would come inside and sit on the counter by the vise and look at Bob. It was just as if he were saying, "What's the matter? Can I help?"

One day, when I was dispensing peanuts, the blue jay, instead of eating it, pushed it into the ground of our gravel-covered back yard. He worked really hard at it, and finally got it poked down out of sight. Then he carefully covered it with rocks, one at a time, and as a final touch, found a leaf and placed it carefully on top. I was laughing at this performance because it was so cute, but was impressed because it was done so well. To me it was amazing that he could conceive such a project and then carry it out with such finesse.

In spite of such close and friendly association with the blue jays, I have never caught a good picture of one. I found this one on flikr. It was uploaded by little.jafa.

Great Blue Heron in flight

2008-02-14T20:46:00.001-08:00

Great Blue Heron in flight
Originally uploaded by Erica_Marshall

I have been trying for so long to get a good photo of a Great Blue Heron, and have not succeeded, but I just found this one on flickr, uploaded by Erica Marshall. What a beautiful view of a stunning bird! Way to go, Erica.

UNFAIR DEBATE and MEDIA BIAS

2008-01-23T21:58:00.000-08:00

After watching Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton indulge in a nasty spat like two little kids in a school yard, I am completely turned off of both of them. The Clintons are playing "two against one", and I sympathized with Obama when he said to Hillary, "Sometimes I'm not sure who I'm running against." I wonder if others besides myself felt the unfairness of the situation, disgust with Hillary, and disappointment with Obama because he wasn't mature enough to avoid taking the bait. Once you do that, you lose control. Neither Obama nor Ms. Clinton came off looking anything but petty.

John Edwards, on the other hand, seemed like the only grown-up in the crowd. He made excellent points, even though he was overshadowed by the ridiculous barbs and accusations of Obama and Clinton, due to the moderator's lack of fairness . Why did Wolf Blitzer let them go on so long with their spat? Was that fair to Edwards? Or to the listeners who wanted to hear what all of them had to say? I am disgusted, because this sort of unfairness deprives us of the opportunity to hear enough from everyone to be able to choose the best person to be the democratic nominee, and thus (we hope) the president.

Just because the media is obsessed with the idea that the nominee will be either Obama or Clinton does not mean the voters agree. In fact, this obsession continues to make it more and more difficult for us to hear what Edwards has to say. Why is there not more fairness in handling the debates? Why should the media be telling us who we can listen to, and who we get to pick from in choosing our nominee or our president?

I'd like to be able to get the media to stop making up our minds for us, and to cover news about the candidates in an unbiased way. The media is supposed to be reporting what happens, not trying to make things happen.

If anyone has any answers to these questions, I'd love to hear them.

About Voting

2008-01-09T21:42:00.000-08:00

When I was born, women did not have the vote. At the time, this was not a matter of great concern to me, I was mainly interested in being fed, dry, and warm. I still like to be fed, dry, and warm but, as soon as I was old enough to vote, voting became even more important than mere physical comfort. It's mind-boggling, now, to realize that once women couldn't vote, or own property, or have control over their money. "What if I couldn't vote?" I asked myself. Politics, candidates, unfairness, laws, ideas for change--all those things I found so fascinating to think about and discuss--all would be beyond my power to affect with a vote, or even a conversation.

I recently heard some young people discussing voting, and opining that it wasn't worth it to vote because "it doesn't make any difference anyway." I wasn't part of the conversation, but would love to have been able to tell them how precious a right it is, the right to vote. I wanted to tell them it's the only way to make their voices heard. And if they don't vote, they have no right to complain about the results, They have to live with them whether they like them or not. If everyone gave up on voting, there would be no democracy. We would be ruled by those who's main interest is to get in power and stay in power.

Sometimes elections are won by very small margins, and those cases demonstrate how important every vote can be. We are lucky to live in a democracy where the voice of the people really counts. Or it does unless we become so apathetic that we don't take any interest. Whoever reads this, whether you are young or old, and whether or not we agree or disagree, please vote. Think about what you want for your city, your state, or for the whole country, and speak up with your vote. Take a serious look at the candidates and ask yourself which ones you would like to have making decisions about your life. Vote!

