Stubbornness

I've always had a bit of a stubborn streak.  If it is something I don't want to do, I find ways to resist.  I do it subconsciously.  It isn't as though I intend to be recalcitrant, but it happens.

I like that word, recalcitrant.  According to the Merriam Webster Dictionary it means obstinately defiant of authority or restraint, stubbornly uncooperative or disobedient, difficult to manage or operate.  I could probably name a few people who would agree that it describes me -- at least part of the time.

Obstinate is another one of those words that I like.  Again, according to Merriam Webster it means stubbornly holding to an opinion, purpose, or course in spite of reason, arguments or persuasion.  I like to call it "stick-to-it-iveness."  If you know you're right, you know it.  But I've been wrong before.  I like to joke that I was wrong once -- it was when I thought I was wrong but wasn't really.

We all have a stubborn streak in us.  Sometimes we aren't aware of the things about which we are stubborn.  I try to keep an open mind but occasionally, despite overwhelming opposition to what it is that I think, I know that I am correct.

Probably a better trait is to be tenacious.  Merriam Webster defines it as aggressively persistent in maintaining, adhering to, or seeking something valued or desired.  It's actually very closely related to stubbornness or obstinance.  All are about sticking with it.  Holding fast.  It's the subtle differences that make all the difference.

Perhaps a little stubbornness is a good thing.  The key is to make sure it is directed constructively and not obdurately.  Now that's another good word.  It means stubbornly persistent in wrongdoing.

The photo below is of one of our neighbor's donkeys.  The donkey has long been symbolic of stubbornness.   It is also used symbolically in other ways which might better be described as obdurate.

 Seeing Patterns

George Bernard Shaw said, "If history repeats itself, and the unexpected always happens, how incapable must Man be of learning from experience."

I believe there are those who learn from history and with that knowledge are able to re-shape the cyclical turn slightly from what would occur if uninfluenced by that knowledge.  It is as though they are able to nudge the pendulum just enough to change its monotonous passage through space and time.  They change the course of the future.

I also believe there are some who change the pattern while oblivious to the repetitive nature of events through time.  They are inspired to do something that sends ripples through the pattern -- a wobble in the spinning top -- that changes the course into the future.  The actions might be small, or they might be of a larger nature.  The key is that they are actions.

It would be easy at this point to sermonize on the consequences of our actions.  That is, as the British might say, a "sticky wicket."  A simple and glaring example is that Israel likely would not exist today had it not been for the acts of Hitler.  Where is the morality in that?  His actions certainly had consequences, but they were not what he intended nor was the result brought about in the way most people would have preferred.

Yes, our actions have consequences, but we don't always know if they will be good or bad.

Patterns of history are one thing, but patterns exist all around us in many forms.  I think it is instructive to note that they create a mathematical symphony of symmetry.  The Four-spotted Velvet Ant (Dasymutilla quadriguttata) is actually a wasp.  It has a distinct pattern that makes it easily identifiable.  The one below was wandering near our firepit a few weeks ago.

 In The Shadows

Tucked up next to our house in the most shaded spot possible is a plant growing in compacted soil.  As it first made its appearance earlier this year, it looked almost like a coarse-leaved grass of some kind.  With growth it became clear that it was probably some kind of Lily.  It finally bloomed this week and even in its most showy state still seemed somewhat hidden in the shadows.

There are a lot of people like that plant.  They face tough circumstances and throughout their life quietly remain in the shadows doing their job where they not only survive but thrive.  They do what they do well despite the adversity they face.

I admire someone like that.  They have found a niche in which to build their lives, and they work hard to make it the best life possible.  Often, the next generation, their children, succeed in unexpected ways because they were taught the values that drove their parents to excellence despite their circumstances.  They deserve our respect and they deserve recognition for what they have done.

Many of my classmates in school came from such circumstances.  Their families worked hard through struggles that others didn't face.  Many of those classmates have gone on to have very successful careers.  Several were the first generation to go to college.  Others own their own businesses.  They have fought to succeed and have done well.  I admire them.

Below is a photo of the orange daylily (Hemerocallis fulva) growing in the shadows near our home.  It thrives despite its circumstances and when you stop and take notice you see its glory.

 Contentment

Jake is the faithful guardian of our place.  He was found by the side of the road as an abandoned puppy, rescued and through a series of connections, ended up as part of our household.  He is, and has always been, an outside dog.  He generally refuses to come in when invited.

