Justin and I are going on a retreat this weekend - a Marriage Encounter to be exact - so I wanted to leave you with a little food for thought early on Earth Day.
Now what kind of a granola head would I be without saying something about Earth Day?
Yahoo! has a great site here with lots of links and information about what a person can do to get started.
You see, it isn't all about being a tree hugger - it is about personal responsibility and making sure we don't make such a big mess that our kids can't clean it up.
We buy as many things that are minimally processed as possible. We buy local produce if we can - and cage free eggs - organic creamer - we use Shaklee cleaners whenever possible - or orange oil - and Burt's Bees reigns in the bathroom.
As an aside, if you spend time outdoors, they have a carrott oil spray that feel FANTASTIC on your skin.
We use the more expensive energy saving light bulbs - which cost more up front, but have lowered our energy bills significantly. Even the flood lights are the compact kind.
When our water heater goes kaput - we are looking at buying one that is tankless - or at least uses some solar heating - we live the the South and have so many warm days that it seems silly to use energy to heat the water when the sun is already working hard to heat everything else!
Our dishwasher and washing machine use a gray water system - which means that teh water goes back into the yard so that the water isn't wasted - or sent to a wastewater treatment plant where energy and chemicals are used to clean the water.
We put up bubble wrap which came around things from Amazon - to help insulate the windows in the winter.
We throw anything organic that we can into the compost pile - and we reuse all the glass jars and try to buy things with minimal packaging.
When we looked at buying cars we paid attention to mileage and fule efficiency - not only for cost - but to assure that we didn't contribute any more than necessary to the fossil fuel problem. With my new job there will be travel - and there is a good possibility I may choose a hybrid as my next car - if I can afford it. But in the mean time, I get my oil changed and try to keep my tires filled to make sure the present cars are as efficient as possible.
The sustainable farm we have is as much therapy as it is environmentally friendly, but is serves both purposes well. The rabbits are warm and furry and take my mind off the dishes left to be washed - then their little pellett droppings fertilize my garden, enabling me to grow organic vegetables and feed my family. That garden is grown without pesticides - and with just enough left over that the birds and the squirrels will also be fed. That part of the lawn doesn't have to be mowed either - well that and the portion covered in trees. Reducing the emissions from our house. I don't use pesticide or Miracle Gro on the yard. Intentionally - it isn't good for the frogs or teh crawdads in our creek - and it kills birds.
There are plenty of opportunities for us to make changes in the way we do things - so that we take care of the land we are entrusted. This Earth Day take a minute and look around at all the beautiful things which surround you - and take a minute to take care of your Mother.
Friday, April 20, 2007
Monday, April 16, 2007
Logansport...
About ten years ago, one of my cousins and I started doing a little geneology research - and that is where I found out that I accidentally named my son Jacob after my great, great grandfather, Jacob.
My family has lived in Logansport since the early 1800's, and back in the 40s and 50s Loner Lumber built many of the houses in the neighborhoods bordering Logansport High School. I remember driving through those neighborhoods with my folks on Christmas Eve, talking about how the family had built many of those houses. My Great Uncle Herman still lives in one. When the business folded, my granfather and 6 of the 8 kids moved out to Kansas City, where much of the family still is, but my dad and his brother stayed in Indiana.
I lived on High Street for a couple of years, in a house that was just three doors down from where my father grew up, and about two blocks away from where my mom grew up - bordering Riverside Park. I had a lovely old home -it was huge, with pocket doors and a 26 foot kitchen - I think it is still blue - 1324 if you drive by...That is still my FAVORITE house of all time. The big mint green one, with the spire, where the mayor used to live - that was where my dad's family grew up -they played baseball at Riverside park. My folks used to meet on High Street and walk the last little bit to school together when they were dating - the school is now where Marsh sits, right there on Market and Broadway - the iron fence, where they walked through the gates.
My son, Josh, received his first Reconciliation and Communion in the same church as my parents, and it is still decorated by a big golden figure of Jesus, right as you come over the bridge from the river. I loved that church and it always feels like home. My mother's dad and step mom were buried from that church, aunts and uncles were married in that church - and some day, my own parents receive their final blessings there as well. Baptized, married and buried my dad says.
When I think of Indiana, it is often that drive from Indy to Logan that comes to mind - the sycamore trees, the corn fields, the little green oasis as you pass through Deer Creek... I loved it there and my memories of the time I lived there are some of my best ever.
