Moonlight Mesa Associates, Inc.

Whales, Salmon, Dolphins and Dams - Great News!

2021-02-04T15:17:00.000-08:00

Just when I start becoming very discouraged about the total lack of interest regarding whales and ocean health in general since Covid has reared its ugly face, I seem to receive heart-warming communications. It’s always enough to enliven me for days if not weeks to come.

Just yesterday I received a truly nice, hand-written thank you note from Joseph Bogaard of the Save Our Wild Salmon Coalition located in Washington State. I do my best to help support this and other northwest groups engaged in the fight to save wild salmon…and “wild whales”…and to restore the sad captive ones back to freedom. Receiving Joseph’s note when I did was a terrific boon to my flagging hopes of relocating once again to the Pacific Northwest where I lived for over 50 years. (Yes, I know. I can hardly believe I’m that old!) Joseph and the Save Our Wild Salmon Coalition were early joiners of our JUST ONE THING Alliance. And then, like magic, a message from our realtor followed today suggesting an offer for our home might soon be in the works.

There’s more: to top things off, I received communication from the International Whaling Commission today with updates on whale related topics of interest.

As for the wild salmon issue, since Washington State has torn down a few dams (and have more dams on the drawing board for destruction), salmon miraculously seem to be showing up, navigating the now free-flowing rivers long blocked off. And in the not too distant future, Oregon and California have agreed to tear down some dams that will also help promote salmon restoration along with Native American rites. (Photo of Elway Dam removal by Seattle Times)

As for the IWC, their work is so incredibly important.

For example in 2020 the
Conservation Committee met (virtually) to discuss the management plan for South American river dolphins as well as a plan to mitigate measures regarding bycatch of cetaceans. Many seabirds, turtles and sharks are subject to being caught in fishing nets and traps. There is now growing awareness and concern to protect marine mammals from this fate as well. “Measures for reducing bycatch include spatial closures, the use of acoustic deterrents or alerting devices, modifications to fishing gear, and changes in fishing operations” along with “awareness-raising.” I think sometimes devastation to ecological things happen because people are simply not aware that what they are doing is deadly for the environment, whales, fish, and other creatures. (Photo of orca by John Boyd)

Finally, the best “feel good” article told about the successful response to the entanglement of an Arabian Sea humpback whale. Many groups came together (the Oman Environmental Authority, Five Oceans Environmental Services, LLC and Future Seas Global SPC) to free a humpback whale from entanglement in a gill net. (IMO net fisheries absolutely must be abolished.) This particular humpback species is in extreme danger of extinction, largely due to ship strikes, fishing bycatch, and other threats.

So, I’ve had happy, inspiring news, and I’m also still covid-free. Who can ask for more nowadays?

Don't be fooled about your "grassfed" beef

2021-01-31T15:29:00.000-08:00

For those who still eat meat (and I do three nights a week I will admit) buyers need to take heed that the supposedly “grass fed beef” they pay premium prices for at the grocery store is likely not necessarily grass finished beef.

(Clker-Free-Vector Images)

ALL beef eat grass. ALL. However, most commercially sold beef is fed grain in order to be fattened up before being slaughtered. (Graining supposedly improves the flavor of the meat.) But the package doesn’t tell you this, does it? So, here you are spending extra money and feeling so healthy about eating beef that is sold as “grassfed” when the beef is actually grain finished either while in the slaughter yards or before shipment to the slaughter yards. IMO this is a disservice to consumers.

ALL COWS EAT GRASS. ALL. But beef that is TRULY grassfed, is NEVER fed grain or other fillers before being butchered. It is sneakily deceptive to use the “grass fed” label, unless the beef is grass fed and grass finished!

So, how do you know which of the many packages of beef are in fact "organic" and grass fed and grass finished all through their lives? It takes just a bit of research because despite how packages may be labeled in supermarkets, the beef may well be grain finished. Yes, the cow was grass fed – up to the very end. I have found the best way to insure that I’m getting grass finished beef is to buy it directly from the ranch/producer or from a certified, verifiable source.

If at all possible, start by finding out if there are local ranchers that you can buy grass fed beef from directly. In doing so, however, you may be required to buy a large quantity of beef, such as a 1/4 beef or a 1/2 beef. The product most always comes cut, packaged and frozen. Sometimes you can specify how you want the beef cut: steak, roast, hamburger, etc. Even 1/4 beef will require a lot of freezer space. Remember you are paying for the beef and the butcher fees, which is one reason why the meat is more expensive.

There are other places you can find organic, grassfed beef also. Americangrassfed.org has a great map of the United States on their website showing the locations of members who belong to this organization. There’s also a site called Grass Run Farms (grassrunfarms.com) where you can find producers.

If you don’t have the time or wherewithal to pick up your product, check out Root and Revel (rootandrevel.com) for meat delivery services. I myself have never used these services, but the website lists the top 7 online sources for organic, sustainable grassfed meat delivery.

Remember that 100% grassfed/finished beef is going to cost you more than the store product. If you have storage, though, and can afford it, the price per pound is usually lower the more you purchase. Also, you may notice a difference in taste between grain finished beef and the grass finished. You will quickly adjust to the new flavor.

In changing from grain finished to grass finished beef, you are reportedly getting far more Omega 3 fatty acids and CLA (both are considered good fats) than omega 6s. It also has less saturated fat if that is a concern for you.

And, according to American Grassfed Association, grassfed beef is far better for ecosystems and wildlife habitat. It greatly reduces the use of petrochemicals, improves the soil with organic matter and reduces greenhouse gases, especially CO2. Also remember that cows, goats, bison, etc. evolved to eat GRASS, not cereal grains which can upset their digestive systems and lead to disease which then forces ranchers to have to use antibiotics. When these animals are given antibiotics, you end up with these in your system also when you eat the meat.

I urge you to check out these resources. Perhaps you eat so little meat (or none at all) that it doesn’t matter. And that’s okay, but I think people have the right to know the truth and not be hoodwinked into buying a product that is not truly what it implies.

For expert information about your beef, visit riverwatchbeef.com. You may be disturbed at what you find out.

Time to Call it Quits

2021-01-23T11:01:00.015-08:00

It seems like ages ago we moved to Arizona - actually it's now been 16 years. I've enjoyed it here in many ways...but I don't think I've ever really been happy-happy here.

What do I like about Arizona?

1. Winter weather here can't be beat. Maybe Florida's, come to think about it.

2. Our properties have been large enough that I've had chickens, horses, mules and dogs during this period. (I had the same in Oregon though.)

3. I started a small, traditional publishing company and published a number of award-winning titles and terrific westerns.

J.R. Sanders' two books, Some Gave All and The Littlest Wrangler, both won awards;

Lee Anderson's equine books, Developing the Art of Equine Communication and The View from My Old Saddle, were both award winners;

Rusty Richards biography of Casey Tibbs has been a best-selling title and won an award;

Historian Robert Walton's civil war book, Dawn Drums, won a total of 5 awards;

Three of my own publications have won awards: Life Was a Cabaret, Sam's Desert Adventure, and Northern Escape.

There were other books that often out-sold the award-winners, such as Jere D. James Jake Silver Series.

During this time I learned some hard lessons:

Insufficient funds for marketing pretty much killed me.
Often I worked far harder at personally selling authors' books than some of them did.
Selling books is the hardest part of the whole publishing business.

We are now at a crossroads, and some of our frustration may indeed be due to Covid, but perhaps most is just due to the fact that my husband and I can no longer ignore that we are fish out of water in the desert, which we've both known for a long time but never discussed much. As a result, we've listed our home for sale, even though we just moved to this new location a year ago. Since our mules are now gone, we've come to realize even more that we don't "fit in" (our license plates even say "We Row") and we never have been very good members of the cowboy-horse culture here in Wickenburg. We tried, but...

Moving is not easy, but I came to the conclusion that going back to the northwest is what we absolutely needed to do after I read an article that asked readers to think of where they'd been most happy in their life...and if they weren't there now, why weren't they? As retirees, we don't have jobs that hold us down; our children are both approaching 40 and are well-established, so no kids to fuss over. My husband is particularly not happy living here, and neither is my dog Holly (a Chesapeake Bay Retriever). Where we've been our happiest is in coastal environments: Newport Oregon, Wrangell Alaska, and cruising on our sailboat decades ago. I know the winter weather will be a shocker...but we lived in the northwest for decades before we moved and it never seemed to bother us then. I miss snow-shoeing, Nordic skiing, ice skating, fir trees, fall and spring weather (you don't get much where we now are). We're homesick.

So what do I do about Moonlight Mesa, my little S-Corporation? I think it's time I dissolved my corporation and became a sole-proprietor again. I'll certainly keep an account with the printing company so authors can still get their books, but I just feel like throwing in the towel, going back to free-lance writing, getting my Marine Naturalist Certification, and focusing on sea life, whales in particular - especially orcas. I might even become a radical about plastic pollution and protecting our oceans. That would be fun. What I'm doing now no longer is.

I'll keep my website...I think...maybe. And I'll be blogging less about books, and more about LIFE. I'm ready. It's time for a new adventure, and I want to go home.

Shake the Shirking, Procrastinating and Negativity

2021-01-05T18:49:00.001-08:00

I declare I do think some people have minds like traps…something gets in it and it doesn’t go away. Once again I’ve been caught.

Here’s some facts I’ve been called on:

In September I declared I would row 500 miles before the end of the year. Didn’t quite get there – actually I was a long way from 500 miles. Try 189. Well, the spirit was willing but the flesh was weak! Besides, the north ramp at Lake Pleasant was closed and that is the BEST, most scenic area for rowing, kayaking, and swimming.

