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Selina's Blog

Windowsill green savers

7/4/2020

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​Pottering about in the garden is one of those things, most people have come to enjoy and appreciate, with the hope of getting back to nature.  However, being confined to barracks or living in an apartment does not mean you can’t get into the garden.  You just have to get creative.
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Photo - Sketa Oz
​So this week, in my downtime of not working on Term 2 planning for school, I have potted up a few vegetables that will do well living inside the home.  
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Photo - Sketa Oz
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Photo - Sketa Oz
​A sunny position on a windowsill, in a bedroom or on the veranda – closed in or not, can be a great way to keep the veggies coming and keeping it fresh.  The crop might be a little smaller than you’d see in a regular garden, but it is also a great way to get productive, to keep the kids entertained and educated, and will add a touch of green around the house.  
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Photo - Sketa Oz
​Potted plants are a great air-cleaner, and a ripe tomato from the windowsill is a good nibble that doesn’t need to clutter up your refrigerator.  Basil, spinach and lettuce are my favourites, as well as cucumbers.
​A couple of weeks ago, I also raised seedling tomatoes.  Today, I potted them out, ready for the windowsill.  They look pretty awesome, don’t they?  You should give it a try. Now, I just have to wait a month or so, for them to crop.  Maybe, I should get some indoor bees – what do you think?  Just joking – I was having a ‘Trump’ moment. 😊
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But a blink...

17/4/2019

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As a species we are minuscule in the great scheme of things, but our effect on the planet since our existence, has been catastrophic.

We tell ourselves, not to worry - all will be okay and that the planet survived long before we arrived on the scene.

Although, Mother Nature has never created - in the history of evolution, such a complex, selfish, self concerning species. She has outdone herself in her abilities of organic design; we have been her best and worst creation to date.

The more evolved we become, the greater heights we strive to achieve - the less we see what is happening around us; the more out of touch with the balance of nature we become.

We tell ourselves, there should be work-life balance - what about Mother Nature balance? Where there is imbalance, there is will be a trade off. Something else, someone else, some other species or organism must suffer as a result of the imbalance.

Due care for nature; to work with and beside her must be our first and last consideration before we create, invent, borrow, pillage or destroy.

We tell our kids, ‘you are not the only one on the planet’, but as adults we consider only ourselves. We behave like spoilt brats expecting the earth; expecting to receive all, to have all in the name of progress and success.

Time is now. What we walk past, we accept.

We are failing Mother Nature as her greatest creation; we need to make her proud.

In order to help our kids, to help ourselves, to help us get ahead in our own lives. We must first consider doing something for Mother Nature - we must give back - be that plant a tree, clean up the earth’s surface - biosphere/atmosphere that we have polluted. We must learn to think of healthy disposals before we create anything, buy anything, use anything.

We were given paradise - all given to us without recoil, but we are creating and living in a rubbish dump. Where everything is disposable.

Charity starts at home - with nature.





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What you must read, if you own a pet.

28/3/2019

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Photo - Creative Commons
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I was doing research for an article I was writing a few months ago and found this particularly interesting academic paper - on contractable bacteria and diseases easily acquired from pets, specifically dogs. It talks not only about being diligent in cleaning up after them but also, in washing your hands, cleaning surfaces, etc.

I was unlucky enough to pick up such a bacteria that now lives permanently in the base of my lungs. I have always been a healthy, fit person and particularly obsessed with cleanliness.
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Photo - Creative Commons
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Photo - Creative Commons
.This took me by surprise and when I asked the doctor how I might have contracted such bacteria, he said you would be surprised as to how many people we see each week with such related illnesses.

