ME and Ophelia

FROM THE COUNTRYSIDE WEST OF BOSTON:
Jim Moore with Canon Elph in his back yard

Imagine yourself blogging while sitting on cool grass beneath Jim Moore's trees, on a perfect day like this.

Surely writing in such peaceful surroundings, while taking in the sights, scents and sounds of the breeze and wildlife buzzing around, would affect the depth and tone of one's composition. And make the mindless destruction of life and this planet seem even crazier. Nature is so beautiful.

Imagine leaning back against one of Jim's trees, and looking up at the sky and sunlight through the leaves, and thinking about all the young soldiers battling to defend us, and bringing freedom and democracy to the people of Iraq. Heavily kitted out in the heat and dust. Guarding, fighting and social working on foot and in hot noisy tanks. Absorbing the daily pressures and tensions. Gas masks, chemical suits and bayonets at the ready. Being spat on and shot at, booby trapped, stoned, ambushed, beaten, tortured, bombed, maimed, mutilated or killed - and, all the while, thinking of the folks back home and the politicians and media saying that what they are doing in Iraq is wrong.

God bless and thank you to the soldiers of the world who are battling for us all, and sacrificing their lives, so that we may all enjoy freedom and democracy and continue living in peace while defending this beautiful Earth of ours.