Looking through the glass of Multiple Chemical Sensitivity

Photo of woman in Michigan with Multiple Chemical Sensitivity.

*

*

*

*

*

*

*

*

This is me blowing a kiss to my husband outside while he is doing yard work, thankful he is able to do it and wishing I could join him.

At times with my illness it’s just like looking thru glass “literally.” I can look out the windows and see neighbors being able to enjoy their yards. I can sit in the car in front of a store and watch people come and go without being able to go in myself. Eating out is sitting in the car to eat and looking thru the car window at everyone in the restaurant. So using this effect on this picture “glass” I can totally relate to it, the world can seem very distorted! I wish people knew how damaging chemicals are and what they are doing to us. I totally enjoy and am thankful for the times I don’t have to live behind the glass, not many can relate to this and the ones that can (there is hope).

Photo by Live With MCS at flickr

See the whole photostream here

About Live With MCS: I’m free spirited, love exploring and adventure, love beautiful places, people & things (such as rocks! Ha Ha!). I totally LOVE finding places with clean air, being Environmentally ill it’s getting harder and harder to find. I’m certainly not a pro photographer but photos are fun for memories, no doubt!

Nature Knows

“Nature Knows”

Here’s a simple slide show set to an original song composition I wrote and recorded back in 1999. Best viewed with headphones on, and when there’s time to relax. The song was inspired by a dream I had. The lyrics have been published by 3 different Poetic Societies! (My dear friend Marylynn La Gier assisted with some lyrics.)

Photos are mostly mine- taken over the years at various beaches up and down the Pacific coast from Mexico to Oregon; with a couple from Hawaii tossed in for good measure. The underwater photgraphs are not mine; but are in the public domain. Most are unattributed. The deep space images are from NASA.

“…Footprints side by side provide the proof,
With every stride they’re nearer to the Truth…
All things paired, for Life’s to be shared, and so it goes,
It’s right it’s real, it’s Love that you feel, Nature knows…”

All right now, Deep breath… heavy sigh… Okay, you’re good to go. Hit the play button. :oD

Paul

Link

Trees in Winter

“Trees in Winter”

Photo by Ruth Ruddock

January 2007, at the Schoenstatt Retreat Center, Wisconcin, after a big snow fall.

Ruth is one of our flock and loves to take photos during her walks. “This is a lovely place to walk during any season of the year, and I feel so blessed to have it close to my home,” she says.

Cob: Homes as living sculptures

Beautiful nontoxic homes made out of clay, sand and straw, called cob.

What is cob? Cob is a building material composed of clay, sand, and straw. This humble formula often prompts jokes about mud huts or spurs snap judgments that cob structures will dissolve in the first rainstorm. Such understandable misconceptions, however, are immediately put to rest the first time one gets a look at a sophisticated cob work of art that one can sculpt with one’s own hands, live in, and leave to one’s great great grandchildren. Cob is very durable and requires little upkeep. As Daniel Chiras puts it, “It won’t burn, bugs won’t eat it, and it’s dirt cheap.” Additionally, it’s non-toxic, creates no waste, and requires minimal tools to construct. Thousands of cob houses have weathered rainy England for hundreds of years, and a recent renaissance of cob building centered in Oregon has joyfully explored the modern artistic and architectural possibilities of the material.

Link to video

Link to more about cob projects

This cob house is like a dream

Who’s chirping about Multiple Chemical Sensitivity today?

Peggy Munson, that’s who.

Peggy Munson at Peggy’s Blog writes about surviving the recent ice storm in New England, and how her Multiple Chemical Sensitivity limited her options at finding safety.

I know this ice storm in New England was potentially lethal for everyone, but the past few days were harrowing for me. I turned 40 on Wednesday, and on Thursday night the power went out – and stayed out for almost 48 hours. The temperature was around 15 degrees Fahrenheit or less at night and for much of the day, and my life turned into a Jon Krakauer novel very quickly. With multiple chemical sensitivities (MCS) everything is inaccessible (so if you’re an EMT, firefighter, hospital worker, M.D., nurse, or shelter worker, think about this). Calling 911 is generally out of the question, emergency rooms are full of toxic cleaning chemicals and scented people, and the carbon monoxide from generators or the toxins from wood smoke can be particularly dangerous or lethal (and hotels: forget about it). Because I was weak and sick going into the outage, I was suddenly like that guy in Into the Wild – picture the end of the movie version of the book – who has eaten the poisonous seeds by accident and thus orbiting around this tiny space, trying to stay warm, totally screwed. Fortunately, the power is back on, and I made it out alive.

