Forty years of Earth Days... and each year we are encouraged to do something green. How are you doing with that? I've made a few changes—am making fewer copies, reusing paper, recycling lots of stuff. And today I shall eschew plastic bottles: it's just that superb NYC tap water for me. 

This morning I celebrated by walking through the alluring pedestrian plazas New York City created last year, midtown on Broadway. The beige gravel mimics sand, lending a beachy vibe. And, I just learned the painted circles are coated with a special treatment to reduce surface temperature. No wonder I felt so cool—in more ways than one—every time I paused in the plazas last summer.

I'm also thinking special grateful thoughts about the trees I have enjoyed in my life. Later in the day I shall read a poem about trees: Woodman, Spare That Tree, the early environmental poem by George Pope Morris later put to music by Henry Russell.

Getting outdoors and appreciating nature is always a good idea. And if you are age 60 or over and in New York City—or know anyone who fits that description—may I recommend the City Parks Senior Fitness program? Offered by the CityParks Foundation, in cooperation with NYC's Parks and Recreation Department, these are free tennis lessons, fitness walks, and yoga instruction offered in 11 parks throughout NYC.

For more info call (718) 760-6999 or visit the CityParks website. And hurry! The program runs May 3-June 25, 2010.