A Year of Living Seasonally and Locally in York County, Maine

The movement toward local sustainable living is catching on with concerned individuals across the globe. As climate change continues to threaten our future, more of us need to be asking ourselves the question, “what can I do NOW to avert the looming environmental, economic and social devastation that is inevitable if we don’t make a change?” In response to this question, I have decided to embark on the adventure of local living. I will make every attempt to source all of my personal and household needs from within my local area (80% of food, goods, and services to be produced and purchased from within 50 Miles, with the remaining 20% produced and purchased from within New England.) I believe that if I cannot locate what I need or the materials with which to make it from within that area, then I don’t really NEED it, and I can live without it. (We'll see.... And you'll read about it here. Anyone know a toilet paper manufacturer in New England?)

Living in the North East. I’ve picked a challenging time of year to embark on my experiment of living locally and seasonally. The equinox has just passed. Days are getting shorter and the bulk of the season’s harvest has already been brought in. Perhaps I should have timed this better, perhaps more planning now and starting in the spring would make things go more smoothly, but I’m eager to get started. The situation is desperate for our world. There is no time to wait. And, the harvest IS coming in. There are long cool evenings just perfectly suited to puttering in the kitchen, canning and storing up summer’s bounty. The Alpaca down the road have warm coats and I’m looking forward to getting myself a cuddly sweater and some yarn for knitting myself a nice toasty pair of socks or bedroom slippers.

Is your life filled with things purchased from big box stores, shopping malls and the internet, things that have not made your life richer or more satisfying? As I embark on this adventure in search of a life richer in experience and wealth of spirit, I invite you to join me. Together we can start a revolution that will set this world back on the right path. Stay tuned to this blog and to my website www.sustainableme.me to follow my journey and get valuable tips, information, inspiration and resources for helping you on yours.   I believe that as you travel this road, you will experience a greater sense of gratitude and connection with your environment. You will begin to have a greater appreciation for the simple pleasures of life; a warm sweater, hearty roasted root vegetables, a fresh salad, sun kissed strawberries, all in their own season.

As I step out onto the road, I look forward to meeting you just around the bend or over the next rise. I am filled with anticipation for the new discoveries we’ll make, the adventures we’ll have, the truths we’ll find, and the friends we’ll meet along the way.

Please share this post with the planet. The “One Earth Revolution” begins November 1, 2013. Visit http://www.sustainableme.me/one-earth-revolution.html for more information.