Sweet in Tooth and Claw: stories of Generosity and Cooperation in the Natural World

 

 Even though Dr. Jonathan Lundgren had won several awards and published hundreds of scientific articles, he was reprimanded and treated with hostility for expressing the findings of his research on the ways neonicotinoids harm bees and monarch butterflies. In 2016 Jonathan Lundgren left his job at the USDA and began a fifty-acre farm:  Blue Dasher Farm; he named it after his favorite dragonfly.

  Dr. Jonathan Lundgren also created the Ecdysis Foundation, a non-profit research lab located on the farm. The name of the foundation refers to the stage of metamorphosis in which insects shed their skin.

 Several farmers support his research and partner with him to create a community of farmers who are interested in sustainable practices that work to improve the quality and resilience of the soil. In doing so, they restore the integrity of ecosystems, curb climate change, improve the quality of water and air and support human health. What is not to like about that?

  Kristin Ohlson reflects on their partnership in practical terms: “All these farmers are citizen-scientists. They walk the land with the informed, fond curiosity of naturalists and know that it’s folly to approach their work as if they were baking the same cake every season using the same recipe and ingredients. They know that nature has many moving, changing, interacting living parts and that these parts need our respect. For the farmers trying to find a path to both healthy profits and healthy landscapes, Lundgren’s science can answer some of their questions about how to proceed.”

  Buz Kloot is a scientist at the University of South Carolina who used to hate his work because he felt like a coroner. “The waterways were dying and the only thing I could do was to declare the cause of death.” He did not think that anything could change because he did not think farming could change. He did not think the health of the soil in modern America’s farmlands could change until he visited a farm owned by a soil-health pioneer: Ray Styer.

  Ray Styer had not used chemical fertilizers in twenty-five years.

   You can learn more by listening to Dr. Buz Kloot here:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kWDO_O3JUSI

 The experiences of various farmers are featured in the chapter entitled “Agriculture that Nurtures Nature”. It is the fifth chapter of Sweet in Tooth and Claw by Kristin Ohlson.

 I appreciate how the author debunks the false assumption that more agricultural productivity is needed to satisfy the demands of a growing population. “According to the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, we already grow enough to feed ten billion people, which is one estimate of the world’s peak population. A third of that production goes to waste, and another third feeds automobiles and CAFOs—Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations are where animals are divorced from their natural surroundings, crammed into very small spaces, and often fed things they never evolved to eat. The massive amount of food produced by industrial agriculture rarely reaches the billion people who are hungry, not because there isn’t enough food, but because it’s too expensive or is not locally available. And the farmers who are on the industrial-production treadmill suffer, too: the problem for them is overproduction, which results in lower prices despite their hard work”.

  

 

Why has cooperation in the natural world been overlooked for so long?

  Sweet in Tooth and Claw delves into the ways cooperation in the natural world works to sustain life. Her exploration of scientific facts may help readers understand why it is necessary to learn these concepts and may inspire societies to emphasize cooperation.

 The facts she shares in her books corroborate how our lives are interdependent and connected. To illustrate the awareness on the essence of her message, I can cite beavers and focus on how their actions benefit the environment.

  Many people do not know anything about the unique role beavers play through their sophisticated work. Beavers help to minimize the effects of floods, and they even help to prevent them. Beavers improve the quality of the water, store water during droughts, and create wetland habitat for other species, enhancing biodiversity.

  

 How does our own survival depend on the integrity of life on earth? How can our choices help to make a difference? Sweet in Tooth and Claw is a comprehensive resource to answer these questions.

  If you don’t have time to read the whole book, I recommend the chapters entitled “Living in Verdant Cities” and “We are Ecosystems”.

 Perhaps you remember that 90 percent of vascular plants interact with fungi. Their exchange plays a role in their health and survival, but these interactions are often ignored. I wrote about this here.

  There are more living organisms in a teaspoon of healthy soil than human beings on earth, and understanding this web of life is a work in progress.

