2008 Was Nice

     No post since September. What does it all mean Corky?*

     I wish I could tell you that it means I’ve found the solution to the world’s woes. Or a silver bullet for my own.

     Oh sure, some real exciting things have happened since then. Birthdays have been celebrated (Squash in October, me in December), we have both been working hard at our jobs, and Genghis has kept us running, running, running. It seems as if we spent most of 2008 at the grocery store. I swear we could reduce the world’s carbon footprint and save our family a lot of money if we could stop making runs to the store. The items that we seem to never have enough of: deli turkey, fruit (Genghis loves fresh berries), frozen broccoli, sweet potatoes, bread, and of course diapers after all that (ha), and coffee for us grow ups. I can’t resign myself to bulk purchasing (bad for the environment) and Genghis loves going. I wish there was a market within walking distance so I could buy fresh every day and not use the car.

     What else has happened? Let’s see. I had a 20-year high school reunion. Hume-Fogg High School was such a unique and memorable experience for me and for many of my classmates, but the reunion reminded me of how far removed we are from that time. It is bittersweet that being an alumna doesn’t define me (and many of my peers) as much as it used to.

     Squash has practically taught himself French. He’s put in so much overtime his employer gave him another raise and we are grateful, especially in this economy. Thankfully he’s in the health care industry and in accounting. He’s not passionate about either, but he works hard and does a great job at it, demonstrating discipline and commitment. I’m really proud of him.

     Christmas was subdued, thankfully. Oh sure, I disliked the toxic mix of commercialism and religion, but it seemed to be less of a nuisance this year. And we weren’t sick, which makes a huge difference. Here’s a few Christmas pics in what is currently one of the most toxic waste spills in the country. Yep, Squash’s people hail from glorious Kingston, Tennessee, the Peach Capitol of the world and the State Capitol for one day. Salute!





     The big news is that September there have been some more profound changes underfoot for me. And I like it. I’m just not ready to talk about it in any detail. No, I’m not afraid of jinxing it because I’m not superstitious. Or at least not as much as I used to be. It’s just that as I mentally process the work I’m doing, I find it hard to put into words and describe.

     For the time being, let’s just say that I’ve figured out that there is no silver bullet (and that’s OK), but The Solution is really plural and lowercase, and the solutions lie within me. I used to know that intellectually, but found it hard to put into practice. Now, I’m doing the work. No, I didn’t have a Come to Jesus experience, for better or for worse. The stimulus for the changes is not very dramatic and the difference is probably only discernable to me and those who are very close to me. Coworkers and acquaintances probably won’t pick up on it. And it is hard work. But good work. Good, and all mine.

     Meanwhile, I’d like to change the focus of this blog to showing practical, doable, inexpensive ways to be kinder to the planet. I’m thinking photos and descriptions of stuff I do everyday around the house and in my job and my community that are green. With a little of the personal stuff thrown in. Would that be fun or helpful to anyone, or would it be the sound of one hand clapping in a forest? I may just do it anyway.

     I know that 2009 will be nice for me. What about You?

*Movie Reference: Waiting for Guffman (a Christopher Guest sidesplitter. Jamie Lee Curtis is sooooo lucky.)