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Michael Levin's Blog (509)

Copenhagen Calling Brown COP15

This just in from Avaaz:

“We just got word that the UK’s Prime Minister Gordon Brown would like to update Avaaz members on the Copenhagen summit and answer some questions from us TODAY (Wednesday), before he sits down with Barack Obama, Germany’s Angela Merkel, China’s Wen Jiabao, President Lula from Brazil and other top leaders.

Details -

A conference call with the UK Prime Minister at 5.30pm European time (4.30pm GMT /… Continue

Added by Michael Levin on December 16, 2009 at 10:30am — No Comments

Friend of the Devil

Ian sent me this photo of a snake he discovered in Texas. Can you tell what kind it is?

...Later

Yes, indeed. It's a diamondback rattlesnake. Beautiful and deadly. Best to admire these sleek creatures from a safe distance. Thanks, Ian!

Added by Michael Levin on December 8, 2009 at 6:00pm — No Comments

Scattered Notes

Beautiful tree in Cochabamba, Bolivia on Twitpic

Eknath Easwaran's Thought for the Day made me feel so good I had to share it with you:

"December 2

If your heart were sincere and upright, every creature would be unto you a looking-glass of life and a book of holy doctrine.

– Thomas a Kempis

The pure in spirit, who see God, see him here and now: in his handiwork, his hidden purpose, the wry… Continue

Added by Michael Levin on December 2, 2009 at 7:00am — 2 Comments

Organics in Cochabamba, Bolivia

Cochabamba is a beautiful city, Bolivia´s 4th largest, and towers at 2500 meters or about 8,000 feet above sea level. We are here to enjoy the wedding of my friend Lamine from Senegal and Maria, who was born here.

Someone just commented to me that she loved the produce here. She said ¨The strawberries may not be so big. But, they taste so good! And, the grapes all have seeds like they should.

Before arriving here, we spent a little… Continue

Added by Michael Levin on November 28, 2009 at 9:30am — No Comments

Keep Your Thoughts

However mean your life is, meet it and live it: do not shun it and call it hard names. Cultivate poverty like a garden herb, like sage. Do not trouble yourself much to get new things, whether clothes or friends. Things do not change, we change. Sell your clothes and keep your thoughts. God will see that you do want society.

Henry David Thoreau

US… Continue

Added by Michael Levin on November 24, 2009 at 2:36am — No Comments

Jalapeño Days at the McRorie Community Garden

There's something about hot peppers, especially jalapeños, that just makes me feel great. It all goes back to my days growing up in the Southwest. Peppers are such a part of the culture in Mexico, Texas, New Mexico, Louisiana, and Colorado (to name just a few places) that its impossible to ignore them. You just get involved to one degree or… Continue

Added by Michael Levin on October 21, 2009 at 2:30pm — 2 Comments

Write History Today

NPR: "After a delayed start due to the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, Iraqi students are heading back to school. Many of Iraq's schools lack electricity and running water, but they will be getting something new this year: a… Continue

Added by Michael Levin on October 15, 2009 at 12:00pm — No Comments

A Great Day at the Garden!

Yesterday was a beautiful day here in Gainesvile, FL. The weather is finally cooling down.

That gives the flowers a chance to bloom.

My garlic chives, left from Sh'mal's planting, are thriving, as always. I gave some to our new neighbor Mary and her son Asher… Continue

Added by Michael Levin on October 14, 2009 at 10:30am — No Comments

Sharability ::: tonite at CMC

UF Phd candidate Alex Goldman founded www.sharability.org thinking that sharing makes more sense than buying. Say for example you need to dig a posthole. Once. Hopefully, never again! Does it make sense to run to the hardware store and buy your own posthole digger? Why not borrow one for an hour from a neighbor…

Sharing promotes community. You get to know your neighbors.… Continue

Added by Michael Levin on October 13, 2009 at 11:07am — No Comments

Diane says "Hi" from Egypt

Diane Aikin says "Finally back in Egypt and loving it....picture from Alexandria. Going to the Sinai tomorrow...Diane" Take lots of photos for us, Diane. Please let us know what delicious things your friends in Egypt are doing with those fantastic spices.

