|
. 1. Shortcut
. |
|
. 1. Shortcut
. |
|
. 1. Shortcut
. |
The Global Community
Study & Activity
Lawns: Our Disconnected Story World in Action
Submitted by a Course Participant, Author Unknown
Grass lawns have to be the stupidest thing we've come up with outside of cigarettes; we constantly battle dandelions, Queen Anne's lace, thistle, violets, chicory and clover that thrive naturally, so we can grow grass that must be nursed through an annual four-step chemical dependency.
Imagine the conversation The Creator might have with St. Francis about this:
"Frank, you know all about gardens and nature. What in the world is going on down there in the USA? What happened to the dandelions, violets,thistle and stuff I started eons ago? I had a perfect, no-maintenance garden plan. Those plants grow in any type of soil, withstand drought and multiply with abandon. The nectar from the long-lasting blossoms attracted butterflies, honey bees and flocks of songbirds. I expected to see a vast garden of colors by now. But all I see are these green rectangles."
"It's the tribes that settled there, Lord. The Suburbanites. They started calling your flowers 'weeds' and went to great extent to kill them and replace them with grass."
"Grass? But it's so boring. It's not colorful. It doesn't attract butterflies, birds and bees, only grubs and sod worms. It's temperamental with temperatures. Do these Suburbanites really want all that grass growing there?"
"Apparently so, Lord. They go to great pains to grow it and keep it green. They begin each spring by fertilizing grass and poisoning any other plant that crops up in the lawn."
"The spring rains and cool weather probably make grass grow really fast. That must make the Suburbanites happy."
"Apparently not, Lord. As soon as it grows a little, they cut it - sometimes twice a week."
"They cut it? Do they then bale it like hay?"
"Not exactly, Lord. Most of them rake it up and put it in bags"
"They bag it? Why? Is it a cash crop? Do they sell it?"
"No, Sir. Just the opposite. They pay to throw it away."
"Now let me get this straight. They fertilize grass so it will grow. And when it does grow, they cut it off and pay to throw it away?"
"Yes, sir."
"These Suburbanites must be relieved in the summer when we cut back on the rain and turn up the heat. That surely slows the growth and save them a lot of work."
"You aren't gonna believe this, Lord. When the grass stops growing so fast, they drag out hoses and pay more money to water it so they can continue to mow it and pay to get rid of it."
"What nonsense. At least they kept some of the trees. That was a sheer stroke of genius, if I do say so myself. The trees grow leaves in the spring to provide beauty and shade in the summer. In the autumn they fall to the ground and form a natural blanket to keep moisture in the soil and protect the trees and bushes. Plus, as they rot, the leaves form compost to enhance the soil. It's a natural circle of life."
"You better sit down, Lord. The Suburbanites have drawn a new circle. As soon as the leaves fall, they rake them into great piles and have them hauled away."
"No! What do they do to protect the shrub and tree roots in the winter and keep the soil moist and loose?"
"After throwing away your leaves, they go out and buy something they call mulch. They haul it home and spread it around in place of the leaves."
"And where do they get this mulch?"
"They cut down trees and grind them up."
"Enough. I don't want to think about this anymore. Saint Catherine, you're in charge of the arts. What movie have you scheduled for us tonight?"
"Dumb and Dumber, Lord. It's a real stupid movie about........."
"Never mind, I think I just heard the whole story."
* * * * *
Return to Karen's story to complete that page
Return to the Orientation Course Part One, Day Two and do Summary Q2 there.
Link out of order? Try the Index Page
Homepage-Introduction-Overview-Procedures-Cooperative-Tuition
Scholarships-MS-Ph.D-Bachelor-Orientation-IUPS-Director
Application-FAQ-PNC
nature@interisland.net
The best way to learn and teach how to impliment integrityTHE NATURAL SYSTEMS THINKING PROCESS
ORIENTATION COURSE: Psychological Elements of Global Citizenship
The Science of Connecting With the Web of Life
The Art of Thinking With NatureAn exciting, accredited, inexpensive ($35) blend of shared, online activity, information and training to become Natural Attraction literate. Learn by doing. Become a practitioner anywhere. This is a free course if it meets your needs, a transferable prerequisite for additional courses, degrees and participation. The course is the best, most complete and useful way to help nature restore the good nature of humanity in contemporary society. It opens new vistas in academics, counseling, careers, spirit and wellness, vistas that recycle and purify destructive thinking. Optional Credit $42.00
READ AND TEACH THIS ANTIDOTE FOR APATHY
Einstein's World: Natural Attractions, Intelligences and Sanity A non-fiction, metaphor, book and reading course. It helps you reverse nature disconnection disorders from your home. You can take it, teach it and be paid, too. Book $15.00, Course $20.00. Optional Credit $42.00
EXPLORE THE PROCESS
FREE: Our Exploratory Activity online enables you to sample the Natural Systems Thinking Process to learn, first hand, its thrust and benefits.
Institute of Global Education Special NGO consultant United Nations Economic and Social Council PROJECT NATURECONNECT Readily available online tools for the health and peace of
person, planet and spirit
P.O. Box 1605 Friday Harbor, WA 98250 360-378-6313 www.ecopsych.com
APPLIED ECOPSYCHOLOGY IN ACTIONThe Natural Systems Thinking Process
Dr. Michael J. Cohen, Director
send email
nature@interisland.net
A GIFT FOR YOU
Thank you for your interest in our program. As a gift from us for visiting this page you may build your own free website SELECT HERE
For previous pages use BACK or GO of your browser
Please SCROLL UP to return to the top of this page.
. ...
...
For previous pages use the BACK or GO of your browser
