Junk magazines and catalogs you get in the mail…
Give your kid some saftey scissors and a few of those. Let them cut things out and glue on paper to make pictures for Grandma! And if it is a fashion magazine…
think PAPER DOLLS!
After using eggs, crush the egg shells and feed them to your chickens with their regular food. It makes them healthier, and makes their egg shells thicker so they do not bust easily.
Stop paying for the Glad and Ziplock bowls for your leftovers…
wash out those margarine containers, don’t throw them in the trash. They make perfect bowls for leftovers and to haul that extra spaghetti to work for lunch the next day! And look…the lid matches the bowl! YAY!
Years ago I received a utility bill in the mail. I almost had a heart attack when I saw it was $147! I looked at Tom, my ex, and said, “We gotta do something”. It was then I decided to make my way as far off the grid as I could. The first thing to go will be the first thing I will talk about here.
Clothes Dryers.
They are nasty little energy suckers that play havoc with your electric bill. Now mind you, I understand that some people live in towns and even apartments and a clothesline outside may not be an option. I would however ask your landlord if it can be a consideration, for apartments maybe even a community clothes line that everyone can use. If you desire one and can’t swing one outside, hanging your clothes over the shower rod on hangers works well, or the sooden clothes dryers are great for indoors and patios. If used indoors, just spread a towel beneath so if water drips you won’t have a problem on your hands.
Tom put me up a beautiful clothesline, with three lines, which seems sufficient for my needs.
I had a dryer, never used it and recently had Chris haul it out to the shed. I think maybe I will donate it to the community shelter or something. I have not used it in many many years now.
Drawbacks to an outdoor line:
*when it rains, you search for clean clothes
*you get caught away from home some evening and a storm hits, rewashing your once dry clothes.
*Birds may crap on your clothes (lol)
*Cats may pull your clothes off the line to play with them (especially if you have 20)
*If you are lazy and leave them on the line too long they will get sun damage
*You have to go outside to hang them up (I consider this a plus, but some might thing it a drawback)
*If your partner is rather clueless and decides to mow right after you hang out a load of wet jeans, you will be re-washing them!
*your neighbors can view your undies
*Pollen can settle on clothes and irritate allergies
Rewards:
*Your electric bill will decrease considerably (Ours went down over 30 bucks!)
*You get the quiet time to think and clear your mind while you hang out clothes
*It is a great feeling to stand barefoot in the morning dew hanging out clothes while the birds are singing
*It saves electricity
*Your clothes get that FRESH scent naturally
*An Amish woman once told me the rain and/or dew softens the clothes
*They are pretty hanging in your yard
*It is fun for the grandkids to run in between the lines like a secret, colorful playland
*Your cats like to walk on your feet while you hang the clothes out
*If your partner helps, it is good quality time together
*The dryer does not heat up your house in the summer, causing you bill to go even higher
*You can save space by nixing the dryer and putting storage shelves in the area
*You don’t open your dryer to discover the kids did not hang up the last load of clothes when dry
*Your neighbors get to see your undies (lol)
I love hanging out clothes! I honestly would not have it any other way. It gives me peaceful, quiet time to reflect, think and plan for the day…..under the guise of work.
Our Responsibility
Years ago I founded an environmental organization. We covered everything from teaching people how to start compost piles to getting $685,000 from the government in a line item appropriation to purchase 1635 acres for the Forest Service. This mountain land was in the process of being bought by a developer who envisioned subdividing the land and gracing it with cheap houses for profit.
It is no secret I live a fairly self sustainable life. At times I get a jolt of reality telling me “it ain’t easy”. Especially as I get older and standing on my feet canning all day ends in more pain than pleasure. However, when I think about strictly buying from stores, never having a garden, never hanging my clothes on the line while the dew kisses my feet….well the mere thought is depressing.
So hence this page. I figure why not share thoughts, ideas and news articles on things related to conserving resources, maintaining a healthy lifestyle and living a little off the grid.