As the holiday season approaches, and nature prepares for a deep sleep, I reminisce about the year and mentally review what transcurred, blessings and challenges considered. I cannot help but feel a sense of gratitude and humility, hope as well. Reviewing these events brings me a sense of grounding, but I also think of what I could have done better. I realize that at times, I should extend a bit of kindness to myself as to others. The hopeful outlook and anticipation of the new year set the stage for receiving what will be, whether challenging or not. One thing I ask myself is, have I loved enough this year? I realize the answer to that question will always be, “you can love more.” That is true for everyone. We can always extend our kindness and love more, each time being more understanding of others and less judgmental. Over the years, I have understood that I must strive to love everyone, whether I agree or disagree with their lifestyle or life choices.
God loves everyone the same, and I am not better in His eyes than another of His children. Yes, He doesn’t love me more. The same love He has for me, He has for the drug addict, the prostitute, the murderer, the rapist, the witch or the devil worshipper. In His eyes, they are also His children, and He wants them to come home to Him. His arms are always open for the ones who ask for forgiveness. Once I “understood” the immensity of His love for all His creation, I learned another dimension of love and kindness, one that is not so quick to judge, one of humility and understanding. It is under that humble approach that I ask myself, “Have I loved enough this year?”
It is with a heavy heart that I write today. My thoughts and prayers have revolved around the issue that is pressing on the heart of the residents of Chatham and Pittsylvania County, VA. It took us by surprise, concealed by a non-disclosure clause on a real estate transaction, the sale of 2200 acres of agricultural land that surrounds our small community. The proposed rezoning of the land from residential and agricultural to heavy Industrial hit our hearts, minds, and souls as a venomous spear at high speed. The company called Balico LLC wants to build a monstrosity of a project that will have severe repercussions in our little farming community. Here is a picture of a flier that shows you the immensity of this project, a heresy, an abomination in my honest opinion. The area in red that surrounds all tax parcels in our community is where an enormous gas-powered power plant (300 mw site) that will be powered directly by the Mountain Valley Pipeline that crosses our area will exist. Besides the 3.5 GW power plant, the project also proposes a switchyard, a wastewater treatment facility, and a substation (in 13 acres reserved for those), but also 84 large data centers (numbers keep changing between 70-84 depending on the news source, whether70 or 84, it is one too many) that will each one measure 394,000 sf by 40 feet tall approximately. This will all be built around our community, some residents having it next door, while others, like me, will be smacked right in the center of it, surrounded by it on all sides. Mitsubishi turbines will be used according to the developer. I think the power plant will also include 9 gigantic towers that will expel smoke into the air. As you can see in the map, hell is colored in red. The developer thinks that this project will benefit the community and provide many jobs, which I doubt because it will mostly be run by computers. The construction of this monstrosity will take around 10 years or so of disruption to this community, the pain before the pain.
Proposed site for gas-powered power plant and data centers.
By now, you realize how threatened our way of life is, and around here, we like our way of life very much. Many of us moved here for the beauty of the area, the fresh air, and all the blessings the land offers. Many residents have lived here all their lives and have no desire to move anywhere else, while others who have moved away at some point, have returned home. Our home is being threatened by the greed of heartless companies and overseas investors who try to sell benefits and financial prosperity to peaceful communities like ours, all lies, and deceit covered in the stench coming out of their deep pockets. Large numbers of residents continue to oppose this abomination, making their voices and sentiment in various meetings and posting signs in their homes and roads. For now, the developer pulled out the project, only to send another proposal right away.
Sign posted on our road.
Signs like these “adorn” our community now.
This proposed project will affect our community in many ways. The destruction of our land, the pollution of our fresh air and water. Our water and soil will be disturbed and polluted. Two main creeks are in the path of this project. We depend on our water wells. The dependance on public water will hurt the pockets of many residents on a fixed income, certainly another bill that they don’t need. The natural beauty of our countryside will be destroyed. Our real estate values will plummet. Our flora and fauna will be displaced and threatened (so much for Chatham being a bona fide bird sanctuary). There will be sound pollution, for what I understand by the research of our community residents, equivalent to the decibels of a constant running vacuum cleaner. Imagine having that 24/7 in your ears. Our dark skies adorned by stars will be hidden by the light pollution emanating from such a large site. Our farming land will be slowly poisoned. Our health will suffer. Our community will suffer, because no one in their right mind will want to come and live here or even visit the poison pit that Chatham will become (so much for the plans of our town’s revitalization project). And at worst, the imminent threat of eminent domain. Only time will tell the price that we will pay by welcoming this in our town. The losses will certainly be greater than the “benefits.” This project is suitable for another area that is not as rural/farmed, and residential as this one. It truly doesn’t belong here. It hurts more than it benefits a community of people who deeply love their home and country. All over the United States, our farmers are being disrespected by companies/investors who only care about the health of their bank accounts. Next time you are sitting to have dinner at home, think how important these farmers are. Whoever controls the land, controls your food, and by default, your livelihood, and ultimately, your freedom. These data centers are popping everywhere, with disregard of suitability of location, and that is the important issue.
We are starting to see more colors around here; we are at the border between Virginia and North Carolina, rural at its best, in my opinion. For nature lovers, the area is bliss, not so much for city lovers or lovers of entertainment; everything is far away. But there is magic in this season, in the air, and in the beauty of the natural surroundings. I have decorated the outdoors with nature’s offerings to receive the season.
Oh, the loveliness (Photo by M.A.D.)
Find the bird. Not sure why my phone took this picture of my backyard like this; looks like a painting. (Photo by M.A.D.)
