I was lucky enough to have Dr. Norment as my college advisor and professor for many of my classes. This book wasn’t published until after I graduated, but I am glad I found it. I was reminded of the holistic way of looking at nature and science that he often taught. Return to Warden’s Grove is not only an intimate look into the biology of the Harris’s Sparrow, but also about how human’s connect to nature and the importance of this process. Written non-linearly over three seasons of research, Dr. Norment makes connections in natural ways and is able to tell a story that is more than facts collected from research.
Dr. Christopher Normet reflects on three seasons of field work in the secluded area of Warden’s Grove in the Canadian Arctic region. Here, he studied the breeding of Harris’s sparrows; one of the many small brown birds that often go unnoticed. While he describes his base camp and accomplishes his work of studying this little brown bird, Norment also tries to answer the question of what good is his science and attempts to connect science to humanity as he leaves his family behind, descends into solitude, finds home and knowledge in a desolate landscape and becomes intimate with life and death in Warden’s Grove.
I was lucky enough to have Dr. Norment as my college advisor and professor for many of my classes. This book wasn’t published until after I graduated, but I am glad I found it. I was reminded of the holistic way of looking at nature and science that he often taught. Return to Warden’s Grove is not only an intimate look into the biology of the Harris’s Sparrow, but also about how human’s connect to nature and the importance of this process. Written non-linearly over three seasons of research, Dr. Norment makes connections in natural ways and is able to tell a story that is more than facts collected from research.
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Josephine W. Johnson gives an intimate and in depth look at nature and wildlife over the course of a year at her 37 acre farm in Ohio in The Island Island. Written where one chapter covers a month, we see the seasonal and phenological changes of a year in Ohio. Johnson's writing makes everything seem beautiful, even when it is bleak. She has a talent for making the everyday and mundane leap off the page. I enjoyed her descriptions of the birds, toads, flowers and the weather. Johnson focuses on more than just the big picture. I loved when she got excited at new animal sightings. More than just descriptive of the world around her, Johnson incorporates her feelings into her observations and at the time she wrote The Inland Island, her feelings of the Vietnam War are heavily on her mind and mixed into her observations of the natural world. Reading The Inland Island felt like taking a walk through my backyard with a friend, enjoyable, eye-opening and peaceful. This book was received for free in return for an honest review. Where We Call Home: Lands, Seas, and Skies of the Pacific Northwest is a collection of seven essays on the natural history and human collections of seven native species in the Northwest United States. The essays connect the land and the people who live there, often incorporating the Indigenous knowledge of the Kalapuys, Haida, Yakama and Makah people. More than just providing information, the essays tell of how climate change and human interaction has affected these species and in return, affected us. Camas are a beautiful purple flower that grows in the grasslands of southern Oregon north to British Columbia. The bulb of the flower is an important food for the native people. David Harrelson, Kalapuyan says "Our identities are tied together. To know yourself and to know a place, it becomes necessary to know both." The Camas like disturbed areas, but are being pushed out by invasive species. The Kalapuyan often did controlled burns to maintain a reciprocal relationship with the Camas, but were seen as irresponsible by settlers of the area. Now the Camas flower needs more room, unfragmented habitat that the Kalapuyan are trying to get back. Sandhill Cranes are a beautiful sight to see, a bird that has been around for at least 2.5 million years. Their vocalizations are unique and they are wonderous in flight. They dance together. The Crane's habitat, however, has drastically changed in a short period of time due to human involvement. They've lost their winter homes, and less chicks survive. Each spring might be the last spring that we see Sandhill Cranes. I loved the Hesquiaht story of the Yellow Cedar sisters. As Alice Paul said, "The story is so moving because it tells you that the yellow cedars used to be people. That story sums up the relationship that people have had with these trees." The people used the trees and in return made the environment around them better. The Yellow Cedars are an ancient tree, slow growing in areas that most other trees don't want to grow in. Their lineage is at least two hundred million years. These survivors are having a hard time adapting to our quickly warming world. Hopefully, these ancient trees have a few more tricks up their sleeves. We all know the importance of bees. However, one of the native bees, the Western Bumble Bee, that enjoys frigid alpine, coastal forest, sagebrush and desert habitats and pollinates the Camas flower is in decline. Their decline is probably due to disease spread by commercially used European Honey Bees. Native bees pollinate native flowers, without the bees, we might lose even more biodiversity. Coastal Tailed Frogs are unique to the Northwest streams of the Coast Range, Cascade Range, Columbia River Gorge, Olympic Mountains and Klamath Mountains. These frogs likely evolved 10 to 28 million years ago. Now, their homes are disappearing, the cold streams they need are warming. They have many special traits including their 'tail,' a unique way to move, they land in the water with a special belly flop. Conservation efforts plus the Coastal Tailed Frogs own survival traits will hopefully be enough to ensure their survival. The Yakama people celebrate and thank the summer Huckleberry fruits together before heading to the mountains to pick a year's worth of berries. Huckleberries like a volcanic landscape, they are pollinated by native bees. Huckleberries feed the people and animals of the region. There are ancient berry drying sites hidden in the mountains that the Yakama people once used. The berries and the landscape