What if?

Over the past year and a half, I have had several things happen that made me wonder, 'what if?' What if I had followed my childhood dream and become a marine biologist? In July of 2013 I took my first whale watching tour and saw something I never thought I would ever see in my entire life. When I was a child,  I always had a love for larger animals. Both elephants and whales fascinated me and at some point I decided that I wanted to be a marine biologist. I learned everything I could about whales and was disheartened to hear that there were many that were soon to become extinct if nations continued to hunt them in the numbers that they did. One of the species most at risk was the largest animal to ever live on the planet, the blue whale. The numbers had become so low, it was impossible even to count how many were left and I was worried that I would never get to see one. Not only did we see whales on that fateful day in July. The blue whale was the first whale I ever saw. 

Unfortunately, none of my pictures were very good. A blue whale blends well with it's environment and though their blows can be as tall as 40 feet, we never knew where they would surface. Often we heard the huge exhale before we saw where they were. Luckily, there were also humpbacks. One decided to show off and do some fin and tail slapping. No breaches, but that was okay. He still looked like he was having lots of fun.
I have to take a moment to recommend very highly the whale tour that we went on. Monterey Bay Whale Watch is owned and operated by a marine biologist and every tour is led by marine biologists. What makes that so special is the knowledge that they carry, not just about the whales, dolphins, and other mammals in the water, but about the birds as well. Many of them you'll never see unless you're out in the open ocean.

Last year, I saw one movie and read one book that both resonated strongly with me. Blackfish is a documentary that shows the darker side of SeaWorld. I want to discuss this topic in more depth in another blog, but it did remind me that I often wondered what it would be like to work as a trainer with dolphins and whales. In Listening to Whales, I had a glimpse of what my life could have been like, had I pursued my dream. In this memoir, Alexandra Morton tells of her life recording and learning the language of killer whales. I will talk in more detail about this in the same blog; however, it made me yearn for her life terribly.

So do I regret not continuing that path toward the sea? Not for a minute. If I hadn't followed the path I chose, I may have never moved to Northern California. Then I wouldn't have met Kevin and we wouldn't have known Albie. And we would never be able to take all our wonderful trips. Life is a journey, not a destination. Years ago, my mother gave me a shirt with a wonderful quote by E. M. Forster, "We must be willing to let go of the life we have planned, so as to have the life that is waiting for us."

Back to the Future, part 1

I have writer's block. Ugh! I have ideas, but putting them down some semblance of legible words is a struggle right now. So I thought that I would share a post from a blog I began nearly 10 years ago. And since I've labeled this 'part 1', you can expect me to do it again when the written word fails me.

Saturday, August 13, 2005

What defines a "good life?" Is it the length of time we spend on this planet? Or the actions we take toward those around us? Perhaps it is measured in the accomplishments we make. There are many who believe that they need to acquire things to fulfill their lives. Still others believe that a good life is achieved by following a set of 'rules' carved in stone brought down from a mountain. If you follow these 'rules' you will be rewarded at the time of your death with eternal happiness. I don't follow that belief at all primarily because I don't think life ends with death. Death is just one stage in our existence. It will occur over and over as we are reincarnated. I believe that our purpose in life is finding the answers that we need to reach omniscience. The journey to achieve this state is what defines a life. The people we meet, the experiences we encounter, the things we learn are all a part of this quest. I believe that a good life is measured by our experiences, by the lives we touch, and those lives that touch us.
The irony of life is that many people (myself included) easily forget this. We often measure our lives by the most trivial of things. Money, success, acceptence. We feel stressed by trying to achieve these things and are consumed by this compulsion; however, none of these things will be carried on to the next life. Their importance only exists now. I was reminded of this because of the passing of two people this week. One I knew for a very short time and one I never had the pleasure to meet; however, both have had a profound effect on me.
The first person was my favorite manager at work. He went out of his way to help everyone. He always acknowledged hard work with genuine praise and acclaim. He was the first person to make me feel truly welcome in a new place. He did this every time he saw me. I learned about his life through the fascinating stories he shared. We laughed every day. He was a constant source of support and encouragement. In short, he has been one of the biggest influences in my life and I didn't even know him a year.
The second person was a young girl I learned about three months ago. She was diagnosed with an inoperable brain tumor late last year at the young age of seven. Despite every attempt to prolong her life, she lost her battle earlier this week. She was a beautiful young girl who was full of life. She was surrounded by people who loved her. She always had a positive outlook. Even when she was in constant pain, she made people smile. In the short time she spent here, she touched so many people and reminded us of the importance of living every day to its fullest.
Although I am sad that she has gone and am even more devestated that I won't get to see my boss again, the best way to honor their lives is to remember their strengths and to focus not on what may occur weeks, months, or years away, but to concentrate on today. It is paramount that we live every day to its fullest, experiencing everything around us, extracting every piece of knowledge and enjoying the simplest of pleasures. This may sound like a hallmark card, but what the hell, it's my way of dealing with grief. And there is no wrong way to grieve. It is equally ironic that it takes loss to remind us of how much we have missed in life. I am newly resolved in living my life as simply and happily as I am able.
To Michael and Katie, I say thank you for everything you have given me!

