Wanderlust
[By the time I realized I had not uploaded this newsletter to Substack, I was about to walk out the door to go to work! For me, this is simply a reminder to be as forgiving and gracious with myself as I am with others. We all struggle and make mistakes. Don’t beat yourself up when you stumble and don’t meet other people’s expectations. And, P.S. anyone who would beat you up for your mistakes should be on the outside of the boundary lines you set in your life.]
I don’t like to travel. I am the most homebodiest of all homebodies. So, it surprises me that I have a bit of wanderlust. This long year of staying home is wearing thin. I am anxious to see my mom and brothers and extended family who live a thousand miles away – a mere 15 hours drive or 4 hours flight. In addition, creating my West Virginia family collage and examining my Ancestry DNA results makes me want to visit mountains and Scotland and other points of interest. I won’t be travelling overseas any time soon, but I do hope to head to the Palmetto State this summer.
When I do travel, I like to visit museums and local outdoor attractions. I’m particularly fond of botanical gardens. I love flowers and greenery of all sorts, and I am grateful for the beauty nature brings to my life.
Earth Day is April 22
Although many let Earth Day come and go each year with barely a notice, I see it as an important celebration in the wheel of the year. Humans have a habit of placing themselves outside the workings of the natural world. The truth is we are as tied to the health of the planet as any plant or animal or bird or insect.
We are dependent on Mother Earth for air, water, and food. The tiniest of pollinators and scariest of predators help maintain a balance that makes our survival possible. Sadly, humans exert a disruptive force on this balance. From deforestation to islands of floating plastics in the ocean, we threaten our own survival by ignoring the connection between our health and the health of the environment.
We have a part to play in keeping Mother Earth healthy. I will be the first to admit that knowing what to do a can be confusing. And it can be hard to see how one person’s actions can make a difference. For me, the key is understanding that it is collective action that makes the difference. You can visit Earthday.org for ideas on how to take action.
Sewing and Crafting
The textile and craft industries can be some of the biggest offenders when it comes to environmental pollution. The textiles we use in our sewing, knitting, and crochet projects are produced with enormous amounts of water and energy (and can create toxic wastewater). Cotton products are particularly concerning due to the high level of pesticides used on cotton crops. Craft items ranging from beads to glue can become problematic. I found this helpful PDF, Environmental Guide for Crafts, provided by the Ecology Center in California. It has lots of good tips for crafters. I think it also helps to use as many repurposed and recycled items as possible.
While none of us individually can make a big difference, each of us making sensible choices over time helps make our sewing and crafting passions more sustainable.