MINE, TOO.. MINE, TOO!

My manifesto, too, that is...

The Holstee Manifesto

I copied this from another blog recently. I understand it has been making the rounds on the Internet. I loved it so that I wanted to share it with my own readers. The small company who introduced this manifesto has some interesting, environmentally friendly products. Items made from recycled goods are among them. Best of all, 10% of their profits go to helping poverty stricken entrepreneurs. Check out their website at Holstee.com. How about a tee-shirt with the manifesto on it? How cool is that? I think I would add to the line "If you don't have enough time, stop watching TV or get off your iPhone!"

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Thank goodness, we here in Central Texas are looking at a weather forecast that predicts cooler temperatures this next week. The highs are predicted to be in the low 90s and even 80s, with some nights in the 50s and 60s! Unbelievable. After nearly 80 days of 100+ temperatures this summer, and absolutely no rain to speak of, everything, including the people, is cooked. Most yards look like straw. Few flowers are alive and blooming. And the poor tree branches are drooping, and their leaves are falling like winter is upon us. Water use is restricted, and wildfires are a constant threat. We find ourselves longing for some of the tropical storms brewing to send rain into our state -- but not too much now!

I remember complaining about the severe cold we had last winter (it was a record breaking winter here). Now I'm looking forward to those cold temperatures -- but not too cold. I found myself thinking I am a lot like Goldilocks in the Three Bears story. I want everything around me -- especially the weather -- to be "just right"! Is that too much to ask? Of course it is. When so many in our country, and the world, are suffering so much worse than we have been! It makes me a little ashamed. I say a little prayer of thanksgiving that I am not being forced out of my home due to horrendous earthquakes or flooding. And thanks that I am close enough to the fire department that I do not have to fear wildfires like they are having in some parts of Texas.

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Travis and I were looking out the window at what appeared to be rain clouds in the distance. We had been talking about the desperate need for rain, and all of the effects of the drought on our country -- wildfires, the loss of food crops, hungry cattle, wildlife abandoning their young for lack of food -- as well as our own personal needs. As the clouds darkened, I muttered, "Let it rain, let it rain, please let it rain". Travis looked at me with a puzzled expression. I quickly explained I was talking to God. (I do this a lot, but usually not out loud!) He told me that the weather reports he had been looking at online said it is not going to rain! I replied, "It might. We have to think positive. But, then again, it might not rain. Do you know why?" He shook his head. I said, "Because, even though God hears our every prayer, sometimes the answer to our prayers is 'No'. Do you know why that is?" Travis thought about that for a moment or two then answered, "Because God knows best?" This made my heart swell and my eyes mist over. A profound thought for a barely 9-year-old boy.

I thought to myself, how can all of this loss and devastation fall under the heading "Best"? What good can come of it? I've pondered upon that question for a few weeks now.  The only good result I see is that the less rain we have, and the more the water levels in our lakes and rivers drop to dangerous levels, the more the necessity for conserving water has become apparent. That and conserving the energy used to keep us cool during this long, hot, dry summer. One look at utility bills and the resulting increases over the previous year makes even the most privileged among us cringe. Think how much we could have saved if we only had a good supply of alternative energy for our electrical needs. Solar energy would be a boon with this much sunshine and cloud-free skies!

We as a country must wake up to the damages we have done to the environment, and implement necessary changes before it is too late. The United States has always been a world leader, however, our depletion of the planet's resources, and the industrialization causing pollution not only of the earth's surfaces but also of the atmosphere are accelerating, and soon it will be too late. The available technology that put men on the moon as well as space stations and satellites in orbit can surely be used for cleaning up our messes. The plunder of the earth has made many men, corporations, and countries wealthy. What good will that wealth be if the world dies?

I think it is pretty obvious that I am a believer in the theory of global warming. The melting ice caps and the warmer ocean temperatures are a result of the tear in the ozone layer, according to that theory. And the hole in the ozone is a result of the pollution being pumped into the atmosphere. A pretty simple explanation to me. I do know that the warmer ocean temperatures are the cause of the increase in number and severity of the hurricanes we've seen in recent years. What about the horrendous droughts now being experienced in different parts of the world, resulting in the terrible famine in South Africa? If it keeps up in this part of the United States, we can see a similar loss to our food crops and cattle. Could it ever get as bad as Africa's?

Some like to blame God -- or just the natural evolution of the planet earth. I say the blame lies with mankind, and its greed. What are we going to do about it? What can we do about it?

For the time being, I will observe the water restrictions, carefully ministering to the few little shrubs and plants I can keep alive. I will keep putting out food and water for the birds that visit my backyard in increasing numbers. And I will hope that the deer who have recently crossed the highway near my home and jumped the fence into my yard seeking food will stay safe and not be hit by cars. Sadly, they are not finding much more to eat in our neighborhood than in the hills beyond.

I will continue to pray for rain.. and as the Manifesto says, I will "share my passion". My passion is this earth and everything on it.

Peace and love,
Marilyn