Earth Day 2025
It’s Earth Day once again. The most significant secular observance in the world – that itself deserves a hallelujah! For some, it’s a day of protest – a memory of the early environmental movement – but often misappropriated as a simple excuse to get high. For most, my hope is that Earth Day is a reminder that all we have is this planet – all any of us will ever have is this planet – and that life is short. “On earth as it is in heaven.” There is no other place for us.
I spent the evening sitting outside in the grass, in beautiful weather – the temperature several degrees above the historic average, as has been the trend – with the sun, the flowers, my cat, the birds, an Old Tom martini. With the sun that rises and sets each day, in a cycle which began long before we were born, and which will continue long after we are dead, our life's timecode is set.
In response to the sun’s presence, hundreds of daisies, in lush, dense patches, awaken each morning and move ever so slightly toward the light. These flowers thrive this time of year, and will return from their winter dormancy for a few more years before dying off forever. They make a beautiful sight, and I’ve encouraged their natural spread to the maximum. Life would be less without them.
I feel fortunate that my sweet and lovable cat will most likely experience 14 more good years. This gives plenty more time to stretch out in the sun, over warm stones, or among the many choice flower patches. Unfortunately, there is only one of him, and while the individual daises may have their unique characteristics too, I don’t relate to them quite the same way. My cat is family – we know each other well – he’s been a friend as my life has changed in many ways – and I hope to be there for him throughout his life’s arc.
There have been several bald eagles in the city. A few weeks ago, one flew so close over the house that I didn’t even need binoculars to see its spectacular features. Near the city canopies, there is usually a murder of crows ready to chase away these majestic creatures – the eagles leave on their terms, not bothered in the least by their harassers. Today, there was only one eagle in the sky, some distance away, flying in a large circle, with wings seemingly motionless.
For martinis, I prefer Hayman’s. It’s not always easy to find, and certainly not the cheapest gin, but the dry sweetness and juniper-forward flavor is a delight, if not everyone. I sat appreciating everything around me – everything full of life – and not a simulated existence. It felt good to be temporarily free of electronics, plastics, and the endless disappointments of humans attempting to enrich themselves through the reckless destruction of literally everything beyond them. Tomorrow is another day though, and like the sun, some ego will rise, and with it fall on more of the world’s species, by more or lesser degrees. There is no other planet, and the timecode of our lives is set.
Make the most of the gift, by doing the least harm, and remember you’re not alone on this rock.
Michael. North Portland.