Variation, Behavior and Blame

They say that variety is the spice of life and I agree; doing the same thing day after day gets old quickly and my productivity diminishes when that is the case.  I thought the image of this "tiger stripe" steer was fairly representative of variety.  He was part of a group we bought a couple of years ago.  These were on grass for a brief pre-conditioning period before going into the feedyard.  They grew well, performed well and made a little money in spite of the huge variation in the pen.

Variety is good for some things, but not for others.  Because of the genetic variation in this group of cattle, the tendency for them to "grow apart" as they aged was even worse than normal.  They were ready to harvest at different times.  Fortunately, they were finished at a facility that was willing to "top the pen" which means they shipped them to harvest in groups as they were ready.

These days, this kind of discussion causes a very negative reaction among many people.  Talking about "harvesting" these animals creates a feeling of revulsion.  I personally think it is because we anthropomorphize them through making pets part of "family" and watching television shows that focus on the "cuteness" of animals as opposed to their true nature or, purpose in the ecosystems they occupy. 

Cattle, quite simply, are born to be food.  It is their primary purpose for being on this planet.  They are a mobile, reproducing, energy harvesting machine that stores the energy from the sun which is first captured in plants and then concentrated in the tissue of the animal for later consumption.  They are uniquely and amazingly suited for that sole purpose.

The natural world is designed to function in ways we are only now beginning to understand.  All of life on this planet is dependent on energy from the sun for survival.  Each animal, including humans, is designed to fit specific niches in the environment.  Within those niches, animals tend to attempt modification of the environment to suit their own specific needs.  A great example of this is the beaver which builds dams in streams which change the water flow and thus the surrounding local ecosystem.  Sometimes those beaver dams get taken out by the raging torrent of a flooding river.

Humans are by far the worst at modifying the environment.  We lay acre after acre of concrete and asphalt that alters the planet.  Sadly, in our ignorance of the impact we have, we change the earth to the point that in some places it is to our own detriment.  Flooding and altered weather patterns can be a result.  Because of our egocentricity, we tend to place the blame on other things.  Right now, one of the primary objects of "blame" is animal agriculture -- the production of food from animals.  It seems strange to me that we would blame a natural process for issues resulting from our unnatural behavior.  That's not exactly accurate -- our alteration of the environment to suit our purposes is part of our natural behavior, it's just that we have the ability to understand and reason through the facts that point to the ultimate consequences of that behavior; the planet will fight back. 

Enrichment

Time is but the measure of

Growth, death and decay

From which new life springs

To grace the day

With beauty.

Sometimes I seem to think in "greeting card" fashion.  My mind says, "that's deserving of a poem" on the one hand, but on the other says, "that's too much work!"  So, we get a single verse.  Still, this old rotten log with the moss and lichens -- hollow from where the heart wood has been consumed -- deserves recognition.  It was only after I had looked for a time that I saw the new tree growing up from among the detritus.

Hopefully, each of our lives will be like this old tree; we may not leave much behind, but if it nourishes the growth of those who follow, our time here will be well spent.  May you enrich the lives of those around you in all that you do.

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.

One Step at a Time

In this world of anger, hate and fear,

Seek peace in contentment.

Follow the path set for you

One step at a time --

Even when you seem to be alone.

"Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable -- if anything is excellent or praiseworthy -- think about such things." -- Philippians 4:8

Facing Fears

Making a decision

Means facing consequence;

You can jump right in the pen

Or, sit there on the fence.

But, if you stay upon that rail

Instead of being bold

You'll never gain a single thing

Except for getting old.

Nature's Energy Food

I picked up this small handful of native pecans off of our front sidewalk.  They aren't very big but they are very flavorful.  It's probably because their oil content seems to be higher than many of the cultivated varieties.  That oil makes them high in energy.  We had a pecan pie made from some off of the same tree for Thanksgiving.

Most people in this part of the world don't bother with the native pecans since they are so small; they prefer the cultivated and grafted varieties that produce much larger nuts.  As a consequence, most of the smaller, native pecans are wasted.  Some, of course, are eaten by wildlife, including the pervasive squirrels which seem to be the most prolific of the local fauna.  Many, however, are buried by the squirrels to come up as trees in the spring.  I never would have thought that I would view seedling pecan trees as weeds.

One of our dogs -- the redbone coonhound -- can smell the pecans in the ground.  We find her digging them up from where the squirrels had buried them.  If you watch, you will see her sniffing around the yard until she comes across one of the subterranean treasures which she then will dig up and eat.  I'm sure the shell isn't good for her, but I don't know how to stop her from doing it.

Growing up I wasn't a big fan of pecans.  I still don't care for pecans in cookies -- except for Pecan Sandies and maybe a few others where the nut has been ground to tiny pieces.  I definitely don't care for them in chocolate chip cookies but, I have found that as an adult, it's hard to beat a Pecan Pie.  My preferred way to eat it is on top of a bowl of Bluebell Ice Cream.

This was a bumper crop year for pecans in this part of Texas.  A number of people have mentioned that their trees are loaded and I have observed it to be true as I drive about the area; it's easy to spot the clusters of nuts hanging high on the bare branches.

Every few days I will walk around the front yard picking up the pecans that have fallen.  I often find half-eaten ones that the squirrels got to first.  They waste an awful lot of them.  We should be getting close to the end of the crop since most have fallen from the trees.  Now, I just need to get them all shelled....

