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I have solar light in the garden. It isn't going to blind the deer as they trample everything, the point is not to trip at night.
We use saving bulbs for light, recycle like nazis ( according to my DS), we keep an eye on the water use, turn off appliances, eat organic, grow our own veggies and fruit, walk or bike to work, don't use chemicals in the house or garden, and I'm afraid that's about it...
Babysteps indeed, 2 years ago I had never heard about organic food!
Collective angst perhaps? For many folks, there is a certain comfort in knowing that others are doing the same thing, so they are not being "weird", even if their kids or spouses think so. If someone gives us a hard time for being green, we can stand proud and say "DGer's all over the world are doing this!".
I think that was the purpose of the original thread. It's so easy to wonder WHY you even attempt to make changes, when you are going against the grain of everyone around. It's nice to get the encouragement to continue from those that are actually doing what you want to do.
The baby steps don't really appear to make a lot of difference in the beginning, but when it starts coming together and you can see progress, it's easy to keep going. Unfortunately, although I was aware of a lot of SA practices, I didn't really get serious about implementing any of those ideas till a few years ago. DH never gave it thought until recently.
We have turned red clay into wonderful black garden soil. Al just witnessed the effect amending the soil and that mulch has, when we were cleaning up the garden a few days ago, and raked some 'last year mulch' off a row to place it elsewhere. We are both amazed at the amount of water our rain barrels collect.
There's a TV show on Discovery Home called 'Wasted' that we just started watching. It's about how to reduce your carbon footprint. Excellent show! It has wonderful eye-opening visuals (like bringing back to a couple all the trash they threw out in the past 6 months) and showing how much they can reduce the volume. We've only seen 2 episodes, but so far they have covered recycling, hybrid cars, rain collections, solar hot water and home repair/changes. They tell you how much money those changes can save the family in a year. TV well worth viewing! I know...it's all the stuff we talk about here at DG, but it's a DUH moment for some of us, when we can actually see how they are doing things.
Msrobin, I think you are right and put it very well. It's good to support each other. Not everyone is in a community that cares much about sustainability. Plus, I like to learn more about the do-able things being done! So, maybe I can do them, too. For example, the micro-fiber cleaning cloths are saving me money on paper towels, work just as well and not so hard on the environment. I thought I would have to order them from somewhere expensive ( which you can, if you want to ) but found out on D.G. that they are readily available in the automotive dept. of several chain stores. I got mine at Big Lots.
I keep trying to "catch up" with that show you mentioned. They must be running it at o dark thirty. sheesh. I may send a nasty gram to my directv source on that one. I've seen one and I'd love to see the others. Interesting and good stuff.
Roybird, thanks for the kind words. I have to confess that I am more of a hands on person. When I see something here, I work on putting it in place, and then tweak it as I learn more about the whys.
Doccat, I think the show is on Monday nites prime time and then a few hours later and again about 1 pm CST on Tuesday on Discovery Home channel. Monday nites are their "green shows". Didn't want to press my luck with DH to watch more of the shows (LOL), so picked this one.
FYI...heard on a tv ad that Shell gas stations are giving away a free microfiber cloth with each 10 gal. purchase
Thanks, msrobin. I'll check out the schedules more closely on those days. The one I saw was fascinating. They were putting in their own water wheel and diverting a stream to do it. It was amazing.
Wish we got the discovery home channel but we only get the regular one with our cable.
Sounds like something I would really enjoy even if I don't get to implement much of it. My DH is not onboard and not supportive of my efforts.
Your place sounds great. I would love to see some pics if you could post them. I would love to see your work in progress and I think it would help me to keep trying. You guys all give me encouragement to keep on.
Right now my next move is trying to get a load of manure hauled from the barn to completely cover the hay from my last year's bale garden so I can get it rotted down for compost to plant in. I want to cover the hay completely with the manure and then cover it with a tarp to hold in the heat. I think that should hasten the rotting and have it ready for spring. I know if the temp is not high enough it won't rot and right now the hay has ice in it. Any ideas?
Thank you Cajun. I'll post some pictures come spring when we get everything up and running again. Been too cold and miserable to get outside and start setting things up, since we got back home. Due to high winds and possible thefts, everything has to be put away and locked up when we have to go on the road.
Regarding your DH not being on board, mine wasn't either. But every once in a while, like after watching those TV shows with me the other night, he's starting to see the big picture. Or at least the way it affects us. He helped me with the graywater barrel for the washer last summer, then after seeing how well it worked, starting talking about how easy it would be to run graywater out of the bathroom. Although, most of the things I want to do, I could do myself, I do ask for his help just to get him involved so I can explain the whys and how we can benefit from it.
Do you have a VCR? I'm going to start taping them, so I could loan you the tape .
I'd suggest throwing some plastic over the mulch and manure. But I don't know which would be better, clear or black. Both have their advantages.
The part about D.H. not being on board reminded me that mine is not always in accord with me either. l.o.l. But, he did figure out how to set up a temporary greywater barrel from our washing machine. We use it when necessary but not all the time. He is convinced that even rinse water from our biodegradable laundry soap will build up salt in the soil and ultimately cause more problems than it will solve. Yet, he is perfectly o.k. about roof run-off water saving. Logic doesn't work with him and he would say the same of me!
It's kind of funny, isn't it, the things people are willing/ aren't willing to do? My DH actually instigated our composting efforts (and he's not even a gardener!), and is 100% behind our rainwater recycling efforts, but can't ever remember what's OK to recycle, and would leave every light on in the house if I let him. Me, I've switched from paper napkins to cloth, am trying to remember to use rags instead of paper towels for most messes, and am trying to go through the front door more often rather than use the electric garage door opener 28 times a day. But get between me and my hot water? NO WAY!!!
One of the best things in green to come up out here is cloth shopping bags for use in grocery strores and even Wal-Mart. I've been doing it for 5-7 years or so, now they are trying to get everyone to switch. It does take more time to recycle, but it is oh so worth it. You teach by example so keep trying with the spouses or roommates.
