FOR FUN

 

Invest in Our Planet

 

Every year April 22^nd is Earth Day, a time when the human race is urged to examine how it can modify its action faced with the degradation of the planet. Earth Day had a modest beginning in 1970 when U.S. Senator Gaylord Nelson from Wisconsin invited students to implement projects to sensitize their communities to the needs of the environment. Since then, the warnings from scientists have become more and more dire as our actions have brought us closer to a point of irreversibility. But there is reason to be optimistic because we are changing our ways and becoming more and more engaged in our efforts to heal the earth.

However older folks have always been proud to point out that they were green before it became a fashionable modern-day virtue. Little was thrown away; things were reused, recycled. But with after-war posterity life changed.  Cars became long and pink as gas was selling for about 25 cents a gallon. So we fell in love with automobiles not thinking about their growing impact on the air we breathe.

As in the past, this year Earth Day events will be taking place across the globe with the theme “Invest in Our Planet.” If you are keen to get involved without attending an official event, you might do your part in the following ways:

1.     Instead of driving, cycle or take public transport

2.     Avoid one-use  disposable cups

3.     Make sure to recycle

4.     Go paperless as much as you can

5.     Take reusable bags to the store for your purchases

6.     Plant a tree

7.     Go meat or dairy free at least once a week

8.     Carry a reusable water bottle

9.     Grow your own fruit and vegetables.

10.                        Buy local produce

Each of us should give priority to “greening” our world.  We should be involved in our respective communities and pressure decision makers so that economic development includes environmental protection.                                            Every day should Earth Day.

            

 

Gratitude

The other day my sister was bemoaning how aging has been affecting her body. However, she quickly admitted how fortunate she was compared to the poor people of Ukraine.

            Indeed! We all are.   

            We live a world away from war whose images we see daily and which, it seems, are becoming ever so more disturbing. In a recent interview, a Ukrainian woman asked a simple question: Why are they doing this to us? We haven’t done anything.

            I think most of us wonder the same thing. Yet there is little we can do, is there? We certainly can’t stop Russia in its demented quest.  We have to rely on our leaders to do all they can to stop the carnage.

            The whole scenario brings to mind the eternal question: Why do some people have such a hard time in this life while others simply cruise along with few bumps in the road. It surely cannot be karma since it would have to be aimed at the whole country, which seems impossible.  One thing is certain: we will never know the answer--people simply have to go along with what they have to face, good or bad.

            I wish I could change Ukraine’s current destiny, but I can help those poor people with monetary donations and support for refugees. I also believe in putting good vibes into the Universe by prayer so the conflict can come to an end.

            However, most of all, I am filled with gratitude to be living in peace in this part of the world. I am truly blessed.

 

 

SPRING IS HERE

 

It may not seem so but spring is just around the corner even if winter is still kicking up a fuss. Every spring I find it quite amazing how fast things change. Just a few weeks ago we had snow that, fortunately, quickly melted. That gave way to what I call the brown season, the dull almost lifeless look of nature before the sun has a chance to warm things up.

All that newness makes us aware of the need to renew ourselves. As spring springs into action, we also feel the need to take stock, to change, to clean. As with most people, at this time of year I clean out my closets. The main idea, of course, is to put warmer things in the back and bring lighter clothes to the front, but it’s also clean up time—what to keep and what to recycle. I don’t know about you, but I always have problems deciding what to eliminate. Some years, it’s tempting to want to replace every piece of clothing we own by taking a match to all of it.

When it comes to evaluating the clothes in our closets, some of us hang on to things we shouldn’t. I mean, is it necessary to keep a suit which has become hopelessly out of style? This is one area where I have a problem. I tend to keep clothes that were expensive and that I liked a lot even if the style really dates me. I suppose I keep hoping they’ll be back in fashion some time soon. It becomes sort of a crutch to hang on to what was.

But all is not lost. I have found a lady who loves to sew and who can do wonderful “adjustments.” A lovely dressy top with large padded shoulders (remember those?) I bought ages ago is now an exquisite little jacket (sans shoulder pads) thanks to this lady’s talent.

When it comes to evaluating a wardrobe, I believe it’s important to take the time to check out what’s new in the stores. Notwithstanding the fact that sleeveless is less and less appealing to many of us, not everything is as good or better than what we already own, but change does a body (and a spirit) good. Sometimes buying a new top that can go with the skirts or pants we already own can be a mood booster. So can a new accessory in the season’s hottest shade.

Like the flowers, spring should be all about new hues. That goes for men as well as women.