Boycott BP

A few years ago, BP petitioned the EPA to allow them to INCREASE their waste dumpage into Lake Michigan.  Where is their environmental conscience?

Here in Chicago, a grassroots movement and boycott of BP products ensued and BP printed a statement of retraction, seeming to reverse its decision.  I am not sure if they have stuck to that decision or have secretly implemented more dumping.  Maybe a reader can fill us in.

Now the massive oil spill in the Gulf, which officials are saying has topped the Exxon Valdez oil spill in Alaska. 

View some of the tragic results happening to the island off LA which is home to hundreds of nesting brown pelicans and other birds.  The oil has desecrated hundreds of miles of beaches in LA and AL already and is sitting at the gulf of the Mississippi River.

Throw the book at BP.  Revoke any rights to oil drilling in the U.S.  BOYCOTT BP!

(This video shows oil-damaged pelicans, many of whom can barely fly, says one of the filming biologists.)

The Recital

Well, I'm back home after 6 1/2 months in Florida and Georgia. I am slowly adjusting.

The bad: It's not nearly as pretty here as it is in the Atlanta area where my son lives and, of course, he and my grandchildren are there, not here. And I have the flu with major aches. Ugh.

The good: I'm out of the humidity (whew!) I could never live in Florida or Georgia during the hot months. That humidity just drags the life out of me.

So here are photos from Madison's dance recital....sorry the quality isn't the best, but they were taken from far out in the audience with the zoom. And my camera is 10 years old.

(Click to enlarge photos)

Ballet Picture Day

Today, a week before the ballet recital, was picture day at class.  Fits were thrown, heels were dug in -- until Mama did a little tough love stance and "I-don't-wanna-wear-that-costume-cuz-it-itches" granddaughter capitulated. 

See if you can figure out who granddaughter is.  She's the one with the "itch fix."

(As always, click to enlarge photos)

Good Morning, Everyone!

Alpharetta Greenway

WHAT IS A GREENWAY?

"A greenway is a linear park. A greenway is about people and the land they love. It is about conservation. It is about recreation and alternative transportation. It is about environmental education. It is about connecting the quality of life Alpharetta now has with the future plan that will help maintain that quality of life. Our greenway is an investment in the future of Alpharetta...an Alpharetta that is green, with open spaces for people as well as natural areas for plants and animals."

"The Big Creek Greenway is primarily a 12-foot wide concrete path that meanders through the deciduous woods along Big Creek. The greenway offers an ideal setting for walking, jogging, inline roller blading, and biking. Dirt mountain bike trails are located on the east side of the creek 2/5 mile south of Webb Bridge Road."

From The Big Creek Greenway Trail System on the web


Ventured onto the Greenway this morning and found it to be delightful.  With all the shade and those huge trees giving off oxygen (isn't that what we learned in science class?  Don't trees suck up the carbon dioxide and give off oxygen?) I can see how the Georgia natives cope with hot, humid summers.....that and the abundance of neighborhood pools.

Clocked 18 miles on the Giant this morning.  Hillier than I like or usually ride, but for the most part, not too difficult.  And the creek runs parallel to the path, with a miniwaterfall now and then.  Two small deer crossed the path in front of me, too fast for me to stop and grab the camera, and I'm sorry to say, a black snake a little further on.

(Click photos to enlarge)

Most of the greenway is dappled shade, with a few sunny lengths.

There are bridges to go under....

and over.

A fork or two in the path to choose direction....

And some paths only for those on foot...

And guidelines to follow to preserve the greenway for years to come.

All in all, quite a nice find for someone like me who was afraid all of northeast Atlanta was going to be too hilly to make biking pleasant.  I'm happily surprised!

Goodbye, Florida

It's my last night in Sandestin and I'm all packed.  I leave tomorrow morning.  I've taken a hot shower to ease my aching back from lifting all my stuff and smashing it into every conceivable space in my car and trunk, and just popped three Advil to boot.

When I awake, I'll just shower and dress and make a little breakfast with some leftover food I still have.  Then I'll put the few remaining things into the car, bungee the bike onto the bike rack, start the dishwasher for the rental agency and put the trash on the curb and go. 

But I don't want to.

This last month has been perfect weather...sunny 70's...only two days of humidity.  I'll miss the biking around here;  I'll miss sitting at the pool reading and people-watching;  I'll miss the beach and sand and free Wednesday night music concerts and the Village.  I'll miss the natural beauty and peacefulness of Sandestin and the beaches and nature trails;  I'll miss all the water, water, water everywhere.

(click photos to enlarge)

So goodbye beautiful sand and Gulf, stay soft and white and emerald....

Goodbye morning sun out my front door...

 

Goodbye Rum Runners and Baytowne Wharf....

Goodbye, boats and marina at the Village....

Goodbye friendly gate guards....

Goodbye AJ's, keep the bands playin'....

Goodbye, Pompano Joe's....

Goodbye, Donut Hole....

And goodbye everything I've come to love about this area.  I can't wait to get back next season.

Last Day in Paradise

It was my last day to bike my 20 miles, last breakfast at Another Broken Egg, last drive through the resort and down Scenic 98 along the Gulf, and last day to sit at the pool and read and people-watch.  It was just me and "the guys" (whoever they were) this afternoon.

(click to enlarge photos)

My little shaded corner.

Pond behind my pool.

One of the neighborhood pools in Sandestin...with golf course and bay beyond.

One of the four golf courses in Sandestin and the bay beyond it.

The fountain sends me a rainbow as goodbye!