Sex, Adventure, and Plant Hunting
July 20, 2009
It never really occurred to me to wonder how the Latin names for plants were decided, or why and how the British became obsessed with gardening, or even to wonder where the plants in my garden originated (other than the nursery).
But my daughter Maya gave me a book to read called The Brother Gardeners: Botany, Empire and the Birth of an Obsession, by Andrea Wulf, and I found myself in the midst of a gripping tale that surprised the heck out of me.
For instance, I had always kind… more
Comments (2)Top Ten “Micro Moments” of Happiness
July 17, 2009
As Rodale News reported yesterday, a new study shows that people are happier and more resilient when they enjoy micro moments of positive emotions in their lives—rather than waiting for the big-bang moments, such as winning the lottery or getting married. I believe it. I’m a micro moment kind of person. So here is my list of the top 10 things that give me that micro rush of… more
Comments (8)Free the Seeds!
July 15, 2009
Beware the biotech euphemisms for genetically modified seeds (a.k.a. GMOs, or genetically modified organisms). Anytime you hear people like Bill Gates and other unnamed politicians and business leaders talk about “better seeds” or “improved seeds,” you are hearing them unwittingly promote an evil plot to destroy the planet. While they think they are furthering the technology of our advanced civilization, they are actually furthering the speed of our demise.
In laboratories across the… more
Comments (9)Health Care Reform: Paying for Prevention, not Procedures
July 13, 2009
With health care reform in the news every day, it’s so hard to sort all the hype and lobbying spin from the real issues. It’s a giant blame game, tinged with a threat of socialism, that has the media and the public all distracted and confused. If we peel all that confusion away, what is really at the root of the health care problem in the United States? (And it is a problem—the most expensive and least effective in the world.)
The problem is that we (the public, the government, and… more
Comments (5)Ruthless Gardening: A Must!
July 10, 2009
Every summer around this time the same thing happens. I head out to the garden after a busy work week (or three), and take a look at my vegetable garden and go, “Oh *%$!” Once again, I have let sentimental, kind-hearted generosity screw up my patch.
It starts simply enough, with the idea that I’ll let that kale that came back from last winter go to seed and replant itself. Or look! There are baby tomato plants I didn’t plant…they’re so cute! I think I’ll keep them! Or worse… more
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