Celebrate Green Blog

by Lynn

OK, the calendar may not say it’s spring yet, but yesterday, I saw the tips of daffodils emerging from the frost-whitened ground and I couldn’t help my heart from leaping a bit. As much as I love the cold (and I do), by mid-February, I’m on the lookout for signs that flowers soon will burst forth, birds will return from their travels and serenade us, and I can get out on my bike without fear of freezing my nose off.

If I were going to set aside time to celebrate green this fine spring day, here’s what I’d do:

• Eat breakfast facing a window where I can watch the robins yanking worms from the “lawn,” and wondering once again, how the heck they find them! (I know the scientific explanation, but I also know the mechanics of how the telephone works, yet still find it a wonder.)
• Spend an hour outside with my digital camera, seeking out emerging bulbs and tiny buds tipping the vines that snake up the arbor.
• Weed. I realize this might not sound like a celebratory thing to do, but boy, is it rewarding. A half hour spent yanking the those demonic guys out works up a sweat and leaves a clean patch of earth, a blank canvas for what is to come.
• Lunchtime. If it’s a beautiful day, (which, even in Seattle, can happen in February), I’d take a picnic and sit by the lake listening to cranky seagulls and watching people passing by.
• In the afternoon, I’d try my hand at several craft project,s say creating a collage from last year’s seed packets or making some new signs for the garden (mine or a friend’s) or papermaking from leaves, grass or other items from nature. Every hour or so, I’d break for a brief walk.
• By dinner time, I’d be ready for some company and invite the family over for a simple, but festive meal featuring whatever is in season right this moment.
• Following dinner, we’d play some games that I’d find online or make up, all with the welcome to spring theme.
• I’d finish off the evening by taking everyone outside to see the moon and stars, maybe make up a song and a dance in thankfulness for the day and say goodnight to all.

A simple, almost no-cost day filled with personal pleasures. Shouldn’t that be what celebrating is all about?