From my writing perch in my living room, I look out onto a beautiful tree that is currently greening up. Yay! And it is Earth Day. So we should all take a moment from our busy lives and think about what we are doing or can do going forward to and hand off a fertile, healthy earth to future generations.

What Can We Do To Save the Earth?

There are many organization and individuals doing wonderful things to save the earth. I hope you will share your favorites.

The Nature Conservancy

If you’re looking for a way to get involved, you might consider checking out the Nature Conservancy. I like it because of its breadth – works in 69 countries and is immersed in a wide variety of environments on land and water, in city and countryside.

There are so many ways to get involved. And the Nature Conservancy website is such fun to explore. There’s a map of the United States that has links (regularly updated) to opportunities for involvement with environmental projects in the state of your choice. There’s another map with links to the Nature Conservancy preserves around the world. Great places to think about if you want new learning experiences about nature and the environment. You can sign up to get news and updates from the Conservancy about ways to get involved.

Need inspiration to get started? Read the great stories of people, young and old, who are taking initiative to preserve our earth.

One Boy’s Story

One example: A seventh grader is raising funds to turn a defunct naval air station into a nature preserve for birds. How’s he raising the dough? He sells his own photos of birds and nature. And he’s getting a little help from a local winery and a nature center that are exhibiting his photos for him.

Hmmm. I think I’ll wrap up here and go work the garden!

Share links to inspirational environmental stories here!

My bookshelves are full to bursting. I use the library a lot but there are not so infrequent times when I purchase a new book for keeps. It sits on my nightstand for a while. Then it emerges at the top and gets read. Then it’s time to find a place for it on a bookshelf.

The Problem: Too Many Books!

That’s where the problem comes in. I’m full up. I try to shift books around, squeeze books in. I often end up placing the new book perpendicular to and on top of another.

The Solution: Pay it Forward!

There is another alternative. And I’ve decided to follow it. Let’s face it: Am I really going to ever read most of these books a second time? A resounding No. I like the comfort, the reminder of readings past. It’s a reader’s eye candy.

But I can have my eye candy and eat it, too. So here’s my new thing. Make two piles. Books that are Claire classics. That is, books that have been life-changing or life-defining to me. And books that I actually will read again. Put those in one pile. The rest…pass them along, pay it forward. There are organizations across the hungry for donations.

Used Bookstores

First of all, there are used bookstores. Powell’s is my Chicago neighborhood fave. There are versions of this all over the country. In the case of bookstores, you might even get a little cash out of the deal. In this case, your books will be resold. If you want them redistributed at no cost, leave them in the box outside the store where anyone can browse and take. Check online for local options.

Libraries

Libraries are another good option. Your books will be available for reading by LOTS of people since they won’t be re-owned but borrowed.

Charities

Or you can give to organizations that distribute to those who might not be able to afford to purchase books on their own. Donation Town can put you in touch with your local place to donate.

Feelin’ Good

So, I’m off to deliver books to Powell’s. And my bookshelf is a think of beauty with my favorite books standing tall for me to see. I’m feeling good. ☺

Share links to book donation centers here!

This week, I am working nearly every waking moment on various important deadlines, including revisions on my book due out in Spring 2017. Very stressful but also very empowering.

I had planned to talk about work being done in the world to empower women. I hope that Hillary Clinton’s campaign is giving young girls a dose of “I can do anything.” Beyond taking note of that, I have to admit I don’t have time to highlight inspiring organizations empowering women and girls. BUT… I won’t leave you with nothing. Instead, I hope you will turn to “Huffington Post’s” “girl empowerment” shout-outs.

I’ll be back in the blogging frame of mind soon!

Share your stories of inspiring girls’ empowerment.

We live in a stressed out society. Mid-career adults are working long hours while often sandwiching in coordination of adult care for their children and health care for their parents. Those same elderly parents are under stress about the countless doctor visits and tests and are often lonely as spouses and friends leave the planet. Those same children are stressed from tightly scheduled activities, coping with mean girls or boys, and the overwhelming load of schoolwork.

Puppies to the rescue! Studies have shown that dogs make a big difference in treating depression, anxiety and stress.

College Puppy Rooms

For college students, many universities are now setting up “puppy rooms”.” Students can walk in during visiting hours and cuddle up with a furry friend. Particularly popular during exam week!

Dog Visits to the Elderly

Nursing homes are pioneers in pet therapy starting with Therapy Dogs International which has been around for over 30 years. Rubbing a dog’s soft fur makes the world feel a little less lonely.

Puppies Are Suckers for a Kids’ Story

Some kids struggle to learn to read. Dogs can help here too. A program started ten years ago by Intermountain Therapy Animals has now spread to literacy programs across the country. It can be intimidating and stressful to read to a person who can seem to be making judgments about every stumble or mistake. But dogs give unconditional acceptance. And this means reduced stress and more focus on the reading itself.

Share your stories of dog therapy.

Sitting in the thick of election season reminds me of how powerful democracy can be. We are such an unruly and diverse collection of citizens with passionate opinions that run the gamut of political thought. And we have set up a framework for reaching consensus that gives each adult – the high and the low, the young and the old – equal say-so. That is the theory.

But it takes work to make democracy work. What are the issues? What are the candidates’ proposals for addressing the issues? What does this mean for today? This year? This decade? This generation? The generations to come?

Why vote?

Teenagers and young adults are immersed in the very important work of figuring out who they are, what they want to be. For many, the democratic process floats around them on their TV sets and Facebook newsfeeds, a source of drama to watch but not to participate in.Voting rates have varied over the years but the population ages 18-24 years old always comes in last.

Inspiring Participation in the Democratic Process

Democracy Matters aims to move the needle. This non-profit organizes student leaders on campuses around the country to strengthen democracy the old fashioned way: through grassroots organization. This means supporting campus leaders in educating fellow students about their role in the democratic process and inspiring students to raise their voices.

Start Young

High schoolers can’t vote. But they can learn. Democracy Matter gets this. And they plant the seeds in high schools around the country. High School Fellows work on outreach, public speaking, and writing.

Here’s what one college student has to say about her experience: “Democracy Matters has given me hope that we will be able to create change and make our democracy truly the people’s.”

Learn more at http://www.democracymatters.org

That’s what it’s all about.

Share your stories of organizations that are nurturing democracy.