Our Sacred Earth

 August rolls in, soft and warm, bringing endless sunshine and balmy nights. This morning, the air is clear and fresh; the wind has shifted, blowing away the recent smokiness from Canadian wildfires. Late summer flowers add beauty and color to the world: Black-eyed Susan, Echinacea, Rose of Sharon and Hydrangeas are the stars of the garden, framed by a backdrop of hostas and ferns. 

The tomatoes and peppers in my garden are ripening and the farm markets are filled with earth's bounty: fresh sweet corn, peaches and blueberries are just a few of this month's gifts. 

We care for the earth and the earth cares for us. It is a symbiotic relationship, as is everything in nature. I watch the bumblebee on my salvia flower, knowing that it is doing the important work of pollination and I am thankful for this simple, yet profound and sacred act.

The book of Genesis in the bible tells us that we have been given dominion over the creatures and plants of the earth, to care for and protect all of nature in a responsible way. We have never been given the authority to trample and destroy, to pollute and leave toxic waste, as so many in the civilized world have done.

Our beautiful planet has been imperiled by oil spills in the ocean, plastic waste that infiltrates every corner of the world, including our physical bodies, dangerous pesticides, over-development and fracking; the list could go on and on. 

Now there is political pressure to pillage our beautiful national parks for minerals and logging. These treasured places have been protected for so long and now, sadly, they are in danger of exploitation.

This all grieves my heart, as I'm sure it does yours. There is so little we can do, except pray and be responsible in our own small circle of influence. 

Yet here are a few things that we can do:

• Minimize our own footprint. Try, as much as possible, to eliminate plastic waste: reusable bags, "compostic" sandwich and kitchen waste bags; glass leftover containers; recycle whatever we can; give away rather than throw away whenever possible.
• Donate money to reputable environmental groups like Sierra Club, The Leaue of Conservation Voters; Earthjustice, to name a few that I support. These groups actively fight the kind of pillaging that is happening right now.
• Eliminate pesticide use in our homes and gardens. There are environmentally friendly fixes for most weeds and pests (white vinegar kills weeds, peppermint and other essential oils deter bugs, etc).
• Make a compost bin out of an old trash can with holes for drainage. Put in all food waste, except for meats.
• Get political: call your representatives in Congress and the Senate
• Most importantly: TEACH your children and grandchildren to love, respect and care for the earth. They will inherit it after we are gone.

And every day, give thanks for our beautiful sacred Earth, a gift from our Creator