Even though St. Helena is a relatively small town (where everyone knows everyone else’s business) I suspect that only Tom Burke’s family, a few friends and colleagues knew that, before he became a teacher, he seriously considered entering a Catholic seminary in order to become a priest. Obviously, his children and the nearly 1000 ex-students … [Read more…]
“Is it not by his high superfluousness we know Our God? For to equal a need is natural, animal, mineral: but to fling Rainbows over the rain…†The seven-mile-long, one-mile-wide Yosemite Valley arguably contains more extraordinary scenic wonders than any other 7 square mile patch on Planet Earth. Even so, it seems like Mother Nature … [Read more…]
In, The Great Evolution Mystery, Gordon Taylor explains why Darwin’s Theory of evolution does not account for “organs of extreme perfection.†This includes the human eye. Human eyes contain over 100 million cells that all must function in perfect synchrony in order for people to see properly. Although ophthalmologists know much about eyes, it remains … [Read more…]
Excerpt; Biodesign Out For A Walk, chap. 13. “Canyon Visions.†“He snorted, “Jesus! Why in hell are you going there? I know that I’m a bigot, but I read National Geographic. So, after the umpteenth article, I told the wife we better go and see what all the fuss is about. Well, we drove to … [Read more…]
There are many historical references (other than The Holy Bible) that an extraordinary cosmic event happened in the year 02 in Bethlehem. Whether it was an unusual convergence of planets, or some other mysterious cosmic event, it became the greatest epiphany the Earth has ever known. Based on archaeological relics, anthropologists suggest that man’s spiritual … [Read more…]
Although there is some doubt as to the author of the lyrics for “Jesus Christ The Apple Tree,†many musicologists have suggested that they were inspired by the Biblical book; “Song of Solomon,†2:3: “As the apple tree among the trees of the wood, so is my beloved among the sons. I sat down under … [Read more…]
[Feature article in National Geographic Magazine: Dec. 2015] Excerpt: Biodesign Out For A Walk, chap. 2, Looking For A Map. “The Smithsonian Institute and National Geographic Society were selected as curriculum models of study because of their goals of integrating the activities of plants, animals, and humans. Thus, plants, animals, and man became the first … [Read more…]
Excerpt: Biodesign Out For A Walk. On an unscripted whim, I had them close their eyes and asked
 them how many of them had a soul? Every hand shot up.
“Hands down,†I said.
“How’d we vote?†someone asked. 
I answered, “One hundred percent positive. I guess this class has a lot of soul.†“The soul is … [Read more…]
There is a rural legend that domesticated turkeys are so dumb that they will drown themselves while looking up at the rain with their mouths open. The term “birdbrain†emerged from the fact that, compared to humans, bird brains are extremely small. Most birds have pea-sized brains with the largest belonging to parrots. Ostrich brains … [Read more…]
Excerpt: Biodesign Out For A Walk: “NO WONDERLAND WOULD be complete without pygmies and giants, and Mendocino did not disappoint. It may be the only place on our planet that features pygmies and giants in both plant and animal kingdoms. There is still at least one remaining sequoia sempervirens that towers over 350 feet tall, … [Read more…]