Posted in Writing, tagged #365Ways, #365Ways2022, climate, creativity, Fiction, genre fiction, inspiration, sff, Writers, writing on May 5, 2022| Leave a Comment »
Today, another free installment from Anthropocene’s Climate Parables series.
Dodging the Apocalypse | Mark Alpert
Yo, fellow defenders of our beautiful planet, happy Monday and happy Earth Day! What a crazy week, right? I’m guessing you’ve heard about my adventures in New Mexico; they were all over the freakin’ news. So first let me send a shout out to you, my loyal listeners, for your amazing support of this graying environmental correspondent. Without you, I’d probably still be in jail.
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Posted in Entertainment, Holidays, Writing, tagged #365Ways, #365Ways2022, #Maythe4thBeWithYou, hope, music, Star Wars Day on May 4, 2022| Leave a Comment »
There is a lot of trouble in the world right now, but we are not helpless. We are not hopeless. And if there’s any better way to remember that today than Star Wars, I don’t know it. Just thinking of the theme song raises my spirits. Here’s to building a better future.
For motivation, check out this piece on the history of John Williams’ rousing theme:
Behind The Song: “Star Wars Theme” by John Williams – American Songwriter
And then, of course, there’s our scrappy band of Rebels.
“Would it help if I got out and pushed?”
— Princess Leia
Always.
May the Force be with us.
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Posted in Other, tagged #365Ways, #365Ways2022, gods, Thoughts, Tuesdays on May 3, 2022| 1 Comment »
You may remember that I have a thing about Tuesdays. It’s work related and therefore largely unavoidable.
All sorts of ugh tends to accrue on the day, largely because it’s hard to feel groovy about taking out the trash or finding a big cobweb has somehow suddenly popped up on the living room light or whatever when your general attitude is no bueno.
Understandable. Still annoying.
Whatever, it’s fine, I’ve got this.
There are some nice things about Tuesdays, however. When the work day comes to a close I feel great. And sometimes I can share a bit of fun with you despite the day. Like this.
Tuesday Is Named For A One-handed God Named Tiu
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Posted in Science!, Writing, tagged #365Ways, #365Ways2022, book club, food, futurism, predictions, sff, Thoughts on May 2, 2022| Leave a Comment »
Interested in the short and long term future of food? (Of course you are, we all have to eat.) Then you might like this article from Bon Appètit:
To take a look at what the future of food might look like, we talked to experts to come up with menu predictions for the future. For the years 2023 and 2024, scientists offered their insights on how food might change. But for 100 years from now—the year 2122—we spoke with people who were unafraid to make some bold claims: science fiction writers.
Fascinating, sometimes frightening, fun.
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While we’re examining the relevance of science fiction for real-world action, you might also be interested in the next meeting of the Science Fiction/Real Policy Book Club. They’ll be discussing All Systems Red by Martha Wells, a.k.a. Murderbot.
Join Future Tense and Issues in Science and Technology at 6pm ET on Wednesday, June 1 to discuss the novel and its real-world implications.
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Posted in Other, Science!, tagged #365Ways, #365Ways2022, #LifeisBetterWithBees, #NoMowMay, home, inspiration, pollinators, Thoughts on May 1, 2022| Leave a Comment »
We’ve reached the point where most people are aware that pollinators need help, that traditional grass lawns do little to support bees and other wildlife, add to pollution, waste water, and contribute to a host of other environmental problems.
I have mentioned that I am not a big fan of grass lawns. We also know that Mrs. Mannerly (not her real name) down the street will give us stink eye if we don’t toe the weed-whacked, chemical-laced, 2-inch tall, monoculture turf line.
What’s the answer?
Partly, it’s changing what we grow, and we’re adding pollinator-friendly plants as much as we can. But until we’re ready to completely upend the lawn paradigm, we need better ways to deal with the grass we have.
And we’re hoping to bring our little corner of the world along for the ride.
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When Mr Man and I moved to this charming area a decade ago, a typical weekend was filled with the roar of lawn mowers. One fellow a few doors down sported a first-generation corded mower, but for the most part our new neighbors were all about gas.
Garage doors would open each Saturday morning to show off rows of gas-powered mowers, bright red gas canisters, leaf blowers and battle-hardened lawn trimmers. Our morning walks often required us to step gingerly around streams of spilled fuel and shout to be heard over the racket.
No more.
Sure, that one neighbor with the riding mower still manages to spend a large proportion of his afternoon outside, but that might have more to do with his home life than his landscaping needs.
Otherwise, a remarkable sense of peace has taken over our street.
As new homeowners standing in front of the row of mowers at Home Depot, gas power did not appeal. We picked up a battery-powered unit that played well with our other power tools. The unit was light, easy to use, quick, quiet, cut well and, perhaps most impactfully, was a bright fluorescent green.
