I refuse to be beaten. It is spring in Michigan. Once again I am writing about the weather as we Michiganders are wont to do. And even though I have previously admitted to recognizing the fits and starts of a new season's arrival, I am in the mood to move on. Tonight the low will be around 11. Tomorrow's high is forecast to hit 31.
And so, even though we have a yard covered with a hard candy shell of ice over whipped marshmallow snow, I am turning the page: While the temperature dictates I walk outdoors in flannel lined pants, coat, scarf, and gloves, I've got my Topsiders on. And tonight, I'm drinking iced tea. You can surrender or you can fight back. I choose to fight.
Saturday, March 26, 2011
Wednesday, March 23, 2011
A Fitful Start
Springtime in Michigan is a time to re-learn the meaning of setbacks and disappointments; to re-learn how to cope with unmet expectations. Today is the 3rd full day of Spring and I cancelled my afternoon office owing to freezing rain, power outages from last night's ice and snow storm, and fears over weather forecast to deteriorate over the course of the rest of the day. Deteriorate! That seems impossible. What happened to spring?!
At the same time, people in Michigan are reeling over the news that our state is the one, and only, state which reports a loss of population in the 2010 Census. Our major cities are losing double digit population and our unemployment ranks first in the US of A. Our new governor promises to employ efficient business policies in order to lean the ranks of city, county and state government/employees, tax pensions, streamline business taxes in an effort to grow business and employment, and eliminate wasteful spending.
I don't know what will work for Michigan any more than I know how one gets the weather to cooperate with the calendar. I do think we should all understand this: When Michigan weather transitions from winter to spring it does so it fits and starts. We should probably also recognize that when we attempt to transition a government and economy from industrial prosperity to whatever's next it will also be a process of fits and starts. There will be snapshots of good things to come and there will be many unsettling returns to old ways. Much like the early transition from winter to spring, the current political change provides just a few peeks of what and where we might be headed while frequently hauling into full view portraits of where we've been. Unlike the weather, the socioeconomic and political change that is coming to Michigan is, for many, something they do not want to see. But like the weather, change is coming indeed.
What we can hope for is the patience needed to remain forward looking while change proceeds in its irregular pace and path. We can hope to remain committed to living an involved life. We can commit ourselves to working toward a new future for Michigan. The season is changing. We're off to a rough start. We can hope and look for good weather ahead: socially, politically, economically and climatically. It is up to each of us to recognize the inevitability of change, to recognize things will not be as we think they used to be, and to participate in preparing for a new season in the Great Lakes State. Michigan, like spring, is filled with opportunity, potential, and the promise of a season of growth and renewal.
At the same time, people in Michigan are reeling over the news that our state is the one, and only, state which reports a loss of population in the 2010 Census. Our major cities are losing double digit population and our unemployment ranks first in the US of A. Our new governor promises to employ efficient business policies in order to lean the ranks of city, county and state government/employees, tax pensions, streamline business taxes in an effort to grow business and employment, and eliminate wasteful spending.
I don't know what will work for Michigan any more than I know how one gets the weather to cooperate with the calendar. I do think we should all understand this: When Michigan weather transitions from winter to spring it does so it fits and starts. We should probably also recognize that when we attempt to transition a government and economy from industrial prosperity to whatever's next it will also be a process of fits and starts. There will be snapshots of good things to come and there will be many unsettling returns to old ways. Much like the early transition from winter to spring, the current political change provides just a few peeks of what and where we might be headed while frequently hauling into full view portraits of where we've been. Unlike the weather, the socioeconomic and political change that is coming to Michigan is, for many, something they do not want to see. But like the weather, change is coming indeed.
What we can hope for is the patience needed to remain forward looking while change proceeds in its irregular pace and path. We can hope to remain committed to living an involved life. We can commit ourselves to working toward a new future for Michigan. The season is changing. We're off to a rough start. We can hope and look for good weather ahead: socially, politically, economically and climatically. It is up to each of us to recognize the inevitability of change, to recognize things will not be as we think they used to be, and to participate in preparing for a new season in the Great Lakes State. Michigan, like spring, is filled with opportunity, potential, and the promise of a season of growth and renewal.
