I’d definitely be interested in a write up of the Let Live conference. I’m wracking my brain about the MMM but can’t think of anything. Good luck!

Oh, also, I’ve been meaning to e-mail you forever with an addition to your thrift/second hand store master list (you’re still doing that, right?) and I may even have e-mailed you and forgotten, but anyways…

Here in Mt Rainier, MD we have a little antique-ish store called Electric Eye that has absolutely the best selection of used boots. He’s got tons of cowboy boots, harness boots, and engineer boots (no combat or anything like that). And he loves to do deals with people. He often has other interesting things, but the boots are the one constant that’s always awesome. They’re located at: 3815 34th St Mount Rainier, MD 20712 (301-927-2800) across and down the street from the co-op.

Thanks!

@Callie

Does Electric Eye ever have hiking boots? I suspect my husband will need some soon (although he’ll deny it!) and if he’s going to be wearing leather, I’d rather it be used! (We’re up in Laurel)

I’ve been considering my own monthly mission of not eating out (restaurant, take away, packaged what-nots) for a whole month. Pledging to cook, craft, and otherwise nourish myself for 30 days without allowing unknowns. Eating out is one of my guilty pleasures, but sometimes I think I use it as an escapist route to not pay attention to what I’m putting in my body, you know? Salt levels, fat levels, sourcing of foods are obvious, but even in really conscientious eateries, we are giving up an essential control by letting someone else take responsibility for our food.

Just what’s been rattling in the old brain over here in Vermont lately!

Sayward,
I’d be glad to hear about the conference. But, you know, you could probably write a review of the phone book, and I’d find it interesting.

I agree with other commenters who said they like the DIY stuff. One really cool DIY project I did a few years back was to make my own supply of “lunapads”. I couldn’t afford theirs, and I realized that my sewing skills were good enough for something that was only going to appear in my underwear! For less than $28, I ended up with 14 base pads, 28 inserts, and 2 carrying cases. Just one example.

I learned to make Kombucha here, and I’ve been brewing it nonstop for months now!

What about reducing stormwater? You could put some potted plants on a patio, install some rain barrels or plant a tree. I like the other ideas though too!

how about a MMM where you try to harness alternative power sources for at least a month?

It’s summer and summer = sun. Building your own solar oven is not that difficult and it is super fun to cook with one.

How about solar dehydrator? I’ve wanted to build one for ages.

and a windmill too! You could harness the power of the wind even if it’s only for drying your clothes after washing them…

I’m sure it would help the environment, plus it’s a great excuse to go build stuff and learn a bunch of stuff.

I thought of something else I’d like to see discussed here: homeless people. What does a gal do when encountering some poor soul with a cardboard sign? At times, it’s at an intersection, and there are only moments to respond. Winging it just doesn’t seem like the best option. I think we need a plan. You mentioned in a blog post how you gave your change to the guy near the hospital every week, so I figured you might have some thoughts on this.