Archive for June, 2008
Good Food For All Is Basic, Not An Ideal
Why is this statement at all controversial:
There should be good food available to everyone, regardless of what currency they do or do not have.
?
Well, I know why it’s controversial. In short, capitalism (and some other systems) tell us that we must exchange time and labor for currency and that food is a product to be purchased with currency. Simple enough.
But so dangerous when we believe it’s the only way.
The basic foods we eat (fruits, vegetables, nuts…) occur naturally on this planet where we dwell. No one creates them with currency. No one needs quarters to put in a tree so that it will dispense an apple.
Natural foods (meaning foods that grew on their own or with volunteer effort) have been systematically taken from us. So it often feels, or even IS, impossible to eat unless you have currency to exchange for food.
Capitalism takes the Earth and it’s natural processes hostage. It steals them from us and doles them out only when we will pay ransom.
If this isn’t obscene, I don’t know what is.
But I write this with love in my heart, along with anger.
Since the falsehood we’re all constantly force-fed can be stated so simply, it can also without-a-doubt be dismantled.
Some things I love:
- Those communities that have gotten together to harvest a share (for free) the fruit that grows in their backyards!
- The folks that replace their grass lawns with gardens!
- Anyone who grows any food in a pot or a garden and eats that food or gives it to someone else! (One of a million possible links.)
- The re-growing interest in learning about wild foods - what mushrooms, greens, herbs, etc. can be found, idenitified, and enjoyed! (One example.)
I am wishing you much love and the knowledge that your sustanence comes from the living Earth.
Strawberry Shortcake
OK, let’s discuss this. Here is the original Strawberry Shortcake, who many of us will remember from childhood, and then there is the updated version.
My first reaction, was: What’s this?? What was wrong with the old Strawberry Shortcake? GRUMP.
But then I really looked and though: Huh. The new one isn’t bad. I kind of like it.
The new one seems a little more…uh…action-ready? I guess because she has on shorts/pants rather than a skirt and bloomers. I’d like to see a punk version of Strawberry Shortcake. (Oh, I’m sure that exists! Let me know if you’ve seen an example.)
But I do have an issue with this. Look at the old one. Look at the new one. Doesn’t the new one look kind of anxious to you? She sure does to me. Is anxiety such a part of our modern existence that it’s fashionable for our toys to look anxious?
Bloomin’ Artichoke…
Remember the Flower Photo Contest we had here? That was fun…
Well, I just received another entry. It’s a bit too late for the contest, but I wanted to share this beautiful photo sent to me by someone named Sheril.
It’s a blooming artichoke plant. Very pretty, isn’t it? Thank you, Sheril!
Crash!
Crash! is a new book by Mayra Calvari and today the virtual book tour is right here at TreehouseJukebox!
Crash! is the story of a young boy who finally, finally gets a much wished-for puppy. He and his puppy love each other and the book details both the fun and the responsibilities of caring for a puppy.
The book centers around the question: What to name this adorable puppy?
I have to say I like the dad’s suggestion of “Maple Syrup,” but in the end an even more apt name is revealed…
In case sweet stories about puppies aren’t enough to tempt you, I am very happy to report that author Mayra Calvani is donating 50% of her royalties from Crash! to Almost Heaven Golden Retriever Rescue and Sanctuary!
You can buy Crash! at Amazon, Powells, or at a bookstore near you.
Enjoy!!
apartments
In my personal life, when I’m not busy being the glamorous writers of the highly acclaimed TreehouseJukebox blog, I am apartment-searching. Looking for a new place to live that’s nearby, cheaper, and smaller. So, why not make a quick list of things I like and do not like in living spaces?
Like:
- wood or tile floors
- lots of windows - especially if it includes a small window in the bathroom and one over the sink for bonus points
- balcony, porch/patio, or deck
- an older building that’s been cared for
- walls painted colors other than white or beige
Dislike:
- carpeting
- shower stalls instead of bath/showers
- white walls and beige carpeting
- when owners don’t even bother to do basic cleaning of an apartment before showing it to you (OK - not I’m moving into another type of list…)
Ways to Confuse Yourself
1. Take all the labels off your canned goods.
2. Set your alarm for an early hour and put a soft piece of clay on the ‘off’ button so that your finger hits it right when you wake up.
3. Wear a nametag with someone else’s name on it.
That’s all for now!
The Curves of Guyan Mudra
Guyan Mudra*
Index finger touching thumb
Jupiter touching ego
Connecting you with universal knowledge
Two fingers forming a circle
Maybe like eternity
Maybe just the right size to measure spaghetti for the pot
The hand position we assume
to represent meditation in jest
and also a true mudra to bring calm
The curve of your hands
a subtle yoga
opening and inviting insight.
*Also called Jnana mudra.
What is this? I’m not quite sure! But I can tell you it’s the first time I’ve participated in Sunday Scribblings. Today’s theme was “curves.”
wooden boats
Wooden Boats
I have a brother who builds wooden boats,
Who knows precisely how a board
Can bend or turn, steamed just exactly
Soft enough so he, with help of friends,
Can shape it to the hull.
Who knows precisely how a board
Can bend or turn, steamed just exactly
Soft enough so he, with help of friends,
Can shape it to the hull.
The knowledge lies as much
Within his sure hands on the plane
As in his head;
It lies in love of wood and grain,
A rough hand resting on the satin
Of the finished deck.
Within his sure hands on the plane
As in his head;
It lies in love of wood and grain,
A rough hand resting on the satin
Of the finished deck.
Is there within us each
Such artistry forgotten
In the cruder tasks
The world requires of us,
The faster modern work
That we have
Turned our life to do?
Such artistry forgotten
In the cruder tasks
The world requires of us,
The faster modern work
That we have
Turned our life to do?
Could we return to more of craft
Within our lives,
And feel the way the grain of wood runs true,
By letting our hands linger
On the product of our artistry?
Could we recall what we have known
But have forgotten,
The gifts within ourselves,
Each other too,
And thus transform a world
As he and friends do,
Shaping steaming oak boards
Upon the hulls of wooden boats?
Within our lives,
And feel the way the grain of wood runs true,
By letting our hands linger
On the product of our artistry?
Could we recall what we have known
But have forgotten,
The gifts within ourselves,
Each other too,
And thus transform a world
As he and friends do,
Shaping steaming oak boards
Upon the hulls of wooden boats?
– Judy Brown
There was something very appealing about this wooden boat (above) that I saw the other day. It definitely looked handmade and also relatively new.
Then, this poem showed up in my email very shortly thereafter.
In answer to this poem’s questions, I say: Absolutely! Yes!
