Lubbock Lunch Break - Exploring a New (Very Old) Place

Surprise - it's not Clapp, Mae Simmons, McAlister or Aztlan. It's not even inside the Loop. But it is a beautiful place to take a stroll or ride here in Lubbock.

A kingbird protecting the space

In case you're dying of curiosity, this is where I was:

Learn more about it here

I have a confession: after three and a half decades here in Lubbock, I've been growing restless to explore new places. I've been yearning to ride new trails. Greg has mentioned the trail around the Landmark site a few times lately, and I had a lunch hour to burn on an uncharacteristically cool May day.

Don't pet the fuzzy cow!

Admission is free, but they ask that you sign in at the interpretive center before exploring the trails. There are two shorter trails close to the entrance. The larger trail is about 4.5 miles. Bikes are allowed but this is a not bike trail and it's not a challenging ride.

All the right beasts were there.

If you're like me and feel better when you're outside and more hopeful when you're surrounded by local wildlife, the Landmark site is a great place to be.

Two Prairie Dogs and a Burrowing Owl (on a stick!)

Jackrabbits make me happy!

This visit was more of a scouting trip. My next visit will be focused on learning and observing and soaking it all in. I might even leave the bike at home.

American basketflowers were everywhere - so spidery cool.

And, yes, the trail helped with my restlessness and opened my eyes once again to the subtle beauty of this place where I live. It's also awakened a curiosity to learn more about the history and pre-history of where I spend my days.

And learning more (for me) has always helped with times of living less. It's been a long, dry season of restoration and getting caught up. Adventure and exploration have taken a back seat to paying bills and fixing things that break.

May you find inspiration to get through hard and dry times, and may you be constantly in awe of the beauty of this world with which we have been blessed!

Now's a good time for a little resurrection (and Easter dogs!)

Hola, friends! I've missed talking with you!

This morning's ride to coffee was too beautiful not to share:

Sunrise on my street and full moonset

(at the church where I married the love of my life!)

Yes, dogs!

Every day when I get home from work, our two wanderups caninus drag me to the backyard for a 20 minute round of frisbee and fetch. After eight hours behind a computer in an office with no windows, it is a joyful time for all.

If you are in a place where you can responsibly share your life with a pet, the world is a better place each time we choose not to irresposibly destroy a healthy dog's or cat's life.

dusty, happy, out of focus

(and they make our home a much happier place)

May you save a life and appreciate a resurrection this Easter!

Free WaterSmart Gardening Classes here in the LBK

So, I was getting situated to read and write this morning when I looked over and noticed a postcard on the board next to me. (When I see "free" and "garden" on the same page, my MH senses tingle.)

mylubbock.us/watersmartclasses

 

With all the rain we've had lately, it'd be easy to get blasé water conservation, but a few back-to-back days at triple-digit temps, and we will be downright crispy again. With a little heat and a little breeze, our evaporation rates will skyrocket. We need to be smart with every drop.

 

Each class lasts from 10am-12pm and is limited to 30 participants. You can sign up and learn more at the web address above. (I'm hoping to attend the August session at the TTU greenhouse - I like succulents and I have looked longingly into the greenhouses as I've admired the Tech horticultural gardens. All is good!

 

 

May we all take advantage of opportunities to learn and make West Texas a little less dry.

Looking for a Trashy Valentine in Lubbock? Texas Tech can help!

Yep, it's that time again. The good people over at the Texas Tech Climate Science Center are having another Science by the Glass event, and this time it falls on Valentine's Day.

 

More info here: TTUCSC Science by the Glass

 

So, get your eco-friendly and/or alcohol-loving and/or alcohol-friendly-eco-loving friends/dates/co-workers/neighbors/closed-minded-enemies over to the Fox and the Hound at 82nd and Orlando next Tuesday (14 February 2017) to learn about something good happening right here in our own Lubbock.

 

I have seen a few presentations and displays from this group and can tell you that it will be informative and you'll learn some very cool stuff. (Did I mention that there's also a happy hour?)

