April's Accolades

These are the posts that made an impact upon me in some way this month of April. I will be submitting one of them to be the "Perfect Post".

Pat Paulk
Nancy
Friday's Child
Imran
Viamaria
Aurora Anonovic

Imran's post about an important conversation he had with his cab driver made April's Perfect Post.

Discussing Creationism Part XII

I am reading the book "The Theory of Evolution" by evolutionist, Cynthia L. Mills, in order to critically and analytically understand both evolution and creationism. This part of the discussion is a less formal, personal notebook of interesting information that I gather and jot down as well as my thoughts on the material. Feel free to offer your viewpoints, suggestions or other reading material recommendations.

Everyone is influenced by someone especially from their childhood. In the case of Charles Darwin, that person was his grandfather, Erasmus Darwin. Erasmus was a physician who liked to write poetry and prose and to speculate on scientific matters, especially the origins of life. He was a contemporary of Lamarck and came to similar conclusions, most notably that use or disuse of a part of the body could lead to changes in size or shape.
In Erasmus' popular book, Zoonomia or the Laws of Organic Life, he wrote his scientific views in a poetic manner.

"Nurs'd by warm sun-beams in primeval caves
Organic Life began beneath the waves...
Hence without parent by spontaneous birth
Rise the first specks of animated earth."

Erasmus' speculations were very similar to present day beliefs of the origin of life. Could it be that his thoughts influenced his grandson and others?

Erasmus is said not to have been an atheist but he did not accept the authority of the Bible or of the Christ.

In Discussing Creationism Part V, I wrote that "An important but often overlooked premise that is inherent in every man is their religious belief...The idea that scholarly men are impartial observers is often a fallacy. Christian beliefs also may lead to conclusions which are contrary to the non-religious man. These differences of premises can both lead to different interpretations of the facts."

Other sources:
Huxley Files-Obituary
Zoonomia-entire book

PreDarwinian Theories of Evolution
Jean-Baptiste Lamarck

Discussing Creationism: The Initial Argument
Part II: Two Questions about the Ark
Part III:The Volume of the Ark
Part IV: The Weight and Sturdiness of the Ark
Part V:What is a Myth
Part VI: Gilgamesh
Part VII: The Biblical View of Noah
Part VIII: Gathering of the Animals
Part IX Evolution
Part X The First Evolutionist
Part XI The Notebook

A Sense of Her

Hidden inside a cotton gift bag
touch describes her

tears flow down a smooth cheek
honesty opens a crevice in her thoughts
and I feel coolness
and silkiness

Then I open the drawstring
and she falls silently before me
recovering herself
before I really know

Friendly Friday

Hey FFMB! Before we start today's march,I want you to hear a couple of lurkers as recorded by Kathy, our flutist.



"Hey Buzz," I said to the ringing in Carol's ears, "meet Mr. Tiger, the ringing in my ears."

After I made the introduction and both Tiger and Buzz said their proper hellos I listened in on their conversation.

Mr. Tiger was first to speak. He whispered while looking nervously from right to left, 'Do you think they're catching on? Is there any chance that those two bloggers are getting too close to the truth?'

"Heck no," buzzed Buzz much too loudly.

'Keep it down!' interrupted Tiger with a soft growl.

Buzz finished his sentence without the least bit of uneasiness. "...there's no way that either one has a clue that the constant noise in their heads is what feeds us."

'That's what concerns me,' responded Tiger, trying unsuccessfully to sound tough. 'I'm afraid. I'm afraid that if they discover our schtick - well, well,' he stuttered, 'we won't remain in control.'

"It's not going to happen," Buzz promised. "All we have to do is cause them to assume that they are not immune to the opinion of others. It's that simple. Let them imagine they're not as good as
they are, and then BINGO - we have them as victims."

'But Buzz,' said Tiger still not convinced, 'we can't let them know that it's you and me and every other befuddled ego common to man, that keeps them from living in the ever present NOW. If they knew,' Mr. Tiger repeated, 'I'm afraid that would be the end of us. How would we survive if they shut us up?'

"Not to worry," said Buzz confidently. "I assure you - there's enough pain in this world to go around. If they catch on to our game we can always get someone else to unconsciously identify with our kind of energy. Just think, " he added, "anger, destructiveness, misunderstandings, hatred,
grief, emotional drama, violence, and even illness gives us what we need."

