Thought for the Day (Aug 26)

Subject: Thought for the Day (Aug 26)
From: Peter T.
Date: 26 Aug 99 - 09:57 AM

Aug 26 -- There was rain in the night, and the reward is a parade of tiny, translucent, umbrella mushrooms down the trail to the marsh. I bend down to look, and up close they are a school party of Japanese maidens giggling and pattering down a mountain path to view the morning glories. As I get back up, there is a rush of wings, and out on the marsh a blue heron is arriving. It swerves, dangles its long feet for an instant, patterning the still water, and then magically, in a way that you can't see even while you are watching, it turns itself upright, and adopts the classic heron pose.

Marshes, swamps, wetlands, are among the strangest symbols of our time. Throughout history they have been dreaded, avoided, and drained. They have been seen, rightly, as breeding grounds for disease, and hiding places for outlaws and renegades (Americans will recall Frances Marion, the Swamp Fox). My city drained every marsh it could in the 19th century, and the 20th century has seen vast elimination of swamps everywhere. Yet, at the end of the century, environmentalists have convinced many people that they should be protected, and valued again; and the Wendigo Marsh where the heron perches this morning is an example of that rehabilitative spirit.

But perhaps this is all too easy. I am reading (again) Peter Guralnick's books on the country and blues circuit, the juke joints and the grinding road. It is clear from that that the essence of marketing and advertising and the golden ring is to take the strange dangerousness of marginal music and frame it so that it will not go out of control. The thrill must be there, but not so as to threaten anything, really. So it is with marshes, and nature in general: now that we are no longer threatened by diseases from open waterways, and can drive on bridges over swamps, we are prepared to let the loser live, but on our terms. The heron, like Waylon Jennings, is allowed to live, to provide us with a momentary thrill, but under no circumstances can it be allowed to break the whole thing wide open.
(p.t.)

Subject: RE: Thought for the Day (Aug 26)
From: catspaw49
Date: 26 Aug 99 - 10:33 AM

Interesting thought Peter and I see the truth in what you say..............I can also see a heron with a cowboy hat, black vest, and a telecaster...and it's too weird to go on....

Spaw

Subject: RE: Thought for the Day (Aug 26)
From: MMario
Date: 26 Aug 99 - 10:37 AM

only thing I would take exception to in this is that the REASON the swamps were breeding grounds for disease was man. Healthy Swampland by itself is not naturally any more disease ridden than any other type of terrain. *grin*

Having grown up next to a large tidal marshland, I certainly appreciate their beauty...

Subject: RE: Thought for the Day (Aug 26)
From: Peter T.
Date: 26 Aug 99 - 11:43 AM

Mario, interesting point to remind us that human beings are carriers of disease, too; but I am not sure the overall point is right. Certainly the disease vectors for humans are intensified by having a human monoculture/wetland cycle around, but wetlands are very high-productivity, high diversity ecosystems anyway so they naturally have a lot more happening in them than in other ecosystems -- bird malaria, parasitical diseases and others -- nothing to do with humans.
yours, Peter T.

Subject: RE: Thought for the Day (Aug 26)
From: catspaw49
Date: 26 Aug 99 - 11:56 AM

Yeah,I can see it.....Looking out over the marsh here with you.........I see the point...........I also like how you dress up the herons to look like people, Waylon and all....that's cute...Does kinda' effect the ecosystem though.....is the little one over there dressed like Woody?......Real nice............(Christ, where is that damn Insanevac chopper).........Want a cup of tea to relax a bit..........

Spaw

Subject: RE: Thought for the Day (Aug 26)
From: Peter T.
Date: 26 Aug 99 - 12:04 PM

I have been hesitating about putting up my Journal jotting entries as Thoughts for the Day, filling this space with my meanderings, so to speak -- but if I can confuse you, catspaw, it seems to be all worth while somehow! Anyway, if no one objects, I will continue from time to time.
yours, Peter T.

Subject: RE: Thought for the Day (Aug 26)
From: MMario
Date: 26 Aug 99 - 12:16 PM

Speaking for myself....they are as interesting if not more so then the "standard" quotes.

and for a little TC (that's Thread Creep)---I'm not sure that a wetland HAS any more disease (without humans around) when you figure it based on amount of disease versus diversity and biomass in the system. Only natural given the amount of turnover...

And now for OPINION (something I'm REAL good at) - if you want diseased eco-systems, in MY opinion, take a look at climax forests. Practically moribund!

