Fireworks

Animals struggle on the holiday

Thunderstorms and Independence Day get the same response at my house. Both situations are pretty horrific if you’re a large animal like a horse or a mule. Whether the noise and light show are caused by nature or humans, we head out to a safe corner of our property and sing peaceful songs to our outdoor animals. In either case, someone (the mule, Shetland or Arab cross) gets a serious case of gas. Indeed, I have spent many a July 5th massaging a prostrate equine whose belly is so tight with gas I could play a drum solo on it.

So yes, the Fourth of July is a predictable holiday to people who understand the meaning behind the war-zone sound track. But if you ask me (or Tansy, Pumpkin and Gamma), I trust nature much more than human beings with explosives.

— Lydia Butler

Reusing bags

Paper bags play a key role

To quote Kermit the Frog, “It’s not easy being green!” Now, I don’t mean to sound like Miss Piggy, but I have yet to buy my “green” grocery bags, and as a matter of fact, I don’t intend to. I purposely use the brown recyclable ones. And if it ever gets to the stage that I must pay a nickel for each one, I will.

I can reuse them, though I seldom do. However, before they go to the shredder to become new bags, I faithfully take them to the Vashon Maury Community Food Bank. If everyone begins to use the “green” cloth ones, what will all the food banks use for their clients? As it is now, we’re running short of bags at our very own food bank here on the Island.

I do carry a very attractive tote in my car for trips to Target, Fred Meyer and the like, because I agree — we have to get rid of the plastics. But I really think sometimes we can carry this “green” thing too far.

— Sarah Church

Unbuildable property

Poor solution to the housing crisis

As many Vashon residents know, Emma Amiad’s article about recreational properties being unbuildable in the June 26 Beachcomber was true in most instances. However, these properties actually are being used by King County as a solution to our housing crisis.

The key to success is to be legally poor, build a structure as quickly as possible and move in. No septic, no water, no power, no permit — no problem!

You must have space for a septic system, but not water, since a good lawyer, at no cost to you, can help you secure an exemption, even if it means taking part of your neighbors’ property so you can drill a well. At the same time, you can fill the property with derelict RVs, which in turn can house multiple families. It is sad that this is not a hypothetical situation.

— Scott Harvey