'But it's getting harder and harder for me to feel triumph over at A Particularly Persistent Point of View. I'm trying my darnest to communicate disappear, but, but, but, I'm not always listened to. I think the other side is beginning to shine through.'

"Then try another approach," Buzz suggested. "You can always work on the emotions and make them go haywire. Or you could bring doubt or shame into the picture. Or perhaps a pity party would do the trick."

Tiger perked up. 'A pitty party? Hmmm. Yeah, that might do it. I will insist that the blog stinks. I'll mention how there's hardly any comments, which proves that no one is really reading it. It'll cause puzzlement and that will certainly upset the apple cart. And yes, I'll be fed. Thanks Buzz. Good idea.'

"No problem," Buzz hummed happily.

Moments later Buzz's buzzing grew to a high pitch. Something was bothering him too. His pitch grew higher when he said, "Whatever you do Mr. Tiger, DO NOT bring attention to Carol's Friendly Fridays."

'Oh,' said Mr. Tiger, his chest ready to burst as he boasted, 'I have a good way to handle that problem. I use the too busy routine. Works every time. If you're too busy, you can't march, right?'

"Right. But that's not the case here at A Revison," Buzz admitted. "Carol's always thinking up ways to get others involved, and to be honest, ' he chocked, "this is a tough one for me to crack. How do I get around it?"

'Just keep buzzing,' said Mr. Tiger as he buzzed off to A Particularly Persistent Point of View.


Wow, Kathy. Thanks for letting us know the talk going on from the balcony seats.



And...the featured friendless site is Bemmie at Who Knows, Who Cares. I like her blog because:

• she is studying English literature
• of her library section
• she has a humbleness about herself despite her achievements
  
• she has been blogging since Oct 2003
  

Make sure to visit Gidget Graham at Our Journey to Becoming a Family. She is a believer that is looking to overcome.

Then check out Ohok's blog,which offers her unique Step-Mom's Point of View. She is a good friend of Killired, FFMB flutist, who is also contributing to her blog.



Thanks to Kathy for writing about Buzz and Tiger. Beware fellow bloggers!






For those wondering how the band works:
To join the Friends of the Friendless Marching Band, leave a comment stating that you wish to join then choose any instrument you like. (ability isn't an issue for this cyber band) We have three piano players, a harpist, a theramin and french horn player plus a variety of more so you get the idea that any instrument is possible.
On Fridays, the band meets to visit the chosen friendless sites which I list. Then the band leaves friendly comments for our honored recipients. Let them know that you are from the FFMB.
Get to know other band members. There is sure to be someone you can connect with.
Nominate friendless sites. They can be bloggers you know or ones that you come across in your blog surfs. Think unique. These sites have less than 5 comments/post and be posting currently. Leave me a comment with their address or email me at Carol_ffmb at yahoo.ca. I will let you know whether they have met the friendless criteria.

*I am in urgent need of more friendless sites.*

FFMB banners here!

A Kaleidoscope

lab-coated white flurries
with pursed lips, intense multi-tasking eyes
conscienciously moving between process and disease
to understand more precisely

then someone will laugh
and beneath the whiteness of the coats
a brightness of flowers is revealed,
a lei around the day


Join me in celebrating Laboratory Technologist Week!

Stop,Look and Write

This is another exercise from Hart Day Leavitt and David A. Sohn's book, "Stop, Look and Write" that can help develop both observational and descriptive skills.

1. Find a picture that has interesting shapes and forms.
2. Write phrases or short sentences describing several of the more prominent shapes and forms.
3. Arrange them together as a poem.

Cylinders of motion
carry the side saddler to the ramp
across shiny slick rectangles,
past the still sfumato of bars and branches

Discussing Creationism Part XI

I am reading the book "The Theory of Evolution" by Cynthia L. Mills in order to understand critically
and analytically both evolution and creationism. This part of the discussion is more like a less formal, personal notebook of interesting information that I gather and jot down. Feel free to offer your viewpoints, suggestions or other reading material recommendations.

I found this statement of importance:
"Did new species come about suddenly or gradually? Darwin continued to be convinced evolution must be gradual, but never proved it to his or anyone's satisfaction. It has remained one of the central disagreements to this day."

I also found an interesting web page called "Darwinia and Evolution."

