Some critter (or likely, more than one) has been an unwelcome presence in our garden and yard this spring. We first noticed small holes in the compost pile which we supposed had been made by an armadillo digging around for grubs, but then our suspicions shifted when I bought a couple of zinnias and placed them in large planters on the deck. I put them out one evening, and the next morning, one of them had been pulled out of its container and was lying on the deck, covered in potting soil/compost mixture which had been dug from the pot. It seems unlikely an armadillo could negotiate the steps on the deck or climb into the planter.
Other plantings in the yard and garden have suffered the same fate. Whatever is doing it, is nocturnal and targets just about any place where we've used compost or wood-chip mulch or even have loosened up the existing soil. Where plants are present, it pulls them up, tosses them aside and digs like crazy. We've lived on our place 30 years and have never had this problem before. We were beginning to wonder if it might be a skunk, but after reading about raccoons behaving badly and Allen's late evening venture out to the garden with a flashlight, we have decided those masked marauders are the culprits. I am not a fan of their efforts, but I do admire their persistence. Good-sized rocks, placed on top of the loose soil, do not dissuade them. A wire tomato cage placed around a newly-planted tree saved the tree from being uprooted, but they dug a diagonal hole to get to the compost.
I am reminded of the scripture in Luke chapter 11 where a fellow goes to his friend's house in the middle of the night asking for bread because the first man has had an out-of-town guest arrive and has nothing to feed him. The second man does not want to get up and disturb his whole household to loan bread, but apparently the first one won't go away until he gets what he wants. So, eventually, not because of friendship, "yet because of his persistence he will get up and give him as much as he needs." (v. 8)
Worthwhile endeavors in life usually require more than one try. While being a pest, wearing someone down to get what we want, is probably not a good model for the way to live, neither should we give up on a good idea just because we encounter resistance. Creative change is happening every day because of concepts which started as thoughts which wouldn't go away. What can you do to help change the world for the better? What's stopping you?
Sunday, April 29, 2012
Sunday, April 15, 2012
Thinking About Food
I think it's time for serious conversations about food. How, why and what do we consume? As a society, we are overfed. Obesity rates continue to climb. It's taking a huge toll on our health. If we're being honest, food and obesity issues are the main components contributing to the healthcare crisis in this country. It doesn't help that this issue has become politicized, along with almost everything else. I don't care what side of the aisle you're on, can we all please agree, as a nation, we need to eat less and eat better?
It's not an easy conversation to start or have. I don't want to offend anyone, cause hurt feelings or sound preachy (probably too late for that). But I read an interesting article the other day about the unhealthy food which churches offer (think ice cream socials and potluck dinners), and I was glad to see some in the church world are thinking about health as it relates to spiritual issues.
I will begin by confessing I don't always make the best food choices. Because I tend to be busy, often I don't take time to prepare meals using the fresh ingredients I know I should be using, and as a family, we don't sit down and enjoy our food as often as we should. But we are taking steps to eat better. We don't eat out as much as we previously did, and we are cutting out processed food -- adding more fresh, organic fruit and vegetables. Our garden will be expanded this year, and we're vowing to be regulars at the farmer's market. Do we still eat chocolate and other sweets? Yes, but we've cut back.
There are other important issues related to food. For example, where it comes from and how our food-related decisions affect the lives and livelihoods of our neighbors and others around the world. Food -- the sharing of meals, the feeding of the poor, the simplicity and gratitude involved in eating -- was an integral part of the teachings of Jesus, and we should be more focused on this crucial issue.
There is a "local food" movement which is gaining momentum, and I'll be writing more about it in the weeks ahead. I hope each of you will investigate the benefits of local food, and for my friends in the West Plains area, there is a meeting on the topic next Saturday at 3:00 p.m at the West Civic Center. Ruell Chappell (a member of the Ozark Mountain Daredevils and local food activist) will be sharing information vital for local food producers, processors, retailers and consumers. I invite you to like his "Truth is Local" Facebook page and also go to the "Ruell Chappell/Truth Is Local" event page and plan to attend the meeting next Saturday.
What we eat matters. Where it comes from is important.
It's not an easy conversation to start or have. I don't want to offend anyone, cause hurt feelings or sound preachy (probably too late for that). But I read an interesting article the other day about the unhealthy food which churches offer (think ice cream socials and potluck dinners), and I was glad to see some in the church world are thinking about health as it relates to spiritual issues.