I am not saying people should give up the idea of owning a dog or a cat. However, I don't think one should ever become complacent about cleanliness. It might seem trivial, but if one is not careful or one does not teach young children about appropriate hygiene while caring for or handling animals, they could pay a very big price of being permanently at risk for not only these diseases, but a whole host of others  - like leading to limb amputations

You can learn more at: One Health Fact Sheet
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Photo & Resources - CDC
Resource and Research papers
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5319273/
https://www.cdc.gov/healthypets/pets/dogs.html
https://www.empr.com/home/news/dogs-saliva-caused-bacterial-infection-leading-to-amputations/
https://www.petmd.com/dog/conditions/infectious-parasitic/c_multi_leptospirosis
​https://www.cdc.gov/healthypets/pets-and-antibiotic-resistance.html
https://www.cdc.gov/onehealth/multimedia/factsheet.html
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The Murray Darling Basin in Trouble

16/1/2019

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Photo: Change.org
​It appears the Murray Darling Basin is in strife and if we don’t take efforts to assist - to stop the constant emptying, restricting, and polluting of the water flow – families, farms, rural and indigenous communities and yes, the environment will suffer beyond what is imaginable.
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Photo: Lloyd Polkinghorne
Once upon a time, communities in the proximity of the Murray Darling Basin all shared water resources with nature.  Both sides found time to thrive and prolificate. There was no childish behaviour or squabbling over its use.  What nature provided so comfortably was treasured, respected in times of proliferation and scarcity.  It was a bond, a silent agreement with nature to respect and savour such an easily fleeting resource - for the sake of all - for the sake of survival. ​
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Photo: Lloyd Polkinghorne
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Photo: Lloyd Polkinghorne
Not human, animal or the environment was better or more deserving of the life-giving substance; the Murray Darling Basin provided for all. 
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Mother nature does not dictate the waters allocation or destroy its purity – only mankind takes this upon himself to upset the flow and equilibrium that is so precariously balanced; any interference in this process has disastrous consequences.  And yes, all reliant on this balance, are now paying the price for this Godly judgement.  
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Photo: Lloyd Polkinghorne
Large Corporations and Government bodies now side together - call the shots – service each other’s pockets - become judge and jury over the Basin’s very existence.  They too, have sealed its fate.
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Scores of wildlife have left the area or died; the environment is no longer a breeding ground for lush vegetation; farming communities have more than halved; farmers have up and walked off their land; job losses are at a record high and the next generation of youngsters will never see the Basin as it was – pristine, uncompromised and life giving.
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Photo: Lloyd Polkinghorne

Sharing is what nature does best, a trait mankind could adopt to ensure its survival, too.  Mankind is a passing visitor to this planet, a spectator if you like, but none the less its survival is fleeting - just like the rest of its inhabitants. Yet, nature must be preserved, maintained, and restored so it is here for the next generations.  It is not a matter of enjoyment.  It is a matter of priority - equally as needed, precious and pressing as maintenance of the Great Barrier Reef – an eco-system built on and totally reliant on preserving nature’s delicate balance.

Mankind should not even have to question this process, but it does.  It judges. It decides.  It destroys for the sake of monetary gain.  Where will it end?
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No longer can we be bystanders in the process of natures’ abuse. It is time mankind worked together for the common cause – survival for all.

It takes just one to make a difference in the world.  :)
MAKE A CHANGE - Sign the Petition
​Learn more about the plight of the Murray Darling Basin, below.

Heard of return flows? Here’s how you can spend $3.5 billion of taxpayers’ money on the environment and get nothing https://t.co/CFUOLTpPbN @BackgroundBrief pic.twitter.com/I2RbALT2qu

— RN - Radio National (@RadioNational) April 27, 2018
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Save Honey!