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

Iconic Inspiration

As promised, above is an image of the completed puzzle from the post of a few days ago.  I apologize for the poor quality of the image, but puzzles are highly reflective of light and it is difficult to get the picture without a bright glare.

The puzzle was a Christmas gift from our grandchildren.  It was challenging in all of the normal ways, plus the fact that I couldn't use my usual method of assembling the border first and then filling in the interior.  Because of the unique shape, the border pieces often looked like interior pieces and vice versa.  It also had a peculiar cut to the pieces so that the corners often didn't match and what looked to be space for one piece ended up holding two or, more.

The theme of the puzzle was perfect; "Images of Texas."  There were a couple of items that seemed a bit out-of-place, however, such as putting the pelicans in the deserts of West Texas near El Paso and including a few saguaro cacti with the free-roaming horses in what might be the Guadalupe Mountains which should be where the pelicans are, sans saguaro, of course, since that particular cactus is native to regions further west.  It is found in the Sonoran Desert, not the Chihuahuan Desert, which covers parts of western Texas.

I realize there is limited space in such a puzzle, but other iconic images of Texas might have been included such as The Lighthouse formation in Palo Duro Canyon, or something representing technology such as NASA or, the computer industry of Austin.  They left out the oil and gas sector, miles of giant wind turbines, cattle feeding, farming, and most importantly, the diversity of people that grace our great state.

I am quite certain the puzzle was designed by a non-Texan and built in another country.  I didn't check the box to see.  The images chosen for it, though, are revealing in their nature; they show what people who didn't grow up here think of when Texas comes to mind.  Western films, many of which were made in Arizona or, northwestern Mexico, are the reason for the inclusion of saguaro.  The modern mindset that the energy business is "bad" and wild horses are "good" also comes through in the chosen images.  Inclusion of the Alamo is interesting because it represents so many things.  Its iconic facade moves a Texan's heart into his throat and fills him with a patriotic fervor that inflames the will to fight against the odds, even with knowledge that ones own efforts are merely to buy time for and to inspire those who will continue the battle.

It is also interesting to me that the images on the puzzle include a number which appear to be at sunset, or twilight.  I wonder if such were subliminally implanted in the creators mind due to the idea that such a place -- Texas -- was fading; that it was, or is, in the twilight years of existence; I would choose the bursting light of sunrise instead.  There is something which subtly differentiates the two times of day which comes across even in photographs, or paintings, if composed correctly.  I choose the optimism of sunrise rather than the pessimism of sunset. 

Even today, in many ways Texas stands alone -- apart -- a lone star resisting the tide of socialism that is sweeping the coasts of our country.  It isn't the resistance represented by the Alamo, but one more nearly represented by the central figure riding out of the flag with the blue of loyalty, white of purity, red of bravery and a single star which represents unity of all for God, state and country.

Yeah, I'm Texan through and through and proud of it.  The pride isn't one of being better than others, it is the pride of being tied to values which transcend the passing fads and vagaries of political winds with adherence to a code of independence reflective of those who fought and died for freedom rather than subservience to a government -- no matter the form of tyranny or, bureaucracy.  I pray that Texas will remain true to those values and that throughout the world (no matter where puzzles are made) we will continue to represent those things which inspire.

Resolutions, Intentions and Wishes

In this new year in which my sole resolution was to write more, I'm struggling to write.  I suspect the old boy in the image above might have some pungent commentary regarding my resolution.

What is the reason that causes us to fail in implementing our resolutions?  I suspect it is simply the root of the word itself -- resolve.  We fail for lack of resolve.  That leaves two solutions: 1) don't make resolutions for which you haven't already developed the resolve to complete or, 2) develop some resolve!

I think all of us have good intentions.  That is what most lists of New Year's resolutions is in reality, a list of good intentions.  I'm sure there is a legal definition of intent because it is a word used in certain criminal charges such as "intent to kill."  I'm thinking of the word more in the way of a wish perhaps?  We all wish to be better and to do the things we know we should do, but we fail to back that wish with "intent" or, better yet, "purpose."  We merely think that by wishing a thing it will be so.

I suspect many of you who made resolutions for the new year are experiencing similar struggles with executing on those "wishes."  I believe the best approach is to adopt a resolution of working on one thing at a time, throughout the year, throughout your life.  We all know of areas in which we need to improve.  For some, it might be a simple bad habit such as failing to take out the trash on a regular basis.  For others, it might be some destructive behavior such as smoking, or eating too much.  The key is to select a single area for improvement and to focus on changing your attitude and your behavior in incremental steps.  Set goals regarding that behavior.

For me and my goal of writing, it is to set aside a period of time each day in which I write.  I already have that time and you are reading the result.  This is because of a resolution that I set about 1 1/2 years ago.  The next step in that journey of "writing more" is to set aside an additional period of time each day in which to write -- not merely just to assemble words on a blank page, but to focus on something a little more in-depth than the daily post to this blog or, journal if you prefer to call it such.

It might not actually seem to be contributory, but I have read more the last couple of days.  Reading what others have written can help develop one's own writing skills.  The words of others provide examples of structure, style and content which may or, may not be applied to one's own work.  One of the things I am reading currently is a diary kept by Captain Harry C. Butcher, USNR, called "My Three Years With Eisenhower."  It covers the years 1942 through 1945.  If you know anything of history, you will immediately associate that period of time with Eisenhower's role in World War II as the Commander of Allied Forces in Europe.  If you are a student of WWII, I highly recommend the book.  It is highly readable.  My daughter loaned it to me some time back and I am just now getting around to reading it.

