Screen porch and a death

When we were thinking about our house one recurring theme kept coming back...

Every action has consequences.

I was recently reminded that as humans we have immense power over other creatures.  Here is the story.

We had a screen porch framed in and did not have a chance to screen it in last fall.  So this spring a goal was to get it done before the black flys started their yearly blood letting.  Well as the days went by and the screen porch was not done a barn swallow pair decided to build a nest.  I thought of encouraging her to build the nest elsewhere, but figured I would not get to the screens before she hatched her young.  Things happened and I managed to get the screens on, but there are no babies yet.  We decided to leave the door off until the babies flew the coop.  Daddy bird soon figured out how to use the door and was doing a very good job, until the other day.  For some reason he came flying in, but was on the opposite side and struck the screen.  I heard the sound and went to investigate and found Daddy Sparrow on the ground dead.  He not only died, but had a little green worm in his mouth.  He must have just caught it as it was still wiggling.  He died trying to feed his family all because of our screens.  Mommy sparrow sat on the nest waiting and today she ventured out.  She has figured out the door and hopefully she can now raise her young as a single parent.  I sure hope mother nature has this one figured out.

So why choose simple living......

Because as humans we have a duty to respect not only each other, but all creatures.  We have to remember that all of our actions have an impact on the earth, even if they are minor actions like building a screen porch.  Whether you believe in a higher power or not we are all connected.  

Which of my actions can I change to make the world a better place.

Namaste