(photo source: The Chronicles of Narnia FB fan page)
Happy Earth Day!
It occurred to me, as a person of faith, that Earth Day should be rally day for all people of faith. Continue reading
I’ve gotten a lot of response on my previous blogs regarding OG&E SmartHours and their thermostats. These rate hikes can be confusing so I thought I would post some things that I found helpful. I found these two photos on the OG&E facebook page. I’ve noticed that someone at OG&E is taking the time to respond to people on FB. Like their page and maybe you can get some questions answered. Also – check out their website for a video on how to program your smart thermostat.
I’m not sure why I’m taking the time to post all of these helpful hints. You already know how to google OG&E to find answers. Heck, maybe you did that and it brought you here. If so…welcome! I’ve already done my duty to OG&E but I somehow I feel responsible to the readers who are here looking for answers. I’ve already gone above and beyond when it comes to blogging for OG&E. I’m doing it for you guys…I want you to save money and be happy at the same time (even though saving money means sweating it up during the hours of 2-7 p.m.) I think it must be my people pleasing personality and my inability to say “no” (although I’m getting a lot better at it). I also think this is my pitiful attempt to help the environment. When I think about all those air conditioners chugging away in 107 degree heat all I can see is the CO2 being spewed into our beautiful blue skies. And then I think about the power plants working over time to keep all our houses cool. Where do you think all that energy comes from? Contrary to what environmental nay-sayers think, power plants are not run on fairy dust. Stepping down from my soapbox now.
What I really should be doing instead of blogging about thermostats is finding out who the heck is going to toss King Joffrey’s sorry butt from that throne. Robb, Stannis or Daenerys; I don’t care as long as he gets his because that kid is a punk. I’m only on book three so please don’t respond with a spoiler.
Anyhoo – Now that I’ve gotten these helpful hints out into bloggyland and gotten a little bit of an environmental load off my chest, I’ll return with normal posts soon. Yummy food and cute crafts/wreaths coming soon.
It’s almost here…we’re done counting down the days and now counting down the hours. Summer is one last bus ride away.
Along with the joys of summer comes the sorrow of our electric bill. If last year was any indication of this year (and I’m praying that it’s not) then we’re in for a scorcher. Water park and popsicle here we come. But what am I to do about this dern electric bill? Continue reading
I’ve been hearing and reading a lot recently about this 1,661 mile pipeline that may stretch from Canada to Texas. It will carry tar sand from Canada to the Gulf of Mexico where I assume it will be refined into oil.
Proponents for the pipeline say that it will create jobs and help reduce our dependence on oil from the Middle East. Both very valid points. Opponents of the pipeline say that it is a serious threat to the ecosystems the pipeline passes through and poses the threat of polluting the Ogallala Aquifer, which supplies irrigation and drinking water for 8 states, including Oklahoma (see Norman Transcript for full article).
The environmentalist in me is hearing warning bells going off. I don’t pretend to know all the details into exactly how this is going to be built or exactly what the environmental threat is or how it could take place. I’ve heard interviews on the radio about the process and listened to both sides of the argument. I have read that refining tar sand into oil is a much more complicated, expensive and risky process than the traditional crude oil refining process. I’m sure that the company who will build this pipeline has all sorts of safety measures in place and will guarantee that our drinking water will be safe but I can’t help but think about what happened in the Gulf last year. I’m sure that BP and Halliburton had all sorts of safety measures and assurances that their oil extraction was up to code and right on par with environmental regulations. Well, that didn’t exactly turn out the way they thought now did it.
We need oil, there’s no doubt about it. Is oil refined from tar sand our best and only option? At what cost are we willing to supply our need/addiction for the black gold? I have a great fear that those with the most power and money regarding this matter will get their way.
We have been placed in a position of stewardship of this planet and her resources. To be quite frank I don’t think we are being very good stewards. To be even more frank I don’t think that the One who gave it to us in the first place is very happy with how we are taking care of “his creation”.
Creating jobs is important, there’s no doubt about it. Here’s a thought. How about instead of spending the millions (possibly billions) of dollars on the pipeline, spend it on developing alternative fuel sources. Sounds like a lot of jobs could be found and created there.
Sometimes I feel like as a culture we can’t see the forest for the trees. Pretty soon there may not be any trees to see.
The other day I was driving along, minding my own business. I was on the on-ramp for the interstate when the pick-up truck in front of me tossed a to-go cup out the window. I was incensed. I see trash along the road all the time but this time I saw someone make a conscious decision to roll down their window and toss their garbage into the grassy median. Apparently the cup holder in their console wasn’t good and enough they couldn’t wait until their next stop to toss the cup in a trash can. They were finished and just had to get that cup out of their sight.
I couldn’t believe it. What in the world would make someone think that was okay? Even if someone has no regard for nature or refuses to buy into the idea of treating our environment with care or thinks recycling is a hoax why in the world would they still think that tossing trash out the window is an acceptable practice? It’s not like the trash is going to take over the cab of their truck. There are trash cans at every stop…the gas station, beside the door going into McDonalds, as you drive away from Sonic, inside their own house for crying out loud. The sad thing is a lot of people think the road is a trash can. Just look at the gutters next time you go somewhere.
It makes me sad and I just don’t get it.