Archive for the ‘earth’ Category
O’faithful breeze you caress our trees
a seasonal key for restful needs
signs of summer soon to believe
blessings to all as calming seas
beginning new life, birds and bees
seeing it flow as sunset recedes
reflecting its glow on shining new leaves
serving for all, blessing reprieves.
Perhaps this should be entitled ‘Amazing Car Show’ because that was the point of this experience.
It was near sunset when I landed right behind a classic airplane called ‘Waco’, from Washington State. My Mooney airplane sppeared slightly intimidated as I parked alongside it. The Waco is a true classic bi-plane with radial engine and great performance.
When I checked in to airport registry I met the friendly owner, his wife, and friend. I accepted his kind offer to share a cab into town. Such immediate private pilot friendship and trust is common and very gratifying.
Entering a typical Reno casino, he asked me to look after his wife(!) at a bar, while he and his friend were going to do some gambling. So we had a drink together, not having any interest in gambling, (or his wife)! When they returned I went out looking for an overnight place to stay. As it turned out there were ‘no vacancy’s’ everywhere that night. So getting a little desperate I ventured into a large hotel and asked the desk clerk if he ‘had a rollaway for the laundry room?‘ To this very day I do not know where that idea came from. Actually it was said as a joke! But apparently he assumed I was a tour bus driver and the idea was not totally unknown to him – for a modest fee that is!
Needless to say it was a very odd experience to wake up early in the morning to an audience of giggling cleaning women in the laundry room!
It had been slightly more than a whim to visit the famous Harahs’ Reno car collection, a truly amazing collection of literally hundreds of cars. Some were even ‘one-of-a kind’ creations by brilliant inventors that had never reached production stage, mainly due to financial limits. All the cars were located in several large hanger-like garages.
So taking a shuttle bus that day from Harahs’ cassino bus stop, a tour group of us went to the car collection, a truly amazing experience. I doubt even Jay Lennoe’s famous car collection today would compare! But this was in the 70’s and I understand that amazing collection has since been eliminated as part of Harah’s family estate.
Without doubt this was another of my adventurous flying experiences.
My friend’s wife wanted to reunite with her hubby in Cranbrook B.C. where he was temporarily assigned by his employer, Zerox Corp.
I was a willing pilot with a Mooney M20A airplane. So his wife and I flew from Victoria to Cranbrook. A critical decision was made along the way.
Flying mainly at low altitude following the trans Canada highway, I attempted to take a shortcut over some low-range interior mountains but soon realized even lower clouds were obscuring terrain. So I made an abrupt reverse-course knife-edged turn back to the visible highway. It frightened my passenger but was a prudent decision. However, now fuel became a serious concern. Yet just after sunset, we landed at Cranbrook’s uncontrolled* airport.
Next day the three of us planned to return home. However solid valley overcast prevented normal VFR (Visual Flight Rule) departure. After several checks of MOT (ministry of transport) aviation weather reports, and questioning a very confident recent arriving private jet pilot who said it was just a thin layer of valley overcast, (from his point of view piloting a jet mind you), I decided to risk flying through that overcast for a VFR ‘on-top’ direct flight home.
We took off in my well planned Northerly direction away from all possible obstructions. It was like flying in a big damp cotton-like cloud strictly on instruments. Climbing slowly, being fully loaded with fuel and two passengers. As several minutes ticked by I stayed focused, this was no private jet after all. Finally we broke through into brilliant sunshine above the overcast and I immediately made a sharp turn 90 degrees to a Westerly heading. Gradually we climbed to about 8,500 feet, then leveled off with slightly nose down and fine tuning the fuel mixture. Now we were on ‘the step’ as it is called by experienced pilots for optimal cruise speed of about 135 knots, or 155 mph.
From then on it was CAVU (clear and visibility unlimited) with very memorable views of truly magnificent, pristine, snow covered Coastal Mountain peaks!
Accurate course setting brought us directly over an important ADF (auto direction finding) beacon located South of the Okanagan Valley.
Continuing over coastal mountains, across the Fraser valley and Georgia Straight, we landed without incident right after sunset at our home airport, Victoria Int’l.
Another personal flight experience I will always fondly remember!
*uncontrolled: meaning no control tower.
Einstein is famously quoted as saying ‘imagination is greater than intelligence!’ So what really is ‘imagination’ we may ask? A good definition is: ‘the faculty of forming new ideas, images or concepts not present to the senses’. Space-time was ‘imagined’ by Einstein in ways most of us may not. However should the concept of imagination be considered?
For example, how difficult is it to imagine life on earth is the creation of a vastly superior, although unseen, entity?
(Romans 1:20) puts it this way: “…his invisible qualities are clearly seen’ from the world’s creation onward, because they are perceived by the things made, even his eternal power and Godship, so that they are inexcusable.”
The context shows that those unable or unwilling to recognize by simple observation a Creator of all things are truly ‘inexcusable’, in other words lacking imagination!
Science is defined as ‘truth’, so what does factual science teach us? Indeed real science confirms that all life on earth is unique. That’s not speculation, or theory!
