"I turned 140 Million and 16 on June 1st," said Stegosaurus. "Another birthday !!! I am going to keep having birthdays I think until meteors fall from the sky !! I have heard that there is something particularly sweet about the number 16, and I'm not sure what that is; next time I see a mammal I'll have to ask. I settled on yet another cake to celebrate my birthday. When I told my friend Congresssaurus Triceratops, he said to me,

"Friend Stegosaurus, I would be glad to come visit you upon the occasion of your birthday. I think of all the things I have accomplished, having the largest head of any land animal that has ever existed on earth; having 800 teeth; being among the first animals in creation to eat grass; surviving battles with Tyrannosaurus Rex; serving in Government over several millennia and in different places..... Of all things in all places I have had the occasion to stomp forthrightly, I am most proud of the friendships I have cultivated. Yours amongst them. In my retirement as I cultivate plants I deal with the public and cultivate more friendships, but it is the longest and oldest I value most."

"Thank you for such kind sentiment," said Stegosaurus. "What a nice thing to say. I'll have to think of something nice to say about you when it is your birthday."

"I see you have a cake here as you did last time I visited," said Congresssaurus Triceratops.

"Yes, as I have observed in the past, cakes are a mammal tradition on birthdays. Pies are far superior, but it is generally accepted that cakes are the birthday tradition. How goes your retirement?"

"We're just getting underway wtih the greenery", said Congressauurus Triceratops.

"Steve Beavers and I are still working on hybrid vegetables. No success yet, but we are determined to succeed. I am assured it will be more successful than extracting sunlight from cucumbers."

"No doubt," said Stegosaurus. "Stick with Steve, he's one smart mammal and he will figure it out."

After we had finished cake, we both went in search of aloe plants and lavender to eat for dessert. It was a very pleasant and relaxing birthday. I hope you have as nice a birthday when you are 140 Million and 16. I am truly blessed, and I encourage you all, with the wisdom of all my millions of years, to try always and keep a sunny and cheerful disposition. When problems arise, seek for a way to make them your stepping stone, and turn adversity to your advantage. With this mindset you can more readily see opportunity as it arises, and you will find that you will have much more success in life. Your success should be in the manner that you cultiviate and maintain your friendships, not just about acccumulating posessions. A large part of happiness comes from the gratitude you have for the things you already posess, not in the seeking of things for the sake of owning them. The more you give, the more you will have; and this is all that you can take with you through the end of your days.

"You are feeling very philiosophical," observed Congressaruus Triceratops.

"Being 140 Million and 16 can make a dinosaur very reflective," replied Stegosaurus. "Here, let me share some aloe plants with you."

Stegosaurus 140 Million Year Challenge

140 Million Years Ago                         Today

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"When I had returned to my cave in Colorado from Vermont, I was again glad to take my rest. As I rested with a calming meal of aloe plants, I began to dream about the day that I would evolve. Since my hips are already bird - shaped, I know I am likely to evolve into a bird at some point, ( though I am disappointed that I have not yet been discovered with feathers like some of my contemporaries and not contemporaries.) Sometimes it is frustrating, but it can also be pleasant to dream of the future," said Stegosaurus.

"Sometimes I think it would be nice to evolve into a Red Tailed Hawk. I would have a large range; throughout most of North America including Canada. I would thrive well in deserts, in grasslands such as prairies and / or meadows; as I am now I would be at home in forests ( I think living on the edge of deep, dark old forests is really an ideal situation), farmer's fields, and even the urban areas where the mammals live. I would not live too deep into the arctic areas, but that's okay; I don't do that now. The only problem with this situation is my diet. I would become a bird of prey eating mammals / rodents and sometimes chickens. After 140 million and 15 years I am well adjusted to eating plants. Roots and trees. I even have a degree in horticulture consumption, which would be useless if I started eating chickens".

