The first breath is one you inhale right after you’re born. The last breath is one you exhale, right before you die. In between is a series of inhales and exhales. You never know when you’ll exhale for the final time.

We humans pride ourselves on being smart, and we consider ourselves to be at the top of the food chain. Few see themselves or others as a part of an interconnected web of life. If they did, they would have a higher regard for the animals they wantonly kill, and they’d be more proactive when it comes to climate change.

Garbage at the state fair

Those who early on thought themselves to be a part of the food chain believed, and still might believe, that there’s no such thing as climate change. Then they began thinking that the heat, drought, and fires are natural occurrences.

Now the prevailing attitude is that nothing can be done about this, so let’s focus on the economy and attempt to make it better. If, say, they saw a video or two of all the wastage at the Alaska State Fair, they might now be singing a differing tune.

Others may be thinking that its too late to do anything. I’m beginning to think this way, not because of the enormity of the situation, but because the human race is a large somewhat inert mass that is continuing to consume the world’s remaining resources at an astonishing rate.

Me, I am doing something about this. I, with the help of numerous volunteers, am keeping books from ending up in the landfill, which is where most of them might have gone. I’m sure that a near equal number of books do end up in this space. But the books we do save, we get into the hands of appreciative readers.

I decided yesterday to work less hard. This decision was short-lived. I worked on my People’s Paper article from 10:00 to 11:00 a.m., then met with Cathy and did art; then at 1:00 p.m., I went and met with several disabled high schoolers who will be doing volunteer work. They came in a large yellow bus, which the driver parked in front of the hotel.

This was a last minute scheduling, so I did not get to go swimming. Waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah.

The individuals who came are severely disabled, so I don’t think that much actual work will get done. This is okay. They will perhaps learn new skills that will serve them well should they go forth and end up in the wonderful world of work.

I gave them a tour. Pam showed them how to clean books. All this in less than 45 minutes. Now, next week, they’ll return. I don’t know if it will be the same three individuals or different individuals, or if others will join them.

After they left, I boxed up the children’s books that came this morning from Title Wave, then sorted out and categorized the non-fiction that came in a few days previously.

This was my day. Hopefully, tomorrow, I’ll get to ride my horses.

Next: 242. 9/6/24: Enough