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June has been an outstandingly rainy month here in NYC. As of now, its the third rainiest June on record!! We did have some sunny days, or at least portions of days…and we enjoyed our yard and garden when we could. Here are some pictures of it part-way through all the rain, its much bigger now! Here’s to hoping that July and August will be beautiful, and not 100 degrees 
pergola w/plants!
isabella
the raspberry monster
those are blueberries in the right hand corner!
pretty white flowers
my pink grass balls
gorgeous blue
fun sun
our wisteria...not quite like grandmas!
I’ve been waiting for this movie to come out for a long time. I, am slightly obsessed with the weird and twisted stories from my youth. Alice in Wonderland has always been one of my favorites…I mean, a little girl adventuring into an amazing wonderland with new creatures, lands, and people to explore…its every child’s fantasy. That, along with one of my favorite directors, Tim Burton, its a match made in heaven. March 10, 2010…game on!!
legal garden in portland oregon
It seems there is a lot of talk going on regarding the issue of legalization of pot. I, for one, feel that it should absolutely be legalized. I see pros and cons but the pros far outweigh the cons. For one thing, can we say boost to the economy?! The amount of jobs created and money that would flow throughout the economy would substantially boost the economy. Think of what legalizing liquor did for tax revenues alone!
Aside from the economic plus, drug cartels in Mexico (and elsewhere) are completely out of control. One of their primary products is pot. If pot was legal, they wouldn’t have the market on it anymore, as there would be competitive prices, thus, the demand for their product would diminish. Crime would drop. Granted, they do have other products, but its a start.
Another pro I see is that the manpower that is put into fighting the “war on drugs”, right now is massive. If we focused our attention on other things, real problems, as opposed to stamping out illegal growths in california, etc. we could really make things happen. You know, things like fighting the murderer’s, rapists, and people who torture animals, help cure hunger in our very own country, help educate the poor, you know, things that sort of really matter.
Furthermore…why the heck alcohol is legal and pot isnt, I do not understand. Alcohol is far more dangerous than pot, and worse for your health. I’m just baffled at the explanation behind that…wait, is there even one?
Anywho…I recommend you check out Anderson Cooper 360 for some amazing debates on the legalization of pot. Go green!!!
love
sorrow
innocence
respect
patience
rescued
best friends
divine
Walk the (High) Line
Mon, Jun 08 2009 at 6:41 PM EST
New York City’s High Line is one of those green urban renewal projects (see my post on the proposed Governor’s Island eco-park revamp) that when you see the design renderings you might think: “this will never happen; too audacious; too ambitious; too grandiose.” Well, today it happened. Phase 1 of the High Line park is now open to the public (in limited numbers).
The High Line, a derelict — built in 1930 and discontinued in 1980 — stretch of elevated railway spanning 1.5 miles on Manhattan’s west side, has long been the pet project of advocacy groups wanting to transform the lead-paint encrusted eyesore of a structure into green, open public space. In 2004, prolific architecture firm Diller + Scofidio + Renfro (the firm behind the mentioned Governor’s Island revamp) was selected for the overall design revamp of the High Line while James Corner Field Operations was chosen to work landscape magic.
The High Line wasn’t just torn down in order to make way for a park. The original rail tracks, debris, and other elements were painstakingly removed so structural repairs (including removing all of that toxic lead paint) could be performed. Then, much of it was brought back so much of it could be reincorporated into the renovation.
The planting process that took place at the High Line isn’t too dissimilar to how green roofs are constructed. However, imagine something much more grand in scale: over 210 different plant species of trees, shrubs, grasses, and perennials have been planted as part of the High Line’s Phase 1; many of them native to the region and hearty in nature. A section of the park, the Gansevoort Woodland, is dense and shaded while another section, the Washington Grasslands, is more meadow-like in nature. More grasslands, woodlands, a thicket, a wildflower field, and the park’s only lawn will be included as part of Phase II, expected to reach completion next year.
Of course, it’s not a proper park without benches. The “peel-up” benches scattered around the High Line are stunners made from FSC-certified wood and I’m guessing that the wooden chaise lounges with wheels secured to the rail tracks in the Sundeck area of the park are going to be quite popular as well. The lighting around the concrete plank pathways is provided by energy-efficient LEDs.
I can’t wait to visit myself but I’m gonna wait a spell for the crowds to thin down. I’ve given myself a sneak preview with the video below. I suggest the curious — in NYC and elsewhere — do the same. Also keep up-to-date at the official High Line blog and at Curbed and check out coverage The New York Times.
After just a few days of Ophelia being our June Cat of the Month, she was adopted!! Shirley was the second runner up, though there is nothing but first place charm oozing from her. She is one of my personal favorites at KittyKind right now. Please help Shirley get adopted by passing around this flyer to all you know!! Best of luck Shirley, heres to June being your month!
Callypso (Callie Boy for short) was the third cat to join my family. When I was a junior in High School, it seemed like all my friends were getting kittens, so naturally, I wanted one too! Along came Callie. Callie was the most gentle soul on the planet. The most layed back guy ever. I took him with me in the care to my then boyfriends house to play with his cats, I’d carry him upside down, he was just a big (really big) mush!!
