My brothers always called me a hippie. I think it was because I stopped eating red meat for a few years. That, or because of the Greenpeace magazine I requested, using an address at the back of a U2 tape insert.
The Greenpeace magazine arrived. I was underwhelmed. Plus, my mom told me they were in favour of abortion and population control, so the relationship ended before it began.
Discouraged by the paganism required in being a hippie, my inclinations took me to a fascination with the Amish. I read every novel I could find and started a collection of Amish vocabulary for any time I might come across a horse and buggy: “Guder Daag!” I knew about rumschpringe and building daudi hauses, and I dreamed of a day when I could start my own Catholic “Catmish” commune, living off of the earth but never injuring it – no social media, no non-compostable garbage, no electrical wires, no skinny jeans. Pure beauty.
I have always loved the beauty of the earth. I find myself talking to flowers and birds, making worm composters, and letting weeds grow for the bees. And so, the Amish life has romanticized itself into a dream of clean living, dirty fingernails, milk pails, and chickens who are legally allowed to be in my backyard.
Litter, plastic junk, and chemicals stand in the way between me and my dream of living off of organic beets. Well, maybe a few other things stand in the way, but they aren’t worth mentioning. The litter is the easiest to blame.
So, what’s a conservative, anti-socialist Catholic hippie with traditionalist leanings to do? In all of the environmental foofaraw these days, I find I don’t fit into either camp.
Because I’m pro-life, not a socialist, and I don’t want to hear homilies on the environment, apparently I’m not “green enough.”
And because I do believe that we are abusing our resources, insist on the 3 Rs (reduce, reuse, recycle), and think we actually are responsible for how we leave an impact, I’m “too green” for some people.
I’ve always said it’s unfair that the weirdos took up the environmental call. Really, it belongs to authentic orthodox Christians. It should be us living the clean lives. I don’t mean posting all over about giving up plastic straws (seriously?). I mean it should be us living in simplicity, detached from material trappings and waste. It should be Catholics, for the sake of the Creator, who respect the creation.
For some, it might mean getting solar panels or an electric car. For some, it’s smaller daily choices that won’t be seen and judged by others, not done for a movement, or social-political reasons.
They aren’t made to please the mob or prevent the newest “end of the world.” They are choices made to walk humbly with God, in the knowledge that above all things, man (you!) is his most prized and most beautiful creation. The earth was made for us, and for no other reason. But because of the One who made it, it deserves a bit more awe and wonder. As the Amish say, “Dat’s goot, jah?”
I’d like to share one small idea that’s green and saves money for this single-income family of eight: make your own laundry soap, as the plastic jugs and chemicals in manufactured detergent are something worth considering. Here’s how:
- 1. Grate one bar of plain soap (e.g., Ivory) and dissolve in a pan of warming water.
- 2. Mix 2 cups each washing soda (e.g., Arm and Hammer) and borax* in the bottom of a large painter’s bucket.
- 3. Add dissolved soap to powders and fill up to the top with water. Use ½ to 1 cup per load. Add essential oils for a scent (optional). This isn’t for deep stains but has served us well for regular cleaning.
*Treat borax with care. It is totally safe in the wash water but, like most stuff, isn’t good if inhaled as a powder.
