West Virginia Bridge (for 14 October 09)

This is Amorella. Autumn in the Appalachians with a bridge built by human minds. Are the colors of the trees as natural as the bridge? Orndorff, what do you think?

I consider planned architecture, most of it anyway, as an art form. Design is an art form. In the eighties, we used to have an argument in the faculty room as to whether the schematic of an atomic bomb is a work of art. I say it is, but not everyone agreed for reasons quite obvious. A weapon of mass destruction should not be considered a work of art. The ‘should’ denotes a moral issue is involved, at least in my mind.

Still, a schematic of a bomb is not an actual bomb. As some have said, ‘Beauty is in the eye of the beholder’. However, when applied to Keats’ “Truth is beauty, beauty is truth,” line of poetry, then both the schematic and the bomb are a form of reality, and since truth is what’s real, then  both the schematic and the bomb are beautiful. In context though John Keats was not writing about an atomic bomb. Okay, I am off topic.

Anything built by human beings is natural in looking at the ‘whole’ of things. Usually though some people put ‘unnatural’ in view of acts or even works of art because if they appear ‘unnatural’ then they must be the devil’s work.

Debating moral issues is about as natural for a human being than whatever else sheorhe does. The human body is a work of art, though people easily conclude that every human body is not an art form.

Should the bridge in the photo have been built across such a scenic area? Environmentalist will differ I am sure. However, if human beings feel the need a road and are satisfied the need is justified, they will build it, bridge and all. Trees and vegetation have to adapt, and so do we.

Do you feel you are adapting to the twenty-first century or are you still back in the twentieth?

You mean me, individually, right?

Whom else would I mean?

I adapt. What else can I do? Things happen and I respond to them. I was a Boy and Explorer Scout. I make preparations for contingencies. I assume most people do. I have a lawn mower. The grass grows. I mow the lawn. I make plans, like for our trip to the Virginia mountains and then to Washington, DC for this upcoming weekend. I try to write these postings one day ahead. When we get busy and/or I tire out then I may miss a day. Do you have a suggestion?

You are apprehensive that if you don’t send in a posting every day your few readers will stop reading.

It has entered my mind but I don’t see any reason to mention it here. My writing everyday probably has more to do with my compulsive behavior than anything else.

Let’s leave it this way, orndorff. If you have the time you write. If it interferes with your enjoyment with wife and friends, we’ll let it go for a day or two. My rules. – Amorella.

This sounds reasonable and polite too. I can go with it.

Good. Post this one now as your friends from Arizona will soon be arriving.