The whole energy issue throughout our nation has created great controversy. It can overwhelm the average person seeking to make a difference. Where does one begin? If you do the research, I'd swear you need an engineering degree to understand it all. And of course, it's never in simple language that the average person can comprehend! There is sustainable energy, renewable energy, energy efficiency, solar energy, hydropower energy, nuclear energy, and coal energy. I'm sure I've missed a few. One of the controversies that lies within the industry is cleanliness and sustainability. Some argue that the resources used to create energy are polluting, therefore making it unsustainable. Others argue that we fail at being sustainable when we are rely on other countries to meet our own energy needs. I personally have made the choice to keep it simple. I am going to create my own energy sources!
I got to thinking about all of the energy I have lost since being unemployed; poof; right out the window it went! I was becoming a slave to my computer while the rest of the world has been passing me by. Laundry piled up; dishes in the sink; thousands of pictures unorganized; my desk looked like a bomb hit it; my upstairs office area could use a good painting, etc. Then it hit me; I have no energy! So in my effort to jolt myself back to reality, I made a very quick decision to join a local fitness outfit. Not a fancy one either; no bells and whistles, saunas, basketball courts and jacuzzi; just good ol' state of the art equipment to get my butt in gear! I spent no time thinking about it either because I knew that if I did, I would talk myself right out the door. It has been the best decision I've made in a while. I've also started making subtle changes in how I eat.
You see, we are a family of hunters. It's a passion in this house and I have not participated in the winter hunts for quite some time. My husband, my kids, they all hike and snowshoe for miles up the mountains; and me? Well, I've been slacking. I use to be right there beside them and now make every excuse not to go. Simply because I have no energy. Does that sound familiar? The mission here is creating sustainable energy.
Sustainable energy can be defined as usable energy that can be stored well in to the future without causing harmful repercussions. Our personal energy comes from diet and exercise. Unfortunately, we are all guilty of eating foods that cause harmful repercussions in our later years and many of us are not physically active enough. Therefore, we must create renewable energy; energy that is natural; fueling our bodies with more natural foods that provide us with the necessary nutrients and vitamins we need for energy. So why isn't it that easy? Creating renewable energy takes a great infrastructure to draw appreciable power. Just as turbines need wind, solar energy needs the sun and water energy needs dams, our bodies need the right foods and resources to sustain and there is an initial expense to creating it. Taking the necessary steps to make the transition requires purchasing in a different way. When one first looks at the cost it takes to become healthy and create that energy, they become intimidated and return to their old habits. But in reality, as time goes and one begins to rid their cupboards of foods that flat line their energy, it levels out. Simple switches over time can put you on your way to generating your own renewable energy source and getting rid of the pollution (toxins) you have created within yourself over many years. The same great resources needed to generate good, clean sustainable energy for our world are what need to survive.
Use the sun to generate the Vitamin D your body needs by getting out in it! Challenge yourself to take a walk every day; even if you can't make it very far. In time you'll find yourself going further and further. Take in that fresh air your body needs to survive and appreciate every breath. Drink lots of water and improve the overall appearance of your skin by staying hydrated and maybe even lose a few pounds! Make subtle changes in your diet by eating more natural and raw foods. Try buying from your local farmer's market for a start; put it on your schedule to challenge yourself everyday to try something new. As you become more physically fit, your new found energy will put other things in your life in perspective like getting organized; therefore becoming energy efficient....less time spent looking for things. Go for a swim! Use the water to work your muscles by taking a water aerobics class. Find something that works for you. Soon, you will have created the renewable energy necessary to sustain for many years to come and be around to be an example for future generations. Don't rely on others to pull you through life; fulfill your own energy needs. It must come from you; you have to want it. Start with yourself in your efforts to understand sustainable energy as it is in our world of technology and the rest will follow.
A few years ago I learned that my great grandfather was buried in Chinook where he homesteaded. While his dream was short lived, his heart was here and now my roots trace right back here to Montana! Who would have thought a southern/sort of city girl like me would have had roots here? It explains a lot about me now that I think about it. I’ve often wondered why I think the way I do; why I’m so inspired by the pioneers of this land; why it was so easy to let go of the city slicker mentality and settle in to a life without bells and whistles but a whole lot more! It’s the quality of life I’ve learned about; that family is everything; that having a few great friends is better than a bunch of phony people who won’t show up when you really need them; that working together harvests great reward. Still, this little town on the west side has brought many others like myself from the city that say they want to leave that former mentality behind, yet move here and try to change everything to “a city with a view”. I suddenly feel as though what once seemed like “the country” to me has become just that "city with a view". I’m removed from this fast paced world where no even knows my name; where neighbors don’t talk and friends are friends as long as you have something they want. Now I long for the prairie more and more; getting back to the basics of daily living.
I dream of the day my husband and I can move away from this place. In three years, our youngest will graduate high school and the opportunities for more land and a smaller home will become a reality. Of course, still room for the kids and future grandchildren to always come home for a visit. But for now, we are no where near retirement age and still must find work. Therefore the prairie life we envision seems to take back seat as a result. My husband looks forward to returning to the quality of life he once knew growing up in a farming community and I long for a life I never had and only dream about. However, the cost of owning such land has skyrocketed in some places only to be sold as recreational land and there is not enough work in these small towns to make ends meet otherwise.
Farming and ranching communities throughout eastern Montana have taken a hard hit over the past several years as the younger generations show no interest to return home and carry on what their forefathers worked so hard for. As a result, these small towns are shutting down. The only hope now is for another oil boom; therefore bringing revenue back to those who have stuck it out over the years; but only for a short time as history repeats itself. What then? What will happen to the current farmers when there is no one left to take over? What happens to all the old homesteads where rocks were picked by hand day after day? How did these places become ghost towns when they once thrived with fewer resources than we have today? How can we rebuild these communities and the question is, do they “want” to rebuild? These are the questions that must be answered as a community in an effort to rebuild small farming and ranching towns across the Hi-Line.
Change is a double edged sword. We don’t want it, but yet we need it; in moderation that is. It has helped, yet at the same time, has hurt farming and ranching communities across the Hi-Line. The change I am talking about came by way of technology, the deregulation of communication, televisions and the travel industry. With technology came greater crops, more money per bushel, yet the need for more land; more cattle; and finally the need for more money to purchase it all. If you think about it, homesteaders didn’t have anything of the sort back in the day. They traveled only when they needed something; words were used for negotiating and an occasional get together down by the creek; and radios were used if they needed to hear anything important coming out of the White House or the weather forecast and a nice song now and again. Their time was spent focusing on what needed to be done and the rest was for family and friends. Worries were focused on crops, the weather and providing for one’s family. When darkness came, everyone went to bed for a good nights sleep; they lived with what we now call “the basics”; what a hard, but wonderful life it must have been.
Today, we can’t seem to sit still; so many choices; too many. All of which have created stress, broken relations, crime and corruption, greed and the loss of what once was; now everyone wants it back. They say they want growth in these small towns, but without the youth returning after college or sewing their oats, who would be welcome? What would they do to make a living? The farmers and ranchers who are dying off are selling out to other locals that want to expand; that's understandable. So how can one make a living otherwise?
