The Compact

A few weeks ago there was an article in the newspaper about something called "The Compact". There is a group of people in San Francisco who started The Compact. The idea is to buy nothing new for one year to support recycling, reusing and to go against consumerism. Think about all the stuff in the world. I have way too much stuff in my basement, in my garage, on my night stand, under my bed. Everywhere! I don't NEED any more stuff. And when I go to Target and see that cute shirt for only $9.99 I have to say no.

I've been trying to do this since January 6. There are no hard and fast rules - the San Fran people have general guidelines, and they are relaxed about the so called rules because they are from California after all.

So, here are the rules. Buy nothing new except food. If you really NEED something, barter, trade, or buy it used.

Here are some ways that I've managed to make it work:

1) buy food for gifts (chocolates, wine, candy)
2) make cards
3) DON'T go to Target - go to the crappy neighborhood Walgreens instead
4) Everytime you say no to the cute shirt in the groovy Boden catalogue take a moment to feel good about what you've just done
5) Tell people - they will hold you to it and keep you on track by asking how it's going
6) Let yourself make exceptions

I will keep you updated on my progress. So far this year I have purchased some non-food items, but no clothes.

Which Is It?

Politics. Exciting, envigorating, depressing. When I delve into things I see how naive I am about so many things and I'm just an average person. It frightens me to think how uninformed we all are. And how does one become informed in an unbiased way? Who can we trust?

The war is about oil. Haven't we all heard that many times? What does it mean? It seems to me that it means that the war is about power and greed - specifically, American power and greed. We are in Iraq to get the oil. It is not about democracy or terrorism or any wmd (at least that is clear to everyone now). Check out Antonia Juhasz's editorial in the NYT. www.nytimes.com/2007/03/13/opinion/13juhasz.html. Her message is powerful. Just as powerful as the one that has been painted of the big bad terrorists and middle east oil barrens. Which is it?

Her answer to the oil problem. Stop driving. Is that possible?

Here is something you can do that is both good for you and good for the world. http://www.freerice.com check it out.

Be good to everyone. Be good in each moment. Make the hard choice. Smile when you don't feel like it. The next time you want to give the finger to the jerk who cut you off on 35W, give a smile with the peace sign. Be the peace in the world. Really. It's up to YOU.

A New Year

Always maintain a joyful mind. Try the mantra. Today I practiced this mantra. About 50% of the time I wake up angry or glum. Today I woke and said the mantra. It helped me to read it and say it several times. As I went through my day I forced my mind back to the words. At one time in the day someone said to me, "You seem different today - so joyful, what's up?" Isn't that cool?

My teenage kids and I went to the MLK concert at my church on Sunday. I sang in the choir with G and it was quite fun and moving. My kids went reluctantly. They ARE teenagers. But later that day when I was using the computer I saw that my son had downloaded a song from iTunes that he had heard at the concert. Happiness.

Life is filled with sweetness. Look for it. Let it in.

What To Do?

John is coming home from school next week and Miss Mary and I are baking cookies on Saturday. What more does one want than two happy healthy children who sort of like to hang around with me still?

Would you rather a chocolate kiss on your peanut butter cookie or would you rather have a real kiss followed by a peanut butter sandwich?

Catching My Breath

How does life get so busy? Mary and I returned safely from our college trip - a trip that was fun and informative and bonding for us. I went to Texas for a school/work conference on something called Disciplinary Literacy right after I got back from the college trip. It was hard work and enlightening and it was difficult to go back to work after both trips and try to figure out the day-to-day stuff. Then I watched a movie called Blood Diamond and am in the middle of reading Into the Wild and I feel like I should be putting it all together and changing my life in some meaningful way. It seems like I'm getting hints at what turn to take next - but the voice is not quite loud enough. Am I too tired to hear it? Does it seem like too much work? Maybe I'm just not ready. What is it I'm trying to get ready for? It's true - I have been blessed to be born into the life I have. I know that and I feel a heavy obligation some days and other days it feels more like hopeful optimism.

A couple of weeks ago, John paid me a surprise visit from his college far far away. I was thrilled to see him, tears were shed. What a good boy! In the car ride on the way to the airport he said, "I am so confused about life. I mean, what am I supposed to be doing?" I told him he was to be doing exactly what he was doing. Being confused, muddling through, figuring it out, being 19. He's doing a fine job.

Mary applied to 4 schools yesterday. She wrote a couple of heart warming essays and cranked out the answers to the usual questions. It was taxing but she stuck it out. What a good girl! She is on the cusp of the confusion. I think she is ready for it.

Would you rather be allergic to socks or your mother?

College Search Extravaganza

In the last two days my daughter and I have visted 8 colleges. Tomorrow we hope to see 2 or 3 more. The colors are peaking or maybe just a little over and it has been a beautiful trip. We have driven through rolling hills and flat cornfields. We have driven through pouring rain and towards a rainbow. Today there were small patches of blue throughout the day. We have had our share of arguments about directions and snacks and who stinks the most - but we always manage to end up laughing our heads off.

Many of the schools on this trip have been complete "unknowns" to us. My daughter has been happily surprised at how much she has liked most of the schools we have visited even though they have been unique. Big, small, urban, rural, specific, general. I think the girl is delighted at the prospect of college. It is really there for her to take and explore. What a cool place to be at 17.

Would you rather go to college or the moon?

Thursday

I am off to see the world of Wisconsin colleges with my daughter. Road trips are thrilling - there's the snacks, the map reading, the watching for signs, the 20 questions in the car, and the gas station bathroom.

Yesterday I went for a 2 hour canoe ride with some urban 8th graders. They laughed and paddled their way down the St. Croix. How is that trip down the river the same as my road trip with my daughter? There will be times when we are going in circles and worried about getting lost. But there is joy and hope in going with th current and trusting that around the next corner will be another beautiful sight to see or maybe it will be the landing for our final destination.

On a road trip would you rather have too many snacks or too few?