Freedom through conservation
Human life is messy, and human beings even more so. Working out our "stuff" together is no easy feat. And it's made no easier by the flood of all kinds of information into our minds, too much of which pollutes our internal lives rather than edifying our personal existence. The powerful tsunami of junk info we face daily comes in the forms of advertisements, which are pervasive, continual, and … [Read more...]
Ever since we first got together my husband and I have talked about how to respond to one of our key shared interests — peak oil. For us this means, first of all, a conservation-minded approach to life — using less energy, wasting less, and relying on reusable materials such as hankies and eco-cups, carrying our own grocery bags, and growing much of our own food and cooking it … [Read more...]
My friend Cate Fitt, an artist and fellow blogger, shared a video on Facebook (man, I love Facebook) that really blew my mind. It's from that inspiration that I wrote this piece. Thanks Cate! Ink it, don't think it I've had a long time love of old school printing presses. I love the quality and the raw nature of the medium. I also love that it's done by hand. As a writer and graphic designer, … [Read more...]
The old days are gone and there's more than a few analysts who don't see the high life ever returning. They say that the peak of cheap oil production in 2006 means economic growth is over. Instead, we can expect a continual contraction of the economy that will ultimately affect us all. Whether its fate, or karma or just chance, we're the people alive today and we're the one's who have to deal … [Read more...]
I can't think of any moms I know (and even those I don't) who would sprinkle a dose of poison on her kid's food. I can't think of any who would blow mercury particulates in her kid's face. Nor any who would wish for her child a lower standard of living in the future than she now enjoys. Who does? Moms are the super champions of kids, wanting only the best for her offspring. Your kid's future … [Read more...]
I've grown increasingly sick of receiving catalogs in the mail. It's not that I don't admire the amazing products being made out there and how cleverly (if not insidiously) they are sold in glossy, lovely catalogs. Between the great photography and high quality materials, some of the clothes, tools, decor, plants and foods available by mail order are definitely … [Read more...]
Americans are among the least vacationing people of the industrialized world. So when our few national holidays roll around there's a gigantic sigh of relief as we gain access to a rare day in which to purportedly either celebrate the meaning of said holiday, relax, get away, or drink ourselves into oblivion. Sometimes all of the above. ACT NOW! The other allegedly great and essentially … [Read more...]
Mother's Day was tinged for many this year with a certain sadness. This melancholy was experienced by kids and moms alike who are wondering why, on climate change, government is failing to take an active role not only in protecting our shared resources; it is also failing to actively structure those resources to offer the best prospect for future generations to thrive. For that reason, youth … [Read more...]
The United States Postal Service is among the many outlets in the world touting their efforts to go green. In post office posters and on palm cards the trusty rain, sleet and snow guys are running a campaign to make citizens more aware of what the federal shippers are doing to be kind to the environment and reduce fuel use. Their Go Green campaign is the federal agency's 2011 Social Awareness … [Read more...]
First in a week-long series of profiles on moms I know in honor of Mother's Day 2011. Chances are you've read one of Karen's best selling non-fiction books. You just don't know it. Neither do I, and I know her in person! Karen Risch-Mott is a ghostwriter who's been at it for almost 20 years. She's the enviable kind of writer who actually makes a living at it. I've seen it and I … [Read more...]
