April 22, 1970, was the very first Earth Day. And while an estimated twenty million Americans rallied in the streets that day for a healthier environment, this girl was coming headfirst into the world. If you knew me, you would know that I think this is one of the coolest things about me. Well, that and I have a great voice when I sing in the shower.
My entire life has been a dedication to loving the earth. When I was a kid, I would sit outside under the tree by myself and read books after school.
During hunting season my dad would take me to the timber. Not to mess up his own hunt, he would sit me in a tree by myself. I wasn’t old enough to hunt on my own, but I would take my Kodak pocket camera. I’d sit there watching and photographing the birds and squirrels until he came back to get me.
I was always a natural gardener and I can’t remember a time I didn’t spend my springs planting something.
My first husband and I lived in a duplex that had a flower bed about one foot by two foot wide. I remember one night we were outside and a potato in the house was getting old, so I buried it. My husband laughed at me and said that it would never grow, but it did, and we had potatoes off it.
When I bought my farm back in 2000. It was a blank canvas. The last nineteen years have been spent planting everything I need to self-sustain myself here if I would ever need to. If you look out in my garden on any given night at sunset you will probably find me with my camera and macro lens waiting for the best light to hit a butterfly or flower. Being outdoors in nature gives me a calming feeling.
Gardening is not the only thing I love about the earth. I also hunt and fish. There is nothing more peaceful than being on the water or in a stand at sunrise. Everything about the outdoors makes me feel at peace. Every year on Earth Day, you will find me at the lake or in my garden. There is no other way I would rather celebrate my birthday.
This earth is a blessing given to us. Everything we need to sustain ourselves was already here before us and hopefully will be here long after we are gone, but only if we take care of it.
Celebrate Earth Day by doing some fun and rewarding activities. If you are a parent, the kids will love getting to participate. Here are some of my favorite ideas:
- Plant an organic garden. Say no to using pesticides on our fruits and vegetables. 70% of our food crops are pollinated by bees. I don’t care what any pesticide company says, common sense tells me this is what is happening to our bee population. In the twenty years I’ve lived on my farm I have never sprayed an insecticide on my fruits or vegetables. I companion plant to deter insects and to keep my bees healthy or make my own organic sprays. Check out my Organic Gardening, Tips for Companion Planting.
- Plant Butterfly Weed a/k/a Asclepias tuberosa. This is the host plant for the Monarch Butterfly. Once they find it and lay their eggs. You can start raising your own Monarchs. This is fun for the kids to do. Check out my Monarch Butterflies, How to Raise Your Own.
- Plant trees and shrubs. Our birds, bees, and butterflies need them for coverage. If you don’t have a yard to plant, you can always ask around to see if anyone is looking for help planting trees.
- Attend an Earth Day event near you. I live way in the middle of NO WHERE. There are no events near me, but there may be one close to you.
- Go for a nature hike. You can bird watch, mushroom hunt or take pictures. There are endless possibilities you can do while on a hike.
- Go fishing. For me, there is something so peaceful about being on the water. Give it a try and if you are lucky you may even be able to feed yourself later that night.
- Build a bird feeder or birdhouse. There are all kinds of kits out there to do this or you can buy one pre-made to decorate. Let the creative juices flow!
- Have a green party for Earth Day. If you are vegan, this would be especially fun. You can have all your favorite “green” foods.
- Start your own beehive. This is on mine and my boyfriend’s list for the year. We both love the bees that come to my gardens every year and are excited about adding beekeeping to our farm.
- Donate to Earth Day Network.
Happy Earth Day!!
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