Tuesday, May 22

Dim-able CFLs

Hi all - back from Vegas and full of lofty thoughts. I'm working on writing about that, but I'm gonna focus on the practical to get grounded again.

I finally found some dim-able screw-in CFLs, though not at Lowe's, Ace, Home Depot, Wal-mart, or the family owned hardware store in Boulder. I got them from Amazon. This is listed as an 8-pack, it comes as 4 two packs, though lovingly packed. I put five of them in my dim-able hanging lamp and they work pretty darn well. They come on at the same point the incandescents do. They do hum if not turned all the way up, but that's a good reminder to ask myself whether I'm ready to turn the light all the way off. Four more bulbs and a fixture to change on the main floor and then it will be incandescent-free.

I think my next culprit is the fridge. The meter out back runs twice as fast on an 80-degree day with the fridge running than it does without. Plus, when I put my hand in the center of the freezer door it is notably cooler than the air around it which means insulation would help.

I will be getting my first delivery of food from Coastalfields this week. Looks like they have mostly greens right now. I used to enjoy early carrot and radish greens from a friend's garden plot, so I'm looking forward to discovering what's in the box when it gets here.

Thursday, May 17

Blogger ate my post

Blogger ate my post yesterday -- twice -- and I'm running around getting ready for a trip today. I am bringing my ancient laptop with me and am planning to update from the road... but if not, I'll be back Tuesday, with a report on my first delivery from Coastal Fields.

I am following through with the initial stages of the CitizenRE ReNU program. There are still lots of hurdles, but I think it makes sense for me, right now, to lease a system instead of buying one. More on that later.

Have a great weekend and if I don't post before then, see you Tuesday!

Wednesday, May 16

Quote of the day

Ask yourself whether you are happy and you cease to be so.
- John Stuart Mill

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Welcome

NotSoBigLiving is the story of a woman inspired by Sarah Susanka, Bill McKibben, Airstreams, Tumbleweed houses, Mennonites, Jimmy Carter, hippies, survivalists, Anasazi, Pema Chodron and Joko Beck, Scott Peck, Buckminster Fuller, and Al Gore to see what she can do to reduce her carbon footprint in her mid-80's suburban townhome. Strategies include roommates, alternative travel, organic eating, planting a victory garden, mindfulness, and a belly full of laughter.