I once read that if you really want to learn about a country you should walk across it. I have discovered after living in the same town for over 20 years there is still much to discover in my own "backyard". Extending my daily walk over to a neighboring community, that I have driven through many times, introduced me to new architectures, landscapes, smells, sounds, and even some delightful new furry friends greeting me through their gates or fences. My sense of community and belonging has expanded as I see others doing the same, who kindly waive as we pass from our recommended 10+ feet apart.

Sharing is caring! I promote biodiversity in my backyard by providing trees and shrubs for birds and insects. I use no chemical fertilizers or weedkillers on grass or in my garden. I promote soil health with mulch, ground cover flowers, and schedule watering in the early hours of the morning. I'm excited to see bugs, lizards, worms, and bees!

Did you know that Mountain Gorillas and humans are 98.6% identical on a genetic level? While often portrayed in movies as aggressive they are actually gentle giants. Habituated gorillas have been known to interact peacefully with humans. Gorilla attacks on humans are extremely rare and are usually the result of aggression on the part of the human.  Gorillas live a tranquil life within their families and are vegetarians. Gorilla moms and human moms have very similar interactions with their infants, sharing intimate eye contact and cradling their babies in the same fashion. Having experienced this in person on a visit to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park in Uganda I am a lifelong lover of these majestic primates. I have added an image of Christmas (he was born on 12/25), the Silverback of the family our group was privileged to visit.

The modern food system is built around a capitalist model. Designed for maximizing profit at the expense of vulnerable inputs in the system. Soil health and biodiversity have experienced mass degradation in this for profit only model.  In the short film, Seeds of Sovereignty the need for indigenous people to define their own food system and produce their food through ecologically sound and just means is paramount to regenerating their farmland. Acknowledging the seed as the source of life and the diversity of seeds as a way to preserve that life.

It was wonderful to connect with colleagues for a Zoom-chat and catch up. I wanted to mimic what happens when we meet in the lobby or while walking across campus.