I just would like to share several moments of gratitude with you that have come my way:

The first is that 10 years ago the local people would only hire the BIG BOYS with HUGE firms to do the local work.   Now much of that work is having energy and sustainability problems which are causing financial problems to the local folks.   Our design, work, efforts, and knowledge are looking better and better as we know and understand the local communities and their needs and budgets at an intimate level.  We are continuously learning new skills, products and ideas.  I am thankful that they need us now and that we can contribute to making the buildings a beautiful asset to our own communities.

I am reading a social psychology book right now that I am thankful was referred to me along with Steve Jobs biography.   I think the book Situations Matter will make a difference in assisting me in planning and making my work more effective to my community.   I am thankful that I was referred to this fun, easy to read study and can share it with you.

I am thankful my cycling group is looking at 2012 and making some plans for adventures and trips that will keep me in shape and close to the environment I so love to enjoy.

And then I wanted to refer you to a great post about Sustainability and words of support for each of us trying to make the world a better place….I thought this Brightworks  Rejuvenation post was so worth the read.

How about you are you thankful for the start of a new year?  Are you reading something you think we should all add to our list and is helpful to our work?  Any great conferences or learning credits catch your eye?  Looking forward to reading what you want to say.

Our friends Lauren and Joel’s Grandfather was the Santa on this Album Cover!

Wishing each and every one of you a very Happy Holiday Season and a very Green, Energy Efficient and Sustainable New Year!

“Christmas in the Northwest” by Brenda White. Brenda White had the opportunity to submit music for a project that would benefit Children’s Hospital and Regional Medical Center in Seattle, Washington. The song she wrote, very simply entitled “Christmas in the Northwest”, became the theme for the project, an endeavor that has benefited countless children throughout the Pacific Northwest.

The album is available from Amazon.

A special thank you to all the folks who come by to read regularly and we will be back on January 5th, 2012 – Happy New Year!

The Tree Of Life

The Tree of Life is an enthralling arts film which held me captive from the first whispers through the 2 hours and 20 minutes of playing time. It drew my husband in to come and sit and watch it even though he missed the first 30 minutes.

I heard about The Tree of Life months ago on Sam Juliano’s Monday Morning Diary on Wonders in the Dark and I was so drawn to his descriptions that I wanted to see it. It was playing in the big City at an art’s theater but not anywhere close. I attempted to get the local cinema to run it and had 35 folks call the theatre to ask for a showing.

It came out on DVD about Thanksgiving time in the USA, and I put in an order with my mailbox delivery group. I was not disappointed when it arrived and I was very happy to have been able to watch it a number of times. I think it would be spectacular on the big screen – although if you sat next to a noisy eater one would miss much of the opening of the movie – one’s own chewing would interfere with the whispers of sound that are so dramatic and enhancing.

The photography is amazing from all the flow of water to the birds in flight, and the videos of nature play out in lovely fashion as the movie captures a young boy’s life and energies.

There were several moments when I remembered 2001 a Space Odyssey.

If we humans are 98% energy in the form of water, then the metaphors and symbolism in this movie are not only dramatically beautiful but they emphasize the connections of all of life. One wonders how the author and director could have put so much creativity and honesty into a depiction of life – how could all that flow from one person? Outstanding movie, this THE TREE OF LIFE.

Netflix says about this film:

The Tree of LIFE. Brad Pitt and Sean Penn star in Terrence Malick’s 1950s adventure about a confused man named Jack, who sets off on a journey to understand the true nature of the world. Growing up in the Midwest with two brothers, Jack has always been torn between his mother’s guidance to approach everything he encounters with an open heart and his father’s advice to look after his own interests. Now, Jack must find a way to regain purpose and perspective.

I understand that this film has been nominated for a number of awards already. I joyfully give it a 5 ladybug rating and hope all of you will make the opportunity to see this film. It is rated PG-13. I have added it to my book group’s list for the spring discussion and will recommend it to my own family. This student of life and philosophy thoroughly enjoyed this movie.

Do you have a movie to recommend for an award? Do you often watch arts movies? Are you drawn to creative expression?

