Labor Day and all's quiet after summer play,
Blooming ironweed, goldenrod and ragweed seed,
Good smells at tobacco harvest time,
when leaves are golden and hands are grime,
First autumn chill, longer cool nights,
foggy valleys, misty lakes with steamy sights,
Flocking birds in the evening breeze,
seeming to overwhelm the roosting trees.
Tomatoes have now acquired an autumn taste,
and peppers appear as though post-haste,
Elderberries are not eaten raw, and why?
They're destined for a steaming pie.
Root cellars contain butternut and winter squash,
and all sorts of apples, not just Mackintosh.
Prepare the greenhouse for the frosty fall,
we all know well the season's call.

September 2004 Reflections

September 1, 2004 Labor: Rights and Responsibilities

Right to work. Most of us work just to get through life; but

labor is more than toil and sweat. Labor is our creative

expression of self, our prayer through our hands, the way we leave

our mark on the world around us, our gift to future generations,

our sense of meaning and dignity, our sacrifice for loved ones, and

our use of the gifts given in meaningful ways. We encourage those

unable to actively work to be productive through their willing

offering of their sufferings in the crucible of global labor -- a

spiritually communal enterprise. For the lazy, working may be a

burden which they would prefer to avoid -- or just tolerated

drudgery. But energetic people prefer to talk about a "right to

work," which is part of the right to live, to breathe fresh air,

and eat wholesome food, to raise one's kids, and to have the peace

and prosperity to which every person is entitled by birth.

Poor working conditions. A cruel capitalistic society which

plays off of the pool of the unemployed is not tolerable. People

vie with each other for scarce jobs. Dog eats dog. In China the

surplus of labor is so great, they entice agricultural immigrants

to work without written contracts and then dismiss them when the

paycheck is due. Closer to home are examples of runaway industries

that flee to nations with poorer work conditions which allow lower

wages, harm to the environment, and offer no conceivable worker

benefits. Even in time of relative prosperity we see some of the

highest rates of factory closures in America. Experts project that

a 1% rise in unemployment is accompanied by a 5% rise in violent

crime and family discord.

Labor responsibilities. Rights include responsibilities:

laborers must do a decent day's work to the degree possible;

employers must furnish decent working conditions; and governments

must become the ultimate employers. If citizens are expected to

help defend their country, they have the right to a livelihood

through honest labor. A healthy nations should provide jobs for

all even if it takes effort and resources to do so. Why should

some be allowed to remain billionaires when others are denied the

basic right to make a decent living. Self-employment ought to be

safeguarded by governmental policies of tax breaks and incentives.

The government could transfer some of the immense amounts of

military expenditures to environmental and conservation measures (a

ten percent or 40 billion would have an immense economic multiplier

effect), building affordable housing for all, solar energy

applications (a quarter of a million jobs alone), public works

programs to improve transportation, parks, medical facilities, and

recreational areas (the WPA projects stand as architectural gems

and enduring public works monuments), and enhancing Americorps,

Peace Corps, VISTA and private overseas voluntary agencies.

Constitutional Amendment. We ought to consider an amendment

to the Federal Constitution that gives to every citizen the right

make a decent living, and requires that the government is the

ultimate employer if there are no available jobs.

September 2, 2004 Kind Words and Deeds

As we advance in years we seem to be drawn more to spending

time at hospitals, senior citizen centers and funeral parlors. The

person who has passed away is a relative or friend, and we need to

go and pay our respects. It is hard to come and give a moment or

even spend a few hours at a wake. During these times we feel like

we are walking on two left feet. We feel self-conscious because we

are speechless or fumble for words of sympathy. That is a common

experience, for only a few of us enjoy being at wakes or at

visiting someone in a hospital room or addressing a letter of

condolence.

A little is a lot. Let's be forthright about it; the

hospital visit or conversation or message need not be lengthy and

ought to be mercifully short in most circumstances. In cultures

with prolonged wakes, some are satisfied with just sitting in

silence. More than spoken words is the act of just being present

and giving another a sign of love, a hug or a warm handshake or

just show compassion through a silent period with them. We say

this is all we can do but it is often more than we realize. Most

acts of kindness are deeply appreciated; they are the times to say

"thank you" for the lives of those who are approaching and coming

to their own passing. A moment, a sign of thoughtfulness, a small

affirmation is really the spice of human life. Let's keep the

seasoning flowing. It makes the world a better place in which to

live.

On being the consoled. Part of giving consolation is also a

willingness on our part to receive acts of kindnesses from others.

If we do this graciously, we gradually acquire an art of giving the

same or even more generous acts when the time comes for us to be

the consoler. And it comes more often than we imagine.

Consolation

Words of support

refresh the parched soul

like cool, bubbling water

from an hillside spring.

They are all the more welcome

when unexpected, and arriving

just when I'm down and out,

and have no where to turn.

They awaken within me

a sense of renewed hope

that I'll speak consoling words

to refresh another.

