Watch Out for Vultures

Black Vulture 
Keller, TX

 Vulture are scavengers that feed on dead carcasses. They serve a purpose but you typically have to be dead.  America is under siege by political vultures preying on the apathetic who might as well be dead. The few are feeding off of those who are not awake. 

Tariffs and the notion that they will pay for tax cuts for the vultures is an example of this feeding frenzy. The fact is that it increases our debt and detracts from our income. This is not new and had been tried and failed before. 

Let me leave you with a quote from Franklin Delano Roosevelt. "Liberty requires opportunity to make a living- a living which gives a man not only enough to live by, but something to live for. For too many of us the political equality we once had won was meaningless in the face of economic inequality. A small group had concentrated into their own hands an almost complete control over other people's property, other people's money, other people's labor- other people's lives. These economic royalists complain that we seek to overthrow the institutions of America. What they really complain of is that we seek to take away their power. In vain they seek to hide behind the Flag and the Constitution."

Don’t Give Up

Juvenile Black-Crested Titmouse 
Colleyville, TX

 It was a difficult week, an emotional roller coaster. Congress is about to add to our debt burden and the bond market doesn’t buy it. Not much I can do, I have prepared my clients for more volatility. I control what I can control. Photography gives me an opportunity to master what I can control in the solace of nature. 

Well I was about to give up yesterday not one bird was out, perhaps it was the heat or maybe they the had gotten DOGED or gotten a memo. Not one wanted to cooperate or was in sight. I was dejected. I was about to give up and head home. 

This fellow must have sensed my desperation. He suddenly flitted in front of me and went out on a limb. It was not an easy shot, lots of contrast, but it was a chance that I couldn’t pass. It looked like a Tufted Titmouse but it actually was a surprise. It was an Oak Titmouse not even on my list. 

There’s more than a few of us who want to give up. We are tired at times depressed and anxious, but don’t give up, the answer may very well show up when you least expect it. Press on. We are on this journey together. 

What's Your Occupation?

Blooming Mimosa Hold the Champagne
Colleyville, TX

 It's not uncommon for folks meeting for the first time to inquire, "so what do you do for a living?" Besides all the hats I wear on any given day, my list includes: husband, grandfather, financial advisor, friend, counselor, minister, and photographer. If you were to ask what defines me, I would reply, I think.

Although thinking is not a vocation, I would say that for me it is. I process all of the information that I am receiving through all of my senses and I absorb the details. They affect me. Sometimes good and sometime I'm anxious and troubled. In fact, I am troubled by that folks who should know better and were raised in religious homes like me are not bothered to either speak up or do something. In fact, they are reluctant to stand up for me and my rights.

Female Cardinal at Day Spa
Colleyville, TX

As a creative person working in a financial capacity, I notice details, trends, and history. Then I process this information and prepare a baseline strategy in real time. Details are the catalyst to form my strategy and subsequent reactions. At my age, I depend on my experience and judgment to guide me. I've seen this before. I know how to react. I have a voice.

It's time to wake up and think and process all that is happening around us. There's a beautiful world out there and it requires our participation. Many things are happening some good and some quite depressing. You have to be willing to open up your eyes and your senses to fully appreciate what exactly is going on. 

Some folks are ok with accepting things as they are and to let others take on the responsibility. They are voyeurs. I choose to think independently and as free as the birds I photograph or the nature, I experience. We live here. We live now. We must be awake and listen to our conscience. This is my vocation, thinker. I hope I can encourage others to THINK. Think about what you are doing to me (Aretha), think about what you are doing to others, think about your neighbor, think about our future, our environment. Think about that "reconstruction" still even after the Civil War taken hold in some parts of our country, it's not so grand for women, people of color, and the handicapped. Think about how we are impacting the people who have the most financial insecurity. Think about what we are doing to provide tax cuts for the wealthiest at the expense of those who have the least. All of this at whose expense? Think about the American Dream. Tell me what it looks like for you, your children, and grandchildren. Look in the mirror and tell me who you are and are your proud of yourself.

Nature tells me life will go on. And Jesus said to behold nature. So I think...If I'm lucky, perhaps, I've done the same for you. So today, I think. We can change. It's a thinking choice. It's a decision.

