Time for the Pumpkin to Go

Toward the end of Summer, 2007, when all the new Fall garden accessories start to show up in the stores, I found this adorable terra cotta pumpkin bird feeder. There are two large sections cut away; leaving a perch on say the east side and another on the west side. I love to decorate for Fall so I thought I would extent my celebration to the birds. I hung it on a low branch of the pine tree, came inside and wondered how long it would take for anyone to venture in and dine.

Within half an hour the Chickadees were there. I was so pleased. They're so charming to watch as they hop around inside and forage. The sparrows, however, took quite a bit longer; several months to be somewhat exact. I was decorating for Christmas by the time I noticed a sparrow inside. I had to wonder, who were the few who finally made the brave decision to check it out?

Once they had though, I hadn't the heart to take it down. I left it there throughout Winter. And there would be two to three feeding at any given time. It hosted many who visited my humble sanctuary. I've looked throught my window on rainy days and found one or another just sitting in there; out of the elements.

I looked out one afternoon and found a squirrel stuffed inside. I noticed the south end first. A long fluffy tail hanged droopily from one entrance of the pumpkin, while the front feet and head rested comfortably just outside of the other. And no! I figured by the time I went upstairs and came down with the camera, he or she would be long gone.

Yesterday, now that Spring and Summer lawn and garden ornaments are abloom, I found a little hanging dish feeder in the shape of a leaf. I thought this would make a great substitution for the pumpkin; which desperatly needs to be cleaned and is, quite frankly, no longer in season. So, after I refilled both the cedar and thistle feeders, I emptied the seed from the pumpkin into the leaf and hung it from what's left of the same pine bough.

I haven't seen or even heard the Chickadees lately, so it's up to the Sparrow Clan. I'm waiting, albeit patiently, to see how long it takes for another little sparrow to think outside the box and light upon the brown terra cotta leaf and partake. The seed is as much in plain sight as the seed I scatter for those who feed exclusively on the ground. Today is Day Two. There are still no takers.

Thank you for visiting and sharing my thoughts, L.L.

These are MY Words ~ Part II

My last two posts, Never Get It Back and The Coming Year ~ 2008, touched on the importance of the words we speak. I believe now, more than ever, it is important to speak for those whose voices are rarely heard, and whose cries of pain have too long been ignored.

Prior to drafting and completing this post, I sent the following information [an email by the same title; hence Part II of the title] to friends and acquaintences hoping to convince them to watch Earthlings, just as I had the night before.

EARTHLINGS is a feature length documentary about humanity's absolute dependence on animals (for pets, food, clothing, entertainment, and scientific research) but also illustrates our complete disrespect for these so-called "non-human providers." The film is narrated by Academy Award nominee Joaquin Phoenix (GLADIATOR) and features music by the critically acclaimed platinum artist Moby.

With an in-depth study into pet stores, puppy mills and animals shelters, as well as factory farms, the leather and fur trades, sports and entertainment industries, and finally the medical and scientific profession, EARTHLINGS uses hidden cameras and never before seen footage to chronicle the day-to-day practices of some of the largest industries in the world, all of which rely entirely on animals for profit. Powerful, informative and thought-provoking, EARTHLINGS is by far the most comprehensive documentary ever produced on the correlation between nature, animals, and human economic interests. There are many worthy animal rights films available, but this one transcends the setting. EARTHLINGS cries to be seen. Highly recommended!

Most were unaware that held back on inundating people with more email than they might want to receive. Today I risked, "Enough already!" I also knew they could simply click on Delete and believe, 'She'll be none the wiser.'

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As I woke this morning and lay in the warmth of my winter blankets, I contemplated the images I'd seen just hours before, and better understood the words, 'We've let this happen.' After I fed my little ones and traversed the snow-covered ground to throw out seed for the birds, I sat at my computer and decided to risk those relationships.
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I conveyed the need for us to no longer ignore the cries of pain we'd chosen not to hear, and admitted to being truly ashamed in front of those who would ask, 'how have you let this happen?' And only after watching Earthlings, could they begin to understand how I'd come to those conclusions.
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I relayed I understood how we're all so enveloped with what's going on in our lives, and they'll want to make an excuse for why they don't have time for this. I warned it is NOT something to watch at their desks during a lunch break. And admitted my eyes were still swollen from the tears that I cried the night before. But I simply couldn't go on with the rest of my day until I decided what I was going to do.

