Mystery Animal of the Day

Mama gnome presents the

Mystery Animal of the Day.

This animal has large eyes, with each eye surrounded by a circle of feathers called facial disc.

Contrary to popular belief, this animal cannot rotate its head entirely backwards.
But it is quite capable of looking over its shoulder 135 degrees to each side for a measly total of a 270 degree visual field.

This animal is usually nocturnal and solitary.


If your guess is OWL, Mama gnome wants to give you a loud hoot! whilst she takes you to her favorite forest, the sequoia redwood forest in Northern California.

Northern Spotted Owl

photo by US Fish and Wildlife Service

The owl's diet includes insects, small mammals and other birds. Some owls hunt fish as well. Owls are natural for controlling rodent population. Though some birds die from eating rodents that had ingested poison or rodenticides.

Owls are excellent hunters. Their flight feathers have serrated edges allowing them to fly virtually silent. The coloration of their feathers allow them to blend in with the environment and become virtually invisible.

Owls also have the habit of regurgitating indigestible parts of their prey such as fur,scales and bones. The discarded parts come out as "owl pellets." Schools can buy these pellets to be dissected in biology or ecology classes.

The collective noun for a group of these animals is parliament.

Does it not bring a visual imagery of a parliament of owls wearing spectacles and discussing important earth warming problems? Yes, it does for Mama gnome.

Owls are often associated with wisdom, depicted as symbols for libraries and universities. The greek goddess Athena was often portrayed with an owl.

Some cultures though consider owls as bad omens and 'harbingers of death.'

But for Mama gnome, she considers the situation reversed.
That man is really the harbinger of death for these poor animals.

According to this report,

In November 2008, 900 of these owls were seized in a raid in Malaysia.
They were 'plucked and "oven-ready" owls.'
In January 2009, 319 freshly skinned Owl carcasses were seized along with 25 hind legs and 22 paws of Malayan Sun Bear as well as 2,330 live clouded monitor lizards.

Chris R. Shepherd, Senior Programme Officer for TRAFFIC's Southeast Asia office, said,

"The number of owls and monitor lizards seized is truly staggering...
This is the first time we know of where ‘ready-prepared’ owls have been seized in Malaysia, and it may mark the start of a new trend in wild meat from the region. We will be monitoring developments closely."

They believe the animals were to be sold to wild meat restaurants in China.

IUCN categorizes the Philippine Eagle-owl as threatened and the Pernambuco Pygmy-owl as critically endangered. Other species of owls also face continuing loss of their habitat.

Here is a video of this remarkable animal.


video from: BBCWorldwide

Mama gnome would be remiss if she did not include this equally fascinating video about owls.


video from: notebookbabies

Mama gnome now wants to fix her facial discs on illegal loggers and haunters trespassing in her habitat.

Here's the virtually silent, virtually invisible flight of Mama gnome owl......

And after Mama gnome is done she will regurgitate pellets of axes, chainsaws and haunting rifles. BWAHAHAHAHA! BWAHAHAHAHA!

Oh, pardon me. Mama gnome got carried away.

Please, help save our forests and owls. Please, go green.

(c)2009 Jenaelha, Friendly Gnome's Blog

Mama gnome versus Plastic Bag Monster

Mama gnome woke up with a start. Daddy gnome was leaning over her.

He said, "It's time, dear." He straightened up. Daddy gnome was in full battle armor.

Mama gnome sat bolt upright. She remembered in a few hours she will face the bane of her existence, Plastic Bag Monster.

With a heart that raced full gallop, she dressed in her own armor and stepped out into the hall.

Four good-sized reusable bags filled with provisions the night before, waited in the hallway.

The gnomelets were still asleep.

"Let them sleep, they'll need their strength," Mama gnome thought to herself.

She double-checked the list: hats, sunblock, gloves for gnomelets and parent gnomes, waiver forms, copy of Coastal Cleanup Day pass for car resting lot. Everything looked fine.

While Mama gnome drank her cup of morning elixir (so vital for existence) and munched on her slice of toast with peanut butter, she mentally prepared herself.

'Do not underestimate the creature. Do not pity Plastic Bag Monster. For it does not pity you.'

A tiny voice piped in behind her.

"Mama, are we going to the beach?" Baby gnomelet asked.

"Yes, baby. Let's get ready. What do you want for breakfast?"

"Strawberry cream cheese toast."


By the by, the gnome family piled into the gnome car and drove on.


photo by: Jenaelha, Friendly Gnome's Blog

They also drove by this: an eyesore for Mama gnome: more hillsides and mountainsides being carved out for urban development.

photo by: jenaelha, Friendly Gnome's Blog

Elder gnomelet saw this, a flock of birds resting on a water tank.

photo by: Jenaelha, Friendly Gnome's Blog

Mama gnome checked their bearings on the map. Though Mama gnome is a computer savant, she is quite proficient in map reading and navigation.

Finally, the gnome family saw this:

photo by: Jenaelha, Friendly Gnome's Blog

They were minutes away.

