Sustainable Living in Small Steps

We used to think that caring for our Father’s world was a matter of a few big choices.  We’d drive a smarter car; install solar panels; re-insulate the house -- you know, big things.  Over time, however, we’ve come to appreciate how many little choices go into developing a sustainable life – and how many more we’re discovering every day or week.  They range from collecting acorns for sprouting new oaks, to reading the paper electronically, to purchasing groceries with the least packaging waste, to leaving the dishwasher out of our kitchen regimen, and enjoying vacation time closer to home. 

This Christmas, Barbara Elwood made beautiful (and reusable) fabric gift bags for all our presents.  No more Christmas wrapping paper for the Elwood family – ever again.  Little choices, yes.  But thousands of them.

For the most part, however, it all began with the backyard clothesline. Years ago, we learned the pleasure of leaving the power-hungry clothes dryer shut down cold: summer or winter, our laundry dried out on the line.  Sub-freezing temperatures?  No problem.  They dry just the same.

Winter ice doesn't stop Barbara from sustainable laundry practices.

Sadly, not every day is a good day for drying clothes.  This winter, we’ve seen some pretty long spells of wet, gray, cold weather.  But Barbara is unfazed.  She keeps three simple drying racks in the house.  Usually, she uses them for socks and undies.  But on wet, cold days, they’re pressed into service for everything from shirts to sheets.  Here’s where you can find one for about $28:  http://www.amazon.com/Robbins-Home-Goods-HG-302-clothes/dp/B0029OL2W0.

$28 drying rack.

Another clever way of beating the winter weather is the retractable clothesline.  For only ten bucks, you can get one of these for a bathroom, or any utility space you’ve got.  When you’re not using the line, you’ll hardly know it’s there.  Click here to see one:  http://www.amazon.com/Jerdon-First-CL1-Retractable-Clothesline/dp/B001DKQ3HA/ref=sr_1_2?s=home-garden&ie=UTF8&qid=1295667384&sr=1-2

There’s even a website entirely devoted to drying the laundry without carbon emissions or harm to the creation.  Click here for a look:  http://www.urbanclotheslines.com/

$10 retractable line

And since we’re always looking for ways to tread more lightly upon God’s good earth, maybe you could share your favorite new ideas with us.  We’ll happily collect them, and put them together in a future post for all our readers.

Thanks for reading, and may God bless you.

J. Elwood

Follow @John_Elwood