Still Painting

Climbing that learning curve and having fun with it.  Two new paintings—the pheasant in oil (first time/be kind) and elk in watercolor.  Watercolor is my favorite medium (so far).

No Waste Wednesday #7–Dejunk Your Mail

Reference:  2013 Resolution posted 12/31/2012

For a while this process was two steps forward, then one step back.  Dejunking mail.  This involves extra work on your part, but eventually you can get the incoming mail down to a trickle.  When we lived full-time in the RV this was a necessity (it costs to have mail forwarded from the mail service provider and the more mail the more expensive).  Not only was the amount of trash from mail eliminated, but the time and effort spent dealing with each piece of mail was avoided.

There are a number of websites that will attempt to globally reduce your junk mail, but the best approach for me, so far,  is to call the number listed on the mail item and ask to be taken off their list.  Then, take the offensive, by doing the following:

• Sign up with all your creditors and investment company for eStatements only.  Receive your bill reminders and statements through e-mail.
• Stop all those catalogs.  I swear Pottery Barn sends out 3-4 a month.  Call the number on the back of the catalog and ask them to take your name off the mailing list.  
• If you must receive magazines, why not try digital magazines sent on your computer or netbook.
• Get tough with solicitors marketing their credit cards.   The global opt-out program seems to work in this area. 

Rather than list all the websites offering to help you with this project, just search on the words “dejunk mail” or “opt out” and you can find one that is right for you. 

Good luck!

No Waste Wednesday #6–Recycling

Reference:  2013 Resolution posted 12/31/2012

In one of the earlier “No Waste” posts I mentioned that my garbage reduction resolution was inspired by the blog www.zerowastehome.blogspot.com written by Bea Johnson.  Bea has a system relying heavily on the 5Rs.  Refuse. Reduce. Reuse.  Recycle.  Rot.  And strictly in that order.  I think she has it right. 

However, there are items that cannot be “refused” (by us, anyway) and must be recycled. 

• Cardboard.  There are still a few food items we purchase in a box (crackers) and large purchases packaged in a box.
• Glass.  Beer bottles--we can purchase beer in a reusable growler at a local brewery, but it goes flat too fast.  Wine bottles—our local winery does not refill—yet. 
• Aluminum.  When we still indulged in drinking pop (or soda, for some), we recycled aluminum cans, but we have since given up carbonated beverages.  Too many studies showing bad effects.  Plus, it costs a pretty penny.  Occasionally, there is a need for a mixed drink and the result is a can or two needs recycling.
• Plastic.  Still looking for a convenient recycling dumpster.  But, we are fast figuring out how to avoid purchasing at all.  Will explain in a future post.

Even in our small town there is an abundance of cardboard recycling stations, a handy aluminum can recycling (collected for charity) and a large glass disposal recycling bin.  (Note:  We drop off our recycling rather than curb side pickup.  Easy to stop and drop off—the stations are located next to the grocery and convenient.  No extra effort required.)

We are down to one medium size bag every two weeks.  Garbage pick up is now twice a month for a small can.  Charge for pickup is down to $13/month, fewer trips to the curb and a good feeling that we are making a difference (albeit a very, very small one).  Our efforts are working! 

No Waste Wednesday #5–Recycling Egg Cartons

Reference:  2013 Resolution posted 12/31/2012

One of the best ways to reduce trash and support your community is to buy locally.  You will hear this theme over and over in my “No Waste” posts.  And most likely the local food you purchase will be better for you.  Less chemicals.  Fresh. 

In our semi-rural area, there are quite a few gentleman/woman farmers, and it seems everyone likes to have a few chickens in the yard.  (Love hearing that big Banty rooster crow a few blocks away.  That guy has lungs.)  We have a local gal who makes a Tuesday delivery to the house with a dozen, fresh brown eggs.  (They are so large they barely fit in the carton.)  She needs empty cartons for future egg collection and distribution; so when she drops off the eggs; we pass along the empty cartons. 

Does not get any easier than that.  Delicious.  You may not get egg delivery to your home, but I will bet most of you have access to local fresh eggs.  Often you can arrange for a carton exchange.

Retiring Early

One of the best motivational speeches ever given, in my opinion, is the one Steve Jobs (co-founder, chairman, and CEO of Apple Inc.) gave at the Stanford commencement in 2005.  His encouragement of living each day as if it was your last (he was battling cancer), was one of my catalysts for retiring early and pursuing interests that I did not have time for previously.  Yes, waiting for age 60 would have allowed us to have a bigger house and more elaborate trips, but they have not been missed.  No, not a bit.

The following is a portion of Steve’s speech that had an affect on me.  For the complete text of his speech, read http://articles.businessinsider.com/2011-10-06/tech/30249828_1_college-tuition-calligraphy-adoption

“Remembering that I'll be dead soon is the most important tool I've ever encountered to help me make the big choices in life. Because almost everything — all external expectations, all pride, all fear of embarrassment or failure - these things just fall away in the face of death, leaving only what is truly important. Remembering that you are going to die is the best way I know to avoid the trap of thinking you have something to lose. You are already naked. There is no reason not to follow your heart.”

Some food for thought for those of you struggling with the timing of your retirement or pursuing your dreams…

No Waste Wednesday #4–Refillable Spices (and Tea)

Next to the “downtown” coffee shop, Hurricane Coffee Company, is a small unassuming tea and spice store, the Sequim Spice and Tea Company.  A pretty young lady owns the business selling loose leaf tea, spices and rubs.  She happily fills my glass containers with tea of choice or salt/pepper grinders with sea salt and pepper corns.  Also very knowledgeable about natural remedies.

Always smells so great in there.  A very pleasant and fresh solution on the No Waste Quest.

Ducks Afloat & Boats Ashore

Daytime winter temperatures tend to hover in the mid-40’s on the eastern side of the Olympic Peninsula.  Not bad for January in the northern parts of the US, but even a slight breeze off the ocean makes it a brisk walk.  Lots of bird activity—ducks (many kinds), eagles, owls, Trumpeter swans.  Really enjoy seeing the white Trumpeter swans.  Sorry, no pictures, but they are stunning.  Ballerinas in the sky.