The Burning Questions

I write this post with hope of all hopes that those of you who are down have some hope behind the frown.  Remember every day is new.  Everyday of your life should should be about you.  Never lose sight of all those that love you and you love, but love yourself.

Any day can bring sorrow and pain, but every day is a chance to be happy and to bring the light into the world that shines upon others.  It make sound hokey to some of you out there, but even those of you who smirk or scoff can likely understand what I am talking about, making it hard to disagree.

Obligations and chaos can bring misery and distress at anytime, but kindness can brighten up even the darkest of days.  This holiday season won’t you shine some light upon those around you.  I know I’m certainly gonna try.

A holiday season of hope I wish upon those who need it.

  The H1N1 influenza virus, otherwise known as Swine Flu, has become quite the phenomenon this year.  There has been much hoopla over the possibility that this version of the influenza virus could become the next pandemic influenza virus.  Sure, many people have become ill with H1N1 and people have even died from it, but is it really any more of a threat than our typical seasonal flu?

The Center For Disease Control estimates that more than 36,000 people die in the United States each year(on average) from Seasonal Influenza.  The current number of deaths due to H1N1 this year in the U.S. is 593 as of September 3.  This is less than one percent of the number of estimated deaths due to our conventional influenza symptoms.    The link to this information is http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/updates/us/.

Any number of deaths due to any kind of virus isn’t something that I am fond of, but I wonder if there is a gigantic hype going on in order to sell a vaccine that hasn’t been properly tested and is being rushed into circulation.  How long has the vaccine been tested?  Has it truly passed the guidelines for a vaccine or is it being rammed down our throats and injected into our blood prematurely?  Just some concerns…If you have additional information or comments, this is not something to be shy about!

  The Emerald Ash Borer is a foreign predator to a variety of trees here in North America.  It was imported to the United States in the recent past (rumored to have come here in infested packaging from Asia)  and has become a destroyer of one of the nation’s finest natural resources-our Ash trees.  There are billions of trees at stake.  This beautiful metallic-green bug has no natural enemies here in North America and is breeding at an alarming rate.  Soon, there not be a single state that has not been infected by this flying, tree-killing menace.

Image Source

What are we going to do about this problem?  So far it seems as though our nation has given up the fight and has resigned to fact that all of the stock of Ash trees in our National Forests is doomed.  The campaign that is prevalent amongst Ash Borer projects is one against the transportation of firewood.  That is what we are currently doing to deal with a problem that should be taken on as a war on our own soil.

Even the searches that I have done to find out about the bug at our government’s websites haven’t been much more productive than what I can find out by reading the flyer at the local gas station.  I could leave the links here to pictures and information, but I would like my readers to try to find out more about this problem.  What are we going to do about this problem?  Is there more on the table than a bunch of signs posted at localities to warn people not to move wood?  I would like to know all that I can about this topic.

I do know that the invader has infected the following states per information from the Forestry Service :

Michigan-2002

Maryland-2003

Ohio-2003

Virginia-2003…The pests were eradicated.  The EAB was reconfirmed to have infested the forests of Virginia in 2008.

Indiana-2004

Illinois-2006

Pennsylvania-2007

West Virginia-2007

Missouri-2008

Wisconsin-2008

That is ten states in six years!  This nuisance has also infected parts of Canada.  At this rate, we will be seeing this pest completely infecting the U.S. soon.  Maybe as soon as ten or fifteen years.  That is my personal opinion, of course, but how could I be wrong as fast as these things are spreading?  Simply stopping the transport of firewood will no longer be an option if our nation is to save this tree population.  There is a seed collection program, but I believe that is a cop-out.  We are far more capable as a nation of great minds than that.

  Cinco de Mayo is a Mexican tradition that began May 5th, 1862 when the Mexican Army won a crucial battle against the French in Puebla.  Since then, the celebration of the day has evolved into a reason for many cultures to party it up.  The United States is one of the countries which follow the tradition of Cinco de Mayo.

What do people do on this beloved day?  Many will go to the local watering hole and drink their favorite libations.  This is probably the number one thing to do on the famed day.  If the weather holds out for a good day, many will grill out food and have their own celebration with friends and family.  Some are oblivious to the holiday, or even reluctant to observe the cultural tradition.

What can one do if partying and cookouts are not at the top their “things to do” list?  Get out of the house and take a walk or hike.  Go see a movie.  If the weather is not the best, which is usually the case in May around my neck of the woods, seeing a movie can be a great way to get out and celebrate while still relaxing.  If you are from Columbus, Ohio, the musical “The Color Purple” will be opening May 5th.  It is presented by Oprah Winfrey and is sure to be a wonderful experience for the family.  It is also a way to blend two cultures together with the merging of a Mexican tradition and Black History!  No matter what one does on Cinco de Mayo, one can be sure that this is a day that forever changed the future of Mexican society and surely our own here in the United States.

Does anyone know if our President goes mushroom hunting?  I would like to think so.  All dressed up in his suit and tie, rummaging through the forest!  He’d probably have to have the Secret Service interview each and every fungus to make sure they are what they appear to be and not some impostor dressed up as a morel.  He’d probably use his powers of persuasion to talk them right out of their hiding spots before bagging them up and taking them home to Michelle.  I would invite him to go with me, even show him a couple of my secret spots.  Would you?  I would like to know.  Leave me a comment to let me know what you think!