Category: The Friday Photo

Today’s EPA deadline

The Friday Photo
May 9, 2014

pine trees
mature pine trees in our front yard

I had other plans for The Friday Photo today but spent more time than I expected crafting my comments to the EPA about proposed carbon pollution rules for existing power plants and why Plant Washington isn’t an existing source of greenhouse gases. The deadline was today at 5:00 p.m.

My comments included this:

“On a sunshine soaked afternoon in September 2013 while Power4Georgians was announcing its intent to request permit extensions from the Georgia Environmental Protection Division, crews hired by the current land owners were preparing the proposed plant site for planting timber. Growing timber is an investment in time and money, as my family knows from timber management on our family farm. Growing trees requires patience as it takes several years before even a thinning of the growth is necessary, with significant harvesting sometimes requiring 20 years of patient waiting and watching.”

Just like growing timber, fighting Plant Washington has required time and patience, and some watching and waiting. The investment for those of us who steeled ourselves and stood up in our community has been worth the effort. We won’t have to wait decades for the return on our investment.

Enough is enough

The Friday Photo
May 2, 2014

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I posted this photo on January 25, 2012 after Cobb EMC abandoned Plant Washington and resigned itself to a likely $15M loss on the proposed coal plant it had bankrolled with co-op owner/member dollars.

Almost 6.5 years after it was announced as a “done deal,” Power4Georgians has asked for a permit extension for this because P4G chose to delay construction.

Today is the last day to tell the Georgia EPD that Power4Georgians has had plenty of time.

We’re all living on the same small spinning piece of real estate sharing the limited water and air that has to sustain all of us. Every one of us have skin in this game.

Sign and share this message to the Georgia EPD TODAY and say that after almost 6.5 years, “enough is enough.”

 

All to pieces

The Friday Photo
April 11, 2014

photo by Kathleen O'Neal
photo by Kathleen O’Neal 

My friend bought a yard for her dogs last fall that came with a house. She decided that the brick patio could use some color and texture.

Thrift store finds, dollar store bargains, and cast offs from friends are being added to her mosaic almost daily.

Two pieces of pottery made by my daughter Mary Michael, a Rockbrook Camp alum, are part of the design. They have many years ahead of them as part of this project, created by another Rockbrook Girl.

Does this just happen in the South?

The Friday Photo
March 28, 2014

photo credit Phyllis Bowen
photo credit Phyllis Bowen

For some time now I’ve wondered what the intent is behind putting the words “in memory of” on vehicles.

Did the driver buy the car in honor of the deceased? Are they driving in memory of the deceased?

When you trade the vehicle in, is there any type of decal removal etiquette? Does selling it mean the period of mourning is over?

And what about putting this type of thing other places? When a member of the wellness center I belong to died, a simple note was taped to the door reading, “In Memory of Jane Doe.” What was now “in memory of”? The entire building? Just the door?

What does it say about our culture that we have to put decals about a death on things like cars and doors and tailgates? Who benefits, besides the decal companies?

Fancy bikes

The Friday Photo
March 21, 2014
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Last weekend Charlotte was the host city for National Handmade Bicycle Show. David thought that would be a good way to celebrate his birthday.

As soon as we walked in, David, and his work wife and bike riding friend, Leslie, had to figure out the mechanics of carbon chains. Another fellow got involved in the conversation and finally all three came to an agreement on how to replace one.

I stood back while they talked and thought, “Ooooo, art work on the wheels.”

Keeping the lights on

The Friday Photo
January 31, 2014
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Solar panels at John and Gretchen Quarterman’s farm Okra Paradise cranked out power despite a coating of sleet earlier this week. John took this photo while he and Gretchen, along with their dogs Brown Dog and Yellow Dog, surveyed their farm in southwest Georgia.

A year’s worth of happiness

The Friday Photo
January 24, 2014

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I don’t keep a diary or journal. As 2012 was winding down a friend suggested collecting the high points throughout the course of the year, writing them down, and keeping them in a container. At the end of the year it could serve as a reminder of happy moments that were worth writing down. This is what my 2013 container looked like.

On January 3rd I recorded my first contribution for 2014: New Year’s Day with Brenda, Diana, Maia, and Karrie (close in my heart).

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