Munson is a writer by profession, a writer of erotica to be precise, but only posts on her blog once every couple of months. I wish she was posting more often because her writing on MCS is incredible, full of insight and loaded with smart, emotional prose. She’s blogged about Elizabeth Feudale-Bowes, the woman who was ordered to dismantle her safe house because it violated building codes, which Munson uses to then segue into a fantastic riff on housing for people with MCS. She’s also explored disability in a larger context as well as her experience with contracting Lyme disease on top of her chronic fatigue and immune dysfunction syndrome (CFIDS) and MCS.

Munson also has edited Stricken: Voices from the Hidden Epidemic of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, about which reviewers have this to say:

“The single best book I’ve read that honestly and fully describes the CFIDS experience.”- Massachusetts CFIDS Update

“This is a book that leaves you changed after you’ve read it, it’s so powerful and compelling.” - A Hummingbird’s Guide to ME

“One of the very best books on the topic and a must-read for people with CFS, their friends and family, and the public. ” - National Fibromyalgia Association

And a bit more info:

Peggy Munson is the author of the poetry collection Pathogenesis and the novel Origami Striptease, and the editor of Stricken: Voices from the Hidden Epidemic of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. More information can be found at www.peggymunson.com. Peggy also blogs about MCS issues at www.myspace.com/peggymunson.

Photo and last blurb from Planet Thrive.

How to sew an organic nightie

Here’s another video from Leslie, this one on sewing a darling organic cotton nightie. How cute is this?

This nightie was sewn from 100% undyed organic scrap fabric purchased for $1.75, and organic lace trim! The drawstring ties at the neckline are made from soy yarn, crocheted with a simple chain stitch. A really easy sewing project that makes a quick, comfy & sexy nightie to sleep in. xoxo- Leslie

The Oko Box

The Oko Box Blog

Link

Artist uses pollution as canvas

Reverse graffiti artist Moose makes a big statement about clean in San Francisco’s Broadway Tunnel.

San Francisco’s Broadway tunnel is a highly traveled thoroughfare in the heart of the city. Over 20,000 cars, trucks, and motorized vehicles pass through it per day. Its walls are caked with dirt and soot, and lined with patches of paint covered graffiti from days gone by. It set the perfect canvas to create a beautiful work of art showcasing the talents of reverse graffiti artist “Moose”, and the power of Green Works plant based cleaner.

Shot by documentarian Doug Pray. For most information visit www.reversegraffitiproject.com

Link

How to make organic cotton lingerie

Leslie Richard, who is a regular commenter here on The Canary Report and the proprietor of The Oko Box, an online organic clothing boutique, just put out a great vid on making lingerie out of organic cotton.

I have been teaching myself to sew using mainly scraps of organic cotton fabric bought cheaply from a local fabric maker… so this undies/lingerie/bikini/lounge set only cost about $2 !!! Enjoy the process and the final product!

And leave links to your eco craft projects in the comments section!!! xoxo- Leslie www.

oko-organic-clothing.blogspot.com

www.theokobox.com

Link to vid on YouTube

Link to vid on One True Media (different music!)

By the way, I LOVE Leslie’s YouTube channel ecofashionista.

A shot of fresh air: Holy Hill Steeples

Holy Hill Steeples

Holy Hill, Hubertus, Wisconsin

By Ruth Ruddock

Oct. 6, 2008

Here’s another beautiful photo of Ruth’s. “It was a gorgeous Fall day, gentle breezes, and I
found my way out there via winding roads, lots of hills and gullies,” says Ruth. “Worth the trip!”

This church is one of the most photographed in Wisconsin, she says, and pilgrims come by busloads to see this sacred place.