"So I thought some more. What if I were to evolve into a hummingbird ?? I have watched them from time to time and they are always so bright and colourful; they look so cheerful as they busily zip about hither and yon extracting nectar from flowers. When I have visited the State of California I have seen a particular type of Hummingbird I'd like to evolve into called Anna's Hummingbird. Named after a mammal known as Anne Debelle, Princesse d'Essling. ( 1802 ~ 1887 ) . I would primarily live on the West Coast of the United States, in Southern California or Baja. The mammals have worked hard though to plant ornamental flowers that the Anna's Hummingbird likes and it has allowed their range to expand into Arizona, Nevada and Texas. If you look really hard you can find them in some of the Southern United States. Anna's Hummingbird has been found as far as British Columbia where I would be their "official bird" just as I am now Colorado's "official fossil"".

"Because of the presence of nectar feeders placed by mammals, the Anna's Hummingbirds have in some places even acclimated to colder temperatures. I also might develop a taste for the insects that annoy me so much now. I would have no scales for them to get under but instead beautiful plumage. the male species of the Anna's Hummingbird particularly is so very beautiful. Instead of dull green scales and yellow plates I'd have rainbow coloured feathers to show off as I merrily flew about drinking from flowers. I would be the only male species of Hummingbird to sing a courtship song, and as we all know I do like to sing already. Do you think Hummingbirds know how to sing Questa O Quello ?? There are so many birds to choose from though that I'd like to be I just can't make up my mind".

"I have often thought of evolving into the very common Band-tailed pigeon. I have noted that the Band Tailed Pigeon suits my temperament; I would have some range that would overlap with the Anna's Hummingbird into British Columbia, California and Arizona. I'd also reside in Washington, Utah, Oregon, New Mexico and right here in Colorado. So I wouldn't have to go far from where I am now. My range would also extend into Central America, Mexico and Argentina. I would live in forests among the oak trees and conifers. This is a place I'm already well at home. My diet would consist of acorns, seeds, berries and other small fruits. The Mammals have introduced the Band Tailed Pigeon to English Holly and English Ivy; a modern food I already consume. I would be the largest pigeon of North America but also relatively quiet for a bird. I wouldn't get to sing as much as if I were an Anna's Hummingbird. Rather than a cave, I would live in a nest made of twigs, and fly in flocks of about 50 birds. So I would be quiet but very social".

"But I don't know for sure what I'd like to evolve into I probably have a few million more years to decide. What do you think ?? Have you any suggestions for what I should evolve into?"

This post dedicated to the memory of Seth Williamson ( March 3rd, 1949 ~ October 6, 2011 )

"I passed the Holidays pleasantly at home in my cave," said Stegosaurus. "It was quite relaxing after all the recent traveling I had undertaken. In late January I was delighted to receive word that Senator Bernie Sanders of Vermont desired to make my acquaintance. I immediately accepted the invitation, looking forward to the opportunity to discuss our shared Socialist ideals. I warned him it would be a while before I got to Vermont, since I'm a Stegosaurus and we're slow by nature. At best, we can only run 5 miles per hour on average. In mid February I arrived in the State Capitol of Vermont, known as Montpelier, Vermont. I stomped into the North Branch Nature Center, where I hoped to enjoy a nice meal of the local tree specialty before seeking an audience with Senator Sanders.

I started off with a nice meal of Tsuga canadensis, which I was recently familiar with since these trees also grow in the country of Canada. Then I found an Abies balsamea or two, followed by a small grove of Picea abies. Then I was delighted to find one of my favorites, the Acer negundo. After I had had my fill, I explored more of Vermont's capital city. Feeling tired after my meal I found Hubbard Park and slept by a tower in a place called Seven Fireplaces. When I had fully rested I stomped to the Vermont Statehouse to see if I could find Senator Sanders. The communication I had received told me that he'd be in the capitol visiting his constituents.

