Faces of Simple Living

Marci M. and Pam W. hosted supper and conversation for 22 at Chapel on the Hill United Church of Christ, SEMINOLE, FL

The conversation:

We’re planning on a “victory garden” at church for kids.

The media have us afraid. Instead, we need to go with the flow.

Let’s use fewer toxins on our grass.

I want to start a natural pesticide factory in the dead zone of violence and unemployment in Ohio. We can’t afford these option at Lowes. Stop phosphate mining.

We have a Garage Sale Christmas with a $5 limit.

Our best Christmas was when single mom and son spent time together having fun and then cooking and serving in a homeless shelter.

We produce a Christmas book of recipes, memories, and keepsakes. We add to the notebook each year.

Next time: Techno Misery

Last time: Sustainable Sarasota

Why this blog? Visit post #1.

Simple Livers need to support each other, even if they’re far apart. If you want to be in touch with some of the folks I’m introducing here, let me know and I’ll forward your message to them.

Jodi J., director of Sustainable Sarasota, hosted brunch and conversation for five in SARASOTA. FL.

Her house is made of two 1890’s “cracker shacks” – small rural homes. Her yard just became a certified Wildlife Habitat.

The 2030 pledge started in New Mexico to urge the design of green buildings. Local governments have benchmarks to eventually be carbon neutral by 2030. For now they increase the code of energy efficiency. Sarasota Co. is the first country in the country to sign the pledge. Five cities signed earlier. Now the U.S. Congress of Mayors has signed. Recently the U.S. Conference of Counties signed to need LEED gold standard. It provides incentives for local builders, such as fast tracking permits – three days instead of 8-10 weeks.

Sarasota has passed the Green development resolution that every new home will be green. Incentives include rezoning that special exceptions re resolved in six months instead of a year. Inspectors get a $500 bonus for taking green training.

However, budget cuts have slowed the process, the public library fro example. Sarasota has the largest solar array in Florida. Publix grocery store chain is building their first green store. An off-grid community is being planned. Their green office building is part of their local tour. While Foods store has a silver LEED rating. Martina Navratilova is greening her home and becoming the spokesperson.

The conversation:

Buildings are becoming logos – e.g. MacDonald’s.

We need balance between making living and being green.

There are four natural cemeteries in the U.S. San Francisco is creating one in a tree grove. In North Carolina people plant a tree with each burial. (That may become too disorganized.)

One of the unintended consequences of green is that better cars use less gas, producing fewer taxes, leading the less revenue to repair the roads. The Rocky Mountain Institute says take time to plan. Compare with the consequences of doing nothing. These are complex issues.

Should we use the carrot or the stick to get green? Both.

Chicago’s green roofs have been saving energy for ten years by keeping the buildings cooler. Now they’re coming to Florida.

Speaking to diverse audiences means avoiding religion.

Read Metropolis Magazine from Manhattan.

Living buildings give back. They’re carbon free on non-virgin land.

Florida has a consistent influx of people and new ideas.

A new irrigation ordinance limits yards to 50% sod and groups water users together but there’s no penalty for non-compliance. When it was being considered Monsanto threaded the University of Florida but the head of the Extension service would not back down. Monsanto feared that other counties would follow, which they did, leading to fewer sod sales. A fertilizer ordinance is coming. It all boils down to politics.

Dress codes for corporate types are needed to be accepted.

We need to find lour voice in local and federal politics.

Air conditioning and mosquito control changed Florida 40 years ago.

Next time: Garage Sale Christmas

Last time: St. Columbkille

Why this blog? Visit post #1.

Simple Livers need to support each other, even if they’re far apart. If you want to be in touch with some of the folks I’m introducing here, let me know and I’ll forward your message to them.

Chris M. and Mary H. hosted supper and conversation for 27 at St. Columbkille Church, FORT MYERS, FL.

The conversation:

When we seek peace and justice, our economy will change and prosper.

Conversations with children are small steps to simplicity. Learn from the Parenting for Peace and Justice Network. Young adults want to change the world.

I was afraid of my rich grandson’s reaction when I gave him goats for Haiti. His buddy liked it, which helped. I enclosed a handwritten letter from his grandmother. All of them liked it and even named their goats.

We tried a Thrift Store Christmas. That way no money went to rich stockholders.

Joe laid down the law – no gifts for adults. All of his brothers-in-law thanked him.

Draw names for gifts along with suggestions of appropriate gifts. Decide on a dollar limit ahead of time.