Volcano Garden Arts

Volcano Garden Arts, photos and vid by moi, Susie.

On Sunday, I went south to Volcano Village for the annual art tour held on the weekend after Thanksgiving. Volcano is a beautiful little village, close to the active volcano, that over the years has grown into an incredible artist community. The annual art tour is set up so you can walk or drive to several homes in succession and view the artwork, visit with the artists, and purchase things if you like.

The weather was perfect, but the vog (volcanic emissions) was very bad, so my husband and I did a combination of walking and driving so I could catch by breath. It wasn’t the best environment for a person with Multiple Chemical Sensitivity, but I was willing to risk not feeling well because we have so much fun visiting people’s homes, enjoying the art and looking at the beautiful gardens.

Our favorite stop each year is at artist Ira Ono’s place, Volcano Garden Arts, where he has a large gallery filled with not only his fabulous creations but also many other local artists’ work. Ira (at left) is the most gracious host you could imagine, and it’s been fun watching him grow his business and his gardens over the years. He has a brand new art studio, a cafe, living quarters and B & B, and our favorite part: a beautiful garden filled with eclectic art of Asian to whimsy. Everywhere you look, there is something fun and beautiful to see.

I took almost 100 photos and made this video to share Volcano Art Gardens with you. The mask on the tree trunk at 1:33 is Ira’s work.

Thanks, Leslie, for inspiring me to make videos like this!

Link

The Green Planet

A beautiful but disturbing interpretation of a piece of music. What does it look like to you is happening around the Green Planet?

Link

A shot of fresh air: Bench under tree

Bench Under Tree

October 2008

Ruth Ruddock

This is the second in the series of photos from Ruth, one of our flock and frequent commenter at The Canary Report.

“I’ve found that when one has MCS, it is good to have a passion for something that distracts you and that you can do without too much difficulty,” says Ruth.

This photo was taken at the Schoenstatt Retreat Center, Wisconcin.

Fall Reflections on the River

Fall Reflections on the River

October 2008

“Taken during my walk on the Fox River in my home town of Waukesha, Wisconsin.”

Ruth Ruddock

*

*

You are all in for a very special treat! One our flock, Ruth Ruddock, who’s a major contributor to our discussions here on The Canary Report, has sent me a catalog of her beautiful photos that she’d like me to share with you. This is the first in the series. Isn’t it beautiful?

Hi, I’m Ruth Ruddock, and I live just outside of Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

I have had MCS since October, 2002…at least that is when it first reared up enough to notice. After my husband died in Feb. 2005, I was at a loss for what to do with myself, not being able to go out and work regularly….my daughter gave me her old digital camera when she got a new one, and I started experimenting with it. I found that I really had an eye for photos and this is some of what I have been doing.

I started gluing the photos onto card stock and selling them to friends and family members….and branched out to shops in the area. It is very small scale, but has helped with food and gas costs over the past three years. I now attend a monthly photography club meeting and have met some really nice people through that.

If anyone would like to see more, or order some cards from me, drop me an email at ruthsansmcs(at)hotmail(dot)com and I will get back to you.

I’ve found that when one has MCS, it is good to have a passion for something that distracts you and that you can do without too much difficulty.

My best to you all,
Ruth

The most natural of art: Forest Sprite

This is art about as natural as you can get.

I put out a request on Twitter for photos of art made from nontoxic materials, and this is by far the most interesting response.

This is “Forest Sprite,” discovered and photographed by Morrie, who lives in SW Western Australia. He calls it a natural sculpture.

“It is actually a piece of bark,” he says, “shed from a karri tree (Eucalyptus diversicolor, in the background) that was caught hanging from a branch as it fell.”

Morrie is a chemical engineer, “the good kind,” he says. Well, he can’t be all bad if he takes walks in forests such as this one and thinks of hanging bark as art.

You can follow Morrie on Twitter here.

Link

Recipe for nontoxic furniture oil

Leslie over at The Oko Box Blog invented a great recipe for a natural nontoxic wood oil. “I really believe there is a way to make what we need in a less toxic, chemical free way,” she says. “We just need some imagination and to stop buying into the marketing BS of big corporations.”