Clearly anyone failing to acknowledge all life on earth, and the earth itself, as a very special creation, must be described as ‘inexcusable’. Especially so as more and more universal discoveries of stars and galaxies via new space telescopes are now being made every day!
However there are, sad to say, those who will stubbornly deny that human, plant, and animal observation is, of itself, sufficient evidence of creation In reality imagination is lacking in such ones. Ironically those self same persons will describe themselves as informed or enlightened, they are failing to acknowledge the obvious wisdom, and creative power in plain view.
Make no mistake, God himself describes such ones as ‘inexcusable’, because of willful blindness to acknowledge observable truth. Indeed all life has a message for us, from flora and fauna, birds to whales, ants to elephants, and earth’s amazing environmental cycles, to name just a few things;; all teach us about the love and wisdom of a far, far, superior intelligence and unfathomable power of our creator; if we simply exercise humble imagination!
Thanks for visiting; please also see my post: Paradise Lost to Paradise Regained!
As is frequently said these days: ‘I’m not going to lie!‘ Is it because lies are told more commonly now this is said?
After just watching another episode of ‘researching ancestry’ on PBS its very touching to see the response of those ones whose unknown ancestry is revealed. Touching because most of us would also like to know how our personal existence has somehow emerged out of the vast human experience!
Indeed we value our life, under normal circumstances, and to learn how life was somehow conferred on us is intriguing, almost an emotional need for some.
Its also honestly true that human ego is often at the root of desire to know our origins. I’m referring to somewhat selfish motivation, a hope that someone on our ancestral chart was; famous; courageous; or at least noteworthy in some way. Not necessarily in that order.
In harsh reality, and truth, ancestral markers, no matter how interesting, there is no proven basis for belief they confer the same traits on us. In fact they may not be of the slightest importance! That is not to say the impact of our inherited genetics isn’t a factor as shown by health issues for example.
What I’m trying to say is that we truly are ‘the masters of our own destiny’. Gratitude for the fact we have gained life, at all, is definitely of far more importance than ancestral charting. Why? Because ancestors worldly status, famous or infamous, rich or poor, kings, slaves or tyrants, has absolutely nothing to do with the present reality of our existence!
In other words, where we came from does not prevent or preclude us from exercising our ability to fully guide and direct our present life! Humility, experience, and spiritual education, completely out weigh genealogical fixation!
The simple truth is ‘all’ life originated from, and by, our loving heavenly Father who granted each one of us a free will, and that basic truth* simply neutralizes egocentric genetic searching!
* please visit my blog posting: From Paradise Lost to Paradise Regained!
This is about life, not war, not disease, just plain life, not only human life but observed nature.
It’s important to acknowledge the adaptability of literally ‘all’ life on earth. Yes I do mean adaptability, not evolution, which is a totally ‘unnatural’ concept.
Adaptability is, rather, a well proven and observable characteristic of perhaps all living things, including plants and animals. Yes, ability to adapt to changing, even very challenging environmental conditions, good or bad, is not exclusive to humans.
The simple basic truth is; our earth is the only place in the physical universe known to support life, period. What adaptability implies is that life on earth is well designed, exclusively designed for earth’s environs! Nowhere else in the cosmos, has it been shown that humans, animals, or any life on earth could adapt and survive in very difficult conditions, as often happens on our planet!
That said, exceptional ability to adapt to change has nearly reached a tipping point owing to long-term damage done to earth’s environment. In other words there are now foreseeable ‘red lines’ as to how much further life on earth can adapt to centuries of negative impacts on the environment! Concerns about potential ‘extinction events’ are already becoming a mute point!
Living on the moon or mars is now well known to be a completely foreign concept, very far from practical reality for any of earth’s (adaptable) life forms. Knowledge gained about those environments is more and more evidence that all life as we know it is designed exclusively for earth alone! The well known expression ‘mother earth’ is therefore not without substance.
Isn’t it time to humbly acknowledge this basic truth?
Such honest acknowledgment is an essential ‘beginning’ to appreciate an all wise and loving Creator who has generously granted all life on earth even with great ability to live and adapt to change… within limits!
please visit Paradise Lost to Paradise Regained for truly encouraging information.
NASA’s concern for human life by an asteroid striking earth, simply pales in comparison to the damage being caused by weather events happening today.
Recent knowledge of the universe and all that is in it from space telescopes, probes, et al, is no doubt of great interest. However ever increasing destructive environmental issues are a far more pertinent existing existential threat for life on earth to say the very least!
Space exploration and concern for the very remote possibility of an asteroid strike is not going to save the earth from mankind’s nearly suicidal course. Thoughtful people agree. For example;
“For too long, we have been waging a senseless and suicidal war on nature. The result is three interlinked environmental crises: climate disruption, biodiversity loss and pollution that threaten our viability as a species.”
(UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, on a new report about the health of the planet, called “Making Peace With Nature,”
Therefore I make this suggestion; ‘do not be distracted by rockets and space probes’, rather be impressed by our amazing planet and humbly recognize the need to acknowledge its Creator. He alone can restore and reverse the damage to earth done by mankind, not to mention any remote asteroid threats, and that is precisely what he has stated he will do!
