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Dudley Visits the Queen

5/29/2015

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        Dudley Drone’s dangling legs dragged along as he made his way through the hive.  Not paying attention, Dudley suddenly found himself in the queen’s chambers.  “Dudley, what a surprise!  I missed you last night,” remarked Queenie.

        “Yeah,,,sorry. I’m not feeling so great.  Really not sure I’m up to… you know, my duties and all,” droned Dudley.

        Just then Wendy Worker buzzed by covered in fragrant lilac pollen.  “Oh, excuse me; didn’t mean to interrupt,” blushed Wendy.  “Not at all,” Queenie replied.  “Come on in and have some nectar.  You look exhausted!”  “Thanks, I will,” Wendy said gratefully. “I feel like I’m coming down with something.” 

        Later that day, Dudley (whose mastery of the English language is surprising!) overheard a conversation between hive-keeper Jones and the county Ag. agent.  He learned about “colony collapse,” a deadly disorder that has spread across the country.  This condition destroys as many as one-third to one-half of bee colonies each year.  Failure of these colonies to thrive results from a combination of factors including:
  • Malnutrition resulting from disappearing habitat
  • Disease and parasites that take advantage of weakened immune systems
  • Climate change and
  • Agro-chemical and pesticide use.

        Especially troublesome are a class of pesticides know as neonicotinoids.  These poisons are absorbed into a plant’s vascular system making the entire plant toxic even to non-targeted insects like bees.  Ironically, in an effort to boost agricultural production, humankind is actually threatening the very foundations of food production.  Destroying habitat to create large mono-crop fields and spraying “neonics” and the like squeezes out pollinators like bees and other natural pest deterrents.   Dudley flew back to Queenie to report all he’d learned.

        Queenie carefully considered all he said and then finally spoke.  “We bees have had a long and mutually beneficial relationship with humans.  They say that without our fellow pollinators and us one out of every three bites humans take would vanish.  Together we grow fruits, nuts, vegetables and alfalfa that feeds their cattle.  In return hive-keepers like Jones help propagate our species. 

        “Human farmers and home owners are smart and, I hope, wise enough to tackle this problem.  Reducing pesticide use and creating plenty of balanced habitat will keep bees and humans healthier.  Because they know that we, along with all plants and animals, have no other place to go.  We’ll either thrive together on this earth or not; we’re forever… Earthbound.”
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Miracle on Doty Street

5/11/2015

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        Okay, this miracle is not as spectacular as the biblical account of the loaves and fishes.  Nor does it have the mystical trappings of ancient times. And sorry, no Jesus in this story either.  However, the loaves and fishes and this miracle share a surprisingly similar theme – a community sharing so that there’s enough for all.  And this modern-day miracle, right here in southwest Wisconsin, offers us a valuable lesson about stewardship.

        Early Thursday afternoon the church hall is empty except for rows of tables and stacks of chairs.  By late afternoon, as if by magic, two tables are full of garage sale-ready treasures.  After supper, the first teenaged crew members have arrived; the tables are re-arranged and labeled for “Women’s,” “Toys,” “Electronics” and the like.  Meanwhile carloads of additional goods continue to pour through the front door.  Sorting, sorting, sorting then pricing, pricing, pricing.

        Early Friday afternoon with tables overflowing the first customers begin to arrive.  But as they select their treasures, more donations continue to pour in.  By Friday evening, even though scores of items have been purchased, literally thousands of items remain.

        Saturday morning is a festival of browsing, searching, friendly banter and bargaining.  “What are you asking for this set of golf clubs?”  “Will you take $5 for this chair?”  “Give us what you can; we’re raising money for the youth group’s summer service trip.”  Scores of happy customers carry hundreds of items back out the front doors.  At eleven o’clock “bagful for a buck” begins; this is especially appreciated by those with few dollars to spare.  By noon clean up begins.  That leather couch finally goes for a paltry $7 as everything else gets delivered to the Easter Seals truck or is stored for the partner church’s summer rummage sale. 

        By some miracle, instead of ending up in a landfill, thousands of items have found new homes destined to be enjoyed anew.  We’ve reduced, reused, or repurposed while supporting our youth in their altruistic endeavors, and in the process we’ve strengthened community relationships.  Can we find ways to expand this model and create a truly sustainable greater society?  It’s time to let that miracle unfold because in this world of finite resources we really have no choice but to practice thoughtful stewardship.  After all, this is the only home we’ll ever know.  We are forever…Earthbound.

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    I'm interested in the topics of sustainability and climate change especially in regards to our local area in southwest Wisconsin.

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