Environmentally responsible companies and products

http://www.ecovativedesign.com/ Just heard about this company on an Aljazeera.  SO glad it exists.  Great idea. you are making ecologically friendly products.  I hope CNN, NBC, CBS9 60 Minutes expose), ABC MSNBC, FOX all do reports on this company and the products made; employees. founders.  We, as a society, need to hear more stories like this and need to have more responsible products.   Lead the way for other companies like you.  Desalinization is also vital. 
  http://www.veoliawater.com/solutions/desalination/

Creation of Grameen-Veolia Water Ltd

A pioneering social business experiment



Veolia Water is committed to helping achieve the U.N. Millennium Development Goals. It participates in efforts to find new business models that promote access to essential services, for replication on a larger scale.

In 2008, we launched the first "social business" experiment in the field of water with Grameen Bank, a micro credit lender to the poor, created by 2006 Nobel Peace Prize winner Professor Yunus.

A joint venture, Grameen-Veolia Water Ltd, was founded to provide drinking water for 100,000 poor residents of Bangladesh, a country in which most of the water tables are dangerously contaminated by arsenic. In accordance with the social business model, residents pay for their water — its price is set by Grameen-Veolia Water Ltd based on their ...





just a small example of a responsible company making a difference to bring clean drinking water to people in need, and hopefully, everyone.  Converting our salty seas to fresh drinking water.

Big corporations must do more to help people instead of trying to squeeze as much $$$$$$$$$$$ out of us that they can.

The Help

Just saw The Help. See it! Black and White; Life in the 60's. I am so glad I did not live through that time. It was a time of violence but a time of change. The change part was good and deservedly so. I am no pollyanna; time has made me a bit more real and sour perhaps, but fair is fair, the 60's weren't fair. 

before I proceed, I state this fact: a well made movie, with good writing and a great story idea (based on a book) makes for conversation and brings forth from me something to say. I have to state this.

The Help is about upper middle class life for Caucasian Southerns that had maids and gardeners, in a tradition, a college graduate young woman who grew up with a nanny, and the African-American domestic help that worked for the former. the college grad daughter wants to interview "the help" women that worked in the homes of more affluent women and families. The idea is that no one had considered what Life was like for the black women that sacrificed so much during those imbalanced times. Trust is an issue. But, courage and faith play a role in doing the Right thing; stories must be told, and they were. Experience and age, just living life is the fodder for story telling. The women that worked in the homes in this movie had stories to tell, from their perspective of Life and how unfair or wonderful their experiences were. The college graduate works with the two of the principal characters; two women that worked in southern homes, to write a book based on their recollections and those of other black women.

A movie that addresses racism from the perspective of both sides allows for a truer tale. I have not read the book this is based on, but I do encourage you to go see the movie; rent it from the Red Box , get it on Netflix. This may win the Oscar. But beyond a shiny award, The Help has the potential to educate, and help us heal; to work towards more equality, tolerance, compassion, and understanding.

Go see The Help

Jobs and protectyeing the environment We can have it all if we just believe and act

There are some many tasks that can be done to improve this country, increase jobs and make life better for the average American. This country is amazing, full of potential and talent, yet people suffer and go without. We give up on voting and thinking that we can make a difference or that these we voted for, give a damn about us! We despair though we hope for change and a better life.  It is horrible that our pay does not get us as much as it used to and saving is so difficult.  Yes, we are in difficult times and there is a ray of sun peaking through the clouds , but there is despair. Please continue to make a difference. 

 Here is my response to the proposed pipeline that may and should be built through North America.
Why are the easiest solutions the most controversial or the most costly, or, disregarded? A pipeline from Canada to Mexico in the muddle of all three countries, is proposed to be build. The worry is, that the environment will suffer. Two pluses would be more jobs and less dependence on foreign oil, as hopefully, the fuels would be refined and used in American cars, homes etc...It's possible the pipeline will not be built because people are concerned about long term effects on the environment. I offer two solutions: First, make sure the companies involved in building the pipeline adhere to environmental guidelines and laws in place in these countries. Plant trees, move animals...Secondly, INVEST IN ALTERNATIVE ENERGY SOURCES!!! Build more wind turbines, solar power panels, desalinization plants to convert sea into fresh water. Invest in the future and the present. Create jobs, and decrease COLA; the cost of living for everyday items.