September 3, 2004 Travel Advantages and Disadvantages

Mobility gives a person a sense of freedom, access to

information and materials, and ability to communicate with others

at a greater distance. Too often in the past travel, involved a

journey (the Latin word "diurnata" for day's work); this conveys

the notion of painful exertion in order to get somewhere. In more

modern times, with increasing ease and comfort in conveyances,

travel can actually be enjoyable, as many attest who look forward

to the next vacation travel time and memories of the last one.

With the rise of global touring one can expect that the travel

business (some estimate at three trillion dollars a year) will soon

emerge as the number one industry in the world -- provided

terrorism does not slow the growth too much.

A journey or a trip. For poorer people the curse of isolation

places restrictions on their ability to travel and meet others.

Prior to the airplane, car and train, people had to journey by foot

or on horseback or maybe take a sailing ship with conditions so

harsh that many would not survive the voyage. Few could venture

great distances and some would consider a major journey as a once-

in-a-lifetime event. Modern travel breaks down isolated

communities and allow intermingling of cultures and peoples.

Advantages. The benefits of travel are often told in travel

books and periodicals and expounded by those who like to see the

world: educational opportunities for eager students; cultural

exchanges; religious experiences through pilgrimage; a chance to

return and explore ones roots; and the sheer enjoyment of going to

new places and meeting exciting fellow travelers.

Drawbacks. Travel, however, has certain negative aspects; air

pollution from vehicles; consumption of resources for fuel and

vehicles; land required for building airports, roads, and

recreation areas such as golf courses; a loss of the sense of place

by those residents who are overrun by tourists; environmental

damage done to pristine areas through overuse; noise and

congestion which accompany tourist activities; and the leakage of

the tourist dollar going to non-local agencies such as air lines or

multinational motels.

Overlooked potential danger. An emerging rapid-travel

drawback which is often overlooked is the possible spread of

diseases from one isolated place over a wider range. Infectious

diseases are far more threatening today due to the volume of and

access to rapid transportation. In the past, such diseases

existed, but they ravaged limited areas because fewer entered and

left infected areas. Even so, the 14th century Black Plague

traveled over trade routes at quite rapid speeds. If that was true

then, what about in this age of jet travel. Some of the

disadvantages can be minimized by technical innovations or proper

regulations at the time of travel (health safeguards, pollution

control devices, etc.).

Reference: The Coming Plague by Laurie Garrett.

September 4, 2004 Soft Drink Curbs

With summer ending we can honestly ask: how many times did I

reach for a soft drink when thirsty during the hot season? Maybe

our excuse was that the service station or fast food place had no

water fountain. On the other hand, the soft drink dispenser was

quite prominent -- and the drink was, well not too, expensive. Or

maybe you heard the refrigerator door open, close and the hiss of

the escaping carbonation by a thirsty soul. And then there was

that inevitable question at the eating place of "What will you have

to drink?" It comes with the expectation that you will order a

soft drink. Along with fries, these drinks are the place's real

moneymaker for the restaurant and the soft drink manufacturers.

Are they healthy? Some say the emerging obesity problem among

Americans is due in no small part to the sugar in soft drinks. And

this sugar is why a sizeable portion of that beverage industry is

converting to diet beverages, which some people find distasteful.

A major portion of our over a hundred pounds of sugar per person

per year ends up in the beverages we drink. This cannot help but

have an effect on the weight levels and overall health of many

people, especially youth.

Youth and soft drinks. Along with rising health concerns we

witness the invasion of the soft drink vendors in our public

schools. Are these public places becoming the domain of a few

multi-nationals? Why is there a Coca Cola/Pepsi commercial war

directed to school boards across the nation, over the issue of

which vendor has a right in set up machines in particular schools?

Why should a student who wears a Pepsi tee-shirt be sent home on

Coca Cola appreciation days? These turf wars, while yielding money

for cash-strapped school board coffers, are giving the wrong choice

of products to students. In the past two decades, milk consumption

among youth has been cut in half, while soft drinks (with their

empty calories and excessive caffeine) have doubled in consumption.

Unfortunately, target groups, especially female youth, need calcium

and other nutrients found in milk to provide healthy bodies.

Little wonder anti-soft drink advocates are plugging the vending

machines using a penny with an attached wad of gum.

Keeping right-of-ways clean. And there's the environment to

consider as well. Roadsides are inundated with soft drink bottles

and cans, causing neighborhood visual pollution. We know more

resources go into making the beverage container than the contents,

and so cans and bottles are very important. 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 and enjoyed it

immensely. Could we enjoy life drinking other beverages, say

water? Check out how much of a supermarket'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? Big question!

September 5, 2004 Wisdom, Possessions and Discipleship

Discipleship is truly a calling which some are unwilling to

hear. However, for those of us who call ourselves Christians, we

know this call to true, and faithful discipleship can be difficult

and challenging at times.

"And scarce do we guess the things on earth, and what is

within our grasp we find with difficulty." (Wisdom 9:16) This

sense of wise decisions come in fits and starts and is seldom

achieved perfectly even at the time of our passing from this world.

We know that things do not come easily. We listen to the wise

advice of not allowing possessions and possible acquisitions to

take up all of our attention. That is the real temptation of the

foolish person who, upon hearing he has one year to live, acquires

a plane, a boat and a fast car. Or it could be the determination

of a wise person to live each remaining day to the fullest with a

sense of gratitude to God for each additional day.

