Reflection: The leaves are turning a hundred hues, and we know that the ordinary growing season is coming to an end. Indian summer days are so pleasant that they make us wish they'd stay forever. It is warm but mosquito-less, a perfect season. Trees blaze in color and we get the first frost warning which sends us scurrying for bags and covers for the delicate things such as peppers and the few late beans. It is time to --

protect the marigolds and impatiens,

move frost sensitive plants to the greenhouse,

gather in the crooked squash and pumpkins,

find the last yellow pear tomatoes and the tommy toes,

taste the purple turnip and the kale and mustard greens,

sow the hairy vetch and Austrian winter peas,

find ripe orange persimmons sweetened through frost,

press their pulp through a colander for pie filling,

hull walnuts and risk getting our hands stained,

dry fall apples in a solar dryer,

and help the neighbors get ready for winter.

October 2004 Reflections

October 1, 2004 Eight Ways to Make Tourist Areas Green

October is the ideal time for us to see the colors of fall.

But all the time we travel through areas that need to be improved

so that more tourists will continue to come. Here are eight major

areas requiring attention for tourist enhancement in our region:

Regional powerplants restrictions. Most agree that part of

the Southeast and Appalachian pollution problems are caused by the

region's coal-powered plants and the emissions coming from them.

These plants cause reductions in visibility, especially in summer,

as well as increased acid rain precipitation which has damaged much

of the forested countryside.

Public Transportation accessibility. Allowing fewer private

vehicles to tour the Great Smoky Mountain National Park by

increasing the use of public vehicles could do much to improve air

conditions in the southern Appalachians.

Water cleanup programs. Many of our streams are well

protected but cleanup programs at least once a year could assist in

giving a better appearance to lakes and free-flowing waterways.

Cut down billboard jungles. Billboards pollute and yet their

messages are sought by many travelers. Federal and state posted

signs for lodging, fuel and food could be more plentiful on all

major state and federal highways. Pull offs at exits with public

phones and clustered sign for major and minor lodging and eating

places would be an advantage for smaller businesses as well as the

larger ones. Additional promotion through websites and printed

information could replace billboards for informing needy travelers.

to identify culprits who are riding in the wrong places assist

local, state and federal law enforcement. Along with registration

must come additional law enforcement.

Solar/wind energy applications. Reducing the use of non-

renewable energy would eventually reduce surface mining of coal

which scars the landscape. Solar energy will become more prominent

with the coming years as non-renewables become more costly and mass

production of solar brings down its prices. Wind, the fastest

growing segment of the energy industry, is already being used in

parts of the region and more will be on the way.

Waste pickup. More available recycling centers along with

subsidized and supervised garbage collection facilities will have

some effect in beautifying the landscape. Deposit bottle

legislation could assist in reducing litter as well.

Systematic removal of invasive species. This would have to be

a rather expensive undertaking, especially with reference to kudzu

eradication. Invasive species problems are becoming serious near

some of our favorite tourist sites.

October 2, 2004 Herb Growing and Use

Herbs grow on us. We start with those we like or have known

from youth. At our home, my mother was the parsley queen, and

would grow wonderful bunches for fall. Also we had horseradish for

winter and wild dandelions in early spring. As I began my own

gardening I found herb growing to become an expanding part of our

life: mint of various types for tea, celery, basil, dill, chives,

and garlic to name a few. We find that some herbs grow well in

pots; others are best left in the herb garden; still others like

dill and parsley can be transplanted to the greenhouse in winter.

I agree with cooks who create the herb patch very near the kitchen

door for convenient seasonal culinary herbs.

Here are some of my favorite herbs --

Type Use

Basil (annual) Leaves for vegetable salads and stews.

Caraway (biennial) Seeds for cabbage dishes and sauerkraut.

Celery (annual) Leaves and stems for soups, sauces and pickles.

Chives (perennial) Leaves for cottage cheese, soups and salads.

Dandelion (perennial) Leaves for salad and root for hot drink.

Dill (annual) Stems, leaves and seeds for pickles, salads and

dishes.

Fennel (perennial) Leaves and seeds for salads, soups and cheese.

Garlic (perennial) Stems and bulbs for any type of cooling.

Horseradish (perennial) Roots in fall for cocktail and fish sauce

and cold dishes and sandwiches.

Marjoram (annual) Leaves for tomato dishes.

Mint (apple, mountain, spearmint and peppermint) (perennial) Leaves

green or dried for sauces, dishes, cold drinks and hot tea.

Mustard (annual) Seeds for cooked dishes and dressings.

Oregano (annual) Leaves & bloom for Italian, Greek & Mexican

dishes.

Parsley (biannual) Leaves and chopped stems for soups and dishes.

Pokeweed (perennial) Shoots in spring for salad and cooked like

asparagus.

Sage (perennial) Leaves before bloom for dishes and stuffing.

Tarragon (perennial) Leaves for herbal vinegar.

October 3, 2004 Increase in Faith

The apostles asked Jesus to increase their faith, and he

replied that if their faith was the size of a mustard seed, and

they were to say to the sycamore "be uprooted and transplanted into

the sea," it would obey them (Luke 17:5). This is reminiscent of

the parable of the mustard seed being a small seed but grows into

the "largest of shrubs." One of my mustard plants in the ASPI

solar greenhouse burst forth one year and grew to the ceiling; it

made me realize that mustard could get tall. The size of the seed

or plant is a reminder that from small beginnings can come great

things. This gives us courage in our journey of faith.

Nurturing faith. God gives us faith, and so we must be always

thankful for that gift. But we are placed here on Earth at this

time like a plant in a flowerpot. We can decide to stay put and

look out only for ourselves; so we then become root-bound and that

chokes off further growth. Or we can learn to share ourselves with

others and thus allow the plant to multiply and increase. Jesus

even speaks of that transfer as being quite dramatic -- of the

mulberry tree uprooted and planted in the sea. By going out to

others we grow in faith, for our trust is soon replicated and a

miracle of new life appears among all involved.

Trust the power of faith. I confess I found the passage about

the humble servant who comes in from the field and then after a

day's work continues by waiting on the master somewhat difficult.

But on study it does appear to be about my faith. Jesus likens our

duty in being responsive and receptive to that servant who says "we

have done what we were obliged to do." The humble response tells

us how we are to see our instrumentality in the increase of faith.

God gives us enough faith to do our duty; God makes us the weak

instruments that we are but gives us the chance to help transform

that weakness by working through the power of the resurrection. It

is our weakness that we acknowledge by dutifully waiting on table;

God gives us the opportunity to show through our actions the

marvelous power of divine work in the world.

Trust through humble work. We have to do our part with

enthusiasm , i.e., the God within. That means we do so with heart

and hands and head and thus manifest the Trinity within. To wait

on table uses all three (heart, hands and head) just as many other

forms of generously delivered work. We respond to God's call by

trusting our loving God to work miracles through us. We open

ourselves for faith to grow out from us to others. We are being

transformed and replicated in what we encourage others to do.

Bringing back to faith. Too often we only realize our

limitations and the massive work ahead. How can I bring my loved

ones back to faith? Will others pray? I sometimes doubt they will

ever return, but herein lies the challenge. St. Monica never

doubted and St. Augustine returned. Neither should we. God will

work the rest as we move to launch this journey of faith for them,

even if the results occurs after our death.

October 4, 2004 St. Francis Day

Francis Bernadone or Francis of Assisi, (1181-1226) is the

patron of ecologists and embodies what good ecological practice is

all about. Francis was not an academic but a person who loved

creation as God's gifts, saw creatures with a sense of kinship, and

initiated a process of preserving and repairing the damage done by

neglect to the immediate environment near where he lived. He

preferred deed to word even though preaching the word was an

important aspect of his years of ministry. The first name of his

group was Preachers of Penance. These deeds are worth mentioning:

1. The Act of Letting go of all Possessions. Francis born in

1181 (or 82), was the son of a rich cloth merchant, a typical

medieval new rich, who regarded dress and the latest styles and

colors as a mark of one's chosen station in life. Francis was

expected to follow that routine; however, he rebelled early on and

did just the opposite. He gave up all his worldly possessions. He

put on garments which had the texture of sack cloth, and he wore

sandals and not shoes. He opposed the affluence of his own family

and the culture of his day. In place of affluence, he chose to be

influential without having money or power. He broke with the

tradition of the budding bourgeoisie or social class of freemen of

the medieval times, which was emerging with all the smugness,

conventionality, and materialistic practices of the dawning age of

capitalism. Instead, his deeds stressed a downward mobility, a

movement spoken of in the revolutionary Magnificat which called for

those in high places to come down, and those in low places to move

upward. He embraced Mother Poverty.

2. Chapel Construction: Rebuilding through Appropriate

Technology at the Grassroots. In 1206 Francis as a young man went

into a neglected Chapel of San Damiano just outside Assisi in

Umbria and knelt to pray. While kneeling before the crucifix, he

heard a voice saying three times, Francis, go and repair my house

which, as you see, is falling into ruin. This began his program to

rebuild unused religious space and to care for small chapels.

