What am I Doing?

Seeing as how I've ranted about what we all need to do, I thought it only fair to share some of the things I've done of recent, to make my life more Green.

I've spent the past year swapping out all my light bulbs to energy saver bulbs. I rent so, I've placed all the old bulbs in storage and will swap them back the day I decide to move. These new bulbs are a little pricey so, where I go, so too will they!

With so much being said about our consumption of paper-related products, I went out and bought a couple dozen handkerchiefs. Yes they're men's hankies but it's much harder to find ones for women. I keep 2 or 3 here at my desk, a few in the bedroom, buy the couch, you get the idea. It will cut down on that regular expense [at the grocery or dollar store] and save a few trees to boot. The day I bought them I told the cashier why and suggested that Walmart put together a display to help pass along to shoppers who may not have thought about doing the idea.

I haven't bought trash bags for years. That's what I use all those grocery bags for. But, I now take a cloth bag for the light-weight items and will buy a couple more as funds allow. What plastic bags I use are for recycled items, i.e., paper, plastics, aluminum, etc. I asked the checkout girl one day if Kroger had plans to eliminate plastic bags like they announced in California [see: San Francisco First City to Ban Plastic Shopping Bags or Plastic-ban full of holes.], but she didn't know anything about a ban on plastic shopping bags. Another checkout girl, who'd over heard our conversation, acknowledged if it really happens, Kroger may well follow. I suggested it would be a, "very good idea." We'll see.

I've always used cold water to launder my clothes and never run a load in the dryer until whatever articles are completely dry. I run each dryer load just long enough to help remove lint or potential deep set wrinkles, then I hang dry. That's what door frames and those handy little collapsible clothes racks are for.

As for the laundry detergents [and other household products], I admit I need to make a change back and used brands like Seventh Generation for many years. Problem is, until these earth-friendly brands lower their prices and make it more affordable with competitive prices, people who live paycheck to paycheck [and that's a massive amount of people--myself included] simply can't afford or justify the higher prices. It's not that they won't want to buy earth-friendly products, it's that they feel they can't afford to. Something to think about there.

I unplugged pretty much everything around the house. The major exceptions being: the stove and frig [I can't even get to those outlets], the TV and my PC. My printer would be another exception. I keep it unplugged until I need to print or scan anything.

Some things I plan to do in the near future:

When I can afford one or two [I'm on Disability so funds are rather low these days] I will go out to buy those one or two of those new Smart Strips for the entertainment center and PC.

I want to make some insulated window shades for the back windows which receive the major heat of the day. I hope to cut down on the mid-day heat so that the air-conditioner won't kick on as much throughout the summer months. I'll do the front windows [which get the morning sun] as I can afford them.

UPDATE: Added 5-1-07:

I watched Nova's Saved by the Sun, on PBS again yesterday which made me get online to find out what materials I need. I found the following article at Mother Earth News: The Homemade Thermal Shade.

I'm going to buy a water heater blanket [also called a water heater jacket], next week, to help lower the expense of heating water. Those run only about $20 at Lowes.

Here are a few helpful sites:

I found these: earth911, and TreeHugger, last year and Unplugged Living, just this week.

Last year I joined:

Here's their Take Action list.

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Probably about 7 years ago [give or take a few months on either side] I bought a Scott's manual push mower. It was around the first time the gas prices sky-rocketed and it was my way of saying, "I'm not paying that much to cut my grass!" I know my neighbors thought me crazy or silly at best as I rolled the little mower blades across the lawn. But I wasn't going to let that stop me. Besides, it is much more quiet and we could all do with a little less noise pollution--while we're at it. It also didn't exactly match their perfectly mowed lawns. Not that I have anything against perfectly mowed and manicured lawns. I'm simply want to offer a little perspective.

I live in a townhome now and the landlord hires a crew take care of the lawns. But. For those who want to spend less on gasoline consumption; could use or want a little more exercise; and have a small-sized lawn, QVC just showed one yesterday for under a $100. It comes with a grass collector [mine didn't even come with that] and would help with maintaining a compost pile. And anyone doing any kind of gardening, should have a compost pile.

We do not all have to take a giant step to start, but we all need to start doing something [everyone's action list will vary] and do what we can now. We can no longer afford to sit idly by thinking someone else is going to take care of this for us.

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Until next time,
Many Blessings, L.L.

My Peeps!

~ For those of you playing the home game,

this is an update to my Earth Day letter.

