Pamela L.'s Comments

Standing Up For Health Care Reform - A Vigil In Northwest Arkansas by Tonia, who hugs trees G.

Sep 3, 2009 | rating: 10 | comments: 153

Pamela L. Sep 4, 2009, 10:56am EDT

So many issues mentioned in this one setting. Thank you Tonia, excellent opportunity for us all to bring our ideas together and benefit from each other. Debbie's one comment alone, about mental health being ignored to the detriment of the patient is extremely valuable.
After long consideration, I find that I cannot support socialized health care. It is too devastating to the financial structure of that society. And as I study the nations that have this health care, it is always dominated by a government rule. The government decides who gets to have surgeries, how gets to have transplants, who gets to study to become a medical professional, etc. I think that is why we have so many foreign people desperate to come to this country. But that is just my opinion. I do not have a perfect answer to our problems.

Rolling Through The Arkansas Countryside by Tonia, who hugs trees G.

Aug 23, 2009 | rating: 10 | comments: 35

Pamela L. Aug 26, 2009, 2:43pm EDT

Debbie said you were seeing this beautiful land with a wiggling 3-year-old. Knowing how much you love your girls, I'm sure you will agree that you would not have the trip any other way. The photos are lovely. I hope your weather is tolerable right now. Texas is triple-digit in August. Don't know how long that will last. I can see a lot of green in your photos, where Texas is mighty brown right now. Wish I could join you for a spell.

In honor of my friend, Kiri by Wesley W.

Aug 19, 2009 | rating: 10 | comments: 10

Pamela L. Aug 22, 2009, 2:24pm EDT

Wes, I am so grateful for your sharing of this wonderful profile of the wolf. Debbie has long known of my fascination for the wolf; she directed me to your article. I confess that I know too little about this superior creature. Every time I learn something new, it is something remarkable to add to the list. It is as if God were creating a species so that old saying could be coined, "God's best friend." And the very watered-down domesticated version (the good old dog) would have to settle for, "Man's best friend."

The Great Chicken Experiment by Tonia, who hugs trees G.

Jul 24, 2009 | rating: 10 | comments: 51

Pamela L. Aug 5, 2009, 3:41pm EDT

I hesitate to comment here. The comments/experiences are very real but from an earlier time.
It is interesting for me to remember my grandpa who raised chickens, doves, goats (occasionally) dogs, and grandkid all on the same property. He displayed a varying rotation of pleasure and displeasure for all of these critters.
He seemed to be closest to his chickens. They would come running up to him. It was for the feed, of course. He would toss it out to them, using a soft, sing-song chant, calling them to him. I would sit with my sisters and cousins on the screened-in porch and we would watch and listen. In the afternoon grandpa would leave a half drunk bottle of Lone Star on the porch while he tended this chore. All of us kids would put a lip-lock on his long neck and it would be empty when he got back.
On Sundays we kids knew that grandpa would have to kill a few chickens. We knew this from long experience. The chickens would come running up to him, actually eat out of his hand. Grandpa would lean down, grab one by the head, and give a quick snap. It didn't hurt, but the chicken was dead.
Grandpa would quickly clean the fresh carcass on the back porch and bring in the meat (you'll notice my change of language) to grandma in the kitchen. She was ready. Everything was ready. The meat was washed a second time. You know how the TV Cooking Channel is always telling us to wash our hands after handling chicken? Forget it! They ALWAYS washed the chicken 2-3 times. You might think of that the next time you bring your chicken home from the market.
Well, anyway, it was always a wonderful meal. And we kids still loved to play with the chickens. And grandpa still loved his chickens. And he never forgot that they were food.

Chicks at 10 or 11 days old by Tonia, who hugs trees G.

Aug 1, 2009 | rating: 10 | comments: 27

Pamela L. Aug 5, 2009, 2:36pm EDT

I'm sure you all think I'm the most horrible person for what I wrote about chickens. Please understand that as children, my sisters and all of my cousins really loved all these goofy chickens. They were these big birds all over the ground that didn't run from us. They were used to us. We threw the feed to them so they came running to us. They let us pick them up and play with them. Grandpa let the dogs run amoungst the chickens so we kids played with all these 'pets'. But unlike the dogs, the chickens did, ultimately, end up as Sunday dinner. We got used to how life actually was. Just thought I would add this comment.

