An Earth Day to Remember

I stayed aware of my environment, as I said I would, in honor of Earth Day. Most of the day, however, I was indoors, but I was aware of the trees outside my window, the canyon filled with chaparral below, and the city of Los Angeles beyond. I can also see the oil fields in Wilmington which reminds me of carbon footprints. Have you taken the test to see the results of your own footprint on the planet? Go to Care2 Global Warming.

I guess that we humans are all part of Mother Earth; we are her stewards, and we are our brother and sister's keepers, too. Today our school community welcomed a new baby at Torrance Memorial Hospital. Here is Tanner when he was 2 hours old. He is the second child for Leslie and Dave and the brother of five-year-old Carley.

One of our high school marine biology teachers, along with her students, sponsored Earth Day booths and experiences on the main lawn today for the elementary school children. This is one of the seniors holding up a stuffed otter which was part of the display of sea creatures. Each child also received an otter pop. They fished for things that thoughtless people throw into the sea, did simple lab experiments, viewed hands on fossils and ocean items, got to try out the sea kayaks from outdoor education on the grass, and had several interactive experiences hoted by the big kids.

This little girl climbs one of the really old pepper trees with a very gnarled trunk. We have two gigantic Moreton Bay fig trees, too. I want white Mary Janes, too. 

And here is a picture of our main lawn where the middle and high school kids hang out. It is always breath-taking, no matter the season.

And this is our health center with the metal sculpture of the world behind it. See that rock? It is Palos Verdes stone native to this area. We have many rocks and rock borders across the campus. By the original science lab there are some very large fossil-filled rocks.

There are several beautiful rose gardens across campus, but this bush of lavender-colored overblown beauties caught my attention because when I search for a metaphor mirroring the aging process, I think of myself as a rose just a little past full bloom. I've come to love the sense of Ecclesiastes I see in rose gardens.

And what California spring-time litany of flowers wouldn't include the golden poppy. I hope to get out to Lancaster before the blooming season is over.

Next I stopped at the high school art show displayed in the cafeteria and one senior made this great ceramic piece that I personally call a fertility god. He didn't have a title on it.

And this is what I drive by every day when I go and return from work--the life guard stands by the Pacific Ocean on the Esplanade of South Redondo Beach.

And this what I wish for us and for our planet. This peace pole was dedicated by one of the senior classes several years ago. Every time I pass it, it reminds me to say a little prayer.

So, did any of you find "Earthly" things in your travels today? I'd love to see them or hear about them.

Thanks for visiting.