Related Reading:
The Tree of Life (WondersInTheDark)
Creation
Temple Grandin
The Element

If you purchase anything from Amazon or Powell’s or Google Ads, I will receive a few beans in my bucket. No one paid me or provided any compensation for reviewing this movie and I rented the movie on my own.

If you enjoyed reading here you might enjoy reading at my other sites The Biking Architect and Wise Ears also.

After the Run

I did not do the Seattle Marathon (in the pouring rain storm) this year, nor have I done it in the past.  But I did do the Turkey Trot in San Jose with 21,000 other folks.   2 of my daughters joined me and we took our canned goods for the Second Harvest Food Bank.

I came in 901 in just about my best time and that was #17 for my age group for the 10K.  My daughters did very well too, but feel the slow down at the finish line did not give them a very accurate reading for their time. We had a great time and it was great fun to do as a family event.

My neighbors were in Long Island, New York and 9 of their family members walked or ran the Turkey Trot near Flushing Meadows.   They thought it was a fabulous way to celebrate Thanksgiving with the family too.

Upper Berry Creek Falls

Before Thanksgiving we spent some time walking other parts of the San Francisco area.  This time we headed for the Hills.   Our first day long hike was at Berry Creek Falls Loop at Big Basin Redwoods State Park;   a marvelous day and another good time with family.

Down the Steps

On Black Friday we avoided shopping and once again ventured out into the wilderness and fresh air.

North Peak at Mount Diablo State Park was a strenuous day hike we shared with a number of families that day.

View of Mt Diablo North Peak from Mt Olympia

We were cautioned to watch for Poison Oak and rattlesnakes – and to leave the Banana Slugs alone (Not a problem for those of us from Washington State rain forest!)

View from the Top of Mt Diablo North Peak

I can highly recommend this as a good way to spend your family time together.  None of us overate and that was a boon to our time together also.

Have you ever thought about Turkey Trotting?  Changing the old traditions?

Constructing the Dome

Dome Interior

Lifting the Dome Into Place

Completed Dome

The photographs show the translucent roof element being hoisted in place a top the tower.

What design element has challenged your thinking?

Here we are at Thanksgiving time in the USA and the frenzy of wanting and Shiny Objects is all around us as though it is part of the air pressure and atmospheric reality.

I am drawing back to thinking about President Roosevelt’s (FDR) moving speech about the 4 Freedoms during the Great Depression.

FDR’s 4 Freedoms:

Freedom of Speech
Freedom of Worship
Freedom from Fear
Freedom from Want

The American Artist Normal Rockwell was so moved by this speech he did 4 paintings to express these freedoms and they toured the country giving hope to all who gave them witness.

I would just like to say that FDR’s and Rockwell’s word WANT was less about the current LUST for things and money and more about the freedom of being relieved of this wanting burden and having the basic things that we need.

There is coziness to his family scene but not a great many doodads and decorations.  The family pictured is grateful for the food, which they are about to receive and be filled and renewed.  There is no “perfect” wine choice in evidence and no brine paste or froofah!   It is just basic thanks giving and freedom from want.

I am hoping that we will celebrate Thanksgiving this year with a freedom from want… at least a freedom from lusting after things and perfection  – the insignificant.

Maybe we could take a look at the basic wants of our lives and search for meaning and value instead?

What does Freedom for Want mean to you?

Happy Thanksgiving to all celebrating in the USA!

I am feeling a bit discouraged about what to write today.   I have just heard that another Green, local and wonderful business is closing.   The perception was that this store was too expensive because local products and sustainable products are just too expensive at initial purchase.

To me this just displays more ignorance and short sighted thinking.    Why are people not being educated about how to choose products, what questions they need to be asking, and how this will play out in the future – with our children and the earth in mind?

If you think buying from a box hardware store is cheaper you are very wrong.   As we are working on replacing our 20 year old oven, we have had to go to one created in an energy efficient country.  Yes the price is initially more expensive, but the savings with use is profound.  They have an actual warranty beyond 5 years, and this oven is not just a bling – looking appliance that has any kind of rating or longevity – so in 5 years I would be replacing this oven or trying to make do.   All of the ovens, at the big box stores price tags were much cheaper, but they did not reclaim your old oven, except for huge fees and in 5 years we would have created another landfill donation, with big fees attached.  Oh but they have that energy star rating.   In the USA that just tells you it will not do what it claims to do – like the washing machines that do not clean.

