Happy Earth Day!

Dear Mummy Earth,

Best wishes for a green Earth Day! Hoping that your residents are treading lightly you.

Today the kids and I have pledged not to use the car. That means four round trips to school for me; morning, afternoon kindergarten, volunteering in the library and finally pick-up at the end of the day.

Why then are hale, thunder and rain are predicted for later today? As of right now I'm thinking that I am hardy enough to push through the weather. That will change in a hurry if I start to get pelted by chunks of ice.

It's OK. Still love you anyway.

~Gruppie

This photo was taken last year on a sunny Earth Day. My flag is no longer wrinkled. I would describe it more as soggy and limp.

Just 3 More Shopping Days

Today's Sunday newspaper is crammed with store circulars as usual. What is unusual about today's advertisements is all of the "green" stuff they are hawking.

Water filters, recycled paper notebooks, garden soil, cleaning products, books, TVs, toothpaste...I could go on and on.

Looks like Earth Day has gone the way of Valentine's Day, Christmas and my birthday. Just another reason to get out there and shop.

Happy Earth Day week to all of the Gruppies out there. Let's give each other the gift of simplicity this week and stay out of the stores. No more stuff. No more in our landfills. No more spending. No more!

Earth Day Celebration

Happy Earth Day!

Today the family celebrated our own low-key version of Earth Day.

We began the day joining the neighborhood kids and skipping the school bus. We all took advantage of the weather and walked to school together.

Little Guy played soccer.

Both kids spent lots of time outside with friends. (I got a surprise sunburn)

Chatted with a neighbor about the meaning of my new flag. These seniors wanted me to know that they now line dry their laundry for the good of the earth and their piggy bank.

In the afternoon, the family walked to dance class. Grilie gave her teachers indoor plants to improve the air quality of their homes.

The lights, TV and heat all spent the day in the off position. (How I love April sun)

Basically, we spent the day enjoying what we already have.

Manner of the Month

Every month Girlie's school practices a "manner of the month." The manners are posted on large signs throughout the school and the staff "catches" the kids in the act of performing the good manner.

Much to my surprise, April's Manner of the Month is to "Respect the Earth." Very cool indeed.

On the posters there are great tips such as;

Ride the bus or carpool to school.
Eat less meat
Don't let your parents leave their car idling
Use both sides of your paper
Turn off the lights when you leave the room

My gruppie self had to take the tips a step further and write green tips on the white board in the school's lobby. With Earth Day approaching it seems like green people can be a little more blatant about their earth speak without seeming so pushy. OK ok, so...I'm still a pushy guerrilla...
So I added a few of my own;

pack a zero trash lunch
leave the car in the garage and walk or ride your bike
pick-up any trash you see
wear hand-me-downs or thrift shop clothing
shop at the local farm stand or farmer's market

The kids and parents can try those things too. Right?

When Girlie goes back to school in two weeks (April vacation!) I would like to change a few of the tips on the white board. Any suggestions?

Best of luck guerrilla greening your little ones and their friends too!