Anyway, back to resolutions, intentions and wishes; it is still early in the year.  Don't set them aside just yet, but realize that changing habits is difficult.  The best approach is the incremental one.  Also, expect to fail, but understand that failure, in the case of changing habits at least, doesn't need to be permanent.  It's like falling down; don't just lay there on the sidewalk complaining, get up, brush off, staunch the bleeding and get back to it.  We all carry scars.

Now, to schedule additional writing time today....

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.

The Cycle of Change

I've heard it said that the way we start a new year sets the pattern for the coming year.  If that's the case, it will be one of getting up early!

There's a certain symmetry to writing 2020.  I realize after looking at the image above that I might should have spent a little more time and "drawn" it rather than writing.  It is a little sloppy.  I'm sure someone who is versed in analyzing handwriting will have something to say about the way I failed to close my O's.

I'm sure that many of you have resolutions for the coming year.  If you are so inclined, please comment with some of them -- they must be suitable for all audiences.  If you are not so disposed, that's okay as well.  My list is short this year; write more.  Yes, as I write this I am acknowledging that I need to write more -- no, not necessarily longer posts on this blog, but serious writing.

I wonder what this new decade will bring?  The History Channel says: "In the Roaring Twenties, a surging economy created an era of mass consumerism, as Jazz-Age flappers flouted Prohibition laws and the Harlem Renaissance redefined arts and culture."  Will the 2020's be a repeat?  After all, we are seeing a strong economy and "mass consumerism" is definitely the norm.

If you look back to the 1820's there were some interesting things happening.  Maine and Missouri became states, President Monroe announced the Monroe Doctrine, Moses Austin and his son Stephen F. Austin were establishing a settlement at San Felipe in the Mexican state of Texas, Napoleon died on the island of St. Helena, aluminum was discovered and the Rosetta Stone was translated.  Oh, and the Democratic Party was created.  That one is particularly interesting since they broke off from the Democratic-Republican Party over Andrew Jackson who was much like our current President in that he was supported by the rural parts of the country and known for his stubbornness which gave rise to the donkey as the symbol of the Democratic party.  My how history runs in cycles.  I expect a new party to break off from the Democratic party in the 2020's; it will be the Democratic Socialists.  It will occur after backlash over the rising socialist tendencies creates a split within the party.  It might happen as early as the next election cycle.

Also, in 1826, the first photographs were taken and in 1829, a patent for the "first typewriter" was filed.  There is some question as to it actually being the first, but it is the first that was well documented.  Both of those inventions contributed to this morning's post.  It is amazing to me that both have been replaced by the hand-held computers we carry around with us everywhere we go which are known as cell phones.  I suspect that name will soon be replaced by something more encompassing of their functionality.

What will the decade of the 2020's bring?  Any predictions out there?  Will we return to the moon?  Make it to Mars?  Will we see the 30's bring another depression such as followed the 1920's?  Perhaps the 2030's will be more like the 1830's and Texas will secede -- this time from the U.S. rather than from Mexico.

Enough of the prognostication.  Maybe I should add a resolution to focus more on the present?  I like science fiction too much for that.  I also like history.  Maybe if we balance the two....

Puzzles, Grammar and Life

It seems that we have developed a tradition of putting together a puzzle during the Christmas/New Year Holiday.  We've missed a few years, but most years we have managed it.  Any guesses as to what the picture might be this year?  I will try and remember to post an image once completed.

I grew up with puzzles and have always enjoyed them.  I might even have a few that my grandchildren now enjoy when they come to visit.  They teach things like patience and observation.

People attempt to assemble puzzles by various approaches.  My preference is to 1) assemble the border and then 2) focus on specific, recognizable features on the interior.  I like to place those features in the approximate correct location within the borders as they come together.  I then connect them as pieces are added.  Frequently you will see me with a piece in hand, 3) scanning the picture on the box for a match of color and distinguishing marks which then lead me to place the piece near where it belongs in the assembling puzzle upon the table.  Some people start with step two and others with step three.

There are lots of things for which puzzles can be a metaphor (I think that's the correct term).  Life is like a puzzle -- or, a bowl full of cherries in some movies.  We spend our developmental years figuring out all the pieces and beginning the assembly process.  The last piece falls into place as we take our last breath.  Our careers are also like a puzzle in some ways.  The big differences between life, careers and puzzles is that we don't know what the picture will look like when completed until they are almost over.  Even then there can be twists and turns that change the final view in dramatic ways.

I like the idea of a puzzle with a constantly evolving outcome.  Once a couple of pieces fit into place, the picture changes and finding the next piece is a completely new challenge.  I think that is often how life unfolds.  We usually can't see beyond the next piece.  We also sometimes struggle to see where the current piece fits in our overall plan.  It doesn't mesh with the mental image we have developed of the future.

I think that in life and careers, just like in puzzles, we need to learn to focus on the present.  We need to be mindful of the possible futures and prepare for them -- especially those we would like to develop -- but, we should focus on the piece in hand.  When we place it correctly within the overall framework, it makes the next piece fall into place more easily.  If it is handled poorly -- placed incorrectly -- the pieces connecting to it are more difficult to assemble.

