Is this the new winter?
I did a walk around my yard a day or two ago and was so surprised at what I saw. Green things growing everywhere. You see, I live in N. America where February is normally bitter cold, snowy and not so nice out. But this winter is different, VERY DIFFERENT!
Allium
Crocus
I didn’t mention it, but I wore a light weight sweater and slip on shoes, when normally I would have bundled up in multiple layers and still gotten cold. Recently it has been 40 – 50 degrees (F) warmer than normal.
Apparently warm enough for all my perennials to get a head start, a 3 month head start!
Coral Bells
Creeping ground cover
It is not unusual to see the crocus or the snow drops poke their heads above the snow, but not until March or so. I am not too worried about them however, they do just fine with cold weather. However, everything else that is coming up, I do worry about.
What will it be like when they normally come up and prepare to bloom? Will they bloom at all this year.
Creeping Phlox
Daffodils
I have seen this before a few years ago, but not this time of year. Several years ago we had an extremely warm streak in late November, when it stayed in the mid 60s (F) for at least 2 weeks. My Grape Hyacinths grew 5″ tall and started to bloom! They didn’t start blooming in the spring again until last year. Now what will happen to them? Will their inner clock ever reset?
Dandelion
Day-lily
It also makes me wonder if this is part of the Green House Effect. I had heard it was going to be a long, bitter winter with heavy snow fall in our area this year. It sure isn’t the case now. We have been having nonseasonal weather for more than a month. What are we to expect next? More of the same, or extremely heavy snowfall like some parts of the country have gotten recently?
Dusty Miller - last summers annual
Foxglove
I am not complaining about this windfall of nice weather, I just don’t understand it. Its not normal. It makes me worry about the health of our beautiful planet and what is to come in my future and the future of my children and grandchild. Are we on the verge of a global change?
Many scientist have been warning us about this for quite some time. I remember hearing about it when I was in grade school, oh so many years ago.
Grape Hyacinth
Iris
I remember it because our science teacher, Mr. Olsen, told us about it. He took us outside in mid April and announced to everyone that it was the first Earth Day and we should do our part to keep our environment clean. We then took the afternoon and picked up trash and cleaned up our school yard. I remember feeling that day like I had helped to make a difference in the world and have kept that practice of picking up trash to this day.
Phlox
Snapdragon - another annual left over
But now I ask myself if have I really done enough? What more can I do to help take care of our Earth? I recycle items instead of throwing them into the trash all the time. I don’t drive unnecessarily and I’m not too heavy on the gas petal. Granted I drive a big gas guzzler, but I keep it in good working order and don’t hot rod all over the place.
Strawberry
Thistle
I am trying to buy products that are packaged in Earth – friendly packaging. I see more of them on the store shelves all the time. I also buy things in bulk when ever I can, that helps save gas, packaging and money. There seems like there is even more I should be doing.
So, this is something I will look into further. In what ways can I be more eco-conscience?
Moss
Tulips
I use a lot of recyclable items in my art work. Things like security envelopes I receive in the mail, wrapping paper and paper used to wrap purchased items in, old linens and trims from worn out clothing, buttons and zippers, bottle caps and campaign buttons, clothing tags, old broken jewelry and chains, plastic water bottle bottoms and much more. I really do need to explore more items to re-purpose into my artwork.
Yarrow
Corrieopsis
Perhaps I can find a source for other items that need up-cycling. I’ve not visited many second hand shops or architecture re-sale shops. I’ve also heard about a company near my town that sorts recycled trash and finds places that can use the items they keep from the landfills. Oh, this is beginning to sound interesting and exciting. I have a new source of matierials.
Trailing Vine
Unable to name this.
As I contemplate my ability to make this world a better place, I ask you to do the same. Are YOU doing enough? Is there more you could be doing? Will you help to spread the word about the urgent need to better our Earth? I hope you will, for not only our own sakes, but also for that of our children, our grandchildren, but especially for our beautiful Earth.
Think about it!
Mother Earth - our only home.
