It’s Earth Day today. I’ve seen a ton of people online sharing how they are “doing their part” for the earth and recycling, or cleaning up some trash they see on the roads/sidewalks in their neighbourhoods. I know, it makes them feel like they are doing some good, but I just don’t feel it.

We spent all morning outside today. We walked around the yard, enjoying the daffodils that are almost all in bloom. Little Man picked up sticks and threw them into the green space between our lots and the ones on either side of us. We took a quick ride down to the dog beach and back just to get him to stop crying shortly before lunchtime. We did not clean up trash, plant any trees, start composting, etc. We just enjoyed the sunshine, birds, felt the wind, and had our outside time like any other day.

I guess I just don’t understand why it is such a big deal to take one day a year to focus on helping the earth. We live on the planet, we should be enjoying it and taking care of it each and every day. If I’m out, I will pick up garbage that I see, and throw it out; I don’t share pictures or call attention to the fact that I’ve done so. I do it because I think people are morons who don’t care about each other when they throw their trash to the side instead of holding on to it until they find a trash can. I don’t use plastic bags from the store (right now I have to, but I am currently using them for poop bags for stinky diapers), I always have my own bags on hand that I bring into the store. I don’t buy bottled water, and have thought it was silly to do so even back when it started being sold in the 90s. We have glass containers for storage instead of plastic and ziploc baggies, but that is because I will not put plastic into the microwave, and having uniform containers makes life so much easier when we are storing in the cabinets and fridge.

I’m not a hippy-dippy tree hugger or any of that. I see it as a way to save money and be more conscientious of what I’m doing. I’m not a composter, but that is because I’m not in my own home. Squatch and I have brought up composting to his parents, but they keep poo-pooing the idea due to the animals in the area. We meal plan and also eat everything we make, instead of throwing away leftovers or food that has gone bad.

I enjoy the outdoors, and have taught Little Man to love it as well. The kid does not want to come inside when we have been out! He looks at everything with awe and wonder, and points in amazement at any animals we see pass by. I can only hope that he is better to this planet than I am, and that my actions teach him.