Weeds were growing everywhere now, and starting to turn brown. I always checked the water meter box in the alley to make sure it was clear of them; otherwise I might get another reprimand from the city. This time it was clear of weeds. But the ground around it was wet, and the concrete boxContinue reading “Post 73: Retrenchment”
Tag Archives: sustainability
Post 72: Pain or Plastic?
Even before I sold my car eighteen years ago, I liked riding my bicycle around town—to get places and to get exercise. So I thought the Camelback was a cool invention, though I’d never tried one. A soft plastic bag within a small backpack with a long, flexible straw coming out of it, so youContinue reading “Post 72: Pain or Plastic?”
Post 70: Fighting the Power (with Dandelions)
I hope I’m allowed to echo the slogan/chant/battle cry Fight the Power, even though I’m an old white lady and this refrain emerged from decades of Black energy, music, protest, and vulnerability. There is still a power that needs to be fought, and its domain has, over time, expanded rather than narrowed. Governments, corporations, and certain celebratedContinue reading “Post 70: Fighting the Power (with Dandelions)”
Post 67: Is There Really a Goddess of Reuse?
This post is about the Goddess of Reuse. You have to wade through some text to get to her, but it’s worth it. I was still young and good-looking when I installed my gutters. It was 1998, and my permaculture teachers had just answered a question I’d had since moving to Tucson: Was it worthContinue reading “Post 67: Is There Really a Goddess of Reuse?”
Post 64: Guilt
Do you feel guilty when you sin? I’m not talking about when you break one of the Ten Commandments. Following the letter of these ancient laws is not the societal concern that it used to be. You probably don’t think much about keeping your graven images in check, or coveting your neighbor’s spouse, or makingContinue reading “Post 64: Guilt”
Post 63: Teeny Halloweeny Post
This entry will be short, in honor of the “holiday.” Beware the poison! Have you noticed the two kinds of pumpkins—Jack-o-lantern pumpkins and pie pumpkins? I used to eat my jack-o-lanterns after Halloween. Then a friend told me the pumpkins they sold for that purpose had less stringent regulations than pie pumpkins because they wereContinue reading “Post 63: Teeny Halloweeny Post”
Post 60: People Bought These 10 Items! You Won’t Believe What Happened Next!
Not buying stuff adds up to real money. It doesn’t always seem like it, when the refused purchase is something small, but it does add up. I was able to retire at age 49—even without Social Security and Medicare. It wasn’t like I was making the big bucks; I think the most I ever madeContinue reading “Post 60: People Bought These 10 Items! You Won’t Believe What Happened Next!”
Post 59: An Open Letter to President Biden on the IRA
Note from Kay: Thanks, friends, for visiting again today. This is the last of my weekly posts; you’ll be hearing from me every other week for a while. I’ll let you know when the book is done. Maybe there will be a deal for New Stuff Sucks readers. So: ¡No te vayas! Forget about theContinue reading “Post 59: An Open Letter to President Biden on the IRA”
Post 56. Tandemonium
Guest post by Anna Mirocha From Kay: When I first went carless, my daughter was 10. I bought us an old tandem bicycle to get around town. She was too young to fully appreciate my planetary concerns, or the fact that we’d save money, or the exercise benefits. It was a case of the parentContinue reading “Post 56. Tandemonium”
Post 55: My Top 10 Best Alley Finds Ever (Outdoor Edition)
Looking at the examples below, you might think I spend my days prowling the alleys. Not true. It’s great exercise, but I also go for walks via the neighborhood streets. I hit the alleys maybe once every couple of months, adding an extra trip if I’m looking for something in particular. On those occasions IContinue reading “Post 55: My Top 10 Best Alley Finds Ever (Outdoor Edition)”
New Stuff Sucks 