Technically, this is an audio book review. I highly recommend listening to this one if you can. You will recognize her voice if you have listened to All Things Considered on NPR between 2002 and 2011, when she was one of the hosts. In this, her first book, she applies her award-winning journalistic skill and engaging storytelling toward uncovering the sometimes-uncomfortable truths in her own family. As a memoir, she takes us on this journey of discovery and shares with us her inner emotions along with the facts. Ms. Norris originally set out to write about the changing conversations around race in the Obama era, but changed course when she realized there was so much to learn, hear and talk...
What have you learned or what habits have you changed in July with regards to plastic usage? If you have been following me on social media, or others who post on sustainability topics, you will have known about this month-long initiative started by the Plastic Free Foundation. If not, if this is the first time you’ve heard of it, that’s OK, too! The purpose of this is to get people thinking about all the overabundance of plastics and work towards reducing our own participation in that. A month of awareness gives us a time to share ideas, bring the topic to the forefront and encourage us to make changes towards being plastic-free. Now, don’t be scared off by the idea...
What makes hemp sustainable? Hemp doesn’t need pesticides and herbicides to grow. Replenishes the soil and grows rapidly, making it possible to harvest multiple crops of hemp on the same land in one year. Compared to cotton, hemp uses less water than cotton and less land for more fiber. Hemp is a versatile crop that can be grown for food and textile uses. Hemp clothing also has benefits to you. It can be made into different types of fabrics such as linen, canvas and jersey knit. It is durable, porous and breathable. The fibers take to dyes well, so they retain color longer than other fibers. These fabrics feature resistance to mold, mildew and UV rays. Your hemp clothing will...
What do you say when your son wants to check out a very sexist graphic novel from the library? * “No way, not on my card, kiddo.” That is in fact what I said: a first reaction that just came flying out of my mouth. This, of course, put him on the defense. When you are dealing with a teen, that is no way to have an influence. Actually, that is no way to convince anyone to consider another point of view, regardless of their age. So here goes parenting, take two. When he objected, I made a deal. I said. “If I check this out for you, I will also check out feminist books that you will be required...
