All posts by nedhamson

Activist, writer, researcher, addicted to sharing information and facts.

Levada Center: Russian attitudes towards the U.S. show improvement for the first time in a year

Forty percent of Russians have a positive attitude towards the United States, while 43 percent feel negatively, says a new survey from the independent Levada Center.

A Strong Mind in a Frail Body

Alfred’s Children from 901 AD to 955 – Edred

His frail body, though being rapidly consumed by his complaint, which runs its course when he was about thirty years old, was yet tenanted by a bold, energetic spirit, and one which could effectually cope with the turbulence of those times. As usual, the Northumbrians made preparations for a revolt on the accession of a new monarch, but ere their preparations could be completed, Edred had collected his forces and marched against them, and this so suddenly that they were taken unawares, and swore allegiance.

English History

Book 2,Chapter 7, Alfred’s Children from 901 AD to 955 – Edred

His frail body, though being rapidly consumed by his complaint, which runs its course when he was about thirty years old, was yet tenanted by a bold, energetic spirit, and one which could effectually cope with the turbulence of those times. As usual, the Northumbrians made preparations for a revolt on the accession of a new monarch, but ere their preparations could be completed, Edred had collected his forces and marched against them, and this so suddenly that they were taken unawares, and swore allegiance.


Chapter 7, Alfred’s Children

Edward Becomes King

The Succession Disputed by Ethelwald

Partial Annexation of East Anglia and Northumbria

Mercia Added

Chapter 7, Athelstan

Athelstan, the First Monarch of England

Intrigue Against Him

Conflicts with the Anglo-Danes

Formidable Invasion

Decisive Battle of Brunanburh

The Anglo-Danes Revolt, and are Subdued

Chapter 7, Renown…

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For the Love of Trees

Lisa at Micro of the Macro

Canyonlands National Park, Utah

This post was first shared close to a year ago. Although it’s a personal favorite, it didn’t get a whole lot of love because, at that time, few folks knew this blog existed. I am reposting it for all my current readers, in an effort to instill the vital importance of trees for each of us.

I grew up on a small farm in the Deep South, surrounded by trees and animals. My family had a couple cows, a few pigs, and lots of chickens. My grandmother, or Mawmaw, as we called her, maintained a huge vegetable garden on one side of her house, and a slightly smaller flower garden on the other side. Her property had several pecan trees, a walnut tree, a fig tree, and apple trees. Each time a grandchild was born into the family, she planted a new tree in her front yard. My birth tree was a magnolia, and even now, the scent of a magnolia blossom makes me swoon.

In those early years, I spent a lot of time climbing trees. It was great fun and I loved the views from above. Recently, I’ve learned to appreciate trees for other reasons. When I checked out of real life and took up traveling for a few years, (see Escaping Normal for more on that!) I discovered that trees were healing. Hiking in a forest or canyon or up a mountain surrounded by redwoods, ponderosa pines, aspens, or birch trees made me feel nurtured. And that’s as true now as before.

Petrified wood in southern Utah

Trees have not been the subject of a great number of scientific studies, although the studies that have been done reveal that their functions are vital for life on the planet. Most of us know that trees produce oxygen, take in harmful carbon dioxide, and provide shelter and food for animals. But after reading Jim Robbins’ The Man Who Planted Trees: Lost Groves, Champion Trees, and an Urgent Plan to Save the Planet, I’ve learned that trees are more important than I ever imagined. The author, who has written on environmental issues for The New York Times for more than 35 years, asserts that planting trees could in fact be our most important ecotechnology for saving this troubled planet.

According to Robbins, trees absorb not only carbon dioxide, but also various other pollutants that might otherwise end up in our lungs. Their root system can render toxic waste harmless. They can control the distribution of flooding rain and filter searing heat. They generate over 100 chemicals, many in aerosol form, that benefit not only their own species, but sometimes other plants, as well as some animals, including humans.

During my travels, I have witnessed some really unique trees with interesting stories. From the Joshua Tree in the Mojave Desert, to the Great Basin’s ancient Bristlecone Pines, to the Giant Sequoias in California’s Sierra Nevada, the encounters were fascinating and unforgettable.

Joshua Trees inside California’s Joshua Tree National Park

The Joshua Tree is said to have been named by Mormons in the mid-19th century who were trekking through the Mojave Desert in search of a place to settle. The shaggy bark and open branches of the trees seemed to point them toward Utah, reminding them of Joshua from the Bible, who, with outstretched hands, guided the Israelites to Canaan. I couldn’t help but laugh when I first saw these unusual trees; they look like Dr. Seuss creations!

Bristlecone Pine inside Great Basin National Park

In Nevada’s Great Basin National Park, I came upon Bristlecone Pines, which are between 3000 – 5000 years old, making them some of the oldest living trees in the world. Their ability to withstand extremely inhospitable conditions accounts for their longevity. These ancient sentinels produce healthy pine needle clusters within a form that is partially dead. Instead of rotting, their decay-resistant trunks are polished by wind and rain. Even after dying completely, the Bristlecone Pine can remain standing for thousands of years.

Giant Sequoia dwarfing its neighbors inside Sequoia National Park

Giant Sequoias, according to Treehugger.com, can live up to 3000 years, and have branches that are bigger around than the height of 2 humans. Vertically, they can grow up to 300 feet, as high as a 26-30 story building. They can weigh over 2.5 million pounds, and may have a ground circumference of 100 feet. If you have never witnessed these gentle giants first-hand, I strongly encourage it. You’ll gain a new respect for biology! Sequoia National Park in California has some of the largest ones on record.

