Springing into Action

For those of us living in Alberta, Spring came awfully late this year. . . or perhaps I should say, Winter took its sweet time taking its leave.  While some were more fortunate than others, I can honestly say that I, for one, am still anxiously awaiting the rows in my garden to pop up through the earth and be prepared to stand with me in the fight against the weeds.  I haven't even transplanted some of the tender plants, such as peppers and tomatoes yet and this year I've made a conscious decision to drastically reduce the number of annuals.  While I won't say that I am a steadfast die-hard sustainable/organic gardener, I continue to lodge my battle against weeds, primarily through the process of cultivation and good old-fashioned handpicking and the only watering I do is easily maintained by my rainwater barrel.

And slowly but surely, I'm converting the beautiful but highly labour-intensive flower gardens that my parents so lovingly created by the sweat of their brow,  into mulched beds with a mix of perennials, shrubs and trees.  It's true, they don't have the spectacular bursts of color but, except for a bit of hand picking weeds, they don't demand the attention and I rather like the less formal  'natural' look.  Large shrub beds, and a solid refusal to fertilize, also keeps lawn care to a minimum.  While we still have copious amounts of lawn (also planted by my parents), as long as I follow a few basic rules such as no chemical fertilizers and not cutting it too short -- the time is kept to a minimum.

then & now



 

When I walk through someone's yard or poke through a garden centre, my mind is always focused on ways which I can continue my hobby in a manner which is kind to the earth (and therefore to me) while keeping the maintenance to a minimum and the enjoyment to a maximum. Perhaps you're the same.  If so, here's a few links for your reading pleasure.

 

http://www.thedailygreen.com/green-homes/latest/organic-gardening-tips-460309#slide-1

 

http://www.thedailygreen.com/green-homes/latest/organic-gardening-tips-460309#slide-1

 

http://www.canadiangardening.com/how-to/organic-gardening/replace-old-gardening-habits-with-new-eco-trends/a/21328

 

http://www.organicgardening.com/learn-and-grow/cold-weather-compost

 

http://www.readersdigest.ca/home-garden/gardening/19-basic-gardening-tips-save-time-and-money



Did you March Against Monsanto?

UPDATE: All marches were not traditional. The Carnival of Corn was, at its core, a celebration of Mexican agricultural heritage -- and a rejection of the biotech corporation. Continue reading at: http://www.alternet.org/activism/thousands-mexico-protest-monsanto-throwing-carnival-corn This past Saturday, protesters rallied in  52 countries and 436 cities as part of a global protest against seed giant Monsanto and the genetically modified food it produces, organizers said.

Most corn, soybean and cotton crops grown in North America today have been genetically modified. Supporters credit GMO to higher crop  yields and nutritional value while critics say genetically modified organisms can lead to serious health conditions and harm the environment. The use of GMOs has been a growing issue of contention in recent years, with health advocates pushing for mandatory labeling of genetically modified products even though the federal government and many scientists say the technology is safe.

 

You may not be aware just how Monsanto finds its way into your home.   It's not simply a matter of avoiding corn, or corn-based products.  It also includes soybean, sugar beet, canola and wheat and rBGH (recombinant bovine growth hormone) used in dairy cows to produce higher volumes of milk.  And then there's that spotty record related to it's PCB production in the United States and the inproper disposal of chemicals in the United Kingdom and other legal problems in Argentina, Brazil, China and Haiti.

Last week, the U.S. Senate approved HR 933, a short term funding measure designed to avoid a March 27 government shutdown. Hidden within HR 933 is section 735, the “Farmer Assurance Provision.”  Called the “Monsanto Protection Act” by critics, this section gives the USDA the power to allow the planting, harvest and sale of genetically engineered crops, even if a court rules that they were not properly approved. Short of a Presidential veto, the provision is a certain victory for genetically engineered foods.

The provision was slipped in anonymously while the resolution was in the Senate Appropriations Committee, chaired by Senator Barbara Mikulski (D-MD). The rider should have been brought in front of the Agricultural or Judiciary Committees, but was not. Senator John Tester (D-MT) proposed an amendment to strip section 735 from the bill, but the amendment never came up for a vote. According to the Center for Food Safety, there were no hearings on this provision and most Democrats did not know it was part of the larger bill.

 

A major UN/World Bank-sponsored report compiled by 400 scientists and endorsed by 58 countries concluded that GM crops have little to offer global agriculture and the challenges of poverty, hunger, and climate change, because better alternatives are available. In particular, the report championed “agroecological” farming as the sustainable way forward for developing countries.  Imagine that.



Sources:
-  http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/05/25/march-against-monsanto-gmo-protest_n_3336627.html
- https://www.facebook.com/GreenTidings/photos_stream#!/GreenTidings
- https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=3961769791467066428#editor/target=post;postID=1530484529611599122
http://www.liveleak.com/view?i=606_1364250375
http://snippits-and-slappits.blogspot.ca/2011/06/10-reasons-why-we-dont-need-gm-foods.html

Green Roof Tops Not So Green?

source:  http://ecoroofseverywhere.com/2010/11/20-new-ecoroofs/

 



The purpose of planting vegetation  on rooftops is seen as a way to reduce the heat effect and reduce energy costs.  Rooftop gardens have the potential of lowering energy usage for heating and air-conditioning as well as reducing rainwater runoff, but their effectiveness is not well established.

In order to survive on a rooftop, vegetation has to to survive high winds, prolonged exposure to the sun and unpredictable water availability. To resist these harsh environs, many green roofs are planted with sedum, often a non-native species, that can survive wind and long periods without rainfall.  But what about when sedums are native (obviously, they are somewhere)?  Or what about greening with other native species plantings?

The cities of Chicago and Portland, have each developed hundreds of green roofs over the last decade, and both cities have implemented programs to monitor the success and cost/benefits of green roofs. The climates are very different, so the green roof requirements are different, but they have been successful in both cities. 

