Algernon wanted to spend some time thinking about Memorial Day this year because war and death and freedom aren't always easy to understand. So he headed off to Green-Wood Cemetery to visit a friend who could help him out.

The flying buttresses at the entrance to the cemetery made Algernon wonder: can something be beautiful and sad at the same time?

Algernon was quiet as he started up Battle Avenue. Did you know that the first battle fought after the signing of the Declaration of Independence was fought in Brooklyn?

While Algernon was flying towards the Civil War Lot, he tried recalling the different names of the Civil War, but gave up. He was overwhelmed by the number of headstones.

The Civil War Lot was quiet except for the flags flapping by the headstones of people that fought in the war. He thought about the reasons for the Civil War and his favorite line from the Declaration of Independence: "all men are created equal." This raised a big question in his mind: if all men are created equal, then why is there war?

Even though Memorial Day was created to remember people that have died in service to our nation, Algernon couldn't help stopping by the beautiful headstones of everyday people that had died serving other everyday people.

Algernon made his way to the Altar to Liberty to meet his friend. Standing on the altar, lost in thought, he heard a strong but gentle, familiar voice, "Come sit on my shoulder, old friend." Algernon smiled and flew up to perch on Minerva.

"If all men are created equal, then why is there war, Minerva?" The Goddess of Wisdom spoke softly and kindly, "No matter the time or place, war is never easy to understand. But friendship is. War happens because people forget their commonality with one another. Friendship is remembering our commonality with one another. War happens because people forget their equality with one another. Friendship is remembering our equality with one another. War happens because we allow our differences to divide us. Friendship is remembering that our differences enrich us."

Did you know that Minerva salutes and faces her friend, The Statue of Liberty? Did you know that The Statue of Liberty was a gift from France to America and that the two nations were called "sisters?"

As Algernon paused to reflect on Minerva's words, a simple theory distilled in his heart:

if time and distance come between friends, nothing can separate them if they keep each other in sight and remember to wave.

Watching visitors of the deceased arrive at the cemetery helped him realize that friendship and love transcend time and space. Remembering others that serve the Greater Good will always be important.

And that's why on his way out, Algernon stopped at the entrance gate to make friends with some feral monks: the parrots of Green-Wood Cemetery.

Green-Wood Cemetery
500 25th Street
Brooklyn, NY 11232
718-768-7300
www.green-wood.com

Magnus took some time off this weekend to heat up his blood (the Brooklyn winter chilled him), open his mind (even he has to brain-dump), and reconnect with an old friend, Silas Savoye, in La Jolla.

Silas suggested they meet at the tree in front of the Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego, just beneath the Nancy Rubin sculpture.

From there they met up with a local that gave them the dish on the recent developments of the beach they were visiting: Seal Beach / Children's Pool Beach. Apparently, the seal-folk and the people-folk seem to be sparring for beach usage.

But before they got too involved in the political/environmental discussion, they debated whether Dorthy & Co were simply in California instead of Oz. "Si, you have to recant! She was surrounded by the state flower!" Magnus interjected. The fact Silas couldn't see Magnus all that well added to the heat of the debate.

They headed to the seaside next. Magnus hovered a bit, mesmerized by intensity of the algae. "This is fascinating Chlorobionta" he said. "You mean rock fur?" Silas mumbled under his breath.

Did you know that Native Americans called this area "Land of the Holes"?

Magnus said flying the coast with the pelicans was a rush!

After a number of spins with the pelicans, Magnus was completely surprised when Silas got melancholy when they landed near some sandstone graffiti. Silas warbled on and on about "Ashley" and that "the rumors must be true." Magnus was quick to do the math and decided to stand by his friend in silence so that Si could have his moment. That's what friends do. He would ask about the graffiti later.

Finally, Silas shook off the sad. They plunged their heads into a nearby shallow pool and dared each other to stick their beaks into the anemones. "Whoever can't spell it goes first," Magnus suggested.

They spent the next few hours talking about school days, road trips, and past crushes. When Silas told Magnus Ashley had feelings for him years ago, Magnus fell out of the tree. "Man can't take a joke," Silas sighed to himself.

Finally, they spent some time with the seals and got the details on the controversy of the Seal Beach/Children's Pool Beach. Apparently, the seals simply want some space to lay and the local human-folk are having a hard time allowing it. It's to the point that people have been seen throwing rocks at the seals, trying to get them to leave. "My pup was hit on the noggin," one she-seal shared. Both Magnus and Silas felt their feathers fluster at the thought. They told her they would happily offer their "white-wash" services on some oblivious, nearby humans.

Evening crept in and the friends looked at the sinking sun. "I better get going," Magnus said. "Why don't you come back with me and join up with The Jolly Troop?" "Sounds tempting and like a good offer," said Silas. "Can I think about it and let you know?" "Can you spell anemone yet?" They laughed a bit more and Magnus took off, leaving Silas with some good thoughts to stew on.