Of Mouse Pads and Men

A tale of two blues players and a prayer

This is one of the most personal pleas, and it is a plea.

Or prayer.

I play blues with my friend Robert Taylor

Who comes from Reserve, Lousiana, a keyboard player

Who played for Otis Redding and Etta James

Throughout the US.

He lives nearby the big plastic plant

Called Denka

Spewing chloroprene that causes cancer into the air

That he breathes.

But he’s my pal. It’s like heaven when we get into “Respect” or “Sitting on the Dock of the Bay.”

It isn’t fair.

Chloroprene is Neoprene.

It’s so toxic to his and other families’ cells.

It’s why they call Cancer Alley living hell.

Neoprene gives me the blues.

But have you heard the news?

You can be different.

You don’t have to buy Neoprene any longer

Unless you absolutely need it.

I am looking for ways to stay away from it

Because every time I buy it

I am poisoning my friends down in Louisiana.

Can you help me to help them?

All you need to do is start seeking alternatives to Neoprene the next time you shop.

It’s not difficult either. And since Denka is the only Neoprene plant in the nation, you know your actions count.

I just had to buy mouse pads. I went to Amazon.com and found almost all are made from Neoprene. Boshiho, however, offers cork alternatives like this one I picked up from Amazon.com.

I have a Neoprene wetsuit, but my next one will be from one of the alternatives such as these from Patagonia that are made from Yulex, a natural rubber. From koozies to totes, let’s be a bit more aware. My friends have to breathe the air.

— 30 —

After a year of interviewing some of the most heroic parents in America today, I’m delighted to announce advance copies of Raising Healthy Kids: Protecting Your Children from Hidden Chemical Toxins are available. Be sure to visit https://tinyurl.com/4a9ctywu or your favorite independent bookseller.