Thin (4" or less), light-weight (50 lbs/cu ft saturated) engineered soils are often used for green roofs because of weight limitations. These soils are engineered so they do not retain water so as to limit additional weight on the roof structure. Because of the physical limitations of the soil (i.e., limited-to-no organics, limited capacity to retain water), sedums and other succulents are often used because those species are the best suited for those environments. Other plant species which are adapted to poor soils with limited water typically compensate by having large and/or deep root systems; on a thin-profile green roof, however, these types of plants do not do well because they cannot establish the root systems they need to survive.

Since the 2008 launch of its Ecoroof Incentive Program, the City of Portland has seen the installation of hundreds of vegetated roofs.  But in 2012, the City gained a whole lot more green roof footage in a single project: the new Hayden Meadows Walmart in North Portland.  This is the second green roof project for Walmart who introduced a similar project to Chicago in 2008. Walmart voluntarily monitored the performance of the green roof. The roof drainage system was purpose-built to separate runoff from the green and non-green roof areas and enable precise comparisons to be made between the two roof areas. Flow meters, installed in each manhole, record total flows and flow rates from each roof section. The entire roof is outfitted with a weather station and data logger to measure temperature, solar radiation, humidity, rain, and wind speed and direction to monitor the conditions on both the vegetated roof and the white Energy Star® rated membrane. Additionally, a moisture probe was installed in the green roof media. The study was the largest and most intensive of its kind in the world.

Improvements in the rate and volume of runoff were apparent as soon as the green roof was installed. Because of the study we now have conclusive evidence that the size of a green roof affects its performance. The scale of a green roof allows it to operate at or above its expected performance rate. This benefit also relies on the non-modular design in which moisture slowly migrates through the green roof toward the outlet. Longer ‘residence times’ in the green roof result in greater moisture uptake, delayed runoff, and enhanced growing conditions for the foliage plants. The larger the green roof the greater the distance runoff needs to travel to reach the roof drains thereby further delaying the peak rate of runoff. There is no other BMP that more closely matches pre-development conditions than a large scale green roof.  A decrease in the temperature of the greened roof was also observed, compared to the adjacent white roof.

Perhaps one of the key elements in deciding on a green roof is to identify its purpose.  Is it an ornamental green roof, used in combination with decks, seating, etc.? Is it intended to recreate native habitat? Or is it a thin-profile sedum roof, used as a means to slow water runoff and reduce the heat island effect? Each of these green roofs has different technical requirements and will have different characteristics once they have been established. Failure of one type of roof may not mean failure for another.  If you're thinking of a green roof, the City of Portland has published an Eco-Roof Guide to help you:  http://www.portlandoregon.gov/bes/article/331490

source:  http://www.bing.com/images/search?q=Liveroof+Tray+System&FORM=RESTAB#view=detail&id=E24E9333E3ECFDC4BBF0D3D8DDD0930917D84E12&selectedIndex=24



sources: 
- http://grist.org/list/green-roofs-dont-work-unless-you-plant-them-with-diverse-local-plants/?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=update&utm_campaign=socialflow
- http://www.scientificamerican.com/article.cfm?id=why-manhattans-green-roofs-dont-work-how-to-fix-them
- http://www.earthtechling.com/2012/08/new-walmart-store-brings-big-green-roof-to-portland/
- http://www.roofmeadow.com/case-studies/selected-case-studies/wal-mart-5402/
- http://www.portlandoregon.gov/bes/article/331490

UPDATED Sweatshops: How do we Rid Ourselves of Them?

October 2015

While this topic should be on our minds at all time, with Christmas (and retail's high season) right around the corner, I thought it was time we revisited the issue of how we support proper work environments for the millions working in 3rd world country sweatshops.  While progress has been made, sadly, with only 2 Canadian and slightly more than 20 US companies working to end the continuing cycle of poverty, it would seem most of us are happy to continue the practice of supporting corporations that care little about the human cost tied to their profit margin.  Or, at least, this is the number that has willingly entered into the Bangladesh Accord on Fire and Safety. An independent, legally binding agreement between brands and trade unions, the accord is designed to enable a working environment in which no worker needs to fear fires, building collapses or other accidents that can easily be prevented.  

Just In case you still aren't listening, here are a few facts about sweatshops that perhaps you didn't know:

1. A sweatshop is defined by the US Department of Labour as a factory that violates 2 or more labor laws;
2. They have poor working conditions, unfair wages, unreasonable hours, child labour; lack worker benefits;
3. An estimate 168 MILLION children, ages 5-14 work in sweatshops throughout developing countries;
4. Most countries in the industrialized world are not free of sweatshops;
5. Common products coming from sweatshops include garmets, cotton, brick, cocoa and coffee;
6. Consumers willing to pay 15% more to know a product did not come from a sweatshop will double the salary of a sweatshop employee;
7. Those forced to work in a sweatshop spend the majority of their paycheck on food for their families;
8. Child labour is especially common in the agricultural sector, primarily in Asia and the Pacific. Sub-Saharan African has the highest prevalence, with 20% of children in child labour;
9. Because women make up 85-90% of sweatshop workers, some employees force their female staff to take birth control and routine pregnancy tests to avoice supporting maternity leave or providing health benefits.

How can you help?  One way to help foreign workers is to make conscious buying decisions and encourage retailer to provide conscious options. At the bottom of this blog you will find links to help you learn how to avoid supporting this type of facility, thereby helping to break the cycle.

Sweatshops are work environments that possess three major characteristics—long hours, low pay, and unsafe or unhealthy working conditions. Sweatshops have been a factor in the production of goods around the world for centuries, but the globalization of business has led to increasing numbers of major corporations taking advantage of low-cost  labor in developing countries.

