Sustainably
Sadie
Restraint
A sustainable life means
sticking to a budget, living within our means.
No impulse buying. The shiny and
bright advertisements for the perfectly seasonal, perfectly suitable, can’t-live-without
items are everywhere. Shopping has
become tortuous. Stick to the list, and
only items on the list.
It is counter to the current
consumer culture. Durable goods used to
have to last 20 years, now they only have last three. Grandma’s washing machine lasted decades
while modern machines probably won’t last one (decade). It makes sense (cents) if you’re the one
benefitting from the profit; it is not best for the environment, so much more
waste.
I found myself inspecting a
hand blender just because it was bright orange, touching it while considering
its possible advantages—we have 2 at home already!
Keep repeating the
mantras: stick to the budget, stick to
the list. I comparison shop; stop in all
the stores that may potentially have the item I need/ want then look online. Look for sites with free shipping. Who has the best deal? Spend hours looking for the smart buy;
calculate that time as a working wage and I’ve saved no money at all. Ah!!
It’s infuriating. And at my wit’s
end, I realize that I need to embrace restraint.
My father’s parents survived
the Depression, which has made my father feel that he too had lived through
those tough times. Eat everything on your plate, waste nothing, reuse everything, collect
recyclables then collect cash, free is too good to pass up, make due with what
you have. I believe that resourcefulness is common among
Montanans. We’re well-suited to return
to the Before Consumer Culture times: plenty of space for backyard chickens; we’re
rich in agriculture; shopping is more necessity than amusement; an abundance of
outdoor recreation provides escape from constant advertisements.
I’m tired of that feeling
that comes after spending hundreds of dollars at Wal*Mart to come home and
realize there are no “special treats” for Mom.
It’s like the empty feeling after all the Christmas presents are
opened. The powers that be want us to
feel unfilled—so that we keep buying.
I’m going to keep fighting the good fight, to stick to my budget, to
resist that which I can live without, to embrace restraint.
Share your sustainable
successes at www.sustainablysadie.blogspot.com
or sustainablysadie@hotmail.com.
Twin Bits
Jackson’s Garden in Sheridan
has a new VISTA summer associate who is coordinating activities at the Garden
including Volunteer work days, the Kids’ Club program and the Thursday night
Farmer’s Market. Volunteer work days are
Tuesdays and Saturdays, 8 am to 1 pm.
Thursday Farmer’s Market is 5 pm to 7 pm at the Main Street
Park, corner of Main Street and
Mill. Check out Jackson’s Garden website, https://sites.google.com/site/jacksonsgardeninc/home
and *Like* them on Facebook.
The Hutterites and their
wares will be at the Twin Bridges Farmer’s Market this coming Saturday, June 23rd.
The Twin Bridges Farmer’s
Market is open 9 am to Noon every Saturday of Summer. Bring your market bag/ basket and load up on
local goodies. Contact: Coree Martin,
Market Master, cmartin@3rivers.net, 406-596-1978. If You Grow It, Raise It, Bake It or Make It -
MARKET IT.
The Senior Pro Rodeo is
Tuesday June 26 and Wednesday, June 27 at Madison County Fairgrounds.
Sheridan Festival & Car
Show is Saturday July 28 and Sunday July 29.
Activities include BBQ, art show, great music and more!
Floating Flotillas and Fish
Fantasies in Twin Bridges is Saturday July 28.
Activities include 3 on 3 basketball tournament, River Parade, Kids
Games, BBQ and more!
River’s Edge Gallery hours
are 10 am to 5 pm, Tuesday thru Saturday.
Debra’s Art Wall at the Twin
Bridges Library is kicking off summer by featuring youth artists. Celebrate the young, creative artists in our
community at their reception this Friday, June 22, 4 pm to 5:30 pm.
*****
I’m here to help promote Ruby Valley
events and spread community information.
Post comments at www.sustainablysadie.blogspot.com,
email sustainablysadie@hotmail.com,
call 406-531-1422 and send snail mail to P.O. Box 491, TB 59754. Thanks for reading and sharing, Sarah Miller.
