One of the fun things we typically do on Christmas Day is catch up with distant friends and relatives – now even more enjoyable since “video” calls are so easy and affordable. On one of our calls this year, we learned about a gift someone received – and it was associated with Toto. My first … Continue reading A Clean and Green Christmas Gift
Compost Me
Earlier, I wrote about the importance of composting (Returning to the Earth), particularly how food waste that is not composted and is disposed of in a landfill, rots and becomes a significant source of methane – a potent greenhouse gas with 21 times the global potential of carbon dioxide. In the United States, we waste … Continue reading Compost Me
The Holocaust, Then and Now
I recently watched the PBS documentary, The U.S. and the Holocaust, created by Ken Burns, Lynn Novick, and Sarah Botstein, among others. It is a three-part presentation, each part about 2 hours and is available on-line. I am advocating everyone watch this documentary because I believe it is important for all of us to understand … Continue reading The Holocaust, Then and Now
A Few Words in Defense of Our Country
The Fourth of July is an excellent time to reflect on our country, the United States of America. I’ve been listening to more and more Randy Newman music lately. When I am troubled about the state of our country, his music helps me put things in perspective. Without going into detail, there are many things … Continue reading A Few Words in Defense of Our Country
Two Birds With One Stone
Time Is Running Out If you’ve been reading any of my posts, you know I’m very concerned about the health of our planet. Climate change and its effects are here now and are only going to get worse over the coming years. Based on the most recent assessment by the United Nations, the NY Times … Continue reading Two Birds With One Stone
Houston Arbor Day – 2022
The idea of recognizing and celebrating the planting of trees was conceived by Julius Sterling Morton, a Nebraska journalist who later became U.S. Secretary of Agriculture under President Grover Cleveland. The first Arbor Day in Nebraska was celebrated April 10, 1874 and over the years, it evolved into a national holiday as more states recognized … Continue reading Houston Arbor Day – 2022
Let’s Not Give Up
I recently finished two interesting books that I want to share. Rising, subtitled Dispatches from the New American Shore, by Elizabeth Rush, is a comprehensive examination of how climate change is affecting sea levels - most significantly in coastal areas, like Louisiana, Florida, Long Island, San Francisco, and others in America. She provides compelling evidence … Continue reading Let’s Not Give Up
Talking About Climate Change
A couple of years ago I posted “The Most Important Thing You Can Do” to address global warming and climate change is to talk about it with your neighbors and friends. This past weekend I had the opportunity to do just that. A few weeks earlier, a good friend of ours asked me if I … Continue reading Talking About Climate Change
Show Me The Numbers
Since I posted that we were having solar panels installed on our home, (We’re Going Solar) I’ve had several discussions with people wanting to know more about what led us to this decision. In addition to how everything works, I’ve repeatedly heard the statement, “Well, that sounds interesting, but I need to see the numbers … Continue reading Show Me The Numbers
We’re Going Solar!
Typical solar residential diagram. Unlike most configurations, SunPower's inverters are integrated into the solar panels providing higher performance. Recently we moved from an 80-unit, urban condo, into a single-family home in the suburbs. Our condo had shared common spaces (including the roof) and to implement solar panels for our entire building would require pursuing agreement … Continue reading We’re Going Solar!
Where Are All the Wild Things, Daddy?
A few days ago, my wife shared with me an article from the NY Times titled, Where Are All the Wild Things, Daddy? It is written by a father of a two-year old girl and he is wondering if he is doing his daughter a disservice by sharing with her books, he enjoyed in his … Continue reading Where Are All the Wild Things, Daddy?
That Food Guy 