Certainly, the tiniest frog around here; it is as big as that bolt. I relocated her to a nicer place in the garden. I love frogs. (Photo by M.A.D.)
Gourds, hydrangea cuts, and mums.
Photo by M.A.D.Photo by M.A.D.Photo by M.A.D.Photo by M.A.D.Photo by M.A.D.Photo by M.A.D.
It is the little things that make life sweet. If we only waited for the big things, the big successes, the big surprises, or the extraordinary things to be present, living would not be as sweet and meaningful. The little things that we sometimes fail to notice or take for granted, usually in the pursuit of something bigger, are the ones that take our breath away when we are present enough in living to notice them. An unexpected bloom in winter, the sunray illuminating the face of a child, the play of light and shadow in the woods at dusk … these are countless, unlimited moments that sweeten one’s day, when we care to notice. A big achievement brings joy, and a sense of pride and satisfaction, but it is the little things that remain after the big moment has passed. It is these little things and moments in life what refreshes a weary soul, sweetens a hectic day, and appease a restless spirit.
Although this post pertains to people in the United States of America, some of its content might be applied broadly. On November the 5th the voice of many Americans will be heard as they cast their votes. Some of us have voted earlier and anxiously await the moment when our next president is elected. On this topic, and many more, there is great division in this country of ours (key word, ours). “Ours” because no matter who wins or not, we are one people, and most of us truly love this country. The day we stop loving it, we will stop casting our collective vote. This is the topic for today.
Many Americans will not vote on this election for many reasons, but one that I have heard is that they don’t like any of the candidates. Although some people vote for a party, many others desire a “perfect match” between party and candidate, a tall order in this election. There are no perfect candidates; there are no perfect people, just candidates, just people. Both candidates are flawed, both have good characteristics as well. We cannot expect them to “save” us, but the one thing we can do is cast our vote for the candidate that aligns with our values the closest, whatever those values happen to be. We are created with free will by the Creator of it all, the One who loves all His creation.
When in doubt, if hesitant, make a list of the major points/issues that each of the candidates have on their agenda for the country. Vote on the issues that are important to you and the ones that align with your beliefs/values. Focus on the issues, not so much the candidate. Whoever our president might be, he or she will not be perfect, far from it; however, you would have served your country by casting your vote of truth. Vote for love of country.
Horror movies have evolved over time as technology and we as a society have evolve, thus allowing more realistic and gory elements in cinematic horror. I don’t care for today’s horror movies; too violent and bloody, and I have never liked the element of human hurting human as well. I don’t have an issue with nature vs. man or science fiction. However, there are a few black and white horror classics that are worth mentioning. If you have an opportunity, you might want to check them out. Although some might be considered cheesy by today’s standards, there is a je ne sais quoi appeal to these old movies. Here is my list of black and white favorites. Many of the black and white movies have several remakes and have been colorized as well.
The Crawling Eye – 1958
The Blob – 1958
The Birds – 1963
Invasion of the Body Snatchers – 1956
The Ghost and Mrs. Muir – 1947 (mystery mixed with a bit of humor and romance)
More recent in-color films that are worth mentioning due to their classic mystery appeal are:
The Fog – 2005 (there is an older version, but I like this one)
Silver Bullet – 1985
Storm of the Century – 1999
Although I don’t consider these spooky, I admit that I have a taste for cheesy sci-fi movies that are more modern such as Mega Shark vs. Crocosaurus (2010), Mega Pirahna (2010), and others alike, even with the bad acting. I have no shame in admitting that. I also love shark and crocodile movies. Jaws (1975) remains a favorite movie that I watch every summer; it is a tradition. Alligator (1980) is a favorite as well.
I hope you get to watch and appreciate some of these, especially the black and white jewels.
As a writer, I find that my current novel is always present in my mind, no matter what I am doing; it lingers. The other day, as usual, I woke up at five in the morning, and as I was ready to prepare breakfast for me and my husband, the ending to my novel in progress just presented itself in my thoughts, just as if my mind was playing a movie. I knew that I had to grab pen and paper quickly and write. I wrote the entire abbreviated scene. My husband observed me and finally asked. I told him that I had the ending to my novel, but now I had to figure out how to get there from where I was.
This is wonderful because if I had any doubt about where this story was headed, I don’t have it anymore. After all, if there is an ending, there is a story behind it; I just have to uncover it. I have to admit that it feels as a mysterious quest, as if I am embarking on a journey of the mind and soul. Every story is (feels) different, but in every story, there is mind and soul. As writers, sometimes we feel the pressure to deliver “the ending” to our carefully crafted story. In a way, it takes a bit of that pressure off; it releases the pen.
I am thankful for those few minutes of clarity, and in a way, this moment has cemented my commitment to the story and strengthen the bond between us.
Herbert presents How to Be the Family CFO by Kim Snider (Photo by M.A.D.)
This book was not on my to-read list. I came across the title while reading another book, and the author highly recommended it, so I decided to read it. It is a very good book, especially for those who are starting to seriously care about their financial house; however, besides the basics, it goes beyond, and the author approaches certain topics from her point of view which might differ from the traditional views and also, from her experience. Besides building wealth, the author talks about important points and areas that one should have in order and in place in case “life happens.” She also lets the reader know that personally, she has taken care of those areas and offers a few examples. Sadly, the author died young from natural causes (complications caused by dementia), but thankfully, she had her financial house in order. Her business still operates today. I found it a good read, whether you are just starting to get serious about your finances or need a different point of view.
Inkspeare 