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The little Rusty-capped Sparrow returned last week. I'd seen him only that one time and barely caught sight of him hopping around that very same place, at the corner of the private drive and public sidewalk.

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In order to properly identify him, I grabbled the binoculars from the table next to the window. I studied his markings as he hopped down the concrete walkway; about 50 feet or so. Meandering back-n-forth, from one side of the grass-edged walk to the other, he picked at the seed blown in the debris of the season's first mowed grass. As he trailed away, I reached for my field guide to find he is a Chipping Sparrow.

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The size of the little unknown bird is what drew my attention in the first place. Smaller than the House Sparrows [especially the males] he's possibly more slight than a House Finch or a Chickadee. And the odds of seeing any two of them side by side--anytime soon--are of course, even more slight. Until next time [and bring your lover], hop on, Little Chipper, hop on!

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There's another male Cardinal in town. I've witnessed a couple territorial disputes between him and my male Between One. [See my Earth Day Letter.] Earlier this week the three of them flew up and into The Pine. They whistled and fluttered about the branches while the Doves and other guests [seemingly oblivious to the chaos] persisted below.

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As the female flew clear and settled on the feeder, her mate focused on the intruder as they flew out of the tree, circled, and landed on the newly green lawn. Though more than a foot apart throughout the conflict, they remained face to face. Rising and falling back to the ground. One would charge while the other backed away.

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During another conflict I lost sight of who was who and one male lighted on the feeder beside the female. He pecked at her three or four times-- then flew off to the neighboring tree. I'm not sure who was sitting beside her. Was it the intruder trying to weigh in or a chiding mate. In the end, peace returned and all was well with the rest of the day.

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I need to pick up more film the next time I'm out. Though I can't afford to get any pictures developed for a while, I don't want to miss getting a shot of the teeny-tiny, lime green, baby pine cones that appeared [just this week] at the base of this Spring's growth.

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Since I've been on disability for a little over a year now, I had a lot of film that I haven't been able to put to its original intended use. When I looked out one Winter afternoon and found wing tracks in the fresh-fallen snow, I pulled a roll of film from its bag in the closet and loaded my trusty Nikon. I simply couldn't let a chance like that go by, I had to capture those images. So, for the time being, pictures shot throughout the winter are locked in a zip bag marked: Winter Photos and the last three rolls [shot the last couple of weeks] are in a bag marked: Spring Photos.

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I admitted recently to a friend and feel somewhat honor-bound, yet again, to express my possible regret for not choosing a DIGITAL camera when I purchased the FILM-loving one instead a few years back. But in my defense, though I obviously have no aversion to technology, seeing as how my first DVD player is less than five years old, and I only just bought a cell phone not quite two years ago, I'm a good decade away yet from digital photography.

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Enough about me, though, time to get back to what's been happening with my peepsters.

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Moira [the female Red-winged Blackbird] finally made her way up and onto the feeder. In all fairness though, it took Winston quite a while before landed on the ground and fed among the other usual suspects. Initially he came to the feeder, took a seed, then flew away. I saw Moira for the first time on the ground. Oh, she would flutter up to the lower branches and feed on the seed [flung wildly from the above] that collects in the crooks of the pine; where the branches grow out from the trunk.

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A possible answer to, ‘Why are the males always more colorful that the females?' came to me while I sat one morning and watched Moira. Aside from the beak, the shape of the head and wing markings, female redwings look nothing like their better halves. [Pun somewhat intended!] And, in their defense, there is vast number of species where male and female birds are virtually identical, i.e., the Mourning Doves or Canada Geese [to name but a few]. But mates of the more boldly colored are more "dull," [I believe] in order to blend with their surroundings while protecting their nests. It sounds good to me anyway!

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It's not like I monitor the window 24-7, but I'd yet to see the little Goldfinch revisit the feeder. Yes, that's not to say he couldn't have while I was off doing a much-needed-somethingelse. But, I sat one day thinking, ‘where, oh where can you be?' -- and what do you know! Who just flew by?

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The next day, while viewing the goings-on, they flew by again; en route from one location [conifer] to another. "They" meaning, with the female just a wing-stroke or so behind her mate. And by "flew" I mean like little lear jets. I'm also thinking I need to go look for and take down that 'No Goldfinches Allowed' sign.

