One Green Thing

For years now the Muse and I have dinner every third Wednesday. It was her idea at some point in the conversation to talk about one green thing we had done in the space between dates that helped the environment.

She'd already given up paper towels for cloth napkins. She sent her daughter to school with wax sandwich bags instead of baggies, a thermos of tap water instead of a purchased plastic bottle of water. She cut up real carrots for crying out loud and no longer used double ply Oh So Soft Charmin, choosing a recycled brand instead.

I on the other hand bought a plastic bowl at the Soup Company because I ate there five days a week and they gave a $.25 discount each time. I used the bowl for the boxed cereal I ate at my desk before lunch. I cleaned up spills with free napkins and bought Charmin for the Muse's husband on his birthday. I gave him two rolls to be respectful but he say an opening and went home smiling with the entire pack of 12.

It took years before I began to notice opportunities for small green actions. I put canvas bags in the car and remembered to use them. I threw away less food, turned off lights when I left the room. I turned the shower down, sometimes.

And then the books by Mr. Pollan, Ms. Kingsolver and the Plenty couple woke me up to a whole world of green action. Here I am with barely any garbage and a third green eye.

Some days it's blinding to see all the green actions I could or should be taking. I use too much paper printing at work, buy too many coffees at Starbuck's. I bought a box of plastic for a five year olds birthday, ordered shoes on line and returned them when they got here.

And I still have the conversation with the Muse. But now I'm having the conversation with all my friends. I go through the whole story like I just did. "Tell me one green action you've done recently." I go first if they hesitate.

"We're collecting cold water in the shower that used to go down the drain while we waited for it to get hot." I flex my muscles before adding, "I carry it downstairs to the garden." By then everyone has realized an action they are doing that is good for the environment.

They are walking back to their car for their canvas bag. Not letting the water run while they do dishes. They are dumping old bottled water on their house plants, volunteering at shelters, walking to work. They are cancelling their catalogs, planting tomatoes, giving up plastic bags. They are using their leftovers and looking for local in their grocery stores.

Everyone has a story and when I listen it wakes me up to my own. I realize the places I've been asleep or learn something new. I become recommitted to my own stories of working for the environment.

"Thanks for asking," more than one of my friends have concluded.

"Thank you," I always respond. And I mean it.