Flight Behavior by Barbara Kingsolver

Ever been to Pacific Grove CA to see the Monarch butterflies hang in the trees at the coast?  Most impressive tour force of nature.  Either way, if you would like to revisit the phenomenon, Kingsolver's new book is an informative read.  Kingsolver uses this novel, as she uses other books she has written, as a bully pulpit.   Not only does she explore the plight of these animals experiencing a diminished habitat, but she takes on climate change and the way a news network explores the topic.  Of personal interest is Kingsolver's exploration of science education and the perception of scientists in a poor, rural town in the south.  When the football coach teaches introductory science class, how much do you expect the kids to learn?  Evidently Kingsolver did take a science class from someone who understood how scientists, at least scientists like me, think.

A garden is truly a living organism

It's mid August here in northern California.  Already my liquid amber sweet gum is tinged with rose.  I supposed it was just dry, and soaked it the other week, but it continues to turn.  My veggie garden was pristine and green the end of July and now lots of brown leaves, chard with black bugs, and grass setting seed is evident.  With a sigh I went out this morning, cleared two carts of garden debris, and started to turn over the earth for my winter garden.  I dug a dishpan of carrots, a couple humongous, and a bunch of fingerlings and itty-bitties.   I was not quite ready for summer to end, but life moves on.  The last of the tomatoes is always a rude shock.