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Daily Reflections
by Al Fritsch, S.J.

A series of written meditations and reflections

HEALING APPALACHIA:
Sustainable Living Through Appropriate Technology
by Al Fritsch & Paul Gallimore

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Text-only version of this page
Table of Contents: Daily Reflections

Click on date below to read the day's reflection:

February 2004

February 2004 Reflections

February 1 A Prophetic Life Worth Living

February 2 Groundhogs and All of Us

February 3 Meditate Daily

February 4 Simplifying Urban Communities

February 5 Efficient Vehicles and Use

February 6 Start Your Day Well

February 7 Healing the Earth

February 8 Launch into the Deep and Take Risks

February 9 Praying from the Heart

February 10 Telemarketers and Privacy

February 11 Simple Solutions: Solar Cookers and Ovens

February 12 Reflections on Abe Lincoln

February 13 Bird Habitats

February 14 The Mystery of Love

February 15 Get Graphic through Story-Telling

February 16 The American Way for Better or Worse

February 17 Attitudes in Traveling Abroad

February 18 Our Lives Depend on Water

February 19 Responsible Consumerism: Say No to Excess

February 20 Wild and Scenic Rivers

February 21 Five Possible Successes

February 22 Make Local Tours

February 23 Cooperatives and Working Together

February 24 Explore Past Lore and Legend

February 25 Ash Wednesday: Sacrifice and Love

February 26 Meals for Lent

February 27 Enjoy Ecotouring in Appalachia

February 28 Know What You Drink

February 29 Leap on Leap Day

Temptations

February 1, 2004 A Prophetic Life Worth Living

They say hindsight is an exact science. We so often know

exactly what we would have done if we knew then what we know now.

But coming to our current knowledge involved living what we have

had to live -- lived experiences. We would not be who we are

without past uncertainties, successes, and mistakes.

Salvation is for all! Really that was the controversial

message that Jesus taught those who thought he must give his entire

ministry to his own people. Why go elsewhere? What Jesus in Luke

4:21-30 proceeds to do is explain a vision that goes beyond the

place and includes distant people -- which makes his own folks very

mad. I used to wonder why people got so upset enough to kill him

so suddenly, until over time I met those who wanted to sequester a

person's time and, if they are selfish enough, they will argue that

if you don't do this they will tarnish your good name. What's so

different from what they tried to do to Jesus?

Do this, not that. The words that Jesus speaks are directly to

the heart of the matter. He never minces words. His heart goes

out to people in distant places even beyond that of his immediate

ministry -- which is beyond his home town. He is thinking globally

and that is what the local people often omit doing. For them, only

local concerns are of importance.

Called to radically share. It is risky for the prophetic voice

to be spoken if it is a true voice with an authentic and needed

message. Silence is not golden under such circumstances. One must

share and that means sharing the needs of others. The person is to

be upsetting to some degree, for that is part of our message as

anointed in the holy oils of Baptism. We are called to be

prophetic people and that means we can't always remain silent. To

be true is to speak, even when what is spoken is not well received

or even provokes fury -- the inner violence of the persons who are

now finding the excuse to let it all come out.

Helping others. There are examples of parishes which radically

share their resources as well as individuals. One parish helps

another with its additional building funds as did one parish in

Tennessee. In speaking of a prophetic outward vision one must

challenge those who hear or read these words; are the needs of the

individual place of greater importance than those elsewhere? Are

people hungry for Christ in our local county or community? We

could lose our souls if we do not feed the hungry. We start at

home and look beyond. Are there people who are uncared for here?

Are we wiling and able to respond to their needs in some manner?

Liberating ourselves from blindness: How can we radically

share with our neighbors who are the Lazarus types at our doorstep?

How can we truly be Catholic or universal people who see those

beyond our walls, either nearby locally, or those overseas and at

greater distances? Asking ourselves hard questions is part of

hearing the word of God and responding to it in some manner.

February 2, 2004 Groundhogs and All of Us

Shadows. Such is an American fable -- that the groundhog will

retire again for a number of weeks if it sees its shadow today.

We admire the presence of certain creatures which seem contented

and quite self-sufficient. Their possible absence for another six

weeks will be felt.

Appetites. We are attracted to a wide variety of wildlife, but

few of us are drawn to the lowly groundhog. There is something

enlivening about the presence of these humble creatures, for they

scurry about in a rather busy fashion and seem to be satisfied with

simple underground living quarters. And they adjust to about any

plants available for their rather wide-ranging menu. Needless to

say, the groundhog has an appetite: a single groundhog can wipe

out a garden in a very short evening visit. Having an attraction

to indulge in cultivated flora, groundhogs are not always welcome

guests. Besides an ability to traverse barriers, groundhogs do not

hesitate to immediately feast, much in the style of the comic strip

character, "Hagar the Horrible."

Mildness. Few creatures put up less of a fight than a

groundhog which regards its best defense as a hasty retreat into

its borrow. The groundhog is not known to be overly aggressive.

I suspect that its lack of aggression is what makes it an easy

target for dogs and more fierce wildlife. In fact, the young

groundhog is downright cute and contains the same characteristics

as the ground squirrel. Perhaps kids do have pet groundhogs.

Wildlife honored. This is the only day of the year where

wildlife is singled out, with honors going to the most humble of

creatures. It would seem more appropriate to have Cougar Day or

Wildcat Day. Some call Thanksgiving "Turkey Day," but that is not

out of affection but because the bird is a major part of the cooked

dishes. Honors go to the lowly groundhog -- but, in reality,

respect extends to all wildlife. We often see artificial

inducements being added to increase gaming wildlife such as land

set aside, salt blocks installed, or birds being fed. The

groundhog is truly honored because no extra effort is required. It

is resilient and able to take care of itself. No one has ever

devised a groundhog enhancement project, and it speaks highly of

this animal that chooses to sleep a little more. And that's okay.

Have a Heart. If the natural niche of the American carnivores

is missing, then herbivores can have a field day. Hav-a-heart

traps, made to capture wildlife in a humane manner,

may not be appreciated by those whose property or neighboring land

is targeted for wildlife dumping. One humane alternative is to

reintroduce the carnivores which can restore nature's original

balance lost through human development and carnivore eradication

practices. Welcome back wildcats and red foxes which can control

rabbits and other mammals, and black snakes which can control mice.

Let's protect bears and mountain lions as well.

February 3, 2004 Meditate Daily

Rationale. So much depends on how we read the title of this

essay. If said harshly as a strict command, it seems to be lost

before one starts. Yet we know that the Scriptures implore prayer

always but do not command us to meditate. However, many

regulations found in the Good Book, if sincerely followed, would

create an environment in which meditation is successful. If said

in a judgmental manner, meditating daily means we are so totally

dissipated in everyday living that we need to refocus life on

important things. If spoken in a softer manner, it harkens us back

to Mary who "kept all these things in her heart," which meant she

continually thought about the mysteries in her life in the various

moments of the day. Aren't we to meditate as part of Christian

living, but to do so freely so that we can be nearer to God.

Content. Christians are called to action, and when taking

their personal calling seriously, are caught up in the mystery of

being invited into God's family. Part of that calling consists of

reflection upon the goodness of God's gifts and where we fit into

using them properly in the limited time available. The fact of

being stewards of gifts brings us back to wanting more than a blank

mind which can block out the flow of images and phantasms which are

part of the flow of consciousness. We need to focus and that is

part of the practice of meditating. How do we best respond to the

God who calls us? We are drawn to delve more deeply into the

divine Mystery in which we have been baptized. But this is an all

consuming demand and invites our commitment to meditation -- on

Divine Mysteries as expressed in Christ's life, death and

resurrection. Thus our daily meditation becomes more Christic in

nature, that is, entering into the incarnate union of God and man.

Manner. The manner in which we meditate is somewhat diverse

and the final choice depends on one's circumstances and

temperament. We often think meditation is sitting with crossed

legs, eyes closed, and hands outstretched. A very good possible

position, but by no means the only way to meditate. A sick person

or one in prison or other institution will not be able to have a

rigid time schedule or formula; a busy parent taking care of a

growing family will have to be somewhat flexible in her/his

meditation both as to time and place; a nervous person may want to

walk or do a type of exercise while meditation. Some will try to

follow a certain Christian monastic approach, or a Buddhist manner,

or some other religious tradition. All good and well, provided

that the meditating can easily stay focused.

Application. When we ultimately decide upon a meditation

practice we realize that we must try to clear the clutter from our

mind as best we can. I find the process of Ignatian discernment to

be valuable for it cuts through excuses for doing one or other

additional activity and makes us center in Christ as focus of our

life. We are drawn to continue and deepen our meditation as we

strive through God's grace to participate more fully as active

members of Christ's Body.

