Art as Editorial Commentary on Creative Arts Three Day Weekend
Around age 11, at a religious service to which my parents hijacked me, it hit me; worshipers were praying, nevertheless, in a language they couldn't translate, & that in fact, like many, many, many children throughout history, I too, before I could make objective decisions, had been TOLD WHO I WAS, WHAT I BELIEVED, & GIVEN MY RELIGIOUS IDENTITY . And from that moment of revelation, I have rejected & found irrefutable evidence to REJECT ORGANIZED RELIGION , & to think SPIRITUALLY rather than DOGMATICALLY.
And yet, GIVEN THE DISGRACEFUL TREATMENT OF INNOCENT HUMAN BEINGS IN MY OWN COUNTRY, I asked God to take the heartless politicians and judges.
But instead, HE TOOK MY SWEET LITTLE DOG, GRACIE!
Let me be clear; this is my article, and it is not about POLITICS; so be forewarned. This is about the most recent confirmation of my many decades-long disdain for the bastardization of religions by religionists, et al, and how religion has been used for the attainment of power and wealth REGARDLESS OF HOW RUTHLESSLY, MERCILESSLY and HYPOCRITICALLY so-wielded, particularly by the institutions having deluded us through guilt and shame into believing them to be the pillars of civilization - namely, family, church, government, law, "justice," media, and their carnival-barker conmen and women!
My Gracie is gone, while God spares the most despicable amongst us! Rest in Peace my girl.
RED BOX RULES: AN IMPORTANT REMINDER
From time-to-time, I should remind all members of NT, etc., that when posting photos, artwork, etc., it's important, when posting, that you own, and/or legally represent the licensing, copyright, etc., of what you post, and TO PROTECT YOUR WORK, TO INCLUDE YOUR COPYRIGHT SYMBOL/INFORMATION; and/or, WHEN POSTING COPYRIGHTED PROPERTY BELONGING TO PARTIES OTHER THAN YOURSELF, TO …
• BE SURE YOU HAVE PERMISSION TO POST, TRANSMIT, etc, SUCH PROPERTY, and,
• IF/WHEN SUCH PERMISSION HAS BEEN GRANTED, TO PROPERLY AND CLEARLY ATTRIBUTE THE COPYRIGHTS TO THEIR RIGHTFUL OWNER(S).
VERY IMPORTANT … IN THE FUTURE, I WILL REMEMBER TO POST THIS CAVEAT REGULARLY.
Thanks, A. MAC
Article is LOCKED by moderator [A. Macarthur]
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Yes; I'm early today. I needed to pour my heart out and so I have.
Post what you like but stay away from political commentary; those who require a guideline, this post is philosophical, about misplaced expectations, faith-without-evidence and a human condition that would do well to see certain losses as a process necessarily traveled through "shock, disbelief," and at best, "ACCEPTANCE."
Obviously, I'm not anywhere near "acceptance".
Peace. Welcome back.
The loss of that most beautiful companion is a heartbreaker.
Arvo Mac.... was just wondering if maybe you would like to tell us a little about Gracie's life?
For some reason when you look at her face, I feel she has a story to tell…where she came from, how she found you and her life in your family etc..
Understand perfectly though if you don't wish to, as some memories are just to powerful to share..
🐾🐾
AMac - our condolences to you and the Missus with the passing of Gracie. And I totally concur with the "why do bad things happened to good people" philosophy.
We've had five of our fur babies pass in the past three years and it definitely ain't a joyful easy thing to go through. There is no replacement for the wonderful permanent members of your family - their lifetimes are short in comparison - up to 10 to 14 years for dogs and 14 to 18 for cats. What do we get?? To continue to pizz off the world with stupidity while our warm, loving animal family members give to us totally - continuously. What a paradox - they give and we bitch - stupid people.
We have 11 fuzz butts who love hogging the bed, chair, couch, car seat, kitchen table/counter, middle of the floor, bathroom "duty" and, as you've said in the past, we trust and love them more than we do humans because they constantly give - best feeling in the world is receiving all that love.
We'll keep Gracie in our thoughts and smudges for you and your memories of her gifts to you.
This is the way to take a Sunday nap -
You need a bigger bed.
Morning....my idea of heaven..🐾🐾
wtf? I thought I was ...
Great thanks 1st for not only your clearly heartfelt condolences, but for years of a “kindred spirit” connection. I continue to shed tears now and again when walking into the house and expecting Gracie to be there, or, when grabbing the flashlight for the last walk of the night only to be reminded she’s gone.
We rescued Gracie 10 years ago from an abusive existence and loved her deeply.
