Why I'm lost - part 2

I'm a green girl living in an area where it seems that 80 % of the population owns 3 vehicals and 1-2 of them are either an SUV or a massive pick up truck. While I completely understand that some people do need these vehicals, I honestly belive that there are those who have fully purchased their vehical for the perception of what it means to have such a mode of transportation.

The city in which I live offers no recycling, none what soever. Most peoples idea of recycling is how to transform whatever they are not using into yard art. Cities and towns to the north of us do have recycling as a part of the trash services, but not where I reside.

Goodluck trying to find much in the way of organics, they are either nonexistant or so overpriced that they ate almost not worth it. Now if I drive 20-45 minutes in my shared-with-my-husband-car into the depths of the Cincinnati counter culter, then I may or may not find some eco-friendly solutions, but at that point is my gas usage worth what I would save in my carbon footprint?!

I know that for many who are living in the tri-state area these are particular views, but coming from a city who over 10 years ago implemented a mandatory recycling program (in the South be it!) it something that is truly needed to be looked at.

Kentuckians wonder why the rest of the county looks at them as backwards hicks, but I feel they continually neglect important issues so it is a status that is not completely without merit.

Now I am not some eco-crazy zealot who believes that we should go back to the pre-industral days when women washed their families laundry 1xs a month on the side of the stream- I love my washing machine too much! However I think it is important for all of us to do our share.
In our house we have made the switch to "energy smart" fluorescents - and yes the change was difficult per the "natural light" bulbs were way more forgiving to my now 30 year old face, but we have seen a decrease in our electric bill (yes, now I can afford botox-yeah right!). We use more eco-friendly products, when we can find them and really do watch our water, gas, and electric usage.

I work in an environment where the majority of people drive to work because public transportation is practically non-existent and to be quite honest not too safe. I can't tell you how many jaws have dropped when I tell people that I sometimes walk to work. To be honest I share a care with my husband, so sometimes I have to walk to work, but at 1.5 miles it's really not that bad and honestly I have chosen to walk to work even when I can drive. Not only am I saving gas but it's a great workout.

I am disappointed that in this day in age, when there is even a "green" channel on tv , that I am still having such a hard time doing what I can for the environment. There are no eco-friendly stores in our area with the possible exception of the newly built Ikea almost 40 miles away. The most I can do is spend way to much at the local retail stores for organic or "green products" or spend too much on gas traveling to get the products I want or to recycle the things I need to.

I guess either way I'M STUCK IN N KY!!!