This might explain why

I read the following story in the paper today and it made me think of some things, and maybe worry a little bit, although I know I am most likely fine, I can't help but wonder. I had two instances where all of my fish died after doing a water change using my tap water ( i did treat said tap water with chemicals prior to putting in my tank). Both times, it had rained the previous day. The Ford plant in Saint Paul was in my backyard for almost three years, just to give you some perspective. But they say there is no community health risk to worry about, so, um, yeah...

Ford closes ball fields adjoining St. Paul plant
Star Tribune
Ford Motor Company officials announced today that they have closed three adjoining baseball fields on company property at the Twin Cities Assembly plant in St. Paul because of arsenic, copper and iron found in the underlying soil. Andy Hobbs, director of Ford's environmental quality office, said the levels of the metals -- detected 6 inches to 6 feet below the playing fields -- are relatively low but above state standards for recreational use.
He said in a morning teleconference that the company has taken the action to close the area as a precautionary measure.
"We have no reason to believe that the condition of this field poses a community health risk," Hobbs said.
The data received so far are preliminary, he said, and the fields will be disrupted as further testing takes place, making their use impossible.
He declined to speculate about whether soil would need to be removed as part of a cleanup until more conclusive data are obtained.
Hobbs said that the company has notified city and state pollution control officials.
--Tom Meersman

haunting

i want so badly to want again
to have the feeling of light in the head
stomach twisting excitement and nervous energy

to be able to see the potential in other people again
beyond the quick glance here and there

how did you move on so quickly
easily
without regret
effortlessly really

still i am haunted by you

of words you said
and i question the meaning
then and today

mostly though

i just want all to be well with you

and for your haunting to go away

Why bother? Because it makes things better. I promise.

For some reason, I’ve become much more aware of the way people treat each other lately. I have started to think that we, people who live on earth, all too often forget that we are surrounded with other people. And that these people are humans.

A strange concept I know.

They have feelings. They might mean a lot to someone, hell, they might mean a lot to a large group of people. They could be someone’s mother, father, daughter, son, sister, brother, aunt, uncle, best friend, mentor, etc.

Just try to remember this when you are out and about mingling with other people.

I know some people actually do suck and are outright mean, but maybe it is because they’ve been getting the brunt of people forgetting that they are humans too.

Smile. Say thank you. And just be aware of yourself and those around you.

Fall is almost here!

This also means, that super awesome concert season is almost here too.
Tickets are being purchased.
and being out and about will be happening at full force.

fall is my most favorite time of year.
hands down.
i love the way it smells, the way it feels, and mostly, how it makes me feel.

i am more energized, creative, and, well, just full of spirit.

What is your favorite thing about fall? and for those of you who don't get to experience a Minnesota fall, what is fall like for you?

atmosphere

she steals strawberry suckers
hoping to turn her coral lips a new shade
her heart holds hope
singing her own words to popular tunes, she takes
soft
steady
single
steps

girls go get gorgeous
peach powered cheeks, and petal-pink draped eyes
perched properly, poised & pretty
air and skin perfumed, and dress zippers up, she takes
soft
steady
single
steps

still
slowly

sucking strawberry suckers

The power of breathing

Take a moment, or twelve, and find yourself outside

Put your bottom on the ground

And just sit

Legs crossed

Arms back as support

Close your eyes

And just breathe

I mean, really breathe

Feel the air slide across the insides of your nostrils

(Hope that you don’t have a little dried boog. They tickle.)

Find a new rhythm to your breathing

When you inhale, what do you smell?
Rain? Cologne? Dirt? Garbage? Bread? Dogs?

Take the first smells, and then dissect them

Is the rain a cool rain? What are the different parts of the cologne? What is in the dirt?

appreciate the gross and the lovely

because it is here

and it is for you

and for others

to do exactly that

the new lullaby

i have a new lullaby now
its sound is now a different tune
it also includes a rumble

buses, semi-trucks, motorcycles, and feral cats

all provide the melody and harmony to my new lullaby

they even provide a soft rumble and shake for my bed

now close your eyes
and count to five

dream sweetly
wake up softly