New

It's nearly fall according to the calendar and my heater kicking in this morning reiterates that we're on the cusp.  I could hardly believe it when I realized it's been a year since last autumn when I tried to read Dracula and gave up as Christmas rolled around and vampires were less seasonally stimulating.  This year has flown by!  But there is something about fall that feels fresh and new and gives me energy for what's to come (whatever that may be). I've always loved the line in "You've Got Mail" where one of the main characters says he wants to buy a "bouquet" of pencils.  That's just how I feel.  Fall is a beginning.  First it was because I was in school I suppose and now it's because I'm married to a teacher, but I think I measure years starting in September.  As the world prepares to sleep for the cold winter months there's something paradoxically lively about it.

Let us, then, be up and doing,
        With a heart for any fate ;
    Still achieving, still pursuing,
        Learn to labor and to wait. 

"A Psalm of Life" final stanza -H.W. Longfellow

Ethical Industries # 5

Going green is hip, recycling is sexy, and "caring" is popular.  I've been highlighting several industries that came about as instigators or results of this current ideology.  Marketers have (of course) embraced these popular ideas.  But it never hurts to remember that buried below all the shiny packaging (metaphorical or otherwise) lies a true need and a real way to "be the change."   By the rules of capitalism, buying has power.  Many of us seek to reduce our purchases, live simply and with less, but when you purchase, purchase well and wisely.  Show your power.

Cost effective enough for the masses, many coffee and chocolate companies seek to be known for their fair trade or rain forest protection practices.  A few of these worthy companies are:

Caribou Coffee

Larabar

Grounds for Change (coffee, chocolate, and some tea as well)

Endangered Species Chocolate (this one is really fun; learn about the animals directly helped by your purchase -my favorite: Black Panther; the most clever? "Bug Bites")

Intelligentsia Coffee

There really are so many great options.  For more, see the Fair Trade Website

The 99 cents chair

I'm tackling another re-upholstering project -my first that has an upholstered back.
So far I've managed (with the help of my rugged husband) to remove some very pesky screws and some rather ubiquitous industrial-strength staples.  I'm very pleased to reaffirm that, despite its obstinate nature, the chair is in fact rather well made and assuredly of good strong solid wood.
Here are some of the demolition pictures.

Ethical Industries #4

My most recent find came about quite unexpectedly.  My husband and I were taking an evening stroll around our town and came across a store front with the words WAR boldly inscribed across it. At first I just thought it was an odd choice of words for a boutique in a fairly upscale neighborhood, but then I realized that it was an acronym.  I immediately made a mental note and looked it up upon arriving home.  The WAR Boutique is actually a storefront for an organization of much larger scope: Women At Risk, International.  The targeted benefit group is of course women, particularly those at risk in abusive or trafficking situations.  According to their own missions statement, "Women At Risk, International unites and educates women to create circles of protection and hope around women at risk through culturally sensitive, value-added intervention projects."

I hope to see this organization grow in the future with more funds available for its worthy endeavors.
The best thing about WAR International is that they understand the women they serve in a holistic manner.  That is to say, they desire to serve and rescue these women spiritually as well as physically.  I cannot put it better than they have themselves:
"The message we take women everywhere is that our value is in Christ and walking with dignity with our God. He is with us through the furnace and makes us precious. Our hope is that we will leave this veil of tears and walk streets of gold beside the one who rescued, redeemed, cleansed, and empowered us as his daughters."

Ethical Industries #3

I've got a double whammy for you today, two birds with one stone if you will.  Not only is the following company committed to fair trade, but they frequently have products available made from recycled materials as well.  According to their vision statement "Ten Thousand Villages creates opportunities for artisans around the globe to earn a fair wage" while they are committed to social responsibility.  The stores themselves are volunteer run and feature products from around the world, Argentina to Zaire.
There are stores around the country and of course you can always order online.

Ethical Industries #2

I am thankful people have begun to understand that as a globalized society our actions have a great impact not only on those who live near and with us, but on those who live around the globe.  One of the main ways we have global impact is through purchases -thank capitalism for that.  When we purchase we support the suppliers of a given product (the good and the bad, unfortunately).

What and how we purchase bears direct correlation to our ethics.  Wendell Berry stated that "eating is practical theology because it gives us a chance to honor God with our bodies."  Similarly, buying is practical theology because it gives a chance to honor God with our money (in addition to other stewardship tools like tithing and giving, of course).  It is not only through what we buy but how we buy that we can honor God.  We must consider where we purchase our goods from.  With capitalism comes the responsibility of the buyer.  We have power, and as anyone who's seen Spiderman knows, that is accompanied by responsibility.  Sometimes these goods can be more expensive as a result of ethical practices (a living wage given to factory workers for example).  As Christians, I believe it is right to say if it helps people, spend a little more.

Check out Everyday Justice for a bit more on this topic.  Julie Clawson takes a very practical approach, understanding that few if any of us are in a position to purge our closets and fill them with ethically sourced items.

And in the mean time, here's another ethical way to purchase things.  In association with National Geographic, Novica is a company that works in partnership with artisans worldwide to provide the with a viable income.  Right now they've got a sale on hammocks and other Mexican items going on!  You can also occasionally find Novica items on Overstock.com.

"Art for Everyone"

While this site takes a little bit of the fun out of the hunt for a spectacular piece of art in the estate sales of the world, or the overpowering delight that swells above any lingering guilt when you do splurge on a piece you "just love!" it is still a fun idea.  While you won't find originals on Affordable Art you will find honest to goodness prints, and those count.  It helps people to realize that sometimes, you don't have to slap posters -those archaic remnants from your first college decorating attempts - on the wall and call it day.  You can aspire to more.  You can have art.