This April finds us in a situation that none of us have ever experienced before. In a time when the Coronavirus is all around us, we must follow instructions to keep ourselves physically healthy and safe – but we also want to make sure we take care of our inner selves. This is our time to slow down and to be happy in the moment. Due to sheltering in place, many of us now have more time at home - and using this time wisely can bring much satisfaction and help us to deal with the sadness and stress we are experiencing because of the coronavirus crisis our world is facing.
“Of all the paths you take in life, make sure a few of them are dirt.” John Muir
Some special ways to celebrate Earth Day, 2020, involves taking dirt paths:
1) A path through the garden you are planting to sustain yourself and your family. Not only will you and your family enjoy fresh, healthy produce, but you will get good exercise, sunshine and the joy of having your fingers in the dirt. Haven’t grown a garden before? There is plenty of information on line. Look up “Planting Guide for Home Gardening in Alabama – Auburn” to find out when to plant the different vegetables you are considering growing. Consider ordering The Tennessee Fruit and Vegetable Book by Felder Rushing and Walter Reeves for directions on how to grow most anything.
Or maybe you don’t have a place to grow a garden. Container gardening is becoming more and more popular. Go to www.thespruce.com and look for Vegetable Container Garding: Getting Started.
2) A figurative path through the farmers market (knowing that the farmers worked on dirt paths to grow your food). Some Alabama farmers markets are doing drive by markets (such as Pepper Place in Birmingham and the Tuscaloosa River Market), where you order and pay on line. On farmers market day, you drive by the farmer’s booth and pick up your pre-packaged produce. You can look up your local farmers market to see if they have a drive by market – or if they are practicing social distancing at the market.
This is a great time not only to enjoy local produce, but to support local, sustainable farmers. Keep the money in your community and vote for local farmers with your food dollars.
3) A path through your native flower garden. We have become accustomed to landscaped yards where entire cities or communities have become food deserts for wildlife, because we are planting non-native species. So – now is the time to plant native wildflowers and plants that serve as hosts to wildlife – starting with the tiniest bug or caterpillar. Non-native plants don’t support Alabama’s wildlife.
An essential book you need to read is Douglas Tallamy’s Bringing Nature Home: How You Can Sustain Wildlife with Native Plants. He does an excellent job of helping us to understand the vital relationship between native plants and the wildlife that depends on it. For an immediate introduction to Dr. Tallamy, look up “ Growing a Greener World.com, Episode 1008: Bringing Nature Home”.
4) A path through the woods. Take the loved one you are at home with – or call up a fellow Sierran (agreeing to stay 10 feet apart from each other), and go for a walk or hike. Enjoy the peace and fulfillment that only the woods can bring. There is no better time than this to take up bird watching, tree identification, wildflower identification – or meditation that is more satisfying in the great out of doors.
Feel the excitement that comes from spotting your favorite bird, tree, or wildflower.
Not only are you exercising your body and brain, but you are also learning to truly value Alabama woods and the wonderful biodiversity we have.
5) Important Paths that don’t involve dirt.
- You haven’t had time to write letters? Now is the time to do it! Write your Alabama and US congress persons, requesting that we adopt voting by mail during the time of the coronavirus. AND VOTE!
Also write your US Congress persons to ask them to work to keep EPA regulations in place. Our health and lives are already threatened by the coronavirus. We do not need to be threatened with more environmental degradation.
- Remember – we are actually practicing physical distancing – not social distancing. Make a phone call to a special friend everyday – or to someone who you know who may be lonely. Stay in contact with folks by emailing, texting, or by whatever social media you prefer. Share what you are learning about gardening, shopping at the farmers market, or where they can safely walk in the woods – and don’t forget cartoons. We all need to keep laughing!
- We won’t be getting together for Earth Day Celebrations this year – but you can participate in an on-line celebration by going to www.earthdaylive2020.org April 22 – 24.
Plan now to make this Earth Day your special time of joy and growth – while keeping yourself safe and healthy. Find your special “mountain” and climb it!
“Climb the mountains and get their good tidings. Nature’s peace will flow into you as sunshine flows into trees.” John Muir.