Well it's now Friday, and frankly my hair is beginning to resemble straw! I decided that since Jackson says he uses bar shampoo and it's awesome, maybe I have the wrong brand, and I should try something else. If I don't I am afraid it will crack off strand by strand, and then the only use for it will be to feed a horse, or put it on the playground with the mulch! I mean, come on, Jackson has awesome hair, and it is certainly not cracking off and falling on his piano while he plays!
So, I broke down this evening and purchased some fancy hand made bar shampoo on Etsy, not made of hemp, so although I might not relax me, or cure nausea, hopefully my hair will once again consider being soft and less rigid!
I decided to leave the car behind this morning and walk to work. Lower my carbon footprint, and get some exercise. I washed my hands with my refillable automatic soap dispenser, loaded up my Waste-Less bag, filled up my Eco- Friendly cup with my morning Pepsi, and walked on down to work....(now a little confession, if it is a half mile, that is a stretch).
Walking slow down the avenue
Through my old neighborhood
Don't know why I'm happy
I've got no reason to feel this good
Maybe it's because I'm all alone
And I've got no place to go
And everywhere I look I see
Another person I'll never know
Walking is a great opportunity for me to let thoughts run through my ever cluttered mind, without fear of causing an accident! If I walk fast enough, and with enough energy and I rewrite any negative thoughts flying through my mind, to have a positive spin. I love to watch people and their dogs on their morning walks. We have a neighbor who takes him dog for a daily drag. The dog is usually at least four feet behind him, and he has to pull on the leash to get the old dog who can still dig his heels (do dogs have heels) into the ground, and refuse to move. If he were Jewish he would be taking his dog for a schlep.
Then there are the little bouncy dogs that wag and wiggle their way down the street, and it takes them about 16 steps of all four feet, to match one step of their owner. My all time favorite is when I see someone walking a Great Dane, and a tiny little purse dog. It's like they are bringing a snack in case the Great Dane gets hungry on the way!
I'll go on record as saying that out of my two dogs, one is so "debilitated" that to take him to the corner and back, takes an afternoon. The other is very enthusiastic, and can dislocate my shoulder if he sights a squirrel, and I would need to carry 100 biodegradable plastic doggy waste bags because he insists on trying out every lawn in the neighborhood.
This afternoon I read "The Green Book" which has many great ideas how to become more environmentally friendly. There are lots of facts that show how simple it is to do one small thing, and make a large impact over time. They make sense, even to me. Cut just a couple of minutes off of your daily shower, unplug your cell phone charger, computer, etc when not in use. use a razor with replaceable blades. I've been doing that with out even thinking that I was helping the environment.
As usual, I have found one suggestion I really can't wrap my brain around:
Skip a few toilet flushes, to save water! Sorry, no thanks....at work considering the age of our clientele we must be saving a whole lot of water, because they sure skip a lot of flushes. At my home, not going to happen!
I got a thing or two to say
Before I walk on by
I'm feeling good today
But if die a little farther along
I'm trusting everyone to carry on...
I am certain that even Jackson is not asking us to skip a few flushes!
Tomorrow my goal is to look for environmentally friendly toilet paper and paper towels, and find a place where I can purchase dog chewies that don't come in plastic. I am sure there is a pet store that will sell them in bulk, and I could put them in my Waste-Less bag or my produce bags, although it would take all six of them to get enough chewies for Wrigley!
Interlochen Michigan
Showing posts with label Biodegradable Trash Bags. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Biodegradable Trash Bags. Show all posts
Friday, April 8, 2011
Wednesday, April 6, 2011
The Naked Ride Home
Today I awoke with good intentions with several things I wanted to do to continue my journey to be kinder to the Earth. As I scrubbed my hair with my bar of hemp, and I could feel the eyes of my plastic shampoo bottles, sadly watching me feeling abandoned. On my list today was to locate reusable soap dispensers, automatic so they won't become slimy and disgusting, and to use with excitement my biodegradable kitchen trash bag.
I proudly put my biodegradable bag in my kitchen trash can:
Two Earth friendly activities taken care of. I collected recyclables around the house, as tomorrow is garbage day, and put in a load of laundry with my new environmentally friendly packaged laundry soap. A good day was beginning.
Here's were I seemed to have lost focus:
By the time I got home from shopping, complete with my new soap dispensers and new athletic shoes, which should allow me to walk to work leaving the gas guzzler behind occasionally, I found myself holding FOUR plastic shopping bags. The only time I was able to muster up the courage to say that I didn't need a bag was at the grocery store! I did purchase my meat at the meat counter to avoid plastic, but most likely I was able to do this, just so I could use the words "meat counter" or "meat man" while blogging. Somethings are worth the awkward feeling of behaving differently!