Upon further reflection, my example of a puzzle is a simile rather than a metaphor -- at least in the way I used it.  If, instead, I had said that life is a puzzle, it would have been a metaphor.  Simile = "like", metaphor = "is" is the rule.  I've always struggled with that one.  Maybe I've puzzled over the differences.  I don't know.  This correct grammar stuff is frustrating -- just like the piece that doesn't seem to fit anywhere....

Entrepreneurial Genius

As some of you knew and others probably guessed, my sporadic blogging this past week was due to travel.  Usually I have time to find a Wifi connection, hook up my laptop and post something, but that wasn't the case a couple of days.  Sometimes I have been known to prepare an entry or, two ahead of time and then post them via my smartphone.  Nope, not this week.  Maybe I just needed a little break.

I did run across a Texan this week who was unfamiliar with Buc-ee's.  I was a bit surprised until I reflected on the fact that the phenomenon of these convenience stores on steroids hasn't yet reached the northwest part of the state.  We stopped at the one in the above image on the way back home.  It is one of the newer ones and not the largest, but it has 48 gas pumps -- each of which can accommodate a car on either side.  That means 96 automobiles could theoretically be pumping simultaneously.  You think that's crazy?  I've seen it and with cars backed up in line to move to the pumps.

One of the draws of these retail wonders is their restrooms.  They are designed to handle as many people as the fuel pumps but, I have seen folks lined up in order to have a turn at the facilities.  In fact, a friend posted a photo to Facebook over this past weekend that showed a line stretching about 100 feet or, more at one of the facilities in the central part of the state.

When you think of the saying, "Everything's bigger in Texas," you are probably tripping over the inspiration for these mega-successful stores.  They are springing up along the crowded Interstate highways of the state and each one seems to be bigger than the last.  I never fail to be amazed at the number of people who have stopped to utilize their "money-trapping" facilities that  offer everything from souvenirs to barbecue sandwiches.  Their fuel prices are reasonable and their restroom facilities attract travelers like bees to pollen.

A couple of years ago I was traveling with some visitors that included individuals from New York, Maryland and England.  I took them to a Buc-ee's.  They talked about it the rest of the trip.  I have to admit, I definitely admire the entrepreneurial genius that took the idea of the convenience store to the level of superstore.

Trees and Imagination

I've always been intrigued by trees.  It probably is from growing up in an area where the only trees were planted by someone.  When I run across a tree like this ancient Bois d'arc, I understand how they could inspire writers to create characters from them.

Imagine yourself walking through the woods around midnight on one of those nights when the moon is full and bright; the crooked limbs of the tree are shadows across the sky.  An owl hoots nearby and something is skittering around in the dry leaves and grass.  Suddenly, your sleeve is snagged by one of the small branches that overhangs your pathway and you find your clothes hung on the stubby remains of a twig broken from the limb.  In your struggle, you make enough noise to startle some larger creature which goes crashing off through the underbrush.

The next day, when you return to the site of the excitement to retrieve the tattered remains of your clothing, you realize that the tree was completely harmless, although your clothing was ruined.  For the writer, it is fuel for the imagination.  I'm apparently only a so-so writer because, yes, it caught my imagination, but as I read my description, I find it falls far short of what J.R.R. Tolkien or, Washington Irving accomplished.  I need to work on that.

A sense of being watched was overwhelming as Ichabod stumbled along the forest path.  The slightest sound would cause him to start as though a giant beast was about to pounce upon him.  The distant hoot, hoot-hoot of an owl was answered nearby followed by the rush of wings swooping down and talons snatching the cap from his head.  He dove to the damp ground, disturbing the moldering leaves to release their pungent odor of decay.  Fear overcame sense as he sprang to his feet, dashing directly into the drooping moss-covered branches of an ancient tree which enfolded him in springing, clinging, hairy arms.

The stone marker beside the road reads, "Here lies poor Ichabod, dead of fright."

Reflections, Patterns and Life

The other day, while walking through the woods, we came upon this pond full of reeds.  It looks like the perfect habitat for ducks, but we didn't see any.  The pond was isolated and sat in the middle of the only open area on the land where we were walking; the rest was overgrown with brush and trees.

When I look at the image, many things come into my mind.  I think of the story of Moses being put into a basket made of reeds, placed in the reeds along the bank of the Nile River and later being found.  I think of the baskets the early Americans made from similar types of reeds.  They also were used for hats -- woven in much the same manner as the baskets.  I thought of hunting pheasant in the dry playas of the Texas Panhandle during the fall and winter months, pushing through the reeds and cattails that were so thick you could barely move -- especially since I probably wasn't very old the first few times I did so.  Most of all, when I see this image, I see the reflection of the reeds in the water that make it seem as though there are twice as many as are actually growing there.

The reflections form patterns and shadows upon the water and give the various creatures that live beneath the surface a measure of safety because the patterns on those creatures match the patterns made by the reflections, allowing them to blend in and remain unnoticed by predators such as a Great Blue Heron or, an Egret that might be searching for a meal.  They match the stripes on the back of a frog, or, the pattern of scales on a turtle and almost perfectly match the color patterns on the side of a Crappie or, some of the other small fish that may be hiding in the shadows in order to avoid being a meal for something larger.

Nature is full of patterns and more patterns which reflect other patterns.  It is natural camouflage -- patterns blending into patterns.  Think of a moth on tree bark, or a sparrow in the weeds.

Patterns are all around us.  They tend to be repetitive.  When something doesn't fit the expected pattern, we notice it.  (It is a survival response.)  Did you notice in the image the thing that doesn't fit?  There is a single seed head on one of the cattails.  It is in the process of releasing the seeds.  (You may need to zoom in on the image to see it clearly.)

