Apr. 21, 2009
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Even though it is a trendy thing at the moment and that usually makes me want to run away, I have been thinking lately about ways to reduce our family's carbon footprint, how to be greener. We have always loved nature and camping but somehow that never translated into a greener lifestyle. I just think if there are things we can reasonably do to be less wasteful and kind to our world, we should. So Earth Day is coming up. I had considered celebrating it this year, maybe by turning off the electric gadgets and parking the car. See how much we could do, without it. Then yesterday happened. Electricity was off from 7 in the morning until 3:30 in the afternoon. It was really an embarrassment, our lack of preparation. A family that lives to camp, and there are no flashlights with batteries in the house? Matches? It was a gray, gloomy day. And............no windows in either bathroom. We are a family that appreciates a shut bathroom door. That was a problem. Finally about noon I turned to my four Boy Scouts and said "really, Boy Scouts in the house and we cannot figure out how to light a candle?". They got out the magnesium sticks, nearly caught my dining room on fire but we had light! We read so many stories. We looked out the window and counted the different kind of birds hopping around our yard, probably gorging on the worms. It would have been nice if our field guides were where I had placed them on the bookshelf by the window. The imaginative games they started playing. Children sitting around having conversations, that was nice. What would have been nicer would have been if I had not been so worried about dishes not done (dishwasher not working), laundry piled up (no, I was not desperate enough to handwash) and vacumming that very much needed to be done. It truly was a day that showed me how a better prepared home would help us deal better with whatever life throws us. So yesterday was a good trial run. But I think I will come up with a different way to celebrate Earth Day tomorrow. Last night my husband and I went out and bought flashlights, matches and candles along with a box for storing them on the top shelf. Just to begin with. We also need to buy some more propane for the grill, maybe even a second container, because around 3, I started wondering what would be for dinner (nope, restaurants also had no power). I have to admit I cheered when the lights came back on. So much for my pioneer spirit. I think it is hard to instantly make the transition from our power driven life to being less dependent. Yesterday gave me a lot to think about and to work on. Last night, when we were buying flashlight and stuff, standing in the camping section of WalMart, I said "oh I wish we could go camping!". My husband just looked at me. Oh,yeah right............... |
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May. 6, 2009 - It's me, your long lost friend
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Posted by Anonymous