Outside This Box

This is unacceptable.

This is unacceptable.  I don't know what else to say about this article other than it is absolutely unacceptable.  We will have 2/3 less polar bears by 2050?

This is why:

Without enough sea ice, polar bears would be forced onto land, but they are inefficient hunters once they get out of the water and ice, the researchers said. The bears' disappearance would probably take place as young cubs failed to survive to adulthood and females were unable to reproduce successfully.

There can't be any compromise on this.  It is becoming more and more evident that our elected officials are not going to do what is needed to reduce carbon emissions.  It is up to us.  Reduction of our own personal carbon footprints is necessary.  What is a carbon footprint?

A Carbon Footprint is a measure of the impact human activities have on the environment in terms of the amount of green house gases produced, measured in units of carbon dioxide.

You can calculate your carbon footprint here.

Looking for simple solutions?  Take a shopping tote with you when you go to the grocery store.  It is easy to get past the paper and plastic addition we have when we go to the store.  Use energy saving flourescent lightbulbs in your home.  Don't just use one but change out every bulb you have in your home. Turn your TV off when you're not watching it. 

I want my future grandchildren to be able to see a live polar bear.  Don't you?

At 30,000 feet.

I have seen heaven and it was on the way to Vegas. 

Earlier this week I flew from Albuquerque to Vegas for a clothing show.  I don't normally get a window seat (even though I love window seats) but this flight I did.  I was by myself and sat on the side of the plane where I knew I would be able to get some fabulous views of the Grand Canyon.  I wasn't expecting the incredible thunder heads that we ended up flying through. Digital camera in hand I started taking some pictures.

It was almost like I was having an out of body experience.  The ride was smooth; absolutely no turbulance.  I was floating through the atmosphere right by the most incredible clouds I have ever seen in my life.  Occasionally I would see a spark of lightning shooting down towards the Earth.  The clouds were enormous.  Fluffy.  Colorful.  Incredible shades of blues, grays and pure whites.  They had pockets in them...almost cave like.  I could almost imagine seeing my loved ones who have passed on setting on the edges of the storm, waving as the planes sailed by.  I don't think I will ever look at the sky the same way again.

Another thing of beauty that is certainly not to be ignored.

Sustainable Food.

Last week I went to Albuquerque's Biopark for a "sustainable food" event.  I was invited by a friend so I didn't know much about what this "event" was going to be like or, what it was about.  I was pleasantly surprised!

We decided to take the bus downtown to the Biopark instead of driving multiple vehicles.  We rode on the Rapid Ride which was...rapid.  Really rapid.  I had no idea that a bus could drive that fast in between stops.  But it was cool and reminded me, again, of my desire to be able to utilize public transportation instead of driving my car.  After the buzz ride on the bus we walked from the bus stop to the Biopark entrance. 

The air was full of wonderful, belly happy aromas!  Tables were set up in the courtyard where samples of sustainable foods were being passed out to the revelers.  Mouth candy!  Sustainable foods are basically those that are local and seasonal.  Instead of buying fruits and vegetables that are trucked in from different parts of the country, the idea is to eat what is growing near you.  By eating what is grown locally you support indie farmers, organic farmers which translates to more jobs locally and a boost to the local job market.  The local stuff tastes much better and more than likely has less pesticides. 

We tasted excellent wines made from locally grown wineries.  We ate fabulous goat cheeses, honey glazed vegetables, cheese biscuits, stews and fruit cobblers.  We also got to sample lemon cucumbers, sweet nectarines, grapes, heirloom tomatoes and local honeys.  My palate was extremely satisfied and, yes, my belly was happy.

Our addiction to processed foods is contributing to an overall health kill.  We are, literally, eating ourselves to death.  I notice that I feel much better when I eat nothing but fresh food.  Fresh veggies, fruit and meats. 

Want more info on sustainable foods?  The Slow Food USA site has some great information about where to find great fresh solutions close to you.  In New Mexico?  Try Farmers Markets of New Mexico for local info.  Support your local Farmers Markets!

Want to see some beautiful Mosaics and catch some great sky pics?  If you are in Albuquerque go check out the Rio Grande Botanical Gardens.

A thing of beauty is not to be ignored.

Yesterday while out running a song I haven't heard in a long time started looping in my brain.  A thing of beauty is not to be ignored.  Over and over again.  I guess certain situations remind us of music past and looking at the Sandia Mountains certainly did that for me.

This is what I see everyday.  The Sandia Mountains run along the east side of Albuquerque.  We all get to see this majestic view everyday that we open our eyes and pay attention.  Some of us just don't appreciate it so I thought I would give it some love today.  I run on the 365 trail several times a week.  The trail runs north/south in the foothills.  The foothills are full of pink and yellow granite, chamisa, cholla cactus, flowers, rabbits, bobcats, cougars, black bear, deer and snakes.  A living, breathing museum of sorts full of surprises and breath taking beauty. 

The paths in the foothills are shared by hikers, runners and mountain bikers.  Most days we all get along although occasionally I will run into an overzealous biker who wants to run me over.  Recently I caught a mountain biker making a new path which is definately uncool.  Anyone who hikes knows that you stay on the path, take only pictures and leave only footprints.

As I start my run the path twists up and down.  It then goes into what I call the Cholla Forest, a flat eluvial fan looking area that leads to more small hillls.  I see cholla cactus, scrub pine, acorn bushes and pinon trees.  The range continues south.

As beautiful as the Sandias are, they are equally dangerous.  This past weekend while running we ran into a rattle snake.  It gave us ample warning by shaking its tail.  We left each other alone.  I have never run into a black bear or cougar; something I hope will never happen.  I have run into bobcats. 

My mountain.  Our mountain.  A thing of beauty is not to be ignored.

Heartbreaking news.

Another extinction for our planet was announced today.  This was a biggy.  Not a bug or a small fish but a mammal.  Each extinction will have grave consequences on many different levels.  Each inhabitant of Earth is interrelated; extinction affects each of us.  Maybe it won't affect us today but it will at some point in our not so distant future.

What is so heartbreaking about the Yangtze River Dolphin being gone is that Dolphins are so closely related to us.  Aside from being extremely intelligent, Dolphins have communication systems that are highly evolved.

This particular Dolphin was referred to as a "living fossil:"

The baiji was described as a ‘living fossil’, remaining as it had, unchanged for at least 3 million years since it first left the sea to swim into the Yangtze River.

It is forever gone.  After 3 million years of doing no harm and existing as it did we have exterminated it.  Not just the Chinese, but all of us bare responsibility for the demise of this amazing mammal.

What's next?  The corral reefs in the Pacific and the Polar Bears.

Truly heartbreaking news.