I knew when I first looked at the reeds in the pond that something didn't seem right -- it was the sterility of the pond; it appeared lifeless -- until I spotted the single cattail which was releasing its seeds.  Instead of an image of death -- a dying pond -- it became the image of a pond clinging to life.

Perhaps patterns lull us into lethargy.  I suspect there are many things subliminally written into our minds by the patterns around us.  It is only when we look for the anomalies that we see life.  As we approach the end of the year we often spend time reflecting on the events of the previous one.  Is it time to break a few patterns?  Patterns seem to become ruts which lead down the same old path of sameness.  Maybe next year would be a good time to break out of the ruts, break the pattern, do something different that will inject new life.  I'm looking forward to seeing what it will bring.  I hope you are too.

Merry Christmas

We decorate the Christmas tree

With lights that shine so bright

To represent the stars above

Upon that Holy Night

When One was born to save the world

And take away the sin

Of all who call upon His name

And are reborn within.

The ornaments upon the tree

Are gifts to Him above;

They are a simple token

Of hearts filled with love.

Underneath the tree are gifts

Exchanged with family;

Symbolic of the precious gift

He gave to you and me

Of life eternal in a place

Beyond imagining;

A place of peace, filled with love

Where choirs of angels sing.

"And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night.  An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified.  But the angel said to them, 'Do not be afraid.  I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people.  Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord.  This will be a sign to you:  You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.'" -- Luke 2:8-12

Death and Rebirth

You never know what you might stumble across when walking out in the woods.  I wasn't sure whether it was one of the reindeer, or maybe the Devil that met his end right here before Christmas.  I'm not sure why, but it seemed like an appropriate post for Christmas Eve.  Perhaps it is that the birth of Jesus was the introduction of a New Covenant between God and His people.  The skull, in a way, represents the death of the old which leads to the birth of the new.

I've never really thought of Christmas in that way before, but when I think of the excitement on children's faces as they race to see what is under the tree I reflect on what our attitude should be upon discovering the true gift of Christmas, a Savior, sent to the world to open a pathway for those who believe.  Christmas isn't just a commemoration of the birth of Jesus, it represents the opportunity for all of us to be reborn -- to die to the old and live life for the new -- to die to our sinful nature and be born again into a life guided by love.

I was unable to post yesterday due to trying to cram too many things into a day.  I likely won't post anything tomorrow as it will be spent focusing on family and the reason we celebrate.  I hope that will be your focus as well.

"Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests." -- Luke 2:14

U-turn for a Longhorn

Okay, I admit it; we stopped, turned around and drove back to take a few pictures of the Longhorns.  They were some impressive specimens of the breed and the one above was displaying an almost perfect classic set of horns.  I would bet they end up on someone's wall one of these days.  For now, though, they create a challenge for this old boy to move around among the trees.

This animal is carrying quite a bit of age to have horns of that size.  They also appear to have been trained.  Many raisers of Longhorn cattle will use horn weights to influence the growth pattern over time.  Completely natural growth can be a little more unpredictable with some turning down, or maybe they just aren't symmetrical.  The ones on this old steer are almost perfect.

When I think of Longhorns I see them in my mind on the trail up through the Plains where there isn't much in the way of natural obstacles for them to maneuver around except the occasional muddy river or, creek.  In this part of Texas, and down in the central and southern parts of the state where the trail drives originated, there was lots of brush, cactus, trees, rocks and other natural impediments to their travel.  They had to be constantly aware of the width of those ornaments in order to navigate effectively.  Yeah, it seems like a simple thing, but I hadn't really thought about it.

I find myself struggling through the woods and I'm not nearly as wide as those massive horns although I'm certainly wider than I once was.  I'm surprised he doesn't have a few tree branches hung on them that he likely tore off while passing through the brush.

I suppose this post isn't particularly deep, but sometimes I just need to record my meager thoughts in order to preserve them for the next time I forget.  Who knows, I might decide to plow into creating a novel about a cattle drive some day and need to recall this thought!  Well, maybe a short story is more likely.  Umm, a vignette?  I may have to be satisfied with this blog post that will perhaps aid some other writer who has more ambition.

I am happy we turned around.

Re-fueling

I woke up late this morning,

That's not something that I do,

I have a good internal alarm.

For some unknown reason

I kept on catching ZZ's,

Maybe 'cause I was all nice and warm.

The dogs were surely wondering

Why I hadn't let them out

But, they were being quiet and I am glad;

Now they're out there howling

At nothing I can see

And we had to get on to them like they're bad

When really, that's just what dogs do.

It's their job to bark and howl

At the things that don't belong --

It's the way they tell you they are hard at work

On their patrol about the yard --

It’s just them singing out their working song

While here I sit, just typing

On this nonsensical rhyme

As I get the coffee flowing in my blood.

But, now I've reached a point

Where I'm running out of words

So, I'll just go get another cup of mud.

Lessons in an Old House

I am drawn to old buildings like this one I ran across on a back road in Central Texas a few years ago.  Those were some tight living quarters, but for the era in which this was built, it was common.  I took the image from the road and resisted the urge to walk out to it since I didn't have permission.  If I recall, there was a barbed wire fence in the way, I just took the shot over the fence.

