NUCLEAR TRAGEDY ONLY IN JAPAN?

Anyone who believes that nuclear power is the way of the future has only to look at Japan at this very moment.

As the world looks on in vivid horror, the people of Japan are sitting on a minefield of devastation and renewed horrors if the nuclear plants melt down, continue to explode, or become infused into the environment.

Not only are the people of Japan in jeopardy, but who knows how far this could lead. Once the radiation is in the air, couldn’t we all be in danger?

It’s a scary time. It’s a sorrowful time for the people of Japan.

My heart goes out to all of the citizens struggling with loss both personal and physical. The world is watching and keeping you in their thoughts.

 

 

Poem–Bats Keep Alive

They face the cold

with limited defenses

masked in a white powder

not able to keep their bodies warm

they awaken before the spring time call.

Enveloped in a spreading death

they fight to continue their genealogical purpose

of taking insects on the fly.

A million are gone

White-Nose Syndrome

taking bats to heaven

before their time.

 *****

The deadly White-Nose Syndrome is affecting bats throughout the country. First spotted in 2006 the initial cases were found in New York state. The syndrome, which is characterized by its white appearance, is a fungus that grows on the faces and wings of bats.

Once a bat has is infected they normally do not hibernate through the entire winter. This means they use up energy reserves too soon before they are able to hunt and find warm-weather prey. Bats either starve or freeze to death due to this fungus.

Scientists do not know how to stop this disease yet. Closing off caves to inhibit human traffic helps to contain the spread of the disease. If you see a cave with no entry signs, they should be respected as it is believed that bats easily transmit the disease to each other.

Learn about you areas restrictions regarding caves and other vulnerable areas. Keep the bats alive. They are greatly needed to curb an excess of mosquitos and other pesky insects.

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Photo courtesy of freephotos.se

Poem–”Tumbling”

tumbling

the way you make me feel

every time you enter the room

tumbling

falling down around myself

not knowing who I am or where I’m going

always landing smack dab in your footsteps

wishing I was stronger than I am

instead of

tumbling

way off into a land of empty souls.

Bear Baiting-They Call This A Sport?

In Pakistan they like the sport of bear baiting. They tether a bear in an enclosure and then send groups of dogs to torment the bear.

The bear is outnumbered and is bound by some sort of restraint like a chain around its neck. The bear must succumb to defending itself against the likes of aggressive canines. It’s called a sport and is used for amusement.

The bears used in these “exhibitions” usually have had claws removed as well as teeth. They must endure this torture for three rounds of dogs. If the bear survives he is called the winner.

Now, in South Carolina, bear baiting has been observed by Humane Society of the United States undercover investigators. They have seen first hand America’s attempt to play this game. HSUS investigators have filmed a bear baiting event. The bear is confined to a small area and is bound by a chain. Here he is backed into the curve of the arena while dogs try to attack him. With limited resources the bear tries to defend itself.

http://www.humanesociety.org/

Video of bear baiting

It is hard to believe that events like this occur either in other countries or the United States. That they do, signifies how little we respect animals. To use these animals in this fashion can hardly be called sport. In fact the opposite is true. Any animal baiting is nothing short of cruel.

Help stop bear baiting. Make your voice heard against this awful practice.

Dog and Cat Play

 

Here’s to two playmates,  finding each other, engaging each other, and trying to see who is the “top” dog or cat.

Which one do you think wins?

So You Think You Can Dance? Lauren Does!

I hope Lauren wins tonight. She is just terrific and there seems to be nothing she can’t do.

Robert and Kent are just as good, which begs the question, will I really be upset if Lauren doesn’t win?

Kent should be on Broadway. He is so theatrical.  Robert has wonderful lines and focus. Why did people think Robert was conceited? Because he is good?

The public is a funny entity. They like the underdogs and seem to squint at those who are somewhat accomplished. Luckily the public held in for Lauren. Her critiques weren’t always top-notch at the beginning, but she has proven all of those comments wrong, and for once America voted positively.

Go Lauren.

Go Kent.

Go Robert…..

Junk News

Junk news

the kind filled with horror and remorse

nobody cares,

odd man out and about

People musing

facebooking, skyping, looking for each other

rather than towards

Young girl kidnapped

lost for 72 hours, probably dead

but found somewhere over 100 miles from home

Alive…..Alive….Alive

Real news

the kind where everyone listens

and cries

even the weird and the strange.

Ali Should Have Thrown Her Shoes At Him

I think Ali should have just thrown her shoes at him! And if we are really being honest, wouldn’t most of us girls want to see something even worse happen to Frank?

That’s not fair, of course. Frank didn’t know he was still in love with his ex-girlfriend. He spent all those days wondering why something wasn’t right between him and Ali until he finally manned-up and figured it out. Love is like that at times. You don’t always want to admit that something that just doesn’t go away.

What was interesting is that Frank’s ex-girlfriend was soooo ready to take him back. She said her life wasn’t the same after Frank left and that she wasn’t a whole person. She told him he needed to come home. Which begs the question….why in the heck did he leave in the first place? What drove them far enough apart that he left thinking he was done?

For his ex’s sake, I hope he stays this time. We at home are pining for a show to show us how that one turns out.

As for Ali, she has been saved additional heartbreak by learning this now. Frank was at least man enough to tell her before the proposal day. Can you imagine him NOT proposing on the final show. It looked pretty promising for him to get to that day.

Good luck Ali. Hope the best man wins!!

Oil, Sunshine and a Moth

It’s sunshine today and hot temperatures. After hearing about the 15 inches of rain that fell on Nashville and surrounding areas, it really makes you wonder how some can claim that there is no global warming occurring.

Have you seen any mushrooms yet? With all the rain surely they will be popping up soon.

The massive oil spill continuing to grow in the Gulf of Mexico is a monumental disaster. As we contemplate our new drilling rights off the coasts of this beautiful country, our stock-pile of liquid fuel is being fed into a place where it doesn’t belong. Not only will we be paying for this handsomely through our pocketbooks, but the animals and marine eco-systems will be paying a heavier toll with their lives.

A polyphemus moth emerged from its cocoon last night outside my house. I have been watching its cocoon all winter wondering if it would make it.  Last night it did, and it was beautiful as it beat its wings against the night sky waiting to alight and be free.

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photo copyright 2010 envisionhope

Polar Bear Hunting

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He looks so proud. So honored. So pompous.

He killed a polar bear. One of the earth’s most magnificent creatures. The blood oozes out, and the man is glad that he killed an animals that more than likely never came close to hurting him.

Oil and gas drillers are getting the green light from the Alaska Oil and Gas Association, The Safari Club and even the U.S. Chamber of Commerce to kill these wonderful carnivores just because. It’s outrageous. These big money groups are wanting to strip the polar bear of its Endangered Species status so these kills can become a national event.

I guess they feel proud of this.