Comments for Our Earth/Ourselves

Comment on How to Love a River by Madronna Holden

Madronna Holden — Sun, 29 Nov 2009 05:29:39 +0000

Thanks for your comment, Cherisse. As for drinking from the river– it is sad to think that these Northwestern rivers had water that was drinkable prior to their being polluted over the last hundred and fifty years. You have an important point about interdependence of living systems and the river’s being alive.
As for looking beyond our own well-being, as you mention– perhaps if we just truly looked at our own well being, we would notice how precious these sources of water are, as Jose indicates in his discussion of the rarity of rivers in the area of Mexico his family is from. Seeing the interdependence of our world, that is, might tell us that it is in our own well being to protect these rivers.
Water shortages are current emerging throughout the globe. Our water supply is something we cannot afford to squander, not the least reason for this is the fact that our own bodies are mostly water.
Time to truly honor ourselves and the living rivers that we absolutely need to sustain us.

Comment on How to Love a River by Cherisse Campbell PHL 443

Cherisse Campbell PHL 443 — Sun, 29 Nov 2009 03:59:09 +0000

“How do we love a river?” Just as it said in the article: By caring for it, knowing it, fighting for it, and learning from it. However, how can we convince others to do these things when not all others are aware of the significance of rivers? When not all are open to the facts that by dumping trash into the river, it won’t merely carry it away to where it will never be seen or heard from ever again? We must learn to respect the rivers and treat them as though we are to drink directly from them, for ultimately it may indeed end up in your water glass.

To know that you are poisoning yourself by polluting rivers, might be the only way people will alter their careless ways when it comes to disposing their trash in a place they eventually learn will not carry it away, but rather carry it right back around to them. To know that you are affecting your own well-being is sadly the only way for most people to finally desire some change in their self-destructive actions. If only they could look beyond their own well-being and desire change not only for themselves, but for the animals with which we share the rivers. The creatures which we never seem to acknowledge when we look at a river some ignorantly see as a trash deposit.

We must look at rivers as not merely a resource on which our health and lives depend, but as something much more: They are the homes of several different species, and still they are much more than that. They are part of this world and play a role just as every species and forest and mountain-range and ocean do. Every natural thing the earth has bared renders its own significance and plays a necessary role on this planet. A fact it seems most have disregarded.

How do we even BEGIN to love a river? We must regard it for what it is; the significance its existence truly bares in our lives, in the lives of other animals who drink from it, feed from it, and even live in it; and ultimately the significance it bares in and of itself. We must regard a river as though it is truly living; as though it has a heart and soul. And THEN maybe we can begin to love a river.

Comment on Tree Huggers in the City by Madronna Holden

Madronna Holden — Sat, 28 Nov 2009 01:46:48 +0000

Hi Amy, this is a photo of the trunk of the tree here. Given all the fences and streets nearby, I could only take a pic of the canopy from a heliocopter!

Comment on “Going on the Side of Life”: Managing Humans to Foster Nature’s Resilience by Madronna Holden

Madronna Holden — Fri, 27 Nov 2009 17:10:54 +0000

I think we maybe need to more closely define the world “civilized” here, Trisha. For myself, I would not want to call a process that causes the destruction of the life systems that sustain us a “civilizing” process. Thanks for your comment.

Comment on Links by Madronna Holden

Madronna Holden — Fri, 27 Nov 2009 17:08:21 +0000

I am not clear what report you are referring to, Trisha: but here is a link all those who are interested in toy safety will want to check out: there is also a link on this site where you can sign up for email toy safety alerts.

Comment on Links by Madronna Holden

Madronna Holden — Fri, 27 Nov 2009 17:00:48 +0000

Great, Trisha!

Comment on Tree Huggers in the City by Madronna Holden

Madronna Holden — Fri, 27 Nov 2009 17:00:24 +0000

Thank you for these reminders of what trees do for all and for other beings that share the natural world with us, Val!
A moving comment!