Subject: RE: Thought for the Day (Aug 26)
From: katlaughing
Date: 26 Aug 99 - 12:19 PM

Yes, please DO! Peter! I really enjoy them and if it is alright I may do the same with the weekend ones, once in awhile. Sorry, I totally spaced last weekend's.

katwhooncelivednearawetlandinCT&foundasmallfrogclimbingherbathroomwall

PS: 'Spaw....I hear those chopper blades, better put that straitjacket back on!**BG**

Subject: RE: Thought for the Day (Aug 26)
From: catspaw49
Date: 26 Aug 99 - 12:33 PM

Seriously Peter, Mario is right....Your own are often and truly far better, but I think you'd feel that you might offend through editorializing???? If so, DON'T!

On the other hand, I'm just so fuckin' warped that virtually anything triggers a smartass response......You "know" me and I doubt you're troubled by today's "fun at your expense," but should that be the case....I am sorry.

............and as soon as the Insanevac chopper arrives for your trip to the Center, I'll go confess to Father Joebro.

Spaw

Subject: RE: Thought for the Day (Aug 26)
From: Allan C.
Date: 26 Aug 99 - 12:34 PM

Kat, why were you climbing the bathroom wall? And what did you do while you were there?

Subject: RE: Thought for the Day (Aug 26)
From: catspaw49
Date: 26 Aug 99 - 12:42 PM

Allan, as is typical of most cats, she probably didn't have a clue. They've got a brain the size of a cashew and probably would give the shower wall anasty look after sliding off of it............like it's the walls fault.

Spaw

Subject: RE: Thought for the Day (Aug 26)
From: katlaughing
Date: 26 Aug 99 - 12:58 PM

LOL!!! Allan C & 'Spaw! I'm gonna tell yer cats what you said, 'Spaw!

Walls are to be scaled, right, isn't that why we have claws???? And that frog looked SO tasty!

katlaughing&meowring

Subject: RE: Thought for the Day (Aug 26)
From: annamill
Date: 26 Aug 99 - 01:00 PM

Peter, though I find your choices of "thoughts for the day" usually (I'm only qualifying because I can't remember them all) fascinating, I find your own thoughts much more so. Fascinating, that is. As far as I'm concerned you can interject your own thoughts into "The thought for the day" anytime.

Swampland, waterlands, etc. On the chance that I may sound redundant, I live right on water that is reserved as a wildlife sanctuary and I see the most beautiful sights and it keeps me mostly sane. (Tanqueray helps) Glenn and I went out on our kayaks for over 6 hours last Monday (I think it was Monday) and at one point we went up this little channel off the river and there, sticking their heads out of the reeds, were 14 white egrets watching our every move. It was wonderful. Oh yes, and we have a couple of Blue Herons too. Sitting here at work, I can feel the peace running though me.

Life can be good. Thanks for the reminder Peter.

Love, annap

Subject: RE: Thought for the Day (Aug 26)
From: AllisonA(Animaterra)
Date: 26 Aug 99 - 01:08 PM

Peter, I've been enjoying the Thoughts for the Day without comment for some time now. Today you have risked a bit by giving of yourself through your journaling, and I just had to write to say thank you - it was beautiful, well said, and much appreciated! Keep them coming!
Allison

Subject: RE: Thought for the Day (Aug 26)
From: Jeri
Date: 26 Aug 99 - 01:27 PM

Peter, I often don't reply, but I always read your contributions. I like reading your own thoughts as much, if not sometimes more, than the quotes. Please continue!

I read your 'Thought' today, then went outside to kill weeds and feed mosquitoes. I was in the middle of hacking and swatting when I saw something at the upper periphery of my vision and looked up. Overhead there was this beautiful Great Blue Heron soaring. What a coincidence - I've never seen one here before.

I used to live in an apartment on a river. I loved paddling over to a swampy area and just floating, enjoying a multitude of jewel-colored dragon and damselflies darting, hovering, and perching on my toes.

Subject: RE: Thought for the Day (Aug 26)
From: Bert
Date: 26 Aug 99 - 01:43 PM

Yeah! keep 'em coming.

Talking of Mozzies here's a song we learned in school. (In England the term Gnat is frequently used incorrectly to mean a Mosquito)

The Gnat

What a silly thing to do
When a gnat flies at you
to let him on your arm alight
and then expect him not to bite.