To me, a building such as this that has withstood so many years of the elements is a reflection of the folks that built it.  They were tough.  There was no running water, no electricity, no indoor plumbing.  I'm sure they had a garden for vegetables and a milk cow in a pen out back.  Much of their table fare was likely supplied by hunting for a rabbit, or some other wild game.  Trips to town were few and a major endeavor.

We surely take a lot of things for granted these days as we live in our palaces and have our meals delivered.  I suspect there are lots of folks who couldn't handle it.

There are still tough people -- even in this country of luxury.  They aren't the kind of "tough" portrayed in the movies which depicts "toughness" as violence; they are the kind of "tough" that endures hardship and challenge and that overcomes the obstacles that continually seem to be placed in their path.  They survive in spite of the odds which seem to be stacked against them.

I'm not talking of the "silver spoon" folks who have a network of financial and other help, I'm talking about those who are born in circumstances that put them at a disadvantage, yet are able to rise above that life to one of productivity and success.  Some see success as the poor kid who ended up as a star athlete, or entertainer; what I'm referring to is the one who worked to provide for his family while getting a high school education and then went on to college and a job where they learned skills that allowed them to rise within the organization, or perhaps to step out and start their own business.  In a way, they are the pioneers of today.  They pave the way as an example of overcoming the odds.

In today's world it seems to be "the thing" to take advantage of ignorance.  I see ignorance as an opportunity to educate.  Maybe I'm a bit altruistic, but I believe the responsibility that comes with the blessings I have received is to pass on the things I have learned to those in need.

My post drifted a bit. 

Chasing a White Rabbit

I was walking in the woods the other day and came across something I had never seen before; it was down in the hollow base of a large tree.  Looking into the cavity, there appeared to be a round, white, puffy ball lodged in a hole.  My first thought was that some animal, such as a white rabbit, had become lodged in there and was stuck.  Of course, my eyesight isn't quite what it once was, so I just wasn't certain what it was that was down in that hole.  It almost looked like a ball of snow, but we hadn't had any, so I knew it couldn't be that.

I took the logical approach and poked it with a stick.  That didn't tell me much, so I then proceeded to dig it out with the stick.  It was stuck and didn't come out easily and in fact, came out in pieces.  I wish I had thought to take an image of it before I tore it up.  It was very cold and a bit squishy to the touch. 

I, of course, had to research a bit to find out what this cold, squishy ball of rubbery stuff might be so I searched first on iNaturalist.  There, I found it to be a Lion's Mane Mushroom, Hericium erinaceus.  It is edible and has medicinal properties.  Some of the benefits are related to immune function, anxiety and depression, cognitive health, heart health, cancer, diabetes, digestive health, wound healing and nervous system recovery.  Seems like an important mushroom with which to become acquainted!

You never know what you will find if you just get out and explore a bit.

What Makes a Man

That which is a man is judged

Based on what we see,

Much like what is left

Of this old hollow tree.

We see the outer shell --

Crusty, hard and worn --

Shaped by daily living

Life since he was born.

What we often fail to see

Is that which lies within;

Hidden deep inside of him

Beneath his outer skin.

Sometimes he is hollow,

Just like this rotten log;

There's nothing there but emptiness

Filled with vaporous fog.

If you want to know the man

The most important part

Is to look down deep inside of him

Into his beating heart.

That is where his passions lie,

The things which give him drive

To overcome all obstacles

And make him feel alive.

It's not just the container,

Like some old rusty can,

It's the heart that beats within him

That makes a man a man. 

Relevance in Being Present

There are silent places

That compel you to pause and look

Upon the distant horizon,

Lost in wonder.

Time is no longer relevant.

Miles hide the scars.

Past and future merge

Into our presence in the present,

And for a moment,

We are content to be.

Re-making Boxes

Don't let others define you

Based on arbitrary categories

That align in neat boxes;

Define yourself based on who

You were made to be.

We are each uniquely suited

To some task that lies always before us

And that which we do each day

Prepares us for the moment

We step into the gap.

Our lives become a series

Of those gaps where we are the part

Which fills the need that

None other can fill because we alone

Have what is needed.

Boxes are empty places

Surrounded by walls

That attempt to contain

When what we need is to

Grow to our potential.

We speak of thinking

Outside the box when what we

Should be doing is redefining

The boxes in which we find

Our true selves.

The Power of Christmas

At the center of Christmas is a child.

That child grew into a man who changed the world.

That he was more than just a man

Is the center of a faith

Necessary

For that change.

It is not in an institution,

But, in the power of God

That transcends this world.

"For in the gospel a righteousness from God is revealed, a righteousness that is by faith from first to last, just as it is written: 'The righteous will live by faith.'" -- Romans 1:17

What Do You See?

This image was taken in far western New Mexico just off of U.S. Highway 60 back in 2010.  I noticed what looked to be a cave off to the south and stopped to get a photograph only to discover that it wasn't a cave, but an arch.  When I looked at the image this morning, I saw something completely different.  I saw R2D2.

I'm not sure what he is dragging along behind him, but that's definitely R2D2 on the left.  For the two of you out there who might not know, R2D2 is a robot from the Star Wars series.  He speaks in high-pitched beeps and whistles and is in charge of navigation on Luke's fighter -- along with many other duties such as carrying stolen Death Star plans and crucial maps of the Universe.  He has even been known to produce other items out of a hidden compartment, such as Luke's light-saber, at critical moments.

