January 2021

“I am only one, but still I am one.

I cannot do everything, but still I can do something.

I will not refuse to do the something that I can do.”

—Helen Keller

 

ACTIVITIES (like planting, for instance–things you can do on a personal, local level)

For the Flying Things: The birds, the bees, and butterflies!

  • Don’t forget to put out food and water for the birds. And please, make sure the water isn’t frozen. If you can swing a heated bird bath, that would be great for them.

 

Gardening This Month:

If you’re gardening–and you should be to whatever degree you can, because it’s one of the most important ways you need to be self-reliant and empowered! (see this post)–this month is a good time to:

  • Get it planned and order the seeds and plants you’ll need. Those garden catalogs should be coming in about now. If you had a garden last year, be sure you take inventory of any seed you have left over or harvested, so you don’t spend money on what you don’t need.
  • Also, if you aren’t already composting, now’s as good as time as any to get started. Once you’re started, composting is something you should be doing all year long. 
  • Follow Color Us Empowered on Facebook where I share the best articles, videos, and other information about all aspects of gardening (among other things) that I can find.

 

REMINDERS, OBSERVANCES, & EVENTS

Veganuary

  • Mission/Purpose: aims to reduce the suffering of animals by inspiring and supporting people across the globe to go vegan for the month of January. Their site includes eating guides, recipes, ways you can get involved, and more.
    • “Our vision is simple; we want a vegan world. A world without animal farms and slaughterhouses. A world where food production does not decimate forests, pollute rivers and oceans, exacerbate climate change, and drive wild animal populations to extinction.”
    • “Our mission is to inspire and support people to try vegan, drive corporate change, and create a global mass movement championing compassionate food choices with the aim of ending animal farming, protecting the planet and improving human health.”  
  • For more information:

 

January 2

  • National Pet Travel Safety Day

 

January 5

  • National Bird Day
    • Mission/Purpose:  “The survival and well-being of the world’s birds depends upon public education and support for conservation. . . . National Bird Day is on January 5 each year, as it’s scheduled to coincide with the end of the annual Christmas Bird Count. The Christmas Bird Count has been going on for more than a decade. It lasts three weeks and is the longest running citizen science survey in the world that helps to monitor the health of our nation’s birds. Birders and the public go out and count as many birds as they can see during the count.”
    • For more information:

 

January 10

Save the Eagles Day

 

January 14

Albert Schweitzer’s Birthday

 

January 15

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr’s Birthday

  • Celebrated on the third Monday in January

 

January 20

  • Annual Women’s March:
    • “for all who seek women’s rights, human rights, civil liberties, and social justice.”
    • Where & When:    No info yet for 2021
    • Women’s March Global home site

 

  • National Penguin Awareness Day

 

January 21

  •  National Squirrel Appreciation Day

 

January 24
  • Change a Companion Animal’s Life Day

 

January 24-30
  • World Week for the Abolition of Meat

 

January 27

Un-Holocaust Memorial Day  
  • International Day of Commemoration in memory of the victims of the Holocaust commemorating the liberation of Auschwitz in 1945.

 

January 29-31

  • Parrot Festival
    • Mission/Purpose:   National Parrot Rescue and Preservation
    • Where:  15747 JFK Boulevard, Houston, Texas, USA
    • For more info:

 

January 28

  • No news yet about 2021 scheduling
  • SWFL VegFest
    • Mission/Purpose:   “SWFL Veg Fest showcases the benefits of a plant-based lifestyle for our health, compassion for animals and protecting our planet, Come see how easy it is to find healthy plant-based foods in Southwest Florida. Find local sources of eco-friendly and cruelty-free products. Learn about the science behind the benefits of a plant-based diet. Featuring expert speakers, cooking demos, vendors, and animal rescues – with entertainment and activities for the whole family!,,, The key purpose of the SWFL Veg Fest is EDUCATION, to help promote the message of the benefits of vegan and plant-based lifestyles. We bring in experts like doctors, researchers, and activists to discuss timely topics such as health, diet, animal welfare, and the environment. ”  —Quote from website linked below
    • Where:   Riverside Park, Bonita Springs, Florida               
    • When:                   
    • For More Info: