It’s pretty darn cool that our fair city took on the earth hour challenge and historically shut it off. Had I followed my Plan B and parked myself in the lounge on top of the Hancock I could have witnessed it all. Novelty even found it’s way into the churn and one of the downtown hotels had a candlelight wedding. To me, I can’t think of a better way to express romance than to light a lot of candles.
Myself, 11 miles west of Earth Hours flagship city, I felt a bit like a fool. Perhaps I voiced my thoughts here on my blog a few times, perhaps I got the word out to others and maybe that had impact. I did twinkle my home with candlelight, including those commemorating Baby Jack whose homecoming was yesterday. Yet all around me, home to home, most had all of their lights on, street lights were all blaring, nothing really shifted here in whitebread suburbia. How positively disappointing. I can’t say noone didn’t participate that wouldn’t be fair, but out my windows and on my block the earth did not move – it just cried a little louder.
I may have been sitting on my mother earthy throne writing about all that you in the blogosphere can do to be a part of it, but the queen of green didn’t write to her local newspaper and say hey our town can participate too! I didn’t knock on doors nearby or contact the local business association, or chamber or any of the things that in hindsight could have perhaps gotten the word out more in a local way, and I feel rather lousy about that. Truth be told I didn’t think to do that.
I feel that the connection and hum of our fair city and the suburbs is nill. What goes on there really doesn’t trickle down to the greater Chicago land area. At least that is my experience.
Couldn’t our city feel more like a hug?
Did a worldy kumbaya occur? If it did, I think I missed it.
I feel complainy.
Karen Hanrahan ~ Wellness Educator/Nutritional Consultant/Blog Author
708.482.0678 ~ Websites: Nutrition Weight Loss, and Green Clean as seen on Oprah
Member of BNI – West Suburban BNI: “Chapter Mentor”
Member, Board Member and Programming Chair of West Suburban Women Entrepreneurs
I followed the link, Karen and read about Baby Jack. That is the coolest thing I’ve ever read. And now our daughter is old enough to babysit him. Talk about full circle and that’s what your relationship with Baby Jack’s mom has come too. I needed a tissue after I read it.As for Earth Hour. It’ll come around again and maybe you can get your town involved. My town, which has around 900 folks in it, would probably think I was nuts if I suggested it. We spend a lot of our time in the winter with power outages that we don’t plan. (We have a generator just for that reason.) However, I think I’ll light a candle and turn off the lights for the next Earth Hour. As they say, better to light a candle than curse the darkness. And as Emily Dickinson said, “My candle burns at both ends; it will not last the night. But oh my foes and ah my friends, it casts a lovely light.” Shine On,Lill
Thank you Lill, I am so glad that the story of Michelle touched you so, I had to stop myself from telling every little thing, the years are just rich with stories. I have decided that this is what being a grandparent feels like – it’s pretty darn amazing
You live in a town of about 900 ? I find that fascinating and I thought our town of 18,000 was quaint!
I think both of us next year will have to write to the editors of our newspaper! I also think for only it’s second year Earth Hour made some pretty cool strides.
Hey Karen – I read your post and was sad for you then I read your response to Lill’s comment and realise that you have already bounced back. I think the best thing any of us can do at any time is lead by example – you have your story of this year to share next year when you bombard your local press !Keep smilingJackie
Jackie,
I appreciate your comment about leading by example – Great advice! Don’t be sad for me – its the unawareness that deserves our sadness – for those of us already striving to be green it’s hard to have so much apathy around us. With April and Earth day ahead, I still might find a voice with the local paper.