Up North

Meenos

BUGS!

I have just discovered the most amazing site ever www.whatsthatbug.com. the bug pictured above is called a sun spider, and "is harmless unless you are a small arthropod". This humorous and informative site has amazing photos of crazy critters, bug love, and unnecesary carnage. At first you may feel a bit squeamish, but after looking at bugs for awhile you may start to appreciate their buggy beauty.

I recently read a book about earthworms. fascinating creatures that seem so delicate and weak, but over hundreds of years can change the face of the planet. Also did you know that there are no worms native to canada? All worms are introduced species (hitching rides in potted plants and bottoms of shoes)
Apparently Darwin believed that worms had a certain amount of intelligence. He tested them on their ability to bring paper triangles into their burrows. Strange but true. i am starting to read his paper now, and you too can read it here The Formation Of Vegetable Mould Darwin is pretty easy to read, so give it a go and you too may be sucked into the vastly interesting topic of worms.

A lesson is to be learned here. just because bugs look frightening, does not mean you should squish them. most bugs are harmless to humans. learn to appreciate them and a whole new world will open up to you.

In Memory of Pearson

I'm sorry to say that I must share some sad sad news. Our family dog, Pearson, was hit by a car on the highway and died. Such a silly yellow dingo dog, I remember bringing him home when he was just a puppy from the neighboring farm, all ears and tail. He always greeted me when I came home with a hop and a perpetual wagging tail. Even after I left home, Mom would say that Pearson would wait at the driveway for the school bus to stop, and was confused when it just drove by. You were a great lovable friendly grinning dog, and we will all miss you.
Rest in peace, pup.

Butterfly in the sky, I can go twice as high

Reading Rainbow!! todays reading rainbow book is...

Inventing the Future: Reflections on Science, Technology and Nature by David Suzuki

In this book, Suzuki discusses issues such as ethics and morals in science, animal rights, genetics and society, pros and cons of technology, science and military (which he calls an “unholy alliance”), the war between economics and ecology, environmental issues (de-forestation being a large topic), politics and the environment, science education in elementary to university, and alternate world views such as aboriginal ideology.

Obviously he is speaking through his bias as an environmentalist, but Dr. Suzuki is also a scientist (geneticist), and an educator. He understands that we have become complicit in our destruction. We are stuck in a cycle of mass consumerism and mass waste, unable and possibly unwilling to change because we have already invested so much of our life in a certain path. He talks about the subtle relationships found within many issues but he also states that often economics and politics are blind to these subtleties and only ask what is profitable.

He proposes that change must be made in the way we view our relationship to nature, in that we are not above it, but part of the Earth and its symbiotic cycles. We must realize that clean air, water, forests, and wildlife is priceless and cannot be reduced to monetary value as economics would like us to believe. (I love the part when he talks about breaking down humans into base components, and that we could be sold for a few hundred dollars each. Is that really all human life is worth? The answer is no.) He has hope that if we teach our children to love nature (bugs included), rather than fear or abhor nature,then the future leaders of our world will choose technologies that will not harm the Earth- if there is anything left.

this is a grossly condensed blurb of the book, don't take my word for it, read it yourself! Its an easy read, but it is smart, funny, and thought provoking. If you like to read his newspaper column, you'll enjoy this book as it is in the same writing style.


I found this book at the Regina Public Library, and right now it is on the display shelf in front of the Dunlop Art Gallery. One of the best perks of my job is the time to read and stock the display shelf with books that pertain to the show (this show is about economics and ecology). Right now I am stocking it with books about global warming (pro and con), environmental issues, how to save the planet, books about reducing, reusing, and recycling, books about environmentally friendly products, eco heroes, and on and on and on. If nothing else, this is a way for me to spread the word, that we can make changes to our life styles that really isn't much of an effort.

Ice & Fire Carnival

Hey all
As you may or may not know, I participated in this years Ice & Fire Carnival. Myself, and two colleagues Chad and Fazail, created a fabulous sherbert snow fort for the people to enjoy. Apparently over 7,000 people attended the event which is an amazing turnout for Regina. I hope that I will be invited back to carve next year as it was a great experience, even if our sculpture turned out to be a pastel floral bunker. oh well, the kids sure enjoyed climbing on it!

pictures of carnival

Katzenauge

Portrait of Jaimee