Tag: MOE

World Water Day 2015

Today is a holiday to celebrate water! Yesterday, I got to see the Atlantic Ocean and water everywhere-it was wonderful. Water has a way of southing and nourishing my soul, my spirits and my heart all at once. We are lucky here and water abounds. I drink many glasses a day of water. Water flows out of the spigot easily for so many uses almost as if by magic. It’s without much thought to the availability, and ease, of that fabulous water that my daily routine flows each day.

However, World Water Day is a serious issue. I like the way Time Magazine featured it-so I will give you the first bit here, and then send you all over to the article for the rest. 

A holiday for H2O

Sunday is World Water Day, a United Nations initiative to celebrate clean water and bring attention to those who don’t have enough of it. A new report released ahead of World Water Day warns about a looming shortage, and centers on this year’s theme: water and sustainable development.

Here are five ways to celebrate World Water Day….

http://time.com/3753021/world-water-day/

(I’ll give you a hint as the five: food, females, and of course- poop- but it’s not what you think. By the way, on the last one, check out the astronauts, they and Bill Gates have this “recycle” process in common!) 

Another great site and easy to absorb (ha ha) info is from UNWater. It’s a great presentation of water and the worlds needs. http://www.unwater.org/worldwaterday

I close this post with MOE- Botanical Beauties Minister of Clean Water.

He has water-breathing gills and can travel in the seas for as long as needed. He and his family can adapt to sea or land as needed. This makes Moe’s job as Minister of Clean Water a natural for him. As he swims, he performs water tests, makes notations of underwater spots of beauty and reports on problem areas. Unfortunately, these areas are more common than he would like to see. He strives to help in any way he can, for he is aware that it all starts with ONE person, or in this case one Botanical Fish. 

Moe, Our Minster of Clean Water
Moe in his element WATER.

Are they all Beauties? Is their a Beast?

Beauty and the Beast?
Beauty and the Beast?

I have been thinking about water, waves, the sounds of the waves, the oceans roar, and then back to the stillness that water can have. The ebb and flow of it all. It’s almost magical how the water flows in and out of the sea onto the sand, continually restoring itself, and laps up on the shore again. Continual replenishment!  If only it were that easy for us. Maybe it is? The other two big topics on my mind lately are happiness and friendships. The connection to all this is I actually got to go to the beach/ocean, and share three days with three wonderful friends. We laughed a lot, and a few tears were shed as well. Some were caused because we were laughing so hard, and some were of sadness – all were water!  All good. All cleansing. All replenishing to the soul. It was truly a respite for us all- the ocean, the warmth, the love of such close friends, the good times, the sounds, the sunshine, even the rain, the whole “ball of wax.” It took us almost 2 years to finally make that weekend happen- it was worth the wait. (Thanks to- you know who you are! ) The above large Horseshoe Crab had washed up to the shore along with about 15 others- I have never seen anything quite like it? All within about 50 feet of each other, and only in that one spot? We were wondering if they were all coming ashore to lay eggs? Again, the cycles of the water, the ocean. How odd that these animals had to bump, jostle and wait for the next wave to make their way to the beach sand. I’m sure their is a life analogy in that somewhere!

Added to the top layer of the above image is another image- this one of a 17th century piece/fountain head- spouting water. The face made me smile for the expression of the eyes, and eyebrows are most amazing. And yet, it fits- it somehow all ties into the fluidity of life, the water that we all need to sustain ourselves. The flow, the rhythm, the cold, the hot, the ocean, the water glass, the shower, the cup of tea/coffee, the waves, the sounds-and back to the oceans roar. An amazing face, a spiky crab, and Moe (Minister of Clean Water in my magical land of Botaniumaus.) All beauties to me…but as we know-Beauty is in the eye of the beholder! I am pretty sure the same is true for sounds.  Crashing, jumping, or gentle waves-sounds that truly soothe my soul. What’s your soul soothing sound?

Water, spring, March 31? “Liquid Courage” – What am I talking about?

https://www.thunderclap.it/projects/9446-it-s-time-for-liquid-courage
 Follow/Click this link http://thndr.it/1fCgxy4  for a GREAT piece of media!

The Nature Conservancy screen shot

 

Direct from The Nature Conservancy page….

“It’s time to talk about water! That’s right, water.
That strange drinkable liquid that’s not coffee or alcohol. Because while 70% of the world is covered by water, only 0.03% is accessible and drinkable. It takes guts to take on the global challenge we face and create a social movement to demand change – So it’s time for a little Liquid Courage.
The Nature Conservancy has launched “Liquid Courage” – a new kind of campaign showcasing what can be done to protect and preserve the water that powers every element of our lives. But we know we can’t do this alone. We need your help in raising the profile of The Nature Conservancy’s work in the water space to expand our efforts in the right direction, and ultimately help ensure a more sustainable future for you, your legacy, and your planet.

