Month: July 2017

The Curse of Human Nature  

Opher Goodwin gifts us with a reflection about human nature – be it a curse or a blessing. Please, read on…

Opher's World

 

Whenever anyone comes up with an idealistic vision to put an end to war, prevent the destruction of nature, solve the overpopulation crisis, or put into place a socialist government that would create fairness and equality, we are always told – ‘great idea but it can’t happen because of human nature’.

 

What is this curse of human nature?

 

It seems that whenever anyone tries to do something good someone comes along to undermine it. They either selfishly exploit people or do something destructive.

 

This human nature is the side of us that likes inflicting pain and being cruel, greedy and selfish. It is the bullying side; the violent, brutal side.

 

Over the centuries religions have warned against this curse of human nature. They have set out rules and commandments and followed them up with humungous threats of eternal damnation. But that hasn’t worked. What with…

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John’s Believe It Or Not… July 31st

In 1764 – Sir William Johnson holds a great council at Niagara. In 2007 Operation Banner – the presence of the British Army in Northern Ireland – comes to an end. In 1975 Jimmy Hoffa disappears. In 1556 Ignatius of Loyola dies. In 1703 Daniel Defoe is put in the pillory.

Oh-Oh! It’s Monday! Did you know…

* 1764 – Sir William Johnson holds a great council at Niagara to ratify George III’s Royal Proclamation of 1763 – 2000 chiefs from 24 Nations create Annual Presents wampum belt. (The 1764 Treaty of Fort Niagara was signed by Sir William Johnson for the Crown and 24 Nations from the Six Nations, Seneca, Wyandot of Detroit, Menominee, Algonquin, Nipissing, Ojibwa, Mississaugas, and others who were part of the Seven Nations of Canada and the Western Lakes Confederacy. The Treaty was concluded on August 1, 1764. Continue reading “John’s Believe It Or Not… July 31st”

John’s Believe It Or Not… July 30th

In 1793 – John Graves Simcoe starts building Fort York to Protect New Capital of Upper Canada. In 1935 1st Penguin book is published – starting the paperback revolution. In 1945 USS Indianapolis bombed. In 1976 Bruce Jenner wins the decathlon. In 1966 The Troggs take their signature hit – “Wild Thing”- to #1.

It’s Sunday! Did you know…

* 1793 – John Graves Simcoe starts building Fort York to Protect New Capital of Upper Canada. (The founding of urban Toronto was a military event that occurred when John Graves Simcoe ordered the construction of a garrison on the present site of Fort York in 1793. Simcoe wanted to establish a naval base at Toronto in order to control Lake Ontario because of a war scare with the United States resulting from Britain’s alliance with the native people of the Ohio Country, who were engaged in a brutal conflict with the Americans to preserve their territories. In his capacity as lieutenant-governor of the British province of Upper Canada, Simcoe also moved the provincial capital to Toronto from the vulnerable border town of Niagara-On-The-Lake during that tense period. Toronto was renamed ‘York,’ civilian settlement followed the government, and the settlement began to grow. During those early years, Fort York played a significant role in the economic and social development of the small backwoods community.
Continue reading “John’s Believe It Or Not… July 30th”

John’s Believe It Or Not… July 29th

In 1609 – Samuel de Champlain meets a large war party of Iroquois heading north near Ticonderoga. In 1588 Spanish Armada defeated. In 1958 NASA created. In 1848 Tipperary Revolt ends in failure. In 1981 Prince Charles marries Lady Diana.

Yay! It’s Saturday! Did you know…

* 1609 – Samuel de Champlain meets a large war party of Iroquois heading north near Ticonderoga. (Champlain {Father of New France [Quebec]}had to make friends of the Algonquin and Huron Indians around him so that they would guide him into this unknown land, and allow him to make settlements and build trading posts among them. To gain their good-will he had to promise to help them in their war with the Iroquois south of the lakes, who were their deadly enemies. Continue reading “John’s Believe It Or Not… July 29th”

John’s Believe It Or Not… July 28th

In 1755 – Nova Scotia Governor Charles Lawrence gets approval to deport Acadians who refuse oath of allegiance. In 1917 Silent Parade organized by James Weldon Johnson. In 1868 14th Amendment adopted. In 1945 Plane crashes into Empire State Building. In 1976 Worst modern earthquake.

It’s Friday! TGIF! Did you know…

* 1755 – Nova Scotia Governor Charles Lawrence gets approval to deport Acadians who refuse oath of allegiance. (The French authorities were well aware of the travesties the English could inflict upon another race or culture. A report the French Governor and the Intendant at Quebec had submitted in 1745, ten years before the Expulsion, stated: Continue reading “John’s Believe It Or Not… July 28th”

Thursday – A Little Personal – The Toy

John W. Howell gifts us with a new episode where Stella decides to stir the pot… poor Lucy and Bailey! Please, read on and enjoy your smile for the day!

