SUMMER 2006 ... THE SEASON OF STORMS
Wow...I don't think I've ever experienced a summer like this one. Afternoon and evening thunder storms are more or less the norm and, although I'm an outdoor guide, I'm almost nervous to head out on a canoe trip, not knowing what kind of weather is in store. Wind and hail storm warnings almost weekly, ginormous trees falling everywhere, power outages for days (ah...but not for us, we live off-grid on solar power - and although we don't have much power, it's usually there when we need it!) I hope people are thinking long and hard about what may be causing this weather and perhaps thinking twice about how their lifestyle may impact greenhouse gas emissions and global warming. I don't want to preach here, but perhaps, if I may, provide a few suggestions of a few things we do (or have done) that we hope are reducing our impact on earth: Use a non-electric push mower; grow an organic veggie garden; installed solar power in our home; compost our food waste; use a Sunmar (Canadian-made) composting toilet; often buy used clothing and furniture; currently learning sustainable and community oriented building techniques (i.e. cob); own and operate a business that assists people in embarking on wilderness canoe trips where they are living simply and reconnecting with nature for their summer holiday!
May you all remain safe and unharmed during the summer of storms.
(above image: hail stones from June 29 that almost flattened our garden).