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 […]
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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, […]
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 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 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 […]
Tree of the Month, March 2023
Red Maple (Acer rubrum) by Martin (Mort) Schmidt for Simply Living March is the month for Red Maple – or one of the months. It’s small red flowers lend a beautiful red glow to forests and streets in the spring, and its leaves turn scarlet in the fall. Maple is […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
September Tree of the Month 2022 Black Cherry, Rum Cherry Prunus Serotina by Martin (Mort) Schmidt for Simply Living
Black Cherry wood is prized for its attractive color, but Cherry is surprisingly common in Ohioforests and most of the Eastern US. Black Cherry is not the tree used for pies and pastries, nor isit the cherry widely used in landscaping, known for its spring blossoms. But it does have […]
Southern Ohio Sustainable Haven: Blue Rock Station
After Anna Haught interned for Simply Living, her next adventure was Blue Rock Station. Enjoy her blog post describing her experience!
Tree of the Month, July 2022
“Mimosa”, Persian Silk TreeAlbizia julibrissinby Martin (Mort) Schmidtfor Simply Living If you’re driving along a city street in July and notice a small tree with pink flowers, take a closer look — it might be a Persian Silk Tree, commonly known as “Mimosa”. As the name suggests, it is native to […]
Tree of the Month, June 2022 American Hornbeam aka Ironwood, Blue Beech, Water Beech, Muscle Wood (Carpinus caroliniana)
Learn about the features and many uses of this hardwood tree.
Be the Change Weekly Community Update December 17, 2021
Online Solar PV Course Now Available This course is designed for those new to solar. Ideal for folks wishing to install a system on their home or business, understand what they are getting into if they wish to hire someone to install a system, or enter the rapidly growing PV […]
Be the Change Weekly Community Update November 26, 2021
A Simple Thanksgiving Grace (or for any meal)O Great Spirit, soul of all creatures great and small, we are thankful for this meal; it is the work of many people, and the sharing of other forms of life. Enjoy your Thanksgiving weekend, and don’t miss Bill Cohen’s Songs of Gratitude […]
Be the Change Weekly Community Update November 19, 2021
Co-Creating the Eco-Future: Meetup & DiscussionMonday, December 6 at 7 pm EST on Zoom Are YOU a cultural creative? Simple livers, renegades from the consumer society, green activists, arts and craft makers, yoga lovers, meditators – WE are the ones we have been waiting for! Join us for a meet […]
Be the Change Weekly Community Update November 12, 2021
Hey Hey Hey – are you tuned into our awesome Columbus community radio? Pssst! All the good info in this weekly Community Update is brought to you by two volunteers, Rita Haider and Chuck Lynd. Are you a wannabe blogger, love to search the Net, or just passionate about our […]