The Artistry of Green!
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- Are you interested in becoming an organizer in your area?
- Maybe--But Not Sure What to Organize
- Tell us about your experience with alternative energy:
- Not much.
I try to use wood pellets in a small stove in my living room to heat my home instead of using expensive propane. Although I can't afford either one this winter. So I'm using a small electric space heater, and move it to whichever room I'm in at the time. When my electric gets cut off in a couple of months for non-payment, I'm not sure what I'll do for heat. Maybe burn my furniture in the fireplace.
When I had a little extra money last spring, I bought a case of florescent light bulbs. As my old incandescent bulbs burn out, I replace them with the new bulbs.
My home is made of slump block exterior walls, so in the summer it stays about 20 degrees cooler than outside. But this is detrimental in the winter. There is an enclosed, glassed-in porch on the west side of my house which sort of acts as a solar collector. In the winter, I open my living room door to that porch to let in some heat. Though in the summer, I open all the glass doors to get the breeze through and keep that room from heating the west side of my home.
In the summer, I turn off my electric hot water heater to save on my bill, and just use the water as it comes out of my well. So usually, I try to only take a shower in the late afternoon when the water isn't so cold.
- What excites you about this campaign?
- I don't mean to sound selfish, but maybe if our country isn't sending so much money overseas for our energy consumption, the government will decide to redistribute some of that money to help disabled widows of 100% disabled Vietnam War Veterans.
When my husband was still alive, there were many VA programs to help him. But as his widow, I have found that there is little if any help for me, since I'm only 51 and not yet 65.
When my husband died in 1997, I was able to collect $100,000 on his life insurance. But I still had to finish raising our daughter, and now, 11 years later, that money is all gone. This month, Nov. 2008, my saving is now at $0, and this is the first time I've ever been late on my mortgage payment.
In December, I will only have my $374.00 SSI to live on, tho I did just apply for food stamps 2 days ago. Thankfully, SSI also pays my medical bills. But without any other financial help, I won't be able to hold out 14 more years for my widow's benefits, and will end up living out of my car.
I know I'm not the only widow in this predicament. So I'm hoping that maybe by keeping our country's energy money "in house" and creating jobs here, we can afford to help our Veteran's widows from becoming homeless.
My husband (a three time Purple Heart veteran, serving 9 years in Vietnam) never meant for me to be homeless, and I must think that other veterans (including my dad - a Korean War Purple Heart veteran) would also turn in their graves to know what has or is happening to their loved ones.
I am proud that three of my four brothers also served in the military. Yet each of them are now also doing poorly, so they're not able to help me either. With the economy the way it is, other families across the country can't support themselves, let alone help disabled widows like me.
When Mr. Obama won the election recently, I cried, and then I bawled uncontrollably. I felt as though an incredible weight had been lifted from my shoulders. Even though I live in Arizona, I did not support Mr. McCain, and voted for Mr. Obama. I've lived in Arizona for 17 years, and have always been discouraged as a voter because Arizona's Electoral College has always placed its votes with Republican Presidential candidates. None of which went out of their way to help people like me in trouble, and struggling.
Being realistic, I know that the burden is still hanging over me, but somehow when Mr. Obama was elected by a landslide vote, I felt that the weight wasn't as heavy. Nothing else has changed in my life - my financial circumstances are still dire, but something feels different. I'm almost encouraged to have hope for the future.
- What do you want to do to help?
- Even though I'm physically disabled, I still feel I can be useful in this effort. My bachelor’s degree is in Fine Art with a minor in geology, and I graduated Magna Cum Laude from Northern Arizona University. I’m not bragging of course, but am just pointing out that having graduated with honors, I can write relatively well. So perhaps, if I still have electricity to power my computer and can still afford to have an internet connection, I can put my writing skills to use. I hope I can afford to keep an internet connection, because it’s my life line with the outside world. (smile)
If somehow I’m still in this house next spring, I had thought to plant some vegetable seeds outside. (I use an electric cart to get around my yard.) When I was listening to the news about the stock exchange troubles being the worst since the Great Depression, it hit me that people would have to plant “Victory Gardens” to get by, as they did in the 1930’s. And then I thought that even if the economy turned around, people should plant Victory Gardens and fruit trees as a way to help reduce the amount of diesel fuel used to transport produce to local grocery stores. Especially the imported produce shipped here. The establishment of local “Farmers’ Market Co-ops” could even take on any surplus produce. And these Farmers’ Markets might find seasonal homes in the increasing numbers of vacant storefronts. In the off-season, classes and seminars could be given in these storefronts, teaching people what and how to grow produce in their respective regions. (Perhaps the storefront property owners could be offered tax incentives for allowing the classes to be conducted in their spaces free of charge.) Or the extra produce could be donated to local charities, school cafeterias, or food banks. Even if people only planted one fruit tree per household, the aggregate number of additional trees would also help to eliminate greenhouse gases.
