Today is a collective celebration of our beautiful Earth. She unselfishly provides for all forms of life, regardless of what it costs her. Yet somehow, she miraculously shows us a way to come back and protect her. She never ceases to amaze me. ❤️ If you have a favorite organization, send them a little extra love today. They’re doing the quiet, hard work every single day. And if you don’t have one yet, take a walk through the Empowering Animals classroom. There are some really beautiful organizations waiting to be discovered in there. Happy Earth Day! 💚

This morning, as I sat out on the catio-patio with my tea, I noticed a towhee bird scratching around for breakfast. After a few moments, the bird flew up into the tree. And of course, my eyes followed. As the bird perched on the branch, a black squirrel chased him off the branch, while another one sat quietly in a neighboring tree, watching everything like they owned the place. I love black squirrels. I didn’t even know they existed until I moved to the Pacific Northwest. There’s this soft, almost mushy kind of love I get in my soul when I see them. The same feeling I get when I see a skunk. If I ever have the chance to work with orphaned black squirrels, it would be another dream come true for me. Black squirrels aren’t a different species. They’re actually a color variation of the Eastern Gray Squirrel or sometimes the Fox Squirrel. That darker color comes from something called melanism, which is an increase in dark pigment. If both parents carry the gene, the babies can be fully black. If only one does, you might see black/brown squirrels with a reddish undertone. Same squirrel, just a different expression. The black is also thought to be an insulator to trap in body heat for the black squirrels. Unfortunately, the fun ended while I watched the two squirrels being squirrels. It was time for me to start adulting. Work cuts right into my social life.

I just learned about this incredible creature today. There are so many animals to discover and ones you now have to wonder if they are AI generated. Which is sad in itself. We really need to leave real life alone and get back to community. But that’s another post. This one is on the pink fairy armadillo. The name alone had my full attention. I am attaching the video I watched. It is complete and very educational. Although I would love to have one of my own, wildlife needs to stay wild. Let the pink fairy into your heart on this beautiful Sunday, and enjoy what the day brings you.

There’s something about this time of year that gives us that little burst of energy to get outside, clean things up, and start fresh. A little decluttering and reorganizing of the yard and garden. 👩‍🌾🌷 As the earth begins to bloom again, it’s easy to notice what’s growing. And sometimes that includes things we don’t think twice about. Have you ever seen a tree completely wrapped in ivy, it can look almost beautiful at first. But over time, that ivy can slowly take over. It blocks light, adds weight, and it holds moisture against the bark and eventually, it can weaken or even kill the tree. I witnessed this sadness in my neighbor's yard and after that, I didn't allow Ivy on my trees again. Trees support birds, insects, wildlife and so many other forms of life and helping the trees can be surprisingly simple. There’s a method often taught in volunteer programs where you cut the ivy around the base of the tree, then clear a small section up the trunk (about 2 to 3 feet). That gap keeps the vines from reconnecting and stops the flow of nutrients to the ivy above. The rest is left alone to die back naturally over time. Here’s one short video that shows how it works. It’s one of those small actions that can make a real difference over time. Do you have trees being strangled by ivy or are you looking for some volunteer ideas? Call your local parks department or conservation group for information on programs near you. You will be surprised on how many trees need our help. Share your ideas for spring projects and volunteering below.

Do you love finding those little hole-in-the-wall, magical places on road trips like I do? My friend told me about one she discovered last week in Oatman, AZ. It is an old mining town that their only residents remaining are the descendance of pack animals from the mining days. What makes it special isn’t just the old buildings or the stretch of Route 66 running through it, it’s the wild donkeys wandering through town freely, like they own the place. Which technically, I think this does meet the definition of homesteading. These special creatures have adapted over time to living in the wild and to the tourists that stop in to say hi. There are a few stores set up in the one-street town to sell approved hay cubes to feed them. Other food is strictly prohibited for the animals' safety. So, if you are ever passing through Arizona, look up Oatman and stop in and say hey to the wild donkeys. Take a picture of their smiling faces and share a post with us of your experience. Do you have any cool road trip haunts you would like to share?