Lilly Sway

I was driving back home this morning after the regular school run while listening to NPR radio so to catch up on the latest about the oil spill in the Gulf. I was overcome with a heart wrenching helplessness to the situation. Not only is this disaster affecting our already abused, pollution riddled, pay a heavy fine and keep on doing it, syndrome. but this is not an acceptable way to put an end to something festering, My thoughts on this subject is as we all know, trying to cry about the milk that has wasted on the ground after you spilled it. Of course the fines are large and the rules are tougher but none the less the contamination of this planet your home and mine the only one we have I might add, is still being abused. It is with out a doubt that the abuse will go on in this steady damaging way non stop. You could bet your bottom dollar on it.

There are right now in the works going to be law suits, heavy fines, reprimands, and chastises for this big enigmatic, unfathomable, wounding of our home. What to do? Woe is me, what to do? If in fact there are things that will not make a billion dollars to stifle the problems our good planet is environmentally facing, we do not indulge in the way to fix it. That is what has transpired more often than not a case in point the (”Cancer injection”) Regardless of the cost to find the remedy is it humane to hold it for hostage for the highest bidder, to put an astronomical cost so that those who suffer from cancer and happen to be poor, or have no health care, or simply can barely make ends meet will die or never have the chance to be saved) This contaminating  of our planet is causing irreparable damage yet if we get enough dollars from the companies fined for their continued practices we are bought and paid for until the next time.  Long lasting damages caused by those who have done these bad deeds can never and I mean never be undone.

Our Gulf Coast regions very lively hood is at risk and the dollars paid for fines or law suits can’t and won’t make the out come any different, aquatic life natural migrations and the like will suffer. People all along the coast still reeling from back to back blow from natural tragedy have yet another blow to their only means by which to make their living. I am not just sounding off, there must and should be a persons, or organizations, researchers, scientist, who have the answers. I  plead this case to those of you I believe that there are ways to halt the pollution before they happen. Are we just not changing, or stopping the wheel from turning in the right direction because of the dollar?

If your home was in eminent danger and you could see the thief about to enter your home you would do something about it! Or if you saw someone throw rocks at your house you would stop it. If there is a person without insurance on the road the city law will immediately issue a ticket. If there is an ailment there is usually given enough forethought a way to fix it, heal it, stop it before the matter gets catastrophic. We as a whole know that we are cresting on that state, that catastrophic state. This is your home, this is my home. Are we so used to accepting that others may care enough to do what is right that we would not do ourselves what we should and can do.

Yes the dollars are needed for the bare necessities, the hungry, the homeless, the ailing, the weak, and most assuredly for the coast line inhabitants and communities affected immediately, right now, but we also need to use our brains, our greatness as a good knowledgeable compassionate country, to head up a real environmental solution or program that will make good sound decisions that can be implemented towards righting the wrongs to this home. Do something with love, honor, respect, and caring for your home. Do what you may but do not turn a blind eye, do not just become indifferent to your surroundings, you could be next maybe you are next so take an extra moment to do something recycle, be conscientious, about the how you treat you home as if it matters only I would ask this of strangers or friends because it very much matters to our very existence.

Food For the Mind

Lilly’s Way        www.lillysway.com

I have trouble sometimes having a good time, you know can’t see the forest for the trees are blocking the view. I make myself be aware that as good and bad times come around our family continues to grow, birthdays keep on coming, people pass on, catastrophic news about our environment is almost daily, and then there are the news reports of people who do nothing but prey on those who work so hard in their lives to achieve a level of comfort or just plain happiness. I sometimes feel overwhelmed and get into that slump, that tired oh, I will go the next time around, or we do not have the money so it is out of the question to even consider going to a function.

Well not attending this family function was not an option, so we all went this past weekend and tried to enjoy ourselves despite the sultry weather, the economic state of our home, and the impending doom that may lay ahead for us. My family and I were helping set up working the usual, serving your family and keeping up with the trash and so forth. We had risen early Saturday morning as if it were a weekday. The party was set for the later part of the afternoon and there were only eight hours to get there, decorate, clean and get ready for the 100 plus members that had confirmed their attendance.

This particular niece had a very special event that could not fit into her families budget for her party, so everyone decided to pitch in and make it as special as if the funding did not matter. Everyone had their share to do, as my niece has acquired a debilitating disease that has now become a very prevalent matter, so volunteering was the only next natural thing to give from those who love her. We waited for the cake, the food, and set up the decorations.  Some times people are late, but not in this case. Everyone was right on time. All of the family arrived and I mean (all) extended family came. Of course almost all decided to show up at once. Well of course you know it!  free food, free drink, free parking, good music, and of course cake. What else could you ask for on a Saturday afternoon. You could ask for a mini family reunion unintended as it was, that is basically what happened a family reunion.

The family came from both sides her mothers side, and her fathers side, all that were able to attend came. We went straight into action putting up the finishing touches and the ball kept on rolling there was no time to be overwhelmed, this was a party that was outdoors and if you live in Texas you know that there are a few things you had better be aware of if you are outdoors, first and foremost the wet sultry thick humid heat, plenty of ice, plenty to drink (no exceptions), make sure you are close to a shaded area for the little ones can get overheated, for they never seem to stop running around (sunblock), we set up a couple of tents even though we were in the city at a community rental local establishment the tents turned out to be the best of the plans laid for this party, and then the mosquitoes that are ever present here in our little part of the world, (Off yard guard) this was the best last minute thing we had decided to bring, there were no discomforts last evening from the usual outdoor events.

We worked hard at the plans for a successful outcome and were blessed to achieve our goals. The music was a little loud, but in my house my kids say if it is to loud, then you might be to old. I enjoyed the band as if the volume was of no consequence I brought ear plugs for the babies, but used them myself. finally the day slowed down an I got to enjoy the fruits of my labor I saw people dance, eat, hug, talk, eat, cry, hold hands, make speeches for the toasts (give a person a microphone), eat. My family had a great time there were people coming and going the ice was always in need of being refilled. I got to sit and  enjoy all of the fun I laughed so hard my stomach was sore today from laughing so hard yesterday that I realized it had been a while since I had done that kind of care free thing. When we packed up the last of the things that evening that we had brought and cleared all of our trash. as we drove away, I was refreshed in the sense that my spirit felt a renewed surge of willingness to keep on going on. I am glad to have had the good sense to attend and enjoy myself

Food For the Mind,

Lilly’s Way     www.lillysway.com