My Name is Not Those People

There is often a real disconnection from reality with people who are super rich. Working in social services, I see many people who struggle so hard, and get by on so little – and then get such judgment and lack of compassion from those that are so wealthy they aren’t even in reality anymore. Don’t get me wrong, there are many people who make great money who work really hard and really help people. But, there’s just too many super wealthy people who are incredibly disconnected making decisions that they don’t see the implications of.

I saw this wonderful piece framed on the wall at a local food bank that I took a client to. I think there are way too many generalizations that are made in this world. I have some wonderful clients who face terrible health problems, live on next to nothing, and work so hard just to survive.

I especially like: "I live with an income of $621 with $169 in food stamps. Rent is $585. That leaves $36 a month to live on. I am such a genius at surviving that I could balance the state budget in an hour." I can't help but wish that politicians could see this as well. By talking about cutting programs once again, they are not only not getting it, but are truly missing out on getting to know, understand, and help some pretty incredible people.

My Name Is Not "Those People
By Julia Dinsmore

My name is not "Those People."
I am a loving woman, a mother in pain, giving birth to the future, where my babies have the same chance to thrive as anyone.

My name is not "Inadequate."
I did not make my husband leave - he chose to,
and chooses not to pay child support.
Truth is thought, there isn't a job base for all
fathers to support their families.
While society turns its head, my children pay the price.

My name is not "Problem and Case to Be Managed."
I am a capable human being and citizen, not a client.
The social service system can never replace the compassion and concern of loving Grandparents, Aunts, Uncles, Fathers, Cousins, Community - all the bonded people who need to be but are not present to bring children forward to their potential.

My name is not "Lazy, Dependent Welfare Mother."
If the unwaged work of parenting, homemaking and community building was factored into the Gross National Product, my work would have untold value. And I wonder why my middle-class sisters whose husbands support them to raise their children are glorified - and they don't get called lazy and dependent.

My name is not "Ignorant, Dumb or Uneducated."
I live with an income of $621 with $169 in food stamps.
Rent is $585. That leaves $36 a month to live on. I am such a genius at surviving that I could balance the state budget in an hour.

Never mind that there is a lack of living-wage jobs.
Never mind that it is impossible to be the sole emotional, social and economic support to a family.
Never mind that parents are losing their children to the gangs, drugs, stealing, prostitution, social workers, kidnapping, the streets, the predator.
Forget about putting money into schools - just build more prisons.

My name is not "Lay Down and Die Quietly."
My love is powerful and my urge to keep my children alive will never stop. All children need homes and people who love them. They need safety and the chance to be the people they were born to be.

The wind will stop before I let my children become a statistic.
Before you give in to the urge to blame me,
the blames that lets us go blind and unknowing into
the isolation that disconnects us, take another look.
Don't go away.
For I am not the problem, but the solution.
And...My name is not "Those People."

Food Co-ops LEED Building Practices

I love having a great co-op right up the street...it's full of natural light, friendly people, and fresh, organic products. It's actually great to have so many co-ops in the Twin Cities. The current article I was fortunate to write for The Mix, "Food Co-ops LEED Building Practices," was especially interesting. I admit, I always enjoy writing for this publication. The assignments are always educational, the editor is wonderful, and they are fun to write. This one in particular really addresses current issues:

The Twin Cities food co-ops have always been ahead of their time. They were selling locally grown produce and organic products long before they gained widespread acceptance. Along with their commitment to natural food and the environment, it only makes sense that co-ops would be innovators who are building to LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) standards. By following these principles, the stores have made energy saving choices on behalf of the business and the environment. With everything from providing more bike racks to utilizing more efficient refrigeration to using more daylight and less electricity, the stores are both eco-friendly and highly efficient."

How great that in a time when we are trying to save energy that these stores, which already provide locally grown, healthy food, are also cutting edge when it comes to the environment:

The bright green Seward Co-op Grocery & Deli received the LEED Gold rating in July 2010 for indoor environmental quality, design and materials reuse. “The store has a rain garden, and water-efficient landscaping. Our site retains at least 90 percent of run-off from a storm event. These initiatives make financial sense over time, and positively affect the aesthetics of the store,” said Eric Hatting, initiatives manager. “Most of the sustainable elements of our operations were implemented to improve the quality of life for employees and our community.” They are also proudly using the HOURCAR car-sharing program.

The Mississippi Market also incorporated LEED features into their store. Said Liz McMann, consumer affairs manager, “We’ve been able to take the green practices we have been doing for years to the next level.” The lights have photocell sensors, which automatically turn off lights on sunny days. They also have a staff shower and bike-repair station. “Staff members are able to commute by bike, deal with a flat, and still be fresh and ready for work,” says McMann. “While some green practices don’t have an immediate measureable benefit—it’s just the right thing to do.”

Linden Hills Co-op opened its new location in September 2010, remodeling an existing building a few blocks away from the old site. “After a year in operation, we’ll have the option to pursue LEED certification,” says Allie Mentzer, marketing and member services manager. Linden Hills has insulated exterior walls, which reduce heat transfer; a white membrane roof that replaced the old black tar roof, reducing heat absorption; and occupancy sensors that turn off lights when rooms are not in use. “The salvage company even resold, recycled or reused 98 percent of the material removed from the existing building,” said Mentzer about their strong commitment to reducing their overall carbon footprint.

The stores are not only making less of an impact on the environment, but also doing it in a smart, beautiful way that makes you not only want to shop there, but to take advantage of some of the other opportunities offered in the stores.

Happy New Year....etc.

