Archive for February, 2010
Keeping it ready
Are you looking for a great multi-purpose venue that is perfect for small gatherings, and at the same time a great get-away spot? Then try looking at your garden. Our garden has all the potential of becoming a great venue for small gatherings, and also the perfect place to relax. With just the right Outdoor and Gardens furniture and items, you won’t need to go somewhere else.
Tired of eating the usual meals you cook at the kitchen? Get your Grills and barbeque tools and have a small barbeque party at your garden, you could even invite your neighbors, and while waiting for that grilled barbeque they could sit at your cozy outdoor furniture and talk the minutes away. And when the party’s all done, all your guests have already went home, you could still have a quiet afternoon nap at one of your Hammocks. As with the other areas in our property, it is important that we maintain and care for our garden, and with the right Garden tools and bird and mammal deterrents, you’ll be keeping your garden beautiful and ready for another unplanned party.
MY DREAM
I have a dream. I see humankind understanding that the spirit which sings in our hearts sings as well in the hearts of the other animals. I see us realizing that there are many kinds of intelligence, many kinds of souls, many kinds of suffering and striving. I see us knowing that all creatures are endowed with the same will-to-live which we possess. I see us respecting theirs, as we would like our own to be respected were we in the less powerful position and they dominant upon the earth.
I see us grateful for these extraordinary companions.
I see our lives rich with animals. I see us with many animal friends. I see our cities sprinkled with wild places, shorelines, parks, ravines and creek-canyons, where wild creatures can live. I see all life forms working together in harmony, cultivating the full potential of the planet.
I see us appreciating the different needs, different kinds of intelligence, and different responsibilities of the various animals. I see us sensing the unique ways in which they feel, they think, they suffer, and they love.
I see us learning to treat with respect those who are, in the greater scheme of things, but our younger brothers and sisters. I see us realizing they, too, are expressions, in their individual ways, of the universal life-force. I see us acting from the knowledge that it is the same God- Force that gives us all breath.
I see us realizing that all God’ critters have a place in the choir.
WHAT THE CHILDREN KNOW
Sometimes children understand these things better than we do. A young Girl Scout named Karyl Carter wrote a simple report that says it all so well.
“A beaver who swam, dove and somersaulted among canoeing Girl Scouts—that’s what you would have seen at Camp Sacajawea Girl Scour Camp in Nefield, New Jersey, this summer.
“It was a late morning discovery. Girls from Holly Shores Girl Scout Council were taking canoeing lessons in Sacy’s Lake when a large stump started to move and perform numerous swimming feats. Hearing laughter, squeals and screams, the waterfront director canoed out to the girls, identified the stump as a real heave, and yelled to those on the beach, ‘Go get the rest of the camp. . . they’ve never seen anything like this before.’ In no time flat, the entire camp lined the lakefront, playing audience to a most talented but different kind of swimmer.
“The waterfront director, who was wary but excited, told the canoers, ‘Just keep canoeing, don’t pet the beaver, but enjoy the experience.’ Meanwhile, a beach bystander ran to the camp office and called Hope Buyukmihc4 naturalist and author, at Unexpected Wildlife Refuge, three miles away. ‘Are you missing a beaver.. . a very friendly one?’ The answer was yes. The beaver was Chopper, an orphan Ms. Buyukmihci had raised from infancy, and he was now over a year old and beginning to make a on his own in the
“Minutes later, Hope drove in to Camp &wy to con Chopper back home. But the next day Chopper was back in Sacy’s lake, entertaining campers with his swimabatics. ‘Maybe he’s building a dam. Maybe he’s going to raise a family,’ said some of his young admirers.
“All of us were excited over these prospects. We told Hope about Chopper’s whereabouts. She said he could slay and was happy that Chopper was on his own.
“Every day the staff members kept Hope informed of Chopper’s activities. ‘He may try to climb into your boats, ‘ she said, ‘but he’s just playbig. He’ll c&e off immediate&. And he might just swim along or wrestle with you if you’re in the water!’
“For the next three days, campers, leaders and staff members observed, petted, fed and just plain enjoyed Chopper. The Girl Scouts also learned about the looks, diet, habits and temperament of a beaver who is accustomed to the world of people.
“During these beaver days, the atmosphere in the camp drastically changed There was a profound awareness that there really was something alive and friendly out there in the woods and waters.
“One afternoon the camp director decided to take some pictures of Chopper. He found him swimming in a swampy area near the Comanche campsite. An animal enthusiast, the direqor walked right into the swamp1 click-clicked the camera, and was then promptly but playfully grabbed around the leg by Chopper. The following day was hectic, with camp closing and campers leaving. It warn ‘t until late Saturday afternoon that a few remaining staff members decided to walk down to the lake to say goodbye to Chopper.
“As we approached the lakefront, there were other last-minute beaver admirers standing on the dock. They screamed— ‘Come quickly/fl’ We ran, only to find Chopper lying on the edge of the dock deai
“These people, many of whom were young campers, had just witnessed an unidentified fisherman maliciously beat Chopper to death.
It seemed Chopper was disturbing this trespassing man’s sport. The fisherman, who was rowing away, shouted to us, ‘That thing tried to climb into my boat, so I hit it with my fishing pole. Then it started to hiss at me. I had to hit it with my oar.’
“We wrapped Chopper up in a beach towel , “We cried..