Interesting Quote from the NY Times

"We're borrowing money from China to buy oil from the Persian Gulf to burn it in ways that destroy the planet. Every bit of that has to change."
- FORMER VICE PRESIDENT AL GORE, urging that the United States abandon the use of
carbon-based fuels for electricity within 10 years.

Something to think about.

The Heartbreak of Fritillaria (Reports on the Freeze)

This sudden shift in the air temps lets one know that something is coming and as history has proven there is damn little one can do except mist your flowers, cover what you are able and then hope in the AM it is not as bad as predicted.

It is still quite early and already we have been up since 6 AM moving about like Shakers in the morning dawn doing the final steps of what was begun last night.

So with frozen fingers and petals to match, I want to offer up a few images of this AM.

And the jury is still out on the showy fritillaria. (It was hit, but it may survive.)

Reduce. Reuse. Recycle. (The 3 R's On Target)

In the April 14th issue of Newsweek, they devoted the magazine to the sujet du jour, Green.

In my bedroom, aI plow through the stacks of magazines that will eventually become something else, I was encouraged that the cover of this Newsweek would become a great stylish bag.

Target in looking to reduce their impact on the planet, is asking us to send back our red and white plastic bags. In exchange for this gesture, they will send us a fashionable reusable bag....Free.

So in the images to follow, I have provided a photo illustration of how it all went down this AM...and all from the comfort of my bed.

Recycling in the bedroom, who would have thought it was possible.*

If one missed this issue, I am pretty sure one will find it in a doctor's lobby or by dumpster diving in your better read neighbors curbside recycling bin. (However, on the latter activity, remember we live in a YouTube world now.)




(*While this blogger believes there are many items we can make greener in our bedrooms, he does not encourage the recycling of certain items. Please do not rinse "préservatifs" and hang on your clothes line, these are still a one shot and then discard item.)

Happy Earth Day, Grand Rapids!

( Congrats on another year without bike lanes. )

Well, Hello, Dalai

"Its so nice to have you back where you belong."

This past weekend the Dalai Lama was in Ann Arbor and the timing of his message of alleviating suffering is still a timeless goal not often obtained enough in this world.

Having been backstage for the event, it is a bizarre twist to be so close to someone and watch the many who have to safeguard his life.

I guess when someone uses words like 'fragile peace' it is easy to become a target of violence. Why is it those who advocate peace are always on the front lines of violent attacks?

As he sat cross-legged in his chair His Holiness encouraged the crowd of thousands to be the cause and the effect for peaceable change in our lives and also in our world.

In this largess of space, it felt like we were all in a living room setting as he spoke to those who lined Ann Arbor’s Crisler Arena. I doubt I can find the words to neither express the warmth nor paint a picture of such honest and peaceful serenity.

As I was leaving out the tunnel, I watched many waves flags waving in support of China. It is ironic that these people who are protesting the Dalai Lama would not have this same luxury back in China. (Freedom of expression is not just a USA thing but also a global right of all people.)

Even though I have committed NOT to buy any of their products whenever possible, it is not that I am actively seeking to mobilize an anti-China campaign.

Far from it.

This is a peaceable first step in trying to reduce my impact the same way one carefully places one's foot to a fresh spring carpet of clover.

This is easier put in a blog than in practice since those three little words “Made In China” are stamped on just about everything we consume and then toss into piles in our homes or the landfill.

It is not that I am doing this because the Dalai Lama says I should, nor because I think a free Tibet is even possible in a world of corporations versus the historical lines of national boundaries.

Instead, I step lightly out of the material world because I am alarmed at China's lack of fulfilling their Olympic bid pledge to address their human rights violations taking place in slow motion in places like Darfur and Sudan and played out on the front page of the world press.

To continue to support human suffering is nothing I would allow in my country, why in a distant land with my connected dollars. I do not want my life decorated on the backs of genocide.

I know this confessional line of thinking is troubling and may hold up like a sand castle being built on the shores of a hurricane.

But I am ok with this logic. The Olympics are supposed to highlight the best we can be. As a host country China needs to halt their practices to gain my support again.

Since President Bush has made it very clear that our economy is in need of blind consumers re-depositing their "Bush Bucks" back into the pockets of corporations hungry for more, I think he has played his hand clearly to us as Americans.

We do hold the power to change our world with the simple act of how we spend our money. (I plan to deposit my refund with a safe fund or maybe on a whim I will use it to buy a goat or two via Oxfram.)

And while I know the USA is not perfect and is also a violator of many atrocities, I can start my journey in my own land and by staring to wash the blood off my hands as I step forward into the future.

I can make the small changes that will make a big impact in ending suffering. Power must flow up from all of us working together.

There is much more to blog here but for now I will give pause on the eve of Earth Day.

The Dalai Lama was very clear that the changes we need to see happen in this world need to flow from us.... from our actions.

So I send a "kiss for the whole world*" where all of us are brothers and sisters in a noble quest to end suffering and extreme poverty.

Please step into this new season of spring and let the cool dew of the clover fields under our feet renew our spirit. It is wonderful to exit winter and see such possibilities in each bud of green.

Peace.
Tommy





*Inspired and copied from Schiller’s Ode to Joy and it’s beautiful inspiring use in Beethoven’s 9th Symphony.

“Can you sense the Creator, world?

Seek him above the starry canopy.

Above the stars He must dwell.



Joy, daughter of Elysium

Thy magic reunites those

Whom stern custom has parted;

All men will become brothers

Under thy gentle wing.



Be embraced, Millions!

This kiss for all the world!

Brothers!, above the starry canopy

A loving father must dwell.



Joy, beautiful spark of Gods!,

Daughter of Elysium,

Joy, beautiful spark of Gods!.

Save Your Ash!

City of Grand Rapids Ash Tree Alert

I have been alerted that the Riverside Park (Knapp Entrance) and also the Fuller Street (Moving North of the 96) have seen trees coming down. The ones on Fuller appear to be Ash. We need to act fast to stop the city from removing trees until at least after the April 15th Save Your Ash community forum.

The unfortunate part is our city's policy appears to be for the mass removal of our ash trees. This removal policy HAS NOT halted the spread the pest as it has moved from each ward of our city.

I am wanting also to begin to raise the question if we have the right person in this position? Are they structured under Parks and Recreation or Traffic. We know from the past that Traffic has not been a friend to neighborhoods.

In short, the policy whispered from leaders within our community is that allegedly we have a forestry person (Bob Paasche - City Urban Forester and CNA Member) who FAVORS removing trees.

WMEAC is hosting a SAVE YOUR ASH forum next week. They may be announcing exciting new solutions to save the ash trees.

I had a great, but anonymous source answer my questions, it has been said that , "They will be treating these trees (those marked with an orange dot) with an injection method, not a drench method (drench = dumpling a bucket of chemicals at the base of a tree).

So it's not likely that much, if any, will get into the Grand River.

However, you are correct that the chemical, imidacloprid, being injected is toxic to some birds, insects (especially bees), fish and especially aquatic invertebrates. But it's also important to understand that people REGULARLY dump this chemical on their lawns to control grubs and it's WIDELY used on agricultural products. It is yet another example of a chemical NOT 'regulated' by the EPA."

We need a better solution and Riverside and ALL OUR PARKS needs to ride it out until we get this new product on the treatment list.

I am concerned that our newsletter will not reach people in time to get the word out.

So first line of defense is to organize and fast.

We need to get as many people to the Save Your Ash event. I am willing to help car pool people and will be able to take 4 people with me. (I would prefer a full car load.)

We do not have a lot of time on this matter and we need to press the city before all contracts are signed for the summer on these matters. (In truth we may be too late, but we should still try.)

Commissioner Bliss alerted us in the winter months to get geared up for this fight, now we owe it to one of Grand Rapids' greenest sections to protect our trees.

Will you join us in alerting members of your list of the event below?

Please encourage people to bring camera phones, camcorders to record these proceedings. Every little bit of viral video we can get on a public person's comment further aids our cause to make sure the people's wishes are being carried out. Allegedly from my source, Bob was laughing at a recent meeting over the idea of people trying to save trees.


EVENT DETAILS:


Save Your Ash! Public Forum
Tue, April 15, 2008 - 6:00pm
Save Your Ashes! Whether they're in your yard, block or neighborhood, the information shared at this forum will provide options and opportunities to preserve the Ash Trees that are important and valuable to you. Mark your calendar!
Click here to download a PDF flier about this event.

Tuesday, April 15, 2008, 6:00pm - 8:30pm
Plymouth Congregational UCC Church
4010 Kalamazoo SE (between 32nd and 44th streets)
Grand Rapids, MI 49508

A diverse group of speakers will share a variety of views and perspectives about your opportunities to prevent disease and/or removal of your Ash Tree(s).

Speakers include:
Deb McCullough, MSU's National Ash Tree Expert
Greg Sundstrom, City of Grand Rapids
Vic Foerster, West Michigan Tree Services
Brian Hiemstra, Bartlett Tree Services

LINKS: SAVE YOUR ASH ( with a counter! )

Props To Moo!

I am a big fan of handing out praise and today I am so impressed with how the online printer Moo.com handled a messed up order.

In a world of screwed up customer service departments (Nissan and Comcast), it is nice to know places that value a customer's time and money like Moo.com are still out there.

Anyone who has spent hours dealing with a company's 800 numbers multiple layers of prompts know too well what I am talking about here.

So if you are looking for a fantastic group that prints on paper from sustainable forests, please consider Moo.com.

Everybody Moo!!!!

Reflection

This toad is so tiny and yet so wonderful that it can stop your day.
Please consider your footprint on this planet (and adjust your sails.)

Green Movement's Dirty Little Secret

With every movement there is a past and no movement is ever immune to its return in the media.

It is not my intention to tip off said media but the grandmother of all things earthen is making a comeback in the green's homes.

I can still recall the day I stumbled upon this fact while visiting KC's Heritage Hill home many years ago.

Upon entering the bathroom and lifting the lid I discovered the brightest of welcomes in the color yellow.

"Excuse me," I remarked entering the guest's living room, "but someone has forgotten to flush the toilet. Is it possible it is broken?"

Letting out a hearty laugh the host exclaimed, "We live by a simple code in this house."

And then the dirty little secret of the green's was out.

"If its yellow, let it mellow. If its brown, flush it down"

It may seem dirty but if you begin to think about the water saved, it is not hard to get over one's squeamishness of this revelation.

So many years have passed and I am not shocked anymore by the yellow badge of courage when I visit a host's home only to discover their environmental sensitivity enshrined in porcelain.

But every movement, even bowel movements, have their limits.

In no way will I ever subscribe to the leave no footprint mindset by asking my guests to don a shovel as then head out to the back yard.

Being green sometimes is be brave enough to say "I'm sorry, but you have to use the commode."

Horny Penguins Unleashed On Mitt

These horny birds were left with no one to love this past Christmas and were last seen shamelessly offering great deals of better than 75% off in their Cash for Ass campaign.

Since Michigan is having a slightly downturn in the economy, even our penguins have had to get creative by gang banging on crowded bread racks seeking the attention at our local Family Fare Grocery.

Mitt Romney was seen at this same grocery store later this same day and while he did not talk about the impact of global warming on these Tuxedo wearing ice bunk buddies, but he did remind them that a marriage is between a man and a woman.

He added, should Same Sex marriage pass in this country as it has in almost every other civilized modern society, then a man may find these always ready for the Opera furry buddies as a potential mate.

While his message was solemn, he lost them when he warned of a coming slippery slope.

It had skied off left his tongue when the throng of black and white mates began to rub up and down each other as they prepared to engage in this naturally playful behaviour in an effort to satisfy their furry needs.

As the penguins oiled themselves up for some good old fashioned belly bumping, Mitt just hung his head low. Out of touch and not sure what to do he murmured he had to get going to the new JW Marriott downtown to drop off more copies of Book of Mormon with a new forward by Richard M DeVos.

Michigan voters will not be fooled this time around with non-issues. The penguins watched Michigan write hate into their constitution and just as fast, God punished their state by making them dead last in everything.

Penguins known for family values, also know it is really better in states like Massachusetts for many people because it does allow gay marriage. If it wasn't so bad for people in Mass., then why are they at the top in every way? Mitt has a great state so why not try to export the good love happening in Mass.?

If the penguins get it, then why can't the candidates. Maybe they should go to the birds and the bees to see what the real problems are that are facing our country ...and our world.

Mitt Romney's People Trash Michigan's Fall Colored Roads

Before anyone accuses me of being a partisan hack, let me say, I deplore people who violate election sign rules.

I do not approve of stealing any party's signs, burning them on people's lawn or placing them in the public right of ways.

Mitt Romney's aggressive campaign people in Michigan have littered his signs all over the north bound US 131 and US 31.

For one to secure this many signs takes a coordinated and connected member with access to a truckload of signs.

It also shows Romney's inability to control his Michigan campaign if this many signs can depart his office and not be accounted for if ultimately questioned by the media.

To place signs on so many hundreds of miles of these two roads takes a lot of time. (Who knows how many other Michigan roads we tagged this weekend with what is the equivalent of political graffiti.)

These signs with their metal poles can become uprooted and end up in the road.

The no sign rules are to protect drivers while on the road. Kent County has many statistics of what happens when one becomes lodged in a car tire at high speeds. (And the results are not good.)

Michigan is beginning its beautiful fall season and should be free of partisan red, white and blue yard signs. We all win when safety is our goal.

So, Mitt, in the interest of keeping Michigan's roads free of unnecessary clutter, if you pass by these while campaigning in our great state, please take your signs down.




Citizen Action Alert
If anyone happens to have a accident because of any political sign, I would suggest forwarding any claims to their well-funded campaign state headquarters. I also would suggest anyone witnessing the placing of these signs on Michigan's highways to take their license and contact your local law enforcement.

Photo: just one of many along the many miles of Michigan highways.

Third Time's A Charm

My Angels Trumpet plant is on its third round of blooms this season and it is an amazing round.

The scent is heady and can only be smelled in the evening hours. The blooms go from white to apricot.

If memory serves, this is the third year I have had this plant in my garden.

Michael will not be happy in a month since he has to perform the fall prep work (again) and it will involve digging up this huge plant. But it is worth it to see this beauty improve each year.

Enjoy the view.

Blast From My Past

Hello.

It has been too long and boy, do I miss my pre-9/29 days.

Recently, I heard an NPR story about how low the water levels are this year for our Michigan Lakes and was reminded of a photo I created for a group - Healing Our Waters.

So in the interest of sharing a bit of my past, here is a link to the image and the site. (Click on the Image to go to the site.)

A big thanks to my friend Susan who made it look so great. The ad won a few awards but they slip my mind at the moment.

Be good to our lakes. And God Bless Peter Wege for keeping this issues in the media.