Minor Alterations 2020
January 2020: Mending
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Although mending may conjure thoughts of housewives and domesticity, it is an incredibly useful skill to learn no matter who you are. Mending gives well loved articles a second chance by extending their lifetime and postponing retirement i.e. going to donation,
the garbage, or a rag bin (if you’re like my family and use rags to clean.)
I feel extending my clothing’s lifespan is important, because the more wearable clothes I have, the less new ones I need to purchase. Not to mention, I love the clothes I currently have and dread clothing shopping... especially when it’s for pants.
Recently, I tried my hand at sashiko mending: a form of Japanese hand sewing that not only repairs and strengthens clothes but beatifies them as well. The front of this postcard shows a portion of my first attempt using the asanoha pattern!
Mending can be as simple or as elaborate you like, and it can be a wonderful opportunity to express yourself. As someone who has difficulty sitting still, it’s also a nice activity to do while listening to podcasts or watching a movie with my family.
Here’s to hoping you join the “sew cool” mending club!
Sustainably yours,
Heather J. A. Thomson
P.S. As always, please feel free to message me or sign up for a free monthly postcard subscription at [email protected]
the garbage, or a rag bin (if you’re like my family and use rags to clean.)
I feel extending my clothing’s lifespan is important, because the more wearable clothes I have, the less new ones I need to purchase. Not to mention, I love the clothes I currently have and dread clothing shopping... especially when it’s for pants.
Recently, I tried my hand at sashiko mending: a form of Japanese hand sewing that not only repairs and strengthens clothes but beatifies them as well. The front of this postcard shows a portion of my first attempt using the asanoha pattern!
Mending can be as simple or as elaborate you like, and it can be a wonderful opportunity to express yourself. As someone who has difficulty sitting still, it’s also a nice activity to do while listening to podcasts or watching a movie with my family.
Here’s to hoping you join the “sew cool” mending club!
Sustainably yours,
Heather J. A. Thomson
P.S. As always, please feel free to message me or sign up for a free monthly postcard subscription at [email protected]
February 2020: Mindset
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Due to my paranoia over an impending environmental apocalypse, I was afraid to listen to January 6th's Ologies podcast on Futurology with Rose Eveleth. But, I m glad I did, because It reminded me of the importance of mindset.
Rose says "A lot of the future is scary, but also the future isn't written yet. And I think that's something that we need to remember. Yes, certain things are in motion and yes, all of us are kind of like one person, but in fact the future has not happened yet. There are things that we can do, and things that you can try... Studies have proven if you can ... imagine yourself in the future specifically, imagine what you're going to do, imagine your next steps, people are happier. People tend to be more productive."*
Even if only one person reads my postcard each month and adopts the minor alteration, that's one more person. Making these digital postcards is part of my next steps. So, my January postcard is coming... because its better late than never.
What we think matters. What we do matters. Cultivating a hopeful approach to the future is not only beneficial to our health but helps motivate us to attain our better future.
We can do this.
Sustainably yours,
Heather J. A. Thomson
*Rose Eveleth, "Futurology" (Ologies Podcast with Alie Ward, January 6, 2020)
Rose says "A lot of the future is scary, but also the future isn't written yet. And I think that's something that we need to remember. Yes, certain things are in motion and yes, all of us are kind of like one person, but in fact the future has not happened yet. There are things that we can do, and things that you can try... Studies have proven if you can ... imagine yourself in the future specifically, imagine what you're going to do, imagine your next steps, people are happier. People tend to be more productive."*
Even if only one person reads my postcard each month and adopts the minor alteration, that's one more person. Making these digital postcards is part of my next steps. So, my January postcard is coming... because its better late than never.
What we think matters. What we do matters. Cultivating a hopeful approach to the future is not only beneficial to our health but helps motivate us to attain our better future.
We can do this.
Sustainably yours,
Heather J. A. Thomson
*Rose Eveleth, "Futurology" (Ologies Podcast with Alie Ward, January 6, 2020)
March 2020: Flygskam
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If COVID-19 hadn't become a worldwide pandemic, yesterday would have been the day I left for a Printmaking Conference in San Juan, Puerto Rico. My intended mode of transportation was an airplane.
The David Suzuki foundation states “the total carbon impact of a single flight is so high that avoiding just one trip can be equivalent to going (gasoline) car-free for a year.”* I love to travel, but the environmental cost associated with flight leaves me with Flygskam, or flight shame.