After his family disowned him, he resorted to begging.

The Portiuncula -- The chapel of our Lady of the Angels was

given to Francis early in the 13th century to be repaired as a

chapel and made into the first church of the Franciscan Order. It

is now enshrined in the Basilica of St. Mary of the Angels in

Assisi. To start small was not against his commitment to

simplicity, and so this humble beginning was that of a wandering

mendicant who still saw the need for a home base. Thus, Francis

saw that small "local" chapels were excellent places to worship.

The need to rebuild our Earth is one which starts in our own

backyard. We need to realize that Francis started on his own --

stone-by-stone -- and others came and helped through the power of

his example. He knew there is power in local demonstration, and

especially when it is something all of us can do -- not just the

experts and gifted souls. Francis began and others saw they could

do it also through their cooperative efforts.

October 5, 2004 Francis' Deeds Continued

3. The Habit: Demonstrating the Simple Life. Francis

championed simple garb, begging for the basics, and living a very

simple life. The initial rule of Francis was described by church

historian Thomas Bokenkotter as hardly more than throwing together

a few of his favorite quotations in the Bible about love and

poverty. He received a verbal approbation in 1209 and the first

formal rules were drawn up in 1223. In contrast to Francis' simple

organization, today consider the ostentatious lifestyles of the

wealthy who are able to hide their escapades by distancing

themselves from their own wasteful ways, leaving waste problems to

the poor and destitute, and arguing that it is the poor who pollute

and the wealthy who have no waste. Champions of simplicity of

lifestyle realize that the affluent deserve more blame than the

poor -- the former get tax write-offs for giving charity.

4. Relationship with Women. The formation of Francis' second

order has a long history. The noble lady Clare was certainly at

first connected to Francis through conversation about 1212; she

was initiated into religious life by Francis, but only with immense

discretion due to the customs of the time and the opposition of her

male relatives. A balanced ecology respects the role of women in

Society. The frontiers being pushed back by Clare planted the

seeds of eco-feminism and the place it holds in the total movement

of women's liberation and the rise of environmental consciousness.

Women hold a unique position in healing the Earth, for they are

often more nurturing and intuitive; in environmental matters they

are quicker to begin something when needed. We must work to

overcome major gender barriers and inequalities because the health

of the planet depends on nurturing these relationships and working

as co-equals in order to heal and save the planet.

5. Miracles: Showing kinship among Creatures. The atmosphere

of humility made Francis regard all of creatures as praising God.

His Canticle of the Creatures called on Brother Sun and Sister Moon

to praise God. Birds and animals are known to have respected and

come close to him. He preached to birds and fish, for everything

from angels to rocks were part of his family. Francis was truly

catholic in trying to enlarge -- not belittle -- all. Among the

many wonder stories of Francis is that of the man-eating wolf of

Gubbio which terrorized the townspeople. He said there was no need

to kill the wolf, for he would go and reason with the beast. The

wolf guaranteed that, if fed, it would never hurt anybody again.

6. Pilgrimage to Holy Land: Collaborating with Others. In

1219, Francis made a pilgrimage to the Holy Land and Egypt and even

preached to the Sultan. Francis was known for making a wide

variety of friends and gaining respect through his personality. He

opposed the stance of warfare in place of dialogue and was really

the first to open up interreligious interaction. Today, The

Society for the Protection of Nature in Israel (SPNI) is one

interreligious group operating openly in the Middle East and

thrives to care for the threatened environment of our Earth.

October 6, 2004 Francis' Deeds Continued

7. The Crib: Teaching Children Profound Mysteries. The genius

of Francis stands out in his creative act of celebrating the Lord's

humble birth through deed and not just word, namely in the

presentation of the event with live people and animals. The custom

of erecting cribs is ascribed to him. In 1223, he obtained

permission from Honorius III (1215-1227) to use the crib and the

images of the Christ child, Mary, Joseph and Wise Men to re-present

the mystery of the nativity -- a creative pedagogical tool. Today,

environmental education targets children -- the hope of the future.

Children will start a down-to-earth repairing process through

caring for animals and plants, constructing nature trails, and

planting trees. The profound mystery of the Incarnation, taught

through a simple crib, reveals the marvels of Creation, Redemption,

and Renewal -- the threefold or Trinitarian work of Earth caring.

Open wonder, heartfelt vulnerability, and playful enthusiasm

recreate the wounded Earth. Plants and animals reveal creation in

its depth, redemption in its need, and renewal in its spirit.

8. Stigmata: Welcoming the Marks of the Lord. Francis' love

for Christ was so intense that he was gifted with the marks of the

cross on his very person. This phenomenon, granted to a few

others, began in September, 1224 just two years before his death.

He became one with the suffering Christ glorified on the cross on

his person. Caring for the Earth must be coupled with social

justice issues; we are hurt by the desecration of the Earth, and

we perceive suffering people and suffering Earth in an intimate,

unbroken relationship. We cannot solve the Earth's environmental

problems without first solving our social ones. Eco-suffering

becomes a challenge, and when properly understood, becomes an

opportunity. It is our modern day stigmata -- the markings of the

crucified Jesus in the Body of Christ in Earth and all sufferers.

9. Deacon: Serving Others. Francis was one of the famous

deacons in the Church, whose ranks include the martyrs Stephen,

Lawrence, and Vincent. A deacon gives special service to the

Church. Francis fulfilled that role perfectly, both through

preaching and in humble service to the poor. Caretakers of the

Earth are concerned about the human family and other creatures;

they do not want to be overlords. This service includes healing

the wounded, preserving the threatened, nurturing the stressed and

ailing, and demonstrating to others how they can be of service.

10. Smiles: Dancing in Celebration. Francis loved to

celebrate -- to skip down the road when traveling, to smile easily,

to sing and converse. He is what is regarded as a lighthearted

person, and he never lost the trait throughout his life. He is

said to have been a generous, poetic, high-spirited youth who

dreamed of performing daring deeds of chivalry. He had a brief

disillusioning career as a soldier. But by taking on Christ

Francis manifests the sheer wonder of God's goodness through song,

dance, and an engaging personality. His love for celebration

extended to his growing fellowship which is so vast today.

October 7, 2004 Chimneys and Stoves

In much of America, it is not too late to think about those

stoves and fireplaces which will be used to kill the chill in a

matter of days. Chimney fires should not be taken lightly. The

buildup of creosote is dangerous, for it could result in

combustible materials being spewed on your roof with little

forewarning. Either check and clean the chimney yourself with

proper equipment, or hire a local chimney-sweep, top hat and all.

The following list has been in our files for years with some

modifications, and I regret not knowing who to attribute it to.

17 Ways to Burn the Place Down

* Use a little gasoline to start the fire.

* Hook up the stove to just any chimney.

* Don't bother reading installation and use instructions.

* Don't screw stovepipe sections together.

* Install the stove yourself with no prior expertise.

* Don't buy a smoke detector or fire extinguisher.

* Stack firewood and kindling close to the stove.

* Forget about proper floor protection under the stove.

* Leave stove door open when you go out for another load of wood.

* Burn trash in the stove.

* Burn imitation logs in your stove.

* Put your freshly cleaned-out ashes in a grocery sack and set it

out on your back porch.

* Build a hot fire, load up the firebox, leave the damper wide

open, then go to town or go to bed.

* Let little children fool with the fireplace.

* Don't inspect and clean out your stovepipe and flue regularly.

* If you have a chimney fire, don't call the fire department. It

is an easy way to clean out the chimney.

* Install a stove in your mobile home, even though it is not UL-

listed for such use.

October 8, 2004 Proper Lighting and Eye Care

As the days get noticeably shorter we should recheck our

lighting, for energy savings with lighting may be poor

conservation. Our eyes need good light to read, or else strain may

harm our vision. Lighting generally has three purposes other than

being ornamental: security, general mobility, and close work or

reading. A fourth type of lighting, as a heat source for baby

chicks or for keeping a pipe from freezing, could be considered in

rare cases, but such lighting is costly and less efficient than

other heat sources.

General Conservation -- Curbing unnecessary or wasted lighting

could be a major energy-saving technique. If the same effect is

possible with a more energy efficient bulb, then we ought to

install it. Fluorescent bulbs of proper size are preferable. If

we are coming and going, turn off fluorescents only if the room

will be vacant for an hour or longer. Where possible we ought to

consider light-colored walls in rooms which assist in reflecting

the light for those wishing to read. We should try to do our

reading and close work with natural lighting. Where possible,

install natural lighting panels and roofing materials in ceilings.

Outdoor lighting -- Lighting touches both security and general

mobility and should not be dimmed only for conservation purposes.

Using the most efficient varieties can have a payback quite

rapidly. Often, the utility company will assist in subsidizing the

installation costs. Keep the rays from outdoor lighting deflected

downward, for light pollution is becoming a pronounced problem;

half of American residents cannot see the Milky Way.

