Some days I feel that I should turn off the computer and the TV and
subscribe to the news fast of Dr.Weil. Yes, I think he realized that we
can all succumb to news over- load. Take for example today. This
morning I read "From Toilet to Tap." Just the title makes one shutter
and obviously, in some places short on water access, this may become
a reality.
Then the title "Bald Chickens: Scientific Breakthrough, or Animal
Cruelty?" My first thought - when you tamper with God's original
plan it can't be good, and reading the article, I was convinced of this.
Thank goodness these two articles were counterbalanced with some
I could actually enjoy and relate to: "Rescuer Trades Video Game for
Puppy's Life," and Heather Monagle's wonderful comment on
Facebook's Catholic Vegetarian site. I had almost lost hope re this
site producing comments I could relate to.
Fortified with a bowl of my delicious and hot "Stone" soup, I thought
you might first enjoy the "history" of this soup before relating the two
inspiring articles I read.
Told to us by a priest in a sermon, he related how one poor village was
in desparate need of a good meal. They were close to starvation when
someone came up with an ingenious idea. They would make a huge
pot of "Stone" Soup.
A very large pot was placed over a fire - filled only with water and a
large stone. All of the villagers were asked to scrounge for any food
they could share to add to the pot. And sure enough - a carrot here-
a potatoe or some meat scraps there, and then when all was said and
done, the soup pot was brimming over with veggies and whatever
else edible they could find. When finished, e veryone was given a
hearty bowl of the brimming, hot Stone Soup. That night all the villagers
went to bed satiated and declaring that this Stone Soup was the best
soup they ever had.
I start mine not with a stone but with a veggie packet and some water.
Then I add any and all veggies I can find along with some herb
condiments, salt, pepper, and tomatoe bits. I then add some sort
of pasta like Orzo or Ramen noodles and vola - my version of "Stone"
Soup. Always delicious - especially on wintry, cold days.
Now from Dogs Deserve Better: TRADING A VIDEO GAME FOR A
PUPPY'S LIFE.
Two dogs were heavily chained in a Long Island backyard. Sadly
they could not interact with one another for comfort or play because
of the distance between them. Kristie Hendricks of DDB spotted them
one day and decided to speak to the owner in their regard. Re Bo,
the older dog, the man gladly relinquished him to Kristie saying he
never wanted him in the first place. But re Journey, the puppy, he
said he would keep him for his grandchildren to play with.
Kristie knew she could not leave this small and scared puppy with
a chain weighing ten times more than he did. So she came up with a
plan- an ingenious one I might add. She purchased a Wii gaming
system and told the man that his grandchildren would much rather
enjoy playing the game then playing with Journey. She also said
that he actually might be putting them in danger if he was to continue
chaining Journey as he would probably become more aggressive
as a result. So sad, but probably true.
With this wonderful argument, the man was finally convinced to
give up both dogs to her. And later, b oth Bo and Journey were adopted
into different homes and are now "living the life" with people who love
and truly care for them. God bless Kristie for rescuing them from a
life of pain and suffering.
FROM HEATHER ON FACEBOOK'S CATHOLIC VEGETARIAN
I had never heard about Doctrine & Convenants before, but Heather
posted something from their teachings (D&C 58:26-29) reminding us
though that this was not Catholic teaching. My regret is that it is not:
"For behold, it is not meet that I should command in all things; for be
that is compelled in all things, the same is a slothful and not a wise
servant; wherefore he receiveth no reward.
Verily I say, men should be anxiously engaged in a good cause, and
do many things of their own free will, and bring to pass much
righteousness;
But he that does not anything until he is commanded, and receiveth a
commandment with doubtful heart, and keepeth it with slothfulness,
the same is damned."
In part - Heather responds from her viewpoint:
"...........I feel there is no excuse for the pain and suffering we inflict
upon billions of animals each year in the factory farming system, and
the Lord sees that we don't support this cruelty and prostitution of His
creation. I feel that He left it up to us to become informed of the current
animal situation, and exercise our free will (agency) to choose non-
violence. In my eyes, it's our natural state to be stewards of creation.
And while that can mean that creation is for our use in certain situations
and instances, I think that 99% of the time it means we have to take
care of it, and that any harm to the earth is us failing our job. The earth
and the animals, His creation, should not have to suffer the punishment
of our pride. We were the keepers of the Garden."
So well said Heather, and I certainly concur with your remarks. I hope
many others do as well.
