... and Getting Hotter

Is it hot enough yet in your neighborhood?  Is the heat a natural thing or is it manufactured by humankind?  Is the sky falling, or are we as homo sapiens actually doomed?  BTW, did you notice the rock on that left hand, the one above and stage right clutching the sign?  Seven thousand, two hundred and eighty degrees Fahrenheit is the melting point of diamond.  So, diamonds are not forever.  I am.  Eternal life.  Guaranteed.  How about you? 

Climate Strike Demonstration | Fayetteville, Arkansas
Image by Ebenezer | 27 September 2019

Crows Come Home.

The Flock Returns
From a Westerly Direction.

By Ebenezer Baldwin Bowles
3 June 2020

When the crows, some amorous and others bored, flew west for the winter, we fell silent here at the Cottage.  Crows aren't by nature migratory birds in the traditional sense, but our avian pals abide in a contrary flock — perhaps because they've attained the gift of speech.  We'll never know because they aren't saying.  Nor will they tell us how they learned the language.  Won't say.

So, when the messenger birds returned with a clatter o'er this past weekend, we were grateful to have them back.  And, since they've got something to say, so do we.  Let's get started.

Environmental Ethics

We've enjoyed immensely the opportunity these recent times to teach about environmental ethics to three cohorts of Northwest Arkansas Master Naturalists in Training, otherwise known by the acronym NITs.  But that was way long ago, it seems, given our interminable isolation in the Age of Covid.  Nonetheless, preparing for the lessons raised to unimagined levels our awareness of environmental and ecological issues and opportunities — just as guru Paul W. Taylor predicted way back in 1978:

In the domain of environmental ethics we may find that as we pursue our thoughts as far as reason can take us, our presently held beliefs and attitudes will come to appear inadequate.  Indeed, our whole outlook on the natural world and the place of humans in it may be radically transformed.  The moral concerns we now feel may expand and take new directions, and the awareness of our own responsibilities in relation to our planet's natural environment and its wild communities of life may be subject to profound and far-reaching changes.  Only the most careful and critical reflection, carried through with total openness and honesty, can bring us nearer to whatever truth the human mind can attain in this domain of thought.
— Paul W. Taylor, Respect for Nature, 1978

Land of High Peaks and Low Valleys

We didn't mention why we fell silent, not communicating through this forum for well over thirty weeks.  Nor why we didn't follow through on plans to write about the exploits of medicinal plant guru Stephen Foster, or about indefatigable Arkansas naturalist Eric Fusslier, or about recent positive developments with the NWA Master Naturalists chapter.  We neglected to tell you about the fate of the much-hyped Gateway Native Plant Center.  Or about the Audubon Arkansas' initiative to raise native plants on small farms in Washington County, Arkansas.

We'll get there.  Your help is most appreciated.

In other words, there's much to tell … and our plan is to get it told during these coming weeks of bounce-back during the Age of the Covid.  Bear with us, we beseech thee, dear sharer.  When reader 'n writer work together, good emerges.

As for the reason why, we admit on this sunny day in June to some debilitating, long lasting, and exasperating bouts of mental depression, which has kept us away from the shimmering page.  It — depression — happens here in the Land of Peaks and Valleys, high places and lowland pits, all too often for our comfort.  We'll just say we're working on it, seeking with helping hands a fresh path forward.  So, as we plow through the “issues,” our plan is simple:  Get permanently to the other side.  We're hopeful, and we'll share our progress along the way.

Shall It Last?

Last September's climate strike at the Fayetteville Square brought together activists of all ages and persuasions, but the high-octane energy came from Millennials and Gen Z.  The term “high octane” may be an unfortunate descriptor because it speaks of fossil fuel and petroleum energy … something better done away with if the planet's humanity is to endure.  The signs and banners held aloft at the climate strike tell a story of quiet desperation, casual solidarity, and urgent action.  Our hope is not overly diminished but rests with the outpouring of positive energy we witnessed from the best representatives of the younger generations — who are tasked with cleaning up the sorry mess bequeathed to them by the Baby Boomers and their relentless quest for consumer goods and conspicuous consumption.  Shall the energy last?  We believe so.  We do.

The Square | Fayetteville, Arkansas
Image by Ebenezer | 27 September 2019

Our friends in India share a bittersweet story about the Ooty Botanical Gardens, where 25,000 potted plants are blooming bright and beautiful … with no one to see them because of the Corona virus lock-down.  Planting took place in November through January — “No efforts were spared at nurturing them,” Gardens Director Shiva Subramaniam Samraj tells us.  And then the virus struck.  “My team is emotionally hit that there is no one to witness the extravaganza,” Mr. Shiva said.  Featured species include the Bada Boom series of begonia, Fiesta Gitana and Touch of Red calendula, celosia Century Mix, and calla lily.  Ever the optimist, Mr. Shiva says the Gardens “will be introducing new varieties of flowers, shrubs and trees.  There are plans to set up an exclusive section for orchids.  Tourists, when they return, will be in for a treat.”  A tourist mecca about the size of Fayetteville, Arkansas, Ooty is located in the state of Tamil Nadu.  Known locally as the Queen of Hills, Ooty features the largest rose garden in India — and one of the coolest names ever.

