Living a Green Life

It seems everywhere you turn these days whether it is on TV, newspaper, or magazines living a green life is an in thing. This should not be something trendy, but a way of life, a sort of religion.

I myself have always gravitated toward environmentalism. When I was a kid, I remember actively recycling. avoiding the wasting of water, gas and electricity because I knew that these were valuable resources. All of these thoughts and practices were implemented in my life starting in the 1980's.

Flash forward 20+ years and you see how more than ever these thoughts and practices are.
Four + dollar a gallon gas is now a reality due to increased demand over a limited supply. The use of fossil fuels for energy have become intertwined with Global Warming or Climate Change. Heat waves (recently on the east coast), and flooding in the Midwest both a symptom of Global Warming or Climate change that are convincing even the harshest critics.

I remember when my wife and I first brought reuseable bags when we would go out to the store.
We were both a little apprehensive and thought people would think we were weird. The more and more we did this the less and less uncomfortable we became. Employees began to notice and the responses were positive. Now this is becoming a more common occurrence as you look around and see others with their own bags in the check out line. Whenever I see this I feel contentment that is punctuated with a smile.

suburban farms usa

My wife and I live on a quiet street in an established neighborhood that could be any-town USA.

One thing, though, that might be different is that we have gardens. Lots of raised beds in our backyard, with many kinds of vegetables, herbs and fruits. You see, while on the surface I might be your average suburbanite with a front yard and deck out back, I am really a farmer in disguise.

Now if you would have told me this 8, 9, 10 plus years ago I would have said that you were crazy. I would have said I'm a suburbanite. I grew up in cities and burbs so the thought of being something other than that would not have even registered.

There is something about having a garden. Planting a seed and seeing it grow and mature is really something. There is also a sense of peacefulness and a connection with nature that both my wife and I both enjoy. My mother once told me that I must have a bit of my grandfather in me (he was a farmer). I think she is right.