Save, Spend, Save, Spend...

I love the statement in this article that it is the "civic duty" of Americans to shop. Sure feels like it, doesn't it? While the insane were stampeding their fellow Americans yesterday, I played with my niece, ate leftover pie, and took a long nap. I plan to do most of my little Christmas shopping at small shops in my city and my Christmas bonus shall go directly into my savings account. Yep, apparently my German heritage strikes again.

Sorta Kinda Good News

Yes, people are recycling more. Hallelujah. According to this article, Americans are at a 34 percent national recycling rate. Although I'm happy to see that more people are recycling, Americans are still producing 250 million tons of trash per year. Does anyone else think that this is insane? Almost four and a half pounds or garbage per person per day? I guess we need to rejoice in any steps forward but I'm also disheartened that we are producing more trash than we did thirty years ago. Haven't we learned anything? Consumption, consumption, consumption, the American way, is it? Maybe this holiday season is the time to turn that around. I really like these ideas and I especially like the first piece of advice on the list.

It may be the thought that counts, but a gift that the receiver does not use is simply wasted: not a very nice thought. Give material possessions only if you know the recipient well enough to pick out something they were on the cusp of getting for themselves, or which they really need and will certainly enjoy using.

Besides, as much as I'd like a new Ipod for Christmas (ahem), I'd pretty much freak out (in a good way, of course) if someone wrote me a poem or came up with a personalized playlist for me as a holiday gift. Who doesn't want to feel all tingly inside, knowing that a friend or family member took the time to really think about the person you are?

So yeah, feel free to write me a sonnet. Or give your friends a plant that can bloom throughout these cold, winter months. And of course, when in doubt, there are always cookies.

As Much as I Love You, New York...

...this was part of the reason I left you.

Premature births? Autism? Depression? Anxiety? Cognitive delays? ADD? Effects on intelligence and decision making?

Folks, this research is chilling. I doubt that anyone has had to make a huge leap to the "pollution is bad for us" conclusion but some of these correlations are quite amazingly frightening. Listen to this:

"...children born to mothers living with 1,000 feet of a major road or freeway in Los Angeles, San Francisco or Sacramento were twice as likely to have autism, independent of gender, ethnicity and education level as well as maternal age, exposure to tobacco smoke or other factors."

Twice as likely??

This, too, I found fascinating:

"In New Jersey, premature births, a risk factor for cognitive delays, in areas around highway toll plazas dropped 10.8% after the introduction of E-ZPass, which eased traffic congestion and reduced exhaust fumes."

Yet another reason to carpool, take the bus, ride your bike, walk more, BE INNOVATIVE AND BUILD RAIL SYSTEMS THAT CONNECT MAJOR CITIES WHICH WILL MOST CERTAINLY PAY OFF IN THE LONG RUN INSTEAD OF GIVING THE FUNDING (AND JOBS!) AWAY (ahem), and perhaps take a full inventory of the pros and cons of where you live. I love where I live but there are some transportation issues I need to rectify. Hmmm....more on this to come.

Thank Goodness For Third Graders

Amazing photo, sad story.

Ironically, I just overheard a related conversation between two 8-year-olds. In typical third grade fashion, they were in the midst of playing living room football when matters of the heart arose.

Kid #1: "Hey, if you could have one wish in the world, what would it be?"

Kids #2, without skipping a beat: "Well, I'd save all the animals from extinction...yeah, for sure...I'd save all of the animals."

Heart instantly warmed.

First Peanuts, Now Pecans...What's Next??

Dudes, pie is on the line. Now if that doesn't get you riled up about climate change, I don't know what will.