New Year, New Moment

2008-01-02T17:37:00.001-08:00

The importance of now.

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PROMOTING PEACE

2007-12-25T13:23:00.000-08:00

It's Christmas, and here we are, still at war. Many of us didn't want it, didn't believe it was right, and would like to see it come to an end. Many times in life, we have to ask ourselves what we as individuals can do when things around us seem to be wrong in so many ways. What can one person do? We feel helpless and ineffectual.

I meditated, and asked how to promote peace. This was the answer that came.

Be peaceful.
Think peacefully, speak peacefully, act peacefully, respond peacefully, relate to others
peacefully.
If anger should arise, use the energy of the anger to accomplish peaceful ends, to bring
about the best for all concerned.
Peace begins in one's own heart, and if it isn't there, it won't be in your life, nor can you
pass it on to others.
If you want to promote peace in the world, it must begin with you, in your own heart, in
your own life.

Here is a poem on the same subject from my book, "The White Tree."

PEACE

No matter what appears
Around us in the world
Injustice
Wounds
Wars
Peace is the answer
Individual peace

Peace in our thoughts
Our minds
Our hearts
Our actions
Can change the world
Nothing else can

There is no way to peace
Peace is the way

Poem from "The White Tree"

2007-12-22T20:19:00.000-08:00

CHOICES

The world is full of possibilities
That grow empty in the choosing
Between this and that

Should I pay attention
To opinion and dispute
Swirling about me
Or listen to my own thoughts
In quiet moments

Should I pay attention
To world events and political scandals
Or listen to the liquid notes
Of the mockingbird
Singing in my neighbor's tree

What shall I value most
Things I've worked for
Things I own
Things I've created
Or the natural world
Beauty I cannot own
Except by experiencing it
Loving it

Whatever is valuable to me or to you
Won't matter if we let the earth die
Isn't this the gift to treasure
This lovely planet
That we fail to honor

Troy Parker Farr

It's Boring to Be Bored

2007-12-17T21:55:00.000-08:00

Lately, several people have told me they are bored. That set me thinking. Why am I never bored? After pondering about it, I thought of several possible reasons. First, there are so many things that interest me, things I want to learn about, or do, or create, that whenever there is time in which nothing is required of me, there is always something I want to do.

Second, there is no idea in my mind that somebody, or something, will come along to entertain me, or save me, or fix me in any way. I am responsible to myself for myself. Of course, I didn't believe this when I was young--it was sort of forced on me by life. Back then, things I wanted to happen weren't happening, so I had to learn to find my way by myself, which leads into the third thought.

In looking for answers on my own, I eventually discovered that Abraham Lincoln was right when he said, "People are about as happy as they make up their minds to be." But I must admit that when I first read this, I snorted in disbelief. Easy for him to say! Then, as time went on, I found that doing things I love to do, spending time with people I feel comfortable with, and treating people the way I'd like to be treated, gave me a feeling of satisfaction and joy. I saw that happiness is not something you can hunt for like a pot of gold, or a hidden gem; it's a by-product of how you are living and thinking.

I hope every person reading this, who feels bored, will be able to find something they are interested in, something to do, or see, or become involved in, something that doesn't depend on some other person doing it with you or for you. That doesn't mean other people can't be involved, but that the idea must come from within you, that you really love doing it, and that you can do it on your own. Try it! You might be pleasantly surprised.

The Constantly Disappointing George Bush

2007-12-15T22:16:00.000-08:00

Who but George Bush could use the news that Iran stopped its nuclear weapons program in 2003 as a reason to continue the same policy toward them, and see no reason to change anything because they may decide to make nuclear weapons in the future? Wouldn't it be prudent to talk? To find out if there are areas of mutual interest?