Dispossession is freedom. A reading worth attention is the

revealing Letter to Philemon. Paul sends the slave (Onesimus) back

to Philemon as required by Roman property law while entreating

Philemon to free the slave and return him to Paul. Onesimus had

fled his master and turned to Paul, becoming a follower of Christ

and a valuable assistant requesting his own freedom. Paul is now

facing the slave master situation which would grip America's long

road to freedom. Should not all people be free? How could

Americans ever consider black slaves as three-fifths of a person?

Why did it take so long to abolish slave trade? Remember the

underground railroad, Civil War and the Emancipation Proclamation.

Dispossession. Jesus tells us that we are to accept

discipleship in a methodical manner like the experience of building

an enduring product such as a house that was expected to last.

Likewise, discipleship resembles directing an army and the

experience required to do it well (Luke 14: 25-33). We free

ourselves from enduring and energy-draining attachments which would

limit that discipleship; instead we choose the freedom of true

discipleship with Jesus. Then come the words that make one

uncomfortable, found in Luke: anyone who does not renounce all his

possessions cannot be my disciple. Total discipleship involves a

total purgation and that is difficult.

Our willingness. Possessions hold us back from Jesus. We

refrain, sequester, grip, protect and covet these things in our

lives. Often we consider what gifts to give, and find that by

giving away what is most dear is quite satisfying both to the one

receiving and to us for parting with this. Our prized keepsakes,

our freedom, our time, our favorite foods, our very lives, all

these can become the most worthy gifts. For dispossession is part

of letting go, of opening our heart to God, and of accepting a

radical simplicity and poverty which make us able to receive the

spiritual gifts God has in store for us. And we are prepared to

carry back to God our love -- and what we give up too.

September 6, 2004 The Labyrinth

Virtual pilgrimage. In recent years, aging religious

communities have returned to a Middle Age device for aiding in

spiritual growth, the "Labyrinth." This is a form of maze, which

entails walking carefully and thoughtfully over a designed pattern

on the ground or a building's floor. The movement is to a center

and then back out to the outer edge. The movement in and out is

regarded as a metaphor for life's journey.

Spiritual quest. Labyrinths were a popular form of spiritual

exercise and prayer when long trips to the Holy Land were unsafe or

financially impossible. The labyrinths in cathedrals such as

Chartres in France made it possible for people to make a virtual

pilgrimage and grow in faith. The return of the labyrinth's

popularity may be a desire for symbolic action through moderate

physical exertion in a personal spiritual journey. It is a

prayerful alternative experience undertaken by people unable to

endure a true pilgrimage.

Where appearing. This can be done closer to home in such

patterned design now sprouting up at retreat centers, church yards,

religious retirement communities and numerous other places,

especially at Catholic and mainline Christian institutions. While

it has been mainly a feminine practice, an increasing number of

males find the experience quite refreshing. Some regard it as a

choice time for meditation. Other advocates consider it as more

preparation for reflection rather than a prayer itself; some

participants follow afterwards with formal prayer alone or through

journaling or small group discussion.

Prayerful movement. While not inclined to this particular

spiritual exercise, I affirm its value for people so drawn. It

fits into a growing category of such exercises: gesture, dance,

hiking, yogi, and similar practices. It also affirms that prayer

requires concentration and posture/stance/movement are all

important ingredients. Besides, by engaging in an outdoor

labyrinth experience through walking or use of a walker or wheel

chair, the participant benefits from full-spectrum sunlight and

fresh air -- ingredients of a healthy life. Indoor labyrinths can

be used as well for spiritual and physical exercise when the snow,

ice and rain close down the outside ones.

Build your own. Labyrinths invite the creative mind in

variety of design. One may purchase labyrinth patterns coming in

large plastic sheets, which can be laid out on a flat surface.

Many of these designs are so ancient there is no copyright; they

are derived from a number of traditions and time periods. Place

the labyrinth in a place with limited privacy. Some labyrinth

installers paint these on abandoned tennis courts or parking space

which is not constantly used. Others run a lawn mower over a

meadow to build the design into the landscape but that requires

summer maintenance. Others have more elaborate flagstone,

concrete, blacktop, gravel or mosaic designs to accommodate users.

September 7, 2004 The Ten Commandments of the Forest

1. Enter the forest with reverence. Let's walk softly in the

woods for it is holy ground and the divine presence can be sensed

here. Don't bring idols in the form of instruments which can

damage or destroy the forest in any manner.

2. Do not trash the resource. "I only have a few acres and

they were trashed over by a logging operators" disparages the

forest resource and then opens it to further exploitation. Speak

highly of all forest lands as resource and not wasteland.

3. Celebrate the forest. The trees tell us there's more to

celebrate. Let's show joy over the forest's biodiversity and spend

time meditating here; let's encourage others to do the same, to

paint forest scenes, and to sing about the enchanting woods.

4. Honor and encourage native cultivars. Some regard

introduction of species found elsewhere as an important addition to

an economy. However, our forestlands are already rich in native

biodiversity. Shouldn't we first look at what is native, and only

then at what can be introduced from the outside? Reclamation

projects often bring exotic and invasive species that harm the

fragile balance of the forest ecosystem.

