May 29, 2007 by Naomi.

A friend asked if I thought there would ever be a computer that could think like a human. I said absolutely no. But now I’m not so sure. With the experiences I am having with my computer, I think the computer has already matched the human mind. When it gets too much information too quickly, it just seizes up. Well mine did not exactly “seize” as if it had a grand mal seizure but it certainly came to a halt. However it made a great effort to find the problem. I was too naive, innocent, or just plain dumb to figure out what I had to do to help it. It appeared to want my help.

Like when I was horseback riding in along the Snowy River in Australia. We were crossing a narrow 2-foot deep gully in a driving rain. I expected the horse to take me across. The poor little critter stumbled and I fell off. He trembled as if he had done some awful thing and it was all his fault. I could fairly feel him apologizing to me for the mishap. Well, I later learned that if I had held the reins tightly he would have had a brace with which to make the jump. I ended up soothing him so we succeeded in getting back to camp.

At this point I do not know what I can do to sooth my faithful computer. I do sympathsize with the overload that may have caused its problem. I feel the same overload when my schedule is interupted by unforeseen company or requests that I feel honor bound to fill. So far I have not “seized” up although my ears ache and my head is stuffed from Russian Olive tree pollen. I resort to chicken soup and vicks vapor rub.

Do you suppose that will work on my computer?

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May 24, 2007 by Naomi.

I love it. Circulation of a false letter brings out a realization of the value of descent. A letter supposedly written by Jay Leno calls everyone who complains about anything, spoiled brats. Even if Jay did not write the letter I would like to point to one piece of his advice which is: Shut off the TV, burn Newsweek, and use the New York Times for the bottom of your birdcage.

That statement assumes that readers and TV viewers have no rational thoughts or ability to ferret the truth from many sources that bombard them. Negativism in my community comes from those who do not want criticism of our highest elected official. When they vote do they make their decisions on potential leadership within the world community? Or are these detractors determined to dwell on personal issues that they expect to control? With no thought to real world leadership? I wonder.

Furthermore the people, who do criticize the direction of our country’s present non-policy and object to lies told by leaders, are intelligent. They fully understand what basic freedoms are violated through Homeland Security rules crafted by Nazi-minded men who were appointed, not elected. I am convinced that the majority of USA citizens are thoughtful, although lax when it comes to elections. We are losing our freedoms and if Leno’s “spoiled brats” do not make an issue of that fact, the real problems of the people and for the people will never be addressed.

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May 18, 2007 by Naomi.

The month of May in the mid-Columbia river basin is a time for plants to thrive. Weeds also. I find myself in the early hours pulling undesirable plants. I am not the only one active at dawn. Neighborhood dogs yap or bark when I step out my door. They bark at every school kid that walks past. “Man’s” best friend is left at the end of chain or inside a high fence while the owner goes off to work thinking the dog is happy to be outdoors. Think again. Animals get every bit as lonesome as humans. They bark at anyone passing by. Not because they are protecting their masters by warning you off but because they are happy to have company. Stop and talk to them and watch their tails wag in friendship. No offputting growls for greeting.

There is no question that humankind found the wolf or other wild dog and made it dependent. Through patience and careful genetic attention, humans developed a species of animal for their protection and companionship and frequently a ready food source. Captain Clark of the Lewis & Clark Expedition wouldn’t eat salmon in the Snake river at spawning time. He bought the Indians’ dogs and ate them instead.

Undoubtedly different animals were domesticated by human colonies far removed from each other. Much lore is attributed to early species of dogs that may have occurred when humans first stood upright millions of years past. No matter.

Look at official dog lists and wonder at the specificity of breeds worldwide. Look up and down your street and see the variety of canine creatures. There appears to be no limit. But are those dogs bred and raised with companionship or protection as the top priority? I wonder. For half the day dogs are left confined and lonely. Hugging, tickling and loving the rollicking animal happens for a few minutes. The dog owner is happy to feed and otherwise care for the animal. Is the dog happy? As long as the owners interpret the association in their own way, the relationship is going to continue. And I question the depth of the friendship.

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