I recently read an article about a community in North Dakota where they had offered cash incentives and land (lots) for families to move to their town. A family from Florida decided to take a chance, but failed as a result of many things; feeling unwelcomed; competition with other businesses, stereotyping, etc. While they understood the reality of harsh winters, high winds, hard work and were willing to make sacrifices in an effort to fulfill their dream of a better quality of life, they were not greeted by a town that claimed they needed them; a town that needed revenue. I’m sure there is much more to the story than I know. Unfortunately, these same types of issues are real for small towns along the Hi-Line as well. Buildings are being abandoned and old homesteads becoming a haven for mice and rodents at a rapid pace. Towns cry out for the way things “use to be”, yet little are willing to participate when push comes to shove and it’s time to roll up the sleeves and explore new avenues to generate revenue. What are needed are families; therefore the need for housing, food, clothing, etc. and an increase in revenue as a result. But they must feel welcomed; wanted. It’s only natural.
When my husband and I find that piece of heaven out on the prairie somewhere, I hope that whatever town we end up in will welcome us unconditionally so that we might contribute in the efforts of rebuilding their town. But they have to want it; they have to be willing to accept outsiders and know that our hearts are in the right place. After all, no one is going to sacrifice and make such a move to destroy such a town already dying. All one is seeking is a chance to get back to basics and add quality to their life. I have no doubt we will make it happen one day, perhaps it might even be your town. Until then, I continue to research ways of making an income online to make it a reality so we can live anywhere we want. After all, I would follow that man to the end of the earth to see him reliving his dream; somewhere I can cook for my grandchildren, grow my garden, welcome a neighbor and get back to “the basics”.
Doesn't it just sound like a dream? Debt can make a person physically sick inside; cause insomnia; anxiety and depression. We all have some sort of debt. I personally, become sick over the tiniest amount that extends beyond my control while others wait until they are so far overextended on major debt such as their homes, cars, and credit cards until they seek help. We were not made to think and react the same; that's what makes us unique. Some consider themselves broke when they still have a couple thousand in the bank and others considered themselves broke when they are red lined. One is not better than the other and neither should be judged; the one fear that keeps many from seeking help in the first place. Mismanagement of money is everywhere we look and it takes education and the right resources to stop the cycle. What I have found though, is that getting on track is easier than staying on track. It takes a great amount of discipline, but it can be done.
It seems as though television companies are filling every possible vacancy with debt management and consolidation commercials as a result of this recession. They know that society is struggling financially to make it through. These companies want you to believe there is no way out. Some encourage bankruptcy right off the bat. But beware, just as there are predators in lending, they lurk among debt management and consolidation companies as well. Not to say they aren't legitimate, just know what you are getting yourself into. Do your research as I have.
Many years ago, after going through a divorce, I found myself seriously in debt as a result of terrible, unnecessary spending habits. I wasn't purchasing big ticket items like televisions, computers, etc. I was buying "stuff"; clothes, shoes, things for the kids. All unnecessary items that I could have gone without. Nonetheless, there I stood owing money that I did not have or the means to pay it back. I knew better as the job I had just left was teaching military service members financial counseling; how to save money during their short time prior to exiting the military. I taught these financial briefings almost weekly and did not apply them to my own personal life, then found myself in a world of hurt; all self inflicted. No longer a part of the military community and without a job, I recalled a civilian organization that I mentioned in my briefings and contacted them for an appointment. It was the best thing I have ever done. Now, many years later, I have found myself in a similar situation as a result of my unemployment hanging in limbo for six months. I am excited to say that this time I am actually able to manage my debt without the help of that organization. It is important to me, that I share this with you. No matter where you are with your own finances, there can be a light at the end of the tunnel for you as well; if you take action. Having the knowledge of its existence saved me. Pride does not matter when you really need help. You're not "broke enough" if your pride is still standing in the way and you continue to get deeper into debt. Consumer Credit Counseling Services (CCCS) is a nationwide non-profit organization offering financial advise and education, debt management plans and bankruptcy counseling. A majority of their income is derived from creditors; allowing their services to be more affordable. In a nut shell, their fees are generally ten percent of whatever they determine your monthly fee to them is. Say it's a hundred dollars a month to cover your debts, your fee taken from that would be ten dollars. They sit down with you and determine your monthly obligations verses your contractual obligations such as a mortgage, car loan, credit cards, etc. While they work with creditors to reduce interest, finance charges and eliminate those annoying phone calls, the debt remains yours. You are responsible for the debt owed; they simply help create a debt management plan that is "do-able"; realistic. If and when your income increases and you are able to pay more, you're on your way to financial freedom much sooner. It usually takes about thirty days for the phone calls from creditors to stop and what a relief to feel that you are still in control. Provided any of your debt is credit cards, you are required to turn over those cards and CCCS will close those accounts upon the pay off. This is where most people cannot part with the one thing that has gotten them in a such a mess. It's a vicious cycle. Chances are your credit has already been affected, so closing such accounts is not going to matter at this point. The nice thing about using such an organization is having someone who is neutral to bounce things off of. Be honest about your debt and lay it all out, no matter how small.
Should you choose to fight your way out of debt on your own, there are volumes of self help books and online sites available that will guide you. However, depending on your financial situation, you need to consider one thing. If you haven't been disciplined enough to manage your finances up to this point, will you be disciplined enough to follow a "self created" budget without guidance? Chances are, you will find some way to manipulate the situation to your liking and remain in a financial crisis.
While the goal is to get out of debt and never return to the same situation, the reality is you more than likely will at some point. Hopefully not to the extreme as it is right now, but you will be better prepared. We all have life events that happen and call for money that we do not have on hand; funerals; doctor's visits for those with no insurance; the unexpected. This is where self help books become your best tool kit. Once you've been taught the discipline you needed through the guidance of a professional, the foundation is set. Use the tools from these books to build your confidence and the ability to recognize when things are getting out of hand.
Financial guru Suze Orman says it best in her books the "Young, Fabulous & Broke" and "Women and Money" where she talks about "good debt" verses "bad debt". She describes "good debt" as assets such as a home, vehicle loan, etc. and "bad debt" as things we "want". My debt sixteen years ago was definitely bad debt; nothing more than "wants". Today, it is what I consider good debt although there are no assets to show. It was a matter of covering additional monthly expenditures that my unemployment was not covering; an emergency resource if you will. Her books provide a wealth of knowledge and are written in layman's terms for anyone making an effort to pull themselves out of debt and move forward in their finances. There is also an online site called Mvelopes.com; if you are disciplined enough. It is an awesome site that offers several money management tools to help you keep track of your spending and ways to create a budget that is realistic.
Getting on a good track, being accountable and becoming disciplined will be rewarding, I promise. I am happy to say that of the three credit cards I currently have, one will paid off next week, the second within two months and the third in six months. If I had utilized CCCS this time, I would not have the third one paid off until 2014. In an effort to be financially free of unnecessary debt sooner and to maintain my good credit score, I made the choice to discipline myself to a fairly strict budget for the next six months. I managed to pay the minimum payment on time every month during my lowest time with unemployment and was never late (something I learned from Suze Orman), so my situation is a little different this time around. What a wonderful feeling it will be to simply get back to only monthly obligations. The debt management plan that I had with Consumer Credit Counseling Services years ago taught me discipline that was desperately needed and the books gave me the money management tools for the future.
Don't allow yourself to become sick, anxious and weak over debt. It's not worth it and you will only end up with health problems as a result; therefore more debt. Take the initial steps of admitting your in debt and be accountable. Filing bankruptcy seems like the only answer to many simply because they do not realize that there are many other resources to help them. Seek out non-profit organizations that have your best interest at heart rather than the goal of making another buck off of you. Get proactive about your financial situation and know that you are not alone; that there are solutions; a light at the end of your tunnel and begin experiencing financial freedom!
