How to win a culture war and lose a generation →
Once again, I am not terribly religious, nor am I very pro gay marriage. I am not against gay marriage, but it is not a subject I feel passionately about because it is not something that effects me or many of my close friends. However, I think this is an interesting perspective and I agree with most of it. One of the reasons I am not very religious is that I found most organized religion to be very hypocritical. They talk about love and acceptance while also claiming the christian sect down the road is going to hell for a slightly different interpretation of the Bible. I think that is insane and not very Christian like at all. I also think that the religious right’s war against homosexuality is insane and not very Christian at all. I suspect if earlier hypocrisies had not driven me away long ago the many church’s response to homosexual issues would have.
It should be noted that I know that there are very loving and accepting churches out there, they just seem to be sadly in the minority. I admire the people that hang in there and keep looking to find a church that matches their believe best.
Man Barely Able to Stand on his Own Does the Unthinkable - Amazing →
Although I am not very religious, I do appreciate an inspirational story of which this is one. I haven’t explored Godvine much since the name kind of puts me off, but several times I have found quite good posts on their sight from following friend’s links. Anyway, this video shows the power of determination and faith.
Thor Hanson’s Feathers: The Evolution of a Natural Miracle →
This is a really good book review on a book I saw in Memphis and decided not to buy. I think I made the wrong decision so I am hoping it is still there when I return in a few weeks. Else, I guess Amazon will have to fill my need.
MIDWAY : trailer : a film by Chris Jordan
This is a devastating trailer, or at least I found it to be, but I think it should be watched so people begin to understand the ecological harm plastics are doing thousands of miles from civilization. I have been following Chris Jordon’s work for a couple of years. He is famous for taking graphic pictures of baby albatross carcasses filled with the plastics their parents found in the ocean around Midway and though was food. This film continues that theme, but in video, he is able to capture the suffering before the inevitable death. It is heart wrenching, but it is truth.
And now for something completely different… I don’t generally use the Tumblr to advertise, but I had some of this amazing chocolate mousse out in Cunnamulla and I don’t want to forget the brand. It is Australian so you aren’t going to find it over in America, but I will be looking for a local Gold Coast source….
Massive rise in Asian eye damage →
I have fairly severe myopia so I am interested in research in this area. I have an unconventional eye doctor that believes that too much time reading and doing up close work does contribute to myopia. I suspect it is a nature and nurture issue that combines a genetic weakness for myopia with a lot of time spent doing close up work as a child. I definitely spend most of my asthmatic childhood inside reading instead of outside running around, but I also have a mother who is just as blind as I am. The sunlight discovery is pretty interesting stuff. Perhaps my mom should have made me read outside instead…
Related Photos Battle of Coral Sea Remembered by Veterans, U.S. and Royal Australian Navies In Brisbane, Australia →
This is how I spent my Saturday volunteering with the Australian American Association to put on a very nice service to commemorate the 70th anniversary of the Battle of Coral Sea where Japan tried to invade Australia. It may not be one of the most well known battles of the second World War, but it was definitely one of the most important to the Australians and foreshadowed more major allied victories later in the war. There are only a few survivors left, but it is important to remember the lessons learned during World War II and to strive not to repeat the past.
Kookaburra’s - Strange Behaviour
This video doesn’t make much sense to me, but sometimes fact is stranger than fiction. I am skeptical though. Does anyone have any explanation of this behavior? Parrot chicks could not eat the food being offered by the kookaburras so there would be no positive outcome to any of the feeding attempts. Even if the kookaburras were trying to raise the young parrots, I would think they would get frustrated and give up when the young parrots could not accept any of their offerings.
It could of course be a fraud video, but I am not sure what the point would be as it has not been highly distributed to “fool” lots of people. What do you think?
Muscle matters: Especially as we age, for better mobility, balance and general good health →
This past weekend my 91 year old grandmother fell and broke her hip. This morning a friend posted this on Facebook and it seemed particularly relevant and a good reminder of how important building muscle mass is no matter how old you are. This is a chilling line from the article: “Half of all women over age 65 who fall and break a hip never walk again.” I hope my grandmother beats the odds, but I am afraid that she like many in her generation have never fully appreciated the benefits and necessity of strength building.
The Drunk Scotsman (with lyrics)
A friend posted this on Facebook and I couldn’t resist reposting as it is a very amusing ballad.
Guinea Fowl Peck Away At Lyme Disease Ticks →
I have been thinking of getting a pair of Guinea Fowl when I return from my next trip and will be on the property for the foreseeable future. There is a pair out at Bowra Sanctuary that are really quite cute and they tend to let us know when predators are around which would be good to protect my other birds. This is an older article, but I think tick eating is another excellent reason to consider them along with more standard poultry.
If you are a birder and familiar with American birding or know someone who is, this is hilarious. If you are not afflicted, you will probably think it makes no sense.
Stunning shots of thirsty bats swooping down for a drink from garden pond →
These are some AMAZING microbat action shots. I wish I had a fraction of that kind of photography skill.
Satellite show penguin success →
I love good conservation news, particularly if it has to do with a bird, of course. And emperor penguins are so adorable! It is wonderful there are more on the planet than we thought!
'Urban Stargazing' →
This is a really cool London based art project to try to bring the stars back to urban dwellers and start a discussion about the problems of light pollution. I know one of the things I love about coming out to Bowra Sanctuary in the Australian Outback is the beauty and multitude of stars that you never see in the city.
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