5. Walk lightly in the forest. Those who leave their mark by

driving all over the forested areas to cultivate or overharvest

will destroy the forest's fragile understory, threatening many of

the delicate species that need to be left undisturbed. Walking

delicately rather than riding as motorized vehicle also has real as

well as symbolic significance.

6. Do not rape the land. To take a little is acceptable; to

take too much endangers the target species and may threaten its

very existence. The habit of taking just enough wild species to

satisfy human needs is not common modern practice; nor is

restoring the root stock after harvest. If a herb like ginseng is

to be harvested, one should follow proper harvest practices of

leaving the immature and seed stock, and dig only at certain times

of the year.

7. Do not make commercial gain from wild plants. Our woodland

harvests should be for our own immediate needs and not for

commercial gain. Not preparing for the next generation is stealing

from them and infringing on the property "rights" of future

generations.

8. Do not bear witness against the forest. The forest is not

an infinite economic resource that could sustain improper timbering

for long periods of time. Not every forest can bounce back. Any

forest is fragile enough that it may not endure the abuses of

wanton exploitation of resources.

9. Do not over-anticipate yields. To fail to see the beauty

of the forest and only see economic gain is to desire what the

forest cannot give. Realize that some diseases and weather

variations will restrict production or harvesting and that such

allowances must be made by the cultivator on a year-by-year basis.

10. Do not covet the commons. The forests of the world do not

belong to individuals to do what they desire. They are the lungs

of the planet, a gift to all, and they are meant to benefit all the

inhabitants, not a greedy few.

September 8, 2004 Solar Greenhouses and Cold Frames

Solar greenhouses are those which are heated by the sun. They

work better in milder climates and need to be well-insulated with

a heat-retaining system such as a water tank or stone. Ample

literature is available on where to buy or how to construct free-

standing or attached solar greenhouses. The free-standing ones are

somewhat harder to heat, because they have more exterior surface,

but it can be done in milder climates by burrowing down and using

the earthen surroundings for partial insulation. Lexan and other

good plastic and glass glazing add much to retaining the critical

heat to keep plants from freezing. All structures should face

south, but can be turned either slightly east or west with some

differences in morning or evening sun benefits.

Winter use. With good planning and proper choice of plants,

the greenhouse can be quite productive without the high price of

heating the structures with non-renewable fuels. These greenhouses

act as large permanent cold frames which provide greens throughout

the colder months of the year as well as some seedlings; however,

they may not prove to be ideal for all varieties of plant

generation. When attached to a building and properly constructed,

a solar greenhouse has the added advantage of providing a

substantial amount of space heating (at ASPI we have received 40%

of winter heating loads on sunny days for a 2,000-square foot space

from its 120-square foot greenhouse).

Summer use. We can use solar greenhouses as storage places

during the hot summer months even though the temptation is to

abandon the building for the hot months. We shade the exterior

with Jerusalem artichokes which form a natural awning that grows

well in summer and dies back in autumn when we need the solar

energy for growing plants. Hot weather plants, like tomatoes and

peppers, can grow indoors in summer, and take less watering in dry

seasons. In mid-summer, we transfer late summer crops for fall

tomato production, as well as Swiss chard, dill, parsley and mint

for winter yields. Also the greenhouse can serve in summer as an

effective solar food dryer.

Other applications. An attached solar greenhouse could be

used as a sunny atrium with flowers and seating space. It can be

used as a place to gather and relax, or serve as a meditation room

or chapel space, or be used to raise fish. Mini-greenhouses,

whether free-standing or attached, can are similar in construction

to larger one but attention is given to minimize space requiring

solar heating. Their lids should be removable to allow for airing.

Non-permanent, low-cost cold frames may be built easily using

natural or synthetic fabric covers; these can be useful for

protecting plants both in spring and autumn. To build the

"caterpillar" variety measure the plot size; make hoops by bending

quarter-inch rib bar and rust-proof the edges; insert hoops every

three feet with about a two- foot air space above; cover with

fabric; and tie down with pegs like a tent side every three feet.

Slip the covering to one side on sunny days to air out.

September 9, 2004 Mold, the Asbestos of the 2000s

Mold, that most common of living kingdoms and comprising a

quarter of the biomass of the Earth, comes in about 20,000

varieties. Mold helps in the recycling process by breaking down

organic matter. Otherwise the globe would be overwhelmed by dead

matter. Mold is useful in flavoring, such as in blue cheese, and

the filtrates of mold are used to make the penicillin that keeps us

healthy. However, by 1991, microbial growth was rated as the

number one indoor air quality problem. The American Hotel and

Motel Association estimates that mold and mildew cause several

hundred million dollars worth of damage each year.

Health problems. Mold becomes more problematic when it feasts

on our homes, especially the indoors. It can do damage to the

buildings and it can affect the occupants. Too often, homeowners

know mold only too well as the cause of headaches, skin irritation,

chronic sinusitis, breathing problems including asthma attacks, and

a variety of allergic reactions. Mold becomes such a severe indoor

contaminant that people abandon the dwelling rather then spend

thousands of dollars in trying to combat the contamination and

attempt permanent restoration. New York City landlords now face

125 lawsuits seeking a total of eight billion dollars for personal

injuries caused by living in these contaminated buildings.

