Rhymes With Fuchsia

Saturday, July 15, 2006

Lesser-Known Dwarves

I am not merely Grumpy today, I am Whiny, Crabby and downright Bitchy. I've been reading about climate change and one analyst's conclusion that we have ten years to get our act together to keep the planet from changing beyond recognition. No more driving 15 miles to work, no more winter lettuce, no chance of ever seeing Paris again, maybe no more blogging, even. Israel and its neighbors are once again bent on killing each other. The Iraq war is one huge atrocity. I have encountered people who actually think all of this is good, because it means Jesus will be back any minute now. Sometimes I almost wish they were right, even though I'd be extra crispy. The sky is overcast and not worth photographing.

If I bought myself a bike I could at least cut down on driving for the short trips. Would that be enough? I thought not. I hate even thinking about changing my evil ways, but I'm thinking, I'm thinking. While I'm thinking I'll knit a baby hat for Dulaan or breastfeeding or something. It may or may not help my mood, but it couldn't hurt.

posted by Lucia at 7:23 PM

12 Comments:

  • ANY step is a positive step. I don't drive, and I can only imagine the THOUSANDS of gallons of gas I have NOT polluted the air with. So, yeah, biking or walking WILL have an effect, especially on your health.
    Knitting is great, too;)

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 9:59 PM  

  • Sometimes I look around and say, "Where are we going? And why are we in this handbasket?" I'm with Dave. Every little bit helps.

    By Blogger roxie, at 11:53 PM  

  • It's depressing.

    I was thinking about it the other day -- what am *I* willing to give up, so that there could be peace (assuming that war is at least partly about distribution of resources)?

    I don't drive to work. I hang my laundry outside. We don't have air conditioning. We recycle. We don't have a power mower. We keep the furnace at 68 (and 63 at night).

    What will I give up, so that we can have peace? We do have two cars (the second bought to handle a teenager, who is now a college student and doesn't live here, much). We could get rid of the second car. We will get rid of it when she doesn't come here for the summer.

    I feel about the whole dilema as I feel about picking up litter on my way to work -- someone else is busy trashing it as fast as I can pick up. Faster.

    Sigh.

    I still do my little things, but.....

    By Blogger I need orange, at 7:16 AM  

  • The state of the world is depressing.

    I, too, have thought about the bike riding thing. I guess it depends on where a person lives. Some areas are convenient for those who don't drive vehicles - some aren't.

    Just knit. That'll help you to feel better! :-)

    By Blogger AngeliasKnitting, at 8:45 AM  

  • I was just writing about this over at my blog.

    *hug* the world seems darker today.

    By Blogger Will Pillage For Yarn, at 1:59 PM  

  • And it's Monday besides. That just compounds everything.

    By Blogger Beth S., at 9:53 AM  

  • I too am praying for the Rapture, so we can get some sanity back.

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 5:07 PM  

  • The bike will be helpful, and the world really needs people who think it's all going to be ok. (That's where you come in. )

    Have you ever read this?

    http://www.vsc.org/environment1.htm

    Might be easier than the bike riding...

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 6:25 PM  

  • Funny, I feel the same way, Lucia, almost desperate at times, but powerless too. In the UK they're having the warmest summer they've had since the early 70s and the news is all on about global warming. And there are snipes too, like "Here in Britain, unlike the US, we're feeling the heat and calling it global warming... Sheesh -- funny. So, chez Annie we're trying to eat local several meals a week, at least for the summer and fall. I don't know if it helps, but my kids ate roasted beets tonight and that's got to count for something in the universe, right?

    By Blogger Annie, at 9:25 PM  

  • The whole thing just makese me want to put my head down and keen, really, but all that would do is add to my CO2 output. I'm not sure I've ever felt like I could make less of a difference.

    See? You're not the only one hanging with the cranky dwarves today.

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 11:45 PM  

  • When I was in college, a fellow student who had been born in New Dehli started a trick or treat for Unicef one Halloween. Her motto was, "Every penny makes a difference." People could part with a few pennies easily. She raied more money than any other fund raiser for any cause on campus all year. Just do what you can, and rejoice in your power to do so much. Despair is the lazy way out.

    By Blogger roxie, at 9:47 AM  

  • If you do go see "An Inconvenient Truth," which I recommend, by the way, make sure you stay til the very end. There are hopeful things about what we can do.

    And yes, "where *are* we going? and is my handbasket big enough for my yarn, too?" certainly crosses one's mind.

    I called the State Dept. and left a message asking anyone who gives a crap to please get the Israelis to stop bombing Lebanon. fairly useless, but pebbles do start avalanches once in a blue moon.

    By Blogger Liz, at 7:37 PM  

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