Here is a list from the above web page of what is necessary to understand the fossil record:

• basic knowledge of geology and plate tectonics
• radiometric dating (creationism does not agree with the dating methods that have been used. This is another discussion, of course. I just wanted to point this out.)
• read a couple of books and journals on the subject
  
• possibly take an introductory course in paleontology
  
• keep up to date by subscribing to a paleontological news service
  

This seems to be an informative web page but it suggests an extensive study plan that could take 5 years. I will need to decide what to do. Meanhile I will continue on with this book on Evolution as it gives a good overview. There are also works that have been done by other creationists that I need to look at. I don't have to start from scratch.

Most importantly praying to the Creator for understanding and knowledge will help.

Discussing Creationism: The Initial Argument
Part II: Two Questions about the Ark
Part III:The Volume of the Ark
Part IV: The Weight and Sturdiness of the Ark
Part V:What is a Myth
Part VI: Gilgamesh
Part VII: The Biblical View of Noah
Part VIII: Gathering of the Animals
Part IX Evolution
Part X The First Evolutionist

Friendly Friday

The mission of the FFMB is to be friendly.
We
seek the friendless
visit the friendless
invite the friendless to join us in our mission

So dear Friends of the Friendless Marching Band! We march again...

I asked Pearl of Humanyms for help with today's Friendly Friday. Pearl is one fine poet. She loves words so I asked her if she would do one of her "word chains" from the word, friend. Here it is:

friend, rend, rear-ender, rendered friendless, reindeer
friendly, more or less surrendered, entered white flag,
kerchief rag, wave haloooo, echoing canyon, chasm, ricola
folk tuba, long distance relationships spidering out to
tangental fruit, sinking willow root, boughs tangled,
detangled ooout, dark dread spot, guilt blot, invisible
clots of ought to, not, to and fro, spoken bubbles blown
over rooftiptops, small eave window, circle of face, waves
from streetside, inside the guest, block party dense,
condensed, trance music, smoke, tote, toke, jokes,
exploding laughter, far, near corners, quiet spots to talk,
walk, spilling downstairs, different stereo blares hip hop,
classical, clatteration of clarinet, mixed with jubilant
soliloquy, panoply of players, golden band of merry men,
makers of yahsayers on staff, epitaph, epithet, tete a
tetes, testing, testy, tasty connections, surprise drama
art improv everywhere, improving, approving, reproving,
removing, behooving motion, lotion for emotion, closer
folded oceans, text flotsam plucked from the sea.

I love the progression and variation in this word association, Pearl.


The featured friendless site is Raju Bathija at Anything Goes. I like this blog because:

• I always find it interesting to read a blog from a different culture. Raju lives in India.
• he writes gently and honestly with a quiet sense of humor
• of his commentaries on the books he has read, news articles or cartoons he has found.
  
• because of this quote, " I miss being myself. When I am at home, I am dutiful father to my children, good husband to my wife, at office an honest and sincere worker, in train reading newspapers/books and adopting other people's thoughts and thinkings. I do miss being myself. While I blog, I am being myself."

I also enjoyed Chris at Chris-Seas Corner. She is fun and also comes from a family of bloggers. Check her out.

Then visit Angel at Life is Good. In the beginning of her blogging, she wondered what she would be writing about, "I suppose as time goes on, it will become clearer what I am to write about...how this is to play out. I think several issues will come up again and again just because of who I am. Parenting, educating, blessings, all come to mind quickly."

If anyone has problems leaving comments for one of the friendless sites, please leave them on my blog.





Thank you Pearl for helping me today. What a great job!









For those wondering how the band works:
To join the Friends of the Friendless Marching Band, leave a comment stating that you wish to join then choose any instrument you like. (ability isn't an issue for this cyber band) We have three piano players, a harpist, a theramin and french horn player plus a variety of more so you get the idea that any instrument is possible.
On Fridays, the band meets to visit the chosen friendless sites which I list. Then the band leaves friendly comments for our honored recipients. Let them know that you are from the FFMB.
Get to know other band members. There is sure to be someone you can connect with.
Nominate friendless sites. They can be bloggers you know or ones that you come across in your blog surfs. Think unique. These sites have less than 5 comments/post and be posting currently. Leave me a comment with their address or email me at Carol_ffmb at yahoo.ca. I will let you know whether they have met the friendless criteria.

Get your FFMB banners here.

Say it Aloud

Cascades of purple, blooming quietly by the wall,
sharply listen and nakedly look at the hands
that once broke the stem.

The flower thought it had nothing to say
but the sweet water reveals burgeoning ideas
and words lift in hope to the sun.

Observation

Your Observation Skills Get A C-

You tend to notice the big things in life... But the details aren't exactly your forte

How Observant Are You?

I have a book about writing called "Stop, Look, and Write" by Hart Day Leavitt and David A. Sohn. One of the chapters is called "How much do you really see?"

This book uses pictures as a motivator for improving writing skills. This exercise focusses on observation skills.

With a C-

I need the practise.

I chose 3 images from Google. If you want to participate in this exercise, choose any of the three.

This is what they suggest, "Study the following pictures carefully. See HOW MUCH you can "see" and what KINDS of things. Then write it all down, as if you had actually been watching the real-life scene and wanted to tell someone about it."
Since this month I am celebrating poetry for April is National Poetry Month, I will be observing and responding poetically.





























The Face Painter
A few newspapers protect the bare tables
red into orange in diluted plastic cups

red checked floors
red logos
red jackets in January

surrounded by smiles for the camera
blonde teen concentrates with smiling eyes
and paints by numbers on the darkness of a young cheek

Mari and Larissa observe Rachael

Gymnasts in red




If you want to try this, let me know and I will link to your site.

1. Sister Celtic
   
2. 
   
3. 
   

"Where I'm From"

I am from a cigarette stub, Dumaurier and ashes.

I am from the house whose front outside light came on because it was time to come home, playing, happy , to the unfinished smell of sawdust.

I am from the lilacs and sweet grass braided into a cross.

I am from the trips to powwows and Sunday masses, with gloves and white hats.

I am from the freedom of small town walks and bikerides, from quiet independent men and hard working women.

From don't eat too fast and don't eat too slow.

I am from those that held fast to what they were told, instructed well, too well.

I'm from the prairies, Ukrainian and Indian, from perogies and bannock.

From a homesteading couple that were hailed out and from another two, that were stolen a Native heritage. From a man, my Father, who farmed his dream.

I am from envelopes of inherited pictures, clippings and a souvenir tan and yellow lighter, a life.




I heard about this from Colleen. This is from a poem template that a friend of Fred of Fragments from Floyd used in a writing class. It is based on a poem by George Ella Lyons. It is a great writing exercise, so have fun and let me know if you do this and I will link to you here.

1. Kai took a slightly different slant.
   
2. Pearl did the same.
   
3. Barbara
4. Melli
   
5. Chilady
6. 
   

Discussing Creationism Part X

I have been reading "The Theory of Evolution" by Cynthia L. Mills. She is a scientific writer who has written articles for several magazines. In this book, she writes of the history of Evolution.

The first scientist to assert that one species changed to another species was not Darwin but Jean-Baptiste Lamarck. He was born in 1744. In 1793, he was assigned to the study of worms and insects at the Museum of Natural History in Paris. It was from this work that he formulated the idea of evolution.

In a lecture he gave in Paris in 1803, he stated "Do we not therefore perceive that by the action of the laws of organization . . . nature has in favorable times, places, and climates multiplied her first germs of animality... Then. . . aided by much time and by a slow but constant diversity of circumstances, she has gradually brought about in this respect the state of things which we now observe. How grand is this consideration, and especially how remote is it from all that is generally thought on this subject!"

Even earlier, in 1801, Lamarck had written "time and favorable conditions are the two principal means which nature has employed in giving existence to all her productions. We know that for her time has no limit, and that consequently she always has it at her disposal." The general scientific community did not listen and he died in poverty.

Early in his study of the invertebrates, he became convinced that organisms progressed from simple to complex forms. It wasn't until he inherited a fossil collection of mollusks and saw a chronological development within the collection that he began to believe that transmutation of species was possible.

Lamarck differed from Darwin:

• in his belief in spontaneous generation which is the idea that life can occur spontaneously from non-living matter. He believed that it must have occurred throughout the course of history in order to explain the missing links between species in the fossil records.
  
• in the theory of the "tendency to progression" (simple to complex) Darwin believed that life evolved as there was a need.
  
• Lamark did not believe that extinction occurred. It only appeared that way because animals evolved into another form. Darwin believed that extinction occurred and natural selection, which states that adaptions occur if the environment demands it. Then those animals that are adapted the best will survive while those that are not will die out or become extinct.
  

Some points I wonder about as I read about Lamarck are:

• Evolution is trying to understand nature and is itself evolving or changing in its ideas.
• that animal life is similar. From the worms to man, there is a pattern to the life forms.
• Science is both defined and limited by what man can deduce, think or imagine from the data.