Daddy gnome drove into the car resting lot and stopped at the other end, not in a resting space, but in the middle of the lane.

"Something's wrong. This can't be it. We're in the wrong place," Daddy gnome said.

"Why do you say that?" Mama gnome asked.

"There's no one here."

Mama gnome looked around. Indeed there were plenty of vacant spaces.

"But the meeting place is not here, it's over there, past the sand dune, past the humans playing volleyball," Mama gnome said. "Oh, look. There are two people picking up trash over there. Let's ask them where we sign up."

The gnome family got out of the car.

The gnomelets kept cheering, "Yehey! We're at the beach!"

Mama gnome called out to the humans, "Hello! Where do we sign up for Coastal Cleanup Day?"

The man and woman stopped and smiled back.

The human lady spoke first, "Over there." She pointed to the same spot Mama gnome told Daddy gnome.

"Oh good, we're not lost. Do you know how many people showed up already?" Mama gnome asked.

"About thirteen," said the woman.

"Really?" Mama gnome's heart sank. Has Plastic Bag Monster won already? How can only thirteen people be here?

"Well counting you that'll be fifteen. My goal is twenty."

"But how about my gnomelets? They're here to help too. I've filled out the waiver forms already and they've got their own gloves," Mama gnome said.

"Wow, really?" The woman smiled at the gnomelets.

"That's great." The man said.

Daddy gnome and gnomelets walked towards the beach while Mama gnome spoke with the humans about their battle strategy against Plastic Bag Monster.

It turns out the humans Mama gnome spotted were special humans.

They are Sarah Kern and Matt Stabile.



photo by: Jenaelha, Friendly Gnome's Blogspot


Sarah Kern was the beach coordinator for that particular clean up site.

She is the Editorial Assistant for Self Enquiry Life Fellowship which is a Santa Barbara based non-profit group.

Mama gnome's heart swelled while she spoke with the kindly humans, clearly her strong allies against Plastic Bag Monster.

Sarah explained to Mama gnome the safety precautions and procedures for picking up trash or Plastic Bag Minions. She gave Mama gnome an orange bag for trash and a white bag for recyclables.

Mama gnome asked, "So plastic bags go into recyclables?"

Sarah said, "No."

Mama gnome shook her head, "No way."

"I'm sorry but no. Only water bottles, the thick plastic stuff, not the thin bags," explained Sarah.

It's true. According to Heal the Bay, "only 1% to 4% of plastic bags are recycled."

Mama gnome trudged towards the beach to search for her family.

Sad thoughts slowed down every step...Only thirteen people and four gnomes showed up...Can't recycle plastic bags...Only thirteen people and four gnomes showed up....Can't recycle plastic bags...We're doomed.

With the gnome family safely suited up with protective gloves, the battle began.

Guess who found and captured the first trash monster?

Older gnomelet.

It turns out older gnomelet's eyes were like hawk's eyes, quite adept at picking out unnatural things half-buried in the sand.

Baby gnomelet's eyes, on the other hand, were quite adept at finding drift wood, rocks and sea shells in the sand. For this Mama gnome was grateful.

After twenty minutes, the most abundant trash monster in the beach revealed itself...
Cigarette remains or as humans called them, cigarette butts.

In twenty minutes, the gnome family captured almost thirty cigarette butts.

In an hour and a half, they've captured almost one hundred and thirty cigarette monsters.

They were tricky. A lot of them hid in the sand. A lot of them had sloughed off their outer casings.

photo by: Jenaelha, Friendly Gnome's Blog
Cigarettes are not biodegradable. They have small plastic inserts that last forever or will over time become smaller and smaller plastic particles that become part of the ocean food web.

Besides the cigarette remains, the second most prolific trash monsters found were plastic bottle or soda cap monsters. Round plastic caps perfect for choking seabirds and other marine animals.

And guess who found the first recyclable material in the beach?

Yes, older gnomelet!

She unearthed a half-buried aluminum soda can. Mama gnome's so proud of her.

The time allotted for Coastal Cleanup Day was almost over. Yet Mama gnome had not even captured a single plastic bag. None. Plastic bags travel well because they are so light. They had now flown out into the oceans.

What Mama gnome found were countless small pieces, unrecognizable parts of something plastic.

At the end of almost three hours of battle, these are the trash monsters captured that morning.

photo by: Jenaelha, Friendly Gnome's Blog


I know. It looks like it's not much. But if you consider there are almost 800 pieces of cigarette monsters in there and countless small pieces of plastic monsters, they added up to quite a bit for a small group of humans and gnomes.

I tell you this, but Mama gnome's heart has been heavy for a few days now because she thought she would indeed battle with Plastic Bag Monster but he didn't even show up.

Instead he left in his wake, unrecognizable plastic monsters, styrofoam monsters, bottle cap monsters and cigarette monsters.

Mama gnome's heart grew heavier still at the thought of how small the group of people who showed up at that clean-up site.

But today, she read the report from the California Coastal Commission,
a preliminary press release for Coastal Cleanup Day 2009. Here's an excerpt:

With 65% of the cleanup sites reporting, the statewide count stands at 66,550 volunteers,
which should approach the event goal of 70,000 volunteers.