Sunday, March 20, 2011
Spring, Sprang, Sprung
As of about 7PM, Eastern Daylight Time, it's officially spring here in the Great Lakes State. Meteorologically speaking that can mean only one thing: Anything can happen. So far, since 7PM we have seen rain and snow and have had strong winds.
The other thing coming with spring is frogs. Frogs get busy this time of year heading back to their favorite watering holes and looking for love. So far I haven't seen them but I've heard reports they're out there. You drive along and suddenly hit a patch of roadway where the raindrops seem huge and then you realize: those aren't raindrops! Those are frogs frantically jumping in front of your vehicle's path. If you find yourself in that position there is only one thing to do, keep driving. You don't want to be the guy in the E.R. who's chart reads: Cause of accident? Swerved to miss frog.
Everything here is about to change. After 4 months of freezing temperatures and an unyielding snowscape we are almost there. While we may still have a snowfall or two with which to contend, for the most part we are well on our way as we journey from barren to lush. It's frogs, it's birds, it's skunks, it's even obvious enough to get a 3 year old boy excited as he looks out the windows and realizes the ground is bare, the playgrounds are visible, the sidewalks are available, and with 10 more degrees warming he will finally be out there. Cabin fever no more.
The other thing coming with spring is frogs. Frogs get busy this time of year heading back to their favorite watering holes and looking for love. So far I haven't seen them but I've heard reports they're out there. You drive along and suddenly hit a patch of roadway where the raindrops seem huge and then you realize: those aren't raindrops! Those are frogs frantically jumping in front of your vehicle's path. If you find yourself in that position there is only one thing to do, keep driving. You don't want to be the guy in the E.R. who's chart reads: Cause of accident? Swerved to miss frog.
Everything here is about to change. After 4 months of freezing temperatures and an unyielding snowscape we are almost there. While we may still have a snowfall or two with which to contend, for the most part we are well on our way as we journey from barren to lush. It's frogs, it's birds, it's skunks, it's even obvious enough to get a 3 year old boy excited as he looks out the windows and realizes the ground is bare, the playgrounds are visible, the sidewalks are available, and with 10 more degrees warming he will finally be out there. Cabin fever no more.
Saturday, March 19, 2011
This morning I was emptying the dishwasher and a newly washed re-usable cup led me to recall my mother and the resolve of the Japanese in the face of the recent earthquake and tsunami. With the recent disaster several news reports have marveled at the Japanese resolution to work as a community even to the point of recycling items at the relief centers.
Here in the U.S. we're amazed at this degree of commitment to the common good. Hell, we can't put our collective hearts into recycling here even when the trucks are provided each week to do the pick-up work.
But Japan, like my mother, has always known the meaning of necessity. As an island country resources cannot be taken for granted. Each individual has a responsibility to insure there will be enough for all.
Growing up in the Depression, and in a family with limited means, my mother learned a similar lesson: Laughter, love, caring and concern we can always give and use in abundance. Things, material goods, are precious, hard to come by and should be respected and given care. It's the attitude of a caretaker as opposed to that of consumer.
So, where does the dishwasher come into all of this? I suppose it fits this discussion on many levels but here's the trigger: While unloading that re-useable drinking cup-- the kind a person uses when they go to the gym (something my mom was doing in 1971!)-- I thought, "Wow, Mom would think this is so cool that we use re-useable cups!" But then, almost immediately, I realized that, no, she would scoff at these sports cups. Her comment would be: How silly. Why use a plastic cup when they have a drinking fountain?
But I think she would really dig this laptop.
Here in the U.S. we're amazed at this degree of commitment to the common good. Hell, we can't put our collective hearts into recycling here even when the trucks are provided each week to do the pick-up work.
But Japan, like my mother, has always known the meaning of necessity. As an island country resources cannot be taken for granted. Each individual has a responsibility to insure there will be enough for all.
Growing up in the Depression, and in a family with limited means, my mother learned a similar lesson: Laughter, love, caring and concern we can always give and use in abundance. Things, material goods, are precious, hard to come by and should be respected and given care. It's the attitude of a caretaker as opposed to that of consumer.
So, where does the dishwasher come into all of this? I suppose it fits this discussion on many levels but here's the trigger: While unloading that re-useable drinking cup-- the kind a person uses when they go to the gym (something my mom was doing in 1971!)-- I thought, "Wow, Mom would think this is so cool that we use re-useable cups!" But then, almost immediately, I realized that, no, she would scoff at these sports cups. Her comment would be: How silly. Why use a plastic cup when they have a drinking fountain?
