Every day is Earth Day
Two days after Earth Day, birds are chasing each other in my trees while a male robin puffs out his chest, looking for a mate. He makes me think of a strutting general, laden with medals. (I’m told that they do this because they’re cold, but I prefer to think it’s a form of flirtation.) For weeks, the male red-headed sapsucker has been tapping on our metal downspout, trying to attract a female. (Poor guy — I guess persistence works.) I heard the buzzing whir of a hummingbird yesterday, my first of the season. Time to put up the feeder.
Spring is my favorite time of year. I love the smell of hyacinths in our garden, the yellow splash of daffodils, and the blossom colours on streets here and in Vancouver: bursting branches of apple, cherry, and magnolia petals. It’s a glorious time of new buds, fresh dark soil, and clearing out dried old leaves and underbrush.
David Suzuki says that every day is Earth Day, and I agree. Having special days of ritual are important to celebrate Mother Earth and draw attention to her plight, but circumstances don’t change the next day. Global warming still remains, as does the need for all of us to conserve energy and tread more lightly on the planet.
Let’s keep spring — and all seasons — a time of magic. Think of the Earth when you’re making choices about transportation and travel, buying products from dish soap to a car, and who to vote for. Your decisions now can make a difference.