When I moved to Phoenix, my mom wanted me to get settled before the cats came, so I reluctantly went without him and my other baby, Lucky (her story to be posted soon). When I got to Phoenix I was so lonely…my first time away from home, from my animals, I needed a friend. So, I ended up getting another love, Casey (her story to be posted soon too!). When my mom was to come visit next she was to bring Callie and Lucky with her. But, my mom had a secret love she had been hiding for Callie. She really wanted him too!! She had just lost Doodle, and thought it only fair that I have two and she have two. I agreed, though I was going to miss him! So Callie stayed with my mom. By the time I moved back to Durango, he was so content there, I couldn’t bare to take him away.
Callie passed on a couple of years ago. He had a good life and was a great cat. I miss him terribly but know I will see him one day over the Rainbow Bridge. Love you Calypso!!
This is a beautiful and momentous, announcement from our President, Barack Obama. All I can say is GO OBAMA!!!!!!
THE WHITE HOUSE
Office of the Press Secretary
Office of the Press Secretary
___________________________________________________________
For Immediate Release June 1, 2009
LESBIAN, GAY, BISEXUAL, AND TRANSGENDER PRIDE MONTH, 2009
- – - – - – -
BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
A PROCLAMATION
Forty years ago, patrons and supporters of the Stonewall Inn in New York City resisted police harassment that had become all too common for members of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) community. Out of this resistance, the LGBT rights movement in America was born. During LGBT Pride Month, we commemorate the events of June 1969 and commit to achieving equal justice under law for LGBT Americans.
LGBT Americans have made, and continue to make, great and lasting contributions that continue to strengthen the fabric of American society. There are many well-respected LGBT leaders in all professional fields, including the arts and business communities. LGBT Americans also mobilized the Nation to respond to the domestic HIV/AIDS epidemic and have played a vital role in broadening this country’s response to the HIV pandemic.
Due in no small part to the determination and dedication of the LGBT rights movement, more LGBT Americans are living their lives openly today than ever before. I am proud to be the first President to appoint openly LGBT candidates to Senate-confirmed positions in the first 100 days of an Administration. These individuals embody the best qualities we seek in public servants, and across my Administration — in both the White House and the Federal agencies — openly LGBT employees are doing their jobs with distinction and professionalism.
The LGBT rights movement has achieved great progress, but there is more work to be done. LGBT youth should feel safe to learn without the fear of harassment, and LGBT families and seniors should be allowed to live their lives with dignity and respect.
My Administration has partnered with the LGBT community to advance a wide range of initiatives. At the international level, I have joined efforts at the United Nations to decriminalize homosexuality around the world. Here at home, I continue to support measures to bring the full spectrum of equal rights to LGBT Americans. These measures include enhancing hate crimes laws, supporting civil unions and Federal rights for LGBT couples, outlawing discrimination in the workplace, ensuring adoption rights, and ending the existing “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” policy in a way that strengthens our Armed Forces and our national security. We must also commit ourselves to fighting the HIV/AIDS epidemic by both reducing the number of HIV infections and providing care and support services to people living with HIV/AIDS across the United States.
These issues affect not only the LGBT community, but also our entire Nation. As long as the promise of equality for all remains unfulfilled, all Americans are affected. If we can work together to advance the principles upon which our Nation was founded, every American will benefit. During LGBT Pride Month, I call upon the LGBT community, the Congress, and the American people to work together to promote equal rights for all, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity.
NOW, THEREFORE, I, BARACK OBAMA, President of the United States of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim June 2009 as Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Pride Month. I call upon the people of the United States to turn back discrimination and prejudice everywhere it exists.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this first day of June, in the year of our Lord two thousand nine, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and thirty-third.
BARACK OBAMA
From EarthJustice-
Tell the White House: Protect Roadless Areas of National Forests
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In the last week of May, the Obama administration took an important first step toward maintaining the president’s pledge to uphold the landmark 2001 Roadless Rule and restoring the protections it provided to nearly 60 million acres of pristine national forest lands. Earthjustice has been on the forefront of defending these wild forests against repeated assaults by the timber industry and the previous administration.
On May 28, the administration announced that, during the next year, all plans for roadbuilding, logging, or other development in roadless forests must be reviewed personally by Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack, who oversees the Forest Service. The most immediate and significant effect is to potentially put a hold on roadless timber sales that have been scheduled in Alaska’s Tongass National Forest, the largest remaining old-growth temperate forest in the world.
Please thank Secretary Vilsack for this important first step toward upholding the President’s pledge. But while you’re doing it, also remind him that there’s still more to do to uphold the Roadless Rule and protect our wild forests.
National Forest roadless areas are the last remaining strongholds for grizzly bears, wolves, elk, salmon, and trout. The forests protected by this rule provide vital habitat for 1,500 wildlife species, safeguard drinking water supplies for 60 million Americans, and ensure quality recreation for millions of hikers, fishermen, and hunters.
The Bush administration and the timber industry did all it could to undermine the rule. As a result, magnificent forests in many states, including the Tongass, are currently not protected. Although this week’s temporary order includes the Tongass, it excludes the entire state of Idaho and does nothing to stop the expansion of the Smoky Canyon Mine into roadless areas of Idaho’s Caribou-Targhee National Forest.
Americans—hunters and anglers, religious leaders, scientists, backpackers, and many more—support roadless protection by a margin of 10 to 1. They know that roadless areas are valuable for recreation, wildlife habitat, climate adaptation, and clean water supplies for hundreds of communities.
Take a stand today for wild forests—thank Secretary Vilsack and urge him to finish the job.