Building problems. Several causes can be given for the

increased mold problems in modern buildings. Older homes with

their high ceilings and airy corridors simply did not have the

cellulose materials that the mold loves to feast on. The increased

use of exterior insulation, the prevalence of air conditioning and

the closed home, and the use of paper-faced gypsum board are

considered some of the causes of the increased mold problems.

Excessive moisture and improperly installed HVAC equipment may be

the more proximate cause. Vapor barriers do not work or are

improperly designed. All of these factors have created a gold mine

for the litigation profession. Additionally, there are few

regulations for coping with building mold problems.

Remediation. Some say it is impossible to set exposure limits

for mold that can be applied to all human beings. Thus remedies

may be helpful, but some such as indoor air sampling are expensive

and not always completely effective. Visual inspection is a good

first type of sampling. Reducing moisture leaks and controlling

the humidity may be the easiest approach. Since the mold may go

far beyond the dark spots on the walls, take precautions to

eliminate all the contamination and strive to contain it in only

the affected parts of the building. Good luck!

See Guidelines on Assessment and Remediation of Fungi in Indoor

Environment, NYC Dept. of Health, November 2000 www.ci.nyc.ny.us/html/doh/html/epi/moldrpt1.html .

General Reference: Environmental Building News, June 2001,

Volume 10, Number 6.

September 10, 2004 In Defense of Wilderness

Wilderness is that part of the world which has not been

changed by human activity and remains in its previous undeveloped

condition. Forestlands or drylands minus trees can be wilderness,

depending on human impact and the natural state of the area.

Value or valueless? American wilderness is under assault.

And this is more easily done by those with chain saws and

bulldozers than in the past with broadaxes and oxen. When a piece

of land is seen to have a commercial value as a resort, a

agricultural commodity growing area, a shopping mall, or a housing

development, it can be ripped up in a wink, and few think anything

of it. Well, some people realize that wilderness has a value in

itself and without regard to human utility. Natural beauty and

wild plants are sources of value, but more than for medicine or in

utilitarian terms. Wilderness is good in itself and has extended

spiritual value for all of us living beings on this planet.

Preservation. Certain conservation-oriented public and

private agencies buy up land that is threatened, in order to ward

off development. This is a noble enterprise, but quite costly and

requires donors with deep pockets. Only the most significant

places can be purchased by the private or the public conservation

agencies. The remainder which has not been deemed unique or highly

fragile is not covered under this protective umbrella.

Wildland corridors. One group described in Vermont's Wild

Earth periodical seeks to establish wilderness corridors in various

parts of the U.S. where wildlife can migrate without being

endangered by roadways and other travel and development strips.

The concept is good, provided proponents do not pencil large areas

of human habitation for removal and return to wilderness. This is

a sure fire way of creating an opposition from residents to be

expelled. Naturally, they will attack elitists who want to change

other people's living practices and habitats. Instead, efforts

must be undertaken to preserve wilderness where possible, and

establish wildlife corridors/tunnels under major highways. This is

now being done in Georgia and elsewhere, though it is costly.

Future thought. Colonizing Americans have battled the

wilderness so strenuously that we need a clear rationale for

keeping wilderness areas, wetlands, and old growth forests thriving

in "developed" and "developing" parts of the world. Holmes

Rolston, III asks, "Can or ought we to follow nature?" and answers

in a number of interesting ways. Activists show that wild areas

are worth protecting. In truth, activism calls one to speak or

express oneself in a forceful manner. That manner does not just

consist merely in writing checks, books and research papers. It

must also include creating wildscape in yards, artificial wetlands,

and conservation areas on farms. It includes getting the U.S.

Forest Service to become protective. A combination of all these

efforts will be a more powerful testimony. Our wilderness deserves

it. Reference: Philosophy Gone Wild, Holmes Rolston,III.

September 11, 2004 Home Hobbies

As the first chill of autumn appears, we think of the warm,

snug domestic environment where extra time will be spent in the

upcoming days of winter. We review the householders' hobbies,

which can give entertainment, but may contain hidden dangers.

Emphasize sociable card games or other participative hobbies. A

quick review may be worth looking at and remembering for future

discussion of hobby choice.