February 4, 2004 Simplifying Urban Communities

1. Reduce, Reuse and Recycle --

compost kitchen and yard wastes

sort and recycle materials

share common appliances

2. Energy Conservation and Alternatives --

install compact fluorescent bulbs

establish comfort zones

check insulation

know solar energy applications

e.g., passive solar, hot water heating

3. Indoor Environment --

reduce commercial chemicals

curb noise pollution

freshen the indoors with potted plants

4. Transportation --

travel less

drive efficiently

use public transport when possible

5. Water --

conserve water

turn down water temperature

save rainwater

6. Land --

grow backyard gardens

and potted plants

read about edible landscaping

7. Building --

plant trees for windbreaks and shade

install window film

use interior space better

8. Food --

try batch cooking

consider solar cookers

focus on nutrition

9. Wildlife --

feed birds

care for pets

discuss wildlife controls

10. Community --

organize block parties with ecology in mind

initiate ecological discussion

February 5, 2004 Efficient Vehicles and Use

"Car Talk" is a rather humorous weekly radio show on National

Public Radio with callers being subjected to ridicule for not

thinking of the obvious when it comes to "car health." While

listening, we wonder whether we are much better than the caller.

Hybrids. The USEPA advises that a new efficient stove is a

good way to reduce air pollution, but a new efficient car may be

the best. Few older vehicles can accumulate the fuel savings of

some of these newer varieties. They certainly are far superior to

SUVs (the addict's last fling at consuming low-cost gasoline),

which blurred the car/truck standard divisions and have led to the

1990s stalled efficiency improvements. One-fifth of vehicular

resource use over the car's lifetime is in manufacturing, but fuel

economy certainly warrants replacement of heavy gas guzzlers. The

2004 Toyota Prius gets 61 mpg at a price of $22,000; the Honda

Insight gets about the same amount of mileage at about the same

price, but that car has little extra room beyond the front bucket

seats. The Honda Civic Hybrid gets 47 mpg (48 in city) at almost

the same price as well, but it has considerably more interior space

-- comparable to the 2004 Prius. These have multi-year warranties,

and buyers can get a $2,000 federal clean fuel vehicle tax

deduction. These brands utilize electric and gasoline-fuel

internal combustion to reduce fuel use and increase efficiency

through advanced automotive engineering. Fuel savings alone over

a possible ten-year lifetime could be in the many thousands of

dollars depending on the amount of travel done the owner.

Driving habits. Faster driving generally means wasted fuel.

I have a Ford Escort which has gotten 42 miles to a gallon for a

decade and now gone well over 300,000 miles. It is perhaps an

exception for its low maintenance and high gas mileage, but I keep

my fingers crossed when not typing. How long? I reduce my speeds

in senior years, which practice increases auto mileage efficiency,

as many speeders leave me far behind. More moderate speed plus

manual gear shifts (most people claim they cannot drive such

vehicles), lack of repairing a non-functioning air conditioning

system all add immensely to fuel efficiency. The major

inconvenient is on very hot days in a traffic jam, but extremely

rare for me due to very early morning summer driving.

Car maintenance. The car manual says it all, but it is not

our most popular reading material. Keep tires properly inflated,

oil changed at regular intervals, timer belts replaced at specific

intervals of about 60,000 miles, spark plugs and air and gasoline

filters replaced, and on and on. Have those tires checked at the

time the car is up on the rack for excessive wear, and rotate these

tires on a regular basis. We soon begin to learn that a regular

mechanic is like a primary physician; they can remind us of auto

repair needs when we tend to give attention to other matters and

neglect automobile health. It pays to have someone who knows the

car and actually takes an interest in its maintenance and good

service throughout the year.

February 6, 2004 Start Your Day Well

The lingering February cabin fever could be countered:

Rising on time. Some people jump out of bed at the last sound

of a calling infant, spouse or parent and hurry to make up for lost

time even before the day really gets underway. It is the wrong

side of the bed (or clock). A calm beginning is a better start and

that could be done within the limits of time required to launch the

day. If the day is an important event, then it would be well

prepared for on time. Isn't every day important?

Follow a routine. Some of us are early risers and engage in a

ritual of meditation, news programs, physical exercise, showers or

baths, leisurely breakfasts, planning sessions and even writing

periods. For advocates of routine early rising there is the added

routine of early retiring so that the morning person gets adequate

sleep. No burning of candles on both ends. Often the routine

stretches beyond the sleeping and rising periods to include lighter

suppers or refraining from caffeine or other stimulants during the

previous evening.

Not slave to the routine. Late work or social periods may

damage the routine and so some allowance must be made whenever

possible. I never worked late in my life because my study

efficiency went down at mid-night for sure and often quite a bit

earlier. It may be necessary sometimes to break schedules, but the

normal procedure must be picked up again as soon as possible.

A calming bath? Some want to start the day soaking in a tub of

water. Quite possible, but some of us doubt whether we have the

time. However, baths are good places to read, plan, meditate or

even hear or watch the news and we don't fault those that do them.

A healthy breakfast. For those of us making the beginning meal

the main one, special attention must be given to not upsetting or

overburdening one's digestive system. Most know the difference

between nutritious meals and the fast food breakfast consumed by a

growing part of America who fail to fix their own. A hunk of

grease and refined sugar washed down by coffee on the run is not

quite a calming ritual.

A walk for exercise or to work. Some find the trip to the

place of work when much time is required to be a calming

experience. Some walk, some bike and some drive or take public

transportation. I highly suspect that most find commuting the

opposite of a calming experience, and even feel like taking a break

once arriving at work. Many drivers at the early morning rush hour

are late, and this makes life tense for others battling the local

rush hour traffic.

A well-planned day. Plans help reduce stress in the long run.

We all agree that a peaceful beginning is needed in this turbulent

world. It is symbolic of how we wish to heal the Earth itself.

February 7, 2004 Healing the Earth

Collective decisions. What on Earth can I do to heal our

planet? We worry about the planet's problems and how we are party

to destructive forces now at work. We forget that several billion

individual decisions could bring about a cooperative solution, but

also that individual Americans with electric appliances and

gasoline-consuming vehicles can make decisions of greater impact

than those made by less consuming people in poorer places. So our

collective decisions result in major environmental impacts and can

be instrumental in bringing about genuine Earth healing.

Conservation on an individual basis. We each must conserve

resources. How can we ever heal the Earth if we cause hurt by what

we do: waste resources, fail to turn off the lights or the tap of

water, ride to the next block or to the door of the building where

we are going, change our wardrobe at the slightest change of

season, and move to a house double the size of the last?

Conservation leads to healing and we should be constantly aware of

what we need and what is extravagant and harmful. If we waste half

the food we prepare, we can hardly be good environmentalists. We

must begin at home to rework a tired expression -- but that does

not go far enough. In fact, if we do not go beyond our home and

realize the far-reaching effects of individual actions we totally

miss both environmental problems and Earth-healing opportunities.

Renewable energy. The non-renewable energy sources are

exhaustible and being exhausted far faster than we would want to

imagine. Yes, we need to convert to wind and solar energy. But the

"we" who must change is beyond what "I" can do with respect to my

personal limitations, lack of technical skills or lack of financial

resources. However, the "we" is more powerful than is first

imagined. We are democratic people who can influence national and

regional policy through citizen action at different levels. We can

speak up for tax incentives to renewable energy projects; we can

ask questions to elected representatives about renewable energy

applications at the local level or why they continue to allow

unfair tax breaks for non-renewable energy sources; we can start

a letter-writing campaign for an energy policy that moves away from

the fearful consumption of fossil fuels at rates which will drain

the accessible world's petroleum about 2020. The time for

conversion to renewable energy is now.

Environmental solutions involve communities. How do we keep

from the effects of urban sprawl except in a community action

program involving all citizens? What about local waste management

programs, water rates and accessibility, the reserve of lands for

wildlife, and on and on? The somewhat naive notion that if we do

little things on our own the world will be better only works to a

limited degree and can distract us from the bigger picture.

Environmental change involves a collective effort by an involved

community. That is why more permanent residency is quite helpful

as well as a strong and communicating organization at the local

level. We start at home to heal but we don't stop there.

February 8, 2004 Launch into the Deep and Take Risks

"Put into the deep water and lower your nets for the catch"

(Luke 5:4b)

World Marriage Day invites us to we remember our personal

family life and more importantly the life of married couples. For

many it is difficult journey with some bends and detours. For

quite a few folks married life is an "on again, off again affair or

a totally breaking loose and attempting a restart. Marriage brings

with it companionship and joy but it also has its risks -- to

partners, to children, even to in-laws. That brings us to the

point of this essay -- any time we launch into the deep there is

vulnerability and risk involved. The safe haven of utter security

does not exist except in some imagination or daydreams. Just when

we think we have filled our barns for the stormy season, suddenly

the doors fly open, the roof leaks or the mice run amuck. Genuine

security requires ongoing vigilance and trust in God.

Launching. To move out to receive the catch means we must

place our trust in God, or how else can we move forward. It is the

trust that made our forebears decide to come to these shores, to

find a place to settle, to obtain lodging and a means of

livelihood, and to raise a family. They were willing to launch out

in dangerous waters with all that it entails. They gave us the

inspiration and encouragement to undertake grander journeys.

Following. To say we are to walk in the footsteps of Christ

(on the waters) is to mix metaphors. We are in the stormy seas now

and the way ahead of us has its rewards which we are unable to

foresee. We could be like Peter who caught an enormous number of

fish when he followed Jesus' advice and direction. If we follow

the Lord, we will be able to fulfill the purposes of our own faith

journey which can sometimes take us out on fruitless expeditions in

our familiar fishing grounds. A willingness to launch and follow

direction are all part of total service on our journey of faith.

Unworthiness. To be of service in its fullness and be

strengthened by success in small matters makes the honest person

stop and declare as did Isaiah, Paul and Peter that they were

unworthy to even perform such service. We must launch out, see the

fruit of our labor and thank God, the source of all good gifts. We

declare that it is God not our doings. In a full sense, this is

the heart of gratitude, not saying the landscape is barren or the

net is empty, but to see that the produce is God's gift. A second

aspect of unworthiness is that we are not able on our own to use

gifts wisely in the limited time we have without God's help.

Risk-taking in our lives. We are all asked to take risks in

order to become mature adults and responsible Christians. Will we

take our calling seriously enough to seek God's constant help to

carry it through to completion? That is the question of life and

it is answered in an atmosphere of risk-taking on a stormy sea and

haunted by the possibility of an empty net.

February 9, 2004 Praying from the Heart: Sacred Time

Prayer is communication. Not all of us have the power of

speaking, but all of us conscious human beings are called to

communicate in some way. Merely talking to ourselves is not

communication; it can be a form of withdrawal and ultimately anti-

social behavior. We realize early in life that communication

between people is vital to being human being, to living with

others, and to satisfying our own needs. We talk with our parents,

siblings, and an expanding array of friends. And we are invited

through baptism into the family of God. In response to the divine

love we are asked to love God with our whole heart and soul, mind

and body. How else can this be done but by talking with God?

Four kinds of prayer. We talk with God in four ways: We ask

forgiveness for faults committed especially when offending someone

ad we say this prayer at the start of the Liturgy. We have our

signs of praise of God's greatness at the Gloria. We petition or

"pray" in a way that the English meaning of the word "I pray" or "I

beg you." Thus our petitions are for things needed in our own life

or the lives of our neighbors. One of the most profound prayers I

have ever heard was made by one inmate at the Manchester Prison

each Sunday, "For our loved ones who have been hurt by our being

here." And then there is the Divine Liturgy itself which is our

highest form of prayer -- thanking God for good things given.

Find sacred time. We must pray always but sometimes with

greater intensity. We can pray for peace, but we must be at peace

in order to pray. We pray for silence, the peaceful condition

needed to be able to hear ourselves pray. When disorder reigns we

pray that God gives us the silence of the heart, that ultimate

personal space in which God is present in our own lives. Some

people in this noise-filled world are not comfortable in silence

and even find it frightening. Others find prayer in silence to be

personal and quite familiar.

Old Brother Schwakenberg was a gardener at our Milford Ohio

Novitiate; I went past his open door during the meditation time and

he was talking as though someone was in the room -- but it was only

the Lord. My cousin, a medical doctor, would take a half-hour

afternoon nap, no matter how many extra patients were in the

waiting room. He needed that rest, and so did his patients need

his rest. Often people fall asleep at a moment's notice on

airplanes and during talks. Their sleep deprivation affects their

decision-making, their ability to listen and communicate with

others, and their family life and community relations. Stimulants

only exacerbate sleep deprivation problems.

February 10, 2004 Telemarketers and Privacy

Intrusion. We are plagued by intrusion in our lives reaching

such a monumental degree that we begin to take it for granted.

Some will apologize to the intruder for having been curt or

irritated. The apology should be in the opposite direction.

Nothing irritates us more than the telemarketer at meal time. Most

parents have difficulties getting everyone together for a single

meal these days; breakfasts are often at different parts of the

morning and taken on the run by those late for work or school;

lunches depend on where people are at the given time and that is

most likely not at home. The evening "dinner" or "supper" is ideal

for finding all or nearly all at home -- and so the marketers

strike.

Privacy. We strive to be left alone at times, and that is both

for our sanity and the good of others who may have to suffer from

our lack of energy or irritability. In former ages when it took an

effort to travel and visit another the degree of intrusion was far

less. The average person was able to find plenty of private time

to engage in desired pursuits. That is not always the case now.

Begin "wired" means a) that people will contact you and expect a

fired back response in a matter of a few minutes or b) being

stressed by hurried conditions. All people are on call always

through such devices as cell phones and Internet -- that is, if we

let them get away with it. Privacy is a victim of instant

communication.

Return to private moments. Respect for others and their free

time is a necessity for the reduction of stress in our hyperactive

world. One way is to turn off computers and phones and let people

know what days and hours they can be reached. The intrusion by

commercial interests is simply a disrespect for our hard-earned

freedoms. New laws are now appearing that allows us to make phone

numbers off limits to these marketers. It is not right to be rude

to the one making the calls for they are low-paid workers who do

not need any more harassment in life. It means little to the

commercial marketer who is uninterested in your conversation with

employees. For them, it is all in the bottom line.

Things to do to avoid marketer stress. Turn off the barrage of

commercials on television or radio and get others to do the same.

Decide on having private time and arrange the electronic devices to

help strengthen your resolve. Advise others to call only in an

emergency at given times. Put your name on a Federal no-call list.

Don't patronize the intruders under any circumstance, and let them

know that there are other less intrusive ways to sell their

product. Report infringing telemarketers to the proper consumer

protection group. Treat the door-to-door salesperson with a little

more respect even though you do so with dispatch. Remember that

any intruder is playing on your own inability to say "no" without

undergoing some guilt. Learn to say "no" politely but firmly and

stick by the decision. A tinge of curiosity allows a foot in the

door. Now you'll get what you deserve.

February 11, 2004 Simple Solutions: Solar Cookers and Ovens

Solar cookers. Global use of solar food cookers offer the

potential to save forestlands, for over a billion people depend on

forest growth to furnish the fuel to cook their food. In some

countries, lower income people spend a quarter of their money on

kerosene or other fossil cooking fuels, or at least a day a week

gathering ever more scarce firewood. Fuel-saving potential has

immense consequences for them. The solar cooking process is

smokeless and thus avoids harm to cookers' lungs in smoky kitchens.

The cooker is an easy, low-priced way to purify water in areas with

danger from intestinal disease or by campers, hikers, and refugees.

Water is pasteurized by heating at least at 150 degrees F.

Method. The solar cooker or oven must be placed in a spot for

sunlight for a number of hours depending on time of year and

geographic zones -- working well in the tropics year-round. When

the sun is one-third of the way from horizon to overhead, many

easy-to-cook foods will be started and be ready at midday. The

closer the sun is to directly overhead, the greater the cooking

power. Most intense cooking takes place from 2 hours before to 2

hours after true noon. In temperate zones the angled winter sun is

weaker. Dust and smog slow cooking time, but generally cooking

time is unaffected by wind, humidity and outdoor temperature.

Materials. Solar box cookers or ovens are insulated box-

within-a-box containing a dark object to absorb sunlight

(converting light to heat); shiny surfaces of aluminum or Mylar

reflect rather than absorb energy on reflectors and inner box

surface; sunlight passes through a tight-fitting transparent

material which traps longer wave heat energy. Solar ovens are

equipped with adjustable reflectors directed as much as possible to

sunlight. Longer cooking time replaces constant watching. Simple

cooking devices are made of cardboard with reflective sheeting,

plate glass for covers, darkened cooking utensils, and sawdust or

crumpled paper for insulation. More permanent cookers made from

pressed earth, brick, stone, or wood include fiberglass insulation

and larger reflection surfaces allows for minimum unused heated

space. Sturdy ovens made by Mark Schimmoeller and ASPI volunteers

on three continents offer long-term simple cooking fuel solutions.

Additional notes. The amount of cooked food depends on box

size. Even smaller described units can cook up to 10 - 15 pounds

of food on sunny day, especially through slow cooking techniques.

Add no water when cooking meat, fresh fruits or vegetables, and

nutrients are retained. Cook dried beans and grains by adding

normal amounts of water. Gentle cooking temperatures of 200-235 F

are ideal to refrain from burning food. Even tough meats are

tenderized. No stirring is needed and checking food frequently by

opening the lid slows the cooking process. It's best to move the

cooker with the sun, especially in winter weather or on cloudy

days. The cooking times for the specific Lilongwe Solar Heater

(see ASPI Publications) are: beans - 3 hrs, rice, fish and chicken

- 1 and 1/2 half hrs, vegetables - 1 hr and beef - 2 hours.

February 12, 2004 Reflections on Abe Lincoln

Ambiguity. I often wondered if I lived in the mid-19th century

without hindsight's clarity which side I would have be on.

Certainly in my early agrarian youth with a propensity for the

underdog I would have opted for the South. I did grow up on a farm

which was part of the General Henry Lee estate; over the hill was

the home of Albert Sydney Johnston, one of the full Confederate

generals; out the road lived the Marshalls of Chief Justice John

Marshall fame; nearby, Uncle Tom was sold and Eliza fled across

the Ohio River. All of these historic associations made a sense of

neutrality on the Civil War issues somewhat imperative from the

start even in my maturing years. Kentuckians were a torn and

divided people in the 18th, 19th and into the 20th century.

Changing positions. Neutrality was the official Kentucky

position for decades leading up to the Civil War. Henry Clay tried

to espouse that position in the growing battle between North and

South. Strangely enough, even Lincoln held this position to some

degree in early and middle life, even after he was repulsed by the

existence of slavery in his ride down the Mississippi River. His

own position shifted with time and became more in the Abolitionist

camp as the clouds of war actually turned into active conflict. It

took him time and mental struggle to come to the conclusion that

slavery was not to be permitted to some by choice, but was an

abomination that must be done away with. In the late nights of

1862 in the middle of the Civil War, while working on the

Emancipation Proclamation, he committed the document to draft and

redraft in his mind. No other document took so much time. He

moved from pro-choice on slavery to one of anti-slavery, and then

saw clearly that no nation could exist half slave and half free.

This was truly a conclusion after prayer and careful thought.

Religion. Abe Lincoln was a Christian but not a member of a

particular church. He worshiped with his dad in the Baptist

tradition in his youth but that did not continue into early

manhood. He certainly believed in God, prayed for the saving of

the Union, and showed immense compassion for those who were

suffering. He was always courteous and never showed signs of

bigotry of any sort. He respected the clergy and admired the

Sisters of Charity as nurses to a very high degree. No one can

prove his mother was a Catholic even though her homestead was only

a few miles from the early Dominican center near Springfield.

A Lincoln fan? I admire Lincoln with the passing years. But

would I have liked all of his political positions? Did he not have

expanding railroad interests at heart? Was he a budding

Capitalist, a fact hidden by the major conflict which consumed so

much of Lincoln's presidency? Was the Republican Party which owed

so much to him for victory in 1860 to be faulted as a cause of the

armed civil conflict? Could the slavery issue had been resolved

through financial payment of all slaves and ultimately costing far

less money and blood than the war with 600,000 deaths? These are

unanswered questions pertaining to this great person.

February 13, 2004 Bird Habitats

Attracting wildlife. Birds are under stress due to the loss of

habitat both in our country and in lands where many of them migrate

for winter. This loss can be compensated for some species

(certainly not for those needing wilderness). We can do this in

our own backyards through the creation of "wildscape," which is

appealing to bluejays and cardinals and other species which do not

mind being near human habitation. Refraining from use of lawn

chemicals is the first start at attracting birds. The best way to

determine whether someone uses these herbicides is to see whether

robins frequent the green space. Specific details on what to plant

for birds, as well as bird nests and bird baths, are given in a

host of nature books, manual and websites. Some of these are more

specific to your own region. In Kentucky the books by Professor

Tom Barnes at the University of Kentucky are helpful.

Bird sanctuaries. Residents may want to go a step further

than just making the landscape attractive and actually declare the

backyard as a bird "sanctuary." A bird sanctuary is one declared

to be such by the propertyholder(s). One needs not wait for an

official organization to do the designation -- though working with

other groups may prove helpful. Bird sanctuaries allow invitees to

nest, rest and feed these creatures without endangerment from prey.

Feeding birds is frowned upon by some nature purists, but some of

us regard it as a positive countermeasure to the vast destruction

of normal habitat in urbanizing America. Sanctuary fragments are

limited but often necessary for survival of the semi-Tropical

migratory wildlife. If properties could be joined in the efforts,

it would allow larger contiguous areas for the better health and

well-being of the permanent and migratory bird populations.

Birds as friends. Birds in moderate numbers make good

neighbors for shut-ins and the elderly who are rather limited in

their mobility. A good mix will be attracted through the type of

bird feed that is furnished. A number of birds like certain seeds

and others are even attracted to those which fall on the ground

below the feeder. Native Americans attracted martins through gourd

houses to help with summer mosquito control. Some prefer to

attract hummingbirds to sugar water feeders or to certain

attractive red flowers. By interplanting these with other flowers

a mix of hummingbirds and butterflies prove quite delightful for

the elderly spectator. Affording safe nesting places take

precedent over bird feeding and watering, for in overly fragmented

landscapes the birds are prey to cowbirds who lay eggs in other

nests and lead to competition and excess labor by the victims.

Start small. Those who are successful in attracting birds are

willing to begin with consistent feeding in a squirrel-free

location -- and keeping the squirrels away can be a challenge.

Bird like certain cleared areas so they can feel free from hawks

and other prey. In dry times many birds prefer a watering place as

well. With time one can arrange the space to become all the more

attractive to a colorful and pleasant sounding bird population.

February 14, 2004 The Mystery of Love

Love is

the atmosphere surrounding our service for others

the yet unattained goal of our life,

the most elementary form of early communication,

the stirring deep within our bones,

the unsolicited smile,

the craving of our very souls for peace,

the unquestioned devotion of our pet,

the kind words when others have forsaken us,

the sacrifices of our parents and guardians,

the constant demands met without thanks,

the hurts which we endure but do not return,

the momentary meetings of eyes with someone served,

the calluses on work hands,

the arms joined with others in prayer,

the desire to be united with another,

the many pleasures of life shared with another,

the grateful feeling of surviving the night,

the pause by a cook after serving a favorite dish,

the attraction mixed with spiritual fulfillment,

the sincere kiss,

the radical sharing by those with little,

the heartbeat in unison with an unborn child,

the stark reality of living with others,

the sincerity of the poor,

the quest for protection by the vulnerable,

the hug by a speechless friend at the time of someone's passing,

the goodbye between two when one is going to harm's way,

the appreciation by an elder from a youngster's kindness,

the joy on a kid's face on a parent's return,

the firm assurance that all is okay,

the pleasure in watching a garden grow,

the confidence of the nurse with the patient,

the sincere thank you for help given,

the making-up after a quarrel,

the night's embrace,

the final meal with friends,

the peace of soul at Holy Communion,

the attraction to the deepest Mystery,

GOD

February 15, 2004 Get Graphic through Story-Telling

Kentuckians love to tell stories because others love to hear

those tales. In fact, story-telling is in our blood, and we recall

at this time of year that Abe Lincoln loved to regale others with

his stories from younger years, or those tales passed on to him

from his friends. In one sense a "story" means a small lie and is

scorned as such. A story could be a parable of which Jesus is

quite famous and passed down from generation to generation. A

story could be part of one's life worth passing on to another. And

a story may be the life of a good person worth modeling. In youth,

I would tell stories to my younger siblings and these were

relatively well received. Over the years I have acquired some of

the art of story telling but must admit there are folks far better.

Several elements of good storytelling include:

Be vivid or graphic. Even though an audience is not totally

able to retain the details, the graphic nature of the story allows

the entire narrative to be more attractive just as good color

combinations and proper details make for better paintings. Thus

naming a place and the exact location, the shape of an approaching

bear, the mental state of the person, or the effects of the

particular weather condition may add flavor and attractiveness to

the story.

Be aware of the audience. Some cannot take too much gore or

long narratives or many sub-plots. If the audience is not with

you, it is time to shorten the story and bring it to a quick

conclusion. If they are with you, draw it out a little more.

Often banter or attention to some banal theme is not an atmosphere

for a good story. The environment has to be right and the good

storyteller has to constantly size up the audience.

Be fresh and enthusiastic. Nothing is worse than a tired

storyteller. Better to remain silent than to destroy a good story

by extended narration. Storytellers repeat their tales over and

over and sometimes to the same people who do not seem to mind,

provided they are freshly and enthusiastically done.

Be light-hearted. That is the best word since some stories

have their moments of humor and the sadness of life all at the same

time. An overly heavy-hearted or morose story or a flippant one

are not good themes for storytelling.

Be credible. The story may be a fable or a parable but it must

have some degree of authenticity. The theme or goal must be worthy

of belief even if the vivid circumstances are fictional.

Be yourself. Personal stories told from the heart for a given

purpose always are better than merely repeating what someone else

told you. The story does not have to be long and drawn out, for

simpler and shorter stories often has more punch. Longer tales are

meant for long winter nights by a fireplace with no television or

other communication present. Such circumstances are rarer today.

February 16, 2004 The American Way for Better or Worse

President's Day is an ideal time to consider our unique way of

life. We have much to be proud of as Americans, but we must be

willing to take a critical look at our way of acting. Maybe there

are practices and ways of thinking we should distance ourselves

from at this time, for history has been a good teacher.

Pride. Our Constitution, the oldest in the world, has been a

jewel in the crown of our United States. Citizens know that this

is the bedrock document of our system of democratic government. We

want it to be respected and enhanced in the coming years with

meaningful and fair amendments and interpretations. The presidency

is another jewel which has sometimes been misused but has the

potency of holding our country together as one people even though

our ancestors came from many lands. Over time land, air and sea

transportation networks as well as sophisticated communications

systems have been constructed to help bind this country together.

Our police system is relatively stable and operative; our

education system is open especially to all people; our economy is

operating smoothly; and our research is the best on Earth.

Certainly, other areas of development can elicit pride as well.

Shame. Our nation is like its own inhabitants; it is not

perfect, and honesty demands that we are aware of the true "state

of our nation." We began by not ending the colonial slavery issue

without the eighty years of debate which ended in 1861 in the

bloody Civil War. But we endured this struggle and though the

racial inequalities did not cease immediately, progress has been

made. We treated the Native Americans in a shameful manner

starting with the actions within the Revolutionary War -- the only

history book I have never been able to complete because of the

horror attached. Other examples of American shame could go on and

on. Hopefully, we have learned from many of them.

Current weaknesses. American ways have been uncritically

accepted in such areas as consumer practices, habits, and

entertainment pursuits. All have their weak moments. One of the

first that stands out is our military habit of feeling so superior

that we can combat terrorist activities anywhere in the world with

or without international affirmation or sanctions. This

unilateralism is fundamentalistic in origin and has a certain

religious flavor which is highly unscriptural and unchristian to

say the least. Our striving for globalization of economics occurs

at a time when we do not control the corporate practices at home.

Our wealth is becoming more concentrated in the hands of a few and

to the detriment of the many. Our electronic media is

propagandizing the audiences to a point when they are being

controlled -- and the freedoms we value so highly are being

threatened. In many ways we are becoming a captive, anaesthetized

and docile people who have forgotten the constant vigilance

required to preserve a democracy. These current weaknesses must be

acknowledged by our elected leaders and by all of us as an ever-

watchful citizenry.

February 17, 2004 Attitudes in Traveling Abroad

Cabin fever may be setting in. We have got to move about or,

if we can't travel, at least plan on traveling when the time is

right. Here are a list of "don't:" for us to remember:

Jet lag: Don't let initial excitement overshadow the jet

lag which may be more pronounced for different travelers. Prepare

to have a rest period before touring or doing your business. You

may become irritable or unresponsive to social demands.

Inspections: Don't show impatience or crack jokes during

safety or custom inspections. Leave that to parties. Always be

courteous and complain, if need be, in a very polite manner.

Remember to leave stick pins, nail, clippers, scissors, and pocket

knives at home or they may be confiscated.

Identification: Don't leave assembling the personal

identification proofs to the last moment. Some wear a photo ID on

a chain around their neck which can be produced for inspectors

readily. Fumbling about for the ID can be disconcerting.

Internal ticketing: Don't expect to obtain an overseas ticket

according to American time. It may require a wait. Find out from

experienced folks what gets the ticket agent's attention.

Baggage: As the recent ticket agent question seeks to know,

don't let bags out of your control. Keep valuables in a safe

place on your person or back at home. Thieves will even steal a

camera out of your backpack while you are wearing it.

Foreign coin machines: Don't kick, abuse or mutilate a coin

machine. Just remember to refrain from using American or wrong

coinage.

Gestures: Don't make the wrong signs to others so as to

offend them. A "v" is fairly universal. However, a slight

variation on the Texas "Longhorn" salute is considered obscene in

other countries. Just smile and give a heart-felt wave if need be.

Children: Don't permit kids to finger merchandise or

touch statues or paintings or climb on banisters. They may be

getting restless after long trips, so the challenge at control is

all the greater.

General conduct: Don't stare, wink, wince, or point even

though it is a new place. Take it in stride as if you've been

there a hundred times. If you have nervous eye twitch, wear dark

sunglasses.

Comparative comments: Don't compare with home sizes

unless you come from Rhode Island. The bigger your town or state,

the more careful you have to be. Remember foreigners use

kilometers and not miles.

February 18, 2004 Our Lives Depend on Water

The Earth. This globe would be a barren, lifeless place

without water. The connection between life as we know it and water

is exemplified today by the Mars search vehicles moving about

testing for traces of moisture and possible past life forms on that

planet. We all know that much of the surface of our globe is

covered by the oceans and seas which give the blue-green color to

the Earth from a distant space photograph.

The plants and animals. Water, water everywhere but not a

drop to drink. Without sufficient water of a certain quality our

plants would wither and our animals would die of thirst. Much of

the land-based wildlife's time is taken with hunting for food and

drink. As plentiful wetlands dry up or are developed, flora and

fauna suffer. If and when global warming changes precipitation

patterns increasing numbers of wildlife will face treats of

extinction.

Potable water. We are all becoming aware that water can be

contaminated and deteriorating quality can affect our health. Over

a billion people lack safe drinking water and are subject to a

variety of water-borne diseases. The quest for clean and drinkable

water is rapidly becoming a major problem in many so-called

developing countries, as more and more people compete for limited

high quality water supplies. Drinking ground water from newly dug

wells in parts of Bangladesh has led to arsenic poisoning on the

part of the affected village populations. Environmental articles

tell of these health problems, the sources of difficulties and

monitoring mechanisms, but omit discussing alternatives such as

proper rainwater collecting systems in areas with a high rainfall.

Good alternatives to contaminated water exist and the challenge is

to popularize these for the sake of the health of poor people.

Spiritual dependence. We formally enter the body of believers

through the cleansing waters of Baptism. Thus we have a connection

in our spiritual life with water, the living flowing water of this

primary sacrament of our salvation. In one sense, through God's

grace we are saved by the waters. In gratitude, we must not only

take on our Christian duties as members of the Body of Christ, but

we must respect water. If we are saved by water, we must save the

water. It becomes our Christian duty to save the water.

Respect water sources and quality. What can we do about

preserving higher quality water? On an individual level we do not

waste water (excessive running a faucet or shower); on a household

level we make larger washing loads and reuse gray water; on an

urban level we propose less yard watering with potable water

(chlorinated water is harder on vegetables and herbs than collected

rainwater); on a national level we oppose wasteful water use

practices such as certain irrigation practices; on a global level

we encourage relief agencies to install solar or other water

purification systems, continue well-drilling and initiate cistern

and proper toilet construction.

February 19, 2004 Responsible Consumerism: Say No to Excess

Ethics is the way to act properly, and this applies to all

aspects of life, even our consumption patterns. More affluent

people tend to consume far more than is necessary for a high

quality of life. Excessive consumption is as detrimental to proper

living as is scarcity. Eating large amounts of food leads to

obesity; excess domestic heat is oppressive in winter and excess

cool air in summer is harmful to health as well; needless home

appliances and vehicles require more attention and cost; driving

for short distances when walking is possible is an exercise

opportunity lost as well as fuel resources expended; purchasing

binges leads to a junked up environment. Excess can be a curse as

much as the right amount is a blessing. Finding that right amount

is a challenge and some hints may be necessary.

Food amounts and types. Keep reasonable amounts of good foods

(low in fat, salt and carbohydrates) around, but not plentiful

ready-to-eat types which lead to excessive snacking. Lighter

evening meals help as well. Large amounts of accessible prepared

foods leads to the impulse to consume it now.

Proper energy use. Excess lighting (especially incandescent

types) becomes a major problem... I have just interrupted this

writing to turn off some lights that were not being used. As for

heating, keep the temperature 5-10 degrees higher than your

established comfort level in summer (dress lightly) and 5-10 degree

lower in winter (dress warmly) and immense savings will result as

well as fewer ailments.

Electric appliances. Are they needed? This is the one

question that must be critically asked in the comfort of a well

stocked home. Some so-called conveniences become irritants in

their spatial clutter, demand for attention and need for expensive

repair or operation. When we get rid of excess we suddenly see

that it was so unneeded and simply cluttered up the place.

Excessive driving. What about the habit of driving a mile so

we can jog or dip in the swimming pool? How about the failure to

recognize that a friend is going on precisely the same route to the

same event? If we travel for our own sake, it requires more

critical attention than if we go for service to another. Time

savings are important in the moderate trips, but more than the

personal scrutiny may be the civic action of getting bike lanes and

sidewalks for those not wanting to use vehicles.