Share secret family recipes in a binder. Add some each year.

Some high school girls formed a swap closet for formals. They were service minded and helped each other, especially the disadvantaged.

Give a Family Tree book as a gift.

Next time: Sustainable Sarasota

Last time: Urban Café Court

Why this blog? Visit post #1.

Simple Livers need to support each other, even if they’re far apart. If you want to be in touch with some of the folks I’m introducing here, let me know and I’ll forward your message to them.

Steven B. of Spirit of Joy Lutheran hosted supper and conversation, for seven in ORLANDO, FL.

The congregation participates in the Hospitality Network, which creates four apartments at the church for a week to help families that are transitioning back into a home.

His new restaurant will do a charitable night in September. For volunteers of the Network.

Promotion idea – get a free cup of Fair Trade coffee when you bring in your church bulletin.

Suggestion box for graces. Encourage people to say graced before meal.

Spirit of Joy is ten years old, an emerging church, Jeff Lemon, pastor. They use the Willow Creek model and have Walt Callestad’s view of the future.

Steve’s sold insurance for 25 years. He likes the Mennonites and Friends too. He’s active in the synod. Denise has been a delegate to the synodical Lutheran Outdoor Ministry.

The service is 90 minutes in a gym. Steve’s on the Outreach Team, which has ten points of service, including food distribution. The church is an old bowling alley, converted with the help of the Mission Investment Fund. The members did sweat equity for a year.

Luther Spring, Gainesville, is the synod’s camp.

The conversation:

Young adult materialism is instilled by Depression babies in conflict with MTV. Obama says get to know culture, such as Afghanistan.

The image in Haiti, Burundi and Cuba is spontaneous joy in worship, such as children singing.

59% of Americans still live in the state they were born in, e.g. Detroit, such the cycle of ignorance continues.

Money does not buy happiness. A vendor refused payment for sugar cane because the church had furnished pigs for her family. It was all she could give back. We need to learn to receive.

The restaurant will have no flush urinals and two-flush toilets. The cups are made of corn – Fabrikal.

Romans 12:2 & Acts 2:42

Young adults put pictures of items on a computer instead of an album to bring back memories.

They’ve had ELCA anti-racism training and now give workshops.

Our Easter tradition is a bar-be-cue in the park. The Easter bunny does a bible study with the kids.

Give a bag of stucco cement to waterproof homes in BERUNDI.

Yong adults are hungry to serve and to be spiritual.

Denise did credit card collections, now she’s a vie-pres and branch manager.

Bahamas citizens cannot gamble in the Bahamas.

Guilty grandparents sometimes undermine the mom and give kids lots of stuff.

Denise wants to share her wealth while she’s alive. Gifts can be blessings or burdens. We learn through periods of drought. Kids don’t get to ride parents success. God allows drought and abundance, joy and suffering. That makes us rich. Share experiences, learn to forgive.

Biofiber wheat board counters at restaurant. It’s the most green of any renovation in Florida. To-go boxes are bagassee from sugar cane. Bison instead of beef, salmon from eco-fish in Seattle.

All organic and Fair Trade tell the story.

Everything you do is impactful, so make it Christian.

What you do with your money is important. He’s been influenced by Chick-fill-A.

Develop Alternatives for Simpler Business, for example, he pays 10¢ per hour for bike rides; one hour extra per week for volunteering.

Outreach’s ten points involve the largest team, for example, they fix old bikes for the homeless.

Next time: St. Columbkille

Last time: Bless Someone Else

Why this blog? Visit post #1.

Simple Livers need to support each other, even if they’re far apart. If you want to be in touch with some of the folks I’m introducing here, let me know and I’ll forward your message to them.

Sue C. hosted a potluck supper and program for 47 at First United Methodist Church of Downtown ORLANDO, FL.

The conversation:

Read “Making Peace with the Things in Your Life” by Cindy Glovinsky.

Professional organizers, urge downscalers to “bless someone else” (with you possessions).

Christians understand downscaling quicker than non-Christians when approached about stewardship, such as “Don’t store up treasures on Earth.” Investigate ChristianOrganizers.org.

RUF – Reformed University Fellowship – is a college ministry, not a youth group. May have been inspired by Intervarsity Christian fellowship.

Under 40’s meet at First UMC once a month. Recently they held a citywide scavenger hunt. Each proved they found the proper item by photographing it with their videophone.

The church will hold an Alternative Fair and gift catalog Nov. 4th.

