I have been a Michael Pollan fan since I read The Omnivore’s Dilemma
This latest book follows In Defense of Food
I aspire to Pollan’s mastery of word conservation and his diplomacy. What he calls “edible foodlike substances,” I call “corporate chemical concoctions.” (more…)
I’ve just added Abundantly Wild: Collecting And Cooking Wild Edibles Of The Upper Midwest
Don’t let the title fool you, much of the information and recipes in this book can be found in my local area, New York’s Hudson Valley. (more…)
I’m preparing tracking programs – age of participants and size of group varies. Despite the bitter cold, the snow has not been deep, making it a spectacular winter for tracking. Now my photos look like what I study in Tracking and the Art of Seeing.
I understand my subject matter. Making it memorable, in the way that Gary Lincoff or Tom Volk does – that’s my present is to show, not tell while speaking.
Since tracking actually involves all the senses, what can I do that’s engaging and memorable before we hit the trail? One option is coffee cup tracking, although I plan to use yogurt cups.
The Lacuna: A Novel
Barbara Kingsolver’s ability to weave the predictive elements into the plot is so subtle, that I’m compelled to find out what happens next. I pick up more details on every read-through. It’s a lot like traveling that perfect cross-country ski hill. After the first “woo hoo,” I go back to the beginning to enjoy the subtlties of the curves and dips of the hill.
The ending of The Lacuna
My idea of a good book is when I get to the end, I turn the book over and start reading it again. William Kamkwamba
It’s hard to imagine, as 2009 draws to a close, that there are people who live daily without electricity and running water. It’s hard to imagine communities without free public education, but that’s reality in many countries.
So what made a boy ask, “How does electricity work?” (more…)
When I was 7-years-old, my mom dressed me in a little white top and shorts with red piping trim and sent me off to day camp. It was a sultry July day and the camp had a huge pond.
I spent the day catching bullfrogs and returned home covered in mud. My mom never dressed me in white again.
I was transported to that memory when I picked up Foraging New England
by Tom Seymour. One chapter of his book is devoted entirely to the small creatures living in or near water.
I’m looking forward to spending real reading time with this book. I’ve been drinking sweet fern tea for years, but have only found it mentioned in one book. I’m especially impressed with the clear, simple instructions on how to prepare the foraged foods.
I would love to meet Tom Seymour. Maine is a lot longer drive than upstate New York, but I’m thinking this trip would be a wise investment.
I began to see a pattern to my reading and have now organized my eclectic list into the following categories:
I will continue add titles as I discover new favorites and rediscover childhood favorites.
Every title on this list is a book I love it every time I read it. That makes it worth sharing.
Happy Reading.
Tags: Books, Nonfiction
The Basic Essentials of Knots for the Outdoors
What makes this book stand out is that the diagrams are shown for both left-handed and right-handed orientation. It rates with science books written by Margery Facklam
Why is this such a big deal? I’ve been working on ways to spend time in nature, but with less disturbance to the area than constructing and breaking-down a debris hut or quinzee. Knot-tying is essential to my next step into shelter. (more…)
My friend George Johanson makes gifts of black walnuts all year long. He’s really perfected the art of “walnut diplomacy.”
I spent most of this day cracking black walnuts – I’m nowhere near as efficient as George – but my day was spent thinking about the people I love who will receive black walnut gifts.
I still support Kiva and American Forests. This year I’m adding the Goshen Animal Shelter and Project Schoolhouse to my list. Project Schoolhouse ensures books do not end up in our land-fill. If the books are no longer fit to read, they can be turned into useful recyclable items, like insulation or garden compost.
I have always hated shopping. Years ago I lived with a shopaholic roommate, who delighted in keeping an eye out for clothing that would keep me from being a true fashion victim. Those days are long gone, but the fashion police haven’t caught up with me yet.
Holiday shopping is my idea of a nightmare. And that was before it became a life-threatening endeavor.
As everyone I know feels the economic pinch, I can see no reason to support corporate chemical contraptions and concoctions. With the limited dollars I have, I’d rather support the individuals and organizations who try to make the world a better place. After all, isn’t that what gift-giving is really about?
The bad news is that I’m not finding items I used to find in retail stores. The good news is that I have another good reason not to get in the car, because I can find these products online and get paid to purchase them online.
Food:
Larabar Chocolate Coconut Chew 16 1.8 Oz bars
Larabar Ginger Snap Box Of 16 1.8 oz
Creative Products:
Outdoors Products:
SAWYER® PREMIUM CLOTHING INSECT REPELLENT 24 oz Trigger Spray
Canon PowerShot A720IS 8MP Digital Camera with 6x Optical Image Stabilized Zoom
Food Preservation:
FoodSaver V2440 Advanced Design Vacuum-Packaging System
Resource Books:
The Basic Essentials of Knots for the Outdoors
Camping’s Top Secrets, 3rd: A Lexicon of Camping Tips Only the Experts Know (Falcon Guides Camping)
Basic Essentials Map & Compass, 3rd (Basic Essentials Series)