Impulse buying. Surveys show that buyers upon leaving a store

cannot name all the items just purchased. Does this imply short

memory or impulse buying of enticing items for a fleeting second?

Buying pens or bulbs or batteries to have them handy is one thing;

buying more unneeded clothes because the impulse is there is

another. Possibly giving away excess to charity should not be the

fabricated excuse to buy more. Budgeting our purchases and abiding

by decisions make us responsible consumers.

February 20, 2004 Wild and Scenic Rivers

The cover of our book on Ecotourism in Appalachia is the

picture by Tom Barnes of our beloved and beautiful Rockcastle River

down stream from the ASPI property. The Rockcastle shares with

many other rivers in America the distinction at least in parts in

being untamed and surrounded by rugged beauty. But unfortunately

not all rivers have such a distinction, for so-called development

has led to locks and dams, home building on the banks, flood walls,

roads and railroads and book docks and piers. Once beautiful

rivers ceased to be wild or scenic and in due course many river

towns slipped into a stagnant state with the demise of steamboats.

Forgotten Rivers. Some rivers were designated as

transportation routes since the time of explorers and fur traders.

Towns cropped up along these rivers, especially those like the Ohio

and Mississippi where steamboats were able to travel much of the

year. Others proved more problematic due to lack of consistent

plentiful water flow like the Missouri and became the later target

of the Corps of Engineers and their dam systems. In such cases a

series of chain lakes and pooled rivers resulted which took much of

the "wild" out of rivers except in times of severe flooding.

Designation advantages. The formal declaration of a river as

wild and scenic protects it from rampant development and gives the

river a chance to come back to life. Federal protection make it

less likely that developers will build on the banks, foresters to

denude the river banks, and new roads constructed along its path.

But the guarantee is not absolute, and so the protectors must

always be vigilant against extraordinary pressures for selfish

property holders to create their own viewscapes -- the "scenic"

building which becomes a blight to the river valley. Designated

wild river areas afford additional law enforcement opportunities

which are imperative to protect threatened and endangered species

of flora and fauna living in river watersheds.

Advocating for rivers. A number of local, regional and

national organizations seek to protect our rivers and work for

better water pollution controls and regulations. Getting more

segments of rivers within state and federal scenic river

designation is a tedious and increasingly difficult task. Rivers

are damaged from so many sources today that their wildness is often

lost with ever increasing frequency. Communities see tourist

potential for water sports which generally mean boating, beaches

and impounded streams. Remember, the wildness of rivers is also a

tourist attraction and has economic potential. Advocating for

return of impounded rivers to a wilder and more scenic condition is

being done especially in Pennsylvania and New England.

Defense. Know the wild rivers in your part of the country and

come to appreciate them through a hiking tour or through

photographing and sightseeing. Support water monitoring groups and

watershed management agencies and add to the defense by your own

efforts. Wild rivers never have enough defenders.

February 21, 2004 Five Possible Successes

What we regard as successes may not be so in the entire

economy of salvation in the eyes of God -- or even through the eyes

of friends and enemies. However, to consider that we have done

some good in a lifetime is to say that we accept gifts given and

returned. We respect that some things have been done better than

others. Simply being mindful of our imperfections with no second

thought of better achievements is a warped view of the world. On

the other hand to consider ourselves as highly successful may be

even more dangerous. Self-respect and gratitude calls for some

personal satisfactions on this leg of our faith journey.

1. Environmental Resource Assessments -- During the past

quarter century Paul Gallimore and I have performed 195 assessments

of non-profit properties throughout North America and have assisted

many of these groups in changing their properties for the better.

In one sense, this has been a success even though the dramatic

improvement was only made by about one-third and another third with

some improvement but not of a dramatic fashion.

2. ASPI Nature Center -- The ASPI property has a nature center

named after my mother (Mary E. Fritsch) and includes both the nature center building

itself and the surrounding grounds and trails. The hopes are that

the contents of the grounds (over a hundred types and species of

trees and a similar number of wildflowers) and the displays and

exhibits in the building would point visitors to the immense wealth

of flora and fauna in the Appalachian forests. The total grounds

of about 200 acres on both sides of the Rockcastle River include

the Solar House residence, three nature trails, two cordwood

residential buildings, several small additional buildings, and a

camping and picnic site.

3. Nuclear power battles -- We have stood on the side of

phasing out nuclear reactors and closing down the terrorist

enticing nuclear industry in this country and elsewhere. Our book

Critical Hour is a continuation of an on-going program that

started with the Sorghum Alliance in 1978 and included challenging

the ring of potential nuclear powerplants all a few miles of

Kentucky in Ohio, Indiana and Tennessee. None of these were built

in part due to a broad-based anti-nuclear activity. If Mary Davis

continues this good work, it will be due in part to my urging.

4. Awareness of off-road vehicles and ecotourism -- I think

that Ecotourism in Appalachia written with Kristin Johannsen and

our various exposes on the environmental damage caused by the off-

road recreational vehicles have brought about a change of

consciousness in Appalachia on the areas of recreation and tourism.

5. Story-telling and public interest -- The art of telling

stories in retreats, homilies, talks and teach-ins as well as in

writing is something developed over time and which comes from my

Kentucky background. This seems to be a useful manner of relating

profound truths but the jury is not in as to its success.

February 22, 2004 Make Local Tours

One of the points we make in Ecotourism in Appalachia is that

a greener form of tourism includes spending some time exhausting

the local area. Know what you have, and enjoy it during the proper

season. Make it a must when it hard to travel to a distant place.

For instance, a shut-in may be able to take a brief visit to a

local art museum and suddenly we find that we get much satisfaction

out of the tour ourselves when accompanying such persons.

Touring Principle: Spend more time in local travel and less

and less in proportion to the distance from where we reside. A

transoceanic trip is very rare; a cross-country one infrequent;

regional ones frequent, and local ones far more frequent.

Compile a listing of potential sites. Often we overlook the

nearby places and think those at greater distance will give us

better enjoyment. A listing reveals a host of possible places:

* local parks

* nearby state or national parks

* maintained or forsaken cemeteries

* camping grounds or hiking trails

* scenic views or old roads or lanes

* historic sites, churches, and shrines

* pick-your-own orchards and farms

* tourist-related mines or factories

* craft shops and

* art and cultural museums

Preliminary investigation. Local literature obtained from

libraries, the Internet search engine, travel agencies and archives

help us in the locating process. Sometimes it is best to make a

trial run to the local place to see what the visiting hours are or

make a phone call or check a website.

Enjoy it. Get the most out of the place and don't tour with

those who will soon become bored. Rather, take someone who will

most likely be appreciative. However, overly high expectations may

result in disappointment. A decision to make a whole day of it

with some lunch or additional site seeing alternative may be

helpful. When making the visit, examine detail carefully. Don't

hesitate to engage the local attendants as to finer details. So

often we overlook the details or the hidden art or craft work.

Converse about what is observed and be willing to spend as much

time as needed to give satisfaction.

Record the event. Record pictures, if you are so inclined

(some digital cameras allow verbal notes to be inserted at the time

of the photographing). The records are always good to show others

who may wish to imitate the local touring route -- and you can give

them valuable hints on how to find the place or what the roads or

local accommodations are like.

February 23, 2004 Cooperatives and Working Together

Brotherhood and Sisterhood Week is a time to look carefully at

what we must do to work well together at home, at our work, at

worship, within the local community and in larger segments of our

planet. We know of many web sites, programs, conferences and

training sessions which are directed at better teamwork. The

military has its manner of performance; the religious communities

have their rules of life; the business world has its own style and

procedures always looking at the bottom line. In some respect, a

whole world prefers to together without fighting or back stabbing.

Unity. Near Washington's birthday it is good to recall that a

collection of colonies consisting of diverse views and cultures

were able to become a nation through much struggle and sacrifice.

None of the framers were perfect, but they did have a common vision

that there could be these and finally the United States. The

greatness of George Washington, who is termed the "father" of our

country, is that he never lost the vision and he was able to have

the constancy in character to live up to keeping the vision alive

through very hard times especially the winters of 1777-80.

Sharing. A great part of working together is to share what we

have and prize most -- our individual freedom and time. We do this

as part of our family and local community commitments. When people

are willing to go beyond the call of duty and give more than

expected, then the bonds of cooperative endeavor continue.

Justice. Our sense of brotherhood and sisterhood means not

taking advantage of others. In a dog-eat-dog world, cooperation is

tried to the extreme. A balance that respects the rights of all

must be present. The lack of justice in the South's system of

slavery was something Washington understood but could not fully

address beyond his own household. It would take a heroic effort on

the part of many to establish racial equality in the years ahead.

Examples. Cooperatives have been part of the world for a long

time. In fact, a number of primitive societies have done a very

good job of teamwork in order to stay alive. Modern successful

economic or social or even political cooperative endeavors are

worth imitating. However, the struggle to sustain cooperatives is

difficult, and even the best dairy or coffee cooperative must

contend with the economic competitive systems which may actually

undercut the cooperatives. When young, our family was a member of

the Burley Tobacco Growers Cooperative; this association brought

stability to the many tobacco farmers of the tobacco belt.