Others sites used:
Zoological Philosophy
Understanding Evolution
Victorian Web

Discussing Creationism: The Initial Argument
Part II: Two Questions about the Ark
Part III:The Volume of the Ark
Part IV: The Weight and Sturdiness of the Ark
Part V:What is a Myth
Part VI: Gilgamesh
Part VII: The Biblical View of Noah
Part VIII: Gathering of the Animals
Part IX Evolution

Poetry Contests

I was looking at a poetry magazine and noticed there were many poetry contests. I was surprised to see that there were also entry fees.

I found this site that lists several links on avoiding poetry scams.

There are legitimate contests out there, but it pays to be cautious.

Any other hints to be given for the inexperienced?

Friendly Friday

Hello FFMB. Now that I have your attention, well, I really just wanted to say hi and thank you for your dedication to making these marches a success. Keep up with all those friendly comments.









Before you head out, I want to share this poem with you that Friday's Child was inspired to write about the band.

FFMB MARCH

FFMB is the group to be,
Because you will always see,
Friends and lots of them you'll know,
As they greet you a Hi or Hello.

Time is gold, don't waste it,
Come now and join it,
You'll surely love and enjoy it,
And you'll never regret it.

So come now and roll over,
to CAROL'S site and holler,
Your name, I'm here to make things better,
To sites who needs friends altogether.

I also want to point out this banner that Chrixean made for the band. I will be using it every week to announce the featured site.

So, drummers please...the featured friendless site is Kathryn at Midnight to 4 am. I like her blog because:

• of her interesting life.
  
• She has lived in California, Dublin and currently resides in London.
• she plays guitar in a band.
• of her reason to start blogging, "I have started writing because of the clutter."
  

Visit Annette from Show Them Through Me . She is a blogger whose corner banner proudly states, "as for me and my blog, we will serve the Lord.

Check Kai out at Kai's Poetry as well. She gives herself this excellent introduction:

"new lady on the blog
she's a poet
dark brown eyes
light brown skin
disability a motorize wheelchair
big flirt
hopeless romantic
heart & soul
extention braids
sweet
lovable
adorable
also write poems
yeah
this is a new lady on the blog
my name is kai "

Thank you Friday's Child for submitting your poem. You have a sweet heart.

Thanks to Chrixean for sharing her talents as a graphic designer with the band. The banner adds a warm visual touch to the Friendly Friday post.


For those wondering how the band works:
To join the Friends of the Friendless Marching Band, leave a comment stating that you wish to join then choose any instrument you like. (ability isn't an issue for this cyber band) We have three piano players, a harpist, a theramin and french horn player plus a variety of more so you get the idea that any instrument is possible.
On Fridays, the band meets to visit the chosen friendless sites which I list. Then the band leaves friendly comments for our honored recipients. Let them know that you are from the FFMB.
Get to know other band members. There is sure to be someone you can connect with.
Nominate friendless sites. They can be bloggers you know or ones that you come across in your blog surfs. Think unique. These sites have less than 5 comments/post and be posting currently. Leave me a comment with their address or email me at Carol_ffmb at yahoo.ca. I will let you know whether they have met the friendless criteria.

Get your FFMB banners here.

A Haiku Mystery Tea Party Guide

I hope that other bloggers will join me in making a mystery haiku story in the preceding post. This is in celebration of National Poetry Month.

Haiku is traditionally a three verse poem that contains 5 syllables in the first line, 7 in the next and then 5 syllables in the last line.

Add your haiku in the comment section and I will attach it to the rest of the poem. I will also add your name to the list of contributors at the bottom of this mystery poem.

Any questions?

A Haiku Mystery Tea Party

the kettle boiled
the envelope opened as
the lemon tea steeped

one page and the tea
fell to the floor with a shriek
her body lay limp

Perfectly good tea
stains an antique persian rug
irking the butler



the letter is gone
loyal butler hears foot steps
running down the hall

then the young maid screams
with a blood soaked letter-knife
held out to inspect

trampled flower bed
muddy footprints are leading
towards the old pond

there it was floating
recognizable by none
truly bothersome

and there, on the path
hinges buckled, lid askew
an antique tea chest

empty except for
a soiled gossamer cloth
and an envelope

Three pairs of eyes turned
to the algae covered pond
red painted tea ball


Wild eyed brother shouts
jumps in the pond, grabs the chain
maid runs to him, No

The police inspector rang the door bell. The butler answered and led him to the pond. The young man was hysterically jumping on the tea ball while the maid sobbed.
The inspector looked at them then went back to the parlor to see the young woman who lay dead on the floor covered in blood from the stab wounds by a letter knife.
The butler answered some questions which revealed that the young woman and her brother lived in the house alone. Their parents died a year ago and left them both the large house which was full of antiques. Eight months ago, the young man started behaving strangely. He was normally a quiet man but since then had become extremely irritable. He had difficulty sleeping and had terrible headaches. His symptoms were becoming worse. The young maid nursed him and had become very fond of him.

