Wednesday, July 25, 2018

The Chain of Being



'The great chain of being' - this is what they call the hierarchical life structure  of humans, animals, plants. Humans on top, plants at the bottom, animals in the middle. Humans (except those with disabilities) can take care of themselves; not so animals, and certainly not plants.

I often think about that on my way to shopping at one of our local grocery stores, located on the edge of the town. To get there, I have to pass by a small park, a tiny garden for dogs, and a  bed of various flowers.

The park is for humans of all ages ; it has metal benches to sit on,  two  wooden tables and benches for picnics, gym devices, a water facility, tree shade (  across the street there's a children's playground too).

the park with the things enumerated above

gym devices

people with disabilities on wheelchairs and their caregivers in the park

two girls and a doggy

guy with dog on his way to the dog garden

Further on, a tiny dog garden. It is for dogs and their owners only. There's sand, playing devices for the dogs, a bench for the owners,  a water facility, a box with poop bags, fence . It is the owner who cares for his dog's various needs: gives it water, washes it, plays with it.. He's supposed to collect the poop, but not all of the dog owners do that. There was brown feces in several spots of the sand.

the little dog garden


dog between the fence and the water facility

box with poop bags

Nearby, there's a  beautiful  bed of flowers.
That's how I love the flowers, in their bed, not in our vases. The sight is, sometimes, pitiful. The spot , at the corner of the street, does have a water system, but I don't know how often it's operated by the gardener of the municipality. We won't have rain until winter, and the flowers need water. I hope they won't be  the little orphans in the great chain of being.


flower bed at the corner of the street


46 comments:

  1. I enjoyed a walk through the park with you and hope those flowers get some water soon.

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    1. Several years ago, I spent a lot of time on the gym devices in this park after having had a terrible fall on my right shoulder. It did wonders for my shoulder; no sign, even on the ultrasound, of any past injury.

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  2. You mean you don't have rain at all till winter?
    We often have dry summers, without any rain for a month, but not for whole seasons. You are probably dreaming then of English gardens which get rain every afternoon and are thus lush green and rich.

    Do you have any dogs or cats? How interesting that your city has a special park just for dogs... Dog life is sometimes better than the human one :)

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    1. Indeed. Usually no rain until end of fall, beginning of winter. We are, however, good at water desalinization, so we manage quite well; at least so far.
      I had dogs/cats in the past. I gave it up. As I advance in age I need all the energy I can get for my own well being; matter of priorities.
      You may say that again - dog life being sometimes better than the human one.

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    2. PS forgot to tell you that your president is today in state visit to our country :) Hope he doesn't puke when he meets the evil, manipulative idiot of our own president!

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    3. Thanks for the info. I didn't know about that as I hardly follow the political news (Yes, I detest politics and politicians).

      Unfortunately, we have daily military incidents at the borders that capture the headlines and my attention.

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  3. I am not sure that I agree with the hierarchical system of people up top, animals in the middle, and plants down below....maybe in an urban environment it applies, but here in the country, in the wildness of nature, I think that animals and plants have the upper hand, and us humans struggle along underneath!

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    1. Well, that's how it is more or less in the urban environment. In the wilderness, it's the animals that reign. (and I'm not talking of extreme cases as in Chernobyl, where animals are taking over former urban areas).

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  4. I love this park and your trip thru it on the post, as you describe the chain of being. The park has a sense of things in balance, all on a "human" scale, and with all ages. And people sitting or playing, not on cell phones (as far as we can see in the pics and post!)...in the shade of trees...It reminds me of a scene in the book of Zechariah when God will return to Zion and dwell in the midst of Jerusalem.
    I love this scene and this day to come, where "Once again men and old women will sit in the streets of Jerusalem, each with his staff in his hand because of his age. The streets of the city will be full of boys and girls playing in its streets." --Zechariah 8' 3~5
    There is such a pure simplicity to this "future" day, and something about your post, and that the park is in Israel, made me recall those words and scene. Hope the rain will water the flowers and wishing you a blessed week!!

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    1. Your description is accurate. The little park offers a sense of 'things in balance'.
      Even those people on wheelchairs, who made it their permanent spot for gathering and fun - are an integral part of that much needed balance.

      Your reminder of the scene in the book of Zecharia, is very relevant. Thanks.

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    2. A park is always a good thing for people of all ages to enjoy.

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    3. Right. Everywhere in the world, parks are for the benefit of all people wishing to enjoy a beautiful, green space with good air, and helpful facilities.

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  5. I would guess with no rain, it is hard to maintain all the green and color in the summer.

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    1. Very hard, indeed. As I've already mentioned, we manage by using water desalinization and very sophisticated irrigation systems. So, people are able to keep some nice gardens,and public gardens get their water under the supervision of the municipality people that deal with these matters.

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  6. The park is inviting, the trees amazing... The trunks are twisted! What are they?

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    1. The trees are probably sprayed against bugs too, as I don't remember getting bitten here. Besides, there are people with disabilities that like to come to this place, so one doesn't want to add misery to their already handicapped life..
      The trees are indeed very beautiful.

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  7. It looks like a wonderful park, one that caters to all.

