Yesterday evening our scout troops placed flags on veterans’ graves, a service we do every year. I spoke before we started about how do this to remember the sacrifices of those lost to war, show families and descendants their loved one isn’t forgotten.
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There’s two places to go in our town for sky stuff. Up the hill or down to the dam. We went down this time, it’s darker, with a narrower view. But far less light pollution. Connecticut, US 22:47 10 May 2024.
Last year I dug and sorted the tulip bulbs after they faded and replanted in the fall not expecting much. Very pleased! And they are fragrant, too! Cutting for bouquets today.
Two days in the woods, messing around, botanizing, greeting spring ephemerals and returning migrants like old friends. Eating ramps on fire cooked hotdogs under 125 ft tall white oaks. Meeting an 85 yr old land steward who still plans for the future. Watching the scouts play, learn, read, breathe in the wild. Soul refreshing. I want this for every one.
Some days my job is really freaky. Working on guidelines for climate resilient regulation. It's best practices to recommend native vegetation. But, what trees should you plant today if the trees live 100 years? Found this USDA story map with sliders showing current plant hardiness, growing degree days, and heat zones. It's one thing to KNOW the climate is changing, it's another to see a data visualization. Connecticut could be Georgia in 80 years.
In 1979, Ohio (US) had 4 nesting pairs of bald eagles. Today there are 800 pairs. Banning DDT and federal protection through the Endangered Species Act worked.
One of the three nests we saw today. This pair, known to locals as Jack and Diane, are feeding a pair of eaglets in Magee Marsh, near Lake Erie.
It’s Caturday somewhere.
Have felt very curmudgeonly today, but at least Fish is amusing me. Immediately colonized a very small box compressing himself as only cats can to perfectly fit a space he should be too big for. He may think he is invisible.
My oldest recently started a job in Corporate America™ and it’s been fun watching their eyes be opened to how jobs work. Has had many meetings peppered with techno-corporate speak. No one does anything, they leverage things.