Lenten Reflections

We are about half way through Lent.  It is a time to slow down and get closer to God.

We remind ourselves of what is truly important in our lives.  We cut down on or give up things like dessert or the eye candy of the internet to take more time to ponder the sweetness of Jesus.

We strive to be more charitable.  Give to those in need.  Be grateful that we have abundance to share.

We pause more often to pray.  In prayer we grow closer to God, we learn to know Him better and thus love Him better.

Yesterday was the Solemnity of the Annunciation.  We recall when Mary was visited by the archangel Gabriel.  Her response was, "behold the handmaid of the Lord, let it be done to me according to your word."  Mary was willing to do God's will.  It is a good reminder to us that God's plan is always better than ours.

Pray for us O Holy Mother of God that we may be made worthy the promises of Christ.

Pop Culture Frenzy, Round 77

Welcome once again to Pop Culture Frenzy.  Today's question involves an incident that recently occurred at an Arizona zoo.  A woman had an encounter with a female Jaguar that resulted in injury.

What happened?
Molly?

She tried to pet the Jaguar?

Hostmaster:  incorrect.
Cyndi?

She took a picture?

Hostmaster:  close.
Fluffy?

She took a selfie with the Jaguar?

Hostmaster:  correct.  She leaned into the enclosure to pose with the big cat for a selfie.  The Jaguar made it clear she did not want to participate.

There  must be a way to help stupid people avoid getting hurt.

  How about warning signs?

  Do Not Enter!  Kitty Safe Space! 

Caution Maul Zone!

How did they get the woman away from the Jaguar?

Hostmaster:  from what we are told she leaned into the enclosure but did not fall into it.  In any case, the cat reacted to her.  It isn't clear if the Jaguar bit or clawed the woman.  Whatever was happening, another zoo guest helpfully threw a water bottle at the jaguar.  The selfie woman fell to the ground outside of the jaguar's enclosure and exclaimed that "it hurt".  There's a video of her lying on the ground.  It shows a nice juicy laceration on her forearm.

Did the selfie ever happen?

Hostmaster: the news report leaves that detail out.   NO PICTURES PLEASE.  ahem

Maybe the Jaguar retained the cell phone for her own use.  

At the very least she should post a copy write notice.

  After all, Ms Jaguar did not give permission to

the idiot zoo guest to share her image. 

Zoos should be banned.

Clearly.  Let all animals be free to take their own selfies.

  Tragedies like this can be avoided.

I'm telling you.  We need more signage at zoos!

  Trespassers will be Gashed and Eaten! 

Will the woman be charged for bothering the Jaguar?

Hostmaster:  unknown.

Will the Jaguar be punished?

Hostmaster:  the zoo says they won't euthanize her.

I should think not!  

A stupid visitor shoves herself in

 the cat's face and was rebuffed.

 Why would the cat have to die over that?

This could all be avoided if there were no zoos.

A picture of the woman's wound from her encounter

 with the Jaguar should be posted along with the warning signs.

  Visuals are always helpful.

Hostmaster:  a cautionary tale to be sure.

Yep.  Cat fights are dangerous.

This round is over.

Read about the Jaguar incident here and here.



Round 77
Fluffy/Molly   38
Bryan/Cyndi    36

Almost Springed

Cabin fever strikes like clockwork in early March.  I've begun to leaf through that stack of seed catalogues that have been coming in the mail since the first of the year.

Daylight begins at a more reasonable hour now.  Finally, we can enjoy our morning coffee with the sunrise.  Alas, in a few days we'll be back to drinking in the dark.

On Sunday, we spring the clocks forward.

That's a good thing!  Right?  Sure it is.

Soon I can enjoy that "saved daylight" after bedtime while I'm trying to sleep.