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Every year I sign up, free, to join the Blog Action Day. The topic this year is water.  You can write anything about water, water issues, water concerns, water delights. All around the world, thousands of others will also write about water. For me Blog Action Day is an annual goal, and I invite you to participate, if you like.  You will be able to go read blogs on water, and it's uplifting, and amazing, what all people have to say on the same topic. See you there?

Last year, more than 13,000 bloggers participated from 152 countries. Our aim is to raise awareness and trigger a global discussion about an important issue that impacts people around the world.

In order to participate, all you need to do is write a single post on your blog about the issue of water on October 15th. If you’re not sure what to write about, don’t worry – we have a great list of suggestions for possible topics that we’ll send you.

Then one day, he jumped up on the ledge outside the window, and stared in. He stayed up there for a few days, sleeping on the ledge, peering in the rest of the time. A clear message, I thought, "I'm ready to become part of the family." So I went outside, opened the screen door, and the little guy zoomed inside. I let him zoom back out a few times, and zoom back in, so he would know this choice was completely his. In, or out--it was up to him.

Now, months have passed, he's an indoor cat,  and oh my gosh, he's gorgeous. After months of good organic food, and good vet care, he's got sparkling eyes, and beautiful fur, and a big mane around his neck. He's deep black with brown spots, and when I come in the door, he runs to me, stands on his back feet, and puts up his front paws, so I will pick him up and hug him.  If he wants to be petted, he rolls onto his back and exposes his sweet little belly. I named him Henderson, The Rain King, after a Saul Bellow novel.

Every day when I look at this handsome, hefty cat,  I'm reminded that all living things can make big changes, given the chance. He was strong enough in spirit to stay alive out there; and then to find someone who would feed him; to accept the food, and then to peer inside, longing for a home, and finally, to overcome his fear and enter a house. Now, he offers love to his new family. He's a little miracle.

I believe we can all make changes this big. In the small, daily ways that he did. Even if we start out feeling dumpy and soggy. 

Now there's another Life Change candidate outside, in the same spot Henderson chose, accepting food, but not able to let me close. A giant, ratty looking, orange female. What will her future bring? In much part, I realize, it will depend upon her choices.

This year the topic is Climate Change. Blog short or long, thoughtful or funny, personal experience or something you've read. So far 5,000 people have signed up to blog, this year. 

Look for my blog on Climate Change, tomorrow. Sign up at  http://www.blogactionday.org/

If you are struggling, know you are not alone, and try to find at least one special place, or outing or snowball fight--cook up some cookies, go for a holiday morning walk, help a neighbor, achieve a small goal you have been meaning to get to. Something with a little comfort and magic in it. 

This comes from the year-long protest, which went international, over global mining companies who are using laws from the 1800's to violate property rights and set up mining wherever they want, without also setting up environmental clean up. Mining for nickel, uranium, coal and other resources leaves "dead zones" and destruction all over the planet, and has in places infiltrated drinking water, and killed all life in entire lakes.

If you remember Robert Loveless, the professor who went to high security prison in  Canada for his peaceful protest of the mining company at Robertsville...he was released by a higher court some months later...he is now asking that everyone pray, in your way, that the complex, amazing, essential natural world we live in is shielded from this recent onslaught.

Pray that the circle of people who are willing to pray, and to stand up, will force a change in the laws, force environmental responsibility, and protect the property rights and claims of those the mining companies violate.  Pray that those who are willing to stand up against wrong are not arrested, put into prison, or harmed in any way. 

Mining companies are on a world-wide grab for resources, and moving into areas they may have left alone until now.  In fact, right now the US administration is trying to pass a bill that allows companies to continue to blow the entire cap off mountains, in Tennessee, to access coal. You can imagine the beautiful Smokies blown to bits. In South America groups are protesting mining companies who moved onto their property without permission, and began mining activities, the same as they did in Ontario Canada. 

