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Shelburne Free Press https://shelburnefreepress.ca/?p=6843 Export date: Tue Jul 23 19:29:49 2024 / +0000 GMT |
EDITORIAL: Who turned off the lights? Over the weekend my family and I took part in Earth Hour celebrations. Although we would normally sit by candlelight while watching a movie, last Saturday (March 29th) we axed the movie and sat and talked instead. I've always been a big believer in saving electricity. This probably dates back to my childhood, where my mom, a single parent, was always yelling at us kids to “turn off the lights”. Later, my pay cheque cashing out groceries didn't stretch very far, and I decided having a large Hydro bill – and being able to wear only an undershirt indoors in the winter – wasn't as important as eating. Those university days further reinforced my frugal ways and I've been less than a consumer ever since. Today, you will find throw blankets on every couch, bed and armchair in my home. Cold? No problem, wear clean socks (new fibres keep you warmer than broken ones) and wrap yourself in a fuzzy blanket. Works every time. Although we didn't register for Earth Hour, we were on “the list” in our minds. Having the lights and T.V. off made for quite a cozy evening, and we talked for hours as a family – eating snacks and laughing at the funny shadow-faces we could make by placing candles of various sizes and colours under our chins. I knew Earth Hour had passed, and the “new movement” we'd started was over this morning, however, after I timed my 14 year old having a 20+ minute shower (sigh!) After this cold winter (with my Hydro bills exceeding $400 for a 62 day cycle) I will be glad to be able to open the windows and let the heat from outside warm our home and our hearts once again. For now, maybe we'll start practicing for Earth Hour 2015. Who knows, I might save a few bucks and the kids might come around for conversation (and shadow puppetry) more often. By Wendy Gabrek |
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Post date: 2014-04-03 18:24:35 Post date GMT: 2014-04-03 22:24:35 Post modified date: 2014-04-09 10:32:45 Post modified date GMT: 2014-04-09 14:32:45 |
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