Will sweatshops ever be abolished or will we continue to turn a blind eye and support them, as is evident in numerous recent examples in the apparel industry brought to international attention by castastrophic events?   The recent factory collapse in Bangladesh brought Superstore's Joe Fresh line to the forefront; but so far, Loblaw is the only company that has publicly admitted to carrying items made in the collapsed factory but what about all the others?  Companies like Sears Canada, Reitman, The Gap, Liz Claiborne, Kathie Lee Gifford, Nike, and Wal-Mart all market goods produced in sweatshops.

And what about the responsibility each one of us has?  How do we avoid supporting this type of activity and working environment?  While a very low price may be an indicator, it isn't always.  While we can inspect the name of the country printed on the label, we can't assume all products made in a third world country are the product of a sweat shop.  Using Bangladesh as an example, there are compliant manufacturers in these countries just as there is non-compliant, grossly negligent manufacturers.

Here's as good a place as anywhere to start:  GoodGuide.com is a website designed to help us find safe, healthy, green & ethical products based on scientific ratings.  Led by Professor Dara O'Rourke of UC Berkeley, GoodGuide's science team – chemists, toxicologists, nutritionists, sociologists, and lifecycle analysis experts – rates products and companies on their health, environmental and social performance.  GoodGuide's 0 to 10 rating system helps consumers quickly evaluate and compare products.

Here's a few more tips:  http://www.greenamerica.org/programs/sweatshops/whatyoucando/index.cfm

As with anything else that is important, we not only have the choice, we have a responsibility not to turn away, but to take the time to educate ourselves so that we can make informed choices. . . . after all, we always have a choice -- we can be part of the problem, or part of the solution.  Which one do you want to be?

Sources:
http://www.referenceforbusiness.com/management/Str-Ti/Sweatshops.html#ixzz2SwZbfZLc
http://www.referenceforbusiness.com/management/Str-Ti/Sweatshops.html#ixzz2SwZKulQH
http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/story/2013/04/25/f-bangladesh-clothing-consumer-awareness.html
http://bangladeshaccord.org/
https://www.dosomething.org/facts/11-facts-about-sweatshops

Recollections of Love, Food and Healthy Living

As we begin to roll into harvest and I start spending more time in the garden, I can't help but be reminded of my Mom and Dad.  While Dad was responsible for all things 'farm', Mom's domain was the home.  What not everyone realizes, is that 'home' extended far beyond the confines of the house.  It also encompassed a very large garden and all things food related.  As one might anticipate, that included our three squares a day, snacks, picnics and yes, even harvest meals.  Mom not only took care of the garden, helped with the livestock when needed, prepared all the meals, including those meals to the field AND, in between, was my dad's hired hand.  When I think back, it really is amazing how my mother managed to drive the truck during combining and still clean the house, make all the meals and serve them up in style.  



My mother was one of those fine old farm wives whose life revolved around her family.  When she passed away, in 2010, the grandchildren were doing a little reminiscing and decided to put their thoughts down and share it with the rest of the family.  I had pretty much forgotten about it until a neice reminded me.  Perhaps those that were privileged to grow up on a farm in a traditional family will also relate to these heartwarming, often humerous tidbits of real life. 

What really caught my attention was my mother's (and therefore, her grandchildren's) focus on food.   My mother's kitchen was always buzzing with activity and every meal was an occasion.  If you want to think in terms of sustainable food systems, my mother's table would be a fine example; pretty much everything on it came from just a few steps, in one direction or another, from our back door.  On our small family farm you found cattle, a small farrow to finish hog operation and 50 baby chicks arriving each spring.  As spring was filled with planting, summers will filled with tending livestock, crops and the  huge garden which provided us with fresh greens and vegetables throughout.  In the fall, produce was stored, canned, frozen, or dried and saw us through to the next growing season.

 

The grandchildren were right about desserts, home made candies and other treats. As kids, we anxiously waited for the wild saskatoons to ripen and held 'picking parties', with the fruits of our labour ushered into my mother's waiting kitchen, only to reappear in the form of pies.  I don't really recall a meal that didn't end with something sweet, usually preserved fruit but also ice cream dressed with homemade sauces. 

I think back on those days -- those fond, fond memories -- and am grateful for having been charmed with a lifestyle that we took for granted; and loved by parents that, at times, were also taken for granted.  At least I was fortunate enough to have role models that shared their love of the land along with their knowledge and desire to be self-sufficient.  They taught us the value, from both an economic and health perspective, of providing for ourselves.   I like to think I came from good stock.

What I find especially endearing is, regardless how her grandchildren may have snickered at my mother's penchance for a good meal and a tastey tidbit, there are several of them that need only look in the mirror where they may find a glimmer of their grandmother.  Suffice to say, there seems to be a goodly number of them that seem to to have inherited the 'baking gene'.  All of her grandchildren are quite mindful of where their food comes from.  I suspect part of that awareness stems from their very early exposure to fresh food.  Admit it, there is still nothing like the thrill of sneaking into gramma's garden to help yourself to a handful of fresh peas or raspberries.  Nor is there any replacement for the smell of an apple pie or hot buns just coming out of the oven.   

 

And with that, I give you, the recollections of my parents' grandchildren.  Perhaps something will bring a smile to your face,  or tug at a heartstring, just as it did mine. 

