On my road toward finishing "Silent Spring" and moving on to a funny book (as so ordered by handsome husband), I'm still getting more intense. Anyone who reads my blog regularly (hi mom and Gail!) knows that I was startled by the chemicals in our environment that Rachel Carson first wrote about in the 60s. I am very health conscious. As a person with celiac disease and extensive food intolerances who must watch her diet intensely, I am very aware of what is in my food. What I didn't pay as much attention to was what chemicals were surrounding me.
I gardened organically, but sporadically added chemical fertilizer in addition to organics. (Doesn't make much sense does it?) I spent a good portion of last summer getting rid of an invasive weed using Roundup. I hoped that it didn't affect the surrounding trees, but I didn't really give much thought to what I was really doing. I have skin trouble and tried every product on the market, EXCEPT the organic ones. I have used chemical laden makeup all my life, dye my hair, and use mass market soap. I have one foot in the natural world and one foot where it doesn't make sense for me to be. For example, I love aromatherapy with essential oils. I use my essential oil warmer every day. As others plug in their coffee, I plug in the essential oils. But I also use Glad plug-ins. I use natural cleaners, but haven't made a complete switch yet. I started using them about two years ago. Why didn't I get rid of the Comet in the process? I use natural hand soap in the downstairs bathroom, but not upstairs. My daughter's hair conditioner is organic, but not the shampoo. What was going on with me?!
So I am making the switch. The Comet is gone and I'm slowly cleaning out the other chemicals in my closet. My naturopathic doctor referred me to the cosmetics database to find more appropriate products for my new "chemical free" life. I've started using a natural face wash and my skin is already much clearer. (I don't know if it will stay this way because honestly my face tends to do okay and then get worse, but this has got to be better on so many levels anyway.) I'm switching over all the soap and even bought new laundry detergent.
For the most part, I am not yet driving my husband crazy. (Hi Kevin!) He doesn't know about the complete switcheroo. It hasn't hit him fully yet, but I'm sure he has an inkling of what's going on since I ordered the cancellation of the lawn service. I'll leave his personal things for last. What is driving him a little crazy is that I complain every time a commercial or media promo comes on tv. For example, "Do you have [insert medical condition here] then talk to your doctor about [insert chemical here.]" If you are American, that line is very familiar. This morning I heard this new promo, "10 vaccines adults NEED to get. No. They are not just for kids" I propose this blanket statement. "Need to eat? Eat our crap..." My darling husband now holds the controller and fast forwards over the commercials as fast as he can.
(After my recent postings I have to add this caveat - On the good side, there are a lot more "alternative" products out there too and I come across at least something every day promoting green living, but my husband is afraid of those other commercials and my reaction to them. Our view of our products is changing, but it is a slow process. Someone needs to get a foot in the door and push it way open.)
When I first came to NH to attend the University here, I looked strangely at the "crunchy" people in Birkenstocks. Now I know better. I still don't jive with the fashion sense (sorry if you wear Birkenstocks, they are just not my taste,) but I do jive with the message. I also want to point out that I have not lost a sense of reality. There is a need for chemicals... sometimes. I just don't need them in every nook and cranny of my house. I have found that cleaning my floor with vinegar and water works better than the chemical stuff. When there is a need for a chemical to do a job, I am not totally opposed to it, but I plan to think long and hard about its place in my life and will work to find alternatives. (The hair dye might have to stay for example! I haven't found a suitable substitute yet and as more grays pop out every day...gray doesn't suit me. I don't even wear gray clothing.)
Long live planet earth and cheers for a major step toward helping myself live a Cancer free life.
Showing posts with label Silent Spring. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Silent Spring. Show all posts
Thursday, May 1, 2008
Tuesday, April 15, 2008
"Read a comedy will ya?"
This morning my husband said to me, "When you are done with this book would you please read something funny?!"
His comments came after I announced to him that I think humans are stupid...I guess that's not a nice thing to say huh? But I do lump myself in with the group. So, why do I think we are all stupid? It's not totally our fault. I think in part we've been duped. We are slowly destroying our world by the things we do without giving it a second thought. I, for one, never really thought to give some of the things I do a second thought.