 

When soil is healthy it is better prepared to withstand unexpected phenomena such as droughts and floods. Sustainable practices of agriculture that are based on fostering biodiversity and enriching the health of the soil with organic matter rather than using synthetic chemicals are reasonable ecological strategies to face the challenges ahead.

   I highly recommend Kristin Ohlson’s Sweet in Tooth and Claw. Some of the topics she addresses in this book have been discussed in previous posts at My Writing Life blog.

 

Finding The Mother Tree

Entangled life

The Ecological Gardener

  You may also want to visit this site.

Farenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury

 “Stuff your eyes with wonder. Live as if you’d drop dead in ten seconds. See the world. It’s more fantastic than any dream made or paid for in a factory.”

“The difference between the man who just mows lawns and the gardener is in the touching. The lawn mower might just as well not have been there at all. The gardener will be there a lifetime.”

 

 Everybody was in a rush, so the dew on the grass, the sensation of rain in the skin and the sunrise were insignificant details to most people in Farenheit 451, but Clarisse McClellan appreciated them.  She liked to go for walks and enjoyed watching nature. She observed people. She knew interesting facts about the past. Clarisse was spontaneous and curious, and, unlike her peers, she rejected violence, but in the Farenheit 451 society, Clarisse was considered creepy and crazy.

 Books are banned and burned. They are considered a dangerous source of useless ideas. The liberal arts no longer exist. Critical thinking skills, knowledge and empathy are suppressed and disregarded. Books can ignite controversy, so those who try to read them are arrested.

 In Farenheit 451 people are dumbed and numbed by television and technology. It is a mechanical society that has no clue about its history, and is not even aware of the extreme poverty in other parts of the world.

 When Montag, her neighbor, met Clarisse during her walks, he felt irritated at first. Montag thought she was a peculiar teenager. She was not considered normal by the societal standards. Normal teenagers in Farenheit 415 are expected to be violent.

 In Farenheit 451 people kill each other for nothing.

 Clarisse enjoyed meaningful conversations, and she was curious about Mr. Montag’s life. Why did he burn books? He was a fireman, but technology had created fireproof homes, so firemen were hired to burn books instead. Gone were the days when firemen were expected to put out fires in homes, and Montag was not even aware of that historical fact.

   Clarisse planted a seed of transformation in Montag. She asked him questions that made him feel uncomfortable and kindled a sense of wonder in him: he opened up to the idea of unlocking the hidden world of books. Clarisse sparked a new light of awareness for him.

 Montag refused to continue working as a fireman.

  Montag escaped from his stagnant existence and meaningless occupation to rescue the soul of the books, and new perspectives delineated the beginning of a different life. 

   What kind of life would that be?

   Throughout the story multiple artists and literary authors are referenced; they were all male. Then I realized Ray Bradbury wrote the book in the year 1951. In those days it was normal to highlight the works of men, not women…At least, he mentioned Emily Dickinson in the foreword of the edition of the book published in the year 1993.

  Farenheit 451 left me in awe; the book is relevant today on so many levels…

    Yes, I do make the time to volunteer to create a space of awareness, reflection, inspiration. If you feel connected to Clarisse McClellan in more ways than one, you are not alone. Welcome to My Writing Life blog, and thank you for reading.

 

If you enjoyed this post, you may also like to read my writing on the following posts:

Brave New World by Aldous Huxley

Island by Aldous Huxley

The Handmaid’sTale by Margaret Atwood

 

 

The Good Lord Willing and the Creek don't Rise by Robert Norris

 

 

 I love books that take me on journeys to distant places. The Good Lord Willing and The Creek don’t Rise will help you “travel” from the comfort of your home, and will make you feel part of unexpected adventures that will awaken your   conscience to new reflections.  

  This book reminds us that amid the darkness, we can seek the light toward growth, wisdom and self-realization.

Spanning over a century, this memoir captivates our hearts and nourishes our curiosity.

How does a person manage to settle down and thrive in a different culture? Robert Norris grew up in the redwood forests of California, but he ended up settling down in Japan, forty years ago.

