Star Trek

Yesterday Tammy & I went to watch the latest Star Trek movie.  I thought it was a pretty darn good movie and I thoroughly enjoyed it.  I can see some places in the movie where some hard core Star Trek fans might have some complaints but I say grow up and enjoy it for what it is.

I can remember watching the Star Trek animated series on Saturday mornings between 1973-1974.  At some point around then I also started watching the original series as reruns and I have been hooked ever since. Yes, I have been to a few Star Trek conventions...No, I have never dressed up as a character...Yes, I have pretty much watched every movie and episode multiple times.... and No I don't speak Klingon!

It is pretty amazing to look over the body of work that Gene Roddenberry started back in 1966 and to think the original series got canceled after 3 seasons.

1966-1969 - Star Trek (80 episodes)

1973-1974 - Star Trek The Animated Series (22 episodes)

1979 - Star Trek The Motion Picture

1982 - Star Trek II The Wrath of Khan

1984 - Star Trek III The Search For Spock

1986 - Star Trek IV The Voyage Home

1987-1994 - Star Trek: The Next Generation (178) episodes

1989 - Star Trek V Final Frontier

1991 - Star Trek VI The Undiscovered Country

1993-1999 - Star Trek: Deep Space Nine (156) episodes

1994 - Star Trek Generations

1995-2001 - Star Trek Voyager (172) episodes

1996 - Star Trek First Contact

1998 - Star Trek Insurrection

2001-2005 - Star Trek Enterprise (97) episodes

2002 - Star Trek Nemesis

2009 - Star Trek

Memorial Day 2009

"Let no vandalism of avarice or neglect, no ravages of time testify to the present or to the coming generations that we have forgotten as a people the cost of a free and undivided republic."

General Logan May 5th, 1868, General Order No.11

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"It is rather for us to be here dedicated to the great task remaining before us -- that from these honored dead we take increased devotion to that cause for which they gave the last full measure of devotion — that we here highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain — that this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom — and that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth.

President Lincoln, Gettysburg Address, November 19th 1863

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Traditions can be very difficult to maintain over time without a deliberate and purposeful effort on the part of families, communities or a nation to educate and bring awareness to the meaning and motivation behind them.  Our children do not see the world through the same lens that we do just as we do not see the world through the same lens of our parents much less that of a President in the midst of a civil war over 140 years ago or a woman whose fiance died recently overseas.  So if nothing else take a few minutes today on your way to the beach, the cookout, the family gathering or work and ask yourself a few questions about the meaning of Memorial Day and how you will choose to honor those who have fallen and those family members who have been left behind.

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What's in a name?

"Any concern too small to be turned into a prayer is too small to be made a burden." Corrie Ten Boom

Someone along time ago looked at a perculiar insect and thought its upraised from legs looked like a prophet praying.  Mantis, in the original Greek means "prophet" or "seer".  So the name stuck and today we know this particular insect as a praying mantis. Below are two pictures from our butterfly garden.  Can you find the praying mantis in the top picture?

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Oh by the way, if you are not familiar with Ms Corrie Ten Boom's life story I suggesst you do some reading, but only if you want to be inspired.

First Release

How many are your works, LORD! 

In wisdom you made them all; 

the earth is full of your creatures

Paslm 104:24

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Friday the first Monarch Butterfly emerged from its chrysalis, spread its wings and took flight.

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The chrysalis turned a very dark color before the butterfly emerged.

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It stayed in the butterfly house for awhile before flying away.

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It immeadiatley flew to the top of our Eucalyptus tree.

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Metamorphosis

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This morning I was treated with a front row seat as I watched a Monarch butterfly caterpillar transform into a chrysalis. The process only lasted a few minutes and as I watched I was struck by the quickness and the violence of the transformation. The caterpillar which had been hanging peacefully like an upside-down candycane started shaking and writhing as a small opening in its back appeared. Jade green "goo" started ozing out and encapsulating its body and shortly thereafter the motion stopped and a chrysalis hung motionless.


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