Humanity
Red Rose Country
They say owls are some of the smartest birds in the planet, able to give sage advice or guide their watchers from imminent danger. Hunters in the night, their large eyes miss nothing that happens around them, always on the alert for danger or their next meal. But a new menace has come to face the owls; the threat of human settlements being built over demolished forests that used to be home for the nocturnal birds. Sprawling roads connected hundreds of new houses and townhomes in Fort McMurray, where oil sands development has literally created the
By Jesse Leung4 years ago in Earth
Charley
Friday, August 13, 4:10pm “Babe, don’t listen to them. Look at the TV screen, but don’t look at them. Look at the upper left corner. Look at the coordinates!” my husband said anxiously. He stood there, in the center of the living room, but down here in Florida, it’s called the great room. He was mesmerized, his eyes wide with shock, looking as though he was too frightened to move. I’d never seen him look so worried. No not worried! Scared! I never thought my husband to be afraid of anything.
By Margaret Brennan4 years ago in Earth
Medicine Wheel
Chapter One: In Which Our Hero Leaves the Barn he woke, a snowy white owl with fluffy silken feathers speckled in the colors of earth and soil. he leapt from his perch and flew through the jagged boards composing the barn, landing in an inch of watery snow. he shook his wings and settled them, letting them fall to his sides in tranquil surrender.
By Brijit Reed4 years ago in Earth
Revisiting the "Pale Blue Dot"
Carl Sagan was a historic American scientist, Pulitzer winning novelist and a popular TV show host, who coined the term ‘Big questions’. This term refers to the questions that would potentially explain the origin of our universe and life as we know it. These questions are generally on the lines of “How did our universe come into existence?” Sagan, in his award winning book and show, ‘The Cosmos’ talks about the vastness of our entire universe. He tells us how the urge to answer these questions about the beginning of our lives is almost a primal need that has driven us to major scientific discoveries and theories, like The String Theory. A recurring theme in Sagan’s ‘Cosmos’ is the insignificance of the human race in our infinite universe. He often talks about how the seven billion people on this planet do not even make up for a percent of our universe, and our minds still comprehend ‘trivial’ issues in our daily lives to be significant. Sagan urges our minds to stretch beyond their limits and find an answer to these ‘Big Questions’, as it is important that there should be an answer to the mystery of our existence.
By Partha Singh4 years ago in Earth
"Their Very Own Saint"
My new novel-in-progress begins at the end of May, where a family who trace their roots back to Romani caravans disagree about how best to honour the little lady the Roma count as "Their Very Own Saint" - Sainte Sara-la-Kali, protege of Les Saintes Maries de la Mer - a pair of matriarchs who give their names to a town in the south of France, where Roma and their related Traveller tribes gather in pilgrimage by the sea every year.
By Steph Cole4 years ago in Earth
Crisp Air to Remember
Sometimes I would think about you. The way we were children and you gave me laughter and real friends. The way you made every fall and winter feel warm. And most of all, the variety you offered; creating a sense of belonging within everything new and intimidating.
By Lauren Goad4 years ago in Earth
Why is a Larger Human Population Better?
We live on a planet with abundant resources, but they are not unlimited. There is a point where's the Earth's population will outstrip the available resources to sustain life. Many starving unsheltered Earthlings probably believe we have reached that point already.
By Gary Janosz4 years ago in Earth
Time can only tell
I know I sound like I am off my rocker on this theory. I understand what everyone one is going to say about how time does exist and that there is proof. Well my friend, you would be absolutely correct in society's way of life. Let me explain and then you can be the judge of it. I am not trying to persuade you into thinking I am right and everything you learned is wrong. This is just my theory and my opinion about time.
By Jessica Sheely4 years ago in Earth
Venison — The Stuff of Life
The .270 barked and the small buck moved unsteadily. Something foreign had just punched into its side. The deer attempted another step and fell forward; it would expire in 30 seconds. The shot had overwhelmed his system and the brain would shut everything down momentarily. It drifted into unconsciousness and passed away painlessly.
By Jack Nanuq4 years ago in Earth
The Foodie
1. There's been another car accident at the intersection up the street. I heard the shriek of hastily braking tires and the booming smash of metal on metal a few minutes ago as I was slicing a reddish-green heirloom tomato to put on my French-style open faced brie-on-sourdough breakfast sandwich. I don't want to let the toasted bread get cold, but I have to go see if anyone is hurt. So I throw on my fuzzy black coat and take my sandwich with me as I walk the half block to the north. A fair compromise, I think.
By Elizabeth Bynum4 years ago in Earth