And I’ve been asked where JOT has disappeared to and what’s going on with it…It’s been so long
since I’ve talked about JOT (Just One Thing) that I’m embarrassed to say I’ve done little to nothing in recent months. I think the pandemic wore me out. I was too busy reading Fox News and the New York Times email articles to pay attention to much else.

For those with short memories, JOT (Just One Thing) is a grassroots alliance encouraging people to forego one single-use plastic item to help with plastic pollution and wastage. There are a number of people who have signed up to participate in the JOT movement, however, but I’ve failed to do much communication since I failed to keep their email addresses. Again…likely a pandemic fault. However, JOT is alive and well and will be energized again…Care to join? Send me your name and I’ll add you to our list. No fees or dues or donations ever. Just a commitment on your part to yourself.

The main interest I’ve (we’ve) maintained throughout all the covid stress and election drama has been a continual attention to the health of the ocean, nature, and especially whales. There are some bright spots here:

A new pod of Blue Whales has been discovered in the Indian Ocean. In addition, Blue Whales are once again being detected in the Georgia Island area (north of Antarctica) after 50-years of absence. These whales were hunted almost to the very brink of extinction by money-driven cretins. (Please don’t tell the Japanese or the Norwegians since they have a penchant for slaughtering whales.)

And, there have been numerous sightings of the northwest's Southern Resident pod of orcas this fall and winter…likely this is because there are far fewer boaters plowing through the waters disturbing them.

So…I’m seriously back to work even though I don’t plan to publish anything this year. Despite having become a bit of a hermit, I aim to live with gratitude and enthusiasm. No more shirking, procrastinating, and negativity. I'm tired of that.

Besides promoting JOT and trying to sell books, I’ll be blogging about the NRDC and their successes in sustaining the environment (like helping defeat the Pebble mine in Bristol Bay), along with the Save Our Wild Salmon Coalition and their efforts to revive wild salmon stocks (yes, more bridges are now being torn down), as well as other marine and nature organizations issues (like closing Marine World and getting those poor whales out of swimming pools!). I’ll be heading to Washington State in February for a month of resuscitation. I know I’ll come back fired up – and probably be yearning to move north...again.

The Big Predictors - from Fauci to Alien Takeover

2020-12-30T09:59:00.000-08:00

From Fauci to Biden to every know-it-all in the country, predictions are free this year and in glorious abundance. Doomsday scenarios are crowding the internet. And maybe the gloomies are right, but I prefer not to become overly frightened by these – still it makes one worry a tad.

And there remain some who predict (no, they insist) that the virus is overblown, a hoax, a socialist plan to overcome America, China’s plot to overtake the world, or the latest I heard was that the virus is an alien attempt to kill off all the people so they can inherit the earth. Weird but entertaining.

Those who claim the virus is a hoax are almost as annoying as the doomsters – but I’ve noticed they proclaim the hoax theory only until they get the virus.

So now, we don’t want to go into 2021 with the same prophecies beating us into submission. At the risk of sounding like a Pollyanna, I’ve decided to go into the 2021 with more positivity. Here are 10 simple things I want to keep in mind, in no special order. Maybe some of these will work for you:

1. 1. I’m still in business…much smaller – but still hanging on selling books

2. 2. My raised garden bed has been a delight – lots of leafy greens – almost free

3. 3. I only carry a balance on one credit card.

4. 4. I live in Arizona – winters here fare far better than most of the rest of the country (although I do miss snow, cross-country skiing, and snowshoeing)

5. 5. I’m healthy. My husband is healthy. My sons and grandsons remain healthy

6. 6. Thankfully I don’t have a house payment…and my new cactus garden is divine (my opinion)

7. 7. I can take even more time to hike, row (when possible), and explore nature

8. 8. My dog loves me

9. 9. New pods of Blue Whales and Orcas discovered this past year

10 10. I’m proud to help support the Save Our Wild Salmon Coalition, the NRDC, the Friends of Animals, and the Friday Harbor Whale Museum. Wish I could do more.

SUMMARY

2020 Disappointments? The failure of Saving Our Oceans. I gained 5 Covid pounds! My doctor who I adored retired. My dentist who I trusted implicitly retired. Could not get into Canada last summer. Not enough rain in Arizona! I now have no mules, horses, or cows or chickens anymore. Just my dog. The lake is limited, so now we can rarely row.

2020 Pleasant surprises? The continued success of A Beginner’s Guide To Owning a Mule. I found a shoemaker whose shoes actually fit well (Danner). And last but certainly not least: I found the best solution for protecting the backseat of my truck from my dog’s debris: I ordered a back seat, fitted blanket from Meadowlark! It looks great and fits like it was tailor-made. Well worth the price…and my dog does not at all object to it! It gets 4-stars.

WE AT MOONLIGHT MESA ARE WISHING YOU ALL A HAPPIER, HEALTHIER, MORE PROSPEROUS 2021.

Spared by Covid

2020-12-06T11:16:00.000-08:00

I can’t speak for every industry, but it seems that Covid has not completely wreaked havoc for all...

While Moonlight Mesa has not had a stellar year, we have in fact sold more books than I predicted. Now down to a staff of two, one of whom takes no paycheck (me), 2020 gave Moonlight Mesa a few shining months for sales and not quite as much misery as anticipated. I think this may be true for other small businesses who have little to no overhead.

Since the “big move” a year ago, Moonlight Mesa has been housed in a moderately spacious home office and inventory stashed in a storage barn, saving a substantial amount of money in overhead. We’ve kept inventory as low as possible, but people don’t like to wait for their books!

As for actual sales, once again nonfiction clearly dominated sales. At this point in the year there is virtually no doubt about the lineup of the top-selling books.

TOP SELLERS:

A Beginner’s Guide to Owning a Mule (leading sales here and abroad)

Casey Tibbs – Born to Ride, Rusty Richards (still riding high after 10 years in publication)

Some Gave All, by J.R. Sanders

The View from My Old Saddle, C.L. “Lee” Anderson

Developing the Art of Equine Communication, C.L. “Lee” Anderson

TOP E-BOOK SALES

As far as e-book sales go, Getting a Handle on Herpes (by P.A. Anderson) clearly ranked first.

Lee Anderson’s Developing the Art of Equine Communication took second, followed by

Life Was a Cabaret, A Tale of Two Fools, A Boat, and a Big-A** Ocean, by Becky Coffield.

While Jere D. James’ western sales were down online, we delivered over 285 books to various vendors.

SO WHAT'S NEXT?

Saving Our Oceans will be released as an e-book this winter/spring. Despite the tremendous amount of work and energy that went into this title, sales have been far short of expectations. I think this is partially due to Covid hanging around. There are other very serious things people worry about besides plastic pollution, starving orcas, diminishing salmon runs, global warming, the Rights of Nature…and then the election…well, 2020 just had far too many negatives to dwell on.

FINALLY, we have added another blog …this one is dedicated to all those issues that Saving Our Oceans covers and the latest updates on these topics. Check it out at savingourocean@blogspot.com

Thank you all for your time. Please have a Merry Merry and a Happy Happy,

P.S. We are currently mailing out book orders - no shipping or handling charges. You can easily find all our titles at Moonlight Mesa Associates.

What's in YOUR Water?

2020-11-08T16:39:00.002-08:00

Water, water, everywhere, nor any drop to drink

The Rime of the Ancient Mariner

Samuel Taylor Coleridge

(The following blog is an excerpt from Saving Our Oceans with the publisher's permission)

5. Fresh Water Has Problems Too

While cleaning the oceans of debris is a major challenge and task, it’s not the only task on which survival depends. And frankly, cleaning up the oceans cannot be accomplished without stopping the fresh water pollution that is the primary cause of ocean pollution. Some say that as much as 70 to 80 percent of the ocean’s pollutants comes from rivers and streams.

It’s quite easy to conclude that fresh water pollution is as serious as ocean pollution when one considers that the drinking water of about 244 million Americans is compromised and potentially unsafe to drink. That number represents nearly 2/3 of the American population. Much of the contamination happened in previous years (although it seems likely that there’s still some occurring) and just like plastic, contaminated water doesn’t simply go away. While plastic is a pollution problem, fresh water issues go far beyond plastic bottles left along the shoreline.

Lakes, rivers, streams, and aquifers across the country are home to cancer-causing ingredients from industrial waste, farm fertilizers, and chemical toxins. Whether one believes in global warming or not, there’s also the presence of brain and flesh eating bacteria in the mix that relishes warm waters. There are even more culprits, but these will suffice to make a point.

Let’s start with lakes first, and then delve into the serious issues with “potable” water. The EPA, with the assistance of state and tribal agencies, did water quality assessments for a large number of lakes. 55 percent of the lake water studied was considered to be of acceptable quality (whatever that means), but the other 45 percent had waters “impaired for at least one type of use,” such as drinking water, recreational fishing, swimming, or aquatic life support. Man-made lakes, often serving as dams, accounted for 59% that were impaired. (ThoughtCo. “Lake Pollution: Types, Sources, and Solutions.”) Plastic pollution was not part of this study, unfortunately. When plastic pollution is assessed in lakes, it appears that 100 per cent of them have some degree of contamination.

Algae blooms occur in both fresh water and salt water. These “blooms” are a serious problem that lead to toxin build-up causing oxygen levels to drop which kills fish and is dangerous for swimming. In fact, algae can be deadly to both humans and animals.

Some areas studied had nitrogen and phosphorus pollution which can come from inefficient sewage treatment and fertilizers. This is a far more serious problem than one may realize. Dead zones in lakes and the ocean where there are insufficient oxygen levels are often caused by fertilizer run-off, resulting in death to animals, fish, and plants that enter these zones.

A combination of fresh and salt water, the Baltic Sea is the largest man-made dead zone, and the northern Gulf of Mexico is the second largest and covers over 8700 square miles. Lake Erie (fresh water) and Chesapeake Bay (a combination of fresh and salt water) also have large dead zones. According to ThoughtCo, a 2008 study found over 400 dead zones in lakes and oceans worldwide. “The underlying cause of any dead zone is eutrophication…which is the enrichment of water with nitrogen, phosphorus and other nutrients causing algae to grow out of control or ‘bloom’.” Unfortunately, some fresh water dead zones are not recognized or identified as such.

“Pollution is the primary human source of the nutrients that cause eutrophication and dead zones. Fertilizer, manure, industrial waste and inadequately treated waste water overload aquatic ecosystems. In addition, air pollution also contributes to eutrophication.” Waste water is often piped into rivers and coasts.

The study also found that 42 percent of lakes had metal contamination with mercury and lead predominating. Coal-fired power plants are a leading cause of mercury contamination, and lead can be caused by fishing tackle dropped in the water (but often the surviving fish are already inedible due to toxins).

Basically, phosphorous, mercury, sediment and bacteria and pathogens are the main culprits. Added to this, however, are deadly microorganisms like lethal brain-eating bacteria. Although the incidence of people contracting brain-eating bacteria is fairly low, it’s a ghastly brain infection with very few surviving.

The problem with fresh water pollution, however, is it goes far, far beyond lakes. While lakes often provide drinking water, rivers are another very large source of household water. The list of unscrupulous companies that have contaminated drinking water for literally millions of people is shocking. It seems there are endless accounts of “manufacturing, mining and waste disposal companies – and dozens of others – who are among the country’s worst water polluters.” In all fairness, when some of these companies were dumping toxic waste, it’s possible they didn’t understand the ramification of these toxins contaminating groundwater that then causes cancer and all manner of debilitating diseases. This does not absolve them of responsibility for the death and destruction they caused, however. As they say, ignorance of the law is no excuse…neither is ignorance of the ramifications of one’s actions. Unfortunately, these rivers carry contaminants to the ocean, adding their toxins to the mix.

“Hundreds of these companies have been contaminating drinking water throughout the country for decades with everything from arsenic and lead, to mercury and chromium – most coming from improper dumping and waste disposal….” (Environment, “Industrial waste pollutes America’s drinking water.”) “Mining and smelting operations are responsible for contaminating water with heavy metals in almost every state in the nation.”

Example: “In Ringwood, New Jersey, Ford Motor Co. dumped more than 35,000 tons of toxic paint sludge…poisoning groundwater with arsenic, lead, and other harmful bacteria. Today, more than 43 years after the dumping ended, those toxins are still in the groundwater and threaten a reservoir providing water to millions of residents in New Jersey.”

Example: “In North Carolina, the state has told residents living near coal-fired power plants their water contains elevated levels of chromium-6 and other chemicals.”

Example: Anaconda Aluminum in Montana produced manufacturing wastes that contaminated local water sources with lead and chromium. Gulf States Utilities in Louisiana discharged toxins into marshlands polluting waters with benzene and other chemicals, and the Conklin Dumps in New York leaked volatile organic chemicals into groundwater.”

Various industries located on or near the Ohio River which borders six states and provides drinking water to nearly 3 million people, have dumped over 600 million pounds of toxic substances into the river.

These toxins cause extraordinary health problems in people and animals. Dioxins (byproducts of incinerators) are the most commonly released chemicals. “They are known carcinogens and exposure has been linked to health effects such as heart disease, diabetes, and reproductive issues. Almost every living creature on Earth has been exposed to dioxins, according to the National Institutes of Health.” (“Industrial waste pollutes America’s drinking water.”) And how much of all these poisons floating downstream make it out to sea? We already know that fertilizer runoff provides a lot of contaminants to the Gulf of Mexico helping to create the giant dead zone there.

While many of these offenses may have occurred before people understood the severity of the problem that their illegal dumping was causing – or would cause – that does not appear to be the case with 3M and their fight to avoid massive pollution and restitution lawsuits.

“Chemical industry giant 3M is waging an aggressive campaign to stave off new regulations and potentially billions of dollars in damages stemming from a contamination crisis that has fouled tens of millions of Americans’ drinking water.” (Politico.com Energy and Environment)

As expected, the company has engaged lobbyists to work in Washington ostensibly to woo state attorneys general to their side as the company faces massive financial liability for toxic pollution that has been tied to two of its popular products that have turned up in the water supplies of some 1500 U.S. Communities.

3M argues that the chemicals are not hazardous according to their studies, an opinion many independent studies dispute. The issue that 3M is facing is that there are multiple lawsuits in the wings including personal injury, class-action, and property damage suits. “Altogether, industry experts say the company’s liability could reach the tens of billions of dollars.”

The chemicals known as PFOA and PFOS have been used for five decades in products like Teflon and Scotch Guard. They take years to break down and are called “forever chemicals.” They accumulate in bodies and cause cancers like kidney and testicular cancer, immune disorders and many other ailments – “and have been found in more than 99 percent of Americans’ blood.”

3M is known to support various political candidates, including attorney generals in Michigan, California, Ohio, and Alabama – “all states with major PFAS contamination.”

“In Alabama, where the chemicals made by 3M’s manufacturing plant in Decatur have contaminated the Tennessee River, a drinking water source for 4.7 million people…” the newly elected attorney general will not be joining a water utility’s lawsuit against the company. Is it possible that the contributions he received persuaded him otherwise? Let’s hope not. But he was not the only person dissuaded. “The representatives of a collation mainly supported by 3M (Responsible Science Policy Coalition) have met with congressional officers and EPA political appointees arguing that the weight of current science evidence does not show PFOS or PFOA to cause adverse health effects in human at the current levels of exposure.” This goes entirely against the findings made by leading independent scientific researchers, the EPA and the CDC. This type of behavior is extremely disappointing and disturbing. If people are willing to do this to other people and the planet, it should come as no surprise that they would do worse to animals. We are all apparently just “collateral damage” – just a member of the herd – when we die of chemical induced cancers and other illnesses caused by their toxic products.

The bottom line: “3M’s own documents handed to the Minnesota attorney general office show that the company has known since the 1970s that the chemicals in question were toxic.”

With countless numbers of attorneys, lobbyists and “representatives” involved, the delay tactic for solving this issue may be even longer than the tobacco industry’s delay in finally coming to terms with the fact that tobacco causes cancer. How’s your water today? Perhaps you should have it checked.

Closer to home, “PFAS… have been found in five Washington drinking-water systems at levels over the Environmental Protection Agency guidelines, as well as dozens of private drinking-water wells near firefighting training areas where the foams were used.” (PFAS are used in fire retardants, such as firefighting foam.) This discovery contradicts somewhat the 3M disparagement of their products being deadly even in small doses.

Also troubles still haunt Hanford, Washington, the site where 56 million gallons of radiative waste are stored. Although there have been problems with leakage, and threats of leakage, the waste has probably not made it to the Columbia River or to underground aquifers (that are known, anyway). However, during the time the nuclear power plant was in production, water was released into the river; in fact, “Groundwater contaminated with radioactive waste from the decommissioned Hanford nuclear facility in Washington state is still ‘flowing freely’ into the Columbia River…” according to a program manager with the U.S. EPA. This is a river regularly used for fishing, swimming and boating activities. How much is withdrawn for irrigation? How many cancers have resulted from exposure to this freely flowing contaminated groundwater? Are the fish safe to eat?

It seems state leaders are becoming seriously galvanized to take a better look at the quality of water their constituents drink. Like plastic, PFOS and PFAS are ubiquitous. Partly this increased interest in local water safety may have been prompted by the “lead” scandal in the water supply of Detroit, Michigan’s residents, another debacle that exposed citizens, especially vulnerable children, to life-long debilitating toxins.

Thus most toxins in the water are the result of farming, mining, industry and activities of this nature. Some, however, are deadly pathogens of nature. Brain-eating bacteria (amoeba) officially known as Naegleria fowleri may be the worst. The infections occur when contaminated water gets in the nose. The amoeba travels up the nose and into the brain which it destroys. The disease itself is known as PAM (primary amoebic meningoencephalitis). This disease is almost always fatal (97 percent).

The bacteria have been reported worldwide and live primarily in warm water, but can live in colder water for a length of time. In the United States the bacteria is most commonly found in warm lakes or rivers in the south, and even in water parks and pools. Some estimate that about 8 people a year die from this infection, mostly young males, but these estimates vary depending on the source. The exact number is unknown because PAN is difficult to diagnose in its early stage where it might be cured. It’s sometimes mistaken for bacterial meningitis. Likely climate change will contribute to this infection if temperatures continue to warm.

Unfortunately, the bacteria can also be found in drinking water – and that was the situation in 2017 in Louisiana. Health officials reassured people that contaminated tap water would not lead to an infection, “but using it for nasal irrigation or accidentally getting it into your nose can.” (“Brain-Eating Amoeba Found in Louisiana Tap Water, People Warned to Avoid Water in Nose.”) Residents were given a list of things to do to avoid contracting the bacteria, such as flushing out pipes by running showers and water hoses for a full five minutes before use, and also they could boil their water or use distilled or sterile water for washing and making nasal rinses. Yet another warning about the presence of the amoeba in drinking water was issued by the New York Post in June of 2018.

