Gath'ring winter fuel

I think I live a fairly low-fossil-fuel lifestyle, at least for someone in a Westernized country. I don't have a car, so I go everywhere either on my own power (walk, run, bike, rollerblade) or, occasionally - maybe twice a month - by public transportation, much of which is powered by natural gas or electricity here (which still deplete fossil fuel resources but don't pollute as much). I have been in Europe long enough to have rid myself of at least some of my culturally inbred water- and electricity-wasting habits, and recycling is so easy as to be laughable here. Organic food is easily and cheaply available, and BYO canvas shopping bag is the norm.

I'm kind of proud of myself for taking some steps to reduce my environmental impact. I know I have a ways to go, and I wonder how much of it I'll be able to retain when I am back in the land of Bigger Faster More, but for now I think I'm heading in the right direction. That said, I really wish I had some sort of motorized vehicle right now, or at least a big cart, to load up all of these empty pop and beer bottles from Steffi's going-away party to bring them back to the grocery store a mile or so away (to be sanitized and reused). There are more bottles than can fit in my bike basket. Oh well, by now I should be resourceful enough to figure it out. Still, there are some days...

Oh so hypocritically, in the same breath in which I just extolled the virtues of my energy-saving lifestyle, I am going to exclaim with all excitement and exuberance and not a trace of guilt that I think I am going to partake of more than my share of airplane fuel sometime in November and then again in December as I come home for Thanksgiving!! I think I can get it to work so that I leave during an acceptable time for the office and can afford the ticket.

I can't remember the last time I celebrated Thanksgiving at home. My dad's family is so huge that we seem to grow exponentially each time we meet, what with the new spouses and significant others and small children that seem to sprout up before each memorable occasion. (On my mom's side, the kids just grow up.)

I can't wait to see my niece Hailey again, congratulate my sister on her graduation from med school, meet Mom's boyfriend (whom I technically know but haven't seen in 20 years or so), hug my cat, spend some time with K. as she's dealing with chemo, and see as many of you as possible for as long as possible. It won't be nearly enough time, because it never is, but what can you do? I don't think I'll make it to Chicago this time, but will try to cover much of eastern Iowa and Minnesota south of the Cities.

I haven't bought the ticket yet, so nothing's set in stone, but right now coming home is more important to me than seeing more cathedrals and museums and oceans (plus, no one wants to come and visit me - pout, sob, sniff). I learned my lesson last time, and will be planning at least the rough coordinates of the journey before I set off, so if you want to see me, please tell me when and where. Anyone want to come along for the ride? Road trips alone are kind of counterintuitive. I have enough time for contemplation here. :-)