  The memoir starts long before Robert Norris was born, with the trials and tribulations of his ancestors, the children of immigrants from Netherlands, Ireland and Sweden. Their love, resilience and perseverance guided them through adversity, and a dose of humor was never absent from their everyday challenges. Sometimes they did not know where their next meal would come from, but they stood together and moved forward. Their indomitable spirit will hopefully continue to inspire generations of people.

   The experiences of his great-grandparents and grandparents roaming the Midwest in search of work on farms is vivid in my mind.

 “Around 1928 the Fredericks loaded their belongings in two beat-up trucks and headed west from North Dakota. They’d travel until they found work farming, picking fruit or any kind of labor. They sometimes became scattered, with some members staying in one place working while others moved on ahead. Grandad Frederick and some of his clan finally settled in White Salmon, Washington, in 1932. Not long after, mom, her mother, father, brother and maybe a couple of cousins, or aunts and uncles also made the journey…”

 The inspiration for this book is rooted in Robert Norris’s mother: Kay Schlinkman. 

  Kay Schlinkman grew up on the banks of the Columbia River in the 1930s and 1940s. Kay was ahead of her times. She fought against sexual and power harassment in the home and workplace.  She overcame the ostracism of a small logging town in the late 1950s when she chose to divorce her first husband. She was excommunicated by the Catholic church for remarrying; she experienced severe rejection when she chose to support her son’s refusal to go to war in Vietnam, and she also had to deal with the burden of paying off her second husband’s gambling debts. There were other inconceivable situations she had to contend with, but none of these ordeals suppressed her motivation to dive into her infinite potential and flourish.

    Kay was an insatiable learner. She was a highly motivated woman whose  zest for life propelled her to cultivate her multiple talents with steady optimism. Her perseverance was the fuel that enabled her to never give up. Until the end of her life at age ninety-five, she continued to study the Japanese language with fervor and discipline.

 Kay graduated as legal secretary after taking night classes, and she continued working until age 78. At some point in her life, she took on two hourly wage jobs: one wrapping presents at a mall and one splitting time between night clerking and cleaning rooms at a hotel. She did not have money for gas, so she rode her bike in the snow to get to work.

 She wanted to learn to fly, so she became a licensed pilot and worked for the Department of Forestry as a forest fire spotter. She became chairperson of the Reno chapter of Ninety-Nines, the Women Pilots’ Organization whose first president was Amelia Earhart.

 Kay was an artistic soul and an athlete. She practiced various sports and taught roller-skating lessons. Her creativity found its way in her breathtaking artworks. She loved to draw and paint nature. She played the piano at social gatherings and wrote haiku poems.

Her life was a masterpiece of creativity and optimism.

 As a conscientious objector to the war in Vietnam, her son Robert Norris was forced to serve time in a military prison. His communication skills shortened the period of time he spent in prison. Even though being authentic and standing up for his ethical principles led to humiliation and social shaming, the experience made him stronger and set him on a journey in search of his identity. He travelled to various places across America and the world. In his travels Robert Norris met other human beings who appreciated his courage and resilience. He worked hard at different jobs during those uncertain years of his life: he worked as a construction laborer, millhand, mailman, oil rig steward, cook. No matter what he did, he was fully devoted to the task at hand, and he approached his life experiences with an open curious mind.

 As I embraced his experiences with an open heart and mind myself, savoring the moments of connection with many people across the world, I reflected on Robert’s free spirit, one that is genuinely devoid of prejudices and biases; his uplifting attitude does not threaten the reader with rigid preconceptions and theories. I found in the author's true stories a space to relax and dream. His memoir inspires and creates wings for one’s dreams, irrespective of the reader’s age and gender. His enthusiasm is a reflection of his mother’s life. Kay was an inspiration to Robert, and her optimism lives on through his words and life.

