July 9, 2010 8:52 am
This is one of the few local areas that has had no rain – yet. I hope the scorched earth gets some relief. Mushrooms are nowhere to be found. They depend on moisture to fruit. The recently ripe, succulent berries are becoming dry and hard – not like dried fruit – more like pebbles.
Just before this heat wave I tried to transplant Black-eyed Susans (Rudbeckia hirta). I don’t know if this drought will wipe out all the water I had given them before the thermometer outside my window read 40-degrees Celsius, (104-degrees Farenheit). I don’t remember any day getting as hot as that since I arrived on the planet.
Meanwhile a Cooper’s Hawk is teaching her fledglings to hunt. The blue jay is tormenting the motionless hawk by pointing out its location to all the other birds.
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May 28, 2010 6:26 pm
Years ago, when I began observing the natural world while hidden in a blind, I used to set out bird seed, which attracted more than birds. The squirrels would typically startle the birds and then ravage the feeders.
It took me a very long time to realize that a naturalist cannot interfere. Every time I tried to discourage the squirrel “invaders” I created my own physical and mental obstacles to blending in and really seeing, not just observing.
Over time the actual squirrels have become a metaphor for writer’s block. (more…)
April 22, 2010 7:12 am
As I write this, the forsythia, daffodils and lilacs are simultaneously in bloom. It’s beautiful, but a sign that things are not right. I’m old enough to remember the first Earth Day. Back then, I believed that regardless of political affiliation, everyone realized that clean air and water was a top priority. Some things cannot be legislated or budgeted.
I’m not sure how or where to dredge up a hopeful attitude as I watch the devastation around me. Here in New York State, some misguided official published a list of NY State Parks scheduled to close, due to lack of funds.
The chainsaw devastation in the area parks is overwhelming. Some guy was building a camp on a sunny Sunday afternoon in Schunemunk State Park, with no fear that any ranger would confiscate his chainsaw. He’s already hauled in a woodstove and fuel. I guess NY State thinks it will be cheaper to put out the impending forest fire than to pay the one part time ranger his pittance of a salary. (more…)
March 7, 2010 7:01 am
I’m completing our CSA farm application and finalizing the COMA walk schedule for this season.
While everyone else is focused on the Oscars, I’m watching a documentary that I doubt would be nominated, not because of the production values, but because of the content.
What’s wrong with GMO’s – genetically modified organisms? Decide for yourself. This film is free online: The World According to Monsanto. (more…)
October 15, 2009 4:46 pm
We had a hard frost yesterday. It’s peak leaf season and it’s snowing. Under these conditions, it’s often difficult to convince Americans that climate change is a real issue. When fellow writer Janet Riehl asked me to contribute to her blog in honor of the call to action, I had no problem sharing my thoughts with her.
Most of the beech and birch trees are bare, but the maples range from golden to scarlet. Autumn in New York’s Hudson Valley is a beautiful time. But leafy boughs laden with snow are dangerous and often damage deciduous trees.
In spite of the unseasonable cold snap locally, there is irrefutable evidence of world-wide climate change, from melting polar ice caps, to extreme weather events – drought, flood, and intense storms.
I don’t know if the residents of the richest nation in the world with catch on before it’s too late. I hope so.
January 21, 2009 8:30 am
President Obama’s well-chosen words resonate deeply. Our Commander-in-Chief has a deep appreciation for the power of words.
I feel like I can breathe again. Imagine a poet as part of the inauguration ceremony. I’m convinced everyone I saw yesterday afternoon was smiling.
I make it a point to keep the text of speeches, poems, songs and other examples of excellent writing accessible. Here is the full text of President Obama’s inaugural speech: (more…)
January 19, 2009 9:05 am
I don’t have a television, but there is such a thing as HBO.com, at least for watching last night’s inagural concert.
The highlight for me was watching Pete Seeger, accompanied by his grandson Tao, Bruce Springsteen and a chorus of young people singing all of the verses of Woody Guthrie’s THIS LAND IS YOUR LAND. My mom used to sing the other verses. If I had my way, this would be our national anthem.
Of course AMERICA THE BEAUTIFUL also qualifies as national anthem material. Beyonce sang with passion and sincerity.
As I think about honoring the memory of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., it occurs to me that either of these beautiful, celebratory, easy-to-sing-along-with songs beat a war song for a national anthem. I’m sure I’m not the only person who loves to sing out loud who feels this way. (more…)
December 22, 2008 7:13 pm
I just posted a comment on Tim DeChristopher’s account (entitled “Why I Disrupted a Fraudlent Action) of his extraordinary, inspiring and courageous behavior.
Democracy is stll alive and well.
Bless you, Tim.
9:15 am
I started this blog bemoaning the 40-mph winds that will keep me off the trails. Wind is dangerous. I’m a regular DEMOCRACY NOW listener, so my time has been very well spent this morning listening to Amy Goodman’s interview with Tim DeChristopher.
While I was shoveling snow on Friday, this college student was bidding on Utah oil and gas drilling leases – outbidding the would-be polluters on 22,500 acres of our national parks. He can’t pay for this land. He just understood enough about the process to keep the lands from being considered for auction until after President Obama’s inauguration. GO, TIM, GO!
This is the kind of citizen action that keeps democracy alive.
Tim is 27-years-old. He’s not playing computer games or at the mall or mindlessly idling his SUV. Maybe he was home-schooled or raised eating locally-grown food. Tim can think, put pieces of a puzzle together and most importantly, take effective action.
I’m concerned that President Obama doesn’t fully grasp the issue of sustainable technology and the importance of sustainable food production. My hero Michael Pollan’s reaction to Obama’s choice of Tom Vilsack as our next agriculture secretary is the source of this concern. My fellow CSA gardeners agree with Pollan.
But if there’s one young activist ready, willing and able to take effective action, there are certain to be others.
October 22, 2008 6:55 pm
The idea that registered voters are deliberately being removed from the voter registration rolls, sends a cold chill down my spine. This is the tragic result of the 2006 Help America Vote Act, which creates obstacles, rather than ensuring that American citizens can register to vote.
That’s why I am supporting the nonpartisan Steal Back Your Vote. Don’t let the comic book format fool you. Greg Palast and Robert Kennedy, Jr. have created a practical, user-friendly handbook with clear steps you can take to ensure your Constitutional right to register and vote.
I’ve already checked with my local Board of Elections. Can I Vote is another way to check your voter registration status. That’s just one “heads-up” from Steal Back Your Vote.
If your name is no longer on the election rolls, register to vote again.
If you are prevented from voting when at your polling place, don’t settle for a provisional ballot. Instead, call Election Protection at 1-866-OUR-VOTE, for immediate adjudication. Why? Because in previous elections, provisional ballots have been thrown away, without being counted.
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