1. The Jellybean jar under the table which was never ever empty
2. Arguing with Grandpa “It is not Tommy!” “It is too then Gladys!”
3. Gramma “never cooked enough food” for family gatherings... despite there being a minimum of 2 meats, 3 vegetables and 3 desserts at any occasion
4. The extensive spoon collection in the case Grandpa made for her
5. How anything you said got twisted around like the “telephone” game, such as the time Dad was going to speak at the 'UN'
6. If you wanted to spread the word you just needed to make one call, that is if you could ever get past the busy signal on her phone
7. Always worrying and praying when anyone went on a trip, particularly on an airplane
8. That they planned to cut back on the garden every year but it just seemed to keep getting bigger
9. Basement pantry/aka bomb shelter, because you never knew when you might have an urgent need for filling for 24 cherry pies
10. Grandpa and Grandma’s special velour chairs, grandma’s was like a throne
11. Quacking duck stuffed animal that we all loved to annoy people with
12. The little baby doll hanging from Gramma's walker so she wouldn’t get it mixed up (geat grandchild Ayden always tried to steal it)
13. Came up with the “4th meal” concept before Taco Bell, we always had a late night lunch that usually involved a main course of bun sandwiches and several desert options
14. In the earlier years fancy shrimp cocktails and the “beloved” tomato aspic at Christmas
15. Hunting for kitten nests up in the hay shed
16. Rolling down the hill by the campfire
17. Going to Club Café for New Years and all other special occasions and being allowed to order Shirley Temples
18. Pink petunias in the planters that we loved to pull the dried up ones off of, and often the good ones too
19. The best creamy home made hot chocolate
20. 3 freezers stuffed full, one just for Gramma'sbaking
21. Watching The Wonderful World of Disney and later on MTV music videos while eating supper on TV trays in the TV room
22. Gramm always having her hair perfectly done with weekly appointments but still always being worried about how it looked or if the wind was messing it up
23. Being embarrassed if she was caught by company in curlers or her hair not done
24. Loved her clothes and always dressed to the nines with matching accessories
25. The most sparkly brooches, necklaces, earrings and rings you could find
26. Gramma never drank but she never wanted to miss the party...would always stay up as late as she could!! 
27. Christmas cookie making day
28. Very loud family gatherings
29. Playing Bocce ball in the yard
30. The wooden Christmas characters in the yard that Grampa made for Gramma
31. The BEST homemade buns hot out of the oven with butter (and being able to eat as many as you wanted!) and the smell of them when she had a “baking day”
32. Playing cards for hours (she could stay up later than us)
33. Gramma telling us we were cheating at cards if we were winning or when she lost, when she was usually the one actually cheating
34. Viva Puff cookies (those chocolate covered marshmallow ones) while playing cards
35. Writing recipes in a binder while watching the cooking shows on TV
36. Gramma always taped her "plays" (soap operas) on TV
37. Going for a visit before Christmas to help decorate the tree with Gramma and Grampa every year
38. Playing BINGO in the living room and Gramma would tell us to go and get the treat bag out of her closet for prizes...a HUGE paper grocery bag full of mini chocolate bars
39. Playing “Mother May I” and “Red Light Green Light” in the yard and getting peanuts or old Halloween candy out of the treat bag
40. Having campfires and singing (and always having lots of treats..hot chocolate, hotdogs, marshmallows, cowpie cookies, etc. that she would bring out on a tray)
41. Shelling peas on the deck
42. Picking raspberries
43. Gramma and Grandpa taking the grand kids to DQ and we got to have a LARGE ice cream cone (NEVER got that with mom!!)
44. Gramma and Dad (Ken) getting the giggles
45. When we were little Gramma and Grampa would take the grand kids to the Co-op cafeteria in the basement for lunch or a doughnut and chocolate milk.
46. All the amazing Christmas baking....cherry balls, peanut butter balls, fudge, chocolate covered pretzels, nuts & bolts, toffee squares, grasshopper squares
47. The BEST cook!!!
48. Home made Lemonade Summer drink
49. Really strong ice tea (Gramma kept a whole ice cream pail of ice tea powder beside the couch in the tv room)
50. Always had revels or ice cream and home made chocolate sauce for dessert...or both!
51. Baking with Gramma
52. Riding our bikes up to the farm in the summer to play cards when we were bored
53. Gramma and Grandpa walking down to our house for coffee with Nicky
54. Giving the dog bread with butter (cause they only liked it if it was buttered!)
55. The etch-a-sketch and linking bricks that were kept in the closet in the tv room
56. The house always being so hot and Gramma asking "is it cold in here?"
57. Butter and saltines as a snack
58. Making wontons
59. Making Christmas toffee and wrapping it together
60. Always easy to talk to, never an awkward silence with anyone
61. Always made way too much food
62. Favourite campfire tunes – Can’t Get to Heaven, Wildwood Flower, Amazing Grace
63. Getting mad when Grandpa sped up Amazing Grace after the first verse
64. Helping Gramma clean the house, and trying to keep up to her standards!
65. Had the best memory of anyone, right til the end
66. Making us beautiful needlepoint pictures
67. Making Nikki (the dog) “sing”
68. Gramma bragging about how good her kids and grandkids were
69. Gramma nagging on Grampa (I think that’s how she showed she loved him)
70. Gramma's flower gardens and teaching us the names of the flowers
71. Two weeks ago telling my 31 week preggo self that I “still wasn’t too fat”
72. Gramma claiming she “rarely takes dessert”
73. Loving a DQ dipped cone for a treat (even though she rarely took dessert )
74. Affectionately calling all her loved ones 'Dough Ass'
75. She taught her grand kids how to make lemonade mix and apple dumplings
76. She always let us have dessert after every meal
77. Gramma made the best banana splits
78. She let us eat all the bridge mix we wanted
79. Listening to Gramma playing ‘How Great Thou Art’ and other hymns on the piano and listening to her sing while she played, until she realized you were listening to her
80. Watching soaps with her in the TV room and getting self defence lessons
81. Singing together in the car
82. Trips to Pine Lake for ice cream
83. Making us eat pork and beans before we could go camping in the trailer
84. Teaching how to stitch
85. Gramma made the best gravy
86. She let me us try on all of her jewelry anytime we wanted
87. If you worked more than 20 minutes without an iced tea/lemonade break, you were working much too hard, much to Grandpa's disapproval
88. If you didn't have thirds or fourths at dinner there was no other reason than you were dieting.
89. If you ever lost any weight at all, you must be sick and needed to eat something.
90. Gramma was the only one who wasn't afraid to tell Grandpa off, and did it quite regularly
91. She always stood by the fact that Jed was a very smart dog, even if others disagreed. The same can be said about her grandchildren
92. How much Gramma loved listening to us play guitar and have sing alongs
93. Gramma's laugh... and listening to her and Dad/Brenda/Heather joking with each other and working themselves up until they were all crying
94. The lemon gin story, and her continuing to get more and more drunk from water
95. Going up to set Gramma's VCR so she wouldn't miss her "stories"
96. The little jar of candies in the car and the first thing Gramma did when you got in was offer you one.
97. Just talking to Gramma, and her love for conversation. You never had to worry about being the one to carry the conversation


and, most importantly

98. “People may not remember what you said or did, but they will always remember how you made them feel”. …You always felt like Gramma was absolutely thrilled to see you, would remember everything you told her; was always so proud of you and that she loved you deeply.


What better tribute could there possibly be?

Earth Day and the Work of the Earth Day Network

http://www.earthday.org
 
Most of us have heard and celebrated Earth Day, in one form or another but perhaps we aren't all aware of the Earth Day Network (EDN).  Earth Day was first celebrated on this day in 1970 and is credited for having a significant positive impact on the environmental movement.  EDN partneres with groups in over 190 countries and is largely responsible for mobilizing the more than 1 BILLON people that participate each year.
 
Geared to adults and kids alike, there's a cool little tool on the bottom of the website to calculate your ecological footprint.  Once completed, it provides a few ideas to help reduce that footprint.  It's geared to urban living but that's where most of the folks on our beautiful planet are living and let's face it, accounting for a rural lifestyle, livestock, etc. would be a wee bit too complex to calculate.
http://www.earthday.org/footprint-calculator
 
Don't forget to check out EDN's Campaign for Communities which aims to unite Earth Day events and local elected officials from around the world as a way to engage with constituents locally and participate in an exchange of environmental visions, concepts, and learning.
http://www.earthday.org/c4c

Give it a look; I guarantee you an interesting learning experience.  Happy Earth Day.

People Attract People

Though we rarley do it in our own community, when my spouse and I travel, one of our favourite pastimes is to partake in a little 'people watching'.  We'll choose a spot where there is a fair bit of activity:  a public beach; an outdoor cafe on a busy intersection.  One of us will randomly select a passersby -- sometimes an individual, perhaps a couple or even a family-- and the other will have to weave a plausible story regarding what the passerby is doing (or even thinking) at that particular moment in time.  Occassionally, we are rewarded by some tidbit of evidence that our make-believe world is very near reality. 

On one occassion I chose a man walking slowly and alone down a street.  Once, we witnessed a man slowly walking along the street but suddenly clearly looking for something or, in this case, someone.  The story my partner gave him was that this single man was really part of a couple.  We could almost here him murmuring to himself, 'Where did she go?  I took my eyes off her for one minute and, when I turned around, she was gone."  After all, how many times has that been our story (hence the reason why we rarely shop together)?  Although he walked by, he returned to find a good vantage point and park.  Sure enough, a few minutes later we saw a woman walking alone and burdened with the success of her shopping, but who also seemed to be paying more than the usual amount of attention to her surroundings as if she too were watching for someone.  As she neared the man, he stood up, and walking toward her,  lightened her load from her arms.  That was sufficient for us to conclude that our assumptions had considerable merit. 

Our game doesn't require anything special, except for a location where there is a goodly amount of pedestrian activity and a comfortable place to sit.  After all, it wouldn't be much of a game if we didn't have a significantly wide array of people to choose from and as it sometimes take some time, it's nice to be comfortable.  It doesn't need to be pretty; it doesn't have to be formal.  We just need a spot where we can sit unobtrusively and watch the people around us interact with each other and the world.  We've paused to listen to people playing a guitar at a bus stop and, before long, my partner is taking this instrument into his own hands and playing a tune for the musician.

In the rural community in our home, it's common to find the road we are driving along blocked as two neighbours slow their vehicles, roll down their windows and have a quick visit. 

While our mothers, fathers and grandparents all seemed to understand the importance of congregating with their neighbours, we seem to have digarded this, in favour of turning inward, and isolating ourselves.  Instead of the white picket fence separating our yard from your neighbour's, we now construct solid 6' fences.  If we're fortunate, we might even have a front attached garage, effectively blocking our view of the front as well.  It's not uncommon for families to be neighbours very years with little more than a casual remark or passing wave that passes as communication.

For decades our streets and sidewalks were designed to promote movement from Point A to Point B.  There was no park bench, no ledge to lean upon. Internally, coffee counters and soda fountains disappeared from department and drug stores; chairs and benched unobtrusively tucked into a corner where our seniors could stop to rest or visit mysteriously disappeared.  Slowly, but surely, we are beginning to recognize the error of our ways.  Street furniture has made comeback and outdoor cafes are the rage. 

But does it take an extravagant or  even an organized effort?  Perhaps not.  All we seem to need is other people.  Here are just a few example of how simple it can be.

http://www.yesmagazine.org/happiness/thriving-public-spaces-just-add-seating-commons

http://www.buildinghappiness.org/?p=181

Health Care Without Harm in United States and Canada

Home » Health Care Without Harm » United States and Canada

Sustainability comes in all forms.  If we hope to be successful, we need everyone's participation.  I came upon a very interesting organization that I wasn't aware existed but it seems to be gaining momentum around the world.  I did a little digging; what I found was, even though there are references and reports regarding Canada and potential health care reforms, it doesn't seem like Canada is participating to any real degree.  I wonder what that's all about.

Take a look, dig around in the site a little, and let me know what you think.  Is this organization a worthwhile vehicle for change?

How I Spent My Winter Vacation - Ixtapa/Zihuatanejo, Mexico – Feb 27- Mar 13, 2013

About Us:           It’s important to understand the perspective of the report, so here is a bit of information about us.  We are a couple from western Canada, in our mid 50’s. While we have enjoyed 13 all-inclusive resorts, all being 4 ½ - 5 star, we decided it was time to try something different so we now have a condominium rental under our belts.  We travel as a couple and also with a group of 4-12.  We find the needs of group travel significantly differs from those as a couple.  We generally like to “do our research” before choosing a destination/resort and rely upon the experience of others primarily through vacation destination reports and feedback, and the knowledge of an experienced travel agent.  We have visited many parts of Mexico; Montego Bay, Jamaica; and Puerto Plata and Punta Cana, Dominican Republic .  We have also travelled much of the US and Canada.
 

Last year we opted for a spontaneous trip Ixtapa/Zihuatanejo to attend the International Guitar Festival.  We loved it so  much, we decided we needed to return this year. 

We  booked a condo through VRBO (Home Away) and our airfare through Westjet, using our trusted travel agent. The value of a good travel agent can't be understated, particularly, in times of trouble and we have learned this through experience.  While there was no direct benefit to us in booking  our airfare through her, we do it as a means of supporting her.  Her contact information is:  Luana Johnsgaard, luana@travelonly.net.  

We also booked a full day excursion with Miguel Martinez a Tour guide we met last year when he led us to Paracho, Michoacan.  We were so impressed by his expertise and flexibility, we stayed in touch.  He is a very proud Mexican who loves to show of us country and educate while entertaining you. 

Scoring:               1(Poor) to 10 (Perfection)

Overall Impression of Ixtapa/Zihuatanejo, Mexico:  Scoring:  9    Ixtapa itself is a planned community, developed in the 1970's by Fonatur, much like Cancun.  Whereas Cancun has taken off like a house on fire,  Ixtapa's growth has been slow which we consider an asset as the community continues to retain the ambience of a true Mexican community.  Many of the resorts, primarily located adjacent the beach, are due for some serious facelifts and some of them have converted from resorts to condominium resort complexes, offering 'the best of both worlds', private ownership of a unit, as well as the perks of an all-inclusive – a bar, sometimes a restaurant, nice pools, grounds, and beach palapas.  There is also considerable residential development (with a few B & Bs) occupied by wealthy Mexican or ex-pat families, off the beach.  Ixtapa has a very well developed tourist area with shopping and restaurants within easy walking distance of most of the resorts.  There is also a small mercado which carries all the groceries you will need during your stay, including fresh produce, meats, etc. if you aren't concerned about price and aren't looking for anything special.

                                                                                  Ixtapa Sunset

 

Playa Palmar beach is beautiful  though the water has quite an attitude. . . last year it stole my sunglasses, gave me a sea-sand fully body scrub and did it's best to strip the clothing right off my back!  This year, it didn't have much chance as we spent more time around the pool, partly because one of us was still convalescing from surgery and partly because one of us (and that would be me) was a wee bit intimidated by the size of the waves –on some days, as high as 3 metres).  Suffice to say, there aren't a lot of tourists in the water and body surfing and boogie boarding is a popular pastime. 

                                                                              Big Surf

 

Zihuatanejo is occupied primarily by Mexicans.  Although tourism is clearly evident, there is still very much a Mexican vibe.  The two communities are about a 5 minute cab ride or a 15-minute bus ride apart.  The local transportation is very reliable and safe; a cab costs about $6US one-way and the bus around $.25  The people are exceptionally friendly and helpful; English is not well-spoken by locals outside of the resorts (we enjoy the challenge as we have only 'tourista Espanola") but if you are receptive, the local people go out of their way to communicate with you.  This is one of the reasons we are so attracted to this area of the Pacific Coast.  Unlike the Mayan Riviera, intentionally developed for tourism, the West coast  is home to families which are willing to share their Paradise.  While tourism is the primary industry,  Zihuatanejo is still a fishing village and, due to the drop in tourism, many Mexicans employed in the industry also supplement their income in the off season, making cottage industries a true economic mainstay.

 

 Zihuatanejo Centro

 

 

                                                                              Peppers at Mercado Centro

 

We spent considerably more time exploring the local area this time, shopping at the Commercial and Bodega mercados for groceries; visiting the Mercado Centro, a true Mexican-style market; exploring other beaches, etc.  I don't know what to say except that this culture has managed to hang onto something that we seem to have lost – an overwhelming belief in the goodness of people and the need to connect with everyone they encounter.  It's not only charming, it's refreshing and absolutely heartwarming! 

We love this area so much, we are pretty sure we are going back which really is not 'us'.  We are usually attracted to new destinations, rarely returning to the same one twice.  As Playa Palmar is clearly within the tourist zone, we thought we should check out other accommodations.  We found the waters of Playa Madera and Playa la Ropa to have gentler waves, but they are also located within the same Bay as Playa Principal, which is not particularly clean; whereas Playa Palmar is located on open water and one of the few certified 'clean' beaches in Mexico.  We visited the Marina which offers accommodations and daily rentals of every type, from yachts to pangas.  Accommodations on Madera and la Ropa are generally not directly on the beach and few we found offer cooking facilities or even fridges.  While there are some restaurants and shops, we didn't find as many choices (though the prices were better).   While we feel Ixtapa ticked off more boxes for our preferences, we talked to many who were genuinely pleased with their choices on Madera and la Ropa and met just as many who have purchased properties in these areas.
 