Those volunteers picked up 819,394 pounds of trash
and an additional 89,899 pounds of recyclable materials,
for a total of 909,294 pounds.

The Coastal Commission expects to exceed 1,000,000 pounds of trash when all the totals are in.

Over one million pounds of trash. Mama gnome's heart soared.

Mama gnome also found solace in Jane Goodall's words:

Jane Goodall said,

"It's easy to be apathetic and give up...We need people who can inspire us. One person can make a difference. The most important advice I can give you is to follow your dreams...Never give up. Remember each day differs. And here's advice my mother gave me, 'Your life matters and for each day, we can make the world a better place for all living things."

Mama gnome declares victory over Plastic Bag Monster on this momentous day, the battle of Coastal Cleanup Day.

photo by: Jenaelha, Friendly Gnome's Blog


But the war is not over. Plastic Bag Monster swirls in the depths of oceans and rivers, lurking and waiting for Mama gnome.

And Mama gnome is no longer afraid. For she has found another secret weapon.

Something Plastic Bag Monster would never expect.

Plastic Bag Monster prepare for your greatest enemy....

Older Gnomelet.
photo by: Jenaelha, Friendly Gnome's Blog


Yes, you should be afraid you foul beast. For she has hawk like eyes, boundless energy and indomitable spirit.

She is Eco-warrior.

Please join Mama gnome, be an ally against Plastic Bag Monster.

Arm yourselves with reusable bags and go green.

(c) 2009 Jenaelha, Friendly Gnome's Blogspot.

Mystery Animal of the Day

Mama gnome presents the Mystery Animal of the Day.

He's dubbed the "loneliest animal on Earth" for bearing the burden of being the last known survivor of his subspecies.

This animal lives on an island, part of an archipelago made famous by Darwin.

He is a slow moving reptile with a saddleback shell and long neck and limbs.

If your answer is Pinta Island Tortoise or Abingdon Island Tortoise, Mama gnome would like to walk on the beach with you someday to participate at the next Coastal Cleanup Day.

photo from: putneymark

This famous tortoise is called Lonesome George.

He was discovered on the island of Pinta in 1971. Pinta is one of the islets of the Galapagos Archipelago.



photo from: Minglex


Pinta Island Tortoises were severely hunted down by fishermen and whalers to the point of extinction in the wild.

In addition..."the island's vegetation had been decimated by introduced feral goats, and the indigenous Geochelone nigra abingdoni population had been reduced to a single individual."

That single individual is George.

George has since lived in protected confinement at the Charles Darwin Research Center.

They estimate his age to be around ninety years old.

Lonesome George is the last known Geochelone nigra abingdoni or Abingdon Island Tortoise, a subspecies of the Galapagos giant tortoises.

The Galapagos giant tortoise is the largest living tortoise. Adults can measure up to four feet or 1.2 meters long and weigh over 661 pounds or 300 kilograms.

Their normal life expectancy is estimated to be 100 to 150 years.

Since the start of the 17th century, the Galapagos tortoises have been killed by hunters, poachers and predators introduced to the islands by humans.

Their food which is mainly plants and grasses have severely diminished as well.

Although the Galapagos giant tortoise has been listed as a "protected species" since 1936 by the Ecuadorian government, over 120 tortoises have been killed by poachers.

In 2004 the giant tortoises and scientists at the Charles Darwin Research Center were taken hostage by local fisherman as part of their political protest against environmental laws. Some fishermen even threatened to kill Lonesome George.

Today, of the ten remaining subspecies of Galapagos giant tortoises, George is charged with representing his entire subspecies by himself.

Attempts are being made to continue George's genome. Although the resulting offsprings if they are successful will be 'hybrids,' for the female tortoises are different subspecies.

In 2008, one of the female tortoises laid a clutch of eggs but were later found infertile.

Last July 2009, the Galapagos National Park reported a second clutch of eggs were discovered. After an incubation period of 120 days they will determine if the eggs are fertile.

Mama gnome will keep her fingers crossed and root for George.


video from: BBCWorldwide

Mama gnome now feels like stretching her neck high and coming out of her shell to say to the world,

"Lonesome George may be the last of his kind, but he is not alone. I will stand by him and so should you. Be a part of his family and go green."

(c) 2009 Jenaelha, Friendly Gnome's Blog

Person of the Day: Edward Mooney Jr.

Mama gnome is proud to present the Person of the Day:

Edward Mooney Jr.

Mama gnome: Welcome to my little garden, Ed. I'm so happy you could visit today. Would you like to try a bit of this oatmeal cookie and morning elixir? Or perhaps some tea or hot chocolate?


EM: Hot chocolate sounds great, thanks. How did you find out that I love oatmeal cookies?
You know I hadn't realized, until today, how truly short you gnomes are. I knew that gnomes were small, but not this tiny. How tall are gnomes, anyway?


Mama gnome sits up straight on her mushroom stool at this point and fluffs up her hat.


