Every Living Thing Has a Story to Tell.

April 25, 2015 / Penny L Howe / 14 Comments

“Every living thing on our planet has an involvement they share in. A story to tell. Even those that are silent“~Plh

To use a bit of a metaphor here, many of us have moved too far away from our roots. And its hurting us … as a species. We are as irrevocably connected to the flora, fauna and wildlife as they are to us. Fact, not some idealistic fantasy.

The biodiversity health of our planet is dependent on the ongoing natural interaction of all life. And for quite awhile we’ve been messing with nature inappropriately.

Something we all need to not just be thinking more about, but actually doing something. NOW. We need to begin today. Its important for all our tomorrows.

In fact, probably more than we realize.
* * *
Thanks for stopping by,

With affection,
Penny

Part 1 -The False Complacency of Obsolescence – What we really NEED!

November 6, 2014 / Penny L Howe / 8 Comments

Civilization “Little boxes on the hillside … little boxes made of ticky tacky … little boxes on the hillside and they all look just the same. There are green ones and …” (from the song Little Boxes by Malvina Reynolds)

** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** **

Obsolescence, the meaning – the state of being which occurs when an object, service, or practice is no longer wanted even though it may be in good working order. (So we throw away just about everything for the new improved, better than, bigger than, and so on.)

Complacency, the meaning – going along with the status quo. Being satisfied with how things are and not wanting to try to make them better.

We do that, you know, most of us go along with the status quo in our society, a sort of false complacency about things, that is until we feel personally affected. We may make noises and be upset but usually not enough to actually do something that will affect change.

And the true sadness here is that this false complacency (because we really aren’t contented with things at all) extends to the obsolescence not just with products or services but it has been expanded (at great expense to all of us) to now include people, animals, our environment and a way of life as throwaways.

This scary indifference where the end justifies the means is destroying some of the best of who we are as people. And part of that is the recognition of individual self worth and value. We don’t feel loved. Our greatest need as a result of the false complacency of obsolescence (or the prevailing mentality that it’s okay to keep throwing things away) has eroded many of the human connections necessary for us to feel good about ourselves.

Skilled craftsmen are a dying breed. Small farm owners are a dying breed. Not everyone wants or needs a college education, they want to pursue a skill or a talent they’ve been given. A love of something they want to do. There are almost no places to apprentice and most items are mass produced, where quality isn’t required (remember obsolescence?) whether it be in large local factories or the giant international agricultural, and other types of monster size businesses that exist today.

Many products are cheaply made, cheaply purchased and thrown away just as easily, for new ones. Plastic, a by-product of oil, is everywhere. Including our waste landfills and sadly, our oceans, in turn seriously affecting the survival of life.

And yet the real tragedy is we are becoming even needier and less fulfilled as we go along this mistaken path society has currently chosen. Because it’s the wrong one. The current popularity of dystopian books, films and games are just one sign of this.

In life our greatest need as human beings – in many cases, trumping even safety, shelter and to a degree food – is not being met. Without the fulfillment of this need, many of us are like a plant without nutrition that will wither and die.

(Part two, Our Greatest Need, and what we should do to solve it – in the next post!)

The Family called the Human Race!

October 29, 2014 / Penny L Howe / 17 Comments

We … The Human Race

For all that we are … and are not

We stand tall!

For all that we do … and all that we don’t

We still stand tall!

We … make mistakes

We … mess up … BIG TIME!

We … get it wrong … AGAIN AND AGAIN AND AGAIN AND AGAIN…

But we stand tall!

We recover

We persevere

We don’t give up

Our spirit does not break.

We stand tall!

We are the family called the Human Race.

We will stumble and our forward steps are slow,

And many errors grievous

But we still stand tall.

There is Love.

There is Compassion.

There is Care.

There is Giving.

Sometimes, often it gets lost or misplaced,

or sadly forgotten,

but it is inside each of us

And for all of this

We stand tall!

We, the family of Humans

all living on

our home – the Planet Earth!

Penny L Howe, 2014

Monday’s Finish The Story: The Forever Reminder!

October 13, 2014October 13, 2014 / Penny L Howe / 20 Comments

Photograph by Barbara Beacham ©

The Forever Reminder

The people waved at him from the bridge below. Over the years he had never forgotten. Hardwired to his memory – that particular moment in time. As a hydrologist it was his job to locate groundwater determining depth, quality and most important – the actual amount of water, usually from a place much closer to the ground than he had found himself that day. That eventful day.

