We knew that something was going on with the neighbors across the street.

One of those large storage cubes, which sat in their driveway one weekend, was filled and hauled away the following Monday. Then, an advertised three-day estate sale—though both owners were alive and well—seemed successful, as folks arrived from 10-5 each day, most leaving with all [...]]]>

We knew that something was going on with the neighbors across the street.

One of those large storage cubes, which sat in their driveway one weekend, was filled and hauled away the following Monday. Then, an advertised three-day estate sale—though both owners were alive and well—seemed successful, as folks arrived from 10-5 each day, most leaving with all sorts of goodies…furniture, lamps, lawn mowers, ladders, tools, exercise equipment. Purchases that were too large to carry away on-the-spot were tucked into the far end of their driveway for pick-up at the buyer’s convenience. That same week, people came to look at one of their two cars, and within a couple of days, it, too, was gone. Then, this past Saturday, the forty-something couple hoisted bulging suitcases into their already full car and hit the proverbial road, and we haven’t seen them since.

Wow, we thought. Did they just do what we think they did? Did they execute a major downsizing, selling almost all to move on and forever escape the upkeep of a single family home…maintenance, cutting grass, raking leaves, cleaning gutters? Have they possibly moved out-of-state, to someplace bereft of humid summers and freezing winters? Someplace where they can ride their mountain bikes year round? Wherever they are, they definitely seemed to have had a plan, and we wish them well. And that plan is sounding awfully tempting…

And the household items that had no takers? They were left alongside a garbage can on the curb at the end of their driveway…an uninteresting chair, a broken umbrella, an overpriced walking stick, a laundry basket, a kitty’s scratching post and…a full size leather sofa. What? The leather sofa I’ve been pining for, but wouldn’t spend the money on even if I had it? The leather sofa that would replace our 15-year-old tuxedo style one with its shifting cushions, impractical fabric and ill-fitting slipcover? That leather sofa? I am a die-hard dumpster diver and love a good find, so, being about 99.9% certain that it was left for trash pickup, we took a chance and shamelessly shuffled it across the street to its new home. Despite some scratches and claw marks, mostly on one arm (from their kitty, I assume) and a broken brace that caused some sagging (which W has since fixed), it is perfectly fine and quite nice.

A new beginning, hopefully for the neighbors and most definitely for their sofa.

What kind of website would have “Earth” in its domain name, yet not have a worthy post waiting in the wings to commemorate the planet’s Big Day? Well, you’re lookin’ at it. But then I started thinking about what I’ve been up to recently and thought, okay, not a new idea for bettering the Earth, [...]]]>

What kind of website would have “Earth” in its domain name, yet not have a worthy post waiting in the wings to commemorate the planet’s Big Day? Well, you’re lookin’ at it. But then I started thinking about what I’ve been up to recently and thought, okay, not a new idea for bettering the Earth, but not always practiced either: reusing whatever we can. So I hope this doesn’t look like a lame attempt to celebrate last minute, although I am, you see, celebrating last minute…

For the past week I’ve been helping my mother pack up for an impending move, all the while putting aside things she’d like to be rid of, whether that means giving to family or friends or strangers, in need or not. Whatever my sister and I don’t take will travel on to others, hopefully filling their needs and maybe even their wants…though I can’t imagine who would want…uh, never mind. Anyway, the move is some months away, so there are more packing sessions in my future and hopefully plenty more stuff that will need a new home and maybe help some folks out, too.

My mother, sister and I also had the task of dealing with my father’s belongings…heartbreaking, but it needed to be done. As our plan was to divvy up his things amongst ourselves, we hesitantly invaded his chest of drawers and closet, pressing pieces of clothing to our faces and taking deep breaths, hoping to feel his presence. Soft corduroy shirts that he reserved for going out. Leather boots, which he’s had as long as I can remember, polished and still looking like new, except for the telltale creases. Old shirts with the sleeves cut off and so threadbare and thin that they seem to float in the slightest breeze, worn while he mowed in the hot sun. A drawer full of trinkets…pocket knives, old coins, watches, a nut or bolt with a notation of its origins. The ritual gave us a chance to reminisce and turned out to be not as dreadful as we had imagined. Although very sad, it made us feel closer to him…and maybe to each other…maybe. So we took whatever we could use, wear or wanted as a keepsake, and the rest we passed on to close family down the road so they could take what they found useful. Whatever is left will be donated to a local charity. As an avid reader who always gladly donated his National Geographics and old books to the book mobile so they could benefit others, I’m sure my dad would feel the same about the things he left behind.

And I hope he would be happy that I’m now wearing this old wind-up Westclox, which still works and might possibly be the one he’s wearing here.

Happy Earth Day.

What better way to celebrate Earth Day 2009 than to involve a child?

The world’s children are going to be saddled with solving the environmental problems that we adults have racked up for decades. Teaching children early on about the benefits of recycling and its effects on the environment can lay the foundation for good green habits that they will carry with them throughout [...]]]>

What better way to celebrate Earth Day 2009 than to involve a child?

The world’s children are going to be saddled with solving the environmental problems that we adults have racked up for decades. Teaching children early on about the benefits of recycling and its effects on the environment can lay the foundation for good green habits that they will carry with them throughout their lives.

Michael Recycle Meets Litterbug Doug, released by Worthwhile Books, is the latest children’s book featuring the publisher’s green-caped crusader, Michael Recycle, who debuted in 2008. Written by Ellie Bethel and colorfully illustrated by Alexandra Colombo, Michael Recycle Meets Litterbug Doug is a big, entertaining picture book that will capture your child’s imagination, as well as teach him/her the importance of recycling and a green lifestyle. Follow lazy and wasteful Litterbug Doug’s trash-strewn trail throughout his clean, green town as planet Earth’s green-caped crusader attempts to show him the error of his ways. Will Michael Recycle succeed in reforming Litterbug Doug? Find out!

Michael Recycle Meets Litterbug Doug, 32 pages, 10 3/4 x 11 3/4, is available through Worthwhile Books and Barnes & Noble.

Happy Earth Day!