Sunset Illumination

Ah .. the shoreline, the water base .. the viscous quality that makes up 76% of our spinning blue planet.  The marble headed to the beach for sunset .. met up and was gifted to Cathy Cox and Carlos Mendizabal.  Together we watched as the earth turned away from the sun and slowly our water world drifted toward darkness.

Cathy Cox

Carlos Mendizabal

Associated Press Photograph from Huffington Post

More oil drifting.  More of man’s madness on display.  The blue marble weeps ……

The spill in the Gulf of Mexico has already begun it’s deadly march.  Tendrils of oil spread toward the shoreline – reach down to the depths where they cannot be seen – fouling the marine life chain – threatening endangered species – killing off life.

Officials have estimated that the leak is gushing oil at a rate of 5,000 barrels a day. But if things go badly, representatives for the companies worried that that figure could turn into 60,000 barrels a day, or 2.5 million gallons. Just four days at that rate would exceed the amount of oil spilled by the Exxon Valdez off Alaska, the worst spill in U.S. history.

I feel ashamed to drive my car.  I feel ashamed to consider hopping into a plane.  I am embarrassed that I haven’t converted most of my house to solar or wind, that I am a part of the addiction to fossil fuel.  I pledge to do more to reduce my own footprint.  I pledge to be a better citizen and to work tirelessly to bring a measure of sanity our human resource consumption.

Blue marbles enroute to London, via my son, Cooper Lee, and American Airlines.  One is a gift for Peter Von Manen of McClaren Electronics. Maybe he can buzzzzzzzzzzzzz the marble around in one of McClaren Automotive’s fast rides. 

From the air, the problems of the earth seem so far away. The marble likes the vantage point and the chance to reflect on all the wonders that make up its world.

“Grey whale, show us the way to another fate”
–Homero Aridjis

One can only speculate what deals have been made behind closed doors, what debts called in, what people have been bought off – to let the man (because at the end of each day he is a man with wife and children and a planet to protect) – even contemplate selling out to oil drilling and the hunting of whales.

There are so many battles to be fought to ensure the future of the earth and her seas, her air and her forests, that those who come behind us may luxuriate in the magical planet called earth.  It seems heinous, that we have to go back, rally our intelligence, plead our cases to simply hold previously gained ground.

These rumblings – these undercurrents – remind me that vigilance must remain a constant.  That there really is no peace – no way to sleep – always someone who has no consciousness and cannot see, someone who has lost the light that was his/her birthright – that always we must be warriors in protection of our spinning blue home.

It was a great day for new friends for the marble.  Loretanos Alejandro and his wife Imelda and Rigo and his daugher Aram now gifted with beautiful blue orbs.  Alejandro dice que – “hay potencia” and “es necessario para protegerle” … Aram spun the orb in her hands and told me about the world – about caring for it, it’s importance.  Rigo & Aram had participated in the Loreto Pride Campaign held last week, and trash load by trash load experienced first hand both the negative effects – all the dumped garbage in the Arroyo Candeleria, and the positive – the pristine environment after a small army of volunteers scoured the dry river bed of trash and refuse.

Burning oil rig sinks into Gulf of Mexico | Grist.

It is, after all .. a blue planet

The highest good is like water. Water gives life to the ten thousand things and does not strive. It flows in places men reject and so is like the Tao. In dwelling, be close to the land. In meditation, go deep in the heart. In dealing with others, be gentle and kind. In speech, be true. In ruling, be just. In business, be competent. In action, watch the timing. Tao Te Ching ~

Cynthia's Blue Marble

photo : Cynthia Wagstaff

Marble at sunrise ....

Daylight whispers through translucent clouds, painting a carpet of color across the surface of the sea and wet sand. We walk together in contemplation of oceans and marine life. What can we do to protect the habitat? The species? What skill set can we bring to the table to increase awareness of the human population’s actions?

So many concerned citizens of earth. So many seemingly blind, deaf and dumb to their actions. A greater number more concerned with the bottom line – with immediate profits and corporate success – than with the long term viability of marine life – which ultimately affects all of life on our spinning blue planet.