It's Not Easy Being Green

Photo:  NOAA

First of all, I want to thank everyone for your kind and understanding words about my "How I Met My House" post.  I'm not one to dwell in the past or have huge regrets, it's just not my style.  So I hemmed and hawed a bit about hitting the send button and then thought what the heck!  I did however feel like I had just sent naked pictures of myself to CNN or worse, TMZ!  But I think we all need a little "exposure" from time to time.  Maybe not naked pic exposure, but the kind that makes us human and lets others know that life isn't perfect all the time.  I like to say that people who think their lives are perfect are either in denial or already on medication! ;-)

Ok, so now on to more pressing matters!  Today is Earth Day and for me this day is a day filled with mixed emotions.  I want to be green, I try to be green, but I'd be lying if I said I led a super green lifestyle.  I live miles away from shopping and I own an SUV.  I do try and minimize my trips and take the Jetta instead of my Durango when I can.  And I would love to bike to the store, but here in the land of big ole pick up trucks and country roads I would be green by peddling along, but also likely squashed on the side of the road!

And I eat only organic produce, throw open my windows instead of using the AC, and try and buy green or recycled products whenever possible.  My family grows all organic blueberries, and we use no real fertilizers or weed killers in our yard...and it shows...hello clover, but hey it's green!  And I love re-purposing old things and finding ways to reuse the things that I have.  But let's face it, when you own as much stuff as I do, you know that you've contributed to manufacturers in all parts of the world where being green is more about the color of money than the environment.

So although I do more than some to be green, I clearly do way less than others.  But I will strive to do better, and if we all do that, well then things will get better.  My next project for improving the planet is to farm oysters in our creek.  Oysters are nature's water filters, and there is a project that allows local homeowners to raise oysters and help clean the tributaries of the Chesapeake Bay, which sounds like something right up my alley!

I will of course still do other non environmentally friendly things though, like driving 2 hours to scout some homes for a magazine tomorrow!  So until I see you again on Sunday, I hope you find ways to be green, whatever shade of green that may be!

P.S. My current giveaway is made from recycled sailcloth! Click HERE to find out more!