If you travel to Logan, make sure you stop off and get a Spanish Hot Dog - and a root beer in a mug, not to go - there is no comparison.
Thank you for asking about Logansport - it was a great trip down memory lane on a cold Monday morning...
My family has lived in Logansport since the early 1800's, and back in the 40s and 50s Loner Lumber built many of the houses in the neighborhoods bordering Logansport High School. I remember driving through those neighborhoods with my folks on Christmas Eve, talking about how the family had built many of those houses. My Great Uncle Herman still lives in one. When the business folded, my granfather and 6 of the 8 kids moved out to Kansas City, where much of the family still is, but my dad and his brother stayed in Indiana.
I lived on High Street for a couple of years, in a house that was just three doors down from where my father grew up, and about two blocks away from where my mom grew up - bordering Riverside Park. I had a lovely old home -it was huge, with pocket doors and a 26 foot kitchen - I think it is still blue - 1324 if you drive by...That is still my FAVORITE house of all time. The big mint green one, with the spire, where the mayor used to live - that was where my dad's family grew up -they played baseball at Riverside park. My folks used to meet on High Street and walk the last little bit to school together when they were dating - the school is now where Marsh sits, right there on Market and Broadway - the iron fence, where they walked through the gates.
My son, Josh, received his first Reconciliation and Communion in the same church as my parents, and it is still decorated by a big golden figure of Jesus, right as you come over the bridge from the river. I loved that church and it always feels like home. My mother's dad and step mom were buried from that church, aunts and uncles were married in that church - and some day, my own parents receive their final blessings there as well. Baptized, married and buried my dad says.
When I think of Indiana, it is often that drive from Indy to Logan that comes to mind - the sycamore trees, the corn fields, the little green oasis as you pass through Deer Creek... I loved it there and my memories of the time I lived there are some of my best ever.
If you travel to Logan, make sure you stop off and get a Spanish Hot Dog - and a root beer in a mug, not to go - there is no comparison.
Thank you for asking about Logansport - it was a great trip down memory lane on a cold Monday morning...
Tuesday, April 10, 2007
The Short List
Well, all of my garden, which was in fact planted two weeks before it was supposed to be, survived the freezing temperatures this weekend. I was very thankful until I went to look over things this morning - and found Sheila DIGGING UP AND EATING ALL OF MY RADISHES.
She is on my short list. Oh no you don't - don't ooh and aw about how cute she is - little rascal...
We had two puppies that my daughter rescued, and we lost one to parvo, while I nursed the other one through it. Oddly enough, now she has mange. I wonder if she decided it was a pretty good deal to be inside and just rolled in something so she could stay inside. Um I just realized I have been outsmarted by the dog. Great.
In the love springs eternal category, is this story, sent to me by my husband who knows I love a good love story. Enjoy....
Wednesday, April 04, 2007
bad mamma, bad mamma....
I am so sorry for neglecting you these past weeks- but things have really been on the move around here!
Last Wednesday I had a bit of surgery - teh girl kind so I won't bore you with gory details. Suffice it to say it was really easy - and I feel better already. Wish I would have done this months ago.
Thursday and Friday I had off - so I planted a couple rows of spinach in my garden then put a Bartlett pear tree and another Peach tree in the yard. My cherry trees bloomed - and I am hopeful that I might actually get some cherries this year.
Saturday I took Josh to get his learners permit. In true understated fashion, he came back from the test and said: Mom, I don't know how someone could not pass that test - it wasn't hard at all.
Saturday night we went to my sister in law's house. There are 5 family birthdays all around the same time, so we celebrate them all together. Justin has an "adopted brother" who also celebrates with us. Every year we get him something - and he never gets anything for Justin. So, I waited until Justin was done and when this guy still didn't give him a present, I put his gift back in the bag to take home. Is that horrible???? I'm not sure - but it irks me to keep giving to someone who feels no need to reciprocate even though he has the ability. That is one of my pet peeves - people who just sponge off of the good-heartedness of others to fill their seemingly endless pit of needs.
On Monday night, Justin got a job offer from a company he had been temping with - finally after all these months our days of penny pinching are coming to an end. We celebrated by taking the family out to dinner at a Chinese restaurant - and though we spent a bit of cash, there will be leftovers for many meals to come!
