What Is Green?

Since moving to Washington green has taken on a whole new meaning, several meanings actually. I quickly learned that when people talk about our green state, which they often do, they are not referring to the fauna. Rob refers to Washington, and Oregon more particularly, as hippy territory.

Here green means environmentally friendly and everyone is doing it. You can even join a green bank, which uses recycled paper, of course. Or buy a green house (not the color green or even the kind of glass house for growing plants, but a house that is efficient and uses environmentally friendly products). You can buy a purse made out of recycled rubber or reusable shopping totes to reduce the use of plastic. And everyone recycles. Leaving a small "carbon footprint" is of vital importance to those proud to call themselves northwesterners.

But when I say "I love this green state I live in," you can be sure I am referring to the scenery. To begin with, the rain is worth enduring when you get to enjoy all this green around you. I cannot tell you how much I am in love with this place I call home. Things actually grow and bloom all year long.

I got excited recently about taking pictures of things in my yard. It started when I decided to decorate my guest room in springy green and white. I wanted to frame some photos of ferns or moss, anything green, and put it on the wall as art. I was so excited, I took
pictures of plants and ferns and moss. . .moss on the tree, moss on the rocks, moss on the fence, moss on the roof, moss in the grass--you see where this is going.
It is really amazing how many variations of green and how many textures there can be found in moss.

I have even been planning a little garden in my side yard. I asked my neighbor Leah for some tips--she is always busy working in her yard. She went into a list of the things she had been doing to spruce up her yard and garden for spring, one of which was to put down moss killer.
My first response was, "They make moss killer? Why would you kill the moss? It is so pretty." I even planted moss in my Utah yard and worked hard to maintain it. But Leah assured me that the moss is a parasite and it will kill your grass. I now have evidence of that truth.

So during my last trip to Costco I picked up a bag of moss killer. But even while I defend my grass I still appreciated the beauty of the enemy I am vanquishing. And the moss in the grass is not nearly as pretty as the moss on the fence, or the trunk, or the rocks. . .Those I am keeping.
But even without the moss my yard is a green haven which I intend to thoroughly enjoy. . .once the rain stops.