Tag: drought

Break Free from the Drone of the Lawnmower

Written on June 14, 2013.

Spring arrived late this year, and with it came the weekend drone of lawnmowers. Many an otherwise perfect Sunday afternoon nap has been shattered by a neighbor’s noisy grass trimming machine. And for what? To do it all over...

Don’t take water for granted

Written on January 9, 2013.

I am fascinated by water. Humans can only survive a few days without it, and our bodies are 65% water. Less than one percent of the water on planet earth is available for people to use because the vast majority of water is...

A Few Thoughts on Oaks and Climate Change

Written on October 7, 2012.

We worked with a group of 9 volunteers the other day to plant 120 oak trees. While taking a mid-morning donut break, folks were talking about whether or not we should be planting species other than native oaks because of climate...

A Drought of Words About Drought

Written on July 22, 2012.

Drought. It’s a serious problem this year, but I have been reluctant to write about it. Frankly, the images that come to my mind are not pretty. I think of famine and pictures of small children with distended bellies...

Signs of the Times? Drought, Flood & Fire

Written on July 27, 2011.

Two weeks ago, the weather experts were talking about how 2011 could turn out to be the driest July on record for the Chicago area. Well, driving to work today, I heard the news that July 2011 is now officially the wettest...