About the Blog

Any intelligent fool can make things bigger, more complex, and more violent. It takes a touch of genius – and a lot of courage – to move in the opposite direction.” – E.F. Schumacher

Are you trying to live more simply and with a lighter step on this lovely blue planet we call home? Would you like to make a difference in the kind of world you will leave to future generations?

Me too.

Welcome to White Pines Whisper, my little blog about creating a simpler, more sustainable life. I hope you’ll find a home here with other smart, aware, creative folks interested in “greening” their homes and property, growing safe, healthy and delicious food fit for a gourmand, rediscovering their creative side, and learning to live with nature, not apart from it. (And no, you don’t need acres of space to do it. Bloom where you’re planted!)

Here’s how I look at it: if our current wasteful Western lifestyle has created the problem, then changing how we live will most certainly help solve it (or at least mitigate the damage). If 300 million of us live wastefully, we will get one result – or more of the one we have. However, if we can all learn to live more sustainably, it’s inevitable that we’ll get another. So, yes, I believe that one person can make a difference by standing as an example to others who know – in their hearts – that changes are necessary.

And so I’ve joined the growing legions of like-minded people who are slowly rediscovering old “homesteading” skills in urban and suburban settings. They’re growing gardens, eating and shopping locally, and learning to DIY in a big way. Along the way, they’re finding less need to work long hours for more money (since they’ve jumped off the consumer gerbil wheel), are building savings and finding time for creative endeavors: writing, art, crafts, and more. In short, they’re remaking “the good life” for themselves.

Our mantra: “Lead, follow, or get out of the way.”

If we lead by living mindfully and locally, purchasing wisely, and eliminating the waste in our lives (and trust me, it’s there – no wonder the “cost of living” is so high!), the rest will follow. I believe we can change the course of things. How we spend our money – collectively – makes a difference, even if none of us is monetarily “rich”. It’s a powerful vote and as such, can be an indirect, but powerful influence of public policy.

Sustainability is a journey!
There’s no instruction manual. As we learn more, we do better. I will share what I’ve learned as I work toward my goal of simplifying my life and living more sustainably. (I’ll talk about the mistakes too.) Yes, the problems we face – potentially catastrophic climate change, a precarious economy, peak oil and more – are serious, but wallowing in fear is not helpful – it’s immobilizing. We all know that personal action is empowering, so I’d like to help. Look for useful tips and practical inspiration on variety of topics like creating a more environmentally friendly home, ‘unstuffing’ and money, gardening/permaculture and food. And since I’m a nature artist, I’ll be incorporating some art-related topics as well. It’s yet another way to express my life-long respect for nature.

I’d love it if you’d join me!