At the risk of being morbid, I will only briefly mention flesh eating bacteria – known as necrotizing fasciitis – a rare condition, but not as rare as brain-eating bacteria. There have been between 600 and 1200 cases of this disease every year since 2010. This is not necessarily a water-born disease, although it can be. The water version is from an ocean-dwelling bacterium called vibrio vulnificus. The bacteria can be found in warm coastal waters during the summer months. People can develop this infection by going into the water with an open wound and having the bad luck of coming into contact with the Vibrio. One can also become infected from eating contaminated seafood.

It might be worthwhile to consider using a water filter for all potable water, particularly water from private wells. (City water sources are likely tested more often than private wells although many people find the taste of treated water to be repugnant, but water filters may help with that.) These filters do not need to be elaborate systems. Some refrigerator filters work fine for filtering drinking water. There are many relatively inexpensive filtration products available. Using one of these for drinking water is not being paranoid. Doing so is completely understandable and justifiable considering the chemicals and toxins dumped in the water supply.

It's not Too Late to Avoid Another Catastrophe, But Time is Running Out

2020-11-04T14:44:00.000-08:00

2020 will no doubt be a year that no one will forget. Will we want to forget? YES. The pandemic has jerked people around endlessly: Masks, no masks, advice to get outside, advice to hunker down, close schools, open schools, close schools.

*The weather in 2020, particularly in hurricane country, has served up fear and excitement...rather like a horror movie might.

*Riots and protests: democracy at work or terrorism in play?

*Unemployment and evictions have abounded.

*The stock market has offered its thrills and chills.

*And, of course, the election has been a nightmare for everyone regardless of who wins. The election may last longer than the pandemic!

When the pandemic was first declared, we at Moonlight Mesa expected an onslaught of book orders. After all, we reasoned, people were being confined at home (hunkering down in place I think they called it) and would tire of daytime television in short order. Wrong. Spring book orders languished horribly. Then, come late spring and summer when we traditionally have our slower months, sales unexpectedly bloomed. Best summer sales ever.

Fall arrived, but so far sales have failed to be as robust has usual.

But overall, what’s been selling for us? Nonfiction. Nothing else: NONFICTION.

Unfortunately, while the sales of all our nonfiction books have been very respectable, sales of Saving Our Oceans have greatly disappointed us, and we feel this book is one of the most timely, important books we’ve yet published. There are several likely reasons for this poor response – one being that the vast majority of people DO NOT LIVE BY OR NEAR THE OCEAN and aren’t really engaged with the issues. This is understandable - but not excusable when one considers that the ocean provides 70 to 80% of the oxygen we breathe. And, the other issue (no surprise) is that people who actually live in coastal states may already be aware of many of the issues that Saving Our Oceans covers.

However…there are chapters in Saving Our Oceans that should be read by everyone no matter where they live. People need to know the truth about freshwater sources and its critical issues (which the book also covers). Because we feel this information is vitally important, future blogs will offer chapters from the book. It’s not too late to avoid another catastrophe that will put the pandemic to shame in comparison, but time is running out.

(Or, you can buy the book. It’s priced at just 12.95 to expedite sales. All proceeds are donated to the Friday Harbor Whale Museum and the Save Our Wild Salmon Coalition, both in Washington State.)

Photo by NRDC.ORG

Major Changes to Western Book Publishing House

2020-10-17T16:37:00.000-07:00

It's become apparent to many of Moonlight Mesa's blog followers and customers, that the publishing house is no longer the same company that used to avidly only promote western books and authors. “There is no question that we’re on a different path,” admitted publisher Becky Coffield. “The change is a difficult, time-consuming, uphill struggle, and one we’ve been trying to win using emotional appeal – not tactics. It hasn't been as easy as I thought it'd be. Somehow that’s got to change.”

It’s tempting to say that the biggest cause of struggle is Moonlight Mesa’s rural location - being housed on the borderline of a dinky seasonal community and a small cowboy town. This hurts, but it's not the only issue. Not being a coastal state, Arizonans generally tend to be indifferent to the issues that Moonlight Mesa’s publisher finds to be a priority. “This is to be expected, I suppose. Arizona has issues and problems of its own to deal with that are troublesome: drought and potential water shortage; rapid growth due to a massive influx of newcomers; and border issues to name a few. Expected, but disappointing,” Coffield said.

So, what is the publisher's focus? Three primary areas hold the publisher’s center of attention: the Ocean; Whales; and The Rights of Nature. That is, of course, a simplification, but it generally sums it up. Coffield is also a supporter of NRDC, CELDEF, and GARN.*

For starters, as chairperson of the JUST ONE THING Alliance, Coffield decided to house the small, grass-roots movement on Moonlight Mesa’s website as its own domain. (www.justonething.life) She has also recently added Moonlight Mesa’s publication, Saving Our Oceans. (www.saving-our-oceans.com) as a domain on the website.

“Though the addition of these two domains to Moonlight Mesa’s website does not in any way help book sales or the company, the fact is it’s a step in going where I have to go,” Coffield said.

Coffield became an ocean/whale devotee after spending six years blue-water sailing on a Cal 2-34, traveling around 25,000 miles, then living on the Oregon Coast for many years. Originally from the Northwest, Coffield has spent years boating in the San Juan Islands and traveling the Inside Passage to the Broughton Islands and S.E. Alaska. "I've had fantastic whale encounters in S.E. Alaska," Coffield recalled. "And, of course, a person can't help but love the Southern Resident Pod that hangs out in the San Juans." Coffield is currently endeavoring to complete a Marine Naturalist Certification.

It’s become apparent to all who know the publisher that she (and her husband) are fish out of water living in Arizona – The big question is “for how much longer?” She's choosing not say at this time -

Meanwhile, look for the saving-our-oceans.blog in the very near future.

*NRDC – Nature Resource Defense Council

CELDEF: Community Environmental Defense Fund

GARN – Global Alliance for Rights of Nature

Submitted by Renee Witty

Another First Place!

2020-09-30T14:51:00.000-07:00

Congratulations go to C.L. “Lee” Anderson whose book, The View from My Old Saddle, has been awarded first place in the 2020 New Mexico-Arizona Book Awards Contest.

The View from My Old Saddle was entered in the Pets and Animals category by Becky Coffield, publisher at Moonlight Mesa Associates, Inc. The cover design is by Moonlight Mesa's long-time graphic artist, Vin Libassi.

This is Anderson's second time competing in this contest. He was a finalist two years ago with his first book, Developing the Art of Equine Communication,” which has been an extremely popular title. Another equine book, A Beginner’s Guide to Owning a Mule, has also been a finalist in this contest and currently is Moonlight Mesa’s top-selling book for 2020.

Originally Moonlight Mesa Associates started as a western book publisher – but after seven successful years and the retirement of the company’s popular author of the Jake Silver Series, Jere D. James, against all advice Coffield began making the transition to nonfiction, and it has proven to be an excellent decision. The company’s top-selling books are now all nonfiction:

Casey Tibbs – Born to Ride, by Rusty Richards

Some Gave All – Lawmen Who Died with their Boots On, by J.R. Sanders

A Beginner’s Guide to Owning a Mule, by Becky Coffield (2020 top seller)

Developing the Art of Equine Communication, by C.L. Lee Anderson, paperback and ebook

Life Was A Cabaret – A Tale of Two Fools, A Boat, and a Big-A** Ocean, by Becky Coffield

Getting a Handle on Herpes, by P.A. Arnold (ebook only)

Saving Our Oceans, by R.L. Coffield

The Old Folks in the Boat, Becky Coffield (currently not available online - email publisher for copy)

“Book sales overall have not been spectacular in this Covid/Election year, but we certainly could have done worse,” Coffield said. “Our move to a new location took longer and had more setbacks than we ever imagined, so that didn’t help either.”

You Decide: Money or Nature?

2020-09-13T16:17:00.000-07:00

Recently (September 11) an article appeared in the Google list of weird articles that definitely was an attention-getter for those concerned about the Rights of Nature, the environment, and species extinction.

The article was entitled, “U.S. must not let China stop Pebble Mine that has rare earths we need.”

The Pebble Mine has been under siege by the NRDC (Natural Resources Defense Council), Alaskan native groups, and environmental groups in general, and now China. The proposed mine site is in Alaska’s Bristol Bay.

This long, drawn-out legal battle basically is an attempt by NRDC and others to stop the development of a mine that will completely devastate the Bristol Bay wilderness, renowned for salmon runs and wildlife as well as Native communities. It’s estimated that the planned toxic gold and copper mega-mine will produce billions of tons of mining waste and will have a devastating impact on the people, water, fisheries, and wildlife.

Photo by Orvis.com

Despite pressure from President Trump’s administration, the pressure from the public and the NRDC proved to be too much for the Army Corps of Engineers, and they rejected the mining plan because it posed “unavoidable adverse impacts” to the water and marine life of Bristol Bay, one of the nation’s last, truly wild places. (Despite the author of the article claiming Bristol Bay is a desolate place, photos online say otherwise.)

Photo by glampinghub.com

However, the developers have 90 days to make changes…and they will. If developed, the Pebble Mine would produce 10 billion tons of mining waste that would threaten communities and ecosystems, and it would increase the climate crisis by emitting millions of tons of greenhouse gases.

So where does China come in? The Chinese are working in their own insidious, under-handed way to ensure that the Pebble Mine project does not move forward. Why? Currently, China has a virtual monopoly on rare earth minerals, and it has been discovered that the Pebble Mine could produce minerals that are essential for the production of “many military and high tech items.”

