Merry Christmas! I hope everyone has a safe and happy holiday season and that with enjoying family and friends, all of us put in perspective the need to employ sustainable resources in our lives so that these wonderful days can continue. Our lives and this Earth are our greatest gifts and each need protecting and a lot of loving care.

Here's to sunny days and cool breezes! May God bless all of us!Be a champion!

Roof over your head Day

Do you have a roof over YOUR head? Today, December 3rd, is "Roof-over-your-head Day". Be thankful for what most of us take for granted while there are those who have no place to lay their heads. This is the season we remember one who had no place to lay his head when born except in a manger. No fault of his own and we know he was far from worthless. Vince Gill has a song "What if Jesus came back like that." that can make you think about your attitude toward the less fortunate. May we all pitch in to help each other without prejudice. Thankful for what I have. Trying to help those who lack.

From a Vet on Veterans Day

Things have changed over the years on how this country celebrates Veterans Day. Now there is a great respect shown to those who served. Definitely a change from the Viet Nam Era! Now many places offer free meals to Veterans on this day. When I think of my service, I feel that the only "thanks" I needed was coming home. There are those who have yet to "come home". They may be back, but they still remain in conflict and need our help "coming home". We lived by the code that none are to be left behind. We need to continue every effort possible to fulfill this call and help those Veterans "come home". Then there are those who never did come home. any "free meal" or thanks that come my way I'd rather be given to the mothers, fathers, sons, daughters and spouses of those who didn't make it home. They are the ones that deserve it. My wife, son, daughter, and all my grandchildren are all the "thanks" I desire and need. God bless those who have yet to "come home" and the families and friends of those lost.http://www.military.com/veterans-day

If you ever think that politics don't affect environmental issues, just stay at home an withhold your vote on November 8th and see what direction we head in the following years and see how this article attached turns out. http://us9.campaign-archive2.com/?u=6b189d93d725df997bc7ec31d&id=d015b6c621&e=cd97043441 http://us9.campaign-archive2.com/?u=6b189d93d725df997bc7ec31d&id=d015b6c621&e=cd97043441

I just found out that yesterday was National LED light Day! This was the first annual observance of this day and energy efficiency is the number 1 way to reduce our carbon footprint on this earth we live on. Check out what is being said about this technology and the importance of this advancement.http://www.bridgelux.com/blog/whats-national-led-light-day

Switzerland's historic vote.

The article in the Global Footprint Network touches on our need to be a one earth consumer. As a collective of humanity we need to strive toward this goal. any other way of sustaining ourselves puts us in a predatory society as we try to fulfill our desires. This has been inherent in our history and still rears it's ugly head in forms of wars and uprisings. The conference in Switzerland is a positive indicator that we may be waking up to the idea of living WITH each other rather than just letting the strong survive. May God guide us in obtaining a world that can live and prosper together!https://plus.google.com/+GlobalFootprintNetwork.

Sunday, the 11th of September is Grandparents Day! Check out this site and if you can, post your GRAND story or picture. Being a grandparent is a wonderful thing. Just having grandkids and watching them grow and sharing in their adventures is priceless. Let them know if you feel the same about having them as grandparents. They may already know, but a little reinforcement is always appreciated!https://grandparentsday.org/

Sunday marks the 15th anniversary of the attack on the world trade center, the pentagon, and the loss of those on flight 97 that all died heroes. With all the flack that our police have recently received, let us all think of those who selflessly sacrificed their lives trying to save others from this tragedy! Whenever we need help, who do we call? The police, fire or paramedics! They come and render service regardless! God bless all those who serve and protect; from the military to the police to the doctors and nurses! God bless all who stand up to terrorism and others that seek to do harm to others.http://www.911memorial.org/

Saturday is Carl Garner federal lands cleanup day! This is the second year I have posted this event and Saturday I will be participating in a VFW golf outing and will be looking to help keep litter in its place while on the course. It's the little things that add up and mean the most in the effort to let the beauty of nature come through. I know there are some who are camping this weekend and I hope they will take some extra time to pick up around their campsites and grounds as well. Have a great weekend!http://www.timeanddate.com/holidays/us/carl-garner-cleanup-day

Labor Day is approaching! We need to renew the values set forth in the early labor movement of this country. According to this history site, the early labor movement was based on the concept of a just society which fosters social equality, celebrates honest labor and relies on an independent, virtuous citizenship. Isn't that what we need now? Honest work for an honest and fair share of the proceeds of that labor? History of labor movement