 

Now, let's talk a little about Texas Tech Recycling.

 

Me, I am a big fan of the Texas Tech Recycle Center. Unlike the City of Lubbock's recycle program, Texas Tech accepts plastics grade 1-7, Styrofoam, and glass. You also don't need to sort everything - but they do appreciate it if you keep the glass separate for everyone's safety. They accept tin, aluminum, paper, packing material, and cardboard that has been broken down. On top of that, if your organization has lots of recycling, you can contact them and make arrangements to have them pick it up.

 

But there is much more to it than just recycling. The center also works to serve students and citizens of Lubbock by offering jobs and scholarships. They turn trash into all kinds of goodness!

 

 

Every other Thursday my family and co-workers pile their recyclables into the back of my truck and I haul them over to Tech.

 

The one and only recipient of the not-so-prestigious MHBTC award

 

But let's say that you don't work with an eco-dork (with a junky truck) like me but absolutely adore the idea of having someone swing by your place, pick up the recycling, and haul it over to Texas Tech for you. There are some really cool people in Lubbock who would love to help you out. Get in touch with Baron and Melissa over at 123 Recycling and they can make your recycling dreams come true!

 

In case you want to learn more but have other plans on Tuesday,

check out Recycle Easy in Lubbock! (TTU Recycling in pics).

 

May you learn all you need to know, have a good time, and help Lubbock to be less trashy!

 

PS. Happy Valentine's Day, friends!

Recent Texas Tech Grad on Years of Living Dangerously

I've been working my way through Season 2 of Years of Living Dangerously on Hulu. Episode 6 held a very nice surprise for me - there was Jordan Vogel right there on my TV! "Jordan who?" you may ask.

Meet Jordan!

 

Jordan was the leader of the Lubbock Chapter of the Citizens Climate Lobby until he graduated last spring. My wife and I worked with Jordan and a hand full of others to spread the word locally about our approach to tackling climate change (and a collection of related societal and economic issues.)

Jordan has worked with the CCL locally and in Washington, DC

(Actress) Nikki Reed, Jordan Vogel, and activist friends

You know it's a big deal when a Hollywood star calls you a badass!

 

Years of Living Dangerously Season 2 Preview - Arnold style!

 

So Lubbock folks, if you've not yet seen an episode of Years of Living Dangerously, Season 2 Episode 6 is right up your alley. And if that's not enough, you can see footage shot in Lubbock and Plainview in Season 1, Episode 1 (Free on youtube) with TTU's own Dr. Hayhoe. Either way, you can't go wrong!

 

Episode available in many formats

 

May we tackle international challenges locally, nationally, and everywhere we can make our voices be heard!

Awesome Lubbock Recycling Opportunity this Weekend (11-12-16)

Dear Lubbockites,

You know that Windows 98 machine you have languishing in the corner of your closet? How about the Game Boy that quit working and the TV with a screen that just wasn't flat enough to fit in our modern world? How about those little gadgets that were easier to replace than repair? Remember that PS1 with broken controllers on a shelf in the garage? Well, now it's time to get them out of your house and send them off to a better place. And Texas Tech Recycling (once again) is here to make it happen.

See the whole enchilada on GeekyEdge

 

Texas Tech Electronics Recycling Opportunity

 

The details:

 

Humanity needs all of us to quit trashing our home. This is one opportunity to do a little something right.

 

Sincerely and hopefully,

The Mesquite Hugger

 

May your stuff come back as something better in the next life!

 

PS. Thanks for the heads up, Double K!

PPS. If you miss this opportunity, Goodwill is also a local option for e-recycling.

PPPS. Watch the Story of Stuff already!

World-Famous Scientist, LBK Experts, and a dork at the TTU Museum tomorrow!

One of these three people is speaking at the Texas Tech Museum tomorrow (10/16/2016) at 2pm: (And I am excited about it!)

