Winter Bonfire - a family tradition

I was lucky enough to do most of my growing up in the country. Now, by country I don’t mean way out there - but we always had a good couple of acres for me to scarper about on. One thing that tends to happen if you have property like ours, which has a lot of wattle trees, is that you end up with a few dead trees around the place. Now, my parents have a fireplace, and they use a lot of the wood to warm their home in winter - but there is always too much, plus a lot of scraggly bits lying around.

So, once in a while we would have a bonfire. Over time, they’ve occurred more regularly, and we tend to have at least one each winter now. I was visiting my parent’s last night, and as Dad and I finished working on my slowly-coming-together bookshelves for the afternoon (well, mostly Dad working and me turning the garage vacuum on and off as he sawed wood with his circular saw… not to mention the escapade with the radius - I know that makes absolutely no sense - now where was I? Oh yes As Dad finished working on my bookshelves, we noticed a noise, and a light. Mum had started a bonfire up the back.

So, we ambled up to enjoy the fire. After a minute, I ran down to the house to grab my camera. As you may have guessed by now, I’m a bit fond of photography, and you’ll no doubt see much more of it in future. This was a scene not to be missed, as the fire burned in the quickly dimming evening. But, as they say, a picture tells a thousand words…

Fire truly is an amazing thing. Its discovery propelled us out of the realms of mere animals, and harnessing its power has enriched and supported our lives for millennia. I think everyone should take the time, once in a while, to just sit staring into a fire - it’s certainly a good tool for meditation, and for realising the transitory and transformational nature of everything. What was solid becomes dust and vapour, and both go to play their next role in the symphony of nature.

A lovely example of the First Law of Thermodynamics - ‘Energy is never created or destroyed, just transformed to another state’.

‘Green’ - becoming mainstream?

I was in the supermarket the other day - a quick stop on the way home as it was my turn to buy the toilet paper - and as I walked down the aisle I spotted the shampoo. This reminded me that I had almost run out, so I paused to have a bit of a browse. Now, I dye my hair quite regularly (grey hair comes early in my family!) so I usually buy a colour-lock type of shampoo.

Imagine my delight when I spotted - sequestered on the bottom shelf - a new range of products. Each bottle of shampoo and conditioner cost less than $4 - and they were ‘green’. That is, the product didn’t contain any harsh chemicals, was low-sodium and so claimed to be safe for grey water - not to mention the actual plastic packaging was made from plant materials rather than petroleum. AND they had a colour-lock conditioner. I realised at that moment I had found my hair-care products of choice, and grabbed them.

Further along, I picked up my pack of recycled toilet paper, then browsed the meat section quickly. I decided to buy some free-range chicken breast, even though it was a few dollars more expensive than the regular. Now, I don’t often buy organic veggies, mostly because of the price, but I’ll gladly fork over a few extra dollars to know that a sentient being didn’t have to suffer a life stuck indoors - possibly sequestered in a little cage - for my dinner. I still refuse to eat veal since I learned years ago how the calves are kept *shudder*.

So - to the point of this post… I bought all three of these things in a Coles supermarket. It seems that eco-friendly and green products are slowly becoming a part of the mainstream. Of course, the key word there is slowly - but at least it’s happening!

What green products have you been surprised to see in mainstream settings?

Winter warmers - secondhand style

A few weeks ago, we had a cold snap. This was when I discovered that my current blankets weren’t up to the challenge of winter - especially with only the cat to keep me warm! So, I decided a new blanket and some flannel sheets was in order.

I happened to be up at the shops, so I had a look in K-Mart - thinking I might find some reasonably-priced stuff in there. However, a decent blanket was $60! And a set of two flannel sheets was $40! I walked out in a huff, refusing to pay such ridiculous prices for such basic items.

I was sure that I could find what I was after at an op-shop (a charity second-hand store for you non-Aussies). So, I took the main road to work, (which I hate, because even at 1pm, the traffic is horrendous!), as I knew there was a spot where three op-shops stood almost next to each other.

Alas, in the first I was thwarted in my mission… but when I got to the second shop - success! I bought a big, heavy blanket, plus a single queen flannel sheet (they only had one, but I figured one was better than none!)… and all for under $30. I told the woman that I didn’t need a bag, at which she replied dubiously “are you sure, dear?” as I stood there just peeking over the top of the jumble in my arms. I said I was, and I marched happily off to my car.

I am currently sitting here snug under said blanket and sheet, the cat tucked in at my side, and the satisfaction that I not only saved a lot of money - but that I have re-used something, and given my money to help those in need.

Better than spending $100 at K-Mart, that’s for sure.

Kiva - a fantastic organisation!

I found this organisation on another blog tonight - and given my post of a few days ago, it seemed an appropriate thing to share.

Kiva.org are a charity that brings together entrepreneurs in developing nations with private lenders (i.e. regular folks like you and me). The idea is that I could give $25 or $50, which would then go towards an entrepreneur starting up their own small business - a loan which they then repay over time!

I think this is a wonderful opportunity to give a little bit - and you might even get it back one day… though I doubt many people ‘invest’ with this in mind

One of the most interesting things is that you get to choose who you want to lend to - they have the personal and business details, plus the money raised so far, for every entrepreneur.

So, if you’re looking for a way to give a little back - this looks like a fabulous way to do it!

A bit of light-heartedness…

I’ve been struck down with a winter virus - and have spent most of today in bed. Consequently, I’m not up to a long post - so I thought I’d share an interesting discovery with you all instead.