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I know the affection many people have for the animals in their lives and that most don’t want to see these kinds of things. Neither did I. But I do believe unless you’re actively out there in the trenches, fighting for their rights, we're guilty of indifference to those we feel we have no time for.

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Though I'm a vegetarian, I've been naive enough to believe there is some degree of humanity involved in some of these processes. Hence the need to know of how it’s really done. I adore those happy California cheese cows, out there dodging rain clouds and/or checking out the new babes. And can only trust there is truth in their advertising and that they DO know a better life than those who live otherwise.

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I'm not claiming any kind of perfection! Disheartened doesn't begin to describe how I felt, recently, when I found out I had things in my pantry and linen closet, from companies [like Iams and Fresh Step] that still test on animals. I clearly have some new shopping to do.

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See: Adding My Voice, where I've posted some of the petitions I've signed recently. [see THIS PRODUCT TESTED ON ANIMALS. And here, for information to help: Take Action regarding downer cows for human consumption.]

When I much younger, I learned my mother's brother-in-law couldn't bring himself to eat pork after visiting a slaughter house. He still ate hamburgers, steak, and chicken, but that was ok because he hadn't seen them butchered.

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Bear with me here, I want to draw a parallel here. About a year ago I saw actual footage of a soldier being shot. He didn't fall to the ground the way they do in the movies. One moment there was life. In less than the next, he collapsed in a hovel on the ground, like the strings of a marionette had been carelessly cut away. I had channel-hopped on to a program already in progress. Did I want to see that? No. Am I glad I did, if for nothing else, to better understand the arena he walked? No. That’s a little perverse. What it did do though, is empower me to argue that maybe these are the images of war we need to see, because this is what war is.

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I offered the above revelation with respect to what it is we really need to know about the world in which we live. Is ignorance bliss? Are we truly better off not seeing the truths? Would I have been moved to do what I'm doing now? Are my words really going to change anyone’s mind? To anyone reading this post, or those who’ve already seen Earthlings, these words will seem nothing more than a proverbial sermon to a choir. Most people reading this, regardless whether they do or don't want to watch it, do already get it. But had I not watched this, I wouldn't have written these words.

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As I write this I’m forced to consider, how we should regard the people who run these factories, industries, research facilities, fashion houses, and the like? Who are the people with such little regard for Life? Who are these people who wield the final heartless blows? If' I'm not to judge least I be judged, how can I ask, "How can you do this?"

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How does anyone with any kind of conscience, sit and pluck the feathers from a living bird? How can anyone have absolutely no regard to, 'Something that's heading off to be slaughtered and eaten anyway? So, who cares? Why do you care?'

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Too many people know I'm not even that interested in eating those veggie burgers. You know, the ones designed to make vegetarians look more like they fit in? I don't eat beef, pork, chicken, or fish.

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I care!

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What is it that we risk by putting ourselves in the position of responding to, 'Well you people want the puppies and kittens; the prime rib; fast foods; fashionable leather coats, boots and handbags; yadda, yadda, yadda. How do you think it all gets there?'

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Like this?

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There are a number of restaurants that removed Foie Gras from their menus recently, due to industry practices. [see The Foie Gras Controversy which explains the procedure (of which you see in, Earthlings) and Puck removes foie gras from menus] If we continue to basically do nothing, the inhumanness continues. And I use inhuman because I'm not sure— inhumane no longer seems to pass on the value it should.

Oxford English Dictionary defines:

inhuman • 1 lacking positive human qualities; cruel and barbaric. 2 not human in nature or character.

human • 1 of, relating to, or characteristic of humankind. 2 showing the better qualities of humankind, such as sensitivity.

inhumane • without compassion for misery or suffering; cruel.

humane • having or showing compassion or benevolence.

Sorry for the academics, but sometimes we need our memories jarred.
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What's the old adage, "We are what we eat?" It would seem we've ingested an undeniable amount of cruelty along the years, as well. How does that set in anyone's stomach? And by watching this documentary it’s rather clear that the fish many chose to eat, because it's believed to be healthier, is more hazardous to our collective health than AIDS.

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It's not enough any more to say, 'I treat my animals well.' That does nothing for the ones who still suffer. 'I'm a vegetarian and I shop with a social conscience.' I'm a vegetarian too. Watching what we shop for isn’t wholly enough any more. So we shop for the faux leathers and furs instead of the real thing. That's nothing but a double-edged sword. It makes those with the money and means, who simply won’t settle for the fake, all the more determined to own what's real. Shopping for the non-real thing isn't good enough any more. To answer those who say, 'but they're not an endangered species, they're raised for this.' Yea! That makes it all the more reasonable. I don't remember seeing, 'we love it here,' in the eyes of those foxes or raccoons.

