My "Light" Green Ways

As I wrote yesterday, I've been worried about the Earth for quite some time (around the time Han was born I began to really take notice--I want this place around for my grandchildren and great grands, you know?) and have been making the effort to be more user-friendly. I've been taking steps to reduce my carbon footprint and that of my family and trying to be wise about global warming and the like. Whether you think global warming is just a bunch of hooey, or whether you think it's true, the fact of the matter is, the steps I've been taking certainly don't hurt the Earth and may in some small way help.

Then, a few weeks ago, we watched Wall-E for the first time and I became truly frightened by the amount of trash and waste we (my family, my friends, my students, my world) produce. The fact of the matter is, land is a limited resource and we can only put our trash and waste so many places before we simply run out of room. Am I afraid this will happen in my lifetime? No. Am I afraid it is a possibility at some point in the future? Absolutely. This, in addition to the nastiness that is the Great Pacific Garbage Patch are things I ponder frequently.

I'm definitely not trying to be preachy or take such a tone, I just want to give you some insight into my mindset and how I have come to this place in my life. We have been switching out our incandescents for CFLs as they have burned out. I have joined a CSA in order to eat more locally grown foods and produce. I also frequent the Farmer's Market for the same reason. This reduces my food miles and the fact the foods taste better is an added bonus. :o) When I can't buy locally, I purchase organic and free-roaming foods with the knowledge there is less environmental impact than more commercially produced foods.

To reduce the amount of trash our house produces, we recycle and compost everything we can. I will even go so far as to bring recycling home from school or picnics. I have friends who live in apartments with no recycling services available and I'll have them bring their recyclables to me and I'll bring them home and put them in my bins. I make sure to bring my blue, sparkly reusable bags with me to stores so I can avoid the plastic bags and I don't use plastic bags for purchasing produce unless it's for items such as beans or Brussels' sprouts (and I'm sure there has to be a better method for procuring these items, but darned if I know what it is).

One of my January 1, 2008 New Year's resolutions was to give up plastic bottles when at all possible. No more bottled water for me. I LOVE the convenience of a cold bottle of water, but knew it wasn't that good for the Earth. If I do wind up with a bottle (and it does happen, more often than I would like), I make sure to hold on to it to recycle--even if it means lugging it around for a while. When I travel, I like to have a drink with me, which means I have to plan ahead a bit. I typically bring along a Nalgene bottle of iced tea or water with me and make sure I have a couple of sippy cups of water available for Lil. At work, to avoid the bottles, I have a 16 ounce cup that I fill with ice and water a few times a day.

When Han was little, I realized I was using items that utilized far more packaging than I needed. I loved the convenience of the single serving applesauce and cottage cheese containers. However I soon realized not only was I getting less food for my money, I sure was using a lot of plastic. By investing in some inexpensive toddler-friendly plastic ware (which I DON'T toss, no matter what the name may suggest), I was able to create my own single serving containers.

I'm also careful about my use of plastic zipper bags. I avoid and reuse where I can, but these guys are somewhat hard to give up. I carry a reusable lunch bag and use reusable containers when I can. Some things, though, seem to need their own zipper bag.

We don't use paper plates and disposable cups and plastic ware as much any more either and I've begun to use cloth napkins instead of paper. We use dishtowels (and ShamWows--they work really well, in case you were wondering) to clean up spills and such instead of paper towels.

When we moved into this house, we had to purchase a washer and dryer. I knew front loading washing machines are more expensive, but they are also more energy efficient. My front loader uses much less water than my old top loader. Additionally, it spins so much faster, the clothes are almost dry when the come out. This means less time spent in the dryer, saving more energy there. To that end, I am desperately wishing for a clothes line. Maybe now the office has been cleaned out I can string one up in there. ;o) okay, not practical, but it's the thought that counts, right?

And finally, just recently, I have begun to allow the amount of packaging an item contains to influence my purchasing decisions. I just can't believe how much plastic we use!! Wow! I've also begun looking at natural cleaners (white vinegar, baking soda, non-sudsy ammonia) to use where I can.