New fixtures -- Energy savings and good luminescence can be

obtained by replacement of incandescent bulbs with compact

fluorescent bulbs. Incandescent lights burning constantly in Exit

signs are small, but the total amount of energy can add up over

time. Here again, consider the compact fluorescents. The lighting

innovations change rapidly and that is why it is good to go to

upcoming energy fairs and expositions. Timing devices can become

big energy savers in institutions where people take little

responsibility for lighting, and vacated space is overlooked by

maintenance personnel.

Reading and close work -- The ability to turn on or off

lighting in sections of a large room may save energy and still

allow for proper brightness for the work involved. Often, overhead

lights are not as valuable as small desk or floor reading lamps

nearer to the work place. Residents can buy a portable light meter

at a local electronics store and use this to determine whether

enough light is present not just at a window, but at a night-

reading location. Extra lamps may help.

Solar Photovoltaic lighting -- Consider solar PVs which could

lead to considerable savings and could have a payback over a decade

of so. Much depends on the amount of storage required.

October 9, 2004 Energy Exposition and Fair

October is renewable energy month and throughout this month

many regions and states sponsor solar tours. Often attention is

both focused on types of energy (e.g., solar and wind) that can

replace fossil fuel and nuclear sources and also on energy

efficiency through a number of conservation devices and

applications. Spending some time at such state or multistate

events affords a more intense experience in the energy application

areas. This year a new event is the Bluegrass Energy Expo being

held in Kentucky next weekend (October 16-17) at the Lexington

Convention Center.

The Exposition is a project of Appalachia -- Science in the

Public Interest. The target audience includes home and auto owners

and their families. The purpose is to bring together the business,

education, government and non-profit sectors to educate Kentuckians

and others about proven energy solutions and connect consumers with

marketers of energy-saving products and services.

An informational gold mine. An exposition of this nature is

a wider form of demonstration which allows a variety of sponsors

and exhibiters to present their wares, and to have representatives

who can answer immediate questions dealing with displays. Contacts

can be made, personal and business cards exchanged, and

opportunities set up for further contacts and information sources.

Often there is simply not enough time to assimilate all of the

information but one can quickly set priorities and postpone further

inquiry until a later meeting. Expositions can provide

satisfactory answers to both beginners and more advanced persons

seeking to know about renewable energy and energy efficiency ideas.

Attractions. The main feature covering a major portion of the

Convention Center floor area is a trade show of renewable energy

devices and applications along with exhibits and demonstrations.

You have a great opportunity to familiarize yourself with the

extensive and growing library of renewable energy literature. At

the same time, workshops related to the basic theme are presented

for those who are interested in depth sessions on a variety of

related subjects. And, being a family affair, attention is also

given to activities to keep the kids occupied.

Goals. The four goals of the Bluegrass Energy Expo are:

1.Increase public awareness of proven energy solutions;

2.Increase demand for energy-saving products and services;

3.Connect buyers with financing for these products/services;

4.Expand consumer awareness of renewable energy technologies.

For further information visit < www.bluegrassenergyexpo.org>

October 10, 2004 Showing Appreciation for Miracles

There are two ways of living your life

One is as though nothing is a miracle,

The other is as though everything is a miracle

(Albert Einstein)

The story of the healing of ten lepers with only one returning

to give thanks (Luke 17:11-19) can be taken in a number of ways.

Showing pity is the beginning of the miracle. We must realize

that compassion is an act of appreciation. If someone suffers in

any way and we recognize that suffering, we have entered into the

miracle of life and given that suffering a recognized merit.

Extending pity to another is an opening to their world, a sharing

of what we have with them. This is an elementary form of

appreciation for them and something that bonds us together.

Praise for little things. This is sort of a minimalist

approach to sharing and appreciating gifts given and received. In

this story of the ten lepers, at least one person knows where the

gift of healing comes, and this foreigner takes the time to return

and show a sense of gratitude for what was done. For him, there is

the freedom of not having to go straight to the temple priest or

verifying agents, but rather to the source of the miracle and show

gratitude. Praise God that at least one returned!

Hard-hearted approach. We sometimes think that Jesus is stern

and thus expected the dutiful return of each of the healed giving

thanks. In that case, there is a disappointment when deference and

obliged gratitude are not shown. The question would thus be asked

in a severe manner in which some take their Christian obligations,

"why didn't the others return to give thanks?"

Light-hearted Approach. Another way of interpreting the

reading is one of enthusiastic participation in the glory of

creation and re-creation. In this view there is light-heartedness,

much as at the Easter episodes. Joy gives rise to being less

severe and thus the demanded gratitude of the severe mind is not

present. "I thought there were ten and only one returned -- and

the foreigner."

Faith needs not be extraordinary. We sometimes forget that a

small amount of faith can do wonders. This explains a previous

reading from Luke where the faith only has to be the size of a

mustard seed to work miracles. Here, recognition of big things as

well as small in an appreciative manner is part of faith and part

of the miracle. The response to the gift of Faith is part of the

total faith experience -- "Your faith has saved you." We often

think the gift is so great that our participation is unimportant,

but that is not the case. God invites us to be participants.

The basic question. How well do we see and appreciate gifts

given and express our gratitude to God for the miracle of our life

-- one of millions of chances of our beginnings?

October 11, 2004 Possible Conflicts with Gardening

Back-to-the-land gardeners may find that their neighbors

resist that egalitarian project. For the more elite neighbors, the

disturbance of their uniform ornamental lawns by vegetable gardens

is disquieting. For these conformists, a zoned neighborhood is

meant to look alike, and anyone who deviates from standard lawn

care merits the greater community's disapproval. Turning lawn to

garden goes against the orderliness of the conformist's world

order. Furthermore, the maverick gardener tills up lawn, scatters

paraphernalia, brings in beehives, and grows all sorts of different

plants -- a garden seeming in disarray.

In response, the gardener does not want to be directly

confrontational, and thus must defend a radically different concept

of beauty. Creative conflict arises from these differing concepts

of community land use (ornamental landscape versus gardens). This

may involve advocacy before various departments of a municipal

government -- as happened with a friend in California who was

plagued by agencies and neighbors because she installed a native

plant xeriscape, which they perceived to be a wild unkept thicket.

A Public Process. Creative conflict as championed by some

pacifists is a wise practice. Conflict can be a golden opportunity

to speak up for gardening. Yes, gardeners can be evangelists who

encourage neighbors to become aware of a garden's beauty and

productivity. They can affirm the value of a garden as a natural

conversation piece and learning experience, where isolated people

can trade experiences, assistance, and produce. In most cases the

non-gardener's response is to tolerate the gardener and gradually

become interested without necessarily letting on.

Gaining Confidence. Beginners may not want to admit that we

could fail at being a gardener, that our attempted crop-growing may

expose our lack of skills, that we may have many questions, that we

may be dependent on quirks in the weather, and that our produce may

not be perfect specimens for the supermarket. One solution is for

such people to join other beginners in gardening so as not to bear

the burden of failure alone. We should grow less difficult

vegetable varieties first and graduate to others gradually. One

suggestion is to plant in a less visual place until confidence is

gained. We may undertake growing a number of varieties

simultaneously so that when one fails, another succeeds. Lastly,

we should view failures as positive learning experiences.

Conflict Resolution. There are different ways to resolve

conflicts, but lawn differences can be resolved by direct

discussion. The disgruntled neighbor should be approached gently

and the subject broached from a standpoint of good land

stewardship. The discussion becomes a chance to come to know the

person, hear grievances, speak up for gardening and to seek a

blessing for garden work. The gardening opponent most often works

more from cultural bias and ignorance. The opportunity is perfect

for popularizing gardening through conversation.

October 12, 2004 Discover Local America: Alternative Vacations

Autumn colors call out to us to come and see. That is all the

more inviting because it is outside the traditional summer vacation

season. And our response should reflect a willingness to

appreciate scenic America that is all around us. Domestic travel

can broaden the intellect, and shouldn't we encourage people to go

see local places? When their health permits and the weather is

right some people want to wander. They see this as a time to get

away, to refresh themselves, to explore, and to have an opportunity

to share and exchange with others.

Alternatives. While staying home and doing home improvement

projects may have a certain discovery attached, still it is not

equal to seeing new places. Another possible alternative is to

travel to do service for people in the immediate area or at a

greater distance. Still, the wanderlust spirit is widespread and

needs to be satisfied, especially among young and those young at

heart. Here are some possibilities to learn more about America.

Don't overlook local parks, museums, and historic and scenic spots.

Local Tours. An interesting exercise is to draw a circle 150

miles (a three hour drive) around your home. How many sites in

that circle have not yet been visited? Having decided to visit,

what mode of transportation is most suitable?

* Hike the local trails using dependable foot-power.

* See the sights by bike. It is slower but more conscious

travel with the sights, smells and sounds penetrating deep within

us.

* How about a canoe or row boat trip on a nearby waterways or

lake near home? The sights are truly different and worth the

change of travel method. Perhaps use a snorkel to explore

underwater life.

