Wrapping Paper Trail

I've been bothered by the gift wrap pheomenon for many years. This year, I fully intend to do something about it. I have tried over the years to be frugal, earth-friendly and recycle, but in the face of the big picture, they have been limping, if not fully lame, attempts.

Here's the thing:

Wrapping paper is bought for the express purpose of throwing away. Very few people save and reuse it, or if they do, it might just be once and then the next recipient throws it away. Think about it - we pay to buy the gift wrap, and then we pay someone to haul it away...and it ends up in a landfill somewhere. That's just disturbing.

So don't complain unless you have a solution, right? Here's the idea. This year, I will use bags; reuseable, of course. No tissue paper. Shredded newspaper will do - to be recycled or composted. Then, perhaps, large fabric bags (handmade) like Santa sacks, with several unwrapped gifts inside. These to be returned next year to be refilled or given back with next year's gifts inside them.

We'll see how it goes...maybe a new family tradition will be born, maybe I'll be banned from the gift wrapping society. I'll let you know.

After the Thanks

As we moved through the Thanksgiving holiday, my thoughts went to the Native Americans that sacrificed their land and their lives and so much...that this day represents not so much Thanksgiving, but Mourning for them...that we, as humans, really have not come as far as we would like to think.

Although it is hurtful to think of all the atrocities humankind puts on one another, the truth is that we still do.

Even those of us who think of us as a civilized society still contribute in some small way to the making of weapons or the technology of war. Albert Einstein once said "Our technology has surpassed our humanity." I am so sorry to say that I believe this is true.

There is a small group, I know, of gentle soldiers trying to bubble the way to the surface and employ peace and harmony, but in light of the greed recently made evident by the downward turn of economical events, it is a steep, uphill climb.

May those of you peacekeepers and peacemakers continue to shine your lights, continue to set examples, and continue to refrain from the avarice that will bring us all down.

Peace and be well.