On the Edge

I'm standing on the edge of the Pacific and the mystery of what's in and beyond the deep water draws me forward. I come here frequently to escape from my real life and remember that other choices exist.  

Initially, this beach on the Oregon coast looks closed in. Steep cliffs border it on two sides.  The town snakes its way dramatically up the mountainside. Roads look perilous, houses are mostly old and there's little to no room for growth. Here, on the edge, there are two escape routes though. Years ago, someone dug through the base of the North cliff, so it's possible to walk cautiously through a dark, long tunnel and make it to another beach though it turns out to be almost identical to the one I just left.  

Or, I can face the water, take one, take two steps forward and finally trust that I know how to swim to another land.  

Bleeding Hearts

Impermanence

When I got around to mowing the lawn, I found some dramatic changes in the dandelion situation. For one thing, there were more of them. For another, many of the ones that only the day before were gloriously yellow have gone to seed.

Still beautiful, but they look completely different. As with other seeds, past, present, and future reside here. The flower has become this cluster of seeds that will fly away and become other flowers.

Make a wish.

Sunshine

Thursday I saw a break in the wet weather and mowed my lawn. Rain followed the next day and I felt very clever for having mowed during a brief window of opportunity. Now we've had 80 degree temperatures for the past three days.

Nevermind the intoxicating return of springtime. The combination of moisture and heat has not only inspired the grass to regain its lost height, but dandelions have bloomed all over the yard. It looks like I never touched the mower.

Rather than slide into Sisyphean musings about the futility of yardwork, I decided to examine dandelions up close.

It's easy to see where they get their name when you look at a dandelion petal. The end of the petal has a formation like a row of lion's teeth - dent de lion.

Dandelion roots and greens are used around the world medicinally. Interestingly, just when you need a good springtime tonic, dandelions spring up everywhere. A few of the many ways and reasons to ingest dandelion:

• Dandelion roots are good for the liver.
• Juice from the dandelion acts as an astringent for skin ailments such as warts and callouses.
• Dandelions have lots of nutrients so they are used in salads and as tea.

Diabetics and people allergic to dandelions should avoid using them.

Dandelions and other weeds are good for the soil. These hardy plants can grow deeply in unforgiving soil and bring nutrients up to the surface that are good for other plants. Earthworms like soil around dandelions because the weed produces humus.

Finally I have to admit that I love the bright flowers. A splash of color that brightens a sunny day. I guess I better get the mower out again.

Wind!

On a perfect day in early April I visited a wind farm in Eastern Oregon. Perfect days on wind farms have wind rates between 27 and 44 miles per hour. On the day I showed up the wind speed had been slow enough for the turbines to operate for the first time in weeks. It's easy to see why having too much wind is a problem. Even when the winds are under 44 mph the blade tip speed is more than 130 mph.

Each turbine provides 1500 Portland homes with electricity. This is a truly clean energy source that makes everyone happy. Wind turbines covered the landscape as far as I could see - 40 miles away into the next county. Acres and acres of wheat grow beneath the 262 foot high towers because power companies lease land from farmers who farm the same rolling hills.

As I felt the sun on my face and heard the wind whistle past my ears I glimpsed a better future with energy solutions where everyone wins.

In Honor of a Hero

I live next door to a hero. She's not heroic in size; rather she's tiny, not even five feet tall. She's not young; instead she's in her mid-sixties or even a bit older. She's not famous; I doubt more than a few score of people know of her existence. And, she's not wealthy. A widow, she lives on 10 acres of forested land in a little hand-built house that looks like it should be inhabited by elves, not humans.

But, on her own, Norma keeps up the 10 acres of woods around her house. The walking trails that she and her husband Dick built are clear; the wildlife, the wild flowers, the firs and the ferns are cared for. In a world that more and more seems to be dominated by greed, self-posturing and failure, Norma succeeds at what she does - on her own and with no complaints.

I am lucky enough to know her. - Pat

I Like Lichens

Today I learned about lichens from Laura Nappi from the Clackamas River Basin Council at a clean water event at a local community college. Among other useful information, Nappi told me that lichens are an indicator species for air quality. Some types such as lung lichen are slow-growing and are vulnerable to increased pollution. Other types are not affected by pollution. Scientists can analyze an area's air quality by the type and number of lichen growing there.

Hearing about lichen made me want to learn more. A quick read of the Backyard Nature website told me that two or even three distinct species comprise lichens. There is a fungus, an alga, and sometimes a cyanobacterium. The bacteria takes nitrogen from the air and converts it to usable food nitrogen for the lichen. All three species benefit from the symbiotic relationship. And when the lichen dies and falls to the ground, the nutrients are absorbed into the soil.

Lichens have many uses as:

• a food source for birds and other animals (only Wolf Moss is toxic to eat)
• fabric dyes in many cultures
• an antibacterial (beard lichen)
• an ingredient in perfume (oakmoss)

I look forward to noticing lichen more and learning more about this fascinating plant. -Michelle

A Walk Through the Woods in April 2009

I have spent the last several days staying home, resting and recovering from successful surgery. Today, cabin fever and bright sunlight drew me out for a walk on my neighbor's paths. And, how lovely, the trillium are blooming. -Pat

Spring Catkins