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 […]
Uncategorized
The Public Banking Institute: Banking in the Public Interest Is a Game Changer
Public Banking Will Disrupt the Wall Street Banking Monopoly Banks owned and capitalized by a public agency (federal, state, county, or city) with a mission to serve the savings and investment needs and interests of the communities they serve, are so rare that most people are not aware that such […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
Tree of the Month, September 2023
Hawthorn, Thornapple, Mayflower, Mayhaw Crataegus sp. by Martin (Mort) Schmidt, for Simply Living Hawthorn is a small tree with a large number of species and a larger place in culture. Three species of Hawthorn have National Champions in Ohio, but the tallest is a mere 30 feet tall. Hawthorn represents […]
Tree of the Month, August 2023
Coppicing is the ancient practice of cutting down a tree or shrub, and harvesting the growth that sprouts from the stump. Coppicing was once widely used to provide construction material, fuel, and fodder, and it’s gaining renewed interest, especially as a source of sustainable energy.
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]