“Join us on March 31st when we release a digital tidal wave across social platforms and get the conversation (and the water) flowing.”  –https://www.thunderclap.it/projects/9446-it-s-time-for-liquid-courage

_

It takes ALL of us to help each other, ourselves and our planet!  The World needs us…please help….

Moe image- Minister of Clean water
Lets all work for World Clean Water

Moe want to remind you…These are from the Water Use it Wisely site –   100+ WAYS TO CONSERVE   (http://wateruseitwisely.com/100-ways-to-conserve/?view=list)

How about 3 new ones and act on them!
I picked #7 in the Kitchen, and #5 and #8 in the bathroom. Let me know in the comments section which ones you choose!

INDOOR TIPS

KITCHEN
  1. #1 There are a number of ways to save water, and they all start with you.
  2. #2 When washing dishes by hand, don’t let the water run. Fill one basin with wash water and the other with rinse water.
  3. #3 Dishwashers typically use less water than washing dishes by hand. Now, Energy Star dishwashers save even more water and energy.
  4. #4 If your dishwasher is new, cut back on rinsing. Newer models clean more thoroughly than older ones.
  5. #5 Designate one glass for your drinking water each day, or refill a water bottle. This will cut down on the number of glasses to wash.
  6. #6 Soak pots and pans instead of letting the water run while you scrape them clean.
  7. #7 Use the garbage disposal sparingly. Instead, compost vegetable food waste and save gallons every time.
  8. #8 Wash your fruits and vegetables in a pan of water instead of running water from the tap.
  9. #9 Don’t use running water to thaw food. For water efficiency and food safety, defrost food in the refrigerator.
  10. #10 Install an instant water heater near your kitchen sink so you don’t have to run the water while it heats up. This also reduces energy costs.
  11. #11 Keep a pitcher of drinking water in the refrigerator instead of running the tap. This way, every drop goes down you and not the drain.
  12. #12 Reuse leftover water from cooked or steamed foods to start a nutritious soup, it’s one more way to get eight glasses of water a day.
  13. #13 Cook food in as little water as possible. This also helps it retain more nutrients.
  14. #14 Select the proper pan size for cooking. Large pans may require more cooking water than necessary.
  15. #15 If you accidentally drop ice cubes, don’t throw them in the sink. Drop them in a house plant instead.
  16. #16 Collect the water you use while rinsing fruit and vegetables. Use it to water house plants.
  17. #17 When shopping for a new dishwasher, use the Consortium for Energy Efficiency website to compare water use between models.

LAUNDRY ROOM

  1. #18 When doing laundry, match the water level to the size of the load.
  2. #19 Washing dark clothes in cold water saves water and energy, and helps your clothes retain their color.
  3. #20 When shopping for a new washing machine, compare resource savings among Energy Star models. Some can save up to 20 gallons of water per load.
  4. #21 Have a plumber re-route your greywater to trees and plants rather than the sewer line. Check with your city and county for codes.
  5. #22 When buying a washer, check the Consortium for Energy Efficiency website to compare water use between models.

BATHROOM

  1. #23 If your shower fills a one-gallon bucket in less than 20 seconds, replace the showerhead with a WaterSense® labeled model.
  2. #24 Shorten your shower by a minute or two and you’ll save up to 150 gallons per month.
  3. #25 Time your shower to keep it under 5 minutes. You’ll save up to 1,000 gallons per month.
  4. #26 Toilet leaks can be silent! Be sure to test your toilet for leaks at least once a year.
  5. #27 Put food coloring in your toilet tank. If it seeps into the bowl without flushing, there’s a leak. Fix it and start saving 
gallons.
  6. #28 When running a bath, plug the bathtub before turning on the water. Adjust the temperature as the tub fills.
  7. #29 Upgrade older toilets with water-saving WaterSense® labeled models.
  8. #30 If your toilet flapper doesn’t close properly after flushing, replace it.
  9. #31 Use a WaterSense® labeled showerhead. They’re inexpensive, easy to install, and can save you up to 750 gallons a month.
  10. #32 Turn off the water while you brush your teeth and save up to 4 gallons a minute. That’s up to 200 gallons a week for a family of four.
  11. #33 If your toilet was installed before 1992, purchasing a WaterSense® labeled toilet can reduce the amount of water used for each flush.
  12. #34 Consider buying a dual-flush toilet. It has two flush options: a half-flush for liquid waste and a full-flush for solid waste.
  13. #35 Plug the sink instead of running the water to rinse your 
razor and save up to 300 gallons a month.
  14. #36 Turn off the water while washing your hair and save up to 150 gallons a month.
  15. #37 When washing your hands, turn the water off while you lather.
  16. #38 Take 5-minute showers instead of baths. A full bathtub requires up to 70 gallons of water.
  17. #39 Install water-saving aerators on all of your faucets.
  18. #40 Drop tissues in the trash instead of flushing them and save water every time.
  19. #41 Look for WaterSense® labeled toilets, sink faucets, urinals and showerheads.
  20. #42 One drip every second adds up to five gallons per day! Check your faucets and shower-heads for leaks.
  21. #43 While you wait for hot water, collect the running water and use it to water plants.

