suffer!! what have we become?!

here's a reality check for all those who purport to have fears about school shootings, and mass shootings in general. it seems to me the USA no longer lays claim to the monniker 'land of the free' ~ what's free about it, if you can get your fucking head blown off, just for going to school? NUTHIN', that's what! IMHO, of course. read on, if you'd rather stick your head in the sand about all that.

I'd just published a post on time and the universe seeking balance through its expansion. And then, I had a change of heart. This public ad ~ its not new ~ changed my heart (squeezed it, too). I've seen it numerous times in the past. Each time, I feel instantly inclined to change the channel ... and each time I deny myself that indulgence ... that self-centred, petty indulgence. So many of us do actually change the channel, clinging to the pre-operational notion which tempts us each to think, if we shut something from our vision, it does not exist as a problem for us.

So ~ watch this video. Its short ~ 2 minutes. It should give you a mammoth heart ache. It should make you feel abject shame at your membership in the human race. It may make you cry. Its designed to garner a reaction ~ to open our eyes to selfishness and cruelty, as humans. This video serves as a humble reminder, on this fair Sunday afternoon, the we, humanity, truly are the scourge of the earth.




Expand the post to read the poem, Treat Me Kindly

Treat Me Kindly

Treat me kindly, my beloved friend,
For no heart in all the world is more
rateful for kindness than the loving
heart of me.

Do not break my spirit with a stick,
For though I should lick your hand
between blows, your patience and
understanding will more quickly
teach me the things you would
have me learn.

Speak to me often, For your voice is
the world's sweetest music, as you must
know by the fierce wagging of my tail
when your footsteps fall upon my ears.

Please take me inside when it is cold
and wet, For I am a domesticated
animal, no longer accustomed to the
bitter elements. I ask no greater glory
than the privilege of sitting at your
feet beside the hearth.

Keep my pan filled with water, for I
cannot tell you when I suffer thirst.
Feed me clean food that I may stay well,
to romp and play and do your bidding,
to walk by your side, and stand ready,
willing and able to protect you with
my life, should your life be in danger.

And, my friend, when I am very old, and
I no longer enjoy good health, hearing
and good sight, do not make heroic
efforts to keep me going.

I am not having fun. Please see that my
trusting life is taken gently. I shall
leave this earth knowing with the last
breath I drew, that my fate was always
safest in your hand.

~ By Beth Norman Harris 1968 ~

about a girl

taken by 'mon petit loup' in jasper national park ... just outside the town of jasper, on the side of the highway. kewl, huh? yes ... he risked almost getting charged by this lovely aminal just to get these great shots. the music is "Tall Cotton" by Count Basie (what other, more appropriate musik could i set to this slideshow?)

i think she's totally cute ... sorta reminds me of a llama ... and ... YUP ... you guessed it - I WANT ONE. i want my very own elk. hey - i could promote her as the environmentally friendly way to lawn care ... think it would work? i mean, ya think any of the neighbours would buy my story? lol ... ok. likely not. or maybe i could ride her to work? do you think elks like to be saddled up? haha! ok ... probably not. but ... i still want her for a pet ... i suppose i'd settle for a mini schnauzer, though ... or maybe just a few more houseplants, for now.

in other news ... i'm 10 days' clean. i often feel as johnny cash described himself ... The Beast in Me ... alas ... the frail and fragile bars have held so far. the smell of everything (particularly food) makes me wanna barf ... and i can only eat spicy ginger beef without feeling completely icky. i think this will pass. (i cannot imagine how horrid it must feel like to kick a heroine habit ... honestly.)

we planted some tomatoes and hot peppers and geraniums in our l'il garden patch ... bought some houseplants ... and - most important of all - 'mon petit loup' returned himself to me. no woman could feel happier. i am TIRED, though - gettin' a l'il too old to cognate productively on 4 hours of sleep!

wishing you all a great, productive week.