Global Warming or Merely the Coming of the Next Season?

It's March! In case you haven't noticed as you scoop through layers of snow and ice in some parts of the country, the rest of us have been basking in the warmth of an unusually tepid spring. I toy with the concept of gardening, about this time of year, dancing through the early mornings with a thought of raising flowers again, or wondering if they're going to spring forth in all their industrious beauty, as they have in years past and know that I probably don't have to do anything for the bulbs that have lain dormant for the past many winters. Each spring, they rally and surface just in the nick of time, administering their love and joy of abundant spring weather. But what about the drought?

In my nearly fifty years of living (it's funny how I enjoy the sound of that), I have learned that drought follows the floods of moisture and time settles most of the dust that rages across the Colorado prairies. Though we tend to experience more drought here, than rain, the reality is, this is where we live. Drought is part of that existence, because that's what happens on the Great Plains. You don't expect blizzards and gully washers in the Sahara desert, so why would you expect them in the great plains? In reality, those of us who live here have become accustomed to the ebb and flow of seasons. We adjust and enjoy the passing of time, replete in the promise of the next season.

I wonder however, at the concept of Global Warming. Many of the people who have determined that our earth is warming beyond natural temperatures have lived on the planet longer than I. So, do they honestly believe the natural rise and fall of temperatures indicates global warming? Or.. And this is what I believe more likely, are they persistently spouting rhetoric to draw attention and build wealth? The dance of nature offers so much, can you imagine living in fear of nature and using that fear to grow wealth on the faces of other people's fears? The gravity of such an act causes me to wonder about human nature.

I believe living green is a good policy and I'm even seriously considerate of the size of my foot print. However, I'm also acutely aware of the policy of do as I say, not as I do, of which Al Gore and his component rookies participate. Mr. Gore doesn't travel cheap, and his home is a far cry from modest. Has his footprint gotten too big for his britches? Is he, perhaps, crying wolf a bit too loudly while continuing to play in the fire?

The changing of the season makes for happiness, spouting a breath of fresh air, warmth aside, the season coming promises great abundance. I'll be enjoying it.

Please leave a comment and tell me what you think of our strange weather patterns.

Community Service - Remember Quality

Do you remember when you could play baseball in the street and the worst thing that could happen was a fly ball hitting Mr. Brumgarter's picture window? This week, I listened to a group of officers talk to young kids about how to be safe in their community, and they recommended they have an adult with them at all times when playing out in the community.

I'm appalled that our children must constantly worry about having an adult with them to be safe.

Whatever happened to being safe outside your own locked doors? Isn't there any place our children can play and feel safe?

At the end of my street, there's a park where my kids (now all teens and above) often go to play ball and hang out. The local police department has issued a warning that all kids should hang out in groups of two or more, to be safe. So, my boys take groups of friends to the ball field or park at the end of the street. Do I feel they're safe?

Yes, because the first house beside the park belongs to friends of mine who would not only call the police but most likely would take care of any problems before the police arrived. I feel confident enough of this that I personally have no problem walking to the park alone, even at night, sometimes. It's a nice walk from my house, and I enjoy the night air.

Recently, our police department has changed. Almost every officer is new in town, with few exceptions. What formerly was a tight knit group of people who were loved by the community, and well known in the community, is now a group of strangers not recognized. The difference is community distrust. Not only do the police officers distrust the community, but the community doesn't trust law enforcement.

Living in fear of my local community services isn't my idea of a quality life. I want more. I require more. And, I'm determined to have more. As a citizen in this community, I'm definitely focused on bringing back the safety and security, not to mention FREEDOM that I felt in my community as a child. I want my life back. How about you?

Quality of life means we're willing to Take Charge!