But I think she would really dig this laptop.
Wednesday, March 16, 2011
The Evil Within
I received a communication via my brother this evening. It was a poem or piece which addressed the events in Japan of the past week. It talked of using this opportunity to look within and let your love grow; let your spirit soar and reach out to heal and spread good vibes and blah, blah, blah. I can't quote it and, in all fairness, I do not have any good facility with poetry so maybe I'm being unfair. Nonetheless, reading the piece raised my dander and led me to consider a couple of things about the current state of our world, our country, and Japan.
There is little we can do to harness the awesome power of nature. We can rail against the elements like Lear but, in the end, we will be dashed against the rocks like so many eggs. Wind and floods and earthquakes and fire. We can fight, we can often recover, but we can seldom avoid-- ultimately, nature wins.
What we can do is strive to avoid making our own disasters. It seems mankind is driven by two principle beliefs. Over time these beliefs have been resident in every population in spite of their malignant potential to cause hardship and suffering. With respect to social systems, whether political or religious, it boils down to "we're right and you're wrong." With respect to nature, the environment, and the resources of this earth it boils down to "it'll never happen" as in, "We have plenty of oil if only you'll let us drill in..... " " The likelihood of an earthquake being able to......" "We have considered every scenario and it is extremely unlikely..... "
The time has come to realize that our time on earth is finite. You can chose a religious belief or the scientific evidence, both provide convincing arguments that the earth will one day be destroyed. We need all people of all religions and all political convictions to acknowledge that our behaviors can have a profound influence on how soon that end may come. In the same vein we need to all realize that we are one community. Whether separated by arbitrary boundaries on a map or by oceans, we all breathe the same air, drink the same water, require the same nutrients. When one goes without food we all suffer hunger. When one is poor we all suffer poverty. When one is illiterate we all suffer ignorance. Greed, selfishness, and intolerance eviscerate the well-being of mankind. For the few who benefit in the short term, all suffer and the number of our days is reduced.
In light of the current tragedy in Japan I cannot hate the earthquake and tsunami as they are as much a part of this world as the air we breathe. I can only hope that we are paying full attention to the consequences of these natural disasters which we have augmented in terrifying proportion owing the ignorance and arrogance of man and his foible technology. I can only hope we will commit to learning from these events, correcting where we can, and evolving in technologies which are both wise and serviceable.
There is little we can do to harness the awesome power of nature. We can rail against the elements like Lear but, in the end, we will be dashed against the rocks like so many eggs. Wind and floods and earthquakes and fire. We can fight, we can often recover, but we can seldom avoid-- ultimately, nature wins.
What we can do is strive to avoid making our own disasters. It seems mankind is driven by two principle beliefs. Over time these beliefs have been resident in every population in spite of their malignant potential to cause hardship and suffering. With respect to social systems, whether political or religious, it boils down to "we're right and you're wrong." With respect to nature, the environment, and the resources of this earth it boils down to "it'll never happen" as in, "We have plenty of oil if only you'll let us drill in..... " " The likelihood of an earthquake being able to......" "We have considered every scenario and it is extremely unlikely..... "
The time has come to realize that our time on earth is finite. You can chose a religious belief or the scientific evidence, both provide convincing arguments that the earth will one day be destroyed. We need all people of all religions and all political convictions to acknowledge that our behaviors can have a profound influence on how soon that end may come. In the same vein we need to all realize that we are one community. Whether separated by arbitrary boundaries on a map or by oceans, we all breathe the same air, drink the same water, require the same nutrients. When one goes without food we all suffer hunger. When one is poor we all suffer poverty. When one is illiterate we all suffer ignorance. Greed, selfishness, and intolerance eviscerate the well-being of mankind. For the few who benefit in the short term, all suffer and the number of our days is reduced.
In light of the current tragedy in Japan I cannot hate the earthquake and tsunami as they are as much a part of this world as the air we breathe. I can only hope that we are paying full attention to the consequences of these natural disasters which we have augmented in terrifying proportion owing the ignorance and arrogance of man and his foible technology. I can only hope we will commit to learning from these events, correcting where we can, and evolving in technologies which are both wise and serviceable.
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