Real Living with Robin Rilette

Happy Juneuary!

You know when something unusual happens at work and everyone gathers in the hall to discuss? It feels a bit like that this morning at Northwest Public Radio. It's been snowing since early this morning and it just seems so bizarre that you can't help commenting about it.

Our "Weekend Edition" host, Thom Kokenge, and I took some pictures. The beautiful snow covered Iris is one of his, as is the self portrait below. Thom! No offense but that's a pretty serious dandruff problem you've got going on there!


Footprints in the snow on June 10th! The world is a wonderful place. And it's still coming down as of 10:38 am!







For some strange reason I feel compelled to eat spritz cookies!

4.1?

Today I took the ecological footprint test on the "Our Northwest" section of Northwest Public Radio's website. I selected my avatar (who looked stunning by the way!) and proceeded to take the test, fully confident that my composter, numerous recycling bins, energy efficient windows, washing machine, gas efficient car, and my car pooling would leave me with a smug, satisifed feeling. Take a bow Robin!



Much to my horror I found out that it would take 4.1 planets to sustain my life style! For about three hours I felt very discouraged. "What's the point?" I said. Then I spoke with a colleague who lives about a half a mile from work and walks every day. She rarely drives, is a vegetarian, lives in a house that is less than 600 square feet, recycles, etc; and still has a score of over 1 planet.

So I decided to take one of the other eco quizzes on "Our Northwest" and discovered that in spite of my horribly selfish lifestyle I am still considered an ecoally with a score of 55!



The moral of this ecological story? I will continue to do my best to conserve, be a wise consumer and encourage others to do the same in spite of the discouraging news story that a massive bill to deal with global climate change died today in the Senate.