In an age where jet setting across the world for business or pleasure is commonplace and/or expected, how can we collectively lower the costs of air travel? Traveling slow via alternative forms of transportation is an excellent way to not only use less fuel, but see more. Jocelyn Timperley writes about Flygskam and slow travelling in an article for the BBC and its a lovely read.**
But what if taking a flight isn't optional? Fly economy and lower the amount of fuel needed to propel you through the air. Less leg room for you = more seats = more passengers per trip = less fuel use per person. Flying direct also reduces energy use, as take off and landing require large amounts of energy.
Personally, I fly direct, only use air travel every few years and stay longer at destinations to try and justify my trips. I also strive to pack as light as I can, because no one needs to pack the kitchen sink.
Sustainably yours,
Heather J. A. Thomson
*"Air Travel Climate Change." Davidsuzuki.org https://davidsuzuki.org/what-you-can-do/air-travel-climate-change/ (accessed March 31, 2020)
**https://www.bbc.com/future/article/20190909-why-flight-shame-is-making-people-swap-planes-for-trains
The David Suzuki foundation states “the total carbon impact of a single flight is so high that avoiding just one trip can be equivalent to going (gasoline) car-free for a year.”* I love to travel, but the environmental cost associated with flight leaves me with Flygskam, or flight shame.
In an age where jet setting across the world for business or pleasure is commonplace and/or expected, how can we collectively lower the costs of air travel? Traveling slow via alternative forms of transportation is an excellent way to not only use less fuel, but see more. Jocelyn Timperley writes about Flygskam and slow travelling in an article for the BBC and its a lovely read.**
But what if taking a flight isn't optional? Fly economy and lower the amount of fuel needed to propel you through the air. Less leg room for you = more seats = more passengers per trip = less fuel use per person. Flying direct also reduces energy use, as take off and landing require large amounts of energy.
Personally, I fly direct, only use air travel every few years and stay longer at destinations to try and justify my trips. I also strive to pack as light as I can, because no one needs to pack the kitchen sink.
Sustainably yours,
Heather J. A. Thomson
*"Air Travel Climate Change." Davidsuzuki.org https://davidsuzuki.org/what-you-can-do/air-travel-climate-change/ (accessed March 31, 2020)
**https://www.bbc.com/future/article/20190909-why-flight-shame-is-making-people-swap-planes-for-trains
April 2020: Hair Washing
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This month's minor alteration was born from laziness. For years I had long, long hair and washing it was cumbersome. It was a task I wanted to do as infrequently as possible, so I began training my hair to last longer between washes.
I pushed my hair from 3 days to 4, and then worked my way up to every 5 days. Eventually, I was able to reach my goal of once a week, without my hair feeling like a mass of grease on the seventh day.
Washing my hair once a week has extended my shampoo bottle s life to a year. It might not sound like a big deal, but it means I'll consume 10 shampoo bottles over 10 years, instead of 14 (washing every 5 days) or 23 ( washing every 3 days). In an age of consumerism, any reduction in packaging and product consumption is an excellent step.
Pushing your hair to last one more day can be gross. That last day may leave you feeling grungy until your hair adjusts. But, what better time to do it than when we are all social distancing at home? No one s around to see. Plus, washing your hair less is less effort!
Plus, it doesn't show up on video conferencing. Trust me. I dramatically cut my hair recently and need to retrain it to last a week... and have been video conferencing on that grungy seventh day.
Sustainably Yours,
Heather J. A. Thomson
I pushed my hair from 3 days to 4, and then worked my way up to every 5 days. Eventually, I was able to reach my goal of once a week, without my hair feeling like a mass of grease on the seventh day.
Washing my hair once a week has extended my shampoo bottle s life to a year. It might not sound like a big deal, but it means I'll consume 10 shampoo bottles over 10 years, instead of 14 (washing every 5 days) or 23 ( washing every 3 days). In an age of consumerism, any reduction in packaging and product consumption is an excellent step.
Pushing your hair to last one more day can be gross. That last day may leave you feeling grungy until your hair adjusts. But, what better time to do it than when we are all social distancing at home? No one s around to see. Plus, washing your hair less is less effort!
Plus, it doesn't show up on video conferencing. Trust me. I dramatically cut my hair recently and need to retrain it to last a week... and have been video conferencing on that grungy seventh day.
Sustainably Yours,
Heather J. A. Thomson
May 2020: Planting Native Species
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This year Southern Ontario has been chillier than normal and my family s gardening is delayed. Not that we're avid gardeners (or have green thumbs) but we do enjoy seeing plants outside our window.