More good reason for a move into new, environmentally cheaper and safer technological advances.  But for now, this weekend, what you can do, if you feel to join the circle, is send out your prayers. 

If you are interested in writing a blog on the topic for 2008, Poverty, register free, so they know who is joining the event, at Blogactionday.org

You can also read blogs about Poverty, and be part of this giving effort.  By giving I mean just give of your thoughts, your concern, your opinions: give your experiences and your words. 

Giving is good way to get your mind off your own concerns for a while, and get some perspective. 

He's the most affectionate, smart, dear little boy you could imagine. He's been to the vet for his boosters. "He must be very strong, " the vet said, "to have survived." 

Yes, he's a little man, all right. I call him Oberon. That is the King of the Forest Elves. In my memory will always be his tiny face peering out, hopeful, and terrified, from the scrub in the woods. Like a forest elf. And the precious way he gave up his fear and choose to trust me. 

Yesterday I was biking home when I spotted a neighbor's cat, dead in the street. I am always sad to see that. But this particular cat I used to see rolling on his back on the porch, right next to a rather large German Shepherd. He seemed to say, "I can play here safely because my buddy here will scratch your eyes out." lol. It always made me smile. Sometimes the cat would be leaned up against the Shepherd, or just sleeping contentedly on the porch.

So it was sad indeed to see that likely, as they tend to do here in town, someone was driving too fast, and didn't even stop. So the cat is gone. I went up to the door, and soon the lady was upset and crying. 

Today I took over a little note, full of rose petals of different colors, to say again how sorry I am. We talked in her yard for a long time. It turns out we're both crazy about animals.

She said she knows cats are not safe out doors. It's true. A cat's life outdoors is average only two years. Indoors, they can live 18 years. There's every kind of danger out there. A few cruel people, chemicals, fighting cats and big dogs and then, cars. Cats cannot detect cars approaching, except by the sound.

But for her life outdoors is worth the risk. I am not one to judge what people decide is right. It is a hard call. To coop them up inside; or allow them to wander into harm. For me, I keep them in. I give them a cat tree, grass to chew, toys, daily exercise, and one cat actually goes for a short walk with me everyday. I feel I am responsible for their safety. They don't understand the dangers outside, and so, they have to live inside. For her, she had paid the price of believing differently. 

I cannot have three cats where I live. And one of my cats is sick with jealousy and upset over Oberon's being here. So...I like this lady so well,and her pets just glow with health, so I brought up the rescue. In

five seconds she said, "I'd take him!"

I said maybe he'd rather stay inside. Scary things happened to him in that woods. She said that would be fine.

I am sad to say good bye to this darling little kitten. He's exceptionally loving. We went through something together. He's attached to me.

I've seen this lady's animals though and they are as happy and loved as can be. It seemed...like one of those things the universe brings into being. 

So Oberon, little brave fellow of the woods, who lost his voice, soon you will have a new and loving home.  (And i will tell you about the shameless Happy Dance my jealous cat will do, the second Oberon is gone!)

He's now bouncing around here leaping on a stuffed pineapple, zipping through a cardboard box tunnel, batting at the tail of another cat, loving it when I pick him up to pet him. The uncertain, fearful look in his eye is changing to bright curiosity. Though he still sleeps with an ear for danger, and runs for cover when anyone else comes in. It took him a while to learn to eat normally. He thought all food was for taking enormous big gulps you swallow without chewing.

It takes at least a year, my mum says (she volunteered in animal rescue for years), for them to really emerge from their trauma. 

He still can't make much sound. He must have damaged his voice, with all that crying. He can eep and shriek a little. He can  purr! Otherwise, he opens his mouth and no meow comes out.

His name shall be Oberon, King of the forest Elves. If you'd seen his tiny little face, peering out from the wood foliage, you'd know he is indeed Oberon.

Since last week our King has grown huge ears and big feet.  Then the rest of him will catch up. He has a series of big black spots on his belly. He likes his belly tickled.  He's a fine little King.