Think a bit before buying that rose on V-Day

That's the lesson I learned after reading this Audubon Magazine article on how many pesticides are used in growing roses, both here and in Central America. (this is a shortened version of the article that PLU prof. Chuck Bergman agreed to let us trim from the original. The longer version included in a link.)

And if you think it doesn't matter to the critters and birds here, well, in case of the birds, it does. According to this article, pesticide use in Central American kills 67 million birds a year that migrate south. A year. So if your bird feeder seems a bit lonely this spring, that might be why.

I'm all for spending a bit more extra $$ and buying the organic rose tomorrow.

Photo by Jordan Hartman, PLU Photographer (which is where I work (:)

And a carbon-neutral festivus to you!

Or boxing day if you prefer. I figure this crowd would probably appreciate this totally ridiculous greeting sent to me by my bro in New Mexico.

Enjoy, and Merry Christmas, dammit.

HAVE A POLITICALLY CORRECT INTERVAL!

Best wishes for an environmentally conscious, socially responsible, low stress, non-addictive, gender and carbon neutral, winter solstice holiday, practiced within the most joyous traditions of the religious persuasion of your choice, but with respect for the religious persuasion of others who choose to practice their own religion as well as those who choose not to practice any religion at all; plus, a fairly taxed, fiscally successful, personally fulfilling, and medically uncomplicated recognition of the generally accepted calendar year 2008, but not without due respect for the calendars of choice of the other cultures whose contributions have helped make our society great, without regard to the race, creed, color, religious, or sexual preference of the wishees.

Disclaimer: This greeting is subject to clarification or withdrawal. It implies no promise by the wisher to actually implement any of the wishes for himself or others and no responsibility for any unintended emotional stress these greetings may bring to those not caught up in the holiday spirit.