* Consider an "eco-expedition" led by an expert guide. Group

travel takes fewer resources than driving by private car and may

prove an excellent alternative for mobile senior citizens.

* If you need to use the automobile for travel, plan and see

local and slightly distant cultural or historic sites which you

have bypassed in the hurry to get somewhere.

* Obtain a telescope and look out at the macrocosm, especially

if you live in a shrinking part of America with less light

pollution. An alternative is to look down through a microscope or

close visual inspection at the microcosm below our feet.

* If you are more venturesome, consider hang-gliding in a safe

place, though there are energy costs in taking airplanes to sites.

Finally, for the non-traveler, obtain a videotape of a tour

and, upon return, provide a private showing for your virtual tour.

October 13, 2004 Ginseng, A Tobacco Crop Alternative

Autumn is a good time to start planning for next year. We

could consider the arena of wildcrafting, which is so important as

a source of income for many folks. This is a good opportunity for

tobacco growers as well as others because the current American

tobacco market is so extremely weak. This weakness cannot be

easily remedied due to both increased low-cost tobacco imports and

because the actual tobacco consumption is declining. What will

this last major group of family farmers do? Migrate to cities?

One answer rests in American ginseng (Panax Quinquefolium), a

native plant that grows wild throughout much of the Tobacco Belt

and beyond. Ginseng is an ideal crop alternative because it can

make use of the intensive agricultural skills of tobacco farmers

(see February 10th essay). And the product is a very healthy one.

AGF. For a number of years ASPI has attempted to promote

ginseng through the Appalachian Ginseng Foundation (AGF). In 2001

we sought a grant from the state's "Tobacco Settlement Money" to

help start a marketing system for wild or virtually wild ginseng.

While funded through modest grants from the Commission on Religion

in Appalachia, the AGF has produced a newsletter and media

bulletins which have reached some, but by no means all, tobacco

growers. The goal of AGF is to make ginseng a cash alternative to

tobacco by encouraging interest in proper growing and harvesting

methods. AGF also seeks to spread the word that a ginseng market

does not need to be created; it already exists. The potentially

lucrative Chinese market is hungry for as much American ginseng as

can be shipped. Currently, sales are brisk ranging from $400 or

more a pound for high grade wild or virtually wild ginseng.

Barriers. Problems do exist. First, many gatherers and

growers do not want to be identified due to a serious practice of

poaching when ginseng areas become known. This means they will

prefer a more private marketing system quite different from that of

tobacco; these ethical harvesters continue to be at the mercy of

buyers who do not always pay top prices. A second problem is that

irresponsible harvesters are enticed by high prices; these fly-by-

nighters can easily threaten wild ginseng propagation by gathering

immature plant roots and by not waiting until after the seed-

bearing period in late summer.

Solutions. The barriers are not unsurmountable. With a

registration system which allows federal marketing cards to

authentic growers or harvesters (on lands where permission is

obtained to gather wild ginseng properly) the product can be

marketed more publicly with less risk of poaching of the ginseng

growing areas. However, this is going to take legislative action

which should be incorporated in a more comprehensive agricultural

package. We have to make this known to our congressperson.

For further information write to AGF 50 Lair Street, Mt.

Vernon, KY 40456 or use the electronic medium <http://www.a-

spi.org/agf>.

October 14, 2004 Nature's Produce: Fruits, Berries, Nuts, Roots

Major supplements to the naturalist diet can be found in the

wild. These material should be gathered in moderation and include

greens, especially in spring, berries and fruits in summer, nuts

and seeds in autumn, and roots in wintertime. Native Americans

know these foods of the seasons and harvested them diligently.

Rose hips and sumac tops furnish Vitamin C drinks; chicory and

dandelion roots make a fine coffee substitute; Jerusalem artichokes

are excellent salad additions in fall and winter.

Fruits -- Mayapples, papaw, wild cherries, wild plums,

crabapples, fox grapes, and persimmon are delicious native fruits.

They are generally found in sizeable numbers and not generally

subject to becoming overharvested. In part, this is because the

plants are not threatened through harvesting their fruit as in the

case of roots, mentioned below. A major portion of wild fruits and

berries in our region go unharvested with a few exceptions. In

average years wildlife and birds find ample quantities.

Berries -- Throughout the late spring to early autumn in most

parts of the country one can discover wild berries in rather

inaccessible places, but their bright colors allow for detection by

those creatures who will help scatter the seeds abroad. Wild

strawberries, raspberries, gooseberries, dew and blackberries,

blueberries, and elderberries are available in our area of Kentucky

and still other berries are found elsewhere in America. Berrying

may require overcoming briars and poison ivy and avoiding snakes;

these are reasons for using protective gear, shoes and proper

gathering containers. Berries make excellent cobblers and can be

used in ice cream or for wine. Excess berries can be preserved as

juices, jams, jellies, frozen, or processed into leathers.

Nuts and seeds -- A great variety of nuts and seeds are

produced as nature's way to store fats, oils and proteins for the

upcoming winter season. Many nuts are now ready for the gathering,

if you take the effort to discover the nut trees -- hickory nuts,

black walnuts, butternuts, hazel nuts, and acorns. Don't

overgather. Leave adequate mast for the wildlife which depend on

these delicacies. Removing walnut hulls can stain the hands, so

either oil your hands or regard the temporary condition as "clean

dirt." A note: do not overgather wild seeds even though the

temptation is great. Leave some for wildlife and for propagation.

Roots -- In milder climates, a variety of roots can be left in

the ground for later harvest -- horseradish, parsnips, carrots,

Jerusalem artichokes, turnips and rutabagas -- if mulched in later

fall. Here again a caution is given to the "wildcrafter." In

gathering wild roots, consider that great damage can come when

harvesting popular threatened species. This is especially true

with immature wild ginseng. Know about what is being gathered; get

the landowner's permission; gather in such a way that you replant

the seed and do not damage the surrounding landscape; gather only

what is needed and never in a greedy and excessive manner.

October 15, 2004 Fire & Disaster Preparedness

Autumn is an ideal time to talk about fire safety, since it is

normally a dry period and the start of the heating season. These

periods may be regarded as opportunities to speak of other

emergencies pertaining to your location, such as flash floods or

tornadoes. A few ideas for home and community may be helpful.

* Equipment -- Make the place fire safe and think about fire

extinguishers, smoke alarms, safe storage of highly combustible

solvents, and proper electrical wiring. Rope ladders at each of

the second- or third-story rooms may be a worthwhile addition.

Don't buy just any fire alarm, but choose one that gives an alert

when the batteries are low. Choose from a variety of alarm systems

which do not have radioactive materials present as part of the

detector devices.

* Escape routes --Discuss how to evacuate, where to go to the

safest place as for tornadoes or flash floods, and what must be

taken along if you need to depart quickly. Discuss how the

disabled and those who are less mobile can get to the safe

destination, and in what order the evacuation should occur. The

escape doors and windows should open easily from the inside, and

should not be blocked by furniture or other materials.

* Evacuation supplies -- Some people keep an emergency pack at

a relatively safe place to pick up quickly. This may include a

bottle of water, flashlight and batteries, small radio, waterproof

container and matches, small first aid kit, and flares.

* Fire drills at schools are a must, once or twice a year.

Take these seriously, though they may be followed (not preceded) by

lighter relaxed moments.

* Community alerts -- Encourage community fire emergency

alerts so that the elderly and youth are aware of where to go at

the time of an emergency. Make sure escape routes are known and

unencumbered. Sometimes the sirens or alarm devices are used for

other activities or celebrations. If that is done, they will most

likely be misunderstood by some when a real disaster occurs.

Systems are now in place that cause phones to ring or radios to

play if an emergency needs to be announced.

* Fire department -- Support and get to know the local fire

department or help out if there is a volunteer department. If

something appears to be a fire hazard, have them check it out and

give the place an inspection.

* Indicators -- Put stickers on windows where infants or youth

have bedrooms as flags for fire fighters.

* Disaster preparedness -- It is wise to question your

community leaders to find out whether plans are in place for a

disaster alert.

October 16, 2004 Study Local and Family History

The First Hometown History Primer, (America the Beautiful Fund,

Washington, DC, Wagner Paperback Library, 1973) suggests the

following local history projects which are still good hints over

thirty years later:

* Keep a diary in some readable format.

* Assemble a history of your past schooling -- teachers,

classmates class pictures, report cards, programs.

* Draw a time line with important events from your life listed

on it. Allow places to write in events under each year or decade.

* Return to your childhood home and your roots.

* Gather family pictures and give photo albums for presents.

* Make a family residential map and trace immigration routes.

* Visit graves of your loved ones.

* Start a family tree, and commission someone to be the family

or local historian. Remember that for each generation the tree

branches all the more.

* Make a tape as part of a living oral or video history of the

older member of the family to keep for posterity. Keep and

distribute copies.

* Keep and be sure to pass on a family archives which include

documents, special heirlooms, children artwork, baby books, pressed

flower reminders of important events and other keepsakes.