Of course when I am around, I am hard to miss. I wasn't sure who to ask about Senator Sanders' whereabouts, but as it turned out, he was the one who found me.

It being cold, I was glad to see him bundled up and wearing his mittens.

"I'm very glad to finally meet you, Mr. Sanders, " said Stegosaurus.

I have waited a long time to meet you too," said Bernie Sanders. "You have a mighty reputation that goes back millions of years, and you are loved by everyone, especially small children, everywhere for some reason."

"Yes, a large part of my fan base is made up of very small mammals," said Stegosaurus. "It has been that way for a long while now."

"Furthermore, I understand that in 2008 you ran for Congress on the Green Party ticket," said Bernie Sanders.

"Yes, I did," said Stegosaurus, sighing. "That did not end very well. Not everything is a success."

"Still, I hope we can spend some time together discussing our shared Socialist ideals," said Bernie Sanders.

"One thing I wanted to ask you," said Stegosaurus excitedly, ".....is, do you know a mammal I much admire, Eugene Victor Debs?"

"Ah, no," laughed Bernie Sanders, and then he stopped himself. "I didn't mean to laugh, I'm sorry, Stegosaurus I did not know Mr. Debs, I'm not that old. But, I do admire his contributions to our cause, and share many of his ideals. "

"It's okay, Mr. Sanders, no offense taken. I really feel that Mr. Debs cares about the plight of working mammal and working dinosaur alike that is why every election cycle I stomp to the voting booth and vote for him. I heard that President Harding let him out of prison recently and I really feel that 2024 will be his year .... that is if we can keep that great threat to democracy from running for office again."

"Yes, I know who you mean," said Bernie Sanders. "Donald Trump."

"No, no, I mean that great, true, threat to democracy, Giant Meteor 2024. It was a narrow escape when Giant Meteor 2016 lost the last election," said Stegosaurus.

Bernie Sanders then changed the subject slightly. The elderly Senator and Stegosaurus stenops talked outside the Vermont statehouse about their admiration for Karl Marx, the Castro family of Cuba, Joseph Stalin, and other famous Socialists of America, such as Emma Goldman. They discussed and agreed heartily on methods to successfully bring about a centrally planned economy that worked for everyone. and Then Stegosaurus made a suggestion of going back to the North Branch Nature Center for lunch. Of course, Bernie knew he wasn't going to eat trees, but he liked Stegosaurus and wanted to continue the conversation with his new friend. So, he climbed up on his back and situated himself safely between Stegosaurus' spiff, sexy plates. Stegosaurus stomped forthrightly, and soon returned to the North Branch Nature Center.

Stegosaurus kept offering Bernie trees, but Bernie always declined politely. With Bernie on his back Stegosaurus happily ate Abies balsamea. Acer pensylvanicum, and Fagus grandifolia. Then Stegosaurus was feeling generous and helpful, so he ate some Rhus typhina to help the North Branch Nature Center clear out its weeds. Finally to top off his meal he ate an entire grove of Pinus nigra, which he was surprised to find in Vermont, which is why he eagerly consumed the entire grove. As is the case with the Pinus nigra, it caused Stegosaurus to expound upon sound economic principles.

He abruptly asked Bernie, "Senator Sanders, how would you counter, exactly, the theory of marginal utility? What metric would you use to gauge the satisfaction level of the consumer? What about a proper pricing structure? Every healthy economy needs a method for establishing a pricing structure."

"Well, Stegosaurus, that is silly. They should just be content as we decide what is best, and lower their expectations. We can't end greed until expectations are decreased. Mammals will learn. I've used the example before but there is no good reason why we need more than one shoe company in America. One company is adequate; diversity of choice leads to greed. What would make you think of such a thing all of a sudden ?? You sound like a capitalist."

Stegosaurus sighed. He didn't want to hurt the feelings of the Senator, but whenever he ate Pinus nigra he just couldn't help but become thoughtful about economic matters for some reason. It was too bad that Corythosaurus, his loyal accountant wasn't available to help him articulate something he suddenly knew was a flaw in the Socialist economic model. Why could he never remember this all the time? If only he had a larger brain .........

