There are three great causes that I would like to share/promote through my blog. (No I am not getting any sort of compensation for this - they are truly causes I believe in!)
First, Dana sent out a great email the other day with some great helpers so we can do our part in saving the environment. As a former BYU Recycling Club member, I too feel a need to spread the word!
First, Dana sent out a great email the other day with some great helpers so we can do our part in saving the environment. As a former BYU Recycling Club member, I too feel a need to spread the word!
www.treehugger.com
www.earth911.org
The phone is line 1 877 EARTH 911 or 1 800 CLEANUP just call & they give you community specific info just type in your zip code:
1. local info on energy conservation info
2. recycling products inc. CRV & household hazardous materials ie pesticides
3. water quality protection & clean boating tips
4. home composting
5. how to save $ & environment shop smart
6. incorporate renewable energy in your life
7. Professional wet cleaning info
8. Growers free recycling motor oil etc
Some other ideas of what we could all do to help is to plant a tree this year, plant low water consumption indigenous plants & flowers, get a recycling bin, use a drip system and timed watering system, change your lighbulbs, unplug our cell phone chargers when we aren't using them and so much more!
Please take time to think of what you can do to do your part in saving our environment.
Along with these great websites, my Dad reminded us of this in response to her email:
"I know Dana’s list is helpful- check out websites etc. But as a start, I’d just ask you to pick up some litter when you are walking along, it’s good exercise to bend over, lung and make a spot for the grass to grow, and then ask the city to put in garbage cans."
Second, one of my close friends from childhood, Rachel Hornburg's brother Nathan was tragically killed in Afghanistan last year. His father is now putting on a fantastic Running/Walking event to raise money for troops and thier families in Calgary.
His Father recently contacted me and told me more about what happened. Here is what he wrote:
"Nathan operated a Leopard tank. He was the first Reservist to be on a tank crew since the Korean War and the first member of his Regiment to be killed in combat since May, 1945. He was in one position for about 8 hours taking fire from 3 directions while he worked to help the crew of a disabled tank and his commander told us that while outside the tank working, Nathan had complete disregard for the rocket propelled grenades which were flying by. Nathan was alone in his tank, moving it into position to pull the stricken tank back on its track when a shell burst on the front of his tank and killed him instantly. He was a very brave man. I am so very proud of him."
Click HERE if you would like to see how to participatein the race. Even if you are not in Calgary June 15, you can participate in Spirit through "the Military Mile", pay online and you will get an e-mail confirmation back and their usual eternal gratitude and thanks.
They asked that "[I] pass the word along to your incredible clan and all your other contacts whether family, friends, LDS, or just good people who recognize the many freedoms we all have because of the sacrifices of brave young men like Nathan."
So there's my pitch, please consider supporting this great cause!
Thirdly, my Auntie Doni's husband is publishing a book for the first time The Master Planets and she has asked I spread the news! Please check it out on Amazon.com HERE!
Thirdly, my aunt's husband is publishing a book for the first time The Master Planets and she has asked I spread the news! Please check it out on Amazon.com HERE!
His Father recently contacted me and told me more about what happened. Here is what he wrote:
"Nathan operated a Leopard tank. He was the first Reservist to be on a tank crew since the Korean War and the first member of his Regiment to be killed in combat since May, 1945. He was in one position for about 8 hours taking fire from 3 directions while he worked to help the crew of a disabled tank and his commander told us that while outside the tank working, Nathan had complete disregard for the rocket propelled grenades which were flying by. Nathan was alone in his tank, moving it into position to pull the stricken tank back on its track when a shell burst on the front of his tank and killed him instantly. He was a very brave man. I am so very proud of him."
Click HERE if you would like to see how to participatein the race. Even if you are not in Calgary June 15, you can participate in Spirit through "the Military Mile", pay online and you will get an e-mail confirmation back and their usual eternal gratitude and thanks.
They asked that "[I] pass the word along to your incredible clan and all your other contacts whether family, friends, LDS, or just good people who recognize the many freedoms we all have because of the sacrifices of brave young men like Nathan."
So there's my pitch, please consider supporting this great cause!
Thirdly, my Auntie Doni's husband is publishing a book for the first time The Master Planets and she has asked I spread the news! Please check it out on Amazon.com HERE!
Thirdly, my aunt's husband is publishing a book for the first time The Master Planets and she has asked I spread the news! Please check it out on Amazon.com HERE!
Comments
Since returning from our 10 months in Shanghai, my husband and I cannot seem to force ourselves to turn the heat above 64. Do you have similar feelings after your time in China?
Golly WINKIES, but Shanghai had the COLDEST winter I have EVER endured! (And Paige, you may know that that's saying something, given the winters in Christian Valley.) It wasn't the temperature, exactly -- Northern China is of course much colder. It was the dampness, plus the total absence of insulation in our "luxury" apartment building. Every single surface -- table, wall, floor -- radiated cold. My hands and feet were blocks of ice. I wore long johns indoors. I hated to undress to take a shower. I wore gloves while working at the computer.
Point of interest: Our neighbors, wealthy people though they were, frugally refused to turn THEIR heat on until the temp got to freezing. (I'm not exaggerating, I mean literally freezing -- 32 degrees.) Meanwhile, they thought we were quite mad to have the heaters "blasting" all day. (Yuk yuk yuk. Believe me, Chinese heaters don't "blast." They more like BURP heat, a sad little poot that evaporates long before it ever gets to your chilled hands and face.)
Point of even greater interest (to me, at least): Our Chinese friends were quite acclimated to the weather. As soon as they walked in our door, they'd start pulling off their coats and opening their collars for relief from our "sauna." They couldn't take it!
In Shanghai we began to realize how incredibly coddled we in the US are. We saw why Americans, who make up only 5% of the world population, use well over a quarter of the world's energy. We're ALLERGIC to discomfort! Ditto inconvenience.
If the Chinese, who make up almost 20% of the world population, used only half as much energy as we do per person, THEY'D USE UP 56% OF THE WORLD'S ENERGY. Obviously, this can't happen. Which means that obviously the "American way of life" is inappropriate. If it can't be shared by all nations, it can't be enjoyed by one.
So we pull on sweaters and heavy socks during the winter here in our South Jersey condo. And please note: This is NOT a philosophical or political act. The importance of conservation got into our very bones back in Shanghai -- just like their ghastly-cold weather, ha!