Sometimes it helps to ask: “what would you like to see? what resources do you wish could exist? what connections do you wish existed? what problem would you like to resolve?” Think about issues that might concern many congregations, but may or may not be normally handled by denominational staff. I’m thinking within the Unitarian… Continue reading A Unitarian Universalist wish list
Category: Sustainable living
Dvorak keyboard two months later
I’ve been full time on the Dvorak keyboard since the end of January, and am just now able to type at anything approaching a normal speed — but I get faster every day. I don’t move my hands nearly as much, my wrists don’t hurt, I have to use all of my fingers and —… Continue reading Dvorak keyboard two months later
Art store run!
Went by the Utrecht art supplies store. Loose pencil (also china markers and colored pencils, in lieu of markers), gum erasers, metal rulers, gummed paper tape and a wide variety of paper supplies — all without additional plastic or extra packaging. Which is why I think of the art stores as good office supplies stores.
Brass brads keep papers together
OK: three posts in the last 2 years is a pretty poor result. I’ll try to do better. Now some plastic reduction. I bought these brass brads to keep papers together. They’re fun and remind me of elementary school book reports and high school plays. Inexpensive, reusable and not a bit of plastic.
Free legal guides for living
At home and at work. I love the guides published by Nolo Press, and I think they’re darn near indispensible for anyone managing or organizing a church. I’ve noticed that this publisher of legal guides has branched out a bit, and so borrowed their The Sharing Solution, a book about managing cooperation and sharing of… Continue reading Free legal guides for living
Cold water for laundry
A recent change at Chez Bitb: I’m now washing laundry in cold water only. Some of you will surely wonder what has taken me so long. Because of the huge energy cost for heating wash water, the issue for me is not if hot water cleans laundry better than cold water, but if cold water… Continue reading Cold water for laundry
Free your mind from commercial occupation
My “Occupy mind” is moving from plowing (attracting attention through encampment) to planting, even if the seasons belie the metaphor. It’s time to develop concrete actions to match the feelings stirred up in the last two months. A political response is natural, and I expect you to keep pressure on your congregational delegations with respect… Continue reading Free your mind from commercial occupation
Filtered tap water wins (just) in D.C. taste test
From the University of the District of Columbia: “UDC Releases Bottled vs Tap Water Taste Test Results” (Green Living DC)
Linux, Microsoft users: protect yourself against repetitive stress
I had a harrowing day today at the emergency room. All is well — better safe that sorry — but at the very least, let it be said that I should mitigate against eye and neck strain. Coming home, I re-installed a piece of software I once used: Workrave. It forces you to take short… Continue reading Linux, Microsoft users: protect yourself against repetitive stress
Cold outside, inside — but action
One of the tensions I feel is how far we (Americans, global citzens or the 99%) should respond to the current economic situation: act primarily in concord to develop a new economic order, or retool our expectations for life with less. Or, I suspect, both. I am by habit a rather thrifty person, even in… Continue reading Cold outside, inside — but action