http://blog.nwf.org/2012/06/the-love-song-of-the-yosemite-toad/ Henry Thoreau implored us to; “Talk of mysteries!” So, what could be more mysterious than the what, when, where, why and how of human eroticism? Could it be that the “allegorical apple” contained a neo-cortex-altering aphrodisiac? Little wonder Charles Darwin was baffled by it. … [Read more…]
For the past 40 or so years, the weather, soil, improved viticulture and winemaking techniques have combined to produce highly prized wines in the Napa Valley. In fact, there is a common adage, “Every year is a vintage year for Napa Valley wines.” Early in the Biodesign evolution, I discovered that each … [Read more…]
Depending on the weather, seasons and time of day, the views and moods of Grand Canyon are as endless as a child’s kaleidoscope. Clouds can add mesmerizing shadows as they creep across the famous chasm. Lightning adds pizzazz, rainbows add mystical auras and snow can soften angles and offer a fluffy white … [Read more…]
“Their vision is so sensitive that a mantis shrimp can see in both infrared and ultraviolet spectra, and uses 16 color receptor cones (compared to just three for humans). Inman observes: ‘Where we see a rainbow, the mantis shrimp sees a thermonuclear bomb of light and beauty.’” When I saw the “Peacock … [Read more…]
Photo courtesy of National Geographic As a “scientist” I put very little value in living my life according to the signs of the Zodiac. Having said that, however, as a Libra ;-), I can usually see at least two sides of most arguments. Recently, a touching story about Lawrence Anthony and elephants was shared on … [Read more…]
https://www.goodreads.com/author/quotes/135106.Isaac_Newton http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/authors/m/meister_eckhart.html As a young, idealistic biology teacher, I naively assumed that all of the “big” questions about life would eventually be answered by science. Eight years into my teaching career, however, Lettie rendered that assumption invalid and turned my life topsy-turvy. She was the … [Read more…]
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RrTfNTzAvY Although Valentines Day has been designated as a day to celebrate love, its roots date back 100,000 years before St. Valentine lived. Loren Eiseley alluded to this: … “in the dim morning shadows of humanity, the inarticulate creature who first hesitantly formed the words for pity and love must have received … [Read more…]
Although I was dedicated to get as close as I could to the heart and soul of legendary John Muir, I was naively unaware that, in order to do this, I would have to experience some ordeals that he would have identified with. He properly warned that books (including his own) … [Read more…]
Heroes walk through life carrying their torches to light the pathways of others. Saints walk through life as living beacons for others. Anon. How utterly important are the words from the Book of Ecclesiastes: There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven. The world lost a true Saint. … [Read more…]
I owe a huge double thank you to a BOFAW friend. First of all, he shared, Carl Sagan’s YouTube video, “Pale Blue Dot.” And secondly, although I suspect that we have some differing views about Sagan, he provided the stimulus to present a view that very few students are aware of. “The … [Read more…]