by

Good Earth, Good Day

Happy Earth Day!
Today, the Jane Goodall Institute  encourages supporters to

take action to improve the world for people, animals, and the environment we all share.

Founded by renowned primatologist Jane Goodall, the Jane Goodall Institute is a global nonprofit that empowers people to make a difference for all living things. Our work builds on Dr. Goodall’s scientific work and her humanitarian vision. Specifically, we seek to:

  • Improve global understanding and treatment of great apes through research, public education and advocacy

  • Contribute to the preservation of great apes and their habitats by combining conservation with education and promotion of sustainable livelihoods in local communities

  • Create a worldwide network of young people who have learned to care deeply for their human community, for all animals and for the environment, and who will take responsible action to care for them

Today, on this wondrous place we call earth, I’m working to improve my little corner of the world for people, animals, and the environment.

People

I bought these adorable tins at the garden center last weekend, then planted them today with some garden cheer.  They’re a surprise for a friend.  Her life is difficult on a daily basis, but she remains upbeat and positive.  I admire her strength and courage. I wish her life could be easier.  With love, these are for her.

potted flowers

Left to right: Lysimachia ‘Goldi, Osteospermum ‘Mum’, Behind, Marjoram, right, Zonal Geranium

planting tins

Planting tins closeup (I love the vintage vibe)

Animals

I’m always loving up the kitties in our home, and welcoming the strays.  Like many of you, I adore all animals, even the squirrels that dig up the yard and the snails that eat my basil.  That’s the easy part.  The hard part is working in the ‘trenches’ and dedicating your life to improving the lives of great apes.  Goodall continues to do so as she turns 80 this year.  I’m impressed.

Today I’ve donated to ‘jane’s wish 2014‘.  I hope she achieves her goal.

Environment

This one’s easy when you’re a gardener.  I’m planting sunflowers and pumpkins today (more details to follow).  As they grow, they attract birds, beneficial insects and bees, all critical to the health of our world.

Wishing you a joyous earth day, in whatever way you celebrate.

19 thoughts on “Good Earth, Good Day”

  1. Happy Earth Day Alys! You inspire so many everyday.

    The tins are really awesome. I’d swear they’re the real deal, very convincing. Those are great reproductions! You’re always so thoughtful, I know your friend in need will really appreciate those. ‘Just Peachy’ has a cute old time wooden handle I see. It’d look cute on a little hook. I haven’t done anything green for Earth Day, I must be living under a rock because I didn’t even realize it was Earth Day. Well, I didn’t run the washer, dryer or dishwasher today 😀 To make it official, I won’t iron anything either. I’ll go full on green team today! LOL

    I see the big box stores are putting up their garden centres in the parking lots. Just dirt and bagged products sitting there for now. We won’t get going until the second or third weekend in May. It’s really tempting, but anything a person puts out before then is at risk of frost or maybe even snow, bite my tongue 😀 wok

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

    • I’m seeing vintage like items everywhere, but many just look silly. These ones are charming. They’re made of tin, with tiny wooden handles. I was quite smitten. I lined them with foil, then lava rock before inserting the plants. Hopefully that will prevent or delay rust. I stuffed the corners with moss to keep the moisture in. I hope she likes them.

      I’m so glad you are finally on board with the whole ironing thing. I knew I would get to you eventually. 😉

      We used to say “wash your car if you want it to rain’ but that stopped working two years ago. So, given your own odd-ball winter, I’m with you. Just wave to those bags of soil and amendment and carry on.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

  2. I remember the first designated Earth Day many years ago….I was in the 7th grade and rode the bus back and forth to school….Someone started a campaign that encouraged everyone NOT to ride the bus on Earth Day….so some kids rode their bikes, but many kids had their parents pick them up down the street from the school. Meanwhile, the buses still had to run their routes….I had to ride the bus nearly alone because my mom was sick, couldn’t drive and I lived quite far from the school.. I remember being taunted because I was on the bus (that had to run regardless) and wondering why no one else seemed to see how ridiculous the whole thing was….In my mind, the full school bus was an earth friendly way to get to and from school. In the end, the awareness was probably the big achievement of that first Earth Day, but I’ve never forgotten the discomfort of being on that nearly empty school bus.

