Does your neighbor who just bought a “hybrid” car, complain when you hang clothes out to dry?
One of the things I like most about Seattle and The Pacific Northwest generally, is the sincere desire to improve. Improve the environment, improve the quality of life, not only for themselves but for those around them.
…and they can smell BS from a mile away!
Seems to me that every time the subject of Green Homes comes up, there’s some new and more costly “green” improvement. Or some “green” label that is supposed to make “the product” sell at a higher price as a result. A marketing “gimmick”.
I write this post in an effort to share “real” green living tips. I am so NOT a “green” expert, and I’m very hopeful that others will join in here. I am however a strong proponent of “Waste not; Want not” and rewarding people with “the right why”.
I grew up in the days when everyone hung their heaviest clothes out to dry. We had clothes dryers, but we were also conscious of how much energy it took to dry a pair of jeans. We also knew our jeans kept their color and lasted longer if we hung them to dry vs. putting them in the clothes dryer.
When my children were small, we had a huge vegetable garden. Way too many vegetables for us to eat ourselves. I remember having the girls fill up the little red wagon with cucumbers and tomatos and green peppers. We went door to door and gave each of our neighbors a few days worth of our produce. I also remember the surprise when the neighbors realized it wasn’t a “business” for the children, and the vegetables were gifts and free.
Given the state of the economy, I’d like to add a proponent of Cost Factor. My idea of “recovery” is to find a happy medium, not to get back to where we once were. I actually WANT the economy to stay down, and for people to adjust their lifestyle accordingly. The Age of Greed and Excess is over. Even for those with plenty of money, it is no longer fashionable to flaunt that fact. Even celebrities suddenly realize that every dollar they waste on more bling, would have been better spent feeding a hungry child.
Yes, businesses will fail. But maybe it’s time a business that sold a baked potato for $8 SHOULD fail. What did it cost them? A dime?
The #1 thing you can do is to be authentic in your approach. Don’t spend more for something just because you can finance it. (Yes, that includes real estate commissions.) Treat every dollar you make and spend as a “public trust” to improve the world around you. It’s a lofty goal and change doesn’t happen overnight. Instead of looking down your nose at a neighbor who hangs a pair of jeans on the line outside, look down your nose at a neighbor who has a beautiful lawn that they water twice a day.
1) Remove all clothesline bans
It always amazes me that the same people who don’t want the government putting restrictions on their lives, will be the first to complain if they see a neighbor hanging a sheet or blanket on a clothesline. I’m not sure why you never see people hanging clothes out on a nice day, but if it’s because they are “not allowed” to do that…change that.
2) Grow something from the seeds of that which you have already grown.
What a wonderful lesson for children. When my children were small, we always visited their great grandparents and great aunts and uncles who lived in another State in the Fall. I am reminded of this everytime I pass by the many marigolds on display today. We used to “bring the relatives home with us” by collecting the dead flower heads…the portion that contained the new seeds. We would put them in a paper bag when we collected them, and we would plant them the next spring at our home. While we only saw those relatives once a year, we added them to our daily lives and thoughts via “seed collecting”. Here’s a good “how to” on collecting seeds and having new plants from something you have already grown. I learned this from my mother. A wonderful tradition to hand down from generation to generation. My grandmother used to collect and cook dandelion greens (with sausage and pasta sauce), but I’m not sure we’re quite ready for that lesson 🙂
Another fabulous idea for a housewarming gift is to split your bulbs and bring a free and lasting gift to a new neighbor, or even plant them in your local traffic circle. You want to be careful to time this appropriately, as the “green” of the plant feeds the bulbs, so you don’t want to simply “dead head” and dig up when the blossom fades. But what a wonderful gift! Nature gives you abundance by mulitplying itself! Yet how often do we dig up the bulbs and plant this new gift of nature, vs. going to the local garden store to buy bulbs? Something to think about.
3) Get some exercise while helping someone in need
There is recently a huge public outcry regarding the unkempt appearance of homes in foreclosure. Sometimes the home is vacant. Sometimes the distressed homeowner is having difficulty paying their utility and trash bills. Even if the owner can go out and pile up the yard waste, they may not have the means of disposing that yard waste due to unpaid trash bills. (Recent example I have witnessed first hand.)
Every “help” organization: Senior Centers, Hopelink, any and all organizations that help the disabled, should have a list of people who can use a lending hand with their yardwork. If every person traded just one day at the gym, for some honest “helping hand” physical labor, the world would be a better place.
