The western redbud (Cercis occidentalis) has bloomed throughout Lake County, CA. With its cordate (heart-shaped) leaves and magenta flowers, it dazzles us during spring. Related articles The Razzle-Dazzle Redbud (notesfromtheblogusfear.wordpress.com) Theodore Payne Wildflower Report 4/27/12 (naturalhistorywanderings.com)
Author Archives: Norm Benson
Weekend Postcard: Lilac Flower
Spring has meant an explosion of color around the neighborhood. The flowers and new shoots on the plants feed the soul (okay, I’m not a complete non-romantic). Since it is spring, we have planted the tomatoes in hopes of getting those delicious fruits for our sandwiches and salads. We have also planted some hop rhizomesContinue reading “Weekend Postcard: Lilac Flower”
This Earth Day, stop thinking as an environmentalist and start thinking as an economist.
“In the beginning the Universe was created. This made a lot of people very angry and has been widely regarded as a bad move.” ~ Douglas Adams April 22 is Earth Day, and you know what that means. That’s right, the 43rd running of the Eco-catastrophists and Neo-Malthusians! Why, according to the Earth Day Network,Continue reading “This Earth Day, stop thinking as an environmentalist and start thinking as an economist.”
Weekend Postcard: vineyard in the Alexander Valley
This is another picture of a vineyard in the Alexander Valley, just east of Healdsburg, in Sonoma County of California. Agriculture is amazing. Long ago, we humans domesticated (formerly) wild plants and animals for our purposes, and changing what they do radically in the process. This scene looks peaceful, bucolic, and natural. Well, two outContinue reading “Weekend Postcard: vineyard in the Alexander Valley”
Pink Slime gone. 1.5 Million more cattle needed to meet US demand.
Travis Arp is Ph.D. student at Colorado State University studying Meat Science and “grew up on a farm.” He says in the comments section of his post that 1,500,000 additional cattle will need to be raised to meet the shortfall due to the closure of three of four of Beef Product Inc,’s plants. That shouldContinue reading “Pink Slime gone. 1.5 Million more cattle needed to meet US demand.”
Writer, Travis a PhD candidate in Meat Science, says that 1,500,000 additional cattle will need to be raised to meet the shortfall due to the closure of these BPI plants.
“Excuse me waiter, there are chemicals in my soup.”
My latest article for the Lake County Record-Bee Green Scene page: Regular readers of the Timberati blog or the Green Chain column know that I am not chemo-phobic. In fact, I enjoy eating chemicals because all foods are chemicals. To be afraid of chemicals is to fear our world. We cannot escape chemicals; they surroundContinue reading ““Excuse me waiter, there are chemicals in my soup.””
The World is Getting Richer, and That’s a Good Thing
Peter Diamandis, X-Prize founder, says the world is getting richer; and that’s a good thing for everybody, especially those living in poverty. Technology in the hands of several billion people will make those who subscribe to Paul Ehrlich‘s IPAT formula blanch. But it should mean a healthier population and a healthier planet. Take a momentContinue reading “The World is Getting Richer, and That’s a Good Thing”
Weekend Postcard: Sunset on Clear Lake
The sunset of a couple of weeks ago was stunning, and the picture taken with a mobile phone hardly does it justice. Still, the photo gives some idea of the splendor of the area. The days are getting longer. Spring is on its way.
The Green BS-ometer Checklist: 5 red flags to watch for
My latest Green Chain column for the Lake County Record-Bee: Do you think that what commercials want to sell you and people promoting a “green” lifestyle are miles apart? They are not as far apart as you might think. Commercials sell a fantasy world; the message is usually: “If you buy this, you will beContinue reading “The Green BS-ometer Checklist: 5 red flags to watch for”
Nullius in Verba 