Life's Baggage

Now that compost, tap water, and cloth diapers have been widely adapted by environmentally-conscious Americans all over this great country, our little extra-liberal hippyesque corner of the world has had to reach a bit further in our quest to be the most conscientious, well-informed, peace-loving, tree-hugging villagers on this great big planet that we all call home.

Wracked with guilt with each trip to the landfill-bound garbage can and following the lead of that city across the bay, my mother decided that the most effective way to cut down on our household footprint would be to reuse plastic bags. And, as we no longer have a dog that required the use of two plastic baggies a day, continued use of these convenient but ever-so wasteful byproducts of our country's oil addiction requires a regular, effective sanitation method.

Namely, a large pot of soapy water and a good rinse. And then some quality time with Mister Sunshine.

True to form, this odd new habit of my mother's is completely effective. We've severely cut down on our landfill-destined waste and still enjoy all the benefits of plastic baggage. And, because my mother is an incredibly capable and creative woman, she not only uses each bag several times, but can get multiple uses out of one plastic bag all at once.

My father and I found this example of my mother's ingenuity in the refrigerator, just two weeks before he passed away. He was so impressed by this beautiful consolidation that he asked me to take a photograph. Quite the compliment, and a testament to his love and admiration of my mother, as he was rather adept at unique packaging himself.