In spite of these endeavors, I know there is so much more I could be doing. I'd like to get some rain barrels to use to water my gardens. I'd like that clothes line. I'd like to have the fortitude and wherewithal to deal with the million degree summer temps and wacko humidity and be able to leave my windows open all summer or at least set the thermostat higher than the 74 I have to have in order to sleep. I'd like to change who I am and be less consumeristic. I LOVE to shop and buy "things", even if I don't need them--I can't pass up a "good deal" (I've got to work on that). :sigh: I need to use the library more and buy books less. I could get a much more fuel efficient car and ditch my mom-mobile (which I adore!). I could use Earth-friendly make-up and skin and body care products, but I like the ones I've got.

I find I do many things because they are more convenient for me but maybe they're not so good for the Earth. I'm trying to remember I'm sharing this place with all of you and I need to help keep it nice for you all and that maybe being a little inconvenienced isn't such a bad thing after all.

Like I've said, I'm only "light" green, but hey a little green is better than none at all, right? So, what have I forgotten or left out? What "green" things do you do?

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Today's Sparklies:

1. I'm having such fun with my students (even if they are beginning to show signs of end-0f-the-year fever).
2. It looks as if the "toenadoes" and basil took. Whooppee! Caprese salads this summer! :o)
3. May Crowning is tomorrow and I'm really looking forward to it. It's such a beautiful event.
4. I had a thoroughly enjoyable conversation with a young man from my class this afternoon. It's nice to know kids still play like I did, running around outside, squelching through the mud, exploring their world. :o)
5. Grilled cheeses sometimes make the best supper (we were thwarted on the chicken front by slow thawing).
6. We practiced our May Crowning hymns today and one of them is "Haily Holy Queen" which I have always loved. Well, this morning, as we were singing, all I could think about was this scene from "Sister Act". :o) Hee hee


No milestones but, I was thinking about what a little "green" girl Han was. She, like Lil, would pick up litter and it was she and Brien who built the compost bin. She became interested after watching a pumpkin decompose at school. Oh I miss the Monkey. The missing lingers even as the pain eases.

Captain Random Strikes Again

So, this is most likely going to be a random, jumbled post this evening. First off, Lil and I transplanted some of our babies today. These are the "toenadoes".

Here we have basil, cilantro and parsley.

Let's hope some of these transplants take and I get some herbies and tomatoes this year. :finger crossed: As I've said SO many times, I do NOT have a green thumb (I leave that up to Jessie :oP) and when the weather gets HOT I have a tendency to wimp out, choosing to stay cool in the a/c instead of braving the heat and humidity. I think Lil (and the yummies and pretties) may have other plans for me this summer. :o)

My school held it's annual home and garden show this past weekend ("Perennial Days--It's an annual thing" was the catch phrase) and there were some pretties leftover that were being sold. I picked up two hanging baskets of trailing petunias--I'm a sucker for the sweet fragrance and vivid, vibrant color--five day lilies, and for buckets of coreopsis. I'm hoping I can split those, we'll see. Here's what we have:
'tunies

day lilies and coreopsis. The coreopsis are yellow and orange. I'm hoping they'll spread like wildfire. I had thought to plant them in the bed here, but maybe they'll go around the mailbox (which still needs to have the stupid rocks and weeds removed...maybe Saturday?). I'm hoping to turn this flower bed behind the swing into a day lily bed. As Lissie has told me many many times, they'll grow anywhere. :fingers crossed:


These guys are fairly sizable and I'm wondering if they can be split. Mom? Help me, please! :o)

Ah, the fruits of our labor today. Lil used her fork to loosen the soil and then helped dig the holes. (Please ignore the orange extension cord. :eye roll:) In this bed we have: two squares of chives, two of cilantro, four of basil (can you really have too much basil?), two of parsley, four tomatoes (cherry, I believe) and two more corn (which I just planted today).

This bed holds: two corn, two beans, two onions, two lettuces (ready to be re-planted fairly soon, I'm afraid--stupid heat), four "toenadoes" and four peppers (if they'll ever sprout...sheesh!). I couldn't imagine I would fill two beds, and yet, I have. It took me no time at all and now I'm actually contemplating asking B to build me a couple more. Eek! We'll have to wait and see how these guys come out first, I know, I know. I do know I'll be planting cukes soon. Maybe it's time to get the lettuce out and just give up on it until fall?