Anticipating the groundwater to be shallow, he had not expected there to be – none. And so it came to pass around the globe. No more fresh, clean ground water. As glaciers melted and more fresh water mixed with the ocean, eventually all water was sea water.

Many huge factories and plants were constructed to remove salt from the water for drinking purposes, but it was never the same. Most life died or changed it’s biological nature. Some humans survived. He and his family were among the lucky ones.

When his daughter asked what fresh drinking water was, the image of people waving from a bridge, where fresh water flowed beneath, appeared in his mind. It had became a “forever reminder” of what had been and would never be again!

Be sure and give Barb’s new flash fiction weekly challenge -” Monday’s Finish The Story a try! The rules are easy to follow: Just write a short, very short, story (roughly 100-150 words) using the photo as a prompt and begin your story with the line that Barb shares with us. This week the line is: “The people waved at him from the bridge below.”

A good writing exercise and fun too (if you enjoy writing). For more details or to view other entries just click here!

Hope everyone has a great week ahead,

~ Penny

Born of the Planet Earth – We are Not Each Other’s Enemy!

September 19, 2014 / Penny L Howe / 15 Comments

We are all brothers and sisters. We are all human, born on Earth. The entire planet is our home yet we erect invisible borders, walls, and other means to separate us from each other based on beliefs and ideals.

No matter how hard we try to segment ourselves whether by government dictates, corporate mindsets, religious or ethnic perceived values, or any other differences, it doesn’t change the obvious fact that all of us, without exception, dwell on this one planet.

Each of us wishes to be individual, our own person. just as each of us desires to belong to groups who think and act as we do, yet beyond this lies a greater truth. Anytime we isolate ourselves or others by these seeming differences, we also diminish the potential for the healthy growth of life (including our individual selves) on our planet.

Each time we retreat, limit those we accept, consider and perform actions of hate, cruelty and greed we further diminish the life flow that energizes all life on this planet.

Each time we reach out to other groups, recognizing that these differences represent an awesome wealth of diversity that truly enriches our potential, then we are moving in the right direction.

The truest gifts humans were given were their intelligence and ability to love. Powerful acts can be achieved when the common goal is inclusive of all. There is no greater power than that of love. But just as there can be great love there can also be great hate. It is up to each of us to do our part to insure the well-being of ourselves and our planet secured through the power of peace – not death, destruction and killing.

It is wrong to solve a problem by the death of others. Perhaps the easy way seems to be through “violence” or killing. Savages certainly believe this to be true. And killing is savage, a wild way of denying humanity’s ability to grow and prosper. The hard but responsible way to solve a social and civil problem is through the sincere effort of coming together through peaceful resolution – no matter how difficult!

It is past time to just stand by and “discuss” our problems, pointing out who is “right” and who is “wrong”. It is time for “the many” on the sidelines to understand that all of us share in the responsibility, and need to act in a manner than engenders a safe and healthy future.

Which direction are you moving in? With all my heart I hope it’s the one the extends a helping hand to those in need, that cherishes the wealth all humanity offers, and treasures the priceless worth and value of the planet Earth. Let us all begin to protect – through love and positive action – our true home, Earth!

Thank you,

Penny L Howe, 2014

Hold On, People Everywhere!

July 23, 2014 / Penny L Howe / 19 Comments

If I hold on … real tight,

If I think thoughts so bright,

if I smile with a might,

I just may get it right …

… those things that I try for today!

If I dwell on the good things,

that which makes hearts sing,

fear and doubt will then take wing,

happiness and wisdom may bring,

… those things that I try for today!

Penny L Howe, 2014

Hold

People

Everywhere!

Hope it’s always there, although sometimes we must really struggle to remember, and it’s okay to believe in miracles too! They do happen!

A happy Wednesday and Thursday to all my friends, the ones I know and the ones I’ve yet to meet!

~ Penny

Ligo Haibun Challenge – If I were flesh and blood …

July 23, 2013July 23, 2013 / Penny L Howe / 22 Comments

I am the statue of a Goddess of Mythology. But if I were real …

As flesh and blood, you’d find me running barefoot through open fields and meadows. I’d be scaling the tallest majestic mountains, breathing in the beauty of never-ending surrounding vistas.

If I were alive I’d swim to the bottom of the ocean, meet mysterious creatures residing in the murky, dark and sometimes luminous “other worlds” of the ocean’s depths.