I use to think of people that put together emergency preparedness kits as either being paranoid individuals or backwoods militia men that anticipated war or the world coming to an end. That was before I became interested in a more frugal lifestyle and getting back to the basics of living; being more self sufficient if you will. Since becoming unemployed, my income level has dropped beyond significant to flat lined, back up again and then nothing. Nonetheless, I am able to hold my head up. I want for nothing in regards to food, water and shelter and it is all possible due to being prepared. How prepared are you in the event an emergency happened where you are?
We don't relate unemployment on a daily basis to that of an "emergency", however when the food runs out and no sight of a paycheck anytime soon, one quickly goes in to survival mode; seeking anything in the pantry that could possibly make a meal; rationing the toilet paper, paper towels, etc. Don't laugh, it's true. We rarely consider emergency preparedness at all until we see countries like Haiti and Chile and the total devastation they have experienced. Why is that? Is it the same type of fear just as we were afraid of talking about death in my one of previous blogs? Is it the fear that should we reach the point where our lives switch over to survival mode, it might really be the real end? It doesn't have to be like that. I promise, you aren't going to be viewed differently; you won't be called a "hoarder" or anything of the sort. In fact, you more than likely will be admired for being proactive just as I have learned to admire those who have taught me; some young, some old. Stereotypes such as these prevent us from being proactive and as a result, we rely on others who are prepared their resources rather than our own. By doing so, however, could result in an emergency of its own should they die or not be able to get to you. It is important that each of us take steps toward self sufficiency simply for that reason. While I am constantly learning, I am becoming more proactive in my daily life and gaining confidence in being prepared for the smallest emergency as temporary as it may be.
Another example that is easier to relate to is something as simple as a winter storm with no heat or power for hours; days even. This is more of a reality as we have seen this across the nation lately with nontraditional weather patterns as we enter what should be "spring". While it's more typical where I live in the northwest and living in a rural area, most inner city folk are not prepared. They can't be blamed as weather patterns like this do not occur regularly, but nonetheless it puts them in "survival mode"; a temporary state of panic; relying on road crews, power companies, grocery stores and agencies to do whatever it takes to get things back to normal . It's only natural for us in a crisis situation to make comments that "next time", we'll be prepared only to find ourselves integrating back in to our daily lives and never making the effort. Finances are a good example of such.
Being prepared for any sort of emergency builds confidence and can reduce the stress and panic one might experience in such a crisis. Food seems to be the main focal point and the most intimidating item when preparing an emergency preparedness kit due to a lack of knowledge in how to prepare dehydrated food. You would actually be surprised just how much you already cook with it and how you can have fun creating meals that you will enjoy. Many have the preconceived notion to think that should an emergency occur, there they will be with a box filled with bland, boring meals for survival. Not so. I came across the blog Trail Cooking & The Outdoors that appears to market to back country trail hikers. But what I found is that there are volumes of recipes that are fun and made with everyday food items you probably already use; and they're dehydrated! For the average spouse that has children, you can't go wrong with their recipes and may even find yourself trying some their cooking ideas for fun. There are videos, tutorials, and alternative cooking ideas. This has been my site of preference.
Depending on how involved you want to get, there are many sites regarding emergency preparedness. Through my research, I have found that the FEMA website is another great resource for anyone considering their own emergency preparedness kit, but it is not an easy read compared to the Preparedness Pantry blog I found. It is an interesting site with more information than one could imagine including recipes for food stored items. It's really a matter of preference and how detailed you want to get. The idea behind it all is to have fun with it and determine whether you are looking to create a long term storage plan to last for up to twenty years, or one that will provide the basic essentials for a shorter period of time.
While water and a heat source are essential for food stored items, there are also non-food preparedness items that one needs to consider as well; especially if you are considering emergency preparedness kits for long term storage. A detailed list of such items can be found in the Just Add Water book written by Barbara G. Salsbury advertised here. She is by far one of the best pioneers on studying dehydrated foods; developing and testing a variety of recipes and speaking at functions regarding food and water storage and usage. I highly recommend this book for anyone working with churches and community organizations considering an emergency preparedness kit for their group. For the average person, I found it a little more than I cared to bargain with. It does, however provide a wealth of knowledge and recipes to boot.
Should plans such as these be too overwhelming, consider starting by simply adding a few extra items to your plan over the course of a few months each time you go to the grocery store. Regardless of who you are or what status you may have in the community, I hope that you will take the initial steps toward being proactive; self sufficient. Never rely on outer resources to be able to get to you in the state of an emergency; no matter how small.
I have had writer's block the past few days as I have toyed with thoughts of springtime and the whole idea of gardening. I've struggled with this topic because I kept telling myself that I'm not a gardener; I would only be writing of this topic simply because that's where all the magazines lead us this time of the year. While the communities that surround me are beginning to see the frost come out of the ground, my yard still remains covered in a large blanket of snow at least a few inches thick. It's difficult to get in that same frame of mind since my season here starts much later than in town. Nonetheless, I need to prepare; gathering seeds and looking forward to the results of a great harvest.
Being from the south, it is almost always assumed that I grew up on collard greens and ham hocks, having a great big garden and must be a good cook with thousands of good ol' southern recipes. The truth be known, it was nothing like that. I lived in a neighborhood where I know there were some families that had gardens in their back yard, but I don't recall seeing a lot of them. Perhaps they were there, but as a child, one doesn't pay attention to those kind of things. One of my greatest memories though, is sitting with my best friend Joy on the front steps of her porch crackin' beans and shuckin' corn before we were allowed to ride bikes. Her mother had a huge garden and made the best fried okra of anyone I've ever met since then. Those memories have laid dormant in my mind for many years now.
I use to dream of the day I could have my own garden. I attempted it once out back here, but I put the cart before the horse so to speak. The ground is like pit run here, so I had my husband haul in some dirt for me and began planting everything imaginable. As the plants began to take root, excitement filled my heart as I was finally accomplishing my goal of becoming a gardener. When the tomatoes were ready to be harvested, I was so excited. I rushed to the house to grab a bucket and by the time I returned, my entire garden had been mowed down by one lonely deer that traveled through my yard. There was almost an early harvest of meat in my freezer that year as disappointment and failure sunk in. I had failed to build a perimeter; after all, we do live in deer country! Being the so called "city girl" I was, I never dreamed that animals would come in and steal my harvest! As the deer sat there chewing the final blades of grass that surrounded my tiny piece of heaven, I realized that I was never going to make it as a gardener. Years have passed and what once was a space filled with rich soil is now covered in grass and clover. I look out my window everyday and dream of what "could have been"; if only I could drive a stake in that hard ground.
I've been thinking hard about revisiting the whole gardening thing this year and I must say at first I was apprehensive. I've been contemplating "square foot gardening" mainly because all the research I have done on it shows that it takes less water, less ground, can be done "above" the ground and provides an abundant harvest. Still I need a perimeter. I don't know how to build one by myself and again disappointment fills the air. But at 6:27 this morning, my eyes opened wide; I've been a gardener all along; year round!
