My computer and I have been out of commission to many weeks so today it's back to blogging - hurray!
I am in the crazy stages of transforming my home, house and soul to eco, green, sustainable and whatever else living healthier and happier might be called. Stage I is always tearing everything out and apart. I have torn out the carpeting in my kitchen and am now - slowly - taking out the tile, carefully so I can recycle it.
I spent time with family over the past few weeks and, in particular, my parents, who have always been friends of the environment not because it was a movement but because it was the only way they knew how to live. It gave me a moment to reflect on the 'city' life I'm living. I am not sure if living a sustainable lifestyle is the perscription for a healthy life or not but it sure has worked for my parents. My dad, at 85 years of age is difficult to keep up with. Most kids notice that their parents get smarter as they get older. I, on the other hand, was a much slower learner - like decades slower! Here are the top ten lessons that I wish I had picked up earlier.
1. open you windows - ALL of them
2. take off your shoes before you come in the house - EVERY time
3. dispose of veggies and fruit in your compost pile or bin - FIGURE out a way
4. recycle, recycle, recycle - EVERYTHING that you can
5. buy local - WHENEVER possibe
6. connect with nature - OFTEN
5. build community - EVERY day
8. take your vitamins - ALL of them (without complaining, Dad!)
9. give back - WHENEVER you can and as OFTEN as you can
10. inspire the Joneses and live true to yourself!
On a closing note I want to share a small town story with you. On the last day of my visit I went to church with 60+ members of my family at the small church across from the house I grew up in. Did I mention that I was home for a family reunion? Normally 60 members of my family are never in one place at one time - but I digress.
My cousin was the minister, my aunt and cousins the choir, and various family members took on other assorted duties. It was the same way when I grew up only I was the one singing with my aunt in the choir. For a small town to work everyone has to pitch in.
After services were were asked to step outside of the church to cheer on a local soldier returning from Iraq, who would be driving by. Soon the whole congregation was standing along the narrow country road (sidewalks are unheard of) and within minutes we caught a glimpse of the local volunteer fire truck soon to be followed by a procession of family cars and last but not least the Harley Davidson team who volunteer to welcome home those who serve. Every vehicle was decked out in American flags and as they drove by all 75 parishoners hollered and clapped for one soldier, one community, one nation. Step aside Disney you have nothing on Flat Rock, Michigan!
Maybe it's time to inject a little small town America into our own communities. I am going to give it a try!
