Turning our lives around and going greener is not going to happen overnight, although at times I wish it was going along a little more quickly. I saw a great blog a few weeks ago called A Place For Our Stuff on NYCO's blog about Central New York.  Its poignant insight into how we live, where we live, and the habits we keep, inspired me to think more seriously about a topic that has been dancing around in my head for several years.  I'd like to work with a builder who's interested in building greener homes, both within the city limits and in the suburbs.

Ideally, I'd like to see these new homes incorporate the things I'd like in my own house:  solar panels, solar heaters, solar water heaters, clotheslines, rain gardens, smaller yards with less grass, walking paths and maybe even a community garden.  A general store within walking distance.  And color - bright flowers, trees, winter gardens, houses of different colors and designs, to allow the home-owner's personality to show.  Flexible floor plans, earth friendly materials whenever reasonable, and reuse items removed from older homes.  Last year I went to check on a listing, and sure enough, the copper pipes and furnace had been stolen.  All I could think of was that the thieves left the real treasures behind - mahogany wainscoting, solid cherry cabinets and stained glass windows.

I have my vision, and I'd like to make it a reality.  So I'm out looking for a builder who might be interested.  I'm also looking for potential buyers that may be interested, because I'd love to hear their ideas about what they'd like, where they'd like to live, and find out how much interest is out there in our corner of the world.

I'm also out there doing my homework.  What works and what doesn't.  What do people want in their homes?  Pondering locations, and researching the viability of each.  And hoping, with some hard work, good support, and a little luck, to make it happen, and make a small difference sooner rather than too late.