thrive with fire that the Yakama people maintained for them, but the Forest Service had put a stop to. With most of their fields gone, the Yakama people are listening to their elders about the way the land was to be able to apply adaptive management plans. Olympic Marmot are built for their Olympic Mountain habitat, adapted for steep cliffs, surrounded by ice. They hibernate, safe from predators for the winter. They have lived through many climate change events, but are struggling to keep up with climate change now. Marmots are social and have personalities, they can live for 50 years and their high whistles pierce the landscape. Olympic Marmots are important ecosystem engineers for the alpine meadows, they change the environment and affect the plant species around them. However, drier, warmer summers are changing the growing cycle of the meadow plants that the marmots feed on and use. While I may not live in the Pacific Northwest, I have admired the land there, especially the diversity of habitats. These seven profiles of species highlight what we may lose if we don't change our habits and behaviors towards climate change. I admire the Native people's connection to the land and the knowledge they have for keeping everything in balance. These stories show the beauty, diversity and importance of these plants and animals in our lives. Written with a combination of facts, data, stories and anecdotes, these essays are easy to read, informative and enjoyable. This book was received for free in return for an honest review. Searching Beyond the Stars profiles seven women within the field of astronomy from the mid 20th century through to present day. The focus is not only on their accomplishments and contributions within their fields, but the hardships they faced due to gender discrimination and racism. Beginning with Katherine Johnson, who most people know from Hidden Figures, her story details her perseverance in education for herself and the calculations she made for NASA. Jill Tarter is another name I know as the cofounder of the SETI institute. Jill made strides in listening to space through radio waves and cataloging star systems that could be habitable based on her research. Emily Lakdawalla is a contemporary scientist whose focus is to bring space education to the masses in interesting and easy to understand ways. Tanya Harrison helped to engineer the Mars Rovers and discovered many different geological aspects on the Mars surface. Sara Seager focuses her work on finding exoplanets, especially exoplanets that might support life. Renée Hložek studies how the universe changes over time and ultimately how it will end. Ashley Walker studies the chemistry of other atmospheres to see if life could exist elsewhere. Each woman's journey into their fields and what sparked their interest from chemistry, physics, geology, history or just the love of outer space, showing that there are many different routes into astronomy. Their stories are accompanied by easy to read facts that break down the science of what they are studying with background information and vocabulary. Written for middle grade readers, Searching Beyond the Stars encourages you to find your curiosity. This book was received for free in return for an honest review. Sky Wolf's Call: The Gift of Indigenous Knowledge tells of how different Indigenous People work with nature and preserve the knowledge of water, fire, food, healing and sky. This knowledge braids together the ideas that "Everything is connected. The world is a gift. The sacred is a vital part of knowing. We are always learning." Through the chapters these traditional ideas are explored and combined with contemporary scientific knowledge to apply these ideas of sustainability to a modern world. Designed for middle grade readers, but a wonderful book for anyone wondering how to reconnect with nature. I absolutely loved the idea of Etuapmumk or "two-eyed seeing," using the strengths of Indigenous ways of knowing combined with the scientific worldview. Each section includes stories from the author's Piikani heritage, history and knowledge of how several different Indigenous people use and protect the resource as well as profiles of contemporary keepers of knowledge for that resource. I loved the examples and pictures of how Indigenous people have worked with nature throughout history and today as well as how to keep the knowledge going. This Book is Gay is written as an accessible welcome and how to manual for young adults or anyone wondering, questioning or just curious about the LGBTQ+ community. The book begins with a primer on gender and sexuality along with the differences. Everything is rooted in the fact that these feelings are normal and anything you are feeling or identifying with is ok. Other good points in the book are breaking down stereotypes, fears about the community, coming out and just how do two men or two women go about having sex. This Book is Gay is a good primer for those just figuring out that they are part of the community, parents of kids who have come out or for anyone curious about what is happening with all those letters. Written in an approachable, contemporary style with down to earth language about how things are done, This Book is Gay does get to the point about many things in the LGBTQ+ community that is not taught in school. It does focus on gay men and women for the most part with some good parts about transgender people. There was a lot of talk of safe sex, but with a large focus on AIDS. Pregnancy prevention was not mentioned, nor was STI prevention for two women. Serious tones were taken for safety and mental health with a bevy of resources available at the end of the book. Susan Bugbee had no idea what life had in store for her when she married Frank Borman. However, she did know that their love would carry them through. Susan dutifully followed Frank all over the world as he graduated from West Point and chose to be a fighter pilot and then a test pilot which led him to a career with NASA. When Frank entered the Air Force, Susan read The Army Wife and followed the orders in the book as Frank followed orders for a mission. She didn't bother Frank with household details or concerns about herself or the kids and always had a nice outward appearance and a smile on her face. When Frank went to space in the Gemini 7 mission and later in Apollo 8, Susan's anxiety, depression and addiction began to take over as she