We recently visited a beautiful national park, Yellowstone. We had planned this trip early in the year. When the pandemic hit us all, the park was closed and we thought our trip would be cancelled. But a few weeks before our scheduled departure, the park reopened on a very limited basis. The hotels remained closed … Continue reading Chillax from the Rat Race
Tag: climate change
The Beer of Choice
Recently, I was asked the question: When choosing a beer, which is better for the environment - a locally brewed beer, or one from a brewery that employs sustainable practices? Good question! And a complex one! The environmental benefit of buying local is pretty straight forward. As discussed in Local Sourcing, buying a beer that … Continue reading The Beer of Choice
ABCs To Save Our Planet
One of my new years’ resolutions was to review the “ABCs of Life” every day. This list, created by Byron Garret, is a wonderful collection of worthy actions important to our happiness and well-being. For example, “Be Kind”. It recently occurred to me we need a list of things we can do to save our … Continue reading ABCs To Save Our Planet
Quite A Charge
Last year I announced I wanted to buy an electric car. After a little research, I concluded a plug-in hybrid, rather than all-electric, was needed because we frequently take trips that are further than the range of electric cars. If my needs were limited to in-town commuting, an all-electric car would be perfect. Since that … Continue reading Quite A Charge
I’ll Buy That, If….
For Father’s Day this year, I was given a beautiful long-sleeve polo shirt. Since I’ve announced my reluctance to buy stuff, including clothing, it was nice to have a new addition to my “wardrobe”. Things do wear out, and perhaps, everyone is tired of seeing me wear the same things over and over. Regardless, it … Continue reading I’ll Buy That, If….
A Local Economy
My Grandfather's Home - 1911 My grandparents lived in rural areas in east Texas and southwest Arkansas and, as a boy, I visited them many times, generally in the summer. They were not particularly well off, in terms of conveniences and luxuries, but they did sustain themselves by hard work and their industrious spirit. While … Continue reading A Local Economy
Just Send It To Me
Salmon, black rice, and broccoli The coronavirus pandemic has been with us a while now. The first death in the U.S. was recorded 6 months ago in Washington State. Unfortunately, the end is not yet in sight. As a country, we’ve made many adjustments in the way we live, including the way we eat. With … Continue reading Just Send It To Me
Three Cheers for the Impossible
A year and a half ago I decided to eliminate beef from my diet to help Save The Planet. And this year, I decided to follow a new meal plan that eliminated all meat (including chicken and pork) and to limit my fish intake to 2 servings per week. Turns out I’m not the only … Continue reading Three Cheers for the Impossible
Returning To The Earth
Young couple with their first garden. Many years ago, I accepted a job transfer to New Jersey and my wife and I bought our first home. (Actually, the bank owned more of it than we did.) We met our neighbors, made new friends, and learned that most of them had a garden; we decided to … Continue reading Returning To The Earth
Worried About America
I am seriously worried that America is no longer, as President Reagan put it in his 1989 Farewell Address, “the shining city upon the hill”. American “exceptionalism” is hard to find these days and, like so many things, the state of America is getting worse. New York Times writer, David Brooks, cites five epic crises … Continue reading Worried About America