Posted 2:08 AM by robert d

East of Eden

Many, many, things are happening in The Garden now. The forsythias and cherry trees are winding down their floral displays and the slack is being picked up by the dogwoods and the azaleas. Every other plant in The Garden is either in bud or showing signs of rebirth with the except of the dahlias which have yet to break ground.



Angels on a Stick

East of Eden is a John Steinbeck novel and references Chapter 4, verse 16 of Genesis - "And Cain went out from the presence of the Lord, and dwelt in the land of Nod, on the east of Eden" (King James Version).

The common story of Cain and Abel is very suspect. Cain and Abel were the first two offspring and sons of Adam and Eve. The usual sequence of birthing is that Cain was the first male offspring of Adam and Eve and that Abel was the couple’s second. More traditional is that Abel was born at a different time. Other accounts state that the Cain and Abel were twins.

Cain, the first born of Adam and Eve, a tiller of the soil, and Abel, the second born of Adam and Eve, a shepherd, make an offering to God. Cain offers his finest fruits and vegetables to God. Abel sacrifices a first born lamb to God. Although it is never explained why, God likes Abel’s sacrifice but finds Cain’s offering to be lacking. Cain is hurt and offended by God’s dislike of his offering of his finest fruits and vegetables. Cain in his rage at having his sacrifice not accepted by God kills Abel.

The most ironic aspect of this traditional tale is that although God prefers the second born, Abel’s, sacrifice of a new born lamb, to Cain’s offering, it is Abel who is killed.


Spring Flag - Green, White, & Blue

A second non sequitur centers on a part of the story that comes later in which God puts a mark on Cain to admonish others not to attempt to kill the first born son of Adam and Eve for killing the second born son of Adam and Eve, Abel. The obvious problem is that if Cain and Abel were Adam and Eve’s first offspring, what “others” are being referenced here?


Each The Same Yet Different

“We go there not directly but (proceed) in a helter skelter way. Too much, too soon, so often causes one to go astray. And it is our intention for you not to lose your way. Nay, it is our intention for you to come and then to stay. Stay awhile or longer and may this serve you well. Stay awhile or longer but promise not to tell. That once while you were traveling in a land most far but near. You heard the twinkling of the light, a sound so very dear. More of this we know and more of this we will tell, but first we ask that you stay awhile and with us for some time dwell.”

© 2008 big box industries

Posted 8:27 AM by robert d

To Bee or not to Bee?

If I was at the beach I would say that the insect in this snap is a sand flea, but as of yet this year no beach for Bob.


One of God's Creatures

This flitty little thing was having the time of its life yesterday hanging out with one of the real winners of My Garden so far this year, my white candytufts.

Not being at the beach, I think this little critter with the long proboscis is a baby bee.

© 2008 big box industries

Posted 7:27 AM by robert d

How $Low$ Can It Go?

Over the last several years the US$ has been exposed to the process of reverse alchemy, changing gold into dross. Since January 2006 the $ has lost 30 % of its value against the Euro. In Paris now, a Big Kahuna Burger or a Royale with cheese, would have cost Vincent Vega $12.

But if you acknowledge the propaganda from the government, or the financial bauble heads on TV, or a myriad of other sources, the unified message is that a low $ is good, depreciation of the US$ is beneficial to the US economy.

The media is the message propaganda goes something like this. If you graduated from college with a D grade point average that is good. It means that you were exposed to all kinds of good things but didn’t have to do any work. Since you didn’t have to actually do any work/study, you could devote your time to exploring other things. A person with a D grade point average is a much more well rounded individual than a person with an A grade point average because they had a lot more time to explore other alternatives and thus are more adaptable to a wider range of environmental variables. Adaptability, as Darwin stated, is a key to success and hence an individual with a D grade point average will do much better than the cloistered individual with an A grade point average.

Quod Erat Demonstrandum.

One could say (n+1) things about the value of the $ and still not hobble together the antithesis of the above, that a weak $ is bad. But consider this. If a weak $ is good, then a $ that is worthless is better.

And if you are out there running around in circles chasing your, the Devil is suppose to have one, tail, to make a few, it rhymes with fucks, remember the adage of Ben Franklin.


A Penny Earned Ain't Worth Shit

© 2008 big box industries

Posted 1:49 PM by robert d

Fool’s Eve

Last night was Fool’s Eve and being one of the biggest fools of them all decorum dictated that I put in an appearance. Actually the festivities were rather muted. Last night we had the last fire of the season in the fireplace.

But it was a special fire and I like the snap, crackle, pop, of the lapping flames was very proud. Last night we had the last fire of the season in the fireplace with my sticks from my trees.



My Blues, My Clouds, My Trees

Soon on a windless day, I will ever so gently, ease the soot and potash from out of the floor of the fireplace and spread it generously around some of the outdoor plants that are starting to show off now.


Isadora

From a Once and Future

© 2008 big box industries