Image via Wikipedia I sometimes worry that our national obsession with cleanliness and need to avoid germs at all costs is one of the things that makes us more susceptible to colds, coughs, and other maladies. Those who are the most germ-phobic seem to be ill more often than those who aren’t. And maybe it’s [...]
Ah, October in Indiana. The start of fall, when leaves fall and smoke and football are in the air. It’s also the start of Bambi-hunting season, which means (to me) the period of fighting between certain family members, avoiding deer running into the road, and dead deer hanging from trees. I can’t think of any [...]
Orchard, Iowa — June 12, 2008
Holy shit. Good Morning…or at least I am trying to believe it is. J and I lost our house and both of our cars yesterday to flood waters in Columbus. We are safe, as well as our animals. We are currently staying at J’s mom’s in Indianapolis (We were lucky to have gotten out…Columbus is [...]
Last semester (I’m in my final weeks of an MA in Philanthropic Studies), James Morris, the former head of the UN World Food Program spoke to my History of Humanitarian Assistance class about his role in that program. He was an engaging, compassionate speaker whose best line was: “When I took the job, I was [...]
I’ve been reading snippets about the international grain crisis here and there, but it hasn’t yet sunken in to the consciousness of American news consumers (probably because we’re too busy watching the Hillary and Barack show). It really should be a real concern to all of us as we think about our candidates, the policies [...]
The photo is from Yahoo! in celebration of World Water Day. Pakistan’s Daily Times explains: LAHORE: Water shortage is one of the greatest threats to human beings, the environment and global food supply. Within the next 25 years, more water conflicts can emerge not only within the countries but between them as well. It is [...]
Wow! Scientists who conducted the most comprehensive survey to date of New Zealand‘s Antarctic waters were surprised by the size of some specimens found, including jellyfish with 12-foot tentacles and 2-foot-wide starfish. A 2,000-mile journey through the Ross Sea that ended Thursday has also potentially turned up several new species, including as many as eight [...]
Maybe: But he (Chris Goodall, the author of “How to Live A Low-Carbon Life”) also questions how much good is being done by eliminating short trips by car. In fact, he says that in some circumstances it’s better to drive than to walk. How can that be? Because Mr. Goodall takes into account something that [...]