Until we moved to our present home, Jake always had a fenced yard in which he stayed.  Until a couple of years ago he had an older companion which kept him company and, in many ways, raised him.  Due to age and infirmities, she did not make the last couple of moves.  Before bringing Jake to his new home, we constructed a fenced area specifically for him.  Our assumption was that he would be more comfortable in an enclosed area since that is the way he had always lived.  That assumption was incorrect.

Jake became an escape artist.  It became apparent that we would never be able to confine him again, so with admonitions to confine himself to our property (yeah, like that was going to happen) we allowed him to roam.  We are far enough from busy roads that we felt the risk of being hit by an unwary driver was low and that he had the age and maturity to remain close.

Jake did introduce himself to our neighbors and was especially welcomed by the children.  He seems to have a way with young humans and is like a big teddy bear.  Our grandchildren all seem to be happy to see him and my father-in-law, who is in his upper 80's always asks about him since Jake stayed with him for a brief while during our transition to this place.

He seems content.  He often lays on the front porch surveying his domain and protecting it from wandering rabbits or other small creatures that stray into his vision.  I don't think he could catch one and am somewhat certain he doesn't really try; he just lets them know that they are in his territory and he is the boss.

Contentment is something that most of the human race never finds.  Learning to live in the moment and know that all is well is rare.  I think we all need to learn to take life a little more like Jake.

 Perspective

According to Merriam Webster the first definition of "perspective" is "a mental view or prospect."  It recognizes that our mind shapes what we see.

The obvious shaping by our mind is the simple interpretation of the light reflected from an object that creates an image on our retina that is then transmitted to the brain by the optical nerve.  The quality of that image is a function of the shape of the lens, the eyeball which determines the focal length and the healthiness of the tissue over which that image is passed.  It is purely physical in nature.  But there is also a mental aspect to perception.  The mental part of interpreting what we see is shaped by experience and knowledge.  It is something I might call positional perspective.

Positional perspective might simply refer to where we are standing.  If I am in front of an object and you are to the side of that same object, we might see very different shapes.  It's like the old tale of the blind men touching an elephant -- each at a different point -- and each describing it very differently.  We do the same thing mentally when we view something.

Sometimes our view is of an idea or concept.

City dwellers see things very differently than those who live in sparsely populated areas.  The problems that face those living in a crowded environment are not the same as those faced by rural populations.  Their perspectives of what are the most pressing problems vary widely.  Even when they recognize each other's challenges, they often perceive very different solutions. Their environment and experiences shape their view or, perspective.

Much of the division in our country is due to this issue of perspective.  Until we learn to "walk in the other guy's shoes" occasionally, we will not solve the problems that we face as a nation.  Understanding comes with experience and knowledge.  If we feed ourselves the same thing every day in the news we consume, the books we read or the people we listen to, our understanding of other perspectives is not likely to occur.  We all need to spend time with those who are not like us -- whatever "us" happens to be.

Thundering Sales

This morning we woke to thunder rolling across the sky.  My selection of images of storms is virtually non-existent.  I love to watch them, but I never think to take photos.  This one isn't very representative because it is still dark outside and the heavy feeling in the air is nothing like the shower shown above.

Of our two dogs, one curls up at the back of her doghouse if there is any hint of thunder or, rain, while the other goes out and stands in the yard looking at the sky.  I don't know if he likes the rain or, is just curious as to what all the noise is about.  It's interesting to see the differences in their personality.

People are the same way; some like the storms and others want to hide until they pass.  I have a tendency to want to go watch them.  I'm sure I've written before about watching storm clouds while growing up.  I've seen lots of tornadoes and violent storms through the years.  That's part of growing up in the Texas Panhandle/South Plains area.

Back to personalities, though; I've always been intrigued by different personalities in people.  I like to observe and see how other people react to things or, how they react to other people.  I suspect it is part of what has helped me be effective in sales -- reading people.  Once you understand someone's personality, it is easier to determine what motivates them and how they make decisions.

Often, it is difficult to unravel what "makes people tick."  Personalities can be highly complex.  An example just happened to fly by as I was typing the previous paragraph -- a tiny gnat-sized flying critter passed in front of me.  I swatted it out of the air and it landed on the screen.  I then used my finger to remove it from the screen.  I was first annoyed by the bug, then was gratified at knocking it out of the air, irritated that it landed on the screen and then pleased that I was able to get it off without leaving a smudge.  Similar sequences of emotion pass through a prospective customer when you are presenting to them.  You have to learn to read those things in their body language, facial expressions and comments.  When you can do that effectively, you can zero in on the positives, avoid the negatives and improve your chances of completing a sale.

Now, how did I go from thunderstorms to sales?  Beats me.  I'll leave that to someone else to decipher....