I would feel more optimistic about a bright future for man if he spent less time proving that he can outwit Nature and more time tasting her sweetness and respecting her seniority. ~E. B. White

Trees work quietly for the betterment of life. Unfortunately, they are disappearing at an alarming rate. In his book, Robbins estimates that 80% of the world’s old-growth forests have been destroyed, and the destruction process continues. Trees and forests, he writes, “are ecosystem engineers that create the conditions for other forms of life to exist on every level.” Their disappearance, often the result of “progress,” may be facilitating the extinction of the human race.

You have stolen my dreams and my childhood with your empty words. . . . People are suffering. People are dying. Entire ecosystems are collapsing. We are in the beginning of a mass extinction, and all you can talk about is money and fairy tales of eternal economic growth. ~Greta Thunberg

Demonstrating love for trees is a great place to start in resolving our ever-worsening environmental problems. If you have kids, talk to them about the importance of trees. Ask them to help you plant and care for some fruit trees or an oak or maple. (BTW, trees increase property value.) Teach your kids to climb trees, or climb with them. Take them to the forest to hike or bike. Visit an apple orchard. Check out state and national parks renowned for their grand species of trees. If you must have a live Christmas tree each year, decorate one in your yard instead of cutting one down. Showing love and respect for trees helps all life forms, and might just prolong our existence on this planet.

 

In the time when the world is sick and dying, a tribe of people will come together of many races. They will be a people who put their faith in deeds, not words, and the world shall become green again. ~Cree Prophecy

Blessings for the Love of Trees,

Lisa

Source: For the Love of Trees – Micro of the Macro

Russia offers 300 million vaccine doses to African Union

vaccine diplomacy

Russia has offered 300 million doses of its Sputnik V COVID-19 vaccine to the African Union. The Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says the Russian vaccine will be available starting May. The deal adds to the 270 million doses already secured from AstraZeneca, Pfizer, and Johnson and Johnson.

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Myanmar grieves after young anti-coup protester’s death

Mya Thwate Thwate Khaing was a teenage grocery store worker in #Myanmar’s sparse and isolated capital until less than two weeks ago, when a gunshot turned her into a national #symbol of . The death of the young anti-#coup protester has sent a ripple of grief through the country.

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Key Lime Pie

Nourish

This creamy and zesty pie, the official state pie of Florida, is simple, satisfying, and the perfect remedy for winter blues. It can be baked or unbaked, have a graham cracker or pastry crust, and topped with meringue or whipped cream but it consistently contains key lime juice, sweetened condensed milk, and egg yolks. We love our scaled-down version, which is on the lighter side.

STEP ONE – Preparations

  1. Preheat the oven to 350°F.
  2. Get out a glass measuring cup, a stand mixer, and a food processor.
  3. Get out a 9-inch glass pie pan.
  4. Set up a cooling rack.

STEP TWO – Make the Crust

Ingredients:

5 tablespoons unsalted butter
1 ¼ cups crushed graham crackers
¼ cup white sugar
¼ teaspoon fine sea salt

Instructions:

  1. In the glass measuring cup, microwave the butter for 45 seconds.
  2. In the food processor, blend the graham crackers, sugar, and salt until combined.

View original post 245 more words

Costa Rica to allow visa-free tourism from China –

Starting in March, tourists from Beijing and Shanghai will be allowed to enter the country without the need for a prior visa. Under the current requirements, Chinese nationals must apply for an entry permit at the Costa Rican consulate. Chinese nationals will have to demonstrate that they have a tourism package booked through an accredited Costa Rican company in order to receive the visa exemption. The relaxed requirements are meant to help Costa Rica tap into a growing tourism market. By 2027, the number of Chinese citizens with passports is expected to reach 300 million people, according to the Tourism Board. “In order to explore this market, the Tourism Board, the General Directorate of Migration and Foreigners, the Ministry of Public Security and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs agreed on the visa exception for the entry of tourists from Beijing and Shanghai,” the Tourism Board said in a statement.

Source: Costa Rica to allow visa-free tourism from China –

Rebel Riot: The punk soundtrack to Myanmar’s anti-coup protests | Arts and Culture News | Al Jazeera

Punks have been among the tens of thousands protesting against the coup in Myanmar [Stringer/Reuters] Inspired by protesters in Hong Kong and Thailand, Myanmar’s youth aim to grab the world’s attention.

In the background, mohawked and leather-jacketed punks wave red and black flags and raise three fingers, a symbol of resistance derived from popular film series, The Hunger Games, and adopted by Myanmar’s anti-coup protesters.

“We just wanted to create something that can inspire people,” Hnin told Al Jazeera about the clip. “This song is meant for this moment.”

Hnin met other members of Rebel Riot in 2015 during student strikes in Yangon. They started hanging out “and somehow I became a punk, I guess.”

Describing themselves as a community more than a band, the collective are known not only for their music but for street-level social initiatives, such as handing out food to Yangon’s homeless.

Source: Rebel Riot: The punk soundtrack to Myanmar’s anti-coup protests | Arts and Culture News | Al Jazeera

Storm Ravages Texas Food Supply Chain

As it is, farmers and ranchers are struggling to take care of cattle, chickens and other animals with frozen water sources and no heat, while coping with interruptions in feed supplies. Plants, meanwhile, have been hit by power outages.

Three dairy processing plants belonging to Select Milk Producers had to shut down for lack of electric power. As a result, the company’s CEO told the Wall Street Journal, the company is left every day with about 150 tanker trucks of milk that it can’t process. Farmers who can’t get their milk processed are dumping $1 million worth daily, the CEO said.

Source: Storm Ravages Texas Food Supply Chain