Blue is the new...Green?

While surfing the net for more green-living solutions, I was intrigued by the sister site of http://greenlivingideas.com : http://bluelivingideas.com. Dedicated to providing information for consumers hoping to preserve and protect the earth's most important resource: water. I grew up on a farm, with a spring-fed pump at my house and well-water for the animals. My parents wagged their fingers at me as much for leaving a sink dripping as leaving the lights on. We are probably more conscious of our water usage than we are of the energy waste that follows a family of six...and a business of 15. But, as I explore the site, I am reminded of some very easy, barely noticeable changes that have big impact on the environment: running the dishwasher on quick-cycle for most loads (if you could see my husband rinse before loading, the cycle itself could be a moot point!); run the dishwasher (and washing machine) only when you have a full load; placing a brick or milk jug in the toilet tank to reduce the amount of water used per flush; designate one glass each day for drinking water - cuts down on the number of dirty glasses that need to be washed (are my kids and husband reading this blog?). How, you may ask, does water conservation relate to a blog promoting antiques as a green lifestyle choice? The manufacture of new, mass-produced furnishings has a huge impact on our water resources: from the destruction of forests (which help maintain soil moisture, and naturally clean air and water), to chemical run-off, to the inevitable waste inherent in the production process. Where will our world be with the constant manufacture of new, disposable furnishings? Buying antiques is the chance to not only learn about something with great history, but also to furnish your home with fun and a conscience.