DEN Enews

Today’s reading - The boys are out fishing and are exhausted. Nothing to show for their efforts. Then this teacher they’d heard about says Try again. The nets overflowed and all were fed.

Are we like those fishers; exhausted keeping up with bad news and no good fish to buoy our spirits? The negative news just keeps rolling in waves from south of our border and from within. Our boats feel like they are sinking from distress, not from an abundance of mercies.

 Try again.

I was heartened by the writings of Margaret Sagar in the Earth, Spirit, Action newsletter from St Matthew’s United Church.

Margaret reminds us that Martin Luther King, Jr once said, “the arc of the moral universe is long, but it bends toward justice”. History has shown this to be true but in the words of Bono of U2: “the arc of the moral universe does not bend toward justice, it has to be bent, and this requires sheer force of will … History does not move in a straight line. It has to be dragged, kicking and screaming, all the way down the line”……Change does not happen without us. Trusting God, God’s presence, and God’s goodness does not let us just sit back and do nothing!…….. We use our God-given brains, learn the science, discover the solutions. We take up the challenges and keep on with life. We work for justice and peace while we live with kindness, compassion, humility, and integrity.”

Apt advice for we “professional protestors” and “special interest” groups. Thank you Margaret!

This is the challenge: to see what the other side is considering, to balance our concerns against theirs and to act in good faith trusting they will too.

That last part is the hardest based on so many broken promises.

Hours after this was written the Halifax Examiner reported on the first night of the provincial Progressive Conservative Party” annual meeting, Feb 10/2025:

Jennifer Henderson reports:

In a 15-minute speech, Houston talked about the need for a “mature discussion” on resource development. Henderson writes:

As Houston’s speech gathered steam, it became clear that “mature discussion” does not include Nova Scotians aligned with groups who want the environmental risks and rewards of megaprojects weighed before they go ahead. 

Given we “professional protestors” see the world differently than the Government, here are some areas of concern.

Green Hydrogen

How much water will be needed for electrolysis ( hint - enormous amounts) and where will it come from?

What safety protocols are in place for leaks of ammonia?

How does this project benefit the average Nova Scotian ex: are these wind farms being used for our own power grid or the hydrogen used for domestic input? Why does it need to be shipped across the Atlantic? Are these markets viable?

Lithium Mining/ Resource Extraction / Fracking

Should the government give carte blanche permission to companies to drill on private property without permission? Is expropriation the next step?

What happened to all the moratoriums in place for years? Why is this government ignoring them?

What area will you focus on? Please do your research, follow your passion. These Facebook groups may be a go-to as a first step:

Stop Spraying and Clear-Cutting on Mi’kmaki (Nova Scotia)

Citizen Science Mi’kma’ki (Nova Scotia)

GNSF: Dialogue about Nova Scotia’s Energy Future

Bridgewater Watershed Protection Alliance

Ecology Action Centre

Save Our Old Forests

Annapolis Environment & Ecology

Clean Up the Pictou County Pulp Mill

KAIROS Canada

Ecology not Extraction

Nature Nova Scotia

Greenpeace Canada

Protect Guysborough

Protect Owls Head Provincial Park

Concerned Citizens of & for Nova Scotia

Protect Hartlen Point

Save Sandy Lake Conservation Association

Friends of Goldsmith lake Wilderness Area

NS Coastal Protection Act Now

…..and so many more.

Rob Bright has asked everyone to consider sending an e-mail to CBC ‘s Maritime Noon for their call-in show today, Feb. 11th from noon to 1pm. See the Stop Spraying and Clear-Cutting on Mi’kmaki (Nova Scotia) Facebook page for a post with the letter he has sent.

Finally, will you pledge to vote for the party that promises to strive to sustain and renew the face of the earth?

