Professional Development Minutes

melissa  fockler  (b. 1984)   truth to words ,   2006 Photograph  

melissa  fockler  (b. 1984) trained on fossil fuels ,   2024 Photograph 

If you're into sustainability, you might want to check out an interview with Jason Hickel on degrowth.  Some guiding questions: What is degrowth? Is degrowth a solution to climate change? How would degrowth affect the economy?  Can capitalism and degrowth co-exist?

This afternoon, it rained while I  did yard work. Below, a picture of  some of my yard waste -- rotting apples.  "Imagine the smell of rotting apples"

Preston Pablo, Banx & Ranx - "Flowers Need Rain" (Acoustic)  Sing along optional: 'Cause I need you like the flowers need the rain I need you like the sun when the clouds turn grey Oh, you're like the blood runnin' through my veins I'll love you until now and forever away

Before you toss your toothpaste tubes into the trash, cut them in half. There is still more paste inside! I have been cutting my old toothpaste tubes for years. You can do the same thing with shampoo, lotion, sunscreen bottles, etc.  

I spent the day outside. Watching birds, listening to rivers and streams, feeling the shade of the trees -- it was like a great big hug. My bike ride in pictures

Today, I stumbled across this beautiful spot! It felt like something out of Burnett's The Secret Garden .

A few weeks ago, I found a bird nest on the ground. Knowing that the bird was never going to return,  I put my garden gloves on and started examining the nest.  The first thing that I noticed was its weight. It was fairly heavy.  The base was made out of leaves and dirt. The 'bedding' or inside layer was made out of soft grass. The entire nest was  wrapped in longer grasses, plastic ribbon and corn stalks.  It left me in awe of nature. What craftsmanship!  "The bird nest" "The bird nest deconstructed"  

I think this carrot is alive. Anyone else see the 'eye' of the carrot?