Brummet's Conscious Blog

-- Quote of the Day -- " Good communication is as stimulating as black coffee, and just as hard to sleep after. " ~ Anne Morrow Lindbergh -- Contest Winners -- This last week's winners are John and Agnes who will receive a copy of Dianne Ascroft's fiction novel: Hitler & Mars Bars & a copy of Laurie Cameron's book: The Journey from Fear to Love The next contest begins on June 2nd so keep an eye on this blog for details on what we'll have available. -- Note -- * I am out of the office for the day - taking some time to catch up on the garden and yard chores, Tuesday is filled with appointments but I will drop in the blog to leave a brief posting... like today's. All communications will be replied to, please be patient with me over the next few days while I play "catch-up" :) Find Dave & Lillian Brummet, excerpts from their books, information about their radio shows & free resources & articles ...

-- Reuse in the Workshop -- The workshop is a great place for reusing items formally destined for the landfill. Even if you do not have a shop or craft area you can always donate the items mentioned in the following paragraphs to friends, schools, shops, youth centers… The concept of reusing is as limitless as your imagination. Screws, bolts, picture hooks, plant hangers, curtain hooks, and hinges are common hardware items used in most homes. Although not overly costly when purchased a few pieces at a time, they can add up over the years. Salvage any reusable hardware and parts from old cabinets, furniture or mechanical items before discarding. These can easily be organized and stored in plastic containers of different sizes. Shop with this in mind and purchase items like peanut butter or mayonnaise in clear plastic containers. These are our favorite as they are recyclable, sturdy and you can easily determine the jar’s contents at a glance. When buying screws and bolts avoid the small ...

-- Quote of the Day -- “ (Universal Leadership Energy Environment Design): It began with coming home from the hospital and realizing that 80% of the two story home was inaccessible to me. …We began designing a universal design home – a ranch style without stairs or elevators… accommodating our home offices and lifestyle. …We started thinking ‘why don’t we share what we’ve learned with other people with disabilities? ’. …The breakthrough was through a Master Mind group – it was at that moment that they told us ‘Why don’t you build a national demonstration home and get corporate sponsors? ’ …Universal design needs to be addressed, so that the home is usable by all people, without the need for adaptation or any special design. So think of a house for people of all abilities no matter what their physical limitation – they can get into the house without steps, the hallway and doors are wide enough… the kitchen is set up with various heights of countertops and space for someone seated to mov...

-- Conscious Discussions Radio -- Today's Guest: Sheila Radha Conrad is a writer, speaker, psychologist, author of the Life Mastery Skills Book & the founder of the Life Mastery Skills program. Her work focuses on helping people thrive in life’s set-backs – be it financial, professional, health; we all face these challenges many times in life. Sheila the role we have to play as to the type emotional response we experience, and using the challenging times to explore ourselves, re-evaluate our passions and goals for the time we have on this Earth. Look to the right on this page for a link to take you to the Conscious Discussions radio show. -- Positive Eco-News -- Around this time last year, if my memory serves correctly, I recall reading about the Regional District for the Kootenay Boundary Region, volunteers and partners working together to plant hundreds of trees near the City Landfill to help clean our air and nurture the soil. Numerous volunteer teachers got together this ye...

-- Quote of the Day -- " I have often thought that if heaven had given me choice of my position and calling, it should have been on a rich spot of earth, well watered, and near a good market for the productions of the garden. No occupation is so delightful to me as the culture of the earth, and no culture comparable to that of the garden. Such a variety of subjects, some one always coming to perfection, the failure of one thing repaired by the success of another, and instead of one harvest, a continued one thro' the year. Under a total want of demand except for our family table. I am still devoted to the garden. But tho' an old man, I am but a young gardener. " ~ Thomas Jefferson -- Announcement -- I am honored to announce that I was approached by Chelle, the author of the Women In Charge blog, for an interview on her site. We had a lot of fun doing the interview a few weeks ago, and I felt that Chelle did a wonderful job in creating today's article from that co...

-- Positive Eco-News -- According to Recycling Product News magazine; spring 2009 issue, a recent study showed that discarded electronic circuit boards can be processed into an asphalt modifier that makes high-performance paving material that is cheaper, more durable and more eco-friendly. Circuit boards do contain toxic metals such as lead and mercury but today’s recycling industry can easily separate these from the valuable glass fibers, plastic resins and other components. -- Conscious Living Tips -- Occasionally here on the blog I offer tips like these to help inspire our readers & help them realize just how easy it is to make a difference. Our book, Trash Talk, is loaded with tips & information on reuse, recycling, reducing, refusing & gardening, among other things.... see the link for this book on the right side of this blog - by purchasing your own copy at Barnes & Nobles or your favorite book supplier, you are helping me keep this blog, our newsletter & two ...

-- Quote of the Day -- “ Freelance writing is really like being an independent contractor. …Just as if you were a general contractor, you are getting your own gig …and then doing all the work that it takes to get that assignment finished for someone. …It’s very time consuming. It is important to check your facts. …I would say that the one common thread with all the genres of writing is that they are all a craft; they all require attention to detail and continuous pursuit of excellence. If I am going to write I want to write well. …The different genres ARE different, each with their own demands – some require more fact checking than others. ” ~ Joan Scott - April 9, 2009 I chose this quote for today from the Conscious Discussions talk radio show, because writing is foremost on my mind at the moment. I have 2 projects currently in the hands of an e-book publisher, another book revision project coming up & 2 projects that have been waiting for me to get to them for far too long. Th...