October 31, 2004
-
PEOPLE WHO KNOCK ME OUTJane Goodall
(see sidebar for others)Stepping away for a moment from the endless talk of war and killing and greed and fear that is now part of our everyday world thanks to the media and politicians and corporate entities, I’m thinking about the simple, friendly, gentle life of one woman who found her calling early and followed it into graceful old age where she is still working for the health of one species of creature on our doomed planet. I went with my grandchildren a few months ago to see an Imax film of Jane Goodall returning to visit her original site of study in the Gombe Stream Game Reserve on Lake Tanganyika in Africa. There were clips of her walks in the forest as a young woman in her 20′s, and as she walked these same paths in her 60′s you could hardly tell the difference – the same graceful, slender, pretty, pony-tailed woman moving quietly through the trees. Over the years she has married twice, had one child, and devoted her life to raising awareness for wildlife research and conservation. In a little autobiographical piece I have, she says: From the time I was very small I had this love of animals, including insects and all natural life. My mother always supported and encouraged this interest. For example, when my mother found a whole handful of earthworms in bed with me, she didn’t say, “Yuck,” and throw them out. She just said that if I left them there, they’d be dead in the morning. They needed the earth. So I ran with them into the garden.” It’s like parallel worlds – stepping into that garden while somewhere out there bombs are falling on more of this earth and its inhabitants.
Deep Thought: “The tiger can’t change his spots. No, wait, he did! Good for him!
Today I am grateful for: Hartz Help! Stay Off Training Aid and if you don’t know what that is you don’t have pets.
Guess the Movie: “Oh, it’s nobody’s fault but my own! I was looking up… it was the nearest thing to heaven! You were there… ” Answer: An Affair to Remember, 1957.
Winner: thenarrator.
Polls Today: Kerry 283/Bush 246 EVP: “It was bound to happen and it happened. Today we have more state polls than there are states. There are 54 new polls in 22 states today. Furthermore, the lead has changed in five states, and all five changes favor Kerry. As a result, Kerry has now passed Bush in the electoral college. If today’s results are the final results Wednesday morning, John Kerry will be elected as the 44th President of the United States, with 283 votes in the electoral college to George Bush’s 246. But don’t count on it. Many of Kerry’s leads are razor thin. Counting only the strong + weak states, Bush leads 229 to 196, with 113 electoral votes in the tossup category Kerry’s leads in the tossup states mean little to nothing. The turnout Tuesday will determine who wins.”
Don’t forget to set your clocks back. And for god’s sake, vote!
End of Day: 9:13 pm.
+ = Did a little early Xmas shopping.
- = Stitches in my mouth are coming loose and hanging between my teeth like spinach.
Comments (17)
I always admired Jane Goodall very much, and envied her ability to pursue her devotion.
For some reason, I thought she had died in the past year. I’m glad she’s still alive and spreading her message. She’s been a good role model for me as well.
Thank you for bringing life into my room this morning. This is a beautiful tribute to a beautiful woman ………..
I’m embarrassed to think I know this (ultimate chickflick and all), An Affair to Remember? (the real one)
she is an inspiration in her dedication…
I remember reading the National Geographic that introduced her to the public. Then, several years later, my high school biology teacher still told us animals can’t use tools.
An Affair to Remember is right, and guys it’s okay to be sentimental.
she knocks my socks off too. i saw her recently on a Canadian talk show in Vancouver, she was there to lend support to a young man who has been lobbying the gov’t to create more protected space for the Spirit Bears (albino black bears, endangered on the BC coast) – he said he had written to her when he was 13 (i think he’s now in his late teens) for help and she responded personally and has been his mentor ever since…incredible lady, Jane, is.
OK, I have to go look up Spirit Bears now.
I saw her speak in a bookstore a few years ago, downtown Toronto, placed was absolutely packed, and what a gracious, elegant, compassionate, strong, brilliant, beautiful woman! Some people touch you forever…
Thank you for the beautiful reminder of a beautiful woman!
those polls are see-sawing back and forth like crazy! I have to figure out where I can drop my ballot off here in Gresham – any ideas? Would one of the TV websites have that listed?
Livi,
Any local library branch should know. If you don’t know their number you can look it up on the Multnomah County Library website. (Is Gresham in Multnomah County?)
What a nice, feel good blog.
What a nice entry.
SHAMELESS PLUG ALERT – I’m assigning all Kerry supporters a mission for Tuesday on my blog…
a woman on a mission…thanx for the smile…huggs…Sassy
It’s really quite a blessing to think for a moment on the good works of one person and for just a moment forget the upheaval and conflict that seems to be hanging in the air today. Thanks!