Back before this whole "green" initiative became popular, H was leading the way. He didn't do it because it was the "cool" or "trendy" thing to do... because it definitely wasn't. H was practicing green out of habits he had learned early on in life. Back then, it was called thrifty and not green.Let's take a look at some of H's green initiatives:
1. H always followed us as kids (and even as adults) from room to room turning out the lights. I could always count on hearing something about conserving lights and power under his breath as he went about flipping switches.
2. As demonstrated in this picture, H has been wearing many of the same clothes for many years. He's not a big believer in buying new outfits or shoes. I recall many times my mom asking H to get some new clothes. At times he would get "new" clothes but only as a hand-me-down from me or my brothers. H is a big believer in reduce, reuse, & recycle (Jack Johnson, the 3 Rs).
3. Until 1991 H drove an old white Toyota pickup truck. I think it was from 1978. As the paint chipped off of the old truck, H would use touch-up paint to keep it looking fresh. Unfortunately, the touch-up paint looked like white-out and didn't completely match the original truck color. As kids, we were embarrassed of being seen in this truck and would often duck on our way to school or elsewhere. The truck soon received the name of the "duck truck" (we also went duck hunting in it, which in a way is a form of self-sufficiency and reducing our reliance on the supermarkets to provide us with food).
4. Electric lawn mower - I think this speaks for itself... H reduced his reliance on gasoline and emissions. As a kid, I was always afraid of running over the cord and electrocuting myself.
I'm sure there are many more examples of H's green initiatives but I'll let those that know H chime in and relive those moments too.
Thank you H for being the trend setter that you are. I now find myself chasing the kids from room to room turning off the lights grumbling the same thing. I hope you have a good birthday weekend. I love you.
5 comments:
I do remember, growing up, that getting dad to hand over "the green" was tough. My friends would be waiting for me while I begged & pleaded with dad to fork over a little spending money. Now, he's the complete opposite, I must say. Dad's the best! Happy B-day daddy!
One of the most "green" acts I can remember as a kid was those unbearable 90 to 110 degree days where HB would refuse to turn on the air conditioner while recounting his life on the reservation living in the heat of the Arizona desert! How mom ever put up with that is a mystery to me! Happy Birthday HB...you are the best father ever!
It's easy to write about how great Dad us because he is just that-great. He read your post and I could hear him laughing and laughing. He really taught you all great values. We need more parents like him in the world. Love, Mom
thats a cool movie
I totally remember the refusal to turn on the A/C... classic H. I would add the use of solar panels (on top of the house and down by the pool)... H was definitely a front runner on the use of solar panels.
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