I believe that my purpose in life is not about how much money I can make. While I need it desperately to make ends meet, I don't think I was put on this earth to be a twenty year career woman with a great pension, 401K, IRA and all the trimmings. It's been disappointing at times, but I now can come to peace with it. I now realize, I've been planting seeds all along; reaching out and sharing what I've learned with others in the hope of a great harvest; that they might learn something new; open their hearts and minds to something different; to set a perimeter in their life; boundaries. It really takes less energy to watch it come to fruition and when done in smaller bits, produces great reward just as a square foot garden.
The world lacks a perimeter. With today's new technology, the deregulation of rules and values; churches falling apart and war, there are no longer boundaries in place; anything goes and look at where we are. Fighting with those we love; fighting over land, animals, the earth; food; religion. It doesn't have to be. Become a year round gardener. Determine what it is that you want harvest; build a perimeter to protect it; sow your seeds everyday; year round and I promise, your harvest will be plentiful.
Have you ever been really hungry? Many would answer "no", but I bet you have. We tend to think of the word "hungry" only in relation to food. So for those that have never truly experienced hunger in that sense, it's difficult to relate and one goes about their life. It's only when they see a picture of someone with tattered clothes, a five day shadow on their face or a woman standing with a rag muffin child that society turns and say "oh, sad". Then for a moment, they rush a few cans of food to the local food bank or better yet, make a drop off at the grocery store because they don't even know where the food bank is located. That's alright, at least they made an effort and any help is greatly appreciated. One in eight Americans suffer everyday from the lack of food and many go without several meals a day; even days. What many don't realize is that the local food banks are set up as "emergency food assistance". They do great wonders with the donations they receive, but it is not enough.
The definition of hunger goes beyond food; it means discomfort; weakness; a strong desire. So again, have you ever been hungry? Chances are you have. Hunger is like a dirty diamond in the rough; it has many facets; each that shine brilliantly when the cloudiness is washed away. It's a matter of how we choose to look at it.
Sixteen years ago, I didn't look much different than the picture I have here on the blog. Maybe a few less wrinkles and better eyesight, but physically, not too different. I dressed pretty much the same. I think it is fair to say that my looks are not a fair assessment of what one would think as being a "hungry" person; one of discomfort; weakness; but perhaps a strong desire.
When I divorced my first husband, while it was my choice, I had not thought beyond how I would make ends meet with two small boys. I only knew that I wanted to be on my own and soon I found myself sitting at a Salvation Army with a boy tucked tight under each arm. By nightfall, I would have no place to go, no place to sleep and no vehicle. I moved to Montana because I had been here for a few visits and knew this would be a good, safe place to raise my boys. I just failed to have a plan. It was one of the worst times of my life and I had created it. Suddenly, complete strangers picked me up by my broken wings and took over. I can't even recall how I got from one place to the next; they literally were like angels carrying me. By nightfall, I was sitting in a little furnished studio apartment; groceries were on the kitchen table; milk was in the fridge and a lady said she would stop by in the morning to help me arrange day care so I could work; and my rent was paid up for about a month through a group called Neighbors in Need. It happened so fast I never got to say thank you.
While my story is not one of hunger for food, I had a strong desire; a hunger to make things right in my life; to get back on track. I was only down on my luck as many would say. I was starving for help as so many do today. Discomfort and weakness come in many forms and with today's recession, we are seeing it more and more. We were not prepared for a recession; we didn't have a plan. Rarely does one live by the rules of society that say we should have a three month emergency savings tucked away and it is times like these that we become hungry; unfortunately even a hunger for money. The lack of money can create a hunger beyond all others. It controls us; our relationships; what we do on a day to basis and even our food supply. We finally submit and ask for help. It's what we do from that point on that determines our success.
I survived my short lived discomfort and weakness through the help of others and by holding my head high in difficult times. I found a job and was fortunate to have a boss that would pick me up everyday for work, drop my boys off at day care and bring me home. Over time, I was able to get an apartment and bought a Radio Flyer wagon for transportation. The boys would ride in the wagon and when I had groceries, they walked beside me. I had slowly began my road to independence, barely paying my rent and living in somewhat of an empty apartment. I was so proud the day I bought a car for $125! Ran like a charm; well, kinda. I loaded up the boys and drove almost to Glacier Park out of sheer joy, but then turned around out of fear I would get lost. Little did I know at the time that the Park was only another mile down the road. A few months later I met the love of my life and have been with him ever since. Yes, he was truly an answer to my prayers and has raised my two boys as his own. Together we have a beautiful daughter.
A few years later after receiving my degree in Human Services (imagine that), I returned to the local food bank; this time as a paid Volunteer Coordinator. I soon realized that their efforts are simply not enough. Food banks are set up as "emergency assistance". A person was allowed twelve visits per year. That could be monthly, weekly, etc. When their visits were exhausted, they had to find alternative resources and often times there were none. During their visits, they were permitted one pound of meat; one pound in the form of either burger, lunch meat, bacon, etc. and ten pounds of food per family member. That's it. Many did not know what to make of the food that was provided and it ended up going unused. They were permitted, however, to visit daily for bread, doughnuts and other danishes that were not healthy for them; still it was food. It bothered me that at one time, I walked in their shoes, but I never saw how it all came together as the food bank and other agencies came to me. My needs were met and my situation truly was "emergency assistance". However, many rely on their services daily all over the nation. This is the hunger we as a society relate to and there are many ways we can help through volunteering with local agencies; donating to food banks; working with community supported agricultural programs, etc.
With all the joy and comfort I now have in my life, my hunger has never gone away. It is no longer a discomfort or weakness, but a strong desire to help others. Not only with their own lives, but to help them understand others who are down on their luck; hungry. My hunger is the strong desire to motivate others to get dressed even when there's nothing to do; let them know that it's alright to ask for help regardless of their status in the community; to tell them to fake it with a smile until things turn around; to encourage them to turn that discomfort and weakness into a healthy hunger; to help others have a strong desire to knock the dirt off that diamond and shine. What are you hungry for?
I had never been around any other race of people before other than Mexicans in Colorado. To me, blacks didn't count since I was from the south and grew up around them; they never seemed different other than the foods they liked and they lived in others areas than me. So when I moved here, I told my husband "boy, there sure are a lot of Mexicans, I wouldn't think they would like it up here where it gets so cold". That was when I realized just how naive I really was; they were Blackfeet, Sioux and Assiniboine Indians and there was an Indian Reservation just other side of the mountains; not to mention several other tribes throughout the state! My husband has taught me a lot about the Indians and how they think and live as he had lived among many when working in the oil fields. They were simply something I only knew about through history books. I never took the time to understand them or appreciate them beyond that.
Today, there are thirteen different tribes throughout the state; eleven are original that go back prior to Montana becoming a state. Alcohol abuse is a serious issue on many of these reservations and sadly, is most often times the focus of any main stream media. Rare are stories told of the good people there. Clearly there is still segregation of sorts when one speaks of the Indian aka the Native American; depending on where you live and who you talk to. While the nation did away with segregation of blacks throughout the fifties and sixties, there was a new beginning for them as they attempted to integrate into the so called "norms of society". Native Americans, on the other hand, were simply put out on the plains over a hundred years ago and given reservations they could call home; clearly there is a certain amount of segregation that continues to exist today; wanted or unwanted, it is still clearly divided. Don't get me wrong, according to many white men; they have been well taken care of ever since with government funding, programs, housing and schools. That is a controversial topic and not the direction of my post here today. But I feel it is important to share with you a story that might otherwise never be told of one of their people that has touched my heart in a roundabout way. It is important that they are not forgotten and others know there are beautiful and good people among them just as in our own communities.