We have leftovers so I'm considering some toenadoes in pots on the deck. Basil as well. :o)


Hannah's garden is coming along beautifully. Ahhhh, perennials, how I love them! You plant them once and they return bigger and better every year. We have 13(!) lilies so far and I'm fairly certain we only started with four. There are other greeny things sprouting and I wish I could remember what they were, but well, Lil helped me clean up the garden last fall by removing those handy little signs that told me what was where. :sigh:

These are just a few of them coming up. Aren't they grand? :o) The irises are are folded down and ready to be buried as soon as the mulch guys arrive.

Okay, other random tidbits from today:

• Brien passed his final exam of the semester. Woo hoo!
• I survived the "rising fifth graders" parent coffee. :oP They are a lovely group of parents and I'm looking forward to working with them. Some I know because I've had their children before and they all seem so nice. :o)
  
• The temps have dropped again. Hooray! It'll warm up again by this weekend, but nothing as nasty has it has been. Whew!
• I saw a kiddo outside this evening picking up all the trash he had dropped when he was walking down the street. Sometimes people do do the right thing.
• I have Lil convinced every day is Earth day. As such, she and I are on constant litter patrol and collect when we see it in order to put it in appropriate bins. The only things I won't allow her to pick up are cigarette butts. EW! I just make sure to keep hand gel on me at all times anymore. ;o)
• The movie Wall-E has scared the fooey out of me with regards to how much waste I'm producing. I'm what I like to call "light green". I have CFLs, I take my own bags to stores, I don't use bags in the produce department (okay, okay, I do for green beans and Brussels sprouts), I recycle everything, I compost. After seeing Wall-E (which is very very cute and wonderful), I'm trying to be more careful of packaging as well. Do you know how much packaging there is out there???? I'm going to try to remember to do a post on my "light green" ways. Hm, I do more than I thought I did...

I know there were other items I wanted to include but darned if I can remember what they were. Oy.

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Today's Sparklies:

1. My porch swing makes me so happy:
2. Look what Brien saved from Holly:
How cute is he?
3. Signs of hard work in progress:

4. Signs I have a crafty toddler in the house:

5. Tonight's dinner (I apologize for the lighting in the photos, it seems quite jarring when compared with natural light):
Homemade pasta salad with spinach, kalamata olives and feta, dressed with lemon zest, lemon juice and extra virgin olive oil. Mmmmmm. :o)

and:
maple syrup and soy sauce glazed "salmon fish". It was a banner meal night if you were Lil. She loved it all! :o)
6. I got SOOO much done this evening. The slug day was good, but I'm glad to be back on track once again. I got two loads of laundry done, all that planting, cooking and then cleaning the kitchen and some school work. Not too shabby! :oP
7. I like how I feel when I get "stuff" done more than when I'm sluggy. Getting motivated to move is tough, doing it isn't always fun, but the sense of accomplishment afterward is WONDERFUL. :o) (methinks this may apply to that exercise thing as well...)

No milestones. I just wish Han were here to enjoy the flowers with us. She would dance and twirl around the garden, I just know it. She was responsible for one of the lilies in her garden. Wouldn't she just love it all? I told Dad on Sunday that to me, Han will always be five. I can't get her past that. She'll be eternally five, and really, isn't that a glorious thing?

For Your Review

Okay, so here's the story. I shot this image on the 17th and have been playing around with the image post-processing. For those who care:

• f 3.5
• 5.0 s exposure
• ISO 640
• Exposed under starlight.

The last image is the raw exposure scaled for 8-bit display from the original 14-bit image.

The first image, after changing the tint better represents the tones as my eye saw them and the middle image is the black-and-white version.

Any comments, thoughts and criticisms are appreciated.