Hobby	Dangers	Remedies
Animal preserving	Chemicals such as formaldehyde	Perform in well-vented space
Ceramics	Kiln exhausts, heavy metals, paints	Good ventilation; use recent products
Collecting items (antiques)	Humidity, poor storage space	Humidity-controlled; open storage space
Computer writing, internet use	Posture, neck, eye, back, and wrist fatigue	No more than 2 hours per day; use proper equipment
Cartooning, drawing, etching	Sharp instruments, acids	Keep from children
Cooking, baking	Hot surfaces and burns	Pace yourself
Crocheting, needlepoint, macrame	Needles	Keep from children
Floral design, flower pots	Attract rodents, water spillage	Keep clean
Furniture repair, home improvement	Paint solvents, glues	Perform in well-vented space or outdoors
Gun collecting	Firearm dangers	Render inoperative
Handicrafts, quilting	Sharp instruments	Pace yourself
Glassblowing and cutting	Dust, lead, possible burns	Use mask and vent well
Painting and sculpting	Solvents, lacquers, varnishes, metals	Avoid unvented space (attics or basements)
Photography	Chemicals	Use in vented space or use digital cameras
Yoga, calisthenics	Over-exertion	Pace yourself

September 12, 2004 The Prodigal Son & the Forgiving Father

(Luke Chapter 15)

Caring. The Prodigal Son Parable is grouped with that of the

lost sheep and the lost coin. Care is needed in the regaining of

each lost animal or person. God is a caring shepherd when going to

find the one lost sheep and rejoicing with the court of heaven over

its return. Often we too need to seek and to freely reach out and

rejoice when bringing back others to proper living. So, too, God

is a diligent housekeeper (a female figure) when searching the

house for the lost treasure. God is always caring for us.

Forgiveness is at the heart of the parable of the Prodigal Son

-- or Forgiving Father -- or Unforgiving Brother. Where do I fit

into the picture? We all are partly Prodigal Son, for we are

wayward in our actions and practices, not being perfect people.

Time flies, and we find that we have allowed our life to pass

before us in a wink. We suddenly come to our senses. In some way,

all of us are prodigal children of our Father. There is also the

element within us which does not want to forgive another,

especially those who have such clear faults that all are aware of

in many ways. Why forgive, when the other sibling caused the

brother harm in squandering half of the possessions? We may see

close relatives or friends lose precious opportunities and find it

hard to forgive them, especially after they hurt us in some way.

God's story. Perhaps the Father figure in the Parable is

difficult to imitate because it is so hard to be godly, and that is

what forgiveness is all about: to imitate God in our way of

treating others. If we do not forgive, we can hardly be forgiven,

and so forgiveness is a prime mandate of those committed to the

road to perfection. The forgiving father looks out each day and

finally spots the son from a long way off. He has so longed for

the son's return. Recall that the prodigal son has memorized a

verse but the Father does not allow him to complete it because

forgiveness has already come before the son speaks. God's mercy is

always at work from the first moment.

Our other story. We may really want to side with the

unforgiving brother. The Father cannot dissuade him from his own

festering anger. The brother does not feel like celebrating,

especially after all the hard work he has expended. Why all the

toil, if the other son is forgiven for doing wrong things? But the

unforgiving one fails in generosity and in sharing in celebration

with his grieving father. He does not show love when needed as a

family, but rather retreats back into himself. It's frightening.

Easter people. We exercise our freedom when we bring back to

life those we dislike and find at fault. "He who is as good as

dead has come back to life." When we forgive, we receive and give

new life. We reestablish a loving relationship. We imitate our

Creating God in forming new bonds of love -- and we care about the

relationships we have with others, for we must always reduce the

barriers that hold us apart -- especially at a time when our

communities are under attack or we hurt deeply.

September 13, 2004 Avoid Commercial Chemicals

Disadvantages. The universe and especially our living planet

contain makes natural chemicals, but for the most part these come

through biological processes and are easily decomposed in the

natural world of recycling and composting. Only in very recent

times have we human beings tried to duplicate nature's ways on a

grand scale; we chemists have produced millions of synthetic

chemicals (I made several in my own short career), creating some of

commercial interest and then proceeding to manufacture in by the

thousands of tons. And, to be expected, many of these chemicals

have proved hard to break down in nature; they are often toxic

pesticides and medicines, and bioaccumulate in the higher-level

members of the food chain. For instance, highly versatile

chlorinated compounds are used in the production of organic and

inorganic commercial chemicals. One such chemical is vinyl

chloride, a primary chemical building block used in making a

multitude of polyvinyl chloride (PVC) products. The processing of

chlorinated compounds can involve severe health effects on chemical

workers at processing plants.

Caution! Commercial household chemicals should be avoided

wherever and whenever possible. Most people are unable to

successfully handle toxic chemicals without spillage or failure to

clean up perfectly after use. Substitutes may not be as effective

but are far safer and with care can do the same job at less risk.

It may take a little more elbow grease to clean with natural

products rather than commercial chemicals, but you have no residual

toxic substances around the place which may fall in the wrong

hands. Store petroleum products away from the household and away

from places where food is stored. Internal combustion engines use

toxic fuels and other motor products -- and these should be kept in

safe places away from the living quarters.

Be on the alert! Certainly once lead was removed from fuel

the gasoline became less hazardous when spilled. However,

lead is still found in a number of chemical products in and around

the home. Older houses still have lead paint which can chip and

the dusty conditions in certain areas can be unsafe especially for

infants. Even though the lead problem is becoming less severe than

a few decades ago, still some caution must be taken, for this

substance can accumulate in the body and cause major damage to the

brain and other vital organs.

