Isn't it Time?

I remember as a kid, I would marvel looking at the books of maps and seeing the world as I might have imagined it back then. The Atlas was my favorite book in the libraries I'd visit, and I would flip slowly the pages to see all the different maps, all the different countries, and the different continents. 

I never would have imagined in my later years, I would be crossing so many seas and oceans, traveling those unseen routes to different parts of this growing-smaller planet, on so many different naval vessels.

I also remember marveling at the sight of all that massive white of the North Pole, the South Pole, and the most-northern/southern land masses....  I wondered what type of animals or humans would live where it would be Winter, cold, and snow-covered almost year-round....  WHO would live in such extremes?

How sad it is now, to look at the maps, or even spin the rotating sphere we call home, and look at the virtual maps online and off, and does anyone even bother to notice that all those vast white snow-covered countries of yesteryear, are not white any longer?

Where has all that snow disappeared to? What will happen when ALL the snow melts from the Earth, and even in Winter the warmer climates will change the Winters as we know it, and snow will fall, but at a very reduced rate as compared to previous Winters? 

There is now a generation of people who have not seen a Black and White television. They don't understand how tin cans connected by string can be used as a telephone. What will they say or do when confronted with a real telephone that doesn't fit in a pocket, and is still connected by a short cable? And will this generation realize that snow will be a rare commodity perhaps not seen in vast amounts any longer?

When even some leaders of the free world do not think climate change is a real and growing threat, who will fight against or with those who say the sky is falling, and the oceans will rise and swallow whole cities and coastlines?

I won't even mention the fires, floods and the drying of the earth that will affect all countries. 

Who will say that something is wrong and must be changed? 

Who will allow their life to change in order for this dying planet to live longer, but with the humans continuing to rape the land, murdering all breathing species including his own, and grabbing everything the planet has to give, and taking all for themselves? 

Isn't it time to get back to basics, giving the land back what was before taken without regard? 

Isn't it time to look to the skies, and see what is happening when the rain doesn't fall any longer, and when it does, it doesn't irrigate the countryside, but flood and destroys everything instead?

Isn't it time to start dreaming, thinking of a new life here, instead of populating another planet and destroying that planet too, as humans have destroyed this planet? 

Isn't it Time?

Thoughts on an Icy Chilling Day

Weeks ago we were hit with yet another wind storm that lasted days. Though this time we didn't see any downed trees in our immediate area, it wasn't the same for most of western New York (WNY). To give you an idea of how strong these winds were, there is a favorite spot we like hiking in the summer. This riverwalk goes under the Buffalo Peace Bridge leading to Canada and I have posted pictures previously somewhere of the fabulous views from this walkway, which consists of cement blocks placed together to form the foundation and walking surface of this riverwalk. Well, portions of this trail has been closed for some months due to a very strong wind storm that blew through the area last year during the winter, blowing and pushing huge blocks of ice over the walkway, and that action displacing many of the cement blocks, making the trail unusable. Well, it's happened again and now those blocks of cement that make up the riverwalk has been literally torn apart by Nature and the forces of the wind even before the repair work could be completed! 

No pixs of the riverwalk BUT here's wind-pushed snowballs!!

Nature may be beautiful, but it is also powerful, and all that which is taken from Nature, will surely be taken back by Nature eventually!

A walkway near Dunkirk, located hours away from us, and with a waterfront walkway also constructed of huge heavy blocks of cement was also blown apart. No one can ever doubt the force of winds in this area! 

The forementioned snows have already melted away, but not to worry: there's more snow coming our way early next week and will fill the streets and more for three days. Because of traffic, snows and freezing rains, we didn't venture out and do not have any pictures of the wrecked walkways described here, but were able to get snaps of other scenes closer to home!

So little but these icicles are pointy and frozen hard!

Last year this tiny creek was top and bottom frozen!

Flash-forward to today and gorgeous clouds, and NO snow! 

In many locations along the Niagara River, we have seen trunks, branches and more of downed trees, pushed many feet up and away off the Niagara due to high winds weeks ago!

In some cases, the debris has been pushed up to past 40feet away and over the waterline!

Frosted trees are a favorite for any camera!!

Leaves mix with green grasses in the melting snow and ice

We saw blue skies today, and a nice cloudy sunset!

Never doubt Nature or her powerful force!!!

Very Interesting Read!

Can a Burger Help Solve Climate Change?
This article in the online version of the New Yorker will open in a new window

So, what do YOU think? We've actually been thinking along the same lines for some time now, which is why I stopped eating red and very fatty meats over a decade ago.

It's a fairly long read, but it has its merits. Red meat just isn't good for you, but still, millions, if not more around this dying globe we call home, eat red-meat. I group the need for red-meat the same as smoking: people continue to smoke though they fully realize they will most likely die a very slow, agonizing painful and awful death, but who's worrying about that now?

What have you done to improve your health and future? Are you a family member who decides what to cook for everyone? Are you helping to keep your family healthy, strong for a sustainable future where the planet as well as its inhabitants all being responsible and accountable, and treating themselves and other species with respect and care?

The main issue here though, is that WE, as a common group concerned for not only our welfare and well-being but of our sons and daughter who will eventually take our place on this dying choking world, should take a serious stand NOW to change our daily routine and routines, and change our diets now. Will the results of one family or even one community stop the earth from dying sometime after the year 2050?

Anyone who has a real concern for their personal health should be thinking of real actions to take, after reading this article. It seems that the year 2050 will be a turning point in the survival of the race we call Humans. Humans have created this problem, first with the development of the plastic product, then the destruction and healing of the ozone, and now the methods necessary to control and eventually STOP climate change throughout the planet.

I sincerely believe there are many who say all this talk and screaming about climate change and the greenhouse effect is all nonsense, but as we live in a world where constant change is the norm, and every season is an extreme of more and more floods, fires, and famine, every day should be built around a personal plan in what can WE each can do to call more attention to this, what will our personal actions be, and finally, can anyone actually convince each individual who calls this planet home, to make the change or die, or at least the children of our sons and daughters will be faced with a future world of extreme unknowns.

What will YOU do?