Dr. Katharine Hayhoe and a couple of dorky guys

If you've never heard Dr. H speak, you could be in for a real treat tomorrow, but you have to get yourself over to the Texas Tech Museum (4th and Indiana). It's a bit ironic that Lubbock [where we work so desperately to convince ourselves that we have nothing to worry about or that there is nothing we can do about it] is home to one of the world's most respected and influential climate scientists.  

Dr. Hayhoe and her unsung colleagues at the Texas Tech Climate Sciences Center offer a clear voice of inspiration, wisdom, and hope in an area that offers lots of sound and fury but little else.

The whole event is in support of the Smithsonian/Chicago Museum of Science and Industry Green Revolution exhibit which is now on display at the museum.

All the info you need

Besides the speaker, the reason that I am excited about this event is that it is designed to offer encouragement and support to local people who want to lead greener lives. From 2:30-4 you can visit booths manned womaned peopled by local experts on a number of topics. You can meet the LP&L guy who is the Mother Teresa of LED lighting, you can meet the Tech Recycling people; you can meet our local authorities on xeriscaping, community gardening, water conservation, wind energy, solar power, and so much more. There's even going to be a dorky blogger there talking about electric vehicles and their ability to help us pollute vastly less while saving money and enjoying the ride! (He might also talk a lot about bicycles, give away a few {tiny} Teslas, and give away three self-promoting t-shirts.)

May the dorky blogger see you there and may we all find new ways to make our world a healthier place!

PS. Personal Carbon Reduction makes me so very happy!

A Green Revolution in Lubbock, Texas? Oh Yes! (Updated)

It's a lonely thing - being an eco blogger here in the LBK. (But it's getting better!)

Looking at the Mesquite Hugger blog stats, it's easy to see that the people who read it don't live around here unless they know and (hopefully) love me. It may be that it's a terrible blog and that it's poorly written and horribly unappealing, but I like to think that the subject  matter just doesn't appeal to the majority of Lubbockites. (Yeah, that's it!)

Remember this gem: It looks like we have to move away from Lubbock :-) ?

How about this one: Lubbock makes another green list,  %$#@! ?

Or maybe this one: Protected Bike Lane Infographic - Ah, Lubbock Bike Geek Happiness ?

 

Lubbock is just not a place known for its eco-friendliness.

I do have to admit, however, that there are signs of hope. Here and there you see local people addressing (and acknowledging) the issues surrounding climate change and our role in it. More people are choosing to ride a bike. Our town has also started embracing recycling and water conservation. There are sparks.

This week, I had a chance to see a Green Revolution very close to home. At the Texas Tech Museum, you too can see this Green Revolution on display:



The exhibit is up at the Texas Tech Museum!

For this lonely eco-blogger, it is an upcycled slice of Heaven. An exhibit aimed at helping real-world people find ways to green their everyday lives speaks my language. Really, as I walked around the installations, my smile widened and widened more: alternative energy, energy and water conservation, carbon reduction, recycling, upcycling, and bicycling! And I was seeing all of this here in Lubbock! Plus, there were real, live worms!

Vermicomposting! and Composting!

I love this idea, but I don't seem to be the best of worm farmers. I have, however, turned out to be a very successful composter.

Rain barrels and water conservation

 

Unlike the catastrophic worm composting experiment, I have been very successful in capturing rain water in my home-made rain barrel. (It's amazing how little rain it takes to fill up a 55-gallon barrel!)

Recycling!

You know I love me some recycling!

Neighborhood Beautification

Lubbock, you know we need this!

Personal Carbon Reduction!

You mean you don't view everyday life as a green challenge? I keep hoping my maker friends over at ULabs will create an Eco-Fit-Bitty type thing so we can all track our daily eco-friendly steps.

Neighborhood/Community Gardens (The Curious Garden)

Bicycling (I may have mentioned this topic a few times.)

 

Yep, it was downright amazing to see all of these displays right here in my own backyard. I am now feeling so much less lonely. There are people in the world who speak my eco-language! And they are spreading the word! [Sigh.] It feels good to be the Mesquite Hugger!