"I understand now how you lost your Congressional run," said Bernie. "You have a flaw in that your positions are not consistent."

"I blame my brain for being the size of a walnut. Maybe I am only fit for eating trees and digging for roots," admitted Stegosaurus. "This always happens when I eat the Pinus nigra, and today I have eaten an entire grove of them. I hope we can still be friends."

Bernie thought twice about admitting that he was annoyed... for he was worried that if news got out that he disagreed with Stegosaurus, many mammals who loved Stegosaurus would dislike him, and it would cause a scandal. So he said, "Of course we can still be friends, Stegosaurus. No hard feelings. I would advise you to eat less of the Pinus nigra; it would be good for the environment and the future politics of the Country. We can't have a Revolution succeed if people start thinking and questioning things."

Stegosaurus then returned Bernie Sanders to the Vermont Statehouse, and they parted on friendly and cordial terms. Stegosaurus returned to Colorado, having forgotten sensible economic laws by the time he was halfway home.

On January 6th, after celebrating Christmas with the Iguanodon family Woolly Mammoth returned to the English port of Felixstowe where he hoped to encourage the multitudes to follow Christ. He had announced his sermon of course at his arrival on the 23rd of December, but upon moving the date up at the suggestion of Iguanodon, he had more time to promote it ahead of the date and therefore had a reasonable expectation of a much larger crowd than what he had for his Christmas sermon. He had been encouraging everyone to come throughout the holidays; to anyone who entered The Old North Woods; he knew Ignanodon would be there; Iguanodon had promised him he'd tell anyone he saw on the Crystal Palace dinosaur island to come. Spinosaurus had indeed agreed to stay behind when Stegosaurus Claus returned to Brazil; he spent some time in the Old North Wood, and some time at the Crystal Palace as he patiently awaited the sermon.

When the day arrived, Woolly Mammoth was pleased to see even more mammals than before; and he looked over the crowd eagerly seeking dinosaurs or megafauna among them. He saw who he expected to see, but most of the attendees were mammals. Ultimately, he was happy to see anyone arrive. He had firm faith that anyone who hears has the potential to be saved, and this was good enough for him.

So, he began his sermon on 1st Corinthians 15:58.

"Welcome, brothers and sisters, friends and family, mammal, megafauna and dinosaur alike. Here I bring you by the grace and mercy of God almighty, Some background for you on the origin of the sermon I preach today. 1st Corinthians on the whole is an epistle attributed to St. Paul of Tarsus, with some assistance from Sosthenes, circa 53 ~ 54 A.D. The epistle was addressed, as may seem obvious, to the Church in Corinth. It was written during the three year period that Saint Paul lived in Ephesus, and he was writing to address issues he had heard about taking place in that Church which concerned him deeply. It was meant to advise members of that Church how they should conduct themselves. It was not entirely a message of chastisement, for he also answered questions the Corinthians had asked of him, and clarified parts of Church law for them. Although canonically listed as the first, it is actually the 4th of such letters written to the Corinthians; evidence for this is revealed by St. Paul himself, referenced in Chapter 5 verse 9, while an additional letter and a third now lost, referenced in 2nd Corinthians, So we know of at least 4 throughout history. Yet today we focus on part of the canonical first. I encourage you to be strong in your faith, as St. Paul encouraged the Corinthians. Build upon the joy which we have experienced in the Christmas season and waver not upon the course that leads the way to Christ and life eternal.

As the verse reads, I tell you : "Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord." "Verily, be ye steadfast, stand ye like a rock, unmovable and certain in your faith, faith abounding, to attend with exuberance your work for the Lord Jesus Christ. For your labor is not in vain !! Indeed there is no time to become extinct when you work for the Lord. Praise your Master and give your all to work for the Kingdom. You will be rewarded in Heaven your good deeds speak to the aspirations of the heart. We have victory over extinction in our Lord Jesus Christ.

