When you read the title, did you find yourself harkening back to Kermit the Frog, strumming the banjo while crooning, “It’s not easy being green…”?  Ah, those were the days.

Well, you’ve probably noticed that our landscapes have been greening up nicely in the past week, but we’re still way behind the eight ball.  In fact, there’s a threat of snow this Friday.  Good grief, it’s becoming a bit tiresome even for me.  Did you know that the latest, measurable snow fall in Illinois happened on May 11th, 1966?  I’m certainly not trying to be an alarmist, but it does make you wonder if we are on pace for such a phenomenon.  Below are some photos, taken in the same general area exactly a week apart:

The trees look about the same, but the grass has definitely gotten greener.

To be perfectly honest, I had a completely different kind of green in mind for the topic of this blog.  You know, the kind that is environmentally friendly and earth conscience.  After all, Earth Day is Monday, April 22nd, so it just seemed fitting.  Below are some easy and realistic tips for going green in your gardens and communities:

Community Gardening

Gather your friends, neighbors and resources and start a community garden.  By doing so, you can beautify an empty plot of land while reaping the benefits of fresh produce and flowers.

Recycle & Compost

Most of us already recycle, so how about starting a compost pile?  Composting is a great way to recycle leaves and other yard and kitchen waste.

Buy Locally Produced Food

When possible, buy locally grown produce – it’s usually cheaper and tastes better.

Street Sweeping

Get a group of neighbors together on your block and plan an hour each month to pick up garbage.  Not only will your street look better, but it’s healthier and safer for the local wildlife and ground water.

Volunteer with Living Lands & Waters

This one I just learned about.  You can volunteer to help clean up our local waterways through Living Lands and Waters, an East Moline group that sponsors community based clean ups on major rivers, like the Mississippi and Illinois Rivers.  They can be found at www.livinglandsandwaters.org.

I have to admit I’m a bit leery about the whole “green” initiative, but I do believe there are simple things we can do every day, in our back yards and communities that will make a difference for generations to come.

“When we tug at a single thing in nature, we find it attached to the rest of the world”.

– Terri Sweringen

Best wishes,

Kim Sweeney

Our thoughts and prayers go out to our fellow Patriots in Boston who were affected by this cowardly act of terrorism.  God Bless America!