It has taken a great deal of research and a large number of conversations to finally make a choice that is worthwhile and will contribute to our lives and our dedication to the planet and its future.

At the store that is closing we found  countertops, that are made of a recycled material that does not pollute in the process of making it and is absolutely stunning and unique – original and not copycat Brazilian Granite!

So why are not more folks out there teaching and sharing this information?  Why are the parking lots of the big box stores full and the green store going out of business?   Because people do not know, and we are told to buy and buy and buy to save our lifestyle and our country;  why are we so addicted to this bling and why is it so hard to think these things through?

Where are the real leaders?

As I worked to answer these questions and figure out what action to apply, I went back to my source and found inspiration….Well, I am talking about JD Meier’s Sources of Insight Blog…and here are the highlights of my reading there.   Why don’t you head on over and check it out – lift your spirits and ignite your actions to make the world a better place…see you there

A Leader is the Trustee of the Intangibles

Gandhi Quotes

30 day boot camp for Time Management

I was standing at the very end of a very long line at the grocery store on a busy weekend morning with a cart absolutely full of necessary items.   I try to get all the winter staples taken care of on the October run, so that I will be fully prepared for the holidays and company.   I had bulk ordered several items, and also needed to be in the store when I could get help carrying these things to the car.  I work carefully to combine trips so that I only need to use the car no more than once a week for my errands.  Other than that we bike or walk to take care of the little daily things.  We chose to live in town to be able to do this and only NEED one car.   We have worked hard as a family to walk the green.

As I stood in line, I decided to look and see how many other people now bring their own carry bags to the grocery.    I counted 44 people with carts in the main checkout lines.    3 of us had brought a hefty supply of bags and 9 had brought a single bag.   I could not see the person, who was being checked out at either end of the row, but I did note the mound of plastic bags in their carts as they proceeded out the door.   It was a very busy morning.    Only 2 people were using the self serve checkout line and 4 at the express check out and none of them had their own bags.

The checker had to be reminded to give me 5 cents for each of my bags used.   They nearly always forget. I have been bringing my bags to the store for over 30 years; I never forget.

Do you walk the green and bring your own bags and take them into the store and not leave them in the car?

Do you walk the green and combine errands so that you do not have to keep running out and using the car numerous times a week on the little things?

Over a million plastic bags are leaving stores in the USA every single hour of the day.   Where do they end up?  – Most in the landfills and oceans; not even recycled.

Do you keep the water running while you brush your teeth?  Do you take showers longer than 3 minutes?  Is your shampoo and soap full of environmentally toxic ingredients?  Do you crank up the heat because you are cold or do you pull on a sweater and layer?

Do you walk the green or are you the exception?  Do you feel entitled?

I wanted to share this little story I heard this week, it revealed clearly the crisis in our thinking:

A supposedly green architect is building a smaller house in town to change his commute and live more consciously, especially with the kids gone.   He put Brazilian granite countertops, which were shipped to India to be polished and then shipped here to his house, because his wife liked them.  Not only is this not a local purchase or product, they spent enough money that they could have had solar panels and reduced the impact of their house by giving back to the community and cutting carbon.   They felt entitled to getting this luxury item.  It is the current bling and they are being good consumers, they will be paying for this for years.  They modeled this behavior for their children, who also feel entitled to be the exception.

Yes there are indeed products that one cannot get locally and are not made locally and I do not know if they even investigated them, but we have been, and wow are many of them ahead of their time and making green industry and manufacturing happening right here and now.

Walking the green involves looking ahead, seeking and studying all the possibilities.

Walking the green involves every single moment of the day – not just when one feels like it or remembers.  It is because we have enough respect for the environment around us to pay attention and honor the next generations.   Walking the green is not about letting others be responsible, it is about being awake and taking action.

Do you walk the Green?

Related Reading:
A Local Eye to the Future and all that Wrapping Paper
Celebrating the Farm
Design with Life in Mind

The fall sunshine has broken through the morning fog for the 4th day in a row and all the word on the street is saying that the rain is coming back by tomorrow.  This cold, crisp sunshine has just made me feel alive and full of good thoughts, and especially when I see the solar panels reader box clicking away the positive numbers right next to my desk.   Ah, a hot shower is next on the agenda after a brawny walk.  Life just feels good.