So, I stumbled, but I am already up, and ready to try again!
The real reason for this blog, is as I have said for me to work through some current issues, get a chance to write down the thoughts that swirl through my head, as I make some major life changes. Change feels awkward to me, and I get uncomfortable, so I find myself continuing relationships, behaviors, or habits which are against my better judgement to avoid the discomfort.
Hence, the title The Naked Ride Home. No, I didn't go shopping naked, but to be naked, or feel naked, is the most exposed an individual could ever be, and exposure of any sort makes me uncomfortable. The song is about a couple, who is towards the end of their relationship, and the last ditch efforts the man puts forth to pretend it isn't so. Now, let's get past the fact that he is driving on the freeway in LA, drunk, with a naked woman, and get into the meaning that this song has for me.
I have a dysfunctional relationship with my job. We have been together in some form or another for 17 or so years, give or take a few weeks. It was never my intention to spend such a long time in this particular place of employment. It wasn't helping me plan for retirement or providing me benefits to better my future life or the life of my family.
What this job did was at least in the beginning, provided me with a place where I felt competent, secure, valued, and as if I really mattered. As in any dysfunctional relationship, as things changed, and I didn't feel as competent, as valued, I wanted to make it better, so those feelings would return. I got to the point where I took on an opportunity with a time commitment which was way above my stamina, physical work which was too much for my current health situation, probably because I was not yet ready to admit that I was going to fail, and find my self on the "Naked Ride Home". Exposed, sad, lonely....
I had the exciting opportunity to see Jackson Browne this past fall in a very small 50 person acoustic concert in Sturgeon Bay Wisconsin. He was fabulous. He sang the Naked Ride Home, and played in on the piano as he has left the correct guitar behind. Well, when he had trouble with the words, I had the opportunity to "help" him recover the words, and even banter with him, when I thought he was wrong. It was an awesome experience. First of all, no one knew me, so I wasn't as intimidated as I would have been, and because it was such a surreal setting it was hard to believe it was real, so I was comfortable, he made fun of me telling him he was wrong, and everyone laughed.
Today, as I thought about my life, I realized it was no accident that the song he forgot, and the song that will forever be etched in my mind, is the Naked Ride Home. As I continue with the transition out of the dysfunctional relationship with my current job, I constantly feel exposed, as others discuss my short comings. I found myself in a place where I expected to be receiving praise, thanks, and maybe a bonus(!), to really being "stripped naked" and made to realize that it was time, time to move forward, and stop trying to repair something which can't be repaired by me. It is someone elses turn.
So, tomorrow I will awake, and again continue on my way to be environmentally friendly, I hope to continue to have more realizations about myself and my circumstances, for even feeling "naked" and uncomfortable as it may feel, is the beginning of the journey which is the rest of my life.
I proudly put my biodegradable bag in my kitchen trash can:
Two Earth friendly activities taken care of. I collected recyclables around the house, as tomorrow is garbage day, and put in a load of laundry with my new environmentally friendly packaged laundry soap. A good day was beginning.
Here's were I seemed to have lost focus:
By the time I got home from shopping, complete with my new soap dispensers and new athletic shoes, which should allow me to walk to work leaving the gas guzzler behind occasionally, I found myself holding FOUR plastic shopping bags. The only time I was able to muster up the courage to say that I didn't need a bag was at the grocery store! I did purchase my meat at the meat counter to avoid plastic, but most likely I was able to do this, just so I could use the words "meat counter" or "meat man" while blogging. Somethings are worth the awkward feeling of behaving differently!
So, I stumbled, but I am already up, and ready to try again!
The real reason for this blog, is as I have said for me to work through some current issues, get a chance to write down the thoughts that swirl through my head, as I make some major life changes. Change feels awkward to me, and I get uncomfortable, so I find myself continuing relationships, behaviors, or habits which are against my better judgement to avoid the discomfort.
Hence, the title The Naked Ride Home. No, I didn't go shopping naked, but to be naked, or feel naked, is the most exposed an individual could ever be, and exposure of any sort makes me uncomfortable. The song is about a couple, who is towards the end of their relationship, and the last ditch efforts the man puts forth to pretend it isn't so. Now, let's get past the fact that he is driving on the freeway in LA, drunk, with a naked woman, and get into the meaning that this song has for me.
