MyFolia, a Website for Gardeners

A few months ago, a friend introduced me to a gardening website that has become indispensable to me, and I don’t say this lightly! The website is myfolia.com, and it is a great way to keep a garden journal for those of us who are not inclined to write things down or who are looking to keep track electronically.

I signed up right after I received my purchased seeds this spring. I entered them into “my stash” and began to plan when I would plant them.

Myfolia Seed Stash

Next, I started actually planting and on myfolia Continue reading “MyFolia, a Website for Gardeners”

Keep Your Dog Happy!

Recently I decided my dogs needed to get out  more without driving miles and wasting gas and time. I was sure I could find them something new right in our backyard. I used a search engine to look for local parks and paths that allowed dogs. During my search I came across a group called Columbia Dogs-on-the-Go. This local meetup group is for dog owners and their dogs to socialize and exercise together. I loved the idea and joined up.

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Rory in the water at a Columbia Dogs-on-the-Go meetup spot

Going green includes family pets, and it isn’t all about the right food and shampoo. Most dogs need to stay active, and taking them on walks is key. A green dog walk is nearby, requiring little to no driving. It means picking up after your dog and if possible, composting the waste. Keeping your dog walk green also includes not littering, recycling your waste, and bringing reusable water bottles to keep you hydrated.

Dogs are naturally pack animals and most are ecstatic in a group with other dogs. Although many dogs include their humans in their pack, spending time with other dogs is fun for most of our pet dogs. Even though Canis lupus familiaris has been domesticated for about 15,000 years, dogs still retain some of their wild behaviors and social hierarchy.  Bored dogs tend to be behavior problems, so keeping a dogs happy and engaged is a boon for both the dog and the owner.

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A picture from our walk by a fellow Columbia Dogs-on-the-Go member Amy Pickwick

The group I joined has frequent walks and events; right now they seem to average once per week. There are events at dog-friendly businesses and after work and weekend walks. On our first walk we met at a local lake and used the path around it to walk for nearly an hour. Abby brought her tricycle and Chuck walked Rory and I took Blue while pushing Abby. It was the first time Rory and Blue had walked with other dogs. Both dogs got along with all of the other dogs, and Rory actually calmed down a little bit and stopped pulling hard near the end; Blue is only a year old but is much better on the leash than Rory and rarely pulls unless we are running.

The walk was great! There were small dogs and big dogs, young dogs and old dogs. Almost 18 people attended and just about as many dogs. We had a number of people on the path ask about such a large group walking with dogs, and the organizers of Columbia Dogs-on-the-Go are looking into bandannas and t-shirts to advertise the group to encourage more people to join.

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Rory and a new friend at a Columbia Dogs-on-the-Go meetup. Picture also by Amy Pickwick

If you are a dog owner, I encourage you to look for similar groups in your area. If you don’t find one, start one! The exercise and socializing is good for both humans and adults and it is a great chance to meet new people. Still unsure? Show your dog his leash and his tail wagging will convince you!

A Green Office?!?

Book Review of true green @ work

You’ve greened your home, now it is time to move on to another area of your life – work. Most Americans spend over a third of their week days at work and often it is harder to feel comfortable making changes outside of your home. This book focuses on how to green your “home away from home.” Don’t laugh; remember how much time you spend there!

TrueGreenatWork

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Looking Through A Green Lens

Book Review of The Green Guide

Are my candles safe to burn? What should I look for and what should I avoid when renovating my home? Is there something better than paper or plastic? These are some questions that may come up in our daily lives. Ten years ago I never would have thought there might be toxic chemicals in my shampoo, but as I am learning each day I need to look at every aspect of my life to live more naturally. In The Green Guide I have finally found a book to answer many of my questions about earth-friendly, eco-conscious green living.

The-Green-Guide

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A Healthier Planet With Hemp

Hemp it an eco-friendly plant that is often equated with marijuana, but they are actually different plants. Although both are classified as Cannibis sativa, there are hundreds of different varieties. While Marijuana is grown for its THC content, industrial hemp is grown for other properties such as its fibers, seeds or oil. The US government does not differentiate between marijuana and industrial C. sativa although over 30 other industrialized countries do (such as Canada). Currently all hemp products sold in the USA are imported.

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Hemp Tote

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