Category: Ecology
Lead Poisoning
Despite our efforts, despite testing our water, despite an extensive lead abatement program conducted on our house by ACORN, we got word yesterday afternoon that our little 17-month-old girl has a high level of lead contamination. How high? BLLs > 13 µg/dL. Translation: blood lead level greater than 13 micrograms per deciliter of blood. Is […]
Read More → Lead PoisoningNotes from Sevier County
I wrote most of the following last week when I was up north, but wasn’t able to finish it until now. I’ve spent the last week or so in a timeshare condo in Sevierville, Tennessee. It’s a curious place. Or perhaps I should say it’s a curious non-place, in a strangely transmogrified town, surrounded by […]
Read More → Notes from Sevier CountyMystery of the Gas Rebate
We recently let our Better World membership lapse. I like Better World and recommend them to anyone shopping for an auto club, but our insurer offers roadside assistance at a price that can’t be beat. I heard about Better World through Car Talk back when I used to listen to NPR. (Another Katrina casualty. After […]
Read More → Mystery of the Gas RebateTeething and Other Stuff
Man, I thought it was rough when those bottom two teeth came in. Now there’s some dental action up top and the girl’s really been feeling it. When I picked her up Thursday the daycare staff said she’d had a “rough day” — her very first. I guess that’s why she had a little fever […]
Read More → Teething and Other StuffAmEx Again
Here’s another AmEx Members Project worthy of consideration; yes, you can nominate more than one.
Read More → AmEx AgainLovebugs and Others
I’ve never noticed lovebugs around New Orleans before, though they’re supposed to be common all along the Gulf Coast during certain times of the year. Then again, New Orleans isn’t really on the coast — though the coast is getting closer every day. Anyway, I’ve been seeing the lovebugs here for the first time over […]
Read More → Lovebugs and OthersThe Quake of ’89
All my friends and relations up in Indiana are talking about the earthquake last night. None of them seem to remember the Quake of ’89 as well as I do. Mom thought it was 87, JB thought it was 86, and Lee doesn’t recall a quake in his lifetime. But I remember it like it […]
Read More → The Quake of ’89Recycling
Never thought I’d see the day where I’m paying $15/month for recycling service. But the folks at Phoenix Recycling say that if more people sign up they’ll lower the price. Today was our first day with the service, and they performed as advertised. Don’t forget you get a $1 discount if you’re a member of […]
Read More → RecyclingFavor
This one is for my friends and readers who don’t live here in South Louisiana. Do me a favor. Please. First, when you’ve got a few minutes to spare, take a look at this interactive multimedia presentation. It requires Flash and you’ll want to have your speakers turned on. (For extra credit, you can read […]
Read More → FavorWorld Wetlands Day
I thought today was just Groundhog Day, but it’s also World Wetlands Day and America’s Wetland Day. (Thanks, Miss Malaprop.)
Read More → World Wetlands DayFattening Anoles
New Orleans has been visited by a truly biblical plague of flies since the flood waters receded. You can’t eat food outside without being blanketed by a swarm. However… I’ve noticed the friendly little lizards around our house (mostly anoles and a few geckos) are getting fatter lately, and that makes me happy. Nature has […]
Read More → Fattening AnolesAnti-Interstatism
The most radical proposal I heard at last weekend’s AIA conference: Tear down the stretch of I-10 that passes through the center of New Orleans and restore North Claiborne to its former grandeur, routing interstate traffic onto 610 instead. I’m all for it.
Read More → Anti-InterstatismGulf Coast Levees and Arctic Oil
According to a story in the Biloxi Sun Herald: Proponents of ANWR drilling are attempting to use Katrina relief to help push through a measure they’ve supported for more than 20 years. The ANWR proposal includes a provision to devote a portion of government revenue from drilling to improve the levee system protecting New Orleans […]
Read More → Gulf Coast Levees and Arctic OilEco-heresy
Stewart Brand has written an interesting article on how ideas within the environmental movement may change on four key topics. I’m sold on the first two (overpopulation, urbanization) but I’ve still got major reservations about the second two (GMOs, nuclear power).
Read More → Eco-heresyThe End of Oil
I’ve been seeing a lot of hype about the “end of oil” lately. This article in the Guardian is the latest and seems pretty balanced.
Read More → The End of OilI-69
Hmmmm… Maybe I’ll go to Indiana this summer.
Read More → I-69Blame Us
Just in case anyone was still in doubt, a new study indicates humans are definitely to blame for global warming.
Read More → Blame UsKyoto
The Kyoto Protocol goes into effect today. It’s the most biggest environmental accord ever, but the biggest polluter isn’t on board.
Read More → KyotoMother of Thousands
XY and I have wondered for a while about these plants growing in our courtyard. A neighbor lady brought another one over in a small pot this weekend, and she said she’d heard it called the Mother of Thousands. Yup. A quick Internet search reveals it’s also known as the Mexican Hat Plant, the Devil’s […]
Read More → Mother of ThousandsMoss Hunt
Xy’s fifth grade class is building a model of an environmentally friendly house for an Earth Day contest, sponsored by the Mayor’s Office of Environmental Affairs. She wanted to top it off with a garden on the roof, and figured moss would be the perfect plant, since it does not require much soil. So we […]
Read More → Moss Hunt