I have read some extraordinary words this month and listened to a great many campaign promises and seasonal fundraiser’s pitches about all the needs.  I have needed some sunshiny words to come my way to enlighten my path finding and proceeding.  Ask and it shall come your way, I thought my readers might enjoy a few of the gems and treats I discovered – so here are my top 5 discoveries for you.

Sandra Pawula writes on always well within and her words about rising water and the tribal people who have to pack up and move as their island homes disappear regularly just touched my thinking about what we can change to provide for the rising –tides in our life and work. Lessons from the movers.

I think we all gained a great deal from the work of Steve Jobs and I thought this was a good video and interview with the biographer who published the book about his life.

60 minutes interview with Steve Jobs biographer Part I. Part II is available on site also

Jungle of Life finance writer Paula Pant writes: A Change in the Economy: A Threat or an Opportunity? Maybe I just need to look from another angle?  How about you?

David Straker of Changingminds.org is the guest writer on Sources of Insight and I think his work sheds a positive light on how one helps to make change happen with his process Head, heart, and hands Such as how to get a client to be excited about solar panels or environmental energy efficient changes to his/her project or structure – Valuable resource on change with this read.

Life is All About Choices and inspiring story – it’s all about how one chooses to live life

As autumn makes its way into our lives as an agent of change, I am wondering how you are making change happen in your work and life.   Does it connect with your values, and does it inspire you to create new? Does it change your attitude and thinking?

By Patricia

Not only do I get constant remarks about the cost of adding solar panels to the house, or new construction, but most folks never mention the extra work involved in maintaining such a house.  No one ever seems to want to know how much money our solar panels are making besides all the hot water and electricity.

Yes, it is more work to hang the clean clothing out on the line or on drying racks.  Yes, it is an advantage to having me work at home so that I can open blinds, close blinds, open doors, close doors, open windows, and close windows as the day progresses.  I can also clean gutters, lint traps, refrigerators, and bird droppings right away and keep them from disturbing the systems.   Yes, I know that Bill Gates house has computers to run all his systems and an operator to reprogram systems as need be, he also has a swimming pool for his exercise and I get mine by getting up and doing the work.

I also grow and prepare 95% of our food which brings us health and balance and even more exercise.

The big LEED Platinum buildings in our cities all need a new kind of maintainer person on staff.  These new employees need to be computer savvy and be able to reprogram building space for 5 folks or more using that space, to be able to make sure the computer run systems are working at optimum efficiency and to be able to program the changes made evident by the data the building generates.  All these things save tons of energy usage, keep people comfortable, reduce pollution and make money for the building’s owners.

And people are willing to do this work and are excited about doing this work – and are getting trained to do this work – whole companies are being developed.

So how do we convince the “common man or woman” to make these changes to their homes and schools?  Apparently, talking about how much money you make and save still keeps fear levels too high?

It does not seem like it would be as easy as hiring a cleaning person or team to come to your house once a week or month.   We all like the idea of an easy button.

The neighbors down the street have just retro fit an older house adding about a dozen solar panels and a wind ball to their rebuild.   People will start getting used to the visual of that structure now – then they will start asking questions.  Then a few, maybe 20 out of 100, will attempt to make some changes.

People still do not understand how to put out their recycling buckets, yard waste cans and garbage cans correctly and just indicate no care or responsibility for their carts.  Will they be able to make these changes?

I have added to my wish list tanks and secondary plumbing to this old house for flushing toilets, showering, and watering with rainwater and a wind ball for generating power from the wind off the Sound.

I am not worried about how much work it will be – I want to make money and keep the earth clean and provide for the next seven generations.  Big Picture Stuff!

Did you know that there is enough snow pack in the mountains this year that the wind turbines in our state can be shut down and are not needed to produce power for California? – We have abundance this year.  We do not need our coal processing plant at all, and we certainly do not need the pollution and health risks.

All of this effort has been achieved by individuals willing to understand and do the work.

What are you willing to do, what are you willing to change?

Some information resources:
American Wind Energy Association
Whidbey Sun and Wind LLC
Home Power
Wind Ball or Energy Ball