Some simple guidelines for reducing commercial chemical

exposure: know workplace chemicals and take special precautions

when working with them; eliminate all toxic chemicals from the

home; refrain from eating foods which may be contaminated with

toxic pesticides (go organic and grow organic); air out new

buildings and synthetic materials in refurnished homes (rugs, and

curtains); minimize synthetic medicine use where possible -- though

some drugs are justified for serious reasons; and have water tested

for the possible contamination from chemicals which can slip

through normal water purification processes.

September 14, 2004 Sign of the Cross

Many of us publicly sign ourselves with the sign of the Cross

and this we do almost unconsciously. Our reverence in signing

ourselves shows to others that we are Christians who profess that

Jesus died on the Cross and that the Trinity of persons makes up

the Godhead in whom we believe. This has been a central belief for

Christians for two thousand years. Some of our ranks have carried

this sign to other parts of the world through evangelization or the

spreading of the Good News. It is the sign by which many have gone

to prison, some have defied civil authorities by making or wearing,

and some have died for what it signifies.

The mark of the Trinity. Are we aware that we are steeped in

the Mysteries of the Godhead with each and every action we perform?

The way we think follows the way the Word is begotten and how it is

generated, and thus leads to the spirited action which really shows

us for who we are and how we act -- members of the divine family

and trinitarian in how we act. We reflect on the mystery of

procreation and how husband and wife enter into the action which is

an imitation of the Trinity at work in our world. Since God is

love, it is all the more important that acts of love manifest that

Trinity pattern with greater intensity. The same can be said of

the creative actions which we are engaged in the world around us,

in our work and in our recreation, in the way we live and die, in

how we keep our house or plan our lives. All have a trinitarian

character when performed properly.

Baptism into a community of love. Baptism is that important

moment in our life when we enter on the road to salvation and join

with a community of believers. But we don't rest with our own

entry, but rather we are energized to go out and help bring others

into this community. The act of incorporation is marked by the

Trinity. Baptism is the primary sacrament of an outward sign,

instituted by Christ to give grace. Through baptism the Good News

comes to others in a concrete fashion and they are asked to carry

this cross in and throughout the world.

Cross and Good News. How can this sign of ignominy be Good

News? Isn't it possible by entering into others' suffering and

inviting them to participate in ours, so that there is a community

of persons co-suffering or capable of having that deepest of love

expressions -- compassion. Through baptism, the invitation is

formally given and received; the suffering of those outside is now

brought within, and the intense suffering within is shared by those

who have just entered. This "within" is part of the Divine plan,

the fullness of Christ's own suffering and death. It is into the

intense heart of this love that those who are baptized enter. Now

through the eyes of faith we can perceive our individual crosses as

joined with others in a universal Calvary event stretching

throughout time. It is the present "now" of the cross that we all

enter. All of this is part of the signing of the Cross -- and act

requiring ever greater reverence.

September 15, 2004 Successful Organizing

Organizing has been in the blood of public interest activists

for a long time. It doesn't mean we are always successful, but we

have to keep on trying. I look back over a number of decades and

find that about half the movements, organizations and coalitions

have been "successful' for at least a period of time. In some

cases, the efforts succeeded or were handed over to others; in

others, a collective "we" still thrives. Saul Alinsky, a Vietnam

War era community organizer, helped many programs get started. He

stressed choosing good issues, obtaining results through the use of

community resources, making the results known, and moving from

minor successes to bigger ones. Successful organizing includes

the following:

Knowing the issue. Not every issue is worth organizing

around. It is highly possible that a good cause can be handled

successfully by an already functioning individual prophetic

witness. If the issue demands citizen participation, start the

process on your own with like-minded people, knowing the power of

united efforts, votes and political action. Be focused on the

particular issue and learn the facts. In our recent organizing of

ginseng growers, we find that the situation, on closer scrutiny, is

far different than we originally thought. Some organize too

quickly and soon burn out. Others fail to see the totality of the

issue and prefer black and white views, and shun the complex gray

areas where opposing sides should be heard and allowed their chance

before immediate action is taken. Sound judgment as to how much

deliberate speed is required is part of successful organizing.

Anticipating results. Crystal balls give no future. Still we

can estimate what could be achieved if we limit ourselves to what

is practical. Often, the best approach is one of public

demonstration or practices which encourage people to seek further

action. Some organizers get carried away and dream of far-reaching

results, far beyond what is reasonable. We stand always amazed

that our founding fathers (and mothers, like Abigail Adams) were

able to envision a great nation during the dark years of the

American Revolution. Keep up the efforts for organizing can be

tricky and exhausting, but it contains a high potential to be

rewarding and influential.

Learning from failures. Citizen groups have a good record of

achieving success -- but not always. Others stumble over too

limited a set of goals or outlive their purpose. Others fade due

to lack of funding, loss of their reason for existing, over-

dependence on one or another person, waste of time or resources,

lack of proper publicity at the right time, over-rigidity in

tactics or objectives, internal battles of staff or decision

makers, external harassment, failure to diversify funding or over-

dependence on a few people or a single "fat cat," fraud or

mismanagement, diluting the focus, and lack of analysis or staying

in touch with community problems. But even some with one or other

of these weaknesses still manage to succeed. Keep fighting.