I admit to my bitterness as the psychotic entity of “belief without evidence,” namely that thing people call “faith,” talks the talk but fails to walk the walk. Creatures like my Gracie allow me to concede that there may be a God, while the abuser “Homo sapiens” makes me question why that God would take the gentle creatures so soon and prolong the existence of the worst of the abusers beyond conceivable reason.
I thank you again.
A. Mac
Oh dear shattered dreams..
Vegemite can fix that..😊
Nahhh - still have room for the three who are goofing off somewhere else - you know, like looking for more food
A. Mac - the memories will always be there and they are all good and many of them will be pure and funny as hell
Cherish them and pass them on to others.
You are more than welcome.
Yourself,your wife and how many cats? I think you need a king size.
And that it is - tried finding a SuperKing - not available
take notice, even animals won't eat that stuff ...
Huh...can bet nearly every household in Australia would give their dogs Vegemite on toast as a morning snack..they love it..
My two Collies certainly did and would push you for more...all our cats that includes my brother's three eat it..
Black gold far more valuable than any diamonds..
Rats, the garbos haven't been yet, they are dragging their eye balls this morning...the bins are still full out the front..
... sorry, I meant normal, non-oz animals.
my sincerest condolences for your loss amac. in their comparatively brief time with us, our pets teach us unconditional love, give us daily selfless and loving companionship, and teach us how to grieve for the loss of loved ones. I share your contempt for organized religion and view it as nothing more than an illegal tollbooth on the highway of spiritual well being.
Sharing contempt for “organized” religion . . . by any chance have you ever heard of The Quakers?
sometimes I eat their oats for breakfast ...
What kind of Quakers do you you preferred-- "Rolled" or "Instant"?
I prefer "Steel Cut" myself.
My first laugh out loud of the morning.
Still haven't learned how to place all my furniture on the walls as the Quakers/Shakers do.
Guess I like a cluttered house for our fur balls more.
I have loved and lost many pets over the years. You never really get over it.
I'm deeply sorry for the loss of your sweet girl, Gracie. She seems like she was a wonderful girl
my cat howard has been gone for almost 40 years and I still miss him ...
Morning Vangy...yes I am with you, all the dogs and cats we have had over the years I still miss them too..I remember them all...
Mishka my current cat will be 15 in November and I truly dread when the day comes...
I tell my specialist and doctor I have to out live my cat...they think I am joking but I'm not...and I doubt they would understand.. 🐾🐾
silly human, she isn't your cat, you're her staff member ...
Staff..huhhh not even that.. peasant more like!!!..
Move this, open that, shut this, I don't want that, where's my food, I want to go out, I want to come back in, that's a new blanket I'm not sitting on that, I'm going to hack up a furball, what's to eat..
I'm glad when it's asleep..peace reigns supreme..
50 years ago my cat mojo used to do laps around the apartment while playing the floor is lava, usually between the hours of 1am - 4am. thankfully the apt managers stole him when they left, because his weed usage was getting way out of hand ...
You should just be grateful...that she let's you stay in her house!
True, very true...
When we are sitting on the deck we have to play "Pay the Toll to the Troll"
Charlene is the troll. The toll are snackos when ever anybody moves the wrong way. Getting up to get another beer? Pay me! Going to the loo? Pay me!
charlene has you properly trained ...
yes she does
good human, no surprises in your shoes for you ...
she's hidden the rear half of a mouse somewhere in the house that she wants to share with you as a surprise ...
she knows humans can't fully appreciate the delicacies of mouse brains and innards, so you're left with the 2 rear thighs, back and tail ...
Amature Northwood's Leauge Baseball - The Mankato MoonDogs at the Duluth Huskies Championship game last night. Huskies won 4-1.
My only baseball photo, taken while I was in the Blue Jays' corporate box. a 1/2000 of a second shutter speed to stop the hit ball in flight.
Awesome photo.
Morning Mac...I won't say good as it is far from it for you and Mrs Mac..🥀🥀
So sorry to read about the passing of little Gracie...they absolutely break your heart when it's their time to leave..
You just wish they could be around forever but unfortunately for us it is not to be..
It is a path well trodden for most of us as one by one as the years move on, they depart before us..
The house becomes so much quieter, the days so much longer and the memories of paths walked, so much harder...
Gracie was truly so very lucky to have both of you in her life, to never want for anything and be so absolutely loved and adored...
They forever leave paw prints across our hearts and the happy memories remain with us, always... 🐾🐾
Beautifully conveyed, Shona; thank you.
For Gracie..🐾🐾
I'm sad to hear about Gracie. She seemed totally adorable. It's very hard losing a pet you love.
(© G. Gam)
Lovely photo G...
Peaceful and calm..
