Tuesday, May 12, 2009

thoughts on our school system's non-policy


I was able to recycle plastic for our school on only one day. Then our maintenance guy must have mentioned something because he was told that his people could no longer put out bags or, so I’m told, even lift bags. Now, I’ll bring in bags and at least collect plastic and aluminum from what kids I can.
It’s less the plastic waste (which IS considerable) that bothers me as much as the hypocrisy we practice when we teach kids that recycling and conservation is important. Our actions show that we really don’t care very much. So I want to do what I can to show by my own actions that I and a few others DO care enough to go through some trouble to recycle.
I get irate over apathy and lack of concern for our planet’s environment. It makes me feel like grabbing a sign and starting a blog/newspaper/TV campaign and complaining. But I think that while it may bring out some concerned citizens, it wouldn’t create any newly concerned citizens. I really am not a charismatic sort of person. The best I could do to transform hearts is to act as a teacher of children, which is something I’m good at.

Tuesday, May 5, 2009

Springtime harvest

It's cold and drippy and perfect weather for growing spring vegetables. Yes it's vegetable pick up day at our local organic CSA market and I have come home with fragrant potted parsley and (oh joy) potted basil which I hope will thrive outside my window like it did last year. Then there's young carrots, spinach, bok choy, butter lettuce and a big bunch of crunchy asparagras. And my neighbors came down to carry it upstairs. I had plenty to split with her. Now to eat! I don't know where to start. I guess I'll have lettuce because it's the most fragile. Bok choy tomorrow.

Monday, May 4, 2009

bouncing on the bottom

I'm feeling guilty because I spent $21 on my grandson this weekend. It was money I didn't have and it was stuff he didn't need.

Meanwhile a crisis is looming ahead. I have already disconnected cable and haven't bought clothes (except for prescription shoes) in well over a year. I'm getting internet from my neighbors' routers. I've got just enough to make the rent this pay period. Gas money, medicine money, CSA money, electric, phone(which I've got down to minimum $17 a month)... there's probably other money I don't have as well. I'm not depressed so much as sickened. I almost wish I could be depressed instead of appalled, dismayed, and bewildered. Or would depression be an add-on rather than an instead-of?

I'm on my way this morning to do blood work, which I'd better do while I have a credit card that still works.

Saturday, May 2, 2009

Good spirits

Recovery seems so much slower these days. But I was reminded about how hard it used to be to step up onto the curb at work (students would help) and so I know I am doing better. Money's still awful, I can't keep up with simple housekeeping, and things keep going downhill for the nation, but I'm in good spirits, probably because I took action toward service to my neighbors.

I wrote an email to other coworkers who I know are concerned about recycling (all three of them). I asked that we might support each other in efforts and I offered to pick up plastic recycling at the end of the day. I have been so sad to see kids who are willing to toss bottles into recycling who have no place to do it. (Not all the kids, but a good portion - more than three.) This looks like a service that I can do.

I'm taking my grandson to Barnes and Noble this afternoon. It's his favorite hangout and I'll be teaching the game of Go, with his help, as part of a fundraiser for our school.