What is a reverse mission? When we go to another country to learn instead of solving “their” problem.

We’re urging our Refreshment Committee to use Fair Trade coffee and tea.

Orlando has poor public transit.

80% of what we own we don’t use.

Give meaningful items at a bridal shower.

Celebrate throughout the year, for example birthdays, rather than so much at Christmas.

Urge credit card legislation on the state level.

Listen to ClarkHoward.com, a conservative radio commentator who’s anti-credit card.

First UMC has a sewing ministry. They make cloth bags, quilts, jumpers long pants and shorts for needy school children. Soon they’ll make PJ’s the children in Russia.

First UMC’s computer ministry refurbishes computers to send to Africa and Latin America. They also train repair technicians from those countries.

For birthday parties for elderly, give notes and pictures in a presentation folder. That’s much more meaningful than mass-produced stuff.

A Gift for Teaching is one of 20 free stores in the U.S. It’s been names the most sustainable nonprofit in Florida.

Next time: Urban Café Court

Last time: Hunger Banquet

Why this blog? Visit post #1.

Simple Livers need to support each other, even if they’re far apart. If you want to be in touch with some of the folks I’m introducing here, let me know and I’ll forward your message to them.

Stephanie B. hosted lunch and conversation for 25 at the Diocese of Orlando, ORLANDO, FL.

The conversation:

We have to take our recyclables to the county landfill.

What can the person in the pew do? Start with “10 Tips for a Simpler, More Meaningful Christmas” (in Alternatives’ web site archives) and “Whose Birthday Is It, Anyway?”

Some 60% of the people in the diocese are just getting by.

Is it a problem to be interested in science? Investigate biomimicry.

We have a dilemma of teens expecting a new T-shirt for each youth trip. Instead, have each one wear the same color on the same day. If you must have a new T-shirt, give it to the young people in the host country, then take a picture all together. Another word of accompaniment ministry is co-missioners. It means to walk with people in need, not try to solve their problem but learning from them.

Holding a hunger banquet like the one from Oxfam, is a real eye-opener. A few guests get a gourmet meal, most get a bowl of rice. At another event, the women must carry bottles of water on their heads and distribute them to everyone twice a day. Only then can the men distribute crackers to everyone.

On Dec. 8th one parish is having a Fair Trade Café, including mass, a Guatemalan farmer dinner, singers and interactive education on fair Trade.

On Oct. 20th, a Just Faith (based on Catholic Social Teachings) will hold a conference/workshop featuring Jack Jesreal.

Letter-writing to leaders works better than email.

10 Commandments for Drivers

Donuts and Doctrine is a new way to introduce catholic social teachings after mass.

This meeting has inspired participants to urge the diocese and its parishes to recycle.

Next time: Bless Someone Else

Last time: College Student Budget

Why this blog? Visit post #1.

Simple Livers need to support each other, even if they’re far apart. If you want to be in touch with some of the folks I’m introducing here, let me know and I’ll forward your message to them.

Bruce C. hosted supper and conversation for eight at Presbyterian University Center, TALLAHASEE, FL.

The conversation:

Dave Ramsey’s Christian financial literacy program is effective but expensive.

A budget for college students would be helpful.

Son Matthew will live in the Social Justice dorm at Florid State University as a first year student.

Buy food locally, through a CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) if possible.

Next time: Hunger Banquet

Last time: Radical Gratitude

Why this blog? Visit post #1.

Simple Livers need to support each other, even if they’re far apart. If you want to be in touch with some of the folks I’m introducing here, let me know and I’ll forward your message to them.

Victoria R-F is a member of River Keepers. Her B&B is one of the last river homes in Jacksonville, where the lawn goes right down to the river. It’s registered as a Quiet Garden.

She’s vice-president of UrbFarmers, whose motto is “Ride the elephant the way it goes.” Attach “gourmet” to anything to make things happen among the wealthy. For example, her mini-gardens provide gardeners with fresh arugula any time. She says, “Any thread leads through the labyrinth.”

She believes in Naican – radical gratitude, being part of a network. The gift of the negative is a Buddhist concept. Gifts came from her divorce, for example, not just smiley faces. In our culture of victimization, we need to see the wider angle. The first Naican inventory is of one’s mother, then one who’s done you wrong.

Things that that person/place/experience have given me
Things I gave to that person/place/experience (occupation)
Problems I caused that person.
Never go to column four – problems that person caused me. That’s the default. That’s where we already spend more of our time.