Fiction Favorites

Stella

“Excuse me, John.”

“Yes, Stella what is it?”

“Shouldn’t those canines be playing instead of sleeping all day?”

“I think you have a point. Let me talk to them.”

“Lucy. Wake up.”

“Huh…wait, what boss?”

“Don’t you think you and Bailey ought to do something other than sleep on the couch.”

Stella, Bailey and Lucy

“Aw. . . Man, Boss. I’m glad you woke me I had this dream that I was sleeping next to Stella.”

“Never happen. See you even dream of sleeping in your sleep. You guys need to do something.”

“How about you, Bailey.”

“Gosh, Pop. I’m good right where I am. Er, what did you have in mind?”

“So Lucy. Here is a toy. Why not play.”

“Boss, boss, boss. You expect me to play with a terry cloth pig? Maybe Stella would do that. Not I.”

“Nope, I’m good, John. Got my three-headed snake on a stick.”

“Here Bailey. Take this…

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John’s Believe It Or Not… July 27th

In 1866 – Cyrus Field’s Anglo-American Telegraph Co lays first telegraph cable from Wales to Newfoundland. In 1921 Frederick Banting and Charles Best isolate insulin at the University of Toronto. In 1974 House begins impeachment of Nixon. In 1953 Armistice ends the Korean War. In 1949 First jet makes test flight.

It’s Therapeutic Thursday! Did you know…

* 1866 – Cyrus Field’s Anglo-American Telegraph Co lays first telegraph cable from Wales to Newfoundland. (In the 1840s and 1850s several individuals proposed or advocated construction of a telegraph cable across the Atlantic Ocean, including Edward Thornton and Alonzo Jackman. Cyrus West Field and the Atlantic Telegraph Company were behind the construction of the first transatlantic telegraph cable. The project began in 1854 and was completed in 1858. The cable functioned for only three weeks, but it was the first such project to yield practical results. The first official telegram to pass between two continents was a letter of congratulations from Queen Victoria of the United Kingdom to the President of the United States James Buchanan on August 16. Signal quality declined rapidly, slowing transmission to an almost unusable speed. The cable was destroyed the following month when Wildman Whitehouse applied excessive voltage to it while trying to achieve faster operation. It has been argued that the faulty manufacture, storage and handling of the 1858 cable would have led to premature failure in any case. The cable’s rapid failure undermined public and investor confidence and delayed efforts to restore a connection. A second attempt was undertaken in 1865 with much-improved material and, following some setbacks, a connection was completed and put into service on July 28, 1866. This cable proved more durable. Continue reading “John’s Believe It Or Not… July 27th”

John’s Believe It Or Not… July 26th

In 1758 – Jeffrey Amherst captures Fortress of Louisbourg after a seven-week siege. In 1803 The Surrey Iron Railway opens in south London. In 1775 U.S. postal system established. In 1975 Van McCoy’s “The Hustle” is the #1 song in America. In 1952 Bob Mathias wins second Olympic decathlon.

It’s Hump Day Wednesday! Did you know…

* 1758 – Jeffrey Amherst captures Fortress of Louisbourg after seven week siege. (The British government realized that with the Fortress of Louisbourg under French control, the Royal Navy could not sail up the St. Lawrence River unmolested for an attack on Quebec. After an expedition against Louisbourg in 1757 led by Lord Loudon was turned back due to a strong French naval deployment, the British under the leadership of William Pitt resolved to try again with new commanders. Continue reading “John’s Believe It Or Not… July 26th”

VIXEN

Dewin Nefol gifts us with a delightful narrative poem that is rich in imagery and rhyme. This is a treat to savor! Please, read on…

~ The Wizard of Wands ~ Jake’s Journal ~

~ Vixen ~ By ~ Jake Sweeny ~

~~~

Beneath a thick lick of balmy soup

I am reflecting in a moonbeam.

As I lie I try recalling lost lines,

Spoken earlier before this dream…

~

“So far solar to go,” I said,

“She never ceases her glide.”

“Upon great wings she flies in crystal skies

always travelling so far and wide.”

~

“An elevated flight,” added Master Scribe,

“One always flying into the Sun.”

“Only Eagles dare stare at Heaven’s flare,

without ever being undone.”

~*~

Selene presses her gaze infuses her haze,

Entices me into her trance.

And here I stay with my eyes all glazed,

My mind enchanted by romance.

~

When by my side a dark shadow I spied,

a flick of slick suddenly dive and dart.

Still lost in a dream I follow the gleam

with a rising pulse…

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