Lenny Boxer was a young Indian man from Fort Kipp, Montana who came to know my husband back in the oil boom days of the late seventies and early eighties. My husband Scott is a blond haired, blue eyed Norwegian farm boy, just so you know. Scott had worked his way up from the lowest man on the job, the "worm" to working derricks, the man at the tip top of the oil rig that pulled pipe out of the ground and the right hand man of the driller. Lenny had seen Scott a few times on another rig and would always ask Scott to come and work for him. Embarrassed, Scott would laugh and explain how he couldn't leave his driller like that. So one day, Lenny showed up and yelled to Scott that he had talked his driller in to trading for Scott. That was the beginning of a wonderful relationship between these two men that would last forever.
Scott ended up being the only white man on his crew and when the shift was over and the guys headed to town for a cold one, he stuck out like a sore thumb against all theses dark skinned men. Lenny would turn and say, "no worries Scott, they won't mess with you when you're with me" and he was right. The Indians had a great respect for Lenny. He was a stout man and could hold his own when it came to a rowdy bunch of young Indians. He would sit and cry as he spoke of his time in the military over a beer or two and Scott would laugh in disbelief at his stories; thinking "yeah right". But in his heart, he liked Lenny so well, he wanted to believe him.
Lenny was a family man and family meant everything to him. He even raised his oldest daughter on the rigs teaching her every step of the way. Soon his next youngest daughter joined his crew and each work side by side holding their own just as the other men on the crew. They were his babies. Scott soon joined his extended family in a way as Lenny became his surrogate father away from home; always looking out for him, making sure he had a place to stay, etc. Whatever Scott needed, he could rely on Lenny to always be there ready to help. His kind spirit and eminent stature among his own people carried over in his work. Together they traveled throughout eastern Montana and North Dakota setting up, drilling and tearing down rig after rig.
The oil boom crashed in the early eighties and Scott's oil field days came to an end. He moved to the western part of the Montana to pursue a new life and Lenny stayed behind with his girls drilling on smaller rigs throughout the plains. Over the years, Lenny would pop in to town and call Scott. Their reunion, if only for short periods, kept them close at heart. I had the opportunity to meet Lenny as we traveled to eastern Montana and found an oil rig off in the distance. Being so close to Lenny's hometown, Scott just knew Lenny would be working on it. As we arrived, all one could see were three smiling faces as we approached the platform. There stood Lenny and his two daughters working away. While they couldn't stop to visit, their smiles spoke volumes as Scott introduced me. Their visit was cut short as we had to leave the platform for safety reasons, so they quickly tried to set a time and a place to see one another later that evening and smiled and waved good bye. We never did meet up with them due to one thing or another, but we were both content by the looks on their faces that their love for Scott was so genuine; so deep.
A couple years passed only to bring the news of Lenny's death through a phone call via an old friend from the oil days. Lenny had learned that he had cancer and within three months was gone from this world forever. It happened so fast and the family moved on. By the time Scott had learned about it, two years had passed. All of our visits to eastern Montana, driving past his old place on the highway, thinking he was working somewhere; Lenny laid buried in the field beside his home at Ft.Kipp beneath an American flag flying over him.
I recently thought of Lenny as he has become an regular part of Scott's storytelling over the years. I began researching the internet to see if I could find a photo of him to share with my husband. They never took photos of one another. My search brought me to his obituary that spoke of his military career as a Untied States Marine and medals he had received. I looked up each medal to learn their meanings and I shared them with my husband. As his heart swelled with pride, he suddenly realized that the man he had once know was a hero; a brave and noble Indian. He was everything that Scott so desperately had wanted to believe. Lenny had once shown Scott scars that he said he had received in battle and Scott, being a young kid, would laugh at him over a beer joking that he probably got stabbed by one of his own people. As it turns out, Lenny was a decorated Vietnam War veteran. He received two purple hearts, a Navy Commendation Medal, Presidential Commendation Ribbon with a Bronze Star and a Vietnam Service Medal with a Silver Star. He was a tribal board member for the Fort Peck Indian Reservation for several years.
Lenny has always been a common name in our home as we have raised our children over the years. It's as if they know him in some way. They know that he was dear to their father's heart. His old war stories have more meaning today than ever now and his spirit will live on through our grandchildren one day. While I never really knew him, I am forever grateful that I had the opportunity to meet someone who could touch another person's life so beautifully; someone from another culture than our own who took a kid under his wing and taught him many lessons about life over their time together; about cultural differences; about true friendship. I hope one day to find a picture of Lenny to share with you as I create a new page of inspiring faces on my blog.
I hope that if someone comes across your life that touches your heart or inspires you, that you recognize them; that you pay tribute to them. Let the world know who they are or who they were. Share your stories.
With recession comes great things, if we open our hearts and minds. Everyday people in our nation hold a gift for us waiting to be seen, instead we turn our heads. Now, Haiti has given our nation the same gift, but will we see it this time?
Let me ask you, is it more appealing to watch one that is physically attractive or the man in the suit who drives a BMW fail than one who is less attractive, rides the bus or chooses to wear blue jeans and a t-shirt everyday?
I wish there were a news channel made up of "everyday people". You know, those we like to call the "blue collar workers". A smiling steel worker, reporting on the side for extra money, sitting on a stoup with a man who just lost his home; a woman who volunteers at a local soup kitchen happily reporting how the numbers were down today; an interview of a deceivingly sharp looking business woman who actually rides the bus to work from the ghetto and makes $7.25 an hour cooking $25 a plate meals and goes home and cries every night because she still can't come up with enough money for the electric bill. News of the small farming community that had a parade at midnight due to flight delays for troops arriving home so they knew they were appreciated. These are the everyday people of our nation. They come in all sizes, shapes and beauty just like Corporate America. Some are educated, some not. There is crime and corruption in their world, too. Get the picture? It just doesn't sound as exciting does it?
Instead we find ourselves turning on the news to watch how Corporate America is broke. I'm talking about Wall Street, large cap private financial gurus and the overpaid people of our nation. Stories of those losing their homes; being laid off from $125 thousand dollar a year jobs; selling second and third homes and finally tapping in to their 401k's and IRA's to simply make ends meet. Their bank accounts have dwindled in to the thousands. No doubt that their world has been rocked. On their way to work, they grab their cappuccino; stop at the dry cleaners; on to the day care to drop off little Billy and Susie; have lunch with their colleagues; then stop at the take and bake on the way home to grab pizza for dinner and back out the door for drinks at the open house around the corner. A life of luxuries and envy that every man and woman have thought about at least once in their lives; or not. But as the market crashed, their lives entered into a tailspin; not knowing how to face what lies ahead. They have relied on the rest of America to care for their every need and now cannot do for themselves. Their lessons are right in front of them if they could only see beyond the veil.
These corporate gurus are being served by "everyday people"; everyday. You see, everyday people start their day the night before. They lie awake til three in the morning thinking about what the new day will bring. They track the calendar in their mind wondering if they forgot to pay that bill on the fifteenth; or was it the tenth? As they start the new day, they dig around the house for loose change so they have the exact amount for the bus or their kids lunch money. If they have time and the luxury of a computer at home, they rush to check their bank account before they leave to see if they need to make a deposit before two o'clock rolls around. They arrive at work on time to be greeted by demanding customers who don't even know their name. No matter how nice they look, how determined they are, they continue to struggle, but they manage. The cliche' "it takes money to make money" rings loud in their minds. If only someone would recognize their talent and pull them from the wreckage. When the lay offs come, they go in to overdrive in an effort to keep what little they have; taking second jobs and even moving in with family members to save wherever they can. At the end of the day, some return to their modest homes with only the bare necessities to make a good meal for the night. If there were a window to their soul, you would see that there lies character and gratitude behind their blank stare as their children greet them at the door and make it all worth while. Their core values of love, family and doing whatever it takes pull them through the worst of times.
