Smarter use of Resources
Mike Allain is a logger that works along the border of Maine and NH, this day it's in East Madison, NH. What's interesting about Mike is that he is harvesting trees for a local lumber yard, 12 miles from where the trees are cut. These 80 to 100 year old trees are being trucked to East Conway, NH to "Home Grown Lumber" and processed into flooring. Mike has worked for years with the mill owner, Steve Morrill. In the early days it was out in the woods together, now Steve runs the mill and Mike supplies the some of the logs. Home grown lumber is one of the few mills in NH that is "re-discovering" wood that was typically thrown out, as well as sending bark, and chips to Ossipee, NH's wood fired power plant. Planks at the outside of the tree, containing numerous knots are now not thrown away but processed into usable flooring, increasing the usable percentage of the tree. By keeping the harvesting local, processing local and working with new ideas this local mill is keeping the carbon footprint of its finished goods down to a minimum, and making the most of our natural resources here in New Hampshire.
My mailbox
Joe, I think about wood and paper resources a lot these days, especially lately. Every time I open my mailbox it's filled with advertising circulars, and lately fliers from the presidential candidates are coming daily. I'm hoping that they're at least using recycled paper (I have to admit I haven't thought until now to check and see if they're labeled as using recycled paper or at least a percentage).
It's good to hear about responsible businesses like Home grown lumber that make the most of the precious resources available. The timber industry needs to do more of this, and when they do it should be reported and praised. Much of the news coverage of the industry is negative, and rightfully so. The destructive practices obviously get the most coverage, but those who engage in responsible and innovative use of our timber resources should get equal coverage and recognition. Thanks for bringing this company to our attention.
This writer doesn't have a lot of time (or patience) to putz around with complicated skincare regimens, so someone I know whipped up a quickie face scrub I could use in the shower whenever my complexion started looking wan and lifeless.
A natural antiseptic, honey heals and hydrates, while inhibiting infection and reducing inflammation. Meanwhile, sugar helps to open pores and slough off dead skin cells, even as it stimulates circulation and improves skin clarity.
No Time to Lose Honey-Sugar Face Scrub
Makes 1 portion
1 tbs organic, unprocessed honey
1 tbs organic fair trade sugar
1. Combine the ingredients in a bowl.
2. Massage the scrub gently onto clean skin for a minute or so. Leave on for however long it takes to wash your hair and soap off.
3. Rinse well with warm water.