Start with earliest memories and move forward. The one who hears your Naican focuses on specifics, not abstracts.

The wounded healer works for good.

The Christian call to love our neighbors is in opposition to capitalism. She’s found her path through Buddhist, some through AA.

Jung has said we cannot use skills of the morning of life in the afternoon. When you retire, say no to offers, then decide.

If you trash your body, where will you live?

Might Alternatives become a carbon offset as a way to pay our new National Coordinator? Can we be a sustainability organization?

She relearned dream facilitation a Kanuga Camp, an Episcopal place in Hendersonville, NC.

Read “Cultural Literacy” by E.D. Hirsch (1987). Our verbal illusions now are based on pop culture rather than literature.

The hero’s journey – separation, ordeal, return with wisdom.

Next time: College Student Budget

Last time: Attraction, Not Promotion

Why this blog? Visit post #1.

Simple Livers need to support each other, even if they’re far apart. If you want to be in touch with some of the folks I’m introducing here, let me know and I’ll forward your message to them.

Victoria R-F hosted soup supper and conversation for nine at House on Cherry Street B&B, JACKSONVILLE, FL.

The conversation:

We put a $5 limit on gifts but they must represent something important to the recipient, meeting some unmet net. That requires us to observe them.

One friend does “shopping inside her house,” giving her items to people outside her house.

Recycling is inherent in reducing, though reducing is much harder. Reduce by becoming a Bed and Breakfast. You have to clean out your closets.

Green is the trendy new religion. Some get rid of their cleaning supplies and then buy more “green” supplies. Reduce instead.

A new car, even a Prius, leads to more debt. Drive less, feel guilty when driving. Use a bike with a cart. Borrow and share cars and rides. Do not trade up. Focus on driving fewer miles rather than wishing for cheaper gasoline. The local bus system is not conductive, so there’s a Jacksonville-on-foot site. It’s easier not to have a car in Europe. Japan has an annual maintenance fee, which goes up each year as the car gets older. Cars are crushed when retired. Parking is expensive.

Focus on compost, worm bins and local foods.

There’s little litter in Japan or Korea where older people take personal responsibly for keeping their neighborhoods clean. There’s lots of litter in Spain and Guatemala where trash is a sign of wealth.

The pain is on the wrong end – on the recyclers instead of the non-recyclers. That comes from little sense of community.

Desmond Tutu says, “We are not our brothers’ keeps, we are our brothers’ brothers.” (from “God’s Dream”)

We care about what we care for. Use attraction, not promotion, like AA. Modeling – be the change you want to see.

Rebuild community by touching the Earth, not cyberspace.

Borrow and loan tools, that leads to teaching how to use them and starts a loop of sharing. Dog sitters are a sign of broken community. Small neighborhood festivals build community, for example, a house-to-hour (progressive dinner) Shakespearean festival. Each stop is responsible for 5 minutes of Shakespeare.

Next time: Radical Gratitude

Last time: The Granary

Why this blog? Visit post #1.

Simple Livers need to support each other, even if they’re far apart. If you want to be in touch with some of the folks I’m introducing here, let me know and I’ll forward your message to them.

Nelson & Julie H. hosted me for Lunch and conversation at The Granary Whole Foods, ORANGE PARK, FL (near Jacksonville).

The Granary has been open for 28 years. It’s a health food store where Christians can be comfortable, not New Age.

Five years ago they stopped offering classes and special events. Nelson has built and still uses a fully solar powered car, though he mostly rides his bicycle. He’s building an off-the-grid solar building which may become a Quaker-style meditation center. They hope to start a home church and support group with the view that “Build it and they will come.”

He’s run a solar consulting business but after 25 years it’s fallen off.

His goal is to be happy and satisfied doing something or not. He’s involved in self-reconciliation.

He’s seen amazing personal cases of healing through macrobiotics.

Julies feels that translations of the Bible each have their bias to keep people of the time down and fearful. She feels that “there’s a seat for every rear end.”

They have purchased a “safe haven” in Costa Rica.

They are now “muddling along in the mediocracy.”

That keeps us from rising us against consumerist is the “downtrodden philosophy.” We don’t want to lose what little we have.

Next time: Attraction, Not Promotion
Last Time: Charleston’s First Fully Green Building

Why this blog? Visit post #1.

Simple Livers need to support each other, even if they’re far apart. If you want to be in touch with some of the folks I’m introducing here, let me know and I’ll forward your message to them.