I am definitely a Star Wars fan, but my wife is a fanatic.  I suspect she can quote the script of every character in every one of the movies -- not only quote them, but her timing on them is impeccable.  I may know the gist of what is coming, but she speaks the words as they are spoken in the scene as it plays out in front of you.

There are many who do not care for Science Fiction, but it is my favorite genre of fiction.  It is where we can delve into societal issues in an imaginative world of the future.  Sometimes the creative vision of the author plays out and at other times it doesn't -- I'm thinking Jules Verne.  Science Fiction has been around for a long time.

What are your favorite Science Fiction books?  Your comments would be appreciated.  My favorite is probably "Stranger in a Strange Land" by Robert A. Heinlein.  I wouldn't recommend it for everyone, but it is one that will definitely get you to thinking.  I look forward to your lists!

Contemplation

Way down in the pasture

Is a place I like to go

That makes me feel I'm stepping back in time.

I no longer hear the highway

With the people passing by

On their way to spend or make another dime.

It's a place where birds are singing

And their music fills the air

While shuffling critters go about their way.

I can sit in quiet wonder

As the time rolls silent by

And think upon the beauty of the day.

Eyes Ahead

Sometimes we get a glimpse

Of what lies just ahead

And we get all excited

Or, our hearts are filled with dread.

The tantalizing vision

Which lies just beyond our reach

Has lessons of its own

That it will surely teach

But, for now it is the journey

That leads us ever on

Until we step into that place

Where we have never gone

And witness with our very eyes

Those things which lay before

As we travel through this crazy life

To some far distant shore.

Boundaries

Boundaries.

Defined spaces.

Borders.

Mine:Yours.

Frontier.

Known: Unknown.

Fences.

In: Out.

Partition.

Divided areas.

Perimeter.

Outer edge.

Open borders are no borders at all.

Freedom respects boundaries because it is defined by personal rights;

Both mine and yours.

No boundaries = no rights = no freedom.

Empty Places

Deep within each of us resides a longing for something beyond ourselves.  We rise from our slumber out of habit, or because we desire survival, or because we are filled with an eagerness for the day; something draws us that we may not understand, but is there nevertheless as a constant lure just beyond the edge of our awareness.

I am drawn to empty places.  I smell the dust rising from the grasses as I pass quietly in quest of what lies just beyond -- just beyond the next hill, or tree, or ravine that I must cross; just beyond the mountain, or valley, or whatever lies ahead because in my passage I am pulled onward to discovery.  The place to which I am drawn must lie over the next horizon where it ever awaits my arrival.  My journey through the empty places relieves the tiredness of the world that has seeped into my bones and replaces it with the fatigue of effort.

That which compels me is not a place of ease where I might sit in comfort for it is in those places the energy seeps from me and I feel life fading, but where there is struggle and challenge and a battle that pits my wits against the elements, I am energized.  Vitality springs from the earth and fills me with the desire to succeed -- to live.  Life begets life.

I was made to move forward.  Stagnation and decay occur in motionless inactivity.

Rise from your easy chair and set foot into the world where adventure awaits -- if not in your front yard, just over the next hill.  Overcome your lethargy and seek life in abundance.

Venturing Forth

From behind my guarded walls

I peer into the distance

Where enemies abound

And opportunity awaits.

Dare I venture forth

Into the great unknown

Where I might fall before the powers

Who seek to slay me there?

Or, do I wait behind my walls

Until the day I die

Alone and afraid

Of that which I might have conquered?

Step forth into the world

With eyes wide;

Armored in Truth,

Shielded with Faith.

Ephesians 4:10-18

Memories

In the garden of my dream

I looked through all the many windows

And saw faces of long ago,

Smiling from their compartments,

Of place,

And time,

As if waiting

For reunion.

Peaceful Presence

There are pathways in my mind

Where I walk in silent thought,

Lost.

There I am surrounded by

An encompassing cocoon of

Peace.

It is then I feel the

Comforting presence of

God.

Water, Conveniences and Contaminants

As I continue my journey back through old images from Mission San Jose in San Antonio, I am struck by this one of a water well.  Here in this country we take clean, readily-available water for granted although it is critical for our survival.

Can you imagine living where the water you drink and use for washing is all hand-dipped from a well?  There are numerous places where that is the case even today.  Often, the water in those open wells is contaminated with debris along with bacteria, insect larva, fecal material and chemicals which leach into it or, fall from above.  Many times, they are the source of disease or, other contaminant-induced illnesses.

In 2009, on a trip to Niger, I saw large community wells that provided the drinking water to many people.  I recall peering into one and seeing quantities of trash -- plastic bags, containers, wood, other debris -- that had blown in from the surrounding streets, yet the people lowered their buckets and drew out the water for consumption.  It is no wonder their mortality rate is high.

The same thing happens in this country, but we aren't usually aware of it.  Roadside trash washes into our streams, rivers and lakes which often serve as reservoirs of drinking water for our cities.  If it wasn't for the decontamination processes of our municipal services -- which includes chemical treatment to kill organisms in the water -- we would be in similar circumstances as the poor in other countries.  Fortunately, we have built infrastructure to cleanse the majority of contaminants from the water before we consume it.

Notice my use of the word "majority" in the previous comment; one thing we fail to completely remove is the micro-plastics -- microscopic pieces of plastic that come from the tons of plastic items we use  on a daily basis.  Those plastics include things like food wraps, straws, drink containers, toys, storage containers, tires and many other things.  Plastics are so pervasive in our lives that we no longer take notice of them.