                                                                                  Playa Madera

 

Zihuatanejo International  Guitar Festival  http://www.zihuafest.info/

Rating:  9/10      We were so impressed last year that we couldn't possibly see ZIGF delivering the same level of service and quality of music two years in a row.  We were dead wrong!   With a combination of repeat performances and new musicians, we were just as wowed this year as last.  The Festival provides airfare and accommodation to the musician, who is otherwise unpaid.  Venues are open-air restaurants and bars in Ixtapa and Zihuatanejo.  We always tried to get there a bit early to get a front seat.  There was food and liquor available in all venues that we attended.  The Festival also invites 1,000 local children to attend a special performance and there is a free concert at la Cancha (a public gathering place) on the final day.   A cover charge of $10US covers 3 sets of one hour each.  Opening night and the final jam were $15US. We think it is a steal of a deal.  The musicians are accommodated through Casa Heidi and, while language may be a barrier, they are all have intimate knowledge of the language of music.  This sets the scene for some fabulous collaborative efforts which fans are privy to on the final jam, a night literally filled with standing ovations.  If there was one slight disappointment, we found the service, food and drinks at one venue (el Pueblita) to be less than expected.  On two nights, the only way we received service was to hunt down the waiter whenever we needed anything; the food wasn't particularly good this year; and we heard several complaints the drinks were watered down.   This was not our experience last year and was certainly not enough to detract us from enjoying the overall experience.

                                                                           Paul Renna, USA

                                                                          Diego Garcia, Spain

                                                                          Paul Pigat, Canada

                                                                      Josue Tacaronet, Cuba

 

Paricutin Volcano - Michoacán

Rating:  An Unqualified 10/10            Last year, we visited Michoacán with Miguel Martinez (email: saldivar66@gmail.com), with a tour group of 4.  We loved Miguel and the intimate small group aspect so much that we stayed in touch  with him and selfishly retained his services for  just the two of us.  Our 16 ½ hour day was wonderfully filled with spectacular scenery and momentous personal experiences that were absolute highlights of our visit.

Miguel regaled us with his knowledge of the communities we visited; however, as he is less experienced with Parucitin, his role became one of facilitating dialogue with the local guide.   The volcano is said to have grown out of a cornfield and represents a dramatic period in the lives of the local inhabitants who lost crops and livestock, and suffered substantial property damage.  Paricutin is the most recent volcano to have formed on the Western Hemisphere, and is considered one of the Seven Wonders of the Natural World.  The entire event  – from birth to eruption – took place between 1943 and 1952.  Paricutin turned a cornfield into a mountain, and it's lava flows covered roughly 10 square miles.  The damage was incomprehensible but there was a silver lining:  volcanic ash produces rich soil which has turned the region into an agricultural paradise. Here is a link to the account:  http://paricutin.com/default.htm.  Although we were told that the village occupants had plenty of time to get out of the way, my research suggests about 1,000 died following one of the last big eruptions in 1949.  Our tour included a ½ hour horseback ride to the site; exploring the ruins of old San Juan Church – all that remains in the aftermath of the volcano – sampling tortillas made with cactus (tasty!) and making the trek back up the hill to Angahuan, the nearest village to Paricutín Volcano, where our local guide lives.  If you fancy a good long hike and horseback ride (and leave early enough in the day) you can also continue past the buried church another 9 km through the lava field on horseback, to the volcano itself, with the climb to the cone being on foot.

                                                        What remains of San Juan Church and
                                                                                                     Miguel Martinez, our Guide

Although not part of our $10 (3 hour) tour, Miguel also wrangled us an invitation to the private home of our local guide, in Angahuan, where he lives with his son and 90-year-old aunt, Maria. Weaving, embroidery, spinning and other textile traditions are still practiced here. The women continue to dress in the traditional costume of an embroidered blouse, over blouse, two belts, a embroidered slip, a skirt, an apron and finally the rebosos, or shawl. Miguel pursued this to help us gain a better understanding of the local Purepecha culture and the community. Each home has living quarters and a kitchen, separated by a common court yard. A mix of stone and wood, there were few windows, presumably to control the heat. The kitchen had both a wood-fired oven and an open firepit and, while modest by our terms, as neat as a pin. We sampled some of their food and were given herbs picked in the hills, dried ready to be steeped as tea. 

                                                           drying herbs on the woodfired oven

                                                                     Traditional Purepecha Dress

Maria weaves shawls and sells them in the streets.  When we asked if she would model the two we purchased, she not only agreed but suggested I might also be interested in  having my photo taken with her, wearing a traditional rebosos.  I had no idea what I was getting myself into when I agreed; she took me into her bedroom, dug through boxes until she came out with suitable clothing and dressed me complete in the garb of a Purepecha woman.  I felt somewhat like a giant doll but I have to admit, I loved every  minute of it!   Miguel clearly LOVES his work and we CLEARLY love him just because he always seems to `go the extra mile`.  We would not have had such an opportunity had it not been for him. 
 

                                                    Angahuan's Church Alter

After saying goodbye to this wonderful Purepecha family, Miguel showed us other community highlights.  My research indicates the village of Angahuan was established by former slaves.  Many of the structures date back to the 16^th century.  We visited a local church as well as the cemetery where he shared local burial customs, including the Day of the Dead, celebrated November 1 and 2 throughout Mexico.
 

                                                                        Carved Masks

We had planned to visit a community known for the making of masks, however, enroute Eric eyed a sign at a local mercado that he simply HAD to have.  While he and Miguel were negotiating, I noticed a carver on the opposite site of the road.  As daylight was beginning to fade, and we were still a long way from home, we  made our purchases of masks here, had a wonderful meal in Pátzcuaro and  headed back to Ixtapa.  It was a big day, but one filled with wonderful memories of beautiful, kind people, stunning architecture and amazing natural sites that will not soon be forgotten. . . all of which we have Miguel to thank for.  He too deserves a 10/10.

Accommodations:  Scoring: 8  -  Bay View Gran Marina   -  Scoring:  8   Our  luxury 1 bedroom, 1 bathroom unit, located on the 16^th floor of the north tower, offered spectacular views from a spacious balcony;  queen bed; 3 piece bath with shower; 2 LCD 37" TVs; a full kitchen and stacking washer/dryer.  While the sofa pulls out to a queen bed, the unit is more conducive to a couple or, perhaps a couple with a small child.  Through HomeAway (VRBO), the unit is accurately represented and the agents, IZ Properties, were accommodating both prior and subsequent to booking and arrival.  We would have liked to have had access to an in-room safe, which the agent was prepared to accommodate but the owners were not.  We were apprehensive about this as we know many people – maintenance, housekeeping, owners, agents – have access to the unit and we were not thrilled by the prospect of carrying our passports, airline tickets and $$ with us at all times.  While we had no problems, it is the biggest downfall to this unit for us.  We also had to request housekeeping after our first week but, when we did, arrangements were made immediately.  Lastly, lighter bedding would make sleeping much more comfortable, as we had to turn the A/C WWWAAAYYY down in order to compensate.    It might also be nice if detergent for laundry and dishwashing were provided. Overall, we have no reservation in recommending the unit or the agency.