Comment on Update on “Re-storying the Northwestern landscape” (and an excuse to share more stories) by Madronna Holden

Madronna Holden — Fri, 27 Nov 2009 16:57:06 +0000

Thank you for this touching response, Val. I absolutely believe that the land holds our stories– and retells them to those who listen well. I trust you had a good Thanksgiving. Happy Native American Heritage Day.

Comment on What the storm says by Madronna Holden

Madronna Holden — Fri, 27 Nov 2009 16:54:11 +0000

Hi Val, thank you for sharing this touching story of your son, whose spirit is obviously as powerful as it is joyous and spontaneous (whatever our rules for “appropriate” behavior). Congratulations on being his mother. I appreciate a small glimpse into this event as well– I was wondering how it went.

Comment on Links by Madronna Holden

Madronna Holden — Fri, 27 Nov 2009 16:49:52 +0000

I think their work on ending the Israeli occupation of Palestinian territories is especially powerful– they have been sponsoring humanitarian visits to Gaza every since the invasion.

Comment on Links by Madronna Holden

Madronna Holden — Fri, 27 Nov 2009 16:48:35 +0000

She is a wonderful model for all of us, indeed!

Comment on Links by Valerie Goodness

Valerie Goodness — Fri, 27 Nov 2009 03:04:00 +0000

I chose the link Wangari Maathai and the Greenbelt Movement

I LOVE HER~
She is just so incredible. I saw a picture of her walking and holding hands with President Obama before he was campaigning for his run for presidency. This incredible woman not only fights for environmental rights and has devoted her life to planting trees in Africa, but she stands up for women and human rights as well all while promoting peace.

Comment on Links by Valerie Goodness

Valerie Goodness — Fri, 27 Nov 2009 02:54:30 +0000

I was drawn to the Code Pink link because I am a member, I have seen Medea Benjamin speak at peace rallies and at the Lane Community College Peace Center, and because this kind of woman’s activism really has made change. Not everyone agrees with Code Pink activists holding their hands dripping in blood in front of Condoleeza Rice’s face while chanting “war criminal”, but I for one applaud them.

Comment on What the storm says by Valerie Goodness

Valerie Goodness — Fri, 27 Nov 2009 02:32:44 +0000

In continuation, the Autistic Child:
Last night while myself and my dear friends were presenting an indigenous knowledge event at the cabin in the college of forestry, Peavy arboretum forest, I would be momentarily interrupted by my son who would quietly say, “look at this one Mom, isn’t it beautiful”? He was marveled at the branches that had been left on the forest floor, that he says were “gifts to him from the trees”. He always asks the trees first if he can have them. And at the end of the presentation we held a healing circle. Elder Gail asked that we each hold the eagle feather and tell from our heart what that evening meant to them. There were about twenty of us sitting in a circle, with my son sitting next to me. The feather was passed, one by one each of us spoke, until the feather was passed to my son. I was a little nervous because he doesn’t have a filter like you or I do and sometimes he is seen as being inappropriate. So I held my breath and this is what he said. He hesitated for a moment then said…”the path is before us, all you have to do is find it and walk with us, together we can heal the world”. People were amazed and I couldn’t hold back the tears. Then he said “and if you want to be a ninja, you must have a karate mind for karate to come to you”…Everyone laughed….That is the world of my son, the autistic child, such a beautiful spirit and so connected to nature and his native heritage all wrapped up in an innocent sense of humor.
Blessings to all on this Thanksgiving day
V

Comment on Update on “Re-storying the Northwestern landscape” (and an excuse to share more stories) by Valerie Goodness

Valerie Goodness — Fri, 27 Nov 2009 00:27:36 +0000

It is a beautiful image in my mind’s eye, the trees blowing in the wind and the ocean waves together praying to the Great Spirit. They are alive and members of our family. They have been here for so long watching us evolve, the good and the bad. I am glad to hear that some of the pioneer families lived respectfully with Henry Cultee and Nina Bumgartner. Even though some were frightened. I wonder of those who did, if it were their offspring that helped to preserve the land. This kind of unity would be most inspiring. I am sure the trees and the waves whisper the stories of the Chief Telyuk, Henry Cultee, and Nina Bumgartner, pray for them and their ancestors, but also for those who have come together to protect them.