Raising Responsibility

Have you heard the news? Apparently Kidergartners are responsible. At least that's what the handmade book my oldest son, Tucker, brought home from class today said. The book went on to show pictures the kids had drawn of themselves demonstrating their responsibility along with their attempt at writing a sentence about it, followed by the teacher's translation.

It is a truly endearing book. Most kids are responsible for feeding pets. One is responsible for rolling in a ball...not sure what that is but it sounds like it could be fun. Oh, to be the kid who is responsible for playing outside on the playground! Where did those days go? I am sure you are dying by now to know what Tucker is responsible for....



In case you can't read it, Tucker is responsible for picking up the recycling. What this really means is, I ask him to take the art papers he has strewn about the house and place them in the recycling bin...but the point is...RECYCLING!?! My son is responsible for RECYCLING! Can you tell I wish I lived in a more mountainous area so I might have a place to shout this from.

I know the fight for a better planet seems long and overwhelming and we often wonder why we do keep on keeping on. Today I was reminded. This is why we do it. Because kids are listening and watching and the planet is theirs next. It is our job not only to take care of it for them, but teach them how to take care of it themselves.

A Happy Return!

I am back, and boy did I miss all of you!

Now I realize you may be sitting there thinking, "Great, and who are you again." I don't blame you. Here is the brief refresher....

Nearly 2 years ago I started Green Gracious with the goal to share my journey to a more sustainable life with others and support one another along the way.

Almost a year ago, I disconnected in the hopes of slowing down and refocusing. The experiment was a success and I found focus and understanding I have never known.

Now I am feeling drawn back to all of you and this world where we can share, and grow, and create a better place to be together.

I hope to re-explore a place where we can share all of our shades of green, our ideas, our discoveries, and our stories with one another to grow and change and make a difference. I am back, continuing the Green Gracious journey and I hope that you will join me again and invite others along as well.

So Long For Now

The time has come for me to embark on a new adventure. This journey does not entail traveling anywhere, but rather exploring the place I have come to be, in a new way. I have decided that in 2010 I will try to become as unplugged as possible. In order to do this, I am disconnecting home internet service (Goodbye, Facebook), using a cell phone for emergencies only (Gasp! No texts!), and taking a step even further away from television.

I have come to find that my very favorite parts of my life can not be plugged in or turned on. I am hoping by disconnecting from the technological, I will be reconnecting to the real. Unfortunately, this adventure also includes putting Green Gracious on an indefinite hiatus. I hope that you will not find this as an abandonment. I cannot tell you how much I appreciate you reading and participating in this blog for almost a year now. I hope that you will take whatever you have learned and continue with it in your real lives, and know that I am doing the same.

While I like to believe that Green Gracious is a special little corner of the internet, I have (thankfully) never been alone in my quest to save the planet. You can continue to find green guidance in many places. Here are a few of my favorites:

5 Orange Potatoes

Sweet Greens

Aunt Spicy

Eco Etsy

Simple. Green, Frugal Co-op

Down to Earth

The Green Phone Booth

I will miss all of you very much. I hope that if/when I return, it will be with renewed passion and more lessons to share.