This year, I'm advocating for native Ontario species in our garden. Pollinators are important to our ecosystem and their populations are declining due to climate change, habitat loss and pesticide overexposure. Perhaps seeing fewer bees, ants and flies in your backyard is a welcomed respite, but “pollinators are responsible for pollinating over 30 per cent of the food we eat.”*
I enjoy supporting the environment AND having access to food.
Planting native species in my family's garden instead of foreign ones (like my namesake, heather) is a minor alteration I will be starting once the weather is warmer. Hopefully this postcard's illustration can help show native species can be just as beautiful as more popular gardening favourites. There are also many resources available when choosing what to plant, from local conservation sites to the David Suzuki foundation.
Here's to warmer weather and gardens with native flora and fauna.
Sustainably yours,
Heather J. A. Thomson
*Credit Valley Conservation. 2017. Native plants for Pollinators
This year, I'm advocating for native Ontario species in our garden. Pollinators are important to our ecosystem and their populations are declining due to climate change, habitat loss and pesticide overexposure. Perhaps seeing fewer bees, ants and flies in your backyard is a welcomed respite, but “pollinators are responsible for pollinating over 30 per cent of the food we eat.”*
I enjoy supporting the environment AND having access to food.
Planting native species in my family's garden instead of foreign ones (like my namesake, heather) is a minor alteration I will be starting once the weather is warmer. Hopefully this postcard's illustration can help show native species can be just as beautiful as more popular gardening favourites. There are also many resources available when choosing what to plant, from local conservation sites to the David Suzuki foundation.
Here's to warmer weather and gardens with native flora and fauna.
Sustainably yours,
Heather J. A. Thomson
*Credit Valley Conservation. 2017. Native plants for Pollinators
June 2020: Water Bottles
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Anti disposable water bottle messages are still relevant. Why? Because I continue to witness people purchasing, using and disposing plastic water bottles.
The impact of bottled water goes beyond the plastic container, because water is removed from its source and shipped elsewhere for consumption. Although it returns to the water cycle after consumption, pre-bottled water does so in another location: depleting the original ecosystem of vital resources. The shipping required to move bottled water also drains the planet’s resources and increases greenhouse gas emissions. In developed countries like Canada, where most of the tap water is safe to drink, pre-bottled water is an unnecessary environmental impact and a selfish hydration option.
But what if you want cold water the instant you want it? Insulated water bottles can keep anything from water to iced coffee cold for hours. Don’t want the burden of carrying a full water bottle? Use a public drinking fountain. Or, if you’re able bodied, get a workout in and carry it. For outdoor adventures or camping trips, take a jug of water and refill it at a campground’s potable water source or purify water from designated sources.
I personally refuse to drink water from a disposable bottle. If I forget my reusable bottle, I wait until I have access to a fountain or another sustainable source. Since starting this practice 10 years ago, fountain availability has increased dramatically, and it will only get better as more people join. Buy a themed water bottle, express yourself by adding stickers! Please do whatever it takes to reduce unnecessary waste! And please encourage others to do the same.
Sustainably yours,
Heather J. A. Thomson
The impact of bottled water goes beyond the plastic container, because water is removed from its source and shipped elsewhere for consumption. Although it returns to the water cycle after consumption, pre-bottled water does so in another location: depleting the original ecosystem of vital resources. The shipping required to move bottled water also drains the planet’s resources and increases greenhouse gas emissions. In developed countries like Canada, where most of the tap water is safe to drink, pre-bottled water is an unnecessary environmental impact and a selfish hydration option.
But what if you want cold water the instant you want it? Insulated water bottles can keep anything from water to iced coffee cold for hours. Don’t want the burden of carrying a full water bottle? Use a public drinking fountain. Or, if you’re able bodied, get a workout in and carry it. For outdoor adventures or camping trips, take a jug of water and refill it at a campground’s potable water source or purify water from designated sources.
I personally refuse to drink water from a disposable bottle. If I forget my reusable bottle, I wait until I have access to a fountain or another sustainable source. Since starting this practice 10 years ago, fountain availability has increased dramatically, and it will only get better as more people join. Buy a themed water bottle, express yourself by adding stickers! Please do whatever it takes to reduce unnecessary waste! And please encourage others to do the same.
Sustainably yours,
Heather J. A. Thomson
July 2020: Air Conditioning & Temperature
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I loath hot weather. I’m sweaty, my hair poofs with the humidity and I just feel gross all summer long.
