Respond to this Friday Faithfuls challenge by writing about Saint Patrick’s Day, or by going with anything else that you think fits
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My first grandchild, a boy was born on March 17, 2010. We, my husband and myself, became grandparents for the first time and his birthdays is always celebrated with lot of enthusiasm and excitement.
It was only when we came to America, that I came to know the significance of March 17 for the rest of the western world. While everyone celebrates Saint Patrick’s Day on March 17th, we celebrate our grandson’s birthday and becoming grandparents!
Jim says; For Friday Faithfuls this week, I would like to know;
What you think about climate change. How serious of a problem is this?
This year we had unprecedented flooding in our country. It’s a sign of climate change. We suffered huge losses of life and property. I think anyone who denies climate change/ extreme weather is either deluding themselves or is a victim of fake news propaganda.
Do you think that man will be able to slow down or possibly reverse global warming?
It is possible to do both if we have the will. When Covid hit the world in 2020, due to the lockdowns, environmental pollution went down significantly. If we stop using fossil fuels too much, control carbon emissions and be more mindful of our carbon footprint, things can get better.
Do you think that scientists will be able to get control of the carbon dioxide that is warming the Earth and save us before it is too late?
If we divert enough resources toward research then there’s no reason that we cannot find an answer to this problem. It just takes a collective will to do that.
Do you think that we will be able to reach the ambitious goal of net zero carbon emissions by 2050 as called for in the Paris Agreement to keep global warming to no more than 1.5°C?
That seems a tall order given the attitude of developed nations. If we all did cooperate in reducing carbon emissions, we might just be able to do it.
Do you want to breathe cleaner air and be able to drink fresher water?
Of course, we all would like to breathe cleaner air, see a bluer sky and leave a planet for our next generations where they won’t have to worry that extreme weather would destroy their habitats.
Do you feel bad that this is happening?
I feel very bad that due to the selfishness of mega-rich oil companies, we are not taking any concrete steps toward rectifying this situation. I hope that we don’t get to the point where coming back would be impossible.
This week for Friday Faithfuls, try to find a song that makes a plea for racial harmony or write a poem about Human Rights, or tell a story about injustice.
I am sharing this poem I wrote in April, 2021the topic was justice and equality.
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There can be no justice, nor any illusion of justice
If all are not treated equally, without prejudice
“A society that is cruel can survive but not a society which is unjust”
The Lofty ideals we aspire to would crumble like dust
If our treatment of each and every citizen is not equal
The law, the rules, the way everyone is treated
Has to be meted our without favor or prejudice
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This is a newer song by Pharrell Williams which conveys the idea of freedom very well.
Pharrell Williams- Freedom
Lyrics;
Hold on to me Don’t let me go Who cares what they see? Who cares what they know? Your first name is Free Last name is Dom We choose to believe In where we’re from
Man’s red flower It’s in every living thing Mind, use your power Spirit, use your wings Freedom! Freedom! Freedom! Freedom Freedom Freedom
Hold on to me Don’t let me go Cheetahs need to eat Run, antelope Your first name is King Last name is Dom Cause you still believe In everyone
When a baby first breathes When night sees sunrise When the whale hops the sea When man recognizes us Freedom! Freedom! Freedom! Freedom Freedom Breathe in
We are from heat The electric wonder Does it shock you to see He left us the sun? Atoms in the air Organisms in the sea The sun and, yes, man Are made of the same things
For Friday Faithfuls I would like to know how inflation is affecting your life?
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Inflation is a worldwide woe these days. The rise in petroleum prices due to the Russian invasion of Ukraine was the cherry on top of the Covid pandemic-induced inflation.
Over here in Pakistan, prices have at least doubled if not tripled of essential items. Some things have disappeared from the market altogether. The main impact on the economy is the rise in petrol prices and electricity rates. Combined, these two factors are held responsible for the huge increase in prices of groceries, fruits, and vegetables!
Like everyone else in the world, except the ultra-rich, we are tightening the belts. Switching off extra lights, minimal usage of heating or cooling, and no unnecessary driving just for the fun of it, are some of the things I’m doing. I make sure that there is no wastage of food. But in that respect, we are lucky that many deserving people around us can be given this extra food.
I have stopped spending money on stuff like makeup because it’s one thing I’ve learned from the pandemic; I don’t need that many things and also the usage of cosmetics has dropped significantly since 2020!
There was a part of the question where Jim asked ;do we think that the prices will go down when the economy starts getting better; my answer is that this has never happened before so why would it happen now since the governments have so many excuses for this not happening.
For Friday Faithfuls today, I am asking how concerned you are about water. Are you worried that you might be running out of clean water? Are you experiencing increased evaporation due to warmer temperatures? Did you ever, or do you now live in a place or ever visit an area where they warned you against drinking the water? Do you live in a place that has restrictions on the amount of water that you are allowed to use? Do you have any suggestions about what should be done to ensure that we will have enough water in the future?
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Water is the source of life.
Wasting fresh water is to my mind the hight of stupidity. And not only that, it’s shortsighted in the extreme. The climate change/ extreme weather has made rainfall unpredictable and the rising temperatures have dried up many fresh water resources.
On a personal level, I try to conserve as much water as I can. We don’t have bathtubs in our home. We all take quick showers. The tap should be off when brushing teeth, soaping hands or face. We have faucets which can be turned off by pressing on the handle.
The cars, driveway and other outside structures are not washed daily, or even weekly. Watering the lawn, flowers is done manually and just enough to keep the soil moist. We can be fined for washing our cars.
We don’t drink tap water but use bottled water as it’s not deemed safe for drinking. though we aren’t restricted on water usage, we are billed for the water we use and that is also a deterrent on wasting water.
As I said in the beginning, water is the source of life on our planet. Be very conscious of it and the fact that it’s scarce in many parts of the planet. Conserve water so that others may have it.
Growing green, red or orange, the colorful the better
Give me grains, lentils, nuts and vegetables of all sorts
Don’t expect me to eat something that bleeds or can make me bleed
Keep your animal proteins and organs
And just give me things that I enjoy without guilt
In short, I’d rather eat a fake chicken burger than the real thing
Or enjoy a bowl full of soup made with tomatoes and basil
Though not a total vegan, I’m a vegetarian I’ll admit
You can entertain me with a spread of stuff growing in the soil
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For Friday Faithfuls this week, I would like you to share the weirdest foods that you have ever eaten, or some foods that you would never even think about trying.
This week on Friday Faithfuls, I would like you to share stories about a person that you know who has some odd quirks, or strange habits. Do you know someone who is always talking to them self? This could be about a person eating all of one type of food before moving on to taste the next item on their plate.
Keep it alive 
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