May 29, 2013
Dr Mercola Discusses New GMO Study - YouTube
Posted by Robyn under Environmental, Vanishing Bees, writing | Tags: Genetically modified foods, GMO, organic gardening |Leave a Comment
May 1, 2013
Poetry for the Earth: Sublime Planet by Magdalena Ball and Carolyn Howard-Johnson
Posted by Robyn under Earth Day, May Day, philosophy of life, writing | Tags: Carolyn Howard-Johnson, Magdalena Ball, poetry, Sublime Planet |[4] Comments
Happy May Day!
Traditionally, May Day celebrates the Earth’s stirring from her winter slumber. In honor of this bridge between Earth Month and the coming summer I would like to share a couple of poems from Sublime Planet by Magdalena Ball and Carolyn Howard-Johnson. These poems are re-printed with their permission. You can find two more poems, plus an interview with the authors at Museiddity.com.
The Man I Love and The Writing Spider
by Carolyn Howard-Johnson
Proud Arachne weaving threads of silver
into words became a changeling
at the hand of Zeus. Charlotte knew
the power of words
could save even a pig. The Writing
Spider my imagination’s
mascot.
Forgetting my reverence for its writing
skills I begin to slide the patio door against
this micro werewolf in righteous
self-defense, his imagined face vicious,
hairy his legs, those tools under his belly
no longer idealized
wordspinners.
Just in time, my husband, child of Zen,
tenderly shanghais my attacker. A folded
tissue—a papery cocoon not unlike
the silky space this spider makes
for herself in window
corners—protects
his palm.
He shakes her loose
from her pristine hammock
gently
near the mound where ants
hang out to dine at will
on any fallen enemy
or comrade.
Saving one to kill or be killed.
Once, the savior of this story
rescued a bee, legs
and antennae
fruited with pollen,
only to have it plant its stinger
in his thumb and slowly die
anyway.
Neither bee nor spider
aware of how tender
and treacherous my hero’s
trap.
Smokewater
by Magdalena Ball
Slowly, if you will
tip toeing through the biomass
pores hot and open
body on alert
pick through chemical decomposition
charred landscape of desire.
The wood beneath your fingers
terra preta
veins visible against filtered light;
a promise
you may or may not keep.
Future
a concept too vague and amoral
to hold you.
The dirt below
becomes wilderness in your brain
the boggy soil in your gut
inspires forward motion.
Sublime Planet is the most recent book in The Celebration Series; I like the fact that all proceeds go to the World Wildlife Fund. If you like reading and sharing great poetry you’ll want to check out the rest of these titles. All are available as paperback and e-books.
Mother’s Day and Father’s Day are coming up fast—these make fun tuck-in gifts!
She Wore Emerald Then: Reflections on Motherhood (http://budurl.com/MotherChapbook)
Cherished Pulse: Love Poetry for the Rational
(http://budurl.com/CherishedPulse)
Imagining the Future: Ruminations on Fathers and Other Masculine Apparitions
(http://budurl.com/Imagining )
Deeper into the Pond: A Celebration of Femininity
(http://budurl.com/DeeperPond)
And Blooming Red: Christmas Poetry for the Rational
(http://budurl.com/BloomingRed)
And, of course, Sublime Planet in celebration of the Earth and Universe
(http://amzn.to/SublimePlanet)
Have a little May Day fun and share a short poem with us! In the comment section below, share a poem on the theme of May Day or Spring. Keep it short–under 200 character, like a Tweet.
April 21, 2013
Celebrate Earth Day–Gift your Friends with Earth Cakes
Posted by Robyn under Crafting, Earth Day, Environmental | Tags: Earth Cake, Garden Cake, Kid Friendly Craft |Leave a Comment
Whether you call them Earth Cakes or Garden Cakes, these make fun gifts to give for Earth Day–and the kids will love making them with you!
