Earth Day at 55 - the Planet Still Matters

Home Sweet Home

Welcome to all my new subscribers and a special howdy to the newest followers from the Tattered Page Book Club’s 5th year birthday bash. I had a fun time participating in the event.

I’m currently in Woburn, Massachusetts where I’ll be presenting an Earth Day book talk at the Woburn Public Library from 6:30- 8:00.

And in the spirit of The Pelican Tide, we’re also having a hot sauce tasting. If you’re in the area, I’d love to meet you.

I will also be giving a similar Earth Day talk on Sunday April 27th at the Mary Styles library in Falls Church, Virginia.

Why am I speaking on Earth Day?

The first Earth Day was April 22, 1970 and it was originally called as a teach-in where the hope was that students would rally and bring attention to the issues of the day. You can read all about Earth Day here. The “Issue” on most minds was the 1969 Santa Barbara, California oil spill. It was the largest oil spill in U.S. history

Until…

April 20, 2010 when the Deepwater Horizon oil platform exploded and killed 11 men. The rig sank on Earth Day and that is where my story The Pelican Tide begins.

Back in 1969, Earth Day issues concentrated on clean air, clean water, and pollution. Today, we are awash in plastics and global warming. The planet still needs our attention before the forces of nature destroy us.

The Pelican Tide is one story of how the largest oil spill in U.S. history changed the lives of people (and pelicans) living in Grand, Isle, Louisiana. A beautiful barrier island off the Louisiana Coast. I had the pleasure of visiting in November, and aside from the off shore views of oil rigs, it is one of the most beautiful white sand beaches I’ve visited.

Bee Positive and Proactive

The Earth’s environmental plight can seem overwhelming, and it is. One person recycling bags and composting food scraps (pointing to myself here) can’t save the planet. But…I’m doing my best to not make life worse.

This Earth Day, I have plans to turn a large portion of my back yard into a pollinator friendly garden. I’m replacing grass with creeping thyme. I’m giving my vegetable garden another go this season despite last summer’s scorching heat that fried everything.

I am so fortunate to have a back yard, and feel a commitment to use the space to support the wildlife who visits. I’m also a wee bit lazy and a wild space takes less work - just saying.

The Pelican Tide is on sale for the rest of April on Kindle if you haven’t read it yet. And I thank you advance for checking the book out.

So Much Fun Research and Book Giveaway Coming Soon!

Tomorrow is the official US release of The Swimming Group by Bella Ellwood-Clayton the master of domestic suspense. I was an early reader for this book and it’s a wild ride…er swim. I’ll be giving away copies of this juicy page turner soon.

I am immersed in a new book project and the research is fantastic. Look for posts soon on my new obsession: hair makeover videos along with Tarot card reading, The Farmer’s Almanac not to be confused with The Old Farmer’s Almanac, and lots more.

Happy Earth Day. Get outside and enjoy the day regardless of what the weather brings.