I finally got my own bi-line in the newspaper locally and I have

[EC]

my first article written, but I'd like feed-back:

“Look over yonder what do you see
The sun is a-risin’ most definitely
A new day is comin’ people are changin'
Ain't it beautiful crystal blue persuasion.” (Tommy James and the Shondells)

There is a crystal, which is blue in color and provides energy, the power of silicon solar cell.

I’ve been thinking lately of pricing solar electric systems, it’s time; I can’t put it off any longer. With all the new products coming out, I’ll need some advice and expertise. So where do I go?

First I look in the phonebook – nothing under heating, solar, or electric. Any suggestions? I know the internet. Wow, over four million hits. Where do I start?

Solarbuzz.com is really a fantastic website, with facts and study materials. Million Solar Roofs.org has information on this national initiative or dsirusa.org and solarmidwest.org for state programs.

Focus on Energy is the state program. There are rebates for homes and businesses at 25% to 30% of the cost for solar water heat, solar space heat, photovoltaic and wind energy systems. I could call them at [phone] for guidance. State loans up to $20,000 at 0% APR;10 year loans for homeowners (existing family and duplex homes). What about property tax exemptions, at 100% exemptions?

We should encourage the use of these programs, clean our water and air. Kenosha has beautiful beaches, hiking and bicycling trails, golf courses, recreational parks and lakes. I like to go fishing for a good meal. I’d have pan-fish every evening meal if I could (of course that’s hyperbole). I love hiking at Bong and swimming in our lakes.

I don’t care to debate or assign blame for the problem of pollution, that’s been done. I really don’t like being part of the problem. We cannot continue to procrastinate, acting as though there’s not a problem, when there are funds and products available. A solution.

Imagine if more homes and businesses started using solar or wind. We’d create a cleaner environment, easing our use of coal-powered power plants. I’m a coal-miners Granddaughter and I know coal is dirty. I’ve seen rivers turn yellow, as well as sour, heavy air from the sulfur. Soot and coal dust build-up is unpleasant and a health hazard.

The Journal of the American Medical Association links cardiovascular and respiratory diseases with exposures of soot or PM2.5’s (particulate matter at 2.5 micrometers – about 1/30 the width of a hair). Studies show when the levels jump, so do hospitalizations for heart failures and respiratory infections. These particles are emitted from coal power-plant smokestacks and other sources.

Did you know that coal was outlawed by punishment of death in 1300 by England’s King Edward I?

Anyway, I found that to be interesting.

Anyone putting on a new roof or building a home should give thought to incorporating alternate energy systems.

There are whole roof systems that can replace traditional roofing materials as well as modular panel systems. Less costly forms are solar heating boards can be set on the ground instead of on the home and window or awning systems. There are also, panels that can be mounted on a pole and set to follow the sun in rotation. These are all portable. Why not use passive solar in your home design? Add an attached greenhouse or sunroom.

I’d love to see Kenosha be the lead in cleaning our environment, at least here in our little corner of the Great Lake. We have all types of economic options and guidance available. I want to persuade you to do this.

Being “off the grid”, self-sufficient, has been on my wish-list for a long time. I could even stay on the grid and have WE Energies paying me for energy through the Solar Buy-Back program, receive a monthly credit and even a check whenever any net accumulated amount exceeds $100.00. That would be a kick, wouldn’t it? I’m persuaded. I think I’m going to work on making it a reality.

Cut out this article and look at it from time to time. Think about it. Let me know what you think.

Me?

I’m going to call Focus on Energy, inquire about available programs suitable for my needs. I’ll never know until I make that call.

And you, what will you do?

Crystal Blue Persuasion, mm-hmm…

[lala_rawraw]

1. Huray!!!!

congrats!!!

[EC]

2. Thanks, as you know, it takes hard work.... ha, ha, I made a joke

:rofl:

[lala_rawraw]

10. I made a journal and for the life of me cannot find

the stupid add new entry thing... wtf?

[EC]

11. It should be just right of the alert button

on your posts...

[NMDemDist2]

3. congrats on the new gig and it's a great message and good article

to start you off. I am moving to a small town this year with a 5 day a week paper. how did you get them to give you a try?

