Uncategorized

Ecology, Uncategorized

Tree of the Month, December 2023

Eastern White Pine, White Pine Pinus strobus by Martin (Mort) Schmidt for Simply Living Eastern White Pine has long been one of the most important softwoods of the eastern United States. In colonial times, after most of the old trees in Europe had been harvested, America’s straight, tall White Pines […]

Ecology, Uncategorized

Tree of the Month, November 2023

Witch Hazel, American Witch Hazel, Snapping Hazel Hamamelis virginiana by Martin (Mort) Schmidt for Simply Living When in bloom, Witch Hazel might be mistaken for an oversized Forsythia. But the Witch Hazel native to Ohio blooms in November! It’s really worth making a trip to see Witch Hazel in bloom […]

Guest Blog Post, Health & Wellness, Lifestyle, Transit, Uncategorized

Reflections on Daily Walking in Segovia Spain

How a daily practice of walking as a college student in Spain became a transformative experience that intersects with issues of city planning, health and longevity, environmental sustainability, community and purpose.  By Frank Lesko  I spent a semester in Segovia, Spain, in 1997 while attending Hiram College. Segovia is a […]

Ecology, Uncategorized

Tree of the Month, October 2023

Northern Red Oak, Red Oak Quercus rubra (Q. Borealis in many older texts) by Martin (Mort) Schmidt for Simply Living Northern Red Oak is one of the Midwest’s most important trees. Oaks are host to numerous animals, provide food for rodents, bears, deer, and other animals, and are essential sources […]

Ecology, Uncategorized

Tree of the Month, June 2023

Honeylocust Gleditsia triacanthos by Martin (Mort) Schmidt for Simply Living In the wild, Honeylocust is one of the most recognizable trees because of its long branched thorns. In fact, the Latin species name, triacanthos, means “three thorns”. Honeylocust is very popular for landscaping, but domesticated varieties usually lack thorns and […]

About Simply Living, Climate, Ecology, Lifestyle, Sustainable Living, Transition, Uncategorized

How Living Simply Addresses the Root Causes of Climate Change

As a long time advocate for living simply I often hear people say “that’s good for you, Chuck, but it won’t be enough – we need to change the system.” They’re not exactly being dismissive, but perhaps damning with faint praise. I heartily agree that changing systems – lots of […]

Ecology, Environment, Uncategorized

Tree of the Month, May 2023

Callery Pear (Pyrus calleryana) by Martin (Mort) Schmidt for Simply Living Once considered the ideal landscaping tree, the Callery Pear cannot legally be sold, grown, or planted in Ohio, due to its invasiveness. Callery Pear was introduced to the United States from Asia in the early 1900s. The edible Pear, […]

Ecology, Environment, Uncategorized

Tree of the Month, April 2023

My Favorite Tree Books By Martin (Mort) Schmidt for Simply Living I recently wrote about my favorite tree websites and downloadable books. This month I’ll discuss my favorite printed books – books about trees made from trees. I have over a hundred of them, many of which I picked up […]

Simply Living Logo
Uncategorized

Simply Living Is Hiring Executive Director

Executive DirectorJob Description  Primary Objectives:The Executive Director provides leadership, fundraising, programming, communications, andadministrative oversight and support for the Simply Living board of directors and membership inpursuit of the organization’s mission to connect people with learning opportunities that promotesustainability, environmental justice, and our local economy. Our mission is translated intoaction through […]

Simply Living Logo
Uncategorized

Simply Living Is Hiring Administrative/Financial Consultant

Financial/Administrative Consultant Job Description Primary Objectives:The Financial/Administrative consultant works remotely and reports to the Simply Livingpresident and the executive director, and also interacts with Simply Living board members(especially the treasurer and check writer) to create financial reports, reconcile bank accounts,and track payables, receivables, donations, and other account details. Work hours […]

Ecology, Uncategorized

Native Plant Sale

The Franklin Soil and Water Conservation District is holding their annual plant sale. I’ve planted over 100 trees from this source over the years and nearly all of them have thrived. Most of the trees are sold as bare-root saplings, which consist essentially of twigs with roots, packaged in bundles […]

Living Simply, Uncategorized

Simply Living Talks to ChatGPT

In case you haven’t heard, CHATGPT is a new AI (Artificial Intelligence) program. You can ask questions and get answers on almost any topic It is also interactive and allows for dialogue to pusue topics in depth. For example, I asked ChatGPT what it is and received this answer. What […]

Ecology, Uncategorized

Winter Tree ID

Mort Schmidt, author of the Tree of the Month articles, will co-lead a winter tree ID walk with park ranger Scott Felker at Three Creeks Metro Park on Sunday, January 22nd at 2 PM. We’ll meet at the Confluence Area as shown in the attached map. I’d love to see […]

Ecology, Uncategorized

Tree of the Month, January 2023

Baldcypress, Swamp Cypress (Taxodium distichum) by Martin (Mort) Schmidt for Simply Living Not all conifers are evergreens. We often use the terms interchangeably, but in fact some conifers lose their needles in winter, while some broadleaf trees, such as American Holly (Ilex opaca), keep their leaves in winter. As discussed […]

Ecology, Uncategorized

Tree of the Month, November 2022

White Ash, American Ash Fraxinus americana  by Martin (Mort) Schmidt for Simply Living White Ash is the stuff of baseball bats, and would be a good candidate for the ideal tree, especially when considering its wood. Harder than pine, softer than oak, ash is hard enough to wear well, but […]

Ecology, Uncategorized

Tree of the Month, October 2022

Eastern Hop Hornbeam, aka Hop Hornbeam, Ironwood Ostrya virginiana by Martin (Mort) Schmidt for Simply Living Eastern Hop Hornbeam is often overlooked today, but it was once an essential wood due to its considerable hardness. It’s often confused with two other understory trees, American Hornbeam – Ohio’s other “Ironwood”, and […]