B

Rach's Sluggy Evening

I'm feeling utterly exhausted and quite sluggy. My A/C at work is still broken, it was ten million degrees in my room (okay, maybe only 9 million, but still...), I had a meeting after school and I'm done. Between the worry about Brien, listening to Lil cough--she too seems to have allergy attacks like mine (sniffling and coughing, not sneezing)--while she's trying to sleep, and sitting down to look up something on the internet instead of getting straight to work on my evening chores, I'm tired and I've managed to accomplish nothing this evening. Oh well. I think I was due a slug day, right?

On a more positive note, the temps are supposed to be back down to the low 70s tomorrow, which will be much better weed eating weather. I'll do that tomorrow, along with the vacuuming and laundry. I'll leave work right after school to pick up Lil so we can get home to transplant those tomatoes. We'll also have "salmon fish" for dinner. :o)

For now, I'm going to sit on my duff and read and try to relax--I can't remember the last time I did that.

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Today's Sparklies:

1. B recognized his limitations and only worked a 1/2 day today.
2. Today was Science Fair day and it was SO much fun! The projects are WONDERFUL and so creative. I enjoyed seeing so many parents and visiting with everyone. They were all so sweet and kind and asked about B and how he was doing. I LOVE working there, I really and truly do. :o)
3. The maintenance staff came running when I put in my a/c complaint. Okay, not really, but they were pretty quick to jump on it and try to get it fixed for me. Thank goodness I'm on the shady side of the building. Whew!
4. Hooray for good SS lessons. :o) Thanks for the topic focusing tricks, Mom!
5. Jessie may have found a house. Keep your fingers crossed.
6. Even though it has felt stiflingly hot, the humidity has been low--thank goodness.


No Milestones.

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Well, I'm off to finish out my sluggy evening. I'm thinking bedtime by 8 tonight. ;o)

The One in Which Rachael Overloads on Plant Pics

It was wonderful to get back to work today. Seriously. There is something calming about being back in my typical daily routine. Of course, it was still incredibly hot today and when I first got to work this morning my a/c wasn't working--ACK! After fiddling with the controls, I managed to get it working, thank goodness, as the temps were again in the mid-90s today. Tomorrow is only supposed to be upper 80s, thank goodness and it's supposed to drop back into the low 80s by mid-week. Now, I know you weren't all looking for a weather report, but it is important on two fronts. One, I LOATHE the heat as much as I LOVE the cool. Two, my lettuces are just sprouting, and are going to be disgustingly bitter if the weather doesn't cool back down.

Speaking of sprouting, those are some beans up there. Woo hoo! I can grow stuff after all. ;o) In fact, the one bed is loaded with sprouts and today I noticed all the corn and beans have come up. Yippee!! :o) I'm contemplating putting in two more squares of corn now to stagger the harvest (ha! we'll see if I can get anything to grow once it gets really hot and I no longer want to go outside). I've also got tomatoes that need transplanting as well as basil, parsley and cilantro. Actually, the cilantro and parsley aren't looking so great so I may just try starting them directly in the beds. I'm actually having fun with this and Lil is having a ball going around looking at all that is coming up. :o)

Other items of interest in our yard:

Corn

onions


Lettuce--it needs thinning. I'm waiting a couple more days to see which ones look the best. The lettuce is going to be good mainly for rabbit food, I'm afraid. We'll just have to keep our fingers crossed...


Linda, thanks for the tip on the marigolds. They are growing beautifully. Lil LOVES "her" flowers. "The marigolds are mine." Okay, you betcha. :o)


B stuck in these onions as a temporary holding place. They are growing well so I'm just leaving them alone. :oP


The columbine and other shade plants are LOVING their location behind the house. They are blooming quite prolifically. I need to get Lissie's fertilizer recipe mixed and poured before too long and see what happens then. ;o)


The hostas are also looking good. I've got one that looks a bit peaked, but all the rest look wonderful. I have four different varieties planted and they are simply thriving.

Now I just have to get the mulch guy here. One outdoor activity I really can't stand is hauling and spreading mulch. Last year, B and I put some money aside to have the mulch guys come and spray it and put it down for us. It was absolutely worth it and I can't wait for them to come and do it again.


