Vital Signs

Fantastic Planet.

2011-01-29T20:12:00.000-08:00

Charred and The Fantastic Planet

“I think that I may safely call Shreveport a sink of pollution and wickedness,” wrote Samuel Wear McCorkle in his journal in 1850. “…Oh, the fuel that Satan will get in Eternity from Shreveport alone! The occupations of the majority of the citizens are: stealing, gambling, swearing, lying, drinking…”

Some still view our city in the same way Sam did – as a place that needs to be brought into a modern world. It took almost 60 years from its founding before Shreveport was regarded (by meager standards) as a clean, safe, and respectable city.

Since we are unhappy in Shreveport, perhaps we decide to visit a place that is mostly fantastic. Let’s call that place the “Fantastic Planet (FP).” The people of the FP seem smarter, funnier, and happier than the people who live in Shreveport, so let’s call Shreveport “Charred.” Being filled with the sense of wonderment that extraordinary places imbue and then coming back to our point of origin is a huge letdown. The amazing world of the FP points out the obvious shortcomings of Charred.

Being inspired by our marvelous journey, we make a decision to invest time and energy into making Charred like the FP.

FP has a mass transit system so efficient that one does not need a car, and its citizens can easily navigate the pedestrian-friendly streets. Charred has no trains or monorails; its mass transit system is composed of buses. Venturing out onto the streets of Charred, we are determined to experience again the awe we felt on FP - and what better way than to ride a bus? The lack of sidewalks leading to the bus stop areas presents us with a problem, but we cut across mud and water with swift resolve. Once at the stop we take note that there is no cover. The lack of cover will only present a problem in the heat, cold and rain. We find out that one can wait for up to 25- 30 minutes, which is plenty of time to get soaked in a drizzle, catch pneumonia or pass out in the heat. Once on the bus, we realize that there are no clear guides to the stops, which is only a problem if one is going in a specific direction and needs to be there at a certain time. Lastly, Charred buses are not operated 24 hours, and that’s a problem only if one needs to be somewhere after dark. We return to our domicile grateful we have a car, but reflecting on those who do not.

We search the internet, smart phone apps, phone books, and local papers for local vegetarian restaurants or Whole Foods-type establishments, but there are none. The only things that come close are Indian restaurants and an overpriced, poorly stocked health food store. It is clear that a vegan is going to starve on Charred, not that anyone actually cares. Not to be deterred by what we have found thus far, we decide to ride our bikes to the local coffee shop to alleviate our stress.

On the way there we are almost run down by a redneck, a blue-haired woman and a hippie who all seem to think we ought to be riding our bikes on the poorly constructed sidewalk system.

Surviving the bike ordeal, we feel the need to experience the local arts. Art and music is great on Charred; it’s the same art and music we had yesterday and the day before that. Gone are the innovative days of the “Louisiana Hayride" radio program, departed is the glory of the Shreveport Municipal Auditorium. There is a feeling of defeat as we pass yet another new strip mall. We are amazed that the only element that city planners seem to consider is the short term financial gain of the few, and wonder if it is truly a reflection of Charred citizens.

Back at our home we stretch out in a man-sized chair and fade into a mindless TV program. The light of dusk breaks across the back of a book that lay in our lap and the blur of a TV's low hum fills the air. Our last thought before we drift into dreams is….

An Experience to Remember

2011-01-07T08:34:00.000-08:00

What an amazing day off...

via Jill Anderson of Enlighten Me

I got to sleep in with my puppy and my kitty. But most of all, I was excited that I decided to go volunteer with this amazing ministry called The Hub. What an amazing group.Every Thursday at 12:30 they serve lunch to the homeless of Shreveport downtown. You get to have conversations with these amazing people that have fallen maybe more then once off the horse and live here on the streets.

It is a COLD day. Clouds filled the skies with moist chill in the air. The amount of hands reaching out to me asking for food was one I will never forget. My heart melted in hopes to help them all. I jumped right in, passed out bananas, gave out burgers, water and in return, I get smiles so grateful. I enjoyed laughs, songs, heart ache all in one moment.

The thing that blows my mind, is how experiences like these bring us back to earth. We live in our own worlds, surrounded by things we take for granted everyday. And I HATE how I have to have an experience to see someone who has nothing to have a moment that slaps me in the face to wake up, see what I have and realize how blessed I am. I wish I really would be able to realize this everyday!