I'd love to write for a small town paper. hell, they probably wouldn't even have to pay me :rofl:

[EC]

4. A lot of letters to the editor and then they advertised for writers

and asked me to send in a piece. I wrote a 700 word article on Synchronicity... they liked it and sent me a congrats you made it, please call in for first due date and wallah, I'm writing for the paper...Here's that article (and of course the on-line forum I cite in it is here)


Synchronicity – A funny thing happened on the way to the forum

“Synchronicity is God sending us messages anonymously.” Ceepok Chopra

Synchronicity, an interesting word and an even more interesting event. Yesterday, I was reading the book, The Secret of Shambhala. The main character of the book was buying an airline ticket to Katmandu and at the very same time I was reading this, “I’m Going to Katmandu” by Bob Seger started playing on the radio. Whoa, that’s strange.

So I logged onto an online forum of which I am a member and posted, “What does this mean?”

I soon had many posted answers, many of them relating similar strange events. One said he was new to this oracle stuff and advised me to get to the airport.

Another said it was a signpost indicating I’m heading in the right direction in life.

Still another had just received a perfume sample in the mail …”Katmandu, yes it’s true”, she wrote. Wow!

Another fellow wrote “sell your house and buy Powerball”. To which I decided I would buy one ticket.

Many said to sit back and enjoy the harmony of the evening, have a nice glass of wine and take that moment of synchronicity as meaning all’s in sync in my world for that split-second of time and watch for other messages that may occur.

Many see coincidence as a higher, transcendental force –“cosmic glue”, which binds random events in a meaningful, coherent pattern. Could such a harmonizing principle really exist?

Carl Jung believed the phenomenon of synchronicity was connected with psychic conditions. Those couplings of inner and outer reality are patterns inherent in the human psyche and shared by the entire universe. He called them primordial images, comprising of man’s collective unconscious that become a doorway providing us access to the experience of meaningful and insightful coincidence.

This is the belief in the ultimate oneness of the universe, what the Chinese gave name to – I Ching.

Knowing there is a connection between us all and the universe is somehow calming, giving value to everything having a purpose and a relationship, a collective soul. It also gives me hope that someday the world will truly unite the good of all to prevail. So, I believe when we cause pain in the world, we are causing pain to ourselves. When we destroy, hate or show indifference, so we do to ourselves. Also, when we love and share, we bestow ourselves. Caring for the garden, the air and our waters, also self rewarding. How can we not want to care for all things in the universe, knowing it is a part of ourselves?

Dalai Lama once wrote, “People inflict pain on others in the selfish pursuit of their happiness or satisfaction. Yet true happiness comes from a sense of peace and contentment, which in turn must be achieved through the cultivation of altruism, of love and compassion, and elimination of ignorance, selfishness, and greed. I am open to the guidance of synchronicity, and do not let expectations hinder my path.”

This will be my philosophy, my way. Each day that passes, I will remember I am part of this glorious world in which we live. I will pay attention to each event of synchronicity and look forward to the next. I will also remember that rather male or female, gay or straight, black, tan or white; we are all part of the great creation and purpose, requiring respect and acknowledgement of life. I will not let expectations of failure or reward guide my decisions, I will do the right thing in dedication to all.

There is a fundamental unity of all things. I know we are all parts of the whole. When synchronicity happens, I will sit back and feel as one with the universe and accept that for that split second in time, I am in harmony with the world, looking out for the next whisper of a message to follow. I’ll also buy a lottery ticket.

P.S. By the way the book I was reading that started this whole thing The Secret of Shambhala is from a series of books about…synchronicity.

[NMDemDist2]

6. hmmmm I am a yellow dog dem moving to a rock ribbed red county

whose economy depends on agriculture, oil and gas and a Federal Police Training Center

do ya think my LTTEs will make friends and influence people there?? :rofl:

[EC]

8. keep your anger to a low boil and just explain

sincerely your points, you'll do fine...

[NMDemDist2]

9. I can DO that!

:woohoo:

heck back in 2000 I was even considered a moderate Democrat. 'course nowadays that means I'm part of the radical left fringe I guess....

[The_Casual_Observer]

5. You are a talented writer, and have a good informative uplifting message.

A rare combination.

Best Regards.

[EC]

7. Thank, you hit on just what I was trying for

positive, uplifting and helpful point of view. My letters to the editor were more hard hitting and sometimes out and out lambasting...I sometimes sounded like a mother admonishing her kids....but the paper said they got a lot of response mostly saying I had a point...