A few years back, we decided to invest some ‘extra’ personal efforts of our own, on Earth Day, to help preserve and protect our environment.

 It has become a tradition of ours, every year since.  Somehow, we’ve been blessed with perfect weather to revel in every year on April 22, as well.   This year was no exception.

Typically, our Earth Day starts with heading out into our neighborhood in the late morning, with our poke sticks and big trash barrel on wheels, to clean up all of the litter we can find.

As we work our way down the side roads, people drive slowly by, and smile at us, through their puzzled expressions.  As if they are thinking, “What on earth, are they all doing?” (No pun intended. lol).  Some actually roll down their windows, and ask us out loud.  Others get it right away and already know and say, “Are you cleaning up because it is Earth Day?”….to which all the kids say in unison, “Yesssss.”  And they usually say something like, “That’s so niiiiice.  Thank you.”  And again in unison they say, “You’re welcommmme.”

It’s downright sad, to easily find all we do.

We know some escaped the back of a truck on the way to the dump, or blew off someone’s deck by accident, etc.

We also know how many people just carelessly toss out their vehicle window, anything they are done with.

We love the part where we get to our beach.

We don’t find a whole lot of trash on the shore, but some.  There are often adults, settled with their chairs and blankets at the beach, on (school) days as warm and fine as these.  So most of them strike up a conversation with us.  They first group thought we were a real crew, hired to clean up the beach, because of their colored shirts.  But the kids explained, they were trying to wear “Earth Day colors”.  Then they got it…”Ohhhh.  It’s Earth Day….that’s right.”

I know the awareness of Earth Day has slowly grown since the 1960’s.  But it seems we have a ways to go!  For ALL to be aware not only of Earth Day, it’s history and purpose, but to contribute to it’s success every day of the year, through our daily habits.  That’s the goal.

For us, our rituals of global love include not only cleaning up, to beautify our environment….

….but appreciating the beauty and Creation by God already all around us.  Like this huge sea snail I spotted in the rocks, left behind by the receding tide,  as we made or way down the shoreline.  O.k., ‘beauty’ may be a stretch, for a sea snail.  Sure, in it’s shell, it verges on pretty.

But I am quite sure, out of it’s shell, it’s about as ugly and nasty as the dickens.

The kids studied the sea snail meticulously….

…and had lengthy discussions about how interesting it was. And big!  Then they decided it would be kind, to return the snail to it’s safe-haven home:  the sea.

So that’s just what they did, even though it was a bit of a hike to the water line, as the tide was going out.

But the sea snail seemed to breathe a sigh of relief, or perhaps a thank you, as bubbles quickly rose from it’s shell, to the surface of the water.

Like any gorgeous weathered day around here by the shore, it’s hard not to feel so blessed, and amazed, at all God has created, for us.  We sure do love it.

Soon, we headed home, ate some lunch, and later on, baked some Earth Day treats!  Cupcakes.

The cupcakes were deviled food cake mix, aiming for an earthy color.   Then we colored ‘whipped’ vanilla frosting from a can, and got creative.  Going with the whipped was a wise choice.  It was so easier to work with.

I do love the “EARTH” ones, that Michael/Daddy did.

Michael, {A} and I designed the rest.

These 2 were a couple of my favorites.   By sight, and bite.   : )

Our Earth Day has been  as simple as this, but I have some bigger ideas for the future.  We know many others do special things on Earth Day, and still others do nothing special, but are just good “earthlings” all year long.  (And we appreciate that!)   Did YOU or your kids do anything in particular, at home or at school, for more global awareness, appreciation or nurturing, on Earth Day?

Year round, we try to recycle, conserve energy (for our bills too, lol),  reuse materials, and do other clean-ups on our street now and then, and we never, ever litter!  (We also let anyone we see littering, really ‘have it’.  “Excuse me. Pick that back up, please. NOW!!! <throat clear>. Thank you.”)   Michael wants to put a rain barrel in the ground, to use for watering our gardens.

We hope you had a wonderful EARTH DAY!!  Feel free to share with us anything about your day this year, or any and all tips or habits you use throughout the year, that benefits us all, as we preserve and protect the beauty of our world, together.

(P.S.   After commenting, don’t forget to visit the Home Page!  XO)

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