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As for the Starlings, well-- Since I made a conscious decision to stop putting out suet cakes [they're fav], they swarm and feed less often. Oh, one or another still come to pick at the seed throughout any give day, but it's a little less scrappy around the sanctuary now. And it simply makes for a more peaceful dining experience for everyone.

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I noticed a female gathering nesting material. She gathered up a few strands of last year's dried grasses and flew off to the top of an ornamental pear just across the street. Some new baby scrappers on the way!

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Lastly, and on a more anguished note, I needed to go to bank [earlier this week] to deposit a check and left late in the morning to avoid the rush hour traffic. While still on a major thoroughfare, I witnessed the hit-and-run of a Canada Goose taking flight. A car in the curb lane, well ahead of me, hit the goose just as it took off. I caught sight as it tried to ascend higher but clearly could not. Its wings curled in and flapped awkwardly back out. It dipped and banked. Slightly up, around and down behind the driver; landing clumsily in the same lane.

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The car next to me sped up and around in front of me. Swerving hard, it barely missed the frightened bird. With conviction, I veered to the right--into the curb lane--to block any other oncoming traffic. I slowed to a stop just few feet away. In my rear-view mirror I saw another car approaching. Instead of stopping, the driver chose to change lanes and went around me.

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The large bird hunkered down. Its mouth open. Tongue wavering. It then flapped its wings and rose upon unsure feet. With a few burdened steps it stumbled up and over the curb-- and settled into the grass. I sat for a moment and watched as a second goose honked in concern and waddled nearer to its mate.

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Though I feel somewhat guilty for not doing more, I offered [at very least] a watchful eye. Having spent a fair amount of time photographing Canada Geese [I do claim to be somewhat of an amateur photographer] I am quite fond of these beautiful birds and know them to be a totem in my life.

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And while we're on the subject of Canada Geese-- I'd like to help make it more clear here. This is a pet peeve of mine so bear with me!

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For those who continue to refer to them like they just flew in on holiday from Canada-- Their proper name is Canada Goose. More than one does not make them Canadians; it makes them Canada Geese. That is my public service commitment for the day. Thank you-- and a good one!

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Click here to visit my Photo Album!

For an excellent on-line Birding Source visit
All About Birds and their Bird Guide

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© 2007, L.L. Abbott ~ Pearls of Wisdom, All Rights Reserved

Use by written permission only

Introduction Pending!

I have a proper introduction to this site all fleshed out but it went missing [along with all my other files] when my PC took a nose dive earlier this year!

It will be posted as soon as I reload everything. Until then, here are a few posts. The one just below My Earth Day Statement, would have been posted on my Pearls site. [I rededicated it's purpose to concerns/issues of Global Warming and Going Green. See my: Winter 2006 Commentary] But, since I felt it was not completely secure, I'd limited my acces to email only and sent it to the regular visitors of Pearls of Wisdom. So, for now, it appears here.

In the meantime,



Many Blessings, L.L.

My Earth Day Statement ~ 2007

Though I am on an extremely tight budget [which has been severely tested of recent] and do not get around like I used to, before winter set in I pulled an old feeder from a shelf in the garage, filled it with seed and suet cakes and hung it in the Pine tree out front- and waited. And waited. It took well over a week but the birds eventually found way to my offering and stayed throughout the winter months. A good thing since we had extended periods where the landscape lay blanketed in snow. Though Robins seldom eat seed, for those who returned too early (due to erratic warm spells) they were clearly stressed.

The Chickadees were the first to arrive. When I heard their mirthful birdsong, I knew we were in business. Along with the usual suspects of: assorted Sparrows; a horde of brattish Starlings; and a few Mourning Doves; (the hesitant cardinals stopped by only every once in a while) a little Downy Woodpecker found way to my tree. Yes. That meant I had to go out again and buy a woodpecker brick; but- I just loved to hear him peep. I've yet to see a female though.
Drawn to the suet cakes, a Mockingbird eventually graced me with his daily presence. It took a couple of visits to the feeder and a good look through a birder's book to identify him. But up until that first day, I had never seen a mockingbird.

Once Spring arrived, there came more species of the winged ones; along with a squirrel or three. I rarely saw the Grackles before the seasons changed but they're here now. Strutting and chattering about. The Brown-headed Cowbirds (whose birdcall sounds almost electric) have also arrived. At least one pair of House Finches visit daily. Another male showed up the other day. There are a few more Mourning Doves. Two definite mated pairs along a few single ones looking to connect.