You may think turning up the air-conditioning is the perfect solution to my summer woes... but it’s not. Air conditioning uses a lot of energy to provide a service our ancestors lived (and survived) without. So, believe it or not, I think adapting is where it’s at.
Forgoing AC means I’ll slowly adjust to the temperature as spring transitions into summer, and I’ll feel comfortable whenever I go outside. Plus, it means I can open my windows and listen to the wind in the leaves (my favourite sound in the whole world.)
There’s only one problem: my cohabitators don’t agree with an AC free life. Which is where this month’s Minor Alteration comes in. Our compromise is turning up the temperature by 2 degrees in our home, so that the air conditioning doesn’t work as hard. Currently, our setting is 25 C. It’s a small change for sure, but for every 2 to 3 degrees, you can save 10% on your energy bill!*
Drastically increasing your thermostat or going without AC isn’t possible for everyone due to health complications. However, if you can increase the temperature of your home by 2 degrees or more, do it! You have money to gain and a planet to care for! (and it s not that bad, trust me)
Sustainably yours,
Heather J. A. Thomson
*"Six Ways to Keep Cool." Davidsuzuki.org https://davidsuzuki.org/queen-of-green/how-to-cool-your-home-over-the-summer/ (Accessed July, 27, 2020)
You may think turning up the air-conditioning is the perfect solution to my summer woes... but it’s not. Air conditioning uses a lot of energy to provide a service our ancestors lived (and survived) without. So, believe it or not, I think adapting is where it’s at.
Forgoing AC means I’ll slowly adjust to the temperature as spring transitions into summer, and I’ll feel comfortable whenever I go outside. Plus, it means I can open my windows and listen to the wind in the leaves (my favourite sound in the whole world.)
There’s only one problem: my cohabitators don’t agree with an AC free life. Which is where this month’s Minor Alteration comes in. Our compromise is turning up the temperature by 2 degrees in our home, so that the air conditioning doesn’t work as hard. Currently, our setting is 25 C. It’s a small change for sure, but for every 2 to 3 degrees, you can save 10% on your energy bill!*
Drastically increasing your thermostat or going without AC isn’t possible for everyone due to health complications. However, if you can increase the temperature of your home by 2 degrees or more, do it! You have money to gain and a planet to care for! (and it s not that bad, trust me)
Sustainably yours,
Heather J. A. Thomson
*"Six Ways to Keep Cool." Davidsuzuki.org https://davidsuzuki.org/queen-of-green/how-to-cool-your-home-over-the-summer/ (Accessed July, 27, 2020)
August 2020: Window Coverings
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The hot weather doesn’t seem to be leaving any time soon, which means staying cool is a top priority!
Thankfully, there are many ways to keep your home cooler without blasting the air conditioner. Window coverings can make a big impact on interior temperatures, because they reduce sunlight and lower the impact of solar heating.
Window coverings come in all shapes and sizes. With blinds, shutters, shades and curtains, there’s something for everyone! Personally, my co-habitators and I have shades and curtains for every window. I love window shades because they reduce and diffuse sunlight. The curtains are a bonus, as they help darken rooms when desired (like when I’m trying to sleep.)
If using an assortment of window coverings sounds like a dark cave in the making, fear not! When I’m in a room, I pull the curtains (and sometimes the blinds) to bask in the sunlight. But I close them when I leave. It’s especially helpful to close window coverings when a room is in direct sunlight, unless you’re in it and want the sunshine.
Using window coverings is a small thing, but can help keep your home cool and/or your air conditioner from working so hard.
Sustainably yours,
Heather J. A. Thomson
Thankfully, there are many ways to keep your home cooler without blasting the air conditioner. Window coverings can make a big impact on interior temperatures, because they reduce sunlight and lower the impact of solar heating.
Window coverings come in all shapes and sizes. With blinds, shutters, shades and curtains, there’s something for everyone! Personally, my co-habitators and I have shades and curtains for every window. I love window shades because they reduce and diffuse sunlight. The curtains are a bonus, as they help darken rooms when desired (like when I’m trying to sleep.)
If using an assortment of window coverings sounds like a dark cave in the making, fear not! When I’m in a room, I pull the curtains (and sometimes the blinds) to bask in the sunlight. But I close them when I leave. It’s especially helpful to close window coverings when a room is in direct sunlight, unless you’re in it and want the sunshine.