Happy New Year! And here's to 2010 being over...a tough year! The year I said goodbye to three favorite clients, dealt with some other difficult things, and then ultimately said goodbye to my mom as well - which really made everything else pale in comparison. I'll always miss her and always have some sad moments. The holidays were tough, my birthday will be tough...but I was so very fortunate to have her for all the years I did. Losing her at 82, after all the battles she beat so bravely, was unexpected, but she lived a full, wonderful life - and she was a wonderful mom. I was extremely blessed to have her for a mother. I have a special candle I will light in her honor for all important occasions.

As far as other things: Politically, way to go for passing the First Responders Health Bill - finally! And way to go for repealing Don't Ask, Don't Tell. Service men and women are told to stand with honor and integrity...obviously lying about themselves does not fit into that. It is about time this was overturned. In all the game playing, this lame duck session did indeed get some important things done!

So, moving on into 2011, here's to a healthy, happy year...a year of positive changes, perhaps a move east or west (and a few more after that). As I have spent way too much time being unhappy while I make everyone else happy, I'll draw from my mom's courage, and sometimes lack of editing, and make some strong changes...and with her in my heart, I'm pretty sure this year will be the year I can do it!

Let it Snow?

Okay, okay...two big blizzards, and it's snowing like crazy again! Admittedly, I usually like the snow. But it is really hard to see to pull out over the mountains of it, a lot of lanes have just plain disappeared on roads (they were once three lanes, now they are maybe a lane and a half), and forget the parking lanes - let alone trying to walk anywhere! It's also hard to shovel because there is simply no where to put it....you can barely see the car parked in front of the house behind the seven foot pile...and I took this picture days ago:

It is only December....let it snow? It can stop for awhile now :-)

The Disgrace of Not Helping First Responders

In all the game playing, or whatever you call it, to halt things passing that need to be passed - in order for the super rich to get super tax cuts - the most disgusting has to be denying a vote on the bill for 911 first responders. Isn't this really just a moral issue? An issue to thank - and take care of - those who took care of everyone else after a terrible terrorist act?

It is remarkable to me that every time you turn around the Republicans are talking about patriotism, 911, and fallen heroes. Yet, they deny helping out people who are literally dying (and the 900 rescue workers who have already died). As one of the responders says in this video: It just shows how disconnected they are.

These people risked their lives to help. They came from all over the country. The Daily Show is a comedy news show, yet it often seems to hit things harder than the "real" news channels do. Way to go to The Daily Show and Jon Stewart. And to the courageous rescue workers: Just know that there are a lot of Americans out there who appreciate what you did and are extremely angered by this. You deserve the best of health care, the highest respect, and to be treated like the heroes that you are. I'm so sorry this has happened to you. It's a sickening, terrible injustice that goes beyond words - and it is about time it was fixed.

The Daily Show With Jon Stewart	Mon - Thurs 11p / 10c
9/11 First Responders React to the Senate Filibuster
www.thedailyshow.com
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Caving In

I've been gone for quite some time. First there was my mother's death, then there was the death of a favorite client, working my butt off for a company that doesn't even begin to appreciate or respect me...but, life moves on.

So, politics have brought me back. Namely, a guy I voted for and really believed in. An intelligent man with integrity and - I thought - backbone. So, here he is caving in to the Republicans ridiculous demand? What's the deal? There is no reasonable explanation to giving super wealthy people huge tax cuts - especially when the money has to be borrowed! There is no reasonable explanation to respond this way to threats to hold up everything else so they get their way. And there is certainly no reasonable explanation to why you are going against everything you stood on. This is health care all over again...yes, it passed. But it's lacking the biggest part of it we needed.

Quit trying to be nice and reason with people who are unreasonable. I am in the middle class bracket. Not getting a tax cut for me probably means my check is twenty dollars less. I can live with that. And the unemployment? My significant other - since we are in a state that does not have a huge unemployment number - stopped getting his months ago. So, I think I get it. And I still don't think it's worth it.

Caving in to bullies is exactly what I have done with my boss. It makes you feel like crap. It makes you feel used and abused. And it makes you feel like you have done a lot for absolutely nothing. Not only will you feel this way too, but the majority of the American people will as well.

Please, grow a pair for God's sake. The little promise that one famous Republican made about making it his goal to have you fail and not get to a second term - you just gave into it. You let him win...and you are way too smart for this. And not only are you losing your base and the independents, you are losing your own beliefs. In the long run, by giving 2% of the country a huge break while giving the other 97% a small handout just isn't worth it. At least put up a fight!

And on that note, for my mom's memory, I will do the same.

Grief

How does one come back from such a deep grief? I still can't believe my mother is gone. I can't call her, can't hear her voice, can't reach out to her...

I also can't concentrate or seem to care about doing anything other than working and coming home. Last night I spent the evening crying and was awake all night. The usual suspects go round and round...denial, grief, anger...and just seem to keep circling around me and getting worse. I know it has only been a month. But, I miss her voice, her laugh. She was the one who always believed in me, was always happy to hear from me, and always stuck up for me.

My mother struggled off and on for a very long time. She was a fighter and I have such enormous respect for her....and my Dad. What a fantastic team they were! He always helped her, always stood by her. The loss he feels after being married to her for over 61 years must be too enormous to comprehend. I feel like my grief doesn't compare to his.

But, I'm still grieving. She was my mom. And she was a great mom.

I had a message on my voice mail she had left a few days before she died. I kept it and kept listening to it because I just liked hearing her voice. I would listen to it among all the other messages I get every day. Somehow, it got erased. Maybe because I knew I was flying down to see her in a couple of days - or maybe because I get so many phone calls and voice mails with my job everyday. I wish I could get it back and keep it forever. I want to be able to hear her voice.

I had a terrible pit in my stomach for two weeks prior to her death. I knew something was wrong but could not put my finger on it. She died the night before I flew down for a planned family get together. That pit in my stomach knew something was going on. It has been replaced with a very empty feeling that won't go away.

I miss her. I always will. Life will never be the same.