I’m an idea person. My dad was an aircraft engineer and inventor, and my mother, an artist. Happily, I inherited all those genes. As an intelligent, one-time professional visual artist, and geology enthusiast with general science grounding, I have a greatly varied background, and many areas of interest. And with this, I constantly draw on various disciplines to come up with interdisciplinary, innovative ways of thinking and of doing things. It is my unfortunate situation, and secluded rural residence, which keeps me from utilizing my skills to full potential. With the advent of the internet, I’ve found that I can at least keep in contact with current issues, and occasionally provide input, even if I don’t get credit for my ideas. As long as I have a positive impact (and food in the pantry), I’m happy.
Teri Kennedy's Blog
GO green! Or, cutting the carbon footprint one oxygen molecule at a time.
Most of us know what lobbyists are, and they don't always get a very good rap.But it's about time each of us becomes a lobbyist to reduce our individual carbon footprints.
You know those huge cereal boxes or the potato chip bags you buy which are only about half full? They always print the discl… Continue
Posted on November 20, 2008 at 9:00am —
Getting the word out: Idea #1
All the suggestions I've seen for getting the word out are great, and I'll do what I can.I've been reading some of the comments left by others, and I see that a lot of people feel they're too busy to get individual signatures on a petition.
So I have an idea...
Have you ever been to the grocery… Continue
Posted on November 19, 2008 at 5:28pm —
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I believe I sent the last note? Hope all is somewhat stable!!
Best; Tom
You should be made aware of all the programs that are available to you that you should qualify for. Contact your electric provider and ask them if your State has a heap program. It might go under a nother name in your state, but the federal government pays millions of heating bills for the poor so they wont freeze to death.
I started a group called Inexpensive Clean Energy here @ pickens plan and I posted many links on the near top left of the page. Some links might be helpful to you such as financing, incentives,energy star and others.
Some only offer to help pay for home efficiency improvements and energy star products, Others are tax breaks. I dont know if you work but you should go to the group and check out the links regardles.
I think it's kool that you weld. I am trying to get more expiperience on that. I also want wind turbines to be more artsy. I have seen photos of many prety ones but you never see them in the market or the field.
My busines is going slow because of the economy but thanks to President Obama lots of money is going to be spent on this field.
I want to use the fact that people can get financial help from the government to help offset the coast as a selling point. Also most energy companies need to buy some percent of renewable energy and are hooking up Net Metering ( a two way meter )so if you have a wind turbine or solar panels you can sell your energy to them on windy or sunny days when you produce more energy than you use. You can also buy energy on days you need more than you produce. This is not available yet in Lubbock Texas but it is being worked on and should be available soon. That plus more low interest loans, government grant and tax credits and rebates it becomes an easier sell.
The Government also has loans and grant for businesses that promote energy efficiency. Not only is that a good selling point for business clients but My business might actualy qualify for this and that will help raise capital to get moving and expanding.
I wish you the best. I hope you get the help you need for your energy cost. Please join my group and tell others. I'm sure you will love it.
Let’s get moving!
Our local leaders in Washington need to hear from us.
The inauguration is just about here!
We need more Pickens Plan members.
Everything you need is under “Take Action” on the website.
Click on the “Take Action” tab at the top of the page, there are
4 easy things you can do with your computer right from your key board-
1. Join your District
2. Contact Congress
3. Email Obama
4. Tell a Friend
Thank you for your support!
Dave Clement
District Leader AZ06 Pickens Plan
Wind and Solar for Energy, Natural Gas for Vehicles
Independence from Foreign Oil
Economic and Energy Independence for America
Strengthen Our Economy And Our Employment Base In Arizona!
everything ok?
Your idea of Victory Gardens seems to be a great idea whose time has come again.
PS: I hate to mention it, but maybe a painting or two will cover your mortgage until you can find suitable income. That way you'll have a home to house yourself, and your beautiful memories. Have you tried Medical Transcription? It can be done from home (with that internet connection), and can bring considerable income, even for starters. If you make the mortgage payments, and find a source for solar or wind power materials, I would be glad to assist installing those items for you. Good fortune!
FANTASTIC idea! Give it a try and let me know hiw it goes. My thought is that you may get some, but many will take them and never do anything, as good as their intentions may be. I find it is always better for me to get their name on the dotted line..... you know.... a bird in the hand!
Have a llovely evening.
BTW, It does not take long to get 10 names. If folks would just carry the paper with them, they can get it done.
Have a good one!
Kim
They are jobs 14,15 and 16 on Green jobs Now group page
eco-Green Professionals / Prophyte Solutions, LLC / Tyrone, GA ($1,000 Referral Reward)
Solar Marketing Manager / Confidential / San Francisco, CA ($100 Referral Reward)
Solar Project Engineer / Confidential / San Francisco, CA ($100 Referral Reward
Hope you know someone.
Melissa
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