Earth Day

So how did you celebrate your Earth Day?

I confess that, despite my cheapness (and crunchiness), I did not notice it was Earth Day until it was half over. Shoot. I would have been well-prepared with some kind of eloquent blog entry or something. And I wasn’t. Believe me when I say that I live in one crazy house now, with a long-distance move looming close on the horizon. I spend most of my time nowadays moving, packing, and spending time with the people I love.

More about that long-distance move in a later post. It relates, in its own way.

So, how did I spend Earth Day once I realized it was Earth Day? I spent it kind of the way I spend almost every day, with one difference: We are also celebrating National TV Turnoff Week. And yes, I am aware that “American Idol” is still on. But the reasons are great:
1. My kids are spending their evenings playing board games with each other. BOARD GAMES! Next week, you’ll see why community is the linchpin to this lifestyle I’ve created.
2. Televisions suck a great deal of energy, even when they’re off. According to a CNET review of 139 television sets, the cost of running a television can vary from $30 to more than $100 per year.
3. Apart from the fact that we’re saving some energy and the kids are playing board games, it’s better for their brains, and for mine. There’s loads of evidence out there that draws a direct correlation between TV and childhood (and adult) obesity, attention-related problems, poor socialization skills, and anemic academic performance.

Lots more of you, however, did more than me (my friend tended her garden and put up her clothesline – I’m jealous!). Did you do anything differently today?