Happy Earth Day!

Earth Day 2007, Burien, WA - 1
Originally uploaded by mahlness.

Just a quick post on Earth Day. Yesterday I was in nearby Burien, Washington, and decided to stop into a grocery store, just to see. I never shop there, don't know anything about the store or its surrounding community...

Hanging above the checkstand area of this Albertsons were dozens of Earth Day Grocery Bags and globes. How cool. Made me wonder how many thousands (hopefully) of other stores will be passing them out, with their beautiful kid messages and artwork.

It is that wondering, coupled with hope, that keeps all of us leaning forward, I think. Happy Earth Day!

Pictures are coming in!

(Not real sure about the ethics or wisdom of cross posting on more than one of your own blogs, but this is where my extra energy is going right now, The Earth Day Groceries Project blog...)

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Wow! Pictures are coming in already. A few are listed on the project pictures page. Here's one from Falcon Cove Middle School in Weston, FL Simply amazing art!

Check here if you're not sure how to get your pictures in.

Getting readier for Earth Day

One of the things I do for the Earth Day Groceries Project that I enjoy the most, and dread each year because of how long it takes me, is offering up desktop wallpaper that will keep people reminded of the project year-round. I just posted this to the Earth Day Groceries Project Blog:

It has been a tradition for the Earth Day Groceries Project to offer free desktop wallpaper on the website, reminding people of the beauty of our natural world. Here are a couple of this year's incredible photographs from Marv Breece:

Cooper's Hawk

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Snowy Owl

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Northern Goshawk

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This year we have added widescreen versions for people who are spreading out a bit on their computers...

I am relieved and exhilarated. Beautiful pictures again, Marv - thanks! A dozen days 'til Earth Day...

Waiting for the hatch

Waiting for the hatch
Originally uploaded by mahlness.

You know, all this web 2.0 wonder that many talk about can overshadow other forms of wonder - and surprise, and simple, silly joy.

Yesterday one of my third graders (on Spring Break) blogged The Easter Egg from home.

You just never know what might happen. Kind of a Peter Pan way of looking at things that I'm grateful for having put in front of me day after day. Thanks, Lindsay. Happy Easter!

The Earth Day Groceries Project

It is now April, and my life changes in an annual cycle that is quite remarkable. Since 1994, I've been coordinating The Earth Day Groceries Project on the internet. I spend dozens, some years hundreds, of hours in a two month period working on this. Every year.

That's the work.

Here's the joy.

It is a true blessing to be in the position of receiving so much good news. Good news sent in from around the world. Sent in with the hope that stories and pictures will be there for their kids to see, for a grocery store to see, for a community to see, and for the world to see. Forever. To document the fact that they tried to make a difference, tried to reverse decades and centuries of abuse to our planet.

I am lucky, lucky, lucky. It is a huge responsibility, and I do not take it lightly.

Happy Earth Day!

April 22, every year.