I have a dysfunctional relationship with my job. We have been together in some form or another for 17 or so years, give or take a few weeks. It was never my intention to spend such a long time in this particular place of employment. It wasn't helping me plan for retirement or providing me benefits to better my future life or the life of my family.
What this job did was at least in the beginning, provided me with a place where I felt competent, secure, valued, and as if I really mattered. As in any dysfunctional relationship, as things changed, and I didn't feel as competent, as valued, I wanted to make it better, so those feelings would return. I got to the point where I took on an opportunity with a time commitment which was way above my stamina, physical work which was too much for my current health situation, probably because I was not yet ready to admit that I was going to fail, and find my self on the "Naked Ride Home". Exposed, sad, lonely....
I had the exciting opportunity to see Jackson Browne this past fall in a very small 50 person acoustic concert in Sturgeon Bay Wisconsin. He was fabulous. He sang the Naked Ride Home, and played in on the piano as he has left the correct guitar behind. Well, when he had trouble with the words, I had the opportunity to "help" him recover the words, and even banter with him, when I thought he was wrong. It was an awesome experience. First of all, no one knew me, so I wasn't as intimidated as I would have been, and because it was such a surreal setting it was hard to believe it was real, so I was comfortable, he made fun of me telling him he was wrong, and everyone laughed.
Today, as I thought about my life, I realized it was no accident that the song he forgot, and the song that will forever be etched in my mind, is the Naked Ride Home. As I continue with the transition out of the dysfunctional relationship with my current job, I constantly feel exposed, as others discuss my short comings. I found myself in a place where I expected to be receiving praise, thanks, and maybe a bonus(!), to really being "stripped naked" and made to realize that it was time, time to move forward, and stop trying to repair something which can't be repaired by me. It is someone elses turn.
So, tomorrow I will awake, and again continue on my way to be environmentally friendly, I hope to continue to have more realizations about myself and my circumstances, for even feeling "naked" and uncomfortable as it may feel, is the beginning of the journey which is the rest of my life.
Tuesday, April 5, 2011
Strawberry Fields Forever
Now, I am very aware that Strawberry Fields Forever is the Fab Four, not Jackson, however after yesterday's adventure I am sure he wouldn't mind me giving them a mention, after all it all relates to my work to become a better caretaker of the environment.
So, in search of shampoo which would not be contained in a single use plastic bottle, I visited Strawberry Fields in Urbana. I brought Andrew with me, so I wouldn't feel so conspicuous, as I am sure everyone there knew that this is not the place I would frequent! To much whole grain, and bulgar! The place scares me, a tiny bit....
Anyway, I was surprised to find so many products in plastic, I thought I would find toilet paper and paper towels wrapped in recycled paper, and paper bags to buy the bulk goods. No, the bags were plastic! I should make a request for them to rectify this situation immediately, but since this in only my third day at protecting our Earth, I thought it might come off as rude....
I did make several exciting purchases. I bought two Liggetts shampoo bars, one was "original" and the other was "mint tea and hemp". I figured after this experience, I could use a little hemp. Also purchased were biodegradable kitchen trash bags. I am looking forward to the garbage filling up, so I can try these out. My fear is that they will degrade prior to making it to the outdoor trash, and I will have a container of non contained trash!
When I returned home, I consulted a green web site, to figure out what to do with the produce when selecting it, prior to having it bagged in my reusable bags. I purchased a collection of reusable shopping bags, and PRODUCE BAGS! They came in a package of six, and they are mesh. Hopefully they will hold more that one piece of fruit! I am eagerly awaiting their arrival, so I can go produce shopping!
This morning I washed my hair with the bar of hemp. I figured that even if it didn't work there was the possibility of a contact high, which could make my morning more relaxing! So I attempted to lather up the bar, and I washed my hair, round one. To be honest, my hair felt kind of sticky, and I wasn't sure about the results. A little unknown fact about me is that I have a "thing" about clean hair. I equate dirty hair with psychosis, so I try to never appear out in public with my hair looking dirty.
"Jackson", I said to myself, "you have fantastic hair, and you say you use bar shampoo....do you make it yourself on your ranch, off the grid"??? If this is the best it gets, I don't know if I can give up the plastic shampoo bottle, and worry that I am walking through life looking psychotic????
I took a deep breath, rinsed my hair, and lathered up again. I knew that Jackson wouldn't let me down. I put that lather on my hair, and tried again. This time there was a nice rich lather, I scrubbed my hair, and felt it actually increasing in volume, which is difficult with my thin hair, then I rinsed, brushed, and blew it dry.