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We’ve wasted far too much time giving absolutely no thought to how anything arrives in the local grocery store. We've bought too far into the convenience of things. Our days are full, hectic, and filled with our own struggles to survive. But that’s an excuse that just isn't good enough any more. And for those who refused to watch it, because they don't want to see such "negative images" [There were several, so anyone reading this far in-- don't think you're being singled out, but--], that's a cop-out! And it simply isn’t good enough any more!

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I adopted my cats, Lucy and Pearl, from the local Humane Society about two and a half years ago. Until today, I'd never given thought to where they'd been prior to seeing their little faces, the day we met. They'll be three years old in April. They're my loves and of recent, my saving graces. I shutter to think how they could have been rammed into a cage, with as many others as would fit, to suffer 20 minutes of dying in a chamber filled with gas. There's got to be more humanness to us than that.

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When I started to watch Earthlings, Pearl was curled up in my arms. When mere tears progressed to jerky shoulders and chest heaves, she eventually rose up and hopped to the floor to lie on my feet. About an hour into the film, I looked away from the screen and found her sitting, hunkered down, about a foot away. She looked as uncomfortable as I felt. I wanted to take a break and go to her. But I didn’t. I watched it straight through. Because, I knew-- if I’d clicked on the pause button just once, I most likely won’t have clicked to restart it again.

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Remember, I said above I'm not perfect. It's not like I didn't know about euthanasia, or cattle prods, or seal clubbing. And I did claim a certain naivety regarding slaughterhouse industry standards. But I believe we ALL must give more consideration the next time a couple of steaks are grabbed up at the produce counter; eggs are placed in the grocery cart; when we reach for a purse or wallet; try on a new leather coat; or sit down to watch the next animal-related sporting event; to just exactly how it all gets here. And those who continue to remain silent about what it is we truly know, are equally guilty of the torture and inhumanness. [something I would not have said prior to watching Earthlings] Because I fail to see anything human about sticking an electrocution rod up the back end of a fox, so that someone can have a fur collar on their new coat.

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This is about each and every one of us taking on the responsibility of change. If we do and/or say nothing, then nothing will ever change.

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So here I've set, still unable to continue with the usual goings-on of the day, until I crafted out the words I trust will make others take on actions of their own. These are the most difficult words I've ever chosen to write. Making words I'd spent time crafting just the day before, completely unimportant and irrelevant. And all I can do is trust they do not fall upon deaf ears.

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I closed the above-mentioned email, with the following words:
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February is a time when our thoughts and hearts are usually guided by what we know as Love. These are MY words; guided by what I understand as Love. I hope you choose as I did, to summon up the courage to watch what you won't want to see, and then give thought to what you're going to do.

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Blessings, L.L.

The Coming Year~2008

EDITOR'S NOTE: Date shown above reflects the date saved to the Draft Folder.

The entry actually posted on Feb. 7, 2008

There are those who can good look ahead and based on information they are privy to have a reasonable take on the coming year. Issac Asimov's Foundation series is based on a scientific method of predicting how the masses will react. Psychohistory, I believed he termed it. This world has its methods, whether you're dealing in financial futures or studying the results of the most recent census information. Or by casting those ever-precious votes to determine who shall inherit the Oval Office.

At this writing, I know only how I dealt with the year just passed. Not one I care to relive--other than with those who shared their time, assistance, patience and/or graciously suffered my periodic need to vent.

Because of numerous PC troubles I didn't complete the writing I'd set out to accomplish and/or share last year. But, I've been working on a few pieces to send out for publication. My EarthVerse and HeartSong Graphics sites fell painfully by the way last year. I'd like build my graphics site back to service in some way. That's going to take aLOT of work. And I'm not sure how much my back can take.

So far this year, I've managed to clean up, archive, and update my Pearls of Wisdom site. [see What's New?] Over the last year or so, I've added my digital signature to almost 50 petitions and/or Action Letters. [see Adding My Voice] There is so much wrong and cruelty in this world. If I leave no other legacy, I felt it important to give voice to the Voiceless.

