Since we spend a good deal of our time outside during the summer, my son is less inclined to venture inside when duty calls and prefers instead, to, uh, water the yard. Hearing what I had about pet urine, I asked my little guy to avoid any plants and trees.

So what a relief it is to learn that human urine, when used properly, is actually good for your plants. Yes, being serious here.

Seems that urine, straight up, is a bit too strong for plants, but great for killing weeds. Urine, on the rocks, though (or diluted), is a good source of nitrogen and other minerals. It can also be used as a compost activator.

So the next time we are outside and the moment hits, I will send my son up to Mt. Compost or to any of our lovely weed patches and encourage him to spread the love.

Like everyone, I have my quirks. One of them is drinking water. It’s fine if my son digs in the dirt and picks up found treasures like bird feathers and bottle caps, but I get a little squeamish when I see him drink water from a tap.

I know, I am probably overreacting. Then again, maybe I am not. I’ve read about chemicals seeping into our waterways that are undetectable by our current town filtration systems. I’m concerned about medications flushed into the sewers that often find their way into our drinking water supplies. And don’t even get me started on lawn chemicals.

Overreacting or not, I like to drink filtered water; but it always bugged me that the filters could not be recycled. Fortunately, that’s no longer a problem.

Those hard plastic filters can now be returned to participating Whole Foods stores or mailed directly to the Preserve folks, who use the plastic casing in their line of cups, plates, and cutting boards. The inside carbon is converted into energy.

So, as I continue to search for that solar-powered home that sits naturallly next to a spring-fed brook, I will feel a tiny bit relieved about my neurosis with tap water.

Feeling bad that you didn’t get to plant a tree today? Hard to do in torrential rain. Also hard to do if you’re carting children back and forth to school and activities, trying to keep the dust layers under two inches, and provide meals that will help your family to grow up and not out.

If Earth Day has hit and you’re feeling like you need to do more, it might help to think about those things you’ve already accomplished in your life first.

Does your family turn off lights and other energy sources when not using them? Eat veg at least a few nights a week? Take shorter showers?

Make a list of all those things. Then add a few more that are doable in the next few months. Bring your own shopping bags? Use your own mug? Hang sheets on a line?

Before you know it, your family will be feeling good about making positive changes. Who knows? You might even start hugging a tree or two…before you plant them.