Raise Your Vibration!!

http://www.sound-shift.com/blog/raisevibration/

 

 

 

This is not the typical of the information I tend to share but that doesn't discredit the overall message for positive, deliberate living.  Just reading it gave cause for reflection and a wee bit of 'feel good'.  |How could that be bad for anyone.  I think I'm going to hae to spend some time snooping around on this site.



Red Deer Advocate - City says OK to urban chicken coops

Congratulations on a ProActive Decision City of Red Deer!  What other Central AB municipalities will follow suit?  Any guesses?

Red Deer Advocate - City says OK to urban chicken coops

Red Deer Advocate - Council looks at permanent options for chickens

Red Deer Advocate - Council looks at permanent options for chickens

Pay It Forward and Other Thoughts

I just finished watching one of my favourite movies, Pay It Forward, a heartwarming movie about a young boy who attempts to make the world a better place.  The expression "pay it forward" is used to describe the concept of doing a good deed to "repay" others for your own good fortune.  The concept is not new.  In fact, the term was coined many years ago and random acts of kindness have been ongoing, I suspect, for as long as humans have walked this planet.

Although the movie, Pay It Forward, reminds us all to believe in the basic goodness of human kind, it ends on a bit of a sad note.  Just in case you haven't seen the movie, or don't recall the end, I won't spoil it by telling you what happens. Suffice to say, it's also a reminder that sometimes things happen that don't really seem to make sense.  And sometimes, it's those senseless acts that inspire us to be better people -- to reach out to someone in need and do a small act of kindness.  We often never know the impact (good or bad) our decisions and choices have on those around us.  We never know, when we smile at a stranger, have a few kind words for someone, what the ripple affect might be.  What I do know is, when I reach out to someone in kindness, I'm much happier within; when I treat someone unkindly or with indifference, it's like going backwards.

So here is my commitment to the world.  Every day, I will consciously make an effort to undertake a random act of kindness.  In the last few days, I complimented a stranger in the grocery store expressed my grattitude to a retail associate for going the extra mile in a touch situation; helped a young man starting a business find his way through the government red tape.  For the earth, I've stepped up my recycling and composting activities.

Paying it forward doesn't mean measureable acts of kinds. . . it's the little things that count, right? 

Come joint me.  We can make this world a better place.

Crossing Over -- Infrastructure Into Art

I remember, as a kid, we often identified communities by a piece of infrastructure that stood out.  The City of Red Deer, for example, has its infamous Green Onion -- the old water tower, standing high above the city (or, at least, it used to).  I always loved it when communities painted their water towers, a section of concrete wall, or whatever they had that set them apart and gave a sense of  identity.

http://www.reddeeradvocate.com/news/750000_to_paint_our_green_onion_159666715.html

We now have a plethora of transmission lines, wind farms and communication towers that seem to be, at times, more of a blight on the landscape than anything else.  Well folks, it doesn't have to been that way.  There are some pretty creative people out there that have taken infrastructure -- even old, rotting, decrepit infrastructure -- to a whole new level.  I like it.  I like it a lot! 

http://roamingthegooglestreets.blogspot.ca/2011/05/mickey-mouse-shaped-transmission-tower.html

  

http://www.building.co.uk/buildings/architecture/riba-reveals-pylon-competition-finalists/5024448.article

http://www.publicart.kingsporttn.gov/node/51

http://www.thisiscolossal.com/2013/01/brilliant-urban-interventions-by-oakoak-turn-crumbling-city-infrastructure-into-a-visual-playground/

http://www.mymodernmet.com/profiles/blogs/design-depot-deer-shaped-electrical-towers 

Urban Agriculture in Alberta -- Yes, It's True. . . It Can Be Done

Clearly Barb Hazenveld and her family are committed gardeners.  Watch this video and see what they have accomplished in a single season.  You can also check out Barb's website for tips on energy efficiency and organic gardening techniques at http://gorgeousandedible.com.

CRACK CRACK CRACKDOWN and Other Tales of Feathered Friends

Thinking of Joining the Growing Chicken Revolution?  Here's some inspiration for you:

http://www.crackdown.ca/  Crackdown! is a short, creative video that takes a satirical look at what it means to raise chickens in your backyard – and become a criminal for doing so.

http://www.thegridto.com/city/people/andrew-and-matthew-patel-defiant-chicken-keepers/

 

http://torontogardens.blogspot.ca/2012/08/be-chicken-support-crackdown.html

 

Ageing in the 21st Century

http://unfpa.org/ageingreport/

Excerpts from the Report:

Population ageing is one of the most significant trends of the 21st century.  It has important and far-reaching implications for all aspecyts of society.  With one in nine persons in the world aed 60 years or over, projected to increase to one in five by 2050, population ageing is a phenomenon that can no loner be ignored.

The report, which is the product of a collaboration of over 20 UN entities and major international organizations working in the area of population ageing, shows that important progress has been made by many countries in adopting new policies, strategies, plans and laws on ageing, but the much more nedds to be done to fully implement the Madrid Plan and fulfill the potential of our aging world.  Aging is a triumph of development.  Increasing longevity is one of humanity's greatest achievements.To face the challenges and also take advantage of the opportunities resulting from population aeing, this report calls for new approaches to the way that societies, worforces, and social and intergenerational relations are structured.  Globally, women form the majority of older persons. 

The report makes the case for national and local governments, international organizations, communities, and civil society to fully commit to a concerted global efort to realign 21st century society to fit the realities of 21st century demographics.  It focuses on:

• income security
• access to quality health care
• enabling environments

Nominate an inspiring older person for the 60 over 60 list:  http://7billionactions.org/60over60

A TRIP TO THE FARM WITHOUT GETTING ANYTHING ON YOUR SHOES. . .

 

Do you remember that song Wildwood Flower -- about the fellow growing plants that let him take a trip around the world without ever having to leave the farm?  Here's a website that can take you to visit a variety of farms -- orchards, confined feeding operations, etc. -- but you don't even have to smoke anything.

http://www.farmissues.com/virtualTour/en/index.html

Enjoy!

SAYING GOODBYE TO ELMER STOYBERG

1935 - 2012

FOREVER YOUNG

Today, I paid my respects and said goodbye to a wonderful man and mentor. I met Elmer many years ago, during my tenure at Red Deer County where Elmer served on Council for 18 years, including one term as Reeve.
While not everyone prescribed to Elmer's philosopies -- and some might have even found themselves on opposite sides of the table -- Elmer was a man of deep conviction and principles. He stood up for what he believed in, often at great expense to his political career. He was a committed farmer who never missed an opportunity to advocate for agriculture, even though it cost him dearly. Elmer knew it isn't always easy to stand up for something you believe in but he did it because he knew it was the right thing to do.
Elmer was also very forward-thinking. I recall him talking about 30th Avenue which, at that time, was still a mile or two on the outskirts of the City of Red Deer. Elmer wanted it protected all the way to Highway 42, several miles away, because one day it would serve as a major route into the city (I just might have dated myself with that story). He also wanted to make sure that nothing ever compromised McKenzie Road, also still a few miles south of the City, because it would be needed as a major transportation link to the regional airport. I distinctly remember rolling my eyes when he spoke of 30th Avenue; by the time we were talking McKenzie Road, he was preaching to the converted. And don't you know, he was right on both counts. A decade or more later, these very suggestions were raised by others who considered themselves to be visionary -- it made me smile, and reminded me of Elmer, the real visionary.
During the celebration of Elmer's life, we heard wonderful tributes from his children, nephew and grandchildren. They left no doubt that Elmer was a Papa, father, husband and brother.  He was also a good friend and mentor. There were a couple of things Elmer loved almost as much as his family. One was his music. He always carried a harmonica in his pocket and was more than happy to bring it out and play a tune. He also had a deep love and affection for his farm, where he was raised -- where he raised his children, and where they brought their children to him to learn the value of working the land and working with animals.

As I sat at Elmer's funeral, reading the Farmer's Creed on the back of his funeral card, I knew I was saying good-bye to someone who spent many countless hours on behalf of his community because he loved it and was confident he could make it a better place. Clearly, he lived by the Creed; he left this earth a better place and he left me a better person for having known him.

FARMERS CREED

I believe a man's greatest possession is his dignity and that no calling bestows this more abundantly than farming. I believe hard work and honest sweat are the building blocks of a person's character.

I believe that farming, despite its hardships and disappointments, is the most honest and honorable way a man can spend his days on this earth.

I believe farming nurtures the close family ties that make life rich in ways money can't buy.
I believe my children are learning values that will last a lifetime and can be learned in no
other way.

I believe farming provides education for life and that no other occupation teaches so much about birth, growth, and maturity in such a variety of ways.

I believe many of the best things in life are indeed free: the splendor of a sunrise, the  rapture of wide open spaces, the exhilarating sight of your land greening each spring.

I believe that true happiness comes from watching your crops ripen in the field, your children grow tall in the sun, your whole family feel the pride that springs from their shared experience.
I believe that by my toil I am giving more to the world than I am taking from it, an honor that does not come to all men.
I believe my life will be measured ultimately by what I have done for my fellowman, and by this standard I fear no judgement.

I believe when a man grows old and sums up his days, he should be able to stand tall and feel pride in the life he's lived.
I believe in farming because it makes all this possible.

Planning Can't Solve all Your Problems -- Good Neighbour Rules

 Have you ever found yourself complaining that there doesn't seem to be any accountability?  Every time I turn around it seems someone is looking for somebody to take care of them.  We want the government -- all levels -- to resolve all of our issues and, quite simply, that's impossible, not to mention, unneccesary.  Sometimes, we need to take responsibility of our own well-being, our own happiness. 

We have all heard the story about the guy in the Tim Horton's line-up that buys the coffee for the car behind.  There are lots of phrases describing the same philosophy:  'pay it forward', 'treat others as you would like to be treated', 'smile and the whole world smiles at you' . . . I'm sure you get my drift.

And what are we hearing so much about at the planning level these days?  The focus is squarely community focused.  Get out into the neighbourhood; become aware of what is going on in your own back yard; eyes on the street.  So why is it that we are having to be reminded of what it means to be a good neighbour?  Our grandparents and parents knew these lessons. Where did we go off track?  When did we decide that knowing who lived next door was no longer important? Why did we choose to be insular?

Here's a little refresher course in being a good neighbour.  Give it a read, think about it and maybe even put one or two of the suggestions into practice.  I don't think you need your municipal government telling you how to act with kindness and thoughtfullness in your own back yard. . . . or do you?

http://www.wikihow.com/Be-a-Good-Neighbour