As Saint Paul tells us. Flesh and blood may not inherit the Kingdom of God. Nor fur, nor scale, nor claw. neither doth corruption inherit incorruption. Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep but we shall be changed !!

You will be surprised if I tell you this, having experienced meteors and comets, but behold, I tell you the truth .... we shall be saved ... for hark !! Hear the trumpet !!! The Last Trumpet shall sound, and there will be no extinction ever more. When we are changed with grace we will ascend to the Lord, the grace we have earned in working for The Kingdom. You will not need to wait for the mammals to find you and dig you out of the earth; you shall not remain unlabeled in a box waiting to be named and reassembled. It will happen .... In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet !! The trumpet shall sound, and the extinct will be raised incorruptible. And we shall be changed.

In this state no longer shall we fear extinction, nor predator or any foe. There will be abundance in this heavenly land for all who seek the blessings of the Lord Jesus and work for The Kingdom. Verily, my brothers and sisters, I say onto thee ....... For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality.

We must shed this mortal life, without fear of loss, our life here is only a pale mirror of what awaits the faithful. So again I say it as Saint Paul wrote to those of Corinth be steadfast and unmoveable. And this way, I guarantee you, we will defeat extinction with the grace of the Lord. When we embrace that gift, the gift of the Lord Jesus Christ, never will we have to fear extinction. Not by predator, not by tar pit, not by meteor or comet. We shall be victorious warriors of Christ !! So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory. Can you imagine this ? It is not impossible, I tell you. I tell you all we can live forever in the Light of Christ and never fear extinction again. For when we, the weak mortals embrace the Love of Jesus and put on incorruption, we shall be invincible ..... nothing can harm the warrior of God who believes in the Blood of Christ.

As is written, let it be spoken, that extinction is swallowed up in victory and the faithful shall be one with the Father and His Son Jesus Christ. The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. We must find our way through the narrow path with all its brambles to the Love of each other. in kinship, in fellowship, we seek our way out of the darkness, knowing the full truth with all Glory to Jesus the Christ is ours for the asking. With humility and supplication we give Thanks to The Lord God for the sacrifice of his Son Jesus Christ. Let us go together, brothers and sisters, and we will be together in that eternal land of peace where death is unknown. I entreat you to follow me ... follow me, let us all stomp to Glory everlasting ! Amen !!"

And this, Woolly Mammoth's sermon ended, he looked about the crowd to see how large the crowd was, and he hoped many had remained til the end. He especially was hoping that the dinosaurs he saw in the crowd before his sermon began were still there. Again he saw Iguanodon and his family. Spinosaurus was still there, as Stegosaurus Claus had told him he would be. But he also saw a couple of dinosaurs that he had never seen before talking to Iguanodon and Spinosaurus, and he felt he must go immediately to them and introduce himself, pleased that he had helped to draw unknown souls to the Grace of God. Woolly Mammoth stomped right away to speak to the strangers.

"Hello, Iguanodon, and Spinosaurus !" He exclaimed as he approached

"Hello, Woolly Mammoth, you have given a fine sermon this morning. Thank you," said Iguanodon.

"Thank you, I hope you found it meaningful. I see Spinosaurus here; Thank you for remaining past your Christmas duties," said Woolly Mammoth to Spinosaurus.

"I am still on my good behavior Christmas rules," said Spinosaurus; "Stegosaurus Claus asked me to remain, for he told me it was important to you that I hear your sermon. All bets for good behavior are off once I return to my lake in South Africa. Just being honest. "

"God be with you," said Mammoth. "Now I see we have two new friends here among us, please introduce yourselves; I am pleased immensely that you have chosen to spend your Sunday morning listening to my sermon. I am on Crusade, and hope to bring the joy of Christ to the people of England."

