Do a Little
I do what I can to keep it beautiful. I have solar panels on my roof to use that lucky ol’ sun for more than lighting up the day. I drive a hybrid car, been carrying cloth bags for my groceries for probably thirty years, have energy-saving appliances, low-flow toilets, all LED light bulbs.
Maybe I’m a little more avid than most (a “little” do you think?). But do you remember that multi-state blackout that occurred in California and its neighboring states several years ago? I read that if everyone in California had changed just one incandescent light bulb to a fluorescent one – it would not have happened! Now that’s “little”.
Edmund Burke had something to say about “little”, too. Burke was a Irishman who served in the British House of Commons between 1766 and 1794.He said,
“No one made a greater mistake than he who did nothing because he could do only a little.”
So this Blog is my little effort to encourage you to do a little.
Do this one little thing: Carry reusable bags in the car always.
Do this one little thing: Carry a reusable water bottle. Never buy water in a plastic bottle.
Do this one little thing: Recycle your milk cartons, cans, and bottles, even your egg cartons and plastic bags.
Do this one little thing: Reuse paper that is printed on only one side.
Do this one little thing: Recycle all junk mail, envelopes, and twice-used office paper.
Do this one little thing: Buy in larger quantities and sort into one-use amounts.
Do this one little thing: Send $25 to The Nature Conservancy of Florida.
Do this one little thing: Send $25 to Audubon of Florida.
Do this one little thing: Send $25 to Florida Wildlife Federation.
Do this one little thing: Let your grass grow at least three inches high. Cut only one inch. Leave grass cuttings where they lie or use them for mulch in flower beds.
Do this one little thing: Water your grass only once a week(or not at all unless it's turning brown).
Do this one little thing: Hand water newly planted plants.
Do this one little thing: Wash the car on the grass.
Do this one little thing: Sweep the sidewalk and driveway. Don't hose them.
Do this one little thing: Take shorter showers.
Do this one little thing: Let some corner of your yard go natural – leaves, weeds, whatever. The insects and birds will love it.
Do this one little thing: Plant a native tree or flower.
Do this one little thing: Turn on your sprinklers manually, only when it hasn't rained for a week.
Do this one little thing: Never buy cypress mulch. Use pine bark, Florimulch (made from invasive melaleuca trees) or red mulch (made from used pallets.)