Like Cows in the Corn Crib

We had a herd of cattle when I was a boy growing up on the farm.  We raised corn to feed them in the winter and stored it in a corn crib in the barn.  The cows broke into it once, and ate until they almost foundered, and then they stood up in the middle of the corn and commenced to urinate and defecate all over the rest of it.  I gave my cows an IQ test once while I was farming, just to see how smart they were.  They flunked! Really though, they are not the smartest of mammals, probably bordering on the dumbest, except that I don't think the way we have been acting in our earth food bin is much better than they did in the corn crib.  

Reckoning Day is Coming

 The sun is setting on the United States' period of freedom, prosperity, and opportunity for all.  It is because of our own doing, and lack of concern that this is happening.  In the tradition of the invading Europeans, our Western civilization nineteenth century "manifest destiny" ideals have all but destroyed aboriginal culture and means of existence, and has been the cause of  genocide against them.  We have silently watched as the pristine wilderness was plundered,  and lived as though we were God's only special people, with the philosophy that only we have "dominion" over all on this earth, and it is ours to do as we please.  We did not listen to the "Heathens" or take any lessons from their way of life that is harmonious with nature, and is sustainable for future generations.  Greed, selfishness, and materialism have ruled our society, with a facade of self proclaimed holiness.  A person's worth has been measured in wealth and the amount of power they have over others, regardless of how that power or wealth was obtained.  


And now the Earth, God's creation that was made for all living things and all people, is in danger of becoming uninhabitable.  The climate IS changing.  Things are happening much faster than some expected.   We may not be able to undo the damage, or even stop the change. But I remain optimistic, and know that we must not remain silent.  We must do what we can to help stop this headlong power dive into oblivion.  And we must do it with love and compassion for all, and not with the militant medieval ways of force and violence. 

Let us not go into that dark night without a fight!  

There are very wealthy powerful forces, both individuals and corporations acting as individuals, small in number but in control of many, who will vehemently resist any change in the status quo.  This fungal clique has its poisonous tentacles in financial establishments, communications, governmental and law enforcement bodies, food production and logistics ... practically every aspect  of  our society.  They will use any means available to them to remain in control.   So in our "battle" to save us, we are likely to face all kinds of  misinformation, injustices, violence, intimidation, and efforts to silence our voices.  We must remain strong and determined, use our heads and hearts to overcome, never lower the fight to violence, a game they excel in and where they will surely succeed.  We must follow the lead of the Dove, not the Hawk.  The way to peace is through love.  We must win the hearts of many to overcome this war against mankind,nature, and the very mother earth that nourishes us.     

Drops Ripple in the Puddle

Drops Ripple in the Puddle

Went walking this cool misty morning.  Rain puddles on the road.  Strengthens my body and refreshes my spirit.  Oftentimes do a little soul searching, reflect on my life, remember my younger years, the people I have met, the ones that I  love, the ones that I am connected to in spirit.  Was feeling especially melancholy this morning and wrote this poem.  

Wandering Soulmate

Wafting Cottonwood leaves, a thousand hands waving, 

Arms swaying, gracefully yield without breaking

Against the soft clouds,  my spirit is waking. 

Cool mist, wind in my face, caress and embrace 

A younger time in this place.

                   

Sycamore branches, a chalky perch, 

Oh wandering soul looking for rest.  I know you from the ages last.  

We ran barefoot through the puddles, once in the past.

Playfully soared in this misty breeze, lit atop these lofty trees.

Hearts innocent and free.  Do you remember me?

Your saddened spirit now with me, perched in this Sycamore tree.    

Time skewed as it passed, our time now together cannot last. 

Take comfort as you rest.  Lay your head upon my chest.

Draw strength from my weathered bones, 

No use to me when I'm gone.

Carry me with you, and we'll never be alone. 

Timeless Vanity, and Vain Men

VANITY

The man of vanity, a bag of gas,

Prefers associates empty as himself,

And while he lives and bloats on others' breath,

Sells puffs to purchase a return of puffs;

And while he courts esteem , by vapid praise

From those he aims to cheat, gets counterfeit.

Vain man!  So prone to mingle with the world

For fond display of what he means for wit,

While comrades, for amusement, urge him on

By flattery and simulated praise,

By draughts that warm the blood and loose the tongue.

Poor man!  He has no relish for his home;

No appetite for labor or repose;

No rest, save when he roves in search of news;

No peace of heart, except in feuds and strife;

No joy more sweet than giving others grief;

Great pride in vilifying modest worth;

Great greatness, grossly great at little tricks;

Great cunning which deceives himself alone.

Their language what?  And what their themes and thoughts?