Unfortunately, the product was not the best to cooperate over, but

the system was fair and resulted in a just apportionment of

reasonable profits to a large number of farming folks.

Future cooperatives. We need to see an expansion of the

cooperative spirit in this age when the multi-nationals have so

influenced the marketing of goods. Marketing and buying

cooperatives are more in demand now than ever before.

February 24, 2004 Explore Past Lore and Legend

We might think that fairy tales and past legends are always

found in a distant time and place. Time differences do add to the

mystery and attraction, but such legends may be situated quite

close to home. It is enough to look around and see the local

situation and find about the local folklore.

Discovery. When I recently read Beyond the River: The Untold

Story of the Heroes of the Underground Railroad by Ann Hagedorn, I

suddenly discovered that here were some of the legends I had grown

up with. Here was Uncle Tom's Cabin and Eliza escaping on the ice

flow with her child. However, they were now presented in a

radically different light of the underground railroad with a

terminus across the river at Ripley, Ohio. Black people were

struggled to escape from our beloved state. Mention was made of

Charleston Bottoms where our scout troop camped and the North Fork

of the Licking River where we caught fish as youngsters. The story

was told of two horrible incarcerations at the Washington jail less

than two miles away from home. The surnames were familiar names a

century later but all the same history revealed slavery in all its

veiled unpleasantness.

Multitude of places. This was one aspect of a series of

folklore and legends in only one (Mason) county. Add to this the

multitude of overlapping legends: the many haunted houses of our

area, some of which are known as sites of murders; the graveyards

now overgrown and forsaken; the Native American encampments and

settlements; the mounds a few miles away constructed by some pre-

Indian inhabitants; the campgrounds in the Civil War and their

buried treasures; the early flatboats converted into log cabins;

the antebellum homes with their hideaways and hidden closets; and

the abandoned roads on which white settlers came and livestock was

driven to market. The local history and folklore record could go

on and on and surrounded me in my youth.

Making of legends. Much of what is said about Abe Lincoln's

very young years in Kentucky is legend and lore. There is always

the thread of truth dealing with habitation and near location of

one or other events in his life. But the people started to spin

stories even before a person is laid to rest in his grave. The

more notable the person, the faster the growth of the legend -- and

some of the story is simply not true. There is generally a purpose

and goal in spinning such legends. One may wish to be an authority

on that neighbor and embellish the few facts with stories much like

the legends of the many saints cropping up throughout Christianity.

Treasure what we have. We treasure our legends for they are

the teaching tools needed to convey a respect for people and

places, even imperfect people and tarnished places. Life journeys

become part of our collective blessings and burdens. They blend to

become the experience of who we are. To forget legends would be a

disaster; to warp them would be improper; to retell them in an

interesting manner is always a challenge to which we seek to meet.

February 25, 2004 Ash Wednesday: Sacrifice and Love

As we begin the Lenten season we remember that we are from dust

and must return to dust. However, this is not the whole story and

that is what makes Lent so important. What we spring from is the

Earth and what we return to as skin and bones is that same Earth,

but in the meanwhile we have our moments when we sacrifice and thus

show our love. And what really is left over at the end of our days

is that love which surpasses all things.

Origins. When we think of the dust or humus from which we

came, we grow in humility and feel its totally leveling effect.

We realize that our life is a gift from God, something we certainly

did not deserve in some manner of inheriting a right before we

existed. In God's plan we were freely and lovingly created. Our

origins are not from some premortal necessity. In fact, all those

who are connected with our lives -- parents, community, nation,

church -- are within God's generosity as well. We exist in a sea

of divine gifts, and so look back at our earthly origin as part of

the immensity of God's creative love shown in the breath of life.

We are embraced by Divine love.

Destiny. This body will return to dust, and so today as ashes

are placed on our heads we become all the more aware of the second

aspect of stewardship along with the gifts given, namely, the short

time we have to complete the journey of life. It's a fleeting

period when we grow in love and prepare to take the only thing we

can add when life is ended and we seem to fade -- our love which

surpasses faith and hope at that moment. Our attention to better

self-control, which we consider again during Lent, encourages us to

remember that life is so short and that we must act with dispatch

and ever-increasing effectiveness.

Sacrifice through suffering. Lent adds another element as the

season culminates in the suffering and death of the Lord. Much of

the sacrifice we will do in this life may be through the suffering

on our journey of faith. We realize our missing the mark in our

spiritual life, our willingness to let go, our leaving home and

parting from loved ones, the times of childbirth, ailments, wasting

diseases, and loss of powers, and ultimately our physical death.

When the sacrifice is made in union with the suffering and death of

Christ, we add meaning and love to our efforts, the combustion in

the sacrificing fire of our respective lives. The remains are

truly ashes, but the spiritual ashes include the act of love, of

God who is Love. God gives us life and our return of that love to

God in one grand oblation on a well-spent life's journey.

Ashes of glory. The ashes we receive are sacramental symbols

of what is still ahead. They speak to us all of the ultimate

remainder of our being, the loving soul finding a home in the God

who has loved us so much as to come down and suffer and die for us.

And as ashes fertilize new life, so these ashes remind us that the

love we depart with is the love that begins our eternal life in

heaven. And it also nourishes new love on Earth.

February 26, 2004 Meals for Lent

The problem. In the beginning of Lent the question arises for

many, "what should I cook that is interesting and satisfying?" One

can quickly mention a variety of alternatives but just how broad is

that set of options. We live in a food-conscious world of low-

carbohydrates, low-salt, low-fat, low-cholesterol, no mercury-

contaminated fish, no artificial coloring or preservatives, and no

pesticide-contaminated produce. Did I leave anything out? And

what is left over generally costs dearly, or the items are not

readily available in our local supermarket. Furthermore, Lent

occurs at the very part of the year when fresh local produce is

difficult to obtain from our garden or yard.

A Prayerful Lenten Cookbook. I have two energetic close

relatives (a sister-in-law and nephew), cooking at different

kitchens, who are excellent cooks, want to address the Lenten meal

problem, and who want me to compose a prayer for each day of their

Lenten cookbook. During this Lent in 2004 they are experimenting

with a series of dishes and will hopefully have their cookbook

available for the 2005 Lent. I agreed to help anyway I could, and

have stretched my mental powers trying to think of black bean chili

sort of meals and a host of other foods way beyond my limited

cooking skills and time.

An invitation. The two cooks (Matthew and Mary) are willing to

offer even vegetarian alternatives for part or all of the meal.

How about enlisting website viewers to tackle the Lenten meal

problem? Send any prayer suggestions to my address (719 Woodland

Ave., Frankfort KY, 40601), or any cooking ideas directly to Matthew at

<mfritsch@temple.edu>. Let me add that these experienced cooks are

quite open to new ideas, but are really in an experimental stage

with their own Lenten culinary skills. So please give only fine-

tuned details from a dish which has been a great hit at your home.

Today's meals. Really to be honest, is Lent so different from

satisfying the appetite at any time of the year? Yes and no. We

are more conscious of both quantity and quality during this holy

season. We are aware that some will get tired of routine cuisine.

We want this to be a religious experience to some degree (see

Matthew's quote below). Personally, I am now beyond the fasting age in

my senior years and so do not think of cutting back except on some

delicacies which should be avoided at any time. Fasting now gets

confused with weight control -- and maybe that is good also. Many

people seriously want to fast and find Lent as the suitable time,

the golden opportunity for better food consciousness, and a chance

to make a critical look at the pantry for the type of foods we buy

and ultimately eat. Fasting puts an added challenge on the master

cook for it may mean different amounts and types of food to satisfy

all the hungry. We all have to work together for acceptable Lenten

meals which are expected to be varied, inviting, tasty, nutritious,

and spiritually fulfilling.

A Lenten Act, offered by Matthew Fritsch:
A Sacrifice of Convenience.

Our culture focuses too much on fast food. Whether that be from fast food restaurants or meals-in- a-box that just need to be microwaved. Our book suggests that you take time from your day and set it aside for the thoughtful preparation of a meal, either for yourself, for family, or friends, or even strangers. I have found that when you spend time preparing a meal from its raw, natural ingredients, you really become gracious for all that you have and all that God gives you. Hopefully a Lenten sacrifice of convenience would grow into an appreciation for not only good food and healthy eating, but also a deeper respect for what we are blessed
with.

February 27, 2004 Enjoy Eco-touring in Appalachia

We should try to maximize the moments of joy in entertainment,

and so that should apply to our touring activities as well.