 When Robert landed in Japan he discovered his passion for education, where he became a remarkable English professor, and he accomplished his dream of becoming a writer. He has authored several books. Adapting to a different culture is in itself an adventure that deserves special attention. The Good Lord Willing and the Creek don’t Rise shares the unique trials and tribulations of settling down in Japan and traces the winding road of his life with amazing details. It reveals the memorable experiences that shaped his destiny in Japan, where he retired as a professor emeritus. Robert currently lives in Japan with his wife.

 The Good Lord Willing and The Creek don’t Rise made me reflect on the situation of men in Russia who refuse to be sent to fight in Ukraine. I wish the media paid more attention to their plight. It should not come as a surprise that dictators like Putin resort to aspects of toxic masculinity to recruit men, and you can read about it in this article. I think it is important to remind people that toxic masculinity is not limited to men. Some women succumb to it, too, and they espouse the same ideas and behaviors that empower men with such views. The assault on the US capitol on January 6 2021 is an example of that. (Some women were part of it).

  The Good Lord Willing and the Creek don’t Rise is a special tribute to Robert’s mother. She was an inspiration to him until the last days of her life... The precious bond between them is the expression of a lifelong commitment of love, respect and admiration, and the spirit of their relationship has the potential to expand beyond them to bring a sense of hope where it is needed.

  It was fascinating to read how the people in Japan honored Kay when she visited Robert.

 Robert’s book is a celebration of a mother’s love, and I know it will inspire and empower many people across the world.

 I invite you to enjoy this soothing podcast in which the author narrates some of his amazing experiences.

 https://www.boomerbedtimestoryradio.com/post/the-good-lord-willing

I thank Robert Norris for sharing The Good Lord Willing and the Creek don’t Rise for My Writing Life blog, and for kindly allowing me to showcase Kay Schlinkman’s artworks.

Machig Labdron and the Foundations of Chod

 

“To consider adversity as a friend is the instruction of Chod.”

Machig Labdron

 

 True liberation happens when one is free from the restraints of the ego. If you read Across many Mountains by Yangzom Brauen--a book I wrote about last February--you are somewhat familiar with Machig Labdron’s teachings. The Chod is a spiritual Tibetan practice introduced by a woman a thousand years ago. Her name was Machig Labdron, an eleventh century Tibetan yogini.

 After reading Across Many Mountains I was intrigued to learn more about this aspect of Tibetan culture and Buddhism, so I searched reading material on the subject, and I found “Machig Labdron and the Foundations of Chod” by Jerome Edou. Jerome Edou has been an interpreter for various lamas, and is an author and translator of works on Tibet and Tibetan Buddhism.

 The book chronicles the life story of Machig Labdron, revealing her teachings and wisdom. The writer of this blog post has been a meditation practitioner for many years; the book meets the needs of this practitioner, responding to doubts and concerns and clearing spots of confusion. It helps to integrate various aspects of meditation, transcending the act of meditation itself.

  It is not clear to me whether this book will be appreciated by somebody who has no experience in the practice of meditation. Machig Labdron’s words suggest there is truth in my statement:

 “My Chod instructions consist in the authentic teaching of Mahamudra,

And the Mahamudra cannot be explained by words.”

 Buddhists agree that people tend to be enslaved by what the ego dictates. The   Chod guides the practitioner to let go of the desires of the ego. This liberation enables the mind to find its state of true freedom and clarity.

 If you are just starting to explore this subject, Loving-kindness by Sharon Salzberg may be a good beginning to introduce this topic. Eventually, you may choose Jerome Edou’s book on Machig Labdron and the Foundations of Chod.

It is time for a break. By the end of April I will be back to My Writing Life blog with more book recommendations, both fiction and non-fiction.

Enjoy the ride, wherever it takes you.

Till next time.

 

 

Interesting references:

https://dakinitranslations.com/2021/10/13/gender-blindness-patriarchy-denial-and-female-tokenism-in-buddhism/

https://health.ucdavis.edu/blog/cultivating-health/10-health-benefits-of-meditation-and-how-to-focus-on-mindfulness-and-compassion/2022/12

https://www.taramandala.org/teachings/what-is-a-dakini/

 

 

 Note: the next post will by published in May. Thank you for your interest in My Writing Life blog.