As frivolous as fleeting phantasies

That vex us half awake and half asleep,

Unworthy of the thoughts of worthy men.

Rev. Anthanasius Aud  1884

Rev. Aud was pastor of St. Lawrence Church in Daviess Co. KY from 1845-1846. He wrote a book of poems that was printed in 1884 when he was eighty years old.    I wrote a little history book of the church and its people, and published it in 1998.  I included some of his poems as part of the history.   

My ancestors (Bowles) came from the Bardstown, KY area around 1816 and settled here where I live now in eastern Daviess Co, and were some of the first Catholic settlers to establish homesteads here.  One of the oldest graves in the St. Lawrence cemetery is one of my ancestors Mrs. J (James or John) Bowlds buried in 1829.  The first church was built out of logs in 1831.  Before that, the missionary priests would stop by about twice a year, having traveled down trails along the river on horseback, and stopping by little communities while holding services in their homes.

I was reading through some of the poems, and noticed how little the behavior of the proud, arrogant, and vain  men (mostly men, although women have joined these ranks) has changed.  Just flip over to FOX news network, or tune in to a conservative talk radio host, and see if you see any parallels.   "No rest, save when he roves in search of news; No peace of heart, except in feuds and strife; No joy more sweet than giving others grief; Great greatness, grossly great at little tricks; Great cunning which deceives himself alone."

Get Back to the Garden, and Feel the Dirt Sift Through Your Fingers

I recently read the blog of a friend, a young lady who has opened her eyes to find all of the materialism, and self centered ego based gratification that she has been exposed to in her recent upbringing.  Visions of a beautiful and delicate orchid growing in a dung heap popped into my mind when I read what she said.  I fear that she may be trampled back down into the muck if left alone, and so I feel compelled to reach out and encourage her, and help strengthen her to follow her heart and intuition in the right path.  Here in summary is what she said:  

 "Why do people allow a box to live their lives for them. Why? I want to live, go outside and dream and follow my heart, not watch actors on a stage jump around all day telling me how to talk, live, dress, and play.  Why are people so obsessed with these hypnotizing machines?  It’s a constant distraction, an addiction that masks them. Without the ability to slow down for just a moment, contemplate the love of life, no wonder there is so much unhappiness in this world we live in, people continuously look outside themselves for something to keep them fed.    If for one day or even an hour the flashing screens were turned off without power. What then would occur, what then would they use, to distract themselves from the present moment, their Truth? "

What she speaks of and longs for, is what I experienced as a child. We didn't have electricity in our house until I was about three. Even after we got it, we only used it for lights and a freezer to store food in. I was about seven when we got our first TV. 

My sister was eleven months younger than me. We were playmates and entertained each other. I would "bake" mud cakes with her, and she would play cowboy with me, riding tobacco sticks around the dusty yard under a big maple tree, and shooting my cap gun. And on some summer nights, I would go out in the front yard and sit with my dad under a big old maple tree where it was cool ... listen to the bullfrogs croak in the pond. Other times, I would go out by myself and lay on the hood of our car and stare up at the heavens in awe. There were no "security" lights out in the country to mask the view of the sky then, and my eyes were good. To this day, there is nothing that makes me feel so connected to one another, and to all living things on this earth, than to see the vastness of the Universe and realize how insignificant our little blue marble is in comparison. 
We lived and worked on our farm. We had work and chores to do, and we relished the times when we could just have some free time to play. Our dad and mom was always there, teaching us to work and the ways of country life. We grew up with a deep appreciation and respect for plants, animals, and our environment, because we saw how dependent we are upon them to survive. By today's standards we would have been living in poverty, but it wasn't like that for us. A person's wealth was not measured in the amount of material goods one acquired, rather it was in the amount of hard work and sacrifice one was willing to do to support  family, friends, and neighbors.  What we learned growing up in that kind of environment is priceless.


There is a big chasm disconnecting this young lady's generation and mine. Up until my generation, a boy could learn everything he needed to know to get by, just from the wisdom of his grandfather. But starting with my generation, we have had to constantly learn new things, learn brand new skills, work in different environments, and adapt to the changing technologies. As a result, my children and grandchildren have not had the opportunity to experience the same kind of childhood that I had.  I have not been able to live like my parents, and in the process of learning the new ways, I have forgotten to pass on the basic values that applies to all generations.  It is tragic, that in this process, the young folks have been left out of an extremely important experience while growing up. I hear what my young friend is saying, and now feel that a bridge needs to be built over the chasm, so that our species can again have respect for life and the planet. We can use some things like this blog internet connection, google earth, and google sky, to help build a bridge, but we still need to "go to the woods", gaze at the stars, and have personal contact with friends, to get us back to the "garden". 
Peace little sister!