Restoration @ MindSay

   Court for custody of my son is just right around the corner.  Court is Jan. 15, 2008.  As a result of my drug use when I was younger my son was placed in the care of his Grandma in law's custody.  Well every since I go sober I have been doing what it takes to get custody back.  And it has came down to it that she (My son's Grandma) has made the statement that she wants me to raise my own son.  But when it comes down to it I know in my heart she really doesn't!  She has strung me along and it is time to get down and dirty in the truth. 

    I would like for all mindsayers that believe in prayer (As I do)  to pray that the truth come out in court and to give me wisdom concerning my words when I am to appear in front of the judge.  I really appreciate all of your prayers in advance.  I know that alot of you all believe and know that the power of prayer is powerful!!  And I hope everyone has a wonderful weekend!!

Signed,

Family being Restored

Watch how our 1850 friend, Bernice, transforms before your very eyes into brilliant 21st century color!

The first image was painted using filters from Photoshop.  The color was a bit too high chroma, so I fussed with a few other filters to make Bernice look like she's under a glass frame, tweaked the gamma a bit, and even added a painted background to make her image look more authentic, like she was sitting in a portrait studio.  Then added texture to the frame part to make it look like old canvas, blurred that, then projected that lens flare again.  The last image is the black and white jpg I found online.  Makes me wonder what the original photo looked like, and what colors Bernice actually wore.  I guessed her outfit to be in jewel tones, popular for the period.  I gave her the name Bernice because she looks like someone who is normally dull looking and doesn't get dressed up that often, except for a picture.  I'm also guessing that she was she moved to the U.S. from Britian and this photo was her way to send word to her folks that her life as a schoolmistress is going well, but no husband yet...

Now Bernice looks like her picture was taken just yesterday.   

GREETINGS TO ALL:

When someone blesses you in a way that makes you feel restored, I believe that you feel God's indelible smile casting down upon yur once weary soul.  That is how I feel today and that is how I will feel tomorrow.  My faith in myself has been restored.  I feel the love of people and I know it is indicitive of God's love. 

I like to talk about positive things because I believe it promotes healing.  Positive things begat positive things.  To all that believe positive thinking is healthy will have a long and healthy life ahead of them. 

It is true that there is negativism all around us but how can we be responsible and accountable for turning things around for a positive influence.  For example, if your tire goes flat at an inopportune time, take time to reflect on the goodness of your life.  Look at what is good and be thankful.  I know easier said then done and so is life.  We live each moment not knowing what the next moment is going to bring.  It is easier said than don because all of us have to make an effort to think positive thoughts around negative thoughts.  i am in the same boat as everyone else.  I am just starting to use my oars rather than continuously being a victim of every circumstance that does not go my way.  Chose your reaction to create a positive action.  Change what you do not like about someone or change the way you think about someone.  It is contagious and allows for freedom within your soul. 

Dare to dream your dreams and live your life to your fullest potential and continue to strive for only your best.  Keep improving on your improvements and life will never bore you.  Keep your head above water and you will never drown.  If the water starts to rise then it is time to swim for survival my friend.  Take the swimming lessons to life's happiness. 

Keep the faith in life and find out what makes you happy and tap into your

restoration and just believe. 

Peace be unto you all!

Your Friend

One of the more foreign aspects of ecological restoration is the destruction sometimes involved in order to fix a broken situation.  I spent last week doing a bit of that constructive destrution.  I'm not sure how many milliions of plants we killed, but it is all part of returning the land to its former glory.  Since the removal of wild fire from the natural ecosystem, lands that were once a rich grassland and savanah are now choked with brush.

In order to remove the brush, one of several options must be employed.  The best choice is fire, but if there isn't enough fine fuel (ie grass) still growing under the brush that becomes no longer a viable option.  Another choice is to go in with a herbicide.  I don't really consider this to be a good choice, due to the enviromental toxicity of the herbicides.  The last method of clearing is using heavy metal. 

This particular hunk of metal grinds the brush into a mulch which will protect the soil over the winter.  When spring time rolls around we will go to the next step of this restoration projet which is planting native grasses and forbs.  With a little luck and some rain this area should soon be back to same condition it was in precolumbian times.