francene--blog. Year 2013
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Dec 10th

12/10/2013

 
Pictureblogs.independent.co.uk
A panel of experts has found that changes are needed to improve the treatment of laboratory animals at one of the UK's leading animal research centers, the Imperial Collage. The report boiled down to the need for more communication between animal care staff and scientists, who failed to work together efficiently to prevent animal suffering.

It breaks my heart to hear about the needless agony of animals. I'd do away with all such experiments if I could. Just Google 'animal experimentation' images to see the horror of it all.

Around the world, people are still fighting wars, taking others into slavery, abusing children, suffering injustice, fleeing from their country to seek refuge elsewhere, preying on others, and committing crimes.

What can a person who is lucky enough to be living free do about changing the social circumstances in a foreign country? As far as I can see, we can only offer sympathy to those who are oppressed and concentrate on our immediate surroundings. As in: Love thy neighbor.

Gone is the time when I could have made a difference. Only my writing will endure. Even that's not certain. The cloud could vanish along with technology and paperbacks could be swept away in a flood. The end of the year when I've blogged every day is drawing to a close. At the moment, I'm undecided about carrying on with a daily blog of views on news.

But I've lived a glorious life.


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As an Australian teenager in the 50s, I watched spellbound while Elvis Presley sang about the warden throwing a party in a county jail in America. Even prisoners could break free to sing and dance in the jailhouse. Teenagers everywhere stepped out of their social constrictions and became a driving force to change social order from the strict moral code. From then on, youth took on importance.

I've travelled in a luxury caravan with my family around Australia in the 70s, looking for a perfect spot to live 'back to the earth' and found what I sought at my own front door. I've lived an artistic life-style, branched out on my own, travelled the world, moved to England and settled in a small cottage overlooking a field. Even now in the pink morning mist, paddocks sweep up to tree-covered hillsides and horsed graze in peace.
Hard times and good blend in my memory to make the perfect concoction.

What assessment can you make of your life?


Peggy Nolan link
12/9/2013 08:47:23 pm

Hi Francine,

Blogging every day for a year - I am impressed! But even more so because the quality of your posts are always top notch. I don't know if I could blog about the news, though. I gave it up except for what I deemed necessary for me to stay on top of things. It's depressing. But you weave a lyric of hope in your posts, along with a melody of nostalgia. Thank you!

Francene Stanley link
12/9/2013 09:12:33 pm

Thank you for your perceptive comments, Peggy. I try to find news items that we can learn from--if I can. As you say, there is much on the news that lowers our spirit.

Catherine James link
12/9/2013 08:54:01 pm

Glad you were able to find the perfect spot to live, we'll be looking for our in the not to distant future.

Francene Stanley link
12/9/2013 09:16:35 pm

I wish you the best of luck. The world is becoming more crowded, but there are still perfect spaces left for those who seek them.

Roy A. Ackerman, PhD, EA @cerebrations.biz link
12/10/2013 05:01:14 am

First, the fact that one lab abuses (or doesn't properly treat) its animals does not make the rest of us a problem. Far from it. The fact that folks may abuse their kids or their neighbors does not mean we all can't have kids or neighbors....
And, I am positive that I have made significant improvements to this world- and plan to keep doing so as long as I am around.

Francene Stanley link
12/10/2013 06:44:47 pm

Love those positive thoughts, Roy.

Alana link
12/10/2013 07:11:02 am

I have thought a lot, in the last couple of years, as my best friend battles a cancer with a low survival rate, about "what purpose has my life served?" Unfortunately, writing a 50,000 word memoir 1st draft didn't answer that question. When I look at the lives of some famous men, though - Nelson Mandela, Gandhi and other - I do see how one person can make a difference. Francene, I hope you do continue to blog - I enjoy your writing and your spirit.

Francene Stanley link
12/10/2013 06:46:55 pm

Perhaps our purpose is to fulfil our potential. I'm sure you've done that. We can't all be amongst the great ones, but we can do our best. Thanks for the support.

Dannie Wallace link
12/10/2013 01:15:07 pm

What assessment can you make of your life?
Well loads really i survived so much in 30 years living on the streets blogging dancing now selling my spices and hers .My love for cooking is getting there too LOL great post x

Francene Stanley link
12/10/2013 06:47:57 pm

You have a great story to tell. I hope you do one day.


Comments are closed.

    Author

    Francene Stanley, author of many published novels. If you like my writing, why not consider purchasing one of my books? You'll see them on the sidebar below.
    Born in Australia, I moved to Britain half way through my long life.

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