You may also want to attend this event for some pertinent information:

Lent is later this year and we got distracted by the state of the world. Here is one resource you may want to explore. More next week or email us. Plus join us for Evening Prayer

Join DEN's Weekly Evening Prayer -https://us06web.zoom.us/j/84663109087?pwd=ObhE1OEgDbFSDrTmI2ySvAn6fBidjc.1

_{URGENT closes Feb. 14: The Dept. of National Defence (DND) are asking the public for their views on their proposal for a new “Coastal Stabilization” project at Hartlen Point. This is a concerning addition to their Land-Based Testing Facility (LBTF) complex, already developing 10 of the 15 hectares left under DND custodianship. Hartlen Point, the headland at the east entrance to Halifax Harbor in Eastern Passage, is an important migratory stop-over where birds come in abundance to rest and refuel. The unique variety of landscape habitats accommodates an amazing number of bird species, making this a biodiversity hotspot worth protecting. In order to help save what remains of Hartlen Point, could you please consider submitting a comment. To assist, please see DEN’s Facebook page where we have posted a one page Word document outlining the concerns of the Hartlen Point Community Group. Any and all submissions are encouraged, even a few sentences helps because it sends a signal to DND that the public cares about habitat loss and is engaged on the issue. You can submit your comments to: [email protected]and please forward your email to [email protected]} 

_{Greenpeace organizations around the world are being sued by oil companies who do not want to be held accountable for their impact on people and our planet. Energy Transfer launched a $300 million lawsuit against Greenpeace and are taking them to court this month. As part of Energy Transfer’s tactics, they are attempting to rewrite history of the Indigenous-led opposition movement at Standing Rock by alleging that Greenpeace orchestrated the entire resistance. Justified and protected speech is also being called defamation, and actions taken by unaffiliated and unknown individuals are being attached to Greenpeace. Stand against these tactics by big polluters by adding your voice to this petition showing support for Greenpeace and against this lawsuit.} 

_{Canada’s health and climate goals depend on limiting emissions from the oil and gas industry—the largest and fastest-growing source of carbon pollution. This unchecked pollution, which has surged by over 80% in 30 years, fuels the climate crisis and endangers everyone's health. The Solution: A Strong and Fair Emissions Cap}

_{A robust Emissions Cap isn’t just a climate solution; reducing greenhouse gases cuts harmful pollutants like nitrogen oxides, particulate matter, and ozone—linked to asthma, chronic lung disease, heart attacks, and premature deaths. Acting now could save thousands of lives and billions in healthcare costs}.

_{Later this year, the fifth round of UN negotiations for a Global Plastics Treaty will happen in Busan, South Korea. The first four rounds were chaotic and dominated by Big Plastic trying to weaken the treaty’s ambitions. The clock is ticking but Canada needs to help get negotiations on track and focused on what is critical to secure an impactful treaty - cutting plastic production. Sign the petition to ask the Canadian government to show leadership and help push a strong Global Plastics Treaty forward! Plastic pollution is everywhere. It starts polluting the moment it's created, threatening ocean life, the climate, our health and our communities. Microplastics pollution has now even been found in the air we breathe and the food we eat. We need a solution that matches the scale of the problem and a global treaty on plastics can be that solution.} 

_{Join the plea to stop the latest attack on Idaho’s wolves! The use of traps, snares, hunting dogs and snowmobiles to chase and kill wolves is unacceptable and inhumane. Blaine County is an area of Idaho that understands this and has been fighting against a proposal to expand this slaughter into the area’s forest land. It is now the only national forest land in Idaho where wolf trapping and snaring is prohibited. The Wood River Wolf Project has operated here for 17 years and with nonlethal, proactive sheep and wolf protection measures. Killing livestock is often used as the reasoning behind decimating wolf populations, but out of 20,000 sheep present here, less than 5 sheep are lost to wolves annually on average. Idaho’s mountain lions and black bears kill more livestock, elk, and deer than wolves, yet wolves have been made into a target. Canadians can have a say by signing this petition condemning the expansion of wolf trapping and snaring and by commending Wood River Wolf Project as a model of successful wildlife and livestock management for other communities to adopt.}  

Winter Environment

It’s cold! It’s wet, icy, freezing, and plain biting bitter weather. We want to stay indoors. A green lifestyle means we need to constantly think of that one more thing to help the environment. What can we possibly do in a winter’s mess?

Shoveling is necessary, be it cleaning a doorstep or a long driveway. Some neighbourhoods have a “help your neighbour” program where younger folk may clear a path for elders. It never hurts to check on that senior next door. A small visit where you say “Just checking that all is well here” never hurts.

Remove the snow before it turns to ice helps with slips and slides. Check your ice melt to make sure it won’t hurt children or pets like those containing calcium chloride or plain rock salt.

If you live in a town, shovel the snow onto the lawn. Often that snow has plant matter that can clog the storm drains. When you see a clogged drain, throw the plant matter on the lawn till spring so everything melts and dries faster..

Save that sawdust from your woodworking hobby or use sand for traction. Each summer I save and reuse smaller laundry detergent bottles. Fill a few with sand when spending a day at the beach or just out for a drive. Keep it on the back porch for winter. Makes walking in your drive easier.

Check your roof. Pulling even a small amount of snow off the roof with a roof rake may help more melt or slide the rest on it’s own.

Think of meals that may take a long time in an oven. Maybe just turn back the oven temp and let things cook slowly. This warms the house while making meals. Try doubling meals and freezing extra meals for busy times or just when you don’t want to cook.

What other environment-friendly tricks do you use in winter? Let Grandma know at [email protected]

Update on the Seed Share Project

A few pictures for you. First is the picture shows the 18 bags of wildflower pollinator seed that McKenzie Seed gave our Project. The picture is blurred as I was bouncing so much. That is more than I need to send seeds from Halifax to Yarmouth this year. It also means I can find other places to SHARE.

The second is the pollinator seed, the New Zealand Spinach Seed for the planting kits our parish assembles and a case of Number 1-coin envelopes to package the seed.

To date, Grandma and Nana are handwriting the New Zealand Spinach packs and stamping some of the envelopes for the Wildflower Pollinator Seed.

The work party is planned with some folks stamping envelopes, others filling envelopes and then others closing them

Just in case anyone feels inclined to drive long distances to work parties, we package seeds at the Rectory (4858 Hwy 329) in Blandford at 1PM on February 23^rd.

This is happening folks! We will be asking for the people to scratch the ground in some random spot, spread and cover seeds and walk away. No fancy gardens

That simple fact will allow our Diocese to lead the province in growing plants that feed the pollinators. That tiny act could turn the smallest bit of climate change symptoms. Once changed and continued yearly, there is no telling how much good we can do.

Do you want to see modern church work? I can’t think of anything stronger than using seeds that God made, to grow plants that attract pollinators that grow a food chain to feed everything else. Thanks be!

Craft Work

Grandma has not had time for craft work so I dig back into the green craft book I am compiling. This is perfect for cold indoor days

Weaving a Potholder

A cereal box or piece of heavier cardboard makes a good loom to make a pot holder or cloth trivet for under a hot pot.

Cut your cardboard a bit bigger than what you want for a finished project. Cut half-inch deep slits into the cardboard an equal distance apart on the short ends.

Using yarn or t-shirt material, start at the outermost slit in the cardboard and wrap the yarn around and around the long side of the cardboard loom.

Using either yarn on a darning needle or heavier material hand weave between the upright strands, weave one over and one under.

When the loom is full carefully cut the upright yarn in the middle of the back and tie the ends with a square knot.

If this is enjoyable, try weaving two over and two under or one under and two over making up new patterns for each hot mat.

Something to eat.

Have you ever wondered how to make homemade Mac and Cheese? Yes, I am a KD fan and never learned to make it from scratch till this week.

It all started with a tin of cheddar cheese soup whose date was getting close to my comfort zone. (Remember Second Harvest has a great course on what is really good after best before dates.) I asked my search engine simple questions like “what recipes have cheddar cheese soup in them?”. Mac and Cheese came up. Here was my chance.

Mac and Cheese

1 can of cheddar cheese soup

2/3 cup water

2/3 cup milk

1 cup pasta

Combine soup, milk and water in a pot. Bring it to a boil and add macaroni. Turn the heat to low and let simmer 20 minutes.

So easy! So good!