I just learned that Mexican cartels have made billions of dollars by planting this crop in our own national forests. These "gardens" as they are called have been found in 15 states; and in California all national forests and parks, including Yosemite have been infiltrated.

This makes these parks extremely dangerous, these smuggled illegal growers carry weapons. In 2006, authorities seized almost three million marijuana plants from public lands, this is a street cash value of $10-15 billion, half of which came from California. Before 9/11 most of these crops had been grown in Mexico and smuggled over the border, however, stricter law enforcement has forced the Mexican drug trafficking organizations to take over and grow them here.

The Forest Service estimates that 18,000 acres have been affected since 2005. The Dept. of Agriculture, the largest of landholders in the US,yet they employ approximately only 500 full time park agents.
The National Park Service is controlled by the Department of the Interior and being better staffed, apparently has less marijuana gardens. In late summer, harvest season, the growers smuggle in more guns.

If you would like to read more the article I found was in Men's Vogue Mar/Apr 2007.

n.

Shake off that snow
Run in the sunshine
Roll in the grass
Stretch and yawn
Gallop
Horseplay
Spring
Into
Change

n.

The everyday, the menial, the frivolous, the tedious, the hard won, the loving, the change of seasons...and ALL it brings, it's all about life. It's how we choose to live it each and every day. You, either go out and take the bull by the horns or you let some one else do that. I would love to take the bull by the horns, and considering the situation, sometimes I can. I always prioritize.

I let go often and let the other person run that committee. I know I could fully run it, but I prioritize. I am not saying I am better then anyone but I am thinking I need time and space to better run something else. What do you think? Have you ever wondered how many tedious things you have mastered, just how many fund
raisers you have won? Well, I post this today to ask you, "Have you prioritized what you want to give your precious time to?" "Do you want to make a difference in your WORLD?" or "Do you want to make a difference in your kindergartener's class?" Today, with the internet and with global
connections, we have the option to voice our opinions and perhaps change the world.

I think I am the "lazy American" quite often. I want to get off my lazy chair and voice an opinion. I would LOVE to start a LOVE SIT IN, obviously something I am good at, if I am sitting here and talking to YOU. Write to me, let me hear you.

I am tired of being lazy, what can we do to make the world a better place? What can we do as THINKERS to inspire change?

Godspeed...your thoughts. It's all about life.
n.

Well, in all the worst conditions I have never fallen down the barn steps. Today, the sun was shining and the wind had stopped howling and down the stairs I went bouncing down three and hitting the last square on my tail bone. I saw stars and howled pretty loud, even the horses stopped munching. The pain was excruciating and I cursed the lack of a banister, swearing that will be it's first improvement.
Well, two of the horses showed concern, Manny nuzzled me through the stall bars. I assured him I'll live in order for him to get his next meal. Our pony S'mores literally nuzzled my face as I let him outside. Horse ownership is truly a labor of love, and they just showed me why.

n.

The night is long for some
short and sweet for others,
Whatever, it brings you
This Saint Patrick's Day,
Enjoy your life and toast it in full!

n.