The author of the Google article subtly implies his disdain for environmentalists who appear to be on the same team as those communist Chinese. He fails to recognize that the big losers in this ongoing mining drama are the American people, and fish, animals, and nature. Who wins: corporations greedy for the money they will make from the minerals that are essential for the production of many military and high tech items. Do we really need more weapons of mass destruction and high tech items? Perhaps what we really need is more NATURE in our lives.

A word about the NRDC. If you are environmentally inclined please consider membership in the NRDC. It is not expensive, and this organization takes on environmental destruction in the courtroom. They are very successful in stopping an inordinate amount of assaults on our environment, from the “Dirty Water Rule” to the effort to allow industrial take-over and pollution of our national parks and nature preserves by drilling, fracking, mining, and hunting.

Check out NRDC.org and learn more about their incredible efforts and victories in stopping and fighting against the industrial poisoning of people, animals, and nature.

The JUST ONE THING Alliance is now on the web!

2020-09-05T15:50:00.000-07:00

The fledgling JUST ONE THING Alliance is now alive on the web. Or let's say it's now at least a domain. The rest of the input and information will be forthcoming in a few days.

As mentioned in an earlier blog, Moonlight Mesa Associates is "hosting" the JUST ONE THING Alliance. Finally the alliance has been added to the website. Just google justonething.life and you'll find it on the Moonlight Mesa Associates, Westerns Whales and Oceans website.

Now, more than ever, people need to think of something besides Covid-19 and all the hardships this has caused every single person (with the possible exception of Nancy Pelosi). Many people have lost interest in everything except Covid, the riots in major cities, and the upcoming elections. Even at Moonlight Mesa we find ourselves bemoaning the pandemic and neglecting the JUST ONE THING Alliance, the Southern Resident Pod of Orcas, Plastic Pollution clogging the oceans and filling the air, and the brutal killing and captivity of dolphins and whales and, of course, the apparent climate change, which is getting very difficult to deny. Sometimes it all becomes too overwhelming and depressing. But, we can do our part - SMALL THINGS ADD UP!

Remember the goal of JUST ONE THING: if every person eliminates JUST ONE form of plastic use from their life (preferably single-use plastic), JUST ONE, it can make an astounding difference in the amount of plastic pollution in this country and its coastal and inland waters.

Second, it will send a message to the hundreds of plastic producers who yearly spew out billions of plastic products and take no responsibility for the devastation their products cause to the environment or the health of the ocean, and all waterways, animals, and people. Plastic bottles are among the chief offenders. Trevor Nace in Science claims that "We're at a Million Plastic Bottles per minute - 91% of which are not recycled." Worse, "it is estimated that over half a trillion plastic bottles will be sold in 2020." (Chapter 3, "Plastic Bottles," Saving Our Oceans.)

Third, if at all possible, buy items from companies crafting their products from recycled materials. An increasing number of companies making clothes and many other items from plastic can be found on the web.

If you'd like to be part of this effort, send me your name, or your company's name, and we'll add you to our growing list of participants who want to eliminate a single-use plastic item. Our list includes the International Whaling Commission, the Save Our Wild Salmon Coalition, the Friday Harbor Whale Museum, Jeff Bridges, the Five Gyres Institute, and many others. You can contact us at this email address.

An Open Letter to the IWC (International Whaling Commission)

2020-08-19T12:30:00.000-07:00

Dear Sir,

Thank you so much for the recent IWC minutes/report. Although I am not a member of any particular IWC committee, I am deeply interested in preserving the oceans, whales and sea life. I may currently live in Arizona, but I spent most of my life in the Pacific Northwest and still spend months at a time there on our small tugboat.

Last year we published Saving Our Oceans. There is a chapter in the book about the IWC and your organization is mentioned several times throughout. Unfortunately, due to all the brouhaha over Covid-19 and the uprising in the United States over "police brutality" this book has not sold as well as hoped and anticipated. (The funds from the book are earmarked for the Friday Harbor Whale Museum and for the Save Our Wild Salmon Coalition.) It has been an eye-opening realization for me that most people don't really seem to care all that much about whales, ocean pollution, etc. In fact, before a person finishes reading this blog, more than a thousand pounds of plastics is dumped into the ocean. The people who do care seem to be intensely concerned, but these people wouldn't need to read the book - they already know the issues.

I can understand the apathy of many people. Even though the Saving Our Oceans was written to introduce people to the issues of plastic pollution and the slow death of the ocean and its inhabitants, people who do not live by the sea have their own problems to deal with. People who live in Kansas or Oklahoma might care, but they have their state's immediate issues. Other topics are also covered in the book, from plastic pollution and the failure of recycling, to dying aquifers around the globe, fresh water pollution, the Rights of Nature movement, the demise of the Southern Resident Pod of Orcas etc.

I was also very disturbed to read that the Japanese withdrew from membership in the IWC last year and are continuing to slaughter whales. Disgraceful and barbaric. Their dolphin massacres are totally shameful. So is the captivity of orcas. It's beyond belief that so-called "civilized" people do these things.

Yours truly,

Becky

Where Are the Whales? Where are the Salmon?

2020-07-08T16:29:00.000-07:00

The highly-loved Southern Resident Pod of Orcas apparently may not be calling the Salish Sea (specifically the Puget Sound area) home anymore it seems. Their lack of prompt appearance last summer couldn't be denied and caused some consternation. The whales showed up late and left quickly, spending most of their time on the outer coast of Vancouver Island. Instead, transient orcas from the northern reaches of the Inside Passage were more often seen. The transient pod dines more on seals which are plentiful in the area.

So what gives? It's painfully simple: between dams, climate change, an over abundance of seals, and the fishing industry, there are basically no Chinook Salmon this year, and Chinook are the Southern Resident Pod's main, preferred, and greatly needed food.

If one wants to play the blame game, point first to the Lower Snake River dams and Governor Inslee's inability, and unwillingness, to take affirmative action in removing these dams despite that action being the most voted on as high priority by concerned citizens. The Save Our Wild Salmon Coalition, spearheaded by Joseph Bogaard, puts the removal of dams as an extremely high priority for saving wild salmon runs.

Indeed, even Oregon's Bonneville Dam is a disaster for the salmon runs, which use to number in the thousands. Allowing a bit of extra water spill to "cool" the river doesn't cut it.

Besides the dams to blame, there is no doubt that climate change has taken its toll on the Chinook, and no matter how one feels about it, climate change can no longer be denied. The Fraser River is very low (due to water withdrawal for agriculture) and it's now too warm. The test fishery didn't catch any Chinook in May, and only three in June. Hundreds used to be caught.

Finally, and not often considered, is the massive number of fish (including salmon) that seals and sea lions eat. Since these pinnipeds became "protected" some years ago, their numbers have exploded, and they all have healthy appetites.

Of course there is the never ending issue of plastic and chemical pollution and sewage spills that can sicken and kill all aquatic life, including whales.

The Southern Resident Pod has lived in the Puget Sound area for thousands of years. Their numbers diminished greatly decades ago, however, because of the rampant brutal capture and sale of these magnificent creatures by uncaring, greedy, self-serving owners of aquatic parks that tragically decimated their numbers. (Obviously, they did not believe in the Rights of Nature.) Few captured whales live beyond 30 years of age due to abuse and the stress of being held captive in a swimming pool. In their natural habitat these whales can live as long as 90 years.

One can only hope, and pray, that these much-loved whales, in their quest for food, will avoid the rapacious Japanese and Norwegian whale hunters.

The Thousand Mile Challenge

2020-06-26T15:52:00.000-07:00

Let a good challenge provide distraction and relief from today’s endless episodes of corona chatter, death, and mob destruction. My challenge? 1,000 miles.

We’ve been plenty busy salvaging Moonlight Mesa Associates from three, yes 3, fires since March. The latest fire wiped out three of the company’s four acres. It was started, experts believe, by somebody who drove down the highway with their chains dragging on the cement. Unless you’re around trucks and trailers you might not know that the safety chains often drag on the ground. This can cause a spark. Arizona is bone dry right now. (The 1,000 miles is coming up.)

Fortunately, the building and immediate grounds were saved, although the fire came as close as 10’ from the back of the building. We were huddled 1600 miles away in Anacortes licking our wounds from our earlier disasters when our realtor called and informed us that helicopters were dropping buckets of water on our back porch. Hmm. Stunned at yet another catastrophe and unable to do anything at the time, we stayed a few more days in Anacortes, then took a beautiful week-long trip down the coast driving back to Arizona avoiding any discussion of what might be awaiting us.

So, where do the thousand miles come in? I’m getting to that.

Needless to say, we spent the next few weeks pushing back our fire-line. This means raking, hoeing, and hooping acres of knee deep, dull, dead, dry grass, and cutting limbs off out-of-control creosote bushes and damaged mesquite and palo verde trees. It’s beginning to look good…the part we’ve done anyway.

So, now onto the 1,000 miles.

On a recent windless morning, we actually stole away and went rowing at Lake Pleasant. We arrived at 6:00 a.m., and were launched by 6:20. It helps if you know that I'm an avid rower. I currently own two rowing vessels. My rowing skiff, complete with row-wings made by my husband Tom, is in Anacortes, WA. with our small tugboat. My wherry, built by my husband for my birthday several years ago, lives with us in Wickenburg. It has the full set-up of sliding seats, 9’6” oars and, of course, row-wings. It’s a creation of beauty!

Rowing is very physical – and mental. I wrote a book about this, The Old Folks in the Boat, which I

almost immediately took off the market. (You may order a copy from me if you wish - it's heavily discounted.) Anyway, I won’t go into the details at this time. However, as we rowed I realized I needed a good, challenging goal to boost my morale. On a whim I decided I would row 1,000 miles this year. Oops. I then realized the year is half over and I’ve hardly rowed due to the move, the fires, and my mule launch. So, I decided I’d row 500 miles in 2020, but in 2021 I would row 1,000 miles.

In July we’ll be building the new shop. ( We do the job. No contractors.) But, I’ll sneak in some rows and in August we’ll head back to the tug where I can row every day. Still, 500 miles is a lot of miles. Arizona is hot hot hot…too hot to row unless I start at 6:00 in the morning. Can’t get the shop built and row every day, though.

Not everyone needs a challenge. I do. It keeps me enthused and determined and distracted from today’s endless episodes of corona chatter, death, and mob destruction. I need that. So far, I’ve only rowed 10.92 miles this year, but the year is not yet done. Keep in mind that the skiff is more difficult to row than the long, graceful wherry which can be rowed by either one or two people. The skiff is slower for one thing, and only one person can row. The wherry glides through the water like a fish…or surfer…whatever. Unfortunately, the wherry cannot go with us to the tugboat…it’s too big for our small vessel and it's too risky to tow it behind the tug. Nevertheless, I’m excited about this challenge. I'm feeling pretty positive, in fact.

Do you have a challenge?

We managed to survive 7 years and 25,000 miles aboard a 34' Cal 2-34. Now THAT was often a challenge!

Too Much Noise

2020-06-11T13:37:00.000-07:00

Too much noise. There is simply too much noise for people to think clearly and calmly.

I’m not talking about honking horns, sirens, and social media conflicts. I’m talking about the social upheaval and unrest that’s descended not just in this country, but around the globe. Some is justified. Some not. I’m not going there, however. We’re all living in the midst of this terrible social angst and no one needs yet another voice from the wilderness dishing out unsought opinions. I’ll keep my thoughts about George Floyd and his untimely, unnecessary death to myself. I’ll refrain from railing about the lawless looting, vandalism and destruction of so many people’s dreams. Commentary on the innocent dead left in the wake of the massive and brutal uprising will not be discussed. And most certainly Covid-19 is not going to rear its ugly head here.

Despite the brouhaha raging in cities across America, I find it kind of odd that I’m still mostly just concerned about plastic pollution, the Southern Resident Pod of Orcas, diminishing salmon runs, and the continuous destruction of nature and our earthly habitat.

I’m still plugging for the Rights of Nature. I recently renewed my membership to the NRDC (Natural Resources Defense Council), and I’m applauding CELDF (Community Environmental Legal Defense Fund) for providing invaluable assistance to those fighting for the right to live in communities that aren’t damaged by greedy developers and industrial chemical tycoons.

However, I must confess that I’m a bit conflicted (is that a real word?) that I still eat red meat a few times a week. I love cows. I used to own a small herd of Texas Long Horns. I never butchered them except for one who was very mean and surly. Okay, I did eat her. I found wonderful homes for the other beautiful animals when we moved though.

I feel a bit bad that I no longer have any interest in being a political activist. Been there done that back in the Viet Nam days. I feel even worse that I’m not busting my ass getting more businesses and people involved in the JUST ONE THING Alliance. My thinking is that people have too many other things to deal with right now to be concerned about plastic pollution, captive whales held in swimming pools, the Rights of Nature, growing dead zones around the globe, aquifers worldwide drying up, the JUST ONE THING Alliance - and the list goes on.

Perhaps it’s my job to keep these things remembered until the noise stops.

Moonlight Mesa Website will Host the JUST ONE THING Alliance

2020-05-14T19:57:00.000-07:00

Moonlight Mesa Associates, a western book publisher, will host the JUST ONE THING Alliance on the Moonlight Mesa website, according to publisher Becky Coffield.

"It's no secret - in fact it's pretty obvious - we are currently engaged more with environmental issues than we are with publishing," Coffield said. "In fact, we published only one new title this year (C.L. Lee Anderson's The View from My Old Saddle) and we have no other titles planned for 2020."

Moonlight Mesa Associates, Inc. and publisher Becky Coffield support the Save Our Wild Salmon Coalition and The Whale Museum in Friday Harbor with donations. "Also, the proceeds from the sales of Saving Our Oceans are donated to these organizations," Coffield said. "But we also contribute to The Nature Conservancy (Arizona branch), CELDF (Community Environmental Legal Defense Fund) and NRDC (Nature Resource Defense Council), and we are also a member of GARN (Global Alliance for the Rights of Nature)" the publisher added. She's also now the unofficial chairperson for JUST ONE THING.

Eventually Coffield plans on building JUST ONE THING its own website, but for now she says, "We do what we can do. It would be great, though, if someone volunteered to host the website - or pay for it. Obviously we need to spend more time marketing books to pay for all the things we want to support and do!"

JUST ONE THING has a simple mission: it asks people to eliminate one plastic product. Just one. "No one expects people to go without plastic products. It would be impossible in today's world," Coffield said. "But If every single person chose one form of plastic that they were willing to eliminate from their life, the results would be colossal. Just one. And bottles and plastic bags are a good place to start because small things add up!"

JUST ONE THING invites individuals and businesses to join this Alliance. If you'd like to do so, Contact us and you will be added to our growing list of people who want to see plastic use and waste diminish.

Save the World by Joining GARN

2020-05-07T19:56:00.001-07:00

As a nation we are rabidly concerned about the Covid-19 scourge, but we fail to notice, or to remember, that people have been a ruthless scourge to nature for centuries. Is Covid-19 nature's payback, as some claim? Or is it already too late?

GARN stands for The Global Alliance for the Rights of Nature. The “Alliance” is a global network of organizations and individuals committed to the universal adoption and

Senseless slaughter of hundreds of whales

implementation of legal systems that recognize, respect and enforce “Rights of Nature”. Rather than treating nature as disposable property under the law, the time has come to recognize that natural communities have the right to exist, maintain and regenerate their vital cycles. “Our legal and political establishments perpetuate, protect and legitimize the continued degradation of Earth by design, not by accident.” (Wild Law by Cormac Cullinan)

“The members (of GARN) are a diverse network of scientists, attorneys, economists, indigenous leaders, authors, spiritual leaders, business leaders, politicians, actors, homemakers, students, activists: people from all walks of life in over 100 countries on 6 continents of North and South America, Africa, Europe, Asia and Australia who are looking to transform our human relationship with our planet." (Yale Forum on Religion and Ecology)

Individuals as well as businesses can join the alliance. There is no fee to become a member. The idea in joining, however, is that you will engage in some manner, to some degree, in promoting and protecting the Rights of Nature. Even monetary donations count.

Nature isn’t just animals and birds – The title of nature also refers to all ecosystems, from rivers, lakes, forests, streams to living things. According to Wikipedia: An ecosystem is a large community of living organisms (plants, animals and microbes) in a particular area. The living and physical components are linked together through nutrient cycles and energy flows. Ecosystems themselves are of any size, but usually they are in particular places.

Being part of the GARN organization is critical. Without people working to protect ecosystems we would very shortly have none left. Corporations and state and federal government agencies would very likely claim and overwhelm every “nature area” in the country with development and pollutants of all kinds. Unfortunately, thoughtless individuals also contribute to ecological destruction. Scientists have discovered that even the most remote lakes in the world have plastic pollution in them.

A few countries have adopted the Rights of Nature into their constitutions. Obviously the United States is nowhere close to doing this. However, in this country there are individual groups who are pursuing the Rights of Nature in their areas and going to court against government and corporations and often winning with the help of CELDF, a Community Environmental Legal Defense Fund.

If one ponders the implications of our infringement on nature it’s easy to consider the real possibility that diseases of all sorts come from despoiled and invaded ecologies, “wet markets,” air and water pollution, and environmental destruction. Unfortunately, fresh water pollution and shortages are already becoming a disastrous problem. No water – no world.

What can a person do to save the world? Remember that even small things add up. Act on that.

Saying Goodbye to a Way of Life

2020-04-26T11:11:00.000-07:00

Rocky Landing

With the advent of Covid-19, most Americans will likely find life different in the near future - and maybe forever.

I'm no different than most Americans, although I will confess that I think the reaction to the virus has been a bit overblown; however, let me hasten to add that I'm not a doctor, scientist or other health professional. Still...

As for my own life there are other major changes. For starters, after being pummeled by my mule about 6 weeks ago I found myself in the emergency room being radiated by a Cat Scan and ex-rays. Unable to sleep on my left side, sneeze, or laugh without gripping my side in agony, I made the decision to hang up my spurs. (To be honest, I made this decision as I painfully got up from the ground.) After over 30 years of owning horses and mules, I had no hesitation. In the past I mounted back up when I had a spill - I'd done so several times. Not this time. My love affair with riding abruptly ended when I hit those rocks.

Am I sad or grieving? I feel very bad that somehow I failed with my mule. I tried for nearly 4 years to make a go of it with her, but we were just not a good match even though the mule trader from whom I bought her raved about her safety and fine qualities. Did he lie? I'll never know, but I suspect he was not exactly truthful about a few things. Anyway, it doesn't matter at this point, I guess.

Other than feeling like a failure with the mule, I am not at all unhappy. In fact, as a friend pointed out, we now have a new chapter opening in our lives. WE CAN ACTUALLY GO PLACES AND NOT HAVE TO BOARD THE MULES. Boarding animals is expensive. Keeping shoes on them is expensive. Feeding them is expensive. Vet bills can be expensive. Horse/mule trailers are expensive and in AZ we go through tires quickly due to the heat. So many times we've passed up opportunities to take off on the spur of the moment because of the pesky question: who is going to feed the mules while we're gone? Or we've come back early to feed.