Imagine There's No Heaven

Eastern Phoebe
Keller, TX

 For the sake of argument, imagine there is no heaven. How would that impact your behavior? Would you just go wild live like there's no tomorrow, with reckless abandon? Or would you live deliberately and make every moment count knowing there are no second chances? Would you give up or would you choose to act? What changes would you make personally?

Immature Eastern Phoebe
Keller, TX

Let's assume there are no second chances and this is it; your home is earth. Think carefully about the choices left. I choose to assume there possibly might be heaven, but I am agnostic and pragmatic, so I am not going to take any chances. This means, I am going to take care of this earth as much as I can and the people surrounding me. I've made a choice to enjoy every wake moment I have and absorb the last drop of life I have, in case, just what if there's no heaven. I choose to improve my mental health and add balance to my life. You see I live here now, this is my home and I want to make it better not only for me and my family but for those who live here with me. We share this home. While the streets aren't paved with gold there's plenty to absorb and appreciate today.

Nature adds balance to our lives. There's a teaming life out there going on and transacting every day. We need to learn its lessons. Get along and live. While heaven may appeal to many, the idea of living a millennium with intolerant judgemental people and a perpetual HOA doesn't appeal to me. I choose to carve out heaven here and make life here, now, better. I live now in the present. We can do better, if we choose to see this is our home. Make a difference. Say something. Do something. Don't wait. Don't postpone.

Moments

Parque Chipinque,
Monterrey, MX

What makes a movie? It's a series of still frames (images) woven together by time at a credible fixed speed. The content you control from start to finish. If you don't like a particular movie you have the choice to select a different one that has subject matters that you care about. You have a choice. 

Lately, I've not enjoyed the political movies being played in this country. They make me anxious and fearful. We've seen them played before in our history and in Europe; the endings have not been good. I cannot control their historical outcomes. Those movies have already been made.

Bluebird with Pensive Future
Keller, TX

I am one lone person. I didn't choose the cast of the movie being played, but I know it doesn't end well. People I trusted have let me down. People who profess to be Christian should know better. I feel very confused, angry, distraught. Betrayal does that you know. In the interim, I look at the beauty which surrounds me and I am grateful that I am able to see it. Life goes on and I focus my camera lens on the beautiful things I still see and find. It requires effort and focus on my part.

Times are turbulent and chaotic. There's a real lack of empathy and compassion. We are self absorbed and greedy. The movie is not over. The script may very well change. The characters will have to do their part. One thing I know is that most viewers share common hopes and dreams. We should focus on creating a new movie with that theme: the renewal of dreams and hope. We should call it the American Dream. Let's make a new movie together.

On The Trail

 

Mississippi Kite
Colleyville, TX

From my perch like this kite, I see and hear many things good and bad.  I am not afraid to explore and spread my wings. I have to nourish myself and family and that requires effort, even if I don't want to get uncomfortable.

What I see and hear is disturbing. It's not remotely consistent with the lessons learned in church, specifically the Sermon on The Mount. Today, I would like to issue a warning "unless your righteousness surpasses that of the Pharisees and teachers of the law, you will certainly not enter the kingdom of heaven."

This means we will be held accountable for our inactions. We can't simply ignore what is going on today. Oh how I wish I could, but I can't, I am uncomfortable. My conscience troubles me and it's my compass. When was the last time you questioned yourself? Say something, do something. The times are changing. No time to be silent, no time to be complicit. Be present now.

Some Proverbs I Recall

Hoodoos
Bryce Canyon

 Been thinking again. Are you shocked yet? Two proverbs are in my head this morning: "as man thinks so is he" and "what you reap you shall sew", Old Testament meets new. It's the amplification of the Old Testament.

Perhaps this is the cognitive dissonance that's keeping me awake at night. I am baffled by how people I trust cannot discern the obvious. These two simple statements that I was taught by my parents and reinforce in church are moral lessons about character. Lessons to guide our behavior.

The Hoodoos above reflect years of erosion. Our values are being eroded and our moral judgment impaired. Say something, do something. You know what's right. Follow your conscience. Regardless of your religious convictions or political leanings, we must heed our conscience, the moral compass has a true north. The consequences are that we will reap what we/he has sewn.

