As many of you know, I am spending most of my summer in beautiful Vermont. There are few more pristine places on Earth than the Green Mountains. People here live closer to the Earth than most, and life is slower and simpler. However, there are also some environmental disadvantages to living in such a rural…
Now that I’m getting comfortable with the scooter, life seems about as close to perfect as it can get. One thing to remember if you do decide to take the plunge to go car-free and buy a scooter or motorcycle to save gas is SAFETY. Because there are lots of people (many with short attention…
OK, so I told you all I was too chicken to ride the scooter. But that was before Monday when I was really feeling achy and tired. I needed some groceries pretty badly, and I just couldn’t muster the energy to walk to the bus stop or pull out my bicycle. I actually started longing…
The absolute best part about growing your own food: eating it. Nothing gives me more pleasure than to savor the juicy flavor of homegrown fruits and veggies. I have begun to harvest some of my food, and it’s amazing! I have eaten three delicious strawberries and had 4 salads using my lettuce.
It is amazing how little most of us know about our neighborhood. We can live somewhere for years and never get to know our neighbors. We drive by the little “Mom and Pop” shops on our way to the big box stores and never give them a second glance. We often know nothing about the…
Now that a month has passed, my life without a car is finally feeling like a reality, and I’ll be the first to admit that it’s not always fun or easy. Take last week for example – I contracted bronchitis. Bronchitis, in and of itself, is not fun, and by the time I realized I…
For those of you who live in a milder climate like I do (and even those who get to spend only part of the year with tolerable temperatures), there is no reason not to own a bicycle. Whether you live in the country or the city, cycling is good exercise and a great alternative to…
I have officially been without a car for 3 weeks! And I learned a valuable lesson today about the difference between riding the scooter and riding my bicycle: respect. Granted, I have only taken the scooter on the road once, but it gave me a good feel for things. This morning, I road my bike…
While we concentrate on putting good things into our own body, we should also think of our pets. What sorts of additives and ingredients are in their food? Most mainstream pet food contains “animal meal” – which means ground up miscellaneous animal parts. Often, the meal included cats and dogs. So, in essence, you are…
Since getting rid of my car last week to embark on an experiment in carlessness, life’s an adventure! No more mundane trips to the post office or grocery store. Now, I take bus adventures and fun rides with friends. As the painful blisters on my feet from Day 2 have almost completely heeled, I ventured…
Yesterday (Day 4) was pretty good. I was disappointed to STILL not have a nice day on which to ride my new electric scooter. (We had wind gusts of up to 29 mph.) So, I sucked it up and walked down to the bus stop. My blisters from Tuesday are healing up nicely, and I…
In conducting this experiment, one of the things I want to keep track of is how much money I spend on transportation without my car. Yesterday, I spent $2.25 on bus fare. Not too bad. Today, however, I took a taxi, which cost me $13.30 with tip. I had to be at a very important…
9:45 a.m. – The wonderful new owner of my car arrived to sign the Bill of Sale. I handed over my keys, and she gleefully drove away in my (now her) trusty silver ride. A bit of melancholy set it. 10:00 a.m. – I rushed down to my bus stop five streets away. I was…
You might remember on January 1st when I pondered whether to take the plunge and try to live without a car. Well, take the plunge I have! Today my car will find a new home with a friend’s mother. I’m so happy to pass on this fine specimen of a vehicle to someone who will…
There is a great way to ensure that you have access to fresh, locally grown produce – grow your own. As I’ve shown you in the past, you don’t have to have a lot of space to grow your own vegetables. Whether you’re a condo dweller or own a detached home, you have plenty of…