EM: Maybe that’s because I’m too much of a hulk. At six foot three you bump your head a lot, you know.
It seems like every third visit to the grocery store I get someone asking me to help them get something down from the highest shelf.
Everyone thinks being tall is better; try getting into a small car sometime.
Anyway, I do tend to wander, don’t I?


MG: No, not at all, Ed. Wander as much as you please.
And if you must know, I’m quite tall for a gnome my age which is a very young one hundred and ten.
And you are quite tall I must say for a human. My neck’s got a crook in it now.
But can you hand me my box of tea up there. No next shelf. Yes, that one. Thank you.
Now Ed, please tell us about yourself.


EM: Besides my height? Well, then there’s my weight.
I’ve lost 48 pounds over the last 13 months.
That’s my biggest personal accomplishment, besides regular flossing of my teeth.
Well, I guess if I were asked to write a short essay about who I am…which you just did…I would have to describe my personal and professional sides.

On the personal side, I’ve been married to Carrie for 23 years now.
We have 5 kids and 6 grandchildren, even though she doesn’t look old enough to be a grandma.

I was born in Massachusetts before cable TV, computers and satellites.

I was raised in Orange County, California, in the shadow of Disneyland, and lived for years in Bozeman, Montana.

Now I live in Palmdale.
My hobbies include:
collecting flags of the world,
writing,
computers,
watching baseball,
camping
and gardening (I just discovered growing pumpkins, thanks to Carrie, and how fun it is).

I love books, history and maps, too.
On the professional side, I’m the author of a couple of books, including

“The Pearls of the Stone Man,” which is being made into a movie;

I’m also a high school teacher, a newspaper columnist and a computer nerd.

Maybe I’m just a regular nerd, too. You have to decide that…
I earned my Bachelor of Science degree from Montana State University, and went on to claim a Master’s degree from the University of California at Riverside.

I was working on a doctorate when I lost my first wife, with whom I had three children.

I tell you this because education is very important to me.

My life has been molded by the values taught me by my parents, my education, and my faith as what I call a “humble Christian.”
Oh, you dropped a piece of your cookie…yes, right there, on your tunic. And I talk too much.

Did I already tell you that?


MG: Um, no I don't recall you telling me. But ahemm, thank you, for pointing out the cookie crumb. Mama gnome gets carried away with cookies sometimes.
And no I don’t think you talk too much.
I am amazed at all the life experiences and learning you've gone through and congratulations on the success of your books and the movie coming out.
Is there a part there for a sassy, attractive, eco-friendly motherly gnome per chance? Ahemm, okay fine.
Moving on, can you please tell us how you feel about the environment?


EM: Well, I’m all for it. After all, it’s where I get my air, water and food, not to mention my computer, my books and everything else in my life.

When I was at Montana State University I took a class entitled “Conservation Education” in which I realized that we’re all interconnected.

People, the land, air, water, plants, animals, everything.

As the air goes, so I go. The same is true for everything else.

I was struck by how many of our troubles are caused by our mismanagement of the Earth. This is why I’ve become a meat minimalist.

The cost to the ecosystem to raise meat is startling. Literally an animal consumes something like ten pounds of grain to produce one pound of meat that we eat.

Besides, I visited some animal compounds and I struggle about how kind is it to kill another life form just for us to eat. Yes, I’m a softie. I admit it.

I don’t like to see anyone or anything suffer.

I know, you’re probably asking, why isn’t he a vegetarian? At my age a radical change is tough.

It took me a decade to train myself to floss my teeth regularly (that and some root canals).

I’m hoping I’ll get there.

I only eat a little bit of meat, usually once a week now. I do eat cheese and eggs, however. Did I tell you that my Bachelor’s degree is in Earth Sciences?

That’s how much I was impressed by the environment.

As someone who suffers from allergies, the environment touches everything in my life.
By the way, feel free to interrupt me if I carry on too much. My wife does.

I usually see her eyes roll up and I know I’ve gone on too much. I’ll watch your eyes…


MG: Mama gnome’s eyes are transfixed Ed, especially when she heard you say you’ve limited how often you eat meat and your degree is in Earth Sciences. Those are tremendous accomplishments.
And in what other ways has the environment affected the way you live your life?


EM: Besides the meat thing, I’m really fascinated by solar power.

I have a few solar panels, solar calculators, and I want to take my house completely off of the grid someday.

I recycle now (a lot of that’s due to Carrie), and I’m slowly moving toward things like rechargeable batteries.

I think you can see my trend here – I am slowly making changes as I can, and hoping my children and grandchildren can continue the pattern.


MG: What a wonderful example and legacy for your children and grandchildren. Mama gnome is also quite excited about solar power.
But before she gets too excited, Ed, can you share with us some tips on how to be more eco-friendly?


EM: I think the idea of taking baby steps is what works for people like me who aren’t used to changes.

Research what is environmentally the “best practice” and make movement in that direction, as you have to make choices and purchases.

I call this the “Incremental Approach”. Before long you’ll see huge changes, but the stress and anxiety won’t come with it. We now use an organic farm (Abundant Harvest Organics) for some of our vegetables.

