Semi-Daily Scribbles

I had to get out of the artificial chill of my office and toast my bones. The temperature is right around 101 and we’ve been holding steady with a string of scorching days. I’m probably good for another sentence or two before I start melting. In fact, I’m feeling my nose slide down my face. Reckon that’s my cue to move back into the ice box and finish out my afternoon.

Sweat break over.

More Americans recycle than vote, but in many Texas communities recycling is lagging in part because some landfill operators cut corners and undercut recycling programs. In addition, too few products are designed for recycling.

via www.texasenvironment.org

10 August 2010

State Representative Ken Paxton
Texas House of Representatives
P.O. Box 2910
Austin, TX 78768-2910

Dear State Representative Paxton,

I am writing to urge you to support initiatives to spur recycling in Texas. We can’t afford to trash our future.

I applaud the State Legislature for passing a Computer TakeBack law for Texas. Now, please support legislation that would compel more manufacturers to provide consumers with free, convenient, responsible and effective recycling options for their products.

Also, please support a state recycling refund bill that will create jobs in the recycling industry while keeping beverage container waste out of our waterways and communities. If you give people a financial incentive to recycle, they won’t waste the opportunity to protect natural resources.

Please respond to my comments in writing, or via email at:

Sincerely,

Theresa L. Largusa
McKinney, TX 75070-5190

Photographers working for the U.S. government's Farm Security Administration (FSA) and later the Office of War Information (OWI) between 1939 and 1944 made approximately 1,600 color photographs that depict life in the United States, including Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands. The pictures focus on rural areas and farm labor, as well as aspects of World War II mobilization, including factories, railroads, aviation training, and women working.

via www.loc.gov

Inspiration comes from many places and in many forms. A clear, cloudless day (or a steel grey rainy day) can cast light on those tiny idea particles floating around at the back of my brain. Finding a shoebox full of creased and faded photos also provides a creative buzz that spurs me on to take snapshots of my own or compose a few lines of verse.

The images on this website capture people engaged in all manner of labor and industry. Some are of mundane objects, technological marvels of the day, or nature’s magnificence. Others depict poverty and the crippling toil of subsistence. All of these photographs, however, contain a stark truth and unfiltered beauty that makes them a sensory goldmine.

I looked up and saw Annie peering down at me. Confusion and fear made my head spin.

“It’s ok.” I heard Annie say. “I’m sitting right here.”

And so she was. Annie was still seated beside Bill on the settee. I looked back up at the figure at the top of the landing and realized I was seeing double, as in twins. The man, now descending the stairs, had shoulder length dishwater blonde hair, a square jaw and a slightly crooked nose, as though it had been broken. As he approached me, I saw that he had the same silvery gray eyes as Annie. Their eyes reminded me of the full moon reflected over a clear, calm lake. The man’s lips were attempting to form words as he came to an abrupt stop before me. The words I heard came yet again from Annie.

“I’d like you to meet my other half, Zeke. As you’ve already noticed, we share the same face.” They did. Only when they were near one another did I realize that Annie and Zeke looked neither male nor female. The pair had the same smooth, plastic appearance of department store mannequins. The major difference between them was that Zeke was taller. As I was looking back and forth between the pair of lookalikes, now noticing they were wearing the same red plaid shirt, the silhouette of a cowboy throwing a lariat dispersed throughout the pattern, a booming rattle shook the building.

“Don’t you know how long we’ve been waiting? We’ve been rehearsing for all eternity. We were beginning to think you’d abandoned us!” Mute Zeke had found his voice. It made my ears ring. Next I heard a low, raspy whisper. Bill had gotten up from the settee and motioned for me to take his seat.

“Make yourself comfortable,” Bill said. “We have a lot to show you and not much time to do it in.” Annie had now joined Zeke and Bill as the trio began rearranging the furniture. Lifting the loaded down dining room table over her head, Annie smiled as she surveyed my bewilderment.

“You take good notes now, ya hear?”

Sent from my iPhone

Bad enough I thought today was Sunday. I was all set to grab my book and go sit out on the deck (a favorite Sunday morning pastime), but I couldn’t leave my dream. It was one of those vivid ones where voices are clear and the scene crammed with rich details. I walked up to a funky brownstone. The window looking out over the busy street was lined with potted plants, floral and striped sheets hung as billowing curtains, and books arranged in teetering stacks. Who had I come to visit? Whoever lived there needed to call an exterminator pronto. A large rat scurried along the windowsill. I knocked only once before entering the apartment. A jumbo dining room table in the corner of the living room served as library, TV stand, writing desk, and breakfast nook. A friendly-faced couple sat chatting on a settee. They paused their conversation as I closed the front door. The man and woman weren’t the least bit surprised to see me. I had never met these two before, but I knew their names to be Annie and Bill. They asked me if I had trouble finding the place. I replied no. I found the way quite easily. Annie and Bill smiled and nodded. I stood in the middle of their apartment not knowing what I was expected to say. Annie finally broke the silence.

“He’s waiting for you upstairs.”

Sent from my iPhone

Children everywhere are uniting to pave a brighter future for the world. MY HERO is proud to feature inspiring stories, artwork, and films from young people.

via myhero.com

There is much inspiration to be found on this website. Fun and engaging, I am introduced to new heroes every time I stop by for a visit. Young and old alike can celebrate these amazing stories of creativity and courage.