So, what am I now reading that brought me to the humble realization that I and most of the rest of my country is made up of stupid people? "Silent Spring" by Rachel Carlson has opened my eyes. This is something I should have read twenty years ago. Every high school student should be required to read it.
Before this book I read "Animal, Vegetable, Miracle" by Barbara Kingsolver. Kingsolver's book makes a great case for buying local organic food, perhaps even growing your own. She convinced me to look a new way at my food purchases. But seeing as I am originally from NY, cynicism is in my bones. (Is that another terrible thing to say? Just how many people am I willing to offend today?) Kingsolver's tone rubbed me wrong at times. I agreed with her, but still wanted to say, "Would you get off your high horse lady?!" The book is worth a read, but be prepared to disagree with some of it.
Back to the Carlson book. Carlson's book is acclaimed for having started "the environmental movement" in the 60s. Carlson was a trained biologist and writer who was very concerned about what large chemical companies were (are) doing to the environment. She writes in a gentle style, telling it as it is, not "getting on a high horse." Her language is simplistic, so even the non-biologists can understand it. I am appalled by example after example of ways we tampered with the environment without considering the consequences in the mid-twentieth century.
More than that, the book made me start thinking about the environment today. Do I really know anything about the chemicals I use? The pesticides and fertilizers, the dish soap, the makeup? How do I know if I should believe that it is safe, even when it says so? How do I know the Roundup I used to kill the invasive weed last year isn't now in my well water? How stable is that chemical? Does it dissipate or will it now be around forever? How healthy is the soil where I plan to grow organic vegetables this year? Will they really be organic after the lawn service was here last year and who knows what happened to this land before I moved here? Beyond global warming, our planet is in danger from the inside out. If we kill the good organisms in our soils, if we pollute them with chemicals beyond repair, we will have no food to eat and water to drink. It would take millions of years for our bodies to adapt to the changes we are causing in the environment. And we wonder why so many people are getting cancer today...we wonder why so many people have food intolerances and this disorder and that disorder.
So, all this thinking is a far cry from my training as an archivist (a person who works with historical records.) I never thought I would become an environmental activist. I attended earth day rallies, composted, and cleaned up garbage in my neighborhood, but now I've heard the call to do more. I think I'm declaring it today. I am an activist. I will seek organizations to support with my time and will use my vote to save the earth and my daughter's future....then I'll go read a funny story...
(I also promise that I'll post pretty pictures tomorrow)
His comments came after I announced to him that I think humans are stupid...I guess that's not a nice thing to say huh? But I do lump myself in with the group. So, why do I think we are all stupid? It's not totally our fault. I think in part we've been duped. We are slowly destroying our world by the things we do without giving it a second thought. I, for one, never really thought to give some of the things I do a second thought.
So, what am I now reading that brought me to the humble realization that I and most of the rest of my country is made up of stupid people? "Silent Spring" by Rachel Carlson has opened my eyes. This is something I should have read twenty years ago. Every high school student should be required to read it.
Before this book I read "Animal, Vegetable, Miracle" by Barbara Kingsolver. Kingsolver's book makes a great case for buying local organic food, perhaps even growing your own. She convinced me to look a new way at my food purchases. But seeing as I am originally from NY, cynicism is in my bones. (Is that another terrible thing to say? Just how many people am I willing to offend today?) Kingsolver's tone rubbed me wrong at times. I agreed with her, but still wanted to say, "Would you get off your high horse lady?!" The book is worth a read, but be prepared to disagree with some of it.
Back to the Carlson book. Carlson's book is acclaimed for having started "the environmental movement" in the 60s. Carlson was a trained biologist and writer who was very concerned about what large chemical companies were (are) doing to the environment. She writes in a gentle style, telling it as it is, not "getting on a high horse." Her language is simplistic, so even the non-biologists can understand it. I am appalled by example after example of ways we tampered with the environment without considering the consequences in the mid-twentieth century.
More than that, the book made me start thinking about the environment today. Do I really know anything about the chemicals I use? The pesticides and fertilizers, the dish soap, the makeup? How do I know if I should believe that it is safe, even when it says so? How do I know the Roundup I used to kill the invasive weed last year isn't now in my well water? How stable is that chemical? Does it dissipate or will it now be around forever? How healthy is the soil where I plan to grow organic vegetables this year? Will they really be organic after the lawn service was here last year and who knows what happened to this land before I moved here? Beyond global warming, our planet is in danger from the inside out. If we kill the good organisms in our soils, if we pollute them with chemicals beyond repair, we will have no food to eat and water to drink. It would take millions of years for our bodies to adapt to the changes we are causing in the environment. And we wonder why so many people are getting cancer today...we wonder why so many people have food intolerances and this disorder and that disorder.
So, all this thinking is a far cry from my training as an archivist (a person who works with historical records.) I never thought I would become an environmental activist. I attended earth day rallies, composted, and cleaned up garbage in my neighborhood, but now I've heard the call to do more. I think I'm declaring it today. I am an activist. I will seek organizations to support with my time and will use my vote to save the earth and my daughter's future....then I'll go read a funny story...
(I also promise that I'll post pretty pictures tomorrow)
Monday, April 14, 2008
Going Natural
For me, last year was all about meeting other gardeners and learning how they garden. This year it will be about going completely organic...or as much as I can as I learn how to do it. (I already missed the organic seed bandwagon - buying hybrids and then learning about heirlooms and seedsavers. DOH! But learning is a process.)
Last year I set out on an adventure to interview fellow gardeners. I've written about it a few times in this blog. (See postings related to my book "The Gardener's Soul" if you would like to read more.) One day, I stood in the garden photographing flowers thinking about my own gardening and art. I love flowers. I garden for the sheer joy and comfort of it. Flowers to me represent everything good about life. They make me happy... I had an epiphany. Others must spend a lot of time in their gardens thinking about why they do it too! I decided to ask. I posted a notice in my favorite garden center, asking gardeners to contact me if they were interested in participating in a project that would lead to a book and exhibit. I photographed and interviewed 14 women in their gardens and spent the winter writing about the experience.
In the course of writing, I also did a lot of research. I read about women gardeners over the history of time. I read about spirituality and gardening. I read many musings on gardening, gardener's correspondence, books on ecology, books on growing your own food. Above all, my readings and my meetings with gardeners last year impressed upon me the importance of conservation. I have always leaned toward organic gardening, but I think I have crossed a threshold. I am currently reading "Silent Spring" by Rachel Carson, which in my opinion should be required reading for all high school students. It took me until my thirties to read it. I am moved to do something about man's abuse of the earth. Starting in my own backyard, I will change things.
Last year I set out on an adventure to interview fellow gardeners. I've written about it a few times in this blog. (See postings related to my book "The Gardener's Soul" if you would like to read more.) One day, I stood in the garden photographing flowers thinking about my own gardening and art. I love flowers. I garden for the sheer joy and comfort of it. Flowers to me represent everything good about life. They make me happy... I had an epiphany. Others must spend a lot of time in their gardens thinking about why they do it too! I decided to ask. I posted a notice in my favorite garden center, asking gardeners to contact me if they were interested in participating in a project that would lead to a book and exhibit. I photographed and interviewed 14 women in their gardens and spent the winter writing about the experience.
In the course of writing, I also did a lot of research. I read about women gardeners over the history of time. I read about spirituality and gardening. I read many musings on gardening, gardener's correspondence, books on ecology, books on growing your own food. Above all, my readings and my meetings with gardeners last year impressed upon me the importance of conservation. I have always leaned toward organic gardening, but I think I have crossed a threshold. I am currently reading "Silent Spring" by Rachel Carson, which in my opinion should be required reading for all high school students. It took me until my thirties to read it. I am moved to do something about man's abuse of the earth. Starting in my own backyard, I will change things.
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