Supplies:
- Bucket for mixing up soil
- Flat working surface
- Cardboard discs, plastic lids, or other recyclable/reusable “cake plate”
- Can that is slightly smaller in diameter than your “cake plate”
- Wax paper
- Potting soil/garden dirt
- Water
- Flower seeds
- Small flowers or leaves (optional)
Directions:
In your bucket combine potting soil, water, and garden dirt if needed. You want the mixture to be “packable” and able to keep its shape.
Place some wax paper on your work surface.
Pack a small ball of your soil mixture. Place it on your wax paper and gently press into a flat disc or “cake layer.” Use your can as a cookie cutter to create uniform layers. Make two per cake.
Sprinkle a small amount of flower seeds over each layer. Gently pat the seeds into the cake. (I used a wildflower seed mixture for attracting butterflies and hummingbirds). Let your cake layers dry for a few minutes.
While waiting for your cake layers to dry, prepare your cake plate by arranging a layer of leaves, flower petals, or other “doily.”
By now your cake layers should be dry enough to handle without breaking. Gently peal them off the wax paper and position them on your cake plate seed side up.
Decorate the top of your cake with a small sprig of flowers or a few small leaves.
To Plant:
Lay each layer in a pot or in the garden and cover with a small amount of soil. Refer to the direction on your seed packet for planting depth and watering instructions.
(Alternatively, the cake layers can be crumbled into your garden)
Are you a creative person? Do you enjoy crafts, art, writing, music, gardening, and other creative activities? Join us at Museiddity.com!
How do you celebrate Earth Day? Shout it out here in the comments section!
February 23, 2013
My First Composter!
Posted by Robyn under writing | Tags: Dual composting unit, First compost batch, Home Composting |[3] Comments
Some girls want diamonds, but not me. No, for years now I’ve been asking Santa, the Birthday Fairy and the Easter Bunny for a composting drum. The Birthday Fairy finally came through!
This dual unit is from Gardener’s Supply Company. The idea is that while one batch is “cooking” you can work on filling the next drum. It sounds simple enough…one part “green” (yard trimmings or kitchen scraps) to three parts “brown” (dried leaves, etc…). There is a “Super Hot” activator powder you can add if you choose to, then just check the moisture level (it should feel like a well-wrung sponge), close the door and give it a few spins.
Temperature inside the composter should reach 120 to 160 F. Spin the drum every few days to incorporate fresh oxygen and keep an eye on the moisture level. If all goes well you should have a batch of compost in about four to eight weeks. Well…we’ll see.
I’ve started my first batch and am gathering materials to fill the second drum. At this point my concern is having enough “brown”; the “green” is the easy part. I’ll let you know how it goes.
February 19, 2013
Removing the Hysterical
Posted by Robyn under Life Experience, writing | Tags: In Her Own Words, Linda Parkinson-Hardman, The Hysterectomy Association |[6] Comments
Hysterectomy. At one time this surgery was thought to rid a woman of acting hysterically—which meant, basically, speaking her mind. Thankfully, those days are passed, but there are still times when a woman needs to consider having a hysterectomy. This can be a frightening and confusing time—a time when a mentor would be most welcomed.
Enter my friend Linda Parkinson-Hardman, founder of The Hysterectomy Association which provides information needed for women to make a fully informed choice. Linda’s newest project is an anthology of personal stories written by women experiencing hysterectomy. It is Linda’s hope that In Her Own Words: Women’s Experience of Hysterectomy will offer those journeying this path comfort and camaraderie. When pain wakes you up at 3 AM or you find yourself crying for the children you will never have it’s crucial to have someone to turn to—someone who has been there.
If you, or someone you love, have an interest in this topic then I have good news—you have the opportunity to help create this book! Linda is using Kickstarter to promote her idea and rally funds. She could really benefit from some publicity and pledges right now—she only has until March 9th, 2013 to raise funds. Please visit her page at Kickstarter for more information on this project.