I have learned that the U.S. hit overshoot on June 15th this year! Last year it was July 15th. We lost a full month from the information I have. This is terrible! We need to "abate the abuse"! Global Network had a #pledgefortheplanet campaign this year. Keep your pledges going! And if you did not make a pledge, this is a good time to get started! With summer ending and winter on the horizon; now's the time to "batten the hatches" for energy saving projects. http://www.footprintnetwork.org/en/index.php/GFN/page/national_ecological_deficit

Sunday is Purple Heart Day! For all those who suffered injury or worse, Solars2c says "Thank You" and your suffering and sacrifice will never be forgotten or unappreciated. The freedom we have and the statement this country makes to the world should never be diminished. May we always stand strong in the face of opposition and oppression. Freedom is God given but individually earned. Freedom comes with a price and it is forever a worthwhile goal of every living human. God bless those who help others reach for this goal! http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20160803006166/en/August-7th-National-Purple-Heart-Day

2016 MREA Energy Fair.

June 17th-19th was the MREA Energy Fair in Custer, Wisconsin. I went Saturday and it was a nice warm and sunny day. I sat in a wind site assessment lecture by Jenny Heinzen. I look forward to taking the wind site assessment class this fall and hopefully becoming a certified assessor in that part of the energy field.
Other items that really caught my eye was the solar ovens and a pellet grill! This pellet grill even has a feature that connects to your smart phone and tells you when your food is cooked! Check out the pics!

World Environment Day

Today is World Environment Day. Climate changes may threaten 5 of our favorite foods; Honey, CHOCOLATE, COFFEE, wine and seafood! See the article at .http://food.ndtv.com/food-drinks/world-environment-day-2016-5-of-your-favourite-foods-predicted-to-go-extinct-1415218

May 5th is National Day of Prayer

Thursday, May 5th is National Day of Prayer! The theme for 2016 is "Wake up America". This day is for all who believe in a divine creator, regardless of the name that creator goes by. We need guidance in this life and turning to a loving creator for that guidance is by far the best thing for all of us. May God always be a significant part of this great country! And may we all enjoy forever the freedom to worship our creator as that creator would want us to! God bless America!

Greenery Day in Japan

Today, May 4th is greenery Day in Japan. There is an interesting story behind this at this site. This is based on an Emperor Showa who died in 1989 and loved nature. He was the first to be known as a human who was Emperor while the previous Emperors were regarded as divine. Midori no hi is the Japanese name for this Day. May we all cherish the love of nature!

Arbor Day and RV of CW Day.

Today is Arbor Day and Remembrance of all Victims of Chemical Warfare Day. My first thoughts of this Remembrance Day was that of those who were victims in WW1. It sure seems things haven't changed that much! Syria and the Mideast, Europe and Africa and others has recently suffered from this atrocity. Our involvement with the war on Iraq was because of the threat of chemical weapons. The U.S. used what has been labeled a chemical weapon during the Vietnam war. It was at first thought to be human harmless but has since been labeled toxic.

On to the brighter topic of Arbor Day. Trees are an endangered species if you consider the loss of rain forest lands throughout the world. Efforts to stop this loss is helping but more work is needed. As the world becomes more populous, more land becomes developed for habitation and nature is pushed aside. Thankfully, there is a growing awareness of this and things like the Arbor Day Foundation have promoted the replanting and the importance of trees to our environment.

When you plant a tree today, remember all the victims of chemical warfare also.
Here's to sunny days and cool breezes!

Earth Day spurs T-shirt design

I had posting issues earlier that prohibited me from posting on Earth Day, the 22nd. I hope all who view this blog took note of that day and made an effort in bringing awareness to the issues that effect our environment. I have the dates of Earth Overshoot Days from 1970 to last year obtained from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ecological_Debt_Day. I also Just learned that this year (2016), earth Overshoot Day is August 8th. This is posted at http://www.overshootday.org/. We have lost another 5 days! There is good news, however; if you go to the overshoot day dot org, you can sign up to help. You can also go to solars2c.com and order this T-shirt. Also, join in at #abatetheabuse on Twitter.

Small Wind Conference in Stevens Point, WI. in June.

Join the small wind conference at the Holiday Inn in Stevens Point, WI June 15th-18th. That way you'll be in the area for the MREA energy Fair June 17th to 19th. This should be a great summer in Wisconsin!

The next environmental day is Earth Day!

