She's such an old bag....

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I have no knitting pics to share, mainly because showing you pics of the same thing over and over really gets boring. I added another panel to the Shawlette and added an inch to the Pelerine. Today I might start making a grocery bag....
Urban knitting! Click on the pics. Go to the website...more pics that are really interesting.

This economy thing...I don't know if it's gonna get worse before it gets better, or it's just not gonna get better for awhile.... It takes just as long for it to get better as it did to get worse....

What can we do? I feel like I'm back in the '90's trying to save energy. Turn off that extra light bulb, keep the thermostat down in the winter and up in the summer. Crock pots are our friends.

Martin Luther King, Jr., has been in our minds alot the last few weeks, and we all hope he, John, and Abraham are looking down with smiles these days. However, Dr. King had something else to say we might take to heart:

"We must rapidly begin the shift from a thing-oriented society to a person-oriented society. When machines and computers, profit motives and property rights are considered more important than people, the giant triplets of racism, militarism and economic exploitation are incapable of being conquered. A nation can flounder as readily in the face of moral and spiritual bankruptcy as it can through financial bankruptcy."

Dr. Martin Luther King, April, 1967

People before things. Although I've always known this is a good recipe for personal happiness, I have never given thought to the idea that it could also contribute to the rescue of our economy and our planet. It does make sense that if we put people before things, our fear factor will go down and when the fear factor goes down, racism, elitism, and all the other isms will go down, too.

What can we do? How can we keep the "We" in "Yes, We Can!"? One of the things I am working to add to my life is a philosophy of anti-consumerism. Many years ago, when I was a Le Leche League Leader, we used to suggest, for a healthy diet, to eat foods as close to their natural state as possible. Like raw or lightly steam veggies, rather than canned or frozen. If we follow that concept out to buy necessities in as close to their natural state there is less processing, less money to manufacture, less pollution being generated, and on it goes.

1. Buy local and regional foods. If not local, then organic. If not local or organic, then the option with the least packaging.
2. Purchase more raw and bulk foods and fewer processed foods + drinks.
3. Bring home (or to work or send with my children to school) all my food in reusable bags in reusable or recyclable containers (preferable not plastic).
4. Compensate for the increase in food prices by eating less: smaller portions, fewer meals
5. Eat less meat
6. Eat out only in restaurants that serve wholesome, nutritious food. (Don’t kid yourself - fast food is NEVER nutritious.)
7. Drink more filtered tap water.
8. Explore my emotions (stress, anxiety, fear) rather than turning to food, drink, shopping or recreational drugs for comfort.

These are lofty goals, and probably overwhelming, or for us poor people already in our lifestyle. So what can we do that's within our realm? Let's start out by not using plastic grocery bags. We all have totes we get from here and there. Pack them up, put them in the car and do what you need to do to remember to use them when you go shopping. If you don't have enough, make it part of your grocery budget to get one more each time you do your regular shopping. Browse through re-sale stores. There is always a bunch hanging around there. Or make your own!
Creative Thimble All Free Crafts Morsbag Wisdom of the Moon produce bags Wisdom of the Moon Grocery bags Creative Kismet Pillowcase Totes About.com Denim Tote and here is a list of dozens more.

For the knitters: Lion Brand From recycled grocery bags Demonic Progress Houghton Avenue

And crocheters: Frayed at the Edges Reduction Tote Bag

Choose your skill, or learn a new one, and save the planet, one bag at a time. And they make great gifts....cutting consumerism....and saving you money....and less plastic bags from retailers when you purchase gifts... A circle good for everyone! Not to mention, something to knit. I know many of us get stagnate and just go looking for something to make. And many of us are stymied when trying to find a gift for the person who is so picky or has everything. Make a statement and help the economy as well as the environment! And if you really think those bags are free to the consumer...check this blog out.