We never truly know where we live until we experience the parts that are not always easily accessible or parts we don't frequent during our normal routines. Exploring your area can teach you about the importance of preserving it by seeing the life it supports, both flora and fauna.

I have started keeping my Patagonia tote in my car so I can have it with me wherever I go!

I am grateful to be alive. Our mother Earth is working hard to keep us protected and alive. It's quite fascinating how our Earth is working together full circle to keep things going. I am grateful to be able to breath fresh air and drink fresh water (for now...). I am thankful to see sites that are breathtaking. And climb the tallest mountains and sail the seas. I am grateful for the infinite adventure possibilities that our Earth makes possible. I already shared my letter but I will share again:

 A home is cozy, reliable, safe. A home is always there for you, good and bad. A home respects you for who you are, and wants to be respected in return. 

Nothing is different with our Home Planet. Treat our Home Planet like our Home. Because at the end of the day, it's our one and only true home, and all we want to do is sleep peacefully in our beautiful home. 

I researched the wolf!

In Oregon,their population is on the rise and for the first time in 5 years, there were 0 wolves killed by the state. Exciting news!

Here is a link to information on the ODFW website.
Here is a link to more information from awesome non-profit Oregon Wild about their work and advocacy for wolves in Oregon.

The image below shows the wide range that wolves roam. This one specifically shows OR7, a famous wanderer was the first wolf found west of the Cascades since 1947 and the first wolf in California is nearly a century.

Most of the time I have an extra reusable bag or two in my purse to help out when I run into this issue. If not, I will carry things out in my hands/load up my purse OR accept a disposable one if it can be reused. Produce bag turned dog poop bag? Brown paper bag turned wrapping paper?

Our Mother: life-giver to every creature 

On land, in the sea, in the air

She nurtures and preserves us,

Shaping existence to the smallest feature

 

Urging us to grow, to play, to learn

Given all that we need

Water and food to sustain,

That lost souls seek to burn

 

The human thinks “what’s best”

“We must progress or perish!”

Tiny minds with selfish vision

Failing the ultimate test

 

We must call them to return

Show them the light of peace

Our Mother deserves devotion,

Or else our paradise will burn

 

Mother gave us everything,

Yet we still push for more

Go back to our roots,

Or face beauty’s dismantling

 

The gods of our Mother

Mountains, plains, trees

This life will surely end

If we do not love her

Seeing people’s faces makes such a difference, and doing simple or silly games together is so much fun! It’s crazy how much better I’ve felt after having conversations with people this way.

I haven’t used a single-use container for all of quarantine. Once I return to a “normal” schedule, I will continue to use the containers that I’m using now to carry food/drink with me.