This Moment...

{this moment} - A Friday ritual.  A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember. Inspired by Soulemama 

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A Month of Taking Action

Since last May, I have been trying to reduce my impact on the environment by making a small change each month. This month I have been working on taking action, and specifically, I have been busy writing letters to my representatives to help to try and change the policies that affect our country. So far I have written letters touching on the regulations of the meat (and slaughter) industries, letters about testing the safety of personal care products, letters about labeling genetically modified foods at both the state and national level, and letters against the state of Oregon giving water rights to Nestle to bottle water for profit.
I sometimes wonder how much me- one person, and one without any political power, how much good can voicing my opinion really do? Does my senator really care what I think about genetically modified foods or the regulation of cosmetics? But, if a bunch of people, each one individual, all write in to voice our opinions, than the message may start to be heard. Our representatives are supposed to be representing the people (that's us), so if I don't voice my opinion to them, than I feel like I really can't complain when things don't go the way I want them to. So, speak up! Share your thoughts and make yourself heard.
I plan to make letter writing a regular part of my routine and hope to knock out at least one set of letters each month. There are certainly enough policy issues for me to complain about!

As Margaret Mead said, "Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has."

Are you willing to write a letter this month to voice your opinion? Together we can make change! Pin It Now!

Yarn Along

Happy yarn along! Joining in with Ginny over at Small Things.
This week I am reading Having Faith by Sandra Steingraber. I read her book Living Downstream in college, and last year I was lucky enough to see a screening of her new movie with the same name. At the time, I added Having Faith to my goodreads to-read list, and have finally found the chance. I am just a few chapters in, but so far I am enjoying it. I am also reading The Girl Who Played With Fire. I read Girl with the Dragon Tattoo a couple months back, and when my mom send this out for me, I couldn't resist.
In terms of knitting, my week has been a disaster. Phoebe's small things sweater sweater has been eluding me, and what I thought I could knit on dpns actually requires a circular knitting needle, and sadly, I am still at the same place I was last week. I also started a wee bunny for Finn's Easter basket (loosely following this pattern, but with a lot of changes). I made the entire body and head, decided I hated how the variegated colors were looking, and so I frogged it and have started over again with different yarn. I am liking it better this time, thankfully. And, most of my knitting that has actually happened is on a gift that is a surprise, although I made several mistakes in that as well. Not my knitting week I guess!
As I am hoping to get the bunny and sweater both finished in time for Easter, hopefully I will have fun things to share next week!
What are you reading and knitting? Pin It Now!

Eaarth: A Review

Eaarth: Making  a Life on a Tough New Planet by Bil McKibben, is one of the scariest and one of the most inspirational books I have read in a while. This book is about climate change. The climate change that is already happening, and the climate change that is going to continue to happen. McKibben talks about how we have already surpassed the amount of atmospheric CO2 that our planet can safely handle (350ppm) and how that is continuing to rise. He demonstrates the changes that are happening, from droughts to hurricanes, storms to pest damage....and things are not going to get better, they are going to get worse. We are still spewing huge amounts of greenhouse gases into the atmosphere, and even if we did stop all emissions, right this instant, the planet would still continue to warm for many years to come.
McKibben addresses many of the problems that are going to arise in the not-so-far-away future: climate refugees, people starving, homes and land lost, diminishing water resources, floods and natural disasters. It's too late for us to fix things by installing a few solar panels and taking the bus once a week. The problems are way beyond that and will take a total revamping of our mentality and our society for the needed change to happen. The facts are simply depressing, and many times throughout the first half of this book I felt so terrible for my children because this is the future that I am passing along to them. They will be in the thick of it, and who knows what the future will hold for them. This is some seriously scary stuff. All so important to be reading, but really hard to come to terms with. When they say the truth hurts, I think this is what they meant.
Fortunately, halfway through the book, McKibben's writing takes a turn, and he starts to talk about what can be done. How we can (and will need to) change and shows some great optimism in how the human race can do this. There are going to be bumps and challenges, and life is going to be tough, be there is hope for a future. And the sooner we act, the better.
I was actually brought to tears at the end of this book when the author talks about the power of everyday people to make change. A few small steps can really push policy and the future into a new direction. But, this is about the people demanding change. The people being willing to curb our growth in exchange for the possibility of a less-bleak future. Cutting our emissions so that our children may enjoy some of the luxuries (like electricity and running water) that are so common in this day and age.
This book really made an impact on me, and despite how depressing the first half was, I feel like it is such an important topic. It's uncomfortable to read because it is the truth.. a truth that we do not want to face and a truth that we are mostly avoiding. I have decided to have my class next term read this book for the class literature review; I feel like it is a book that everyone should have to read, to remember and to act on.
Want to get involved? Check out www.350.org, Bill McKibben's global movement to solve the climate crisis. You can sign up for update, start an event in your city, and hear more about the truth. Pin It Now!

Weekending

Joining in with Amanda from Habit of Being for another weekending post....
This weekend was amazing!
Friday afternoon brought some much warm needed sun (and warmth).
Phoebe had her first go at gardening (and at eating dirt---yum!)
and our first pea spout emerged from the ground.
A late afternoon trip to the park

which led to an impromptu dinner with friends.
Saturday morning, after a quick breakfast of bagels and coffee,
I headed up to Mt. Hood to snowboard for the first time in over 2 years!!
There was fresh snow, blue skies, and warm temperatures.
It was amazing.
Thanks to my hubby for making that happen.
The only thing I was missing was a partner in crime,
but my out-of-shape legs only lasted for a couple of hours anyways.
Saturday evening we enjoyed some down time in the yard.
Dinner at home and some reading before bed.
Sunday morning we headed out to breakfast (so nice to not have to do dishes!)
I made it to yoga class for the first time in a long time.
A dog walk, some cleaning, a play date for Finn.
Dinner at home (a little wine too).
Now both kids are asleep and I am headed to the couch for some knitting, lazing, and movie watching.
Phew! How was your weekend?

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This Moment...

{this moment} - A Friday ritual.  A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember. Inspired by Soulemama 

Pin It Now!

A Snowy Morning

The first day of spring was Tuesday, and today we awoke to a blanket of snow across the yard. Snow always makes me a bit excited, giddy even... but, I am also ready for some weather that more closely resembles spring. I am ready to hike, to garden, to wear sunglasses. This is always the worst time in Portland... when everyone else is having spring, but we are still having winter... possibly for about 2 more months. My family in Chicago is currently enjoying (?) weather in the 80's. It sounds nice, but also a little freaky. Is there anyone who still doesn't believe in climate change? Pin It Now!