Monday, February 20, 2006

Taking a break from blogging...

Hi guys! Sorry I haven't been updating my blog. I have been so busy with the Environmental Biology class I'm taking, I don't really have the time to keep up with it. However, I will return at the end of the semester, in early May. And when I do, I'll have a lot to say about nature and ecology. I'm learning a lot and thinking a lot, and I will be back. So please don't forget me! :-)

I may post a few things between now and then, but only sporadically.

One thing I'd like to say that I learned in my class is this:

If global warming continues as it's expected to, there may not be any more sugar maples in NY State. They need a cold period, apparently. No more maple syrup industry in NY, no more brilliant color in the fall, no more little "helicopter" seed pods fluttering to the ground. No more sticking them to your nose. No more canopy of green leafy maples arching over the streets. I can't imagine that.

I'll be an old woman by then and my son will be 48 years old. We'll be the old farts telling younger people how beautiful the maples used to be in NY, and they'll think it's normal that you have to drive much further north to see them.

Maybe this isn't as drastic as some of the other predicted harm that may come from global warming, but it struck home with me. I am intimately connected with the plants in my little area of the world. The sugar maple is that ubiquitous tree we all love, yet take for granted. How could it leave us? It hits me hard. I feel so sad about that.

UPDATE: Hey, guess what? I just came from an awesome workshop with this old retired veterinarian, Alcott Smith, who is FULL of woodslore and natural history knowledge, and we talked a bit about global warming and I asked him about the maples and he said it's not all the maples that will be affected, just the sugar maples. They need a temp of 34 degrees F to germinate. He said it's prob true that they won't be in this area anymore, but at least we'll still have some other maples, like red maples. Just thought I'd let you know. :-) Love to all of you.

11 Comments:

Blogger Ticharu said...

I'm rather expecting the severe storms associated with global warming to flatten all the remaining large trees.

Hey Kate, I figured you must be really busy, since you've been few and far between. Life gets busy.

I'll keep you in my favorites list until May no problem.

You're one of the cool people on this planet, and I like reading your stuff.

Ticharu will keep the flame!

Huggs and kisses

3:59 AM  
Blogger Kate said...

Aw Tich, I love you too. Thank you. :-)

4:03 AM  
Blogger PFG said...

Kate,
The weather gives me the heebeejeebies these days. It's very not right.

Blog when you can. I'm glad to hear you've been busy enjoying your class and your life. I'll still check in to see if you've posted anything.

1:46 PM  
Blogger Bubbles said...

How could we ever forget you????

*smooch!!*

1:09 PM  
Blogger Urban Chick said...

good luck with the course!

see you soon, i hope...


UC

1:30 PM  
Blogger celestialmtn said...

Good luck with your Environmental Biology class. I can just imagine all the cool stuff you're learning in that class. The issue of global warming is very scary indeed. A few decades ago it was practically just a theory, and now it seems to be unfolding right before our eyes. That's scary stuff.

6:28 AM  
Blogger EarthCitizen #23 said...

Hey Kate,
I have been AOL from the Blog lately myself for other reasons. 3D world!!
Hope that you 'book learning' goes well and you make great marks!! I am right there with you on the Maple trees among the other effects of our changing world. What a world! Let me know when you return. scott

7:47 PM  
Blogger Salt Water said...

Hi Kate, we just went through a storm with 100 mph wind gusts in Northern California and Southern Oregon. Global Warming is a big worry, especially when we think of Al Gore's claim that 6 degrees average increase will melt all the ice and drowned out 70% of all coastal communities. Good luck with your studies.
Thanks for the X country skiing photos. I have new snow shoes I'm anxious to try. Will post the results. The pics of the bread are great aswell.
I did want to tell you I finished reading "A Place of Mercy: Finding God on the Street". It is a great true life account of saints working in our world today. I am so proud of Thomas O"Brien for writing it. I knew him when we were in the sem together. If one wants to find true pleasure, one can read this book and know what was meant by the sermon on the mount.
Wish you well, Kate!

9:59 AM  
Blogger Linda Jones Malonson said...

Just when I started back to reading, everyone taking a break. I do understand. But I still can catch up.

8:36 PM  
Blogger PFG said...

Hey Kate,
I know you're on break. When you get back, you can tell us five of your most strange habits then tag five others to do the same. mmmmwah!
xoxo

3:17 PM  
Blogger katiedid said...

Hey you - just popping by to say "hullo!" and that I miss ya!

9:07 PM  

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