Then there is my favoritest of guests- a Red-winged Blackbird. He sings his arrival each time he visits. Only this week did I finally see his mate. I never thought to see a Red-winged at a feeder. All the more a gift. For some reason I felt so inclined to name them: Winston and Moira, respectively.

Earlier this week, a male Goldfinch stopped by to feed. He still bears the remnants of dark winter coloring down his back. So far, I've only seen him that one time. I looked out (from the upstairs window) one morning to find the long-tailed squirrel tucked-tail and all-in one side of the feeder. He looked so cute there, I laughed out loud. Since I had already opened the window, I almost scared him away. I call him the long-tailed one because there is obviously one with but half the fluff.

While watching the comings and goings one sunny afternoon, a Blue Jay flew up and landed on a branch about mid way up the tree. Not to partake; just a look about. I'm guessing merely to check out all the fuss- and then flew away. Later during that same watch, there also came a very small yet-to-be-specifically-identified Rusty-capped Sparrow. I have the page marked, but it will require another visit to know exactly which variety.

The seemingly elusive pair of Cardinals are now my daily guests. Though they flit in and out throughout any given day, they arrive first at Dawn and finish out the day at Dusk. I call them my Between Ones. The Mourning Doves have grown more comfortable and occasionally hunker down for a nap or to bathe in the warmth of the sun. It is even more sweet to find them settled side by side on a pine bough. There is a comfort associated with their presence; with things seeming not-quite-right when they go missing.
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Everywhere I lived, I have always provided some kind of feeder and bird bath. Especially during the winter when it's harder, at times (for the ground feeders), to find seed. Now there is another. A Bird Garden in progress. Yes. It keeps my house-bound cats, Lucy and Pearl, entertained. I've been shy of purposely shooing away the birds in order to give the ‘the girls' some time to relax! Mainly, I had a desperate need to reconnect with Nature and am gifted each day with glimpses of its wonders. Be it when the little Downy Woodpecker refused to be bullied away by the horde of scrappy Starlings, or the male House Finch giving a seed to the mate alighted by his side.

This is my ever so humble way of giving back. Though it may seem that certain of us do not yet, (truly) know the more immediate affects of the no-longer deniable reality of Global Warming, we are paying more at the store (for certain crops) due to extended droughts and/or damage done by the more harsh, erratic weather patterns. It hasn't taken a scientific explanation to tell most us that fact. Both local and national news media now focus more attention on what is going on and how can each challenge the affects of a crying planet.

Many of the Original or First Nations Peoples have a custom they call, A Giveaway. It is the giving of any one thing (or things) of whatever value, to those who may not be as fortunate or for whatever the reason, simply be in need. The ‘gifts' are deposited upon the ground - an indication of something that no longer belongs to one person or another - a thing (or things) now free for the taking.

As regards the world just outside countless front and back doors, we have taken away so much from those seemingly less important. To build more roads, highways, housing developments, shopping malls, etc. We take for granted the birds,( as well as squirrels, rabbits, raccoons, woodchucks, opossum-the list varies) can simply go somewhere else. Too many give little to no thought as to whether there is an elsewhere for the winged (or the four-legged) to go.

Where should we expect them to travel when we continue to chip away at what we leave them? It has been reported (just this month) that there are a number of species (animal, fish, and bird) heading toward endangerment. And regardless the countless species that have vanished over the millenniums, (known now only by their fossilized remains, all-but-forgotten paintings on rediscovered earthen walls, or by a long-dead anthropologist's or wildlife artist's field renderings) these are dying because of our corruption of what's left for them to inhabit.

In recent decades and by no little effort, by a seemingly determined few, we have taken a number of species off the Endangered Species List. It will take a much greater number to correct this endeavor. And it would be unconscionable of us to let any one of them go by the way when we know we can make a difference.

Think how it would sound if there were no birds to sing throughout any given day. During the days and weeks that followed the landfall of Katrina, one thing the people directly effected noticed and commented on was the quiet. There were no birds. No birdsong. A thing not missed- until it's gone?

Today is Earth Day. A day to focus on a terribly endangered World. It is day to decide what we can do to make our lives or home more Green. To plant a tree or for simply giving back. It could also be the day to build or go buy a feeder and create a place for the winged ones. A sacred place. A giveaway sanctuary for those, so often taken for granted, to know they are welcome when there may be nowhere else to go.

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© 2007, L.L. Abbott ~ Pearls of Wisdom, All Rights Reserved
Use by written permission only