Bede



Fore then neidfaerae
naenig uiuurthit
thonc suotturra
than him tharf sie
to ymb hycggannae
aer his hin iongae
huaet his gastae
godaes aeththa yflaes
aefter deothdaege
doemid uueorthae.

Homeless Pigeons

I was walking past La Mirada Park's destruction zone yesterday, and I noticed in the parking lot there were a pair of Band-tailed Pigeons atop a light pole. I've never seen that before.

Today as I passed the park, they were sitting on the traffic signals by the fire station. I've never seen that before, either.

What's the source of their relocation?

They're refugees. They're not alone, either. I saw dozens of bluebirds today, also. The trees they nested in are all gone, leaving a bare and scarred collection of hills. Rather, the trees are all there, they've just been moved into a big pile. I think I caught a hint of sulfur and rotting, too. Saruman?

No. Just the orcs in La Mirada's city council.

Why Getting Married Is Just Plain Better Than Shacking Up

Tomorrow some good friends, Jeffrey and Wendy, are getting married. Weddings have always made me happy, but I think I like them even more after getting married myself. I remember the weeks leading up to the big day. It's exciting; it's fun. Sometimes it's hard; it seems like it'll never actually happen. But it's romantic. You're waiting together. You're counting down the evenings until you can say goodnight without saying good-bye. And the feast is so much better because of the fast that's been leading up to it.

I just can't get excited about some weddings, though. I recently heard about a girl whom I haven't seen since high school. Apparently, she's been living with her boyfriend for a while and they just got engaged. I really can't get very excited about that, for a couple of reasons. First, there's the morality issue, but I want to put that aside. There's something else: it's just not as romantic. They're really missing out! Their engagement period will not--cannot--be the same exciting time of anticipation. Afterall, what exactly is going to change after the wedding? They've already been enjoying the benefits of marriage, without the committment.

But to Jeffrey and Wendy I say: way to go. You've waited a long time, and it's worth the wait. You make me smile. I hope your marriage is full of love and laughter. And I know God will bless you as you continue to seek Him.