There are various definitions of hardship just as there is a significant difference between the daily lives of those working in Corporate America and everyday people; the service industry of America. Some may have a couple thousand in the bank and say they are broke while others are truly living in the negative day after day. The news reports that times are getting better and unemployment is decreasing, but some towns across America are still seeing unemployment rates of ten and twelve percent. These differences in lifestyles should no longer seem to be important as they enter the unemployment lines from both sides, yet sadly they will never become one. The corporate world hasn't hit rock bottom yet. They have not yet experienced what true hardship really means. While the "everyday people" of this country struggle daily to make ends meets, they are survivors. They live in survival mode each day of their lives. They may lack the knowledge or resources to rise up, but they are rich with character and gratitude; with a love and commitment to God and family like no other; they believe in helping others no matter the cost because it is the right thing to do, they believe in sharing and pooling their resources to make things happen. Times like this are not the place for thinking only of ones self.
The disaster in Haiti, as sad it has been, has many lessons waiting to be learned as well. There is no longer a hierarchy of sorts, all have become one; equal. Oh, there is still government in place although it has taken back seat to the crisis at hand. Together they unite to sing songs of praise never questioning God, their purpose in life, or mourning for their possessions that are now lost; grateful to be alive. They quickly pull together as one; with a common goal of rising up from the rubble. Material things do not matter. Their loved ones are gone forever. Disease walks the streets and death surrounds them still. The rains will soon come. Despite everything they have lost, they quickly create organization with what remains; immediately grabbing whatever food, water and shelter they can find; helping their neighbors; creating a leader for each block to be responsible for whatever was needed in their self-created communities; and still, they smile. Their graceful character and gratitude speaks volumes.
America will always remain a diversified country, no doubt. Just as the everyday people of our nation, Haiti has given the world a gift if we would only open our hearts and minds and see it this time. Whether it is the result of poor financial decisions, being taken advantage of, greed, generational welfare, you name it, pulling together in these difficult times is what America needs. There are wonderful lessons to be learned when one is truly down on their luck. It builds beautiful people just as we have seen in Haiti. While everyday people in America may not receive the recognition they deserve for their services, they are the force that keeps our nation strong. They are some of the most beautiful and richest in character of all our nation. Appreciate them; learn from them; ask them what their name is; listen.
Do you ever lie in bed at night, especially in the dead of winter, close your eyes and just as you begin to fall into that ever relaxed state, you are jolted by the sound of flies buzzing all around? You turn the light on; take a look around, nothing. With the lights off, your attempt to return to that peaceful state is interrupted once again. Frustrated, you get up and behind the curtain, lurking in the corner of the window, find it, smash it and go back to bed. It's only a matter of minutes before it seems as though a colony has moved into the attic above in retaliation and the buzzing sound becomes overwhelming. Sound familiar? Perhaps not, but flies in the attic can refer to much more in our lives.
There are two types of flies; infesting and invading. The infesting flies complete their life cycle indoors where they can find favorable spots to breed. While invading flies breed and develop outdoors, they tend to drop in occasionally to simply wreak havoc; well, not really. Just as these pesky little critters can drive one crazy in the middle of the night, there are other flies in the attic; those conversations in our minds that we can't seem to tune out in an effort to get a good nights sleep; our job (or the lack of); bills; kids; money; things we have done and the things we have left undone. Over time our minds become infested with so much “stuff” and just when we think we’ve got it all resolved in our heads to turn over and go to sleep, something else pops in our minds and adds to the frustration. We are left staring at the ceiling with our heart rate ready to go through the roof. These, my friend, are flies in the attic and unless you find a remedy, they will continue to breed and some will drop by only to aggravate the buzz and send us in to overdrive.
There’s no doubt that with the recession comes stress. No matter what the income level, many are experiencing additional stress such as cut backs at work, unemployment, and the rising costs of fuel and groceries to name a few. Some of these are daily concerns for many but can be exacerbated when there is a crisis at hand. Suddenly people come down with flu-like symptoms at the worst possible time and just as the outdoor fly dropping by, the stress level rises and productivity decreases.
Locating a remedy to the flies in our attic is as simple as Integrated Pest Management (IPM); identifying what is causing this infestation and creating your own IPM techniques. It puts you in control of the situation faster, unlike the unsuccessful quick fix remedy of smashing the one fly and returning to bed only to deal with another shortly afterward. Just as flies continue to breed and will never go away; our daily stresses will always be there, too. By creating your own IPM, you can create a simple, long term and ongoing three-step plan that will help you accomplish the ultimate goal: managing flies in the attic.
Sanitation
Don't let fruit rot in your garden! Harvest everything and remove all decaying material on a regular basis. When applied to flies, it sounds pretty simple, doesn't it? Good health and cleanliness is important. Eat foods that are good for you and stay with you during the day and eliminate those that are bad. Don’t let life pile up on you. The flies in your attic are clutter that creates stress and chances are if they are invading your mind, they are invading your everyday life and your health as well.
With cleanliness comes great pride, relaxation, new found ways to save money at times and organization; therefore a reduction of stress. This isn't about worrying how others see you; it's about taking care of yourself and reducing your stress to a manageable state. By creating some simple habits, you can manage the flies in the attic
Inspection
If you can identify what is attracting the flies,half the battle is won! Some surveys show that less than 10% of the population in this country is clutter free. It drains us of energy, time, and money and causes disease. Take a quick assessment of what is causing all this clutter in your life. Is it procrastination, laziness, feelings of being overwhelmed? One example is your wallet or your purse; better yet, your car. Dump it all out and look inside at receipts and see where you have spent money on unnecessary things, look at the amount of energy it took to get things to its current state and how much time and energy it is going to take to get it all back in order. We all lose things; keys, our coat, the other shoe. As a result we spend more time trying to find it than we did placing it where it didn't belong in the first place. Everyone has a "catch all" place in their home; a kitchen counter; a desk; dresser, etc. Take a quick assessment of all that is there and what you put off as a "when I can get around to it". It doesn't take long to become overwhelmed and embarrassed by what you have created and the down hill spiral begins. You know in the back of your mind that you should deal with it and yet go to bed not being able to turn it off.
Exclusion
Weather-strip your mind! Keep a tight screen! Get rid of the "un-necessaries”! While we can't prevent all thoughts from entering our minds in our efforts of a good night's sleep, there are ways to reduce them. Just as having a screen prevent flies from entering, creating that same screen in your mind is helpful. Assess the task at hand and screen the information. Ask yourself if there is anything you can do at that very moment to fix it. If not, determine if it is worth jotting down a note and dealing with in the morning or if it simply needs to be thrown out; rotten information (or fruit) not worth keeping. It is important to keep a tight screen. When a fly senses a temperature difference, it finds its way in and the invasion begins. A screen is a filter. It still allows for smaller and more manageable thoughts, yet keeps the overwhelming from entering.
New flies will come and some will go with time; it’s inevitable. There’s no sure fix to flies in the attic. If we wipe out as much of the rotten fruit in our gardens as we can on a regular basis in one good swat and set the bait outside our door for the pesky invaders that aren’t welcome, we can become successful IPM entrepreneurs!