Everyone was brought into the house and kept under surveillance until the next day.

The following day, the inspector asked that everyone come in to the parlor. "The young woman was steaming the letter open. I found the letter in the envelope in the tea chest yesterday. It contained the test results for a blood test that was done two weeks ago. A test for lead done on the young man. You see, the woman was poisoning her brother for his half of the inheritance. The tea ball had lead paint on it and the soil in the gossamer cloth was highly contaminated with lead. His Sister prepared his tea nightly for him, using that tea ball and mixing the soil with the tea.

It was the maid that killed the sister. She knew that she was trying to kill the man that she loved so she arranged for the blood test to be done. When the woman was about to read the letter, she grabbed the letter knife and ...

then she tearfully
flung the antique tea chest to
her bosom and fled

The End

Thanks for joining the party
Carol the Hostess:
Mango
Polona
Nancy
Mompoet

A Part

The ending was...
wrapped up tightly and placed in my arms
determined, confident, strong,
only a few minutes old and there she was...

shouting, reciting my list of complaints,
my lack of new dresses, my lack of new friends,
I was not aware she was even listening
from the back carseat.

She calmed down after she had thrown the stone
that hit me on the head; she had my attention at last.
I am getting a little better at not covering my ears
from the Child who throws Idealism.

Feel for our salvation,
the wonder of the first few moments
before we were separate.

Poetry Ballot

"Mango and I used to ask questions of one another and write them down. This was similar to the question memes that are quite prevalent on many of the blogs today. Mango and I called them "ballots" and we did them every month." Dec 3, 2005

Here is a ballot for the poets. If you want to participate, either leave your answers in the comment section or answer on your own blog, but let me know.

1.Where do your poems start? What causes you to sit down and write a poem? Is it a certain emotion?

My poems usually start with an overwhelming emotion that I am experiencing, such as sorrow or even happiness, lately.

2.Do you have different stages to your poetry? Can you see how you've matured or changed over the years through your poetry?

As a child, see last poem, the poems had to rhymne. They were observations of the adult world around me.
As a young adult, the poems were asking to understand the what I was experiencing.
Today, I still start with a personal need then work towards the answer.

3. Do you have a favorite poem that you have written? What do you like about it? What does it say about you that you like?

My favorite poem is one I wrote after my Mother died called " I was Blind but Now I See".
I like it because it expressed a moment that brought comfort to me over the months that followed.
It was my awakening to her.

4. Do you have a favorite that someone else has written? What does it do for you? Does it give you an answer or cause you to think a certain way? Does it motivate you?

Daffodils are in bloom and they remind me of my first favorite poem by William Wordsworth. I felt not alone in the need to be comforted. It reminds me of Philippians 4:8.

5. Do you only write poetry or is it a part of a vast array of writing methods that you use to express your self or your thoughts?

As you can tell by my blog, I do not write a lot of poetry. I use whatever method helps me express my various feelings, interests and thoughts each day.


These are the poets that participated in the Poetry Ballot April:

1. Aurora Antonovic
2. Barbara's answers are in the comment section
   
3. Steve
4. Artpuppy94
   
5. See Pearl's answers in the comment section
   
6. Polona
7. Colleen
   
8. Kami
   
9. Sarah's answers are in the comment section
   
10. Saz's answers are in the comment section, too
    

Discussing Creationism Part IX

So now I approach the most crucial and difficult question regarding Noah and the flood. "Is it possible that the animals that exist today originated from the animals that were in the ark?" In Part III, I estimated that there were approximately 2500 different kinds of animals that could've fit in the ark. There are about 10 million species of animals and 9000 species of birds that exist today.

There was an uproar when Darwin published his theory of natural selection in "The Origin of Species" in 1859. The Biblical account of Creationism was the accepted viewpoint up to that time but Darwin and other scientists had begun to look at the evidence without this belief. Some religious people accepted the new ideas while others held to the Biblical beliefs of creationism and the history of the catastrophic flood.



