Look up into the sky and see some amazing constellations. We’ve been trying to make sense of those stars for a long time, and science has been expanding our understanding as we see farther and more minutely. Now you can look into the heart of the University of Wisconsin-Madison campus […]
Greetings, dear readers. As is my wont, when I publish something I’m proud of, I like to share it with you. Here is a cover story I wrote for the current Isthmus , Madison’s alternative weekly newspaper, about the very active sleep research programs at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. The […]
Yesterday afternoon I hopped on my bike and pedaled along the bicycle boulevard (see my post on the boulevard) about a mile to attend the opening ceremony of an impressive new building on the UW-Madison campus, the Wisconsin Institutes for Discovery. This building is positioned to connect many of the […]
I just came across an amazing quote by John Adams, our second president. He is known for many things. He and Jefferson opened the rift that our country divides along to this day, but they shared a passionate love for their soil. I have to share Adam’s musings on his […]
Composting is a rich and fertile topic, and there is always something more to learn. I got my most recent lesson at a presentation on Sheet Mulching by Kate Heiber-Cobb, a Permaculture Designer and founder of the Madison Area Permaculture Guild. The beauty of compost! Heiber-Cobb says that sheet mulching […]
I attended a panel discussion by four Master Gardeners this week and listened to their take on the fall tuck in. It’s so primal – the urge to tuck in one’s garden beds under a leafy blanket as winter looms. I see a lot of similarity between the down comforter […]
I like dried fruit. It’s a great way to enjoy fruit all year long with minimal energy expenditure. Doug and I have been hoping that we will be able to grow seedless grapes on our south-facing slope, solar dry them and put some local raisins into our foodshed. Last night […]
You should have noticed the apple in the bottom of the fruit bowl was bruised. Now it’s underside is liquefied. How do you know without digging down to the glop? Jostle the bowl, and a cloud of Drosophila melanogaster will give you the rotting fruit alert. Those of us who […]
Gardening is a good idea. The more people garden the better things will get. These are the kinds of thoughts taking root as I wrap up my 6-month basic Master Gardener Volunteer training program. (see my post on master gardening ) I’ve been to all 12 3-hour classes, and left […]
I don’t even want to know how much chemical fertilizer, pesticide, fuel for hot houses and refrigerated air transport goes into “saying it with flowers.” My favorite option these days is just walking around my land, which is a constant profusion of flowering plants. When I have a minute, I […]
Digging in the Driftless 