After dinner, I dropped off Josh at a friend's house. I love how even as a teenager he still kisses me goodbye. He is headed to Panama City, which I found out later is where most of the kids from his high school will be. Great. I told him to have a good time - but come home a virgin and without a tattoo. Yes, I know that is blunt, but for heaven's sake, I remember the silly things kids did on Spring Break when their parents weren't around - and you know how it goes - if you don't say it specifically, then kids think they can get away with it.
Have I mentioned how much I adore the porch? When I come home I can change clothes then stand out there and watch the ducks in the creek and the goats climbing up those fallen tree trunks - there is no medication like a little time with nature. I tied out a hammock and now in the evening when I return phone calls I can lay out there and look up at the moon through the shagbark hickory tree - it is just lovely. Since those dogs destroyed all my herbs last summer, I have put the little pots up on my porch - even the strawberries are sprouting now - which makes me a happy girl!
I took Dale's advice and signed up for a blessing in my e-mail each morning. Today it was talking about how we plant the seeds of our future, how we must quickly pull up those weeds that threaten to choke that future and how we can live in abundance by being careful about what we have planted. And the little song from some movie: the love you take is equal to the love you make... keeps playing in the back of my mind.
Things on the work front are interesting these days. I can't elaborate at the moment, but promise to when there is some finality. I am unabashed in my desire to try to change the world, though it seems to be one person at a time rather than those big brushstrokes that famous people use. That's okay with me - I have too colorful a past to be famous - but it sure would be nice to be financially sound as well as altruistic.
Last Wednesday I had a bit of surgery - teh girl kind so I won't bore you with gory details. Suffice it to say it was really easy - and I feel better already. Wish I would have done this months ago.
Thursday and Friday I had off - so I planted a couple rows of spinach in my garden then put a Bartlett pear tree and another Peach tree in the yard. My cherry trees bloomed - and I am hopeful that I might actually get some cherries this year.
Saturday I took Josh to get his learners permit. In true understated fashion, he came back from the test and said: Mom, I don't know how someone could not pass that test - it wasn't hard at all.
Saturday night we went to my sister in law's house. There are 5 family birthdays all around the same time, so we celebrate them all together. Justin has an "adopted brother" who also celebrates with us. Every year we get him something - and he never gets anything for Justin. So, I waited until Justin was done and when this guy still didn't give him a present, I put his gift back in the bag to take home. Is that horrible???? I'm not sure - but it irks me to keep giving to someone who feels no need to reciprocate even though he has the ability. That is one of my pet peeves - people who just sponge off of the good-heartedness of others to fill their seemingly endless pit of needs.
On Monday night, Justin got a job offer from a company he had been temping with - finally after all these months our days of penny pinching are coming to an end. We celebrated by taking the family out to dinner at a Chinese restaurant - and though we spent a bit of cash, there will be leftovers for many meals to come!
After dinner, I dropped off Josh at a friend's house. I love how even as a teenager he still kisses me goodbye. He is headed to Panama City, which I found out later is where most of the kids from his high school will be. Great. I told him to have a good time - but come home a virgin and without a tattoo. Yes, I know that is blunt, but for heaven's sake, I remember the silly things kids did on Spring Break when their parents weren't around - and you know how it goes - if you don't say it specifically, then kids think they can get away with it.
Have I mentioned how much I adore the porch? When I come home I can change clothes then stand out there and watch the ducks in the creek and the goats climbing up those fallen tree trunks - there is no medication like a little time with nature. I tied out a hammock and now in the evening when I return phone calls I can lay out there and look up at the moon through the shagbark hickory tree - it is just lovely. Since those dogs destroyed all my herbs last summer, I have put the little pots up on my porch - even the strawberries are sprouting now - which makes me a happy girl!
I took Dale's advice and signed up for a blessing in my e-mail each morning. Today it was talking about how we plant the seeds of our future, how we must quickly pull up those weeds that threaten to choke that future and how we can live in abundance by being careful about what we have planted. And the little song from some movie: the love you take is equal to the love you make... keeps playing in the back of my mind.
Things on the work front are interesting these days. I can't elaborate at the moment, but promise to when there is some finality. I am unabashed in my desire to try to change the world, though it seems to be one person at a time rather than those big brushstrokes that famous people use. That's okay with me - I have too colorful a past to be famous - but it sure would be nice to be financially sound as well as altruistic.
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