Your Piece of Heaven

One of 10 waterfalls at Silver Falls State Park

Silverton, Oregon

What I consider a piece of heaven on earth: Silver Falls State Park with its lush evergreen forests, moss covered oaks and alders, and ten water falls.  These splendid falls are viewed along a six mile loop, where they spill into a  semi circle of rocks that form a bowl through which a lively river meanders. Some trails lead behind the moving curtains of water.  

The thrill of all that untapped hydro-power, the crescendo of symphonic water music mesmerizes me. Some of the mossy rock walls of this are dripping with fairy falls: streamlets, out of nowhere making their way into the canyon's bowl.  In summer there is nothing more refreshing than to stand behind the falls and breathe in the mist. Late winter and early spring, tiny flowers peak out from where they've been sipping the sweet water. Then paths are slippery even on the driest day. It is necessary to walk with care.

For sure, the path to caring for this piece of heaven we call earth is getting slippery.  We can meet along the trail, warn each other of slick spots, and steady each other along the way. 

• What is your piece of heaven?  
• How might you walk with care to preserve the health and majesty of such a place?  
• How does the way you live at home influence areas miles away, including your own piece of heaven?

Here are some of the things I have been doing all along and some new things I'm adding to my life in order to show my gratitude, love and respect for the earth. I'll share the first 10 I can think of. I'd love to hear some of yours, too.  I'm not sharing them to boast, but to get the ball rolling.  Maybe we can share ideas and learn from each other.

1. Hanging my clothes to dry, rather than using a dryer, always, even when it's raining (which it does a lot in the Pacific Northwest.) I use a rack indoors.  I've been doing this since forever.
2. New thing: I'm irrigating my garden with gray water from my house.  Also, I've just started collecting run-off into barrels.
3. Growing some of my own food.
4. Cooking from scratch.
5. Buying as close to home and organic as possible.
6. Keeping my kitty indoors, so she won't kill wild birds. (And using a litter that doesn't come from mined sources, and is biodegradable.)
7. Attempting to buy most things used. Curbing my desire to accumulate stuff.
8. Using public transit, walking, car is last resort.
9. Changed to those weird light bulbs that save energy.
10. Getting out to enjoy nature regularly, so I remember how I love this planet.

I invite all of you to share several of your favorite earth-keeping hints and ideas as comments.