Meme Monday. It's got a purpose.

People think responsibility is hard to bear. It's not. I think that sometimes it is the absence of responsibility that is harder to bear. You have a great feeling of impotence.
~ Dr. Henry Kissinger

Fun fact: I am a liberal.

Yeah, I know. Guess what else? Water is wet and birds (save for a couple of exceptions) fly.

Miss Janey’s left-leaning tendencies are not exactly a secret – I’ve been called, more than once “everyone’s favorite liberal.” In a few cases, I’m the ONLY liberal some people know (remember where I live, y’all. I’m not a member of the Religious Left for nothing. ) I’ve a friend who swears there’s a file on me and my “activities” in some government building. The fact that I bought and now proudly display a phone that was used in a KGB building in Moscow during the Cold War pretty much probably confirms this.

My liberal interests over the years have been mostly regulated to the social issues (don’t get me started…) and fiscal side of things. That’s not to say that I didn’t care about the other prong in the liberal trifecta – the environment. But my passions lay elsewhere. I’ve protested, written letters, worn ribbons, donated time and finances.

Until that damn methane bubble went and blew. Spewing oil into my beloved Gulf of Mexico. That did it.

The toll this disaster is going to take on so many aspects of the economy of the Gulf region can’t even begin to be counted yet. Not sure how I’m going to help here – but I’m going to lend a hand somehow. Might be something as simple as donating Dawn (the blue kind) to help clean our precious Florida wildlife. Might be something more – something where Will can participate too. But I want to help in some way.

Because saving the environment just got personal.

And, as I am wont to do pretty much anytime when my eyes are open, I got to thinking. About being a better world citizen. About the little changes I can make in how I conduct the business of living my life.

So today I made a point to haul my grocery tote bags with us as Will and I did our post-school run to the store. He likes ‘em, as they are easier for him to help carry.

Today I also began participating in a little initiative helmed by Sir Paul McCartney and his daughters called Meat Free Monday. To quote the site: Meat Free Monday is an environmental campaign to raise awareness of the climate-changing impact of meat production and consumption. Many people are unaware that livestock production is responsible for 18% of global greenhouse gas emissions – that’s more than the entire transport sector.

As I am the OCG (Original Carnivore Girl), this was a challenge for me to even consider participating. But I made it. I think it will be a mutually beneficial exercise for me, the world and Sir Paul.

And in honor of Meme Monday, I found quite serendipitously this meme about my eco-habits. I’ve answered honestly – and while I’m a little ashamed of some of my responses, it’s nice to know exactly where I have opportunities to grow in this area. No, I’m not going to take off for parts unknown on a Greenpeace boat or become a full time vegetarian (not that there’s anything wrong with that.) or start a hemp wardrobe. But I am going to be more aware of what I do and how I do it.

Because it’s now personal.

Be the change you want to see in the world.
~ Mahatma Gandhi

Do you recycle?
No, but I should. I discovered just a couple of days ago that the neighborhood recycle area is about five minutes from the house. No excuses. I do now read the paper on line and on my Kindle. So there’s that.

Do you do you laundry with hot or cold water?
Cold, with warm for whites.

What kind of light bulbs are in your house?
For the most part, they’re the energy efficient ones. I think. We’re still moving in and I’m getting used to the joint.

Do you compost?
No – but I’m thinking about it. There’s space in the new backyard to set something up. On the list to research.

What kind of vehicle do you drive?
A Honda Pilot.

Do you use plastic or reusable bags when grocery shopping?
I’ll fess up – I had been using the plastic ones. Yeah. I know. But now that the reusable ones are found, deployed and back in the care, I’m on that track.

What are three ways you conserve energy?
*I try to turn off lights when we’re not in that room. However, the Junior Member of the Household like to flip switches on and off. I mean well
*I take super efficient showers with pretty cool water.
*I try to run major appliances during non peak-hours. Doesn’t always happen that way, but again – I mean well.


Away, away, from men and towns,
To the wild wood and the downs,
To the silent wilderness,
Where the soul need not repress
Its music.
~ Percy Bysshe Shelley "To Jane, The Invitation"