After lunch was served and conversation was had, The Hub has an amazing refuge called The Basement. It is down an ally downtown by the Robinson Film Center. It is a living room type of pad with tables, couches, tv, games and hot coffee. Not only is this a place the homeless can refuge too, but they can also, shower, and do some laundry. It is amazing. I heard about this amazing place by Caleb. I met him through my new job. He left to work at The Hub when I first started working at WWFX. Today I told him he is truly blessed to be a part of helping people everyday. He is SO excited and grateful to be part of something so amazing.

Since I can never find a way to get into a profession of helping others, like nursing, medical assistant, etc. I have decided on hopes to dedicate all the time I can to helping The Hub. I believe helping them will feed my hunger to help others as much as I can. I am excited. I believe God steered me in this direction for a reason. He must of heard my cries to Chris wanting to fulfill my life into helping others.

I am SO thrilled to get home, go through all the overload of junk we have and donate it. Give it to those in need. It makes me want to stop, realize what I am about to buy and wonder how many meals I can give or make for those out there in need. A man told me he better get ready to put his long johns on because it was going to be cold tonight. It makes me stop, think about how lucky those are that have a warm place to stay, a roof over their head, not just long johns and an ally and hope to stay warm.

I feel like there is SO much negativity sometimes for those who are homeless or in need. Yes, some of them can be scary, maybe "not all there"...but we are all the children of God, They are my brothers and sisters, just as part of the family and the deserve love and respect as any others do. What if you were left out there with no food, no money, no shelter, no way to get medicine. These people need out compassion, our love, a smile, a conversation, someone to listen to them.

I will never forget today. I hope I will get to do this more. I hope there will be more time in my life to help others in this world. No matter what it is. But I have my health, I have the strength and passion to help. And dog gone it, I'm gunna do it!!

I have added a few pictures from The Hub's Basement.

Jill Anderson

I am just a small southern gal, living in Shreveport, who is on a journey in this thing we call life. And I would like to share my journeys with you!

Fall Comfort Food

2011-01-07T08:20:00.000-08:00

Vegan Corn Chowder
via Kendra Thompson of Cook Yourself Happy

2 tablespoons olive oil
1 small onion, chopped
1 cup celery, chopped
1 cup carrots, chopped
1 clove garlic, minced
2 1/2 cups water
2 cubes vegetable bouillon
2 cups corn
2 cups soy milk
1 tablespoon flour
1 teaspoon dried parsley
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon pepper

Heat oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Stir in onions and celery; cook until just slightly golden. Stir in carrots and garlic; cook until garlic is slightly golden. Meanwhile, bring water to a boil over high heat. Stir in bouillon, and reduce heat to medium. When bouillon cubes have dissolved, add corn and the vegetables from the skillet. Cook until vegetables are tender. Add water, if necessary. Reduce heat to low, and pour in 1 cup soy milk. Stir soup well, then stir in remaining 1 cup soy milk. Quickly whisk in flour. Stir in parsley, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Cook, stirring constantly, until chowder thickens, about 15 to 20 minutes.

* I will also add 1 small chopped potato, sometimes.

Kendra Thompson

I live in Shreveport, LA. I am a 37-year-old wife, and mother to one teenager, and three furry babies. I have always struggled with my weight which I believe now was a symptom of something much worse. I think the key to happiness both chemically and emotionally is through a good well-balanced plant based diet and being active. Trust me, I was also a skeptic at one time.

Eating Vegetarian-ish In Shreveport.

2011-01-07T07:59:00.000-08:00

What to eat? What to eat?

via Kendra Thompson of Cook Yourself Happy
I am quickly learning that it can be a little challenging eating out at restaurants with out having to make some compromises. In Shreveport there are very few vegetarian options, and even less vegan. So, my advice is do the best you can and pick your battles.
Tonight is my friend Jenny's birthday party, and she has chosen Copelands Cheesecake Bistro. What to eat, what to eat? I find that most restaurants, especially if they are a large chain have their menus online, it helps knowing ahead of time what your choices are and how you can modify the meals if needed.

Here are a few possible choices for salads, Cheesecake Bistro has a large variety of vinaigrettes...

