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.
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.
Water Relations
The clarity of the tide pool was exquisite. The runoff from recent storms had settled either to the bottom or father out to sea. The marble rolled exuberantly in a warm sea grass laden pool.
While the day was joyous and the sun shimmered on the sea’s blue surface, I was reminded, that even through the obvious clarity, several days after southern California storms, the local waters are carry toxic levels of bacteria.
Those bacteria are the source of ear and bronchial infections, along with skin invasions through scratches or open wounds. If it’s not healthy for humans, how can it possibly be healthy for sea life?
We continually dump our shit (excuse me) into the water and expect that the ocean will magically transform garbage into clean habitat.
Wouldn’t it be magical to see the oceans 10,000 years ago?
Imagine the abundance of sea life.
The push/pull issues of corporate profits vs the health of the seas – and ultimately us – confuses me. I find it unfathomable that any person with any kind of conscious cannot see the relationship between actions and consequences.
Dump oil. Kill sea life. Dump chemicals down the drain. Poison shellfish and local species. Toss plastic bags. Strangle pelicans and terns.
The marble wants to know what it will take to wake up ALL the inhabitants of the planet?
Emma and the Marble
In Emma's Hand
Marbles reach out and take flight – passed in airports, coffee shops and even a parking lot. This marble has found it’s way into the hands of Cherril Doty, long time friend, fellow camper, kayaker and environmentalist.
Her intention is to share it, and water stories with her two grandsons. The young and rambunctious boys can begin to learn early about conservation, where water comes from, how is it used – and wasted, and what they can do in their lives to institute change.
Simple things, like turning off the tap when brushing their teeth. Not letting the hose run in their garden after watering their plants. Learning how precious each drop is, and how lucky they are to have water in their tap, when almost two in three people lack access to clean water.
Travels of the Blue Marble 