Extinction Thursday – New Year’s Edition

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What better way to start the new year than by reminding ourselves of what we’ve done wrong?

Betula szaferi is a kind of birch tree that no longer exists in the wild.  Before this particular species went extinct, it hybridized with Betula pendula to form the species Betula oycoviensis, so in a way it’s survived.

Betula oycoviensis

Betula oycoviensis

This is a picture of that hybrid species. (I think. The page is in Polish.) If you’d like to see the real thing, there’s one living specimen left at the Krakow Botanical Gardens.

Have you made your New Year’s resolutions yet?  How about signing up for the World Wildlife Fund’s Conservation Action Network?  They’ll let you know when important issues come before Congress so you can write your senators and representatives.

Extinction Thursday – Christmas Edition

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I’ve been trying to come up with a catchier title than “Extinction Thursday.”  I’ve failed.  So, readers, it’s up to you.  Leave your title in the comments.  Since it’s Christmas, I’ll offer a present: If I pick yours I’ll send you a CD of my favorite music.  Best prize ever, right?

On to the extinction of the week, Argyroxiphium virescens.

Argyroxiphium virescens

Argyroxiphium virescens

Cute, huh? This Hawaiian composite (plants like sunflowers and daisies) went extinct sometime between 1945 and 1996 due to introduced livestock.

Now you’re depressed, I know.  I am too.  So what can you do?  Climate change is a serious threat to many species and we need to reduce carbon emissions significantly to eliminate that threat.  We can put a big dent in emissions by increasing efficiency with existing technologies.  Write the Department of Energy today and tell them to prioritize efficiency and set high efficiency standards.  It’s like a Christmas present for the planet.

Migraine Log – Week 3

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Days with snowy/cloudy/rainy weather: 4

Days with headache: 3

This seems fairly encouraging, but one of the days it was snowy and I didn’t have a headache was during a several day long snowstorm – I think I just adjusted to the pressure once it stopped changing.

Sleepy

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I have lots and lots to do today, but I’m exhausted!  There was another snowstorm last night, but unlike the others, this one was NOISY.  The wind was blowing so hard all night that I couldn’t sleep.  Maybe it’ll make it easier to sleep on the plane tomorrow?

To grandmother’s house

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snowy trees

I’m heading to NC tomorrow and will miss the lovely white Christmas here. But getting to spend time with my grandmother is priceless, so I’m not too upset about missing the snow.  I don’t believe in heaven or hell or any idea of an afterlife.  I know that when my grandmother dies, I’ll never see her again, so every chance I get to see her and every minute I spend with her is precious to me.

Kale

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kale juice

This is what the water in my vegetable steamer looks like after I make kale.  I wonder what percentage of the nutrients that is?

All about me

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Today is my birthday, but I’ve really been celebrating all weekend.

On Friday, some of my favorite people came over and played board games.  We, of course, played my favorite game of all time – Balderdash.  But I learned two new (and AWESOME) games, too: Settlers of Catan and another that I can’t remember the name of that’s sort of like a tetris battle.

Yesterday, a friend took me to my favorite breakfast restaurant and I ate delicious eggs Benedict and pancakes and was glad for the 40 minute walk home afterwards.  Tonight, a friend I don’t get to spend nearly enough time with is taking me out for Thai food or sushi – I couldn’t decide so he has to.

Of course, the presents have been lovely.  Anna gave me a coffee cup that looks like a beaker and makes the science nerd in me very excited and Jane got me a lovely soup ladle, which I’ve wanted for a long time and am so happy about.

I’ve also received so many wonderful notes from people I love.  All in all, 24 is one of my best birthdays yet!