HOUSE SALAD
Fresh mixed lettuce tossed with spicy bacon, eggs, tomatoes, cucumbers and croutons with your choice of dressing. 5.49 modifications, no bacon

SPINACH APPLE WALNUT SALAD
Fresh spinach leaves and Boston bibb lettuce, apples, spicy bacon, mushrooms, toasted walnuts all tossed with crumbled Bleu cheese and our chili salsa vinaigrette. 11.49 modifications, no bacon, for vegans leave off the blue cheese also

CHOPPED CHINESE CHICKEN SALAD
Fresh greens, cucumber, fried wonton strips, toasted almonds and shaved chicken on a bed of crispy rice noodles, tossed with a Chinese mustard vinaigrette, topped with a drizzle of our plum lime vinaigrette. 12.49modifications: leave off the chicken

Honey Mustard
Chili Salsa Vinaigrette
Balsamic Vinaigrette
Italian
Citrus Vinaigrette
Wasabi Vinaigrette
Chinese Mustard Vinaigrette

Just remember not to be afraid to ask for the changes you need, do the best you can, and have a great time.

Kendra Thompson

A Wider Berth?

2011-01-06T22:31:00.000-08:00

Photo courtesy of Unity Finsmith

So I do not ride my bike everywhere... I'd love to say I do, but I don't.
I have a bike that a girl half my size gave to me, and it is not the most comfortable thing in the world to get around on. I am 6'8 and it is made for 4'6!

I am saving up some money though... I want to get a nice commuter bike that looks like an old school beach cruiser (anyone got any ideas?).

Now, I did not start this blog to share discursive dreams of mine with a small audience. I started this blog to address various issues in Shreveport, LA that need be dealt with...

If I was to get a new bike, you know the awesome one I mentioned a minute ago, I would more than likely be ran down from behind by '92 Lincoln Town Car. Or perhaps, I would bust one of the tires on an rooted-up section of sidewalk, or maybe the bike would be just fine... Maybe I would bust my head open on a low lying tree limb, as I try to navigate the sidewalks because, I am terrified of getting on Shreveport's streets with a bicycle!

Shreveport/ Bossier makes no concessions for bicyclist. Well, that is not entirely true... There is one section of South Highlands, on Creswell I think, where they painted a bicycle on the street! There is not a road in town, to my knowledge, that has been adjusted in anyway to make it safer for those of us who choose to pedal to work. Not only are the streets not safe, in many cases, the sidewalks are just as bad, or all together non-existent. All over town there are sections of sidewalk that have, what amount to ledges or cliffs, depending on whether you are coming or going. I have popped more than one tire on what appear to be symptoms of continental drift!

On the stretch of Fern that connects Pierremont Ave, to 70th St. there isn't a sidewalk at all, and the lane is barely big enough to accommodate an SUV. This is the path I have to take to work, and by path I actually mean a path. The path I have to carve out pedaling through the grassy median!

There is no reason why Shreveport shouldn't be more bike friendly. I know that Shreveporters are not as inclined to pedal to work, as say Boulderites are, but there are enough of us to warrant some accommodations... It doesn't have to be perfect, but surely we are worth at least some basic safety precautions! At a bare minimum there should be a damn sidewalk.

I mean, between all the people biking for sport in spandex uniforms, and those of us who bike as a means of travel, either by choice or circumstance, there should be enough people in Shreveport to put some pressure on local politicians. Surely we could get a bike lane, a wider lane, or at least a damn sidewalk...

So, let's start up a conversation about just how to do this... What are your thoughts? Simply submit them in the comment section below.

Creating An Enlightened Society.

2011-01-06T21:42:00.000-08:00

“Our present civilization quite obviously lacks any unifying principle…

Modern civilization is disintegrating because it has no principle of unity, no certain or even workable knowledge of the meaning and true end of human life… By knowledge we mean neither religious belief, philosophical speculation, nor scientific theory. We mean actual experience or immediate realization of that ultimate Reality which is the ground and cause of the universe, and thus the principle and meaning of human life…” ~from The Supreme Identity by Alan Watts

An enlightened society has to be constructed upon a principle of unity, a direct experience of the ground and cause of the universe. Such an experience takes place in love…

"Love is based on the discovery of equanimity. In equanimity all of the distinctions that establish and sustain a self-centered world-view are realized to be devoid of any real substance. So, what was once thought to be a collection of isolated and independently existing organisms, is in fact one great big family, the human family. It is a single essence- humanity- manifesting in many ways." ~ from Christianity Through My Buddhist Eyes by Ben Riggs on Elephant Journal

Here is an amazing video with an excerpt from an amazing talk entitled, The Web Of Life by Alan Watts… Enjoy!