Life has taken some dizzying, and significant changes in my life. I tend to juggle too many projects and responsibilities which keeps me busier than I like. (Self imposed, doncha know.) I’ve been diagnosed with a serious disease and now have to attend more and more doctor’s appointment.
I’m still collecting quotes for those future blogs and enjoy them. They are stacking up, along with unmade quilts and art projects.
I’m a noted Treehugger and this morning, I couldn’t resist re-posting this message that I wish to share with anyone who will pay attention:
It has been one month since Kenya enacted the world’s strictest ban on plastic bags. It took ten years and three attempts to pass the legislation, but as of August 28, people could be punished for carrying, manufacturing and importing plastic bags. Fines range from $19,000 to $38,000, with possible four-year jail terms. All travelers are required to leave their plastic bags at the airport and residents are encouraged to drop off old bags at local grocery stores for collection.
The ban is highly ambitious for a country that used to hand out 100 million plastic bags a year. But as pollution piled up, officials realized something more drastic needed to be done. Plastic bags litter every Kenyan roadway, clog sewers and streams, and damage soil and water sources. Even animals eat them.
“In Nairobi’s slaughterhouses, some cows destined for human consumption had 20 bags removed from their stomachs. ‘This is something we didn’t get 10 years ago but now it’s almost on a daily basis,’ said county vet Mbuthi Kinyanjui as he watched men in bloodied white uniforms scoop sodden plastic bags from the stomachs of cow carcasses.”
There are many reasons to ban plastic bags even though some people hate it. The inability of plastic bags to decompose, affecting soil quality. In some areas, plastic bags block sewers and prevent proper water drainage. They bugger sewage plants.
They damage ecosystems. Many animals and especially sea turtles and other underwater creatures eat them thinking they are jelly fish and die from it.
Plastic bags endanger human health when used for packaging food in particular hot food, baby pouches and cooking pouches.
They release poisonous gas when burned affecting the open air if burned in large numbers as some cities do to get rid of the shear volume of the plastic packaging and disposable bags. Well, I’m done with my rant. Please help enact a stricter ban on plastics. In California, every city and store can choose whether to do it or not. It is voluntary. Our local SaveMart has given up plastic, but I still see people buying groceries with shopping carts heaped full with a few items in each bag coming out of Walmart, Kohls,Big Lots, Big 5, Ace Hardware, and just about every other store in the county. Have a heart. Do your part.
Que Sera, Sera... Whatever Will Be, Will Be... 
Mary, so sorry to hear your bad news. I know how debilitating this can be. If you need to talk, please feel free to send me private email at judie ashford *at & earth linkdot net…… reformatting into the normal format.
Plastic bags are, indeed, killers. I have about 25 reusable canvas bags (I keep them in all vehicles) for hauling my groceries home, but there needs to be an alternative for produce. I’ve seen some to purchase via mail order, but they are outrageously expensive, and will need to be washed now and then, requiring water usage.
Virtual hugs,
Judie
Hi Judie,
Sorry it has taken me so long to look at this page. I’ve been beastly busy and having symptoms I didn’t know the cause was very disconcerting. I have yet to see a rheumatologist so as yet no major treatment. But, late onset lupus is not as bad as getting it at a younger age. I’ll know more when I see the rheumatologist Oct. 30. I’m selling my property in Oregon because I can no longer stand the long drive. But, life is still good. The sun shines, the birds sing and I can find something to smile about every day. Hugs. I’ll try to keep in touch more often on this blog.
We’ve been living with the cancer demon hanging over us for ten years now, and there’s just no way it is easy. I’m having mobility issues myself, so caring for my husband is becoming more and more difficult.
Sorry to hear that you will lose your Oregon property; you and your son worked so hard on it. But I know what you mean about distances. We haven’t been out in the RV for five years, and any distance in double-digit miles seems like soooo far away!
Hope to hear good news soon. ;->
Hi Judie, Looks like we both need a good new year 2018. I’m still waiting on biopsy results and blood tests. And, with your demon, as Jim always tells me, Many people would readily trade their problems for mine. So, quit yer bitchin’ Mary. Attitude can do a lot and my kids keep me upbeat. We’ve had so much sun shine and do I dare whine? No, but it previews another drought year. So, I’m hanging home and hoping to finish my genealogy and do some quilting and rug-making. Maybe even a little artwork. All therapeutic. Hope your husband is over the downslide and getting better and that you can get back on the road again soon. Hugs.
Mary