I sheepishly stand before you with a proclamation: I love Earth Day. Why be self-conscious about it? What could possibly be wrong with loving a day that celebrates the Earth? That has as its slogan to preserve, protect, and defend it?
Because I recognize the hypocrisy of this in me: a love of this special day, at a time when I (and countless others to be sure) contribute to waste, don't live nearly humbly enough, throw away plastic containers, and turn up the furnace when I am cold. That I try to do otherwise is not nearly good enough.
And yet.
I was the lucky child that got to live her first years in the deep countryside of Poland. With a grandfather who worshiped no deity but obsessed instead about nature. His DNA jumped a generation (my parents were urbanites to the core) and found its way into my every cell. And in Ed, I found a soulmate. Indeed, he likely exceeds my grandfather's respect for the environment. Or at the very least -- they're tied.
To have Earth Day follow my birthday solidifies in me this idea that April 21-22nd stand for something big: a fresh chance to contribute to the beauty of the natural world all around us. These days, to me, celebrate our work, our commitment to reaching a better understanding of and support for the complicated, beautiful systems of growth -- of which we are a part. It's as close to religion as I'll ever get!
You probably know that Earth Day was started by a Wisconsin guy (Senator Gaylord Nelson) back in 1970. I was still in Poland then and knew nothing about it. And yet, I've not lived through a single April in my life without thinking about how truly beautiful this planet is. How surely we must do more to contribute to its magnificence.
I suppose my obsessive gardening is tied up with my thoughts about nature. Or, it's that I just love being outdoors.
So, my Earth Day starts with a walk to the barn. As usual. You'll notice in my photos from the growing season that I focus on one or two special spots for a handful of days before moving on the some other place. It's because for a short while, this spot becomes a visual favorite. I love the combination of color and texture! Why look elsewhere, when today I have this:
Breakfast: Ed is on a work call so I stall the meal and make the next batch of granola.
And wouldn't you know it -- once the granola is in the oven and he is done with his call, he remembers that he has a morning appointment, so he is off. Breakfast, thus, is alone, but not too bad! I put on music and bring to the table a book about backyard birds.
A few minutes of pause -- with a back and neck massager, gratis Snowdrop (man, that gizmo feels good!) -- and then I'm off to do some planting.
I accomplish a lot.
With deep satisfaction, I throw down the shovel and head out to pick up the kids.
(Right about this time of the year, I always ask them which is their favorite spot in the gardens at the moment. I can't say they give it much thought, but they do always have a firm conviction!)
A normal day today. No one has lessons, nothing is required of us.
I drop them off toward evening and because it is still light outside, I swing by Kopke's on the way home. Two tubs remain empty. I pick up a few baby annuals for them. Might this be my last trip to the Greenhouse this year? In another week I'll be mostly done with planting. Could we be really that far along into spring already?? Incredible.
I hope you had a moment to celebrate Earth Day and that you gave, that we all gave, some thought to how we might take care of all the plants and animals that share space with us here on this great big beautiful planet.
with love...
