Update On The World As I Know It

I have not had a post in awhile, so here we go!

First, who else is annoyed by the TV stations, showing animated advertisements for other shows at the bottom of their screens. Even the station logo at the bottom right is a bother. Not much going on, I joined a Men's Golf League on Wednesday evenings. That is a lot of fun. We play at Redtail Golf Club in Lakewood. I just bought a new putter, a Odyssey White Hot XG #7. I love it! I tried 6-7 different putters at Dick's Sporting Goods and at first I liked the White Steel 2-ball, but after many practice putts, I wound up with the #7.

What I Am Reading:


Green Tip:

Unplug unsed appliances such as toasters, coffee makers, etc. They still draw power even though they are not being used. Do this with cell phone chargers as well.

Fish Heads Video

One of my favorites and I'm sure it's going to be one of yours!

Fish Heads Video

Went to the Lake In The Hills Rockin' Rotary Ribfest last Sunday and saw Maggie Speaks! Food was good, band was better! Check them out when you can!

What I'm Reading:




What I'm Listening To:

My Father

I never really knew my father, not in the way a son should know his father. I knew who he was and what he stood for, I knew what he looked like, how his voice sounded and what he did for a living. But, I never really knew my father as a man. Who he really was inside. He died from lung cancer when I was ten year old. I never got to enjoy things that most boys got to enjoy with their fathers.

I never had him teach me how to play baseball or fix a car or how to ask a girl on a date. Oh sure, I had other family members teach me these things, but I still feel like I was somehow cheated out of a piece of my life that I will never get back. Those precious memories that stay with a person for the rest of their life. Although I never really knew him, I miss him. I miss the moments we did spend together. The times we built kites together and flew them in the playlot at Wm. P. Gray Elmentary School. The times we went to the movies in downtown Chicago on my half days of school. How he would always take me to the Treasure Chest Magic Shop and tell me I could get one magic trick. How he would say to choose carefully as if it were an important world changing descision. Looking back, maybe the magic mexican jumping beans were not the greatest choice. I can still remember him taking me to his work - a police station and how I sat in awe looking at the jail cells. I remember his bushy eyebrows that felt like little wires. I remember all the silly little things that really don't matter, but to me somehow they do. Maybe because that is all I have, are those silly little memories.

When my father passed away in 1969 I was never allowed to see him in the hospital, nor was I allowed to go to his funeral. After all I was only ten years old and my mother said I was a sensitve child. She was probably right, maybe it was better for me to remember him the way he was in my memory and not see him in that condition.

This is just something I wanted to get off my chest and share with everyone. Remember your father and remember you can lose him or your mother at any time without warning. Keep the relationship there for the both of you. Father's take care of your bodies, you have a responsibility out there.. your child.

Mo Green Ideas

Been doing a lot a reading online at lime.com. So, we found some new ideas to implement.

1. We are no longer using the dry cycle on our dishwasher. We open it open at the end to let the steam out.
2. I now use environmentally friendly dishwasher soap.
3. I unplug all phone chargers and all other electrical items(toasters, blenders, coffee makers) when not in use.
4. We now use white vinegar instead of Cascade in the dishwasher.

Had a great time last Saturday at our Small Group from Church BBQ. Played a fun game called ladder golf. We dined on the finest hot dogs, hamburgers, beans and potato salad. Almost everyone made it. Bob and Michelle could not, since they were celebrating their 1 year anniversary.

Let me know your green ideas!

Green Festivals - View picture GFCH2007_Emily-Kenny

Picture of me taking a snooze at the Green Festival in Chicago. I'm laying down on a wool mattress that is like a pad. Very comfortable!


Green Festivals - View picture GFCH2007_Emily-Kenny

Green Festivals - View picture GFCH2007_Emily-Kenny

Picture of me taking a snooze at the Green Festival in Chicago. I'm laying down on a wool mattress that is like a pad. Very comfortable!


Green Festivals - View picture GFCH2007_Emily-Kenny

CSA - Community Supported Agriculture

We just joined a CSA. Ours is located in Crystal Lake and is run by Walkup Heritage Farm & Gardens. They feature heirloom and native plants. Our first weeks pickup contained some Native Plants and heirloom plants and the following herbs and vegetables:
Spinach
Scallions
Lovage
Parsley
Garlic Greens
Chives
Tarragon

I have so far made the spinach into a delicious salad and I used the herbs into fresh herb omelets

My Part in Getting Green

My wife Char and I have always been very aware of the environment. We recently went to the Green Festival in Chicago on April 22. The event was staged over 2 days, but we only attended the last. I thought it was a huge hit! They had speakers on a variety of subjects, many vendors showing their 'green' wares and of course food! The food was great, It was all vegetarian. and normally I am not a vegetarian, but I loved it. I have made a personal commitment to eating at least 2 vegetarian meals a week, if not more. Here are some the changes we are making in our lives to become a little more green.

• We are changing our laundry detergent to a more ecologically friendly one.
• We have been changing all of our light bulbs to the more energy efficient CFL lights.
• Composting food waste and yard waste using our new compost bin.
• Switched over from a gas mower to a push reel mower. Did you know that every hour of mowing you do with a gas mower creates the same amount of pollution as driving a car for 100 miles!
• Switched to organic fertilizer/weed control and pest controls for our lawn.
• Switching to more organic foods.
• Switching to Fair Trade coffee
• Using Air Conditioning in our car less.
• Recycling more.
• Joining a CSA (Consumer Supported Agriculure) membership.

Do you want to make a promise for a better Earth? Get your whole family involved, together we can make a difference!

Go to Sara Snow's Promise for a Better Earth Page