Miriam Feder

Today is 350 day.
Where?  All over the world there are creative actions. Find one near you and participate.

350 what? If atmospheric concentrations of CO2 remain above 350 parts per million, we face human and natural disaster.

who?  You, me, all of us.

Why?

In December in Copenhagen the world’s nations meet to agree on a new climate treaty. On October 24, the International Day of Climate Action we, those of us taking part in actions around the world, will call upon those nations to do Enough. It’s the most widespread day of environmental action in the planet’s history. There will be rallies and incredible creative actions across the globe. Find an action near you. Go to the website 350.org. Find 350.org on facebook. Do Something:

 

 350 Day [1:42m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (39)

I’ve come back to this very romantic piece for Valentine’s Day.

We barely knew each other, but it was time to celebrate his birthday. So I suggested a trip to the coast? What location held more promise, energy, escape?

The atmosphere was so charged just checking into the hotel. I hadn’t checked into a hotel with a man other than my ex in over 20 years. There was a king sized bed, a hot tub, and him and me and hours and hours of us.

Just after midnight we finally dragged ourselves out of bed and down to the beach. I’d heard something about the Leonid meteor shower. No one would count on a clear sky at Cannon Beach, but there it was, black velvet sparkled with stars everywhere– and then they started to fly. They shot from the foreground to the background, across the sky in wild arcs, low to high and back again. They fired at Haystack Rock in the Pacific. The trusty monument was surprised to hand over its glory to the coastal sky, finally free of her chinchilla stole and busy staging the best light-show in the world.

The half-dozen of us strung across the wide beach bonded in ecstatic exclamations. We spun around dizzily to catch the action. The sky wasn’t still for a moment. My birthday boy knew all the constellations by name, distance, and location. He was a fabulous guide to our sparkled travels that evening: twisting, turning and gasping in the excitement of it all. Some hours later, we finally gave it up, although the show went on and on.

I learned since that nature does not speak in signs, metaphors, allegories or favorites. That brilliant display had nothing to do with our brilliance, suitability, or the destiny of our love, however much I wanted to believe it. Romance, like everything else, looks for confirmation. And what could be better than this amazing night with my star stud. It was fantastic and for awhile, it sparkled our shiniest points.

 

 Star Stud [2:54m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (109)

Nobody knows we do this–well that’s almost true.  But thousands of us sing a capella music in huge choruses.  So if you do it too or if you wonder what I’m talking about, try this.

 

 Singing in Hawaii: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (77)

Getting the last drop from a great vacation–big finish. Remember air travel when you didn’t get to the airport an hour and a half ahead of time? Amble down the jetway; from The Passaggio.

 

 Relaxing in Charleston: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (99)