My wife and I have implemented a "one in, one out" rule when it comes to purchasing. If we buy something, we must donate or sell something else.

I started taking cooler, shorter showers to save both energy and water, and I quite enjoy them. I leave feeling more energized and less lethargic. It is uncomfortable, but I think facing some discomfort to start the day proves that I can do other uncomfortable things throughout the day.

I've adjusted my sleep schedule earlier for more sunlight during the day and better feelings of productivity and, truly, it's been helpful in my mindset of the day and I plan to continue.

I realized I don't know the size of my yard, for one thing. It's also hard to figure out an average answer for some things like outdoor watering when it varies through the season in response to temperature, etc.

Our water fixtures are certainly newer than the date the footprint calculator mentioned for non-low-flow fixtures, but I expect they could be even more low-flow. Getting more drip irrigation zones set up in the garden will help with outdoor watering too.

I have a dog that I like to take for walks. We live right by the Ogden River Parkway, so we always enjoy a walk by the river (and my dog enjoys walks in the river). It is a nice escape to "nature". Seeing ducks swim, fish jump, and birds fly overhead is a nice connection to the world around me.

This is why I love weather so much. No matter where I am, I can look up at the sky and learn something about the state of the atmosphere. I can also draw conclusions based on what I have learned from past science classes about what weather we're experiencing and what is to come. I especially love sunrises and sunsets. Sunrises to me represent opportunity, a fresh start. Sunsets invite me to reflect on the day.

This quote reminds me of my favorite quote my Marcus Aurelius: "When you arise in the morning, think of what a precious privilege it is to be alive-to breathe, to think, to enjoy, to love".