Peter’s Sketchbook: The Little Blue That Connects The Green

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I love looking at pictures of the Earth from space. It looks like a colorful marble with the blue connecting all the greens. Not so different than my little Blue Heeler, Bhu, the star of my comic strip “Buddha’s Dog” that I created during the Green House’s few year interim.

In 2010 I got to thinking what it would’ve been like to be Buddha’s dog for 20,000 or so lifetimes, fetching him sticks, guarding the stupa, expertly barking the 8 fold path. And what would happen if Buddha was forced into exile and sent Bhu out into the world to continue with Buddha’s mission? He would grab his good friends Deepak, a deep thinking Hindu pachyderm and Master Chi, a Tai Chi playing, bamboo floor licking panda to help him bungle the job further.

Here we see the three wise guys try to bring some peace into Chance’s stressful world outlook.

Buddha’s Dog. Waking Up Humanity With A Cold Nose.

How do you align with peace? Do you meditate, take nature walks, play music?

In what little way to up lift humanity by lifting up yourself?

Your little connection to joy goes a long way.

Let us know below and join in the conversation on our facebook page.

Everybody’s talkin’ bout. . . Throw Back Thursday?

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Somewhere in the back of my mind, I remember hearing John say that this song was created during his “Bed-In” with Yoko- but I never looked into it’s origins much further. . . except that the concept of they lyric could have been conceived around the dinner table and brought back up during the “Bed-In.”

I’m just sayin’. . .  I’m also just sayin’ I’m glad Julian didn’t also hate asparagus.

This explanation comes directly from Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Give_Peace_a_Chance— for those who are into lyrics, like me, it’s noted deeper into the Wikepedia piece that John changed the lyric sheet for publication, changing “masturbation” to “mastication,” which he admitted was a cop out. Maybe it was the parent in him.  . . ?  This is the official video. There’s another youtube video below that’s only about 3 minutes and has the lyrics overlaying the image.

Copy selected from Wikipedia:

The song was written during Lennon’s ‘Bed-In‘ honeymoon in Montreal, Canada.[2] When asked by a reporter what he was trying to achieve by staying in bed, Lennon answered spontaneously “Just give peace a chance”. He went on to say this several times during the Bed-In.[2] Finally, on 1 June 1969, in Room 1742 at the Queen Elizabeth Hotel in Montreal, André Perry recorded it using a simple setup of four microphones and a four-track tape recorder rented from a local recording studio.[3] The recording session was attended by dozens of journalists and various celebrities, including Timothy Leary, Rabbi Abraham Feinberg, Joseph Schwartz, Rosemary Woodruff Leary, Petula Clark, Dick Gregory, Allen Ginsberg, Murray the K and Derek Taylor, many of whom are mentioned in the lyrics. Lennon played acoustic guitar and was joined by Tommy Smothers of the Smothers Brothers, also on acoustic guitar.

When released in 1969, the song was credited to Lennon–McCartney.[4] On some later releases, only Lennon is credited; viz. the 1990s reissue of the album Live in New York City, the 2006 documentary The U.S. vs. John Lennon, and the 1997 compilation album Lennon Legend: The Very Best of John Lennon and its DVD version six years later. Lennon later stated his regrets about being “guilty enough to give McCartney credit as co-writer on my first independent single instead of giving it to Yoko, who had actually written it with me.”[1] However, it has also been suggested that the credit was a way of thanking McCartney for helping him record “The Ballad of John and Yoko” at short notice.[5]   

Video with lyrics:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rhyiqGIJQus

 

 

The Inconvenience of Truth

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“The truth shall set you free.”

~Jesus (John 8:32)

Trending now are some really funny memes with Brian Williams- photoshopped as the Captain of the Starship Enterprise- standing alongside Lincoln and Grant in a Civil War spoof. . . In Brian Williams case, the truth may free him from employment. What bothers me most is that a man of his stature can’t just say, ” I lied, sorry.”  It’s the careful fabrication of words, like: ” I mis-remembered the event,” and chalking it up to the “fog of memory” that disgust me.

The truth is often inconvenient, but it truly does set one free. I understand lying. As a kid, I learned how to do it as a survival skill. . . as a young adult,  I learned that it’s all part of the game of celebrity. . . fabricate a line or event a little to make you seem more important, get yourself out of a gig you don’t want to do. . . Use it as a weapon to gain space without hurting other’s feelings. . . a hundred, thousand, million “good” reasons for lying.

I heard this from a friend recently. . . “To be totally honest, I still lie on occasion.”

Huh?

Here’s another great quote:

“Honesty is more than not lying. It is truth telling, truth speaking, truth living, and truth loving.”

~James E. Faust

The most important changes you can make in the world are those you first make within yourself. The truth sets you free and allows you to live in freedom.