The next environmental day on my calendar is April 22nd; Earth Day! April 13th is Thomas Jefferson's birthday and April 18th is Tax Day ( when we filled our taxes I learned that they have extended the final fill date from Friday, the 15th to Monday, the 18th). I hope that the new overshoot days for the U.S. and the World are out by then. Last year the U.S. overshoot Day was July 15th and the World Overshoot Day was August 13th. We had lost 6 days in 2015 since Earth Overshoot day was August 19th in 2014. It would be nice to see this trend slow down if not reverse. This could be an important issue to be mindful of on April 22nd.

Passed my MREA SHW Certifacation Exam!

A few weeks ago I passed my Residential PV site assessor Exam and today I passed my Residential SHW Site Assessor exam! Last week I did my first Residential PV site assessment since being certified. Now that class is over and I'm on my own, it's quite different and yet exciting. I am enjoying this more than I ever could have imagined. I do gravitate toward the PV over SHW, but I look forward to being of service in both areas. My next step is to be able to do commercial sites as well and also to learn about wind site assessment. Hope you will all follow me on this journey and if there is anyone in the central Wisconsin area that would like a free residential SHW or PV site assessment, Drop me a line.

This week in March

Last week I managed to pass my Residential PV site assessor exam and become certified by the MREA.

This week we start off with Monday being International Day of Action for Rivers. Click on the activity icon over Wisconsin on the map of activities and follow the photo contest posted there.

Then on Tuesday, we have World Consumer Rights Day. This year they're focusing on the issue of meats that are from animals treated with antibiotics that humans use also. There is a link between this use of antibiotics and the "superviruses" that seem to be plaguing us. See what you can do to help us live a better, healthier life.

Then on Saturday, March 19th, the Vernal Equinox is reached at 11:31PM CDT. Spring is welcome here!

Finally, next Sunday is World Sparrow Day. It's amazing the different kinds and some are very colorful! We share this world with many wonderful creatures and we need to resect each one.

Here's to sunny days and cool breezes!

Groundhog Day is Tuesday, February 2nd!

World Wetlands Day has a partner! That day is also Groundhog's Day. So along with the photo contest for World Wetlands Day, those who are interested in Punxsatawney Phil and a lot of fun facts and activities associated with this seasonal forecasting tradition can enjoy finding out if Phil sees his shadow or not.  

5 more years!

Congress gave us 5 more years of tax incentives! They also included a phase-out portion after the 5 years so we know what is coming. This is good news for those who want to go solar!

January and February dates to remember.

The new year starts rather slow with just one date besides the 1st, and that is

January 18th, Martin Luther King Day! The very next date to remember is associated with Martin Luther King Day as the

1st of February is National Freedom Day! This is a great story of a freed slave starting a movement that honors the signing of the 13th amendment by Abraham Lincoln in 1865.

Then February 2nd is World Wetlands Day! They are having a photo contest for 15 to 24 year-olds and they can win a free flight to any wetlands area in the world! Awesome!

February 8th is Chinese New Year! They traditionally get 7 days off to celebrate!

The Mardi Gras follows on February 9th. The site I've linked has a countdown to Mardi Gras in days, hours, minutes and seconds. Wild times!

February 14th is, of course, Saint Valentine's Day! Do you know the 7 days before and what they are? Think (not in order, you have to go to the site to find out) Chocolate, hug, promise, kiss, propose, teddy and rose.

he 15th of February is President's Day. The Senate continues a tradition that started in 1862!

Last date to remember in February is the 27th; International Polar Bear Day! Read about the students who turned down their heat extra low on this day!

2 days that tie together.

Monday, January 18th and Monday, February 1st are 2 days that tie together dramatically. January 18th is Martin Luther King Day http://www.nationalservice.gov/mlkday. February 1st is National Freedom Day http://blog.constitutioncenter.org/2012/01/why-is-feb-1-designated-as-national-freedom-day/. Both center around a dream. Both place extreme importance on freedoms of the individual and peaceful co-existence. With the current state of the world and how it is effecting the USA, I wonder if we would ratify the 13th amendment today if it was meant to apply to Moslems as well. We need the dream of equality and freedom to apply to ALL and need to realize we cannot pigeon-hole any race, creed or religion as being unworthy of respect and peaceful association as long as they return the same. Each and every group has their violent offenders, and we need to deal with the violence on an individual basis and not condemn that segment that the offender may be a part of.
I am thankful for all those who have served and those who still serve to keep our freedom in tact. God bless America!

Happy New Year!

Happy New Year! May 2016 bring prosperity and solar to you! May the sun shine around you year round and God's gift ( That which is through His Son as well as the sun) brighten your days!