Hugh Smeltekop
4/24/2021 11:35 AM
I use the Headspace app to stay present in the moment. I get lost worrying about things, and having a reminder to be grateful for what is happening right now is good for me.
University of St. Thomas Faculty & Staff Feed
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Elise Amel 4/24/2021 12:48 PMToday my daughter and I participated in the St. Paul community clean-up. We tracked what we picked up using the Marine Debris Tracker: 207 items, 93% of which was plastic. Most found object was cigarette butts. I highly recommend using the Marine Debris Tracker to help NOAA better understand the waste around our watershed! -
REFLECTION QUESTIONSimplicityWhat would you like to invest more time in reflecting on?
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REFLECTION QUESTIONAction Track: Building ResilienceTrace the water that flows down the drain from your house to the largest body of water nearby. What is the route it takes?
Elise Amel 4/23/2021 4:21 PMthe water that lands around my house goes to the storm drains which flow half a mile west, directly into the Mississippi. Everything it picks up in my yard makes its way to this river and some of it may even flow all the way to the Gulf of Mexico! -
REFLECTION QUESTIONEnergyWhat inspires you to act on sustainable energy and other energy issues?
Allison Quinn 4/22/2021 2:51 PMMy brother works in transmission planning as an electrical engineer, so we have many conversations about sustainable energy and energy issues in his industry. I'm inspired to act by his helpful education, as I know more of how and why things matter. -
REFLECTION QUESTIONNatureWhy is it important to take care of pollinators?
Allison Quinn 4/22/2021 2:49 PMBecause of our food supply, and for the longevity of plants and trees who require pollination to grow. I just talked about pollination with my FYEX students and was proud that nearly all of them knew how critical pollinators are to growing and sustaining produce. -
REFLECTION QUESTIONWasteNew to composting? Be sure to check out the action resource links to learn tips and more about it. As you transition from throwing food away to composting, what do you notice about how much you are tossing? How will you use your compost once it is ready?
Allison Quinn 4/22/2021 2:46 PMWe just bought a large composting container for our garden plot and I'm so excited! We will utilize the compost as organic matter for the garden, and as a space to discard rotten or inedible veggies we grow. -
REFLECTION QUESTIONSimplicitySocial media can keep us connected with loved ones, make us laugh, and help us to learn new things. It can also create echo chambers and take more time than we realize or intend to give. After completing this action for a few days, how do you feel? What do you notice?
Allison Quinn 4/22/2021 2:45 PMI feel more connected to my family, and my neighborhood, as well as my work. I'm making more of a point to call friends, or text them, vs. interacting through social media. -
REFLECTION QUESTIONHealthWhat's your favorite activity(ies) in which you experience joy while being active and moving?
Allison Quinn 4/22/2021 2:42 PMI LOVE bird watching while I'm walking or running. Today I saw a brown bird near the lake and recorded it's call. I realized when I got home that it was the female red-winged black bird, but that the females are actually brown in color which I did not know :) -
REFLECTION QUESTIONFoodHow do our current food growing and manufacturing processes affect our future and the future of Earth?
Allison Quinn 4/22/2021 2:41 PMI marked this task off early as I know the challenge ends soon, but I'm going with my partner to an organic farm this weekend. He's taking an organic vegetable production class at UMN for his master's program, so I'm hoping to to learn more about their growing process and organic techniques to help sustain the environment. -
REFLECTION QUESTIONNatureHow do you experience your neighborhood or city differently when walking instead of driving?
Hugh Smeltekop 4/22/2021 12:41 PMThere is so much interesting architecture around our neighborhood! and also it's nice to smile and say hi to folks out walking. :)