Earth Day Every Day

Windows lightly covered by drapes and airy kitchen curtains only framed the view of feeders filled with seeds, scrap board houses filled with chirping birds and a humming bird feeder filled with a concoction for those little creatures. All of this reminds me of Earth Day year around. In the corner of my Aunt's house sat a television sat that only came on about three times a day. The rest of the time these feeders drew the Cardinal, Titmouse, Chickadees, and others near.


My Auntie and Joe, and Granny and Papaw all had compost piles. A needed fertilizer for their vegetable gardens as well as their flowers. Joe and Auntie even used well water to water their gardens. While Ami and Gar used rain water collected in buckets. All efforts to be green before that word was as popular as it is now.

Not a lot of paper towels were used at our house! Dish cloths and dust rags replaced the idea of using a roll of paper towels to clean up the kitchen after dinner. The lack of paper products left room for place mats and cloth napkins; a luxury that I still enjoy. All these were efforts of green living too.

I guess there was also good reason that my Dad always found ways to get out of the house to enjoy sports or the likes. He didn't do a lot of indoor sitting and my parents encouraged my sister and I to get out and enjoy the sun too! Dad hunted, fished and played golf among other things. But these were all hobbies that got him out into the great outdoors. A place that always brought him peace and good vibes I know. He and Mom still enjoy their back yard and spend most mornings and evenings together out on one of their porches.

I know that these are just everyday habits for a few people and there are there are things that I have left off. However, the point is, that measures of green living have always been here. I have know people that have appreciated this green earth all my life. The same people that without knowing put these same ideas into my head.

I remember taking a saplings out to my Granny and Papaw's house after receiving them on Earth Day's in the past. Saplings handed out to youngsters to plant to help the cycle continue. Granny and Papaw had many grandchildren - but they planted all our trees and you should see their yard now. Trees now that have grown above our heads and expectations of all kinds. Something that was given a chance.

I had the wonderful opportunity of sitting on a "bat barge," on Lady Bird Lake with an old friend and some new ones. That evening I watched as hundreds of thousands of bats swept out from under the Congress Bridge and swirled into the night. I was amazed at what this world has to offer, even in the city. All my life I have appreciated the Earth and what if gives to us and what kind of person would I be if I didn't?

Earth Day is a good day to think about all the things we should do year around to protect our habitat. All the while protecting it for the animals that we share this beautiful world with. It's an easy concept that takes minimal efforts - let's do it! We will all enjoy the results!