They Went That Way!

Trails have always interested me.  It may seem strange to most people, but I wonder things like, how many times did an animal have to  pass over that same stretch of ground for the trail to become obvious?  Was it one animal or, multiple animals?  How long did it take for it to become a developed trail?  Do they have road crews that survey the path and remove any obstacle? -- maybe add gravel or, pavement?  Okay, maybe not the part about the road crews, but the rest of the questions really do cross my mind when I see game trails in the woods or, the pasture.

Animals are as much creatures of habit as are people.  It's something that hunters learn because those habits make the animal predictable.  It's also something landowners learn because trails cross fences too -- or, more likely go under them.  I've seen where the feral hogs have crossed under a fence to the point they create a deep mud hole that can become so bad cattle will exploit the opening.

Why do we tend to follow the same old pathways time and time again?  I was strongly reminded of that fact yesterday as I spent a good portion of my day on Interstate 35.  It is a pathway chosen by far too many people.  When I got to the north side of Waco (I was heading north) I decided I had enough of the fun and took the back roads the rest of the way home.  I breathed a sigh of relief when I could look ahead and not see a single car.

I definitely prefer the back roads.  I also prefer to get off the beaten path when I'm out in the woods or, the pasture.  I want to go places where there are few or, no tracks.  I want to see and do things never seen and done before.  I want to be the explorer, the path finder, the first to break the trail.  Hand me the machete and let me cut through the jungle on our way to some new place.

The trouble is, there has always been someone there before us.  Unless you were born at the dawn of the human race it is unlikely you will find anywhere on this planet that hasn't been fully investigated -- maybe not within human memory, but you can bet there will be evidence of humans if you look closely enough.  I envy the astronauts who will be the first to set foot on faraway planets at some distant time in the future.

I guess I've always had a tendency to go my own way.  Sometimes I get strange looks from others because of that proclivity, but that's okay with me.  If you tell me "they went that way," I'm likely to strike out in the opposite direction.  I like to make my own paths.  I suppose I'm just a contrarian by nature.

Deep Roots, Spreading Branches

I find that trees are illustrative of many things in life.  I have used the above image before, but it seemed appropriate to use it again.  It is of an ancient oak tree that grows deep in the woods on what we call "the island" which was our name for a location which was between two creeks on the land we recently sold.  This particular tree is probably about double my age, but is an example that is fitting.

Yesterday, two things occurred that were reminders to stay connected to my roots.  The first was a phone call from an uncle who said one of his New Year's resolutions was to do a better job of staying in touch with people.  I deeply appreciated the call and took it as a reminder that I should do the same.  The second was getting together with a small group last night who had roots to my home town.

The comparison to the tree is that we shared a common beginning and that included many memories and points of connection.  Like the tree, however, we have grown and spread our branches through children, grandchildren and the experiences we each have that took us places far from our roots.  The amazing thing is how we were drawn back together primarily because of that shared origin.

It isn't as though we all were close in our formative years, but one of our number seemed to be the common denominator that drew us together.  Such people are rare and to be treasured.

Wherever you go and wherever you grow, don't neglect your roots.  They are the anchor that keeps us grounded into fertile soil which is what allows us to reach our potential.  I pray that 2020 will be a year of reaching for the sky.  Just as the branches of this tree strain upward in their quest for the strength and energy of the sun, my you reach for the strength of The Son.

"I can do everything through Him who give me strength." -- Philippians 4:13

Trash or Treasure

I went with my Realtor spouse to view a piece of land the other day and in an isolated area near the back of the property we came across this interesting piece of art placed strategically near a pond.  One can only assume the proprietor to be some eccentric character wishing to brighten the otherwise normal landscape with this beautiful object which must represent something particularly special.  It certainly caught our eye.

It reminds me of a George Strait song, "The Chair."  Also, the interesting assemblages of Stanley Marsh III in the Amarillo, Texas, area come to mind where he has artwork erected on his various properties such as the "Feet of Colossus" wearing athletic socks.  I suppose both Strait and Marsh are connected through another song, "Amarillo by Morning," which was the first George Strait song I ever heard.

I was, quite frankly, surprised that there wasn't a mound of beer cans beside the chair.  If that had been the case I would merely have attributed its presence to some typical backwoods East Texas hunter who eschewed the typical camouflaged blind for a more open position from which to pursue his sport.

Perhaps the chair was placed there by some mother deer who wanted a place to sit and watch her children playing in the meadow.  The location being somewhat remote, it is likely she would have had a book in hand rather than the pervasive cell phone, while watching her offspring gamboling through the tall grasses as she sipped a tall glass of iced tea.  Cell service was definitely spotty, but the camera on mine worked perfectly.