Contemplate

Eastern Phoebe
Keller, TX

A bird from his perch contemplates and communicates. It observes how it will find and get its food to its family, it sings its location, and warns of looming dangers.  

From my perch, I see things differently than most. For instance, I probe into the simplistic message that tariffs are going to solve our deficits and fund the extension of tax cuts. But my bird brain see's things as slightly more complicated. What I see is this, if things are more expensive because of tariffs, from my Colombo vantage point, I have to make my income go further. Assuming my income is not rising, I cut back on how much I am spending and what I am spending it on. If I spend less and consume less, state and municipalities also generate less sales tax revenues. If they generate less revenues then and they are also receiving less federal subsidies, then we have less for things like education and infrastructure unless we raise taxes. If this happens, then businesses lay people off because their costs go up while the demand for their goods go down. Municipalities will also struggle as their revenues decline.

Tariffs are a tax on consumption. If we reduce how we consume, there is no way that tariffs can ever pay for deficits incurred. In fact, we have less revenues not more.  Our economy is healthiest when consumers spend and can afford to buy goods and services. New manufacturing job creation does not happen overnight and we need labor at the right price. Our demographics are both aging and our population is not replacing those who are retiring fast enough. So we suffer for a longer duration and its not longer just a minor discomfort and fewer dolls for everyone. The poor and middle classes will suffer the most.

A Vigilent Eastern Phoebe 
Keller, TX

In the meantime, the farmer in Iowa, who has already invested capital in equipment, fertilizer, and planted his soybean seeds, loses markets to Brazil and Argentina. He loses his investment as we also cut agricultural aid to the rest of the world and our largest export markets close their doors to our exports of corn, soybeans, wheat, beef, and poultry.

This has been tried before. In 1928, the Smoot-Hawley Act, added to the problems of the Great Depression. Capitalism could not save us solely from the excesses which lead to the Great Depression. Tariffs made it worse. Since that time, most politicians have shunned tariffs as a source of protectionism and revenues.

Already, like he did in 2018, the President is backtracking trying to save face. But the price of everything has already gone up and will continue to increase for the remainder of the year. Oil companies cannot drill more when the price of energy is below $62 per bbl and the cost of steel pipe has gone up because their specs aren't made in the US. As my form of protest, I will spend less, I will not pay for the irresponsible tax cut extensions. We already have the lowest corporate tax rate within the G20. Let's reduce the deficit and eliminate the tax cuts. Let's figure out how to logically create a more efficient government. Let's think.

Yes we need to protect our national security and yes we need to have a viable supply chain for our national security, but these decisions need to be shaped by our Congress and not by two known convicted felons: Navarro and Trump. Seriously, we are being conned. In the meantime, the real issues are the attacks on democracy and the rule of law. Our fundamental civil rights are at stake. DEI includes: veterans, women and all minorities, including the disabled. We need to think and we need to sing loudly and communicate from our perches. "If I had a hammer..." You know the tune. Say something, do something.

Flocking Together

Lone Eastern Bluebird
Keller, TX

 Besides my interests in photography, music, and art I enjoy American History. Our country was founded on a dream, we call it the American Dream: life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. We wanted the freedom to become untethered and be as free as this lone bird.

This morning I invite you to read our Declaration of Independence. It was ratified by the then thirteen colonies and it outlines the reasons for our secession and the causes of our discontent. These men were disturbed by the very same issues which trouble our democracy today: tariffs, taxation, and the rule of law. They risked their lives and risked their wealth to fight tyranny.

Al Hernandez
Concerned in Keller, TX

Like many of you, I am troubled by the thought of losing our democracy, my anxiety goes beyond financial insecurity and stock market woes and economic turmoil. Those act like a trojan horse to distract us from things like the separation of church and state, the rule of law, due process, and the rewriting of history.

One hundred and sixty-five years ago Reconstruction was started but never finished; it wasn't until the Civil Rights Act of 1965 that those issues were addressed. Now there are some who would like to divide us again by race and hate. That's not who we are.

Our core is about a dream, a dream we share from the tip of Alaska to the Florida Keys, and includes our territories Guam and Puerto Rico. We have a homogeneous dream regardless of race or gender. Let's unite and fight to preserve that dream. Resist the tyranny and those who wish to divide us rather than unite us. It's the only way God can truly bless America.