Another incremental change. When it’s time for us to get a new car, we expect we’ll buy a hybrid, or whatever is environmentally best that we can afford. Besides that, we hope to stretch our current vehicles so we’re not just consuming vehicles just because they’re fun and new.


I’m changing the values of my life. Are cars really all that important that I have to have a new one every other year? If mine is working fine, comfortable and does the job, do I really need to get a new car? See what I mean?
Can I get another cookie? These are really good! Do you have any with chocolate chips?


MG: Of course, Ed. Help yourself. I have a batch of chocolate chip cookies with walnuts and a batch of my favorite, peanut butter.
Ah, excellent choice I must say.
Now, Ed as a teacher do you have the chance to teach your students to be more environmentally aware and how do you do that?


EM: As I teach Earth Science, I stress how interconnected we are, as I explained.

That’s probably the core. I know you don’t want me going over all of that again. I’m sorry, but I do see that my wandering has you finding it tough to stay on task. I do that to people, you know.


MG: Oh no, no, Ed. I just... (Mama gnome coughs and spits out crumbs of peanut butter cookies.)
Excuse me. I think the mind is wonderful maze and we need to wander through all sorts of paths.
Speaking of maze, do you have a favorite book about the environment/nature? It could be fiction or non-fiction.


EM: It was “Silent Spring,” by Rachel Carson. I read that, I think, back in college and it truly changed me.

I also read some books by Bradford Angier about surviving in the wilderness and that changed how I saw the natural world – not as an enemy but as something we could live within.


MG: Do you have a favorite movie about the environment/nature?


EM: It may sound strange, but the Bruce Dern movie “Silent Running,” about a spaceship with a closed system in deep space, the last nature preserve known to humans, shook me up.

I started worrying about our direction as a species.


MG: The books and movie sound interesting and pique Mama gnome's interest. And I'm also interested in knowing what is your favorite animal and why? Is it endangered or threatened?



EM: Since I’m so huge (I know I told you that), I’ve always liked the polar bear.

I’m also fuzzy and have hands like their paws.

As their habitat has become more and more threatened due to global warming, I’ve become more and more concerned.

What will happen to them? The changes are happening so quickly that they will not be able to adapt, I’m afraid.

I’m not a biologist, but I worry their ice caps will be gone soon.


MG: Mama gnome now knows why she and Ed, though human, are kindred spirits.
‘Tis because polar bears are also her favorite animals!
Have another cookie, Ed and tell us, what is your favorite plant and why?


EM: I like pine trees a lot. When I lived in Montana (and I call myself a Montanan), I loved walking through those forests.

One of my fondest memories is swimming beneath a waterfall in the forest up there. It was south of Bozeman, on Hyalite Creek.

It seemed like Eden to me. I miss that place.

Also, being born in New England, where a pine tree has been a symbol of that area, it fits another part of my life.

And being tall, well, you get the picture.


MG: That sounds beautiful, Ed. Quite different from our Valley of the Antelopes where sadly antelopes can no longer be found.
And if you can be any animal or plant what would it be and why?


EM: Hmm. I’ve never been asked that before.

There’s something about birds flying that intrigues me. I once read that the majority of the animal species on Earth can fly, yet we cannot (at least naturally).

I’m afraid of heights, but I love seeing the Earth from above (did I tell you that I’m a map freak?). Maybe having a pair of wings would help me overcome my fear. As to what kind of bird, I’m not sure.

Going with my size thing, maybe I’d be a hawk or an eagle.
They seem so noble, and as my mother used to say, your honor is all you truly own in this life. Am I on a tangent again? Your eyes are rolling…


MG: No, no Ed. Mama gnome’s eyes are rolling because she loves hawks and eagles as well. Sadly Ed, did you know the greatest eagle in the world is also the most endangered eagle?
And so Mama gnome gets discouraged sometimes because of all the problems plaguing planet Earth.
Any encouraging words for discouraged green gnomes and humans?


EM: I know how you feel, but haven’t given up yet.

Never forget that we have our minds and our technology, as well as our ability to change.

We’ve faced crisis after crisis in the past and overcome.

We can do this. I am a firm believer in incremental change.

If all of us commit to doing that, we will see a massive difference in our lifetimes. If I can change, the species as a whole can do it.

I believe I’ve changed radically over the last 25 years, and that gives me hope.

You should really see me deep inside and how really frightened of change I am. Yet, I’m doing it.

One step at a time.

As someone who has had a few books published, I’ve learned the value of persevering and never giving up.

I never realized that would be the gift of the process of getting published – the strength to keep going and believing.

Never give up – for it is at that moment that we truly lose.

As I tell everyone… “Nothing great was ever accomplished without passion.” (E. Mooney)

If this is your passion, make it your life and see it come true! Believe!

By the way, can I get a few of those cookies to take with me? They’re low in calories, right?

Did I tell you I’ve lost 48 pounds?