We can stay up north longer in the hot Arizona summer months because we won't need to use a

thousand or MORE dollars of our meager vacation fund to pay for boarding the mules.

I loved this mule. She didn't particularly love me. She was unpredictable to the point that I started wearing a helmet two years ago. Good decision. I landed on my head, face, ribs and left leg with a splat on a rock pile.

However, despite my "senior -citizen" age and the height from which I was sent soaring, I only broke one finger! Probably got it tangled in the reins. I am so fortunate! And I'm thankful every day for that.

I now have much more time to promote the JUST ONE THING Alliance, market our publications, hike and ROW, ROW, ROW, and much more time to devote to getting my Marine Naturalist Certification, and promoting the Rights of Nature, and Saving Our Oceans since I won't have to return to Arizona so early every summer due to mule-boarding bills!

Although I still cannot lift weights (not even 5 lb. dumbells) I can row my ergometer. I'm heading to the lake next week to see how I do in the wherry. I can hardly wait! I'd like to compete in "senior" rowing competitions. Doing so will take practice and time - and I'll now have time for that. Essentially, I truly believe the changes I'm making are for the better.

And perhaps the changes we all may have to make due to Covid-19 will be for the better too.

Publishing Slowdown

2020-04-18T09:40:00.000-07:00

It's past time we got back to the original business of publishing - so I've been advised. While my personal interests still sit with oceans, whales and the JUST ONE THING Alliance, I've been reminded that we have a plethora of award-winning titles that are beginning to languish due to my divided loyalties.

First off, book sales are surprisingly down. I thought sales would remain pretty good since most people are housebound. I pictured people reading in the long quiet evenings. Not so much, it seems. Perhaps it's the expense - few good books are free. Even Kindle charges add up quickly and there are other expenses people must take care of before indulging in their leisure habits.

That being said, although our sales are slower, they do continue. Of particular interest is Casey Tibbs, Born to Ride (Rusty Richards), Developing the Art of Equine Communication (C.L. Lee Anderson), A Beginner's Guide to Owning a Mule (Becky Coffield) and Some Gave All (J.R. Sanders). These titles just keep chugging along! Note that they are ALL nonfiction works.

J.R. Sanders recently posted a YouTube video of Some Gave All that is positively inspiring! What a great job. You can see for yourself at https://bit.ly/3eyPCL1. It's totally awesome!

In other news...our new house caught fire, and my mule Reba launched me into outer orbit. I landed on rocks on my head, face and left ribs. Fortunately I was wearing a helmet - something I rarely do. My mule is a big, strong girl, and I was no challenge for her in keeping my seat. Why she did this, I have NO IDEA. It wasn't windy, too hot, or too cold. There were no bees, mosquitoes, or other scary things (like cows) around. Unfortunately, once a mule or horse gets away with this, they are inclined to do it again, so sadly Reba and I have parted ways. I found an experienced, excellent owner...AND RIDER...for her. I'm too old to be hurled onto rocks. I had to walk 1.9 miles home from this traumatizing episode and spend 6 hours in an emergency room. Enough.

On the bright side, I can now spend more of my free time rowing and competing in the "senior" divisions. (When did I get to be a "senior"??) Once my ribs and broken finger heal, I'll be raring to go - wild horses can't hold me back - so the saying goes. It's taking all my will power not to rush off to the lake and start rowing now that the weather is good. My ribs would rebel, however - this I have learned the hard way.

We've postponed a new publication until 2021. Hopefully Renee and Jered might be back and I'll be ready to get very serious about publishing again. Meanwhile, one of us will continue our posts!

Finding Your Niche Makes Social Distancing Easier

2020-04-14T16:11:00.001-07:00

I can imagine that the thought and practice of social distancing is difficult and depressing for many people. However I think there are probably a large number of people who tend to easily “self-distance” – even those who live in big cities.

As newlyweds my husband Tom and I bought, lived on, and traveled aboard a Cal 2-34 (sailboat) for about seven years. Our time aboard is covered in the book Life Was A Cabaret: A Tale of Two Fools, A Boat, and a Big A** Ocean. 34' is a relatively small boat on which to live and make ocean passages. Due to our continuous challenges and adventures (like in learning how to sail at the beginning) we never grew bored.

After selling everything we had and scrounging up every last penny, we left “civilization” and meandered off to Alaska. Once there we spent two years working and exploring the endless inlets, bays, and passages.

From Sitka, Alaska, we sailed to Acapulco, Mexico, and then made the 2700-mile jump across the Pacific to Nuku Hiva. For that month it was just the two of us on a small boat on a big, empty ocean. We island hopped extensively then eventually made several other ocean passages - just the two of us. Finally we made the long journey from Hawaii back to the mainland. I will admit my husband often became a bit glum about the half-way mark on our ocean passages. I always grew restless and agitated about three days out from shore.

“Back in the day” there weren’t many blue-water cruisers out there compared to nowadays. And by “back in the day” I’m talking pre-GPS days, when sextants and dead-reckoning were used for navigation. Few boats had radar. I became an expert at meridian passage shots. My husband was a genius at dead reckoning, developing the ability to account for current and miles traveled (we did have a Taffrail Log that helped with the mileage).

Years after our return, we left the small coastal town we'd settled in upon our return and moved to an even smaller town in Oregon that was “uncluttered” with people, big box stores, and traffic. We easily went for days, and sometimes weeks, seeing no one but our cows, horses, chickens and dogs. We lived in several remote areas over the decades, but it seemed others would discover the charming areas all too soon and then the hoards would arrive, spoiling the serenity.

Now that everyone is mandated to “social distancing” we find our lives very little changed. I miss seeing my two small grandsons now that we’re “distancing,” but otherwise nothing has been upended.

My husband and I row, ride mules, and hike. I keep busy with gardening (trying to anyway), reading, writing and some publishing (see Moonlightmesaassociates.com). I’m very interested in conservation and also very involved in earning a Marine Naturalist certification. (We spend months at a time on our boat in the Inside Passage.) The sales from my last book, Saving Our Oceans, are entirely dedicated to the Save Our Wild Salmon Coalition and to the Friday Harbor Whale Museum. I'm also chairperson for the JUST ONE THING Alliance, and I'd love to get more involved with the Rights of Nature movement.

In other words, we both find plenty to keep us busy. I'm not an “isolationist,” however. We don't shun people. I guess one could say we're just very good at "self-entertaining."

So, a person can be “alone” or isolated but not lonely; alone but not a monk; alone but still actively partake in life. I think once more people figure this out and find their "niche" or special interests, social distancing will not be such a dismal prospect and experience. Well, it's likely not all that simple, but I think it's worth a try.

What are your thoughts?

The Rights of Nature May Be a Possible Solution to Pandemics

2020-03-24T10:58:00.001-07:00

By now many of us may be boardering on the verge of hysteria due to the obsessive coverage of Covid-19. Yes, we do need to know about the disease, but I find it ironic that we are told most people get a mild case and don't die, yet we are inundated all day long with depressing, brutal accounts of disease spread and doom.

Is this a serious illness? Absolutely. Should we be concerned? Yes. Should we follow recommended guidelines? Yes for sure. But when day-after-day news programs do NOTHING but cover Covid-19 and its morbidity, it can take a tremendous psychological toll on people who are attentive to the situation. Obviously this excludes the party animals and beach goers.

I know other people who, like my husband, have pretty much stopped watching coronavirus coverage. I still do, often to my dismay.

It's not just the virus, obviously. It's also the financial impact the virus is causing millions. It's the loss of family members and friends.

So what do I suggest? I have no short term solution, but I do have an idea I hope I can explain without sounding like a nutcase.

Many, maybe most, of these viruses and diseases originate in China and other countries that have "barbaric" practices of eating, mutilating and torturing animals. The United States is not innocent in this regard. We, and I speak as a member of the human race, use animals for profit, entertainment and pleasure. Obviously some countries have more horrific practices than others.

Animals carry viruses that usually affect only them. Once we're eating them and having ritualistic celebrations of turture, capture, and mutilation of these other beings, their viruses can jump to humans. Viruses are ancient and clever at surviving.

I do not in the least claim to be an epidemiologist, let me make that clear. But when one even briefly lools at a few past pandemics, the relationship to animals is undeniable.

Swine Flu: Originated in China from pigs and their lice and flees.

Ebola: Primarily believed to be caused by bats, and to a lesser degree primates, and pigs. Appears to have originated in Africa.

Spanich Flu: The origin of this pandemic will likely be argued for decades but many believe it originated in China. This pandemic has an avian origin.

Covid-19: Originated in China. Believed to have come from bats.

At this point, just looking at these four pandemics, there does seem, to my eyes anyway, to be a direct link between the eating and handling of bats and other animals and the development of diseases.

This all could be ended. There are countries who have adopted the Rights of Nature. These countries do not allow circuses, zoos, rodeos or capture of wild animals. Animals are respected as other beings on the planet, not as dumb creatures that man has dominion over. Nature itself is given the right to exist without enivronmental destruction by greedy people.

We know that animals can feel pain, that they are sentient creatures, yet we treat them and abuse them as though they are simply unfeeling objects. We bash the skulls of baby chicks or grind them up alive; we use primates who can be taught sign language (these are not dumb creatures) as enslaved guinea pigs in laboratories. Humans are monsters when it comes to the treatment of animals as feeling, sentient beings.

