Geese and Ducks

I hit some sort of goose or duck the other morning driving to work. I didn't mean to - all of a sudden, it had flown out in front of my car. I could see parts of the brown wing and then it was gone.

Today, I saw a family of ducks at lunch. No little ones, yet. Just two ducks trying to build a nest in my company's parking lot.

So many ducks and geese seem to be nesting currently. Some (of the drakes? - the fathers) get rather possessive and violent when humans encroach on their nests.

But without natural predators (except humans), some of these species just continue to grow. And some become a nuisance.

I don't have anything particularly profound to observe about this. Simply that, I don't look at these types of animals in the same way anymore.

I wish them full lives - and I wonder if there really are enough resources for all of them. Some (I believe) were introduced into our area (they are not originally from here). We can't divorce ourselves from the ecosystem, but it doesn't seem like we can deny our impact on such species either.

the little things

So I could go into the big things I'm grateful for, kids, husband, friends, family, job, etc. but I'll spare you. I am, by the way, grateful for all those things.

I would like to go into some of the little things this week I've realized I'm incredibly thankful for.

*Being able to park my car in the garage

This was actually a more difficult project than you would think. We put together two sheds for our yard, and with the resulting space - I can now park my car in our garage. It's a tight fit, but it is SO nice not to have to scrape my car in the morning. I'm sure it's also my little part for global warming.

*Pre-made pie crust

One of my great grandmothers was famous for her pie crust (which used lard)and tasted awesome anyway. I can actually make my own pie crust.

I am so glad I don't have to. Last night, I made pumpkin pie with noggin (my son) and goose (my daughter). It is so easy to just roll out that store bought crust, which still tastes good.

*Gas prices have gone down

Our budget certainly can use the lowered gas prices at the moment. We are now saving anywhere from $25 to $30 each time we fill up the tank. Believe it or not, that adds up. I hope there will still be the political will to fund public transportation. Even with lower gas prices, I hope people will remember how hard those $4.25 a gallon prices were to their budgets. It hurt many of us. Some of us are still reeling and many are in need this season.

Let's learn from history and not repeat it. We went through this in the 1980s. Everyone was gung-ho on alternative fuels in the late 70s. Then gas prices dropped in the mid-80s and the political will evaporated. We need a long term solution.

*The internet

I know it sounds crazy, but I would never have thought fifteen years ago that I could publish all sorts of stuff on the internet and people would actually read what I had to say. I never thought that I could find a community of various people (including former and current mormons) and such a diversity of thought and opinions.

The interwebs are pretty cool. Even social networking sites are pretty cool - it's nice to see photos of friends I'd lost touch with, keep up with what they're up to on a day to day basis.

Consignment

When I was growing up, we didn't have a lot of money.

Yet, buying used clothes was "the lowest yet" for my mother. Back to school time (one of the only times we got new clothes) was a very stressful time for her. We did receive donations from people we knew, but for the most part, it was either homemade or a handful of new items. We bought the cheapest clothes out there (no doubt made in the worst of working conditions) but at least they were new. Because - gasp - someone could have died in those clothes. (My Mom has a flair for the melodramatic).

I think she has since re-thought this policy.

I don't think there's anything to be ashamed of in buying gently used clothes.

I think it helps everyone (except clothing manufacturers). People who can afford to buy new clothes can resell or donate (and deduct) items they don't wear anymore. People (like me) can purchase those clothes. I can then donate them myself if they don't fit or when I get tired of them. It's a form of recycling. I'm not sure I can get away from clothing made in poor working conditions living the life that I do.

If I could, I don't think I could afford it. This way, it's a little easier on my conscience.

I can't tell you how many pairs of khaki pants (the IT wardrobe) I have gone through over the years. They are one item in my wardrobe that doesn't last no matter what. They seem to attract stains and the cuffs wear thin. So why not buy a handful of pairs for less than $5? That way, it's not very upsetting if something happens to them. And if it doesn't, I made a good buy.



And it's not as if the clothes I buy are green polyester (wait, are polyester pantsuits back in???) from the 70s. There are plenty of classic or even mildly fashionable pieces out there. I've seen more than one piece with the tags from the store still on - no stains.

I know lots of people who scour the malls and the department stores. They watch for the triple sales and can find those great $4 shirts on the racks. Not me. That takes way too much time and effort - especially with two year olds.

This is just the decision I've made for the time being. I don't buy everything from consignment or thrift shops. But there are some items, like those khaki pants - that I'm not embarrassed to admit where they came from.

There should be no shame in buying well made clothing. Even if it's gently used.