Chicks at 10 or 11 days old by Tonia, who hugs trees G.

Aug 1, 2009 | rating: 10 | comments: 27

Pamela L. Aug 5, 2009, 1:52pm EDT

Well .... you want roosters. How else will you get eggs, right? Or do I have that wrong? Not trying to be a smarty pants. My grandpa kept chickens. Saw a lot of them as a very little kid. I know he had a LOT of chickens and ONE Rooster. And many Sundays we would go over to grandpa's house and he would kill a few chickens (sorry) for dinner. He would clean them on the back porch. Grandma would cook them in a variety of ways, always delicious. There were always fresh brown eggs at grandma's house. Yes, baby chicks. Yes, grandpa feeding chickens all the time. Yes, grandpa collecting eggs. Yes, grandpa killing chickens. And the chickens were so incredibly STUPID! That's what I remember about grandpa and chickens.

Saying Goodbye to Pal by Tonia, who hugs trees G.

Jul 23, 2009 | rating: 10 | comments: 53

Pamela L. Aug 5, 2009, 1:39pm EDT

I was privileged to spend a few happy hours with Pal. What a genuinely loving 'person' he was. There was no bartering of polite good behavior or feigned 'puppy-love' in exchange for ear rubs or favorite treats. Any loving, and there was plenty of it, was given freely to friends, family, and usually to new people visiting the house.

At my elbow by Debbie G.

May 12, 2009 | rating: 10 | comments: 16

Pamela L. May 13, 2009, 3:03pm EDT

This is truly fascinating. The anatomy of the piece, the body anatomy being described, I believe you help us feel that closeness to God that you must feel. We can almost feel a breath ...

You've got to be kidding me! by Tonia, who hugs trees G.

May 11, 2009 | rating: 9.4 | comments: 34

Pamela L. May 12, 2009, 9:36am EDT

I just shake my head in amazement when I imagine the group meetings of these people. You know they are working to keep alive a centuries-old evil - racial hatred - yet they are carefully applying the most modern business techniques to their 'madness'. Of course they would use email spamming. You just got hit. Their shotgun method probably spattered most of the population of Arkansas. What an insult to Arkansas. Unfortunately, in their eyes, the more we talk about their group, the more we keep them 'alive', and the more they have accomplished their goals. It seems like a sick and unbreakable cycle.

A Photo by T Cheri P.

Apr 14, 2009 | rating: 10 | comments: 20

Pamela L. Apr 14, 2009, 12:16pm EDT

Lots of lines and angles and its sort of a tease that its all out of kilter. Its gentle on the senses that its in B&W. Gives it a sense of time, not our time, like it doesn't belong to us. Focus is crisp but because the angle is off it makes the viewer feel tilted -- which makes the view linger. Maybe intentionally, like the photo is holding onto you. Somehow that is charming.

Back in Tasmania - The Low Head Pilot Station by Tonia, who hugs trees G.

Mar 23, 2009 | rating: 10 | comments: 29

Pamela L. Mar 24, 2009, 10:47am EDT

The photo of the flag is fabulous, so many blues with just the stars and red shapes to define it.
And the little church, utterly charming, with the sun light leaving crisp lines and muted patterns. I could study that one photo for hours; the composition is very complex.

Flying out of Sydney by Tonia, who hugs trees G.

Mar 21, 2009 | rating: 10 | comments: 26

Pamela L. Mar 23, 2009, 11:30am EDT

I was wondering about the exit. Everything you offer is a rare gem to me since I know so little about your beautiful home. So I am enjoying it all with a child's first delight. You have my captured attention.

The Beaconsfield Mine and Heritage Centre by Tonia, who hugs trees G.

Mar 12, 2009 | rating: 10 | comments: 24

Pamela L. Mar 12, 2009, 1:30pm EDT

Every photo is a treasure. I can well imagine what you still have left in your camera. Every time you post to us it is even more amazing. This trip is so wonderful. We are all having the best time. So glad we could all come along with you. That's how it feels.

Sidewalk Art in Georgetown, TAS by Tonia, who hugs trees G.

