The relativity of wrong.

"...when people thought the earth was flat, they were wrong. When people thought the earth was spherical, they were wrong. But if you think that thinking the earth is spherical is just as wrong as thinking the earth is flat, then your view is wronger than both of them put together."

This quote is taken from an essay written by Isaac Asimov. When I was ten or eleven I discovered science fiction...the genre has remained a staple of my reading habits ever since. There are few authors in the field that are the equal of the late Isaac Asimov...partially because he was a bright and insightful individual.

I was struck by how relevant and applicable this thought is to the notion that all sentient beings have the right to live their own lives however they want. This may not be perfectly true...but if you think it is as untrue as believing that no living beings except human ones have such a right...."your view is wronger than both of them put together".

Truth, rightness, goodness, accuracy...all these terms refer to something that is, in the end, fuzzy. But if you think the notions of animal rights are just as inaccurate or fuzzy or as wrong as the way human animals now behave toward our fellow living beings. You're wronger than all "of them put together". 

Happy Thanksliving!

I agree with the feathered folks...I'm tremendously grateful for each being who lives their life as if others mattered. Thank you, thank you and thank you.

Happy Thanksliving!

 And...for all those animals who suffer because of us human animals...I'm sorry.

I will spend part of Thanksliving day trying to make some bunnies a bit more happy and/or comfortable. Few things are more gratifying than bringing some pleasure into the life of those less fortunate than yourself. If you can, please visit your local animal sanctuary or rescue and help out those we abandon, neglect and harm.

And I really really do appreciate all the ethical Vegans and hope you thoroughly enjoy your holiday!!!

Winter...

The two events that serve to mark the onset of winter have happened here. The first event is associated with freezing. We recently had several nights here where the temperature went below freezing and stayed that way long enough to kill off the tomato and pepper plants. Even those plants that were wrapped in sheets....flannel ones no less. Didn't matter...all died so that's the end of the summer growing season.

Behind Nessie...the remains of the tomato plants.

Nessie Ray was out helping me survey the freeze effects and is very much more interesting to look at than are the dreary brown/black plants behind her. Nessie had a very difficult molt this autumn...she is mostly through it now and her winter coat is thick and velvety feeling. For a time her coat looked pretty raggedy and her disposition matched it. No longer though...she's all spruced up and smooth.

The second factor that confirms winter is that the mighty Princess...Gracie Rae...crept up onto our bed and slept for several nights. Bobby Ray sleeps with us every night...not Gracie though. She finds various locations around the house to spend her nights but she is an excellent indicator of cold weather because when the cold shows up...so does she. Otherwise...it is a bit beneath her to sleep with the peasants.

The sweet gum tree in our backyard is about 3/4ths of the way through losing all of its leaves and they made a nice carpet on this day.

Sweet Gum Leaves.

So...once the tomato plants die off and the Princess Gracie shows up in bed at night...that's the beginning of winter for me. What the calendar says doesn't matter.

Welcome Mr. Winter...

You can be a much more gracious companion for all the seasons and for all the Earthlings if you live your life as an ethical vegan.