Weblog 124

June 22, 2008~ 8:15am
This week- and even without television- there has been constant news about the midwest floods. Reports float through the airwaves via radio news, and through computer news sites, until it seems all that one sees- is water and devastation. My heart goes out to those folks, but I have to say the images that sticks with me most, are the ones of pigs in Iowa



who made it to safety after their farm had flooded, got to the man-made levees only to be shot- because folks were concerned about pig hooves doing damage to the plastic sand-filled bags holding the Mississippi River back from their community. But have to ask "why"--- was their no other way? Wouldn't the pigs have found their way back down to solid ground again? Couldn't folks have helped them?

I'm sorry, but the coverage of the China earthquake with its pictures of people rescuing pandas sticks with me....there was such humanity there, and compassion. Those pitiful creatures were as frightened as humans certainly, maybe moreso- because they didn't understand what had happened.

I was talking about the contrast in events this evening, and told that the pandas are valuable to the Chinese, so of course they wanted to save them, but something tells me this isn't all it was. There was attachment and connection. Identificaton with another living species in dire straits, I do believe that. Is the difference that the hogs were being raised to slaughter anyway- so what's the difference? I think there is. I think those pigs became symbolic by showing us how bravely creatures will fight for life, so the context of the pigs became utterly different. Maybe even enough for some folks to think twice before eating pork.

I'm not a vegetarian. I'm not a radical by any means, but I believe there are situations that force us to see things differently, and those pigs became simply more flood victims, trying to save their skins- and we shot them dead- after they made it out of the rushing water....

and that makes me terribly sad.

Look at these poor guys stuck on the roof of a barn- my GOODNESS, how HIGH that water flooded.



There's no help for them. With a bit more rise, they are done for- so why not just lay down and sleep-



there's nobody to save them. If they swam until they found this small square of impermanent refuge, how long can it last?-- an hour? Two? Maybe less. Or maybe the waters will begin to recede and there they'll be, stuck on a roof- with no one to rescue them- and even it they would swim like their brothers did, and make it to a levee- they'd be shot. For pigs-- after the rains came, it was over for them.

Does anyone else see the horror in this at all? Am I the only one? I'd like to think when there is tragedy, that is precisely the time to call out the best in ourselves, with every life precious......every one....even animals. We need to take care of each other- and extend help to creatures who tried so valiantly to stay alive- God- this whole thing has made me very sad. Very sad indeed.




June 23, 2008~ 7:45pm




I can just hear him now..."Dead? You mean I'm dead? 'Dead'... as in, "no more floggin' the monkey" dead? Dead as in--- 'doornail parlance'? That 'dead'? You're shittin' me!"

George Carlin is one of those guys could make me laugh with one of his goofy face mugs right off the bat- before he even opened his mouth. It was those expressive poppy eyes and all the parenthetical lines in his forehead. Combine that with an acerbic, razor wit and a love of the silliness of language, and I was in love every time I watched him. At the end of his routines, I felt laughed out- belly hurting, laughed till my bones were as rubbery and relaxed as his, as he'd pace the stage, do countless 'takes', hunch-shouldered, long-limbed and lanky, poking holes into all of our favorite prejudices and hypocrisies.

George Carlin was a teacher- in the best sense. He taught me how not to be nervous, because there are so few things that should do that to you, and mostly because we do it to ourselves. He spent his life screaming "the emperor is NAKED!"- and he made us feel good about ourselves by showing us how ridiculous we sound and look when we're being pompous....or worried.....or afraid.

I said today that somehow, more than anyone else I can name- even those I've loved and been close to when they passed away--- now that George has done it....dying simply isn't as scary. Isn't that weird?

But it feels that way to me. George.....I hope you're up there "walkin' the streets!" LOL!!! And I hope, buddy, that yes- they're paved with gold and believe me, for so many and for so many years- you were the only currency in town: the truth. That's what humor is first and foremost, and you gave it to us. In spades. So thanks, Mr. Carlin. (The dead do deserve their respect)- and don't keep the angels up too late. See ya' someday.




June 25, 2008~6:15pm
And just because every day should have some beauty.....



just LOOK at the lovely, antique, gilded plate! I feel such tenderness when I look at it. I think it's the soft roundness of her arms despite the cat's sharp teeth- showing he's not really pleased about something. What is your 'White Cat'?-- we all have them. They're the things that matter most to us, that we hold and protect and cherish-- so that when we're seen holding them, there is no mistake that they are priceless to us. Pick up 'your cat'......have a good look. Aren't you smiling that secret, serene smile with its weight in your arms? Every day should have a bit of unmitigated beauty. This was mine today.





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