OK, yes, I am being silly but the last few days I have been amazed and delighted to see a rather significant number of earthworms milling about the path. Every morning (well almost every) I go for at least a 30 minute power walk outside.
Why outside?
- It’s good to get out and freshen the lungs with air other than your own recycled air. Sure I live in the city and there is air pollution, but the benefits exceed the minor exposure.
- 30 minutes of sun shine on your shoulders makes you healthy and happy. Vitamin D (Bone health) and if that isn’t good enough for you, John Denver can tell you why: Sunshine on my Shoulders Yes, I know it’s raining (remember the earthworm population explosion). but to those of us who have lived in drought, well that rain fall is a little bit of sunshine!
- Give your nose a break! Look, you gotta get away from the same smell or you just dull your senses so go out and play bloodhound and give your nose a break from what is most familiar. But we’ll talk more about your nose in another post.
So why am I so happy about the little wriggly worm?
- Because there is enough moisture to bring them back. In case you hadn’t noticed it, they have been in short supply the last few years. When resources are limited, nature has a way of either dying off or going into extended hibernation only returning when the climate conditions are favorable.
- Earthworms are one of Mother Natures workhorses for soil health! They clean debris and leave a neutral PH soil that is nutrient richer and properly aerated.
- Happy soil makes for a happy life! I’m sure I don’t need to tell you how important rich nourishing soil is to our health and supporting life. They bring Harmony to Nature!
If you want to know more about how earthworms benefit the environment, here is a great article from Penn state.
If you see a little earthworm on your path say thanks! After a few days of rain around here, I was giving a lot of gratitude on my walk today! Of course I also looked a bit silly dancing around them all as well, but you know I never mind looking a tad bit silly from time to time. 🙂