First, I apologize to my regular readers for my prolonged absence from the blog. I was deep into finishing off several stories during a month’s sabbatical in Exeter. And then I returned to an operation on my wrist and came home with both wrists in braces that made keyboarding a trifle difficult. And then I got an invitation from a former student to speak to his organization … Ontario Nurses for the Environment. Whoa!

It was suggested in the invite to this engagement that the membership check out my website. Oh, Oh. When I checked my last blog, it was a satire piece on peace, but not really suitable for Nurses for the Environment.

So, how good is this. Two of my favourite beings: nurses and the environment. Specifically because the dedicated nurses at Toronto General Hospital spent months getting me back to health. The Peter Munk Cardiac Centre at TGH is staffed by some of the most professional and caring medical staff you will ever encounter. Secondly, because I didn’t know that an organization called Ontario Nurses for the Environment even existed.

Just imagine the dedication and energy devoted to a crusty old heart patient being extended to an entire planet. I was sold. Invitation accepted.

So, dear Nurses, if you are reading this now, let me tell you that the patient, Earth, is in need of much better stewardship. And your linking of personal and community health with planetary ecosystem wellness is brilliant. As I have often said, we and the environment are one. Just ask the citizens of Tehran, Iran, living under the toxic cloud of oil rain.

Which is why I spend so much time exposing stupid politicians. We need far fewer populist polluters and far more nurses caring for our planetary wellness.

The way I see it.

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p.s. More to come, just for you,  at our engagement …