* Record your home place(s) with photographs or paintings.

Detail all aspects of your home life and the surroundings.

* A cave art piece; design a basement wall where graffiti may

be allowed and encouraged. Here the youngsters can record

themselves.

* Have a periodic family reunion at a convenient place where

all can more easily assemble. Hopefully this will not just occur

at funerals and weddings -- even though they can be memorable.

* Keep a family Bible or other family record up-to-date.

Allowing these to lapse is a mistake, for our memories lapse as

well.

* Take a weekend tour to familiar sites and invite special

friends. Consider antique shops, an old inn, museums, or a country

fair.

October 17, 2004 The Persistent Widow

When the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on earth?

(Luke 18: 1-8)

The parables of Luke are rare jewels that shine in different

ways and call us to reflect upon them in our personal lives. Here

is the conflict between a hard-hearted judge who does not fear God

or respect any human being and a persistent nagging widow who

threatens him. The battle is won by the bothersome lady because

the judge wants her to go on. And what about the third unpleasant

character, the one damaging the widow in some way? I remember once

a persistent widow who insisted congressmen stay in a possibly

late-running legislative hearing to know how her road had been

destroyed by a coal company. They stayed. Persistence pays off

for such people; a loving God is all the more willing to listen and

be with us in times of troubles.

Aspects of faith. We too are to be persistent in how we

approach the Lord in our requests. This parable is partly new and

yet it is a continuation of the faith discussions of the past three

Sundays where incidents related to Lazarus (closeness of the poor

and our need for sensitivity), the faithful laboring servant, the

gratitude for gifts given by the healed Leper, and now this widow.

Amazingly, this sequence in Luke is a journey of faith, our road to

faith looked at from the side of responsiveness, fidelity,

gratitude and now persistence. All are characteristics which need

to be broken out and reflected upon during our weekly prayers.

Persistence. Whether I truly know what I need, do I still

pray with confidence that my prayer will be answered? We know that

God always answers our prayers. Are we willing to continue to

pray, trusting that God is answering our petitions now or very

soon? Shouldn't we pray that we hear and understand the answers?

And do we have faith that God is a ready and fair judge who acts in

sufficient time for our hopes to be realized? The Almighty is not

overcome by other cares and concerns. We are heard when we call.

Need for prayer. In order for our faith to grow and grow

well with sensitivity and gratitude, we need to pray always as St.

Paul says. Perhaps this is the Sunday more than any other when we

examine our prayer life in greater detail. Are we clear about what

we are praying for? Do we spend time at prayer each day, a period

set aside in finding God? We are all on a journey of faith and

must be sensitive to the fact that others are discouraged as fellow

wayfarers. Do we have a friend who we can talk to about our

journey of faith? Do we pray for others who hurt in some way? A

journey does not mean an easy ride; it can be arduous and can

require effort and endurance. Do we understand this and trust that

God will give us the strength to carry on through all kinds of

difficulties?

October 18, 2004 Fourth World Day

The so-called Fourth World is the poorest of the poor and

includes people in such lands as Haiti and a number of regions and

nations in Africa. These are places where political structures are

unable to cope with problems of hunger, disease, inadequate

shelter, bad drinking water, and malnutrition. Here the main focus

of relief must be directed at this moment in history to these

suffering people. We hear about the problem but how do we address

it? The suggestion here is that we do so on three fronts: know the

problem, resolve to change our ways, and give to relief efforts.

Know Fourth World Problems. A host of materials exist which

include good articles and books on the subject of poverty in the

world. To say we have never heard or experienced this phenomenon

is to express the insensitivity that comes with over-affluence.

See September 26 "Lazarus, Affluence and A Prayer of Kindness." If

still more information is sought, you may wish to get acquainted

with the "Fourth World," an organization dedicated to making the

problems of those parts of the world known to the general public.

For further information visit the website <www.atd-quartmonde.org/accueil-uk.html>.

Change our ways. It's difficult to change American consumer

use patterns because so much overuse and misuse (Affluenza) occur

in our country. Perhaps one way is to digest the facts and then

reflection on what each person might do. Facts: since 1950 we

Americans have used up more resources than everyone who ever lived

on Earth before them; Americans spend more each year on shoes,

watches and jewelry ($80 billion) than on higher education ($65

billion); Americans visit more shopping centers each week than

houses of worship; American spend nearly $6 trillion a year, more

than $21,000 per person, mainly on consumer goods; there are more

cars in America (203 million) than registered drivers; during the

1990s half of all new cars sold were SUVs and light trucks,

exempted from federal fuel efficiency standards; by the time one

reaches seventy, he or she will have spent three years of life

watching advertisements; and the annual production of solid waste

in the United States would fill a convoy of garbage trucks

stretching halfway to the moon.

Reference Michael Ochs, Williamport, Pennsylvania, United

Church News, December, 2003.

Solutions: Poverty is not easily solved by wishing it to go

away. Major changes must be made on the global level and we should

do everything possible to see that this happens. However, we are

able to do a little something through the savings and gifts we give

to relief agencies which depend on our generosity. Consider giving

to one of the many agencies such as Oxfam, the United Nations

Children's Fund, or my favorites -- Catholic Relief Services

209 West Fayette Street, Baltimore, MD

21201-3443 and Catholic Near East Welfare Association - United States

1011 First Avenue, New York, NY 10022-4195.

October 19, 2004 Challenge the Slipping Memory

One of our most precious possessions is memory. So often it

is the memory of happy events which remain far more than other

things that happened during that period. The memory is selective,

and hopefully the happy events remain when the others move to the

dust bin of our lives. Health problems can cause loss of memory.

Cherishing Memory. The sound mind is the best repository, but

sometimes we have little control over that soundness; thus some

become the victims of the ravages of mini-strokes and aging. For

the rest of us we realize that slowly something is slipping away

that is quite precious. Those with good youthful memories (often

distorted to some degree by time) stand out as part of the trivial

collections of the world. I still flaunt the fact that I remember

well ole Joe Davis, who, in turn, remembered the start of the Civil

War which occurred 143 years ago. Yes, few are left who remember

someone who remembers an event of such antiquity, and so the

dwindling number of us achieve higher fame as the ranks thin out

all the more. Perhaps the only testimony is how fragile memory is,

and how easily story-tellers can warp and mold the collective

memories of a community to their own likings and biases.

Communal Memory. Still memories are quite precious. As we

value them more, we realize that it takes all of us working

together to retain records of our fleeting memories in libraries,

monuments and stories. The recounting of these by the natural

storytellers and preservationists becomes a community exercise

worthy of joint support. Without the interplay of a group,

slippage would occur and be lost. Scriptures are part of this

collective memory. Secular and religious communities need to take

the recollections of their older mentally sound members and record

these on audiotape, in writing, or in videotape. These records

should be kept in archives and with those who treasure them. Since

most of us deny any aging process, or at least expect to be around

for a longer period, little effort is made in such preservation

work. The living community should take the effort to keep its

collective memory for later generations.

Preserving Memory. To some extent, memory can be preserved by

people who know it will slip with time. Some ways to sharpen

memory are to keep journals, arrange photos with legends and notes

on the back, retain keepsakes of great occasions, and stay in

contact with old friends with equally good or better memories than

your own.

Health Hints. Some say to eat plenty of parsley, and one 85-

plus-year-old with excellent memory says he knows just when he

reduces his intake because his memory quickly gets rusty. I try to

retain the names of 2,500 towns and locations in the United States,

and when travelling, recount the names in selected states to make

sure my count stays high. Granted, when I cease this exercise the

names slip rapidly into the inaccessible parts of the brain -- or

that appears to me to be the case. More parsley!

October 20, 2004 Ways to Take Care of Yourself: Anti-Aging Plan

Autumn is when we recall that an ounce of prevention is worth

a pound of cure. It's time to review some basic prevention

measures. Medical experts advise people to be their own doctors --

to some extent. Self-care practices can be taught to people with

arthritis, diabetes, and leukemia by health care experts and

medical centers. Besides people with chronic illnesses, all of us

can prevent many ailments through eleven lifestyle choices listed

below: The Johns Hopkins Medical Letter, brochure, 2001.

1. Exercise daily or get moving.

2. Don't smoke.

3. Follow a healthy diet.

4. Use supplements wisely -- Many people are deficient in

Vitamins B6 and B12, folic acid, Vitamin D and calcium.

5. Drink enough water.

6. Avoid excessive exposure to the sun -- These are spring and

summer precautions, but with tanning saloons (never) and winter

vacations they may apply all year. Light-skinned people especially

need to avoid excessive sun in this age of reduced ozone

protection. Keeping in mind the skin cancer risks which have risen

in recent years, one needs to remember to stay out of the sun in

the middle of the day, use effective sunscreen, reduce activity in

hotter weather, forget about beach sun worship, take more Vitamin

C foods, and wear protective clothes.

