Saturday- April 24, 2021

Dear Marion,

  I’ve been thinking all week and especially this past Thursday about my very first memory of Earth Day. It was a plan to spend the day with friends in Central Park and it was a couple of years after I graduated college. At the last minute, one by one each friend backed out. I mentioned it to you and quickly you offered to join me for the day. We had such a beautiful day in every way, Central Park is always magic for me and that day was no exception. Earth Day began in 1970, for some reason I don't recall hearing much about it before that year(1990). That experience left such an impact that I purchased a poster soon after, framed it, and still have it hanging in our home. 

  As your grandchildren grew, each year I chose a project to help celebrate and hopefully instill a memory as to the importance of Earth Day. In the lower grades, I went into their school to teach them and their classmates how to plant seeds. As the weeks progressed, so did their plant’s growth and hopefully an understanding in some small way how each of them can impact nature. On Earth Day, the students transplanted their plant into a small pot that they had decorated and then took home...with the encouragement to continue to water and care for their plant. Keep in mind I did not inherit your green thumb but I continue to try to ‘train my brain’ to water my plants. Some years we took part in cleaning the beach of trash, one year we planted beach grass to help discourage erosion and encourage bringing back animal and plant life. Each year, we tried something different and I can say that each of your grandchildren reacted differently and didn’t necessarily enjoy my grand plans but they did it anyway.

  The planters we built in front of our home were built as a way to protect plants from the infamous floods we endure. It was important to me to keep the planting to an easy but enjoyable size. I thought we would raise our children with a bit of responsibility to the garden in the form of planting and upkeep(weeding). Ahh, the best-laid intentions. Perhaps the many experiences are hiding deep down inside them and one day will pop up and out just like their seedlings those many seasons ago. We have been noticing many changes around town including the use of small spaces for gardening or enhancing their surroundings for enjoying the sun and views of the river and ocean. Some have used clever ways to build planters or window flower boxes. I have seen some decks lined with planters on top of their railings making it easy to care for(no bending down) and bonus- privacy from closely built homes.     

  Some time ago, maybe years ago, I recall a story about someone building a sailboat or raft using water bottles and taking a voyage on the ocean. It was amazing to see and it spoke volumes about the recyclable waste we accumulate as a nation. Since then I have become aware of the fabrics, shoes, jewelry, etc. that have been developed and sold using recycled plastic and metals. In a CBS newscast recently, as part of an interview with concert pianist Mahani Teave, they shared the music school that she was responsible for building in order to provide music education for the local community. The location was Rapa Nui(Easter Island) and unfortunately the ‘stopping’ ground of much trash riding in on the tide from other nations. Cleverly, the local builders used the soda cans and other waste as building material within the walls of the music school structure. It was amazing, resourceful, and actually quite beautiful.

  This week I listened to a live interview on Instagram hosted by Maria Shriver who started Sunday Paper and now delivers online mid-week too. Maria Shriver’s guest this week was Van Jones. It was quite interesting as they talked about the George Floyd jury results and how we all need to work together. This discussion of working together in Washington amongst our politicians is and has been a hot topic particularly this past year. What I found interesting was Van Jones's statement “I need you”. He continued on to explain as he speaks to Americans in different communities around the country that he does not want to convince people to vote for or join one particular political party. Further stating we need both political parties but we need to respect each of our ideas and together create a police force that works for all people. Police are people and like any vocation, there needs to be clear standards, there needs to be training that takes into consideration the type of incidents and needs of situations that will be encountered. Police officers can make and will make mistakes but there needs to be transparency. I thought of something you shared with us multiple times. Respect is important but putting someone on a pedestal is never good- inevitably they will topple off that pedestal. Another memory- one bad apple does not mean the whole bushel is bad. There are many police officers that we can respect as they work hard to care for the community, it benefits all of our citizens when we are all treated in kind.

We, the people, need to do a better job taking care of our earth and one another in our community.

  Our cooking this week has been spotty, some take out, some home cooking but we are happy to share with you one recipe in particular. We have a penchant for the consuming smell of sugar and cinnamon wafting through our kitchen. Today’s recipe is Cinnamon Rolls and they are a little more traditional, slightly dense, and less sweet or buttery than recipes we have previously tasted. Enjoy.

Talk soon,

Forever Yours

Oh, …One More Thing…Your granddaughter suggested I purchase this handbook- Imagine It! a handbook for a happier planet by, Laurie David and Heather Reisman in honor of Earth Day. I just started to read and think it is a great find. Maybe those Earth Day projects made some kind of impact on at least one of my children after all.

Quote:

“Just because you don’t understand it doesn’t mean it isn’t so.”

Lemony Snicket, The Blank Book

Daniel Handler

American Writer

Born 1970