Words have no meanings other than those we ascribe to them at the moment we experience them. By themselves, they're just marks drawn or sounds.
The same holds true for numbers. They only have the meaning
we give them.
There's no objectivity. Believing in objectivity is delusional.
When we communicate with others, it's only because we agree
on the meanings of the words and numbers we use. Even then, it's an iffy
process. We don't really know if there's agreement. Believing in agreement is
an act of faith.
How many people have engaged in violence based upon words?
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
*****
I often stare out the window at the bird feeders outside.
There are 2 of them. One is filled with sunflower seeds. The other is filled
with wild bird seed.
Birds sit above the ground on the perches on the feeders.
They eat through the openings around the feeders.
There are baffles near the top of the poles the feeders are
mounted on. The baffles prevent squirrels from getting on the feeders.
When I fill the seeders, I also spread seed on the ground
for squirrels and ground feeding birds - mostly doves.
There are all kinds and sizes of birds visiting the feeders
and the ground around them.
The ground feeders don't seem to care who's next to them on
the ground. It makes no difference whether it's a bird or a squirrel.
I haven't observed any fighting or disputes. I've seen over
15 creatures feeding at a time on the ground. I've seen up to 8 birds at a time
on each of the feeders.
I was putting peanuts on the ground at one point. Squirrels
and birds would eat them. Sometimes crows and ravens would join in. The ravens
are huge. Ravens are many times the size of the squirrels and birds.
There's also a large bird bath off to the side. It too is shared by all the birds and squirrels. I've only seen birds bathing with their own kind. I have yet to see birds and squirrels bathing at the same time.
Peace and prosperity and civility are apparent.
*
Every now and then a predator appears. I've seen eagles,
hawks and falcons. When one of them shows up the squirrels and birds run for
cover.
There are several holly trees near the feeders. The birds and sometimes the squirrels move into them and stay there until the predators leave. The predators are simply too big to enter into the holly trees.
*
On occasion, a fox or a cat or a ground hog or a rabbit or a
deer or a turtle visits. Some of them are predators as well. Sometimes predators became
prey.
The rabbits and groundhogs and deer and turtles aren't predators. Their presence simply enriches the scene.
*
If I see a predator, I run out and chase it away. My
presence alone doesn't result in predators fleeing. I have to
run screaming at a predator.
Predators tend to regard timidity with indifference, even scorn. Size matters somewhat to predators but flailing and zooming towards them freaks them out.
*
I try not to go outside when there are creatures feeding. My
presence usually causes them to take off, but they return immediately after I
leave. They don't leave the area. They only create safe space - usually up a
tree.
Some of the birds stay when I go outside as long as I'm not approaching the feeders.
*
A lot of countries have adopted eagles as their symbols. The eagle was a symbol of power in ancient Rome. The eagle is a symbol of power in the United States.
If we're to have a symbol, I would rather it wasn't a predator. I'm always amazed by the smaller birds. Humming birds are amazing. Finches are splendidly colored.
I don't enjoy being within the presence of any of the predators. They're not warm and friendly.
We have 2 small dogs - Zoey and Zach. We don't let them outside by themselves. They wouldn't stand a chance with an eagle.
Kathy and I are partners. We share our home and yard with
other creatures. We have no symbols other than possibly bird seed and sometimes
peanuts.
Kathy is an artist. She paints pictures. A lot of people buy her art. They find her paintings warm and friendly - comforting. A lot of people have said her art makes them happy.
*
I've taken down the Church of the Holy Moly. I'm no longer it's prophet. I'm just a guy who, among other things, puts seed out in the yard and sometimes runs out screaming when predators come by.
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