Last fall, during a family visit, my cousin’s daughter, Ginger,  said three words that struck a deep and resonating chord in me-  and made my heart sing for her. In a conversation we were having with her and her parents, Greg & Debbie, she replied to her Dad, “I don’t lie.” And she meant it.

Ginger is totally free. Her life may be occasionally inconvenienced, but she will always be free.

Three words that in this world can mean a future filled with happiness. If you never lie, you are always living in truth. Amen, Ginger. Keep it real, keep it honest.

What are your thoughts on Brian and inconvenient truths? Do you think Ginger should be the new NBC Nightly News Anchor? As always, join us on Facebook where we can share a great, truthful dialogue. . .

Greg, Ginger & Debbie Schiff

“Catching Some Rays at Fenway.”

 

Deep Thoughts, Warm Places

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Yesterday I told you about my Mom, and taking her to see “An Inconvenient Truth.” She was moved to start learning more about environmentalism by the movie. . . and my final takeaway from our discussion over REAL ENVIRONMENTAL TRUTHS, was that if the movie got her interested in learning, it served a positive purpose.

Wormy is looking at global warming from his own perspective. . . how he feels it- which is how most of us should be looking at it. What feels right? What seems to be furthering someone else’s agenda? From my perspective, I’m okay with being wrong. . . or being told I’m wrong, as long as it opens a dialogue and we can share our individual perspectives. Whatever subject we want to approach in conversation or a comic strip is going to meet with varying opinion and perspective. I’m okay with being “schooled.” I invite it!

I don’t ever want to stop learning or hearing someone’s  point of view. . or “poit” of view. . .     If you look closely at the first panel, Peter chose a great sound effect for Wormy popping up out of the ground. . . “poit!”  Great word, with no meaning unless you know where it’s coming from. In Wormy’s case, he’s coming from a place of deep thinking and warmth. What more could I ask for?

Do you have a good story to share about perspective or are you wondering what song Link was playing on guitar? (Hint: It will be featured in Thursday’s Comic/Post) . . . as always, the best place to share our comments and thoughts is on our Facebook page. . . pop in and share. “Poit!”

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Carbon Footprints and Worm Holes

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Today we meet two of the critters at The Green House, Link and Wormy. Link is a liberal blogger who is trying to introduce his new friend, Wormy to the world of environmentalism. Tomorrow, Link checks in with Wormy to see how he’s enjoying reading “An Inconvenient Truth.”

As much as we seek knowledge and “the truth,” we’re all  reading the latest news, reports and studies to see what “those in the know” want us to know. It’s also clear that those who are “experts” can sway us to their side by great speeches, writing or story-telling through movies. However, seemingly minutes after we form an opinion or answer a call to action, we can dismiss and distrust if we hear “facts” well told from the other side of the debate.

I really wanted to believe Al Gore and the message of “An Inconvenient Truth.” I recall taking my Mother to the movie and seeing how moved she was by all the facts about the melting glaciers and endangered polar bears. . . which I knew were facts “skewed” a bit to make a point (and sell a movie). My Mom and I had a great discussion about the movie on the way home, which proved one point that put Al’s movie into a “plus” column for me. . .

It was clear from the discussion that my Mom hadn’t really been following environmental news much, even though she knew how big a “Greenie” I am- and she was now excited to start reading more and to start living a cleaner, more organic life. After dropping her off, I came to the conclusion that as much as Al Gore may have propped up certain info and dramatized events to make a more compelling movie, my Mom was moved into a more positive direction for having seen “An Inconvenient Truth.”

I don’t condone lying to the world to make a more impactful movie-  I like to see balance- but in this case, I’ll give a nod in the affirmative to Al.

So, for my part,  I’ll  do what I can to show how thoughtful, informed, conscious people (and critters) relate to the same information, in my own writing. Maybe my presentation of debatable subject matter will open discussion that is balanced and discussed with open minds. In any event, finding any moment to open a person’s mind to thinking about their planet is a good thing. Do it with humor and cute characters and it’s a big round ball slam dunk!

More on the subject over the next few days.

What were your thoughts and experiences after reading or seeing “An Inconvenient Truth?”  Start a conversation here or on our Facebook page. We love fresh insights and honest experiences.

And NO Asbestos in the Brake Pads!

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*Welcome back to the Green House!

Let’s get reacquainted with the family. . . At the computer is Pam Green, at the TV is Todd Green. The Green’s are a 20-something couple. Pam’s a Special Ed teacher (& yoga instructor) and Todd’s a cartoonist. . . There’s a group of critters you’ll also be getting to know: Mantis, Link (a liberal blogging rat), Honeybee ( A holistic healer) and Wormy- a little worm who dreams of saving the world as “Earthworm! The World’s Most Down-to-Earth Superhero!” Nothing new and unusual here. . .