I found last week that the shower bucket seems to have an alternate use in this household…

Now, this didn’t really surprise me, as Goblin has been drinking out of showers since he was a kitten. No matter where we’ve lived - I’ll always catch him drinking water out of the shower recess! I have no idea why - maybe the water is fresher, maybe it feels more like drinking out of a pond… does anyone else have a cat that does this?!

Wishing you all good health - it’s always when you’re sick that you really appreciate it

A Sustainable Economy - How do you give back?

Yesterday I spoke about how the little changes we all make can come together in a ’snowball effect’. I was speaking mostly about our own sustainable practices at home - saving water, composting, recycling, reducing waste. Today, it occurred to me that there is another way that we can all make a difference to the world - by contributing to a sustainable economy.

What do I mean by that? Well, a massive issue in this world of ours is the unfair distribution of wealth. We in the Western countries own a disproportionate amount of the world’s wealth. I’m sure this is something you already know, but it’s easy to forget it in the hustle and bustle of daily life.

Now, I believe that capitalism is the best system out there - but an enlightened capitalism, where we make sure no-one in our society is without food and shelter. The system here in Australia is a reasonable example of this - we have generous welfare payments (perhaps too generous in some instances, like the baby bonus) - and a healthy economy with low unemployment.

The core of the capitalist system is the ability to work/run a business to earn money - which you forfeit some tax on for the administration of the country - but are then free to do with as you will. I have been a fortunate person - I grew up in a comfortable home with working/middle class parents (that’s always a tricky distinction for me - there are so many differing definitions out there), and have never wanted for any necessity.

I was able to get a good education, thanks to HECS (Higher Education Loans Scheme - where the government pays for your university education, and you pay them back with no interest out of your tax once you start working). I now have a decently-paid job and a good lifestyle… and as part of this I choose to give back to those people in the world who are not as fortunate as me.

There are many ways you can do this - for me, I liked the idea of sponsoring a child. So, many years ago now, while I was still studying and not earning a whole heck of a lot, I signed up with CCF (now Childfund.org.au) and started sponsoring a little girl in India called Sandhyarani.

This is only a drop in the ocean, certainly. And there are no doubt many people who scoff and say ‘what difference is that really making?’ Well, they may be right. The small re-distribution of wealth that I’m contributing to is very little in the grand scheme of things - especially when the developing world as a whole has such an enormous economic deficit when compared to OECD countries.

However, this little bit is all I feel I can do at this stage of my life. I don’t have control over government policies, nor am I in control of a huge multi-national corporation. I choose to make this contribution, and like to think it is making a difference to someone out there - someone who is, in some way, better off because of me.

So, I’m curious to know what you do to give back? Do you give to charity, volunteer, or sponsor a child of your own? I’m sure some of you do much more than me!

Why I love this Earth

I have spent a lot of my life interested in religion, spirituality, science… basically, I was always fascinated by the world, and I wanted to know how it all worked. I’m a scientist by nature - I won’t believe what you tell me unless 1. I trust you deeply, and 2. You can prove it to me. Empirically.

Therefore, though I have learnt a lot about religion, and find it a fascinating topic, I remain an atheist.  In some ways, I believe that those of us who are not religious have the most investment of all in preserving this Earth that we live on. Why? Because we believe this is all there is. There is no other life, no other world. This world - in all its beauty, terror, pain and glory - is all we have to experience. And we only have one life in which to do so.

I wanted to draw your attention to an article written by Lawrence Krauss in NewScientist (It’s a wonderful cosmos…). He argues against the claim that we need to imbue the universe with some supernatural agency in order for it to be meaningful and magnificent. This article really moved me, as he elucidated my view of the world beautifully.

Some of the most amazing experiences in my life have occurred sitting in a lecture theatre, learning about how our fascinating bodies have evolved, and how they function. How the intricate dance of our genes, proteins, hormones, and other chemical messengers keeps us growing, learning, and alive.

And who hasn’t had that experience of awe when looking up into the night sky and really seeing what is out there - the billions of stars in billions of galaxies - the overwhelming size and complexity of it all, in which we play such a minuscule part.  And yes, in the grand scheme of the universe we are but a momentary blip, perhaps utterly meaningless..

But I believe we create our own meaning. We have but one, unique, and fragile life in which to express ourselves, to make our contribution to the world and to the generations to come. That is why I want to live more in harmony with nature, to do my little part to preserve this amazing planet, and to encourage others to do the same. If we all do our own small part - whenever and however we can - those little parts will come together like snowflakes and create an avalanche that could change the world.

The joy of an unexpected harvest

A few months ago Nick and I (well, mostly Nick…) put up a cage (yes, as my regular readers have now guessed - to keep our nemesis possum out) around an old garden bed along the fence next to our driveway. We planted a number of seedlings in the soil, but didn’t have the resources to enrich it very well, so we were sceptical as to how well the plants would do.

Well, a few of them died, but our beans did really well, as did the mung bean plants I’ve mentioned earlier, so we got some harvest from it. Since that harvest, I’ve kinda ignored that garden and focussed on my pots.

However, this morning I was out there, admiring the parsley that has not only survived, but thrived…

…and I actually had a good look at the bean plants I thought were finished with. I was wrong!! Down low, the plants had come back to life, and I managed to gather myself a most lovely and unexpected harvest:

I was so excited by this wonderful surprise. I guess it just goes to show how resourceful plants are. We can learn all about the proper soil composition and nutrients for each type of plant, all about companion planting and crop rotation… but sometimes it’s humbling to be shown such an example of the resilience of plants. They’ve been doing what they do for thousands of years before we started cultivating them, it I guess it’s a good lesson: that we don’t grow plants - they grow themselves. The most we can do is just help them along.

Has anyone else out there had the pleasure of an unexpected harvest? I’m sure I’m not the only one…