Autonomy versus shame and doubt

I started this blog a week ago and I have not had the chance to sit and rant all week! I have been busy cleaning up after Rose's multiple attempts at autonomy. On Saturday, I asked the kids to entertain themselves while I did some cleaning in anticipation of some dinner guests we were having on the next day. Pretty much the only room in the house that did not need to be cleaned was the upstairs bathroom. It's our little oasis that was recently rennovated. I clean it daily because I just like being in the room. So, I was downstairs picking up, sweeping, and mopping when I heard the first call of frustration from Rose, "Moooom.". The sound was coming from the general direction of the oasis. I ran upstairs and saw the door closed and I opened it. The first thing I saw was Rose standing on the stool at the sink with her hands covered in antibacterial soap and some other material...coffee grounds? Before I could utter..."What is that?!" I turned to find Chloe and Ethan behind the door with a spider plant from the downstairs. The dirt from the spider plant was in the tub, on the floor, crushed into the thick fibers of the white cotton rug. Needless to say, pursuit of autonomy faded and shame and doubt ensued and I had a lot of undoing to do...starting with the vaccuming and ending with, "Sorry, I got soooo angry, guys."

Are we getting greener?

Forecaster cuts 2007 hurricane outlook

That's the good news headline from Reuters this AM. We must be doing something right. Or maybe this living thing we call earth has a plan of its own. I love the earth and, at the risk of appearing trite, I love the pillowy sweeps of cloud against the pale blue sky. And I love the way the shadows mingle beneath the shade of a maple tree creating a flickering palette of greens. I am humbled by the earth's majestic mountains, crisp cool lakes, and hurricanes. I invoke the name of Al Gore as I walk through the house flicking off light switches and turning up the temp on the A/C to a balmy 77 degrees. And I think of Sheryl Crow when I stock the toilet paper in the bathroom. I want the earth to be here for my kids and I walk through the house pointing out waste, waste, waste!!! We recycle. My husband drives a wee Saturn to work and we use it as our "date" car for the economy. However, I apologetically admit that I transport the kids around town in a very large van! Well, we have three car seats, you see (state regulation), so we cannot cram it all into the Saturn. I will encourage my kids to do their part. Do I have to rinse out the Ziplocs? But, here's the thing, is it really making a difference in the grand scheme of things? Or are we mere passengers on a magnificent work of art? How much of our ego is involved in propagating the idea that we control the earth's destiny? Are we still free to believe that there is a Creator who said "Let there be light!" Is England flooding because we use disposable diapers? If I eat local grown only, will this downward spiral to doom end? This all remains to be seen. One last thought. Did you know that Earth Day was started in San Francisco, the city of Saint Francis, to bring about peace on earth? I did not know that. The founder prayed that every year St. Francis Day and Earth Day would "bring a new sense of identity with the whole human family and a commitment to see peace through understanding and love -- the love that Jesus revealed." May we combine our actions with our prayers and create a lasting Peace on earth. Now, that is something I think each of us can work together to do. And if, in the process, we stop the hurricanes, floods, and volcanoes, then wouldn't that be something!

Pool Time

I have just set up this blog and my kids are pulling at my sleeves to get them to the pool before the sun sets. SO I have just a quick post today to give you some idea of the character of this blog. I chose the title Green Gazette because green evokes all things that are fresh and healthy and gazette suggests that herein lies some sort of journal. Ergo, Green Gazette. Additionally, green suggests something new. This blog experience is new to me and I don't know what to expect. I am going to comment on current events and give my fresh opinion on all that happens. Gotta get to the pool, now! Please vote on the survey and leave your comments, too!!