"I think that I shall never see..."

After sharing my love for nature, specifically trees, I thought I'd share some of my favorite California natives through photos I've taken through the years. I hope you enjoy these trees as much as I do.

Coast Redwood

I'll begin with the tree I wake to every morning. Coast Redwoods are the tallest of all trees and some of the oldest living things on the planet. What amazes me the most is how these trees can survive during the very dry summer months. They only grow in a narrow strip of coastal California, from Monterey county to an area of Southern Oregon for a reason. The summer months along the coast are foggy nearly every day and these trees rely on this to keep them alive. They collect moisture from the fog in their branches and literally cause rain to fall. We call it redwood rain and many's the morning I would wake to wet car seats because I forgot to roll up my windows.

Twisted Redwood

Redwoods are truly amazing trees. There are actually several redwoods in this grove whose trunks are twisted. There's no obvious reason for them to have grown this way. In other cases, there are redwoods with huge chimneys, areas of the center of the tree that have been burnt out by fire. Often the heart wood seems nearly destroyed, but the tree continues to thrive. They rarely fall from the base. More often they drop branches known as 'widow makers'. The impact when they hit the ground causes a large 'bang'. I have seen some that are in excess of twenty feet and extremely heavy.

 

The Coast Redwood's closest relative is the Giant Sequoia. They only grow in areas of the western Sierra Nevada in California. This picture is of "Bull Buck" in the Nelder Grove. It is nearly 250ft high with a circumference at ground level of 100ft; yet, it is not one of the top 40 largest Giant Sequoia! They have a much greater mass than their coastal cousin, perhaps because they get more moisture. Both sequoias have an entire ecosystem that lives in their upper branches with species scientists are still discovering.

Trying to see the top

It's really difficult to get an entire tree in one shot. I think this perspective gives you the best idea of how massive they truly are.

Coast Live Oak

There are many varieties of oak tree in California. They come in all shapes and sizes. Some lose their leaves and others are evergreen. My favorite, by far, are any that grow as gnarly as this one. If you stare long enough, you will see the elves and dwarves peeking around the trunks and catch the flutter of faerie wings. Really, keep looking.

Elfin Forest

This oak grove is known as the Elfin Forest. The tallest trees in this area are hundreds of years old, but the tallest is only 20 feet. This particular grove is no more than 10 feet high.

Joshua Tree

Joshua Trees grow primarily in the Mojave Desert. Driving past a field of them reminds me of a Dr. Seuss book. I'm always looking for Horton or the Lorax.

Incense Cedar

Incense Cedar are often grown in California for use as Christmas trees. They have a wonderful aroma. I particularly like the fall colors on this one.