7. Reduce stress -- Everyone needs quiet time to reflect. As

an older lady said, "Sometimes I sits and thinks, and sometimes I

just sits." The where-to and when-to are as important as the how-

to, such as meditation, yoga and exercise. The place could be

mountains, seashores, wooded resorts, a local park, local library,

church, backyard, living room when others are asleep, den, car

trip, or tree house. The occasion could be a soothing fire,

running brook or bird singing.

8. Challenge your mind.

9. Limit alcohol consumption.

10. Cultivate satisfying relationships.

11. Consider preventive medicine -- An axiom that "a little of

everything is okay" doesn't apply to powerful drugs. For small

ailments try to find cures that are non-chemical in nature.

Whether drugs are prescribed or over-the-counter types, use as

prescribed, read labels and avoid drinking alcohol while under

medication.

-- seasonal reminder --

12. Don't overexert -- As winter approaches, remember that

1,200 or more Americans die every year from shoveling snow or

pushing cars in the snow. Older people should refrain from sudden

bursts of exercise -- lifting boxes, pushing heavy objects, tearing

down buildings, running in high pressured races, hiking with a

heavy load, setting up displays or serving as pallbearers.

October 21, 2004 Converse with Plants and Animals

My Aunt Toots confessed to talking to her flowers and said

they improved as a result, but she wondered if she was right in

what she did. Don't we talk to pets, livestock and birds, so why

not to plants? The creatures around us are sensitive to our own

emotions and state of mind. If we are angry, they sense it very

soon; if we are afraid, most animals know it; if we are loving and

caring, creatures pick this up as well. Maybe in the loving phase

we are doing what the Creator does with all of creation -- God

loves each intensely, and creation senses that love. But human

beings have freedom to refuse God's love, and lose that sensation.

Two-way Communication. If we show creatures that we care,

they certainly will respond, just like the dog who wags its tail at

our words of affection -- and sometimes even without them. We seek

to communicate because we need other creatures and they need us and

our well-being also. Sharing in some fashion may be done in verbal

utterances and also by gesture and general demeanor. The

mockingbird will incorporate a good bird whistle into its

repertoire; sing to the cows and they seem more contented; say

"good morning" to flowers and watch their response; accept frogs

and crickets and snakes and see them respond in their own way. It

takes a little effort to talk to creatures, but much more to listen

and note their responses.

Bad Vibes. Some would strive to be harsh masters trying to

extract all that is profitable from creatures. That produces bad

vibes which creatures sense as a group and as individuals. It is

the cursing that one hears in movies of old-time teamsters or the

stories of breaking in a mule with a two-by-four. It is humor to

a point, and after that it hurts all of us.

Friendly Vibrations. We should strive to imitate our God in

relation to other creatures. Friendship is not something we

extract from another, and our friendship with the natural world

should not be based on exploitation either. Other creatures are

not mere slaves, nor are we to be overlords seeking to get only

comfort and benefits from them. We are to be like Christ and love

and find in other creatures God's loving presence to them. Christ

is a suffering servant for us, and so we become suffering servant

for the other creatures of the world and can express this in words

as well as deeds. Thus we seek to develop our non-violent

character, that can be improved through our loving relations with

other creatures. Isn't this a far more faithful witness to the

Judeo-Christian heritage and all religious striving as well?

Our Covenant with Creation. Kinship involves a covenant with

all creatures: we will strive to honor their presence, to protect

against extinction of species. We are elevated to the family of

God, entering into this relationship reverently, with hushed voices

and palpitating breasts. We participate in this mystery,

respecting our surroundings which include many other vulnerable and

sensitive creatures.

October 22, 2004 Breaking the Smoking Habit

We hear this a number of times -- "It's easy to stop since

I've done it so often," "I can't quit because it is my only vice,"

" Why mess with my entertainment?" "It's my patriotic duty to the

American tobacco economy," "I intend to quit -- next year,"

"trying to stop my smoking may be dangerous to your health" and on

and on. Truly, the habit is addictive, but can be tackled.

Reasons for. Get smokers to list all the reasons for smoking:

entertainment, reduction of nervous tension, control of weight and

compulsive eating, a reason for keeping busy, not as expensive as

other vices, good aroma, keeping the economy afloat, and overcoming

a bad disposition.

Reasons against.

Economics -- Smoking costs some people three dollars a day for

cigarettes and this mounts to over a thousand dollars a year, even

when buying the discount brands.

Safety -- many fires are started in the home or outside from

smoldering cigarettes.

Physical damage -- holes appear in carpets, clothes, and

upholstery from cigarette and ash burns.

Health -- Shortness of breath, emphysema, lung cancer, lip

cancer, throat and larynx cancer, increased risk of heart disease,

susceptibility to colds and various diseases, all of which is so

well- documented that no further discussion is needed. Second hand

smoke affects the health of people who live, work and socialize

with smokers.

Appearance -- Wrinkles, the gauntness of the heavy smoker, an

inability to get one's breath, constant coughing as well as

smokers' bad breath.

Indoor pollution -- Homes may reek with stale smoke and the

smoke clings to books, curtains, bed clothes and rugs. Tar sticks

to windows in home and car. Ashes and butts are an indoor litter

problem.

Infringement on others rights -- A recognized issue which

leads to friction due in part to insensitivity on the part of

smokers.

Troublesome -- It is becoming more difficult to find places

where smokers can enjoy the pause that "refreshes" them. This

habit causes endless trips to the store, requires special packing,

and is a major distraction while driving.

Addiction -- A feeling of being bound in a way that is not

truly human and the prospect of freedom when the habit is licked.

Ways to Help Break the Habit. Smokers Anonymous, a partner

who flushes down a cigarette every time one is lit, the testimony

of a dying person with lung problems, neighborhood clinics and

hospitals, American Lung Association literature, a friend who has

broken the habit, a non-smoking travel companion, programs which

are purgative in nature, use of non-smoking materials, nicotine

patches, pills and gums, retreat programs, prayers, and patient and

consistent encouragement by others who are compassionate.

October 23, 2004 Solar Food Drying

Solar food drying is not new, for we all have eaten solar

dried raisins and other dried fruit. Solar food drying does not

have to be reinvented, only rediscovered as a major food preserving

technique -- and October, the month of apple drying, is a perfect

time to start.

Proper equipment. A solar food drying device must ensure good

air-flow, moisture removal and sufficient warmth (about 110 degrees

Fahrenheit) during the process. This is important for us non-

desert dwellers and in areas with relative humidity of 70% or

higher on an annual average. A variety of commercial and low-cost

build-your-own food dryers are available. For solar food dryers to

work the sun does not shine directly on the produce (otherwise it

would reduce the nutrient content) in a food dryer but heats the

air that will carry off the moisture. The air passes through a

duct over a dark colored surface. Greater efficiency is obtained

when the colored surface receives maximum sun. Some operators

prefer to swivel the dryer and follow the sun, but this takes much

time and is inconvenient. Screens should be installed over the air

openings and exhausts to keep out yellow jackets and other insects.

Advantages. Solar dried foods retain their nutritional

content better than some cooked and preserved foods because the

temperature range for the drying is less than temperatures used

over a length of time for canning. The process uses renewable

energy from the sun and comes at no price; it is easy to perform

once the person becomes familiar with solar food drying; it

reduces volume and allows for easy storage (no deep freeze costs)

and transport, especially for backpackers; it is readily available

for consuming and has few spoilage problems.

Foods to be Dried. With a good food dryer and with the proper

weather conditions, one can dry almost any type of food that

contains moisture. It is easier to dry an apple than a tomato with

all its juice, but tomato "leathers" can be prepared under special

conditions though best in desert climates. For more humid climates

limit food drying to low moisture-content produce -- apples, pears,

onions, carrots, rhubarb, turnips, pumpkins, cauliflower, beans,

broccoli, corn, squash, mint, bay leaves, dill, garlic, peppers,

ginseng root or leaves, basil, parsley, and other herbs.

Procedures. Select good produce which is not overripe but

rather just ready to eat. Start drying it the day it is picked.

Some people blanch (hot water or steam) food for a short time

before drying to preserve color and texture. Place the food in the

solar dryer on a natural or artificial fiber shelf mat (do not use

metal) and close it off overnight, if not thoroughly dried so that

night moisture will not penetrate the drying produce. When dried

to the desired degree, remove and store in a proper place which is

cool, dark and dry. The material is prepared to eat by

reconstituting with water for a short while.

October 24, 2004 The Pharisee and the Tax Collector

The story (Luke 18: 9-14) of the self-righteous Pharisee and

the humble downcast tax collector is well known. Each prayed in

his own way, but the first who thanked God he was so good and above

others was too puffed up and not justified. The tax collector

could only say, "O God be merciful to me a sinner." One was

humbled and crushed in his false exaltation; the other was exalted

through his humble prayer seeking forgiveness. One is reminded of

Mary's Magnificat that the lowly would go to high places and those

in high places brought low.