 

                                                                     A Zen Moment on the Beach

                                          

                                                           A View from a Poolside Lounger

 

Food & Beverage:  Scoring:  8  -   Not knowing what to expect of our first condo experience, we packed a few sundry items to get us through the first couple of days, including spice, toilet paper, paper towel, coffee, filters, and detergent and we're glad we did.  There was a bit of a roll of paper towel, one roll of toilet paper and coffee filters presumably left by a previous tenant.  There was also salt/pepper which I suspect was laid in upon my request prior to arrival.  We aren't complaining – now we know what to expect.    We picked up bread and a few other small items at the small mercado down the street to keep us until we went to Zihuatanejo.  The only thing that stopped us from shopping at mercado centro  in Zihua was the knowledge that we would have to carry everything for the rest of our day.  We preferred the Commercial which has more than everything you might need;  the Bodega, while better located, is not well organized but may ultimately be a bit cheaper.

Most days we ate toast and peanut butter for breakfast and a sandwich for lunch; on a few occasions we cooked bacon and eggs for brunch and perhaps some fresh fruit as a snack.   And once or twice we opted for the beach bar, where both food and service is good.  This was less about saving money and more about being too lazy to go out every morning, preferring to enjoy our coffee and Baileys and admire the view on our beautiful balcony.   I'm also one that tires of eating out very easily so it was a good way to keep this fresh.  We ALWAYS went out for supper, usually ending up at the Ixtapa tourist areas where we found a good variety of restaurants at very reasonable prices.   A meal and a couple of drinks each averaged $40 - $50 US. . . . no complaints there.  We ate several times at the Generals, as we enjoyed the staff (particularly Fredy) and the fajitas.  We experimented with local dishes at la Malinches and wanted go back our last evening but, alas, couldn't remember where it was (damn!).  Frank's has good food and, as this Mexican family lived in the US for several years, English is well spoken.  Lalos had great food but the bathrooms weren't pretty.  It makes a difference, particularly to women.  While I've learned to carry my own TP I haven't quite mastered the art of carrying my own toilet seat  and Lysol. . . why is it that so many foreign countries don't have toilet seats????  we don't necessarily use them. . . but we still like them to be there. . .just sayin'. . .

Conclusion:  Overall Score – 9  - Once again, we loved everything about this trip.  We thought this second visit might be a anti-climactic but we were wrong; we loved it every bit as much.  The music was fantastic and completely different than last year; our excursion with Miguel was a total blast.  We would love to share this experience with someone who loves music and long drives in the country as much as we do.  You know what I think is so attractive about the Mexican people in this area?  They have managed to hold onto values which we seem to have lost – like making eye contact as you walk down the street and greeting every person you meet.  I don't think we saw a single local that didn't greet the bus driver and thank him when they got off.   Miguel told us Zihua is still small enough that everybody knows everybody. . . it's 100,000.   He was stunned when I told him we live in the community of  91,000 and not only is it easy but likely to walk down the street without recognizing or acknowleding a single person.  In Zihua it is customary to go to the zocola on Sundays to visit with others in the community.   When we suggested to Miguel this is not that common where we come from, his immediate response was, 'that is very bad, this is very important'.   I think he's right, which is why communities are now spending so much time and effort on cultural activities that encourage congregating.    Don't get me wrong. .  . I recognize I'm also at fault. . . but it says a LOT about our attitudes and our desire to remain anonymous and disconnected.  

We have always been the recipients of the kindness of strangers and I think part of that is because we have travelled enough to be comfortable opening ourselves  to ask strangers  to for help, even in a foreign country where there is a language barrier.   Time and again, we have been the recipients of the kindness of strangers.  When we travel, we try to follow the model set  by the local community; we have yet to be disappointed.  Perhaps we to model this at home.

and a Final Word about Safety:           A word about safety.  The US travel warning  has been revised to identify certain areas to be avoided, which includes all of Michoacan except Morelia (Canada does not).  We thought long and hard before visiting Michoacan; after considerable research and advice from ex-pats (thank you!), we decided to go for it and we are so glad we did.  Not only did we feel safe; all of the individuals we communicated with treated us with the utmost kindness and respect.  Hopefully, our visit, our purchases, and our efforts in spreading the word is reward enough.

We were, however, repeatedly told by local Mexicans that the Acapulco area and US/Mexico borders are unsafe.  We met many working in Zihua because Acapulco was no longer safe for their families and heard much about the corruption of the government and the impact on the people.  It truly saddens us how affect the general public is affected and have great respect for those trying to affect change.

Many tourists do not understand Mexico has the same travel  status as many countries we choose to visit without a second thought. . . . Dominican Republic, Jamaica, St. Lucia, Trinidad & Tobago, Greece, Ukraine; need I go on?  Neither is the all-inclusive resort providing you with the level of security one might think.  There is a reason many recommend moving through these facilities in groups rather than alone.   Although we only have one condo experience under our belts, I daresay it was safer than the average all-inclusive.  

My point is, while it's great to relax on vacation, one still has to remain aware of one's surrounding; people need to travel smart. . . be it in a foreign country or in your own back yard.   It's really not that complicated.

As you can see, at the end of our stay, we were not terribly excited to return to a couple of feet of snow but return we did.  There's always next year, right?

 Hasta Leugo Paradise. . . we'll be back