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Newsworthy
Do
we really love our children? -
The
fast food industry is destroying the family structure
and rituals of cooking, sharing stories and beliefs.
Fluoride,
a kick in the teeth? - "Water
fluoridation is the greatest case of scientific fraud
of this century, if not of all time."
America's
new charity of choice: Afghanistan -
"...we're
beginning to realize that no matter what our life conditions here, we
can't ignore pockets of isolation all over the world."
Mexican
study raises GM concern - DNA spreads to wild
crops.
US
children raise 1.5 million for young Afghans - The
Red Cross and other charities prepared five truckloads of items
destined for Afghanistan - The
Red Cross and other charities prepared five truckloads of items
destined for Afghanistan
Kabul's
women come out of hiding - Many Welcome Chance to Work
or Attend School but Hesitate to Shed Veils
Notable
Quote
I
am only one; but still I am one. I cannot do everything, but
still I can do something; I will not refuse to do something
I
can do.
~ Helen Keller
~
 What's
new in the garden?
·
Garden Yield: Progress
chart
·
Year
Report: Plant
listing and comments
·
How to
Make: Seed
balls
·
How to: Vermicompost
Continue:
next column >>
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In-Depth
WAR
ON TERROR
Rays
of Hope
Highlighted
Views
Ask
Not What... - There is
a deep hunger in America post-Sept. 11 in many people who feel
this is their war in their backyard and they would like to be
summoned by the president to do something more.
America
the scapegoat
- It
is the fashion, it seems, to hold the U.S. responsible
for the hardships and struggles of the entire planet...
Patriotic
Shopping vs. Buy Nothing Day - Spend your money in
a way that it will stimulate the local economy, not
aggravate the global economy.
Continue:
next column >>
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Personal
Note
Go
ahead. Rush around hither and yon to meet that deadline. Circled in red on
your calendar, naturally, is the date December 25. Our world is now caught
up in the special season of giving. In modern society that means, of course,
doing even more shopping than normal. Run ragged the rest of the year
already, we feel "spiritually" driven and are culturally compelled
at this one time to join together in a ritual of unparalleled buying frenzy. All so busy at work, we shift into 5th gear
just to make it through the
too busy holiday schedule. The whirlwind of the to-do activities sucks the joy right out of any merry
heart.
What's
wrong with Xmas? Plenty. For starters, today it is consuming
us! There is so little holiday left in
this holiday. Some crash and burn trying to artificially propel themselves
toward achieving happiness at this culturally correct time. And some lose their shirts. It takes a lot of effort--not to mention money--to
conjure up cheer on cue from an unseen, unknown director. Others make
the most of the action by jumping in with both feet. Immersion is the
special technique employed to get into this role; thus, we set the
"stage" with
lights, props, and some costumes, complete with a fine musical score. So, following a script handed down through the ages,
performers act out their part in this very muddled pageant.
Instead,
we should take a cue from Nature. Look! It is winter "out there"
and the real world has begun to settle in for a long rest. But, our
controlling culture wants to override what is natural and it has hijacked
this sleepy season. We should let December be December. It has the
right rhythm, one that offers restoration. Pure and simple, Nature has this
course laid out for us. For real, lasting happiness, follow the path.
Jules
Dervaes
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