MG: Um, no I don't think you've mentioned it the last two seconds, Ed.
Seriously though congratulations and you deserve all the success for all the hard work, talent and heart you've put into your writing and life.
And yes, these cookies are delicious and magical for you will not gain an ounce. I’ve wrapped a special box for you and Carrie. The wrapper is made from recycled 100% post consumer waste. No, it's not doo-doo, silly. It's good paper, green paper. You're such a joker.
Thanks so much for visiting my little garden, Ed. Watch your head now. I know a gnome house is a bit on the short side.



Though I have to admit I think Ed's the tallest creature to visit my home.

Look I can still see him, towering over my garden wall like a walking pine tree.

"Bye, Ed!" Mama gnome mouths, 'email me, soon.'


My dear readers, I hope you’ve enjoyed learning about our Person of the Day:

the tall and svelte Edward Mooney Jr. who was so generous and kind to visit Mama gnome's little garden.


Now Mama gnome feels like flying like an eagle,

swimming in the Arctic Ocean like a polar bear and most of all,

sitting on her stoop while she eats cookies and reads Ed’s book,

which by the way was a Pulitzer Prize contender.

Go Green.

Mama gnome takes on Plastic Bag Monster

Mama gnome takes a deep breath and braces herself.

For this coming Saturday, SEPTEMBER 19, 2009

a great, momentous battle awaits the mother gnome.

Her foe is a mighty beast, a heathen of a monster, not from this earth.

No it does not breath air nor possess a heart.

But it lives.

It is the Plastic Bag Monster, a creature that plagues our oceans, our lands, our children, our animals and plants.


photo from: plasticdebris.org

It is a monster who aims to destroy everything on its path to its home, the Great Pacific Garbage Patch.

Or as Mama gnome calls it, the Great Pacific Garbage Monster.

There it will unite forces with other plastic bag monsters, soda can monsters, water bottle monsters, styrofoam monsters and other unnatural unliving creatures who claim dominion over our oceans, our land, our planet Earth.

What chance does Mama gnome have in defeating such an enemy?

Mama gnome sighs and bows her head. Yes, the chance is quite small. But it's all she's got.

And she'll take that tiny, sliver of a chance and run away with it,

for our planet's very existence is at stake.

If this Plastic Bag Monster triumphs and no one stands up to it, hundreds and thousands of marine animals and seabirds will continue to perish, be mutilated and die slow painful deaths.

If no one stands up to it, our oceans, rivers, the water that we drink to live, will continue to be mired with toxins and pollutants.

If no one stands up to it, our Earth, our beautiful planet Earth, would be left on her own, undefended.

So rally with me, fellow gnomes and humans, join me in this great battle, this momentous day on September 19, 2009.

Tis a memorable day dubbed forth by Earth's defenders as:

Coastal Cleanup Day

This is a worldwide event.

Visit Ocean Conservancy for clean up sites in the world.

Visit Heal the Bay or California Coastal Commission for clean up sites in California.

Just follow the links and type in the country, city you live in and it will show you the closest beach, river, park you can venture forth to battle against the Plastic Bag Monster.

United we will defeat this unnatural creature and we will set our planet free.

All you need is a staunch heart, maybe a couple of gloves and sunblock lotion in case it gets too hot.

And in the name of everything sustainable, do not bring water housed in plastic water bottles,
for the Plastic Bag Monster will see them as a sign of weakness and will call forth on its minions, i.e., the plastic water bottles you're hiding in your thin plastic bags.
Nay, do not falter my human friend.

To ensure our victory, here are other pre and post-battle strategies you can engage in everyday:

• When you go shopping and if they ask you paper or plastic, say 'neither' and hold up your own wonderful reusable bags.
• Limit or avoid using plastic water bottles. A lot of them end up in the ocean and the by-products of green house emissions from their production outweigh their value. Use your own glass or metal container which will last and hopefully not end up in our oceans.
• Use eco-friendly products especially for household cleaning, dish washing and laundry. Less contaminants will leach into the ground or go into runoffs that will end up in our oceans.
• Support sustainable fishing methods by checking where the fish you eat comes from.
• Support plastic bag bans. An average American uses 500 plastic bags annually. That's billions annually. Trillions worldwide. And according to Heal the Bay only a small percentage of plastic bags get recycled, only 1% to 4%. Mama gnome knows exactly where the 96-99% of plastic bags are hanging out. Cough. Great Pacific Garbage Patch!
• When you dine out, bring your own food containers for left overs. If you don't, you take the chance of bringing home styrofoam containers, ie. Plastic Bag Monster's allies.
  

Mama gnome has faith in you brave human. Together victory will be ours!

And to you Plastic Bag Monster,

Mama gnome says, "Come forth and face me for I have brought...it...on."

Go Green!

(c) 2009 Jenaelha Friendly Gnome's Blog

Mystery Animal of the Day

Mama gnome is happy to present her favorite land animal,

the Mystery Animal of the Day.

Its scientific name is Ursus Maritimus.

It is native within the Arctic Circle, its surrounding waters and land masses.

Global warming is listed as the most significant threat to this animal.