had watched so many other military and astronaut wives bury their husbands. However, Frank and Susan's love only grew throughout their time together and when Susan needed help, Frank was there for her. Susan received the treatment she needed and went on to help other wives who have been through the same traumas. Far Side of the Moon is not only a story of the amazing astronaut Frank Borman, but of the outstanding woman who supported him through everything- Susan Borman. The focus is on their relationship and how Susan dealt with the hectic, uncertain and suspenseful nature of being married to a fighter pilot and astronaut. Susan's early life was punctuated by the death of her father, which her mother blamed her for. Left with a mother who was clearly narcissistic, Susan tried to make the best of things, but knew that something was missing from her life. Frank helped to fill in some of what Susan was missing, but in trying to fulfill the duties of a military wife, Susan slowly lost herself. Susan's story outlines the trials of a military wife and the disconnect of what she is feeling inside with what she had to present to the outside world. Susan stated that as military wives "they didn't get to experience the need to touch glory in some way. They just had to sit quietly and stoically and hope to God they never saw the black car pull up in their driveway." Seeing so many of her friend's husbands die doing the same thing that Frank was doing was a contributing part to Susan's depression, addiction and anxiety. While Susan was dealing with all these feelings and raising a family, Frank's mission-based mindset led him to command Gemini 7 and Apollo 8. Gemini 7 was a record setting flight travelling more than 5.1 million miles and completed 206 orbits during 14 days in space. Apollo 8 made 10 orbits of the moon in 24 hours and broadcasted from space. While Frank's accomplishments will go down in history, he owed a lot to his wife and couldn't see the effect of his career until he was finished. This book was received for free in return for an honest review. Incidents in the Life of a Slave Girl is the autobiography of amazing human being, Harriet Jacobs. Harriet wrote her memoir under the name Linda Brent and changed the names of the people who owned her as well as helped her due to fear. Harriet's upbringing and education leads to very well written account of her harrowing time as a slave. She has even written a preface saying that her accounts may be difficult to believe, but they are very true. Harriet had an unusual experience as a slave. Her younger years were spent with what she called a "kind mistress." Harriet spent most of her time sewing, playing, and learning. However, when that mistress died, Harriet was given to another family member. The master of Harriet's new house, Dr. Flint, becomes obsessed with Harriet and begins to manipulate, degrade and possess her fully. Harriet uses her cunning and intelligence to outsmart him as well as extreme perseverance and strength. Harriet escapes to her grandmother's house and hides in a small garret above a shed for seven years before she escapes to the North. The entire time, Dr. Flint does not give up on finding Harriet. I was constantly amazed by Harriet's fortitude, especially when in her garret and constantly staying ahead of Dr. Flint's manipulations and lies. Even when Harriet was in New York, she refused to be seen as anyone's property and did not want to be bought by another in order to be granted freedom. Harriet made excruciating choices for her survival including leaving her children and pushing her body to its limits. Harriet wrote her story in order to inform and inspire women of the North to the situation of women in the South. Her story is still engaging, inspiring and educational for people today. Glow Your Houseplant Garden is a beginner's guide on how to get your houseplant to not just survive, but thrive in your home. Even if you are a more experienced houseplant owner who hasn't quite figured everything out yet, this book might set you in the right direction. I really enjoyed that this guide wants houseplant owners to set their intention with their plants as another member of the household who needs care as the living being that they are. There are separate sections to guide you through everything you need to know such as: lighting, heat, humidity, soil, water, houseplant placement, pots and seasonality. There is a list of good starter houseplants as well. I do wish there were separate and specific care guides for the plants mentioned. There are definitely some good tips that I can put into action to help my houseplants live their best life. This book was received for free in return for an honest review. Ellen Nichols spent her youth travelling from one town to the next, going wherever her father's position as a Methodist Reverend sent them. Stationed in the deep south, mostly Alabama in the 1940's-1960's, Ellen experienced a variety of views on race and Civil Rights as well as plenty of her own adventures and misadventures in being a Reverend's daughter. Remember Whose Little Girl You Are is a memoir of Ellen Nichols' time growing up from girlhood through college in the deep south. The years that Ellen's stories cover are integral to United States history and Civil Rights. Ellen's stories range from humorous to heartbreaking. The most intriguing stories were of Ellen's precocious nature and her insights and involvement in the Civil Rights movement. Her father's views were different from most in the South, giving her a liberal view and making Ellen an activist since birth. I really enjoyed that story of Ellen and her college roommates showing up at a march in Montgomery and being some of the only White protestors there. Later, at her college when asked to appear in front of the Dean, Ellen speaks for her group and refuses to apologize for fighting for rights. I am amazed at her will to fight and her actions taken for the rights of others. I would have loved more insights into her actions taken and how she feels about circumstances in the United States now. Some of the stories flowed together well, some were more disjointed anecdotes. A relatively short memoir, Ellen covers love, loss, captures important moments in history as well as the feeling of unity yet disparity in the South. This book was received for free in return for an honest review. |
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