My Almanac

See http://bit.ly/IxeMqs where you will see my perspective on reducing the environmental impact by making the right choices.

Here is an account of a personal experience told by a friend at a party. My version may not be exactly as he told it but I think it will suffice. Al's to-do-list last Saturday included getting some Poinsettias for his wife's decorating plans. Recalling a fund raiser that was underway, he stopped in at the store that was part of the drive. Proud of his contribution, continued on his way to the next stop which happened to be the gas station. Gasing up the car is not a donation by the way. While holding the handle on the gas bowzer, he noticed a dejected looking lady gasing up her car. Quickly and carefully as he could he approached her and asked if she'd like a potted Poinsettia. With an obvious "Yes" she took it and drove off. On the way to his car he noticed another driver with a need for some encouragement so he offered one to him. After a hesitant "Yes", he too drove off. With one remaining pot of flowers, thinking what the use of only one potted Poinsettias, he asked a lady coming out of the store if she's like one too. Now he had a problem; he was told to bring some home but he was feeling pretty good about giving a few people some Christmas cheer.
Al, my friend drove back to the store to pick up six potted Poinsettias this time. Thinking he would just give three away so he could bring the required number home. As he brought them to his car he locked three in the trunk so he wouldn't give them all away again. Whether by plan or accident, he drove passed the gas station again and saw strangers who looked like they could use a Poinsettia. After only minutes, he again had given everyone of them to strangers. This meant another trip to replace his gifts of Christmas generosity but this time he stayed focused and finally made it home with twelve gorgeous looking potted Poinsettias.

Winter days like we're having now put me in the gardening mood. I don't have a real garden but my memories of one as almost as real as the ones I created. Note that I mention gardening as a mood and not getting my hands dirty or getting a sore back. Getting out of this chair is when I feel the sore back.
Allow me to build a comparison between what I experience on aspects of the web and internet. Some could be more of an allegory than comparison but still a useful exercise.

When I mention the beginning as a mood, that refers to reading seed catalogs in the middle of winter. It hasn't snowed much yet but it's coming I can feel it; and similarly did the beginnings if my efforts on the web. The magic of an idea is like a seed. Soon the mail box will hold a couple of catalogs from which to choose those dreams of the harvest of pumpkins, cucumbers and tomatoes. No thoughts of the work required between the heat of the spring preparation, summer weeding and harvest, it's all worth it.

Speaking of preparation and weeding, doing the same thing on my inbox and internet, the weeds keep coming. I use the delete key about as often as I used the rake and hoe in the garden a generation ago. I've read and believe that weed seeds will surface many years hence and germinate once exposed to air, moisture and cultivation. So it must be in the cyber world.

Harvest from the garden motivates one to not give up when it feels futile. The fruit of one's labor comes in many forms as the life of Internet garden winds down. Relationships, new and renewed, revenue and bonuses are screened and deposited for a long winter's full pantry.

Source: Dec. 2011 issue of Amsoil Magazine

This past year, Amsoil Inc. invested
heavily to heighten our brand awareness
doubt in my mind that these investments
greater success in 2012.
on target with several introductions
our Signature Series line to meet the
arms Dealers with the most advanced
drain interval recommendation sets the
standard among all other oils, and as
their new “extended-drain” oils, AMSOIL
customers can be assured their oil of
extended-drain technology. No other
of motor oil to include lighter viscosity
customers and increased sales.
Our new OE 15W-40 Synthetic Diesel
our OE gasoline oils, OE Diesel has

interested in extending their oil drain
diesel oil.
oils. Our new Z-ROD Synthetic Motor
classic car owners have come to trust
the advanced technology that only
AMSOIL delivers. Along similar lines,
have engines builders at all levels now
shifting their loyalties to AMSOIL.
Our increased investment in advertising
we receive through our extensive
involvement with racing, our online and
magazine advertising will reach millions
of more eyes. AMSOIL banner ads
Yahoo, Adtegrity and NASCAR. It is
advertising, which has traditionally
Popular Mechanics and Car and Driver magazines are
readers each month.
also weigh heavily on our success next
Magazine,fuel economy testing we did with Ford

Kenworth short-to-medium-haul
high-quality conventional lubes and
and gear lube. All test variables were
meticulously controlled, and the
economy than the
conventional lubes.
Read it for yourself.
It is concrete data
Dealers can use to
increase sales in the
cost-conscious diesel
study test results will
follow.
Beyond the investments
made to ensure our
in the industry are leaning in our favor.
Vehicle manufacturers are requiring
synthetic oil in more models each year,
and this will continue as the demands
on lubricants become greater with
and the advancements in engine and
intervals, will move demand for AMSOIL
lubricants.

Best wishes for this holiday season.
A.J. “Al” Amatuzio
President and CEO, AMSOIL INC.
M A
For account and product information, go to www.lubedealer.com/hiebert

We’ve all heard the words, reuse, reduce, and recycle. Lately the slight adjustment to that is re-purpose. When it comes to what items we need on a daily basis, we could start with just simply using less. That is generally easier said than done. The next step might be making changes to some habits we’ve applied for years and never gave it tidily wink’s thought.
Fewer people live on places where we can keep and store bulk groceries and much more than a week’s worth of freezer meals or harvest of in season berries and fruit. A generation ago that was normal and to be expected if you wanted and needed to be prepared for winter. Now days we do well if we buy double portion of anything when comes on sale. That means a box or package that we don’t have any use for. It almost seems like it’s a ratio of 1:1 when it comes to taking advantage of buying in bulk. For every pound of food we buy we have to deal with a pound of package of one kind or another.
Technology has improved to enable making good use of certain packaged products and items we no longer use. An example of that is product I discovered at a building supply store a couple of months ago to enhance our small patio. Recycled tires where used to make rubber tiles. Other building needs like fencing and deck boards can be manufactured from selected trash items. Such products are more durable than the typical wood we’ve used for generations. It doesn’t stop with tires however. Used motor oil has opened our minds to recycling. It is possible to make choices in this area that has made significant reduction in land fill use of a generation ago.
When I see an opportunity to point people to options that reduce the need for motor oil in their vehicles, I must mention synthetics. A generation ago used oils were discarded and now we’re paying the price. Our water suffers from pollution due to the point where we can see it our drinking water. We, along with fish and wildlife are paying the price with their lives. Synthetic were not an option then as it is today. Why do I mention synthetic motor oil? It doesn’t need changing as often, saving the obvious impact on our environment. Obviously your vehicles and equipment do need a new change of oil at certain intervals, therefore collectors make an industry out of removing contaminants and upgrading it to meet minimum specifications. I would not generally recommend recycled oil for use in our cars but some applications are not crucial and we can get away with it for a while. Other automotive liquids like antifreeze/ coolant also needs proper recycling. I am adamant that people do not use the common ethylene glycol. It is both lethal and toxic, killing any animal like your pets or wildlife like fish. Instead use Propylene Glycol which is a superior product and lasts longer.
In summary, we have options with how we do life, therefore taking the time make choices with what happens after we done with all the stuff it takes to do it will make life easier and better than the last generation.