And the One seated on the throne said: “Look! I am making all things new.” Also he says: “Write, for these words are faithful and true.” (Revelation 21:5)
Please visit JW.org for more encouraging information, and my blog posting here:
https://new2view.ca/2021/03/23/paradise-lost-to-paradise-regained/
Imagine a stealthy entity able to enter your cerebral cortex through your eyes, ears, even your mouth. Subtly it both stimulates and damages your brain cells.
Indeed there is such a worldwide plague even now equally infecting humans from infancy to adulthood!
This destructive entity goes undetected at first, but as time goes on it is transforming. Soon it begins to shape your very personality by altering, influencing, possibly even subtly directing your thoughts and conduct.
Breaking free from it and reversing the negative damage is extremely difficult, similar to addictions like smoking and drugs. And like those addictions its unhealthy effects can be long lasting. In many cases it may have caused loss of objectivity; individuality; balanced perspective; even morality, and reasoning ability!
I submit this is a very real existing global epidemic throughout society today. It could well be described as ‘smart phone neurosis’!
TECHNOLOGY BUSTed!?
It has to be admitted that many beneficial labor-saving devices are now taken for granted, from refrigerators to washing machines and the like., however there are at least an equal number of examples of the misuse of technology such as the development of fearsome weapons of war; machine guns, bombs, chemical and biological weapons; atomic weapons; rockets, cruise missiles, drones, and laser space-weapons to name a few! And these developments are ever increasing as nations strive for domination over one another at the expense of world peace and security for their populace.
Arguably, development of weapons has been and continues to be the priority of technological development, beginning in the 18th Century and continuing down to this day! Our planet functions on a series of well-balanced systems, systems that have clearly been damaged by technology!
Does that not indicate the destruction of human lives has been a greater focus than any ‘benefits’ of technology? Tens of millions of people have been the victims of such developments, a great many of them, perhaps a majority, have been innocent non-combatants.
Added to that sad fact, neither has any economic prosperity from technology made people lastingly happier, nor provided safety and peace of mind! Therefore surely the question should be asked; ‘do the benefits of scientific technology developments outweigh it’s detriments to society?’
Such thoughts are being expressed more and more by thoughtful people, such as renowned scientist, environmentalist René Dubos. In fact its fair to say that much of the distressing aspects of the modern world originate with the Industrial Revolution. The reality is that increased control over nature is actually a ‘zero sum game’.
Another knowledgeable authority, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said;
“For too long, we have been waging a senseless and suicidal war on nature. The result is three interlinked environmental crises: climate disruption, biodiversity loss and pollution that threaten our viability as a species.”
Enzo Maiorca (famous ocean diver) said after rescuing a pregnant dolphin caught in a fish net and gratefully touched by its mate well said: “Until man learns to respect and communicate with the animal world, he will never be able to know his true role on this Earth.”
In the view of Science professor Mary Eleanor Clark, “In our rush to embrace technology we have adopted a very temporal system: A hedonistic society that ignores the future.” “In America and other advanced cultures, belief in technology has become a religious faith.”
To that point, Martin Luther King said: “Our scientific power has outrun our spiritual power. We have guided missiles and misguided men.”
Computer scientist Jacques Vallee feels that ‘high technology has acquired a momentum of its own, and it is now controlling society as much as society is controlling high technology.’ How scary is that!
Like the apprentice’s broomstick in the fairy tale, ‘the Sorcerer’s Apprentice’, technology is a powerful tool that could serve the greater good of mankind. But it has not been properly controlled, and grossly misused, causing disastrous consequences, we are seeing more every day.
If you are seeking a better world, one with people of ‘good will’, living in peace, with plenty for all. I invite you to further visit my blog here…
From Paradise Lost to Paradise Regained!
Years ago I was a Realtor surveying an mostly abandoned, or at least defunct old auto court (old term for motel), in North Surrey. There was one occupied unit with a high wire fence pen in front of it. Two large dogs were languishing inside, lying on the ground and seemingly completely docile. So I obtained a key from the manager, who lived in a separate house, and, as I saw it, being my duty to inspect the occupied unit, unlocked the gate to their cage
Before I could blink and eye, those two dogs reacted like being shot out of a cannon, they brushed past me like Greyhounds chasing a mechanical rabit! They brushed past me, thankfully having no interest in me, since one was a large german shepherd, the other a large pit bull!
In seconds they were out of sight, apparently knowing exactly where. The pit bull barely able to keep up with the shepherd, but their intent was clearly united and very purposeful, as indeed I later learned!
After apologetically returning the key to the manager and returning to my office, I received an angry phone call. It was a neighbor next door to the auto court property complaining the dogs had killed his cherished pet cat!
I can only assume his cat had been taunting those two dogs while they were locked in their cage, as cats are will do, for who knows how long. But that did not go without retribution as soon as they had the opportunity. In short order they had executed canine vengeance!
Naturally I was sympathetic with the pet cat owner, but really didn’t feel responsible for those canine actions by having innocently facilitated animal justice!
