iberkshires.com
The One, The Only Planet Earth
By Susan Bush - May 12, 2007
Spring leaves are bursting forth from the Berkshire hills to the valleys. [Photo by Sue Bush]
Trying to conserve vehicle fuel may be among the most daunting challenges facing people who live in rural regions. Those of us who live "in the boonies" are geographically disadvantaged; I drive about two miles from my home just to put tires on a paved road and it's another 15 miles from where the blacktop begins to my office.
There are days when my workload is staggered and there are five or six hours between interviews or meetings. During my "pre-green" era, I would drive home, then drive back to the city. Nowadays, I avoid the extra trips. The extra driving would be a tremendous waste of money and fuel and an unnecessary release of emissions.
I'm also trying to arrange for more telephone interviews. Technology offers tremendous opportunities in that photographs may be e-mailed and quotes may be acquired via e-mail or phone conversations. Three-way or conference calls may be utilized for group conversations. These strategies save time and energy.
Product Test
I've instituted another policy that has its' downside. If, after arriving home from work or the day's errands, I discover I've forgotten an item, I do without until the next day. The only exception to the "wait until tomorrow" rule is toilet paper. And I have noticed that I forget far less often than in days past.
This week's new product test put a "glass and shiny surface cleaner" made by Dragonfly Organix to the test. I was a little pessimistic when I purchased the 24-ounce plastic container because I am a huge fan of "shiny surfaces" and I despise cloudy films on mirrors, stovetops, countertops, and faucets. I wondered how well a product made from "organic-based surfactants and organic-based cleaning agents" would handle surfaces that are usually covered with dust, fingerprints, dirt streaks and pet hair.
I used this shake-well-before-using spray on mirrors, shiny-top tables, the hamburg-grease spatter stove top and the textured-finish, fingerprint-grimy refrigerator door.
The spray worked every bit as well as the big brand-name most of us are familiar with. I did not have to use any more of the organic product or work any harder to get a nice, clear, streak-free shine.
There are days when my workload is staggered and there are five or six hours between interviews or meetings. During my "pre-
I'm also trying to arrange for more telephone interviews. Technology offers tremendous opportunities in that photographs may be e-
I've instituted another policy that has its' downside. If, after arriving home from work or the day's errands, I discover I've forgotten an item, I do without until the next day. The only exception to the "wait until tomorrow" rule is toilet paper. And I have noticed that I forget far less often than in days past.
This week's new product test put a "glass and shiny surface cleaner" made by Dragonfly Organix to the test. I was a little pessimistic when I purchased the 24-
I used this shake-
The spray worked every bit as well as the big brand-