Heart Beats

Consider the hummingbird for a long moment.  A hummingbird’s heart beats ten times a second.  A hummingbird’s heart is the size of a pencil eraser.  A hummingbird’s heart is a lot of the hummingbird.  Joyas voladoras, flying jewels, the first white explorers in the Americas called them…
Each one visits a thousand flowers a day.  They can dive at sixty miles an hour.  They can fly backwards.  They can fly more than five hundred miles without pausing to rest.  But when they rest they come close to death:  on frigid nights, or when they are starving, they retreat into torpor, their metabolic rate slowing to a fifteenth of their normal sleep rate, their hearts sludging nearly to a halt, barely beating, and if they are not soon warmed, if they do not soon find that which is sweet, their hearts grow cold, and they cease to be.
…
Hummingbirds, like all flying birds but more so, have incredible enormous immense ferocious metabolisms.  To drive those metabolisms they have race-car hearts that eat oxygen at an eye-popping rate.  Their hearts are built of thinner, leaner fibers than ours. Their arteries are stiffer and more taut.  They have more mitochondria in their heart muscles — anything to gulp more oxygen.  Their hearts are stripped to the skin for the war against gravity and inertia, the mad search for food, the insane idea of flight.  The price of their ambition is a life closer to death; they suffer more heart attacks and aneurysms and ruptures than any other living creature.  It’s expensive to fly. You burn out.  You fry the machine.  You melt the engine.  Every creature on earth has approximately two billion heartbeats to spend in a lifetime.  You can spend them slowly, like a tortoise and live to be two hundred years old, or you can spend them fast, like a hummingbird, and live to be two years old.
—     Brian Doyle
From his article:  “Joyas Voladoras”
Appearing in:  “The American Scholar“;  dtd:  12 June 2012
Link to the online article:  https://theamericanscholar.org/joyas-volardores/
[Mr. Doyle passed away a number of years ago, but he was a frequent contributor to the site.  Please visit the original site if you have some spare time.    —    kmab]
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2020	Remembering…
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2019	Kingslanding
2018	I’d Bet On Taxes
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2017	A Cautionary Wish
2016	Slogging
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2015	Memorial Day – 2015
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2014	I Resemble That Remark
2013	Long Range Exploration
2012	UBI
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Core Secrets Exist

My brain is only a receiver, in the Universe there is a core from which we obtain knowledge, strength and inspiration.  I have not penetrated into the secrets of this core, but I know that it exists.
––     Nikola Tesla
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2023	Into Redemption
2022	A Little More Each Day
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2021	Every Time It Gets Better
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2020	I’m Persuaded (Crystal Blue Persuasion)
2019	Hungry For Trust
2018	Mutual Assistance
2017	The Toughest Job
2016	Congratulations!!
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2015	Even If It Kills Us Slowly
2014	Fun To Play God
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2013	Legal (Almost)
2012	Great Scots!
2011	The GI Bill – A Simple History Lesson
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Actually, We’re Apes Not Monkeys

We are just an advanced breed of monkeys on a minor planet of a very average star.  But we can understand the Universe.  That makes us something very special.
—    Stephen Hawking
[I’m not convinced we’re all THAT special.  Also, we are trying to understand the Universe.  It remains to be seen if we “can” or not.    —    kmab]
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On This Day In:
2023	But Not The Only One
2022	Still Looking
2021	Are You Okay? (Money)
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2020	#IncompetentDonald Manages Like A Virus
2019	Of Course, You Still Have To Listen
2018	Coming Home (Cherish)
2017	It’s Just Around The Bend
2016	In What Direction?
2015	Embarrassing Myself Again
2014	I’ve Never Have Had
2013	Glory Days (part 1)
2012	Feeling Old?
2011	Even When I Wish Really, Really Hard
	Skeptical Fathers
	Cha-cha-cha-changes

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Shadows Disappear When Times Are Darkest

I don’t need a friend who changes when I change and who nods when I nod;  my shadow does that much better.
—     Plutarch
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On This Day In:
2023	Between Us And Darkness
2022	Or Simple Truths You Don’t Want To Believe
2021	I Never Could Keep A Secret
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2020	Facing The Truth
2019	How Much Is Your Education Worth?
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2018	Disruptive Definition
2017	A History Of Small Insights
2016	Be Uncommon
2015	Ooops!
2014	What Price Freedom?
2013	Remembering Val
2012	Good-bye, Val
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2011	Traitors In Our Midst
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Despite Appearances

When forced to summarize the general theory of relativity in one sentence:  Time and space and gravitation have no separate existence from matter.
—     Albert Einstein
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2023	One’s Seal Of Approval
2022	Make It Easy
	On A Lighter Note
2021	I Hope Not
	Diggin’ It (Grazing In The Grass)
2020	Organized Skepticism
2019	An Interest In Life
2018	Two: A Current President With Both
2017	Watch This Space
2016	Beyond The Foundation
2015	Become An Affliction
2014	Just Setting Out
2013	Scott’s Inscription
2012	Good Knowledge
2011	Social Safety Nets

