Remember I wrote I drank from the hosepipe yesterday. What was I thinking? According to internet research it’s a miracle I lived to see another day. My hose pipe is old as dirt, just lays itself down thrown near the bannisters waiting for insects and germs to enter, heating up so chemicals from the stagnant water in the hose and the lead from the brass fittings can leach out in the water. I had let the water run till it was cool and filled up eight gallon jugs with water for my garden before I had a few swigs. I’m sure I’m fine but remember me in your prayers tonight. Thanks!

Been sitting in the swing watching the dove I call Dumb Dumb. I know it’s him because he never learned to balance himself sitting on a power line. He bobs back and forth about six times, then gives up and flutters to the pine straw under the bird feeder poles. He finally made it up to the edge of bird bath to have a drink of water. He’s standing on the edge and one of his pink high heels slips in the water. He’s standing there, shaking the water off his foot. I hope his high heels aren’t Italian leather. He looks distressed and left without getting any water, squeaking his wings as he flew away. Bless his birdie heart, the Lord will care for him.

I was reading quotes today searching for a quote that would inspire me to ponder and this quote from Wilfred A. Peterson spoke to me. “Walk with the dreamers, the believers, the courageous, the cheerful, the planners, the doers, the successful people with their heads in the clouds and their feet on the ground. Let their spirit ignite a fire within you to leave this world better than when you found it.”

It would be a wonderful gift to Mother Earth if we were all inspired to leave the world a better place. Pope John Paul II writes, “The earth will not continue to offer its harvest, except with faithful stewardship. We cannot say we love the land and then take steps to destroy it for use by future generations.”

There is trash on our highways and trash in our waterways. Our woodland creatures are being run out of their habitats for new subdivisions with cookie cutter homes. We need to recycle and repurpose and reuse things. Simply turning off the sink water while we brush our teeth can conserve water. We need to plant trees, volunteer, use non toxic chemicals, drive less, buy less plastic, recycle, reduce the trash we generate for landfills. Use less paper. Chief used to save junk mail to use for his writing paper. He’d write on the backs of the junk mail letters. His piles of junk mail paper drove me crazy but he would say, “I don’t want Brother’s children to grow up in polluted world.”

We need to be generous and kind to the earth’s inhabitants, too. A genuine smile has so much power. Scripture in Colossians 3:12 states, “Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.” I love what Winnie the Pooh’s friend Eeyore says, “A little consideration, a little thought for others, makes all the difference.” So true!

“The care of the earth is our most ancient and most worthy and, after all, our most pleasing responsibility. To cherish what remains of it, and to foster its renewal, is our only legitimate hope.” — Wendell Berry