Mar 11, 2009 | rating: 10 | comments: 36

Pamela L. Mar 12, 2009, 9:46am EDT

How wonderful these images are! Like so many of the people here, I fell in love with Mr. Frog. Fat little body and toothpick legs, it reminds me of my Junebug. Her cast comes off at the end of March but she's learned to maneuver just fine with it. She now uses it to "thunk" the other dogs when she gets angry, but that's another story. Your 'walkabout' is bringing us such a plethora of delights. How will we ever repay you?!?

Georgetown, The "Oldest Town" in Australia, and The Low Head Lighthouse by Tonia, who hugs trees G.

Mar 11, 2009 | rating: 10 | comments: 32

Pamela L. Mar 11, 2009, 4:40pm EDT

Everything is so beautiful. I'm viewing this at work and my boss has the stereo on really loud in the next room, "The Yellow Rose of Texas" secretly making me smile as I view these beautiful Australian photos. That gorgeous, massive rock, almost a monolith, standing strong to this day, layers rippling and shadowing in the sun light, daring the sea to do its best. All of your photos are lovely but that one immediately grabbed me. You know how a subject will do that sometimes.
This is just the beginning of your adventure. I cannot wait to see what you will be offering us day to day. We lick our lips in anticipation. But yes, for now go and rest.

A Quiet Day in Tasmania by Tonia, who hugs trees G.

Mar 10, 2009 | rating: 10 | comments: 30

Pamela L. Mar 10, 2009, 12:15pm EDT

I wish I could devote my life exclusively to traveling. I'd be with you right now, even if I were just a fly on the wall, you make everything sound wonderful.

The steaks look and sound delicious. I'd love to drink a lovely chilled glass of that wine. I can only drink white wines, which are not supposed to go with steaks. I don't care, I toast a big juicy steak anyway. Hope you enjoyed yours.

Landing in Sydney...with some random observations by Tonia, who hugs trees G.

Mar 10, 2009 | rating: 10 | comments: 35

Pamela L. Mar 10, 2009, 12:03pm EDT

Of all the things to carefully observe, and then meticulously describe to us, only you would include toilet and flushing information in Australia and make it sound beautiful and important. I didn't know if I burst out laughing or treat it with all the dignity of a museum piece.
So where on the planet do toilets take up the circular flushing motion again? Or is it just in Australia? Could be a research project we're looking into .....

The Stillness of Rocks by Tonia, who hugs trees G.

Jan 2, 2009 | rating: 10 | comments: 31

Pamela L. Jan 26, 2009, 1:55pm EST

I don't have time to read everyone's comments and I am catching your image at the end of my lunch break so please forgive me if I repeat the obvious, but "stillness" would have to be a matter of opinion. Granted, these guys are not doing a tap dance, but their surfaces are catching the light, throwing back all kinds of color, and the surfaces are curving and darting all over the place. There's no "stillness" to be had anywhere on these gentle giants. But, like I said, that's just one observation, and you know how tricky the old eye sight can be. ;-)

Doyle's Writing Prompt - Completed by Debbie G.

Dec 29, 2008 | rating: 10 | comments: 48

Pamela L. Jan 23, 2009, 9:43am EST

Well, this was something ..... I am left blinking at the drama. This absorbed my entire morning that I usually devote to settling into the day and getting ready for work. Hokey Smokes Bullwinkle, what a read!
You started out by pissing me off right from the start with that little Chihuahua torture scene. That got my juices flowing. Then when I didn't know if I was coming or going, you started writing so eloquently about your characters and setting. You know, your poetry is always so cutting edge and sparse. I didn't expect this. You're sort of driving me crazy girl.
And this subject matter is explosive. You don't apologize for it. You don't tip-toe around it. You don't excuse it or explain it or soften it. And you certainly don't protect or cover-up the Church in their handling or mishandling of this issue.
Well, anyway, You're smokin'

History... January 20th, 2009 Inauguration by Debbie G.

Jan 21, 2009 | rating: 9.4 | comments: 22

Pamela L. Jan 21, 2009, 3:57pm EST

History is a funny thing, sometimes huge, sometimes quietly in the background, always there recording us. I wish I could say that I could be proud of the pitiful little stamp I have left on history. I hope it has taught me not to be so condemning of my ancestors who made their mistakes. But probably not, since I am basically a judgmental person.
I know Debbie that you were inspired by the day's wonderful events. Thank you for giving this to us.