Today's blog comes from Linda Bolstad, Central Library staff:

I went through a period a few years ago when I was quite obsessed with being green. My husband and I purchased a Smart car, installed solar hot-water heating and bought new energy-efficient appliances and low-flush toilets. We got an energy audit done on our home which led to a new efficient furnace and triple pane, low-e argon filled windows.

I refused to go on a holiday that involved air travel because that was one of the worst things you could do in terms of participating in the emission of greenhouse gasses. I tried to use public transit as much as possible and planned the use of my car so I could do many of my errands during the same trip. I stopped using my dryer and began hanging our laundry to dry. I continually hunted for ways to reduce my eco-footprint.

Well, lately, I’ve decided to lighten up. In the past months, I have used the dryer a few times. My mother is in a care facility where I drive to visit and take her out two or three times a week; so I often end up driving from there to work.

We’ve also come to realize that some of our sustainable choices are not as great as we thought they would be. Our solar hot-water system has not really saved us much as we don’t use a huge amount of hot water – mostly because our new energy efficient washing machine and dishwasher pre-heat the water! Those planes are still flying whether I’m in them or not.

Do I think it is still important to be green? Of course, but in what I would call a gentle, non-obsessive way.

Here are some books which may interest the eco-friendly crowd:

Green Interior Design by Lori Dennis

Green Decorating & Remodeling by Heather Paper

David Suzuki’s Green Guide by David Suzuki and David R. Boyd

Green Made Easy: the Everyday Guide for Transitioning to a Green Lifestyle by Chris Prelitz

- Linda

Today is Earth Day, a time to celebrate all things green. I just wish the lawns in my neighbourhood would get into the spirit of it.

Our homes and way of living are depleting the planet. We all know this and most of us try to do better in little day-to-day ways: adopting reusable shopping bags, recycling, choosing CF light bulbs and low VOC paint.

If you are planning major changes to your home, there are many books in the collection to help you choose eco-friendly materials and building processes. Here’s one that I like.

The Green Home: a Sunset Design Guide talks about ways to improve the home you live in, as well as how to build green. They compare and materials for walls, flooring and counters. They talk about fabrics for bedding and furniture and appliances that save water and energy.

It’s all put together with eye-candy interiors that reflect the latest in design and style. I like that. Shallow creature that I am, if the design is banal and boring, I am less likely to absorb the information.

There is also a section that covers the basics of xeriscaping. Perhaps the lawn that won’t green up shouldn’t be there in the first place.