I love books.
I'm not "a reader", meaning I'm seldom in the middle of a good novel. But, I love the visual experience of browsing a beautifully illustrated or photographed piece, and the escape it offers by just cracking open the cover.
I'm fortunate to have the job I do--ordering and processing books for our local public library. Almost every book on the shelf has passed through my hands or over my desk.
And every once in a while, an especially attractive one comes home with me for a closer look, because "just browsing" is not enough.
Right now I'm enjoying
A Slice of Organic Life by Sheherazade Goldsmith. It's published by Dorling Kindersley, and like all their publications, is jam-packed with colorful sidebars, great photos, and easy-to-digest information.
Not surprisingly, I'm drawn to explore it because it addresses "learning to live within nature's limits".
It offers real suggestions for ways to "shift our lifestyles, so that we're living more naturally. The good news is that there are many solutions, and contrary to what we have often been led to believe, they don't involve us living deprived and boring lives where our greatest pleasures are forbidden. They are simple, affordable and effortless."
What I especially like about her ideas, is that she has organized them into three levels.
1. No Need for a Yard
2. Roof Terrace, Patio, or Tiny Yard
3. Yard, Community Garden, or Field
Regardless of where you live or what your situation is, there's something everyone could easily try--from recipes for fresh juices and natural home-made pest controls to honey bees, cut flowers and goat's cheese, all beautifully described in photos.
It's so easy in this blazing heat to feel like mother nature is screaming, "WAKE UP!" And, to feel that the difference one person's choices would make wouldn't amount to enough help, globally, to bother. But, by doing my part, at least I know I'm trying to minimize the harm my life adds.
Your public library probably has a copy, or should.
Check it out...it's a great way to spend a hot day!
4 comments:
Dear Nina,
Thank you for letting me know about this book. I do live a contemplative, oraganic life with all sorts of harm-free perks. I can always learn more. I shall see if I can get this book for my home library. I like pictures and words too.
May you have the sweet, gentle rains of Autumn soon.
Sherry
Nina,
It would be refreshing to read this book. I made a note to myself. Each of us can make a difference.
Wishing you gentle rain and cool air to breathe. Sigh....
Hi Nina,
Thanks for the tip on the book. Our local library has a good network with other SE Minnesota libraries, so I should be able to get it from one of them.
I wish we would all spend a little time with books like this. There was a great op-ed in the Boston Globe today about how, even 6 years after 9/11, Americans are still driving bigger cars, building bigger houses and growing bigger bellies than ever before. What will it take to open our eyes?
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