1 jar hot fudge sauce
1 chocolate-cookie crumb crust or graham cracker crust
2 pints chocolate ice cream, softened
2 pints coffee ice cream
whipped cream
2-3 brownies, small cubed or crumbled

Spread some hot fudge sauce over the bottom of the crust.
Freeze for 5-10 minutes.
Now, spread the chocolate ice cream into the pie.
Spread with more fudge sauce
Freeze about 1 hour.
Spread the coffee ice cream on next
Top with more fudge sauce.
Freeze until firm, a few hours at least.
To serve decorate with whipped cream and crumbled brownies.

Tie yarn around the small end of a pinecone.
Spread peanut butter around the edges of the pinecone.
Roll pinecone in birdseed.
Hang outside for the birds to feed.

Down at the dump early in the morning,
See the dump trucks standing in a row.
See them dump the garbage
In a great big pile,
dump, dump, dump, dump,
watch them go.

Pretty soon our dumps will all be full,
We had better figure out something to do.
We could all recycle
Some of our garbage,
Recycle, recycle,
Watch us go.

Sing to the tune of “I’ve Been Working on the Railroad”.

We’ve been working on recycling
all the trash we can,
We’ve been working on recycling,
it’s a very simple plan,
Separate your glass and paper,
separate your plastic and tin.
Take the trash that you’ve recycled to your recycling bin.

We’ve been working on reducing
all the trash we can.
We’ve been working on reducing,
it’s a very simple plan.
Don’t go wasting any products,
use just what you need.
Don’t buy things in extra wrapping,
reduce and you’ll succeed.

We’ve been working on reducing
all the trash we can.
We’ve been working on reusing,
it’s a very simple plan.
If it’s a paper bag you’re using,
don’t use it once, but twice.
Give old clothes and toys to someone,
to reuse them would be nice.

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A wetland may prevent our water pollution,
Proven scientifically, this is a true solution !
Adding plants will reduce the soil erosion,
Plant roots hold the soil to stop corrosion !
The birds seem to prefer the wetland tree,
‘Cause plenty of food and life hassle free !
If your yard stays wet in the Spring,
Do not hesitate to give EPA a ring !
You will get good idea how to make wetland trees grow,
And once they are grown, you’ll have less lawn to mow !
So, for excellent guidance, please call EPA Wetlands Section,
Because they are the experts to give you the good direction !!!!

About Hillol Ray
Hillol Ray, Poet Laureate, Author, and Song Writer, is an Environmental Engineer/Manager of Drinking Water Supply Enforcement Program, with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in Dallas, Texas. He has been writing poetry since the age of six, in his native language “Bengali”. His poems are regularly published in Bengali magazines from Asia, Europe, Canada, Sweden, and North America and are currently being translated into English, Swedish, Spanish, German and French languages.

Well, can you quietly tell me: what is a Watershed ?
My friend asked me with chuckle sitting on his bed !
Although my nifty face showed the large dimple -
The answer to his question was really so simple !
Instantly I replied with a large grin on my face,
The exact answer, nothing more or nothing less !
Watershed is important to discuss water quality,
With an open mind and a very broad mentality !
Quickly his curiosities went up too high,
And kept on asking more with deep sigh !
I had some simple thoughts to clear up his mind,
They were so genuine without a harness or bind !
Moving water does not stop to a township, county or state line -
No matter whoever is at fault, or, who is going to pay the fine !
Watershed protection approach must deal with the entire watershed,
Framework for focusing and integrating experience must be gained !
USDA Hydrologic Unit areas, Clean Lakes Program – to name a few,
Must be taken seriously, even those are covered with the frosty dew !
Remember, Watershed protection program needs a clearly stated approach,
Thus, EPA can be the best friend for this as well as the experienced coach !
Because this program evaluates all sources of potential pollution,
Via the recognized expert who can narrow down the real solution.
Still the protection of watersheds involves active cooperation -
Among all the agencies for exchange of open communication !
So, for any kind of questions on the Watershed thing -
Please give Watershed Section of EPA a friendly ring !!!

About Hillol Ray
Hillol Ray, Poet Laureate, Author, and Song Writer, is an Environmental Engineer/Manager of Drinking Water Supply Enforcement Program, with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in Dallas, Texas. He has been writing poetry since the age of six, in his native language “Bengali”. His poems are regularly published in Bengali magazines from Asia, Europe, Canada, Sweden, and North America and are currently being translated into English, Swedish, Spanish, German and French languages.

With progress of science, the ecospheres are being treated well -
Because we have learned, where and how our future will dwell !
As a consumer on this planet, curiosity seems to rise pretty high -
But it often finds relief, through an answer with a real deep sigh !

Consumer of any package now wants good reason -
Before buying the stuff, irrespective of the season !
So, products are labeled today to satisfy these needs -
For protection of the ‘eco’ from the inhumane deeds !

