Going Green and Growing Green

One of the most enjoyable perks of biking around all day is the time it gives for thinking.

For some reason I was thinking about green funerals and how everyone should just be composted when they are gone.

This little take on Mary Frye's Do Not Stand at My Grave and Weep was percolating for a few pedal strokes.

Enjoy!

Do not stand at my grave and weep.

I am not there, I’m the compost heap.

I am in the rotting fruit and leaves

I am the earth; do not grieve.

I am the fuel saved from cremation

I am for clean air circulation.

I am organic. I am not embalmed.

I am not destined to grow lawn.

Of vegetables sprouting up in spurts,

I am the nutrient rich dirt.

I am decomposing. I’m going home.

I am the ever bearing loam.

I am nature, carbon clean.

I am giving back. I am going green.

Do not stand graveside, deep in thought.

Just scoop me onto your veggie plot.

The Golden Trowel Award — Totally Dig It!

As firm believers in community building, or in this case community growing, we find ourselves spending much of our spare time volunteering.

Part of this is serving on volunteer boards for non-profit organizations to help other passionate community builders shape their dreams into reality.

Right now we are President and Secretary with the Jubilee Community Gardens, which is what this post is about.

The two beautiful people in the picture above are Ken and Rose, two passionate gardeners who have been involved with JCG since it was created.

Despite being two of the more "seasoned" gardeners in the 40+ membership, they are by far the two most active. They can be found at the garden most days during the season, shoveling compost, tending the communal garden and passing on years of invaluable knowledge.

This year we felt it was important their hard work be recognized, so the Golden Trowel Award was created.

They epitomize selfless volunteerism and are the reason why Jubilee Community Garden is a success.

Thanks, Ken and Rose.

Your hard work is inspiring.

Recycling Compact Flourescent Lights

When it comes to green, really, there's Kermit, Oscar, broccoli and you.

Heck, you changed your bulbs, man...

It may have taken 10 years to get those LEDs on the Xmas tree, and the result was less-than-dazzling, but you did it.

You now have glowing, curly, pig-tailed CFLs in every socket.

So, in the spirit of of the Holy Rs and keeping pace in the race to reduce waste, any ideas what you do when these energy-saving light-shedders shed light no more?

Here in Cowichan, you have some options.

Many of the home renovation shops — RONA, Home Hardware, Home Depot — have programs where you can return the bulbs to be recycled. There's no fee but call ahead to make sure they take all sizes.

For the tube fluorescents, try Schnitzer Steel Pacific or Bings Creek Transfer Station.
There's a charge to recycle them, but it's less than the cost of throwing them in the landfill.