Zoë Schlanger’s The Light Eaters is a lucid, humane intervention in a long-running scientific and philosophical conversation about what it means to be “intelligent.” Framed as reporting and cultural history rather than polemic, the book stitches vivid field scenes, archival excavation, and interviews into an argument: plants exhibit a range of sensing, signalling, and adaptive … Continue reading The Adaptable Educator’s Book Reviews – The Light Eaters by Zoë Schlanger
Seeing Through Grateful Eyes
I'm currently experiencing one of life's inevitable truths... the slow death of a parent. Surrounded by emotions from my siblings and Mom, concerned looks of friends, and loads of optimistic messages from angels on social media; I decide to return to a place that brings me peace. I decided to stop and see the beauty … Continue reading Seeing Through Grateful Eyes
The terrace garden: a snapshot
Having moved into a waterside condo this past year was a big decision… where do I put my summer energy if I have no garden to play in? We’ve planted a few small things this year: tomatoes, eggplants, kale, peppers, herbs… they are growing slowly.
A little good news — about air purifying house plants
http://www.goodnewsnetwork.org/scientists-develop-new-houseplant-that-cleanses-indoor-spaces-of-airborne-chemicals/ FASCINATING!!! That's the start for me. I've always had indoor plants for scents (lemons, jasmine), energy (cactus), or herbs, but this is amazing! Toxin cleaning plants!!!
A Little Yellow Peeks Out
I'm not sure what this little weed is; I only know it's beautiful! There are a few that pop up around my garden, from under a heavy cover of other plants. They almost always only have a single yellow blossom showing at a time and several waiting their turn. It is only about 2mm x … Continue reading A Little Yellow Peeks Out
Japanese Highlights
I spent a little time around my beloved Japanese maple. The ground cover and a little determined clover plant add a wonderful contrast to the incredible burgundy leaves of the dwarf maple. There's even tension in the contrast, however peaceful it feels. I adore the remnants of greens in the young leaves of the crimson … Continue reading Japanese Highlights
A little good news — Mother Nature comes to the rescue again
http://www.goodnewsnetwork.org/indonesia-pongamia-tree-might-restore-degraded-land/ More and more we find that Mother Nature has the solution to all our mistakes and environmental abuses. What amazes me is that we somehow still look for the magic pill solutions. In this case, as this tone of the article suggests, this valuable tree will be farmed as an attempt to recover what … Continue reading A little good news — Mother Nature comes to the rescue again
A little good news. — Mother Nature always has a way
http://www.goodnewsnetwork.org/orchids-make-pseudopollen-to-trick-bees/ I know very little about orchids other than their beauty and my own challenges at keeping them alive (a certain level of neglect seems to be required). The plants I've had are amazingly resilient and produce flowers over the years, even after appearing dead. It's no surprise to hear that some species have found … Continue reading A little good news. — Mother Nature always has a way
Critter-Buster Greenhouse Project
The last few years have been way too discouraging for our garden. At first I thought I couldn't find the right space that had enough sunlight (we have massive trees all around us). Then the animals became the issue: squirrels, rabbits, gophers, and racoons. All devouring everything we planted. Last year, before Covid hit, I … Continue reading Critter-Buster Greenhouse Project
Butterfly Garden – Making a bed for the flowers
Sticking to my usual goal of recycling as much material as possible, I raked the whole area as flat as possible and used the trunks and branches of the cut-down cedars to make my flower box. I called-out for indigenous seeds (on Facebook) and bought others online. I decided to cover the ground with nutrient … Continue reading Butterfly Garden – Making a bed for the flowers
The New Renaissance Mindset 