Born to be an Environmentalist

I'm celebrating my birthday today, on Earth Day, and still coming down from last week in Nashville at the League of Conservation Voters conference.  Some highlights:

• My first night in Nashville I sat on the back porch of Jack's BBQ, listening to roots rock from the honky tonk next door, while devouring a big [paper] plate of ribs, baked beans, corn bread and apple dessert.  Thus began one of the most delicious weeks of my life.  I wondered if it was possible to have a bad meal in Nashville.  (Sadly, yes - at the airport.)
• I chatted with a young man who works at the Country Music Hall of Fame, who like me is originally from Wisconsin, and had my uncle Mike as a teacher. One of those small world moments.  The museum was interesting, with a fun little exhibit on Brenda Lee (of Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree fame).
• Al Gore spoke to the small assembly at the conference.  I didn't get to actually talk to him, but we made eye contact, and I can tell it was really meaningful to him.  Oh yeah, we had a connection.  But seriously, he's a talented speaker and I was impressed with his quick wit.  I wish I could remember exactly what he said about being a midwife for reality.
• I had a ball with the tree huggers, who graciously invited me to their conference, because so many of the state leagues use my company's software.  We went dancing, saw an amazing bluegrass band at the Station Inn (these guys must have been about 19, and so talented), and I almost rode the mechanical bull. (Honestly, I really wanted to.  But the woman working the controls seemed to have a talent for sexualizing it, and I had to draw the line at grinding away in front of my clients.)
• This morning I treated myself to a rare donut and a hairdo, and then my mother-in-law took me out for lunch.  Now I'm going for a walk so I can enjoy the gorgeous weather.  Has the crab apple tree ever bloomed on my birthday before?  Thanks, global warming. Seriously - thank you Earth, and Earth's creator, for pulling out all the stops today.