I am so excited right now! I just saw the first busker I have ever seen in Rutland. He was on Center Street outside my office window, and he didn’t sound half bad. Having traveled in Europe quite a bit, I have an affinity for buskers. A lot of times, people have their hands out…
It is imperative that we participate in the democratic process, now more than ever. As the world is often more interested in profit than people or planet, it is our duty to represent ourselves against corporate interests. That means paying attention to local issues, writing letters to the editor, sending letters to government and attending…
My life has changed a lot in the past few years. In 2008, I bought a house that I absolutely LOVED, and I built a low-impact life around it. This year, I am settling permanently in Vermont into a life that is not quite suited to my sustainability and comfort needs. It frustrates me that…
So, you want to start a blog or build a personal or business website? Great! Everyone should learn how to build an online presence. But first you should learn some things about the world wide web. Logic would tell you that if you post something online that paints you in a bad light, you can…
No one moves to Vermont for the cheap living. No one comes here for the low taxes or the great job opportunities. People move to Vermont because they are in love with something here… the mountains, the quietude, the fresh air, the people. They move here knowing that their life will probably be harder, but…
Our excessive consumer habits are headed for a change of pace, so you might as well get on board now. Increasing scarcity of oil and water are going to cause a price spike in both, which is going to seriously affect the production and distribution of goods. To put it simply, “stuff” is going to…
Do you ever find yourself living a life that isn’t the one you intended, and you aren’t quite sure how you got there? When I was living in Sarasota, I was getting to the heart of reducing my carbon footprint. I had a small house (950 sq ft) with a super efficient envelope, a backyard…
I have spent a good deal of time over the last 4 years removing things from my life. There are various reasons for these banishments, but they have all served me well. Simplifying your life is not just about removing objects or possessions from your life. It’s also about removing people, forms of diversion, thought…
I have several times extolled the greatness of St. Petersburg, Florida, and I found yet another reason to love this little city. I am a big fan of composting. I don’t believe in throwing vegetable scraps filled with nutrients in the garbage to end up in a landfill. For one thing, they would contribute to…
I’ve been thinking for several years about getting another tattoo. I had visited several tattoo shops, but it seemed no matter what I told them I wanted, they always produced the same thing: the double line text with the waves and wisps. Something very typical. I kept leaving disappointed, and then I would not think…