A Dual Book Review The Seed Keeper Diane Wilson Milkweed Editions, 2021 Hummingbird Salamander Jeff VanderMeer MCD/Farrar, Strauss & Giroux, 2021 Two recently released books are centered on how we save some portion of the world from ourselves. They take very different approaches in writing style, in setting and plot, in characterizations and development. But… Continue reading A Tale of Two Saviors
Category: Polemics & Rants
Ditch the Car
Turns out I had more in the reserve pile than I thought. This one was written in 2019. I am not sure why. Probably had something to do with Patrick Noble. Not to be insensitive, but you folks who are wringing your hands over the impending implosion of the Global North economic monster, quit your… Continue reading Ditch the Car
This Is Reality
In response to "Global Warming Skepticism Rises" (Albuquerque Journal, 13 October 2009). The Pew Research Center has discovered that significantly fewer Americans believe that global warming is a threat and that climate change is directly mediated by human activity. This poll was conducted in response to yet another dire warning by the majority of the… Continue reading This Is Reality
Demonstration
I wrote this a few years ago when Friday for Future was first starting and hope seemed to be swelling. As I’m moving house and am a bit heartsick at the general state of things this week — both of which make it difficult to write — I decided to throw this up for you… Continue reading Demonstration
A Bit of OK
Choose a Word that You Like Best and Describe It in a 250 Word Essay i choose ok (that’s 3) none can beat this little paragon of utility it means simultaneously wonderful marginal bug off very cool whatever without a doubt i don’t think so yes, let’s we’d rather not no way begrudging beguiling bewildered… Continue reading A Bit of OK
The Needful Garden
Herbs and sweet peas April is planting month up north. There is still a chance of frost, perhaps even snow; but it’s safe to plant peas, leeks, carrots, cabbages and other brassicas, many greens, and the cool-season herbs like dill, calendula and cilantro. Keep the row cover handy, but take advantage of the moist soil… Continue reading The Needful Garden
A Garden in the Plague Era
Spring strawberry patch In the last year we’ve seen many changes, few of which could be considered unequivocally good. But there is at least one real benefit of 2020 — many more people took up gardening in the last twelve months. Gardening is hard to track because it’s rather a broad category heading. It can… Continue reading A Garden in the Plague Era
Dandelion Break
the gardener i’ve got my trowel and my trencher she said i’m off to sow so saying, a-sowing she went with words hidden up her sleeves an idea or two tucked into her hatband and the rows await pull out weedy fallacy cut back dead superstition cultivate and amend and then drop the seed in… Continue reading Dandelion Break
New England Ecology
(Or Eat the Damn Deer) Deer droppings This week the garden finally thawed out. I can see the grass and soil and the lower trunks of trees again for the first time in months. And right along with that, I see enough deer droppings to cover an acre in an inch-thick layer. I know this… Continue reading New England Ecology
Stay or Go, and How?
Climate change is happening in real time right now. Temperatures are rising. Storms are intensifying. Permafrost and glaciers are melting. All of these affect sea levels. The oceans absorb much of the planet’s heat, and warmer ocean waters expand onto land. Intense storms can throw sea water far inland, destroying buildings and infrastructure, shifting river… Continue reading Stay or Go, and How?



