The Air We Breathe

In his new encyclical on climate change, Pope Francis calls for "a new dialogue about how we are shaping the future of our planet." It is easy to feel helpless and hopeless when we hear predictions about global warming, ocean acidification, drought and extinctions. Hand-wringing is understandable as the very air we breathe seems fragile and in peril. This week, however, is a great time to speak, write and tweet to public officials on the subject of climate change -- and engage in that "new dialogue."

Congressional Climate Message Day, for example, takes place on Monday, June 22. Citizens can call or tweet their senators and representatives to support a fee on greenhouse gas emissions. On June 23, nine hundred volunteers for Citizens' Climate Lobby will meet with senators and representatives in Washington, DC to support the greenhouse gas fee. You can find out more about Congressional Climate Message Day here, on the Citizens' Climate Lobby website.

Solar energy producers - a key component in efforts against climate change -- are in jeopardy in many states. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) notes that coal and other fossil fuels are major contributors to greenhouse gases, which trap heat and lead to global warming. As the Snake River Alliance points out, solar and other renewable energy sources are vital as utilities phase out coal-generated power.

Here in Idaho, residents will attend a public hearing this week on a proposal from electric utility companies that could undermine competition form solar power companies. The utilities want the Public Utility Commission (PUC) to shorten the length of contracts with independent power companies from 20 years to two years -- a move that would make financing nearly impossible for solar power companies. The general public can attend the Idaho PUC hearing in Boise on June 24, or learn about submitting written comments here.

Wherever you live, you can speak up on behalf of the air we breathe, the water we drink, and the creatures and plants that share God's creation with us. No need to travel or speak in front of large groups -- just take a breath and start where you are. Hope you'll join us!

EPA Proposes Pesticide-Free Zones to Protect Honeybees

It's no secret that honeybees play a crucial part in creating our food supply, and that these pollinators have been dying at an increasing rate. From April 2014 to April 2015, commercial beekeepers reported a 42.1 percent loss of bee colonies, the second highest loss ever reported. Chemical pesticides -- particularly the class known as neonicotinoids or "neonics" -- are thought to be a major cause of these losses, known as bee colony collapse.

But there is some good news. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has proposed a rule that would create temporary pesticide-free zones to protect honeybees. The rule would prohibit the use of 76 active ingredients in pesticides, including neonics, on blooming crops where commercial bees are pollinating, according to Reuters.

Advocates on both sides of the issue have criticized the proposed rule. Environmentalists point out that the rule does not go far enough because it does not restrict the use of seeds treated with neonics. Pesticide manufacturers such as Bayer and Sygenta claim that mite infestations -- not pesticide use -- are the cause of colony collapse.

There is much evidence, however, to support the argument that neonics are a major factor in the loss of bees. National Geographic notes that neonics can make bees more susceptible to certain parasitic infections, and can alter bee behavior and prevent them from supplying their hives with food. According to a study published in Nature, bees even appear to become addicted to the neonic pesticides imidacloprid and thiamexotham.  

The new EPA rule could be in place by spring 2016. Yes, there is still more that we must do to protect bees. This proposed new rule by the EPA, however, is a positive first step in keeping these important pollinators alive.

Inspiration Around the Corner: The Idaho Anne Frank Human Rights Memorial

Statue of Anne Frank at the Idaho Anne Frank Human Rights Memorial

On Monday mornings, I enjoy walking along the Boise Greenbelt with a friend from church. The Greenbelt offers some tranquil scenes on the Boise River, such as the Pioneer Footbridge:

The highlight of today's walk, however, was the Idaho Anne Frank Human Rights Memorial:

Designed by Idaho architect Ken Karst, the memorial blends the natural riverside environment with a 180-foot Quote Wall. You can read the words of poets, philosophers, children and others -- words of faith in humanity that echo Anne Frank's hopeful spirit. I particularly like this quotation from poet Maya Angelou:

Donor walls and pavers bear the names and thoughts of supporters of the memorial:

The memorial statue of Anne Frank portrays the young girl pushing back a curtain as if looking through a window. As I looked at the statue, I felt as though she was welcoming us to this place of hope and healing.

"In spite of everything, I still believe that people are truly good at heart."

Anne Frank

Idaho offers many natural and cultural attractions. If you visit the Boise Greenbelt, do take the time to visit the Anne Frank memorial. The experience will inspire you and stay with you long after you leave.

Remembering on Pentecost Sunday

When I was a Political Science major at the University of New Hampshire, I was particularly interested in issues affecting Central America. One of the political figures I admired most was Archbishop Oscar Romero of San Salvador, who spoke out against the injustices and human rights abuses in El Salvador -- and who was assassinated in 1980 while he was celebrating mass.

Yesterday, I was happy to learn of his beatification ceremony, and pleased that this brave man was being honored and remembered. I am not Catholic, but I was moved by the images from the ceremony in San Salvador. 

I was ashamed to realize that as the years passed since college, I had forgotten some of my early heroes such as Archbishop Romero. In fact, during my college years, the words and deeds of these people led me to contemplate a call to ministry -- a call I stashed in the back pocket of my mind.

"He is not a distant God – transcendent, yes, infinite,

but a God close at hand here on earth." 

Archbishop Oscar Romero (1917-1980)

Two university degrees and years of freelance writing later, that familiar stirring of the spirit from years ago has returned. I sat quietly in our garden this Pentecost Sunday afternoon, letting my mind become still as I watched the beauty of the day come forward. When I released the busy-ness and put away the to-do list, I heard and saw more and more sounds and sights that I had taken for granted:

Sometimes it was the rustling of the breeze or the splashes of light in the leaves

Or underfoot in brilliantly colored ground covers

Like an old friend, I am becoming reacquainted with this calling. I have many questions. Has my calling changed over the years? What does it want to tell me? 

"But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, 

whom the Father will send in my name, 

will teach you everything, 

and remind you of all that I have said to you."

John 14:26 (NSRV)

 "When the day of Pentecost had come, they were all together in one place.

 And suddenly from heaven there came a sound like the rush of a violent wind, 

and it filled the entire house where they were sitting."

Acts 2:2 (NSRV)

Pentecost Sunday reminds me of the constant presence of the Holy Spirit. An afternoon sitting still in the garden reminds me that the Spirit is always near, if I take the time to listen and look. I am grateful this day for the reminder of heroes, old friends and new adventures. 

Second Spring in the Garden -- What's New

I'm taking a break to catch up on what's new in the garden. Will you join me?

"For behold, the winter is past; the rain is over and gone. 

The flowers appear on the earth, the time of singing has come, 

and the voice of the turtledove is heard in our land."

Song of Solomon 2:11-12

So it's been a little over a year since we moved from south Texas to Idaho, and we're enjoying our second spring here. We are happy to see the return of some favorites from last year, including the ornamental onion in the back flower bed. You can see its purple blossom (think giant chive) in the picture above -- and a butterfly even settled in for the photography session!

We were surprised to see Spanish bluebells in the front yard in mid-April. We honestly don't remember seeing these flowers last year, The honeybees love them, too...

Last fall, I cut the peonies to the ground, and they are growing even more abundantly than last year. Here are some buds reaching through the cage...

Cutting the peony foliage back in the fall is worth the effort. Can't wait till these buds bloom into showy, creamy white flowers that will look lovely in a vase...

We planted Montmorency cherry trees last year. They're beginning to bear fruit...

And so are our plum trees..,

Honeysuckle is blooming near the side of our house...

And another surprise in a hidden corner -- lily of the valley, the flower of my birth month, May!

"Sweetest of the flowers a-blooming'

In the fragrant vernal days

Is the Lily of the Valley

With its soft, retiring ways."

(from The Lily of the Valley, by Paul Laurence Dunbar)

I hope you'll take a break and join me for another stroll through the garden in the near future. The rose bushes and Lewis' mock orange have yet to bloom. The back yard will smell sweet, and the afternoon breeze will be delightful. See you then!

Just Me, Bragging About My Husband

Just have to brag about my talented husband John, who has had a passion for photography for most of his life. I am proud to share his latest endeavor as he participates in a photography contest at See.Me.com. If he receives 100 votes, his photography will be included in a digital display at the Louvre museum in Paris!

John during our trip to Sedona, Arizona

John's subjects range from landscape and architecture to animals and people. I hope you'll visit John's page and vote for his photography.

One of John's favorite sayings is "Creativity heart and soul," I am so proud of him because he certainly puts his heart and soul into his photography, and his enthusiasm inspires! Thanks so much!

Remembering Our Stories at a Women's Seder

Today the women's group at my church sat down to a women's seder meal in honor of Passover. It is Holy Week at my church, a time that manages to be both busy and reflective. The seder meal gave us a chance to gather together in celebration and prayer.

During this seder, we remembered the stories of women in the Bible -- women such as Miriam, who hid her baby brother Moses by the river to protect him from Pharaoh's orders to kill newborn Hebrew boys. It was Miriam who danced in celebration after the Hebrews crossed the Red Sea.

"And Miriam the prophetess, the sister of Aaron,

 took a timbrel in her hand; 

and all the women went out after her

 with timbrels and with dances."

Exodus 15:20 

Image by Joshua Bousel via Flickr

As we drank from the four cups, we followed the footsteps of the Hebrews' deliverance from Egypt. As we dipped herbs in salt water, we tasted tears -- our own tears and the tears of our sisters from ancient times, We spoke the names of loved ones who had passed away, learning that speaking the names out loud keeps them alive in our hearts.

We remembered the stories of those who came before us. We remembered our own stories and looked ahead with wonder to those who will come after us.

Image by paurlan via Flickr

I was struck by the intermingling of the past, present and future during this meal, and I thought of the ways in which we keep memories alive. Every year we speak the names of those who perished on September 11, 2001. We speak of past horrors, such as the Holocaust of World War II and the 1994 genocide in Rwanda, in order to keep history's lessons alive.

I think of the modern-day Miriams who are leading us forward -- women such as 2011 Nobel Peace Prize winners Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, Leymah Gbowee, and Tawakkol Karman and their nonviolent work for women's rights. I think of the promise we see in young women such as teen-aged Malala Yousafzai, who continues to speak up in favor of education for girls.

These women's names will be spoken by future generations to keep alive the struggles for women's and children's rights around the world.

Today's seder meal reminds us to remember and speak the stories of the past. Years from now, our younger sisters may speak our names and gather strength from our own stories.