Do not give up hope. Do your part, write your blogs, write your congressmen and women and senators and the President, as it is our write and duty to do so;)  Be well and do not despair.  www.thelionshares.com

Our power to Endure thhrough great difficulties

Sorry to hear that your mother dies this year. Hope you can enjoy some part of the holidays though they may have mixed feelings for you. All we can do sometimes is keep on going. Easier said than done. We can not, when something like a close death happens in our family, get caught up in Extreme sadness. easier said than done. We can only take it a day at a time.

 This is what I wrote to a  classmate of mine. We have not seen each other in over 20 years but will probably meet again soon. We started talking again thanks to Facebook, one of a few good ways to become reacquainted with people from the past, thanks to modern technology.  

Even now though, we can not stay in contact with everyone we knew from back when. I don't even know my sister's FB page to talk to here more often. Thanks to e-mail and now the social media sites, it is easier...blah, blah, blah, you get the idea. You also get that this was not possible 20 years ago. And, this is remarkable to me.

So, more pep rally talk, which is necessary sometimes and well intended.   


The holidays are difficult and can be wonderful. We all deal with death and loss differently.  No matter what the source; what happens in our Life that can be difficult for us to handle at times, we have to keep moving; physically and mentally.  Our beliefs can sustain us; pray if you like, and remember, but we have to move about.  Walk, work, interact, take care if yourself and the others in your life that  may rely on you. We have to keep on keeping on.  Just think of the alternative. There is a wide spectrum, from a brief cry now and then to suicide. The latter is not the solution to any problems we may have. But, I am not living with your pain. You are not living with my pain either; no matter if it is stale, dull, 20 years old , or happened yesterday and is sharp and getting sharper; suffocating me almost.  Notice I used the word ALMOST.


Events like a death, financial distress, job loss, retirement, ETC...these are going to happen. May we not receive too much of this crap at once in our lives. But, we must, can and have to endure. To Live on this Earth, we have no other choice.   There are short term and long term supports; groups. therapists, medications, a drink or 9 now and then.  We have to maybe even destroy our  Life, with out dying, in order to get through the loss we have endured. But any self abuse involving excessive amounts of drugs, gambling and/ or alcohol can be costly in a few ways.  Moderation. I am not your parent. But , don't destroy your brain cells with illegal drugs.


More pep rally stuff.  See, I believe that we can endure a lot. We make choices, we falter, stay in bed for a long time, eat too much, or not at all...but we get through our obstacles.  Here is a big problem solver   TIME. Not the magazine either.   Time will keep on passing or ticking by.  Time dulls the sharpness of our memories.  Time decreases the intensity of feelings and allows us to feel and remember and have a semblance of a life, then a regular life. 


We have to try and believe. Go to church or pray at home if this is your thing. What can it hurt to try?  Let music help and let others around you help also. Maybe read a book; with stories long or short.  See a play, go have a great meal or a sloppy hamburger.  Do what you need to and, LIVE!  


Be well. I want to wish you a Merry Christmas, a Happy Hanukkah, a great Kwanzaa, and a health and happy 2012.  Let's see if we get to see a 2-0-1-3.  Probably.  ; )  www.thelionshares.com

Be real, not Naive, but be optimistic and nice too

Clarification is a good skill to have when explaining an opinion or telling a story or when answering questions; ETC...Regarding my view of modernizing Christmas/Holiday songs, there are so many to mention that I do not care to be that specific. I would not vary the religious based songs, as they are powerful. There are songs like "White Christmas", "Feliz Navidad", and "Have yourself a Merry Little Christmas". These songs again, wish the best and are timeless. "Happy Christmas (War is Over)", though about 35 years old, is a a somewhat modern song with a powerful message that will be poignant this year and for years to come. We could have more heart-touching songs filled with truth and sentiment and retire some about Frosty and Rudolph. We need inspiration, not fantasy. Leave fantasy to the children.

