Needs must art creation

So, it was edging towards 40 degrees and I was preparing our B and B room to then discover that our vintage Calor fan was making not-conducive-to-sleep grinding noises. too late to trawl the second hand sites for a more tranquil model; it would have to be a SHOP. And of course, it's a canicule (full on heat wave) and there were no fans to be had, anywhere. Friends were of course using theirs, and my tiny 1950s one is really only good for cooling the area of an elbow. 

I hunted about, thinking we had hidden away a metal cage variety but then remembered its incurable rattling sound which had finally sent it back to the recycling emporium. During a previous heatwave, our cousin had left us with, amongst many lovely presents - such is their generosity - a small fan from afore mentioned emporium. A small fan with no 'leg' to stand it on. It would be better than nothing if a support could be found. A sally forth into the furnace-garage procured a lidless metal teapot, a chisel and some rags. The teapot was a good heavy base, the chisel fitted the fan's head, and with the application of black paint, well, it works and I rather like it as a piece of desperation-art.

Somewhere, and I know I have featured this before, we have a beautiful little book of Russian desperation-art; hand crafted multi objects for domestic usage - TV ariels made of forks and coat hangers, a doormat made from beer bottle tops, and many other ingenious objects using whatever could be found. Think my fan could have had its place in the book.

Later a friend came back to me and said she had a spare fan, so our guests will have something a little more normal, and powerful, and the art-fan is now in residence on this desk where I write.

In a parallel universe . . .

So, today at Coyote Daily we are so very lucky to be speaking to the world's very first trillionaire! Mr Pylon Rusk. 

'Mr Rusk. Thank you very much for being able to spare the time to talk to us; I'm sure you must have at least a million things to be doing at this and every minute.'

'It's an absolute pleasure to be interviewed by your excellent environmental team at Coyote. Yes, it's true I am busy, but time must be taken to spread the word of how everyone can help preserve our magnificent planet with all its wonderful peoples, birds, insects, mammals - sigh. What a place! Why would anyone have such a crazed idea of living somewhere as inhospitable as the red sphere of Fartz. I have heard that certain folks are thinking of sending a space vessel there - what an absolute waste of our precious resources, if we should even call them resources, hm? I mean who are we to plunder this planet when it is for everyone and all creatures.'

'Indeed. You are so right. And this is obviously why you have had such incredible success - your benevolence to all beings, your insight into the natural world; the fact that so many ultra wealthy persons have dug deep into their own bank accounts, even cancelling orders for new mega-yurts, giving the money to Rusk Enterprises for it to be used in education, the arts, organic seed banks, and your latest program: Land-X, providing help millions of peasant farmers across the world improve their crop yields with lost techniques of irrigation, natural soil improvement and encouraging biodiversity balance.'

'It's what I always dreamed of, my friend. To be able to help everyone, not just the farmers in our country, but all peoples, and to learn from them too.' Shakes head slowly as a single tear rolls down a cheek. We always have so much to learn.' Sniff.'

Presenter hands over (clean) tissue. 'Would it be all right to ask the few questions we had prepared now?'

'Yes . . . yes. Sorry, please go ahead. I just get a little emotional sometimes when I think of how incredibly lucky we all are to exist on this one perfect sphere - did you know that all scientists now agree that The Earth is the only planet in any galaxy to have just the right balance of all atmospheric elements to support life? I mean what are the chances of this - this microscopic fluke that allowed us and all other lifeforms to develop here . . . and to think if the wrong people had been in control it could have all been so utterly trashed, burned and wasted . . .'

Reporter delves for another tissue, blows nose, stuffs tissue back in pocket and nods enthusiastically. 'Yes. You are so right, Mr Rusk.' Imagine if Sir David Atomburger, or that upstart, Feta Thumburger had your influence and monetary power! The damage that could have been reeked!

'So, my first question does have to be who makes your magnificent clothes. We so love the tweed suits and homburg hats.'

'Ah! a subject close to my heart. The tweed is manufactured on the isle of Davies - it was a dying industry but with my teams help we have managed to re-start production, using all the original techniques and encouraging the workforce to sing the much-loved dipping of wool in sheep urine procedure songs. The fact that I wear the products has endorsed the industry and we are able to plough back ninety percent of the turnover into the island and its people.'

 (Shelby bros suit)

'Fantastic!' And the hats?'

'Second hand, my friend, from the Blue Triangle and other charitable outlets, sometimes Veentread. I must admit to having a small obsession with second hand . . . one has to have a vice, hm?'

'Of course. And our listeners most popular question - what was it like visiting our glorious president in the egg-shaped office?'

'A day to store in the memories . . . what a guy! Such generosity. D'you know, he wanted to promote my new range of solar powered tricycles on the front lawn! Even bought one for his wife, Melancholia. She loves it!'

'How did he cope with the kids? It all looked pretty harmonious from where we were filming.'

'Great! he was so interested in our fostering success. I bought all twenty six of them with me, and he gave them all wonderful hand crafted wooden toys that his Son in-Law, Jarhead makes in his artisan workshop that he shares with other members of the family. They do so much for the environment. You know they have just donated six billion dollars to desert greening in the Sudan - incredible.'

'And not to mention all that work for protecting the Barrier Reef. Just amazing.'

A tinkling ringing sound starts up in the waistcoat of Mr Rusk. He slips a hand into the pocket and draws out a polished silver watch on a chain. 

'Oh. I'm so sorry. Unfortunately I do have to be leaving you. We have a conference call on the subject of the water bird rehabilitation zone on the old Cherbobble nuclear site. Land-X has pledged over three million as it's such a crucial place for wildlife - which is returning! Hurrah! Can you imagine how crazy people must have been to ever have let such an utter disaster take place! Lucky for us we have our no-forever squabblings, and mutually assured happiness president, Hm?' He places an envelope on the studio desk, 'A little gift of my appreciation for the marvellous environmental and anti-racist work you do at Coyote Daily. So long.'

Mr Rusk strides to the studio door while the Coyote host opens the envelope and sobs. He shows it to the camera which zooms in, his voice recounting the contents. 'Two million dollars for our latest project, Make M'erca multicultural again. This is just too much, what a guy . . .' He smiles shakily, straightens his rainbow tie and waves to the camera. Thanks guys for tuning in. Tomorrow, we welcome Seth Bathos to hear all about his superb new project from Copse: next month - possibly- delivery and the rebirth of ecologic donkey transport. 

What we should be teaching in schools, and at all education levels

It all needs a huge shake up, from infants school through to universities, business schools, all of it, and fast! 

I've posted Nate Hagen's work and excellent podcasts several times on this blog and the fact I get thousands of hits a day - probably mainly from AI scooping up all my words and images, may hopefully plug some vital info into the net.

Everything his guest says make 100% utter sense, exploring how through, at often a very local level, we can still make change to our planet's trajectory towards inhospitality for us and for all other lifeforms that share this sphere. 

Our small strip garden is now full of trees and shrubs, much to the horror of our leaf-blower - and all other garden electrical gadgets - neighbour. We have two ponds, both fascinating little microcosms of insect and amphibian life, and have left weeds to bloom this year encouraging more birds and insects.

They cost little to set up and after the initial plants, virtually no maintenance - no pump needed, just let it become its own little world. So many people look doubtful saying mosquitos will be a problem but if you let the ecosystem do its thing the predators feast on them, plus any that are about are vital food for bats, etc. And . . . kids are fascinated by frogs, fish and insects - if they are allowed to be fascinated.

Right, into the garden to plant veg in a high wind.

Please share this amazingly useful video and other work by Nate. He is one of the reason's to celebrate the original aims of the Web.