September 16, 2004 Insulation and Weatherizing

Mid-September is a time to think ahead to winter and home

weatherizing comes to mind. Let's look about for possible leaks at

soleplates, wall outlets, external doors and windows, fireplaces,

and kitchen and bath vents. We are aware that leaks caused by

pressure differences escalate heating bills in winter.

* Weatherstrip with commercial metal strip, wood or adhesive-

backed foam rubber, rolled vinyl with aluminum channel backing,

rubber or neoprene strips, or felt strips (cheap, but not very

durable). Local hardware or home building supply dealers will help

in what you need to weatherize. Remember to look between door and

window frames and other places. Where weatherstripping is not

suitable, consider caulking for foundation sills, corners formed by

siding, along outside water faucets and electrical outlets, at wire

and pipe penetration of ceilings, between porches and main parts of

house, at chimney or masonry meeting with siding, and where the

wall meets the eave at attic gable end.

* Caulking, like weatherstripping, is a good low-cost way to

winterize the home or office. Caulking comes in all types of

cartridges, fillers, rope caulking or glazing compounds. Don't

caulk in cold weather, and apply it on clean surfaces. Cut the

plastic cover at a slant to allow for better "bead" control in the

application. Oil-based caulking materials are the least

expensive, but last for several years. On the other hand, caulking

small and medium cracks with more expensive polysulfide,

polyurethane, or silicone will last for two decades. Fillers are

used for larger cracks (more than a quarter of an inch) and made

from hemp treated with tar, glass fiber, caulking cotton or sponge

rubber, and then the cartridge caulking is used. Rope caulking is

good for temporary jobs around AC units and storm windows.

* Insulation is a good investment, with rapid payback and

ultimately immense savings. Determine your existing needs

depending on your heating zone location and the "R" value (measure

of resistance of insulation to heat flow). These values are found

on every package. In shopping consider several factors: price,

ease of application, the area needing insulation, and availability.

Some rock wool, glass fiber and cellulose fiber must be blown into

spaces with special equipment by a professional contractor. This

is the method of choice for retrofit insulation of wall and some

ceiling space. Unfinished attic floor can be insulated by loose

fill which is poured in (rock wool, glass fiber, cellulose,

vermiculite or perlite), or by batts (foil side down for barrier

effects between insulation and attic floor). Don't hand pack loose

insulation; keep it fluffy. Use protective clothing.

Note: Cellulose insulation can be made from old newsprint

using a chopping machine and a fire-retardant chemical such as

boric acid. Don't use corrosive retardant chemicals. When buying

cellulose insulated materials, look for third party testing such as

Underwriters Laboratory for fire safety and corrosion.

September 17, 2004 Citizenship Day: The Soul of America

On Citizenship Day we Americans should realize that our day in

the sun as the only superpower may be a brief time in history, for

empires since 1500 rise and fall faster than in ancient times.

A corporate soul. While Christians along with those of other

religions believe in individual immortality, they know it does not

extend to a national "soul." In this age of terrorism we sense

that those nations with larger accumulations of power and wealth

have become targets of terrorists. Americans as a people have

attained the highest collective wealth in human history and so our

nation is a target. On Citizenship Day we recall the struggles to

establish colonies, free ourselves, form the longest enduring

constitution in history, come to terms with oppressed minorities,

welcome immigrants, secure seniors their retirement years, protect

the health of all, and attempt to distribute rights and duties

according to justice, an imperfect but envied record as a nation.

However, we still need to examine our American soul:

1. Addictions -- A crass materialism leads to insensitivity to

the needs of others. Our nation is far down the list of donors to

the world's less fortunate, a situation worsened by a biased media,

a muffled religious establishment and an indebted citizenry.

2. Simple lifestyle -- Unsustainable lifestyles include overuse

of resources, expansion of space requirements, use of SUVs which

undermine efforts at conserving resources, and purchase of immense

amounts of materials from great distances when we could be

utilizing renewable sources right here at home.

3. Corporate power -- Corporate scandals have eroded the

democracy and multinational companies have became the oligarchs of

the nation and the world through unique power-grabbing techniques.

This corporate power feeds a military-industrial complex which is

massive and growing (the U.S. spends more than the next eight world

military powers put together). We should not forget that Rome had

its highest military expenditures immediately before its collapse

in the fifth century.

4. Family breakdown -- We witness a breakdown in families with

rising divorce rates and broken homes. Holding households together

is an integral part of holding our nation together.

5. Total environment -- The sacred web of life involving the

human, animal and plant worlds is under attack, e.g., widespread

abortion, use of the death penalty (other nations have rescinded

this barbaric practice), mistreatment of animals, damage to and

destruction of the physical environment, invasion of exotic

species. Some possible allies can't agree about all these issues,

thus limiting overall support on life issues.

Good citizenship. America's lifestyle in its present form

must change. True American Citizenship thinks ahead to the unborn

as well as those living today who lack the basics of life. Good

citizenship means planning to vote in the upcoming election,

studying the policies of the candidates, praying for insight in

making the right decision, and encouraging others to do the same.

September 18, 2004 Internat

Daily Reflections by Al Fritsch, S.J.

Daily Reflections
by Al Fritsch, S.J.