SUSTAINABILITY IN THE HEARTLAND
“The Sand Looks Out On The Rippling Water, The Sky Has Cast An
Omnipotent Dimness, Each Wave Crashes Against The Shore, Washing The
Shells To Mingle With The Pebbles.
We Are So Tiny Staring At The Ocean, I Wonder What Other Than Nature Is Significant…”
Susan Polis Schutz ponders our existence in her book of poetry “Come
Into The Mountains, Dear Friend” published (1970) by Continental
Publications. Is there anyone who has reached the age of reason
who has not questioned their part in the grand scheme of life? Of
monumental importance is our use of the resources on this planet and
the need to change our uber-consumptive practices.
This week I viewed the result of an overnight windstorm. A very
tall, probably over 90 feet tall COTTONWOOD which was next to Kernan's
Restaurant here in Princeton succumbed to an extremely high wind gust
and fell into the Mississippi River about 4 AM one morning. I did
not know it happened until the next evening when I came into town from
that direction and while passing the restaurant, became aware it was
not gracing the view. As I stepped out of my car into the dark
and walked down the outside steps on the south side of Kernan's, I had
an odd feeling.
It is not an emotion I can accurately describe. It was very quiet
except for the wind. Moving at about 20 mph, it was rustling the
leaves of the other trees along the river. They seemed to be
afraid. For you see the cottonwood was probably close to 100
years old and had been there as our mighty sentinel. It was a
temporary stop for the EAGLES, ORIOLES, REDWINGED BLACKBIRDS,
WOODPECKERS and other winged visitors. Maybe it even housed a SQUIRREL
or two. It shaded the restaurant visitors on hot summer days and HELPED
CLEAN THE AIR.
Now that space in the sky is empty and we feel vulnerable to the wind
and to the view. Sure there are other large trees in town and
even just a few blocks south, standing across from Boll's Community
Center and next to the boat ramp is another glorious cottonwood.
But now, we won't feel quite whole for a while as we see that spot that
now only shows us a gaping hole. The base of a once beautiful
specimen of nature sits cracked open with its towering trunk and new
spring leaves lay in the Mississippi. Things will be different.
You know, some NORTH AMERICAN INDIANS believed the COTTONWOOD to be
sacred. If you take a cross section of its limb, you will find a
5 starred design. This meant a close connection between the four
directions, four seasons, and their creator.
One of the best books about trees with a wealth of information is 'THE
INTERNATIONAL BOOK OF THE FOREST” published (1981) by Mitchell
Beazley. It has wonderful photographs and beautiful stories of
trees and their benefits to humans around the world.
So, you may wonder what this has to do with sustainability. I
think having just one tree lost like this can remind us of our
connection to everything that lives. Everything and Everyone who
lives should not be taken for granted. Using less, consuming
less, demanding less things will benefit us all. Doing these will
give us more time with those we care about. We can focus on what
is important and be a good example for the young ones who often become
more impressed with our actions than with anything we may say.
Sustainability in part means living as simply as possible, using less
energy, giving back to the soil which contributes to the growing of
everything we eat in one form or another, living close to where you
work, and using mass transportation and bicycling and walking to reach
our destinations. So give it a shot. Dust off the old bike
or tune up the horse or mule and try moving about WITHOUT an internal
combustion engine several days a week to see how you can save money and
become a bit greener.
Don't forget to CPR…CONSERVE/PARTICIPATE/RECYCLE
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