Let’s express our feelings today, over a ‘can’ of fish -
That we so dearly love to fry, or, display on the dish !
But before the ‘can’ is opened, buyer prefers to see -
Where the fish came from : pond, river, or a big sea !
When was it killed, consumer also wants to know -
Whether in the hot summer or in mid-winter snow !
If it was netted before the death, how long did it thrash -
In the hot brown murky water hugging the floating trash !
Buyer thinks, the pain suffered by the fish, be made publicly known -
Because of the trauma it had sensed through the spongy brittle bone !
Was the water really safe for the fishes to play or swim ?
Or, were they alive solely at the ‘eco’ protectors whim ?

Now, how about the can in which the fish was shipped -
Was the weight wrong, because the ‘scale’ was tipped ?
Is the label on the ‘can’ made out of recycled paper ?
While the buyers thought may swell, or like to taper !
The ink on the label was probably bought through a loan -
Approved by the foreign banks, with a real “bossy” tone !

Well, answers to the above now, are found in reports and tables -
But they sound real funny, as we may find in the good old fables !
Still, we prefer to cherish the fish, by eating them right out of the ‘can’ -
And tempest loves to devour while pushing fire to seasoned frying pan !!

About Hillol Ray
Hillol Ray, Poet Laureate, Author, and Song Writer, is an Environmental Engineer/Manager of Drinking Water Supply Enforcement Program, with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in Dallas, Texas. He has been writing poetry since the age of six, in his native language “Bengali”. His poems are regularly published in Bengali magazines from Asia, Europe, Canada, Sweden, and North America and are currently being translated into English, Swedish, Spanish, German and French languages.

Via EPA we frequently hear about global warming -
The situation is scary, and really not too charming !
But there are many little things that we all can do -
To prevent our global warming and the future woo !
Let me give you some very simple tips,
They are too easy like reading my lips !
Conserving the energy will reduce the trend,
If in doubt, call EPA, the earth’s best friend !
Saving lots of money through the lower utility bill,
Gives the key to warming a second chance to kill !
Cleaning the vents and air filter once a year,
Will provide clean air without the dust fear !
Simply turn off the light when not in use,
To reduce the heat and load on the fuse !
Cleaning the A/C and the heat furnace every year,
Will reduce the ‘warming’ and ‘high priced’ tear !
Well, read my tips above and implement them,
You will be ahead of “global warming” game !
Let me thank you now for reviewing my tips,
You will thank me later for reading my lips !!

About Hillol Ray
Hillol Ray, Poet Laureate, Author, and Song Writer, is an Environmental Engineer/Manager of Drinking Water Supply Enforcement Program, with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in Dallas, Texas. He has been writing poetry since the age of six, in his native language “Bengali”. His poems are regularly published in Bengali magazines from Asia, Europe, Canada, Sweden, and North America and are currently being translated into English, Swedish, Spanish, German and French languages.

In Loving Memory of Jacques-Yves Cousteau

At the turn of 20th century, Mother Nature was crying -
To protect her “children” while the tears were drying !
’Cause dumping in oceans and chemicals in air began to kill,
The bounties of nature and the silent seas that sent the chill !
Mother was desperate and praying for solution -
To stop such torture from all types of pollution !
All of a sudden, the kind Lord filled her prayer through a very close friend -
By sending Jacques-Yves Cousteau, as a Savior on earth, to set new trend !
Born in Paris, with a true love for the Mother Nature and the sea -
Jacques was the “Man” who opened our minds with special key !
Through the years and throughout the world, he had to swim -
To preach: cruelty to nature is nothing but a man-made whim !
Today our beloved Jacques is in the heaven but the legacy lives on -
And reminds his passions for nature and sea, from dusk until dawn !

Hello, Jacques, please accept our deepest love and respect,
Your absence today is so unbelievable and really heartfelt !
The marine explorers will always keep ‘Special Spot’ for you,
’Cause your creations are immortal and draw the global view !
You achieved your spot through long debates and enormous tolls -
And they are still so vivid, around the world, in everyone’s souls !
Via untiring effort, you taught us to protect Mother Nature and the sea,
While opening the doors to our environments with your “magic” key !
We know, you have brought the “world under the sea” for millions to view -
From the rocky deserts to the ageless grass, covered with the morning dew !
Your zest for silent seas won global debates on behalf of the seas and nature
-
So the dolphins, oysters and coral reefs are alive today, to display caricature !
Since the early 50’s, your research vessel ‘Calypso’ stirred up the hearts of all,
And sea lovers throughout the world remember you always without your call !
Your “Shows” of the undersea worlds were didactic and entertaining as well -
To the viewers of all televisions, about creatures in the sea where they dwell !
Aqua-lung, the brainchild of yours is still playing happily around all nations -
Better known as “Scuba”, it is widely used globally, in marine explorations !
You struggled to protect marine lives and prevent pollution in the air -
To make the world a better place for all generation and safe to share !

About Hillol Ray
Hillol Ray, Poet Laureate, Author, and Song Writer, is an Environmental Engineer/Manager of Drinking Water Supply Enforcement Program, with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in Dallas, Texas. He has been writing poetry since the age of six, in his native language “Bengali”. His poems are regularly published in Bengali magazines from Asia, Europe, Canada, Sweden, and North America and are currently being translated into English, Swedish, Spanish, German and French languages.