The religious stuff he says doesn’t resonate with me. I don’t believe in god, heaven, hell, or the devil. I believe in reason. Thousands of years ago, we had legends, myths, and religion to explain what we didn’t understand. I don’t understand why we are still relying on those solutions today. But I’m loving this pope. Even when he says stuff I don’t agree with, like a woman does not have the right to choose what happens to her body after intercourse, even if she didn’t have a choice about the intercourse; he goes on to say we should be consistent in our reasoning. If we are going to insist on the sanctity of life, even before birth, why are we killing people with the death penalty? Why are we so involved in the arms trade; creating and selling the implements of death? Why do we let the slaughter of our own citizens go on so long with unregulated access to weapons for mass killings? Where is our insistence of the sanctity of life? C’mon people, let’s be consistent with our reasoning. He believes in compassion. When confronted with refugees, don’t see a number and look away, look into his or her eyes and see a fellow human being. Treat them with dignity and respect. He points out that we are all immigrants, or children of immigrants. What were we all looking for? A better life. We should deal with immigrants humanely, as we would choose for ourselves to be treated. He has a problem with unfettered capitalism. So do I. So many people work hard all their lives to get by. Some people, in spite of their efforts, can’t even find *enough* work to get by. Our system of capitalism is awesome for the people that thrive under it, but there seem to be no limits. It produces star athletes that get 100 million dollar contracts, or even worse, feel disrespected by a 100 million dollar contract and insist they’re worth 125 million. Really? How can so many people work so hard for what they get, while a fortunate few get so much? Where is the provision for compassion in capitalism for those left behind? Global warming. He thinks we should pay attention to the planet and take care of it. He’s the moral compass for a billion people. He believes in reason. So do I.
When last we saw the packrat
He was peeking over the air cleaner at us. Here is how far he got on his nest before we interrupted him.
We haven’t seen any sign of him since. From Balmorhea State Park, we went on to South Llano River State Park for a couple days. Edge of the hill country. Very scenic. Oak forest river bottom. Birdy. Here is a black-crested titmouse….
..with a field sparrow.
We’re back in Texas. We officially retired the trip humidifier that we needed so much in the high dry air of Wyoming, Colorado, and New Mexico. Now we’re in San Antonio for a couple days. Almost home. Looking at the trip map, you can’t even tell we’re not all the way there. 2015 summer trip map
We haven’t seen any sign of him since. From Balmorhea State Park, we went on to South Llano River State Park for a couple days. Edge of the hill country. Very scenic. Oak forest river bottom. Birdy. Here is a black-crested titmouse…. ..with a field sparrow. We’re back in Texas. We officially retired the trip humidifier that we needed so much in the high dry air of Wyoming, Colorado, and New Mexico. Now we’re in San Antonio for a couple days. Almost home. Looking at the trip map, you can’t even tell we’re not all the way there. 2015 summer trip map What a difference a day makes
When we went to bed Thursday night we didn’t have a packrat nest on top of the air cleaner in our engine compartment. Friday morning, we did. He was still in there building when I opened the hood on Friday. When we all finished admiring the rat, we evicted his stuff, started the car and left it running until we left. We didn’t want him to be comfortable in there again. Now we’re at South Llano River State Park.
Hopefully the packrat isn’t. No cellphone. No internet. We’re subject to radio silence (until we drive into town (Juction)). In Junction, it’s limited at best. (I couldn’t get the packrat picture.)
Hopefully the packrat isn’t. No cellphone. No internet. We’re subject to radio silence (until we drive into town (Juction)). In Junction, it’s limited at best. (I couldn’t get the packrat picture.) Now we’ve done it
We’re back in Texas. Working our way east on Interstate 10. The trip is winding down. 2015 summer trip map We were treated to another sunset.
And scaled quail.
We hardly ever get to see scaled quail.
This is the best look we’ve ever gotten!
And scaled quail. We hardly ever get to see scaled quail. This is the best look we’ve ever gotten! Bosque Sunset
Last night.
Sunrise this morning.
A little morning mist in the dawn.
We saw this strange thing in the grass.
It was scuffling around in the grass for something. We got a little closer for a better look.
We got as close as we could.
Then it waddled off.
We shuffled off as well, to get to Las Cruces. 2015 summer trip map Tomorrow…….. Texas.
Sunrise this morning. A little morning mist in the dawn. We saw this strange thing in the grass. It was scuffling around in the grass for something. We got a little closer for a better look. We got as close as we could. Then it waddled off. We shuffled off as well, to get to Las Cruces. 2015 summer trip map Tomorrow…….. Texas.