Using window coverings is a small thing, but can help keep your home cool and/or your air conditioner from working so hard.
Sustainably yours,
Heather J. A. Thomson
September 2020: Wears Between Washes
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How often do you wear clothes before washing them?
Washing clothes uses a variety of resources, from soap to water and electricity. The less often we wash clothes, the less resources we use. Not to mention, our clothes can last longer! Printed designs can crack or fade over time, so not washing them after every wear can help preserve your favourite graphic t-shirts (I wear t-shirts twice if I’m home all day.)
How frequently you wash jeans is also something to consider, because “[r]esearchers at the University of Toronto... reveal[ed] that they’ve detected microfibres from blue jeans in aquatic environments ranging from the shallow suburban lakes near Toronto, across the Great Lakes and all the way up to the Arctic Archipelago.”* Which could be detrimental to aquatic life.
Am I suggesting you never wash your clothes again? Of course not! But working from home presents the perfect opportunity to try re-wearing clothes (if you don’t already.) Different websites say different things about how often to wash things, but one list you can check out is https://www.thefactshop.com/fashion-tips/washing-your-clothes
Sustainably yours,
Heather J. A. Thomson
*“Washing Jeans Could Be Contributing To Water Pollution In Canada: Study.” Huffingtonpost.ca https://www.huffingtonpost.ca/entry/washing-jeans-microfibres-water_ca_ 5f500341c5b62b3add3b68b3 (accessed September 30, 2020)
Washing clothes uses a variety of resources, from soap to water and electricity. The less often we wash clothes, the less resources we use. Not to mention, our clothes can last longer! Printed designs can crack or fade over time, so not washing them after every wear can help preserve your favourite graphic t-shirts (I wear t-shirts twice if I’m home all day.)
How frequently you wash jeans is also something to consider, because “[r]esearchers at the University of Toronto... reveal[ed] that they’ve detected microfibres from blue jeans in aquatic environments ranging from the shallow suburban lakes near Toronto, across the Great Lakes and all the way up to the Arctic Archipelago.”* Which could be detrimental to aquatic life.
Am I suggesting you never wash your clothes again? Of course not! But working from home presents the perfect opportunity to try re-wearing clothes (if you don’t already.) Different websites say different things about how often to wash things, but one list you can check out is https://www.thefactshop.com/fashion-tips/washing-your-clothes
Sustainably yours,
Heather J. A. Thomson
*“Washing Jeans Could Be Contributing To Water Pollution In Canada: Study.” Huffingtonpost.ca https://www.huffingtonpost.ca/entry/washing-jeans-microfibres-water_ca_ 5f500341c5b62b3add3b68b3 (accessed September 30, 2020)
October 2020: Postcard Not Available
November 2020: Postcard Not Available
December 2020: Gift Wrapping
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Season’s Greetings!
The Holidays are my favourite time of year, but I dislike the seasonal increase in single-use items. Single-use items are products designed for a single purpose, used during a finite time frame, and then discarded. Although wrapping paper is a lovely way to introduce festive colours and patterns, it also takes a toll on our environment: because it must be continually produced and
dealt with in our disposal systems. Even if wrapping paper can be recycled in your municipality, resources are consumed to do it.
For a more environment friendly alternative, I started using reusable cloth bags last year. Since my mother and I both sew, we can pick our own fabrics and continue to enjoy them year after year! If you don’t know how to sew, fear not. Many environmentally conscious companies and artisans make decorative bags. All you need to do is find the sizes and colours that work for you!
Bonus: if your gift is smaller than the bag, steal some of the recipient’s clean socks to pad it and keep them guessing!
Sustainably yours,
Heather J. A. Thomson
The Holidays are my favourite time of year, but I dislike the seasonal increase in single-use items. Single-use items are products designed for a single purpose, used during a finite time frame, and then discarded. Although wrapping paper is a lovely way to introduce festive colours and patterns, it also takes a toll on our environment: because it must be continually produced and
dealt with in our disposal systems. Even if wrapping paper can be recycled in your municipality, resources are consumed to do it.
For a more environment friendly alternative, I started using reusable cloth bags last year. Since my mother and I both sew, we can pick our own fabrics and continue to enjoy them year after year! If you don’t know how to sew, fear not. Many environmentally conscious companies and artisans make decorative bags. All you need to do is find the sizes and colours that work for you!
Bonus: if your gift is smaller than the bag, steal some of the recipient’s clean socks to pad it and keep them guessing!
Sustainably yours,
Heather J. A. Thomson