November 19, 2009
The Not So Green Christmas Tree
Two years ago we tossed our artifical tree. It was time. There is something quaint about a real tree that is not quite right. There is even something heroic about it – the Charlie Brown Christmas Tree. But a fake tree should at least look good. After all perfection is the one thing that they can offer that a real tree doesn’t.
So, when our tree started looking pathetic we tossed it. Last year I had surgery two weeks before Christmas and so we opted to skip the Christmas tree altogether.
And now coming up to Christmas yet again the tree dilemma has presented itself. What to do? Well, according to Oprah magazine (and if you can’t trust Oprah who can you trust?) 8.9 million artificial trees were imported i 2008 to the US – most of them from China. Each tree contains 7.3 pounds of plastic. Wow – too much slow death by rubber duck for me.
And what about the real tree? Not so good either. 5.8 pounds of pesticide are sprayed on an acre of Christmas trees each year.
In addition to that 600,000 homes could be powered for an entire year with the energy used by decorative lights.
So, what to do? I doubt we’ll get a tree this year. I’m looking for a new tradition. If traditions are meant to be handed down to our chldren and their children I need to make sure that the traditions I keep leave them with a better world.
Any suggestions?
November 6, 2009
Forty Eleven
It sounds like something from Spinal Tap but it is the birthday I am celebrating today.
I am not concerned with my age it is just that I can’t get my head around being 51. I feel so young still with so much to learn and so much to do. Suddenly I am aware the clock is ticking in a whole new way.
Today I am thankful for my life. My husband, children, friends, family, home and all those things that are really significant at the end of the day. The pleasures of a good meal with good friends in a warm home on a cold night are greatly appreciated.
I’m hoping to get a little more serious about the blogging thing. I’ve got a few – business, personal, etc. I’m trying to figure out what goes here. So for now it may be a little mundane. More of a journal than a blog. That’s OK…it will unfold.
Starting today with a visual makeover. This template I am using is to boring for a woman with my experience.