Walking the earth as a human, I’d explore, without hesitation, the wonder and uniqueness of every single living entity … and glory in its creation. I’d meet as many forms of life in the wild and learn of their ways in nature. I’d embrace the natural behavior and order of things. The flow, the balance.

And if indeed I lived life as a female human on the planet earth, I’d question.

I’d question why there is a need for my question! Why in all human society on a global level, am I as a “female” of the species considered “less than” “unequal to” “have fewer rights then” and most of all – how could this thought process have begun (so long ago) and still continue into this day of today.

Over half of the planet is made up of female humans. Intelligent, capable, nurturing individuals doing (often more than) their equal part to love, encourage and shape humanity (moving it forward through their courage and amazing strength of will) after each adversity and war that eventually involves all humans as they deal with personal struggles, for not just survival but their place in life.

We need each other as equals, so I must ask why it is that females of “all” racial groups (without exception) are treated less than the whole of what they clearly are – a part of the wonder and richness of the planet they live on – every single one.

For all those other groups of “minorities” treated as “less than” through misguided ignorance, wrongful discrimination and cruel manipulation, each of them are also composed of women. Making my question again the predominant one. Why?

nature of life

essential for survival

is value of worth

Thanks, I hope you enjoyed my haibun entry for this week. If you haven’t given this writing challenge a try yet, and would like more info, click on this link here! To visit the other judges, click here or here! If you’re ready to submit your written entry just click on the blue box below!

Have an excellent day and better tomorrow,

~ Penny

Good Morning World – We all need each other!

July 1, 2013 / Penny L Howe / 55 Comments

You’re in my thoughts – Each and every single one of you!

You aren’t ever alone. We (all living things) need each other

and because we do – we will never be alone!

Have the best week you can have

with the current resources available to you and don’t forget

… even for a second

that we share in life together!

One family living in our home – the planet Earth.

So I say good morning to my family

every single one of you!

And wish for you the best of days today!

All my love!

~ Penny

More than a blog … More than just a post!

January 29, 2013 / Penny L Howe / 43 Comments

Catching the perfect shot

Yes definitely more than just a post …

When you sit down in front of your computer to create your post for the day it’s more than a post!

More than just a clever grouping of words and/or photographs/music or works of art.

This is a space that you call your own. You may share your thoughts, your feelings, your explorations of life, both those inside your head and in everyday life, but more probably the creative side of you that you don’t show anywhere else.

Being a blogger allows you to expand your vision and share what life means to you. It’s special and unique!

I’m a blogger and this is a space where I can write and say what I want to, the way I want to, when I want to. I can inspire if I wish to, or I can perhaps introduce new information to you.

Not just another faceless entity

This then is the most special place on the planet because when I’m here I own the persona that is reflected in each and every word, photograph, illustration, musical video, and any other creative application that I choose to use this place for.

And when you come to visit … it’s me you’re coming to see. The me I want to be noticed, the me I want you to like and remember. That me. The me that, maybe, no one else see’s or notices, at least not in the way I want to be seen.

And when I’m here, I’m at peace. There is a special feeling that I have here that I get no where else. Something that enriches my soul.

It certainly improves my ability to communicate (through words) with others. And as I go about and visit other bloggers I sense from their posts the same proprietary sensations that they have about their own blog as they (like me) share that very special creative side of their nature.

Our blog and our posts are palettes, and journals, a creative landscape opening us up to greater and better things.

For some of us there are creative goals we are reaching for. And here in our blogs we share in the reaching of those goals together, even as we come to know one another personally as friends.

And this is the WHY ABOUT THIS! The Why a Blog is more than a Blog and a Post is more than a Post and a comment is more than a mere response by another blogger. We’re communicating because it’s about us. Each other.

We’re the ones that are blogging and commenting. And this makes it extra special and more than the sum of all it’s parts.

We aren’t the only one that feels alone when standing in a group of people. There are many of us, different, unique, special. Talented.

We blog to be creative but we also blog to meet and be interactive with others like ourselves. Blogging is enriching, and informative. It enhancing our intelligence and our creative muse, but mostly I think it nourishes while fulfilling our need to reach out to others and be accepted for who we are!

Welcome

All these things given/received by the bloggers who blog and all the reasons why, a Blog is more than a blog and a post is more than a post. It just doesn’t get any better than that!

So if your a blogger I have a table waiting just for you to share a visit with, or at your place, yours or mine doesn’t matter – I can’t wait! Blog on!

A fellow blogger,

~ Penny