saving the earth

Are you one of those that leaves the faucet running while brushing your teeth, shaving your face, rinsing dishes or veggies as you wash them or peeling potatoes or boiled eggs? May a plague of camel chiggers find you and torture you for a fortnight! Turn the faucet OFF between uses! Put the veggies in a colander or a bowl. Same with the dishes. Put a coffee mug in the sink full of water for rinsing off your razor. You can save up to 10 gallons of water doing this for every gallon of water you REALLY use.

More ways to save:

1. If you live in a mobile home, build an insulating skirt around it.

2. If you live in a warm place like we do here in Texas, when it comes time to re-roof your house, try to use as light-colored shingles as possible. Preferably shingles made from recycled materials.

3. If you're having a house built, ask your architect and contractor about alternative "green" materials that are out now.

4. Whenever you need to replace a window, choose a high-performance, energy-saving window.