Each spring for the past three years, the Lauritzen Gardens (the local Omaha botanical garden) has had one of their many special exhibits in its exhibit space from about mid-January until about mid-May. It’s an exhibit I have come to look for and went to several times last year (the first year we were “Members” of the gardens) and I am looking forward to going again this year (probably more than once). That exhibit is entitled “Nature Connects: Art With LEGO® Bricks,” and consists of a number of assorted objects (mostly animals) created completely from Legos. It’s definitely something to see.
Of course, Bonnie and I have been fans of Legos for quite a while as can be seen (not terribly well) in this picture of the greatest part of our Harry Potter Assembled collection.
Of course, Bonnie and I have been fans of Legos for quite a while as can be seen (not terribly well) in this picture of the greatest part of our Harry Potter Assembled collection.
As you can see, it covers the entire top and six shelves inside the cabinetry, and the Durmstrang ship even spills over onto the stool next to the cabinet. And, that’s not the entirety of the collection. We still have at least five boxes of Harry Potter Legos which are still in their boxes because we have no place to display three more versions of Hogwarts and a couple of other things. Okay, we’re Harry Potter nuts, but our Lego collection is a part of that.
Anyway, the point is that we’ve never gotten too adventurous with Legos, but some people have and come up with some really neat things. For example, from last year, I rather liked the sundial.
Anyway, the point is that we’ve never gotten too adventurous with Legos, but some people have and come up with some really neat things. For example, from last year, I rather liked the sundial.
I liked the Mama duck with her ducklings.
The Monarch butterfly really impressed me quite a lot.
But the Pilated Woodpecker reminded me of North Carolina,
which wasn’t a bad thing, even if I haven’t seen any of them around here. But, I may have enjoyed the birds and squirrels along the fence the most.
Okay, the flowers and plants are real, but the fence, the birds, the squirrels, even the birdseed in the feeder are Legos. That’s what I like about those little plastic blocks, they can be made into almost anything. But, I think the thing I enjoy the most about Legos is that they remind me of interconnectedness.
That is, the idea that each of us is connected to each other and to all of the universe. I think that’s at least a part of what I was talking about in my post #79 when I made reference to the idea that virtually all religions espouse, essentially, the same values, they just express them in (often very slightly) different ways. So, you see, as I said there, my problem isn’t with religious values, just with the sense of exclusivity that seems to be a part of religious organizations.
I believe that we are all connected to each other and to the Universe as a whole. I really don’t care what you call this connection. Personally, I rather like the idea of “The Force” as described by Obi-Wan Kenobi. “It's an energy field created by all living things. It surrounds us and penetrates us; it binds the galaxy together.”
You see, I don’t really care what someone says they believe; but I care very much about what they do. AS Yoda said, “Do or do not. There is no try.” I suspect that that is why I find it hard to support any specific belief system; I don’t think the system is very important compared to behavior. I’ve known a lot of people who profess to a variety of different religions, but far more important to me has been their behavior. Are they kind to others? Do they treat everyone with respect? Do they actually listen to others ideas? Do they try to see the truth of actual (as opposed to “alternative”) facts, even when the facts contradict what they would like to believe? Do they think that it’s their right to force their beliefs on others, or do they respect other people’s right to have a differing opinion. Some of these behaviors bring us together; some force us apart. I like Legos; I like “connectedness;” I like the idea that together we can make a better world. I don’t think that’s going to be the end result of behaviors which are designed to keep us separate.
LLAP
That is, the idea that each of us is connected to each other and to all of the universe. I think that’s at least a part of what I was talking about in my post #79 when I made reference to the idea that virtually all religions espouse, essentially, the same values, they just express them in (often very slightly) different ways. So, you see, as I said there, my problem isn’t with religious values, just with the sense of exclusivity that seems to be a part of religious organizations.
I believe that we are all connected to each other and to the Universe as a whole. I really don’t care what you call this connection. Personally, I rather like the idea of “The Force” as described by Obi-Wan Kenobi. “It's an energy field created by all living things. It surrounds us and penetrates us; it binds the galaxy together.”
You see, I don’t really care what someone says they believe; but I care very much about what they do. AS Yoda said, “Do or do not. There is no try.” I suspect that that is why I find it hard to support any specific belief system; I don’t think the system is very important compared to behavior. I’ve known a lot of people who profess to a variety of different religions, but far more important to me has been their behavior. Are they kind to others? Do they treat everyone with respect? Do they actually listen to others ideas? Do they try to see the truth of actual (as opposed to “alternative”) facts, even when the facts contradict what they would like to believe? Do they think that it’s their right to force their beliefs on others, or do they respect other people’s right to have a differing opinion. Some of these behaviors bring us together; some force us apart. I like Legos; I like “connectedness;” I like the idea that together we can make a better world. I don’t think that’s going to be the end result of behaviors which are designed to keep us separate.
LLAP
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