A word about Waste

A year ago I started to recycle. I have always been a late bloomer and even though the Recycling Movement began at least 20 years ago I just started last year. To begin, I bought a separate (and large) container and began the new habit of recycling. When the bin is full I bring it over to Deb's house and they recycle it for me. A perfect system.

At the time I didn't realize how much of an environmental impact this would make. I immediately noted that I went from throwing away 6 bags of trash a month to tossing 3 bags of trash. My bags, it should be noted, are actually Meijer plastic grocery bags that my mom saves for me. I stopped buying trash bags several years ago. I was delighted that nearly overnight I had literally cut my production of trash in half!

Two months later I stopped using paper products at home (paper towels and napkins) and then over the summer I methodically preserved food in cans and freezer bags. Again, I had no idea that this would also reduce how much trash is in my home.

I made my last trip to the Farmers Market sometime in October and just a few weeks later I started to cook with all the food that I had put up over the summer.  You see, now when I am cooking I open my homemade jars of sauce and peppers. I am thawing my frozen goods and not throwing anything away. 

Additionally, I practiced not buying plastic last fall. This continues to effect my shopping habits when I am in Meijer. I am more likely to buy anything in cardboard or the item with less packaging. Therefore, if I am using ingredients from the Grocer it is quite likely that I can recycle the package. It is rare for me to toss anything in the trash these days. And I know that if I were to get myself in gear and start a compost pile that I would reduce my waste even more!

It took a few months for me to realize that I was hardly ever taking out the trash anymore. Sometimes I take it out simply because I think it must be time, not because the bag is actually full. In the span of 12 months I reduced my trash output from 6 bags a month to barely 1 bag.

By no means do I think I am doing anything novel. I often think of my grand parents generation for this is how they lived naturally. But back then it wasn't labeled "environmental" it was labeled "sensible, frugal, smart" for they survived the Great Depression, after all.

I would love to hear more tips from anyone out there. What are other/more ways to reduce waste?

Spring

I met Blythe September 23, 1996. It was my first day on the job at Evangelicals for Social Action. Blythe was fairly new as well. We hit it off, her and I, and were like two different peas in a pod for quite some time. We emailed constantly at work (this is when it started, folks. If you wonder why I am addicted to email, I think it began here, with my first email address and Blythe). We got so tired of creating new subject lines for our emails that we started going through the alphabet. Subject: M

Blythe was there when I was sorting out my new world view. She helped shaped me. She challenged me, encouraged me and loved me even though I am ...well, even though I am me. She introduced me to Sun-Dried Tomatoes and now I love them. Of course, now I am also allergic to them.

Blythe married Peter (they met on an airplane!) and I moved to Michigan. We've been in and out of touch over the years with random emails. Blythe lived in Portland, the Netherlands and Taiwan. Last Spring they moved back to Portland.

Thanks to Facebook Blythe and I have REALLY been able to re-connect through long chats late at night. Last fall we decided that I should go to Portland to visit her. And so I am, in less than 2 weeks.

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I've been talking on the phone and exchanging emails with Penny for two years now. We've never met. She is my editor over at Burnside Writers Collective. It is because of her that I gave up clothes for a year. She is the one who invited me to write in the first place. And it's because of her that I am still involved in this Story. Penny lives in Seattle.

Last fall I emailed Penny and told her that I am going to Portland in the Spring and I would so very much love to meet her. Over the months more emails have been exchanged. Penny is traveling down to Portland to meet me, face to face. I cannot wait. I really cannot wait.

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Susan and I are both in the BWC Writers Group. I stayed up quite late several nights in August while Susan and I chatted away on Facebook. She lives in LA. She's the one that wrote that book that I keep telling you about. We email and we skype and we talk on the phone. Susan makes me laugh a lot.

Last Fall I emailed Susan and told her about my trip out West. I told her I would love to meet her, you know, in case she could work it out and go to Portland while I am there.

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I am going to Portland from April 2-April 9. I am staying with Blythe the entire week. We are going out for coffee and on long walks. She is going to tell me about Raw Food. We will talk about old times, faith, politics, travel and food. She has 3 children now and I cannot wait to meet them. I want to go on long walks with all of them. I hope her oldest will show me how fast he can ride his bike. I so love it when little boys show me how fast they can run and ride bikes.

It's interesting how the trip came together. To be fair, I told Blythe that I would like to meet with other people while I am on vacation, but may I please stay at your house the entire time anyway? "OF COURSE, diane. Of course, I think it's wonderful that you will get to meet so many people." And a few weeks ago I got an email from Susan. She's speaking at Imago Dei on the 3rd and I will get to be there! Blythe is coming with me. And Penny will be there too...and hopefully others that I have only exchanged emails with. I look forward to meeting the personalities behind these people. I want to hear their tone of voice and listen to their nuances. The following night, April 4th, about a dozen of us (near as I can tell) are going out for dinner. I am nearly beside myself with JOY at the thought of it.

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The WINNERS!

I have 4 winners (in no time flat):

Veronica Perez (per email)
Sarah Bailey (per email)
Lisa H (via the web)
Maureen G (per her comment)

I have received snail mail addresses from Veronica and Sarah - and am patiently waiting for Lisa and Maureen to send theirs along too!

THANK YOU EVERYONE FOR PLAYING!

Book Give Away!

WIN A FREE BOOK! THE GREAT BOOK GIVE AWAY! I HAVE BOOKS FOR YOU!

Angry Conversations with God!

Several weeks ago I started blogging about a new book due to hit shelves this week. My friend Susan Isaacs wrote, "Angry Conversations with God" and I was able to read an advanced copy of her spiritual memoir.

I read the first 70ish pages over the course of 2 weeks. I read the last 200ish pages in SEVEN hours one Saturday while taking my Shabbat. I know I said it earlier, but Susan makes me laugh AND cry.

The premise of the book is this: Susan had a messed up relationship with God and decided that if she wanted to make this thing work that she needed to take God to Couples Counseling. Now, in the world of Christendom this is not such a weird idea. Or maybe it's just women who are taught to think of themselves as "The Bride Of Christ." Either way, I understand her frustration. If you are honest with yourself I'm sure you get it too. What I loved about Susan's story is her charming honesty. Reading her made me feel NORMAL and I rarely feel normal.

The story flips back and forth between Susan talking about her past and her life to the present in her counseling sessions. She really does have conversations with God. They sound a lot like mine.

Diane: God, um, why does life have to be so hard?
God: Because you make less-than-intelligent choices, dearie.

At one point that Saturday on the couch, I heard my computer beeping and it was Susan opening a Skype chat with me. I was at a very tender spot in the book and it seemed nearly Providential that we were chatting in that very moment. I STARTED TO CRY VERY HARD during this chat. Susan's book was thought-provoking yet hopeful. She also makes me laugh out loud.

I think anyone who is willing to admit they've ever been angry with God should read this book. Susan is letting me give away 4 copies of her book on my blog! Here are the rules: email me your Angry Conversation. It does not have to be a literal conversation at all. I will graciously accept Angry thoughts/times in your life as well. The winners have to reside in the USA or CANADA (Sorry Trace and Dawn) and do not have a PO Box. The contest ends next Wednesday, March 18. If you need my email address, please leave a comment and I will post it there.

1, 2, 3, GO!

A Lenten Article

Discovering Lent

I forgot to tell you last week that I published a new article!