I will begin by confessing I don't always make the best food choices. Because I tend to be busy, often I don't take time to prepare meals using the fresh ingredients I know I should be using, and as a family, we don't sit down and enjoy our food as often as we should. But we are taking steps to eat better. We don't eat out as much as we previously did, and we are cutting out processed food -- adding more fresh, organic fruit and vegetables. Our garden will be expanded this year, and we're vowing to be regulars at the farmer's market. Do we still eat chocolate and other sweets? Yes, but we've cut back.
There are other important issues related to food. For example, where it comes from and how our food-related decisions affect the lives and livelihoods of our neighbors and others around the world. Food -- the sharing of meals, the feeding of the poor, the simplicity and gratitude involved in eating -- was an integral part of the teachings of Jesus, and we should be more focused on this crucial issue.
There is a "local food" movement which is gaining momentum, and I'll be writing more about it in the weeks ahead. I hope each of you will investigate the benefits of local food, and for my friends in the West Plains area, there is a meeting on the topic next Saturday at 3:00 p.m at the West Civic Center. Ruell Chappell (a member of the Ozark Mountain Daredevils and local food activist) will be sharing information vital for local food producers, processors, retailers and consumers. I invite you to like his "Truth is Local" Facebook page and also go to the "Ruell Chappell/Truth Is Local" event page and plan to attend the meeting next Saturday.
What we eat matters. Where it comes from is important.
Sunday, April 1, 2012
Reflecting
Many of the traditions of the Easter season have less meaning for me, personally, than in previous times. In fact, as I have studied the New Testament, the importance of many "church things" has faded for me. (I don't mean "the-Body-of-Christ-is-the-Church" things, I'm talking about manmade religious rituals. There is a big difference, in many cases.)
I'm not suggesting anyone forsake dressing up in nice clothes to attend special services because I know there is great significance for many believers in those sorts of activities, and whatever draws us closer to God is good. But I also find no precedent in scripture suggesting any particular attachment should be placed on Easter, especially as Easter is not mentioned in the Bible at all and is historically associated with non-biblical practices. It seems more in keeping with the teachings of Jesus to find the same holiness, sacredness, in every day as in any holiday, even though finding joy in a celebration is a good thing.
During this time of year, I do, however, find myself considering my faith, reflecting on what I believe and why I believe it. In recent months, I have had several conversations with friends about the physical history of the world, discussions about creation and evolution, God and history. I have opinions which have changed over the years, quite honestly, opinions that early on in my journey I would have considered unshakable. I have also reached the conclusion that much of what any of us argue as fact, when it comes to certain issues, is merely opinion, as there are many things which are simply unknowable.
As it turns out, I'm fine with not knowing everything, and I spend a lot less time considering the past these days. Mostly, because every time I work through my questions about science and history, I reach the same conclusion: I don't believe what I believe because of what I know as much as because of what I don't know. To put it another way, many of the things I may accept as fact don't matter as much to me as does the infinite realm where God's love resides, where laughter, creativity, spontaneity and beauty are in abundance. Some things can be explained based purely on logic and reason, but many more things have no apparent explanation. I believe God is the author of the inexpressible truths written in our spirits. It is truth, along with the unknowable, which draws me to God.
I'm not suggesting anyone forsake dressing up in nice clothes to attend special services because I know there is great significance for many believers in those sorts of activities, and whatever draws us closer to God is good. But I also find no precedent in scripture suggesting any particular attachment should be placed on Easter, especially as Easter is not mentioned in the Bible at all and is historically associated with non-biblical practices. It seems more in keeping with the teachings of Jesus to find the same holiness, sacredness, in every day as in any holiday, even though finding joy in a celebration is a good thing.
During this time of year, I do, however, find myself considering my faith, reflecting on what I believe and why I believe it. In recent months, I have had several conversations with friends about the physical history of the world, discussions about creation and evolution, God and history. I have opinions which have changed over the years, quite honestly, opinions that early on in my journey I would have considered unshakable. I have also reached the conclusion that much of what any of us argue as fact, when it comes to certain issues, is merely opinion, as there are many things which are simply unknowable.
As it turns out, I'm fine with not knowing everything, and I spend a lot less time considering the past these days. Mostly, because every time I work through my questions about science and history, I reach the same conclusion: I don't believe what I believe because of what I know as much as because of what I don't know. To put it another way, many of the things I may accept as fact don't matter as much to me as does the infinite realm where God's love resides, where laughter, creativity, spontaneity and beauty are in abundance. Some things can be explained based purely on logic and reason, but many more things have no apparent explanation. I believe God is the author of the inexpressible truths written in our spirits. It is truth, along with the unknowable, which draws me to God.
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