Garden Detective

Sesame Street's Kermit the Frog laments his lot in life in his song, "It's not easy being green." But practice makes perfect.

I admit it: I'm an imperfect environmentalist. I talk the talk and try to walk the walk, but every now and then I falter.

I compost (usually), (try to) use mostly renewable or at least biodegradable products and never, ever use pesticides in my garden. But it's the 'usuallys' and the 'try tos' that I want to talk about. Or rather the times when it doesn't work according to plan. Like the other day, when I secretly put a can in with the regular trash because the recyclables had just been taken out and I didn't want to have to put my coat and shoes on and walk to the curb with it. Or the times when my counter-top compost crock is full and so I just throw all those beautiful food scraps into the garbage because I'm too busy to take the crock outside and empty it into the composter. This usually happens when the weather is bad, which it is, generally, from November through April.

It all reminds me of the old Steve Martin joke: "Always carry a litter bag in your car. It doesn't take up much room, and if it gets too full you can always toss it out the window."

On the bright side, I've made a New Year's resolution to try harder. This was spurred by a little surprise I found in the stocking hanging from my fireplace mantle on Christmas morning. Though my husband insists it was a hint from Santa, I'm pretty sure he's behind the conspiracy. John, who works as a commercial real estate property manager, is on a renewed environmental frenzy. He has even completed courses for a "green buildings" certification. And he tossed a sideways glance at me just last night when I threw a tin foil ball in the trash.

The stocking surprise was a desk-sized calendar titled, fittingly, "The Lazy Environmentalist" and it contains "366 days of great tips for easy, stylish green living." I'm really excited about implementing the daily tips, offered one to a page, if for no other reason than I currently have only 365 days in a year. If the calendar lives up to its title, I might save a whole day by meticulously following its advice.

Today's tidbit (It's Islamic New Year, I've learned) is about Eco-Vacationing. It touts adventurecollection.com, a travel company that can customize high-end phenomenal experiences while practicing eco-conservatism and "responsible tourism."

OK. I can't take any time off right now, and even if I could, I certainly couldn't afford to "visit Europe's castles and reach out and touch the spires and turrets from...a hot-air balloon." Nor do I have the physical endurance to "scale the east face of Mount Everest." So I might have to pass on this tip and settle for the Disney World vacation I have planned to celebrate my daughter's 16th birthday this spring.

Yesterday's tip, however, hits closer to home: "For taking out the trash, use bags that are biodegradable so they won't still be here long after you're not. BioBags are made from next-generation plastic derived from corn -- as in corn on the cob." I really like that one. Check out biobagusa.com.

Are you a lazy environmentalist? Confess your sins below and pledge a fresh start.