Happy Earth Day friends! Let's celebrate!

{I truly had to resist the urge to put a chicken photo here}

Something really awesome happened a couple days ago. I had been outside, trying to work on the concrete on the chicken coop (that's not the awesome part. That's the sucky part) and when I came inside, there was a message on my answering machine.

It was from a reporter from the St. Joseph News Press (which is a town about 45 minutes from me). You see, Ken, the reporter, was working on an article for Earth Day and wanted to do a story about me and my nature photography.

Of course I said yes.
Duh.

So I tried to vacuum up as much chicken dust as i could, and I moved the ducks to the dining room table, and the chickens rolled to the dining room in their playpen.

Man chickens kick up a lot of pine shavings. My vacuum is full!

First Ken came yesterday and he's a really neat person. Very much a newspaper guy. Did I ever mention I used to work in a newspaper? There were 7-8 Kens there all the time so it was like visiting with an old friend. Right as he left, the photographer showed up, and I actually ended up spending more time with him than Ken. We talked about motorcycles and cameras. He has gear that makes me drool.

But we've talked about how you don't need expensive gear right!?
Right? :(

That's what I keep trying to tell myself anyway.

Sooo... Today is earth day, and the article came out. I got up at 7:45 to 5 text messages from my husband telling me I was front page news.
Above the fold.

He's very excited.
I am too. ;)


So anyway, If you've read here long enough, you know that I try to celebrate Earth Day like other holidays too. Only there's no gift wrap cuz dude, that wouldn't be earth friendly would it?

Now, don't get me wrong. I'm not a certified tree hugger, although I do hug my trees when they actually live. Sadly a few trees are not getting hugs this year. Each year I set one or two small goals for myself that makes the earth a little bit better place than it was before. One year I started recycling, then I set a goal to plant more trees (15 trees later...), I also started a small compost pile (very recently!), and I use reusuable bags - when I remember them. grrr.

This year I'm going to do a few simple things. First, I'm going to actually USE that compost and get my beds really going around the house. It's a slow process but we're getting there. I'm still wondering how I will save my flowers from free range chickens, but that's another post for another day.

I also am going to take better care of me, because well, I'm part of this earth too and by golly everyone is stuck looking at me, I should do my best to give everyone a better view. This might entail me venturing into the organic section of the grocery store.

I'm going to try to travel less (not drive to town every stinkin day).

And lastly, I'm going to help you celebrate too.
Wha?

Yep, I'm going to give you something!!

Yay free stuff!!

Last year for Earth Day, I gave away a tree, and this year I'm going to do it again! I'm going to give away to one person that comments a Royal Empress Tree. They are quite entertaining and supposed to be fast growing. Last year, one of mine was growing an inch a day!

I picked this tree because it's hardy in most zones, but you should check out the map to make sure it works for you. If it doesn't we can always send it to your mother in law as a mother's day gift. SWEET.

To enter, you must follow these rules:
1. Leave a comment and tell me your plans for the weekend.
2. Enter only once. I'll know. Trust me. Violations will get konked with a sock full of rocks.
3. Come back and see if you were a winner!

Winner will be randomly chosen and announced on Monday!