I AM OF THAT AGE, not quite old enough to have once considered myself a hippie, an anti-war activist or a rebellious, anti-establishment young person coming of age. But I did embrace the peace symbol and embroider flowers on my home-sewn gauzy shirts accenting lime green bell bottoms. I wore a prisoner of war bracelet and Earth Shoes, a marketing gimmick more than anything.
I was on the edge of a generation that no longer accepted the status quo. The generation that latched onto causes, the generation weary of war and wanting to effect change. That applied also to the early 1970s growing awareness of environmental issues and an earth which needed, still needs, protecting, nurturing, care.
In 1970, the first celebration of Earth Day happened. Now here we are 53 years later and still trying to deal with issues affecting our planet. A lot of good has happened in those five decades, especially in creating awareness. Sometimes that has led to action. But a lot has also deteriorated.
I thought about that, specifically, “What do I do in my everyday life that reflects care for the world in which I live?”
Topping my list is buying used rather than new. It helps that I really don’t like to shop and that I don’t even care about stuff all that much. No one will ever view me as fashion conscious. I simply don’t care.
Nearly all of the furniture in my house has come from family, garage sales or thrift shops. The same for art. I love art. It is admittedly my one indulgence. But the art I own—and it’s a lot, enough so that I rotate it off and on my walls—has come from second-hand sources. The dishes in my cupboard were my mom’s. Drinking glasses are vintage. Serving pieces and bowls were passed down or purchased second-hand.
Then there’s laundry. For decades I’ve dried laundry outside on a clothesline. I love the task of rhythmically clipping clothing to line. It’s therapeutic in connecting me with nature. I feel the sun, if it’s shining. Or I feel the nip of frosty weather numbing my fingers. I feel the wind, hear the birds, notice the shift of seasons. I am attune to Earth.
In the winter, I layer laundry over a drying rack. Seldom do I use my electric dryer. I’m trying to conserve energy, do my part.
I also use cloth bags. But only sometimes. I take my boomer-rang cloth bag to bag books at the library. At least I’m consistent with that. But I need to use cloth all the time at all the grocery stores I shop, not just the one that requires bringing your own bags.
I recycle wrapping paper, tissue paper, ribbon, bows and gift bags to the point that my extended family ridicules me for that behavior. I learned this from my mom, who did the same, but for economic reasons. I don’t care if my siblings laugh. I’m doing what’s environmentally right.
Admittedly, I can do more. But it’s a start. Every single effort, big or small, matters. We only have one Earth and we all need to care, and do our part.
TELL ME: What are you doing in an effort to protect and care for our planet?
FYI: Saturday, April 22, is Earth Day. Celebrations are planned locally in Northfield and also at River Bend Nature Center in Faribault.
© Copyright 2023 Audrey Kletscher Helbling
Minnesota Prairie Roots 
Happy Earth Day, Audrey! ❤
The same to you, Penny! I know you appreciate nature and the Earth.
Audrey, I think we were twins in a earlier life. Ditto to nearly everything you said, the same here.
I had to laugh about the recycling the gift wrap and tissue paper and bows……my kids laugh at me over that, but I am just fine with how I operate my own home and how I was raised. I had a good Mom and Dad and have no regrets about the frugal we were raised.
Ida, it seems we do have a lot in common in values and how we were raised. Keep recycling those gift wrap items.
Did I ever tell you that my paternal grandma’s name was Ida? Loved her so much. She quilted, shared stories, just loved on me, even with 40 some grandchildren.
That is so sweet to hear that you have such wonderful memories of your Grandma Ida.
I was named after my Grandma Ida, but I was 5 when she went onto heaven. I have a very few memories of her, but everyone that knew her said what a “lamb” she was. A Norwegian with blue eyes and a sweet soul. I have a clothes line and a cloth clothes pin bag as well, but it was nearly falling apart and had to put it up and store it with some of my more memorable things. I learned everything from a Mom who was a farmer’s daughter, shall I say.
I would have loved your grandma Ida. And your mom, too, like mine, a farmer’s daughter. Yes, you and I are very much alike.
Interesting reading Audrey, thank you. My mother grew up during the depression, soon followed by WWII, with severe rationing of food & clothes. Make do and mend was the motto, as well as waste not, want not, and I still follow her example. The new slogans of re-use, repurpose, recycle are now for the planet, as well as thrift. I think people are learning again not to be reckless with the earth’s finite resources. And I save gift wrapping too!
Your comment is such an excellent summary of past and current behavior as it relates to the Earth.
It seems we are building a club here of people who recycle gift wrapping items. Thank you for being a member!
Good for you! I always use reusable grocery bags and recycle as much as possible. It takes all of us!
It takes all of us, for sure!
I totally reuse bows and ribbon and tissue paper. Wrapping paper doesn’t seem to save as well but yeah- why buy new of that when it totally still looks nice and works?!
Welcome to the gift wrapping recycling club! I see quite a few members here in the comments section. So happy to have all of you doing your part.
And here I just always thought I was being a good Scottish person with a reputation for being tight with their money!
Nope, there are others who share the same frugality, no matter our ethnicity.
I do a lot of the same things as you…except hang my laundry on the line. I do occasionally in the summer, but it is not the norm for me. It makes me happy that you do!
I think I’m in the minority when it comes to using an outdoor clothesline. I just love the process of hanging and removing clothes. I also love the fresh scent in the fabric and being outdoors.
all of your initiatives are wonderful and I wish everyone was as diligent as you, our world would certainly be in a much better place. I’m not much for things either, and have a treasured kitchen table, with the top made from one piece of wood, rickety and old, nick and bumps on it, that my daughters bought for me at a resale shop many years ago for $7 and it is one of my most prized possessions.
Your $7 kitchen table sounds like a treasure. What a deal.
My table came from a neighbor back home, bought it at his farm auction and love every single nick, dent, scratch…my favorite piece of furniture.
I do treasure it and your table sounds a lot like mine)
Mine is a large dining room table that comes with four leaves, so it’s expansive if all are put in place. It’s oval-shaped with curved legs, made of dark stained wood. The nicks and scratches have come since we bought, refinished and used the table for the past 40 years. Lots of memories connected to that table purchased from neighbor George’s farm auction.
When one marries in the 60s, furniture is laminate yucky, one loves all things oak/maple/walnut, one buys used. Still own the folks 1933 bedroom set and one off a 1920s estate sale. I’m getting with the plastics programs, but the clothesline has passed me by. As a nation, we’re doing much better, but about that electric bill! You are a shining example, Xcel should pay you.
Hey, I like that idea of “Xcel should pay you.” Thanks for doing your part with continuing to use vintage furniture.
Just sat down to write my Hummmm…Earth Day Reflections and read your blog. Audrey, you do more than most people I know as far as recycle, reuse, repurpose. If each of us ALL HUMANs did these easy and simple things the Earth would start to repair the damage we are doing. If each of us stopped before we opened our wallets and asked “do we really need this product?” We all could be part of the solution and not the problem.
Thank you, Paula. Yes, we each need to do our part and I know that you do. Thank you!