Bush's attitude is like that of a father who wants to punish a child for something he did wrong, and when he finds out he didn't do it, punishes him anyway because maybe he will do it sometime in the future. This is neither rational nor fair. Its not even like a grown-up.

Snow Storms I have Loved

2007-12-14T21:25:00.000-08:00

The current snow storms remind me of the magic I found in the snow storms of my childhood in Illinois. Sometimes, my brothers and I would go to bed in a leafless, cold, gray world, and awaken in the morning to a white wonderland. It would be quiet in comparison to ordinary days, because the snow on the streets muffled the sounds of cars going by, and the whole world looked clean and beautiful.

I suppose the grown-ups had more practical things to think about in relation to the snow, but to me, as a child, it was magic.

My brothers and I would get bundled up and go outside, as soon as breakfast was over, and start creating things in the snow. There was no limit to our imaginations. The snow was like a clean new slate. You could make anything of it that came to your mind. Wonderful!

Years later, when I was grown and had a couple of kids, I was staying at my mother's house in Illinois, and was depressed because of the break-up of my marriage. It was almost Christmas. The leaves had turned and dropped off the trees, but still there was no snow. The Christmas decorations that began to appear everywhere only made me feel more sad.

A couple of days before Christmas, I spent the evening wrapping things I hoped would make Christmas fun for the kids and for my mother, but I felt like a fish out of water. No more husband. No more home. What would happen to me? And to the kids? I wanted to be cheerful and full of the Christmas spirit, but when I went to bed that night alone, I felt very low.

Next morning, I awoke early. It was unusually quiet. Sounds outside seemed muted and the world seemed to be in a hush. It stirred my memory. I jumped out of bed and rushed to the window. Snow! Everything had changed into a scene of white beauty. Having been living in the southwest, I had almost forgotten how snow could transform the ordinary world.

The kids were still sleeping soundly, so I quickly got dressed, bundled up in coat, scarf, cap, mittens, boots and went outside.

The snow had fallen softly, so that it had piled itself on every branch and twig, every fence and fencepost, on the stairs, the railings, the roofs, the birdbath, and the garden bench. As I walked around through the snow, under the trees, looking at everything, savoring the beauty, a feeling of safety and peace suddenly came over me. It seemed to enfold me in a comforting warmth that told me I would be OK. I didn't know how, exactly, but I knew I would be. I felt as if I were a part of something much larger than myself, and that that something had my best interests at heart.

I can't explain that experience, but I was OK. True, I had many up and downs through the years, but basically, I always was OK.

Now, I no longer live where the snow falls, but when it falls in other places, I remember again the assurance that the beauty of new snow brought me one December day long ago in Illinois.

Search

2007-11-30T12:06:00.000-08:00

One looks for the answer
But what is the question
If one found an answer today
Would it be the answer tomorrow
Or does each day
Each hour
Each moment
Have its own question
And its own answer

If one is asking
To know the meaning of life
One can only find out
By living it
One moment at a time
By being aware
And by letting each moment
Be sufficient unto itself

Troy Parker Farr
(from "The White Tree")

Writing, Art, and Music

2007-11-27T21:31:00.000-08:00

I always write, no matter what, but have had a hard time getting around to music and art. Writing is easier because it can be done almost anytime or anywhere. It doesn't make any noise; it doesn't offend anybody; it only requires something to write with, something to write on, and something you want to say. Nobody knows what you're writing about. It could be anything from a grocery list to a lurid novel.

But music does make noise, which gives one pause if there are others nearby to hear, especially if they happen to be musicians. The sounds you make while learning something can range from beautiful to auditory hell.

Other arts, such as painting, have the disadvantage of requiring all sorts of tools, supplies, and preparations which take lots of room and time. There are many unspontaneous things that have to be done before the spontaneity of creation begins.

For some time now, I have stuck to the ease and privacy of expressing myself in writing, but the urge to paint again is nipping at my heels. There are paintings I want to do that I can see in my mind's eye. They just won't let me alone. So I've been getting my studio ready to paint in.

