I just returned from a camping trip near with my family and my brother's family - what a hoot! Salmon never tastes better then when cooked outdoors.
We visited Upper Canada Village, a reinactment of a pioneer village that is wonderfully fascinating. You visit an entire town's worth of establishments, from the blacksmith to the baker to the Free Masons, and folk dressed in period costuming share an astonishing wealth of information about how things were done, in the 'old days.' Try as you might, you can't stump them!
It's a glimpse of what appears to be an easier time, at least at first. Life must have been much slower paced. Gardening was key - the farmers were the rich guys! And our foreparents were an inventive bunch. From the most delicious cheeses to crafty was to heat the house, they made it work - and then some!
It was a tough life too. Lots of hard, back-breaking work. Your job was your life; there was no 4 weeks vacation, bonuses or year-long mat leaves.
I think it's a great message. Life can be simplified, it can be cleaner. It can be outside the materialistic dance. But, it requires real work - there's no easy slide. But at the end of the day, you can be truly pleased with your simple accomplishments.
Next time, I'm renting the costume and touring Upper Canada Village as a pioneer woman!
Wednesday, July 29, 2009
Sunday, July 26, 2009
Expanding the backyard?
Tomorrow, we leave for a 3-day camping trip, so no posts until later. I can't wait - just our family and my brother's family, out in nature...with more food, games, props than you can imagine! Apparently, along with children comes an end to the one-backpack and the world's your playing field approach. I'm not convinced.
I can't wait though - with our nephew and niece still here to care for the pets, we're carefree. Finally!
I can't wait though - with our nephew and niece still here to care for the pets, we're carefree. Finally!
Saturday, July 25, 2009
Sadness
This week, no one can escape the sad, sad news about the four women found murdered in a car in the Rideau Canal in Kingston. It was shocking a month ago, and now, as the parents and family of these women have been arrested, it is devastating.
To imagine the young women, just starting to carve out their way in this world. Cut short. I can't wrap my mind around how their parents could kill them. To our core, we're driven by an instinct to protect our children. It's a terrible testimony to the power of cultural norms, than a parent can be driven by a motive stronger than their bond with their family.
CBC Radio has been buzzing with talk about honour killings - interviewing experts, recalling such crimes of recent years. It is the stuff of nightmares, sending chills down my spin.
If the three family members are found guilty, I hope our system can help them. Help them realize the horror of their acts, help them understand it is unforgivable. Because some things just cannot be forgiven.
To imagine the young women, just starting to carve out their way in this world. Cut short. I can't wrap my mind around how their parents could kill them. To our core, we're driven by an instinct to protect our children. It's a terrible testimony to the power of cultural norms, than a parent can be driven by a motive stronger than their bond with their family.
CBC Radio has been buzzing with talk about honour killings - interviewing experts, recalling such crimes of recent years. It is the stuff of nightmares, sending chills down my spin.
If the three family members are found guilty, I hope our system can help them. Help them realize the horror of their acts, help them understand it is unforgivable. Because some things just cannot be forgiven.
Friday, July 24, 2009
The irresponsible corporation
An article in the Huffington Post, Human exploitation fuels mining trade in DRC: Apple, Dell look away, written by former Chair of Amnesty International USA Chip Pitts, exposes how major IT companies are ignoring human rights abuses by their suppliers. It's all about making a buck. Ostrich tails in the air, because they aren't actually committing the abuses with their own hands, they actually believe they remain spotless. It's a crime.
I'm spearheading a contract through the Canadian Institute of Mining, Metallurgy and Petroleum (CIM, the professional association of the minerals industry in Canada) to develop an online Centre of Excellence on Corporate Social Responsibility - one of the four pillars of the Canadian government's recently announced action plan on CSR. At a recent stakeholders' meeting, everyone around the table - about 75 representatives from CSOs, Industry, Government, were 100% committed to the necessity of instilling CSR regulations and practices. Yet, articles like the Huffington one suggest some could simply be paying lip service - without proper regulations, who's to say?
We're a greedy society. We're apt to point the finger as a knee-jerk reaction to avoid taking blame. Apple and Dell, I'm sure, feel absolutely care-free about their role in the continuation of human rights abuses in the DRC - they have no real reason to take action. There are no consequences.
It's a messy world. Companies doing business globally, particularly mining companies who by the very nature of their business often find their operations in the most remote corners of the developing nations, don't have clear guidelines on how to navigate the waters of government corruption, civilian unrest, and unclear policies. Yet, ever action taken to draw up a set of guidelines is met with displeasure - worries about competitiveness, resources...the bottom line.
In the end, perhaps it's the consumers who need to make a point. A boycott of products tied to such abuses would drive home the message that major corporations are accountable for ethical conduct through all stages of producing their products, including the conduct of their suppliers (not just middlemen). The question remains: are we consumers ready to give up our material conveniences in the fight for all human rights?
View the Huffington Post article at http://www.huffingtonpost.com/amnesty-international/human-exploitation-fuels_b_243939.html for more information.
I'm spearheading a contract through the Canadian Institute of Mining, Metallurgy and Petroleum (CIM, the professional association of the minerals industry in Canada) to develop an online Centre of Excellence on Corporate Social Responsibility - one of the four pillars of the Canadian government's recently announced action plan on CSR. At a recent stakeholders' meeting, everyone around the table - about 75 representatives from CSOs, Industry, Government, were 100% committed to the necessity of instilling CSR regulations and practices. Yet, articles like the Huffington one suggest some could simply be paying lip service - without proper regulations, who's to say?
We're a greedy society. We're apt to point the finger as a knee-jerk reaction to avoid taking blame. Apple and Dell, I'm sure, feel absolutely care-free about their role in the continuation of human rights abuses in the DRC - they have no real reason to take action. There are no consequences.
