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[<eureka AT hctc.net>]

I like the Native American notion that the Earth does not 
belong to us, we belong to it. We have some very large 
oaks here, including one on the national registry across 
the street that is estimated to be over 3,000 years old. I 
think this is why some tribes called trees "keepers of the 
law". I know my oaks "saw" many residents come an go in 
their lifetime...Indians, the pioneer blacksmith, the turn 
of the century preacher, the  early postmaster, the 
modern pharmacist, and now me. It seems ludicrous to 
think I own these trees. They will hopefully be shading 
the next many owners in generations to come. Perhaps they 
look at us like we do our pets--something they take care 
of whose lifespan does not match theirs.

--Sage


On Fri, 10 Oct 2008 12:08:26 EDT
 Bunjov AT aol.com wrote:
> The same concept (notice I didn't say "notion" <g>) has 
> arisen in  recent 
> years with the care of animals - referring to ourselves 
> not as owners,  but as 
> guardians. I am much more comfortable with that 
> terminology. I take  comfort 
> from the feeling that I am smiling down benificently 
> (sp?) on my  critters, 
> rather than viewing them as possessions.
> Sandy
> Mid-Mojave