“Ask yourself whether the dream of heaven and greatness should be waiting for us in our graves – or whether it should be ours here and now and on this Earth.” —Ayn Rand
“I tell you, we are here on Earth to fart around, and don’t let anybody tell you different. – Kurt Vonnegut

I’ve never seen a picture of me taken in Mother Nature’s playground where I’m not smiling. — Photo by Kim Perrin.
“Those who dwell among the beauties and mysteries of the Earth are never alone or weary of life.” – Rachel Carson
“The care of the Earth is our most ancient and most worthy, and … our most pleasing responsibility. To cherish what remains of it and to foster its renewal is our only hope.” Wendell Berry
I’m a Tree Hugger
I don’t get on my soap box every day to tell you this, but today is Earth Day and I decided it was a day to let it all out. I really am a tree hugger.

Sometimes, as I was driving in Gypsy Lee, Mother Nature demanded I stop and look at her. — Photo by Pat Bean
I want to scream curses at people who dirty this planet with war and hate, people who take from the land without giving back, and nasty litterers who offend the senses of all who appreciate beauty.
As one who has traveled this country from coast to coast and border to border, I can truly tell you that nary a day on the road did I not see the beauty all around me. Perhaps it was the way a small stream flowed downhill laughing all the way, or the sudden appearance of a white-tailed deer as it stepped out of the woods.
No artist can capture the majesty of a purple and pink sunrise or a fiery desert sunset like Mother Nature gifts us with so very often. No architect can build a structure that matches the majestic grandeur of mountains.
Being born in Texas’ flatlands I didn’t see my first mountain until I was 14, but from that day forward the sight of these uplifted landscapes have never failed to touch my soul.
I’ve used the beauty of this Earth often to let go of stress and tension, which when I was a working journalist, helping put out a daily newspaper on deadline, were daily annoyances.
I’ve walked in nature when I was sad, and when I was happy, and when I just needed to be renewed.
I’ve often wondered how people handled daily life without the help of Mother Nature to walk beside them. I suspect the psychopaths who kill, murder and rape must be among them because I can’t imagine people who truly love this Earth and Mother Nature would ever be so cruel
My heart fully celebrates this special day. But then I think every day should be Earth Day.
Bean’s Pat: Look on the bright side of life http://tinyurl.com/c4587du If this doesn’t make you smile you’re a real grump.
lovely post! thank you for reminding us how lovely our country is! z
I agree with you, every day should be earth day! A great post, excellent snap of you and mother nature too, as are the other photos! Great words on a subject very dear to me (being a tree hugger extraordinaire myself) Thank you for letting me be a part of your post today. I very much appreciate the honor Pat! :), have a great week!
Thanks for a great post, Pat. You made me take a deep breath and feel renewed.
Sigh. Now you’ve got me itching to saddle up my RV.
Amen sister! Thank you Pat for all your posts, each one shows your love of mother earth.