Did you know there's a difference between farming and ranching? Some of you might, but I know many like myself at one time, who take that for granted. Farming is actually cultivating and harvesting and ranching is raising livestock like sheep, cattle, etc. Of course, you'd never admit that you didn't know, believe me, I understand. Did you know that Montana is one of the largest wheat producers in the country and roughly 30% of that production feeds Russia and parts of Europe? Me either. My husband grew up farming and ranching both in a VERY small town in eastern Montana, population of maybe 40 now; graduating high school class of nine, I think. His great grandfather homesteaded there almost one hundred years ago and ran a mercantile store in addition to farming and ranching; something one just doesn't hear of growing up in the city. While the farm is still in operation today, it's a struggle to break even.
The expenses involved in large farming and ranching operations today to maintain quality production barely makes it worth their while. But it's the quality of life that keeps some hanging on; the core values and the old belief of working together as a family and a community to get things done; being self sufficient as well as the pride that comes with knowing they are needed by the rest of the nation. But as their children get older and with all the new technology today, traditional nights of watching basketball games and attending community events in some of these small towns become a thing of the past. The children move on to college and the city life; never to return other than for a short visit. Businesses slowly start closing their doors after fifty to a hundred years of surviving droughts, recessions and plain hard times. As the older generations enter into their final days in the local nursing homes, old homesteads are abandoned and the mice settle in.
Farming and ranching communities are dying all across America primarily due to a lack of interest from these younger generations. Market pressures and low prices are forcing some out of business as well while others are slowly being bought out for recreational property by big time investors who want to put conservation easements on millions of acres; promising long term leases and then terminating the lease over time; slowly putting the farmers and ranchers out of business altogether. Massive sized turbines cover the landscape now as far as the eye can see with big money leases in place. Don't get me wrong, I am all for alternative energy. But there must be a balance.
This past week as the winter storms hit the Washington, DC area, I received a call from my son stationed there with the Marine Corps. His first words to his dad were "oh my gosh dad, you would think the end of the world was here" as he spoke of his journey through town to buy a quart of orange juice in the nine largest metropolitan area of the United States. People panicked as the word of a winter storm hit the news. Shelves were suddenly depleted of the basic foods; milk, eggs, bread, and meat. Rooms filled quick at the local hotels as people feared getting stuck in their cars. Power outages reached from the metropolitan area as far as Virginia for up to thirty hours in some places. Another storm hit today.
America has become too dependent; relying on others for even our basic needs. When we want something, we expect it to be there when we decide to go and get it. We are taught at an early age the life skills necessary to skate through life; checkbook management; how to pay bills; a basic understanding of history, etc. and failed in teaching self-sufficiency. We are a spoiled society having everything at our fingertips at a moments notice. When it comes to a leak in the plumbing, a car breaking down, having no power, no heat and the possibility of our food running out, we panic. I'm not saying that everyone should rush out and become masters of all trades, but there must be balance.
Small scale farming and ranching is becoming more and more popular across the country as society sees the rising cost of food with no end in sight for a recovering economy. Self-sufficiency is empowering and goes hand in hand with sustainability. By learning how to do for ourselves, we can maintain even in rough economical times. The balance between these and the new wave of promoting alternative energy in the way of oil, gas, wind energy and land conservation is teetering toward the latter. Without our farming and ranching, we deplete our food source not to mention the impact on the rest of the world. Even for those that choose to hunt wild animals in an effort to feed their families, restrictions have become so tight in some areas that even they are unsuccessful in providing an alternative food source for their family.
Sustainability means to support; to maintain; to endure. We must find a healthy balance; working toward the common goal of giving back to the earth what at times must be taken in order to survive. Especially when it goes beyond survival for unnecessary luxuries.
The "friendly" in "eco-friendly" becomes "not so friendly" when the pendulum swings too far to one side or the other. Judgments are cast on both sides thinking one is better than the other; better yet, right or wrong. In order for there to be harmony in this effort, one must earn respect for the other side and be open to learning and understanding and set judgment and stereotypes aside. These extreme attitudes leave us stagnant at a time of when our nation is most vulnerable to fail.
Some fear being frugal as becoming a "Thrifstorian" as my daughter calls it. They envision second hand clothes, buying day old bread, and discontinued items. Frugal living is simply living within your means; it's about your "needs" vs. your "wants". There is no rule that you can't have the things you "want" in life, but it requires focusing on your needs first, then wants. Sounds like common sense, right? So why do we all manage to live beyond our means? Why do we have credit card debt? Why are we insurance poor? I plan to throw some ideas and resources out there for you to consider "in the event" you should ever need them.
For me, it all started shortly after becoming unemployed. I suddenly realized that I had to start making things stretch. Food in the pantry was disappearing before my eyes with no check coming in to replace it all. Every time I turned around, one of the kids was hitting me up for money to go somewhere; clothes; pictures; field trips, etc. And of course, getting winter tires, the oil changed, my annual mammogram (with no insurance) hit all at once as well. My husband is a builder and at the time, we were building a spec house for ourselves, so no income there at the time either (it's for sale by the way).
Where did all that money go? The truth is, we all, no matter what our income level is, big or small, have the tendency to live beyond our means. Of course you already know that; it's a cliche used everyday in this world and so easily ignored...until reality hits. The good news is there are ways to get back on your feet and I hope to share some of them with you.
I saw it coming and failed to prepare for it while I had money rolling in. The company I worked for was slowly taking on more debt than it had income at the time and the crash of the construction industry only exacerbated it. You see, this isn't the "big city", no corporate paychecks here with 401Ks, medical benefits, etc. Maybe a few, but not enough to mention. Oh wait, they did manage to get a Simple IRA a few months before I was laid off, so I guess there's a whopping thousand bucks out there! But I did manage to make some of the best money around this valley. While I am grateful for that, my last paycheck stretched only so far and then the waiting game for unemployment to kick in seemed like eternity. But I refused to go down without a fight; no way was I going to hit rock bottom, whatever that was.
We are a proud society never wanting anyone to think we're struggling. Even if you have a good job right now and feel this isn't for you, read on because job security is never certain. If you're self employed, consider yourself "unemployed" every morning you wake up. You constantly have to wonder where your next client/customer will come from; thinking of new ways to market yourself in an effort to build relationships and therefore, client retention. So while you may not feel you need this information yourself (I hope you never do), perhaps you know someone who could benefit and will share this blog with them.
Sustainable living has been around forever, it simply has a name now. Another term is the "green movement". But what I have noticed is that it has become stereotyped. For those that want to do good and leave a smaller footprint on the land, we have a tendency to call them "greenies" or "granolas". Therefore, if we feel we do not fit into those categories in our everyday life, we resist our temptations to get involved; fearful that we may become "one of them"; that we must dress and act differently; or that we must jump in and transform all of our bad habits at once and "go green". Notice that I say "we" because I have definitely been on the outside looking in at this topic. Because it is such a broad topic, one questions where to begin.
It's not a matter of getting caught up in the politics, it's a matter of finding what works for you and working toward a common goal of leaving things better for future generations.
Let's face it, we have the capability, the knowledge and the resources to be more self sufficient in this country. But it takes more than engineers to make it happen. By finding what works for each of us in our daily lives, we can work toward the common goal of sustainability. Who is to be the judge as to how much or how little, making an effort is all that matters.