Leslie’s recipe:

Here is what you will need:

*Soy Oil
*Sunflower or Olive Oil
*Kosher Salt
*Vinegar (I use ume vinegar, but I think apple cider would work good too)

Doesn’t it sound too simple? I came up with this theory/formula knowing about treated wood being mainly salt and oil being a time tested preservative for centuries.

• Take all the ingredients and put them in a pot big enough to hold the amount you need (depending on whether you are doing wood floors or a chair…).
• You will use more soy oil then the others at approximately 50 -70% more in your recipe.
• Then add a ton kosher salt… meaning if you poured 1.5 Liters of oil in your pot, then you will want to ad at least 1.5 cups of salt.
• Then add a cup of the vinegar and bring to a boil.

The easiest way to apply the wood oil is with a sponge which will be able to be squeezed out and creates less waste. The cool thing is it won’t harm your skin, your brain, or your lungs & it won’t be outgassing any smell except one you might want to eat! If you would like to add a scent to your wood oil try throwing in a branch of lavender or rosemary.

Photo of stacked chair sculpture by jasoneppink.

And check out the holiday savings at Leslie’s hip clothing shop The Oko Box! If you are planning on buying green presents this season, some affordable and fabulous ideas are organic undies, hemp snow hats, scarves, and reusable shopping bags. With the coupon code “okoholiday” you can get an additional 25% off everything at The Oko Box - making shopping just a little bit easier!

Reflections of fresh air

From Autumn Set

By Meredith Farmer

October 16, 2008

Fort Klamath Junction, Oregon

Nikon D40

Happy Hallows’ Even!

Did you vote yet?

Do you want cleaner air? Go vote!

Do you want better health care? Go vote!

Do you want safer food and nontoxic household products? Go vote!

Do you want change? Go vote!

I’M NOT KIDDING. VOTE.

Photo by On Bradstreet.

Leslie Richard: Organic Painting, Part 5

Leslie is cranking these out so fast, I can barely keep up!!

A personal message from Leslie:

Now that I am learning how to use the paint & hair brushes, I can get more detailed -

This is part 5 in the Poke Berry & Turmeric painting series - using 100% recycled paper sewn together to make the canvas & hung with scrap fabric on a red bud tree branch. The brushes are made of human & horse hair (both work really well but horse hair holds the paint longer), the hair is secured to a stick with a rubber band.

NO chemicals are used what-so-ever, the poke berries & turmeric are boiled down for about an hour with some kosher salt & filtered water.

Super de duper fun !!!!!! Tell me what you think…

Links to Leslie Richard: Organic Painting Parts 1 & 2, and 3 & 4.

Link to vid on YouTube

Poem on living with Multiple Chemical Sensitivity

I have been disabled and isolated by severe MCS (Multiple Chemical Sensitivity) since 1996. This is what it is like for me and hundreds and thousands of others like me around the world. (And many are being added to our ranks daily). — Island Bard

Link

Radiation treatment inspires nontoxic papier-mache art

Artist began crafting her sculptures while she was undergoing treatment for breast cancer.

At left, artist and cancer survivor Marion Behr of North Branch Station poses with one of her sculptures on display at the Steeplechase Cancer Center in Somerville. MATTHEW APGAR/ MyCentralJersey.

While undergoing radiation treatment, the equipment surrounding Marion R. Behr brought her inspiration.

“To me, the cradles looked like abstract figures,” Behr said. “I started to think that it would be a challenge to use these cradles, which are just disposed of, as cores of shapes that could encourage others to get early detection.”

So creating nontoxic papier-mache sculptures using those contraptions became part of her recovery.

That’s fascinating enough, but what really perked up my ears is that she and her husband have patented a nontoxic method for etching and printmaking.

Behr works in several mediums. She and her husband, Omri Behr, traveled to Mexico in March to demonstrate a nontoxic method for etching and printmaking they invented. The couple’s etching method, patented in 1992, has taken them to Morocco, New Zealand and the northwest territories of Canada.

Interesting woman.

Link to full story at MyCentralJersey.com

Next Page »