Scotland Living with Green Garrick

Mid-fifties, breeze, sunny blue skies. Our morning walk to the grocer was pleasant and therapeutic.

We enjoyed lattes at the Morrison's cafe with most, if not all, of St Andrews' old-age pensioners. After having our groceries delivered for most the winter, pushing a cart through a grocery aisle was more fun than it should be.

On our way home, fingers white from carrying a carton of milk, I began to think of my new, green life in Scotland.

First, you should know that my husband loves scraping food out of tin cans, picking cigarette butts off the sidewalk (he was 3), and turning my hair straightener off before I use it.

At times, I can get a little annoyed when I'm cleaning the kitchen and he says from the other room, "You can recycle that!" Or, "That can go in the food waste!" For Garrick, it's a moral issue. For me, it's a way that I respect my husband. I do care for the earth, just not to the extent of washing used tin foil.

The move to the UK has been like Christmas morning for my green husband. Separate glass recycling posts and Fife Council issued food waste bins are just a few of his gifts. Creating less trash does feel good, even to me. Putting rotten spinach in the food waste doesn't mean I'm throwing my money away, because it's being "recycled." Because my marriage vows included a promise to recycle, I have adapted to a light-green lifestyle. Garrick's is more forrest green.

The other ways we live green are not only good for the environment, they save money.  We commute with our two feet and use public transportation when we leave St Andrews. Our hot water switch remains off because we have an electric shower. Washing dishes means boiling water. Clothes dry outside on the line or on our cute radiator racks.

I'll admit, walking to work in my heels and with my hair and makeup done on a rainy/windy morning does affect my mood. For once, I would like to not sport the "wind tunnel" look. But overall, I'm happy with my new lifestyle and will continue to live this way in the future.

This Seattlite is turning greener with every week spent in Scotland and every day spent with Green Garrick.

How do you live green?