#30DaysofNativePlantLove continues, with Yarrow, Qetsyu7a7lhep, chipmunk's little tail, a not unfamiliar remedy for herbalists. Our contributor, phytotherapist Evelyn Coggins, harvests yarrow for personal use. Learn more about her passion for the healing power of this place we live in this in-depth interview.
Last summer, I was working on an article about Colour. I started seeing colour everywhere, and wondering, what purpose does it serve? One day, after pedalling my bike up Reid Road and noticing all the Western Trumpet Honeysuckle blossoms, popping orange-bursts amongst the screen of green, I thought: Why do flowers have their amazing bright … Continue reading The Western Trumpet Honeysuckle – Nectar for Hummingbirds
We are so thrilled to dedicate the month of April at the Wellness Almanac to showcase Stewardship Pemberton's native plant garden interpretive sign project. Check out Dawn Johnson's post, to find out where it all began. And stand by, every day, as we share a native plant. It's a chance to test your local knowledge, … Continue reading Native Plant Love: Tigerlily
This photo of Polek's one year old, Tae, in deep conversation with the Green River out the back of Signal Hill, made me think of a line from Anis Mojgani's poem, Shake the Dust: "this is for the two year olds who cannot be understood because they speak half-English and half-god." Or river-babble.
Earth Hour’s 10 year old initiative to go dark for the planet takes place at 8:30pm tonight. It all began in Australia in 2005 when the World Wildlife Federation dreamed up a way to raise awareness about the impact of climate change. It has since become the largest voluntary action for the environment, with people … Continue reading Earth Love, beyond Earth Hour
I stared into the trash compactor the other day, where all the plastic was being disposed, and felt a wave of despair. Single use plastic, made from petrochemicals, ending up in the ocean or landfill, where it doesn't decompose, is something even local kids have been agitating against, but until now, I've put it in … Continue reading Why go plastic-free? Because Ocean.
I was working at the library the other day, and sneezed. The gentleman reading next to me pulled open his bag, cracked open a container of chewable Vitamin C tablets and tipped two into my hand. (That, pretty much, is why I love Pemberton/Mt Currie. Where else do complete strangers actually go out of their … Continue reading The Pros and Cons of Vitamin Supplements
This, from the New York Times earlier this year. I circled back to it, after writing about Katey Sagal's blog, and joking that "it takes a lot of poems to workshop your way out of a dangerous way of thinking." Because, actually, science is discovering that you can write your way into a different headspace. … Continue reading Wellness: Writing or rewriting your story
From our birding correspondent, John Tschopp, a springtime report: The mild, sunny weather attracted the first of our smaller migrants. On March 14 I observed three Western Meadowlarks and a single Mountain Bluebird. They were kind enough to pose for a picture. Another bird to announce its arrival was a Red-breasted Sapsucker ringing the bell … Continue reading Birdwatch: Spring brings Western Meadowlarks and a Mountain Bluebird to Pemberton
I think I've said it before: Dave Steers' photo stream is one of my favourite guilty pleasures, when I've had my head in the books, busy with deadlines, overly focussed on the few square inches right in front of my face. Opening up his flickr page is always a beautiful reminder to get out, look … Continue reading Photo of the Week: Dave Steers “Skunk Cabbage heralds first day of Spring 2015”
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