Ever since little Cole has been born, I have been trying to put a finger on how my world has changed.
In a nutshell, I am not overcome by visceral maternal instincts, I think the others will be much better at that, but I see the bigger picture here, my chance to be directly involved in keeping our world habitable for future generations to come.
My husband and I have gone far beyond the usual recycling of newspapers , but have put our money where our mouth is by installing a photovoltaic system which allows to micro generate our own electricity without the use of coal fired power plants.
Due to increased drilling activity in our neighborhood, we became aware of what ails the current system of safety regulations and of the almost non existent rights of Alberta landowners , should big oil choose to drill on the land.
The problems range from noise pollution, overuse of our road structures by water trucks,lack of communication between County , ERSB, oil company and landowner,lack of disclosure of fracking fluid components and possible water shed , aquifer , or well contamination.
We became involved , my husband more actively than me, he became an out right activist with 2 groups currently involved in water awareness and drilling regulations.
At an upcoming town hall meeting I will present information about possible sub surface water pollutants and their health effects.
In the mean time , I am plainly shocked and overwhelmed the more I read about what is going on in Alberta.
Potemkin's villages come to mind, for all to see , we have the mountains, the rolling hills , the farmland, with all these lovely animals , but out of sight we have polluted rivers , clear cut forests ,metastasizing urban sprawl and polluted water wells.
Enough to spent a life time of raising awareness!
I begin to understand now, why so many activists are Elders, it is , because they have realized that they are part of generations to come and shape life and they often have the drive, the knowledge and the resources to be influential.
Not that I am an Elder yet, but my husband surely qualifies and believe me , I am on my my way to become a Matriarch to be reckoned with.
For our family, our children and future generations!
Sunday, April 24, 2011
Saturday, April 16, 2011
on aging ,April16,2011
On this eve of my personal destruction, i.e. the eve before my 54th birthday, I sit here trying to come to terms with the fact , that as of tomorrow, I'll definitely will be mid fifties. Well, I don't like it. Not one bit! It sounds old, I am not old, at least not on the inside. Sure outside there are the tell tale signs of aging, wrinkles, some sagging in formerly perky parts and some unwanted bulges which before where definitely not there.
But usually I don't care , I wear my gray hair proudly, often in a wild mane of an unbridled beast.
I think I am still sexy, but to whom? My sedated 80 year old cardiac patients?
Where has my youth gone?
Not only am I getting officially older, I just recently had the honour to become a grandmother, now that is old right there.Old, Old Old Old.... ancient!
But I am still young ,young young young!!
Age does not matter, nor does being a grand mother or not. What counts is how I feel.
Bulls...., give me Botox, exercise, diet,a positive outlook, happiness-to hell with aging, it happens and lets stop thinking about it.
Happy birthday to myself and let me feel as old as I think I am.
But usually I don't care , I wear my gray hair proudly, often in a wild mane of an unbridled beast.
I think I am still sexy, but to whom? My sedated 80 year old cardiac patients?
Where has my youth gone?
Not only am I getting officially older, I just recently had the honour to become a grandmother, now that is old right there.Old, Old Old Old.... ancient!
But I am still young ,young young young!!
Age does not matter, nor does being a grand mother or not. What counts is how I feel.
Bulls...., give me Botox, exercise, diet,a positive outlook, happiness-to hell with aging, it happens and lets stop thinking about it.
Happy birthday to myself and let me feel as old as I think I am.
Sunday, April 10, 2011
Aida, April 10, 2011
Long hiatus, bloggers block, or honestly too much work .
Yesterday we went to the long awaited premiere of Aida in Calgary. This particular production has been shown in Calgary before, but I had never seen it . My excitement was mounting , just thinking of the dramatic of the story , the music , the powerful choir ,and imagining the stage presentation.
I was not disappointed. In times , I was transported into a different world, totally absorbed by the voices of Aida , Radames and particularly the choir. The trumpets got me as well-it was wonderful !
Going to a live opera performance is such a treat and I appreciate it so much. I feel privileged to be able to buy the ticket, dress nicely, be able to afford to park the car and sit down to enjoy the event.
Many years ago I could not afford any of this.
Shortly before I left Germany I was broke from trying to pay my way out of a deceitful husbands debt-no money for cultural events by any means , and after arriving in Canada I was busy establishing my place in this new country.Now that house , retirement and a wonderful marriage are taking care of, there is time and some money for the nicer things in life , like operas.
Boy, that makes me proud !
.....and the next operatic event is already in the planning, how wonderful!
Yesterday we went to the long awaited premiere of Aida in Calgary. This particular production has been shown in Calgary before, but I had never seen it . My excitement was mounting , just thinking of the dramatic of the story , the music , the powerful choir ,and imagining the stage presentation.
I was not disappointed. In times , I was transported into a different world, totally absorbed by the voices of Aida , Radames and particularly the choir. The trumpets got me as well-it was wonderful !
Going to a live opera performance is such a treat and I appreciate it so much. I feel privileged to be able to buy the ticket, dress nicely, be able to afford to park the car and sit down to enjoy the event.
Many years ago I could not afford any of this.
Shortly before I left Germany I was broke from trying to pay my way out of a deceitful husbands debt-no money for cultural events by any means , and after arriving in Canada I was busy establishing my place in this new country.Now that house , retirement and a wonderful marriage are taking care of, there is time and some money for the nicer things in life , like operas.
Boy, that makes me proud !
.....and the next operatic event is already in the planning, how wonderful!
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