The Pharisee. One would have expected that the Pharisee who

kept the law thoroughly and scrupulously would have known how to

pray well. He was even perhaps truthful in saying he was not

greedy, dishonest or adulterous, and he perhaps did not fib in

saying he fasted twice a week and pay tithes. All these he did but

he had a smug sense of superiority over others and that became for

him a crushing burden. No one really heard his self-

congratulations. On top of this, the audience of Jesus would have

not found a major flaw with this type of prayer.

The tax collector. Such government agents often were not the

best of the folks. They collected taxes for the hated oppressor of

their own people and were considered traitors. Hardly any group

was more disliked and so the bias of the listeners was against one

capable of shaking down and wringing the coin from the common

people. For all we know, this collector may have been engaged in

many of these faults at some time or other. He knew he had been

imperfect and now was sorry, and so he sought forgiveness. Yes,

the audience would say, he desered to say what he did. The roles

were reversed in the way of divine humor. The tax collector went

home justified, not the other.

God's grace is not something earned, but the favor of God and

that is what grace is all about. We as individuals need to see the

story and take heart in our own actions, especially when we compare

ourselves to someone else -- "there but for the grace of God go I."

We are not better than another person and should never judge them

or seek a higher competitive place over them.

Election year message. The story as all parables has both an

individual and a collective content. We, as a people, should learn

something from this as well. We know party platforms and candidate

talks, many of which sound more like the Pharisee's prayer than

that of the tax collector's. We have got to do some proper

discerning as conscientious citizens and not even judge self-

motivations on the part of the candidates without more soul

searching. Who is the best qualified? Do I allow non-substantial

biases to color my voting choice? Does the vote become part of a

total picture wherein majority and minority parties have greater or

lesser bearings? How much do I influence others in the way they

vote? Do I strive to get them to come out and vote, and to vote

wisely?

October 25, 2004 Disarmament Week

How could I as a person who grew up with a gun rack near my

bed talk about disarmament? We were raised on arms and regarded

this our constitutional right to bear them. Well, times have

changed and I am not against folks having rifles and shotguns, but

we should strive to reduce the amount of weapons both individuals

and our country retain. Yes, even in time of a War on Terrorism

let's ask some soul-searching questions.

Personal -- Do we need so many weapons in a home or can these

be discarded with greater dependence on local law enforcement

forces? If Iraq has too many armed civilians, what about U.S.?

What about WMDs? Are we really trying to get rid of weapons

of mass destruction here as much as among certain possible nuclear

powers such as Iran and Korea? Why are we better than the non-WMD

nations? Why not seek to free the entire Middle East of WMDs?

Should one be nervous about the storage and dismantling of poison

gas shells when living down wind from the Bluegrass Army Depot --

or other such chemical storage facilities?

What about the Budget that is killing us? Is it right to spend

more on military structure in this nation (without another

superpower present) than the budgets of all the world's poorer half

combined? Should not this $450 billion per year be better spent --

at least be tithed -- for the poor. What will $45 billion do in

combatting disease, furnishing affordable housing, and bringing

fresh water to those who are in need?

Is anyone out there? Can't anyone running for office raise

disarmament questions? Or does this show a profound lack of faith

in our ability as a people to make peace through global development

rather than through current armies of occupation? And wouldn't

world development be a way to cooperate with other wealthy nations

of Europe and the Pacific Rim and reduce terrorism at the same

time?

Why in Europe and Japan? Why do we continue an enormous

military commitment to Europe and Japan that goes back to the Cold

War? Can't those nations take care of the needs in the Balkans and

their own defense? Isn't the argument that Europe and Japan are

paying part of the defense bill like the argument as to how much

money is saved buying unneeded items at a bargain basement?

Who benefits? Are the major catalysts for more arms the

defense industry? Could we ever satisfy their greed?

Where are we heading? Is not the pattern for us the same as

occurred with the higher military expenditures towards the end of

the Roman Empire. See Arthur Ferrill, The Fall of the Roman

Empire: The Military Explanation, Thames and Hudson, 1986.

The answers will be more interesting than the questions.

October 26, 2004 Become and Remain Debt-Free

You don't save money by borrowing even more. Jane Bryant Quinn

Newsweek, August 27, 2001

I choose not to have credit cards, even though I carry one

just in case the car runs out of gas and I have no cash left. And

in order to get several materials on line I must use someone else's

card. But I have never used the fuel card, and suspect when the

billfold is lost, so will that credit card. They are a bane -- not

an opportunity -- to Americans, with 7.3 trillion dollar personal

debts now burdening the consumers of this land (the average credit

card holder has $8,123 of debt (2001) -- and it's higher now. A

quirk in reasoning on the part of some lenders makes it sound like

a good thing. I was born in the depression, and in the year of

birth my dad could not make interest on his farm debt -- but the

local bank knew he was hardworking and a good risk. I grew up

thinking debts a bad thing, and ran an organization that was never

in the red in its quarter of a century existence. My fiscal

conservatism and fears have had deep roots.

Here are some hints by one paranoid about slipping out of the

black:

1. Plan within your expected budget and try to keep with it.

Set a contingency plan in case the income is less than expected.

Plant gardens, defer capital expenses, and cherish do-it-yourself

tasks;

2. Face the fiscal problem and accept that spending for

unexpected items must cease. No financial plan helps, if you are

addicted to buying. A good policy is to buy only when you have

thought about the item for a given length of time -- and never

through impulse purchases (I don't obey this perfectly);

3. Start repaying debts and resolve to add no new ones, though

this may not be possible if unexpected health problems arise;

4. Start a retirement fund, and add a given amount to it each

month. Today the amount of consumer savings is quite low but,

while the money is plentiful, one should save for the rainy day;

5. Pay off the credit cards, cancel them, and stop any high-

interest credit card programs as quickly as possible. Consider

whether credit cards are for you. At least realize that you are

somewhat enslaved to the system but need to be freer;

6. Don't borrow against the farm or the house. It is a way to

court disaster.

7. Develop a contingency and emergency fund for the unexpected

events which come up in life. This reduces pressure when such

events occur, and ends short-term borrowing at high interest rates.

8. Consider savings as a needed part of life.

October 27, 2004 Dress for the Season

Comfort and protection, not ostentation and fashion, should be

the primary criteria for clothing choice. That is not always the

case, and some will dress to be fashionable, even at the risk of

not having proper head coverings. Autumn is the time when we are

most likely to be caught underdressed when traveling, at outdoor

events, or in places which are unheated. An added winter-season

problem is dressing well for walking to a place outdoors; then upon

entering we find it to be extraordinarily warm, and we are not able

to easily remove excess clothing. Upon leaving an overheated

place, the differences could cause us to get a chill.

Don't Chill and don't overheat -- Wintery weather is the

ordinary time to catch a cold or flu. Exercise in winter can make

one vulnerable, unless you are following a routine. One needs to

double-check equipment and clothing. If you get chilled, be sure

to take warm drinks, get warm clothes and conserve heat as much as

possible. If overheated (a problem of athletes who practice in

summer months), go to the shade and drink plenty of water. Don't

fool yourself about either condition.

Protect the extremities -- Gloves, warm socks and cap are

needed at times to protect from windchill. This is especially true

when the a freezing breeze is blowing, even though it seems

relatively warm when you are out of the direct draft.

Beware of hypothermia -- Hypothermia can occur over a wide

range of temperatures while hiking or camping or after plunging

into cold water. The nearest I came to it was on a rainy night

after a long bike trip culminating in a five-mile bike climb up

Mount Olympia in Washington. We couldn't start a camp fire because

all the fuel was damp and so we had to hit the sack. My sleeping

bag was not heavy enough, so as I began to shiver violently and the

other fellow traded sleeping bags. We did build up a thick

mattress of skunk cabbage, which smelled bad but provided

insulation. If and when this condition occurs, remember to keep

the person warm and well-protected using whatever means possible.

Wear layers of clothes -- A combination of wool and some of the

modern thermal wicking synthetic fabrics proves comfortable and

helpful in not getting chilled in winter weather. Carry a backpack

to stuff sloughed off clothes in when it gets too warm for comfort,

and to carry extra garments.

Choose the right garments for place and time -- Often when I

travel to Chicago, I underdress because I expect the temperature to

be like it is in Kentucky. A mistake! Let's look up the weather

reports before traveling, and be a wee bit on the safe side in

winter. Prepare for rainy weather by keeping feet from getting wet

-- take waterproof shoes or boots or even a few plastic bags for

rain hat and shoe coverings; use raincoats with removable liners

for seasonal weather changes and take turtlenecks to protect the

throat in windy weather. It's that season again.

October 28, 2004 The Shut-Ins

October's brilliant colors are rapidly fading and we prepare

for gray November. Gradually the leaves fall, the sun gives way to

misty days, and cold weather becomes the ordinary thing. It can be

a melancholy time for many, and especially difficult for shut-ins.

Their freedom in more restricted and they will see the four walls

much more in colder weather. The upcoming holiday season which

really goes for about two months, is so much easier for those who

can move about and visit others. For most shut-ins, this is a

season when it takes an extra effort to smile.