Thank you, Alphonse Lavernoich, for teaching me American history and the value of our democracy and why we defend it and the right of each other to disagree. We need to look no further than our Declaration of Independence. Get involved participate in our democracy. This is not about red or blue, it concerns you. We've been deceived by a convicted felon. We hear his words and know they are incredulous, we need to take action like we did in the sixties. Our children and grandchildren deserve that we preserve our dream. It's time for like minded individuals of all colors and genders to put aside our differences and stand up to the tyrant. This concerns US. "A house divided cannot stand."

A Little Help From My Friends

Eastern Phoebe
Keller, TX

 No man is an island. We need each other: family and friends. They support us through the good times and bad times. If you are alone in your head find someone; if you see someone alone and withdrawn or in pain reach out. This Eastern Phoebe was there for me at the right time to bring me to my center. Don’t look inward, look up and out beyond you. Find your peace. You are not alone. We are bombarded by political vitriol. It messes our equilibrium. That’s not who we are. Be empathetic. Find your balance and thereby your peace. 

Patience and Perseverance

Blue Heron and Catch of the Day
Colleyville, TX

 What do you want? What's required to reach your goals, aspirations, hope and dreams? Two words to help you achieve them: patience and perseverance. As I studied this blue heron, I observed; first. he had a plan, and second, he patiently executed it. He waited for the right moment to make his move carefully contemplating the water for movement and opportunities. He persevered the monotony of waiting for the most opportune time.

Blue Heron
Enjoy his Catch

How willing are you to stick with it? Do you have the patience required to achieve your goals? Are you willing to overcome the impediments or do you succumb to them and make excuses. Have you given up because you think your are too old or its too late? Do you feel your voice doesn't matter and no one will listen? Whatever your goal is personal or political, don't give up, don't yield, be patient, persevere. The heron found his prize and so can you. It won't happen right away be patient, press on confidently in the direction of your dreams. Visualize them and execute them.

Heaven on Earth

Male Eastern Bluebird
Keller, TX

 In my younger years, I contemplated becoming a minister. It definitely was my father's first choice for me and he had groomed me early to speak in public and defend my religion at all costs; he even gave me at birth a Biblical name, Eliezer (servant of God). In my youth and my collegiate years at a religious university something changed. It dawned on me that my religion was about exclusivity and not inclusivity. Suddenly, doubts crept in and I wasn't sure if I wanted to spend an eternity with these judgmental folks who hated heathens. The hypocrisy, without heathens there's no need for churches.

Regardless of my thoughts and change of heart, I never compromised my ethics, nor my values. Those, I ascertained on my own accord and free will, were good things to keep and practice within my life. Things like loving my neighbors, being charitable, kind, and above all the value of acceptance. I became less judgmental and more, not less, people accepted me as well.

So I chose a different path, I chose to make life better here on earth where I reside. I mean why wait until I got to heaven, shouldn't I at least attempt to make life better for those around me here? Just what if there is no heaven, then I have missed and wasted a lifetime of happiness and an opportunity to change someone else's life. 

The miracles of life are always around us. There's a beautiful orchestra all around us in nature. There's so much to contemplate in the natural beauty of landscapes and the minute details of nature and its creatures. Constant reminders that your worry is for not. Nature exists. We are the stewards of our own garden of Eden.

What if you focused on making heaven here and focused on improving the quality of life for your family, your friends, and for strangers in need of friends. What if you focused not on your struggles but on the struggles of those hurting all around you. What if you provide empathy instead of just talking about it?

Today the minister in me asks you to consider this, who is my neighbor? How am I making a difference?  I can assure you this, you will find your bluebird. The bluebird is in the details you are missing everyday, open up your eyes and heart; look around you. Choose to make a difference.

Opportunity Knocks

Female Grackle and Opportunity
Keller, TX

What does opportunity look like? It really depends on your mindset. If you are receptive it’s all around you. You simply have to open your mind and use your senses. It knocks but you have to hear it and be willing to open the door. The door doesn’t open itself. It requires effort on your part. 

This grackle saw the opportunity. The pond had flooded. She took the step of being there and ready to catch her prey. Had she simply stayed on a limb she would have passed on a family meal.