s LaCroix

As the ecochallenge comes to an 'end' (really....an end! Ha). I want to share a wonderful podcast from NPR: Throughline.

     For those of you not familiar to Throughline...here is their 'byline: 
                 "The past is never past. Every headline has a history. Join us every week as we go back in time to understand the present. These are stories you can feel and sounds you can see from the moments that shaped our world." 

Anyway, the below link it to their podcast from April 21st and their discussion about the making of EARTH DAY! 
Not that everyday isn't EARTH DAY!

https://www.npr.org/2022/04/08/1091840917/force-of-nature-2021

Everything that Throughline produces is wonderful, but this one especially applicable to this time of Earth. Enjoy.

What a wonderful month of reflection this has been. 
We spent the day yesterday hiking in the wildflowers on land that was given in trust to become public. It makes me consider the importance of not only getting outside, but also providing places for that to happen.
Today, we woke to a rainy, drizzly day and I will spent it in giving back to the community volunteering at our local Thrift Store which financially supports the county museum. 
Throughout the month I have thought about my plastic use and the amount of garbage we produce. We planted a small garden and beefed up our composting tools. It's been time well spent in reflection.

The Summer Day
By Mary Oliver

  'Who made the world?
  Who made the swan, and the black bear?
  Who made the grasshopper?
  This grasshopper,...........'

  Picked up 4 onion bags of garbage and recycle in 2 miles round trip from my house going W today.

  'Tell me, what is it you plan to do
  with your one wild and precious life?'

So, I guess I am going to spend part of my precious life picking up the detritus of messy humans, who (could) care less...... Much less than I do!

Listen and Silent are spelled with the same letters. Think about it. 
? Source

So, today we shopped and I used all my own veggie bags for lettuce, romaine, etc. I made them from muslin, some upcycled netting and even some leftover active wear fabric. Not waterproof, but I use my own bags and dry them when I get home. The only plastic I bring home is the rest of the store. Still tough to stop totally, but working the pieces that I can. Each day.

Great words to the team this AM, George.
We are also having a wet, windy, sunny day. The mountains look especially ominous this AM.
The perfect day to do moth hole repair on a lovely Icelandic wool sweater that was in the 'throw away' pile at our thrift store. Using my speedweve and wool yarn to make the plaid checks. Many more holes on the sweater but a start! It is worth the time. The perfect winter sweater for years to come.

There are just times when I feel I must use a single use plastic bag. So, ones that don't contain meat or something really yukky I wash them out and hang them to dry on a wooden stand. I don't know if there is some leaching of plastic. Maybe. I have some of the silicone bags and try to use them more often. It's just not full proof yet! Working on it.

My fellow teammates are going to share a sample of the bar shampoo they use! Thank you!!

https://www.patagonia.com/stories/mending-life/story-113746.html

Here's a story written by the author of Mending Life, Sonya Montenegro.