‘Tis but a scratch

Five years ago there were 10 EMCs backing Dean Alford’s Plant Washington coal project. Now Alford has announced that there aren’t any EMCs left in the group, EMCs that had originally announced that they would own, operate, and buy power from the plant. The little that we do know about Alford’s plans is that he … Continue reading "‘Tis but a scratch"

Parade prep

The Friday Photo A weekly photo inspired by art, community and spontaneity May 3, 2013 Parade preparations underway in Swainsboro, GA

This isn’t pixie dust

The Friday Photo A weekly photo inspired by art, community and spontaneity April 26, 2013 I don’t know if I have ever seen pollen collect on the air vents in my car. No wonder I can’t get any relief.

Do your duty

Last week I was called for jury duty, but unlike other times, I was chosen to serve. It was an interesting exercise in listening, thinking critically, and respectfully discussing ideas. Our trial involved multiple robbery and battery charges, and we knew a young man’s life would be forever changed by our decisions. We also discussed … Continue reading "Do your duty"

Who will you sign for?

The deadline for comments to the State Department on Keystone XL’s tar sands pipeline is today. I signed for them. Who will you sign for?    

Tadpoles!

The Friday Photo A weekly photo inspired by art, community and spontaneity April 19, 2013 “petting” tadpoles during our walk last weekend

Now the real work begins

The fight to stop Plant Washington is going to get very interesting because developer Dean Alford’s filings with the EPA will be subject to Open Records sunlight. Alford claims he met EPA requirements to “commence construction” by midnight April 12 when he signed a boiler contract with IHI Corporation in Japan and a site erection contract … Continue reading "Now the real work begins"

Poem in Your Pocket

Today is National Poem in Your Pocket Day, which is part of the month-long celebration of poetry this month. I had a few ideas on the poem I would carry today, but after Monday’s heartbreaking tragedy in Boston, I returned, as I have many times, to John Lennon’s Imagine. Imagine there’s no heaven It’s easy … Continue reading "Poem in Your Pocket"

Visual aids

The Friday Photo A weekly photo inspired by art, community and spontaneity April 12, 2013 I needed a good visual aid for an idea I wanted to share with my county commissioners about expanding glass recycling. I think it worked.

Wilcox County students say ‘Love has No Color”

The students in Wilcox County are tired of segregated private proms, so they are doing what their parents and school leaders won’t do: organizing an integrated prom so everyone can get dressed up and have fun, together. It will be the colors of their dresses and bow ties that matter the night of April 27, … Continue reading "Wilcox County students say ‘Love has No Color”"

The Useless Machine and why poetry won’t make your day easier

Last year on National Poem in Your Pocket Day I wanted to be well prepared, so I asked my friend Dennis Kirschbaum for a suggestion. He sent me a beautiful tribute to coffee. Today Dennis’s work is featured on Laura Shovan’s blog Author Amok. As always, Dennis packs big ideas into a small space. I laughed … Continue reading "The Useless Machine and why poetry won’t make your day easier"

You can’t take “way over” to the bank

Last Wednesday’s Macon Telegraph included coverage of the long-lingering proposed Plant Washington and developer Dean Alford’s race to meet an April 12 “commence construction” carbon pollution rule deadline set by the EPA almost a year ago. Should someone call or email Alford? Maybe he missed exactly what the EPA said when it announced the carbon … Continue reading "You can’t take “way over” to the bank"

When the unthinkable happens, who will step up?

There is no hiding behind the fact that the explosion at coal-fired Plant Bowen yesterday could happen at any of the power plants in Washington County. Accidents happen. Plant Washington developer Dean Alford has never actually built a coal plant. Should we be checking his firefighting credentials too? How about the firefighting credentials of local … Continue reading "When the unthinkable happens, who will step up?"

Spring Break Edventure

The Friday Photo A weekly photo inspired by art, community and spontaneity April 5, 2013 I took Tuesday off and spent it with my grandchildren at Edventure in Columbia. The entire museum is hands on, climb, touch, learn. It is hard to beat a water exhibit complete with a dam, shoals, and a waterfall.

Easter Week: Mistaken Identity, Keystone XL Pipeline, and Alleluias

This post is reprinted here with permission from Betsy Blake Bennett,  Archdeacon of the Episcopal Diocese of Nebraska  Easter Week: Mistaken Identity, Keystone XL Pipeline, and Alleluias In the Gospel lesson for the Tuesday in Easter Week (John20:11-18), Mary Magdalene is so caught up in her grief over Jesus’ death and her despair over the … Continue reading "Easter Week: Mistaken Identity, Keystone XL Pipeline, and Alleluias"

A sure way to break up an Easter egg hunt

Rings and licenses

The Friday Photo A weekly photo inspired by art, community and spontaneity March 29, 2013 I got this ring almost 29 years ago. It has a lot of miles on it. There are millions just like it, some brand new and waiting to be exchanged, others worn thinner after decades of doing all the things that … Continue reading "Rings and licenses"

Speak up TODAY to protect Georgia’s rivers, property rights, and taxpayers.

As the clock runs out on this year’s General Assembly session, the House is yet to take action on S.B. 213, a water rights bill drenched in bad policies. The Rules Committee will consider it first, and I’ve already been in touch with my local rep, Mack Jackson, a Rule members, who took time yesterday … Continue reading "Speak up TODAY to protect Georgia’s rivers, property rights, and taxpayers."

In this week’s mail

The Friday Photo A weekly photo inspired by art, community and spontaneity March 22, 2013 This is one of the nice things about living in a rural community. We don’t agree on Plant Washington, and Larry isn’t even my commissioner.

What’s your personal anthem?

I plugged in my iPod on my way into work this morning, and was surprised to see that Jay Bookman’s column today is all about what I listened to while I drove. I owned a small market radio station and on September 11, 2001, ABC Radio told affiliates we shouldn’t play John Lennon’s “Imagine.” Well … Continue reading "What’s your personal anthem?"