Sign posted at a bp gas pump. . .photo w/o comment!

Our river

If you live in Dallas or simply want to understand the city, its history and an important dimension of its psyche, you'll want to visit "Living with the Trinity," a multi-media project developed by KERA, our local PBS station.

I find the site a "must visit" on my Favorites list.

After you've had a chance to explore, let me know your impressions, questions, reactions, etc.

Trout and Better Living. . .

Trout fishing--well, simply put, there is nothing quite like it.

Since my college days in in the Ozarks, when I scheduled classes to allow for plenty of "stream time," I've been hooked on the sport.

I prefer fly fishing, but I've caught more than my share using spinning gear, not to mention country boy garlic cheese set ups! the soybean farmers taught me a lot about landing Rainbows!

Watching a Brown run at a dry fly, breaking the water as it scoops up what appears to be a tasty morsel--hard to beat in my book.

Rainbows, Brookies, Cutthroats, Goldens, Browns. . .each is so unique and truly beautiful.

Catch.

Observe and appreciate.

Release, unless it is lunch time.

Just being out in the woods, wading a stream, camping on a river bank--it all adds up to renewal and regeneration.

I'm a card carrying member of Trout Unlimited (http://www.tu.org/).

Trout magazine comes with membership. In the latest issue (Winter 2008), I learned that what's good for trout turns out to be good for people.

The editors of the magazine published their legislative agenda in this issue. I was amazed at how each point, if enacted by the Congress, would make life better for both fish and humans.

Here's a sampling for your consideration:

In the current Farm Bill (the same one that funds the Food Stamp program for low-income families, as well as the free and reduced lunch programs for our children), TU is lobbying for $6 billion in funding for conservation and water improvement projects to protect the habitat we humans share and enjoy with the fish of the land!

Hardrock Mining Law reform provides for action to improve 40% of Western headwater streams that have been degraded by pollution from abandoned gold and silver mines. The recommended bill would clean up old mines that compromise the health of fish and folks.

Clean Water Restoration Act (H. R. 2421 and S. 1870) would allow for the ongoing regulation of streams and wetlands development--again, provisions that benefit trout and the rest of us.

The Energy Bill needs strengthening so that regulatory protection does not allow oil and gas exploration on public lands without the application of Clean Water Act regulations.

Fish-friendly agency budgets that fully fund conservation programs, including fisheries and a number of conservation projects, are also targeted for support in the next authorization legislation.

Trout lists several other legislative issues, but you get the picture.

Take care of the trout and we'll be insuring higher quality of life for ourselves!

Got a pole? Or, maybe a canoe?


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Caring for our "home"

Anyone who really cares about people, urban areas and the future needs to read Bill McKibben's essay in the October 2007 edition of National Geographic ("Carbon's New Math," pages 33ff) or go to this link: http://magma.nationalgeographic.com/ngm/2007-10/carbon-crisis/carbon-crisis.html.

Lots to think about.

Convicting to me on several levels: my love of fast, muscle-type automobiles (I drive a Hemi!); my gluttony of energy on many other fronts; my thoughtless use of non-biodegradable products; my love of air conditioning to the extreme. . .the list goes on and on.

We are insatiable consumers, as evidenced by another wild and crazy "black Friday" just yesterday. The sales numbers aren't in, but if the video footage is any indicator, Americans continued the grand tradition of spend, consume and waste.

One thing seems certain: we are all connected on this one planet as never before. And, urban dwellers, no matter where, share lots in common.

We all need to go "green."

Maybe a first step is to take the problem and the challenge a bit more seriously than we do at present here in Texas!

The neighborhood

I live in a great, old, two-story frame house built in 1922. It sits on sort of a "boundary" block between the Munger Place Historic District (of which we are a part) and the rest of the neighborhood. During the mid-1980s, it faced demolition, but somehow was spared. I have a photo of the place shot in 1986--talk about a mess!

At least three owners prior to our purchasing the house in 1999 put a lot of effort into restoring the place. We have been working on it off and on since we moved in. I am convinced it will be a never ending job!

The movie "Money Pit" comes to mind just here!

A big part of community development and, in my view, "urban ministry" always includes renewing the physical environments.

The photos below were taken not long ago in the neighborhood where we live. It is very different from the suburban community where we lived prior to our last move to the inner city. But, it is great, eclectic and never boring!

Photo 1: Zaragoza Elementary School

Photo 2: Corner "grocery store"

Photo 3: City park adjacent to the elementary school--often filled with soccer players

Photo 4: Boys and Girls Club just behind our house

Photo 5: A bungalow down the street

Photo 6: Apartment building around the corner

Photo 7: Apartment building near elementary school

In the near future, after I have my camera repaired, I'll post some photos of the wonderful, old prairie style homes up the street from us. Most date from the first decade of the 20th century. Many have been completely restored.

Sandwiched in between many of these homes in our neighborhood are old brownstone apartments and newer multi-family units (circa 1960s) in various states of repair or disrepair, as the case may be.

Of course, neighborhoods are all about people. Ours if very diverse in every respect. And, as a result, very interesting.

More on this later.

07/07/2007

July 7, 2007. . .7-7-7.

Around the world today people in every nation are thinking about the earth's environment, the challenges presented by climate change and moving toward more "green living."

Live Earth: The Concerts For A Climate in Crisis provides the music from around the world, including venues in New York City and Washington, DC.

You can check it out at: http://www.liveearth.msn.com/about/factsheet?GT1=10227.

Caring for our neighborhoods, our communities and our neighbors will naturally lead us to be concerned for the entire planet and for neighbors around the world.

The same concern extends to our children, our grandchildren and their children.

7-7-7. . .a time to think things through. . .and sing along!

Native American wisdom heard today during Live Earth on the Washington Mall by the Smithsonian's National Museum of the American Indian: "Every decision should be made with the seventh generation in mind."

Day Dreams. . .

Yesterday I read about an interesting opportunity in Anderson, Alaska, population well under 500. Nestled in the beautiful and expansive Nenana Valley, 70 miles from Fairbanks near Denali National Park and Mt. McKinley, Anderson is an absolutely breathtaking little village.

It seems the City Council, with the help of a group of high school students from Anderson, has come up with a land giveaway.

That is right.

If you show up early enough tomorrow, Monday, March 19 at City Hall, you will be eligible to receive a free lot of just over an acre in size.

The plan is to incentivize new housing development and population growth in Anderson. Cities and towns all across the nation could learn from this group of leaders about how to change the face of a community for the better.

Ever daydream about just "throwing in the towel" and "getting away from it all"?

I'd say that if you haven't, you are the exception!

So, just for today and after the week I've enjoyed here in Texas, I'm letting my imagination soar a bit.

Just for today, I'm imagining what it would be like to build a house (a log home as a matter of fact!) in Anderson, Alaska! Just for today, I'm wondering what it would be like to live in a place where the temperature ranges from 90 in the summer to 60 below in the winter?

When you daydream, what fills your thoughts?

Lew Welch

THE SONG MT. TAMALPAIS SINGS

This is the last place. There is nowhere else to go.

Human movements,

but for a few,

are Westerly.

Man follows the Sun.

This is the last place. There is nowhere else to go.

Or follows what he thinks to be the

movement of the Sun.

It is hard to feel it, as a rider,

on a spinning ball.

This is the last place. There is nowhere else to go.

Centuries and hordes of us,

from every quarter of the earth,

now piling up,

and each wave going back

to get some more.

This is the last place. There is nowhere else to go.

"My face is the map of the Steppes,"

she said, on this mountain, looking West.

My blood set singing by it,

to the old tunes,

Irish,

among these Oaks.

This is the last place. There is nowhere else to go.

Once again we celebrate the great Spring Tides.

Beaches are strewn again with Jasper,

Agate, and Jade.

The Mussel-rocks stand clear.

This is the last place. There is nowhere else to go.

Once again we celebrate the

Headland's huge, carin-studded fall

into the Sea.

This is the last place. There is nowhere else to go.

For we have walked the jeweled beaches

at the feet of the final cliffs

of all Man's wanderings.

This is the last place

There is nowhere else to go.