Earth Day

It's time to do more than just "care" about our planet. That's obvious, And celebrating the earth can't be just a one day thing. Plant a tree on Earth Day and be done with it. Nope, not enough.

But what what can I do? -- you ask. I haven't the answer. But I do have a cartoon for you -- long-ish but worth reading to the end (thanks to my Australian friend for passing it along!). 

It's a penguin's perspective. How can you not smile when a penguin sounds off? (Read it here.)

Though no one can change the course toward global warming on this one day celebrating our Earth, and, too, we know how pointless resolutions can be, I'll leave you to your own guilt and action or (wince!) inaction. But at least today, let's pay our respect to all living things on our beautiful planet. Together. Each in our own way.

For me, the day begins with frosty air but sunny skies. More daffodils tumbled in the cold night. But some steadfastly refused to give in.

I clipped a few more for my vase: better to admire in a vase than to see it face down on the ground. We enjoy them during our morning meal.

And now I begin planting. Our purchased saplings haven't arrived yet and that's good because Ed isn't quite ready for them, but my perennials keep coming. We expect another frost day this weekend, but nothing that will harm these plants.

Making things grow. Creating a landscape that attracts all. Pollinators, people, animals too (sometimes to my chagrin) and it hurts no one. But let's face it -- there are many many options that would do the same. My eleven flower fields, and our new orchard, and our soon to be planted grove of 75 trees -- these are  just one solution -- one that we love. Ed in his own way, I in mine.

To work then!

LATER:

I can't say that I did a lot of planting. Five Ten new ones in, but out of 186, so not very impressive. But stopping the digging was justifiable. I came across a grounding wire and though hitting it with a spade posed no real danger, nonetheless, I decided to be extra cautious and call the digger's hotline to get the exact placement of the power lines running underneath one of the new flower beds. Yes, Ed can give me approximate markers, but I'd rather be sure.

Since I paused with planting, I decided to make the six mile trip to Natalie's garden center again to start filling in the annuals checklist. It's splendid to walk around her greenhouses and pick out hanging baskets. Last year we couldn't do it, but this year we know we are safe. And it feels enormously grand.

(a bunch of impatiens, to remind us to be patient with spring's wild weather swings; I like their other name, often used by UK gardners -- busy lizzies)

There will be one more frosty night to worry about this weekend, but I'm betting that after that, all these bloomers will be able to stay outside for the remainder of the growing season.

STILL LATER:

I pick up Snowdrop in the brilliance of a sunny afternoon. The girl is happy. She tells me she is beginning to like kindergarten.

There is a reason for her big grin. She'd made some friends in these few months of class based instruction, but there have been skirmishes. Kids with strong opinions. The usual stuff that you would expect from school. Still, the class was tiny. There were few options but to join in or go off on your own. School became "just okay." Today, she connected with two new entrants into her class and for the first time, she reported that her day was "great!"

At the farmette, we stay outside...

... until she gets so frisky with the hose, that she gets us both wet.

(amazed at the rainbow formed by the sunbeams touching the spray of water...)

AND EVEN LATER:

On days like this one, you dont stop working just because it's dinner time. You forget about all else and keep on going. A few more plants to work with, just a few. The evening air is so lovely, the fading light so satisfying! 

We eventually call it a day. I reach for leftovers and heat them up in the microwave. Yes, there are times when dinner food has to take a back seat to everything else that's on your plate right now. 

When we finally do eat, reheated Chinese food never tasted so good.