When I got commissioned to do the blob for Earth Day, I asked my granddaughter Gina and my great-granddaughter Olivia, what Earth Day meant.  “Conserving and recycling”, they said. “Oh, conserving has been my life story” I said. First, as a young girl and later as a mother and wife with my own family. I am the 4th of 7 girls. I remember wearing shoes passed down from my older sisters, either they were too big, to swim in it or too short to hurt my feet and toes. Hand me down was the name of the game. I had my first bought dress at the age of 10 or12. We never wasted, threw away or discarded anything that was good or reusable. I remember when the earth was beautiful green, pure water, clean air and no bad environment. I often think what it will take to make it clean and healthy again. Energy was not a problem; our appliances didn’t need gas or electricity. We used candles or kerosene for light and wood or charcoal for heating.  Our main transportation was a bicycle to go and come from work, school and recreations. For long trips there was a train or a horse and buggy.  I remember my mother’s most beautiful victory garden, the most beautiful garden you’ve ever seen. The Garden of Eden. She cultivated beautiful green healthy organic vegetable and fruit trees. I always enjoyed helping and working with her making compost and turning the soil over to fertilize the garden.  I can still smell the aroma of the ripe fruit and the taste of fresh tender vegetables.  Oh, how I wish I could turn the clock back one more time and relive those precious memorable days. Life was pure, simple and healthy. Life was good then. Today our children don’t know what I’m talking about. I would like to tell them Earth Day is not only April 22, but 365 days a year. If we want to try to change this planet for a better living and a better environment we need all the help we can get, not only from us, from our government too.  We have only one chance in this life, let all of us work together for a better future.

P.S. Today I got a letter from my sister Norma. She’s lived in Victoria, Canada for the last 50 years.  But when come November, she leaves for Hawaii, until the end of April, every year. A few years ago, she met a wonderful German friend, Connie, and together they rented a small space of land from the city of Oahu, to make a vegetable garden. The minute she arrives, they start working, tuning the soil and planting the seeds. 
“Dear Livia, I wish you could see the amount of vegetable we give away everyday to friends and neighbors. Connie and I take turns to water and weed the garden. I can’t tell you the joy and the therapy I find working in my garden and seeing the beauty of the natural progression daily. I have been waiting for you to come and see me for a very long time. Ciciana, I’m still waiting for you. I miss you so much, love Norma”
Norma is 86 years young, works and swims everyday. She loves her family, life and God. 

She brings us today’s rescued recipe, Un Bella Insalata: “ A Beautiful Salad”

Salad:
1 head of radicchio
2 tbs pancetta, fried and chopped fine
½ sweet yellow onion, thinly sliced
4-5 cherry tomatoes, halved
1 oz gorgonzola cheese, crumbled
2 tbs toasted almonds, slivered
1 white mushroom, finely grated
½ golden delicious apple, cut into wedges

Dressing:
3 Tbs balsamic vinegar
3 Tbs marsala wine
¼ cup extra virgin olive oil
2 drops white truffle oil
1 clove garlic, minced fine
salt and pepper to taste
Directions:
Toss together radicchio, pancetta, onion slices and tomatoes. Pile the salad in a mound on a serving platter. Mix together ingredients for dressing and shake or stir well. Pour dressing over salad. Top with grated mushroom, crumbled Gorgonzola cheese and slivered almonds.  Garnish with sliced apple.  Serve with crostini or crusty fresh bread.  Serves 4.