Small Things Count

What is “Sensible Saturday”?  It’s my name for the day of the week (every week) when I offer easy, sensible, often money-saving ways to help protect our environment.  My suggestion is always short and something that most people can do as they go about their daily lives.  Yet they’re tiny actions that, as more and more people do them, can have a big impact on our Earth.  Here’s the one for today:

How often do you need a stud-finder or multimeter?  Caulking gun, screening tool, post-hole digger? Avoid waste by borrowing from a tool lending library or renting the item.

[For more easy, money-saving, Eco-friendly tips, download a FREE copy of Green Riches: Help the Earth & Your Budget. Go to https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/7000, choose a format, and download to your computer or e-book device. For a description of the book go to My Free Books].

Only difference is the technological gadget.

 Now for this Thursday Thought: 

“The greatest threat to our planet

is the belief that someone else will save it.”

— Robert Swan

Today, March 1, begins Women’s History Month. It’s a time to look at the women who built our country, improved our lives, made this a better, more just world. Like the Suffragettes, who fought for–and won–the 19th Amendment to our Constitution, Clara Barton (founder of the Red Cross), even Janet Guthrie (first woman to drive in the Indy 500). The list is long and momentous. But how about those who are not recognized as “great”? Like moms who raise future inventors, educators, peace-negotiators, etc. Waitresses who serve a hearty breakfast to the (probably) men about to meet to make important legal or political decisions. Doctors and nurses whose skills save lives. Teachers who educate our future leaders. They, too, are women who contribute to history. They, too, deserve to be recognized for their contributions to the human family.

It’s been awhile since I shared with you the origin of a common phrase, so here I go.

To “kick the can down the road” means, of course, to put off something unpleasant or hard to deal with until a future time.

In the olden days there was a child’s game called “Kick the Can.”   A kid would kick a can full of pebbles, then run and hide.  If nobody else would play with him, he’d run up to it and kick it again.  And again.  Accomplishing nothing.  Thank to the State Dept., who used the term in the 80s when describing stalled talks with the Soviets over nuclear arms, it looks like we’re stuck with it forever in the political realm.

Take old blankets, fluffy coats, towels, pillows, and fake fur items to the animal shelter for use as bedding for the dogs and cats. This lets the shelter use their funds on other needed items and health care.  Call first to see what they accept.

For more easy, money-saving, Eco-friendly tips, download a FREE copy of Green Riches: Help the Earth & Your Budget. Go to https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/7000, choose a format, and download to your computer or e-book device. For a description of the book go to My Free Books).

If you haven’t heard, my new book is out. It’s called The Women in Me: How they Helped Me Survive and Thrive and is available in print and eBook at your favorite online book store (Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Kobo, etc.). You can read reviews there, too. New Book Authors calls it “an inspirational memoir about the influences of the women in their lives and how women can help each other with healing and coping from trauma. A highly insightful read.” For a description, direct your Web browser to SmThingsCount.com/Women-in-Me.

“Anything I can do…anything at all,” we say to the grieving friend, then leave it at that, telling ourselves we’ll be called if we’re really needed.  A crucial time to care for people is when one of them has passed from this Earth.  Those who are left behind are in too much pain to know what help to ask for, although there is an overwhelming list of tasks that need to be done.  In a way, saying “call me if there’s anything I can do” puts an additional burden on the bereaved, because they may feel they should give you a task so you feel better.  What can you do?  Mainly, be very specific in what you offer—to help make arrangements at the funeral home, go with them to pick up the deceased’s ashes, or, later on, to drop off the loved one’s belongings at the charity they supported.   This conveys the message that you really do care, that you can be depended on for the help and friendship they need whenever they need it. 

As a writer and editor and former English teacher, I’m often asked questions about grammar and punctuation. In fact, I’ve been known as the “Comma Queen,”  mainly because of my insisting that the poor little abused curvy line be respected.  So when I saw this, I couldn’t resist passing it on to you:

Let’s eat Grandpa!

Let’s eat, Grandpa!

Commas can save lives.

Just a little frivolous fun for you today…and maybe a bit of a lesson.

If you have a birdbath in your yard, clean it often by scrubbing it out with non-toxic white vinegar.  It’s healthy for the visiting birds and for the earth as a whole.

[For more easy, money-saving, Eco-friendly tips, download a FREE copy of Green Riches: Help the Earth & Your Budget. Go to https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/7000, choose a format, and download to your computer or e-book device. For a description of the book go to My Free Books).