Actually, if you look at today’s comic closely, you’ll see that Pam’s web search brought her to Link’s Underground- the rat’s web page. Well, who do you think writes the stuff on Wikipedia?

Over the next few months we’ll be introducing you to the whole cast with new comics, three days a week: Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday– along with our blog. On Thursday we’ll be posting a page from Peter’s Sketchbook.  . . see how our characters and ideas develop from a few strokes of a pencil to more finished concepts- always presented with Peter’s writings and insights.

Friday is GreenHouseGraphics Day! A  new infographic each week that will help keep you smiling as you grow greener with us!

What’s the green message in today’s comic?. . . I’m gonna reach a little here. . . with my toes. . .  If you want to save energy and find greener transportation, you can always “hoof it.” Walking- if you can, is always choice #1. Bike is #2. But what if you just have to use the car? Fred Flintstone had a unique way of combing pedal power with foot fuel . . .  it worked for him and Wilma!

On the left is a neat graphic we found with some simple thoughts on Green Driving Practices. I think the most important way to conserve fuel is to think before you drive. . . save up trips and create a route to be the most economical with your driving. Be conscious of your course and purpose. . . is it REALLY necessary to get that widget today, or can it wait until tomorrow when you’re going to Whole Foods– a block or two from Widget City? Plan a few days of meals and get the most out of the trip to the Green Grocer, even if your original trip was just to get sushi take-out from Golden Panda. . . Take out and tomorrow’s groceries- perfect!

Every “drop” of thought will save many drops of fuel. It all makes a difference. Please share any thoughts you have about saving fuel and driving greener. And please post on our Facebook page. . . it’s where we get down and dirty. . . (dirt as in earth). . . in a green way!

Click here to visit our Facebook Page!

*Why “Welcome back” ?

Well, we started The Green House back in 2007- and we’re reinventing it and sharing with you here eight years later! Read more about the earlier years of The Green House in tomorrow’s blog.

Thanks for stopping by!

Brad & Peter

 

Peter’s Sketchbook: A Sketchy Way Of Tapping Into Your Natural Resources

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A Sketchy Way Of Tapping Into Your Natural Resources

I am so grateful for my sketchbooks. They are, without a doubt, the bridge that connects my inner whims and creative bursts with the outside world. It is how I bring to life ideas, passions and dreams. If I can imagine it, I can draw it. If I can draw it, it is possible.

There’s been times when I’ve given up on my dreams because I just didn’t have the resources to pull it off.   You know what I’m saying…

If only I had enough money, more support, a bigger office, an iPad, my studio door on the north wall (it’s a feng shui thing) … my career would really take off!

This is like looking for diamonds on a city street. They’re just not going to be lying around on the surface ready and ripe for plucking.

Our rarest, most natural resources are not found on the outside. Anything of real value will take some digging.

Fortunately you will not need a drill.

Maybe all you need is to get a little sketchy….

There are two types of resources: external and internal.

The external resources: money, opportunity, support, is only half the equation. But we are taught that it holds more power than it should. That it is ALL there is. Some people have it and some don’t. And this is true to some extent. Without the internal resources the external resources becomes a crap shoot. Life becomes a gamble.

Sketching, doodling or noodling is just one way to tap into your internal resources.

We have within us a vast reservoir of constant flowing resources ready to be tapped into at any time. It’s who we truly are. It’s our natural state. We have all experienced this place some time in our lives. There are more resources, truly more of “us” than we realize.

Everyone has it! Not just the lucky, the wealthy, the talented, the beautiful… but everyone. It’s this deep connectedness that is most human in us. It is our humanity. Each individual has a unique and necessary way of expressing this connected place. That is your work. Not your job, your work.

You DO your job. But you LOVE your work.

Here’s the thing. Though these internal resources are vast and deep it doesn’t take heavy machinery to get to it. It’s closer than you think, literally just a breath away. Breath is sometimes all it takes drop us out of our heads where stress, panic, and “not enough” live.. into vast pool of abundance and possibility. Where would you rather live?

When you master internal resources, everything is easier.

Mastering your internal resources will create bigger and better external resources.

Allowing opportunity and possibility to show up. Opening doors where there was once only wall.

So take a breath and get sketchy. Who knows where the bridge will lead.

I want to know, how do YOU connect to your internal resources? Do you meditate? Run? Play music?

Let us know below.

And if you want more Green Related comics and insights like this please subscribe below. It’s free.

As always the live green discussions happen on our Facebook page :At The Green House…

Humbled. . .

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Humbled. . .

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Let the ideas flow. . .

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