Water Heaters Wear Out and Things are Fine Anyway

I’d have to guess the water heater’s days are over. If memory serves me, it’s never been replaced in the twenty years I’ve lived in this house. Couple of things: 1. I have this nifty insurance policy where they send someone out to fix it or replace it – and the most I ever have to pay is $55.00. 2. I have a second shower in the pool house. I turned off the power to that unit years ago, but in about 20 minutes, I’ll go check and hopefully there’ll be hot water for bathing. Let me go now – hold that thought. Yup, I’m in business. Just have to move all the kayaking equipment out of the shower and I’m good to go. My fellow employees and customers will appreciate that, I am sure. The service call is scheduled for Monday, between 9-11am. Hope they get here closer to 9, since I’ve got to go to work at noon. It is the “is-ness” of the moment. There’s little reason to not believe it is exactly as it is meant to be.

Speaking of work, what I’ve learned from reading A New Earth is being put into practice there with much success. Customers and co-workers alike are responding to the calm, in the moment Selah that they are faced with. I am able to separate the egos and pain bodies of those who believe by complaining long and loud about things over which I have no control. I am remembering to be the duck with the human mind, the one Tolle talks about where the two ducks are fighting, and then swim away. The duck flaps his wings, and settles right back into being a peaceful duck. He’s not thinking, “I can’t believe he got so close to me! He acts as if this lake is his and his alone! He’s probably over there right now plotting his next move. I’ll show him!”

With regard to ducks with a human mind, I’ve had to rethink participating in Oprah’s message boards due to this individual who reminds me very much of Omarosa of The Apprentice fame, who consistently attacks each and every time I post. I’ve come to realize there’s little value to setting myself up for that sort of abuse, and she’s relentless – probably in no small part to the irrefutable truth that she is likely delusional. So I am flapping my wings and swimming over to the other side of the pond.

On another note, I’m delighted to report that the City of Tampa has once again, outstripped St. Petersburg on being progressive and responsible. In my email today:Tampa Becomes Fifth Florida City to Oppose One of Factory Farming's Worst AbusesTAMPA , Fla. (March 20, 2008)— Tampa joins a growing number of cities supporting the move away from one of the worst forms of factory farm animal abuse. Today, the Tampa City Council approved a resolution to oppose cramming egg-laying hens into tiny battery cages so small the birds can barely move. The resolution states that the Council “opposes battery cage egg production, based on the inherent cruelty of confining egg-laying hens in battery cages,” and further “encourages consumers of eggs not to purchase eggs produced by caged hens.”

Tampa is the fifth Florida city (and eleventh in the nation) to pass a resolution on battery cage confinement. “ Tampa ’s council members should be applauded for taking a stand against one of the most egregious forms of animal abuse,” said Paul Shapiro , senior director of The Humane Society of the United States ’ factory farming campaign. “The confinement of laying hens in battery cages is out of step with mainstream American values, and it‘s time for the egg industry to end this cruelty.”Facts· Tampa joins Hollywood, West Palm Beach, Winter Springs and New Port Richey in passing such a resolution. Florida-based Burger King is moving away from selling eggs from caged hens, as part of a national movement away from supporting battery cage confinement.· U.S. factory farms confine approximately 280 million hens in barren battery cages that are so small, the birds can’t even spread their wings. Each bird has less space than a single sheet of paper on which to live.· While cage-free does not mean cruelty-free, cage-free hens generally have 250-300 percent more space per bird and are able to engage in more of their natural behaviors than are caged hens. While cage free hens may not be able to go outside, they are able to walk, spread their wings, and lay their eggs in nests—all behaviors permanently denied to hens confined in battery cages.

Timeline· February 2008—Safeway announces a far-reaching animal welfare program, including a purchasing preference for cage-free eggs.·

December 2007—Compass Group, the world’s largest food service provider with over 7,500 U.S. clients, begins phasing out cage eggs.·

March 2007—Burger King announces that it has started phasing in cage-free eggs in its North American locations.·

March 2007—Celebrity chef Wolfgang Puck announces that he will no longer use cage eggs.·

September 2006—Ben & Jerry’s announces that it will phase out cage eggs in its ice creams.·

May 2005—Whole Foods Market announce that they have ended sales of cage eggs.·

November 2003—The Better Business Bureau rules that it is misleading to label eggs from battery-caged hens as “Animal Care Certified.”