Tributes have been pouring in all weekend to Ruth Bader Ginsberg, may she rest in peace. Regardless of your politics, you can and should admire her tenacity, her endurance, and her long, rich life that was characterized by a fierce commitment to issues of justice, equality and dignity. She was a dynamo in a compact…… Continue reading Seeking Peace in Hard Times
Category: Environment
A Love Letter to Mary Oliver, on her Birthday
Dear Mary Forgive the formality, but I feel as though we are old friends, because I know your words so well. Today is your birthday, and it seems to me to be a fine time to write you a love letter. And, I promise I will take your advice: consider this my few words patched…… Continue reading A Love Letter to Mary Oliver, on her Birthday
Earth Day 2020: In Gratitude
Today, on the 50th anniversary of Earth Day, and in a time of COVID-19, I am giving thanks for the body of the earth with a new sense of gratitude and deep appreciation. As I have said before, I am finding this new world of social distancing, self-isolation, and face masks very alien and challenging…… Continue reading Earth Day 2020: In Gratitude
Ash Wednesday & (Cosmic) Dust
It was a very fortuitous circumstance that today, Ash Wednesday, my feminist theologies class was finishing up Ask the Beasts, by Elizabeth Johnson. This is a lyrical, prophetic text, in which Johnson makes a compelling argument that care for creation belongs at the heart of Christian faith, and that God Herself is deeply present in…… Continue reading Ash Wednesday & (Cosmic) Dust
The Speeding Rate of Extinction. Why You Should Care.
Last week, I read another article in The New York Times about the threat humans pose to other animal species and the environment in general. Read it here: The Speeding Rate of Extinction Sadly, this news is not new, nor does it come as much of a surprise. What is new–and this also just seems to get…… Continue reading The Speeding Rate of Extinction. Why You Should Care.
Zoos and Hope for the Future
So, like lots of people, I have mixed feelings about zoos–I’ve written about this before. On the one hand, I loved the zoo when I was little and I think they provide lots of people–grown-ups and children alike, especially those in cities–a way to connect with wildlife they only would ever be able to see…… Continue reading Zoos and Hope for the Future
Photo Ark, Part II
So, this is the second time I have written about the Photo Ark–the first time was back when I saw the exhibit at the National Geographic Museum in Washington DC; that was in January of 2016. Last night, there was a special on the project on TV, “Rare Creatures of the Photo Ark,” and…… Continue reading Photo Ark, Part II
An Octopus, an Icon
So, I have been reading this great book that my friend Lauren bought me [she knows me well & knew that I would love it]–it is called The Soul of an Octopus, by Sy Montgomery. Basically it is the author’s story of learning about–and coming to love–specific octopuses [not octopi–you don’t put a Latin ending…… Continue reading An Octopus, an Icon
Theology, Sin & the Paris Climate Agreement
The trip continues to go well–we continue to have rich, full days with lots to give thanks for and lots reflect upon. Today I finally have the time & mental capacity to gather my thoughts and offer a few things that have impacted me these past few days. The first reflection that I want to…… Continue reading Theology, Sin & the Paris Climate Agreement
Love Locally, Learn Globally: Plant Earth II
Like many of you, I hope, I have been mesmerized every Saturday night these past few weeks, watching Planet Earth II. I loved the first one–we even bought the DVDs, and I used some of them in class for a few years–and this one has been just as good; in some ways, even better.…… Continue reading Love Locally, Learn Globally: Plant Earth II