In many, many ways we are talking about replacing bad thoughts with good ones. Instead of complaining about the neighbor’s yard, assume there is a very good reason why they can’t do what they are not doing.
Don’t ever offer to “fix” someone’s something, as that is a negative “judgement”. Instead, ask if the neighbor might help YOU by allowing you to do some of their needed yardwork. Explain how you need more exercise, or how much you love to garden and you have no gardening left at your place that needs doing.
Remember that when you help someone, you do so by asking them to help you..because the real joy is in the giving.
Ardell- Here’s one of the latest examples of what you mention above-“GreenWashing”- the “iHouse”. Heavily hyped- http://www.lottaliving.com/bb/viewtopic.php?t=14496
Wise words Ardell… I have already adopted my elderly neighbors and shovel their walks and driveway in the winter and help with heavy lifts. I think if everyone adopted a neighbor in need we would solve a lot of the worlds ills.
Thanks for stopping by, Marvin. I agree. How great would a “buddy system” be? Wow…that moves my mind in all new directions!
Jerry,
That link seems to be pointing to something you don’t like. In the spirit of this post let’s stay positive and show me something you DO like! Would appreciate it!
Ardell- As always good advice. My admittably negative comment was in response to your as always pithy- “…and they can smell BS from a mile away!”. As you know, “Green Building” has been applied to a lot of unGreen things. Now here’s a positive JG Comment- I’m very impressed with the completely redone RainCityGuide. Jerry
🙂
Ardell,
Great topic, thank you for posting it!
I’d recommend banding together with like-minded individuals and participate in one of the many neighborhood sustainability groups around the Puget Sound region. You can find your local group at:
http://scallopswa.org/
These groups often offer both education and action projects that can help make your home and neighborhood more environmentally, economically and socially sustainable.
Also, the EOS Alliance also just announced their “Green Blocks” program which is trying to bring neighbors together to “green” their whole block. They are offering eligible participants energy audits and some energy efficiency measures free of charge, as well as:
“Each participating home owner will receive a report outlining home performance; recommended improvements; applicable grants, rebates, and tax incentives; and available services and training”
If you live in Seattle and can gather up some of your neighbors, this is a VERY worthwhile endeavor to participate in:
http://eosalliance.org/green_blocks_pilot/home.html
Clotheslines are great, as is growing your own food as Ardell suggests. If you are replacing a car, do consider a hybrid or at least one that gets significantly better gas milage than your old car. Many (if not most) of us hybrid owners don’t frown upon clotheslines or “real” green efforts. I equally frown upon large SUVs used to allow one person to commute to their job or drive around the city all day as I do upon the people who water their lawn (or sidewalk! – really, brooms work quite well). Mostly though, I try to lead by example… I use mass transit, walk or bike most of the time, live in a pretty small home, grow some of my own food, and generally live below my means – but in positive and rewarding ways.
Another big thing you can do is if moving, think about living in a smaller space. Does a family of 3 really need 3,000+ square feet? Or a couple need 2500sq ft? The answer for most people is “not really”, and simplifying your life by reducing the amount of “stuff” you have is often rewarding in many ways. (No, I’m not saying get rid of everything and live in a fridge box, but slimming down is often good for you and good for the rest of the planet).
Again – great topic, and I hope this becomes a pretty active thread here on RCG. I too like the redesign in general!
Hi Gene,
I see from email that your comment got trapped in the spam filter, so I’m posting this comment to pull it back up in the sidebar.
My “green” ideas are pretty “old fashioned”, but I’m realizing that what was normal in my day may make a comeback. So for those who may not have seen some things I did growing up poor :), I’ll try to add them from time to time.
So are you ready for my grandmother’s recipe for using dandelion greens? Or is that too over the top?
Hey Ardell,
I have had dishes with dandelion greens once or twice actually. Not my favorite (a little bitter), but certainly edible. Feel free to post the recipe.. 🙂
Of course this will get me started on the nation’s largest crop and how much water and fertilizer this crop uses…. grass/lawns. (not that most people cultivate dandelions as part of their lawn…:) 🙂
But there are good alternatives to having a lawn, including growing your own food, or creating a Wildlife Habitat using native plants:
http://www.nwf.org/gardenforwildlife/create.cfm
Which can be much lower maintenance, use less water and no persticides/fertilizer, etc.
