Hugh Mankind paused for a moment at the mailbox - M. Nature.  He couldn’t help but smile.  The cottage ahead had weathered noticeably since his last visit.  “Not surprised,” he muttered to himself.  Soon, a delightful aroma wafted through the doorway beckoning him in.

          “It’s lovely to see you again,” he said a bit sheepishly. “I know I’ve given you a rough time.  Our ‘forever’ chemicals (PFAS) and micro-plastics are creeping into every corner of the planet.  That, and our dawdling to reduce the use of petroleum products are giving you a fever.  And somehow, we just can’t seem to stop ourselves from gobbling up every resource.  It’s like we’re in a crazy frenzy to produce and buy ‘stuff’ that’s supposed to make us happy.  When it doesn’t, we toss it into one of the great garbage patches oozing across the planet,” Hugh lamented,

         Ms. Nature had continued stirring a stew, adding bits of this and that as she took in everything Hugh had to say. “Hmm….,” she thought while eyeing the pantry shelves. “We’ll need a few special ingredients.”  Reaching up, she retrieved Courage-to-Change, Long-Range-Thinking and Hope then sprinkled in generous amounts of each before serving Hugh a steaming bowlful.

        “That’s all true enough,” Ms. Nature agreed. “Perhaps it’s because you’ve forgotten something.  It’s something your ancestors knew instinctively.  Today, humans act as if you’re with me only when in my cottage or some lovely outdoor setting.  But I am everywhere, and you are part of me as much as any plant or animal is.  You’re born; you grow, consume, procreate and make waste like any other living thing.  So any harm to me is harm to you too.  Try to remember this as you contemplate each next step.  Will we be harmed, or will we both thrive and prosper as a result?” 

           After a bracing bowlful of stew, Hugh went on his way.  Later, as he hung up his jacket an envelope dropped from its pocket.  It was labeled “Your Future”.  Inside was a blank sheet of stationary. “Oh, I get it! “ Hugh smiled.  “The future is not yet written.  We still CAN create a future that is in harmony with everything else on Earth.  Besides, what choice do we have?  This is the only home we’ll ever know.  It’s where we’re all forever…Earthbound.”

             “This isn’t so ugly.  Kinda cute actually!” Wanda B. Healthy exclaimed while hefting an uglifruit.  Eartha smiled and nodded as they continued through the produce department.
            “I’m really liking this Mediterranean Diet thing,” Wanda continued. “The fruit is great, and I’m finding some really tasty ways to season, sauté and bake veggies.  So much better than boiling them.  Just like Mom always says, fruits and veggies are good for me.”  “Me too,” Eartha agreed.
            Wanda added a variety of nuts to her cart as well as dried beans, peas and lentils.  She selected a loaf of whole grain bread and some hot and cold whole grain cereals before leaving that aisle. ”I’ve been getting a big chunk of my calories from whole grains and legumes.  It’s another step in keeping me healthy,” Wanda noted. “Yup, me too,” Eartha smiled.
            As they approached the meat counter Wanda admitted that she really enjoyed burgers and steaks on the grill.  “But I’ve learned to think of red and processed meats more like condiments – a little bit can add a lot of flavor.  I’m eating a lot more chicken and fish these days.  Eggs and moderate amounts of dairy are my other protein partners.  You can bet my heart and arteries like that,” she winked.  “Cool!” Eartha nodded.    
            Later, while putting away Wanda’s groceries – “Thanks for helping me shop,” Wanda smiled, “but…er you never buy anything.  Well duh!…Obviously it’s because you never eat.  Yet for almost everything I put in my cart you said it was healthy for you too or it was ‘cool!’  What’s with that?” Wanda asked.
            “Your healthy food choices ARE good for my health too,” Eartha Leaholm explained.  “You know I’ve been suffering from a sort of fever - some folks call it global warming - for quite some time now.  But the kinds of ‘cool eats’ in your shopping cart can actually make a huge difference in keeping my temperature down.  Food choices are some of the easiest, lowest cost ways to improve both your family’s and my health - a classic win-win!”
            “Cool!” Wanda exclaimed.  “Hmm…and now that it’s getting warmer out, I’m going to do more walking and biking for errands instead of always jumping in the car.  That’s another healthy win-win for us both right here on the only home we’ll ever know.  It’s where we’re all forever…Earthbound.”

             “Well that sucks!” Stu Dent moaned as he and Cassie shuffled out of the auditorium.  “They’re going to cut some extra-curricular activities because of a budget shortfall.”  “No kidding,” Cass Mate agreed.  “I wish there were something we could do about it.”
            “I can help.”  Startled, Stu and Cassie stopped short in front of an HVAC vent.  They could’ve sworn the voice came from behind the vent!  “I said that I can help,” the voice repeated. “Did you say you need help?” Cassie ventured.  “No, no.  I’m Bill, Bill Dingh.  I’ve watched you two grow up since kindergarten.  You know, there is a way to save your favorite programs.  Your school district is spending way too much money on energy to keep me going.  We can fix that,” Bill advised.
            “Right now, energy costs are the second greatest expense for our district, right after personnel.  Think about it; my HVAC and electrical systems run 24 hrs. 365 days a year.  So there’s a huge opportunity to reduce costs through greater efficiencies and rooftop solar.  And speaking of solar, did you know that one in ten schools across the country use solar to help reduce costs?  That includes almost 250 schools in Wisconsin.  Maybe it’s time our district gets on board,” the school’s spirit concluded.
            The following Monday, Cassie and Stu’s teacher announced the Penny-Smart & Earth-Wise Story contest sponsored by Driftless Area Land Conservancy and The Dodgeville Chronicle.  This contest awards cash prizes to the entrants who tell the best “story” as to why their school should look into better efficiencies and solar.  The “story” can be an actual written or oral story, or it could be a demonstration, model or presentation of some sort, whatever will help nudge the school district to act.  On top of that, districts that do take steps to save energy will receive some “seed money” to kick things off, and their students earn double the prize money!  All high school students in Iowa County are invited to enter.  They can check with their teachers for details.
            “It would be so cool to have solar on our school!” Cassie practically cheered. “It’s one of the fastest growing industries in the country, so we could learn so much.  And besides, we’d be helping protect our only home; it’s where we’re all forever…Earthbound.”
            Details at - www.driftlessconservancy.org/our-energy-future