Join me as I explore sustainable living and find where you can make a difference.
No, I haven't lost my mind and yes there's still snow on the ground here in Montana. Half of the east coast is being pounded with more snow as I write. But I noticed that my Vitamin D was not doing it's job these past few days and my Peri menopausal state of mind got me to thinking...flowers! I went to town to visit my friend Shelli, who you will soon meet, to have tea and when I left there, I had nothing to do. I have been so overwhelmed lately with bad news, I simply did not want to go back home. So I drove all the way in to town simply to look at flowers, or so I thought.
I had this idea in mind that I would go to the garden center and look at flowers to cheer me up. I thought surely they would have some indoors. As I ventured inside this massive building just waiting for that welcoming fragrance to hit me, suddenly the nasty aroma of fertilizer hit me square in the face. As I looked around at the empty shelves, boxes on the floor with new product waiting to be unwrapped, disappointment set in. The closest thing to a "flower" I got were some little tiny bulbs in a bucket of dirt just ever so slightly beginning to bloom. They looked so lonely that I almost bought one just so I could look like I actually came in for a reason. I wondered around for a moment as though I was on a mission and as soon as the clerk went around the corner, I made a mad dash out the door. How silly I must have looked! I mean EVERYONE knows there's no flowers in February at a garden center! Why didn't I think of a florist? After all Valentine's Day is coming up. As I jumped back in my vehicle, it dawned on me. The simple thought of flowers excited me so much in the dead of winter that I drove twenty miles just to look at them. While I was disappointed at first, I could have gone on to a florist, but I didn't. Instead I went home...still thinking of those imaginary flowers.
Flowers have a way of moving us. They can be exciting, refreshing, relaxing and make you happy all at the same time. You don't have to wait for a special occasion like Valentine's Day to come along and cheer you up when it's twenty below outside. Then it hit me.
Flowering Tea! Grab a chair and sit a spell while you experience the beauty of teas that bloom as you brew. It's a bundle of dried tea leaves and flowers that are bound together with cotton string. When they are steeped, the tea is released and the flower begins to bloom before your eyes. The nice thing about flowering teas, or "blooming teas" as some may call it, is that their mild flavors do not seem to be affected by longer steeping. The flowers usually will last up to fifteen minutes and can be refreshed simply by adding more water.
So who says you can't have flowers in the dead of winter! Remember to take time for yourself, slow down and appreciate the finer things in life! Now pardon me, my tea is waiting.
Oh you know who I'm talking about. Matter of fact, they entered your mind just as soon as you read it. We all are guilty of procrastinating when calling that one person for whatever reason. I'm not talking about a long lost love from the past or opening Pandora's box, I'm talking about someone who has touched your life in some way that perhaps that they might be unaware. We all have good intentions or simply think of the old cliche "oh, they know how I feel" or "yeah, some day"and put it off a little longer. We as a society have become somewhat desensitized by the use of computers and simplifying the whole thing by opting to send an email. But nothing beats a good old phone call, believe me. It's not only more personal, but the joy you will find in your own heart by simply calling someone out of the blue. Letting them know how special they are or how they touched your life at one time or another could be the one thing they needed to hear that day. It may enlighten them to know that they had made a difference in the life of another.
Over the past sixteen years, I have tried my best to contact those who have touched my own life. At first I thought it was a silly thing to do, but it has been so rewarding that I am committed to inspiring others to do the same. It isn't about always staying in touch, but rather an effort to reach out; never looking for something in return.
One of my first calls was to my old pastor in Tennessee. I was not a real "Sunday go to meetin' girl", but I did attend fairly regularly with my best friend when I was young. I don't recall any special sermon he gave, but he put up with me, that's for sure. I was a young girl from a divorced family in a time that divorce was frowned upon more than today. My best friend and her family made certain that if they went, I went. I recall my friend running upstairs in my room many times on Sunday and saying "c'mon, momma and daddy are waiting, hurry up" as she was pulling clothes out of my drawers. I think I must have wanted to be noticed or something when I was little. It never failed that every Sunday (at least it seemed) the congregation would sing "Just As I Am". The pastor would allow those who felt they needed forgiveness of their sins to come forward. Well, you would have thought I was the worst sinner in the world! That song would make me cry and up to the front I would go; every Sunday! Couldn't even tell you why, but there I was, receiving forgiveness of all my sins. Looking back, I think it was simply having something consistent in my life that was good, really good. I'd like to think Pastor Chevalier knew that and made a special effort to always reach out to me. But you see, I don't think he did it intentionally. I think he was just that way to everyone he knew.
So one day, while sitting here in Montana, I decided to look up the number for Pastor Chevalier and give him a ring. I had not seen nor talked to him in probably twenty five years, I bet, and oh did he remember me. I could here the wonder in his voice as to the purpose of my call. I didn't even know myself what I was going to say, so I opened my mouth and out it came; "I just wanted to thank you for making a difference in my life. You taught me to keep God at the center of my life and I am forever grateful". We continued to chat for a while and hung up. I never gave it another thought, but I felt so good inside. About a month later, my best friend called and said she had a story to share. Her father still goes to that church and while our pastor had since retired, he had been called back to preach one Sunday. Then she says "and Daddy said he talked about YOU!" Pastor Chevalier had proceeded to talk to the elders in the congregation about a young girl that many might recall named Susie (my old nickname) and that he received a call from her out of the blue. He mentioned our conversation and his message to them was to never give up on the younger generation even when they don't feel they are making a difference, because they are. I never expected that in in return, but I am glad that I followed my heart and called him. Pastor Chevalier has since passed and I am blessed to have known him.
Today, my husband received a phone call much to his surprise. You see, my husband worked in oil fields during the big boom back in the late seventies and early eighties. He has shared many stories from those days and spoke of people that he worked and lived with. A few of those people have always stood out in his storytelling. Recently, I started researching their names in attempt to find some of them for his upcoming birthday on Valentine's Day. One was a guy who pulled up looking for a job in a little VW bug, torn tennis shoes and the clothes on his back. As he would laugh, he would claim how this guy taught him to be frugal. He spoke of how they lived together and one time decided to go grocery shopping together. My husband liked blowing his big paychecks and eating good, but this guy told him he was going to show him how to "save money". They ended up buying bologna and bread and just the bare essentials. To this day, my husband swears he thought he was going to starve to death! Funny how he has never forgotten him and thought so much of this guy for many reasons. Well, I found him living in Minnesota and doing very well. As I write, I can hear my husband's laughter as they talk on the phone for the first time in almost thirty years; something an email or a letter just could not replace.
These are just a few examples of the joy I have found in a simple phone call. Who knows if they will stay in touch, I hope so. But it isn't about that. It's all about reaching out to someone. It's about knowing in your heart that you can mark that off of your list of things to do and smile. But beware, you will find you're not only doing it for yourself, but helping others do the same. The rewards are as simple as a "thank you", but they will live within you forever. It doesn't have to be someone from long, long ago, you know who they are.
I hope you will call them. .
Grab a chair and sit a spell while you experience the beauty of teas that bloom as you brew. It's a bundle of dried tea leaves and flowers that are bound together with cotton string. When they are steeped, the tea is released and the flower begins to bloom before your eyes. The nice thing about flowering teas, or "blooming teas" as some may call it, is that their mild flavors do not seem to be affected by longer steeping. The flowers usually will last up to fifteen minutes and can be refreshed simply by adding more water.