Thanks, shona.
my first thought was that it looked exactly like a shot you'd find on a greeting or sympathy card ...
That was my intention posting it. I looked through some of my photos to find something appropriate, feeling bad for A.Mac and the loss of his beloved Gracie. I know what it's like to lose a pet you love.
... all that's needed is a heartfelt sentiment in a classic font. really like the color composition. nice work!
Very nice.
Thanks much.
My heart is with you, amac in your loss of your sweet and loving Gracie. I want to thank you for giving her the loving, happy home she so deserved. The happy, loving memories they leave with us will never leave us, and is their way to always be with us.
My Yoda Girl is no 14 years old, and the older she got her love never changed. I know the time will come when she must leave the human world, and a part of my heart will go with her. I am now 80 years old and I hope I will live long enough to see her off, and not have to leave her behind to a world which she may not be able to accept.
I, too, remember all my loving fur babies who have gone before me, and the happiness they left with me. They will forever be with me in my heart and soul.
Evening Raven...yes that is one of my greatest concerns, leaving them behind...
Hence no more animals after Mishka is gone..as much as I would love to have another cat it's to heart breaking knowing the distress it would cause them...
Great to see you again Raven..😊
Hi shona, and thank you.
Like you, Yoda Girl will be my last fur baby of any kind as well. Other than not wanting to leave them behind, but, I might not be able to take care of them properly and that would not be fair to them.
But, I will have the wonderful memories of all my loving fur babies who made my life happier over the many years.
I do often pop in to see what's new here on NT. Even if I may not post anything, I want to show my support for NT and its members, and continue to learn from them.
I miss you ...
Morning Raven...yes plus you have to take in the fact that cats and dogs can live a very good age..
I dread seeing families giving their elderly parents puppies and kittens as my first thought is who will look after them if the parent passes away?
9 times out 10 the family don't want the animal and it's handed to the pound or worse dumped...
It is a big responsibility taking on an animal and to many people take it to flippantly to the animals detriment..
Glad you are going ok and Yoda is keeping you on your toes..my little dear after getting me out of bed at 7am wanting food, which it didn't eat....is now snoring on my bed catching up on it's disturbed sleep...
I could have easily stayed in bed another hour as it is cold, wet, raining and we had hail..
Maybe I should turf it outside, that would soon wake it up...her head is there somewhere..🤣
my daughter's rescue dog lily wakes her up at the crack of dawn to be let outside and when she gets let back in races back to bed to grab the warm spot and then won't move off of it ...
hA hA hA......Love that photo. My one Granddaughter wanted to get me a small kitten to train with Yoda, but, I turned her down. Yoda and I are both too old to deal with a kitten.
speaking of fur balls ...
Morning...ahh yep.... it's fluff plus that thing..
it's so unfair, I want to be able to sleep in any position ...
So sorry to hear about Gracie, AMac. Having lost three beloved pets in two years myself (two of them in tragic fashion), I know how bad the grief can be. Something I found helpful was to scribble down a collection of things about them while the memories were fresh. A memorial of sorts, and something to help me remember all the special little details about them in the future.
I hope you feel better soon.
I'm sorry for your loss, AMac. I hope that someday soon, the good memories you have of Gracie will make the pain of losing her fade.
I am grateful for the kindnesses expressed herein; in time, I may share "Gracie" stories but I'm not there yet.
Thanks to all.
Make that photos as well, please A.Mac. Although her beautiful face has been on the Home Page for years, you surely have a whole collection to share.
When I was about five I became worried about my dog dying. I asked my Dad if Sadie would go to heaven. He grimaced and said, "No Son, dogs go to dog heaven and people go to real heaven"...
Even at that age I thought that it was bullshit!
I said, "well then I want to go to dog heaven...
Sorry for your loss A Mac. I know this is hard.
Mourning doves seem appropriate.
Morning Dig..I love doves but unfortunately I don't get them where I live...
But my only Aunt down Melbourne use to have them at her place...she use to feed them and as many as 50 would roll up...
When ever I hear them I immediately think of her and Springfield Rd...she passed 2 years ago and I miss her so and the call of the doves..
Absolutely. Good thought.
We saved one of Gracie’s toys and it sits atop the mantle piece in our family room where we spent together after dinner almost every night for ten years.
It hurts.
Thank you wonderful members of the NT CREATIVE ARTS GROUP. I have read aloud to my wife, your heartfelt comments.
Back Thursday. Shutting it down soon.
add a picture of her with that toy to the mantle amac. that's where the urns and pictures of my daughter's 2 previous rescue dogs, layla and ollie are in her home ...
see you next thursday ...
In time, I surely will. Thank you.