There are many different kinds of plastic.  They are sometimes rigid, sometimes flexible, some contain dyes while others are clear, they are often combined with other materials such as in footwear.  They are a major component of tires which leave tiny fragments on our roadways as we drive.  Those fragments are washed into ditches and eventually into our waterways.

The consumption of all of those micro-plastics is something being studied by numerous scientists.  As of this time, little is known about the impact they may, or may not have, on our health.  I don't know about you, but I'm not particularly thrilled to know that I am consuming it.

Modern technology is amazing in the the things that make our lives better; sometimes, though, there are unintended consequences that come along for the ride.  I am trying to use fewer plastic objects.  I also am attempting to do as my grandparents and reuse or, re-purpose items more frequently.  There is not only a benefit to the environment, but also an economic benefit.  I wish more people would do the same.

Often it is difficult to connect all the dots between our consumptive behavior and the environment; water is one area that falls into that category.  The next time you grab that plastic wrap, think about where it will end up.  It might be that you are feeding it to your grandchildren....

Subjects of the Crown

The old Spanish Missions often included a Presidio, or fort.  The image above is from inside one of the towers along the wall which surrounded the compound at Mission San Jose in San Antonio.  The round holes are gun ports.

Small groups of Spanish Priests and their acolytes would trek into the wilderness of the New World accompanied by soldiers.  The soldiers aided in the subjugation of the natives by protecting the clergy and helping to provision them until sufficient numbers of natives could be "tamed" to provide the labor to support the missions.  The stated purpose was to Christianize the natives, but the efforts were supported by the Crown because they wanted easy access to whatever riches might be discovered.  The mission efforts were backed by the government because they wanted to grow their power and areas of domination.

In all of South and Middle America, the Spaniards killed large numbers of the male natives and "married" the women.  The resulting mixed blood people were more easily controlled because of their familial ties -- even though they were second class citizens.  They became the peasantry of the New World.  There are still multiple terms used to describe the percentage of Spanish blood in people in Mexico.  Being fully Spaniard carries prestige not enjoyed by those of mixed blood.

In North America the story was somewhat different.  The small number of French who penetrated the continent sought to trade with the natives.  They were focused on furs and other trade goods rather than gold and mineral riches.  The French trappers often married into the tribes with which they traded.  The English, however, took a very different approach; they simply annihilated the competition.

There were exceptions, though, and those exceptions account for the large percentage of white-skinned population in the U.S. that contain native DNA.  Usually, ahead of the "official" spread of European-blooded population across the continent, there were brave souls who ventured into the wilderness without sanction of the authorities.  They were looking to escape the highly regimented control of the British Crown's colonial policies which placed lands in the hands of a few.  Those explorers were trappers and traders and just people looking to find a place to live in peace on a piece of land that was their own.  They were willing to fight for that privilege.

With the exception of a handful of government sponsored trips, it was only after those explorers had become established and their numbers sufficient to support a viable economy that the federal powers followed with military might.  The spread of "civilization" was through the efforts of individuals first, rather than a deliberate government-controlled plan; however, the wealth that was "discovered" or, built, from the wilderness attracted the powers-that-be and control was soon sought through military might.

To a large extent, it is the descendants of those explorers who populate the middle (flyover) part of the North American continent.  They are the ones who feed the world through their agricultural ingenuity and persistence against the elements.  They are also the ones who seem most to cherish their freedom to pursue the livelihood of their choice without government interference or, support.  They are the "thorns in the side" of those in power who want only a subservient population who will do their bidding without protest.

A Prickly Symbol

I have been trying to avoid political posts, but this old Yucca makes me think of our embattled President.  I'll let you figure out the symbolism.

This image was taken at Mission San Jose in San Antonio, Texas, a few years back.  The mission was founded in 1720.  Official activities of the mission ended in 1824 and the buildings fell into disuse, being occupied by soldiers, the homeless and occasional bandits.  The mission was restored beginning in 1933.

History is filled with the struggle of those who are "civilized" and their attempt to subjugate and "reform" those who remain "heathen."  European powers fought the Mongol hoards, in Africa the Colonial powers fought against the many tribes who were native to the land -- often enslaving them.  On the American continents it was a similar story with European powers "taming" or, destroying those who were here first.

As the world was conquered by the Europeans, there occurred a blending of the blood in such a way that there remains within those of us living today, a streak of the "wild" people who were overcome.  I suppose that brings me full circle to the political aspects of the image that heads this post.  I think we are still resisting the conquering European mindset that has infiltrated political institutions and that is why so many stand with the President in his resistance.  In him -- despite his prickly nature -- is seen the fight to remain independent rather than subject to the powers of those who would govern.  That is, at heart, why the "common" people support him.  It isn't about his style, or his policies so much as it is about seeing him as one who is fighting against the concentrated power of those who would rule rather than serve.  We recognize his imperfections yet see in him the hope of breaking the corrupt "deep state" that sees itself as above the law.

It really has nothing to do with opposition to "climate change alarmists" or, isolationism, or, any of the other "global" issues.  It is about freedom.

Europeans don't understand that mindset since most have never fully escaped the feudal institutions built on royalty versus commoners.  They have never really experienced freedom in the way those who conquered the interior of the American continents did.  Those of us in rural areas of the U.S. still have the blood of that freedom coursing through our veins.  In our hearts we remain free and that is why those in power or, in the crowded cities of the coasts, despise us.  

Yep, I got political.