If you're still reading, you must be (a.) intrigued (b.) really bored, or (c.) you love me, you really love me! In case you fall in category (a.) or (c.), I have some exciting news for you.

 

 

On Sunday, October 16 from 2pm-4pm, there will be a Green Revolution event at the museum. The coolest part of the event will be a short talk from our own world-famous climate scientist, Dr. Katharine Hayhoe. If you have never had a chance to hear Dr. H speak, you are in for a very educational treat! After the talk, you will be invited to go around to different booths to speak to local experts (and a long-winded blogger) on a number of life-greening topics. You might even have a chance to win a (really tiny) Tesla Model S!

 

May you find local opportunities to learn and grow, and may that be a blessing to everyone.

They say it's your birthday, Mesquite Hugger

[Blogger warning: prepare to read a lot about me me me if you venture past this point!]

Yep, it happened again, my birthday rolled around this weekend. And it was a great birthday weekend. Not anything crazy, but good times with great people and a little slowdown time. Good stuff.

I get all reflective around anniversaries and such, so I sat down and started looking at where I am. I won't bore you with all of the details, but I will bore you with the mesquite huggery stuff.

So, what have I been doing right this year? Carpooling the recycling, riding a bike, and trying to spread the word.

Carpooling recycling: Thank you, Texas Tech recycling!!! Thursday is now recycle day - I drive the truck to work. My office and three households load their recycling into the truck. I swing by my mum's house and pick up her recycling, and (of course) I take our recycling and a fair amount of neighborhood stuff to the university. (An old friend of mine is working over there and putting his life back together after some hard times. Through him, I can see where the recycling program is doing much more for our community than just recycling.) Thank you, Texas Tech!

Love the bike!

Yes, you knew I couldn't skip the bike. Lots of miles going to work and running errands. I feel better. The planet breathes easier. Our bank account is suffering less too. Pedaling is good stuff!

Yep, I represented there!

Spreading the word: I gave a few talks, worked with the Citizens Climate Lobby, and blog readership is up. We are making some progress.

What have I been doing okay? Giving up the gasoline, gardening and greener yard work, being politically active, and being friendlier to others.

Second-hand mower that needs no gas!

 

Giving up the gasoline: It's not just the bike! I have been planning my trips better and driving a bit more mellowly. And there's a lot of pedaling. I picked up a second-hand cordless lawnmower, a second-hand cordless weedeater, and a first-hand cordless chainsaw. Still burning more than I want to be, but it's progress.

Food Is Free Planter

Sweet! (pepper)

The carbon munching garden? It's doing pretty good, especially the Food-Is-Free planter. Tomatoes, peppers, eggplants, and squash are growing like weeds! The weeds aren't growing like weeds! The roly polies are under control, the squash bugs are (somewhat) under control, and the tiny predators are fat and happy! The olla planters are doing well but would be doing better with more time devoted to them. The compost boxes are cranking out plenty of compost.

Basil Flower

Eggplant Flower

Squash Flower

Political activity: I learned early on not to talk politics and religion in polite company.*

People keep smiling back at me!

Where have I stunk the place up? Project completion, decluttering and minimizing, and pursuing solar power.

Project completion: The electro-pigeons gather dust. Electric Bridget gathers dust. The electric pickup gathers dust. The greenhouse pieces gather dust. (I should become a dust collector since I seem to have a knack for it.) But the home-made panniers have been a great boon to my biking.

Decluttering and becoming a minimalist: I have actually re-homed quite a bit of stuff this year, but it is spoons full from a mountain. And I really want a cargo bike, snagit!

Pursuing solar power: I do consistently use a solar-powered bike light, but that's about it.

May your reflections show that you are blessed and ever more green!

I'd marry her!

 

*I thank God for each and every one of you who takes time to read this blog and I pray that you are blessed regardless of your political affiliation, religious beliefs, gender identity, or hatred of dorks on bikes.