It’s been raining for two days. Then this afternoon, the sun came out. I grabbed my camera and raced for the door. But just as I got outside, the wind kicked up, the sky turned black, and rain began pelting down. This exact chain of events happened three times today, which may tell you a…
Over the weekend I watched the documentary, No Impact Man. Have you heard of it? Writer Colin Beaven talked his wife Michelle Conlin and their two-year-old daughter into dedicating a year to trying to make zero impact on the planet. That meant turning off their electricity in their New York City apartment, eating only local…
1. Visit a new neighborhood. Get on a random bus and see where you end up. Or bike to a neighborhood you’ve always wanted to explore. Once you’re there, just wander around. 2. Grab your camera and go for a walk. Decide beforehand what you want to snap photos of – flowers, tree branches against…
We moved into our house two years ago in mid-February. A few weeks later, our neighbor knocked on the door holding clippers, a miniature saw, and a book on caring for roses. “It’s pruning time,” she said, gesturing toward my backyard, which is teeming with rose bushes. I’d never pruned anything before. I watched as…
I recently visited Aprovecho, a 40-acre non-profit center about 15 miles south of where I live. They research green skills and sustainable living practices. They also tend a 1.5 acre garden; sustainably manage 23 acres of forest; and teach workshops in subjects like green building, permaculture, rainwater harvesting, and eating a 100-mile diet. In addition,…
I’ve had no Internet connection or a very spotty one for the last week. I rely on the Internet for my work, not to mention to create this blog, so it’s been frustrating, maddening, and at times, depressing to be disconnected. But it’s also been eye-opening. During my first hours without the Internet, I thought…