Sometimes the tourist experience involves more benefits than just

personal ones. Appalachia offers some of these extra perks which

are worth exploring. Eight reasons for focusing on this region

during 2004 include:

1. Accessible -- Appalachia is within easy reach (one day's

drive) of half the American population. This accessibility by

automobile could extend to the entire U.S. population if air travel

is included to numerous airports in the region.

2. Friendly -- Appalachian folks are friendly and will be

happy to see you and treat you with courtesy. These people are

world-famous for their hospitality.

3. Beautiful -- Appalachia is uniquely scenic except for the

areas which have been spoiled by excessive extraction of resources.

Actually, a conscientious eco-tourism is the best way to preserve

that beauty which is an asset for the tourist industry.

4. Cozy -- Appalachia is a perfect place for bed-and-

breakfast accommodations and Mom-and-Pop dinners. The places are

clean and scenic and the food is quite delightful.

5. Green -- All touring should be ecological -- and Appalachia

is a perfect place to start a good practice. However, the region

is fragile and must be treated gently. One difficulty is that law

enforcement is quite lenient and thus ecologically bad practices

may be tolerated here more than almost anywhere else in America.

6. Good for local economy -- We have the potential to keep far

more money at home and avoid leakage to large distant corporations

seeking for us to undergo expensive air travel and high-priced

accommodations from large hotels. The money has a potential to

stay within the region and augment the local economy.

7. Reasonable in price-- Most people who drive to Appalachia

can do so without high airfare costs. The host of national and

state parks offer low-priced entertainment along with lower priced

motels in the region. Great Smoky Mountain National Park is the

most frequently visited park in America and is an ideal destination

for the family and low-budget traveler.

8. Less stress -- Few people count the cost of going through

foreign check points, visa and passport red tape, and language

hurdles as threats to the trip's enjoyment. For American English

speakers, Appalachia does not have as many problems.

For more reasons to tour the region, read our recently issued

book Ecotourism in Appalachia: Marketing the Mountains.

February 28, 2004 Know What You Drink

Information is always good, and educational material that

incites us to know what we are doing is better. Informed decisions

are highly important in what we drink because our body is saturated

with and quite sensitive to the intake of liquids. What about

other beverages than just water which was previously mentioned.

Certainly good things can be said about moderate amounts of fruit

drinks which can also add calories. Non-caffeinated teas are good

alternatives and come in a rich variety of flavors.

Hard drinks. This is a problem area of importance especially

to pregnant women and those whose medicine intake requires no

alcohol. Perhaps the critics have a point about CSPI (which I

helped found) focusing too much on the dangers of wine, especially

since drinking a little red wine is an accepted healthy practice.

At least, when in doubt about amount or type of beverage, your

family doctor could give proper advice for one's current condition.

Soft drinks. The ubiquitous soft drink makes us ask honestly

during Lent "how many times did I reach for a soft drink when

thirsty this past season?" In part, this is because the water

fountain is hard to find or nearly impossible in the fast food

restaurant. On the other hand, soft drink machine are prominent and

the drinks reasonable in price. Refrigerator doors slam and then

the hiss of the escaping carbonation. The waitress asks "What will

you have to drink?" expecting to name a soft drink selection. Thus

the calories mount unless we choose the distasteful diet

concoctions or bottled water. A major portion of our over one

hundred pounds of sugar per-person-per-year comes from these soft

drinks -- great money-makers for the corporations and great

problems for the overweight clientele. Why are the Coca Cola/Pepsi

commercial wars directed at cash-strapped schools?

Milk for many. In the past two decades, milk consumption among

youth has plummeted, while soft drinks (with their empty calories

and excessive caffeine) have doubled in consumption. The price of

milk is still quite reasonable, and the product is nutritious. Why

the unpopularity? Much has to do with promotion of other drinks.

Unfortunately, target groups, especially female youth, need calcium

and other nutrients found in milk to provide healthy bodies.

Environmental considerations. Roadsides are inundated with

soft drink bottles and cans, causing neighborhood visual pollution.

More resources go into making the beverage container than the

contents. The number of soft drink containers produced is

staggering, and only a little over half of the billions are

recycled each year. Where do the rest go? Far better from an

economic and resource standpoint is to make one's own lemonade,

fruit drink, herbal tea or other drinks. We made our own root beer

during the Second World War. What portion of the food market's

shelf space is taken up with soft drinks and junk food? Are we

willing and able to remove soft drinks from food stamp coverage for

this is not food by any stretch of the imagination?

February 29, 2004 Leap on Leap Day

It all has to do with the natural cycles of the Earth around

the sun. Our Western Calendar is based on this solar and not a

lunar cycle as are some other calendars. The solar cycle is more

than 365 days and yet not 366 days -- and thus arises a problem.

History. Julius Caesar authorized the Julian calendar in 46

B.C. using the talents of the Greek expert Sosigenes. The older

time calendar masters got it fairly close but not perfectly so and

thus the Julian calendar got behind by ten days in sixteen

centuries. Pope Gregory XIII decreed that the day following

October 4, 1582 would be October 15 thus dropping ten days. That

was done and promulgated in the Catholic countries of Europe and

the Americas. However, Protestant lands were reluctant to make

such a correction, but they followed over the next century and a

half with the English colonies of North America doing so in 1752.

At that time it was decreed in the colonies that the day after

September 2nd would be September 14, a loss of eleven days.

Incidentally the difference in the Western and Eastern Orthodox

Easter is precisely because the Orthodox churches have not yet

implemented the Gregorian changes.

Fine tuning. The leap year system of adding a day every four

years is still not perfect. Thus there is a finer tuned correction

in the Gregorian calendar which occurs every four years but not in

certain centennial years. This brings the calculations quite near

the exact timing of the Earth annual path around the sun. Three of

every four centennial years do not have leap days whereas the other

does. Thus 1700, 1800 and 1900 had no leap days whereas our recent

2000 did.

Celebrate. After all is said and done, consider this as an

added bonus in your life. Take this leap year as a little extra

time to relax and do something special. Consider this as some

extra free time on Sadie Hawkins Day -- and celebrate by singing

and leaping about.

Alternative February 29, 2004 Temptations

Temptations happen. Some tests come from the outside and some

from without our constitution. As important as what they are is how

we deal with temptations. Adam and Eve were tempted and succumb

after being blinded into thinking that the tree was good for food,

pleasing to the eyes, and desirable for gaining wisdom. In failure,

they found their nakedness. The Israelites were tempted when

wandering forty years, accepted idols from neighboring Canaanite

cults, turned from God, and hardened their hearts.

Jesus' Temptations. These tests came immediately after his

baptism by John when his divinity was revealed. During this series

of tests in the desert we see that Jesus too is tempted. While

Mark's account of the temptations is brief, both Matthew (4:1-11) and

Luke (4: 1-13) speak of three though in a different sequence.

Unlike our first parents and the Israelites, Jesus resisted. These

were the tests which would deal with his public ministry when he

would announce liberation of captives "with the power of the Spirit

within him." How would Jesus accomplish that short active ministry.

Father Fitzmyer asks "Could it not be that Jesus recounted some form

of these stories as figurative, parabolic resumes of the seduction

latent in the diabolic opposition to him and his ministry?" St. Luke

Vol.1, p. 509.

Security in Material Objects. A major temptation for us is that

material things can give us security. "Not by bread alone" is the

quote from Deuteronomy which Jesus uses in response to the test. It

would be nice to be rich enough that we would not have to work.

"Would that I could have a million dollars and be secure to do good

deeds." But worldly goods entice us to "need" more and more such

goods. We are tempted by boats, planes, fast cars, stocks, insurance

policies, checking accounts, and goods of every type. Poverty may

allow a spiritual security not found in overabundance.

The Quest for Fame. Positioned on the pinnacle of the temple

Jesus endures the temptation to do something dramatic, to have a

spectacular entry into public life through the flare for attention

and drama, and to be an instant hero. So often we would like to soar

above others like a figure skater who floats about effortlessly. We

dream of obtaining fame through deeds of glory. We are enticed to

the world of fiction and forget that obedience to God's will is part

of an ever deepening mystery, which is part of the journey of our

lives. To turn from the face of reality is a major temptation.

The Search for Power. We seek power over others in many ways and

fail to see that this is corrupting. The splendor of God's creation

can mesmerize us, allowing us to be detoured into seeing creatures as

idols or the beauty as a diversion. Instead we are to be single-

hearted and chaste in our quest for God; to God alone do we fall down

and worship; only in God do we trust.

Victory. Our success in overcoming temptations gives us a sense

of confidence, a taste of the good spirit, and courage to carry on.

Copyright © 2007 Earth Healing, Inc. All rights reserved.

Albert J. Fritsch, Director
Janet Powell, Developer
Mary Byrd Davis, Editor
Paul Gallimore, ERAS Coordinator

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Daily Reflections by Al Fritsch, S.J.

Daily Reflections
by Al Fritsch, S.J.