If your guess is Polar Bear, Mama gnome wants to give you a giant bear hug and she chants her motto, "Save Energy! Save the Polar Bears!"


photo from Alan D. Wilson, naturepicsonline.com

Polar bears share the title of largest bear with the Kodiak bear.

They are excellent swimmers as you can see here:

video from: BBCWorldwide


Polar bears are well insulated by their thick fur, blubber and hide. They overheat if the temperature is above 50 degrees Fahrenheit or 10 degrees Celsius.

According to the IUCN, "If climatic trends continue polar bears may become extirpated from most of their range within 100 years."

Polar bears are also threatened by:

"...toxic contaminants, shipping, recreational viewing, oil and gas exploration and development. In addition to this comes a potential risk of over-harvest due to increased quotas, excessive quotas or no quotas in Canada and Greenland and poaching in Russia."

Mama gnome imagines you protest and say,

Global warming? Toxic contaminant? Oil exploration? That's crazy? When did I ever explore for oil or use toxic contaminants or warm a globe?

Mama gnome answers,

Every day we make decisions or perform actions that contribute to or lessen global warming, contribute to or lessen toxic wastes, contribute to or lessen oil exploration and development.

In the near future, our actions and decisions will produce an effect, a global effect that will either "extirpate" the polar bears or support their existence.



video from: NationalWildlife


What can we do today to help save the Polar Bears? I thought you'd never ask.

• Chant daily mantra of "save energy, save polar bears" to guide you
  
• Save electricity (don't use the clothes dryer, use compact fluorescent light bulbs, use energy efficient appliances, turn off lights and appliances not being used, etc.)
• Drive less
  
• Eat less meat
• Use ecofriendly products to lessen toxic contaminants
• Use reusable bags
• Support plastic ban bags
• Visit World Wildlife Federation
• Participate in the annual Coastal Cleanup Day . The next one is on September 19, 2009
• Adopt a Polar Bear
• Give the gift of Trees. For each card you purchase and gift to someone, a tree will be planted in a national forest in their honor
  
• Reduce, reuse, recycle
• Educate your family, friends, neighbors, strangers about these issues

Mama gnome feels like daily consumption of peanut butter has provided her with enough blubber to survive in the cold waters of the Arctic Ocean. There she will help guard the polar bears from hunters and toxic pollution.

You need to thicken your hide and blubber by staying on land and fight off Global Warming.

Go green.

(c) 2009 Jenaelha, Friendly Gnome's Blog

In Memoriam

Mama gnome tied ribbons around every tree in her garden to remember the
2,974 people who died and another 24 who remain listed as missing because of 9/11.


photo from: National Park Service

"The deaths include 246 on the four planes, 2,603 in New York City in the towers and on the ground, and 125 at the Pentagon."

411 emergency workers (NY Firefighters, NY Police Officers, Port Authority Police Officers, EMTs, paramedics) died on that day while "they attempted to rescue people and fight fires."



video from: rebel225343

We will never forget you.

(C)2009 Jenaelha Friendly Gnome's Blog

Earth Warming Revisited

The two gnomelets perched on Mama gnome's lap.

Elder gnomelet asked, "Mama do you have a new Mystery Animal of the Day?"

'Tis a question she asks every day.

"No, not yet," said Mama gnome.

Youngest gnomelet said, "I want to see an animal, Mama."

Young gnomelets are eager to see a Mystery Animal but Mama gnome wants to revisit a topic so important in her heart: Earth Warming, or as humans call it: Global Warming.

Mama gnome hopes to highlight earth warming and appease the gnomelets by this:



video from: friendsoftheearth

According to the 2007 Climate Change Report by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change or IPCC

Warming of the climate system is unequivocal.



"This image shows the instrumental record of global average temperatures as compiled by the Climatic Research Unit of the University of East Anglia and the Hadley Centre of the UK Meteorological Office."

Most of the observed increase in globally averaged temperatures since the mid-20th century is very likely due to the observed increase in anthropogenic (human) greenhouse gas concentrations.

Global atmospheric concentrations of carbon dioxide, methane, and nitrous oxide have increased markedly as a result of human activities since 1750 and now far exceed pre-industrial values over the past 650,000 years

"These basic conclusions have been endorsed by more than 40 scientific societies and academies of science, including all of the national academies of science of the major industrialized countries."

Earth warming is a reality.

Some people do not want to face reality.

But this is what's happening to our planet.

The sooner we all face these facts, these problems, this earth warming,

the sooner we can work on solutions.

Mama gnome would like to end her story today the same way she ended her previous story about Earth Warming.

Once upon a time, there was this beautiful planet. She was called EARTH.



video from: ErikErikSonyD

Mama gnome wishes some day, maybe some day,

all humans would come together

and save her.

Go green.

(c) 2009 Jenaelha Friendly Gnome's Blog

Superheroes

Elder gnomelet said to Mama gnome, "Mama, I wish I could fly."

Mama gnome asked,"Like a bird? Or like that plane up there?"

"No, no plane. Just me, just fly."

Mama gnome remembers her gnomelet days when she too wished to fly.

