I want to go on record that I don’t think April is the cruelest month. How could I believe that when my youngest child and my father were born one day (and about 70 years) apart in early April? I just like T.S. Eliot and so I usually remember these words about this time of year:
April is the cruellest month, breeding
Lilacs out of the dead land, mixing
Memory and desire, stirring
Dull roots with spring rain.
Winter kept us warm, covering
Earth in forgetful snow, feeding
A little life with dried tubers.From “The Waste Land,” by T.S. Eliot, 1922
I have also been thinking about Earth Day/old days. In 1970, I went to the Teach-In on the Environment at the University of Michigan. We were big on teach-ins back there in Ann Arbor. 1970 was also the first summer I went west and thereby became even more taken with nature than I was growing up on a lake in Michigan. In Ann Arbor, I was a minor functionary in ENACT (Environmental Action for Survival). In fact, in 1971, I submitted testimony for ENACT related the Trans-Alaska Pipeline to Congress. My own comments related to possible drawbacks of the pipeline for native peoples were included along with other, more academically expert, testimony. Since I am bringing up this tiny historical footnote, you probably notice that it was a big deal for me. I think we all stopped the pipeline for a few minutes or something.
Not only was I not very successful as an environmentalist, I didn’t even make it as an Earth Mother, and that designation didn’t seem to require any coursework. I sort of went back to the land to the extent that I have been an (mostly) organic gardener for forty years. I do recycle (some), I do clean with vinegar and other non-toxic materials, and I think our children feel a connection with and a responsibility to the natural world.
The Part about Agnosticism: Actually, I am a flaming agnostic (some might say waffler, know-nothing, etc.). I don’t claim to know anything about god or the meaning of the universe–and I have a hard time figuring out how one would claim to know such information–and I don’t have much use for or patience with organized religion. The thing is, because of my broken wrist (see, Scat Happens), I have had call to stretch my hands like this:
This exercise has made me think about prayer. I am still a flaming agnostic and proud of it, but I am still reverent and hopeful within the natural world. So, below are a few of the photos I’ve taken on our travels. Happy Birthday Bill and Dad. Happy April. Happy Earth Day/Week/Month.
Great stuff, Lynda. Keep it going.
Thanks for the kind words, Mike as well as for access to the Scenic Lake lily pads!
Your photos are amazingly beautiful, Lynda. I’m in total agreement with your thinking. It’s not surprising that we have remained friends for so long.
Hi, Kathy, I’ve been thinking about our friendship lately, too, since we’ve connected on fb–seems we have about the same relationship as when we met at Milford Jr. High!
Your thoughts on religion are like my thoughts on religion. Maybe we can start a sect. And I really like your butterfly photo. Maybe our sect can worship butterflies. Though I’m not fond of all caterpillars. So I may need to think this through before committing myself completely.
hahaha, I’m trying to learn to like all caterpillars–so when you decide to commit, let me know.
Oh, so good and the photos are wonderful. Your spirit shines through them.
Thanks for your kind words, Donna. Re the photos, I try to keep David’s advice in my mind–at least some of the time.!
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