I've often contemplated the ease with which I might blow off environmentalism: the convenience foods I might buy, the disposable plates which would banish the drudgery of dishwashing from my days, the time I could spend kicking my dogs up instead of making things as random as countertop spray, muffin mix, and edible play-dough from scratch.

I'll admit it. I am a waterholic. I drink wayyy more than 8 glasses a day and my friends (seriously) say I make a mean glass of ice water. It's all in the cubage, baby. But I refuse to buy bottled water these days, after years of ambivalence. Why?

There's big money lobbying the government on behalf of big meat operations. Time to speak up!

Join me in quick, pithy reflection. What six words capture your essence? Apparently Ernest Hemingway thought his best work was this six-word story: "For sale: baby shoes, never worn." Can you sum up your thoughts in six words? My own reflections on parenting: Dog was not baby in training. Baby girl, baby boy: living love. Exhort, commiserate, hug inspiring little people. Forage, nurture, protect, nip with teeth. Wipe butts, noses, tears, be snuggly.