It actually feels good, and looks lighter, maybe the hemp got to me, or just maybe, I found a way to avoid one single use plastic bottle in my life! They even make little travel shampoo bars. If I end up with two many I can make friendship bracelets out of the extra! I am supposed to get 26 shampoos out of my bar. One gone, 25 to go!
On today's agenda I am going to do laundry with the powdered soap in a box, and pray the soap flakes dissolve and don't clump in the laundry, then I am going to look for reusable soap dispensers and paper towels and toilet paper wrapped in recycled paper.
Oh people, look around you
The signs are everywhere
You've left it for somebody other than you
To be the one to care
The most exciting thing about this new journey I am taking, is that it is helping me to realize that there is still a time for me to invest myself in my future. The future of the Earth is an added bonus. Just weeks ago, I was walking through life as if the doors were closing, as if I had reached the time, age, milestone, where I would just exist, and not produce.
I guess it is possible to teach an old dog new tricks!
Tomorrow I may, just may, use a little less fossil fuel and walk to work....I said may.....
So, in search of shampoo which would not be contained in a single use plastic bottle, I visited Strawberry Fields in Urbana. I brought Andrew with me, so I wouldn't feel so conspicuous, as I am sure everyone there knew that this is not the place I would frequent! To much whole grain, and bulgar! The place scares me, a tiny bit....
Anyway, I was surprised to find so many products in plastic, I thought I would find toilet paper and paper towels wrapped in recycled paper, and paper bags to buy the bulk goods. No, the bags were plastic! I should make a request for them to rectify this situation immediately, but since this in only my third day at protecting our Earth, I thought it might come off as rude....
I did make several exciting purchases. I bought two Liggetts shampoo bars, one was "original" and the other was "mint tea and hemp". I figured after this experience, I could use a little hemp. Also purchased were biodegradable kitchen trash bags. I am looking forward to the garbage filling up, so I can try these out. My fear is that they will degrade prior to making it to the outdoor trash, and I will have a container of non contained trash!
When I returned home, I consulted a green web site, to figure out what to do with the produce when selecting it, prior to having it bagged in my reusable bags. I purchased a collection of reusable shopping bags, and PRODUCE BAGS! They came in a package of six, and they are mesh. Hopefully they will hold more that one piece of fruit! I am eagerly awaiting their arrival, so I can go produce shopping!
This morning I washed my hair with the bar of hemp. I figured that even if it didn't work there was the possibility of a contact high, which could make my morning more relaxing! So I attempted to lather up the bar, and I washed my hair, round one. To be honest, my hair felt kind of sticky, and I wasn't sure about the results. A little unknown fact about me is that I have a "thing" about clean hair. I equate dirty hair with psychosis, so I try to never appear out in public with my hair looking dirty.
"Jackson", I said to myself, "you have fantastic hair, and you say you use bar shampoo....do you make it yourself on your ranch, off the grid"??? If this is the best it gets, I don't know if I can give up the plastic shampoo bottle, and worry that I am walking through life looking psychotic????
I took a deep breath, rinsed my hair, and lathered up again. I knew that Jackson wouldn't let me down. I put that lather on my hair, and tried again. This time there was a nice rich lather, I scrubbed my hair, and felt it actually increasing in volume, which is difficult with my thin hair, then I rinsed, brushed, and blew it dry.
It actually feels good, and looks lighter, maybe the hemp got to me, or just maybe, I found a way to avoid one single use plastic bottle in my life! They even make little travel shampoo bars. If I end up with two many I can make friendship bracelets out of the extra! I am supposed to get 26 shampoos out of my bar. One gone, 25 to go!
On today's agenda I am going to do laundry with the powdered soap in a box, and pray the soap flakes dissolve and don't clump in the laundry, then I am going to look for reusable soap dispensers and paper towels and toilet paper wrapped in recycled paper.
Oh people, look around you
The signs are everywhere
You've left it for somebody other than you
To be the one to care
The most exciting thing about this new journey I am taking, is that it is helping me to realize that there is still a time for me to invest myself in my future. The future of the Earth is an added bonus. Just weeks ago, I was walking through life as if the doors were closing, as if I had reached the time, age, milestone, where I would just exist, and not produce.
I guess it is possible to teach an old dog new tricks!
Tomorrow I may, just may, use a little less fossil fuel and walk to work....I said may.....
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