    Like

    Reply

    • Oh ME my heart goes out to you. I’ve been that ‘only girl doing something’ before and I know the pain that entails. Further, you were right. Buses (or any public transportation that moves several people at once) makes great sense. How silly that exercise was, and how cruel children can be.

      (((Mary Elizabeth)))

      I would have ridden that bus with you, and we would of held each others hand when we got off the bus and headed home.

      Like

      Reply

  5. I celebrated Earth Day by hanging my new roman blinds and side drapes especially made to keep all manner of draughts at bay and thus save on heating 🙂 You’re welcome Mother Earth! Drats, I’d completely forgotten [again] about Earth Day – and the hanging was merely coincidental ……… or was it…………??

    Isn’t Jane Goodall so inspiring – I love when you find people who so obviously are following their calling and doing it with grace and fervour and making a real contribution to the good of our world.

    I love those vintage containers and all planted up they make such a pretty picture – I am sure your friends heart will lift every time she cares for them! I haven’t seen such things here – yet……

    Like

    Reply

    • You’re brilliant! I’m so anxious to see what you’ve been cooking up in your place. You’ve got us on pins and needles.

      Jane Goodall is inspiring. She’s such a lovely soul, too. You can see it in the way she interacts with the animals.

      Those tins are a hit with everyone. I bet they sell lot hotcakes…as the saying goes.

      Hee!

      Like

      Reply

  6. You are such a generous person, Alys, and your generosity goes beyond the people you know. Those planters are delightful, and the bees and other insects will have fun burrowing into your sunflowers. Happy Earth Day to you to.

    Like

    Reply

    • Thank you, Anne. What a kind thing to say.

      I love the garden when the bees are dropping by regularly. They were here to help pollinate the fruit tree, but now it’s setting fruit. They’ll be back now that the sage is flowering, and before long the sunflowers and pumpkins. It’s amazing what nature can churn out in 90 days.

      Like

      Reply

  8. Pingback: Mini Plant Care Book and Happy Birthday to the Bard | Gardening Nirvana

  10. I know Earth day is long gone but we always celebrate it every day anyway. My daughter married on Earth day. She gave all her guests tiny trees to plant. The trees made it, the marriage didn’t. Now she had a temp job, that she is praying goes permanent, with an environmental company that contracts out to help businesses and apartment complexes get to a more environmentally friendly standard. She loves this job and gets the take the city train to and from work each day, driving only a couple miles to the car park. This job is so up her ally and she is always talking up recycle, reuse and re-purpose. She was doing this before it became the thing to do. She taught me about Earth day. I love that you remind us to do something special. The vintage pots are just my style too. I’d snag them if I saw them in the store. 🙂 Your friend is fortunate to have you care about her. I’m sure she will cherish them.

    Like

    Reply

    • I’m sorry to hear the marriage didn’t last (unless of course it was best that it ended). I have so many friends that married twice, with the first one teaching them a lot about what to do the second time around. I love the idea of giving trees to your guests. What a charming idea.

      Her new job sounds fascinating. I hope it leads to a permanent position. It sounds perfect for her.

      Those pots are a hit with everyone. Do you have an Orchard Supply Hardware in your area? That’s where I bought them. They had a few other styles as well. I think they’d be handy for other things too, like small guest towels in a bathroom or for picnic supplies.

      My friend loved the planted pots and appreciated the gesture as I knew she would. She’s a thoughtful, caring person.

      Thanks for your thoughtful comments, MH. I’m behind with my replies, and always feel bad about that. I so appreciate hearing from you.

      Like

      Reply

Leave a reply to Mary Elizabeth Tait Cancel reply

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.