If you look carefully in this photo, you will see some small green sprouts. Those are Lil's sunflowers. She an I planted them in the playground mulch bed along the fence and compost bin. We'll see what comes up--assuming the squirrels don't find the seeds. I'm hoping for a nice variety of sunflowers to create a sunflower "room" of sorts. We still need to get the morning glory seeds soaked and planted.


This is year three for these guys. Clematis typically like "hot heads" and "cool feet". Unfortunately, these guys are bombarded with late afternoon sun so they've been struggling. I was delighted to see the one on the left was coming back even though it looked so dead. B and I buy the teeny, tiny, inexpensive vines and then pray they make it, lol.

Exhibit B: the evergreen wisteria. I think this guy may make it. :o) It's standard wisteria cousin across from it isn't looking so hot. Oh, well.

A view of the backyard from the gate. Spring arrived with a vengance this past weekend. Look at all the leaves on the trees!

The raised bed on the left will grow my herbies. I've got chives beginning to come up in the back two squares. I'm looking at four squares of basil, one of parsley, one of cilantro, two more of corn, and then four of tomatoes. I've got four squares in the bed on the right reserved for tomatoes as well. I've got cherry tomatoes and slicing tomatoes growing. We'll see how they work out.

Along the fence back towards the compost bin is where we've planted the sunflowers. I'm still trying to decide where to plant the morning glories. I just ADORE them! :o)

As you can see, the backyard gets quite a bit of afternoon and evening shade, making it a lovely place to hang out--when the mosquitoes and humidity aren't trying to do you in...;o) We will frequently eat out at the table in the gazebo. That covered thingy there on the patio is a fireplace. Thanks, Pop! :o)

See the bit of yellow up there? That's Lil playing in the top of the tree fort. See the blob next to it? That's B sitting in the fort with Lil. :oP

So, there you have it, a tour of my backyard. Please notice I've shared none of the front. I HATE the front of my house and find it lacks curb appeal. That, and it is a furnace in the summer. My front door get so hot you can actually burn yourself on it. I can't hang any wreaths on it because the hot glue simply melts and drips down the door and the wreaths fall apart. I'm working on making the front more appealing, but you have to find pretty hardy plants to stand up to that kind of intense sun and heat.

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Today's Sparklies:

1. I think I may be nutso, but I thoroughly enjoyed getting outside and mowing this evening. I'll weed eat tomorrow. Sure, it was hot, but not muggy and I really enjoyed seeing the wildness of the yard tamed once again. I also did the alley between our house and the neighbors' since the neighborhood kiddos have been playing back there. The HOA pays some lawn guys to do it about once every two months, but that's too long with kids out there. Who knows what could be lurking in there otherwise. Sheesh!
2. The baby bunny I almost ran over with the mower was SO cute. I hate mowing this time of year as bunny death is always a possibility and well, I HATE that. :o( But, the little guy moved quickly and I didn't get him. Oh, he was so SO sweet! :o)
3. I saw my first tree frog of the season, hiding in the grass in the backyard. Again, I spotted his bright green hide before I could hit him with the mower. Whew!
4. Lots and lots of tiny toads out and about this evening.
5. Jessie, remember this doll:
Mom and Paul had me take a load of toys home from the Blacksburg house and she was in there. Lily has christened her "Shelly" to go with her baby "Kelly". I've let her know the doll is Jessie's and on loan until such a time Jessie wants her back.
6. Sunshine, pure and simple. The leaves are on the trees in front of my room at school and the light filtering into the room has a lovely green tint to it. I can't explain it other than to say it has a clean and refreshing quality to it.
7. Flowers for B:
From his work,
From Dani and Mark,


From Auntie Susan and Woli. Thank you all, as they are all so beautiful and make me smile. :o) Sure, they weren't for me, but I'm enjoying them as well. :o)
8. Getting all you set out to accomplish done. I got all the bathrooms cleaned, dinner cooked and the yard mowed this evening. I'm off for a shower and then I will read aloud from HP and then, bed. Ahhhhh.

No Milestones.

