3.02.2024

Treading Lightly on the Planet

Thoughts on thrift and 14 ways I lessen my impact on the earth

When I was a little girl, I sometimes made cookies with my mother. I can still hear her say, “Your grandmother could make a dozen cookies with the batter left in that bowl” when I put what I thought was an empty bowl into the sink. I don’t know if my mother was able to get 12 cookies out of what remained, but the lesson made an impact on me and was one of many messages on thrift that I heard throughout my childhood.

Jimmy Carter said "Put a sweater on"My parents instilled in me the importance of taking only what you need and not wasting things. These beliefs were passed on to them from their parents who lived through the Great Depression and reinforced to them as children during World War II. I remember waiting in gas lines in the 1970s, and Jimmy Carter’s plea to turn the thermostat down and put a sweater on* was taken seriously by my family. In addition, my hometown, Randolph, New Jersey, started mandatory curbside recycling in the early 1980s and my parents were avid proponents from the start. With these messages during my formative years, it was easy to begin modifying my behavior when the evidence became overwhelming that human activities and consumption were having a major impact on climate change. 

Lately, I have been thinking about what I have been doing to lessen my impact on the planet. Here is my list. Feel free to share your thoughts and suggestions in the comments section of this post.

2.18.2024

2023-2024 Snow Update

Bleak. Meager. Sporty. Lame. All of those words have been used to describe this year's winter. I have long said that a long, snowy, cold winter is just what we need to drive out all of the poseurs but this year is not the one to do it.

Skiing the M, Bozeman, Montana
Glory days from last winter

1.05.2024

The A-List Eats - Rediscovering Storm Castle Café

Storm Castle Cafe Bozeman
One of Bozeman’s best and most authentic comfort food restaurants, Storm Castle Café, is tucked in a low-slung strip mall home to a doughnut shop, Mellow Mood tobacco, and a laundromat. Since 2010, the husband-and-wife team of Scott Peterson and Nicole Warner have been dishing up hearty eats from their unassuming Tai Lane location across from the MSU campus.

With excellent food and service, reasonable prices, and a casual setting, it is a welcome change from the Anywhere U.S.A. feel that is starting to predominate many "New Bozeman" establishments. I seldom go out for lunch during the work week, but I did once over the holidays. I had only been to Storm Castle one time about 10+ years ago and couldn’t remember much about the food or the setting. I am glad I checked it out again. Here's what I found.

~

12.12.2023

The Old Farm - A Memoir


The Old Farm, a memoir
What follows is my mother's recollection of her summer days at The Old Farm, her family's first summer home near Blairstown, New Jersey. Although her family sold the property when she was nine years old, she fondly recalled those days until the end of her life at age 84. 

She presented her story on 31 handwritten pages, which my uncle recently shared with me. I am guessing that she wrote this sometime in the early to mid-1990s, as she mentions it had been 50 years since she summered at the Old Farm. I feel fortunate that she left these memories, and I enjoyed preserving her story. 

I added the headings. They were not part of the original story.

The Old Farm, Warren County, New Jersey

~

11.28.2023

The Shortcomings of American Know-How

American Know-How
My Swedish friend 

Å

sa says that European companies like to hire people from the United States because they possess "American Know-How."

11.26.2023

Citizen Diplomacy in the Bozone

Fulbright T.E.A. (Teaching Excellence and Achievement)
This fall, Mike and I volunteered to be the "Friendship Family" for two members of the T.E.A. (Teaching Excellence and Achievement) group that was recently in Bozeman. Our guests were Mali, a chemistry teacher from Laos and Tatjana, an English teacher from Belarus.

T.E.A. is a Fulbright program bringing teachers from around the world to the United States to learn about different teaching methodologies and about American culture. Our job as their hosts was to give them the chance to experience American culture first-hand through everyday activities. It was a great way for us to find out more about other cultures and get a different perspective on the place we call home.

11.16.2023

Bozeman Restaurant & Retail Comings & Goings - Fall 2023

Bozeman, MontanaIf you’re a local and haven’t made it out in a while, an MSU alumni wondering what happened to your beloved college town, or if you’re reading from afar dreaming of your next trip to (or possibly even moving to) Bozeman, here is the latest.

9.29.2023

Thermal Magic in Yellowstone

Backcountry thermal area, Yellowstone

For those living far from Yellowstone, a trip to the park can be the highlight of the year. For Bozemanites like myself, who have two park entrances within 90 miles of home, Yellowstone is one of many nearby outdoor playgrounds. With wildlife, sweeping vistas, thermal areas, mountains, rivers, and more, there is an almost endless landscape to explore. At the same time, summertime crowds and the stop-and-go-traffic are a hassle making it is easy to get jaded about the park. With several mountain ranges an easy drive from Bozeman many locals avoid the chaos of Yellowstone in the summer. I had long done the same but over the past handful of years, I have developed a fondness for backpacking in the park.

The National Park Service estimates that 98% of Yellowstone’s four million+ annual visitors never explore further than half a mile from their car. With over 900 miles of trails and over 290 backcountry camp spots, it’s easy to get away from the crowds. My most recent trip in August was the first time I backpacked beyond Yellowstone’s marked trails to a land few people visit. I came away with an even deeper appreciation for the park, its special features, and how lucky I am to have it close to home. Yellowstone is popular for a reason, but those wishing to put in the time and travel beyond the known will be rewarded for their efforts.


~

8.26.2023

Bike Commuting in Bozeman - Okay or Crazy? (Plus Seven Top Tips)

Bozeman Bike Commuting Tips

This post focuses on biking to commute to work, social events, grocery shopping, errands, etc., not recreational biking.

I'm curious to hear your opinions, tips, and resources for bike commuters. Leave them in the comments section of this post (You can post anonymously without an account) or send me a message using the Get in Touch form on the upper left of my homepage.

~

6.29.2023

A Moment in Mostar

Mostar, Bosnia
Here is one that got lost in my drafts folder. It's a quick sketch of a night in Mostar, Bosnia during our Croatia and Bosnia trip last summer.

~