One of the things that helped me get started was a wonderful blog I ran across: The Sixty Minute Artist. It is by Jerry Lebo, an excellent artist who has a full-time job doing something other than art, which helps in feeding his family, but makes it hard for him to find time to get into his studio to paint. So he challenged himself to spend at least 60 minutes a day painting, and started his blog as a means of letting others in on what he was doing, in the hope they might find it helpful. Judging by my own reaction, and by the comments I see on his blogs, they are very helpful indeed.

Each of his informative blogs covers a different subject, such as stretching a canvas, making low-cost frames, color strategy, etc. He illustrates with his own delightful paintings, or with photos for "how-to" blogs. Check him out at http://sixtyminuteartist.blogspot.com/.

I wait with anticipation for them to show up in my e-mail, and am disappointed when I don't see anything there. Thank you, Jerry Lebo, for a great blog and a big push forward for all of us who have thought we were too busy to paint.

Insanity of War

2007-11-14T10:43:00.000-08:00

INSANITY

Wars are begun by those too old to fight
Who find reasons among themselves for war
Reasons not unlike those
For waging previous wars
The same but on a large scale
With more at risk

To repeat actions that have failed
Expecting better results
Defines insanity

Wars are begun by those too old to fight
But they don't pay the real price of their war
They extract that price
From those too young to die
The full price
All they have
Their lives

And when that price is paid
What is there to show for it
But blood in the dust of some foreign land

This is insanity

Troy Parker Farr

Impeachment is a Remedy, Not a Punishment

2007-11-08T21:39:00.000-08:00

Impeachment is a tool given to us by the founders of our country with which to stop imperial ambitions of presidents who believe that the executive branch deserves more power than the legislative or judicial branches of our government. Even though impeachment may fall on an individual president or vice-president in a form that seems like a punishment, the real purpose is to stop their actions, preserve our democracy, and maintain the balance of power between the three branches of government.

It should not be seen as vengeful, but as a necessary remedy when presidents overstep the bounds of their presidencies. Otherwise, the actions of imperially minded presidents and/or vice-presidents, will serve as precedent to future occupiers of the White House, who may like wielding this unchecked power.

Impeachment is the only tool we have to prevent the office of the presidency, or any other office, from growing more powerful than it was meant to be. It is what keeps the people from being helpless in the face of tyranny or despotism. This growth of power comes about so slowly that people at first do not notice, but finally, when more and more rights and liberties are lost, they begin to look for a way to redress their grievances.

Impeachment is for stopping serious abuses of power. Impeachment is a tool, and it is the one given to us by the constitution. It is our responsibility as citizens to demand that our representatives in congress take action on our behalf when impeachment has become an appropriate remedy to use.

Cheney and the Truth

2007-10-23T12:35:00.000-07:00

Why should we believe Vice-President Cheney's opinions about Iran? Or about anything else? Isn't he the man I heard endlessly droning on about "weapons of mass destruction" in Iraq long after the rest of us knew there weren't any? His repetitive comments helped get us into the war in Iraq. Are we going to sit back and let his comments do the same thing in Iran?
In my opinion, this is absolute madness. We have become like a nation of sheep. Why don't we wake up?

Troy

Poem from "The White Tree"

2007-10-19T10:55:00.000-07:00

LESSON

I have learned
That nothing you think you know
Nothing you believe
Means anything
Unless you can live it

Does a tree bear fruit in winter
Or an axe chop wood
Leaning against the wall?

Troy

What Happened to the News?

2007-10-04T12:55:00.000-07:00

The "news" is seldom news anymore. It is more likely to be someone's opinion of what is happening. Sometimes it is an interpretation, as when a newscaster tells you what someone is saying, while in the background you see that person's lips moving, saying things you can't hear for yourself. Sometimes it devolves into a discussion between people not necessarily qualified to be authorities on what they are discussing, thus producing in-depth studies of shallow thoughts. I would just like to see and hear the news, and make up my own mind as to what it means.

Troy