Do You Realize?

Ready to Fall?

Those of you who are regular readers (and even occasional readers) know that I delve into deep thoughts or long posts only on occasion, usually when something is bothering me. And today, I am very bothered. My teenage son has been telling me about this super-disturbing video. Curious to see what he finds disturbing (since he finds Jackass funny and I think that's pretty freakin' disturbing), I went to check it out; I knew I liked the band, I liked the song, why not? I am surely glad he finds it disturbing, but it is something I think everyone should see. It's quite the commentary on how we as a society have come to enjoy our "consumables" so much that we have turned a blind eye, and therefore condoned, what is done to get the final product. (Warning: Very graphic and disturbing images. Teenage daughter couldn't sit through the whole thing; she left in tears.)

"Ready to Fall" by Rise Against

Today is Memorial Day, a day to remember men & women who have lost their lives for our freedom. But I really would like to see us also start paying closer attention to our "companions" who have lost their lives (or maybe just their eyesight or the use of a limb) for our comfort, for "tears-free" shampoo and "hypo-allergenic" lotions and "new & improved" formulas.

Sometimes I can be quite the proverbial ostrich, burying my head in the sand when something is tough to take. But if everyone did that, I realized that nothing would get done about things like unnecessary animal testing and inhumane slaughter houses. I really believe that a society's ultimate goodness can be judged by how it treats its animals (an opinion I know has been shared by Gandhi, Mark Twain, Ralph Waldo Emerson, Leo Tolstoy, and Dr. Charles Mayo, to name a few). Is our society "ready to fall"? Morally, sometimes I think so.

One of the things I learned today is that Nalgene makes this evil contraption just for a test known as the Draize Eye Test. In the Draize eye test a substance is dropped into the eyes of a group of albino rabbits. The animals are often immobilized in stocks from which only their heads protrude. They usually receive no anesthesia during the tests. After placing the substance in the rabbits' eyes, technicians record the damage to the eye tissue at specific intervals over an average period of 72 hours, with tests sometimes lasting 7-18 days. Reactions to the substances include swollen eyelids, inflamed irises, ulceration, bleeding, massive deterioration, and blindness. During the tests, the rabbits' eyelids are held open with clips. Animals sometimes break their necks or backs as they struggle to escape. Technicians performing eye irritancy tests do not attempt to treat the rabbits or seek antidotes to the test substance, so the test cannot help lead to treatments for potential human injuries. No more Nalgene for me, my friend; never again. (We have a bunny, and I cannot even fathom the hardness or mindset required to treat one like that.)

The problem is that Nalgene is not the only "bad guy" here. There are plenty of companies that purchase and use these contraptions, and we are giving them our money. "Here, I bought some of your shampoo. Go burn somebunny's eyes out." Ummmm, that's logical, right? No, it's blind consumerism (or possibly callousness, because "this shampoo works better than any of the others.").

Dr. Albert Schweitzer said, "The quiet conscience is the invention of the devil. No one of us may permit any preventable pain to be inflicted even though the responsibility for that pain is not ours. No one may shut his eyes and think that the pain which is therefore not visible, is non-existent." He said it a lot better that I can, and he sounded a lot smarter, too. So... yeah, what he said!

This is not supposed to be a hypocritical rant to make anyone feel any guiltier than I do. It's more like a plea to take an extra 5 minutes to take a look at this list or this guide before going out to buy cleaning products or shampoo or cosmetics. I know I will think a little harder and shop a little smarter.

Nasty Little Buggers

Okay, I'm hoping that this post will draw 47 comments, because I'm desperate!

Some subversive critters of the most vicious variety are eating me alive in bed at night. Itchy, itchy bites, and over the last 4 or 5 days, I probably have a dozen or two bites on me. I have found two or three tiny little unidentified buggers, and when I mash them, they explode with blood. And I do mean TINY... as in about the size of the period at the end of this sentence.