It's a messy world. Companies doing business globally, particularly mining companies who by the very nature of their business often find their operations in the most remote corners of the developing nations, don't have clear guidelines on how to navigate the waters of government corruption, civilian unrest, and unclear policies. Yet, ever action taken to draw up a set of guidelines is met with displeasure - worries about competitiveness, resources...the bottom line.
In the end, perhaps it's the consumers who need to make a point. A boycott of products tied to such abuses would drive home the message that major corporations are accountable for ethical conduct through all stages of producing their products, including the conduct of their suppliers (not just middlemen). The question remains: are we consumers ready to give up our material conveniences in the fight for all human rights?
View the Huffington Post article at http://www.huffingtonpost.com/amnesty-international/human-exploitation-fuels_b_243939.html for more information.
Wednesday, July 22, 2009
Putting it in perspective
Goal 5: A healthy life for my son
Last winter I decided to stop commuting, and to launch a home-based business. I handed in my resignation, and was focused on developing contracts to guarantee the income I require to get by.
My perspective was changed in May. Ronan, my son, was 14 months old. A chest cold that started on a Friday landed him in intensive care for just shy of a month - at one point, with up to 24 IVs, life support, and doctors "preparing us for the worst" which was an unbelievably strong possibility.
The terror was suffocating. We couldn't do anything but hold our breath and will the doctors and their tools to work. I have never, ever, experienced such horror.
Ronan made it - at the ninth hour, his crashing stopped, and he slowly, ever so slowly, began to recover. His heart resumed its pumping, and after 3 weeks, his lungs could once again supply him with oxygen. Today, only a couple short months later, you'd never know what he had survived. He's an active, cheerful little fellow who keeps us laughing and running.
But my perspective had changed. No longer am I satisfied with fitting him in, around my work. I want him growing older and strong - and I want to know him for a very very long time. So - my mind's been working on bringing my backyard into all aspects of my life. I have more questions than answers, but I know you have to be vigilant, crafty and patient to carve out a healthy and happy being. I plan to make it happen, step by step.
Last winter I decided to stop commuting, and to launch a home-based business. I handed in my resignation, and was focused on developing contracts to guarantee the income I require to get by.
My perspective was changed in May. Ronan, my son, was 14 months old. A chest cold that started on a Friday landed him in intensive care for just shy of a month - at one point, with up to 24 IVs, life support, and doctors "preparing us for the worst" which was an unbelievably strong possibility.
The terror was suffocating. We couldn't do anything but hold our breath and will the doctors and their tools to work. I have never, ever, experienced such horror.
Ronan made it - at the ninth hour, his crashing stopped, and he slowly, ever so slowly, began to recover. His heart resumed its pumping, and after 3 weeks, his lungs could once again supply him with oxygen. Today, only a couple short months later, you'd never know what he had survived. He's an active, cheerful little fellow who keeps us laughing and running.
But my perspective had changed. No longer am I satisfied with fitting him in, around my work. I want him growing older and strong - and I want to know him for a very very long time. So - my mind's been working on bringing my backyard into all aspects of my life. I have more questions than answers, but I know you have to be vigilant, crafty and patient to carve out a healthy and happy being. I plan to make it happen, step by step.
Misty Morning
It rained all night. Now, the backyard's a magical place. Tiny dew drops cling to every leaf, every petal. A gentle mist blurs the sharpness from the horizon. I took my morning coffee to sit on my stars, listen to the birds and think. It's true peace.
It is so hard to interrupt this paradise to head to the computer to work!
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It is so hard to interrupt this paradise to head to the computer to work!
hsd4q6erjc
Growing a green thumb
Goal two: Live locally
We're inundated with information about the value of living locally - buy organic, the 100-mile challenge, support local producers, and so on. It's valid, and offers major health and environmental benefits. But sometimes it's easier than it looks.
I have a headstart on this goal: I already buy my beef and pork from a local organic farmer, and over the past 4 years I've been working on my vegetable garden. But, my $100+ weekly grocery bill suggests there's more I can do.
This summer, I am researching new ways to preserve vegetables and fruit (freeze, can, dehydrate) for the winter. I'm trying to always buy organic milk, but it's not always available. I'm currently searching for a local egg and happy-chicken provider. And I haven't a clue how to find local fish.
One great way to preserve tomatoes for winter is by making freezer salsa. There are numerous recipes available online -in general, calling for tomatoes, green peppers, onions, cidar vinegar and spices/seasonings/herbs. I try to get it as thick as possible before freezing, because water will seperate when thawing. I froze about 2 dozen containers last fall, and we had salsa straight from the garden for every dinner party. It's also good on pasta with italian sausages!
We're inundated with information about the value of living locally - buy organic, the 100-mile challenge, support local producers, and so on. It's valid, and offers major health and environmental benefits. But sometimes it's easier than it looks.
I have a headstart on this goal: I already buy my beef and pork from a local organic farmer, and over the past 4 years I've been working on my vegetable garden. But, my $100+ weekly grocery bill suggests there's more I can do.
This summer, I am researching new ways to preserve vegetables and fruit (freeze, can, dehydrate) for the winter. I'm trying to always buy organic milk, but it's not always available. I'm currently searching for a local egg and happy-chicken provider. And I haven't a clue how to find local fish.
One great way to preserve tomatoes for winter is by making freezer salsa. There are numerous recipes available online -in general, calling for tomatoes, green peppers, onions, cidar vinegar and spices/seasonings/herbs. I try to get it as thick as possible before freezing, because water will seperate when thawing. I froze about 2 dozen containers last fall, and we had salsa straight from the garden for every dinner party. It's also good on pasta with italian sausages!
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