27/9/2018

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Still footage of Inubosaki Marine Park - www.dolphinproject.com
I would like to bring to your attention the plight of ‘Honey’ - the dolphin, 46 penguins and 100’s of fish and reptiles that remain abandoned at the now defunct - Inubosaki Marine Park Aquarium in Choshi, Japan.  The Park closed 9 months ago and without the kindness of a few locals, these poor animals would have died months ago.  The animals and the angels taking care of them -  need urgent assistance to place them in a marine park where they can get access to medical attention and be humanely cared for; where ‘Honey’ can recuperate & retire with a caring family of dolphins.
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Aerial Still footage of the complex - www.dolphinproject.com
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Still footage at the park - www.dolphinproject.com
Dolphin Project have been recording her status and that of the other remaining animals.  They have been trying to gain the attention of the Japanese authorities to change the conditions for the animals, but with little response.  The owner of the Park has apparently been contacted, but no response to date. ​ 
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Aerial Still footage of HONEY - www.dolphinproject.com
Here you are able to view the animals as best available; one can not determine the physical state of HONEY the dolphin, but no doubt its emotional/psychological state is not the best given it remains alone in the pool, without any contact from its own species.  
Please help.  It is a matter of paramount urgency.
I have signed the petition 
and believe your should too.  I’m just incredibly concerned this issue will go unheard.
THE PETITION
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Aerial Still footage of penguin enclosure - www.dolphinproject.com
Some other articles presently circulating the Internet, regarding this issue are listed below.  Take a good read.  LIfe can't be easy for the creatures.
https://www.dolphinproject.com/blog/exclusive-video-plight-desperate-for-taiji-caught-abandoned-dolphin/
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/home/article-6105121/Honey-lonely-dolphin-abandoned-Japanese-aquarium-sparks-public-outcry.html
https://nation.com.pk/28-Aug-2018/honey-the-lonely-dolphin-abandoned-in-japanese-aquarium-sparks-public-outcry
https://www.thehindu.com/news/international/outcry-after-dolphin-left-in-deserted-aquarium-in-japan/article24803272.ece#!
https://www.reuters.com/article/us-japan-aquarium/honey-the-lonely-dolphin-abandoned-in-japanese-aquarium-sparks-public-outcry-idUSKCN1LD0JR
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Again, this is a matter of paramount urgency; we get as many people to sign this as possible. 
Follow the link to the petition and lets get HONEY and the other animals to safety! 


THE PETITION
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My Enigma...

14/8/2018

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Every day we wake to a new day - full of infinite possibilities, opportunities and sights to marvel upon.  We push forth through life with determination to bring about change; be it in our own immediate sphere or further abroad, in hope someone like-minded will agree or listen to our plea. 
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Whether we realise it or not, each of us searches for recognition - of our existence, that we matter, that we are appreciated, that our lives have been sufficiently significant, so that we will be remembered by others because of how we lived our lives, how we have interacted with family, friends, society, the planet and the expectations life places upon us all.
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Photo - Sketa Oz
Sometimes, in that search for significance, life in all its complexities becomes so overwhelming one takes on board every last problem the world has to offer - as if it is one’s own responsibility to resurrect them.  Highly sensitive people find it extremely difficult to switch off and will spend every waking and sleeping moment, worrying about the world’s issues and how to come up with a plan to fix them. However, such problems are usually problems every human being on the planet should be thinking about; formulating ideas to solve because one human being alone, is just not enough.

​The coined phrase – ‘your circle of influence’, eagerly suggested in conversation with a family member has helped me realise one can not move mountains or change the landscape of such a mountain, until there is reach enough to go around the mountain. 

​So this is my enigma…  
Each morning, I leave fresh for work and on my travels to school - I sight dozens of mutilated, native animal carcasses, freshly killed from the night before.  In the 50 minutes or so to my final destination, this horrible sight beholds me each morning. It makes me think, how many of these deaths could have been avoided, if one considered to slow down in areas of prolific wildlife?
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Photo - Sketa Oz
​I do believe that although our animals take a back burner in the eyes of many Australians - as worthy creatures to preserve, I am of the belief all creatures great and small, intelligent or dory – have the right to life, an existence.  Each too, has equal rights to a dignified death. We are no more or less worthy of life, but yet we are the only species on the planet that continues to eradicate those in our way.  

The creatures of which I speak, are struggling to find water, struggling to find food on the drought-stricken lands of South East Queensland. For the most part, these creatures venture to the sides of the road to nibble on fresh grass shoots that have managed to spring up with the settling of early morning dew.
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Photo - Sketa Oz
Yes, such creatures will be startled suddenly; yes, it is a problem to you as a driver.  Though if you remember these gentle creatures want nothing from us, except the right to life and the right to feed to sustain that life – you will be considerate enough to slow down at dawn and dusk.  We do this for our children going to school in a school zone; we do this for our fellow pedestrians at the crossing; we slow down for bird wildlife around nature reserves and yes, I’m sure we can all slow down for our protected native, iconic Australian wildlife. 
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These creatures have families as we do, feel pain and are at a loss at the death of a family member – just like us. 

Please consider our wildlife and maybe your example will help tourists respect our wildlife, too. For if we can’t show just cause to respect such creatures, why will tourists or immigrants even bother?
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Learning to be a kid

13/4/2018

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Photo - Pasi Majasaari

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