And at the risk of continually annoying my readers, my concerns for the world upon which we live, are far from being satisfied. Many of the petitions I signed have been directed toward governmental agencies, Congress and/or the President. My concerns are for the seemingly lack of initiative and of forthrightness. I know the big oil men and bank lords don't care how I feel about the environment or polar bears, but the greed has to end somewhere, someday, or we're NOT going to have a healthy world upon which to live. [see Point of No Return]

I recently finished my Never Get It Back post. And though it shows May 27th as the published date, that's actually the date of the last Save to the Draft folder and the last time I worked on it right before the next round of pc woes. I posted it Feb. 6, 2008, which brings me to another direction for 2008; the importance of words.

Considering how we are bomb-barded daily, moment by moment, how are we ever to know how we truly feel on any given subject. Words all too often can be twisted, maniputlated, spun, and/or doubled back on themselves. So many words are unkind and leave us feeling angry, hurt, or lost. And children don't come into this world hating ANYthing. Except maybe brussel sprouts! But, they are taught by the words they hear as they grow.

I believe it's important to know the words that have been deleted or withdrawn from our histories or collective consciousness. Where are the unknown words, those left unsaid, that leave us standing in the shadows of the truth? Yea! Look for me to bore you more on THAT!

There's the other creative side of myself. I've called myself a big old lop-sided right-brainer [with a penchent for perfection]. I've got creativity coming out of the old wazu! But I'm also dealing with a phsyical disabilitly these days [four degenerating discs] that leaves a great frustration gnawing at my psyche. I do what I can do for I long as I can, then I have to go lay down and take the pressure of my spine.

I've got knitting projects to finish that were begun sometime last year. And dream catchers waiting for their dreamers. Mittens and handbags to design, and shawls to finish. Lots to keep me busy.

And lastly, but not leastly, I've so missed the work I did for the collection of school supplies that were delivered to the children of families living on primarily Standing Rock and Cheyenne River Indian Reservations in North and South Dakota. [see Drive for School Supplies] In the next few months, I'll be working to rebuild that page and will include a PayPal option for financial donations. All to be done provided my pc has no other ghosts to give up!

Blessings, L.L.

A Tale of Two Kitties

A little over two weeks ago, my dark and long-haired Lucy jumped down from the couch and took off for the kitchen. I heard her maneuver through the curtains to the window sill where she proceeded to chatter up a storm. I thought the sparrows were out there flying in and out of the eaves. As I walked in to peek at the goings on, I saw her shadow, through the shears, darting back and forth across the sill; stretching and reaching up each side of the window. Then I caught sight of something brown moving along the ivy that is draped over the rod. I had Starlings in the walls a couple of years ago [try catching three of THOSE to take back outside!], so-- I'm thinking a sparrow got in the house. NOT!

I catch another glimpse of movement and saw a tail [not one sporting feathers] and whiskers gyrating about. When it looks right at me--through those little dark bulgy eyes--I'm thinking, 'I've paid eighty-some dollars for those electronic apparati to keep you and your kind out.' I'm also thinking I may as well go ahead and pull the darn things from the outlets and save a little more on my electric bill. Because they’re obviously NOT WORKING.

ANYway, I said, “GOOD G-I-R-L, LUCE! Good G-i-r-l!”

Then I’m thinking, now I’ve got to catch the little bugger. Since the kitchen became somewhat the catch-all room throughout the spring-clean season, I didn't have far to reach for a box to snatch it up. My first and only attempt failed; with the mouse losing it's footing. It fell. Where? Both Lucy and I looked. And looked. She had a bead on it once then-- nothing. I hadn't seen it move across the floor, so I figured it came up through the furnace vent--just underneath the window--and scurried back down. So I closed it off and thought I'll call the landlord. Later.

Well, with recent health concerns and other Life moments happening, I totally forgot about: The Mouse. What I couldn't forget is the look on Pearl’s face [she’s my short-haired tuxedo kitty] when I caught sight of her as I lavished her sibling with all that, “You’re-such-a-good-mouser!” praise. I knew I needed to do something to make amends. And it couldn't involve anything even remotely resembling false praise because she'd see right through it. Fear not though, My Pearl had her day. Though not before Lucy had another valorous go at: The Intruder!

I'm on disability for degenerating discs, so whatever the activity was that strained my back [week ago Sunday; aside from trying to catch a mouse] it made me go for the full regimen of drugs and landed me on the couch for several hours of uninterrupted sleep. When I woke, I found Lucy sitting like a statute on the arm of the big chair that sits in front of the living room window; staring at--of all things--the curtains. She never sat there. And not like that. I don't remember what I said, but she wouldn't budge or even look away. Then I noticed the intense look on her face.

Enter: The Mouse.

I walked over to lift up and look under the valance panels and there it sat at the very top on the drapery rod. Peeking right at me over the ruffles . ‘It's BACK!’

Well, before I could think [Becasue no! I hadn't come up with a good amends yet.], I'm saying, “Good Girl, Luce!” Yeap! I knew as soon as I said it. As I head to the kitchen to get the box I know I'm in– j-u-u-u-s-t that much deeper –with Pearl. Who, as it happened, sat there watching her sister and me.

When I got back, Lucy still sat there like a dog on point; with a mouse clearly in her sights. I stepped up on the chair, reached for and snagged the little devil. It struggled to get away. Lucy moved in. I saw the fear in its eyes. The Mouse is afraid! Lucy clawed at the drapes. The Mouse wiggled free. ‘DANG!’ Lucy lunged to the floor and: The Chase was on.

There's a flurry of activity that I can't get to— Pearl finally makes her move. Lucy cornered it. No-- She had it trapped under her body. Her plume of a tail twitched. Pearl clearly tried to figure, 'what can I do?' There's another flurry and Pearl rushed in. Then– Lucy emerged with: The Mouse, dangling in humiliation by it's own tail; held tight in my good mouser's mouth.

Lucy trotted straightaway toward the kitchen. I followed immediately after thinking, 'And you're going to do exactly WHAT with it when we get there?'

I didn't get the chance find out. Lucy lost her grip and the little brown devil darted toward and through the open laundry room door. ‘DANG again!’ I watched it scurry under the washer and dryer. I hurried in and closed the door so it couldn't circle back out. It's a small room. And yes, I stood there with Lucy saying, “It’s alright, Luce! We’ve got it.” And just as I offered a reassuring, “You’re a good mouser, Lucy!” I gave thought to turn and open the door.

There was Pearl. Sitting quiet and still and very much alone. When she lifted up those beautiful cow eyes, the look on her face said, 'Yes! I heard every word- through the door you closed.’

Without the slightest hesitation and in a ‘where-ya-been?’ voice, I said, “Get in here, Misskins!”

A shabby save at best, I admit, but she hurried in, tail held high and I closed the door behind her. But all we could really do was wait. There's no way these days, for me to move around those heavy appliances, so– I simply resolved to let it [The Mouse] exit on its own risk. I'm thinking by now its got to have a pretty fair idea of what its just let itself in for– and, I needed to go lay down. Again.

The next day [being Monday last] I had some pesky computer trouble to deal with and called my tech support pretty much first thing in the morning. I finally hung up the phone after an horrendous five hours and six different people later; all of whom failed the, 'This-is-not-rocket-science!' Test. Meaning, my problem never got totally resolved. Regardless, I called for Pearl [as she's my meditation kitty] and headed to the bedroom to meditate myself out of the terrible mood the whole morning and its business put me in.

I sat down. Put on my headphones. Got the neck roll just right. ‘Breathe in-- Breathe out ...’ Pearl jumped up and into my lap. She walked up a way and gifted me with a much-needed nose kiss. She moved to settle in; kneaded a little. Purred a little. I drifted and went to that safe and comfortable place– All was well and good with the world– I willingly lost track of the time– And,

Enter: Pearl. And: Her Due!

I felt Pearl stir in my lap. I opened my eyes as she jumped to the floor and bolted across the room to the window. I figured the birds were flying in and out of the eaves so I got up slowly from the chair and walked over to see the goings on. She'd jumped up and sat in the sill but stared, intently, at the back side of one of the curtain panels. Just as I figured it didn't have anything to do with birds, I saw: The Shadow. There it sat... ‘No ...’ hung in a fold of the panel. Very slow– I pulled at the panel– and peaked around– ‘It's BACK!’ All I could see was its little mousy fur on its little mousy backside.

“Good GIRL, PEARL! Okay ... Don’t move.” She didn't.

“Don’t let IT move.” She didn't.

“Let me go get ...”

Okay, the box was downstairs in the kitchen and I did NOT want to go all the way down and have to come back up again. Think, think, think ... I found a tin in my studio office and pulled off: The Lid. I took a deep breath, ‘this is going to have to do,’ and went back for: The Next– (((‘NO!’))) No, no, no! I went back for: The Final Round.

When I got back Pearl still sat on that sill like a dog on point; with a mouse–mere inches away–dead in her sights. I moved slow but confident. I took the base of: The Tin around and behind: The Shadow. I took: The Lid over my side of: The Curtain Panel. ‘I GOT IT!’ And Pearl knew it. ‘Yea, but now what do I do?’ I'm standing there with a Mouse Sandwich and no one to help me out of it.

Just then I saw: The Tail flip about; j-u-s-t outside of: The Crust. 'Think, think, think ...' I decide to slide: The Sandwich down toward the floor. There’s no way to slide it to the right or left. It’s a leverage thing. It’d be QUICKER ... But, Pearl has yet to be trained in Advanced Curtain Wrangling and the two hands I’ve already got were occupied with a potential victory!

So. I start to pull: The Sandwich downward. All while keeping: Said Mouse inside of: Said Sandwich. By the time I got rather awkwardly to my knees, Lucy arrived. While she got herself up to speed on the current goings on: The Hem of: The Curtain Panel was but a few inches away.

Mouser One and Mouser Two began to circle around; both ready to pounce if– (((‘No ifs!’))) I stopped momentarily to make sure: The Fold opened up and released: The Mouse into: The Tin. Done! ‘I'm almost there!’ I maneuvered over the dreaded: Decorative Stitching of: The Hem– and then: 'VOILA!!!!'

The Mouse ... is in ... The Tin!

I took another good look and shook the curtain panel, then turned to Pearl and said, “You’re a good mouser, My Pretty Girl! Thank you, Pearl!”

She looked so proud. I was so proud! She sniffed at: The Prize and I got to my feet. I shook: The Tin [I promise only a little] just to make absolute sure I hadn't trapped mere air and once satisfied, I headed down the stairs.

As I opened the back door to take and release our little intruder back where it belongs [into the great wide open] I said, “I do hope you think about this a good time or three before you try to find your way back in here again!”

Time will tell. With that said, I pulled off: The Lid and gave: The Mouse a little toss into the freshly mowed Spring grass. It sat there for a moment; thinking 'DANG!' no doubt. Its little whiskers wavered and shimmered with the sun light. I did think its tail's looked a little more worse for the wear and as it moved and started to head back my way I said, "Don't be an idiot!” I walked over, scooped it back up and took it farther out.

Once back inside, I found my girls patiently waiting. "Is it time for Snackies?"

And yes! I'm going to pull those electronic gizmos out of the walls. Come June, I'll have lived in this townehome for three years. As I went about setting up house, I saw what I thought might be: Evidence of Mouse. But I simply could never bring myself to lay and bait one of those traps. I just thought the electronics [which are meant to disturb and keep them at bay] more humane. I don't want to mutilate and/or kill them. I just don't want them inside. Besides, now that I know my girls are not just a couple of pretty faces– I'd rather spend that little bit of extra money on a cat toy or two!

Many blessings, L.L.

Never Get It Back!

EDITOR'S NOTE: Date shown above reflects date last worked and saved to Draft Folder.

The entry was published on Feb. 6, 2008

There's a writing prompt on my Soul Echoes blog; an embedded Writing Tip of the Day, script. Back in May, 2007 [around the time my pc monitor gave up its ghost], the following was offered:

Write with wisdom and careful thought, because in publishing, haste often makes waste.

I felt it important to get back to this post [It's been sitting in the Draft folder--waiting everso patiently--for my return.], because it reminded me of the man I'd met several years back and quoted in my first attempt at writing commentary: That Which We Call Earth

Arvol Looking Horse is Chief and 19th Generation Keeper of the Sacred White Buffalo Pipe of the Lakota, Dakota & Nakota Sioux Nation. I saw him straightaway as a quiet and peaceable man; one who gives considerable thought before he speaks. I also knew, as he chose his words, he knows a great deal more than he will ever immediately share.

He opened his speech by sharing the reason behind his careful consideration of the words he choses; before he speaks them. His mother taught him that once a thing is said, once a thought is put out there, you can never get it back.
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Many of us grew up with the axiom, 'think before you speak.' When I hear that, my mind goes straight to an episode of Friends when Rachel baby-sits and loses Ross's monkey, Marcel. It's the one where Phoebe takes a dart for the cause. There's a scene with the Animal Control Officer, where Rachel and Ross try to pretend the call they made was a big mistake.

The officer buys it until Monica and Phoebe rush in the apartment and Phoebe mentions something about Marcel. Monica [obviously aware they'd just blown it] asks, "Pheebs? You know how we talked about saying things quietly to yourself first?" I just about died laughing when Phoebe responded with, "Yes, but there's not always time."

Well, all things considered [and imaginary friends aside] we have to make that kind of time. Why? Because we brandish them to easily. And give little to no thought to the consequences wrought.

There's an old childhood axiom about 'sticks and stones and broken bones, ... and those words can never harm us...,' well, they do harm. Words can leave wounds so deep that if left untended, they may never heal. And too often never do.

I found this prompt to be also quite timely since my focus these days is on concerns of the earth. I'm reminded and find great truth to a First Nations axiom, Mitakuye Oyasin, which in Lakota means, All My Relations or We Are All Related. It speaks to an inter-connectedness with all living things, whether two-legged, four-legged, winged, or crawlers; whether mineral, organic, of the rocks or the trees.

I asksed the profound question, recently: What is Life? [Pearls of Wisdom, see, Pearls of Life] Simple words. And a seemingly simple question derived from a point I wanted to make--"Were we all to consider our Earth a living breathing entity"--meant to stir how we all might better handle what threatens us today.

As mentioned above, my commentary posed the following: if we thought of Earth as nothing less than sacred, "might we be quicker to consider a proper cure?" I must have chosen the wrong words. Because no one ever responded. [Okay, Myrna did. But only because I pleaded for her time.]

I believe we are connected to the world that sustanes us in a way we have simply forgotten. And all we need do, is take some time and breathe in, breathe out, live in the moment and know what's true. That means taking much valued time to pay attention to the words that also connect us.

I believe what is, simply is. Knowledge is knowledge and has nothing to do so much with Good or Evil; Divine or Forbidden. But, -- just because we know a thing, doesn't mean we need do a thing [Think Jurrasic Park], or say a thing. Words are too often used to hurt.

It's what we do with what we know that others perceive as being right or wrong. And it's wrong when what we should know, we don't know; when what we do know, is but half a truth. When words are stratigically missing or unwisely said, they do nothing more than divide and keep us conquered. Words manipulate thoughts and bring about action. It's how we use the words we speak, whether to influence or persuade, that once put out into the world, we can never get them back.

I believe we are all as one. But, if we continue to let words and the fear they can manifest divide us, ill-spoken words meant to keep us at bay, then nothing will ever change. And we'll have only ourselves to blame.

Many Blessings, L.L.

Please visit Wolakota.org.

A Well-placed Concern

I felt the need to write the following piece after reading one person’s concern that: "... some people think Green is just a trend. Since this level of media attention cannot sustain itself, I'm worried that folks will drop Green like a hot potato for the next big thing." ~emmaspirit, Go Green. I agreed with her. Too many people could find this as nothing more than a trendy fad unless or until they are hit with the more dire facts of reality.


It may well have been the polar bears [See: Arctic Melt Worse Than Predictions] that finally made the media sit up straight and take further notice. Not totally their fault though; maybe. The nay-sayers seemed to hold a stronger voice on the matter. No longer. At very least, local and national news media are now making regular attempts to insert Going Green tips and Global Warming issues into their daily and/or weekly broadcasts. Along with daytime talk shows like Martha Stewart, Rachael Ray, etc. But, when they stop, so too will public interest.

Unfortunately the out of sight, out of mind concept is built of brick. And until it hits someone in the face– Until someone who lives as though, ‘it’s not going to happen to us’ has their home swept away by a hurricane or rising flood waters; blown apart by tornadoes or straigt line winds; burned out by increasing wild fires, or has to pay the countinuing outrageous high prices for produce due drought, unseasonal frost, or farmers selling corn and soy for alternative fuels, it's going to be a very hard sell. It's one reason I'm grateful for the more pronounced attention the above-mentioned media is giving this issue.

I know certain retail stores are stocking more organic clothing. I told the cashier at Walmart recently [after buying a couple dozen men’s hankies], that they should create a display of these and include some women’s handkerchiefs to help implement the idea that: buying these items will cut down on the use of paper products. A hopeful pay-it-forward hint. Next month [can't doing anything more financial right now] I'm going purchase some cloth napkins to help further cut my dependence on paper products.

It was good to see Lowes celebrating Earth Day with a flyer of nothing but Green and earth-friendly products–from energy saver light bulbs to water heater blankets. It's going to take a continual 'keep it in the public eye' approach; but doing it in a manner that doesn't make anyone say, 'enough already.'

