August 2009

The blog A Moral Dilemma presents an ongoing series of scenarios that challenge readers to consider what would be right in each situation.  It updates every few days.

I found this meticulous review of what sounds like a very impressive book. It’s a textbook about the environmental destruction of the American West.

This week’s “Change the World Wednesdays” challenge involves standby mode.  Sadly, I’m not really in a position where I can cut down electronic usage any further.  So I’m sharing the challenge in hopes that some other folks will have better luck with that.

Many computers and other electronics have a mode that uses less energy while they are turned on but not in active use.  This may be called “standby,” “sleep,” or “hibernate” depending on model.  (Some offer more than one, and they do different things.)  Using this can save energy and money.

Today is Global Forgiveness Day.  This is a time to mend broken relationships and to forgive old wrongs.  It’s also a good time to forgive yourself and work on self-acceptance.  You can read more about it on the Bloggers Unite event page.

Labor Day is an important holiday with deep roots in American history.  Plan ahead for your Labor Day celebration.

Money from previous stimulus plans continues to trickle into the lethargic economy.  Some funds are aimed toward helping the environment as well as the economy.  The following article describes one program that encourages people to buy energy-efficient refrigerators.

Crescent City Farmers Market Cookbook by Poppy Tooker. Marketumbrella.org, 2009. Trade paperback, 216 pages. ISBN: 978-1-60358-099-1. Three stars.

Regional farmers’ markets often develop a following based on their particular combination of locally produced foods – and then recipes for what to do with those foods. This book collects some of the recipes from the Crescent City Farmers Market in New Orleans, Louisiana. There are full-color photos, but mostly of people and ingredients, not finished dishes, which was a bit disappointing.

As late summer winds down, the drying ground makes the trees begin to drop their leaves.  Here are some from my yard…