The debate between the two sides has not ended and probably never will. I found this quote by Darwin that he wrote to Asa Gray, an American biologist, a suitable one for those that continue to study and debate the subject.
"My book has stirred up the mud with a vengeance; and it will be a blessing to me if all my friends do not get to hate me. But I look at it as certain, if I had not stirred up the mud some one else would very soon; so that the sooner the battle is fought the sooner it will be settled; not that the subject will be settled in our lives' time. It will be an immense gain, if the question becomes a fairly open one; so that each man may try his new facts on it pro and contra."

I want to examine these controversial and conflicting viewpoints closer. If you are interested, join me as I take closer looks at both Evolution and Creationism in order to try to answer the question asked above "Is it possible that the animals that exist today originated from the animals that were in the ark?"



Discussing Creationism: The Initial Argument
Part II: Two Questions about the Ark
Part III:The Volume of the Ark
Part IV: The Weight and Sturdiness of the Ark
Part V:What is a Myth
Part VI: Gilgamesh
Part VII: The Biblical View of Noah
Part VIII: Gathering of the Animals

Excerpts from a Life

Here is an early poem I wrote. I was around 13 years old and joking around.

Morning

The sun began to rise, as I peered through my door.
I see the same scene, day after day, it's beginning to be a bore.

The dew is beginning to fall, I feel it beneath my feet.
I wish I could wake up one morning, with something new to meet.

The birds begin to sing, as the animals begin to play.
The same repeated mornings, just like yesterday.

The rooster in the backyard, cried out his waking call.
People say it is lovely, to me it's a noisy brawl.

The paperboy is coming, I can hear his noisy bike.
If God created mornings, how come they're all alike.

The sky is many colors, like a rainbow flying high.
These mornings are getting worse, as they pass me by.

Soon this morning will be over, as it was the day before
Start again tomorrow, as I look through my door...

Friendly Friday

Hello FFMB. I can't wait to get the march started today because I was privileged to be interviewed by blog reporter, Lazy Daisy this week. Read the tell-all interview below!

Lazy Daisy here for the "The Blog Blabber" interviewing the conductor of the Friend of the Friendless Marching Band.

Carol, I've done some research on the band and discovered you started this concept in your blog "A Revision" August 17, 2005 . Can you tell us briefly how you came up with the idea of a virtual band and why the name of the band is significant?

Carol: My children and I enjoy watching " I Love Lucy "and had watched the "“Lucy's Last Birthday"” episode, which featured the Friends of the Friendless Marching Band. In this episode Lucy is upset because she thinks no one has remembered her birthday and goes off to the park crying. The band discovers Lucy sitting on a park bench and think she is a a friendless drunk because her eyes are red from crying and she has the hiccups from crying. The band misread the situation and offers her an opportunity to join the band.
I was smitten by the idea and decided to create an on-line version of the band.

Daisy: Carol, I've noticed that you are a natural encourager, was this one of the reasons you wanted to reach out to others?

Carol: I enjoy reading blogs and wanted to help unrecognized bloggers get noticed. I also read in a MacLean'’s magazine that most blogs receive less than 10 visitors a day!

Daisy:Has anyone ever been insulted to be called "friendless?"

Carol:Yes. Our intentions are good but some people do not want to hear that they are friendless but I think it is good for the soul to be able to admit to being friendless, at least once in a lifetime.
Then some blogs that appeared to be friendless, turned out to have lots of visitors like one I featured that actually was getting a 1000 visitors a day!
Joining the band is a fun way to to meet other blogs and make friends.

Daisy: What do you see as the future of the band?

Carol:I would like to see the FFMB a household word and friendless blogs lining up to be a part of the parade route. I would like to see a growing number of active members that enjoy creating and playing together. I see potential for great fun!

Daisy: Does the band have a theme song?

Carol:It was played on that 60th episode of I Love Lucy. To hear the audio version of our theme song, click here then scroll down until you get to the song "“Friends of the Friendless". ” (There is a song called "Friendship" right after it, so be careful to click on right song)

Daisy:If you could play for anyone in the world, who would it be?

Carol: Lucy!

Daisy: Thank you Carol for the inside information about the formation of this interesting encouraging group of commenters..... So watch out blogspheres, the Friends of the Friendless Marching Band may be coming to your site in the near future. You'll be able to recognize them by their uniforms and their unusual instruments.


