Musical Mondays - Earth Song

Devastation is everywhere these days it seems. From the recent earthquakes in Chile and New Zealand to the floods of Australia. And of course still fresh in our minds and hearts, the triple whammy in Japan. An 8.9 quake which really you might as well call a 9 which in turn triggered the tremendous tsunami, which in turn caused the potential for a catastrophic meltdown at the nuclear plant.  (touch any of the links above to go to Global Giving)

It seems to be a constant occurrence these days. Is Mother Nature attempting to gain our attention? I wonder sometimes. Man has lived on this wonderful planet for many years and in the course of that time how good have we been to that which we call our home.

The other night as I was flipping channels in an attempt to find something "worth" watching, I fell upon the series "Ax Men" As I watched one of the men explain how all the "good" trees were no longer available for harvesting so they had to go up to remote areas in British Columbia to gather their prey. No they did not call it prey yet that is how I felt it to be. These areas could only be accessed via river transport and required the men to stay isolated for months. I watched as magnificent trees who had graced their stance for hundreds of years were taken down.

Granted I do know that wood is somewhat essential for some things yet I also know that so much of it is wasted. I see building built only at a not so later date to be torn down to make way for another. I receive tons and tons of "junk" mail daily only to toss it in the trash. I do not know about any of you but it seems that we are telephone book poor in my area. On a yearly basis we receive at least 6 to 7 phone books. The excess can be found stacked high in the lobby of the post office as well as weathering away in the many driveways which many are dropped off in.

Each time I see such sights I can only think of the trees who have to give of themselves so that we can have too much excess. One phone book is fine with me and if I do not know a number, 411 always works just as well. As for the junk mail (catalogues, advertisements, and just plain nothing mail) keep it. I am ashamed of the number of catalogues that grace my doorstep. Although I enjoy browsing through them I would gladly do without so that a tree might live a bit longer.

Then there is the concern about the ground water. I do not know if many of you take notice to this topic, yet it is a serious issue. I truly believe it is more serious than many realize. Water... simple water which is pure and clean and absent of deterrents is not as readily available as some may think. Man's desire to dig into the earth so that he might have more oil and/or gas than another has caused much of the water supply to become tainted. Then there is the run off that comes from the many factories that are built alongside our beautiful lakes and streams.

The nuclear issue at hand in Japan is a wonderful example of this. Sea water flushed inside in an attempt to cool the nuclear reactors, only to be swept back out to sea. I am not a nuclear scientist, yet I would think that some form of radiation would accompany that sea water when it did return. What will such contaminants do to the abundant water life and vegetation that is to be ultimately supported by this said water. We can see some of this impact from last year's oil spill in the Gulf as well as the many others that have occurred over the past years.

And to think I have only covered water and trees. I know that it is man's venture to keep striving towards perfection and a better life and/or a better gadget. Yet when will the cost of such a venture be taken into consideration. When will we take the time to look at what is happening to the simple things that surround us because of the bigger things that are happening.

I am planting a garden this year in a hope of having my own vegetables that I know will not be sprayed with pesticides as well as injected with hormones and what not. Yet what about the particles that float on the wind and eventually settle somewhere. What about the contaminated ground water that I will water my garden with. Yes I have a better chance of having a cleaner crop yet will it be 100% safe? Unfortunately, no!! The days of such a way of life are gone.

It is my fear that in time this world that we call home will not be able to sustain the abuse that man keeps inflicting upon it. It is my fear that man will look past the little things that when looked upon individually are not much yet when piled upon one another is a mountain of destruction.

It is time that we take the time to do what is right. The earth is crying. I only wonder if there are enough of us who can still hear her.

Touch The Water - Heal Our Land

I am a woman of strong opinion. At times, I can let my voice be heard a bit louder than possibly I should. My passion for the cause gets the best of me and the ignorance of some at times is more than I can stand. For this reason I have tried to stay away from topics that have the possibility of taking me to this point. Yet I feel that there are times when such things should be put aside and regardless things should be said. Spoken out as they truly are not how they are being told to us.

I speak of the tragedy which occurred on April 20th 2010 and still continues today. The explosion in the gulf which killed 11 men (of which you hear very little of) and started the contamination of our waters saddens me beyond words. This is not an oil tanker which eventually runs dry of its contents and although massive can at least be analyzed and determined to some degree the destruction it has caused. This is a hole in the floor of the ocean. The magnitude of the damage that it has the ability to cause is unimaginable.

Even if it were to be stopped today and no more oil would shoot from its mouth, the destruction would be monumental. This is our world, our ocean. It is our responsibility to do something. In the end this will not just touch those who live in the states which border the Gulf. In time it will affect the world. Whether it be the contamination of a food source, the extinction of ocean life, or any of the other hundreds of mishaps, this one incident will eventually affect all.

We have but one world to live in. We have but one world to share with our children, grandchildren and on. We have but one world to call home. It truly is everyone’s responsibility to do their part to make a difference. Over at Old Baggs 'N Stuff Shirts Linda speaks of the cutting of your hair as a means to help. Although at times the cleanup of the spill looks to be a worthless cause, still we can’t falter. Any help that we can give; any effort put forth is something.

Hannah at Divining Women also had a wonderful idea. For us who love the world and recognize her for who she is and what she means to us, Hannah offers this aid. Saturday, June 12th, the new moon is upon us. At this time she asks that we go to the water. Any water will do, as it is all connected as one in the end. Place your hand into the cool water and pass on your strength, and your blessing. It is but another way to give of ourselves. And although there may be many who think this foolishness, there are many of us who know that the belief of many can truly do wonders.

So I ask that you commit yourself to this endeavor, and that you pass the word on to others.

Don’t let this continue…

 Make a difference…

Give a damn….

 Do something….