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    1. You've just said it: it "caters to all": young and old, able and disabled, rich and poor. Free access , free use of sports devices. There's a big sign at the 2-3 entrances with Do's and Dont's, and people more or less, respect the instructions. After all, it's for their own good.

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  8. That looks like a great place to take your dog. Such beautiful tree's.

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    1. Yes, it is a bit of a paradise for the dogs - both a nice park with people, and a few meters away, a special little garden only for them and their owners.

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  9. I always enjoy your photos. They tell me a story and your words clarify, of course, but I so enjoy the people and surroundings you share with us. I too hope those lovely flowers stay healthy and beautiful. The ground looks moist.

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    1. Thank you. I wish I was better at taking photos, bu it takes some learning and I'm lazy.
      The flower spot is too pretty to lose it; I hope those in charge of it are aware of that.

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  10. I,too, prefer flowers growing and blooming freely in gardens, than in vases. I thought I was the only one who thought that way. :)

    Your photos portray a happy, peaceful place...atmosphere.

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    1. Freedom, independance - not only to humans, also to plants and flowers. Let them grow and be happy in the soil! We can enjoy their beauty without cutting them off from their natural environment.

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  11. I love that tree in the background with crooked limbs! It is a very nice park. Good to see all the people and dogs enjoying it. Yes pretty but pitiful flowers

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    1. It's a small but cozy spot; one doesn't getlost here. The trees are beautiful, offer the right amount of shade. The sports devices in the center, are a very practical attraction.

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  12. Things are so much more relaxed in summer!
    Here was call it the 'cycle of life!'

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    1. All living things (humans, animals, plants) have a life cycle. Stages commom to all are: birth, growth, reproduction, death.

      Yes, things are definitely more relaxed in summer,in fact too relaxed. The scorching heat of July-August turns us into lazy creatures.

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  13. Not all parks cater for all … so it was so good to see this park with all that it offers for all to enjoy. It' so important!

    I thought the flowers so colourful, so do hope they get watered and looked after.

    All the best Jan

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    1. Indeed. This little park is great: it offers a recreation spot to disabled people on one hand, and sports devices to all the others, on the other hand.

      The tiny, colorful flowers if looked after are a fascinating sight.

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  14. I agree with you, Duta, I like flowers in their beds too!
    This is a great little park, something for everyone. I retired from a social service agency for people with disabilities and know how much they like to be out and about in areas such as this.
    The trees in the second pic are unique, none of them around here for sure. They're limbs look interesting and it looks like the bark is white. The dog looks like he could use a friend to pal with. Good post!
    I'm back to blogging, couldn't stay away! :-)

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    1. Glad you're back to blogging,(and for all the good reasons).You're very observant; you were quick to notice the special shape of the trees and the dog in need of a friend.

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  15. Such a beautiful garden. So colorful! Wishing you a wonderful week.

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    1. The great thing about it, is its compactness and availability to all.
      Have a wonderful week too!

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  16. Bom dia, o parque de lazer é convidativo pela beleza e no que se pose apreciar, por exemplo as árvores com troncos torcidos que causa mais sombra, as fotos partilhadas estão perfeitas.
    Continuação de feliz semana,
    AG

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    1. I'm glad you liked my photos in general and those of the park with its lovely trees in particular. Thank you.

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  17. Beautiful garden to spend our time. It has ample space for everything. All the people can enjoy their time in the park:)

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    1. The 'green spaces' we keep talking about are not just words; they are a real 'Must Have' for all of us - for all three components of the big chain of living : humans, animals, plants.

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  18. That looks like a beautiful place to spend some time. Everyone needs a place to spend time.
    Jilda and I live in a rural area in Alabama and there are no parks around here but we’ve made our own little green space.
    We have about 12 acres of wooded space and we’ve created walking paths through the heart of the space.
    I feel taller after our nature walks.

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    1. To paraphrase your words: everyone needs some green spot (green lung in an urban area) to spend some time.
      You and Jilda are very lucky to have your own little green space.

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  19. its so nice to visit parks and see how everyone is enjoying them! they are so important in urban areas because nature is the best way to relax!

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    1. Very true, especially in hot, arid countries like the one I live. "Green Lungs" we call these little parks in urban areas.

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  20. Just this Sunday my mom and I stopped at Walmart on the way home to pick up bread and milk and outside of the store they had a display of beautiful Orchids in pots. It was 104 degrees and you could see them dropping from the heat and lack of water and my heart ached for them. I approached one of the workers in the store and asked him to see if he could get them watered, he said he would let that department know.

    On the way out I spotted a man with one in his shopping cart and I thanked him for saving that one from the heat, he said "I know, isn't it horrible that they are letting those little beauties die of thirst? I'm going to go find someone to come out and water them." It was nice to find a kindred spirit and we have one in you too.

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    1. "..those little beauties die of thirst..". Sounds like a real nice man!
      I suppose during summer it rarely rains in California, and that's a big problem. We have no rain at all in summer, and have to rely on water that comes from desalinization of sea water. Not simple, and not cheap.

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  21. Replies
    1. One is compelled to stop and have a look at all this loveliness.

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