This is Florida?

The weather was cold this morning, barely 20 degrees!  It's supposed to be cold again tonight.  This just isn't good for our tropical plants, believe me.  I worried about my orange tree surviving out there all night.  So this morning I hurried out back, put the hose under it and turned on a trickle of water.  Sounds strange, but that is what the people with the orange groves do when it freezes, to save their trees.  I hope it works because that tree is pretty important to me.  It is like an icon, something to look at to remind you of something important to you.  My parents were important to me.

My parents gave us $100 for Christmas almost ten years ago.  So I decided to buy an orange tree to remember them by.  Since this was once an orange grove, I thought that a fitting thing to do, and we do like oranges.  The grandkids love to go out first thing in the morning and pick oranges for everyone before anyone else is up for the day. Family always likes to have their picture taken by my tree,too, a symbol of Florida. The oranges were particularly sweet this morning.  The cold does that to them.

I read in the SECO (our electric co.) flyer that by rounding your bill up to the next dollar, you can help heat the home of someone who can't afford to heat his home.  In fact, they had over one million dollars available for that use.  Of course, one person can't accomplish that by himself, but if we all did that we sure could heat a lot of homes for some very unfortunate, cold people.

That is the effect of each of us just doing a little more to improve our environment, too, making it a more beautiful place for us all to live.  The tendency is to say, "What difference does this little can make or this bottle thrown into the landfill?"  Yet, look at what can be accomplished collectively!  It is truly amazing the impact we can make when we we each do our part.  Alone, together we make a difference.

Upcycling is the new word.  Using what you have without increasing your footprint on the earth.  I use the word repurposing, but it is basically the same.  Look at the object you were ready to place into that recycle bin and see if you can think of a way to reuse it, saving you from the need to go out, burn gas and buy that item.  For instance, I have been inspired by Julie to reuse my bread sacks for storing things in the refrigerator.  They are strong and hold plenty. 

The little rings that come on the top of juice, etc. to seal them, can be collected and used for little girls to make glittery rings at their birthday party or sleepover. Just spread glue on them and sprinkle some glitter and you have a gorgous ring for fanciful little girls.  Kids are great at coming up with ways to repurpose, or upcycle, if you prefer.