One of the dinosaurs was a Hadrosaur; the other was from the Ankylosaur family. The Hadrosaur spoke up first. "I was just recently discovered in Japan; my name is Yamatosaurus. I am pleased to meet you. I was discovered in May, 2004 on Awaji Island, in the Kita-Ama Formation by a team of paleontologists, all but one native Japanese mammals. I just a little over 71 million years old. I am pleased to make your acquaintance, and want you to know I found your sermon to be quite moving and inspiring."

"I am very pleased, and hope you will come to hear more while you and I are here in England. What brings you to England from Japan?" asked Woolly Mammoth.

"I was just recently discovered, and after so many millions of years laying in the Earth unknown I decided it was a good time to take a tour of the World and see what was new."

"Congratulations on your discovery," said Woolly Mammoth. "And your friend, with you. My brother in Christ, are you also from Japan?"

"No, good Mammoth. I am named Stegouros. I was discovered in Patagonia, which is in Chile, about 3 years ago, in 2019. My name gives you the impression that I am somehow related to Stegosaurus, but as you can see, I am more closely a relative of Ankylosaurus. I lived about the same time as Yamatosaurus, 71 to 75 million years ago. I am not from Japan or England, but decided to see the World about the same time as Yamatosaurus for the same reasons. Curiosity and adventure. How exactly have things changed is a question I felt could not be answered remaining in my native land. I love my home, but I want to see the rest of the World after so many years. As recent discoveries, we decided to travel together and have arrived here in England just in time for your sermon. We have missed Stegosaurus Claus, which is unfortunate I would have liked to meet a Stegosaurus to discover our similarities. I gather that be both have dangerous looking, cool, spiky tails. But we were drawn in when we saw the Iguanodon family and Spinosaurus here."

"I am pleased to meet you both and am sure that you will meet Stegosaurus before too long. I pray you will come to more of my sermons in England, and you are both welcome to travel to South Africa and visit my Holy Pentecostal Church of the Pleistocene Revival. My groundskeeper Kentrosaurus is one of Stegosaurus' cousins. I am sure you will get along very well."

"I am pleased to keep my word and attend your sermon, Woolly Mammoth, " interjected Spinosaurus. "I must however now beg my leave as I must find something to eat that I haven't promised not to kill. It's my nature as a meat eater, and as you must know, a long trip from here back to South Africa. I would also like to take my leave before I am tempted to eat my new friends here."

"By all means, Spinosaurus, take your leave as you will. I appreciate your remaining for my sermon and also appreciate your honesty. Thank you for not eating any of us today. May the Grace of Lord Jesus be with you today and always. Have a safe journey back home, and I hope to see you there when my Crusade is over. "

"Thank you, Woolly Mammoth," said Spinosaurus, and he took his leave.

"I'd like to help him, but I am a plant eater and only know where the best plants to eat are," said Iguanodon.

"It is probably best to keep your distance until he can find and satiate his hunger. You don't want to be so helpful that you end up *being* dinner." observed Yamatosaurus.

Good point, my new Hadrosaur friend. Good point." agreed Iguanodon.

"Might I suggest we all go out to eat at the Old North Woods," suggested Mrs. Iguanodon. "We can also visit the Crystal Palace Island. My husband and I will be glad to show you the best of England, and we can have a good cup of Tea, as well, if you'd like."

"I agree this is a good plan," said Woolly Mammoth, smiling at the Iguanodon young, who had gathered at his feet.

"Let us go, and we shall get to know each other over a good meal," said Stegouros.

And with that, they all left the port of Felixstowe, Woolly Mammoth was finding it a bit odd that none of the Mammals spoke to him after gathering to hear him speak, but he was pleased to meet new Prehistoric friends, and spent a wonderful afternoon enjoying a meal and making their acquaintance. He could hardly wait to tell Kentrosaurus when he returned to the Church.