Monterey Cypress

Monterey Cypress, though iconic up and down the California coastline, only occurs naturally at Cypress Point in Pebble Beach and Point Lobos in Carmel. This one is at Half Moon Bay. They look as tortured as the Bristlecone Pine I spoke of in a previous post.

Ponderosa Pine

Ponderosa Pines is common to western states. Here it grows next to coast redwoods. I love the jigsaw puzzle bark and the huge pinecones.

Jeffrey Pine

And last, my favorite, Jeffrey Pine. You have to drive to see these trees. They only grow from 5000 to 7000 ft. They are quite similar to Ponderosa Pines with long needles and large cones. I wished I had a better picture, but it still wouldn't capture why this I love this tree so much. For that, you have to walk right up to it, place your nose against the bark, and take a long sniff. Butterscotch! No, really, they smell just like butterscotch candies.

“The clearest way into the Universe is through a forest wilderness.”

Today is my sister's birthday, so before I go any further I'd like to wish her the happiest of days, the healthiest of years, and all my love. She is someone I truly respect as well care deeply for. And she shares her birthday with another intelligent human being, Aldo Leopold. As well as being a scientist, author, and professor, he was a key figure in the development of environmental ethics, which expands ethos to include all life and the planet we inhabit, and one of the earliest conservationists.
Like Leopold, I grew up loving the outdoors. Just before my third birthday, my family moved to the country where I spent my school-age years. I remember long summer days spent swimming in the pool and riding my bike up and down our long, quiet road. I fell asleep to the lulling call of the whippoorwill. In the winter, I relished days where school was canceled because I could play all day in the snow with Maggie, our Golden Retriever. There is nothing more peaceful than the silence of a wintery day. Our house was nestled in the woods, yards off the road and even further from our nearest neighbor. In fact, only in winter months were any other houses visible. We had a huge field next door, perfect for tobogganing and cross-country skiing. Our front yard was a flower and herb garden. And beyond our backyard was a huge organic garden. At my elementary school, we made regular trips to the Nature Center, where we learned about tapping maple trees for syrup and identifying animal tracks. I loved every minute of my time in the country. Even after I grew into my teen years, I still found peace and serenity walking my dog, Kiska, along the railroad tracks.
When I turned 20, I moved to Florida and lived there for nearly two decades. The entire time, I never fully felt at home and I never knew exactly why. I moved back home for a brief time before making my latest move across the nation to California. I had been to the area once before when I was young and always wanted to return. After living in the San Jose area for over two years, I moved back into the woods and finally realized what my life had been lacking. Trees. At first I thought it was water, as I had grown up less than a half hour from Lake Michigan; however, I lived in Lakeland, Florida. It was called that for the obvious reason. And though there are trees in Florida, they are nothing like what I had grown up under. And most are palm trees, not a true tree in my opinion. The fact is there is nothing more comforting to my mind and heart than the beautiful expanse of branches overhead. Even when I lived in my first apartment in the redwood forest that was far from comfortable, I was much more at ease than I'd ever felt down in the valley. And there could only be one reason,
this was now my home. And who wouldn't love seeing this every morning they woke up. The redwoods embraced me and comforted me. Just as the maples and oaks did all those years ago, the trees welcomed me into their world and guided me through difficult times. Soon after my move, I met a wonderful man who had an equal love of nature and also an incredible knowledge of California native plants. I saw the forest through new eyes, learning names of plants and how the ecosystem of the Santa Cruz mountains works. And I love it even more. I now can name many of the ferns I see on our walks. We take walks nearly every weekend and have vacationed everywhere from the Russian River area to Carrizo Plains to the Anza-Borrego Desert. But one of my favorite trips was to the White Mountains. There I witnessed one of the most incredible trees I have ever seen. In one of the harshest environments where there is little rainfall and minimal soil to grow, lives some of the oldest organisms on the planet, the Bristlecone Pine. These trees were amazing, their roots stretching for yards seeking much needed water, sun-burnt branches holding firm against gale-force winds. These trees spend thousands and thousands of years in this desolate land.

