Our dear Mother Earth ***

Our dear Mother Earth is suffering and reacting in pain

The tragedy in Japan is the most horrendous thing I've ever viewed in my life

How immense the toll

I am beyond words

Great ***

This site will educate you.  It did me. I applaud those who developed the maps.  Taught me much in 90 second videos.
Check it out; quick and easy.  Click here http://mapsofwar.com/maps.html

Some People are Unflappable ***

like this Adams guy;]
"I love deadlines. I like the whooshing sound they make as they fly by".
                                                                                                  Douglas Adams



 Then there is this type, the frantic worrier. 

Forget the Dogs ***

    and focus closer.  See the fat buds building to burst into full bloom? 

Won't be many days before it will look as this one.  This is my magnolia tree, a Mother's Day gift from Anna.  How it has grown in the past five years.  It would have been bigger, but foolish me thought I could shape it and went chop, chop a few times.  Yet, I can't let it grow too sprawly now that there is the fence close by to it.

A single bloom

This is the "Jane" Magnolia, having pink flowers.  The blooms have a delicious perfume exuding when you get nearby.  Only problem is they don't last long enough.

The petals are unsuitable for drying as they turn a brown color.  My loss as capturing that perfume was my goal.

The Power of the Dog ***

The Power of the Dog

by Rudyard Kipling

There is sorrow enough in the natural way
From men and women to fill our day;
But when we are certain of sorrow in store,
Why do we always arrange for more?

Brothers and sisters I bid you beware

Of giving your heart to a dog to tear.

Buy a pup and your money will buy
Love unflinching that cannot lie–

Perfect passion and worship fed
By a kick in the ribs or a pat on the head.
Nevertheless it is hardly fair
To risk your heart for a dog to tear.

When the fourteen years that nature permits
Are closing in asthma or tumors or fits
And the vet’s unspoken prescription runs
To lethal chambers, or loaded guns.

Then you will find–its your own affair

But–you’ve given your heart to a dog to tear.
When the body that lived at your single will
When the whimper of welcome is stilled (how still!)

When the spirit that answered your every mood
Is gone–wherever it goes–for good,
You still discover how much you care
And will give your heart to a dog to tear.

We’ve sorrow enough in the natural way
When it comes to burying Christian clay.
Our loves are not given, but only lent,
At compound interest of cent per cent.

Though it is not always the case, I believe,
That the longer we’ve kept ‘em the more do we grieve;
For when debts are payable, right or wrong,
A short time loan is as bad as a long–

So why in Heaven (before we are there)
Should we give our hearts to a dog to tear?
                                                     RK

Let's Keep in Mind ***

“We stand on the shoulders of others. You don’t do anything by yourself.”