We all have secret aspirations for superpowers: fly, be invisible, have super-human strength. Powers to help us overcome obstacles.

Mama gnome told Daddy gnome, just today, a few hours ago, I said,

"I wish I had superpowers, so I can help fight the wildfires, arson fires. Then I can help save people, the animals and trees."


For weeks, the gnome family observed smoke plumes from the Station Fire.

"The still-burning Station Fire, north of Los Angeles, is the largest and deadliest of these wildfires, having burned more than 154,000 acres (62,300 ha) and killed two firefighters since it began in late August."

"At over 154,000 acres, the Station Fire is the largest wildfire in the modern history of Los Angeles County, passing the 105,000 acre (42,500 ha) Clampitt Fire of September 1970, and the 10th largest in modern California history."

The Station Fire was not some random incidental fire started by Mother Nature.

It was intentionally set and officials are conducting homicide and arson investigations.


Everyday, there are men and women, who may not have superpowers like flying or x-ray vision or invisibility, yet everyday they go out into the world as if they do, in order to save humans and animals, houses and trees.

The Rescue by John Everett Millais

Mama gnome wants to thank all these superheroes: our brave firefighters.

You are all superheroes.



video from: cburd06

Be a superhero and help save our planet.

More than ever, lives and homes need to be rebuilt, forests need to replanted.

Be brave and go out there and go green.

(c)2009 Jenaelha Friendly Gnome's Blog

Mystery Animal of the Day

Mama gnome presents the

Mystery Animal of the Day

It is the most endangered cat species in the world. It has leopard-like spots on its gray or light-brown coat.

IUCN reports only about 84-143 of these cats remain in scattered pockets in Spain and Portugal.

If your guess is the IBERIAN LYNX, Mama gnome would like to shake your hand and say,
"you have the signs of becoming a true environmentalist."


photo by: (c)"Programa de Conservación Ex-situ del Lince Ibérico www.lynxexsitu.es"


The Iberian Lynx has four sets of whiskers. Two on its ears and two on the chin. They use these whiskers to sense for prey.

Their main prey is the European Rabbit. With the Iberian Lynx's habitat severely diminished or destroyed and the rabbit population drastically reduced, the Iberian Lynx is critically endangered.

Sadly SOS Lynx reports,

"...if this species died out, it would be the first feline extinction since the Smilodon 10,000 years ago."

SOS Lynx is a nonprofit organization dedicated to help save the Iberian Lynx. Please visit their website for more information.


video from: chriscarrfilm

Mama gnome feels like brushing her whiskers, ehemm, brushing her hair I mean.

And pouncing on terrible humans who are ruthlessly cutting down trees in the Iberian Lynx's territory.

Raw-raarrr!!!

To help the Iberian Lynx:

• please visit SOS Lynx
• find ways to cut down use of paper or paper products
• recycle paper
• try to use paper or paper products made from post-consumer waste
  

Be one with the Iberian Lynx, clean your whiskers and Go Green.

(c) 2009 Jenaelha, Friendly Gnome's Blog

Planet walker John Francis, Environmentalist Extraordinaire

Mama gnome says, "Today I have a special story for you. It is the story of Planetwalker: John Francis."

Once upon a time in the earth years of one thousand nine hundred seventy-one,a young man witnessed the devastation of massive oil spilling into the bay of San Francisco after two oil tankers collided.

The young man was so distressed by the damage caused by the oil spill, he stopped driving and riding in motorized vehicles for twenty and two earth years.

Yes, you read right. Twenty-two years.

John Francis became a walker, Planet Walker.

In the beginning of his protest against pollution as a planetwalker, John Francis found himself arguing with some people who disagreed or were upset with what he was doing.

So John Francis decided for his twenty-seventh birthday, he would not speak on his birthday so as not to argue with anyone.

That one day of silence turned into two days of silence and three days until finally it turned into ten and seven earth years.

Yes, you read right again. Seventeen years of silence for John Francis.

Silent he was but idle he was not.

In seventeen years of silence and twenty-two years of planet walking he finished three college degrees including a Ph.D.

If you're thinking he only went to one university within walking distance in his hometown, which would be quite convenient for someone who didn't drive or ride the bus, to do all that, you are quite mistaken.

He walked everywhere!

From San Francisco he walked to Oregon and earned a Bachelor's degree.

From Oregon he walked to Washington state where he built a boat.

From Washington he sailed and walked for two years 'til he reached Montana where he earned his Master's degree.

While he studied, he even taught classes though he did not speak a word!

From Montana he walked to Wisconsin where he earned his Ph.D, focusing his studies on oil spills.
Maybe he had foreseen the future for during his studies, the Exxon Valdez disaster occurred.

He has written a book, Planetwalker: How to Change Your World One Step at a Time

Here is John Francis, Planetwalker, Environmentalist Extraordinaire


video from: TEDTalks

Mama gnome feels like taking a walk now and being silent for a while.

Speak or be silent, stay a lovely shade of green.

(c) 2009 Jenaelha, Friendly Gnome's Blog