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Anything, Everything, Everywhere

Children learn from anything and everything they see.  They learn wherever they are, not just in special learning places.
―     John C. Holt
From his book:  “Learning All the Time“
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2023	Memories Of The Road Once Taken…
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2022	Full Of It
2021	I’m Still Learning To Play
	What Are You Looking For? (Whatcha See Is Whatcha Get)
2020	All You Can
2019	No Wall And Not One Dollar
	‘Cause It Makes Me Scratch (Happier)
2018	Mirror, Mirror
2017	Keep On Keeping On
2016	Reflections
2015	Is It Time Yet?
2014	Ask Any Follower
2013	Cornered Or Surrounded?
2012	Escape
2011	Achievement
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Models And Structures

I doubt very much if it is possible to teach anyone to understand anything, that is to say, to see how various parts of it relate to all the other parts, to have a model of the structure in one’s mind.  We can give other people names, and lists, but we cannot give them our mental structures;  they must build their own.
―     John C. Holt
From his book:  “How Children Fail“
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2022	Suggestions (The Order Of Precedence Is Optional)…
2021	But That’s Certainly Irrational
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2020	The Butterflies Are In Trouble
2019	The Deep Center
2018	Oh, Heaven (Too)
2017	Now Pausing Makes Sense
2016	Just Spicy
	Only One Part
2015	Positive Acts Of Creation
2014	One Thing Is Clear
2013	Corrections
	See Greatness
2012	Gemutlichkeit
2011	Back On The Asphalt

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What Will It Take (MAGAs)?

Being ignorant is not so much a shame, as being unwilling to learn.
—     Benjamin Franklin
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On This Day In:
2023	In The Beginning…
2022	I Learn Something New
2021	I’m Retired, I Always Have Time For It!
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2020	Decide, Support, Vote
2019	Aware Some
2018	Know Any Christians?
2017	The Only Thing I Can Give…
2016	Wiser But Less Cocksure
2015	Not Today
	Wicked
2014	…Am Too
2013	Credible?
2012	Both
2011	Risking Hidden Linkage

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Learn To Love Learning

Since we can’t know what knowledge will be most needed in the future, it is senseless to try to teach it in advance.
Instead, we should try to turn out people who love learning so much and learn so well that they will be able to learn what needs to be learned.
—     John C. Holt
[Found at one of the blogs I follow:  https://ididnthavemyglasseson.com/
The specific post is located at:  https://ididnthavemyglasseson.com/2020/01/28/learn/
Please visit the original site if you have a few spare minutes.     —     kmab]
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2022	Are You Confused?
2021	Working On The Ordinary
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2020	Republican Senators Should Vote For Conviction Of #45
2019	Carry It
2018	Simple
2017	Knowledge Pays
2016	Brief Glimpses And Full Glances
2015	Pursuing Perspective
2014	Wearing Down?
2013	Labouring Under A Curse
2012	Listen To Yourself
2011	Career Tips (Part 1)
	No Captain Dunsel

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Probably Not

The First Amendment to the United States Constitution encourages a diversity of religions but does not prohibit criticism of religion.  In fact it protects and encourages criticism of religion.  Religions ought to be subject to at least the same degree of skepticism as, for example, contentions about UFO visitations or Velikovskian catastrophism.  I think it is healthy for the religions themselves to foster skepticism about the fundamental underpinnings of their evidential bases.  There is no question that religion provides a solace and support, a bulwark in time of emotional need, and can serve extremely useful social roles.  But it by no means follows that religion should be immune from testing, from critical scrutiny, from skepticism.  It is striking how little skeptical discussion of religion there is in the nation that Tom Paine, the author of The Age of Reason, helped to found.  I hold that belief systems that cannot survive scrutiny are probably not worth having.
—    Carl Sagan
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On This Day In:
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2020	Each Over All
	Rollin’ Along (Ol’ Man River)
2019	And Integrity For Today’s Elected Republicans
2018	A Faulty Start, Too
	Honorable Resignation And Syria
2017	Beneath The Tree Of Wisdom
	The Republican Rape Of The American Middle Class
2016	Something Authentic Happened
2015	Back On The Bricks
	On, Rocinante!!
2014	Changing Frequently
2013	Trifles
2012	Simple, Ordinary And Wonderous
2011	Humane Writers

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A Passion For Teaching And Learning

I have been a teacher myself all my life.  I have an intense passion to share with people.  Our only salvation is in knowledge, in learning.
—    Dr. Leo F. Buscaglia
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2019	A Surprisingly Good Way
	It’s Official X-mas (Tree) At Home
2018	Weight / Health Update
	What’s Happening With You?
2017	The Great Leveler
	Conservative Depressions
2016	Election + 1 Month
2015	Dance And Sing
2014	A Measuring Stick For Progress
2013	Courtly Love Or Victory Over Habit
2012	Have We Met?
2011	Efficiently Useless