How was I to know I pray
just what pranks gnats can play
for on my arm he danced a jig
and now it's swollen twice as big.

Subject: RE: Thought for the Day (Aug 26)
From: Peter T.
Date: 26 Aug 99 - 03:35 PM

Thanks for the very, very kind response. When I journalize I promise not to report on my hangnails, spiritual angst, etc. -- and nice to hear about more blue herons around, and nature lovers!
Hmmmm, MMario, you may be right about the ratios being comparable, though the absolute level would be higher (and of course the whole notion of "disease" is so humanocentric anyway). I will try this question out on our resident zoologists and see what they make of it (I am no wildlife biologist). I expect an answer in about a year or two.
yours, Peter T.
P.S. catspaw -- "fun at my expense" is part of the fun, as you know better than anyone!!!

Subject: RE: Thought for the Day (Aug 26)
From: catspaw49
Date: 26 Aug 99 - 03:37 PM

Smeet Jesus.......and people say I'm nuts........

JERI: As you were lounging in a swamp, you may have developed a nail fungus and the dragonflies were feeding. And that Blue Heron..........was it dressed as Waylon Jennings? Or was it a smaller one dressed as Woody? AND...NEVER look up at heron passing overhead; you only THINK pigeons are bad. But did you offer it any of that weed killer? Be sociable.

ANNAP: Obviously you live in an upwardly mobile part of the sanctuary as they were all WHITE egrets. Were they singing happy, sappy songs.....it may have been "Up with Egrets" rehearsing. And why take the kayaks....Why not the Scarab with the twin 330 Mercruisers?

MARIO: Is a climax forest a place where teenagers go to "Park" when the weather's warm?

KAT: You scale fish...not walls.

SPAW: I agree, you are a total screw-up. Like you mentioned somewhere else earlier, your mind, like a guitar, has been exposed to hostile conditions and too many "elements" for many years and the resultant sinkage and warpage has ruined a once fine instrument.........................Wait a minute here...I'M SPAW for gawdsake!

BERT: At your age you need to start considering having the gnat land...uhm,......"elsewhere."

Spaw

Subject: RE: Thought for the Day (Aug 26)
From: Allan C.
Date: 26 Aug 99 - 03:56 PM

Peter, I have already told you how I feel about your sense of literature and writing. Please continue.

And as for "_thread creep" I haven't seen him around today.

Subject: RE: Thought for the Day (Aug 26)
From: annamill
Date: 26 Aug 99 - 04:45 PM

'spaw...seriously, are you going off the deep..er end?

askedwithloveandconcern, annap ;-)

Subject: RE: Thought for the Day (Aug 26)
From: annamill
Date: 26 Aug 99 - 07:55 PM

That was a joke catspaw. Love, annap

Subject: RE: Thought for the Day (Aug 26)
From: bseed(charleskratz)
Date: 26 Aug 99 - 08:32 PM

Peter, I'm another voter favoring your journalizing or editorializing or whatever. I thought today's contribution was both beautiful and thoughtful--wetlands all around the country have been filled and subdivided and had airports built where they were. It's only one of the proofs that mankind is a degenerate species, constantly befouling its living quarters. I think I posted this before, but it seems relevant here: Many years ago a student of mine wrote a term paper on the thesis that the living organism that is the earth will ultimately marshal its defenses against mankind and reject the species. I don't remember too much about his sources (The Population Bomb, Silent Spring, etc., as I recall). What was really memorable was the wonderful mixed metaphor with which he concluded: "When the fly in the ointment gets too big, the sleeping giant wakes." --seed

Subject: RE: Thought for the Day (Aug 26)
From: Pete peterson
Date: 26 Aug 99 - 11:02 PM

Some time ago (it was 1973, in Woodbury CT) when CT set up its Inland Wetlands Agency my now ex-wife was elected to the first Agency. She was on the subcommittee that wrote by-laws for the Agency and proposed as the Official Motto "When you are up to your ass in alligators, it may help to remind yourself that your stated objection was to drain the swamp." Town Counsel vetoed that one as provocative to developers. She said that was the idea.

Subject: RE: Thought for the Day (Aug 26)
From: Rick Fielding
Date: 27 Aug 99 - 12:56 AM

It's OK folks, I've just taken Catspaw off to the R.M.C.P.I.E. I'm sure he'll be feeling better in the new millenium.

Dr Richard Funderblunken. Phd, B.Sc. L.S.M.F.T.