GENERAL INDOOR

  1. #44 Teach children to turn off faucets tightly after each use.
  2. #45 Watch the Home Water Challenge video or use the Home Water Audit Calculator to see where you can save water.
  3. #46 When the kids want to cool off, use the sprinkler in an area where your lawn needs it most.
  4. #47 Encourage your school system and local government to develop and promote water conservation among children and adults.
  5. #48 Play fun games while learning how to save water!
  6. #49 Monitor your water bill for unusually high use. Your bill and water meter are tools that can help you discover leaks.
  7. #50 Learn how to use your water meter to check for leaks.
  8. #51 Reward kids for the water-saving tips they follow.
  9. #52 Avoid recreational water toys that require a constant flow of water.
  10. #53 Grab a wrench and fix that leaky faucet. It’s simple, inexpensive, and you can save 140 gallons a week.
  11. #54 Hire a GreenPlumber® to help reduce your water, energy, and chemical use.
  12. #55 Be a leak detective! Check all hoses, connectors, and faucets regularly for leaks.
  13. #56 We’re more likely to notice leaky faucets indoors, but don’t forget to check outdoor faucets, pipes, and hoses.
  14. #57 See a leak you can’t fix? Tell a parent, teacher, employer, or property manager, or call a handyman.
  15. #58 At home or while staying in a hotel, reuse your towels.
  16. #59 Make suggestions to your employer or school about ways to save water and money.
  17. #60 Run your washer and dishwasher only when they are full. You can save up to 1,000 gallons a month.
  18. #61 See how your water use stacks up to others by calculating your daily water use.

Restorative – the sea and the power of old friends and love

I Must Go Down to the Sea

 I must go down to the seaS again, to the lonely sea and the sky,
And all I ask is a tall ship and a star to steer her by,
And the wheel’s kick and the wind’s song and the white sail’s shaking,
And a grey mist on the sea’s face and a grey dawn breaking.

I must go down to the seaS again, for the call of the running tide
Is a wild call and a clear call that may not be denied;
And all I ask is a windy day with the white clouds flying,
And the flung spray and the blown spume, and the sea-gulls crying.

I must go down to the seas again, to the vagrant gypsy life,
To the gull’s way and the whale’s way where the wind’s like a whetted knife;
And all I ask is a merry yarn from a laughing fellow-rover,
And quiet sleep and a sweet dream when the long trick’s over.

 – John Masefield

It was last weekend…I was hot, tired frustrated therefore my coping skills were close to zero and so sadness was washing over me… I was in the middle of a 2 day show, and that is just a boat load of work. After a Friday eve set up with a few mishaps, and a full day of show sales, and heat,  I was pretty much a dishcloth ready to be wrung out to hung up to dry. Thank goodness for old friends and the sea. I will just call the friends SMG to protect their privacy. I quietly roll (hybrid so it is virtually silent) into their driveway and puddle into their couch. First a wonderful glass of wine meets my hand- already it’s getting better! Then S says, let’s go down to the boat and float , watch the sunset and breathe some restorative sea air. It was perfect! We did not leave the mooring, which was also perfect for it required no extra energy! M happily puttered and played, we contentedly sipped our wine, watched the waters swirl, the sun hide, and the sea healed a tired soul – mine. Thanks to wonderful friends who just “get it”, and wonderfully happen to have an amazing sailboat we could sit upon, and the sea with all her rhythms of sight, sound, and motion.  Dinner, a good nights sleep, and Sunday was indeed a new day which went easier than the day before. Keep on trucking….

Moe
I Must Go Down to the Sea…. This is MOE, Minister of Clean Water.  He is available in cards, prints and note pads  if he tickles your fancy.