In the early days of our marriage, we bought a new mattress. It wasn’t a mattress made in matrimonial bliss. So, we returned it and purchased another … and another. We couldn’t get it right. One was too soft. One was too hard. We couldn’t agree. This went on and on. It was absolute bedroom bedlam.
My mother worried there was a larger meaning to our bed distress. My best girlfriend and brother did too. Read more
Sure, sure. Most of us need to lose weight — me included. What else is new? But here’s something staggering! Mankind has now produced more “stuff” in poundage than all living things. So, I’m wondering: Does the planet need to go on a diet?
If we consume too much as individuals, are we also collectively creating, consuming, and trashing too much?
Here are the facts:
A geophysicist at the California Institute of Technology and his colleagues did the calculations in 2018 and determined that in just the last one hundred years, mankind has produced enough roads, skyscrapers, cars, cellphones, paper napkins, and beanie babies to outweigh all the people, elephants, ants, aardvarks and termites globally.
And speaking of termites (shudder), there are 1,000 pounds of termites per person. Now, that’s a statistic that causes bug-phobic me to shutter and twitch.
But returning to the subject at hand, “stuff” …
If you cannot picture the magnitude of this, there’s help. Two scientists, Dr. Brice Ménard of Johns Hopkins University and Nikita Shtarkman, a computer scientist and graphic artist, created a stunning visual representation of the Cal Tech study.
And as if to prove my point, guess what arrived in the mail this week? The unwanted, twice-a-year, massive catalog from RH, formerly known as Restoration Hardware.
Decades ago, I bought something, I forget what, from that store. Now, alas, I am forever doomed to receive this ridiculous doorstopper of a catalog, which, although unnumbered, is longer than some books I read.
This issue is entitled “Outdoor” and the slogan is “There are pieces that furnish a home and those that define it.” Well, the day RH furniture “defines” my home, is the day you’ll know I’ve been moved into an over-priced, wheat-toned looney bin!
Meanwhile, the point is: what a waste of ink and paper plus the time and energy it took to print, ship, and deliver that unwanted behemoth to my mailbox.
It just underscores the study’s point about how we are using/over-utilizing resources and transforming the planet. It reminds me to be less wasteful and more thoughtful about my own admittedly unchecked consumer impulses. I am a non-stop impulse shopper. I “see” sweater, I buy sweater!
It seems that I and the planet, at least certain countries at least, do need to go on a diet, caloric, and spending! It’s admittedly a simplistic notion, but still, there’s some merit to it.
A Note of Explanation: The following Quilt Club Meeting is Canceled “notice” is fake. I was out with my girlfriend Rachelle, a glorious, accomplished quilter. She read an email and exclaimed, “Oh, dear. My quilt club meeting is canceled because so many of the ladies have injuries.”
Before she could say another word, I thought, “Quilting injuries? Huh? Needle stabs? Blood and gore?” My mind went wild with riotous images of older ladies dueling and doing bodily damage with guilting implements of destruction! Read more
The Christmas ornaments are packed. The menorahs have been scrubbed clean of their candle wax. All that remains of holiday fun are the bills to pay and the excess weight we need to lose. Of course, there are all those pesky resolutions we need to start fulfilling!
What are your resolutions? Exercise more? Eat better? Become more productive? Be kinder? All good goals, no doubt, but here’s a novel resolution — how about doing less and relaxing more? Read more
I pride myself on being a tidy (enough) housekeeper. Yet recently I read an article that glaringly demonstrated the long, trash-laden road I must travel to achieve the glorified ranks of a certified super-duper DG — Domestic Goddess. Read more
Here in the United States, politics continue to fray the bonds between families and friends. How then can strangers of profoundly different backgrounds stand a chance of getting along?
This wasn’t an abstract question for me. It was a concrete concern as I readied our house to host a college exchange student from Jordan. Read more
In an act of selfless devotion to family and friends, I’ve just completed my 2024 “Don’t Want Holiday Gift” list. I know. I know. I’m thoughtful that way, doing all I can to ease the burden of shopping for my loved ones. What can I say? I am just “that” kind of person!
So, here goes … Read more
Whether traveling, cooking, or chilling, may your Thanksgiving holiday be a delight.
Take time to rest and be grateful for the pleasures of life.
From our house to yours,
Happy Thanksgiving,
Jon (aka Handsome Hubby) and Karen
We all know the expression “Pride goes before the fall.” Well, in my case, I took “the fall” big time this Fall season
It began last January when I set a loosey-goosey goal of reading “a lot” of books in 2024. It started when I saw an article about Super Readers, which sounded super impressive. I didn’t bother actually to read the article, but on the spot, I decided I would become one too. It wasn’t prudent of me. The devil — and the pride — is always in the details! Read more
Pity poor me! I suffer from a multitude of name woes. From a last name that’s unpronounceable to a first name that is widely mocked, I suffer from the slings and arrows of moniker misfortune! Read more