Reports from Lahore, Pakistan's second city, share good news about an urban forest initiative based on the Japanese planting technique known as Miyawaki, which aims to restore depleted city plots with native trees and understory plants.  Four Miyawaki urban forest projects are underway with eight more planned for the near future.  Among the urban sylva for the project are native species jamun, mango, sage, mulberry, and bamboo.  “We are creating artificial forests based on climatic conditions in which we are planting 16 types of trees,” Muzaffar Khan of the Parks and Horticulture Authority told The News International, the largest English language newspaper in Pakistan.  “Trees are an invaluable gift of nature and their presence is equally important to humans, animals and birds alike,” Mr. Khan said.  “Different types of trees in the artificial forest will be useful in removing hazardous chemicals from the atmosphere.”  We'd never heard of the jamun tree, but in the guise of a lifelong learner we discovered that the jamun is an evergreen reaching up to twenty feet at maturity and prized for its fruit (Syzygium cumini), a black plum that once fed Lord Rama during his exile in a dark forest.

Dogtooth and Two Irises

Images by Crow's Cottage | Springtime 2020

Late February, Early May

The dogtooth violet, aka the trout lily, emerges very early in the springtime, announcing by its droopy posture the arrival of the season.  Late in the winter we blew away wide swaths of fallen leaves from the oaks and the hickories, the sycamores and the gums, clearing the earth to allow the little wildflowers to gather their sunshine and arise unimpeded.  Thus our crop of dogtooths numbered in the hundreds, spreading out over the fertile soil like a speckled blanket.  The first specimen blossomed on 28 February when the daffodils were fully in riot … and six days before the first meadow beauties arrived on the wondrous scene.  The trout lilies hung around for a fortnight or so before returning to the earth for their long slumber.

In early May the irises graced the gardens with rich colors and sensuous form.  The late Miss Carolyn, previous steward of 3 Dog Acres, left behind hundreds of these mysterious mid-spring flowers.  Sometimes the long stems fall over, often after a hard rain.  Then we snip the fallen irises with scissors and bring them inside to decorate the hacienda.  The aroma is stout, pungent, and most welcome.

“Swarms of swirling butterflies,” wings fluttering in the forests … it is there … in the national forests … there the government proposes the planting of a trillion trees.
A trillion trees?  Seriously?
Who can count them all?
Don't they know the saplings are vulnerable,
Not so likely to become venerable?

Wild Sweet William

The blue phlox is a tiny, swirling creature who emerged from the moist soil of the arboretum in early March.  At less than an inch in diameter, she stands with the meadow beauty, clover flower, and dogtooth violet as most welcome and honored heralds of spring's arrival.

Rural Washington County, Arkansas
Image by Ebenezer | 12 March 2020

A New Home for a Rare Species

“Family, Fellowship And Rare Dogbane: A Rescue Mission” is the Crow's Cottage feature about an expedition by the Arkansas Native Plant Society to find a new home for a rare plant under threat from the mower's blades.  The story was engendered by an especially mellow day at the end of May when family, botany, idealism, collective action, and comradeship came together to create a special memory.

Kids Fishing Derby

“Let's Go Fishing!” is Crow's Cottage feature about the 2019 Lake Wedington Kids Fishing Derby.  If you like happy kids and big fish, you'll enjoy this photo essay about a two-hour adventure along the gently sloping shores of Lake Wedington, where about fifty youngsters, parents, grandparents, and U.S. Forest Service volunteers experienced the joys and rewards of fishing during a mellow Saturday morning in the lush and wilding hills of the Ozark Highlands.

“A Natural Promise: Embracing Hope” is the Crow's Cottage feature about the Arkansas Native Seed Program.  Inspired by the Beaver Watershed Alliance's Quarterly Speaker Series at the West Fork Library in February, the essay calls on environmental leaders Jennifer Ogle, Clell Ford, Dave Leisure, and Jonathan Young to tell the story of a very important initiative of conservation and preservation.

As always, we invite you to write us letter of encouragement or correction.  You can even chastise us if you're respectful.  Expect a courteous and timely reply.  And let us know if you'd like to receive a notice about new features.  Our address is ebenezer@crowscottage.com