The Culture of Death. We forget about life with too many car

bombing and acts of terrorism. Doctor-assisted suicides seem to be

the left wing order of the day. These advocates of death will try

in state after state to make people think the most perfect way to

proceed in getting older and less mobile is to bow out of the

picture gracefully. The advocates want the elderly and shut-ins to

take positive death-dealing steps when the person wishes (or is

persuaded to wish) to pass from the scene. The advocates of "death

with dignity" are often part of the culture of death which includes

capital punishment, abortion, wars, and now mercy killing. Instead

of first dealing with pain and then trying to come to terms with

some of the difficulties of life, they seek to limit life to those

possessing the gusto and full mobility. Others are regarded by

them as less deserving of life.

Affirm life. A more healthy environment is one where we can

affirm the worth of each person and of each life, the beauty of

God's creation, and the challenge to extend happiness and

appreciation to those who find life more difficult. Truly, we

should also celebrate the people who spend many hours at modest

compensation assisting those who are shut-ins, and cheerfully

giving them daily service with a smile. While we need not take

extraordinary means using tubes and pumps to prolong the

immobilized's life, it is still important that we see life as

precious and all who offer their suffering cheerfully as living a

high quality of life.

Difficult message. Let's tell shut-ins how they are called to

a particular vocation and they can preach the Good News through

loving deeds of obedience. Suffering offered in union with the

suffering Jesus is powerful and can make major changes in our

world, for no suffering is ever lost in Christ. And the more we

are united with all sufferers of the Earth, all of us can help fill

up what is wanting in the suffering of Christ (Col. 1:24). The

challenge is for us to proclaim this Good News with enthusiasm.

Remember. These are days when the wholeness and health of

family members are celebrated, and those who do not have such

blessings feel it acutely. It is the best time to affirm that the

shut-ins' presence is a gift, that their sufferings are inspiration

to many, and that their sacrifices are extremely meritorious for

the saving of the world.

October 29, 2004 Plastics: Choosing When to Use

Plastics are synthetic polymeric chemical materials generally

made from petroleum products and used in a multitude of household

and other commercial items today. Some of us are concerned about

the use of non-renewable resources, the replacement of natural

products which generally make less impact on resource extraction,

and the processing which sometimes results in occupational hazards.

If these concerns about plastics are valid, are we ever justified

from an environmental standpoint in using them? Perhaps some of

these substances are suitable in certain circumstances when they --

Improve the activity -- Synthetics improve recreational

activities such as hiking, biking, and camping by reducing bulk, by

protecting better from the elements, and by being more durable such

as in sleeping bags, ponchos, drop cloths, or backpacks.

Wear better and over longer lifetime -- Everyday synthetic

clothes such as socks and underwear may last longer or protect

better from sweat or rain. Many of the best and most durable glues

and sealants fit into this category.

Are stronger and safer -- Some synthetic materials, such as

nylon rope for climbing are a vast improvement over natural fibers.

Certain plastic materials may be able to withstand the weather as

well as cloth weather-protecting coverings, and still breathe as do

many traditional natural fiber cloth coverings. Some plastics

replace inherently dangerous glass products which are breakable in

the hands of infants. Children's recreational equipment such as

slides and playpens may be made of plastic without the sharp edges

found in metal counterparts.

Are versatile, easier to storage and light weight -- Some

plastic buildings materials are excellent for covers and roofing,

and can be translucent and fairly durable. The shipping and

storage containers may stronger, lighter in weight and thus take

less transport energy, and can be molded to take less space.

Have good insulating qualities -- Some plastics have higher R-

value for retaining heat in winter or chilled air in summer and yet

require less floor and roof space, making the need for smaller

buildings. Consider Styrofoam packing containers.

Though we have seen some uses which are advantageous, we

should not absolve plastics completely. The use of plastics would

be far less if we were more wary of them. Some plastics leach

plasticizer and solvent, though this has been reduced through more

recent fabrication methods. Some such as black plastic will

decompose when exposed to light or air. Other are quite

combustible when near heat. We once covered solar units with a

highly combustible sheeting, the condition of which we were unaware

when purchased. Some plastics melt easily or lose their strength,

and some simply do not biodegrade when entering the waste stream.

Consider all qualities when choosing natural versus synthetics.

October 30, 2004 A New Eden

We create a New Eden when we develop edible landscapes, not

land that we can eat, but land growing edible produce. In so doing

we become active participants in rebuilding the Earth. This is not

a survivalist tactic of a remnant people removing themselves from

a rapidly deteriorating situation. Rather, the New Eden promises

that Earth's community can be redeemed and healed through the

prayerful activity of dedicated human beings on land which has the

power to heal while being healed. Healing the Earth seems trivial,

insignificant and even apolitical, but it is truly a grassroots

activity with immense social consequences.

Emerging New Eden. Through thoughtlessness, we human beings

have damaged this planet, polluted its water and air, endangered

its wildlife, cut its forests, and littered its countryside with

debris. The presence of our misdeeds should not discourage us.

Part of the confession and restitution needed occurs through our

Earth healing practices. We take on a manageable piece of land and

make it productive. It responds by enhancing our ability to

continue the process which is local and yet united with persons

from all over the world. In fact, the process involves our

communion with other Earth healers who believe that major changes

can and will occur beginning at the local level. The New Eden is

the total Earth healing enterprise -- an interconnected series of

local grassroots activities throughout the planet.

The Gardens' Connection. This New Eden is a promise made to

our first parents as they left Eden. It is a fulfillment of the

parable of the mustard seed and the leaven in bread. A garden plot

is a leaven, a biological catalysis of sorts. The growing of the

plants leads to other healers becoming interested, and soon they

are encouraging the restoration of more and more plots. The New

Eden is a patchquilt of cultivated plots, a concatenation of small

plots to form a much larger collection of gardens. Through

interconnection, these become an extended neighborhood where God's

grace is at work through the instrumentality of human beings.

The New Eden is a component in the hastening of the Kingdom of

God which has already begun in our midst. The challenge is to

fashion this New Eden with broad-based support and participation.

One approach is to reflect on the characteristics of Earth healing

and see how they relate to our actions at the local level -- the

stepping stones for an emerging global garden -- a wholesome

garden, a sacred space, a humble setting, a green ecological model,

an art form, a resource conservation zone, a gateway to mystery, a

ripple effect, a part of home, a seat of a tolerant community, a

part of a just society, and a peaceful rest.

Resolving the Tension. Should we spend time reflecting on

what the emerging Eden will be, or should we build it in our

backyard?. At times we should reflect and at times work the land,

and we should be at peace taking time to do both though with a

focus on one or other at a given moment.

October 31, 2004 Zacchaeus

Today Salvation has come to this house. (Luke 19:9)

Jesus brings salvation to our wounded world, and we are to be

as overjoyed as the little man Zacchaeus was over the coming of the

Lord to us. This beautiful story follows the rich journey of faith

that we walk with many different characters we encounter each

weekend in Luke's gospel narratives. Some of these people we like

and some we don't, but who could dislike Z. In fact, the core of

the story is that a heightening of hostility is occurring from the

crowd because tax collectors are regarded as traitors for working

with the Roman oppressors. How can Jesus who knows so much go to

Z's house -- of all people?

Invitations. Z turns out to be a man who is disliked by the

crowd. He may be honest and law-abiding but disliked and, worse,

unnoticed most of the time. Maybe he is even somewhat embarrassed

at first that anyone even noticed him up in that dense foliage of

a sycamore tree. Jesus does notice and invites himself to Z's

house. The unexpected event causes Z to fumble and try to justify

himself in front of a frowning and eye-arching crowd. They seem to

be say "how dare Z to think he is so good! Z hastens to testify to

possibly counter this opposition, but he finds that Jesus is true

to his word; he likes Z. Who will have to pay more for this

relationship than Jesus, for some in the crowd is now plotting for

a halt to his ministry.

Bring salvation to others. Our world is filled with people

liking this one and not the other one. We live in a world of over-

segregated communities. We fail to see that heaven is a place

where all types will some day celebrate together. We have to bring

the saving powers of the Lord to them here and now. "Catholic"

means universal, and that means we are challenged and concerned

about all, even those we do not always regard as united with us.

We so often overlook the "little people," the ones who are easily

ignored and forgotten. That situation applies to individuals

within our communities, those who are the poor and invisible folks

in our country, and populations of whole nations. Seeing them and

recognizing who they are is a mission and a mandate.

Joy and celebration. Coming to know others means that they

are filled with joy that becomes the energy needed to heal this

broken world. Enlisting others in lands where the social and

environmental order has been fractured is a cause for joy. We lose

the suspicion that separates us. Instead, we are called to help

make their place safe and secure enough to be inviting. By

conquering disease, eradicating mosquitoes, providing potable

water, furnishing a steady food supply, and giving new affordable

housing, we as a people open ourselves to coming to their home --

our home. We extend home to the entire planet, a place where all

can live in harmony with each other. Then truly salvation will

come to this house.

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.

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by Al Fritsch, S.J.