That isn't to say I haven't had a great deal of help through the years which has been a godsend to me, to say nothing of the tips provided through the years by those who are infinitely more talented than I. I have depended on the various image, tube, and artwork resources in addition to my trusty scanner to provide the material from which I have created what you see on this site.

I have never used the 'No Right Click' function on my site as I am more than willing to share my graphic work with my visitors if any of it is of use to them. My writing is my real interest in any case. The graphics are my playthings. I am not a designer and do not consider my work to be of a standard where I would ever attempt to sell any of my work. The ones who are talented designers deserve every consideration for the many, many hours of work they expend to provide beauty for others. They deserve to be well paid for their efforts.

However, this page is very special to me and the 'NO Right Click' function has been added to protect the work of the superbly talented artist whose work you see displayed here. She was even kind enough to allow me to add my own touches using her graphics. I only hope I have done them justice.

Why is this page special to me ? Its really quite simple. If you have read very many of my pages you know how concerned I am about the division and rancour amongst our people. Both in the U.S. and here in Canada. The political and social issue differences have been used as tools for dividing us from one another by those who would use this division to assist them in achieving their political aims, breeding mistrust and yes, even hatred between us. In my opinion this has created a chasm across which at times it seems to be impossible to navigate. The harm this has done to our peoples and their well being is still to be fully understood or recognized. This concerns me greatly. We are all decent God fearing people who work together much better when united as one to meet the obstacles and threats we face today. Communication among us is an imperative if our nations are to survive in this perilous time.

Reaching out to one another is the only answer. In finding common ground and achieving understanding no matter what belief system we may embrace, we will only become infinitely stronger. We most assuredly don't need to agree in every instance. We all, in the final analysis, believe in the One Supreme Being and if we are to follow His teachings there is no other way.

In humility we must all remember that we are all flawed. We all make bad judgments. We all make decisions in haste, ignorance, and confusion. We all have made bad decisions based not on moral reflection, but on the basis of emotions such as fear and despair. We are all mortal and as such will falter at times and live to regret our actions. The key to unity is understanding this and reaching out to those from whom they would divide us. In doing so we can, and I believe will, achieve harmony and accord..

Knowing how outspoken I have been on my site in recent years I approached this artist with some trepidation as to whether or not she would care to do business with me. I should have paid more heed to the name of her site for surely she lives her faith in exemplary fashion. Without hesitation she agreed to allow me to use her graphics and even to modify where I deemed it necessary to obtain the result I was seeking for the page. Her gracious approval and generosity went a long way toward restoring my faith that there is hope for the unity I so desire to see in my lifetime among our peoples.

Allow me to share with you something I read and saved in my files several years ago although I unfortunately neglected to record the author's name. "In the midst of global crises such as pollution, wars and famine, kindness may too easily be dismissed as a "soft issue" or a luxury to be addressed after the urgent problems are solved. But kindness is the greatest need in all those areas … toward the environment, toward other nations, toward the needs of people who are suffering. Until we reflect kindness in everything we do, our political gestures will be fleeting and fragile. Simple kindness may be the most vital key to the riddle of how we human beings can live with each other in peace, and care properly for this planet we all share."

Perhaps it is just possible the politics of today are not as destructive a force after all when confronted with the basic goodness of our people. Martin Luther King is associated in everyone's mind with the phrase " We Shall Overcome". I venture to suggest we would be well advised to set that as our goal in the days to come.