That title makes it sound like I might have some kind of profound, yin/yang type of post coming up, but actually it is just a description of the state of my brain right now. It seems crammed full, yet completely blank at the same time, leaving me in a state of bla. On the one hand, I am so happy to see the Spring birds back again - I spied a pretty house finch in our woodlot and a neat redhead duck on one of the local sloughs. Leaves are popping out and the grass is greening up nicely. I had a nice time working out at the CSA farm again this weekend. The wildfires are under control and Gord is on the mend from his hip surgery.
But on the other hand, I am so disgusted by our Alberta provincial government. Bill 44 - are you kidding me? What an embarrassment. Parents can remove their kids from class in a public school if they object to the teaching of any topic (but particularity evolution or homosexuality) on religious grounds? So if I had kids I could remove them from any class that teaches about Conservatives, right?
And today, Bill 48 - are you serious? You want criminals to pay for their own health care costs if they injure themselves during a crime, but you want to sue big tobacco if smokers get cancer or other diseases. So criminals are personally responsible for their own ill health but smokers are not? And these are subsections of the SAME BILL? Seriously Ed, look up the word "consistency" and try that concept out some time.
All this just pushes my brain into overload and it just shuts right down. It's pretty sad when you have to put your fingers in your ears and sing 'la la la' just to stomach living in your own province.
At least the birds are pretty.
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9 comments:
I was pretty shocked about Bill 44 too. I'm from SK but I can see that being passed here just as quickly as there. It sickens me that my neighbours and people I see every day can support this crap.
Oh well, I'll just keep working on my garden and hope that I can change minds through example. Keep up the good work!
Ahh yes, I am on the other side of the world to you, yet your ponderings strike a real cord with me. I look around me a the wonder of nature and my children, and think that life is so beautiful, yet when I look at the state of our society, the politics, the red tape, the corporate control, It makes me misserable. When I stop and think about the life we live, the daily grind, it all seems so pointless. Surely there is more to life than this?
UGH. I hear you on that one. It takes so much work to make changes in the government- like organizing a petition, or writing letters or staging a protest. I don't have time.
Nova Scotia is pretty conservative too, but then again so was the interior of BC... so you never know.
I'm hoping that Obama will influence Canadian politics.
but yes- the bird are pretty :)
I know exactly what you mean, lady T. It may be spring here, but for our "civilization" I think we`re headed for a long cold winter. Definitely time to build stores and focus on local community (although not to ignore the outside of course).
QueenCityFarmer - thanks for coming by and taking the time to comment - I'm glad to have found another Canadian prairie blogger and gardiner :) Thanks very much for the support - you're right of course: we just have to keep plugging away and lead by example.
EarthWiseLifeWise - hello and thanks for coming by and commenting! There seems to be a real disconnect everywhere, doesn't there, between the gorgeous-ness of the planet itself and all the other layers of real and metaphorical junk we have covered it with. I'm of the view that 'the point' is to find moments of joy and some inner contentment by being mindful of each moment, but some days this is far from easy!
EcoY - you are so right about the slow nature of governmental change - it really make me want to pull what's left of my hair out some days. Was the interior of BC conservative? I guess I always think of the cool town of Nelson when I think of the interior, although I suppose it's really more like Kelowna and Kamloops, which I've heard are quite Alberta-like, politically speaking. A lot of Albertans sure move there!
Thanks for the support SBT :) I do often shake my head when I think that *this* is the pinnacle of our civilization? - how sad. So I rant and rave, and then try to get back to basics to restore some sense of balance and contentment.
Thanks everyone - it sure does help not to feel so alone in my lamenting.
Hi Teresa, if you are interested in other people living, gardening and blogging on the praries, just check out this link
I have found a whole group of people in our area!
http://www.blotanical.com/php/map_can.php
Alison ( a friend of Sparrow's Nest)
That site is fantastic - thanks Alison! I have a lot to learn and it looks like these blogs have a lot to teach and show about gardening right here in Edmonton :)
A friend in the UK showed me the link. her interests are gardening, blogging and helping people like me who have Lyme Disease. She is an awesome lady here is the direct link to her.
http://joanne-orangecottages.blogspot.com/
Hey great post! I would like to touch base with you about your blog. Please contact me directly at chris@greenpress.com
Look forward to hearing from you.
Thanks,
Chris
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