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Ignorance

Beware:
Ignorance
Protects itself.
Ignorance
Promotes suspicion.
Suspicion
Engenders fear.
Fear quails,
Irrational and blind,
Or fear looms,
Defiant and closed.
Blind, closed,
Suspicious, afraid,
Ignorance
Protects itself,
And protected,
Ignorance grows.
―     Octavia E. Butler
From her book:  “Parable of the Talents“
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2021	The Question Is Courage
	Never Change (Hello It’s Me)
2020	Two Quotes Which Remind Me Of Our Lame Duck President
	Still Running (Running On Empty)
2019	I’m Up For Trying
	60 Day Health / Weight Update (Nov 2019)
2018	#PresidentBoneSpur
2017	My Staggering Confusion
	Zapped!!!
2016	And Bloggers?
2015	Ethical Energy
2014	Are You Likely To Defend It?
2013	Might As Well
2012	The Long And Short Of It
2011	Bravery

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Thoughts About Climate Change, Peace In the Middle-East And Gun Control In America

Every revolutionary idea seems to evoke three stages of reaction.  They may be summed up by the phrases:  1)  It’s completely impossible.  2)  It’s possible, but it’s not worth doing.  3)  I said it was a good idea all along.
—    Arthur C. Clark
It has been said that the reception of any successful new scientific hypothesis goes through three predictable phases before being accepted.
First, it is criticized for being untrue.
Secondly, after supporting evidence accumulates, it is stated that it may be true, but it is not particularly relevant.
Thirdly, after it has clearly influenced the field, it is admitted to be true and relevant, but the same critics assert that the idea was not original.
—    Adrienne Zihlman
All truth passes through three stages:  First, it is ridiculed.  Second, it is violently opposed.  Third, it is accepted as self-evident.
—    Arthur Schopenhauer
[We are stuck between “One” and “Two”, so we may never get to “Three”…  It strikes me that we simply lack the moral fiber to recognize the truth and the political leadership to address the issues.    —    kmab]
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On This Day In:
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2021	My Thoughts On Global Climate Change
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2020	Waiting For 20 January 2021
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2019	#Corrupt45 Fails Another Great Test
2018	Where The Economy Is Headed Thanks To #IncompetentDonald
2017	Time For More Research, Too
2016	Original Thoughts
2015	If They’re Good Enough
2014	Three…
2013	Uncle Joe’s Song
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2012	Still Trying
2011	Not Deserving

 

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Appreciated Warmth

One looks back with appreciation to the brilliant teachers, but with gratitude to those who touched our human feelings.  The curriculum is so much necessary raw material, but warmth is the vital element for the growing plant and for the soul of the child.
—    Carl Jung
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On This Day In:
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2021	Closer To Understanding
	On My Knees (Layla)
2020	Profit From Ongoing Disintegration
	I’m A Dreamer (Imagine)
2019	Even When We Have A Criminal / Dangerous / Incompetent President
2018	But It Keeps Trying
	Blue Wave, But Not Blue Tsunami
2017	The Promise At Risk
2016	Or As Will Come In Time
2015	It Is Another Beautiful Day At The Red Pony Bar And Continual Soiree…
2014	Days And Years
2013	Currency And Transport
2012	Something Which Did Not Exist Before
2011	True Magic

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Still Adding Friends*

Why do I read?
I just can’t help myself.
I read to learn and to grow, to laugh
and to be motivated.
I read to understand things I’ve never
been exposed to.
I read when I’m crabby, when I’ve just
said monumentally dumb things to the
people I love.
I read for strength to help me when I
feel broken, discouraged, and afraid.
I read when I’m angry at the whole
world.
I read when everything is going right.
I read to find hope.
I read because I’m made up not just of
skin and bones, of sights, feelings,
and a deep need for chocolate, but I’m
also made up of words.
Words describe my thoughts and what’s
hidden in my heart.
Words are alive — when I’ve found a
story that I love, I read it again and
again, like playing a favorite song
over and over.
Reading isn’t passive — I enter the
story with the characters, breathe
their air, feel their frustrations,
scream at them to stop when they’re
about to do something stupid, cry with
them, laugh with them.
Reading for me, is spending time with a
friend.
A book is a friend.
You can never have too many.
—    Gary Paulsen
[AKA:  Why I should never be allowed in a used bookstore (unsupervised by my spouse).
This quote was found on Facebook.    —    kmab]
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On This Day In:
2022	A Way Of Thinking, An Essential Tool
2021	Experience A Simple Whatever
	A Thousand Kisses (Never Too Much)
2020	Talking Politics With Trump Republicans
	In Another Lifetime (Shelter From The Storm)
2019	People Will Come
	Change Is Here…
2018	Be My Hero – Vote Tomorrow! (Hero)
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2017	Black And White
	Advice For #DumbDonald
2016	Mirror, Mirror
2015	Speaking With Forked Tongue
2014	The Code
2013	Eventually Formed
2012	Remember To Vote Tomorrow
2011	It Sounds Like Chaos Theory To Me

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