The Alki area in West Seattle was just certified as a “Community Wildlife Habitat” by the National Wildlife Federation:
http://westseattleblog.com/blog/?p=17147
Moving away from lawns, to edible, native species is also pretty old-school. I personally find native plants, veggies, fruit trees, etc. to be much more beautiful than the “putting green” lawns we often find in the city.
Gene
Ardell,
Great topic, thank you for posting it!
I’d recommend banding together with like-minded individuals and participate in one of the many neighborhood sustainability groups around the Puget Sound region. You can find your local group at:
http://scallopswa.org/
These groups often offer both education and action projects that can help make your home and neighborhood more environmentally, economically and socially sustainable.
Also, the EOS Alliance also just announced their “Green Blocks” program which is trying to bring neighbors together to “green” their whole block. They are offering eligible participants energy audits and some energy efficiency measures free of charge, as well as:
“Each participating home owner will receive a report outlining home performance; recommended improvements; applicable grants, rebates, and tax incentives; and available services and training”
If you live in Seattle and can gather up some of your neighbors, this is a VERY worthwhile endeavor to participate in:
http://eosalliance.org/green_blocks_pilot/home.html
Clotheslines are great, as is growing your own food as Ardell suggests. If you are replacing a car, do consider a hybrid or at least one that gets significantly better gas milage than your old car. Many (if not most) of us hybrid owners don’t frown upon clotheslines or “real” green efforts. I equally frown upon large SUVs used to allow one person to commute to their job or drive around the city all day as I do upon the people who water their lawn (or sidewalk! – really, brooms work quite well). Mostly though, I try to lead by example… I use mass transit, walk or bike most of the time, live in a pretty small home, grow some of my own food, and generally live below my means – but in positive and rewarding ways.
Another big thing you can do is if moving, think about living in a smaller space. Does a family of 3 really need 3,000+ square feet? Or a couple need 2500sq ft? The answer for most people is “not really”, and simplifying your life by reducing the amount of “stuff” you have is often rewarding in many ways. (No, I’m not saying get rid of everything and live in a fridge box, but slimming down is often good for you and good for the rest of the planet).
Again – great topic, and I hope this becomes a pretty active thread here on RCG. I too like the redesign in general!
Excellent post. I completely agree Ardell. That is why I am such a big proponent of allowing the housing bubble to reset.
Let’s get back to housing prices based on fundamentals (like income!)and rational lending standards. (and a healthy market)
Right now, the stategy seems to be the opposite, keep mortgage rates artificially low, provide tax credits etc. This top-down stategy helps the banks, builders, powerful interests etc.
The bailout needs to go to the consumer – principal reductions, speeding foreclosures, short sales etc. Perhaps allowing these without damage to credit scores etc. People who shouldn’t have bought (or bought so much) can downsize or rent.
Propping up a bubble will only result in a more slow, painful process. Then America can get back to producing, innovating and moving forward. (ie. real stuff, not just financial “innovations”)
We already have an oversupply of indifferent housing, let’s hope “America can get back to producing, innovating and moving forward. (ie. real stuff, not just financial “innovations
Folks interested in legalizing hanging laundry from the line should check out http://www.laundrylist.org/ My old college pal Alex Lee has made this his calling and has worked to create a movement around this one simple change.
Thanks Geordie!
Geordie,
Haven’t had time to read it, but yes, seems to be exactly what I’m talking about. I saved it as a favorite and joined the site so I can read it later when I get a little more time.
“My idea of “recovery
I certainly hope “The Age of Greed and Excess is over…
If anyone is good at video in the Seattle Area or Eastside and would be willing to film some how to videos, I can demonstrate a few of the things we talk about on the green theme. Some things would be better explained by video, like the marigold seeds. Cracks me up that people buy these every year when they are so easy to grow from your own seeds, and the seeds last about two years.
Same thing with splitting bulbs. A little 10 minute video would go a long way. I’m just not very good at editing and posting videos. I can take them with a flip camera…but I can’t edit them or get them out of the camrea 🙂
Jerry,
I agree that aesthetics and beauty should be a part of “green” and that many things labeled as “green” are from it. One of the things I’ve become interested in lately is retrofitting older homes and I know you’re a fan of (or specialize in?) mid-century modern homes. Are there any particular challenges or opportunities you can relate to us about making this style of home more energy efficient or “green”? (I’m a big fan of the style as well, so I do have some self-interest in asking this question.)