It's hard to believe they are even alive, but they are and they will be there long after we are gone. Within one grove, there are two trees whose ages are 4846 years (Methuselah) and 5064 years old. Whether I actually saw either, I don't know as their location is kept secret to prevent destruction. But as this photo shows, the trees I did see are stunning. I stood in awe, looking at living things that have been there much longer than this nation has been in existence. Standing there, I was reminded of why I love trees. They are grounded. They provide shade and comfort. They bear fruit and nuts for our consumption. They can be used to create the houses we live in, the bowls we eat from, the chairs we sit in. They truly are giving trees. And they continue to give me pleasure and peace of mind. I will always look up to their branches and see my past, present, and future.

Am I Really What I Eat?

There is a commercial airing right now that has me wondering, just when did 'all natural' become a special selling point? When did the presumption shift from something being healthy to it not being so unless there are rigorous criteria met and obvious labeling declaring it to be true? And why is this ok?
The word 'organic' has been a part of my vernacular since I was a small child. My parents started a garden soon after we moved to the country. They used composting, and avoided pesticides. And it was completely the norm. I never thought anything of it until recently while talking to people about organic gardening. Yes, my parents were part of the 'hippy culture' that believed that poisons were bad and that there were plenty of natural remedies for slugs, bugs, and bunnies. What a strange mentality that was.
The term 'organic' is somewhat of a conundrum. It baffles me that there is a specific, and in my opinion lyrical, term for something that is natural. Contrary to what many believe, there are specific factors that must be met for that desired green and white sticker. I used to walk a couple dogs who lived on an orchard. The owners were seeking their organic classification and told me they have to prove that they have been pesticide-free for 3 years before they can receive that designation. Since they had only worked the orchard for less than a year, they had to wait. I also knew someone who worked for the CCOF. His job was to inspect growers and farmers with a lengthy checklist. CCOF not only certifies growers and farmers in California, it also is the leader in organic certification across the nation. They have blazed the trail in legislation that gives consumers more knowledge and assurance regarding the food they buy. But why do we place the burden on those producers to prove that their products are healthy and safe and allow all others to use poisons, hormones, antibiotics, and GMOs without having to list on their labels exactly what these things are? Shouldn't we demand that growers tell us what pesticides are being sprayed on the crops? It is amazing that companies like Monsanto have free reign to use whatever they like in the production of goods, but don't have to tell the consumer what those things are considering they could be dangerous to that consumer. Eighty percent of antibiotics bought in the US are not used on humans, but on healthy livestock! (source: NRDC). None of the packaging on all that meat sold for consumption is labeled with what antibiotics were used and yet there is a serious problem with antibiotic resistance and drug-resistant bacteria. It is well reported that overuse of antibiotics is leading to the end of useful treatments for illnesses and the rise of super bacteria. Since the vast majority of misuse comes from livestock production, shouldn't the USDA demand that these violators place what antibiotics are used on their animals? The push for new labeling guidelines has only been in reference to GMOs which I firmly support. There is no direct evidence as of yet that shows that these mutated substances are harmful; however I feel that the consumer should be able to make an educated decision on a purchase based upon full disclosure. And I believe this should extend to any substance used on products made for consumption.
My hope is that we can return to the assumption that, if it doesn't say otherwise, the product you are buying is naturally-made and uses nothing that could be potentially dangerous. I am often told that the reason people opt to buy non-organic products is because they are cheaper. I hope that the demand for organic foods will increase, thereby lowering the cost. Perhaps someday manufacturers will have to put every possibly dangerous substance used on labels. If we are truly what we eat, we should know exactly what that means. We should demand full knowledge of what is used in making food. We should create a system whereby those who prefer to use unhealthy practices will have to pay more to produce them, in the hopes of aiding consumers in making healthy decisions. My hope is that some day every burger sold at fast food restaurants will be all-natural and they will have the special Crap Sandwich as a special. Eat it if you dare!
Here is a list of the "Dirty Dozen and Clean 15", produce that tested with the highest and lowest pesticide residue, respectively: