I recently bumped into this German video. It's an eight minute animated short film that puts time into perspective. I couldn't help thinking of the verse: "ashes to ashes, dust to dust." But, watch it for yourself: Das Rad (The Wheel).
Other modern day life-applicable messages that I have found in culture recently:
Regarding the phrase, "don't rock the boat":
...sometimes, a boat needs to rock; a boat needs to head straight for the heart of a storm and come out on the other side, weather-beaten, but with flags flying. -- book: marisa de los santos --
Flying by the seat of our pants...often turns out to be the best way to fly. -- book: marisa de los santos --
A lot of great things come out of messy and complicated things. -- tv: brothers and sisters --
There's no weakness in forgiveness. -- tv: friday night lights --
A longer life isn't necessarily a better life. -- 1st presbyterian church, bellingham --
Showing posts with label environment. Show all posts
Showing posts with label environment. Show all posts
Monday, January 12, 2009
Sunday, November 30, 2008
a relative celebration
Thanksgiving was a wonderful time to spend with some of my relatives and celebrate all we have to be thankful for. My relatives gathered on the eastern side of Washington and enjoyed our time out on the dairy.
My cousin, Brad, provided some hay rides which were particularly fun for the five kids running around; but you'll notice there are some great smiles on the adult faces here, too!
I was hoping to milk a cow, but the closest I came was walking by their pasture while I took a little tour of the farm. There were no cows ready to be milked, so I'll have to save that for another time!
One thing that the kids will probably remember about this Thanksgiving was the pumpkin smashing. Since it's about that time of year when pumpkins start rotting and smelling, and when the evergreens replace the harvest theme, we had to get rid of the pumpkins decorating the house. So, on the day after Thanksgiving, we all went outside, and tried all measures of throwing, catapulting, and slinging pumpkins to crack them open. Then the kids went after them with a hoe, or their foot to destroy what was left. I enjoyed the process and found it rather humorous.
I drove from Eastern Washington to Seattle on Saturday. On the way towards the Cascade Mountains, I had fantastic sunny weather, along with another ding in my windshield, too. It didn't take long for me to find some clouds again, as well. By the time I reached Snoqualmie Pass, my car was drenched.
My cousin, Brad, provided some hay rides which were particularly fun for the five kids running around; but you'll notice there are some great smiles on the adult faces here, too!I was hoping to milk a cow, but the closest I came was walking by their pasture while I took a little tour of the farm. There were no cows ready to be milked, so I'll have to save that for another time!
One thing that the kids will probably remember about this Thanksgiving was the pumpkin smashing. Since it's about that time of year when pumpkins start rotting and smelling, and when the evergreens replace the harvest theme, we had to get rid of the pumpkins decorating the house. So, on the day after Thanksgiving, we all went outside, and tried all measures of throwing, catapulting, and slinging pumpkins to crack them open. Then the kids went after them with a hoe, or their foot to destroy what was left. I enjoyed the process and found it rather humorous.
I drove from Eastern Washington to Seattle on Saturday. On the way towards the Cascade Mountains, I had fantastic sunny weather, along with another ding in my windshield, too. It didn't take long for me to find some clouds again, as well. By the time I reached Snoqualmie Pass, my car was drenched.
Tuesday, November 18, 2008
poly-what?
I recently was disgusted at myself when I realized I bought eggs in a poly-styrene carton a couple weeks ago. I couldn't believe I accidentally took a dozen of these fragile orbs home in, what is better known as, styrofoam. I am the shopper who will spend a few extra cents for the cardboard package. And, I'm the person who decided this summer that I should avoid smoothie stands that only have styrofoam cups for their beverages and pass on church coffee in styrofoam cups.
Polystyrene is one of the worst man made materials to dispose of. It is not recyclable (except in very specific places and under specific circumstances) and it does not biodegrade. It's a substance that is made for the sole purpose of being "disposable;" but the irony, is that is does not "dispose" of itself in a landfill.
Did you know that: "Polystyrene packing peanuts are banned [in Antarctica] under the Antarctic Conservation Act" (National Science Foundation). A number of cities and states are working on bans for polystyrene take-out packaging (see NY Times article on Portland below).
So, what can you do to help the situation?
one. Avoid purchasing polystyrene products. Also steer clear of items that are packaged with polystyrene.
two. Kindly suggest to your churches, businesses, and friends that they should look into alternatives to polystyrene products. Paper products are nearly as economical and much more biodegradable and there is nothing wrong with using the "real" plates and cups! It just means you might be the dishwasher!
three. Be an advocate and write companies who use polystyrene packing materials. Encourage them to use starch-based, cardboard, or paper products to cushion their merchandise for shipping.
I believe we have moved to the other side of the Information Technology Revolution and are heading towards a Sustainability Revolution on a global scale. I invite you to be trendy and do your part.
Here are a couple of links to pro-active earth-friendly companies and ideas:
Wikipedia's explanation of polystyrene.
Treehugger.com on the the best coffee cup.
The Fairmont Eco-Meet Program.
The Antarctic Conservation Act of 1978 (671.2, 671.3, 671.12).
Naturopack: Sustainable Packaging.
Portland, Oregon passes a Ban on Polystyrene Foam Items.
Polystyrene is one of the worst man made materials to dispose of. It is not recyclable (except in very specific places and under specific circumstances) and it does not biodegrade. It's a substance that is made for the sole purpose of being "disposable;" but the irony, is that is does not "dispose" of itself in a landfill.
Did you know that: "Polystyrene packing peanuts are banned [in Antarctica] under the Antarctic Conservation Act" (National Science Foundation). A number of cities and states are working on bans for polystyrene take-out packaging (see NY Times article on Portland below).
So, what can you do to help the situation?
one. Avoid purchasing polystyrene products. Also steer clear of items that are packaged with polystyrene.
two. Kindly suggest to your churches, businesses, and friends that they should look into alternatives to polystyrene products. Paper products are nearly as economical and much more biodegradable and there is nothing wrong with using the "real" plates and cups! It just means you might be the dishwasher!
three. Be an advocate and write companies who use polystyrene packing materials. Encourage them to use starch-based, cardboard, or paper products to cushion their merchandise for shipping.
I believe we have moved to the other side of the Information Technology Revolution and are heading towards a Sustainability Revolution on a global scale. I invite you to be trendy and do your part.
Here are a couple of links to pro-active earth-friendly companies and ideas:
Wikipedia's explanation of polystyrene.
Treehugger.com on the the best coffee cup.
The Fairmont Eco-Meet Program.
The Antarctic Conservation Act of 1978 (671.2, 671.3, 671.12).
Naturopack: Sustainable Packaging.
Portland, Oregon passes a Ban on Polystyrene Foam Items.
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