Obviously some cultures are far more barbaric than others. But a lot of human disease, illness, and death could be ended if we stopped the inhumane,

A harpoon used to slaughter whales. Quite a
sport, eh?

savage handling, treatment, and ritualistic slaughter of creatures.

So now you may wonder if I'm a vegetarian. Not quite, but I'm close. I have abandoned beef and most dairy due to the sordid treatment of baby calves and their mothers.

Globally enacting the Rights of Nature may be our best hope to stop future pandemics. Countries need to stop the bloody, brutal rituals in killing and eating animals that so many now enthusiastically engage in.

A One, Two Punch - But Maybe We Can All Find a Bright Spot!

2020-03-15T10:58:00.001-07:00

As much as I'd like to rave about our sales so far this year, I think other topics take precedence.

Obviously, the coronavirus is on everyone's mind, even if some people are sure they'll never get it. Neither my husband nor I have ever had anything more than a cold, nevertheless I'm postponing a trip into Phoenix even though so far Arizona only as 13 confirmed cases of the illness.

Like most people, however, I was recently put on one prescription drug (high blood pressure which I've had all my life but managed to survive without medication)...and that drug is made in China, primarily due to the greed of drug companies who want to maximize their profits by not having to have the medicines made in this country. This is, of course, a major vulnerabiltiy for everyone, whether on medication or not. Possibly I could head down to Algodones, MX for more if China refuses to send medical items here.

Then we have the unprecedented reaction of people who have hoarded toilet paper and who knows what else and are now emptying grocery store shelves in their panic. At least on my last trip to Costco for a few items people were civil, although I saw no one enjoying themselves or smiling.

So, what else can go wrong? Well, for starters our house caught fire one week ago. One room was totally destroyed, and my office was damaged beyond use. I can only thank God that my computer still works (bright spot), but it is now somewhere in Phoenix being "cleaned." If Phoenix shuts down like other cities, who knows when I'll ever get it back, and like most people, my life is on my computer and back up - which the cleaning crew also took.

So, we have three rooms that are pretty much history and have to be redone. I have no computer. BUT, I do have a tablet and this nifty, inky dinky keyboard. And we are healthy. Thanks to the generosity of friends who loaned us their 38' Toy Hauler trailer, we are still living on our property and not some motel room forced to eat in restaurants. I can still use my kitchen and shower and laundry room in my house! We're very lucky in that regard. There's another bright spot I was looking for. Hopefully everyone can find one bright spot in their life.

Like many others, I'm unable to pass up articles on this virus. And I had a thought the other day (a rare thing for me I suppose). There is speculation that perhaps heat or UV rays keep some countries relatively free from this virus. That got me to thinking...UV rays come from the sun, which ultimately most of us here in AZ get too much of which can cause other problems, but one thing the sun gives us...Vitamin D. Perhaps those who live in warmer, sunnier climates have more vitamin D in their systems and it is the Vitamin D that protects them from coronavirus.

Please do not run out and buy Vitamin D. I am not a doctor, scientist or any other high-faluten smarty smurff. Just a random thought...or not.

As for the GOOD NEWS: Both A Beginner's Guide to Owning a Mule, and Saving Our Oceans are having exceptional

sales in 2020. And, even better, more and more organizations are signing up to show suport for the JUST ONE THING Alliance. There's two other bright spots! Unfortunately that piece of information is on my computer, so I can't show it here. Bummer!!

If you're interested in joining the alliance, send me your name and I'll make sure it's posted along with others who are showing support. No fees or donations needed.

Excuse any typos. Can't seem to fix the placement of JUST ONE THING either! Dang. But, seek a bright spot if you can.

Amazing Year for Moonlight Mesa's Nonfiction Titles & Superb Response to JUST ONE THING

2020-02-19T09:18:00.000-08:00

The response to JUST ONE THING has been nothing short of wildly encouraging, according to publisher and JUST ONE THING organizer, Becky Coffield. Although off to a slow start due to the home and business relocation of both Moonlight Mesa Associates, Inc. and the publisher, the response to date has exceeded Coffield’s expectations.

For starters, the Save Our Wild Salmon Coalition has enthusiastically endorsed the JUST ONE THING alliance. “The Save Our Wild Salmon Coalition has got to be one of my favorite organizations,” Coffield recently said. “Joseph Bogaard and his staff are so responsive, supportive and positive. They were quick to endorse our informational/inspirational publication last year, Saving Our Oceans, which has generated funds that we’ve in turn donated to the Save Our Wild Salmon Coalition and to the Whale Museum in Friday Harbor.”

Coffield went on to add that “The Whale Museum is another organization that has been outstandingly supportive of not only our publication, Saving Our Oceans, but they also have wholeheartedly embraced the JUST ONE THING alliance. It’s a very rewarding feeling to have organizations like these support the alliance.”

Moonlight Mesa already has an alliance with the Ocean Foundation and the Plastic Pollution Coalition. “We’re hoping that we actually get a response from the Inland Ocean Coalition this time around,” Coffield said. “More than just coastal communities and organizations need to come on board for this to be really successful. What we are getting is terrific, but there’s plastic pollution everywhere…not just in coastal regions.”

In addition to organizations, so many individuals have praised the idea and let us know via email or personal encounters. “We’re very enthused and excited to get the ball rolling on this endeavor,” Coffield said. “Now that we’re mostly settled in our new location, we hope to send the message out and recruit more organizations and individuals to the cause.”

JUST ONE THING now has its prototype t-shirt. “The funds from any shirts we sell will be donated. More than selling shirts, though, our goal is to just get the word out and encourage participation in the alliance.”

2019 PUBLICATION WRAP UP

Once again nonfiction dominated Moonlight Mesa’s overall sales this past year.

Casey Tibbs – Born to Ride and A Beginner’s Guide to Owning a Mule battled it out for best seller, but the honor this year goes to Rusty Richards’ Casey Tibbs – Born to Ride by a small margin. “Richards’ book is going to sell forever, I think,” Coffield said. “It’s a classic in the true sense. Part of its exceptional staying-ability is that it’s available as a trade paperback and an ebook also.”

A Beginner’s Guide to Owning a Mule came in second for sales which is very

interesting considering the book is simply a guideline about buying and owning mules. “I’m a bit surprised at the interest in mules, I guess,” Coffield said. “They are fantastic animals, but not for everyone, that’s for sure. I have one and absolutely love my mule, but there are days… We're really pleased to see this kind of interest and thirst for mule-knowledge.”

Third place goes to Lee Anderson's book, Developing the Art of Equine Communication. An absolutely tremendous, warm, friendly book that continues to sell at a good rate.

Fourth place is J.R. Sanders’ riveting Some Gave All. “I know if we can get this book into ebook format without having to delete most of the artwork and photos it will really take off,” Coffield said. “This book is absolutely fantastic."

Saving Our Oceans placed fifth for nonfiction. “I was disappointed in this result,” Coffield said, “but it’s probably to be expected considering the topic and the fact that many in Arizona seem to be a bit indifferent and detached from these issues. Our work in promoting this title is cut out for us.”

Jere D. James, usually a top-selling fiction author, has seen a decline in sales. Jere stopped writing westerns and sales declined when no new titles were forthcoming. the author had a great following that was always waiting for the next title!

NO PUBLICATION IN 2020

Coffield announced there would be no new publications scheduled in 2020. “We have too much work to do with Saving Our Oceans and the JUST ONE THING alliance. We also have Lee’s new title to get established in the market place. Plus, we’re looking at a new cover for Sanders’ The Littlest Wrangler. And if time permits, we’d like to take a look at Some Gave All and see how we can get it into an ebook. We’ll be busy.”

JUST ONE THING Launched

2020-01-28T08:20:00.001-08:00

Our grassroots movement, JUST ONE THING, is being launched. Please join us in this exciting enterprise and help spread the word. It’s FREE to join!

The idea behind JUST ONE THING (aka JOT) is simple. If every person does JUST ONE THING to help alleviate plastic use and waste, it will make an astounding difference in plastic pollution (at least in this country and in coastal and inland waters). It would also send a message, albeit slowly, to the hundreds of plastic producers who yearly spew out billions of plastic products and take no responsibility for the devastation and destruction their products cause.

We’re not suggesting people go “plastic free,” which is near impossible in today’s world anyway. However, there are small things a person can do that that can add up to colossal results. Just choose one form of plastic use that you’re willing to eliminate.

This movement is not meant to be a burden. It’s meant to be a statement. It’s meant to be a positive step toward helping solve what seems to be an insurmountable problem.

This year the world’s largest plastic producer, Coca Cola, plans to manufacture over a billion plastic bottles and 3 billion tons of plastic packaging. That’s just one company out of hundreds. The top plastic producers in the United States are Coca Cola, Pepsico, Colgate, Palmolive, Nestle, Mars Inc., Unilever, and SC Johnson. In told, there are hundreds of plastic producers around the world. These companies have tended to blame the consumer for the pollution problem, but we all know that aside from recycling, which has been a disappointment in this country, there’s not much a person can do. Beach clean-ups certainly help – for a very short period of time.

And few people know that 3/4 of everyday plastic products are TOXIC.

JUST ONE THING may start as a whisper, but when enough people have had enough of the plastic industry’s pollution, it could become a roar.

Need help with ideas? For starters try these websites: Myplasticfreelife.com; info@lifewithoutplastic.com. Try this book: Saving Our Oceans, by R.L. Coffield.

(JUST ONE THING logo designed by Vin Libassi, cover designer for Moonlight Mesa Associates, Inc.)