The neighbors noticed. The couple across the street watched us for months, then asked about it. It took time, but eventually they converted to an electric mower. Other neighbors on afternoon walks eyed us up as we mowed. Several years in we noticed another handful of neighbors had made the change as well. As minds changed the trend continued to spread.
Now a decade in, it’s hard to find a neighbor with a gas mower, and that’s terrific.
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What’s the next challenge? Our neighbors still mow early and often. The good news is that the city lets our extensive network of road separators grow bumper crops of dandelions. Bright yellow carpets fill the streets (and feed the bees) for weeks. Still, private lawns account for a substantial amount of acreage* and could be key to turning the tide for bees and the rest of our unpaid pollinator workforce.
“When you run the numbers, it turns that almost anything is better than a grass lawn — except pavement.”
— Lawns are the No. 1 irrigated ‘crop’ in America. They need to die.
Take No Mow May. This movement started in Britain but quickly jumped the Pond to North America.
What Is No Mow May | Better Homes & Gardens
No Mow May isn’t about laziness (although that is a side benefit); it’s about helping the bees.
Also laziness. Whatever works for you, no judgement!
No Mow May: 8 Reasons to Let Your Lawn Grow This Month – Bob VIla
When it comes to spring yard work, what if you could actually do more by doing less? By participating in No Mow May, you’ll spend less time, money, and energy on your lawn while helping to improve the planet.
I’m hoping that at least some of our neighbors will realize, as we have, that in the case of mowing, less is definitely more.
Why You May Not Want to Mow the Lawn This Weekend
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I hope our shift to an electric mower had some small local impact but it’s not just us, of course. The folks around the corner switched to a xeriscaped yard and posted signs about helping pollinators. The world is noticing that the pollinators need change and wants to help. The question is now less about “what” and more about how to do it in ways that work with the world we have.
So this year I’m supporting my local eco organizations, planting native flowers, and braving potential side-eye from Mrs. Mannerly across the street.
Who knows? Next time I see her across my bee-filled yard, she might even smile.
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* For example, lawns can be counted as the single largest “crop” in the U.S. and are estimated to take up over 400 million acres in the U.S. And they don’t even taste good!
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Posted in Other, Writing, tagged #365Ways, #365Ways2022, creativity, lists, optimism, productivity, Thoughts, writing on April 30, 2022| Leave a Comment »
I think I should start posting earlier in the day. You know, when the schedule still glows with possibility, and my plans have yet to come to fruition but still could.
Have I finished baking the week’s bread? No, but it is in progress.
Have I aced today’s Wordle? No, but it’s still possible I could pull out a miraculous win. (It’s not, if I’m honest. Really not.)
Will I get to all that yard work on my list, including a date with a massive downed tree branch and a power saw? Soon, definitely!
Finished reading that book on building better habits (and generally being more awesome)? No, but I am halfway through and already feel a fresh cloak of virtue wrapping itself around me like a warm blanket.
Have I worked out a fix for a broken computer, created a brilliant new recipe, drafted a story, sent in that submission, raked and trimmed and seeded and cleaned and refilled and laundered and baked and donated and delivered? (Or realized that this list is unrealistically, impossibly long?)
Now, barring a sudden attack of zombies or a meteor shower, I’ll actually get a lot of these things done. But all of them?
Probably not. The gap between where I am and where I’d like to be will always be wider than my reach.
Still. It’s morning and right now all things are possible. Doesn’t the sun shine brighter for it?
Here’s to a productive weekend. Because hope, as they say, springs eternal!
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Posted in Writing, tagged #365Ways, #365Ways2022, mostly work, Not Entirely As Planned, Thoughts on April 29, 2022| Leave a Comment »
How have I spent my day? Not writing, but I have been fixing problems and making things and helping people.
So that’s cool.
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Posted in Food and..., tagged #365Ways, #365Ways2022, family, food, recipes, Thoughts on April 28, 2022| Leave a Comment »
My doctor may not agree* but some days you just need to go all in. This recipe is one example**:
Mom’s Mashed Potatoes
Peel, cook, mash, mix. The secret to success is lots of everything good; more butter, more milk, more salt.
Simple. Good.
* I use this rule in moderation, which makes the times when I do even better.
** Lest one accuse my mother of writing an incomplete recipe, I admit that there was originally more to it than this. I’ve stripped it down to the essentials:)
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Posted in Other, tagged #365Ways, #365Ways2022, snow, winter on April 27, 2022| Leave a Comment »
Posted in Writing, tagged #365Ways, #365Ways2022, creativity, inspiration, kindness, quotes, Thoughts on April 26, 2022| Leave a Comment »
“Be an encourager. Scatter sunshine. Who knows whose life you might touch with something as simple as a kind word.”
― Debbie Macomber
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