Thanks!
Gene
Gene- Green is keen- but you don’t have to be mean- to yourself- to enjoy the benefits. My Prius is one of the nicest cars I’ve ever owned and my jgWebSite shows our 2400 sq. Ft. home with lots of glass looking out into our large garden- also shown are many of my “Green enough” home projects.
(Click) http://jgropp2.googlepages.com/alterationsanadditions
Ardell, what an excellent topic!
The evolution of termnology is interesting as well.
The frugal habits that I was taught a kid are no longer “frugal”, they are now considered “Green”.
My mother taught me to save large pieces of aluminum foil for a 2nd use. We used to put our garbage out in paper bags. Empty milk cartons were used as freezer containers as there were no zip locks and yes . . . you only used the dryer on rainy days! Clothes always hung on the line! To this day I love to hang sheets and towels on the line.
We were always taught to look out for those who were not able to fend for themselves. I used to rake the yard of our aging neighbor in the fall.
I am thrilled to now be part of the in crowd. My life is ‘green’. Funny . . I didn’t even have to change a thing.
Not that this has much to do with real estate, it’s just something that I’ve thought much about and never really vocalized. Thanks for the opportunity!
Marcy Spieker
Marcy- “Greenwashing” goes on apace- especially in the spec homebuilding industry. Let’s all hope common sense makes a comeback soon.
Ardell, what an excellent topic!
The evolution of termnology is interesting as well.
The frugal habits that I was taught a kid are no longer “frugal”, they are now considered “Green”.
My mother taught me to save large pieces of aluminum foil for a 2nd use. We used to put our garbage out in paper bags. Empty milk cartons were used as freezer containers as there were no zip locks and yes . . . you only used the dryer on rainy days! Clothes always hung on the line! To this day I love to hang sheets and towels on the line.
We were always taught to look out for those who were not able to fend for themselves. I used to rake the yard of our aging neighbor in the fall.
I am thrilled to now be part of the in crowd. My life is ‘green’. Funny . . I didn’t even have to change a thing.
Not that this has much to do with real estate, it’s just something that I’ve thought much about and never really vocalized. Thanks for the opportunity!
Marcy Spieker
Marcy,
Loving your comment and the brown bag trash is making me think we should have a big comeback of trash compactors.
Up to my eyeballs in alligators…but wanted to pop in and tell you how much I enjoyed your comment. I’ll come back and read it and respond more fully when I get a breather.
I can’t imagine using a compactor here in Seattle – since almost everything is recyclable, or compostable these days. Amount the only thing that goes in the trash is real plastic packaging. Basically anything that is organic matter can be composted (even shredded paper, meat, dairy, etc.).
Maybe 15% of the “waste” we produce at home ends up in the trash these days, and even less most weeks. With a compactor I probably wouldn’t have to take the trash out more than once every two months. 🙂
Jerry,
You did a great job on your home, it is beautiful. I’m personally looking for something a bit smaller (in the 1200sq ft range, rather than the 2400sq range). I’ve found that the more space we have, the more stuff we tend to accumulate – and I’ve really enjoyed living much more simply over the past 2 years.
The smaller space is also a good way to save on energy (both the embedded energy in the building and especially on long term energy usage). I’m not quite in to the whole tiny house scene, but I do appreciate smaller places that are designed to use space well.
Thanks,
Gene
Hi Gene- Thanks for your kind words. We’ve been fortunate in always having the right size house. For many years we had both a 540sf Lopez Island weekend place plus a 5000sf kid-raising barn on Mercer Island which averaged out. (Click)
https://knol.google.com/k/jerry-gropp-architect-aia/a-lopez-island-washington-seaside/246qxuxd260sm/11#
Jerry,
You did a great job on your home, it is beautiful. I’m personally looking for something a bit smaller (in the 1200sq ft range, rather than the 2400sq range). I’ve found that the more space we have, the more stuff we tend to accumulate – and I’ve really enjoyed living much more simply over the past 2 years.
The smaller space is also a good way to save on energy (both the embedded energy in the building and especially on long term energy usage). I’m not quite in to the whole tiny house scene, but I do appreciate smaller places that are designed to use space well.
Thanks,
Gene
I saw a fabulous blog post about rainwater catching containers that you use to water the grass in dry spells. Then I heard they were “illegal” in some places. Anyone know anything about containers that catch rain water for outside use?