Earth Day ... A Reminder!

View from trail between Soggy Dollar Bar and Ivan's Stress Free Bar ... Jost Van Dyke, BVIs

Do you know what today is?  It's "Earth Day", a day on which events are held world wide to demonstrate support for environmental protection.  The first "Earth Day" was in 1970, and now more than one billion people participate in this event.  As the world's population continues to explode, becoming aware of our planet Earth and taking steps to protect become even more important.  We don't get second chances here!

While I can't claim to be doing everything possible to protect our environment, I do look forward to living a more simplified, self-sufficient lifestyle on our sailboat.  Like a drop in the ocean, it may seem that one person can't make a difference.  But, if we all do our part we can become the "ocean" of change.

Our planet Earth has given us so much to enjoy, and we all need to give it the respect it deserves.  When I read about all the pollution in our waters, killing the reefs and causing jellyfish and squid to reach epidemic portions ... it's a warning that we'd better listen to!  Wouldn't it be sad to have to tell our descendants about the good ole days when one could snorkel and fish?

Our waters are just one example of many environmental issues.  In my opinion, our relations with others are yet another issue that our Earth faces.  It may just be what destroys it someday.  I figured I'd take this opportunity to acknowledge the terrible tragedy of the Boston Marathon bombings.  Our hearts go out to all those affected one way or another by this event.  I fear that we already talk of the "good ole days" when one could go to a movie, an athletic event, or a school without fear of danger.  While I'm not going to alter my activities, I will be aware of my surroundings and will be thinking of such tragedies ... it's the world we now live in.

There are many reasons that Ken and I have chosen a future of living in remote areas on our sailboat ... adventure, new experiences, new people, and even less stress and less bills.  Distancing ourselves from  the media and today's violent society wasn't really in our thoughts, but over the past couple of years that may now be another reason.  Some folks think we're crazy for planning such a "dangerous" retirement, and I wonder how our future lifestyle could be any more dangerous than walking out of our house every day, getting in a car, and being a part of society.  

It may sound sappy, but it really is such a shame that we can't just all get along!  We all share the same Earth, yet the blessings it provides us are over-shadowed with crime, greed, materialism and hatred.  Ken and I choose to respect this Earth, and live each day enjoying the simple things in life while respecting others.  We couldn't care less what our neighbors are driving, what they wear, or how much they make.  We're much more concerned about their character.  A person with "good character" is much more attractive .. and real!

We look forward to sharing our days of cruising with our daughter and her fiancee, and we hope to also instill our values with grand-kids someday ... opening their eyes to just what this world has to offer, and teaching them to look at it with a different set of eyes.  We hope to teach them of what's really important in life, and hope they'll have the same appreciation for a sunset, a green pasture, a trail through the woods, the ocean.  If we all took the time to do this ...

Earth Day ... a reminder to respect it and everything on it!

Hasta luego ... until then.  Mid-Life Cruising!