Wednesday, March 29, 2023

Sometimes I Just Have to Get Out of the Dessert

 Went to Albuquerque Bio Park Botanical Garden this morning. It was such a relief from a long drab winter in a chalky-brown-puce color landscape and endless juniper trees, both living and dead. It was a beautiful day. My knee is a bit swollen as I did a lot of walking.









Do You Remember "Doctor" Laura?

 Something reminded me of her today. Back in the 80s she was a very popular radio talk show "psychologist" giving out advice. She was very entertaining. Then she got nasty anti-gay and racist. I and all my friends stopped listening. One of her listeners sent her a letter. This is from Snopes:

Dear Dr. Laura,

Thank you for doing so much to educate people regarding God's Law. I have learned a great deal from your show, and I try to share that knowledge with as many people as I can. When someone tries to defend the homosexual lifestyle, for example, I simply remind him that Leviticus 18:22 clearly states it to be an abomination. End of debate.

I do need some advice from you, however, regarding some of the specific laws and how to best follow them.

a) When I burn a bull on the altar as a sacrifice, I know it creates a pleasing odor for the Lord (Lev 1:9). The problem is my neighbors. They claim the odor is not pleasing to them. Should I smite them?

b) I would like to sell my daughter into slavery, as sanctioned in Exodus 21:7. In this day and age, what do you think would be a fair price for her?

c) I know that I am allowed no contact with a woman while she is in her period of menstrual uncleanliness (Lev 15:19-24). The problem is, how do I tell? I have tried asking, but most women take offense.

d) Lev. 25:44 states that I may indeed possess slaves, both male and female, provided they are purchased from neighboring nations. A friend of mine claims that this applies to Mexicans, but not Canadians. Can you clarify? Why can't I own Canadians?

e) I have a neighbor who insists on working on the Sabbath. Exodus 35:2 clearly states he should be put to death. Am I morally obligated to kill him myself?

f) A friend of mine feels that even though eating shellfish is an Abomination (Lev 11:10), it is a lesser abomination than homosexuality. I don't agree. Can you settle this?

g) Lev 21:20 states that I may not approach the altar of God if I have a defect in my sight. I have to admit that I wear reading glasses. Does my vision have to be 20/20, or is there some wiggle room here?

h) Most of my male friends get their hair trimmed, including the hair around their temples, even though this is expressly forbidden by Lev 19:27. How should they die?

i) I know from Lev 11:6-8 that touching the skin of a dead pig makes me unclean, but may I still play football if I wear gloves?

j) My uncle has a farm. He violates Lev 19:19 by planting two different crops in the same field, as does his wife by wearing garments made of two different kinds of thread (cotton/polyester blend). He also tends to curse and blaspheme a lot. Is it really necessary that we go to all the trouble of getting the whole town together to stone them? (Lev 24:10-16) Couldn't we just burn them to death at a private family affair like we do with people who sleep with their in-laws? (Lev. 20:14)

I know you have studied these things extensively, so I am confident you can help.

Thank you again for reminding us that God's word is eternal and unchanging.

Your devoted disciple and adoring fan.

Monday, March 13, 2023

Exploring the "Petrified Forest"

 I've posted about this area in New Mexico where there are petrified logs and large and small fragments of such. But two friends of ours Alan and Sam had never been there and Alan is a geologist by profession and was interested in exploring a bit. This area of the dessert was once a lush forest. Climate change is not a new thing.

The area is not easy to get to. It is a good half hour on secondary dirt roads from the main dirt road where the gate is maintained by the Bureau of Land Management. 

This is one of the many areas that Park Ranger hubby has to patrol; mainly doing such chores as checking counters, repairing barbed wire fences and placing new signage as needed. He gets to see interesting areas that most people don't even know about. There is a place where thousands of shark teeth are part of the geologic deposit. And supposedly there's a mastodon skeleton somewhere "out there".

It was a gorgeous late winter day and very comfortable to be out hiking. And best of all: No crowds. Actually we were the only ones  there.

Alan and Sam and Leon in the background

The largest petrified log




Cute little cactus growing in the rock


It was a very bumpy ride in the Ford F250

Some other large chunks of petrified wood


Alan, Leon, Sam


Monday, March 6, 2023

Mystery Orb Spotted in New Mexico



 I think this is a COOL photo even if the orb near the horizon is an artifact. I took the photo this afternoon on NM Rt 16 near Cochiti. Actually posting two shots to show different positioning of the orb.



LinkWithin

Related Posts with Thumbnails