fathomity photos on Flickr

Ray, people will come Ray. They'll come to Iowa for reasons they can't even fathom. They'll turn up your driveway not knowing for sure why they're doing it. They'll arrive at your door as innocent as children, longing for the past. Of course, we won't mind if you look around, you'll say. It's only $20 per person. They'll pass over the money without even thinking about it: for it is money they have and peace they lack. And they'll walk out to the bleachers; sit in shirtsleeves on a perfect afternoon. They'll find they have reserved seats somewhere along one of the baselines, where they sat when they were children and cheered their heroes. And they'll watch the game and it'll be as if they dipped themselves in magic waters. The memories will be so thick they'll have to brush them away from their faces. People will come Ray. The one constant through all the years, Ray, has been baseball. America has rolled by like an army of steamrollers. It has been erased like a blackboard, rebuilt and erased again. But baseball has marked the time. This field, this game: it's a part of our past, Ray. It reminds of us of all that once was good and it could be again. Oh... people will come Ray. People will most definitely come.

Haggis from Scotland. It was freaking delicious but it will be difficult to fathom the recipe if you get to know. by Sylvianism1

Exotic Feline Rescue Center by Steve Gifford by Steve Gifford

With my parents in town for a few days, we decided to take a road trip to the Exotic Feline Rescue Center in Centerpoint, Indiana. With over 230 big cats on site, the center is one of the largest rescue operations in the country for abused, unwanted and neglected exotic felines. For a donation of $10/person, the center offers personal guided tours of the operation with close-up views and stories behind over 90 of the big cats.

Now, I have been to several zoos before and seen lions and tigers at a distance, but it isn't until you have stood within a couple feet from one of these felines that you can fully appreciate their beauty, size and power. On the 40-minute tour we were able to see cats of every type and size including lions, cougars, lynx, bobcat, cervals, and leopards (including a black one!). While touching the fence or the animals is strictly prohibited, almost all of them are in large enclosures right along the guided path with only a chain link fence separating you and them.

Although seeing these beautiful cats up close was an amazing and unforgettable experience, it was also an eye opener to the sheer number of them that have required rescuing. The stories of individuals that had previously owned these cats and their gradual awareness of their inability to meet the huge cat's needs as they grew struck a common theme throughout the tour. Having seen them up close, I can't fathom trying to raise, feed, exercise and safely contain such large, powerful animals! Fortunately the center has been able to intervene and assist in hundreds of these situations and provide a safe and healthy place for the cats to spend their "retirement."

For more information on the Exotic Feline Rescue Center go to:

www.exoticfelinerescuecenter.org

Santiego de Cuba-580 by Arianna Grainey