Added by Michael Levin on October 11, 2009 at 6:30pm — No Comments

Biking Across Africa

"Where Are You Go" is a film about cycling. Cycling across rugged, unusual terrain. We have some Zoobird folk in Senegal. Get out your… Continue

Added by Michael Levin on October 11, 2009 at 6:00pm — No Comments

Our Favorite Places

The Hawthorne Hostel in Portland, OR is one of my favorite placs. Why? Because on any given day, it's buzzing with people looking for good times, excellent conversation, and the whole structure works as a eco-friendly place. It's got an earthen roof, rain barrels, tents out back for the folks with lesser income, and great buffets on Sundays called Gracie's Lunch.

Every city should have a Hawthorne Hostel. Check out some other cool… Continue

Added by Michael Levin on October 11, 2009 at 2:30pm — No Comments

Garden Pioneers

Find more videos like this on Zoobird

Some of you may remember Bruce from the McRorie Community Garden. Don't worry. He hasn't passed away! He's just moved on. Hope he comes back sometime. I loved his patch. He had climbers that covered the sides of the unique, fencelike structure he put up surrounding his garden...

Read the rest… Continue

Added by Michael Levin on October 6, 2009 at 11:00am — No Comments

What About Me

A little message from QMS to brighten your day, on the way to wherever you're… Continue

Added by Michael Levin on October 4, 2009 at 7:00am — No Comments

Full Moon Weekend

Last month, I was at Burning Man during the full moon. Yes, there's still playa dust on a couple of things. It's hard to believe that a month has passed already.

I was joking that I hated it in the post about Burning Man. I actually checked my calendar to see if I was free for… Continue

Added by Michael Levin on October 3, 2009 at 1:09am — No Comments

Autumn Brings Good Everything!

This morning was probably cool and nice, if you are in N. America. For me, it was a breath of fresh air, literally! We got a little cool front here in Florida. It was in the 50's F at sunrise in Gainesville.

Fall brings harvest season and...festivals! First and foremost on my mind is the Lake Eden Arts Fest in N. Carolina. Music, camping, and the beauty of NC are all shouting out… Continue

Added by Michael Levin on September 30, 2009 at 12:30pm — No Comments

A Nice Day at the Garden

(Photos by Mike Levin)

I dropped by the garden this weekend. The workday last weekend was a huge success. If you recall, the summer growth in McRorie Community Garden was begging for attention.…

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Added by Michael Levin on September 23, 2009 at 6:00pm — No Comments

The House at 1540 E. Terrace Lane, by Bert Woodall

The house at 1540 E. Terrace Lane was just plain ugly. It was built in 1949 by a man named Robinson whose plumbing supply business grew prosperous in the post-war construction boom. Robinson was a simple man and his architectural standards began and ended with the word sturdy. It was a narrow house, and unlovely from the…

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Added by Michael Levin on September 18, 2009 at 10:00pm — No Comments

HOME VAN PET CARE PROJECT NEWS

Photo of Sassy, the beautiful Irish Setter owned by Sandy Lack in Reno, taken by Michael Levin

From Elizabeth Howard, Coordinator

“. . . I live in the house near the corner, which I have named Gratitude.” Mary Oliver

Many times now I come home and there are bags of pet food on my… Continue

Added by Michael Levin on September 17, 2009 at 11:00am — No Comments

Toxic Waters

NYTimes :: QUOTATION OF THE DAY

"How can we get digital cable and Internet in our homes, but not clean water?"

JENNIFER HALL-MASSEY, on the detection of chemicals like arsenic and lead in the water of her community near Charleston, W.Va.

===…

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Added by Michael Levin on September 13, 2009 at 8:00am — No Comments