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Hopefully I sleep a little more soundly this evening. I kept awakening to the sounds of Lil coughing (the allergies are killing all of us) and would then find myself with my hand plastered to B, listening intently to the sounds of his breathing. He is still quite easily tired as his body works hard to take care of the nasty clot in his lungs. He went to the Coumadin clinic today and his INR was 4.2--oops! They want the number somewhere between 2 and 3 so he'll take smaller doses of Coumadin until Thursday. He's supposed to go back to work tomorrow and I desperately wish he would take one more day to rest. He'll be going to San Diego next week(!) and I want him to get as much rest as possible before heading out.

To that end, he'll be taking a one semester break in his studies while he waits for his body to heal a little more. When you're conked out by 8 and you are used to staying up until 11 or 12 to get school work done, you can imagine how hard it is to get anything accomplished. He takes his last test Wednesday and will take a break until September and then begin again. On the one hand, he wants to just push through and get it finished as quickly as possible, but on the other hand, he needs this break.

The Post in Which Rachael Whines

Why oh why oh why did the heat have to return? Why??? I was so happy with the temps in the upper 70s. There were lovely breezes, sunny days and open windows. Yesterday it was 97 and today hit 95. The heat and the pollen are sapping all my energy. As I type, B is sacked out in the black chair, taking a much needed rest.

He has said it was much easier coming home last time, that he didn't feel as if he had really been out of commission. This time is much more difficult. First off, his body is expending a LOT of energy on getting that clot in his lungs dissolved. Lungs don't like to have "stuff" in them, particularly 2" pieces of "stuff". Therefore Brien's body is working extra hard to get that clot outta there.

He is a tired tired boy and is easily worn out right now. This is to be expected. He was already working on a sleep deficit and this PE hasn't helped. B got 12 hours sleep Friday night and 11 last night and still needs more. The doctor cleared him to return to work Tuesday, but, quite frankly, I'm not sure if he'll be ready. Unfortunately, I have this feeling he may try to force himself to do it. Ack!

But, in spite of medical conditions, life still plods on. Grandma and Bill were in town this weekend so we all had a picnic at Dorey Park. We met up with Jen and her crew and Uncle Glen and Aunt Terri and had a lovely visit. Pop knew we would need to meet early to get some playing done when the temps were cooler (80s versus 90s). Here are some highlights from the morning:
Lil, Miles and Lydie


Lydia

Miles and Lydia

Lydia

Grandma and Bill

I just LOVED Grandma's face in this one. :o)


That Lydie is always on the move--a girl in constant motion! :o)






If you're going to ride the teeter-totter, and you are a small child riding opposite an adult, you had better have an adult ride on your side with you. :o)



Look at that Lil's face!

Joss. Poor baby broke her arm up by the shoulder and has to wear a sling. Can you imagine trying to keep a sling on a three year old??



Lil trying to lick her elbow. Don't ask...;oP


Lil and Kelsey.

Lily always has such a good time with her cousins and I'm glad we could get together to play and visit. :o)

Now, I've got to get off my duff and get to the laundry that didn't do itself while I was sitting in the hospital with B. I've also got to get into the kitchen to do some cleaning (I made potato salad and deviled eggs for the picnic) and I'd dearly love a nap as well. ;oP

This evening I'll have to water the gardens (we've got corn, onions, lettuce (too bad it'll all be bitter at this point), and sunflowers sprouting!) and mow. I'm so tired I don't even want to face it. :sigh: (stupid, spooty heat)

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Weekend Sparklies:

1. Lil says dog food doesn't taste too bad but she doesn't think she'd like to try it again any time soon. :oP
2. Our sprouting plants. Woo hoo! Now if I can only make myself go outside to tend them now the weather has turned. I told ya'll, I'm REALLY bad about stuff like that.
3. Brien is HOME and healing. Woo hoo!
4. Lil is sharing her Starburst Jelly Beans with me. Yum. :o)
5. My nice respite from the computer. If you emailed me and i haven't replied, it's because i was taking a much needed break from the 'net.
6. Ice cream. 'Nuff said. :o)

No milestones other than it's always initially tough for me to get together with all the kids and not have Hannah with us. :sigh: