I desire to live more consciously and help create a peaceful planet. I wrote a love letter to the Earth with the intention to align my attitude with peace, gratitude, acceptance, and well-being. I invite you to write a love letter to Mother Earth - it feels really good.
To respond to this article go to "GiGConnections" and click on "GiGDiscussions" - you can see what others have to say.
Dear Mother Earth,
Each morning I awake from
sleep nestled comfortably on your crust, in the warm embrace of my
beloved.I open my eyes to a brand new
day illumined by the sun, cleansed by the wind, and nourished by the rain.
I am a delicate being
surrounded by a house, built from your bounty that protects me from your
harshness.I know your strength and
honor it by working with you to maintain your natural balance, the vital
balance that ensures my survival.As I
awaken more fully, I see that my cooperation is imperative to sustaining all
life; I know that you are strong and will go on like you have for time
unimaginable.But me, my brothers and
sisters, we have a responsibility, to be wise custodians of all you produce.You give and give unconditionally to me and I
commit to use only what I need and share any extra with others.
I love to play on your
mountains, swim in your seas, and travel all over you.I savor the deliciousness of your harvests,
drink freely of your waters, and suck in your atmosphere.
I live a life full of spirit,
creativity, and joy, and I care deeply about living in peace with all
humankind. I work to awaken others to
see and acknowledge their worth and to live consciously, in harmony with others
and with you.You give me a place to do
all of this and I am humbled and awed at your graciousness and the ease in
which you exist.
Late at night a lay awake on
your crust wondering how it is that you and I are suspended in space, adrift in
the cosmos feeling cradled in grace, the unseen force that works quietly in our
favor in all ways, always.
Recently, as I walked with my dog, Shadow, I could hear the owls hooting. So I stopped and sat down under the willow trees. As I looked up I thought I was seeing double. I sat there for some time, looking eye to eye with these magnificent creatures.
Grateful for the world we live in the the blessings we enjoy.
The
first 20 minutes of Pangea Day. Watch the powerful opening montage from
Pangea Day, with a message from Desmond Tutu. Meet the hosts in LA, and
hear from the peace activist Her Majesty Queen Noor. Carolyn Porco
shows us the Earth from space, and introduces the Carl Sagan film "Pale
Blue Dot." Next up is a Mozambican short, "The Ball," about a very
creative plaything. Cairo rock-and-rollers Wust El-Balad close out the
first segment of Pangea Day.
Now that we're out of our white blanket, we can put our energy into the earth.
A calendar has always helped me "stay on task", so I am offering one for you. Last week, (April 17, page 11A),the Ogden Standard Examiner had a supplement "Garden Guide". It has eight months of "tasks". In our valley, however, we will have to bundle up April and May, since I had no grass showing in April (besides, it's almost May anyway). I have started some seeds inside, and my begonias from February are doing well--lots of green, no flowers yet-- and they can be put after Mother's day, but I wait until last wknd May or first wknd June.
Also in the "Garden Guide" is a list of plant sales and education experiences. If you have the time, they all looked pretty good.
According to the Farmer's Almanac, the best times for planting are April 20-23, May 10-11, and 15-21. Unfavorable times are April 29-30, May 7-9, and 26-27 (that's Memorial Day--what a good excuse to be out playing!).
Earth Hour, run by WWF, the conservation
organization, is a global climate change initiative which calls on individuals
and businesses around the world, to turn off their lights for one hour on Saturday March 29 2008 between 8 pm and 9pm.
The aim of the campaign is to express that individual action on a mass scale
can help change our planet for the better.
The event itself will clearly demonstrate in participating cities, the connection
between energy usage and climate change, showing that we as broader community
can address the biggest threat our planet has ever faced.
We're still under a blanket of snow but it's time to think about your Spring garden. I brought my potted geranium in last fall, placed it in a north window, watering infrequently. It is blooming beautiful red clusters--what a nice break from all this white!
The farmers almanac suggests starting bulbs/tubers (like begonias) now. plant in pots so they will be ready to put out around Mother's Day. Use fresh soil as they will grow better. Water to keep soil moist (use fertilizer sparingly as you will water frequently).
March 16-19 is a good time to plant root crops (assuming we can see the earth under all this snow) , otherwise, wait until April 12-14. Easter weekend is a good time for seed planting so you can transfer outside in early May.
Unfertile periods are February 29-March 6, March 14& 15, March 28-April 3