I never cease to be amazed at the things one finds when people are oblivious to the visual impact of their surroundings on others.  We are all guilty on some level of normalizing objects which to others are annoying on some level.  I find this greatest among pet owners who become insensitive to accumulated pet hair on their furniture and rugs.  It becomes acceptable through its pervasiveness.  As the spouse of a Realtor I am frequently reminded that such behavior seems to be the norm rather than the exception.  It is astonishing the number of people who wish to sell their property and won't even take the time or, effort to conduct a thorough cleaning.  That failure can be expensive.

Caring for that which one has the privilege of having within one's care is the very definition of ownership.  It can be as simple as properly disposing of the trash rather than parking it in the middle of a pasture.

One In Every Crowd

It seems there's one in every crowd;

They make their presence known

By constant braying long and loud

And won't leave you alone.

You're just minding your own business

And they come running up,

Not for some act of kindness

Or, to fill an empty cup;

They're there with an opinion

About most everything

And act like you're a minion

To some evil king.

I'd like to take them to the side

And maybe beat some sense

Into their mangy hide

But, I expect they are too dense.

Instead, politely, I decline

To listen to their sass

As they keep on with their braying

The noisy little #$%#$%#$%!

Manipulated by Instinct

The Scissor-tailed Flycatcher, Tyrannus forficatus, is one of my favorite birds.  We see them almost every day, vigilantly perched somewhere in the pasture, prepared to catch the insects which make up their diet.  They are in the same Family as the King Birds and that is why the ominous sounding Family name of Tyrannus (Tyrant).  King Birds are notorious for vigorously defending their territory and will frequently attack larger birds.  We saw one yesterday attacking a Crow as it flew across.  The Scissor-tailed Flycatchers are not that aggressive against other birds, but are stuck with the family reputation.

As I was thinking about that fact -- "stuck with the family reputation" -- it came to mind that people tend to attach "family" reputations to individuals, no matter what their own character might be.  I think this especially applies to what I will term "religious" families, or affiliations.  We create in our minds an all-encompassing view of members of particular religions that don't apply to all adherents.  In fact, they probably don't apply to the religion in general but, are drawn from our "worst" impressions of a group.  We attach the word "terrorist" with Islam and "self-righteous" with Christianity.  We also see many who associate "peaceful" with Buddhism and other Eastern religions.  The problem is that none of those descriptors are true in general, but may be true of specific individuals.

The tendency to quickly classify based on associations such as just described is part of our genetic programming that has evolved as a survival mechanism.  We link to "worst" cases because that is the potential source of danger to us.  It is only when we learn to overcome our genetic coding and view situations and individuals through reasoning and observation that we can see clearly in each case.  Otherwise, our "default" view determines our response.

In this world of "instant" everything, we fail to realize that the immediate gratification is an appeal to our most basic animal responses.  It is the default mode that gives the first and, initially, most likely satisfying result.  It isn't always what is best -- think drug addictions, etc.

One of the things that sets humans apart from animals is our ability to reason and therefore, to differentiate and discriminate between perceived instinctual threats and actual threats.  When we fail in this discernment, we are easily manipulated into behavior that may be detrimental.  We herd cattle based on their instinctual response to stimulus.  Humans follow a similar pattern when they fail to react with reason rather than base animal instinct.

I suppose what I'm trying to say is don't allow yourself to be manipulated.  Dig a little deeper.  Understand more.  Realize that those who would rule you often are not seeking your good, but their own power.  That isn't always the case, but is frequently the motivation for political rhetoric.  Don't be an animal, rise to the level of what makes us human.

"And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless until the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ -- to the glory and praise of God." -- Philippians 1:9-11

Being Genuine

Yesterday morning as I pulled out of the gate after checking cows I spotted several bugs on a goat weed (woolly croton) along the county road.  My first thought was ladybugs.  Since I'm always looking for things to photograph to use in this Blog I decided to pull out the trusty iPhone and take a couple of pictures.  As I zoomed in and really looked at them, I quickly realized they weren't ladybugs at all.  They were the right size and shape and had similar coloration, but these appear to be segmented -- similar to a roly poly or, pill bug that rolls up in a ball when threatened.  I didn't pick them up to examine closely, but I didn't see any legs either.  So, I don't know if they are actually insect or, something else.

I have posted these photos on a number of sites where there are groups who study "bugs" professionally.  So far, no one has identified them for me.  Hopefully, eventually I will get the answer.  Until then, they remain unknown.

