Leila Rose Petal

Like a lot of people, I like to think that I’m reasonably conscientious when it comes to environmental issues. We will never own fuel guzzling cars. We’re reducing our water usage and recycling it when we can. We compost. We have energy saving light bulbs and try not to leave lights on unnecessarily. We’ll have a rain water tank when we can afford it. The next washing machine we own will be a front loader that uses less water. I’d like to get a solar hot water system one day too.

But like the great majority of people, this conscientiousness becomes a bit thin when it comes to issues of personal comfort and preference. There are plenty of times in winter when I could probably turn the heater down and put on a heavier jumper, but I prefer less bulky clothing. I could replant my entire garden with drought tolerant plants, but I like the leafy lushness of the exotics. We don’t really need all the gadgets and gizmos we have sitting around here on standby sucking electricity day in, day out, but we like our toys. And I could probably get through this summer without having the airconditioner on as much as I do, but I won’t.

When the temperature gets above the low twenties I sweat like the proverbial pig and the skin on my stomach itches when I try to sleep. I usually sleep really well in the hot weather. I usually like being a bit warm, but not this summer. I will not spend the last 3 weeks of this pregnancy tired, uncomfortable and grumpy. If that means that our CFC-spewing, energy-sucking airconditioner has to stay on 24/7 to maintain my personal comfort, then so be it.

I am rotund, hear me roar.