Shirley Buchan

Yesterday I used public transit instead of asking a friend to drive me to and from choir practice in Courtenay.   Now I know how, I can do this any time I need to be in Courtenay

Today I started to save water from veggie washing to water my new wee garden.

Next Sunday I'm taking all the clothing I haven't worn for 2 years to Unity Church to be donated to Too Good to be  Threw.   The actions I am taking are small but knowing we are in this challenge together is motivating me to pay attention to how I show up in the world.   Thank you everyone.

Yesterday I asked my landlady for a small garden plot on the property where I could grow veggies.

Does anyone on the team know how to dispose of old polyester clothing items that are no longer wearable ?

Today I made a start on the daunting task of  reducing my use of plastics.  I will consult with other members of the team to learn what they are doing.  I have begun to replace all my plastic storage containers with glass but need to know how to dispose of the plastic containers they are replacing.  I would also appreciate information on the availability of and means of disposing of bioplastics in our area.

I was encouraged at the Unitarian potluck dinner last night by conversations with two women who have experience growing their own food as I have in the past.  Now I have no opportunity to do that and am finding it difficult to access local food year round.   One of the women has land.  We began to explore the idea of sharing the work of planting, care and harvesting on her land. 

I have chosen to give up red meat for the duration of the challenge and perhaps for the rest of my life.   I spent 4 years on my life in  family 70's farming, raising our own livestock.  When I returned to the city I couldn't imagine eating factory farmed meat because of the way the animals were raised and slaughtered.  Finding farmers here in Comox Valley who raise animals humanely, I began once again to eat some red meet.  Now I have an additional reason for letting go of that habit.  Large animals,  especially cattle, are contributing to the degradation of our environment.  If I were farming today I would not be raising cattle.

Since I don't own a car,  I rely on other people to transport me to places too far for me to walk.   I will experiment for the duration of the challenge with using the bus system instead of asking friends to drive me.