I’ve given myself until the end of this month to spend 43 hours on one of my goals and then report the results.
That goal is to be more attentive to my surroundings, though I expect to tap into numerous other goals in the process. 4 weeks ago
I did a lot of cleaning, and so although there is a lot to do still, I didn’t have to come home to an entire enormous blue bin’s worth of recyclables because they are now recycled. Yay.
Last night I worked on the guts of the stove (there’s a nasty mess under there) and perhaps that job can be finished off today.
On the down side, at work my desk was tidy when I left, but in the one day I’ve been back it’s heaped again. So it goes. 4 weeks ago
High on a mountain, every rut in the road down here was invisible from there. Need to keep a hold of that state of mind. So I will! 4 weeks ago
But there’s always more celebrating to be done! 1 month ago
3 years later. It took this long, probably will take even a little longer. 1 month ago
START A NEW life? goal? friendship? general endeavor?
I guess it was time for some sort of renewal when I wrote it and I’m definitely feeling that spirit again. 1 month ago
So I’ve taken it easy since these last entries. But last summer I took a camping vacation in Yarmouth and that was wonderful. Again, I am very grateful for my friends who made it possible!!! 1 month ago
WE have rain barrels but need a way to collect more water in them. I’ve discussed the matter with a water expert at the local ag station who says if we used the water from the brook it ought to be safe as well as permissible. I would want to have it tested anyway, before putting it on the garden. More to come. 1 month ago
I love taking baths… not so great for conserving water. Where I live there is plenty of water, rainfall seems to be increasing in our region. BUT water conservation means saving energy on treating and transporting it, not to mention heating it for some domestic uses, and so it is an area where I can do a good bit more. 1 month ago
I am very proud that we’re going to reuse some hardwood flooring in the house I’m doing at work. I also have a big pile of installed (someplace else), but then removed and almost discarded, flooring waiting to be used chez moi when the time comes. I also have a source for additional re-purposed construction materials. More on this soon. 1 month ago
To cut down on driving I’ve been trying not only to consolidate my own errands, but to run errands with others. Something to keep doing and to encourage others to do. 1 month ago
My current fridge is an older one and when it’s done I will get a much more efficient one. If it has a roomy freezer I can retire the chest freezer (#12). 1 month ago
I have an older chest freezer but it doesn’t seem like I really ought to be using it in the long run. It keeps filling up, but unless I start buying local sides of beef or freezing vast quantities of homegrown veggies it isn’t so great. I’m considering converting it into some sort of root cellar. It’s a well insulated box after all. 1 month ago
Okay so most of the year I use a clothesline, but in the winter I have an electric dryer. :(
It was a gift and it has been useful but the time will come when I replace it with a gas dryer, and basement clotheslines. This winter I hung up plenty of clothes and they dried out well due to the wood stove. 1 month ago
Have had an energy star washer for 10 years now, it is super efficient and I love it. I usually wash with cold water, but even with warm it only uses a small amount of heated water. It also spins the clothes really well so – though I usually air dry – dryer time is fairly quick. 1 month ago
I don’t have a good site for PV, but I can install solar thermal collectors. I’ve been developing a plan for warming the house with them in the winter, even if they doesn’t carry the whole heating load. I think this can be really significant. 1 month ago
Developed the passive solar plan about as far as possible, now it just remains to be implemented. Already got some thermal windows and sliders in storage from people who would have thrown them in the dumpster. Went to check out a deconstruction site Thursday, and going to another tomorrow, to perhaps pick up some more glass. 1 month ago
Air sealing and insulating are essential, and I’ll be gutting the attic and doing that next.
Meanwhile I’m helping 10 low income households get their air sealing and insulation done. 1 month ago
I got rid of it and have been using a woodstove and two mini splits. Made it through a hard winter in comfort. BIG ONE! I believe I’ll be cutting my own firewood this year and not transporting more than a few hundred yards. 1 month ago
I am very grateful that my job is evolving to encompass more and more meaningful green practices and that I am making much of it happen. 1 month ago
This is an ongoing struggle. Right now, CT is really needing a push to do the right thing. I encourage others to push, too, which seems to help make it not feel like a personal burden but rather a shared commitment. Plus the pols need to know they’re supported when they try to do the right thing. 1 month ago
Hey, who needs to deploy a power strip when you can just eliminate the TV altogether, which I did! Yay!!!
I could still do better at turning off my reading light instead of conking out with it shining in my face, better for my health for sure, but it’s only a little LED light hardly uses any juice. 1 month ago
This year I am going to be riding my bike to work more. I might start leaving my car at work more often and just use the bike for the commute. 1 month ago
I’ve been doing this even more than ever, between the farmers’ market, trips to local farms, the stuff I grow and put up myself. This has become very integrated with my everyday life. Thank goodness I like to cook and now I’ve been canning, too. I’m making maple syrup with sap from a friend and got taps and buckets for the whole shebang next year. All part of #1 1 month ago
I mean the dude who owes me. I’ve kept out of his way and my life is the better for it so perhaps it is best to let sleeping dogs lie. The Universe may need to help me find the answer here. 1 month ago
Now it just needs to be deployed!
If I practice discardia more frequently that ought to help!
Another thing would be to make it a priority to get more windows into the south and east sides of the house. But in the meantime, crocuses, snowdrop are blooming, and the rest of the bulbs are shooting up! the sun on the rock is gorgeous these mornings and the world is quite lovely to behold! 1 month ago
Thank god I have friends who actually encourage me in this department! Some here pointed out I need to take time for myself, and others who say come visit and get away. I am one grateful woman!!!! 1 month ago
In the form of altoids, licorice, stated intention, springtime, bike, and general disgust with the household air and the cigs. At least I’ve been rolling my own, but still, gotta get back to enjoying straight AIR! 1 month ago
