Better Seattle

An annual tradition...

     ...(aka "Challenge") for all you environmentally focused and sustainable living gurus (and those who are flirting with becoming more so) is the fantastic IKEA "Rent-A-Tree" event, where for a mere $14.99 (and $10 deposit) you can "rent' a delightful live 5-7 foot Douglas Fir to ring in the holidays.

Need I mention that you'll be hard-pressed to find a nursery to sell you a live fir for $14.99 (or $24.99) of similar height, and that a similar non-living (aka "cut") Christmas tree at a Christmas tree lot runs from $30 upwards (or $50 or $60!)

At the end of the holidays, you can return the tree to be recycled (not tossed out or composted, but re-used) January 4-6th, and claim your deposit refund in the form of an IKEA giftcard, or plant it in your front yard.

The biggest challenge to becoming a greater environmental steward is not "not knowing" what to do, but learning a new pattern, and for Christmas, establishing a new "Tradition". So here's the scoop:

Visit your local IKEA Friday November 30th through Sunday December 2nd to claim your tree. You'll need a total of $24.99 (tax may be applicable). Take the family, the kids, a friend, a long lost relative, or maybe someone you want to shock by your new "tradition". (After all, this Christmas tree comes in a pot!!!)

Take it home, decorate it, make hot chocolate, light a fire, sit next to it and tell stories or bribe your children with the benefits of being good (isn't that what Santa is for?). If you're going to learn a new tradition, you may as well start or re-adopt all the other traditions you've been fond of, especially if they've been neglected since your childhood or you've not made time. Allow your "Rent-A-Tree" to motivate you into fostering other Christmastime or life changes. 

Call ahead to confirm your local IKEA is participating, and have a merry time! IKEA is a 1998 recipient of the Evergreen Award for their environmental and conservational practices. 

I'd call this "God's Biggest Leaf", but am wary of stealing the title from some enormous six foot leafed flower in Australia. None the less, here it is! I've never seen one so big! (Evidently, I'm not the only one enamored with giants leaves. Yesterday I drove past a lady collecting these massive leaves while walking her dog.)

And another humongous pleasantry:

Halloween comes and goes, but this spider is planning on sticking around all year! So far as I know, this Somerset Homeowners Association hasn't yet requested Mr. Spider's hibernation. (I'll let you know how long he sticks around...)