Gotta Love Helium!

Well, I certainly haven't been adding much to the blog scene lately. Blame Helium. It is a writing site a friend sent me to last month and it has eaten up my time like a new video game.

It is a place to learn better writing skills and to read and post articles on almost any topic. I have become addicted to yet another Internet site! Yikes!

I recommend it to any of you interested in writing, learning about writing, reading on a variety of topics and doing so on a site that is family friendly. Love it! You can actually earn some accidental money with your submissions too! That isn't why I do it, but it is really a kick to see that some article has already earned $0.50! lol

If you'd like to check out my articles click on the title of this post, the picture with it or on the link to the left. If you like the site let me know. I will send you an invitation and get credit for referring you... Hey! Accidental or not, a penny here and there adds up!

Tomcats and Population Issues

I do believe Spring has sprung here in the deep Southwest! That is not to say we won't have more bad weather, but you can certainly smell the change in the air. The birds are singing and the young tomcat isn't even interested in them. He's 'on the prowl' and it looks like we are headed for the neuter program.

I love having kittens around. They are great fun to watch and as adults, keep the rodents to a minimum, which keeps the snakes away. There is a limit to everything though and conscientious pet ownership requires population control.

The artificial ecosystem we have created by not only domesticating these natural predators, but viewing them as extensions of our selves and family in some ways, has created dire need for external controls. Controls we are responsible for applying. Low cost spay and neuter programs are available in most areas now. These go a long way to prevent increases in the already existing overpopulation with its attendant animal neglect and spread of disease.

If you love your critters, you owe it to them, and all their kind, to make sure they don't breed unless the resulting offspring have purpose or homes before their arrival.

Things that make you go... WHAT THE... !!?

I rarely watch the news anymore. I do try to keep abreast of world trends and check out the major headlines every day or so, but watching too much of the world's insanity in an hour show is more than I can handle. It's no wonder depression is on the increase!

Tonight, there was a story about nasty fights breaking out at high school sporting events. There was a shooting at a field and track competition. One school has started holding games and competitions while school is in session to avoid spectators. Several schools are having to spend upwards of Three Hundred Thousand dollars a year for security alone! This is happening at collage and professional events as well! What on Earth? Have we, as a civilization, sunk so far back into barbarism that we cannot control ourselves and our behavior? And this sporting issue is one small face on the tip of one small iceberg in a vast ocean absolutely full of icebergs...

Looking at history with its repeated rise and fall of civilizations, what is happening seems apparent... Or does it only seem that way because bad times make for good news?

What do you think? Would it be better if the evening news balanced the horror stories with news of breakthroughs and success stories? Are the news channels to blame for rising depression rates and an increase in violence?