Thank you Lazy Daisy for "conducting" this revealing interview.







Now, to go along with this interview, I want to feature this amazing blog called Everything Lucy"! I like (or should I say, love) this blog because:

it is all about Lucy! Is this a goldmine or what?

he is a loyal fan.

of all the up todate information

of the link to the sister web site

the blog appears to be friendless but...is it?

Yes, there is only the one site today so enjoy a leisurely visit.

Oh, I have other good news for the band! The FFMB has a directory listing in High Class Blogs.



For those wondering how the band works:
To join the Friends of the Friendless Marching Band, leave a comment stating that you wish to join then choose any instrument you like. (ability isn't an issue for this cyber band) We have three piano players, a harpist, a theramin and french horn player plus a variety of more so you get the idea that any instrument is possible.
On Fridays, the band meets to visit the chosen friendless sites which I list. Then the band leaves friendly comments for our honored recipients. Let them know that you are from the FFMB.
Get to know other band members. There is sure to be someone you can connect with.
Nominate friendless sites. They can be bloggers you know or ones that you come across in your blog surfs. Think unique. These sites have less than 5 comments/post and be posting currently. Leave me a comment with their address or email me at Carol_ffmb at yahoo.ca. I will let you know whether they have met the friendless criteria.

Banners are always available here!

Ephemeral

The word of the day
ephemeral
use it and you earn a point.
Not many could.

On the way home,
jumping up and down,
I thought of new risky words
and the possible combinations.

Use it and you earn a point.
Live it and you learn a point.
The mood slipped past the door,
ephemeral joy.

*Revised April 8/06

FFMB Kazooist in National Poetry Contest

There are two more days left to vote in CBC's Poetry Face-Off 2006.

Check out Mompoet. She is a great slammer!

Do you know which poet she is?

April is National Poetry Month

This month is National Poetry Month in Canada and the United States. To celebrate this literary event, I will be keeping to a poetic theme for April.
This doesn't mean that I will be writing a poem every day but I will have fun trying to keep the theme up throughout so please join me to see what each day brings.

Exceptions are Friendly Fridays and the Discussing Creationism series on Sundays which will carry on as usual.

Without

I could live in a hermitage
drawing windows tight with lace,
patterning the sun nervously on the wall,
tatting while fantasies shuttle quietly
between prayers.

I won't live in a hermitage
in neatly stitched lines and circles, alone,
without.
Joining the other minds beside opened windows,
we dance stormy patterns.

Antique Walk

I like to look at antiques, although normally I don't buy anything; I'm just looking for the perfect item.

I have all of my old Barbie dolls except for one, Midge. She was the bestfriend of Barbie back in the sixties. She disappeared mysteriously from my Barbie box one day long ago, leaving behind her boyfriend, Alan and her bestfriend.

I finally found her and now, she is happily reunited with her many friends of the past.







Do you remember these dolls?
From left to right is:
Twiggy, the skinny model, from the sixties.
Mary Poppins. I don't have her original nanny outfit but I do have the one she wore on her outings to the park.
Skipper, Barbie's younger sister.
Barbie! She's missing her swimsuit but is wearing a design that my Mother made.
I forget the little girl's name!
There is Midge of course and Alan.
Ricky is a friend of Skipper. I always thought of him as Alan's little brother.

They are complete, once more.

Discussing Creationism Part VIII

For the past 7 Sundays, I have been talking about the reality of Noah and the flood.

Discussing Creationism: The Initial Argument
Part II: Two Questions about the Ark
Part III:The Volume of the Ark
Part IV: The Weight and Sturdiness of the Ark
Part V:What is a Myth
Part VI: Gilgamesh
Part VII: The Biblical View of Noah

There was another question put forward and that is "How could Noah possibly have gathered all the animals from all over the world?"

Genesis 6:19-20 "And of every living thing of all flesh, two of every sort shalt thou bring into the ar, to keep them alive with thee; they shall be male and female. Of fowls after their kind, and of cattle after their kind, of every creeping thing of the earth after his kind, two of every sort shall come unto thee, to keep them alive."

What does this passage say?
That the animals came unto Noah.
This seems impossible to us today because we are not used to the different relationship that existed between man and animals then. Animals did not fear man. Read Gen 9:2-4, where the trusting relationship between man and animal turned to fear.
As well, we know that animals instinctively know what to do when disaster is looming.