In this time of great fear, it is important that we think of the long-term challenges—and possibilities—of the entire globe.
Photographs of our world from space clearly show that there are no real boundaries on our blue planet. Therefore, all of us must take care of it and work to prevent climate change and other destructive forces. This pandemic serves as a warning that only by coming
together with a coordinated, global response will we meet the unprecedented magnitude of the challenges we face.

~ His Holiness the Dalai Lama speaking about the coronavirus pandemic

In all the 50 Earth Days we’ve had, nobody really expected this. Not that there hasn’t been the threat of pandemics or that there wasn’t talk of what kinds of ancient virus’ and bacteria lurked in rapidly melting permafrost that none of us modern humans would have immunity to.

There have been plenty of sci-fi future worlds depicting life after humans or after many of them were wiped out due to a crazy virus or they became zombies or all moved to another solar system… whatever, you get where I’m going with this, right?

There’s some scary reality going on right now. Some of us are fortunate enough to be at home with people we at least like (and in my case love), in safe situations, with plenty of supplies and yards to go out in, and maybe even a little money left in the bank. But don’t think this is a staycation for everyone. There are some really awful hardships going on in the world.

I thank whatever god(s) are looking out for me and my family that by some miracle (and anyone who knows, knows it definitely involved divine intervention), we made it to this homestead just months before this corona crisis hit. I have so much to be grateful for it is like an embarrassment of gratitude.

We’re doing our best to give what we can from here, including growing baby chicks into egg-laying chickens, creating a massive organic vegetable garden (all proceeds we intend to share). And of course we are making podcasts that we hope are entertaining and helpful for the Green Divas, AND even creating a new show GD PonderRosa Podcast to feature our music studio clients (primarily) and hopefully spread a bit of cheer and at least some great music. Oh, and we are staying home!

Listen to our special 50 Years of Earth Days show…

Green Diva Lisa and I have been taking our own advice from the last podcast — Hunkering Down in the time of Corona — and there have definitely been benefits in the midst of all this change and loss.

Nothing easy about this time, but it is clear that there are all kinds of odd silver linings to this shady cloud of sheltering-in-place. We’ve all heard reports of wildlife unabashedly wandering through empty streets. Yes, we loved the report that goats took over an empty resort in the UK. Not sure about the veracity of dolphins in venice, but the images were fun.

There is very real evidence that pollution is GREATLY diminished since humans have nearly stopped flying around the planet, are manufacturing significantly less stuff and clogging up highways with cars. See NASA images from space of our own area in the Northeast, comparing pre-corona pollution to one month later!

So, there is very real evidence of our impact on the planet and the environment, at least form the standpoint of pollution, which is perhaps one of the biggest climate change offenders. Will we learn from this? Will we jump back into our cars and zoom around the earth so mindlessly after seeing all this? I know there will be other priorities after we crawl out of our caves, but… what can those of us who care about the environment bring forward? Call me crazy, but I think there is hope. If you listen to the earth day show (above), you’ll hear some wonderful words of hope and visions of a cleaner, healthier planet for the next 50 years.

For those that aren’t in crisis, this time can be a welcome or un-welcomed pause. I’m an introvert by nature, so you don’t have to ask me twice to stay home! But for many, it has taken more time to settle into this new temporary, but extended reality.

It really is a great time to pay attention to nature (well, Earth Day and spring, etc.), and learn from this enforced slowdown. I’m really trying to stay present, ya know, be in the moment and mindful and all that. Some days are better than others, but when I am really present, I realize that I don’t miss all the chaos, deadlines and rushing to nowhere that I participated in. I know there will be an economic price to pay and it will be a challenge for so many of us to be sure, but today?

Today, I am watching a myriad of birds dance and sing around my deck and the little cautious bluebirds (of happiness) sitting further out on the white fence in front of our hay field where there are a dozen or so deer grazing lazily. Sometimes there are a dozen turkeys that share the field with the deer. Recently we had two sandhill cranes land in that same area to hang out for a bit on their way to the old cranberry bogs I imagine.

Mama nature is always speaking to us. It’s just a bit easier to hear her right now. When I get past the fear, I dig the silence.

Here’s hoping you are ok and safe and that your family is safe and that you aren’t battling some of the other sideshows of this crisis.

Here’s hoping you can get outside and listen to mama nature — really listen — and appreciate this rare, albeit odd, timeout. Hug a tree, talk to the birds, feel your feet on this amazing planet, and feel the connection we all share and the true desire to make it better.

And don’t forget to wash your hands and call your mama 😉