Anne of Green Gables by Lucy Maud Montgomery

 

 Four years ago I revisited Little Women by Louisa May Alcott. I thought I would find the charm I had encountered in my pre-teen years. After reading a few pages, however, my enthusiasm was turned off by the rigid gender stereotypes of the story. On the other hand, reading Anne of Green Gables by Lucy Maud Montgomery has been refreshing and liberating... Even though the story was published in 1908, it retains the essence of freedom and zest for life that the main character, Anne, shares through her words, behaviors and experiences.

 This Canadian classic makes me smile, laugh, cry and rejoice in the wonders of each unique moment of our everyday existence. Reading about endearing Anne, a character whose spirit soars with the energy of creativity and motivation, is a celebration of the magical moments of playing in nature and reveling in the marvel of books. In her eyes, the river smiles, the trees whisper in their dreams, and the flowers sing. The beauty of the sky sends her into an endless reverie. 

 Anne’s excitement moves mountains, warms hearts and changes minds throughout the novel.

 Anne of Green Gables takes us back to a time when children played in nature and read books, absorbing the health benefits of such behaviors, instead of being encaged in the dehumanizing robotic world of video games.

  Anne was an eleven-year-old orphan when she was adopted by siblings Marilla and Matthew. The siblings had asked for a boy; they were shocked and disappointed when they found Anne instead. I love the surprises woven into the plot through unexpected turns and secrets.

   

 The exhilarating descriptions of the places bring the characters and places to life, creating a memorable movie in the reader's mind. The edition I borrowed from the library contains colorful illustrations of the characters and landscapes.

  The characters are complex and quirky, and the author's witty humor makes the novel entertaining and thought-provoking; Lucy Maud Montgomery’s clever approach uses the prejudices of her time to shake the reader. I look forward to reading the full series.

   Books like this one are invaluable resources to communicate with your middle-schooler and to share meaningful conversations about various topics, such as friendship, respect, relationships and so much more. 

 I also enjoyed reading about Lucy Maud Montgomery's life. Here's a website with her biography.

 February 24 was the sad anniversary of the inexcusable, illegal and cruel invasion of Ukraine by Vladimir Putin’s forces. Over the last year thousands of Ukrainian people have lost their lives and/or their livelihoods as a result of this invasion. Thousands of people lost their loved ones and homes. Several Ukrainians have become refugees and are vulnerable to exploitation. 

 Vladimir Putin has destroyed schools, hospitals, homes… he has destroyed families. His goal is to force Ukraine to become part of Russia and to dissolve democracy. His intention is to cause a genocide and to annihilate the Ukrainian culture.  To attain his goal, Vladimir Putin kills his own people as well.

 Vladimir Putin’s regime in Russia is an authoritarian one where citizens are persecuted, beaten and tortured for the mere act of expressing their disagreement. You can learn more about this Orwellian regime by reading a post I wrote here.

 Anybody who refers to Putin as “smart” is as dangerous as Putin. Let’s be clear on this. Only somebody morally bankrupt can make such a sickening statement. There is nothing smart about his lack of empathy and respect for life.

There is something terrifying and ominous about people who either choose to look the other way or to deny the facts.

 Human rights violations in Ukraine by Russian soldiers and forces are well documented by Human Rights Organizations; those who choose to ignore them, do so at their own peril. Putin was responsible for human rights violations within his own borders even before the war started. Yet the world had no problem with their business as usual approach with Russia, so here we are. We cannot change the past, but we can work to create a better future.

Several Ukrainian children have been abducted by the Russian army. Where are these children? I want to follow this closely. These children need to be set free as soon as possible.

My Writing Life blog continues to stand with Ukraine, and also supports the brave people who stand up against Putin’s illegal invasion of Ukraine.

References and sources to learn more about the invasion of Ukraine:

https://www.amnesty.org/en/latest/news/2023/02/ukraine-one-year-after-full-scale-russian-invasion-victims-rights-must-be-at-the-heart-of-all-justice-efforts/

 

https://www.dw.com/en/ukraine-calls-transfer-of-children-to-russia-genocidal-crime/a-64835163

 

 

https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-63580372

https://www.cnbc.com/2022/07/14/russians-flee-putins-regime-after-ukraine-war-in-second-wave-of-migration.html

 

 

Rebirth

 

“Could we just look at what unites us instead of always searching for what divides us?”

Galatea Georgiou

 There is no way out of grief. It is through the emotions of grief that we can heal and become whole. Galatea’s poetry flows like the clear waters of a stream. It is transparent and straightforward. It refreshes the soul, washing away the resistance to feel what one needs to feel.  

  Her poetry is simple yet profound. The blending of the poems with her photography deepens the message.

“It takes guts to be gentle and kind.”

   With so much going on in the world today it is easy to fall. Despite the turmoil and disappointments, working toward our life purpose contributes to our own healing, and as we persevere, we build resilience and kindle the fragile light of hope within ourselves.

 I embrace the reflections and observations that her healing process evinced.

 Rebirth is the inspiring expression of her authentic self and the wisdom drawn out of pain and solitude. Rebirth is a journey toward healing. It is the discovery of one’s inner strength. It is about finding one’s spiritual home and caring for the inner child.

 

“fill your mind with knowledge

 and your heart with unconditional love

change yourself to the best version of you

only then we can rebuild the world.”

 

 I thank the poet for sharing Rebirth with me for My Writing Life blog. Galatea Georgiou is also a songwriter, musician and photographer. She lives in Sweden. You can visit her website here:

                     https://galateageorgiou.com/

Note: the photo added to this post is by Andy Holmes. 

Just Five Minutes with You, My Son: A Son's Suicide, a Mother's Journey

 

 The loss of a son or a daughter is a devastating, life-transforming experience for which nobody is prepared, and when the loss happens as a result of suicide the confusion may be even greater.

 No words can relieve the pain. Along with the vastness of such an emptiness, the love in a parent’s heart stays alive, and the relationship with the lost child is as unique as each person’s life journey.

 “Every day I create a bond between us. I write the story of his life and death. I write to remember,” Hanna Granot wrote.

    Doron was only nineteen years old when he ended his life, twenty years ago. His mother spent ten years writing Just Five Minutes with You, My Son. Doron was a happy, optimistic person, so his suicide shocked everybody. Hanna was determined to examine his life in search for answers.

 “I set out on the journey into Doron’s life to find healing, consolation and insights into our loss of him.”

 Reading Hanna’s book has been a very emotional experience. Immersing myself in Doron’s childhood was magical. The questions and reflections he expressed when he was a child cast a spell on me. From his interactions with one of his teachers and parents I perceived his giftedness.

   It was unsettling and painful for me to learn that at age nineteen his military duties had chronically deprived him of the sleep hours he needed to maintain his health. Today we know that regular sleep is an essential part of the foundation of mental health.

   “Just Five Minutes with You, My Son” celebrates Doron's life and reflects on   various aspects of grief and love. It is a source of support, comfort and understanding to parents who have lost a child. It is also a resource for those who want to genuinely support others in similar situations.

   One aspect of the book that enchanted me was the way she travels with her imagination through time, and to various places. She also dives into her son’s mind and even creates imaginary situations. For example, she wrote an imaginary conversation between Doron and Anne Frank.

 This book is a reminder that it is okay to not be okay. It may encourage people to seek help at times of crisis, for it sheds light on the helplessness of the loved ones who are left  with all the questions.

 Nobody is immune to such a tragedy.

   I appreciate Hanna’s courage and the insights she shares, a result of the wisdom that emerges from the depths of bereavement:

  "I understand that the pursuit of perfection is misguided at its very core. There is nothing immaculate in our world."

   I thank Hanna Granot for trusting me with her book.  “Just Five Minutes with you, My Son” may help save lives, and it may kindle a light to connect people through understanding and kindness.