Mimicry is an interesting phenomenon in nature.  It usually involves a species that is "highly palatable" to predators evolving mechanisms, such as coloration, that disguise it to look like something "less palatable" or, even dangerous to its natural predators.  It is a defensive adaptation to danger.

There are other types of mimics who look like some benign species but are in fact, something dangerous.  This is a bit like the "wolf in sheep's clothing" and is often used by predators to attract and catch their prey.  A Praying Mantis, or Walking Stick is a good example of this type of mimicry.  They look like part of the plants on which they wait for their prey.

People use mimicry too and for the same reasons.  Some are predators who appear benign and others try to appear "rough and tough" when they are "softies" at heart.  It is all part of the natural world and the survival mechanisms we have adapted over time.

I prefer genuineness.  It is rare in people.  Most folks either try to stand out, or to blend in -- depending on their personality.  It is great to find those rare individuals who just "are what they are" and don't pretend.  Be genuine.

In the meantime, if you know what those critters are in the photos, please comment and let me know!

A Source of Thorns With Benefits

Sometimes you find yourself in a prickly situation and it seems no matter which way you turn, the consequences will leave a mark.  It's kind of like finding yourself in the middle of a prickly pear thicket on some ranch in the back country of Texas, which is where the photo above was taken.  Some pear thickets can be head high and stretch for what seems like forever.

Anyway, back to the prickly situation -- no, I don't find myself in the middle of one right now, but I ran across this photo and that's what came to mind.  Such situations seem to occur any time there is interaction with people.  In time, feelings inevitably are hurt, or offense is taken over some innocuous remark that may have been misunderstood.  For some reason, those occasions sometimes have no positive solution -- they leave scars in a relationship.

When we see a patch of prickly pear, we see the thorns.  We know that contact with the prolific cactus will leave us digging the tiny, barbed thorns out of our tender flesh.  Each needle-like leaf is designed to quickly detach from the plant and embed itself deeply via the tiny hook on the end of each  small probe.  They work  their way inward until the inflamed flesh festers and tries to isolate them by forming a cyst or, surrounding them with pus.

The thing about prickly pear that we often forget is that they, like other cacti, are nature's reservoir of water in a desert environment.  Each of the succulent pads swells with water which is gathered over a large area by the widely spreading roots that lie just under the surface of the land.  They capture the precious droplets and store them within their own appendages.  Insects, rodents and even larger animals know they can always find life-sustaining moisture in the cacti -- they just have to avoid the thorns.  Ranchers have been known to use flame-throwers to burn the thorns off of cactus so cattle can eat them.  The small fruit which forms at the end of the pads was utilized by native Americans as a food source and even today is often harvested and made into jelly.

There is usually some good that comes out of those prickly situations we find ourselves in, just as there are benefits from the cactus.  When we face those times, we need to think about why they occurred and how they might better have been resolved.  Usually the issue is one of communication.

We humans, in spite of our prolific use of language, are lousy communicators.  That's because we each see the world a little bit differently.  We have our own unique perspective -- lens -- through which we see situations and we rarely truly understand another's viewpoint.  Much of the trouble in this world is a result of that very issue.  Misunderstanding due to differing world views.

I suppose the solution is to invest time in people with the purpose of learning more about their values, their perspectives and their history.  It will provide invaluable clues to common understanding and help to clarify areas of disagreement.  Only then will we be able to resolve those prickly situations effectively.  People are the precious reservoirs of our businesses and our country.  Instead of water, they store knowledge and insight.  Tapping into those storehouses without encountering the thorns is a source of strength and nourishment in what might appear to be a hopeless situation.  Invest in people.

Fixing What is Broken - and Climate?

Sometimes you've got to fix what is broken.  We've had an amazing year of rain which began last Fall and has lasted until about a week ago.  It is time to turn on the sprinklers to keep the lawn healthy and green.  Yesterday, we ran a test on our yard system and found that one emitter near the driveway was a gushing fountain rather than a nice, pop-up spray as it was supposed to be.

Since I seem to have spent a large amount of my life working on irrigation systems of one kind or another, and being frugal, I dug it up and found the break.  It seems one of us managed to get an automobile wheel off of the driveway and run over the sprinkler.  With the damp soil, the weight apparently caused the tire to sink in deep enough that it snapped the line at the "T" beneath the sprinkler.  It will be a fairly easy fix, but takes time.

It's a good thing we tested the system before merely setting it and letting it run.  We operate our sprinklers late in the evening, after dark, to reduce evaporation.  We don't worry much about fungus on the lawn since the humidity is so extremely high most of the time that the grass is usually wet from dew anyway.  The test revealed the break, allowing me to repair it rather than to find all of the water from that section had flooded the driveway.

Why do we water our lawns?  Lawns are quite a drain on water resources.  Restrictions on watering lawns are one of the first things cities do in times of shortage.  I suppose we just crave the green space and are willing to expend the resources for our small piece of "nature."  As I think about it though, I believe there is more to the story.

I am not a meteorologist, but I have always been intrigued by the subject.  Yesterday, I watched a brief video of radar showing the outflow boundary of a pop-up thunderstorm over Lubbock, Texas.  The storm released its energy when almost exactly over the geographic center of the city.  Think about that for just a minute.

Cities are a complex of asphalt, concrete, rooftops and other surfaces that affect reflectivity.  If you don't believe me, take off your shoes and socks and walk on a street in August, then hop on those blistered soles to the sidewalk before tumbling onto the grass that is hopefully growing in a narrow band to the side.  Wow!  The grass is cool!

Urban development affects local weather.  I suspect the heat over Lubbock caused the thunderstorm to blossom through any strata that was capping its energy causing it to release the rain.  The cooling effect of that release created the visible outflow boundary seen on radar.  Sometimes that isn't the case.  Frequently, those heat domes over cities will cause clouds to "slide" around them and release their moisture over other areas.  The heat creates a barrier.

Now, to jump back to lawns.  I believe we need more "green space" in our cities.  We need lawns and parks and other areas covered with trees and water that help to mitigate the effects of the man made structures.  We also need to re-think how we build so that we change the heating effects -- perhaps with different materials.  We also might consider how to capture that heat when needed -- such as in the winter.

Maybe, the way we build cities is broken -- just like my lawn-watering system.

There is another piece to the puzzle that has to be considered.  It is well-documented that particulate matter in the atmosphere also affects reflectivity and therefore, heating of the air.  With the concentration of automobiles in cities, the exhaust adds to the heat-building effect of summer sunshine by helping to trap it rather than allowing the energy to be reflected into space.  As much as we hate giving up the independence of operating our own automobile, in the city environment, some form of public mass transportation is needed to reduce emissions -- it will improve the air quality as it changes the heat-trapping effect.

City dwellers often point to agricultural practices as the source of a warming climate.  They outnumber those in agriculture -- especially in highly developed countries.  The power of their voice and their vote is difficult to counteract, but they -- just like all of us -- need to look in the mirror before pointing fingers when it comes to "climate change."

We don't need to eliminate animal agriculture, or stop farming the Midwest and turn it back into a buffalo prairie, we need to figure out better ways to build highways and parking lots and skyscrapers and how to move people to-and-from their work without filling the roadways with automobiles.  It doesn't work so well out in the country where food is produced and people are spread over wide areas, but where people are concentrated into urban and suburban megalopolises, much could be changed that would make a difference.

Maybe what we need are strips of grass instead of sidewalks and gardens on the roof of every high-rise building.  Vertical greenhouses could be mounted to the sides of those same buildings.  High-speed trains might move people through green spaces of tree-lined spokes and concentric circles.  Sigh, I suppose I'm dreaming, but dreams are the stimulus for creativity.

Life on the Farm Ain't Really Laid Back....

Sustainability.

S - seeking perpetuity in the ability to deliver.
U - understanding the long-term consequences of actions.
S - securing the welfare of all through thoughtful planning.
T - taking only what is necessary and regenerating where possible.
A - aiming for generational continuity.
I - intelligent use of resources.
N - natural processes that replace damaging practices.
A - acting responsibly toward others and the environment.
B - building systems that focus on renewability.
I - investing in solutions.
L - long-term thinking.
I - integrating economic and environmental systems.
T - teaching responsibility for and to others.
Y - yielding to needs beyond self.

I've been spending time digging into some of the new agricultural technology -- or, at least reading about it.  The buzzword of "sustainability" gets tossed around a lot.  I am a firm believer in sustainability, but I think sometimes the word gets used and abused in ways that subvert the meaning.

Ultimately, sustainability means to look beyond oneself.  All of us follow the natural tendency to focus first on our personal needs and then on the needs of our immediate family.  Rarely, you find those who reach beyond that to their community.  Even more rarely do you see someone who thinks on a broader basis -- to the needs of humanity.  Most of those have some angle that is driving at financial wealth.

We need more people who think in terms of global impact who recognize that we are all -- no matter of race, creed or country -- passengers together on this giant marble swinging around the sun as it hurtles through space.  We need to realize that actions have consequence beyond ourselves.

Am I a globalist?  No.  But, I do believe in a phrase captured in the Declaration of Independence in the words of Thomas Jefferson that "all men are created equal."  In spite of those who would make him an atheist, Jefferson was echoing a Biblical tenet in that we all are descendants of Adam.  We are all part of the human race.  Come to think of it, Darwinians think the same way, but they see us as descendants of primordial ooze.

"Our desire is not that others might be relieved while you are hard pressed, but that there might be equality.  At the present time your plenty will supply what they need, so that in turn their plenty will supply what you need.  Then there will be equality, as it is written: 'He who gathered much did not have too much, and he who gathered little did not have too little.'" -- 2 Corinthians 8:13-15

Feeding mankind will become increasingly challenging as populations continue to grow.  Weather factors affect production in various areas every year.  Seeking ways that work with the local climate, yet recognizing that it won't always cooperate, we must realize that the efforts in one geographic area may ultimately be the salvation of another.  We are dependent on each other -- globally -- for food.  Here in the U.S. many of our fruits and vegetables come from other countries.  They are often luxury foods, rather than our primary foods.  In some other countries that isn't always the case.  Many of them are virtually dependent on imported food to feed themselves.

Profit is necessary in order to fund growth.  It shouldn't be the total focus of man's endeavors, but must be a part of it.  Profit can be defined as "increase" above the cost to produce.  The "increase" of a herd are the calves born.  The "increase" of a crop is that each seed produces many hundreds of seeds.  U.S. food production is profit driven.  In most parts of the world it is survival driven.  We are fortunate to have an economic system that allows us the luxury of building a food system, through its profitability, that surpasses anything in the world.  We must remain aware though, that we cannot feed the world alone and that as our own population grows, there will be increasing pressure on resources by competing needs.

Sustainable practices here can inform sustainable practices worldwide.  We must continue to do more with less.

As to globalism vs. nationalism, I am unashamably a nationalist.  I believe in my country and our system of government.  It is being threatened at a level never before seen -- internally.  Those who would destroy it use everything possible against it -- even food production.  We need to be exporting our beliefs and our systems rather than allowing the destruction of those very things by those who would tear us down in order to build something else.

I suppose I have rambled a bit this morning.  Reading the mess in the news sometimes does that to me....

Timing

Rain.

Cattle.

Travel.

Disparate pieces of a bigger puzzle coming together in ways unforeseen.

People.

Places.

Conversations.

It's crazy how things fit together in ways we could never imagine.

Change.

Ideas.

Projects.

Meetings that come together when they seem impossible.

Life.

Faith.

Process.

Growing patience through the waiting out of God's timing.

People and Climate

Much of the country has been gripped in extreme bitter cold these last few days.  I know it is still winter, but it is time for spring to begin showing its face.  We are fortunate to live far enough south that, although it is the coldest spell we have experienced all winter, our temperatures are not too bad.  We have had to deal with frozen water tanks for the first time over the last few days.

It is amazing how people and animals adapt to the harsh temperatures.  If you are not a part of agriculture, you mostly cope by staying indoors rather than being out in it.  If you have livestock to feed and care for, it is a very different story.  Hopefully, there is adequate shelter for the stock to get out of the wind.  High quality feed helps also, because it provides the energy necessary for the animal to stay warm through biological mechanisms.  They should be carrying more fat and more hair during the cold months that help to sustain them when temperatures drop.

People bundle up in layer upon layer of clothing that holds the body heat.  Cold is the natural state of space and warmth only comes because of the input of energy which is trapped within the atmosphere.  Sunshine is an amazing "heater" only because of our atmosphere.  Otherwise the energy would pass right through and continue on its merry way through space, or be reflected back into the coldness never to return.  Instead, it bounces around between molecules of air and the water and other compounds suspended in it, exciting those molecules to a state of vibration which in turn releases more energy.  (I'm sure my description of the science here isn't perfect, but the gist of it is correct.)

The balance of heat capture versus release within the atmosphere is a delicate thing.  If too much heat/energy is trapped, we experience global warming of the atmosphere.  If not enough is trapped we experience cooling.  The earth tends to regulate itself thanks to the most important molecule to life -- water.  Evaporation due to heat adds water into the atmosphere which forms droplets around particulates suspended in the air -- such as carbon molecules -- which then precipitate back to earth carrying some of the heat from the atmosphere along with it.

