Happy Lent!

For those of us who follow any type of religious doctrine, sacrifice and penance are usually regarded as means of achieving a higher state of mind, and are used to attain a closer relationship with the spiritual self. This is true across many denominations, and for Christians that time of resolution comes with Lent. Starting on Ash Wednesday and lasting for 40 days until Easter, Lent is a time of penance and reflection. It is an opportunity for us to realize and take responsibility for our lifestyles and how they affect everyone around the world. That is why a Carbon Fast for lent is a great way to reflect on the impact of our day-to-day activities, and to make the positive changes that are necessary for creative a better world. It is a means of sacrifice, as energy consumption has become such a central part of our lives, but it is also a means of spiritual cleansing and social responsibility.

Here is a copy of a Lenten Carbon Fast Calendar, put together by some lovely people at the National Council of Churches Eco-Justice Program, which gives great "going green" tips for all of the 40 days of Lent! Whether you are religious or not, these simple suggestions are truly helpful, each being easy and interesting. The calendar is a tool we can use to reduce our carbon footprint, and to brighten our souls at the same time. It could also be useful for all 365 days of the year ;-)

How vain it is to sit down to write when you have not stood up to live. -Thoreau

I have not written very much on here recently, but rest assured, dear readers, I have been doing a great deal of LIVING! Peas Peace will return soon enough. :-)

Love.

Flower of the Week

Echinacea! Because 'tis the season for cold, sniffly weather, and this helpful beauty should always be kept close at hand.

It really does work like magic ;-)

50 Best Protest Signs

When Buzzfeed put together this list of the 50 Best Protest Signs of the year, I'm pretty sure they meant the 50 most hilarious. Check them out, they will certainly brighten your Friday! This one is my favorite:

Ouch.

Since the D.C. Council's vote on Tuesday to recognize gay marriage in the district reflected a mood of positivity and hope for continued civil rights legislation in the United States, the disappointment in the New York State Senate's decision not to provide the same rights for its residents was just that much more acute. I must say that my high-soaring hopes for liberty and justice for all in this country have taken a bit of a blow. Despite New York State residents' majority being in favor of supporting the legalization of same-sex marriages, our senators' actions apparently do not reflect our own opinions. The State Senate voted yesterday to overturn a measure approved by the New York State Assembly and supported by Governor Patterson, in a 38 to 24 outcome which now rejects equal rights in the state of New York. Sigh.

Congrats, D.C.!

Congratulations to the Washington, D.C. city council who made a monumental decision yesterday to recognize gay marriages. This means that same-sex couples who had been married elsewhere may be granted their inherent civil right to benefit from all of the privileges of legal marriage within the nation's capitol. Of course, the council's decision will now have to go to Congress to be reviewed, as is done with all of the district's legislation. And while there is some sneering opposition within the GOP, the outlook is mostly positive for the Democratically-led House of Representatives to give little effort to stop the bill from passing.

The 12-1 decision to pass the measure was ranked with some controversy within the city council itself, as its one opposing member, Marion Barry, cited an obligation to remain faithful to his religious constituents, many of whom were on the street protesting as the council deliberated. Barry was accused by council member David A. Catania, an openly gay representative, of being "bigoted," a charge which Mr. Barry denied, claiming that, despite his vote, he is a supporter of gay civil rights.

But despite the little bit of conflict, the council's move was brave, and has set the stage for a possible full-fledged legalization of same-sex marriage within D.C. Overall, it is a victory for marriage and for civil rights in the U.S. But most importantly, it is a victory for LOVE.

Awareness thru the Ages

A compilation of some of my favorite AIDS prevention posters from as early as 1984, found on avert.org :