My first thought was bedbugs... crap! But, I have inspected the seams of the mattress & boxsprings, and between the two, and I can find absolutely ZERO evidence of that. From what I can gather, bedbugs are pretty easily visible to the eye, about the size of a non-engorged tick.

Now I'm leaning toward chiggers. But, can chiggers live indoors? We have indoor/outdoor dogs, one of whom sleeps with us at night... could she have picked them up in the grass, transferred them to our bed, where they are having all-night drunken raves in our bed? And what can we do to get rid of them?

I'm really starting to swerve psychotically toward delusional parasitosis at this point. AAAAAAAAARRRRRGH!

Note: My stats tell me that this post is one of my most viewed. If you have come here through Google and are having an unsolvable insect mystery, you can find an update on our situation in this post. Good luck!

Monday Meanderings, Part Deux

So, Mark has taken this week off work, as well (the result of not taking all of his vacation time during the rest of the year), and it always seems to happen that I don't post when he's here at home... I've also noticed that the whole household has a veil of tardiness hanging over all its members when he's home. But, as usual, my brain actually does work when he's here, I just don't post about it when it happens. All of which leads to Monday Meanderings. Where has my mind been meandering this week?

Garbage Land. Fascinating book, and I'm only on the 4th chapter. I'll post a little more as I get further along. Right now, I'm just thinking about a good chunk of New York actually built on top of garbage, and it's quite amazing to think about.

Monsanto. I really had no idea how mind-numbingly detrimental this company is to the public's health and wellbeing: from saccharin to styrofoam, Roundup to Agent Orange, genetically modified foods to bovine growth hormones. And what's up with the whole pig breeding patent?  That's more than just a little creepy.

Corn. Speaking of Monsanto, I find myself looking at all corn with suspicion now. Is that corn in my wild bird feed genetically modified? What about my canned corn? And I've heard that corn syrup (which I use at least once a week for my gingerbread pancake recipe) is pretty much all genetically jacked-up.

Chemicals. We just paid $1000 to Terminix to inject our soil with termite poison. I know it's buried, and I know it's supposed to be totally "safe" to be around, but I'm still more than a little discomfited by it. (There goes my hope of growing anything "organic" around my house.) But, it's either poison the termites, or let them eat the house. Neither sounds like a good option to me, just like the politicians around here.

Window screens. I'd love to be able to open our windows this spring & summer, but our windows don't have screens. Does anyone know if screens are easy to install? Do we have to hire someone to do it, or is it a DIY job? (In answer to the first anticipated question, screens are necessary in our house because we have 4 indoor cats and at least 3 outdoor dogs, not to mention that I have this extreme rabid aversion to flies.)

Ooooh, and how could I forget the religious nutcases that have been on my mind? Jerry Falwell and Stephen Baldwin, particularly. Now, I really don't have any problems, per se, with people's various religions. I may not necessarily accept their same views, but as long as they aren't pushing them on me, we'll all be fine. But when someone starts telling me that gays, lesbians, & the ACLU caused 9/11 and that my kids shouldn't watch the Teletubbies because "Tinky Winky is gay,"  it's time to part ways, my friend. (Now, if you were to pose the infinitely more intelligent argument that the kids shouldn't be allowed to watch the Teletubbies because they inhibit their language skills, I'm all ears.) And Stephen Baldwin (yes, one of those Baldwin brothers), the self-proclaimed "Jesus Psycho" that can't remember even six of the Ten Commandments? He's just scary crazy. Or maybe crazy scary. Even scarier, though? The rockin' feedback from his book at Amazon, which indicates there are a lot of Jesus Psychos out there.

And there you have a few of the things that have been on my mind this week. What about you? What's been on your mind?

Green Thumbs and Other Myths

Since Vanessa is convinced that she is going to kill all of the herbs in her cute little window box, I told her I would dig out an old post from a couple of years ago on my other blog. You know, to show I have empathy for her situation.

Originally posted 6/14/05.

I've come to the conclusion that the idea of a "green thumb" is malarky.  This theory is proven out in more than one way around our home.

In the front of the house, we have planted hostas and star jasmine, which we have trained on wire/metal obelisks on either side of the front door.  More than half of our hostas are blooming beautifully despite being pummeled and torn by hail just days after planting; hardy little suckers, indeed.  Both jasmine plants are heavy with luscious-smelling blossoms; nevertheless, one of them was just days away from being pronounced dead and dug up a couple of weeks ago.

We have some lovely snapdragons... that popped up through the pea gravel around the pool.  Nevermind that we didn't plant them there, and the ones we DID plant (in thoroughly tilled and amended soil) are either now dead or struggling mightily.

We have some gazania daisies planted that had to be moved; they should be named "Lazarus daisies," as at least half of the dying or dead miraculously have sprung back to life with no help from me.

I'm growing grass...  Apparently, bird seed is really just grass seed, and I recently rinsed their food bowl out in my bathroom sink.  Two or three days ago I noticed some lovely blades of grass poking their heads up out of the drain.

And so, I've given up trying to analyze my successes and failures at gardening.  I just gratefully enjoy the beauty I'm given, and mourn the loss of that which is gone.

I'm a'thinkin'...

...that I've been given a Thinking Blogger Award! A big thank you to Alina, my friend in the Netherlands, who is still In the Closet about her environmentalism (I wonder if they have environmentalist rehab, like gay rehab? Since I think both groups should be purged of their evil thoughts and ways and all...). Apparently, I inspire her a little (as she does me)... I am bursting with excitement at the thought!

The five blogs I'm going to nominate are very diverse, not all environmental in nature, and since that is what inspired Alina about my blog, I thought it only appropriate. Besides, you can find a ton of environmental inspiration on my Great Green Sites sidebar. As my friend from another blog so eloquently put it, "I consider every blog I list in my blogroll to be thought-provoking (otherwise, it wouldn’t be there!)." I am also trying to share the love by nominating people who have not yet been nominated. So without further ado, here are the Five Blogs That Make Me Think (and why):

1.  Shawn, over at Kowai. He's needing a little inspiration to keep posting, and I'm hoping this will do it. He is my environmental tag of the bunch; he has a lot to say, and I I think it's all worth hearing. He's witty, intelligent, and he has a cute panda on his banner; need I say more?!?

2.  Tony (and Philip), at Homeless Man Speaks. They are making me think a lot about the homeless situation and re-affirming my belief that we are all just one disaster (be it financial, familial, or environmental) away from homelessness. Tony puts a face on "the man on the corner." And it's a lovely, thoughtful, intelligent face.

3.  Molly, at the RedMolly Picayune-Democrat. She will laugh when she finds out that her blog makes me think, since she has stated before that she has nothing of any real value to post, a statement with which I wholly disagree. She is quirky, smart, strong, and we have so much in common that she makes me think whether I want to or not! (She doesn't know it, but she's the one that made me think I wanted a blog!)

4.  "AC," over at Confessions of an Anonymous Coward. A very recent, but tantalizing, find (on RedMolly's site, go figure). This guy spent 20-odd years faithfully following his LDS doctrine, and then one day realized he didn't believe a damn thing that religion had to offer and never really had. He, however, remained "in the church" so as not to bring hurt to his loved ones there. He is very eloquent and deep, and totally not a raving athiest lunatic (funny how athiests get the same general stereotype as environmentalists).

5.  Christy, from Farm Dreams. A big surprise for me, since I only stumbled upon this blog by accident. The author is the first person ever to make me even consider remotely that unschooling can be a viable educational choice. She is articulate, thoughtful, and her perspectives will make you think.

A special mention: Blue Like the Sky. This lady is a writer from the inside out, and I love reading her stuff, plus she has a commanding vocabulary. Blogging is new for her, so there's only a few posts thus far, but I'm hoping this will give her the kickstart she needs. She makes me think on a regular basis. I did not give you a nomination only because I did not want to put unnecessary pressure on you and your posts.

Now, if you were tagged, follow the link up top & you'll find the easy-to-follow rules.

The Power to Power Off

I was just over at No Impact Man's blog earlier; his newest phase of the experiment is turning off the electricity to their apartment. He's already washing clothes in the bathtub, baking his own bread, eschewing all but self-powered transportation, vermicomposting, accumulating no new possessions, and eating only food grown or produced within 250 miles of NYC (where he lives).

I was also recently contacted by a group in NYC, Plug It Out, who are spearheading a campaign to get Americans to unplug for just one day each month (specifically 6:30-10:30 p.m.). They were emailing to tell me they enjoy my blog, and to invite me to join them in their next Plug It Out date. It is a fantastic idea, one that will help greatly.

All this talk of electricity and unplugging has me in a bind. We have considerably reduced our share of electricity in the last few months, and the electricity we do use comes from 100% renewable wind power. So, the question I keep asking myself is this: Why do I feel guilty for consuming electricity, even though it is completely clean?

I was reading the rantings and ravings on a blog somewhere out in the blogosphere (I couldn't even begin to tell you where I found it) by a man who stated his opinion that environmentalists seem to always push ourselves and others toward ascetism and martyrdom to assuage our feelings of guilt. In a few instances I must say I agree with him; I have read a few blogs that are a bit "preachy" and "pushy." (The thing I love about Colin's efforts is that he never says that others should be doing what he is doing; we can only do what we can do.)

In light of all this (no pun intended), I'm fighting my sense of guilt over our energy use. Call me a Poseur Environmentalist or a hypocrite, but I'm forcing myself to remember that we have switched a majority of our lightbulbs to CFLs and switch to 100% renewable energy, and to be proud of that. I don't have to feel guilty about my energy choices; I have a family of five and many animals to take care of, and electricity is a part of that. Might we try to unplug once a month, just to see what it's like? Yes, probably. But if we only choose to unplug for four hours, or once every other month, I'm not going to feel guilty. There are way too many other things in life that I feel guilty about, like our SUV, and not exercising, and our finches' mysteriously short life spans, and that big ol' strawberry cake in my fridge.

Happy Mother's Day

Happy Mother's Day to all the mothers who are reading, as well as to all the grandmothers, aunts, and fathers who stand in for mothers on a daily basis (I know there are a lot of you out there, that might not be recognized on "Mother's Day" often).

Today, I am playing. I am working in my art studio, eating food I'm not cooking, and adding some of my photography and artwork to the blog.

Have a wonderful day...
L.

Ethanol for the Long Haul?

I've been thinking a lot about ethanol lately (not surprising, since my current mode of transport is a big Lexus SUV, which gets 16 mpg). Specifically, I've been thinking about the viability of ethanol as the answer to this country's search for alternative fuel. I'm not nearly as educated as some out there on this subject, so this will be purely conjecture, but ethanol seems to me a very bad idea on several levels.

First, it just doesn't make sense to take one of our biggest food crops & turn it into fuel. In a country where millions are starving each day, we're really considering shoving that corn into our vehicles instead of into hungry children's mouths? You have got to be kidding me!

Also, just where is all this corn supposed to come from? I've read in several sources that farmlands currently used for other crops, as well as our precious wetlands and wild places, either have begun to be or will be re-appropriated for use as corn fields. This is one of the most damaging and ridiculous ideas I've heard in a long time. In a country that relies on so heavily on corn for livestock production and human consumption, I just don't see us having enough corn to go into cars. I suppose we could go to ration coupons, right? (If you think asking people to use CFLs was hard, try getting them to give up that 2-pound steak or quarter pounder for the environment!)

Finally, if this administration is so fired up about homeland security, perhaps they are not seeing the forest for the corn. Now, I'd like to think I don't have much in common with terrorists, but if I did, I'd see this whole corn thing as a very, very good idea. Honestly, can you think of a better way to put a hurt on a country than to biologically destroy the ONE CROP that they absolutely rely on for food AND fuel? Maybe farmers will be given enormous bulls-eyes to put in the middle of their cornfields along with their government subsidies? Now, that's what I call a crop circle!

A Cinematic Tuesday Ten

I'll have an eco-post tomorrow, but today's Tuesday, now, isn't it? This week's cinematic edition is Ten Movies I Want Everyone In The World To See.

1. My Favorite Romantic Movie --- A Walk in the Clouds. I could watch this one over and over and over again. Gorgeous scenery, fair acting, romance, a fabulous message, a happy ending, and a cute Keanu. Who could ask for anything more?

2. My Favorite Foreign Language Film --- Cinema Paradiso. Another feel-good movie, but you will cry. Rather, if you are a softie like me, you will cry. Absolutely a must-see movie!

3. My Favorite Horror Film --- The Saw trilogy... there, I admit it. I think the concept and storylines are very clever, although I figured the lots of the second & third one out. What do you think that says about my psyche? Hmmmm... do you want to play a game?!?!?

4. My Favorite Documentary --- Koyaanisqatsi: Life Out of Balance. The title is a Hopi word whose literal meaning is "life out of balance." This movie is very different than most you're accustomed to, as it has no central plot, no dialogue, no actors; because of this, the movie can be watched in any country without worry of interpretation. It does have, in massive doses, haunting imagery, a mesmerizing score by Philip Glass, and a very important message for all viewers regarding our integration with technology to the point that we are desecrating our original natural world because we can no longer function, as a society, outside of that technology. I cannot even begin to describe the range of emotions I feel watching this movie.

5. My Favorite Holiday Movie --- Either It's a Wonderful Life or A Nightmare Before Christmas. It's really a toss-up. Maybe I just think that Jimmy Stewart & Donna Reed are looking a little like Jack & Sally:

  6. My Favorite Drama --- Crash. This movie should be a requirement in every high school and in every sociology class.

7. My Favorite Dark Comedy --- Fargo. Still cracks me up... especially the fact that it was based on a true story, even the wood chipper.

8. My Favorite Multi-Genre Movie --- As Good as it Gets. Fabulous cast. Fantastic acting. And a damn cute little dog!

9. My Favorite Feel-Good Movie --- Secondhand Lions. This movie is so incredibly charming and so very heart-warming. It almost makes me wish I was raised by eccentric uncles.

10. My Favorite Animated Movie --- Probably Toy Story. I still get the biggest giggles out of remembering dialogue from my two boys after it came out. "I want a Woody!" "No, I want a Buzz!" (Who came up with those names, I'd like to know? Whoever it was, he was a genius!) And my favorite? "To amphibian... and a john!"

I'd like to see some other people's faves here... anybody seen any of mine, or want to share any of theirs?
Happy Tuesday (or probably Wednesday, by the time you read this)!

(The images contained in this post are not my own, and are not copyrighted by me.)

Stormy Weather

Last night we were under a Tornado Warning here for about half an hour (Oldest son, the high-strung one like me, was nervous enough to bring his mattress downstairs... heheheh). We had all four cats and three dogs in a bedroom with us, ready to grab & run, and the other three dogs were in the garage. We got hail and a LOT of crazy wind at our house, but no twister action, thankfully. By ten or so, all was calm.

This morning, however, we have a fair-sized maple branch in our yard, from two doors down. Those same neighbors also had another tree lose a limb to lightning (you can see the charring at the "V"). On the way to school (3 miles away), we saw downed power lines in two spots, lots more wind-torn branches, and another tree with a (HUGE) lightning-charred limb down. All very impressive.

But this morning, all is clear. Squirrels & birds are going about their business again. It's a good Tuesday.