The healing properties and potential of nature have always been known, but are finding a “comeback” these days, with hip terms like forest bathing now being recommended from psychiatrists’ couches. The book “Nature Cure” presents a personal re-discovery of the benefits of nature. Richard Mabey is one of the UK’s finest nature writers. The first… Continue reading “Nature Cure” book review by Denzil Walton→
Dutch blogger Patty first wrote this great post for us about what it's like to own a dog in Germany. Here she discusses why it is imperative that we all respect each other ... These days violence, intolerance, racism, discrimination seems to increase again. More and more people need to flee their homes and/or their countries, in… Continue reading Guest Blog Post: “Universal Human Rights – Do you know them?” in Patty’s exact words→
The first of the monarchs (Danaus plexippus) I have been fostering on my kitchen counter this past month hatched today and it’s a female. Like any proud parent, I think she is perfect and beautiful! I feel hopeful for her future, but it will be a long road for her, fraught with obstacles. After fattening up on coneflower, Joe Pye weed, zinnias and other favorite flower nectars, she sails 2,500 miles to the Michoacan Mountains in Mexico.
Overcoming human activity such as speeding autos, loss of nectar feeding habitats, as well as excessive cold, drought and predation will be daunting. If she reaches her winter roost site in the few remaining acres of oyamel pine trees (which are cut for their valuable timber by the local people), she must safely survive possible severe cold or snowstorms, predatory birds and mice that take advantage of the bounty of millions of clustered…
Who’s attractive? What’s chic? Always it’s a good time to embrace our humanity and our uniqueness — but now is better than ever. Hoping Kanigan’s post makes you smile like it did me …