       By the way, I am looking forward to the holiday season, Christmas, and like this preparation time. It is so nice to see the houses and towns that have decorated. Holidays do change somewhat when older family members, friends and neighbors die. We grow up and go through varied experiences in Life and are no longer children. But, it is important to retain tradition and optimism and happiness, just to not be as naive as when we were younger. Reality talking. Enjoy this time of the year, decorate, be nicer throughout the year, and try not to over eat; think smaller portions. That way, you can have it all ;) www.thelionshares.com

Modern Christmas Songs

Christmas songs of today must reflect today. I like many older traditions, But, listen to what we are singing or hearing on the radio..."days/tales of yore...chestnuts on an open fire. sleigh rides, even Frosty and Santa...too much fake already...listen to a song Alan Jackson recorded sometime ago

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sseRlBDDVaU

go there and listen to that. Simply, we need more songs like that.  

There must be more modern Christmas/Holiday songs out there. If not, artists should write them!! Why can't a song like Alan Jackson's Let It Be Christmas Everywhere become a traditional song children sing in school?
I will address the pros and cons of fantasy thinking about Santa ...another time...
Seriously though, listen to the lyrics of songs we have been singing for more than 70 years...more than 100 years maybe? "Blue Christmas" is truthful, sad but real. I'll Be Home for Christmas" has good sentiment, as many times in our lives we may not be home for the holidays, this is also applied to other family members...

Modernizing Christmas songs."Deck the Halls" "Dashing through the snow on a one horse open sleigh", maybe on skis or a sled/ snowboard...
Unfortunately, Life for Adults is more like "Grandma Got Run Over by a Reindeer", Well, maybe not. but definitely, "The 12 Pains of Christmas" I could not find the original version in the YouTube universe, here is a version. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dB08UdIpHR8&feature=related

There is room for touching modern songs to  be written by Artists of today. The older songs have a nice sentiment but describe a world of yesteryear that no long exists: "Chestnuts roasting on an open fire..."Sleigh rides. These are Victorian Era concepts are out of place in the Technological 21st Century.
Cynical, yes, I am a bit, but, I am a realist. I also believe in the True Spirit of Christmas and the Holiday season (I am Catholic write your own blog if ya celebrate Kwanzaa or if you are Jewish.). Giving and being nice. We commemorate the birth of Jesus Christ. Hopefully your beliefs are not lost when exchanging presents, at parties or feeling bad that you did not get what you wanted for Christmas. We are human after all and are able to change. Just be nice through out the year and think of others when you are able. Enjoy this time of preparation for The Holidays. What do you think of what you just read? let me know...tell others. www. the lionshares.com

Let Your Heart, Mind, and Soul Sing; tap our feet.

Just a few words about Music and enjoying those sounds.

     It should not matter what the source of the music you enjoy is.  Why should it matter?  If you like songs from Broadway shows, that is okay. If you like ethnic music or songs from the 60's, if you are only now a teen ager, that's okay.  Many of the songs, pieces of music we like have a similar story anyway; not the content, but really, what they are or genre...take a look at this... Keep an open mind.





       Take a song about love.  Lyrics/words are written. Music is penned. A singer/band  is found to record it.  It can take on different flavors: country, Broadway, a rock ballad.  Fill in  the Title...


                              Maria, Two out of Three Ain't Bad, Unchained Melody...the music and the words create something memorable, hummable, a thing of beauty that may haunt your mind for the rest of your life. 


So, grow up, never taunt others for the interests they have and, never be afraid to be yourself. Thanks


www.thelionshares.com    maybe, your  little conscience or online guardian angel...