It is fear of the long-term consequences that drive many to have an alarmist view of this action.  It is natural and cyclical.  Does human activity affect the cycle?  Probably.  Is it irreversible?  No.  Nature will correct the course.  The correction may be difficult for those who live through it because it will likely cause more and more extreme weather events.  Radical human-driven solutions will not change the natural cyclical nature other than to possibly affect the duration of the cycle in a very limited way.

Fortunately, mankind will adapt.  It has happened many times through the eons that mankind has been on this planet.  Just like the folks and their animals up north have adapted to the harsh conditions this winter, we will figure out ways to live through it.  We are amazing, yet sometimes foolish creatures.  Amazing in our adaptability yet, foolish in thinking we are in control. 

Re-purposing

When do you throw it out?
When it's scratched and battered and worn?
Or, do you find utility
After the luster is so long gone?

We like to have things
All shiney and new to decorate our home
But, sometimes it is better
To keep tried and true where value is well known.

We've become a people
Who just throw it out upon the garbage pile
When there is so much use
Still there you see if we'd just keep it awhile.

There may be a need to repurpose
Instead of just pitching it out
There's lots of life left in that thing
Though it may require thinking about.

It's not just things to which this applies
People get treated the same
As they age and are replaced by somebody new
They just need a new spot in the game.

Concentrated Confusion

Have you ever thought about why people who live in cities seem less likely to believe in God than those who live in rural areas?  I don't have any statistics at hand to back that claim, but personal experience seems to support it.

It causes me to think of the Biblical story of the Tower of Babel in which man became so enthralled with his own accomplishment that God decided it was time to take him down a notch.  Cities are filled with such towers and the beauty of the natural world is masked by manmade structures at every turn.  In the country that isn't the case.

Rural folk still have the opportunity to marvel at nature.  They are surrounded by the beauty of God's creation.  They experience first-hand the miracle of a newborn calf, or the beauty of a sunset in a dusty western sky.  It is easier to sense the presence of a Creator when you are in touch with His creation.

City dwellers are in touch with sidewalks and concrete.  Their view of the sky is limited by the height of the buildings that surround them.  They see birth as just another event within the hands of man because their only exposure is in a hospital.  Perhaps that is why abortion seems so easy for them to accept -- the baby doesn't really exist in their mind until presented whole and kicking at the disruption of his/her protected existence.

Just the simple duality of male/female becomes confused to those who have little or no contact with the natural order.  When existence consists of disguises against the dangers presented by too many in limited space fighting against the natural inclination to be noticed by ones peers, confusion should be expected.  The mind reflects the confusion of the soul -- the life/death dichotomy of abortion, the fear/desire to be noticed duality from a concentration of too many people and the inability to "see" that there is more to existence than the ephemeral works of man -- resulting in a focus of take and take some more because there is nothing except what can be grasped in ones hand.

I am thankful to be "wired" with a desire to live in a setting where I can touch the natural world on a daily basis.  It is a constant reminder that I am weak but, He is strong.

Habakkuk 2:18-20  Of what value is an idol, since a man has carved it? Or an image that teaches lies? For he who makes it trusts in his own creation; he makes idols that cannot speak.  Woe to him who says to wood, 'Come to life!' Or to lifeless stone, 'Wake up!' Can it give guidance? It is covered with gold and silver; there is no breath in it.  But the Lord is in his holy temple; let all the earth be silent before him.

Observation on a Lunch Break

Sometimes you see people that just make you wonder about their life's story.

I frequently carry my lunch to work and eat it in one of the parks in town. Occasionally it affords the opportunity to observe some interesting scenes and people. Today, there was a pickup parked in the shade of one of the trees which stands adjacent to a parking area. Inside that pickup slept an older Caucasian male that appeared to have experienced a life predominately in the outdoors if one can judge properly from the depth of lines and deep tan of his complexion. In the middle of the seat sat an old woman that appeared to be of native American decent. She was one of those deeply creased, timelessly aged individuals that might have been 60 or 120 years old. She appeared to be patiently waiting for a continued journey. On the passenger side of the seat sat 2 young black-skinned children -- one boy and one girl. I would guess them to be in the 8 to 10 year-old range. They were alert, quiet and apparently bored. They fidgeted, but silently.

I suspect they were travelers passing through. The license plate on the recent model Ford pickup was from Texas, but it's a big state. They could be a mile from home or 1,000 miles from home. There was no identifier of an automobile dealership that I could see. You can often at least tell in what city a vehicle has been purchased by such labels.

He rested. She waited. They fidgeted.

My lunch break ended and I returned to work. They were still there when I left.

It just makes you wonder who, what and why. Am I overly curious?