We all need to take a little responsibility and let the stores where we shop, know what we want to see. It would be great if national stores like Walmart, Sears, SAMS, Home Depot, Lowes, as well as local retail, department, and grocery stores, took time to set up something like: Go Green Centers, to help customers either become more aware of what they are currently providing or take suggestions as to what we'd like to see them offer.

I've done a lot of sewing over the years, it would be a positive step if fabric stores stocked and promoted more organic fabrics, threads, etc. I'm sure some quilters would have a field day creating quilts with nothing but organic materials. Think: Quilters Organic!

With all that said, it would also behoove the owners and/or managers of retail establishments to make some time and take stock of the products they offer and the waste they generate--what do they recycle or throw away; do we want "plastic or paper" bags? We all really know by now that plastic bags are not good. The list will vary and by many degrees. But, we all need to recognize and/or acknowledge what would be helpful toward making positive changes.

Manufacturers should take a look at their packaging. The cosmetic industry can have three different layers of generated trash: the cellophane; the box; and the molded plastic insert. I don't mean to single out cosmetics; that is a familiar trend throughout marketing. The fast-food industry needs to look at the amount of styrofoam containers they use. As I understand it, styrofoam is not recyclable and cannot go in the landfills. So, where's it all going?

In closing, a friend forwarded an email on 'who has the cheapest gas, and whose the worst offenders of gas usage.' [See Where gasoline is cheap] Though the United States is high, it was not the worst or even number one on the list. My response to him was [and this is a copy/paste of that reply]: "While it is truly shameful that the US government has not taken a more defined lead position in the efforts of global warming, it is going to take a true global effort to turn things around in order to stave off the damage we are all guilty of. IMHO!"


I leave you with a tip that may help make your home become a little more green and earth-friendly; a way to lessen your ecological footprint.

For some households, especially those with older plumping, running the tap water a second or two helps to release any sediment. Instead of wasting that amount of water each time you want a glass, fill a pitcher for the frig or countertop; keep ready for use. Keep one in the bathroom as well. Anywhere you regular draw water from to drink. Run the water [and waste it] only once instead of six or eight times a day. The size of any one family determines how much water is or may no longer be wasted.

Until next time, [A Peepster update is on the way!]

Many Blessings, L.L.

Thieves In The Night

Okay, another Trash Day is rolling around and I’ve had about a week to stew over this. Though "peeved" isn’t exactly the word [I've already used] to describe how I felt when someone stole the caddy for my recycle bins; I’ll leave the expletive for releasing bodily functions for off-site ears.

In my neighborhood the recycle trash truck comes very early. Usually well before the sun [or myself for that matter] rises. So, we all wheel our cans and bins to the curb sometime throughout the previous day. Last week I woke up and started my day like any other Trash Day. As I do each morning, I peered through the window to see who might be at the feeder. What I hadn't expected to see were my recycle bins sitting, tumbled on the grass.

I blurted aloud, "Where's my caddy?" Loud enough to startle a Mourning Dove into flight. I stood there genuinely dumbfounded and thought, 'Who needs to steal a caddy for recycle bins?'

I admit it was nice. That’s why I bought it. Have a look. I found the Bin Buddy, at HSN. Kind of cool-- Right? I thought so. Am I going to buy another one? I doubt it!

But, -- The reason I bought it in the first place is due to my degenerating discs. Since I can no longer carry them from Point A to Point B, I thought it would make it easier to get my bins [filled with recycle-bound trash] to the curb. Hence my purchase of the spiffy little caddy. Unfortuante for me, someone skulking around in the dark [most likely having seen it sometime during the previous light of day] thought the same thing. It doesn’t justify such a shameful theft.

So, -- Here’s my conundrum. What to do. [????] What ... to ... do. Though it did make my life a little easier, just in case one isn’t enough, I’m in no hurry to buy another for him/her or them.

H-u-m-m-m-m..., Think. ... Thank. ...

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Thunk!

Okay, I'm back from a little window shopping. QVC has this neat Lightweight Foldable Hand Truck. Nothing to leave out and tempt Fate with there. This may be doable when I'm able to afford it!

In the meantime, I do have one of those collapsible milk crate carts with inline skate wheels and a pull handle. I used it for my daily collection of school supplies [from three different buildings] that were delivered to reservation schools in North and South Dakota. I could use that to transport a bin back and forth. It'll have to do ... for now.

With my conundrum reasonably-solved, ... I'm moving on.

Many Blessings, L.L.